The Amex Platinum Card – How To Use the Annual $300 Equinox Credit [2025]

One of the most popular travel credit cards is the Platinum Card^® from American Express, which, unlike typical credit cards, allows you to carry a balance for certain charges, but not all. With great perks like airline credits, Uber Cash, and access to the famous Amex Centurion Lounges, many travelers swear by having an Amex Platinum card in their wallets.

A little over a year ago, American Express shook things up by adding hundreds of dollars worth of perks to the card, but it also increased the annual fee. Part of those new perks was the addition of new partners, including Equinox, a luxury fitness company. Upon enrollment in the benefit, Amex Platinum cardholders now have up to $300 in statement credits with Equinox that can be used on select Equinox memberships.

While not everyone will be able to maximize this credit, we will show you how to enroll and use it, even if you don’t have an Equinox gym near you.

Let’s take a look at the Amex Equinox credit to see how valuable of an addition it can be to your Amex Platinum card.

How Does the Amex Equinox Credit Work?

Equinox has over 100 clubs across the U.S., Canada, and the U.K. With luxurious in-club amenities, personal trainers, and popular group classes, members love this high-end gym … but these fancy gyms come at a price, with monthly memberships ranging from $200 to $500 per month, not including initiation fees!

The good news is, Amex Platinum cardholders have access to up to $300 a year in statement credits when they use their card on the Equinox+ digital fitness app or eligible Equinox club memberships.

Before you sign up for Equinox, be sure to enroll in the $300 Equinox credit in your American Express account.

Once you have enrolled, visit the Equinox website and choose the membership that works for you.

Equinox All Access

With multiple Equinox locations in major cities and across the country, an Equinox All-Access membership is a good option for someone who likes to check out different gyms in their hometown or while on the road.

Rates vary based on the location of your home gym, but in New York, for example, an All-Access membership currently costs $290 per month with a 12-month commitment for access to 80 clubs across the U.S.

Destination

If you find yourself visiting Equinox locations while outside of the U.S., the Equinox Destination membership might be a better fit for you. In addition to what is included with the All-Access membership, Destination members have exclusive access to all Equinox Fitness, Destination, and Sports Clubs locations worldwide. E Clubs are not included (yes, there are different levels of Equinox clubs).

Rates vary based on the location of your home gym, but in New York, a Destination membership currently costs $330 per month with a 12-month commitment for access to almost all of the clubs worldwide.

E by Equinox

If you are looking for the best of the best, E by Equinox is for you. In addition to what you will find in the other memberships, E by Equinox members have access to exclusive E Clubs in London and New York as well as Training Studios in New York, Connecticut, and San Francisco. These clubs offer bespoke service, elite personal training sessions, and exclusive amenities in a stunning and intimate setting.

While rates are by request only, we have seen New York members pay $550 per month with a 12-month commitment.

Hot Tip: These 3 Equinox memberships all include complimentary access to the Equinox+ app as part of membership.

Equinox+

If there are no Equinox locations near you, you might be interested in Equinox+, the company’s health and fitness app.

Similar to Peloton, this app is full of remote workouts, live and on-demand fitness classes, and programs from partners like SoulCycle, Pure Yoga, and TB12.

Subscriptions cost $39.99 per month and can be canceled anytime. If you wanted to add the SoulCycle bike, you can finance it for an additional $48.72 per month.

Bottom Line: For cardholders who were already paying Equinox gym memberships, they will now be able to save $300 yearly by paying with their Amex Platinum card. You also have the option of signing up for Equinox+ with a 62.5% discount. 

Securing the Amex Platinum Card

If you can take advantage of all of the perks and credits, the card can be very much worth having, especially with the current welcome bonus offer.

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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 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.

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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

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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

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Final Thoughts

The Amex Platinum card made big news in 2021 when the annual fee increased, but that annual fee hike came with hundreds of dollars worth of new benefits and credits. Will everyone be able to maximize all of those new credits? No. Can you? Absolutely.

Even with the expensive annual fee, the Amex Platinum card continues to be a favorite around here. With credits and perks to use annually and the ability to earn a lot of Membership Rewards points through an awesome welcome bonus and spending bonuses, we think it’s worth a spot in the wallet.

Do the math and see if the Amex Platinum card is a good fit for you.