Amex Platinum Cards: Hilton Honors Hotel Elite Status Benefits [2025]

If you stay at a particular hotel brand, even occasionally, it pays to join the hotel’s loyalty program and take advantage of the benefits.

Having elite status in that hotel program provides even more valuable benefits, including upgraded rooms, elevated points earning, and on-site privileges like free Wi-Fi, early check-in, or late checkout, among other perks.

Usually, you need to stay at that hotel chain frequently to reach elite status, but you can receive complimentary status with the Platinum Card^® from American Express and The Business Platinum Card^® from American Express. Both cards offer complimentary Hilton Honors Gold and Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status upon enrollment — no stays or spending required.

Today, we’re focusing on Hilton Honors Gold elite status and the benefits you can expect to receive after enrolling.

Amex Platinum Card and Amex Business Platinum Card Overview

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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.

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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

Hot Tip: Apply and find out if you’re eligible for a welcome bonus offer of as high as 175,000 points with the Amex Platinum. Welcome offers may vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.

ELEVATED WELCOME OFFER

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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 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.

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

Apply Now(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 150,000 200,000 Membership Rewards^® points after you spend $20,000 in eligible purchases on the Card within the first 3 months of Card Membership.

150,000 200,000 points

UP's Offer Valuation*:

Up to $4,400

Annual Fee

$895

APR

18.24% - 28.99% 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 card application.

Good to Excellent

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 1,550 lounges, along with tons of annual credits, it’s easy to see why this card is a top option for frequent traveling business owners.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Earn 5x Membership Rewards points per $1 on eligible travel purchases like flights, prepaid hotels, and prepaid short-term rentals booked through AmexTravel.com
• Access to over 1,550 worldwide airport lounges as part of the American Express Global Lounge Collection
• Earn 2x Membership Rewards points on eligible purchases in key business categories, as well as on purchases of $5,000 or more (on up to $2 million per calendar year)

Cons

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

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Card Highlights

• Elevated Welcome Offer: Earn 200,000 Membership Rewards^® points after you spend $20,000 in eligible purchases on the Business Platinum Card^® within the first 3 months of Card Membership.
• The American Express Global Lounge Collection^® can provide an escape at the airport. With complimentary access to more than 1,550 airport lounges across 140 countries and counting, you have more airport lounge options than any other credit card company on the market as of 07/2025.
• See how you can unlock over $3,500 in business and travel value annually after meeting qualifying spend thresholds on the Business Platinum Card. Terms apply.
• New! Get up to $300 in statement credits semi-annually for up to a total of $600 in statement credits per calendar year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts^® or The Hotel Collection bookings through American Express Travel using the Business Platinum Card^®. The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay.
• No Preset Spending Limit: The spending limit on the Business Platinum Card is flexible, so unlike a traditional credit card with a set limit, the amount you can spend adapts based on factors such as your purchase, payment and credit history.
• Make the Business Platinum Card^® work even harder for you. Hilton For Business members get up to $200 back per calendar year when you make an eligible purchase at Hilton properties across the globe. Benefit enrollment required.
• Fly like a pro with a $200 Airline Fee Credit. Select one qualifying airline to receive up to $200 back per year on baggage fees and other incidentals.
• Use the Business Platinum Card and get up to $209 back per calendar year on your CLEAR^® Plus Membership (subject to auto-renewal).
• Maximize your time away with Fine Hotels + Resorts through Amex Travel™.
• New! Enroll and get up to $150 in statement credits on U.S purchases directly with Dell Technologies on the Business Platinum Card and an additional $1,000 statement credit after you spend $5,000 or more on that same Card per calendar year.
• New! Enroll and get a $250 statement credit after you spend $600 or more on U.S. purchases directly with Adobe per calendar year on the Business Platinum Card.
• Get up to $90 in statement credits quarterly for purchases with Indeed on the Business Platinum Card. That’s up to $360 back per year. Enrollment required.
• Get up to $10 in statement credits per month for wireless telephone service purchases made directly with a wireless provider in the U.S. on the Business Platinum Card. That’s up to $120 back per year. Enrollment required.
• Enhanced! 2X points on purchases at U.S. construction material & hardware suppliers, electronic goods retailers and software & cloud system providers, and shipping providers, as well as on each eligible purchase of $5,000 or more, up to $2 million of these purchases per calendar year. Purchases eligible for multiple additional point bonuses will only receive the highest eligible bonus.
• 5X points on flights and prepaid hotels on AmexTravel.com
• 1X points on other eligible purchases
• $895 Annual Fee.
• Terms Apply.

Financial Snapshot

• APR: 18.24% - 28.99% Variable
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Rewards Center

American Express Membership Rewards

Benefits of Hilton Honors Gold Elite Status

Being an active cardholder of the Amex Platinum card or Amex Business Platinum card gives you complimentary Hilton Honors Gold elite status after enrollment.

Here are the benefits you can expect to receive with Hilton Honors Gold elite status:

• 80% bonus Hilton Honors points on hotel spending
• No resort fees on award stays
• Late checkout
• Get a fifth night free on reward stays
• Complimentary bottled water
• Elite tier rollover nights
• Space available room upgrade — up to an executive room type
• Food and beverage credit or daily continental breakfast, depending on brand and location
• 72-hour early upgrade
• Unlimited milestone bonuses

Usually, you would need to stay 40 nights in a calendar year to achieve Hilton Honors Gold elite status. Having the status included with your card is a valuable benefit. Plus, the status remains active as long as you have the associated card.

How To Enroll and Activate Your Hilton Elite Status

The complimentary Hilton Honors Gold elite status from the Amex Platinum card and Amex Business Platinum card is not automatic; you must enroll to activate it. Fortunately, you can accomplish this easily.

Log in to your online card account, go to the Rewards and Benefits section, then select Benefits. You’ll find the Hilton Honors Gold Status benefit when you scroll down the page. Click on Learn More.

After clicking Learn More, you can read about the benefit and select Enroll Now. You’ll see the following screen:

If you have a Hilton Honors number, insert it, check the terms and conditions box, and click Enroll Now. If you do not have a Hilton Honors number, you can leave the Hilton Honors number box blank, and you will be directed to enroll.

Once enrolled, you can expect to see the new status reflected in your Hilton Honors account within 3 to 5 business days. If it does not reflect within 10 days, call the number on the back of your card.

Complimentary Hilton Honors Gold status is valid as long as your associated American Express card is active, and there are no Hilton stay requirements to maintain it.

Combining Hilton Honors Elite Status With Amex Fine Hotels + Resorts Program Benefits

Booking Hilton properties through the American Express Fine Hotels + Resorts (FHR) program allows you to leverage your Hilton Honors Gold elite status on top of the FHR program’s benefits.

In addition to the benefits of both programs, you also earn Hilton Honors points and 5x Membership Rewards points — plus stay credits toward earning higher status — when booking Hilton properties within Fine Hotels + Resorts or The Hotel Collection (THC) using your Amex Platinum card or Amex Business Platinum card.

While most hotel bookings through a third-party website, such as Hotels.com or Expedia, don’t count toward earning Hilton points or stay credits, experience tells us that FHR stays will, as long as you add your Hilton Honors number to the reservation in advance.

Fine Hotels + Resorts Program Benefits

Here are the benefits you can expect to receive through the American Express FHR program during a stay of 1 night or more:

• Room upgrade on arrival, when available
• Check in as early as noon, when available
• Daily breakfast for 2 people
• Receive an on-site experience credit worth at least $100, which varies by hotel but may cover dining, activities, or the spa
• Complimentary Wi-Fi
• Guaranteed 4 p.m. late checkout

As you can see, combining Hilton Honors benefits with FHR (or The Hotel Collection) benefits could significantly enhance the stay experience.

How To Find Hilton FHR Properties on AmexTravel.com

After logging in to your online account and accessing AmexTravel.com, you’ll arrive at the booking page. Click on the option to “explore properties by region, collection, or brand.”

On the next page, use the Hotel Finder drop-down menu and then click on Hotel Brands.

Finally, use the search box to find Hilton-branded properties and select Fine Hotels + Resorts, The Hotel Collection, or both.

Results should identify any Hilton-branded properties available in the FHR and THC programs.

Select the property you wish to book and use your card and/or Membership Rewards points to prepay for the reservation. Bookings where you choose to pay at the hotel during check-in aren’t eligible for the annual prepaid hotel credit on the Amex Platinum card.

Be sure to add your Hilton Honors number to the reservation during the booking process on AmexTravel.com. You can also follow up with the hotel property to add the number if you forget. Once you have added your Hilton Honors number, you should see the reservation in your Hilton Honors account.

Using Statement Credits at Hilton Properties

Amex Platinum Card and Amex Business Platinum Card: Up to $600 Prepaid Hotel Credit

The Amex Platinum card and Amex Business Platinum card come with an annual prepaid hotel credit of up to $600 (paid out in 2 semiannual $300 credits) when you book a prepaid stay with Fine Hotels + Resorts or The Hotel Collection. Note that FHR stays can be for as few as 1 night, but THC requires bookings of at least 2 nights.

Prepay for your stay in full using your card, Membership Rewards points, or a combination of both and you should receive the credit shortly after booking.

Hot Tip:

The $600 annual prepaid hotel credit included with the Amex Platinum card and Amex Business Platinum card can be used for a 2-night stay or longer with The Hotel Collection. The Hotel Collection benefits include a $100 property credit, noon check-in, and late checkout (when available), as well as a room upgrade at check-in (when available).

Amex Business Platinum Card: Up to $200 in Hilton Credit

Amex Business Platinum cardholders can earn up to $200 back each calendar year ($50 per quarter) for Hilton purchases. Enrollment and a Hilton for Business membership are required.

The credit can be used quarterly for eligible purchases at Hilton properties, including room rates and incidentals (such as restaurant or spa expenses) charged to your room.

Additional Cards With Hilton Honors Elite Status

The Amex Platinum card and the Amex Business Platinum card are premium travel rewards cards with a long list of benefits, statement credits, and travel insurance. However, these aren’t the only cards with complimentary Hilton Honors elite status.

A Hilton co-branded American Express card can provide Hilton Honors elite status as well as additional benefits, including elevated earnings at Hilton properties and on everyday spending, annual hotel night certificates, and more.

Here are the Hilton-branded cards that come with complimentary Hilton Honors elite status:

In addition to complimentary Hilton Honors elite status, you can spend your way to a higher level of status using these cards. For example, spending $40,000 on eligible purchases with the Hilton Surpass card or the Hilton Business Amex card in a calendar year will upgrade your status from Gold to Diamond.

Final Thoughts

It’s always nice to double-dip rewards to receive additional on-site hotel benefits. Fortunately, the American Express FHR program explicitly allows this.

Plus, you earn 5x Membership Rewards points on your booking and Hilton Honors points and stay credits along the way.

Although not as plentiful, combining Hilton Honors Gold elite status benefits with The Hotel Collection benefits could be worthwhile. However, Hilton Honors benefits with The Hotel Collection are not guaranteed. You also need to book a minimum of 2 nights with THC — something FHR doesn’t require.

It’s worth noting that, ultimately, the hotel administers the combination of either program’s benefits at its own discretion. At a minimum, you can claim complimentary Hilton Gold status with the Amex Platinum card and Amex Business Platinum card at no cost to enjoy valuable benefits on your hotel stays.