16 Things To Do When You Get the Amex Platinum Card [2025]

It’s an exciting day. The Platinum Card^® from American Express has arrived, and you’re ready to make that first purchase.

You can go ahead and remove the card from its packaging, but then we’re going to ask you to take a deep breath, sit down, and read on.

We’re here to share some important tips on what you should do when you first receive your card.

We want to make sure you don’t miss out on any of your Amex Platinum card benefits, so we’ll walk you through registering your card, enrolling in loyalty programs, and learning more about the benefits that come with your new card.

Let’s get started because you’ve got a lot of perks waiting for you.

Amex Platinum Card Overview

Before we jump into all the details, here’s a quick card overview of the Amex Platinum card:

+ NEW BENEFITS

Terms Apply / Rates & Fees

Platinum Card^® from American Express

U.P. Rating 

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the ins and outs 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.

Apply Now(at Amex's secure site)

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Know if you're approved with no credit score impact

If you're approved and accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.

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.

Welcome Offer

You may be eligible for as high as 175,000 Membership Rewards^® Points after spending $8,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.

As High As 175,000 Points. Find Out Your Offer.

UP's Offer Valuation*:

Up to $3,850

Annual Fee

$895

APR

See Pay Over Time APR

Credit Recommended

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 card application.

Good to Excellent

Why We Like This Card

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 & Cons

Pros

• The best airport lounge access out of any card (by far) — enjoy access to over 1,550 worldwide lounges, including the luxurious Amex Centurion Lounges, Priority Pass lounges (enrollment required), 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

Cons

• $895 annual fee (rates and fees)
• Airline credit does not cover airfare (only incidentals like checked bags)

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Card Highlights

• You may be eligible for as high as 175,000 Membership Rewards^® points after you spend $8,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
• Get more for your travels with 5X Membership Rewards^® points on all flights and prepaid hotel bookings through American Express Travel^®, including Fine Hotels + Resorts^® and The Hotel Collection bookings. You earn 5X points on flights purchased directly from airlines or through American Express Travel^® on up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year.
• More Value! With over 1,550 airport lounges - more than any other credit card company on the market* - enjoy the benefits of the Global Lounge Collection^®, over $850 of annual value, with access to Centurion Lounges, 10 complimentary Delta Sky Club^® visits when flying on an eligible Delta flight (subject to visit limitations), Priority Pass Select membership (enrollment required), and other select partner lounges. * As of 07/2025.
• More Value! $200 Uber Cash + $120 Uber One Credit: With the Platinum Card^® you can receive $15 in Uber Cash each month plus a bonus $20 in December when you add your Platinum Card^® to your Uber account to use on rides and orders in the U.S when you select an Amex Card for your transaction. Plus, when you use the Platinum Card^® to pay for an auto-renewing Uber One membership, you can get up to $120 in statement credits each calendar year. Terms apply.
• More Value! $300 Digital Entertainment Credit: Get up to $25 in statement credits each month after you pay for eligible purchases with the Platinum Card^® at participating partners. Enrollment required.
• More Value! $600 Hotel Credit: Get up to $300 in statement credits semi-annually on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts^® or The Hotel Collection* bookings through American Express Travel^® using the Platinum Card^®. *The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay.
• New! $400 Resy Credit + Platinum Nights by Resy: When you use the Platinum Card^® to pay at U.S. Resy restaurants and to make other eligible purchases through Resy, you can get up to $100 in statement credits each quarter with the $400 Resy Credit benefit. Plus, with Platinum Nights by Resy, you can get special access to reservations on select nights at participating in demand Resy restaurants with the Platinum Card^®. Simply add your eligible Card to your Resy profile to book and discover Platinum Nights reservations near you, enrollment required.
• More Value! $209 CLEAR^® Plus Credit: CLEAR^® Plus helps get you to your gate faster by using unique facial attributes to verify you are you at 50+ airports nationwide. You can cover the cost of a CLEAR Plus Membership* with up to $209 in statement credits per calendar year after you pay for CLEAR Plus with the Platinum Card^®. *Excluding any applicable taxes and fees. Subject to auto-renewal.
• $200 Airline Fee Credit: Select one qualifying airline and then receive up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year when incidental fees, such as checked bags and in-flight refreshments, are charged by the airline to the Platinum Card^® Account*. American Express relies on airlines to submit the correct information on airline transactions to identify incidental fee purchases. If you do not see a credit for a qualifying incidental purchase on your eligible Card after 8 weeks, simply call the number on the back of your Card. Qualifying airlines are subject to change. See terms & conditions for more details.
• Start your vacation sooner, and keep it going longer. When you book Fine Hotels + Resorts^® through American Express Travel^®, enjoy noon check-in upon arrival, when available, and guaranteed 4PM check-out.
• New! $300 lululemon Credit: Enjoy up to $75 in statement credits each quarter when you use the Platinum Card^® for eligible purchases at U.S. lululemon retail stores (excluding outlets) and lululemon.com. That’s up to $300 in statement credits each calendar year. Enrollment required.
• $155 Walmart+ Credit: Receive a statement credit* for one monthly Walmart+ membership (subject to auto-renewal) after you pay for Walmart+ each month with the Platinum Card^®.*Up to $12.95 plus applicable local sales tax. Plus Ups not eligible.
• $100 Saks Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits annually for purchases at Saks Fifth Avenue or saks.com on the Platinum Card^®. That’s up to $50 in statement credits from January through June and up to $50 in statement credits from July through December. No minimum purchase required. Enrollment required.
• Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
• $895 annual fee.
• Terms Apply.

Financial Snapshot

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

Rewards Center

American Express Membership Rewards

1. Activate Your Amex Platinum Card

Step one, of course, will be to activate your card online or by calling the number posted on the sticker attached to the front of your card.

Sign the back of the card, and you’re ready to start using it.

2. Find Your Minimum Spending Requirement

In order to receive your welcome bonus, which is worth hundreds of travel dollars, you must complete a minimum spending requirement within a specified period, normally 3, 6, or 12 months after card approval.

Make a note of the exact date you were approved for the card and of the deadline for completing your purchases. Remember, the annual fee doesn’t count toward this requirement.

You’ll also want to allow enough time for a purchase to post on your statement. If the purchase is still pending on the final day, it won’t count toward your spending total.

You can get an accurate tally of your spending by accessing your account and going to Statements and Activity, then inputting the dates of the period in which you need to complete the minimum spending requirement.

Don’t forget to exclude the annual fee and any merchandise returns from your total.

3. Enroll in Priority Pass Select

Your Amex Platinum card comes with worldwide access to over 1,550 airport lounges in the American Express Global Lounge Collection.

To enroll in Priority Pass Select, access your Amex Platinum card online account. You’ll find the enrollment tab by first clicking on Rewards and Benefits, then under the Benefits tab.

Once you click on Enroll Now, the system will generate a Priority Pass membership number. It can take 10 to 14 business days to receive your physical Priority Pass membership card, but you can normally access a digital version via the Priority Pass app or in your online account.

There are over 1,400 Priority Pass lounges worldwide, and you can bring up to 2 guests for no charge.

4. Add an Additional Cardholder

Additional users on your Amex Platinum card receive many of the same benefits you enjoy.

You can add up to 99 additional users for just $195 per year (rates & fees). Those users receive the same worldwide lounge access, hotel elite status, and more.

Hot Tip: Worldwide lounge access is one of the most valuable Amex Platinum card benefits. By adding additional users, an entire family can have complimentary lounge access. The primary cardholder, and each authorized user, can bring in 2 additional guests. 

5. Select Your Airline

With the Amex Platinum card, you can receive up to $200 in statement credits each calendar year for incidental fees paid to an airline (upon enrollment).

The caveats: you must pick your airline in advance, and you must charge the purchase to your Amex Platinum card.

To select your airline, log in to your card account and look under Rewards and Benefits, then under Benefits for the $200 Airline Fee Credit box. You’ll then be able to select a qualifying airline from the drop-down menu.

You can change your selected airline in January of each year.

6. Add Your Card to Your Uber Account

With your Amex Platinum card, you receive access to the UberVIP program which qualifies you for special discounts and perks (currently available in Atlanta, Dallas, Harrisburg, Houston, Nashville, New Jersey, New Orleans, New York City, Philadelphia, and Pittsburgh).

The card also comes with up to $200 in Uber Cash. Each month you’ll receive up to $15 in Uber Cash deposited into your Uber Cash account. In December, your Uber Cash credit is up to $35.

You can use your Uber Cash towards Uber rides and Uber Eats in the U.S.

Log in to your online Amex Platinum card account and under Rewards and Benefits, then under the Benefits tab, select the $200 Uber Cash banner. An Amex Card must be selected as the payment method for your Uber or Uber Eats transaction to redeem the Amex Uber Cash benefit.

7. Register for Car Rental Program Elite Statuses (Avis, Hertz, National)

Your Amex Platinum card comes with several elite statuses and preferred benefits when renting through National, Hertz, or Avis car rental agencies, including the following elite statuses:

• Avis Preferred Plus status
• Hertz President’s Circle status
• National Emerald Club Executive status

Benefits can include discounts, car upgrades, priority pick up and return, and accelerated earnings.

To take advantage of these perks, you must register via your online Amex Platinum card account.

Hot Tip: For more information on this specific benefit, check out our guide: The Amex Platinum Card: Maximizing Car Rental Insurance & Benefits.

8. Register for Hotel Elite Statuses (Hilton Honors, Marriott Bonvoy)

You won’t receive your Hilton Honors Gold or Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite hotel program status automatically. However, it’s simple to enroll in both via your online card account. Simply click on the Rewards and Benefits tab, then the Benefits tab and select the Hilton Honors Gold Elite Status and the Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite Status banners.

With Hilton Honors Gold status, you’ll soon be enjoying free breakfast, upgraded rooms, free Wi-Fi, elevated earnings, and more elite perks.

Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite members receive upgraded rooms, elevated points earning, late checkout, free Wi-Fi, and more.

9. Apply for Global Entry or Pay For Your Renewal

You’ll receive up to $120 in a statement credit when you pay for Global Entry with your Amex Platinum card. TSA PreCheck is included when you sign up for Global Entry.

If you wish to just sign up for TSA PreCheck instead of Global Entry, your statement credit will be $85.

Statement credits are available once every 4 years. Apply for Global Entry here.

Hot Tip: Have questions about this perk? Don’t miss our piece on the top FAQ for Global Entry, and check out all of the best credit cards for complimentary Global Entry or TSA PreCheck.

10. Become Familiar With the $600 Hotel Credit

You’ll want to plan ahead to avoid missing out on the statement credits of up to $600 (up to $300 semi-annually) for either a Fine Hotels & Resorts or The Hotel Collection property booked via AmexTravel.com.

Enjoy benefits such as an upgraded room (when available), breakfast for 2 daily, complimentary Wi-Fi, early check-in/late checkout (when available), a valuable on-site amenity, and more. The Hotel Collection requires a minimum 2-night stay.

Use the credits to cover the cost of the entire room cost or to offset a more expensive stay.

11. Check Out Your Amex Offers

Once you log in to your online account, you’ll scroll down the page until you see Amex Offers and Benefits. You can realize a ton of savings when using Amex Offers.

Just add the offer you want to your card by clicking on the Add to Card button and then use your card for the purchase.

You’ll receive a statement credit or additional Membership Rewards points after the purchases post to your account.

Bottom Line: Amex Offers can offer extreme value. Making a habit of checking these offers on a regular basis can save you hundreds of dollars each year. 

12. Enroll for Digital Entertainment Credits

We all love streaming entertainment media, especially when we can get it for free, or nearly free. Enroll to receive up to $25 each month in statement credits, up to $300 each year for qualifying digital entertainment purchases.

Here’s more information on how to make the most of the Amex $25 monthly digital entertainment credit.

13. Enroll To Receive Equinox Statement Credits

If you enjoy working out and could find value in an Equinox or Equinox+ membership, you’ll be pleased with up to $300 in statement credits each year, for membership purchases. Additionally, you could receive another $300 back when purchasing a SoulCycle at-home bike. Enrollment is required.

14. Enroll in the Saks Fifth Avenue Shopping Credits

To sign up for Saks Fifth Avenue shopping credits, simply enroll online and start shopping.

Use your Amex Platinum card for your purchase and receive up to $50 in statement credits for shopping July through December and up to another $50 in credits January through June.

That’s a $100 shopping benefit you won’t want to ignore. Purchases qualify whether made in-store or online.

15. Apply for CLEAR^® Plus

Cardholders receive up to $209 in annual credits towards a CLEAR Plus membership for an accelerated security experience at various airports throughout the U.S.

Hot Tip: If you already have CLEAR, consider purchasing a membership for a friend or family member with your card as you’ll still earn the credit. Also, just joining a frequent flyer program such as United MileagePlus or Delta SkyMiles gets you discounted CLEAR at $199, a savings of $10. 

16. Get a Walmart+ Membership

A Walmart+ membership costs $12.95 a month and includes benefits such as free shipping and discounted gas. Cardholders receive a $12.95 statement credit towards Walmart+ membership each month.

Final Thoughts

The Amex Platinum card comes loaded with benefits; perhaps more than any other travel rewards card.

Many of the benefits are not applied automatically, however, so you’ll need to register your card or enroll through a provided link.

Fortunately, logging in to your online Amex Platinum card account and accessing the home page Rewards and Benefits section will provide the access you need to accomplish this.

Now you’re ready to start enjoying all the benefits that come with your Amex Platinum card.