How Do I Activate and Use the Amex Platinum Card Benefits? [2024]

The number of features and benefits on The Platinum Card^® from American Express can be overwhelming. It’s easy to miss an opportunity to take advantage of a travel benefit, receive a statement credit for a purchase, or earn additional rewards.

The precise number of perks offered by the Amex Platinum card changes, but currently, there are around 4 dozen features and benefits. To help avoid the almost inevitable event of missing out on any of them, today’s article focuses on activating and using each of the top Amex Platinum card features and benefits.

We’ll also include links to more detailed articles about each perk.

Here’s how to activate and use the Amex Platinum card’s top features and benefits.

Getting Started

Before accessing any benefits, the first step when receiving your card is to activate it. You can do this by calling the number on the back of the card or visiting americanexpress.com/confirmcard.

Once completed, the card is immediately ready for use. It’s important to note the card approval date to ensure you meet the minimum spending requirements within the required period to qualify for the generous welcome offer.

Now we’re ready to browse the exciting card offerings, enroll in or register for them, and learn more about how each benefit works.

Accessing the Enrollment Center

Some features and benefits of the Amex Platinum card require enrollment before they are activated. Others are activated by simply making a required purchase.

Starting with the perks that require enrollment can be the most efficient plan of attack. You don’t want to miss out on any perk for failure to enroll or opt-in.

The easiest — and fastest — way to be sure you’re enrolled for all the features and benefits is to access the Enrollment section of your online card account.

Log in to your card account and under Rewards & Benefits, select Benefits. Scrolling down, click on the dropdown box of the Enroll section.

Here you can conveniently find the perks requiring enrollment all in the same place.

Once in the Enroll section, you can sign up for all the key benefits and spend a moment reading the details for each one.

Here’s a breakdown of the items requiring enrollment and how they might be utilized.

How To Enroll and Use Benefits

Enrolling in Amex Platinum card benefits is easy. Once you’re in the Enroll section, you’ll always start by clicking on the Learn More icon. Next, read about the benefit and complete the required action.

Here’s how to activate each offer and some information about each one.

American Express Global Lounge Collection

The Amex Platinum card lounge access benefit is superior to any other credit card. Once enrolled, you’ll have access to over 1,400 properties worldwide. To access most lounges, you can use your Amex Platinum card and a same-day boarding pass.

You’ll need a Priority Pass membership card to access Priority Pass and affiliated lounges. In the Enroll section, click on the Learn More icon, then Enroll Now. Once enrolled, you’ll receive a Priority Pass Select membership number. You can then download the Priority Pass app (iOS, Android) and use a digital version of the card for lounge access. A physical card will also be mailed to you within approximately 10 days.

Here is a list of the lounge networks you can access with the Amex Platinum card and your Priority Pass Select membership card.

• Amex Centurion Lounges (worldwide access)
• Delta Sky Clubs (when flying Delta same-day)
• Priority Pass Select
• Escape Lounges – The Centurion Studio Partner
• Plaza Premium Lounges
• Lufthansa Lounges (when flying Lufthansa same-day)
• Additional Global Lounge Collection Partner Lounges
• Select Virgin Atlantic Clubhouses

Access to many lounges also includes 2 guests. Guest access to the Centurion Lounges and Delta Sky Club requires spending $75,000 on your card within a calendar year. Fortunately, there’s a tracker in your online card account.

Digital Entertainment Credit

You can receive up to $240 in statement credits for select digital entertainment purchases. These included Hulu, Disney+, The Disney Bundle, ESPN, The New York Times, Peacock TV, and The Wall Street Journal.

A maximum monthly statement credit of $20 will be applied to qualifying digital entertainment purchases made with your card.

Enroll in the benefit after clicking on Learn More, then add your Amex Platinum card as the payment method in your qualifying digital entertainment account.

One important element of the enrollment section is that the provided tracker shows how much credit has been used each month:

For example, you can see that my monthly ad-free Hulu subscription of $17.99 resulted in a statement credit of $18.

Airline Fee Credit

Before receiving airline fee statement credits, you must select a qualifying airline. Once again, click on the Learn More icon and complete the selection. After choosing your airline, wait a day or 2 before purchasing to ensure the selection is active.

While the credit is meant to reimburse you for airline incidental fees such as checked bags and inflight refreshments, other purchases are known to trigger the credit.

An example would be the United Travel Bank, one reason I selected United Airlines as my qualifying airline.

For more tips on utilizing the Amex Platinum card’s airline fee credit, our article on the topic can help.

Uber Cash

You won’t want to miss the $15 in Uber Cash added to your account each month and VIP recognition. Plus, in December, you’ll receive a bonus of $20, for a total of $35. That’s $200 in Uber Cash each year.

Once clicking on the Learn More icon, then Enroll, you’ll want to add the Amex Platinum card as the payment option in your Uber account.

You can then make the required purchase using the Uber Cash in your account. Any amount charged more than your Uber Cash balance will be charged to your card.

Uber Cash can be used for Uber rides and Uber Eats in the U.S.

Here’s more information on maximizing the Uber Cash credit on the Amex Platinum card.

Hilton Honors and Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite Status

While the Amex Platinum card comes with Hilton Honors and Marriott Bonvoy Gold elite status, it doesn’t happen automatically. To receive these benefits, you must enroll in the benefit with your hotel loyalty program membership number.

Click on the Learn More icon and type in your loyalty program number for Hilton Honors (for example), then repeat the process for Marriott Bonvoy.

Learn more about Hilton Honors and Marriott Bonvoy Gold elite status and the related benefits in our informative article.

$200 Prepaid Hotel Credit

While enrollment is not required, booking via AmexTravel.com is a prerequisite to receiving the $200 prepaid hotel stay credit.

When you book at least a 1-night stay with Fine Hotels + Resorts, or a 2-night stay with The Hotel Collection, you’ll receive $200 in statement credits shortly after charging the prepaid stay to your card.

The benefits beyond the $200 are many and include on-site perks valued at more than $600. You’ll also be earning 5x Membership Rewards points.

ShopRunner

Enroll in the ShopRunner benefit to receive free 2-day shipping, complimentary returns, plus deals from over 100 select retailers.

Enroll in ShopRunner by clicking on the link and registering with your card.

Saks Fifth Avenue Credit

Shopping at Saks is more fun when you receive up to $50 in statement credits for your purchase. The credit is available once from January through June, and again from July through December. That’s up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year.

To enroll, click on the Enroll Now icon under the Shop Saks with Platinum section, then use your Amex Platinum card for your purchase.

Here are some great ideas for using your credit at Saks.

CLEAR Plus Membership Credit

CLEAR Plus membership can speed up your airport security experience. While you do not need to enroll your card specifically, to receive the statement credit, you can enroll in CLEAR and pay your application fee (or renewal fee) with your Amex Platinum card. A link is provided in the Enroll section to sign up for a CLEAR Plus membership.

Hot Tip:

If you belong to any airline frequent flyer programs, check for discounted CLEAR Plus membership offers. Enroll in CLEAR Plus via your frequent flyer account, use your Amex Platinum card to pay the fee, and receive a statement credit of up to $189.

Once you’ve used your credit, it will show on the tracker in your card account.

Monthly Walmart+ Membership Credit

The Amex Platinum card comes with a monthly Walmart+ membership credit of $12.95 plus the applicable taxes.

To receive the Walmart+ membership credit, you must first enroll in a Walmart+ membership. You’ll then add your Amex Platinum card as payment to that account. Click the Get Started button to be taken to the Walmart+ enrollment page.

The key benefits of Walmart+ membership are free delivery with a minimum purchase of $35, free shipping (no minimum order), 10 cents per gallon fuel savings, and a complimentary Paramount+ subscription.

Equinox and SoulCycle Credit

Use your Amex Platinum card to purchase an Equinox+ digital subscription or Equinox Club membership and receive up to $300 in statement credits each calendar year. Or, buy a SoulCycle At-home bike with your card and receive a credit of up to $300.

Here’s more information on how to maximize the Equinox credit.

Activity Tracker

Under the Benefits tab in your online card account, you’ll find the activity tracker for all the benefits that have requirements or provide a statement credit. You’ll be able to view the status of all the credits and your progress toward any spending requirements.

Accessing this section periodically will ensure you don’t miss out on any monthly perks or spending deadlines.

Additional Benefits

Here are additional Amex Platinum card benefits you’ll want to consider, some of which have requirements before use.

• Global Entry/TSA PreCheck Fee Reimbursement — Use your card to pay your application or renewal fee and receive reimbursement as a statement credit, up to $100.
• Cell Phone Protection — Pay your monthly wireless bill with your card and receive coverage for damage or theft, up to $800 per claim. There is a limit of 2 approved claims per 12-month period and a $50 deductible per claim. Terms apply.
• Premium Car Rental Protection — For 1 low price covering the entire rental period you’ll receive premium primary car rental protection. Enroll your card before renting to activate coverage effective whenever you use your card for a rental.
• Global Dining Access by Resy — Receive exclusive reservations, priority for open tables, and access to special experiences. Download the app and add your Amex Platinum card as the payment option.
• Amex Offers — Log into your online card account and select from up to 100 offers with merchants and service providers. Add the offer to your card and complete the required purchase to earn additional rewards or receive statement credits.
• Auto Purchasing Program — Shop with one of the certified dealers and receive upfront pricing for a new or used car. You may be able to charge up to $2,000 (or more) on your Amex Platinum card when purchasing a new vehicle.

Final Thoughts

The number of Amex Platinum card benefits may seem daunting.

However, with the Enroll section and trackers within your online card account, you can manage the perks and ensure you’re on track to receive the most value possible. Plus, maximizing these benefits can help offset the card’s annual fee of $695 (rates & fees).

It’s also worth the time to read the requirements and descriptions of each benefit so you don’t miss out.

This article provides further information for a comprehensive overview of Amex Platinum card benefits.

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For the cell phone protection benefit of The Platinum Card^® from American Express, coverage for a stolen or damaged eligible cellular wireless telephone is subject to the terms, conditions, exclusions and limits of liability of this benefit. The maximum liability is $800, per claim, per eligible card account. Each claim is subject to a $50 deductible. Coverage is limited to two (2) claims per eligible card account per 12 month period. Eligibility and benefit level varies by Card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.