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Amex Platinum Card: Maximizing Car Rental Insurance & Benefits

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Katie Seemann
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Katie Seemann

Senior Content Contributor and News Editor

335 Published Articles 39 Edited Articles

Countries Visited: 28U.S. States Visited: 29

Katie has been in the points and miles game since 2015 and started her own blog in 2016. She’s been freelance writing since then and her work has been featured in publications like Travel + Leisure, F...
Edited by: Keri Stooksbury
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Keri Stooksbury

Editor-in-Chief

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With years of experience in corporate marketing and as the Executive Director of the American Chamber of Commerce in Qatar, Keri is now Editor-in-Chief at UP, overseeing daily content operations and r...

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The Platinum Card® from American Express is one of the premier credit cards on the market today. It’s known for its amazing perks, but it also carries a steep annual fee.

While the dollar figure may seem daunting, this card comes with a lot of benefits to offset the cost. In this post, we’ll focus on the perks related to renting a car.

The Amex Platinum card offers some very enticing benefits that you might want to take advantage of when renting a car, including car rental privileges with Avis, Hertz, and National and rental car insurance.

This post will dig into these benefits to explore what they cover, what they don’t, and how you can benefit from them.

Benefits of the Amex Platinum Card

First, let’s take a quick look at the American Express Platinum credit card as a whole. This premium credit card comes with an equally premium price tag.

Make no mistake, it’s a pricey card — but if you can take advantage of all the perks the Amex Platinum card offers, it might earn a spot in your wallet.

BEST LOUNGE ACCESS
The Platinum Card® from American ExpressTerms Apply / Rates & Fees

The Platinum Card® from American Express

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The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

The Amex Platinum reigns supreme for luxury travel, offering the best airport lounge access plus generous statement credits, and complimentary elite status.

Learn More(at Amex's secure site)

Apply With Confidence

Know if you're approved with no credit score impact

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The Platinum Card® from American Express

The Amex Platinum reigns supreme for luxury travel, offering the best airport lounge access plus generous statement credits, and complimentary elite status.
Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 on purchases on the Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.
80,000 points
$1,760
$695
See Pay Over Time APR
Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.
Good to Excellent (670-850)

When it comes to cards that offer top-notch benefits, you’d be hard-pressed to find a better card out there than The Platinum Card® from American Express.

Make no mistake — the Amex Platinum card is a premium card with a premium price tag. With amazing benefits like best-in-class airport lounge access, hotel elite status, and tremendous value in annual statement credits, it can easily prove to be one of the most lucrative cards in your wallet year after year.

Pros

  • The best airport lounge access out of any card (by far) — enjoy access to over 1,400 worldwide lounges, including the luxurious Amex Centurion Lounges, Priority Pass lounges, Plaza Premium Lounges, and many more!
  • 5x points per dollar spent on flights purchased directly with the airline or with AmexTravel.com (up to $500,000 per year)
  • 5x points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels booked with AmexTravel.com
  • Annual and monthly statement credits upon enrollment (airline credit, Uber Cash credit, Saks Fifth Avenue credit, streaming credit, prepaid hotel credit on eligible stays, Walmart+ credit, CLEAR credit, and Equinox credit)
  • TSA PreCheck or Global Entry credit
  • Access to American Express Fine Hotels and Resorts
  • Access to Amex International Airline Program
  • No foreign transaction fees (rates and fees)

Cons

  • $695 annual fee (rates and fees)
  • Airline credit does not cover airfare (only incidentals like checked bags)
  • Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 on purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Apply and select your preferred metal Card design: classic Platinum Card®, Platinum x Kehinde Wiley, or Platinum x Julie Mehretu.
  • Earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year and earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel.
  • $200 Hotel Credit: Get up to $200 back in statement credits each year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection bookings with American Express Travel when you pay with your Platinum Card®. The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay.
  • $240 Digital Entertainment Credit: Get up to $20 back in statement credits each month on eligible purchases made with your Platinum Card® on one or more of the following: Disney+, a Disney Bundle, ESPN+, Hulu, The New York Times, Peacock, and The Wall Street Journal. Enrollment required.
  • $155 Walmart+ Credit: Cover the cost of a $12.95 monthly Walmart+ membership (subject to auto-renewal) with a statement credit after you pay for Walmart+ each month with your Platinum Card®. Cost includes $12.95 plus applicable local sales tax. Plus Up Benefits are excluded.
  • $200 Airline Fee Credit: Select one qualifying airline and then receive up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year when incidental fees are charged by the airline to your Platinum Card®.
  • $200 Uber Cash: Enjoy Uber VIP status and up to $200 in Uber savings on rides or eats orders in the US annually. Uber Cash and Uber VIP status is available to Basic Card Member only. Terms Apply.
  • $300 Equinox Credit: Get up to $300 back in statement credits per calendar year on an Equinox membership, or an Equinox club membership (subject to auto-renewal) when you pay with your Platinum Card®. Enrollment required. Visit https://platinum.equinox.com/ to enroll.
  • $189 CLEAR® Plus Credit: Breeze through security with CLEAR Plus at 100+ airports, stadiums, and entertainment venues nationwide and get up to $189 back per calendar year on your Membership (subject to auto-renewal) when you use your Platinum Card®. Learn more.
  • $100 Global Entry Credit: Receive either a $100 statement credit every 4 years for a Global Entry application fee or a statement credit up to $85 every 4.5 years for a TSA PreCheck® (through a TSA official enrollment provider) application fee, when charged to your Platinum Card®. Card Members approved for Global Entry will also receive access to TSA PreCheck at no additional cost.
  • Shop Saks with Platinum: Get up to $100 in statement credits annually for purchases in Saks Fifth Avenue stores or at saks.com on your Platinum Card®. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
  • $300 SoulCycle At-Home Bike Credit: Get a $300 statement credit for the purchase of a SoulCycle at-home bike with your Platinum Card®. An Equinox+ subscription is required to purchase a SoulCycle at-home bike and access SoulCycle content. Must charge full price of bike in one transaction. Shipping available in the contiguous U.S. only. Enrollment Required.
  • Unlock access to exclusive reservations and special dining experiences with Global Dining Access by Resy when you add your Platinum Card® to your Resy profile.
  • $695 annual fee.
  • Terms Apply.

Financial Snapshot

  • APR: See Pay Over Time APR
  • Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Card Categories

Rewards Center

American Express Membership Rewards

Hot Tip: Check to see if you’re eligible for a welcome bonus offer of up to 125k (or 150k) points with the Amex Platinum. The current public offer is 80,000 points. (This targeted offer was independently researched and may not be available to all applicants.)

Other Key Benefits of the Amex Platinum Card

Amex Platinum Car Rental Insurance
Image Credit: American Express

Amex Platinum Card Car Rental Privileges

As part of the benefits of holding the Amex Platinum card, you will receive complimentary elite-level memberships with Avis, Hertz, and National.

Once you enroll in any of these programs, you will enjoy special benefits and perks.

Avis

Avis offers discounts and upgrades to Amex Platinum cardmembers. These perks only apply to U.S. and Canadian residents who are renting at a participating Avis location in the U.S or Canada.

  • Complimentary Avis Preferred Plus status
  • Make your reservations using Avis Worldwide Discount AWD# C076700 for up to 25% off base rates (discount does not apply to taxes, fees, and surcharges)
  • Use Coupon #UUNA007 when making a reservation to receive a complimentary 1-car class upgrade when available.

These perks are subject to blackout dates and can change at any time. Specialty cars (group X) are not eligible for these discounts.

Enroll in Avis Preferred Plus online or call 800-331-1212 to enroll.

Hertz

As an Amex Platinum cardmember, you will receive free enrollment in Hertz Gold Plus Rewards with complimentary President’s Circle status. You are also eligible to receive a 1-car class upgrade when you rent an intermediate through full-sized car (subject to availability) and pay with your Amex Platinum card.

Plus, you will receive a 4-hour grace period when returning your rental car, which often costs as much as an extra full day.

Use code CDP#211762 when enrolling in Hertz Gold Plus Rewards to ensure you receive your benefits (you can also call 800-525-3355 to enroll).

National

Amex Platinum cardholders also receive complimentary Emerald Club Executive membership from National.

Benefits include:

  • Choose your own car from the Executive Selection area
  • Upgrades when renting a full size through luxury car
  • Accelerated earnings toward free rental days
  • Speedy returns with an e-receipt

Enroll in National’s Emerald Club online or call 800-525-3355 to enroll.

Amex Platinum Card Rental Car Loss and Damage Insurance

The first thing you should know about the car rental loss and damage insurance offered by the Amex Platinum card is how to remain eligible.

To be eligible for the coverage provided by American Express, you must:

  1. Pay for the entire rental cost with your Amex Platinum card
  2. Decline the collision damage waiver (CDW) offered by the rental company

Even then, there are exclusions. The coverage provided by the Amex Platinum card does not include any of the following:

  • Antique cars
  • Any residents of American Samoa, Federated States of Micronesia, Marshall Islands, Palau, and the U.S. Minor Outlying Islands
  • Any ridesharing companies that allow individuals to rent out their personal cars
  • Any situation in which illegal drugs and/or alcohol are involved
  • Any situation where the rental car was taken out of the authorized rental area or off-road
  • Any vehicles rented in Australia, Italy, and New Zealand
  • Commercial mini-vans
  • Customized vehicles
  • Full-sized or cargo vans
  • Limousines
  • Off-road vehicles, motorcycles, campers, trailers, recreational vehicles

This coverage only applies to the first 30 days of a rental.

Bottom Line: To be eligible for car rental loss and damage insurance from the Amex Platinum card, you need to pay for the entire rental cost with your card and decline the collision damage waiver (CDW) offered by the rental company.

What Does the Plan Cover?

First, if the cardmember, authorized driver, or passenger is injured as a result of an accident that occurs in the rental car, the plan pays up to $5,000 for medically necessary treatment.

Additionally, if the cardmember, authorized driver, or passenger suffers accidental death or dismemberment as a direct result of an accident that occurs in the rental car, the plan pays up to $200,000 for the cardmember and $20,000 for an authorized driver or passenger with a per accident max of $300,000. The following exceptions apply:

  • For residents of Utah and Vermont, this coverage is primary instead of secondary (see below for more on this)
  • For residents of New Hampshire, there are reduced payouts and limits. Accidental death and dismemberment is limited to $20,000 for the cardmember and $2,000 for an authorized driver or passenger with a per accident cap at $50,000.

Any personal property that is damaged or stolen while secured in a rental vehicle is covered up to $1,000 per person and a total of $2,000 per accident.

For theft or damage to the rental vehicle, the Amex Platinum card covers up to $75,000.

Contact Information

If you have a question regarding your insurance policy or filing a claim, use the following contact information.

Phone:

Customer Service and Claims Department Toll-free: 800-338-1670
International Collect: 216-617-2500

Email: AMEXCRLDP@UFAC-CLAIMS.COM

Mail:

Car Rental Loss and Damage Insurance
P.O. Box 94729
Cleveland, OH 44101-4729

Car rental loss and damage insurance policies are underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.

Bottom Line: The Amex Platinum card will cover you if your rental car is damaged or stolen. It does NOT cover liability, damage to other vehicles, or injuries to people in other vehicles. 

Primary vs. Secondary Coverage

The Amex Platinum card offers secondary coverage. This means that you need to file a claim with any other applicable insurance first before this coverage kicks in.

If you prefer primary coverage (meaning you don’t have to file a claim with your other insurance first), you could add Premium Car Rental Protection to your card for an additional $19.95 to $24.95 per rental period.

Alternatively, you could book your rental with the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card. It is one of the best credit cards for car rental insurance and only a $95 annual fee.

Bottom Line: The Amex Platinum card offers secondary coverage, which means you need to submit a claim with your other insurance first before you can submit a claim through American Express unless you have added the Premium Car Rental Protection.

How To File a Claim

If you believe you have a valid claim, you will need to submit supporting documents online via the American Express Claims Center.

Before you submit your claim, you will need the following documents and information:

  • Car rental agreement/contract
  • Personal insurance information
  • Police report if you are reporting theft or accident information

    Two drivers check for damage after a car accident before taking pictures and sending insurance
    You will need to file a police report noting the damage or theft before you can make a claim with American Express. Image Credit: Prot via Adobe Stock

Filing your claim should take about 15 to 20 minutes, but you can stop and come back to it by clicking the Save and Finish Later button. If you do this, you must finish your claim within 72 hours or all of your information will be deleted and you’ll have to start over.

It will take about 45 days to receive a final decision regarding your claim, however, it could be up to 90 days for international rentals.

If you have any questions about your claim, call 800-338-1670.

Final Thoughts

The Amex Platinum card offers many benefits, including car rental insurance and car rental privileges with Avis, Hertz, and National.

Rental car loss and damage insurance that comes with the Amex Platinum card is secondary, meaning it only covers what your primary insurance won’t cover unless you add Premium Car Rental Protection.

These perks are all included with the Amex Platinum card annual fee. For a comprehensive guide to all of the value you can get out of this card, check out these benefits of the Amex Platinum card.

For the car rental collision damage coverage benefit of The Platinum Card® from American Express, car rental loss and damage insurance can provide coverage up to $75,000 for theft of or damage to most rental vehicles when you use your eligible card to reserve and pay for the entire eligible vehicle rental and decline the collision damage waiver or similar option offered by the Commercial Car Rental Company. This product provides secondary coverage and does not include liability coverage. Not all vehicle types or rentals are covered. Geographic restrictions apply. Eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company. Car rental loss or damage coverage is offered through American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc. For the baggage insurance plan benefit of The Platinum Card® from American Express, eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company. For the extended warranty and purchase protection benefit of The Platinum Card® from American Express, eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.

For rates and fees of The Platinum Card® from American Express, click here.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does my Amex Platinum card have car rental insurance?

Yes, the Amex Platinum card comes with car rental loss and damage insurance. To be eligible you need to pay for the entire rental with your Amex Platinum card and decline the CDW offered by the car rental agency. This coverage is secondary, which means you will have to file a claim with any other applicable insurance first.

What is secondary car rental insurance?

Secondary car rental insurance means you need to file a claim with any other applicable insurance first. The secondary insurance can cover expenses that the primary insurance didn’t cover.

What is Premium Car Rental Protection from Amex?

Premium Car Rental Protection is a $25 per rental add-on that lets you file your claim 100% with American Express so you don’t need to have or use personal car insurance for a claim.

Do I get Hertz President's Circle with the Amex Platinum card?

Yes, as an Amex Platinum cardmember, you will receive free enrollment in Hertz Gold Plus Rewards with complimentary President’s Circle status.

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About Katie Seemann

Katie has been in the points and miles game since 2015 and started her own blog in 2016. She’s been freelance writing since then and her work has been featured in publications like Travel + Leisure, Forbes Advisor, and Fortune Recommends.

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