Many of the credit card offers that appear on this site are from credit card companies from which we receive financial compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site (including, for example, the order in which they appear). However, the credit card information that we publish has been written and evaluated by experts who know these products inside out. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse. This site does not include all credit card companies or all available credit card offers that are on the market. See our advertising policy here where we list advertisers that we work with, and how we make money. You can also review our credit card rating methodology.
Christine ran her own business developing and managing insurance and financial services. This stoked a passion for points and miles and she now has over 2 dozen credit cards and creates in-depth, deta...
A long-time points and miles student, Jessica is the former Personal Finance Managing Editor at U.S. News and World Report and is passionate about helping consumers fund their travels for as little ca...
Juan has been involved in credit cards, loyalty, travel, and personal finance for more than 10 years. He has worked for several outlets including The Points Guy and Forbes and was previously Editor-in...
We may be compensated when you click on product links, such as credit cards, from one or more of our advertising partners. Terms apply to the offers below. See our Advertising Policy for more about our partners, how we make money, and our rating methodology. Opinions and recommendations are ours alone.
The Platinum Card® from American Express and The Business Platinum Card® from American Express, loaded with luxury travel benefits and generous statement credits, are revered by many as perfect premium credit cards for the frequent traveler.
And while there are plenty of reasons to be a cardholder, there’s one outstanding benefit that warrants carrying the card in your wallet: the complimentary lounge membership opens the gates of airport lounge access to an unprecedented span of over 1,400 different lounge locations worldwide.
If you travel frequently, you already know the benefits of airport lounge membership. These quasi-sanctuaries have become places to anticipate a journey with friends, hold a meeting with co-workers, grab needed refreshments between flights, or serve as a convenient retreat during trip disruptions.
However, the normal cost of all this comfort and convenience doesn’t come cheap. It’s not unusual to spend $600 annually for a stand-alone airport lounge membership. If you’re a frequent traveler and lounge access is important to you, you will find extreme economic value in a travel rewards credit card that comes with complimentary lounge access.
And while the overall benefits of the Amex Platinum card and Amex Business Platinum card are many, the lounge benefits that come with the card are second to none. If you’re in the market for an Amex personal card or Amex business card, this article will cover which lounges you can access, the value of complimentary lounge access for every traveler, and an overview of network lounges and what to expect.
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.
This card is undoubtedly the #1 card for luxury travel benefits. From the best lounge access (of any card) to statement credits, to complimentary elite status, you can’t go wrong.
This card is undoubtedly the #1 card for luxury travel benefits. From the best lounge access (of any card) to statement credits, to complimentary elite status, you can’t go wrong.
Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 on purchases on the Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.
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 $1 spent on flights purchased directly with the airline or with American Express Travel (up to $500,000 per year)
5x points per $1 spent on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel
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
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, SiriusXM, 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.
$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.
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.
This card is ideal for business travelers who enjoy luxury travel and are looking for a card loaded with benefits!
When you factor in the large number of perks that the card offers like the best airport lounge access at over 1,400 lounges, along with tons of annual credits, it’s easy to see why this card can is a top option for frequent traveling business owners.
5x Membership Rewards points per $1 on flights and prepaid hotels at Amex Travel
Up to $200 annual airline fee credit on your selected qualifying airline
Statement credits on select purchases with your card
35% airline bonus when using Pay With Points (up to 1,000,000 bonus points per calendar year)
Access to over 1,400 worldwide airport lounges as part of the American Express Global Lounge Collection
Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee credit
Get 50% more Membership Rewards points (1.5 points per $1) on eligible purchases in key business categories, as well as on purchases of $5,000 or more (cap applies)
Airline fee credit does not cover airfare, only incidentals like checked bags
Welcome Offer: Earn 120,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $15,000 on eligible purchases with your Card within the first 3 months of Card Membership.
5X Membership Rewards® points on flights and prepaid hotels on AmexTravel.com, and 1X points for each dollar you spend on eligible purchases.
Earn 1.5X points (that’s an extra half point per dollar) on each eligible purchase at US construction material, hardware suppliers, electronic goods retailers, and software & cloud system providers, and shipping providers, as well as on purchases of $5,000 or more everywhere else, on up to $2 million of these purchases per calendar year.
Unlock over $1,000 in annual statement credits on a curation of business purchases, including select purchases made with Dell Technologies, Indeed, Adobe, and U.S. wireless service providers.
$200 Airline Fee Credit: Get up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year for incidental fees charged by your one selected, qualifying airline to your Card.
$189 CLEAR® Plus Credit: Use your card and get up to $189 in statement credits per calendar year on your CLEAR® Plus Membership (subject to auto-renewal) when you use your Business Platinum Card®.
The American Express Global Lounge Collection® can provide an escape at the airport. With complimentary access to more than 1,400 airport lounges across 140 countries and counting, you have more airport lounge options than any other credit card issuer on the market as of 03/2023.
You don’t have to fly a specific airline or purchase a premium class of service to have worldwide lounge access. Your Amex Platinum card and Amex Business Platinum card come with complimentary lounge access to over 1,400 different lounge properties across 140 countries worldwide, including the vast network of Priority Pass lounges.
You’ll have access to any of the lounge networks within the American Express Global Lounge Collection:
We’ll discuss the details of these lounge networks later in this article. First, let’s look at the potential value of the Amex Platinum card and the Amex Business Platinum card’s complimentary lounge access benefit.
Hot Tip: With over 1,400 lounges worldwide, the Amex Platinum card and Amex Business Platinum card offer the most comprehensive lounge access benefit of any travel credit card.
The Value of Complimentary Lounge Access
Purchasing individual lounge membership can be expensive. Image Credit: Priority Pass
The cost of purchasing an airport lounge membership is constantly increasing. It’s not unusual to see $600 annual membership fees for access to a single lounge network.
To understand the value of the complimentary lounge membership that comes with the Amex Platinum card and Amex Business Platinum card, let’s look at what membership would cost for a typical airport lounge network.
Lounge Network
Single 1-Year Membership Cost
Cost To Add a Spouse, Partner, or Guest to Membership
$700 to $850 or 70,000 to 85,000 miles, depending on elite status
$800 additional for household membership, depending on elite status
$79 or 7,900 AAdvantage miles
Aspire Lounges
N/A
N/A
$40 to $45 per visit
Centurion Lounge
N/A
N/A
$50 per adult or $30 per child between 2 to 17 years old; complimentary guest access will be reinstated once you’ve spent $75,000 in eligible purchases in a calendar year
Delta Sky Club
$695 or 69,500 miles
$1,495 or 149,500 miles for Executive Membership, which includes access for the member and up to 2 guests (or your spouse or domestic partner and children under 21) per visit
N/A
Escape Lounges – The Centurion Studio Partner
N/A
N/A
$40 to $45 per visit
Lufthansa Lounges
N/A
N/A
$39 to $62 per visit per person, depending on location and currency
Plaza Premium
$379 (10 visits)
N/A
Can bring 2 guests for free, 30% discount on the fee for each additional guest
$550 or 75,000 miles for Premier 1K members,$600 or 80,000 miles for Premier Platinum members, $650 or 85,000 miles for Premier Silver, Gold, and General Members
$650 (or 85,000 United miles) additional for spouse or partner
$59
Yes, annual lounge membership can be expensive. However, with a yearly fee, is the complimentary lounge access that comes with the Amex Platinum card and Amex Business Platinum card worth it?
Let’s do the math.
Value for Family Lounge Access
As of February 1, 2023, complimentary guest access for Amex Platinum card and Amex Business Platinum cardholders is based upon calendar spending for Centurion Lounge access. The fee per guest will be $50 per adult or $30 per child between 2 to 17 years old. Complimentary guest access will be reinstated once you’ve spent $75,000 in eligible purchases in a calendar year.
If you frequently travel with a large family, it can be frustrating when lounge access is denied to more than 2 guests. Sure, you and your partner could each be primary cardholders with your own individual cards, but fortunately, that’s not necessary. For $195, you can add an authorized user to your Amex Platinum card (rates and fees). Each authorized user receives the same lounge benefits as the primary cardholder.
Remember that authorized users don’t have to be traveling with you to have lounge access. Plus, they can each bring 2 guests to most lounges.
Value for the Delta Air Lines Traveler
Without the Amex Platinum card or Amex Business Platinum card, a frequent Delta traveler would still need SkyMiles elite status to purchase a Sky Club membership to have lounge access.
A Delta Sky Club membership that allows 2 guests would cost $1,495 annually. A single membership is $695.
For just the annual fee, the Amex Platinum card or Amex Business Platinum card could secure access for an entire family to over 1,400 lounges worldwide, not just Delta-affiliated lounges.
Bottom Line: The Amex Platinum card and Amex Business Platinum card, with annual fees at the same cost as a single Sky Club membership, deliver far more value for the Delta traveler. Plus, you’ll receive all the cards’ additional benefits, including the initial welcome bonus offer, statement credits, hotel/rental car elite status, and access to more than Delta-affiliated lounges.
Value for the Business Traveler
If you travel for business, chances are you greatly value lounge access. The expense can add up quickly if you pay for an annual lounge membership or purchase day passes.
The Amex Business Platinum card can give you unlimited access to over 1,400 lounges worldwide for less than the cost of purchasing just 2-day passes per month or a single annual lounge membership.
Bottom Line: The business traveler who purchases just 2 lounge day passes per month would receive far greater economic value, more benefits, and spend less by having the Amex Business Platinum card.
Value for the Leisure Traveler
If you currently pay for lounge access, having the Amex Platinum card for complimentary lounge access as a leisure traveler makes sense. It also makes sense if you’d like to add the luxury of having airport lounge access to your travels.
If you travel just once a quarter and pay for 2 travelers to access a lounge, you could be spending $400 a year on lounge access. Having the Amex Platinum card will add unlimited worldwide lounge access to your travels for yourself, plus 2 guests at most lounges. You can visit for 15 minutes or 3 hours without considering whether it’s worth the $50 per day pass fee for each person.
The Global Lounge Benefit Details
Having complimentary access to various airport lounges during your travels may sound very appealing. However, it’s always good to dig deeper and learn more about the actual benefits you’ll be receiving.
For a credit card benefit to have value for you, you’ll need to be able to utilize that benefit.
Let’s take a look at the impressive collection of lounges and lounge alternatives in the American Express Global Lounge Collection that you’ll have complimentary access to with your Amex Platinum card and Amex Business Platinum card.
Membership to this elite network of luxury airport lounges is not for sale. You’ll need to have either the Amex Platinum card, Amex Business Platinum card, or the Centurion® Card from American Express to gain access. In addition, you can access Centurion Lounges only within 3 hours of a departing flight or between connecting flights.
Centurion Lounges, both in the U.S. and abroad, are the most incredible places to hang out if you’re a frequent traveler. Order from the menu, take a nap in the zen room, or relax with a premium cocktail during your visit.
You may even choose to get a manicure or massage if your schedule allows. Services and amenities vary by location, but it’s always an elevated experience.
Centurion Lounge Benefits
High-speed internet
Membership and itinerary assistance
Premium alcoholic beverages
Seasonally-inspired food
TV, magazines, newspapers
Workspaces, computer charging stations, copiers, and fax machine
Additional Amenities Available at Some Centurion Lounges
Conference room
Family room
Luggage lockers
Shower suites
Spa services
Wine tasting
As of February 1, 2023, cardmembers with the Amex Platinum card and Amex Business Platinum card can no longer bring complimentary guests into the Centurion Lounge. The guest fee is $50 per adult and $30 per child (2 to 17 years old).
However, cardholder accounts that spend $75,000 in eligible purchases in a calendar year will have the perk of complimentary access for 2 guests reinstated. Note that this spend requirement is across all cardholders (main Amex Platinum or Amex Business Platinum cardholder and associated authorized users).
Priority Pass lounges seem to be available everywhere, and there’s a reason. There are more than 1,300 locations worldwide, so you’ll likely find one available during your travels.
You may also use your Priority Pass Select membership to take a nap at Minute Suites. You’ll receive the first hour free.
You must register for Priority Pass once you receive your Amex Platinum card or Amex Business Platinum card welcome package in the mail. Log in to your online account, sign up under the Benefits tab, or call the number on the back of your card.
We’ve put together an extensive guide to Priority Pass with a list of benefits, plus lounge, restaurant, and Minute Suite locations in the U.S. Note that Priority Pass memberships from U.S.-issued American Express cards, including the Amex Platinum card and Amex Business Platinum card, no longer include Priority Pass restaurant access (“non-lounge airport experiences”).
Delta Sky Club
Delta Sky Club Austin. Image Credit: Delta
Cardholders traveling the same day on Delta have unlimited access to over 50 Delta Sky Clubs.
Just show your boarding pass, ID, and Amex Platinum card or Amex Business Platinum card for entry.
While guests are not included in complimentary access, the cardholder may purchase discounted access for up to 2 guests for a fee.
Lufthansa Lounges
Lufthansa Senator Lounge B Frankfurt. Image Credit: Daniel Ross
Cardholders receive complimentary access to Lufthansa business class lounges when flying same-day on a Lufthansa Group flight (Lufthansa, SWISS, Austrian Airlines). If the cardholder is flying business class, they’ll also have access to the Lufthansa Senator Lounges. Centurion cardmembers have access to Lufthansa First Class, Senator, and Business lounges regardless of ticket class.
Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse JFK. Image Credit: Greg Stone
Cardholders are eligible to visit Virgin Clubhouses in Boston (BOS), New York (JFK), San Francisco (SFO), Washington, D.C. (IAD), and Johannesburg (JNB) in South Africa.
Plaza Premium Lounge
Plaza Premium First Lounge Hong Kong – Primo Buffet. Image Credit: Greg Stone
Based in Hong Kong, Plaza Premium Lounge has a vast network of airport lounges available to the Amex Platinum card or Amex Business Platinum cardholder.
You’ll find 120+ lounges worldwide in the Plaza Premium Lounge network.
With 10+ locations throughout the U.S., Escape Lounges – The Centurion Studio Partner offers a place to enjoy a premium beverage, have a bite to eat, catch up on work, or relax between flights.
Cardholders may bring 2 additional guests at no charge.
Aspire Lounges
Image Credit: Aspire Lounge
The Aspire Lounges (formerly Airspace Lounge) in the U.S. are located at the San Diego (SAN) and Ontario (ONT) airports and offer complimentary access for cardholders. You’ll also find Aspire Lounges at a handful of airports worldwide. Enjoy complimentary refreshments, a business area, Wi-Fi, a conference room (SAN), and showers (SAN), and 2 guests are permitted at no additional charge.
For less than the price of just a couple of day passes per month, you can enjoy unlimited worldwide lounge access with the card. You’ll also enjoy the long list of other premium travel benefits that come with the card. Check out a fantastic welcome offer and apply for Amex Platinum benefits here.
If you’ve been without lounge membership and have considered adding lounge access to your travels, you won’t find a more cost-effective route to unlimited worldwide lounge access for you and your guests
.
The information regarding the Centurion® Card from American Express was independently collected by Upgraded Points and was not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.
For rates and fees of The Platinum Card® from American Express, click here. For rates and fees of The Business Platinum Card® from American Express, click here.
If you’re paying for lounge access currently and you’re a frequent traveler, the value of complimentary lounge access alone more than offsets the annual fee.
If you can use the additional benefits of airline fee credits, Uber credits, Global Entry fee credits, hotel/car rental elite status, and other card benefits, you’ll receive value far beyond the cost of having the card.
If you’re not a frequent traveler or cannot fully utilize the benefits offered by the card, it would not be worth it.
There are more than 40 Centurion Lounges worldwide. View our guides to the U.S. and international locations.
To access any lounge in the network, except a Priority Pass lounge, you’ll need to show your Amex Platinum card or Amex Business Platinum card, a same-day boarding pass on any airline, and a government-issued ID that matches the name on your card.
To access a Priority Pass lounge, you’ll need to present your Priority Pass Select membership card, a same-day boarding pass on any airline, and a government-issued ID.
Service animals are welcome in Centurion Lounges.
There are special terms and conditions that must be followed to ensure the safety and comfort of other guests, but service animals are allowed in the lounges.
Since Priority Pass has over 1,300 locations worldwide, it’s not possible to list them all here.
Our guide lists all the domestic Priority Pass locations and contains a link to a worldwide Priority Pass directory.
Amex Platinum card and Amex Business Platinum cardmembers may enter with up to 2 complimentary guests if they have spent $75,000 in eligible purchases in a calendar year. Otherwise, a guest day pass can be purchased for $50 per adult or $30 per child between the ages of 2 and 17.
Christine ran her own business developing and managing insurance and financial services. This stoked a passion for points and miles and she now has over 2 dozen credit cards and creates in-depth, detailed content for UP.
This bonus value is an estimated valuation calculated by UP after analyzing redemption options, transfer partners, award availability and how much UP would pay to buy these points.
