Amex Improves Equinox Credit and Upgrades Hertz Benefit on Platinum Card

Last year, The Platinum Card^® from American Express underwent significant changes, gaining several new perks and benefits along with an increase in its annual fee.

Now, the issuer has made further tweaks to 2 popular benefits on the card that should add value for cardmembers and make them easier to use.

Let’s take a look at the changes in store for the Amex Platinum card!

Equinox Credit Changes From Monthly to Annual Use

As it stands now, Amex Platinum cardmembers receive a credit of up to $300 for eligible Equinox purchases, which include:

• Equinox membership fees (valid for All-Access, Destination Access, and E by Equinox memberships)
• Equinox+ (the gym’s virtual platform) membership

The credit is currently distributed throughout the year as a $25 monthly credit applicable to the above purchases.

However, come January 1, 2023, cardmembers who enroll in the benefit will receive the $300 as an annual credit that can be applied to all types of Equinox memberships, making it easier to use. Plus, cardmembers can receive up to $300 back when they purchase a SoulCycle at-home bike in full.

Here’s a look at all the eligible Equinox membership types:

• All-Access ($275 per month, 12-month commitment required)
• E by Equinox (cost by inquiry only)
• Equinox Destination ($315 per month, 12-month commitment required)
• Equniox+ ($40 per month)
• Single Club Access (cost varies by location)
• Regional Access (cost varies by location)

Even if you don’t have an Equinox gym in your area, you could access much of the gym’s fitness content via the Equinox+ virtual membership and receive several months free with your Amex Platinum card’s annual credit.

Hot Tip: Check to see if you’re eligible for a welcome bonus offer of up to 125k (or 150k) points with the Amex Platinum. The current public offer is 80,000 points. (This targeted offer was independently researched and may not be available to all applicants.)

Complimentary Hertz President’s Circle Status

While the Amex Platinum card’s Equinox credit is changing next year, cardmembers can receive complimentary Hertz President’s Circle elite status right now.

Before this change, cardmembers received complimentary entry-level Hertz Gold Plus Rewards status (along with discounts by way of the Amex Corporate Discount), but now those who hold the Amex Platinum card, The Business Platinum Card^® from American Express will receive top-tier status at no extra cost. In addition to Hertz President’s Circle status, those with these cards receive rental car benefits, such as complimentary Avis Preferred Plus and National Emerald Club Executive status.

To activate the new status, cardmembers should send an email to hertzstatusmatch@hertz.com and explain they’d like to register for President’s Circle status via the Amex Platinum card. According to reports online, there has been trouble with registering through the “Car Rental Privileges” when signed into an Amex account.

You can also try registering via this link, but several Upgraded Points team members were having trouble loading the page.

If and when you’re able to register for your new status, it should be reflected within 24 to 72 hours.

Benefits of Hertz President’s Circle

Typically, you’d need to rent with Hertz at least 15 times — or spend at least $3,000 on rentals — in a year to achieve President’s Circle status. But those with the Amex Platinum card and Amex Business Platinum card now get this top-tier status for free. It’s worth noting, too, that the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card also offers this benefit to its cardholders.

Here’s a look at some of the benefits you can expect with your new status:

• A guaranteed upgrade of at least 1 class at participating locations
• Pick a vehicle of your choosing from the President’s Circle section of the Hertz Ultimate Choice lot for no additional cost
• No additional fees to add a spouse or partner as a driver to rentals within the U.S.
• Expedited pickup at 1,000+ locations globally
• No need to visit the counter at 50+ airports
• eReturn (i.e., you don’t have to wait when returning your vehicle)
• Hertz Valet: receive rides to the terminal up to 4 times per year at participating locations
• Dedicated President’s Circle phone line

Hot Tip: Check out our guide to the best credit cards that include car rental elite status and learn how to use that status to status match with other rental car loyalty programs.

Final Thoughts

American Express continues to make changes to its lineup of Platinum cards to make them more valuable and easier to use for cardmembers.

The change from a monthly to an annual credit for Equinox purchases should give cardmembers more flexibility when it comes to using that credit in the way that best suits them, and we’re certainly happy to see the Hertz elite status perk being upgraded to the top-tier President’s Club level.

The information regarding the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.