Why the American Express Platinum^® Card Is Our Favorite Premium Travel and Lifestyle Card

There’s no shortage of rewarding options when it comes to premium cards to enhance their everyday from premium lounge access to dining credits. However, the latest refresh of the Platinum Card^® from American Express has firmly cemented its spot at the top.

Thanks to a suite of new, valuable credits for the Amex Platinum Card, premium travel, dining, shopping, and more just got more exciting. Amex took nothing away from the Platinum Card and kept all of the benefits that Card Members know and love today.

Although the yearly fee has increased by $200 — bringing it to $895 annually (rates & fees) — most users will find that the enhanced benefits are worthwhile. Here are 5 reasons why.

Amex Platinum Card — 2025 Refresh Overview

+ NEW BENEFITS

Terms Apply / Rates & Fees

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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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

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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 cardapplication.

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

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American Express Membership Rewards

When you apply for the Amex Platinum Card, it’s not just a tool for making payments. The latest refresh shows that Amex is clearly trying to appeal to a broader range of consumers through thoughtfully designed credits across multiple categories. Even if I’m not traveling as frequently for a few months, the card can still deliver meaningful value in other ways — whether through everyday purchases like dining and retail, or through its expanded lifestyle benefits.

We still think this card provides outsized value because nothing is going away and more benefits have been added, especially when you factor in access to the powerful Membership Rewards^® program. Points earned with the Amex Platinum Card can be transferred to a broad selection of top airline and hotel partners, many at a 1:1 ratio, making Amex Membership Rewards points among the most valuable in the rewards world.

Card Members enjoy access to over $3,500 in annual value with benefits across travel, dining, entertainment, and more. Learn More. Terms apply to the benefits and offers included in this article. Here’s how.

1. Hotel Credit Just Got More Valuable (Up to $600 in Value on the Largest Selection of Global Hotels)

The hotel credit has long been one of my favorite benefits of the Amex Platinum Card. Card Members have long received up to $200 in statement credits annually on Fine Hotels + Resorts or The Hotel Collection bookings through AmexTravel.com when you pay with your Amex Platinum Card.

The value of this credit has seen a notable boost, and it’s a win all around. Platinum Card Members can now get up to $300 in statement credits semi-annually on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts^® or The Hotel Collection bookings made through AmexTravel.com for up to a total of $600 in statement credits annually. (The Hotel Collection requires a minimum 2-night stay.)

With Fine Hotels + Resorts and The Hotel Collection, Platinum Card Members can choose from over 3,000 handpicked hotels — more hotels than any other credit card company (as of July 2025) where they can access a suite of special benefits.

I’ve found this benefit the most valuable for 1-night stays at Amex Fine Hotels + Resorts (FHR) properties. While these hotels are high-end, depending on the location, it’s often easy to find rates that closely align with the statement credit amount.

With over 1,800 properties worldwide, when you book Fine Hotels + Resorts^® through American Express Travel^®, you can receive a suite of benefits with an average total value of $550 in perks. Average value based on Fine Hotels + Resorts bookings in 2024 for stays of 2 nights. Actual value will vary based on property, room rate, upgrade availability, and use of benefits.

The benefits of booking through FHR make the experience even better: daily breakfast for 2, room upgrades when available upon arrival (certain room categories are not eligible for upgrade), 4 p.m. late checkout, and a $100 credit toward eligible charges which vary by property. 

Unsurprisingly, I look forward to using this luxury hotel credit every year. Now that I can get up to $300 back semi-annually on select prepaid hotel bookings through Amex Travel, I’m already mapping out my upcoming trips to make the most of it.

2. New Resy Credit Is Great for Dining (Up to $400 in Value at 10,000+ U.S. Restaurants)

Earlier in 2025, American Express CEO Steve Squeri hinted at upcoming changes to the Amex Platinum Card. I had a strong hunch that a Resy credit would be among them — especially since similar benefits had already been added to other Amex cards — and I’m happy to see that prediction come to life.

With the $400 Resy Credit, Card Members can get up to $100 in statement credits each quarter after using the Platinum Card to make eligible purchases with Resy, including dining purchases at over 10,000 U.S. Resy restaurants*. Enrollment required. Resy is a top-tier U.S. restaurant reservation platform.

 *As of 03/2025

I already enrolled in the Resy credit with my American Express^® Gold Card and my Delta SkyMiles^® Platinum American Express Card, and my restaurant purchases often trigger the credit without me even knowing it. Booking a reservation on Resy allows you to snag a table in advance, and you can pay for the tab at a Resy-affiliated restaurant with your Amex Platinum Card to receive the statement credit.

While my travels have slowed considerably recently, knowing that I can get up to $100 in statement credits each quarter at some of my favorite restaurants nearby means I’ll maximize my card’s full potential without even trying.

3. More Value With Uber (Up to $120 in New Value With Uber One)

The Amex Platinum Card already comes with an excellent Uber Cash benefit. After adding your Amex Platinum Card to your Uber account, you’ll receive $15 in Uber Cash on the first of each month, plus a bonus $20 in December. You can use this Uber Cash for Uber rides and Uber Eats orders in the U.S. when you select your Amex Card for the transaction.

I’m glad that benefit has stayed the same, as it easily gives me up to $200 in annual value. However, Amex sweetened the deal by adding a new Uber One Membership Credit for up to $120.

Use the Amex Platinum Card to pay for an auto-renewing Uber One Membership and receive up to $120 in statement credits each calendar year. Terms apply.

Benefits (as of 9/26/2025) include $0 Delivery Fees on eligible Uber Eats orders, 6% back in Uber One credits on eligible Uber rides, 10% back in Uber One credits on car rentals, and up to 10% off Uber Eats orders. Uber One benefits are subject to change.

4. Access to the Largest Global Lounge Network (Over $850 in Annual Value)

Even if the Amex Platinum Card didn’t come with all of these great benefits, I’d still consider paying the $895 annual fee (rates & fees) for one benefit: airport lounge access.

This is the most comprehensive card for airport lounge access, and it’s easy to see why. With the Amex Platinum Card and the American Express Global Lounge Collection^® benefit, you can access over 1,550 airport lounges — more than any other credit card company on the market (as of July 2025). 

With the Global Lounge collection, Platinum Card Members can enjoy benefits of over $850 of annual value, including access to 30 proprietary Centurion Lounges (both in the U.S. and abroad), 10 complimentary Delta Sky Club visits when flying on an eligible Delta flight, Priority Pass Select membership (enrollment required), and other select partner lounges.

Amex Centurion Lounges boast an impressive network across major U.S. airports (and some internationally). As a frequent Delta flyer, the Delta Sky Club visits are a perfect addition.

Other premium cards can’t compete. The new Citi Strata Elite℠ Card is interesting for AA flyers since it comes with 4 annual visits to Admirals Clubs every year, but that doesn’t compare to the generous lounge access offerings of the Amex Platinum Card.

The Chase Sapphire Reserve^® offers access to Chase Sapphire lounges, which are nice and new, but it will take years for the issuer to compete with Amex’s network. The same goes for the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card with its much smaller access to Capital One lounges.

I’m no longer interested in holding multiple premium credit cards, so if I stick to a single card, the Amex Platinum Card will always win me over for airport lounge access.

I also love the other travel benefits on my Amex Platinum Card, such as the $200 Airline Fee Credit. After selecting one qualifying airline, you will 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 your Amex Platinum Card. (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.)

5. Core Benefits Have Stayed the Same, and New Benefits Make the Card Even More Rewarding (Varies in Value)

The best part of this recent refresh is that all of the core benefits of the Amex Platinum Card have stayed the same — or improved.

For example, the $300 Digital Entertainment Credit’s value has increased from up to $240 to up to $300 in statement credits each year, which is up to $25 in statement credits each month after you pay for eligible purchases with the Platinum Card at participating partners upon enrollment. Plus, Paramount+, YouTube Premium, and YouTube TV will now be added as eligible services to the benefit in addition to the great existing subscription services: Disney+, a Disney bundle, ESPN+, Hulu, The New York Times, Paramount+, Peacock, The Wall Street Journal, YouTube Premium, and YouTube TV.

I am also pumped about the new lululemon credit. With the $300 lululemon Credit, you can get up to $75 in statement credits each quarter when you use the Amex Platinum Card for eligible purchases at U.S. lululemon stores (excluding outlets) and lululemon.com. Enrollment required.

Amex Platinum Card Members can now enroll in complimentary Leaders Club Sterling Status from The Leading Hotels of the World^®. This status level provides a 5% Leader Club points bonus on qualifying stays and 5 pre-arrival upgrades annually, subject to availability. If you stay frequently at luxury hotels, you’ll love that this global collection consists of more than 400 independently owned properties.

The new $200 Oura Ring credit, which provides up to $200 in statement credits after you use the Amex Platinum Card to purchase an Oura Ring at Ouraring.com each calendar year.

Existing benefits that haven’t changed include the $155 Walmart+ Credit, which allows Card Members to receive a statement credit of up to $12.95 plus applicable local sales tax (Plus Ups not eligible) for one monthly Walmart+ membership (subject to auto-renewal) after you pay for Walmart+ each month with your Amex Platinum Card.

With the $209 CLEAR^® Plus credit, Platinum Card Members can receive up to $209 in statement credits per calendar year after you sign up and pay for a CLEAR^® Plus Membership (subject to auto-renewal) with your eligible American Express Card. With CLEAR^® Plus, you can get to your gate faster by using unique facial attributes to verify you are you at 50+ airports nationwide.

That’s in addition to the $100 Saks Credit, allowing you to get up to $100 in statement credits annually for purchases at Saks Fifth Avenue or saks.com on your Amex 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, but enrollment is required.

The recent changes and core benefits are a huge net positive for me, solidifying my loyalty to the Amex Platinum Card as my luxury travel card.

Final Thoughts

When it comes to luxury travel, the revamped Amex Platinum Card truly stands in a league of its own, but it’s more than just a travel companion. Thanks to its generous lifestyle, entertainment, and dining credits, this card has become a game-changer in my daily life, offsetting streaming subscriptions I already pay for, covering Uber rides I’d take anyway, and even elevating nights out with fine dining perks.