Amex Platinum Card: List of Entertainment and Event Perks [Deep Dive]

There’s little doubt that The Platinum Card^® from American Express is one of the most impressive travel rewards cards available. The card is known for its generous welcome bonus, earning and redemption options for valuable Membership Rewards points, and a long list of premium travel benefits.

While we could go on and on about the travel attributes and value-added benefits of the card, today we’re focused on some of the Amex Platinum card’s entertainment benefits.

These benefits may not be in your highest priorities when choosing a card, but a closer look at the entertainment benefits offered on the Amex Platinum card unveils some interesting and unique perks for cardmembers.

Join us as we dig deep into the event and entertainment perks you can expect to find on your Amex Platinum card.

Note that some benefits of the Amex Platinum card require enrollment through your American Express account.

Amex Platinum Card Snapshot

BEST LOUNGE ACCESS

Terms Apply / Rates & Fees

The Platinum Card^® from American Express

U.P. Rating 

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)

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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.

Welcome Offer

Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards^® Points after you spend $8,000 on eligible purchases on the Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.

80,000 points

UP's Bonus Valuation*:

$1,760

Annual Fee

$695

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 cardapplication.

Good to Excellent (670-850)

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 1,400 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

Cons

• $695 annual fee (rates and fees)
• Airline credit does not cover airfare (only incidentals like checked bags)

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Card Highlights

• Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards^® Points after you spend $8,000 on eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.
• 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 through American Express Travel using 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.
• 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.
• $155 Walmart+ Credit: Save on eligible delivery fees, shipping, and more with a Walmart+ membership. Use your Platinum Card^® to pay for a monthly Walmart+ membership and get up to $12.95 plus applicable taxes back on one membership (excluding Plus Ups) each month.
• $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: Platinum Card^® Members can get out and about and explore their local area with $15 in Uber Cash for US rides each month, plus a bonus $20 in December. That can be up to $200 in annual Uber savings. Simply download the Uber app and add your Platinum Card^® to your Uber account to get started. Available to Basic Card Member only. Effective 11/8/2024, an Amex Card must be selected as the payment method for your Uber or Uber Eats transaction to redeem the Amex Uber Cash benefit.
• $199 CLEAR^® Plus Credit: CLEAR^® Plus helps to get you to your gate faster at 50+ airports nationwide and get up to $199 back per calendar year on your Membership (subject to auto-renewal) when you use your Card. CLEARLanes are available at 100+ airports, stadiums, and entertainment venues.
• Receive either a $120 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.
• 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

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American Express Membership Rewards

Event and Entertainment-Related Card Perks

The Amex Platinum card, The Business Platinum Card^® from American Express, the Centurion^® Card from American Express*, and the Business Centurion^® Card from American Express* all offer an expanded collection of entertainment-related benefits above and beyond what is offered on Amex’s non-premium cards.

*All information about these cards has been collected independently by Upgraded Points.

These perks grant VIP access to unique experiences and allow the cardholder to receive priority seating, concierge assistance, and access to ticket presales and invitation-only events.

Let’s take a look at some of the proprietary entertainment and event perks you can expect as a cardholder.

Amex Invitation-only Events

With Amex’s “By Invitation Only” benefit, cardmembers enjoy unique access to one-of-a-kind experiences. Past events have included celebrity chef dinners and cooking classes, VIP access at the Monaco Grand Prix, a U.S. Open Tennis Championship experience, and backstage meet-and-greets with performers at top concerts. VIP access to sporting events, fashion events, and theater performances are also examples of invitation-only event offerings.

The events are not free, but offer access you’re not likely to experience on your own accord. You may also be able to share the experience with a guest.

Platinum Houses, Amex Lounges, and Centurion Suites

These pop-up lounges are temporary retreats for the Amex cardholder to grab a drink, a gourmet bite to eat, listen to music, get shopping advice, and even access an on-site concierge.

Platinum Houses, Amex Lounges, and Centurion Suites are set up at events that Amex Platinum cardholders might attend, such as Coachella, or high-profile sporting events such as the U.S. Open. Lounges may also be used to encourage Amex Platinum cardholders to attend cultural events.

You could even find a Platinum House set up in a major airport.

Log in to your Amex Platinum card account to access your benefits and find out where the next Platinum House is scheduled to pop up.

The Centurion Suite — Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles

The Centurion Suite at Crypto.com Arena (formerly the STAPLES Center) in Los Angeles is a VIP benefit option open during most Los Angeles Lakers, Los Angeles Clippers, and Los Angeles Kings home games. The space offers a premium view of the game and can be accessed with an Amex Platinum card, Amex Business Platinum card, and Centurion cards. Up to 3 additional guests per cardmember can also enter.

The suite opens 90 minutes before game time and is first come, first served. Once the allotted capacity is reached, access is closed. Drinks and food are not complimentary, but the view is spectacular.

If you’re attending a game at the Crypto.com Arena and have an Amex Platinum card, be sure to take advantage of this perk, as well as the American Express Card Member Entrance.

Amex Global Dining Collection Partners

With a collection of hundreds of the top restaurants throughout the world to choose from, you’ll always dine in style as an Amex Platinum cardmember.

For access to priority reservations, you can utilize the Amex app on your phone, call the number on the back of your card, or contact your Amex Concierge. There is no cost for the service.

Additionally, you’ll be invited to Amex Global Dining Collection events where you can meet some of your favorite chefs and receive access to special dining experiences. You may even find Amex Global Dining Collection chefs at a Platinum House pop-up event.

Amex Premium Concierge Services

If you’ve never utilized a concierge, you may wonder why you would need one. A concierge can save you time, provide exclusive access, and assist you in emergencies. Concierges can help you with a wide variety of services including, but not limited to:

• Arranging transportation
• Assistance finding medical care and medicines
• Helping you find senior, child, or pet care
• Pre-trip planning and assistance during travel
• Recommendations
• Secure difficult-to-obtain dining reservations, theater, and event tickets
• Services such as gift shopping, grocery shopping and delivery, and laundry service

Your Personal Platinum concierge is available 24/7 and will attempt to assist you with just about any request. It’s as simple as calling the number on the back of your card, your direct access line (800-525-3355 domestic, 617-622-6756 internationally).

To learn more about the Amex Platinum Concierge, read all the details in our guide.

Bottom Line: “By Invitation Only” events, Platinum House access, the Centurion Suite access, Global Dining Collection events, and the Platinum Concierge are proprietary benefits exclusive to Amex Platinum and Centurion cardmembers. 

Additional Entertainment Benefits

Some of the entertainment perks and benefits found on the Amex Platinum card can also be found on additional American Express-issued cards. Here is a sampling of those benefits.

Virtual Events and Experiences

Amex Platinum cardholders, as well as other Amex cardmembers, can access a curated collection of experiences from which to choose by logging in to their online card account.

The creative list of virtual entertainment options is compiled with cardholders in mind. Find free subscription offers, virtual classes, museum tours, theater performances, and so much more.

American Express Preferred Seating

The Amex Platinum card, as well as more than a dozen American Express-issued cards, comes with a preferred seating benefit that gives cardmembers access to priority seat selection for specific events. You’ll access this preferred seating when purchasing your tickets via Ticketmaster.

American Express Presales

Eligible cardmembers, including Amex Platinum card members, have access to ticket presales for a specified window of time before public access. Typical events include sports, theater performances, concerts, and cultural events. Presale tickets for cardholders are also offered via Ticketmaster.

Cardmember Performances

All American Express cardmembers can enjoy priority ticket access to special Cardmember Performances. You’ll find these events posted in the benefits section of your online card account or an announcement via email.

Tickets for these events must be purchased with an eligible American Express card. All sales are final and other terms and conditions may apply.

Bottom Line: Every Amex-issued card has some level of entertainment or event perks. Log in to your online card account and click on “benefits” to find out which perks are offered on your Amex card. 

Additional Benefits of the Amex Platinum Card

We’ve written extensively on the benefits of the Amex Platinum card, but here’s a quick overview of several key value-added benefits that are offered on the card.

Worldwide Airport Lounge Access

The Amex Platinum card and Amex Business Platinum card offer second-to-none complimentary worldwide airport lounge access to more than 1,400 lounge properties.

Most lounges allow the cardholder to bring 2 additional guests at no charge. Authorized users added to the card ($195 per card, see rates & fees) also receive worldwide lounge access (upon enrollment).

Enjoy access to several lounge networks:

• The Centurion Lounge Network
• Delta Sky Club (when flying on a same-day Delta flight)
• Escape Lounges — The Centurion Studio Partner
• Select Lufthansa Lounges (when flying on a same-day Delta flight)
• Plaza Premium Lounges
• Priority Pass Lounges (upon enrollment)
• Select Virgin Clubhouses

Statement Credits

The Amex Platinum offers several annual statement credits when you make qualifying purchases. Note that enrollment may be required, so be sure to explore your account benefits to get the most out of your card:

• Up to $200 prepaid hotel credit on eligible stays
• Up to $240 digital entertainment credit
• Up to $199 CLEAR Plus credit
• Up to $300 Equinox credit
• Up to $100 at Saks Fifth Avenue
• Up to $200 in Uber Cash
• Up to $200 for airline incidentals
• Up to $120 Global Entry application fee reimbursement (as of October 1, 2024) or up to $85 TSA PreCheck application fee reimbursement
• Up to $155 Walmart+ credit

Elite Status

The Amex Platinum card comes with hotel loyalty program Gold elite status with Hilton Honors and Marriott Bonvoy (upon enrollment).

Cardholders also receive Emerald Club Executive membership with National, President’s Circle status with Hertz, and booking perks and discounts with Avis (upon enrollment).

Bottom Line: In addition to VIP entertainment perks and benefits, the Amex Platinum card offers value-added premium travel rewards benefits that can more than justify the card’s annual fee. 

Amex Business Platinum Card

If you’re a business owner, you may find the Amex Business Platinum card a better fit for your situation.

ELEVATED OFFER

Terms Apply / Rates & Fees

The Business Platinum Card^® from American Express

U.P. Rating 

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!

Learn More(at Amex's secure site)

The Business Platinum Card^® from American Express

This card is ideal for business travelers who enjoy luxury travel and are looking for a card loaded with benefits!

Welcome Offer

Earn 150,000 Membership Rewards^® points after you spend $20,000 in eligible purchases on the Card within the first 3 months of Card Membership.

150,000 points

UP's Bonus Valuation*:

$3,300

Annual Fee

$695

APR

18.74% - 27.74% Variable

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 cardapplication.

Good to Excellent (670-850)

Why We Like This Card

The Business Platinum Card^® from American Express is a premium travel rewards card tailored toward business owners who are frequent travelers with a high number of annual expenses.

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.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• 5x Membership Rewards points per $1 on flights and prepaid hotels at Amex Travel
• Access to over 1,400 worldwide airport lounges as part of the American Express Global Lounge Collection
• 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)

Cons

• High annual fee of $695 (rates & fees)
• Airline fee credit does not cover airfare, only incidentals like checked bags

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

• Welcome Offer: Earn 150,000 Membership Rewards^® points after you spend $20,000 in eligible purchases on the 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, on up to $2 million per Card Account per calendar year. Purchases eligible for multiple additional point bonuses will only receive the highest eligible bonus.
• Unlock over $1,000 in statement credits on select purchases, including tech, recruiting and wireless in the first year of membership with the Business Platinum Card^®. Enrollment required. See how you can unlock over $1,000 annually in credits on select purchases with the Business Platinum Card^®, here.
• $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 the Card.
• $199 CLEAR^® Plus Credit: Use your card and get up to $199 in statement credits per calendar year on your CLEAR^® Plus Membership (subject to auto-renewal) when you use the 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.
• $695 Annual Fee.
• Terms Apply.

Financial Snapshot

• APR: 18.74% - 27.74% Variable
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Rewards Center

American Express Membership Rewards

While many of the benefits that come with the Amex Business Platinum card are similar to the personal version, you’ll find some business-specific benefits, including Dell statement credits, that differ.

Final Thoughts

Premium travel rewards cards come with higher fees than other types of cards, so you should expect a higher level of benefits.

The Amex Platinum card delivers by offering cardmember-only entertainment, one-of-a-kind experiences, events, and priority access that may be difficult, even impossible, to duplicate on your own.