20 Things To Do When You Get the Amex Platinum Card [2026]

Getting started with The Platinum Card^® from American Express involves more than just using the card. Many of its benefits require enrollment and do not activate automatically. Enrollment can be completed through the rewards and benefits tab in your online account or via the American Express app.

This guide outlines 20 key steps to help ensure all available benefits are set up and ready to use.

Amex Platinum Card Overview

Before we jump into all the details, here’s a quick card overview of the Amex Platinum card:

BEST LOUNGE CARD

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.

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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 you spend $12,000 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.  

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
• Annual and monthly statement credits upon enrollment (airline credit, Uber Cash and Uber One, Resy, lululemon credit, streaming credit, prepaid hotel credit on eligible stays, Walmart+ credit, CLEAR+ credit, and Equinox credit)
• TSA PreCheck or Global Entry credit
• Access to American Express Fine Hotels and Resorts and Amex International Airline Program
• Access to Amex transfer partners
• No foreign transaction fees (rates and fees)

 

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 $12,000 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.
• 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.
• $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.
• $300 Digital Entertainment Credit: Experience the latest shows, news and recipes. Get up to $25 in statement credits each month when you use your Platinum Card^® for eligible purchases on Disney+, a Disney+ bundle, ESPN streaming services, Hulu, The New York Times, Paramount+, Peacock, The Wall Street Journal, YouTube Premium, and YouTube TV when you purchase directly from one or more of the providers. Enrollment required.
• $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.
• $400 Resy Credit + Platinum Nights by Resy: Get up to $100 in statement credits each quarter when you use the Platinum Card^® to make eligible purchases with Resy, including dining purchases at U.S. Resy restaurants. Enrollment required. 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.
• $209 CLEAR+ Credit: CLEAR+ helps get you to your gate faster by using your face to verify you are you at 55+ airports nationwide. You can cover the cost of a CLEAR+ Membership* with up to $209 in statement credits per calendar year after you pay for CLEAR+ with your 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, when available, and guaranteed 4PM check-out.
• $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.
• 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

 

 

Do These 20 Things When You Get Your Amex Platinum Card

Follow the tips below to get the most out of your new card. You can log in to your account on the American Express website.

1. Activate Your Amex Platinum Card

Start by activating your card online or by calling the phone number on the sticker attached to the front of your card.

If you already have an Amex card, you can easily add it to your profile online. You can also add the card to your Apple Wallet or Google Wallet on your phone.

Sign the back of the card, and you’re ready to start using it.

2. Find Your Minimum Spending Requirement

To receive your welcome offer, valued at hundreds of dollars in travel, you must meet a minimum spending requirement within a specified period, typically 3 or 6 months after card approval. We’ve seen offers go as high as 175,000 points, so ensuring you don’t miss out on your welcome offer by meeting your spending requirement on time is key to maximizing this card’s value. You find out the amount of your welcome offer after you apply for the card. Welcome offers vary, and you may not be eligible for an offer.

Make a note of the exact date you were approved for the card and of the deadline for completing your purchases. Remember, the annual fee doesn’t count toward this requirement.

Allow enough time for a purchase to post on your statement. If the purchase is still pending on the final day, it doesn’t count toward your spending total.

You can get an accurate tally of your spending by accessing your account, going to the section entitled “Statements and Activity,” and entering the dates for the period in which you need to meet the minimum spending requirement. Don’t forget to exclude the annual fee and any merchandise returns from your total.

3. Enroll in Priority Pass Select

Your Amex Platinum card comes with worldwide access to over 1,550 airport lounges in the American Express Global Lounge Collection (Source: AmericanExpress.com).

To enroll in Priority Pass Select, log in to your Amex Platinum card online account. Find the enrollment tab by first clicking where it says “Rewards and Benefits,” then under the benefits tab.

Once you click on the button saying “Enroll Now,” the system generates a Priority Pass membership number. It can take 10 to 14 business days to receive your physical Priority Pass membership card, but you can normally access a digital version via the Priority Pass app or in your online account.

As an Amex cardholder, you can bring up to 2 guests into a Priority Pass lounge for no charge.

4. Register for Hotel Elite Statuses (Hilton Honors, Marriott Bonvoy, Leaders Club)

You don’t automatically receive Hilton Honors Gold, Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite, or Leaders Club Sterling hotel program status. But it’s simple to enroll in all via your online card account. Click on the rewards and benefits tab, then the benefits tab, and select the Hilton Honors Gold Elite Status, Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite Status, and Leaders Club Sterling Status banners.

With Hilton Honors Gold status, you’ll soon start to receive complimentary breakfast, upgraded rooms, higher earnings, and more elite perks at Hilton hotels. Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite members receive upgraded rooms, increased points earning, late checkout, free Wi-Fi, and more at Marriott hotels. And Leaders Club Sterling members get a 5% Leaders Club points bonus on qualifying stays and 5 prearrival upgrades annually at Leading Hotels of the World members (subject to availability).

5. Add an Additional Cardholder

Additional Platinum cardholders on your Amex Platinum card receive many of the same benefits you get.

You can add up to 99 for just $195 each per year (rates & fees). Those cardholders receive the same worldwide lounge access, hotel elite status, and more.

To obtain elite hotel status, the additional Platinum cardholder must call the number on the back of their Amex Platinum card and enroll with a customer support representative. The additional cardholder needs to provide their Marriott, Hilton, or Leaders Club account number to the representative.

Hot Tip:

Worldwide lounge access is one of the most valuable Amex Platinum card benefits. By adding additional Platinum cardholders, an entire family can have complimentary lounge access. With some lounges, the primary cardholder and each additional Platinum cardholder can bring 2 guests; in other cases, this benefit is granted if annual spending meets a specific threshold.

6. Select Your Airline for the Amex Airline Fee Credit

With the Amex Platinum card, you can receive up to $200 in statement credits each calendar year for incidental airline fees (upon enrollment).

The caveats: You must pick your airline in advance and charge the purchase to your Amex Platinum card.

To select your airline, log in to your card account and look under the section called “Rewards and Benefits,” then under where it says “Benefits” for the box saying “$200 Airline Fee Credit.” You can then select a qualifying airline from the drop-down menu (Source: AmericanExpress.com)

You can change your selected airline in January of each year.

7. Add Your Card to Your Uber Account (and Sign Up for Uber One)

Add your Amex Platinum card to your Uber account, because Amex Platinum card membership comes with up to $200 in Uber Cash. Each month, you receive up to $15 in Uber Cash deposited into your Uber Cash account. In December, your Uber Cash credit is up to $35 (it includes a $20 bonus). You can use your Uber Cash toward Uber rides and Uber Eats in the U.S.

Log in to your online Amex Platinum card account and look under the section called “Rewards and Benefits,” then under the benefits tab, select the $200 Uber Cash banner. You must select the Amex Card as the payment method for your Uber or Uber Eats transaction to redeem the Amex Uber Cash benefit.

You should also sign up for Uber One, as you get up to $120 in statement credits each calendar year if you purchase an automatically renewing Uber One membership and pay with your Amex Platinum card.

8. Register for Car Rental Program Elite Statuses (Avis, Hertz, National)

Your Amex Platinum card comes with several elite statuses and preferred benefits when you rent through the National, Hertz, or Avis car rental agencies, including the following elite statuses:

• Avis Preferred Plus status
• Hertz President’s Circle status
• National Emerald Club Executive status

Benefits can include discounts, car upgrades, priority pickup and return, and accelerated earnings.

To take advantage of these perks, you must register via your online Amex Platinum card account.

Hot Tip:

Understand more about the car rental perks and insurance that come with the Amex Platinum card with our guide to maximizing car rental insurance and benefits.

9. Apply for Global Entry or Pay for Your Renewal

You receive up to $120 as a statement credit when you pay for Global Entry with your Amex Platinum card. TSA PreCheck is included when you sign up for Global Entry (Source: AmericanExpress.com).

If you want to just sign up for TSA PreCheck instead of Global Entry, your statement credit would be $85. Statement credits are available once every 4 years. Apply for Global Entry on the U.S. Customs and Border Protection website and note that, once you’re approved, you can enroll your children for free.

Hot Tip:

Want to learn more about Global Entry? Don’t miss our article on the top FAQs for Global Entry and check out all of the best credit cards for complimentary Global Entry or TSA PreCheck.

10. Book a Hotel Stay Using Your First $300 of the $600 Hotel Credit

Start booking to avoid missing out on statement credits of up to $600 (up to $300 semiannually) for a stay at a property in Fine Hotels + Resorts or The Hotel Collection booked via AmexTravel.com. You can get your first $300 credit between January and June and the second between July and December, using the credit to cover the cost of the entire room or to offset a more expensive stay. Be sure to mark your calendar for when it’s time to book your next $300-or-more stay with FHR or The Hotel Collection to receive your second $300 credit.

You get benefits such as an upgraded room (when available), breakfast for 2 daily, complimentary Wi-Fi, early check-in and late checkout (when available), and more. The Hotel Collection requires at least a 2-night stay.

11. Check Out Your Amex Offers

Once you log in to your online account, scroll down the page until you see where it says “Amex Offers and Benefits.” You can realize significant savings when using Amex Offers.

Just add the offer you want to your card by clicking the button labeled “Add to Card,” then use your card to make the purchase. Alternatively, consider using a service like CardPointers+, which automatically adds all your Amex offers to your card when you log in to your Amex account online.

You’ll receive a statement credit or additional Membership Rewards points after the purchases post to your account.

12. Start Streaming and Get $300 Worth of Digital Entertainment Credits

We all love streaming entertainment media, especially when we can get it for less. Enroll to receive up to $25 each month in statement credits (up to $300 each year) for qualifying digital entertainment purchases. The credit is valid for various media services, including Disney+, ESPN+, Hulu, The New York Times, Paramount+, Peacock, The Wall Street Journal, YouTube Premium, YouTube TV, and many others.

Here’s more information on how to make the most of the Amex $25 monthly digital entertainment credit.

13. Join Equinox and Get $300 in Credits

If you enjoy working out and could benefit from an Equinox+ digital subscription or an Equinox club membership, you’d probably appreciate up to $300 in statement credits each year for membership purchases. Enrollment is required.

14. Apply for CLEAR+ ($209 value)

Cardholders receive up to $209 in annual credits toward a CLEAR+ membership, which can offer accelerated security processing at various airports throughout the U.S. (Source: AmericanExpress.com).

Hot Tip:

If you already have CLEAR+, consider purchasing a membership for a friend or family member using your card, since you will still earn the credit. Additionally, joining a frequent flyer program, such as United MileagePlus or Delta SkyMiles, can also get you a discounted CLEAR+ membership for $199, resulting in a $10 saving.

15. Sign Up for a Walmart+ Membership (a $155 value)

Amex Platinum cardholders receive a $12.95 statement credit toward Walmart+ membership each month, and Walmart+ members receive the following benefits and services:

• Free shipping on items with no minimum purchase requirement (excluding items not shipped by Walmart)
• Free grocery delivery with a $35 order minimum
• Free pharmacy delivery, including prescriptions
• 10 cents off per gallon on fuel at Walmart, Murphy, Exxon, and Mobil stations
• Scan-and-go contact-free checkout
• Free returns from home, without any repacking or printing

16. Buy an Oura Ring and Track Your Wellness ($200 value)

Get up to $200 back when purchasing an Oura Ring with your Amex Platinum card. Enrollment is required.

Wearing an Oura Ring helps you stay on top of your health and wellness goals, measuring your sleep, stress, and activity levels. Note that to get the most out of your ring, you need to purchase a monthly subscription. The $200 credit is only valid for the purchase of the ring itself, not for the monthly subscription.

17. Dine Out With Resy With $400 in Credits

Sign up for Resy and start dining out to get up to $100 back quarterly ($400 annually) when you pay with your Amex Platinum card. Enrollment is required.  

You can dine at more than 10,000 U.S. Resy restaurants. Download the Resy app to find restaurants and make reservations. It’s worth adding your Amex Platinum card to your Resy app as a payment method. This is a use-it-or-lose-it quarterly benefit, and you don’t need to book through Resy for the credit to apply. Just pay with your Amex Platinum card.

18. Shop at lululemon and Get $300 in Credits

Get up to $75 quarterly (up to $300 annually) when shopping at lululemon and paying with your Amex Platinum card. Enrollment is required.

The credits are valid for eligible purchases at U.S. lululemon retail stores (excluding outlets) and lululemon.com. Make sure to use all of your credit each quarter, as it won’t roll over.

19. Get 10% Statement Credits and Exclusive Event Access at Amex Venues

Enroll in the Amex Venue Collection to receive 10% back as a statement credit, up to $250 per year, on eligible purchases at participating venues. This benefit applies to some dining, entertainment, and on-site spending, helping offset the cost of premium experiences. In addition, members may receive early or exclusive access to tickets for certain events hosted at these venues. Enrollment is required.

20. Download the Amex App

American Express recently updated its mobile app. Download it to access features that will make your card membership a breeze — you can use the app to activate your card, enroll in benefits, and track bonuses and benefits.

Final Thoughts

Many benefits of the American Express Platinum Card require enrollment and do not activate automatically. Enrollment can be completed online through the rewards and benefits tab or in the Amex app. Setting calendar reminders for quarterly and semiannual credits can help ensure these benefits are used before they expire and not left unused.