6 Reasons Why I’ve Had the Amex Platinum Card for a Decade

The Platinum Card^® from American Express is an iconic travel card. It’s long offered some of the best travel benefits, with extensive lounge access, complimentary hotel and rental car elite status, and other big perks. But the card isn’t what it used to be.

The Amex Platinum card’s $695 (rates & fees) annual fee is higher than ever, yet it has consistently lost or devalued travel perks over the years. For example, Delta Sky Club access is limited to 10 visits annually on same-day Delta flights, and you can’t bring guests to the Centurion Lounges unless you spend $75,000 per year on the card.

That said, many of the card’s best perks remain, and the bank has been consistently adding new Centurion Lounges to its network. So, despite several iterations, I’ve kept the card in my wallet since 2015 and have no plans to close it.

With that in mind, let’s look at why the Amex Platinum card is still my favorite premium travel card.

1. Centurion Lounges Have Improved

American Express’s Centurion Lounges took the travel world by storm when they launched in 2013 in Las Vegas (LAS). They were the first mass-market airport lounge created by a bank, and they truly felt premium when they launched. The Centurion Lounge then quickly expanded to other major airports like New York (LGA), San Francisco (SFO), and Miami (MIA).

Then, things started to get weird.

Centurion Lounges temporarily shut down in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic, starting to reopen the following year. No one expected travel to recover as quickly as it did, and we saw overcrowding at airport lounges around the U.S. I also noticed that the quality of many Centurion Lounges took a dive, with food menus that rarely changed.

But things have gotten better since the start of 2024. American Express has opened a plethora of new lounges, including its biggest-ever lounge in Atlanta (ATL). New lounges in Washington, D.C. (DCA), and Tokyo Haneda (HND) have opened their doors, and we’ll see openings in Amsterdam (AMS), Salt Lake City (SLC), and Newark (EWR) over the coming months. These newer lounges feel truly premium, with fun perks like a whiskey bar at the Atlanta lounge.

In 2026, American Express will also launch a new food and drink concept called Sidecar by Centurion. Sidecar will exist inside existing Centurion Lounges, and access will be limited to 90 minutes before departure. 

These spaces will aim to give travelers a place to enjoy small bites and cocktails before their flight. As an added bonus, this new concept should reduce crowding in the main Centurion Lounge it’s attached to.

Bottom Line:

My recent experiences in Centurion Lounges make me optimistic about the future of Centurion Lounges. The food has gotten more exciting, and there’s better control over overcrowding. I have had to waitlist for access several times over the past couple of years, but to me, that’s better than waiting 15 minutes to order a drink at the bar and having nowhere to sit.

2. Airport Lounge Access Is Still Unmatched

Speaking of which, another big reason that I keep the Amex Platinum card in my wallet is for its extensive airport lounge access.

Beyond Centurion Lounges, you can visit Delta Sky Clubs 10 times per year with a same-day Delta boarding pass (unlimited if you spend $75,000 on the card), Plaza Premium lounges, Escape Lounges, and select Lufthansa lounges when flying same-day with Lufthansa Group airlines.

Upon enrollment, the card also includes a Priority Pass Select membership that gives cardmembers access to hundreds more lounges worldwide.

I’m a big fan of Plaza Premium lounges, especially their 2 lounges in Hong Kong (HKG), which have been among my favorite lounges for years. As I’m a Delta frequent flyer, having 10 Sky Club visits also comes in handy if there’s no Centurion Lounge available and I’m flying same-day with the airline.

I save a hefty sum on airport food and drinks with the Amex Platinum card, which helps me justify the card’s annual fee. Since my wife and my parents are authorized users on my Amex Platinum card, they also enjoy the same lounge access benefits for a modest $195 fee per person (rates & fees).

3. Excellent Value From Statement Credits

Many travelers see the Amex Platinum card as a coupon book, and it’s easy to see why. The card offers a ton of statement credits that are awarded after you make an eligible purchase. Many of these are travel-focused and can be redeemed easily upon enrollment, but they still require effort to track and use.

I can use most of these benefits and offset the card’s annual fee, as many cover expenses I’d have to pay for anyway. The digital entertainment credit covers my Peacock and The New York Times subscriptions, Uber Cash goes toward my regular Uber rides, and the airline fee credit is easy enough for me to use. I also use the card for my CLEAR Plus and Global Entry memberships, which saves me time at the airport, and the Saks Fifth Avenue credit helps keep my wardrobe fresh. Enrollment required for some benefits.

I’ve even grown to like my Walmart+ membership, which I get included thanks to the Walmart+ credit (enrollment required). While I rarely use it to buy things, the subscription service gives members a 10-cent-per-gallon discount at Walmart, Exxon, Mobil, and Murphy gas stations around the U.S. I drive an EV at home but use this benefit to save on gas when I rent cars.

My favorite Amex Platinum card statement credit is the prepaid hotel credit, which gives me up to a $200 statement credit toward prepaid Amex Fine Hotels + Resorts or Hotel Collection stays booked with my card. The Hotel Collection requires a 2-night minimum stay.

The only credit I don’t use is the Equinox or SoulCycle credit, which offers $300 back on Equinox memberships or Equinox+ subscriptions upon enrollment. You can also use it to cover $300 off a SoulCycle purchase. I have a Peloton at home, and Equinox memberships are too expensive for my liking, so this benefit goes unused — and I’m OK with that.

4. Rental Car Status Comes in Handy

I rent cars on a fairly regular basis when I travel, and having 3 rental car statuses from the Amex Platinum card comes in handy: Avis Preferred Plus, Hertz President’s Circle, and National Emerald Club Executive. Enrollment required.

Now, I want to set your expectations: Rental car elite status isn’t anything special these days. Don’t expect upgrades even if supposedly guaranteed, and know that Avis and Hertz points can be tough to use.

That said, having dedicated pickup counters and a dedicated support line when things go wrong can make a big difference. The former is especially important abroad if you need to verify your ID before picking up your car.

I was also able to work a fourth rental car status into the mix. I matched Hertz President’s Circle status to Sixt Platinum. Upgrades have been nonexistent, but the dedicated Platinum pick-up line in Fort Lauderdale (FLL) saved me from standing in an over-10-person pickup line earlier this year. This elite status also includes a slight discount on rentals.

5. I Pay for Flights With the Amex Platinum Card

I rarely use the Amex Platinum card to pay for anything, since it earns 1 point per $1 on most purchases.

However, the one exception to this is earning 5 points per $1 on flights booked directly with an airline or through AmexTravel.com, up to $500,000 in purchases per year. This is the highest earning rate out there for flights booked directly with airlines. (Note that prepaid hotels booked through AmexTravel.com also earn 5 points per $1.)

Thanks to this high earning rate, I book the majority of my flights with the Amex Platinum card. As a result, I earned nearly 30,000 Membership Rewards points with the card last year. This isn’t a game-changing amount of points, but it’s a nice return on my flight spending.

This is especially true when you consider our Membership Rewards valuation of 2.2 cents per point, giving me an effective 11% return on flights.

6. American Express Has Treated Me Well

This isn’t exclusive to the Amex Platinum card, but I should mention that American Express has treated me well over the years. Whether it’s disputing a charge or opening a purchase protection claim, the company has always helped me quickly and generally ruled in my favor.

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The Platinum Card^® from American Express

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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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The 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.

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$695

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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 1,400 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

• $695 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.
• Earn 5X Membership Rewards^® Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel^® up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year and earn 5X Membership Rewards^® Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel^®.
• $200 Hotel Credit: Get up to $200 back in statement credits each year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts^® or The Hotel Collection bookings through American Express Travel using your Platinum Card^®. The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay.
• $240 Digital Entertainment Credit: Get up to $20 back in statement credits each month on eligible purchases made with your Platinum Card^® on one or more of the following: Disney+, a Disney+ bundle, ESPN+, Hulu, The New York Times, Peacock, and The Wall Street Journal. Enrollment required.
• Enjoy the benefits of the Global Lounge Collection, with over $500 of annual value if you visit Centurion Lounges and each of our partner lounges including Delta Sky Club^® lounges when flying an eligible Delta flight (subject to visit limitations) , select Lufthansa lounges when flying Lufthansa, Plaza Premium lounges and Escape Lounges, and enroll in Priority Pass Select. See terms.
• A Walmart+ membership can get you free shipping with no order minimum on eligible items shipped by Walmart. Use your Platinum Card^® to pay for a monthly Walmart+ membership (subject to auto-renewal) and receive one statement credit for up to $12.95 (plus applicable taxes. Plus Ups not eligible) each month. Free Shipping excludes most Marketplace items, freight & certain location surcharges. Paramount+ Essential plan only, separate registration required.
• $200 Airline Fee Credit: Select one qualifying airline and then receive up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year when incidental fees are charged by the airline to your 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.
• $200 Uber Cash: Platinum Card^® Members can ride or dine in style with $15 in Uber Cash each month, plus a bonus $20 in December after adding their Card to their Uber account. Use your Uber Cash on rides and orders in the U.S. when you select an Amex Card for your transaction.
• $199 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. Receive up to $199 in statement credits per calendar year after you pay for your CLEAR Plus Membership (subject to auto-renewal) with the Platinum Card^®.
• Receive either a $120 statement credit every 4 years for a Global Entry application fee or a statement credit up to $85 every 4.5 years for a TSA PreCheck^® (through a TSA official enrollment provider) application fee, when charged to your Platinum Card^®. Card Members approved for Global Entry will also receive access to TSA PreCheck at no additional cost.
• Shop Saks with Platinum: Get up to $100 in statement credits annually for purchases in Saks Fifth Avenue stores or at saks.com on your Platinum Card^®. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
• Use Global Dining Access by Resy to access premium dining experiences. Receive Priority Notify and unlock insider access to some of the world's most sought-after restaurants with Global Dining Access by Resy. Download the Resy iOS app or log into Resy.com and add your Platinum Card^® to your Resy profile to take advantage of your special benefits and discover restaurants near you.
• $695 annual fee.
• Terms Apply.

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For example, I had to file a dispute when a pest control service I hired didn’t follow through on a service guarantee. Despite calling multiple times, the company didn’t pick up the phone, so I started a claim. Amex processed the dispute quickly, contacted the company, and ruled in my favor just days later.

This level of service means I always put high-ticket purchases on an American Express card, whether it’s the Amex Platinum card or another American Express card in my wallet. I know my purchase is protected and backed by a company that will, at least in my experience, actually help me when I’m in a bind.

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.

Amex Platinum Card Changes Are Coming

American Express has been open with customers in saying that the Amex Platinum card will see big changes before the end of 2025, including a higher annual fee and more credits.

I’m looking forward to these changes. My wishlist changes include a more flexible airline credit that can be used toward airfare, better redemption rates through AmexTravel.com, and new bonus categories that make the card more appealing to spend on. It would also be nice to see American Express add new elite statuses to the card.

We’ll have to wait and see what American Express decides to do with the Amex Platinum card going forward. I’m hopeful that the company will make its best effort to make the card more appealing, but I hope it’s enough to justify the annual fee increase that I assume will accompany the new benefits.

Final Thoughts

The Amex Platinum card has been in my wallet since 2015, and I have no plans to cancel it. This is thanks to the card’s extensive airport lounge access perks, statement credits that offset the card’s high annual fee, and other travel perks. As a frequent traveler, these benefits save me money when I travel and make my experience at the airport far more enjoyable.

While significant changes are coming to the Amex Platinum card later this year, I hope they are a net positive and give cardholders more tangible travel benefits. Only time will tell what these changes mean for cardholders, but rest assured that we’ll keep you updated.

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For the purchase protection benefit of The Platinum Card^® from American Express, 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.