Amex Platinum Hotel and Car Rental Elite Status Benefits [2025]

Normally, you’d need to be a dedicated patron of a specific hotel or car rental loyalty program to achieve their elite status and reap the corresponding benefits. But there is another way to enjoy the benefits of elite status — without the hassle of counting stays or car rentals — when you carry a credit card that comes with complimentary elite status.

The Platinum Card^® from American Express, with its collection of premium travel benefits, has a reputation for being one of the best metal cards and one of the best travel rewards cards. However, unlike typical credit cards, it allows you to carry a balance for certain but not all charges. Its long list of benefits includes complimentary elite status with hotel and car rental program upon enrollment.

Stay with us as we provide you with all you need to know about the Amex Platinum card’s hotel and rental car program elite status benefits.

Hot Tip:

The hotel and car rental elite status benefits mentioned in this article also apply to The Business Platinum Card^® from American Express.

Amex Platinum Card: Overview

Before we discuss the valuable hotel and car rental program elite benefits you can expect from the Amex Platinum card, here’s an important overview of the card’s core benefits and a link you can use to access a list of any pertinent fees and interest rates, plus a breakdown of any terms and conditions that apply.

+ 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

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.

Hotel Program Elite Status

Primary cardmembers of the Amex Platinum card and additional Platinum Cardholders can enjoy hotel program elite status with both Marriott Bonvoy and Hilton Honors loyalty rewards programs upon enrollment.

Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite Status

The Amex Platinum comes with complimentary Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status which would normally require 25 nights stayed at Marriott properties within a calendar year.

Benefits of Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite Status

What will Gold Elite status get you? Here’s a summary of everything you can expect to receive.

• Free premium Wi-Fi
• Enhanced room upgrades when available
• Receive the fifth consecutive award night fee
• 2 p.m. late checkout
• 25% additional bonus points
• No blackout dates
• A dedicated reservation line
• Reservation guarantee
• Up to 500 welcome bonus points each stay
• Access to PointSavers discounted award nights
• Use a combination of points and cash to pay for your reservation
• Use points for on-site expenses
• Member-only room rates and no blackout dates

To learn more about Marriott Bonvoy elite status, how to achieve it, and the benefits of each level, you’re sure to be an expert after digesting all the information in our comprehensive overview.

Hilton Honors Gold Status

Cardmembers also receive complimentary Hilton Honors Gold status. Normally you must have completed 20 stays or 40 total nights within a calendar year to reach this level. You could also achieve Gold status by earning 75,000 Hilton Honors base points in a calendar year.

The Benefits of Hilton Honors Gold Status

Here are benefits you can expect with complimentary Gold Elite Status:

• Room upgrades to executive level when available
• Complimentary breakfast
• Late checkout
• Free Wi-Fi
• Waived resort fees on award stays
• Fifth standard award night free
• 2 free bottles of water
• 80% additional bonus points
• Elite rollover nights
• Milestone bonuses

Leaders Club Sterling Status from Leading Hotels of the World

While not as well-known as Marriott or Hilton, Leading Hotels of the World is a curated collection of over 400 independent luxury hotels and resorts around the globe. Each property is individually owned and operated, which means they don’t all look or feel the same. This can offer travelers a more personalized and unique alternative to the standardized style of major hotel chains.

Starting in September 2025, American Express now offers Leaders Club Sterling Status in the Leading Hotels of the World collection (enrollment required). Leaders Club Sterling status is the second tier in the program and offers benefits including:

• 5 prearrival upgrades, subject to availability
• 5% Leader Club points bonus on qualifying stays
• Daily continental breakfast for 2
• Consideration for early check-in and late checkout

Hot Tip:

Please note that hotel elite status does not happen automatically. When you receive your card, you must register or enroll to start receiving benefits. We don’t want you to miss out on any benefits of the Amex Platinum card, so we’ve put together this checklist of everything you should do when you receive your new Amex Platinum. 

Additional Hotel Program Benefits

While technically not complimentary elite status, you can’t dismiss the benefits cardmembers do enjoy at these unique hotel property collections worldwide.

American Express Fine Hotels + Resorts

Your hotel experience comes with extras when you use your Amex Platinum card to stay at Fine Hotels + Resorts properties.

• Room upgrades, based on availability
• Breakfast for 2 each day of your stay
• Early check-in, late checkout
• Complimentary Wi-Fi
• A special amenity unique to the property location with a value of at least $100

The Hotel Collection

Stay for 2 days or more at Hotel Collection properties and receive these valuable benefits.

• Upgraded room, if available
• $100 room credit that can be used for on-site amenities such as dining, spa, etc.
• 5x earnings when booking prepaid hotel nights through AmexTravel.com

Bottom Line:

The Amex Platinum card comes with complimentary Gold level elite status with both Marriott Bonvoy and Hilton Honors loyalty programs upon enrollment. Cardmembers get additional benefits including an up to $600 annual statement credit for prepaid stays at American Express Fine Hotels + Resorts and on 2-night stays at Hotel Collection properties. 

Car Rental Program Elite Status

Using your Amex Platinum card to reserve and pay for your rental car reservation can result in vehicle upgrades, discounted rates, VIP pick up and return, and other Amex Platinum perks that make your rental car experience better.

Let’s look at some of the benefits provided for cardholders by 3 of the major rental car companies.

National Emerald Club Executive Status

Your Amex Platinum card offers complimentary Emerald Club Executive status with National Car Rental that includes the following benefits (enrollment required):

• Guaranteed vehicle upgrades
• 1 free rental day after 6 rentals
• Convenient pick-up and drop-off with e-receipts
• 20% discount using code
• Dedicated reservation line

Hertz Gold Plus Rewards President’s Circle

Hertz Gold Plus Rewards offers several base benefits and is free for anyone to join. However, when signing up via the Platinum Hertz Gold Plus Rewards site and adding code 211762 to your profile, you’ll unlock several complimentary Amex Platinum card benefits.

Be sure to reserve and pay for your Hertz rental car with your card, then expect to enjoy this combination of benefits via Hertz Gold Plus Rewards and the Amex Platinum card (enrollment required):

• Complimentary Hertz President’s Circle status
• Bypass the counter and go straight to your rental car
• Complimentary 1-class car upgrade when available
• Free additional driver (spouse or domestic partner)
• Receive special savings or best available rates
• Rent luxury cars from the Hertz Prestige Collection and receive special discounted weekend rates
• 10% Hertz Gold Plus Rewards bonus earnings
• 4-hour grace period for returns
• Terms and conditions apply

Avis Preferred Plus

While anyone can enroll in the Avis Preferred car rental program, linking your Amex Platinum card will allow you to save your preferences, your personal information, and your preferred payment options, which can facilitate making your future rental reservations easier.

Using your Amex Platinum card as an Avis Preferred member, you can expect to receive these benefits (enrollment required):

• Complimentary Avis Preferred Plus Status
• Go right to your car with worldwide expedited service.
• Discounts on published rates, up to 25% (use code 7569000)
• 1-car upgrade when available (use code UUNA007)
• Use the Avis app to select your car, extend your rental, or make changes.
• Earn Avis Preferred Points for every $1 you spend.

Hot Tip:

In addition to several rental car program perks, the Amex Platinum card comes with secondary car rental loss and damage insurance. Cardholders also have access to premium car rental protection for a single low fee that covers the entire rental period up to 42 days. Prices range from $12.25 to $24.95 for the entire period depending on location and level of coverage selected. Learn more about Amex Platinum’s car rental insurance and benefits.

Additional Benefits of the Amex Platinum Card

While the complimentary hotel and rental program elite statuses are great, those are just a few of the premium travel benefits that come with the Amex Platinum card.

You also get these additional value-added perks that can add comfort to your travels, provide value-added redemptions, and even save you money.

Worldwide Airline Lounge Access

The Amex Platinum card is a rock star and second to none when it comes to providing worldwide airline lounge access. Relax, grab a drink, and savor a bite to eat at any of these lounge network properties:

• Airspace
• American Express International Lounges
• Centurion Lounges
• 10 visits to Delta Sky Clubs (when flying Delta) with the ability to unlock unlimited visits through spend
• Escape Lounges
• Plaza Premium
• Priority Pass (upon enrollment)

Most lounges (not including Centurion Lounges) allow the cardmember to bring 2 additional guests. Additional Platinum Cardholders also enjoy lounge network privileges.

If lounge access is important to you during your travels, you’ll want to know about all the best credit cards for complimentary access.

Earning and Redemption Options

Membership Rewards points earned on the Amex Platinum card are some of the most valuable flexible rewards currencies.

• Generous welcome bonus offer (up to 150,000 points for those that are eligible)
• 5x earnings on flights booked directly with the airline and through AmexTravel.com
• Transfers of Membership Rewards points to Amex transfer partners for potentially greater value

Statement Credits

Statement credits are important because they provide economic value that can offset the cost of an annual fee. You can expect to receive statement credits upon enrollment for the following purchases made with your card:

• $200 in total Uber Cash each calendar year
• $200 statement credits for airline incidental fees
• $100 in Saks Fifth Avenue credits
• Up to $120 reimbursement for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck fees

Alternative Card for Business Owners

The Business Platinum Card^® from American Express

ELEVATED WELCOME 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 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

Read Full Review

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

Hot Tip: Check to see if you’re eligible for a welcome bonus offer of up to 250,000 points with the Amex Business Platinum card. The current public offer is 150,000 200,000 points. (This targeted offer was independently researched and may not be available to all applicants.)

If you’re a business owner, you may want to consider the Amex Business Platinum card instead of the personal Amex Platinum card. On it, you get the same hotel and rental car program elite status perks upon enrollment and additional benefits that cater directly to a business owner who travels.

Our article offers a complete comparison of the two cards and insight into which card would be a better match for your situation.

Final Thoughts

Selecting a credit card based solely on its hotel and rental car program elite status offerings is probably not a prudent idea. It is prudent, however, to understand all of the benefits that come with your card and how they can be utilized to offset the annual expense of having a premium travel rewards card.

If you’re spending a lot on flights, value worldwide lounge access, and can take advantage of statement credits for specific purchases, you’ll find tremendous value with the Amex Platinum card.

Receiving complimentary hotel and rental car program elite status and additional benefits is just icing on the cake of other premium travel benefits that come with the card.

For the car rental loss and damage insurance benefit of the Platinum Card^® from American Express, car rental loss and damage insurance can provide coverage up to $75,000 for theft of or damage to most rental vehicles when you use your eligible card to reserve and pay for the entire eligible vehicle rental and decline the collision damage waiver or similar option offered by the commercial car rental company. This product provides secondary coverage and does not include liability coverage. Not all vehicle types or rentals are covered. geographic restrictions apply. Eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company. Car Rental Loss or Damage Coverage is offered through American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc.