6 Ways the Amex Platinum Card Makes Family Travel a Lot Easier

The Platinum Card^® from American Express has one of the highest annual fees of any travel rewards card at $895 (rates & fees), so it’s easy to assume it’s only worth it for luxury trips or frequent travelers.

But I’d argue it’s one of the most useful cards in my wallet for family travel. When I’m traveling with my family of 5, the value of benefits such as lounge access, hotel perks, travel protections, and bonus points on airfare adds up quickly.

Here’s how the Amex Platinum card fits into my family travel strategy and how its perks help save money and add convenience to family trips.

1. Airfare Rewards Add Up Quickly

Traveling as a family is more costly than traveling solo or as a couple, and perks that might seem minor for 1 or 2 people make a bigger impact when I’m booking for 5. The cost of flights, airport meals, hotel stays, and rental cars multiplies, and savings from card benefits can add up to hundreds of dollars on a single trip.

Checked bag fees, seat selections, and hotel breakfasts all work the same way, and the more people you’re traveling with, the more valuable money-saving perks become on the Amex Platinum card.

While I don’t use my Amex Platinum card for everyday spending, I almost always use it when booking flights. So while costs multiply with family travel, so can the rewards.

The Amex Platinum card earns 5 Membership Rewards points per $1 on airfare booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. That multiplier is especially useful when you’re buying multiple tickets.

When I book flights for my family, I’m paying for 5 round-trip tickets. For example, a $1,000 airfare purchase earns 5,000 Membership Rewards points. We value Membership Rewards points at 2.2 cents each, so 5,000 points are worth $110 for future travel.

2. Airport Lounge Access Makes Travel Days Easier and Cheaper

Airport lounge access is one of the most valuable benefits of the Amex Platinum card for my family. Snacks, drinks, and full meals at the airport add up quickly when you’re traveling with kids, but lounge access gives us a place to relax and eat without having to spend at airport restaurants.

Instead of spending $50 to $100 on food at the airport, we can fill up at the lounge. It also gives us a quiet place to rest and charge our devices, so we are better prepared for our flight.

The Amex Platinum card includes access to the Global Lounge Collection, which includes Centurion Lounges, Priority Pass lounges (upon enrollment), Escape Lounges, and 10 visits to the Delta Sky Clubs when flying Delta the same day. Unless you spend $75,000 on the card per year, lounge access is only for the primary cardholder at Centurion Lounges and Delta Sky Clubs.

However, Priority Pass and Escape lounges typically allow you to bring up to 2 guests. Since we travel as a family of 5, I can’t get everyone in with a single card.

My husband has The Business Platinum Card^® from American Express, which has the same lounge access as the Amex Platinum card (upon enrollment).

NEW OFFER

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The Business 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.

This card is ideal for business travelers who enjoy luxury travel and are looking for a card loaded with benefits!

Apply Now(at Amex's secure site)

The Business Platinum Card^® from American Express

This card is ideal for business travelers who enjoy luxury travel and are looking for a card loaded with benefits!

Welcome Offer

As High As 300,000 points. Find Out Your Offer. You may be eligible for as high as 300,000 Membership Rewards^® Points after spending $20,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 3 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.  

As High As 300,000 Points. Find Out Your Offer.

UP's Offer Valuation*:

Up to $6,600

Annual Fee

$895

APR

17.74% - 28.49% Variable

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

The Amex Business Platinum Card is a premium travel rewards card tailored for business owners who are frequent travelers with high annual expenses.

When you factor in the large number of perks that the card offers, like the best airport lounge access at over 1,550 lounges and numerous annual credits, it’s easy to see why this card is a top option for frequent traveling business owners.

 

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Earn 5x Membership Rewards points per $1 on eligible travel purchases like flights, prepaid hotels, and prepaid short-term rentals booked through AmexTravel.com
• Access to over 1,550 worldwide airport lounges as part of the American Express Global Lounge Collection
• Earn 2x Membership Rewards points on eligible purchases in key business categories, as well as on purchases of $5,000 or more (on up to $2 million per calendar year)
• Up to $200 annual airline fee credit on your selected qualifying airline
• Generous statement credits on select purchases with your card (including credits for airline incidentals, prepaid hotels, CLEAR, ChatGPT Business, Dell, and Hilton)
• Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee credit
• Access to Amex’s Fine Hotels & Resorts program
• Hotel elite status with Hilton, Marriott, and Leading Hotels of the World upon enrollment

 

Cons

• High annual fee of $895 (rates & fees)
• Airline fee credit does not cover airfare, only incidentals like checked bags

 

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

• As High As 300,000 points. Find Out Your Offer. You may be eligible for as high as 300,000 Membership Rewards^® Points after spending $20,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 3 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.
• The American Express Global Lounge Collection^® can provide an escape at the airport. With complimentary access to more than 1,550 airport lounges across 140 countries and counting, you have more airport lounge options than any other credit card company on the market as of 07/2025.
• See how you can unlock over $4,000 in business and travel value annually after meeting qualifying spend thresholds on the Business Platinum Card. Terms apply.
• Get up to $300 in statement credits semi-annually for up to a total of $600 in statement credits per calendar year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts^® or The Hotel Collection bookings through American Express Travel using the Business Platinum Card^®. The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay.
• No Preset Spending Limit: The spending limit on the Business Platinum Card is flexible, so unlike a traditional credit card with a set limit, the amount you can spend adapts based on factors such as your purchase, payment and credit history.
• Make the Business Platinum Card^® work even harder for you. Hilton for Business members get up to $200 back per calendar year when you make an eligible purchase at Hilton properties across the globe. Gift cards are not an eligible purchase. Benefit enrollment required.
• Fly like a pro with a $200 Airline Fee Credit. Select one qualifying airline to receive up to $200 back per year on baggage fees and other incidentals.
• Use the Business Platinum Card and get up to $209 back per calendar year on your CLEAR+ Membership (subject to auto-renewal).
• Maximize your time away with Fine Hotels + Resorts through Amex Travel™.
• Enroll and get up to $150 in statement credits on U.S purchases directly with Dell Technologies on the Business Platinum Card and an additional $1,000 statement credit after you spend $5,000 or more on that same Card per calendar year.
• Enroll and get up to $300 in statement credits per calendar year on U.S. purchases of ChatGPT Business* on the Business Platinum Card. *Subject to auto-renewal.
• Enroll and get a $250 statement credit after you spend $600 or more on U.S. purchases directly with Adobe per calendar year on the Business Platinum Card.
• Get up to $90 in statement credits quarterly for purchases with Indeed on the Business Platinum Card. That’s up to $360 back per year. Enrollment required.
• Get up to $10 in statement credits per month for wireless telephone service purchases made directly with a wireless provider in the U.S. on the Business Platinum Card. That’s up to $120 back per year. Enrollment required.
• 2X points on purchases at U.S. construction material & hardware suppliers, electronic goods retailers and software & cloud system providers, and shipping providers, as well as on each eligible purchase of $5,000 or more, up to $2 million of these purchases per calendar year. Purchases eligible for multiple additional point bonuses will only receive the highest eligible bonus.
• 5X points on flights and prepaid hotels on AmexTravel.com
• 1X points on other eligible purchases
• Terms Apply.

Financial Snapshot

• APR: 17.74% - 28.49% Variable
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Rewards Center

American Express Membership Rewards

 

That way, I can bring 2 kids into a Priority Pass or Escape lounge, and he can get himself and another kid in with his membership. When we travel without our kids, we visit Centurion Lounges together.

3. Hotel Benefits Offer Savings and Comfort

The Amex Platinum card includes Gold status with Hilton Honors and Marriott Bonvoy and Leaders Club Sterling status after enrollment, further enhancing family travel. Elite status perks such as early check-in, late checkout, room upgrades, property credits, and free breakfast can chip away at family travel costs and add comfort.

With Hilton Honors Gold, we get space-available room upgrades and a daily food and beverage credit or continental breakfast at eligible properties. Marriott Bonvoy Gold offers room upgrades and 2 p.m. late checkout, while Leaders Club Sterling status includes early check-in and late checkout considerations and 5 prearrival upgrades annually.

It’s great to get into our room early to settle in and have some quiet time, or stay late and have an easier start to our day with late checkout. We’ve enjoyed mornings at resort pools with late checkouts, knowing we can go back to our room to shower and change after, instead of using a hotel bathroom.

Another hotel benefit of the Amex Platinum card is access to Fine Hotels + Resorts and The Hotel Collection bookings on AmexTravel.com. These bookings typically include perks such as a $100 property credit, room upgrades, early check-in and late checkout, and daily breakfast for 2 guests.

The card also offers a $600 annual credit for qualifying stays with Fine Hotels + Resorts and The Hotel Collection, so we can save on luxury hotel nights. Note that a 2-night minimum stay is required for The Hotel Collection bookings.

Room upgrades can also make our space more comfortable. It’s nice to have a room with a view or a balcony, and larger rooms can give us more space to enjoy ourselves without feeling cramped. Dining credits and breakfast for 2 don’t cover our whole family, but it lowers the cost of dining at the hotel.

4. Rental Car Status Helps With Larger Vehicles

My family can fit in a standard car as long as there are 5 seats, but it’s better for everyone when our kids aren’t shoulder to shoulder in the back seat. Booking an SUV or minivan can cost more than a standard or compact vehicle, but rental car status can help offset that.

The Amex Platinum card offers elite status with rental car companies after enrollment, including Hertz President’s Circle, Avis Preferred Plus, and National Emerald Club Executive. These statuses offer benefits such as faster pickup and occasional upgrades.

I typically book rental cars with National Car Rental because the airport pickup experience is easy. Instead of standing in line to visit a rental car counter, I can go to the Emerald Aisle or Executive Area in the garage to pick any rental car, as long as I book the midsize rate. 

We see various vehicles in these aisles, but have reliably found minivans and SUVs that comfortably accommodate our family. Once we’ve chosen a vehicle, we can drive to the exit kiosk, show my driver’s license, and quickly get on our way.

After a long travel day with kids, skipping the rental counter and driving off in a new minivan with space for everyone feels like a small miracle.

5. Travel Protections Give Me Peace of Mind

When you’re managing travel for 5 people, eventually something will go wrong. Coverage for delays, lost bags, and cancellations can keep a bad travel day from turning into an expensive one.

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.

Apply Now(at Amex's secure site)

Apply With Confidence

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

See Pay Over Time APR

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)

 

 

Read Full Review

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

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The Amex Platinum card offers numerous travel protections, including trip cancellation and interruption coverage, trip delay insurance, baggage protection, and rental car coverage. These protections can make travel snags easier to deal with.

For example, costs can add up when we’re buying meals and booking a hotel for multiple people if our flight is delayed. Likewise, replacing clothes and toiletries for 5 people can get expensive fast if we have lost or delayed luggage.

6. Benefits Help at Home, Too

Although the Amex Platinum card offers helpful benefits for family travel, some of its statement credits help with everyday family expenses, whether we are at home or on the go.

The up-to-$300 annual digital entertainment credit (enrollment required) helps cover our streaming subscriptions for Disney+ and Peacock, which everyone in the family uses wherever we have Wi-Fi. We would have paid for these subscriptions anyway, so that credit offers direct savings.

We also use the monthly Uber Cash credits for Uber Eats orders when we haven’t used them for rides, making it easier to pick up a family dinner without paying the full cost. With the Amex Platinum card, you get up to $200 annual Uber Cash ($15 per month with a $20 bonus in December, valid on U.S. rides and Uber Eats orders, you must add your card to your Uber account and pay with an Amex card to earn and redeem this benefit).

If we want to dine out, the up-to-$400 annual Resy credit (enrollment required) gives us up to $100 per quarter to use at numerous restaurants, whether it’s for a family meal while traveling or a local spot at home.

The up-to-$300 annual lululemon credit is good for clothing purchases, and Walmart+ membership benefits include free delivery, free shipping, and access to Paramount+ Essentials. We use Walmart+ for grocery deliveries at home and on the road. Enrollment is required for both benefits.

Final Thoughts

The Amex Platinum card has a high $895 annual fee, but the benefits pay off every year for my family because they make travel easier and more comfortable and typically offer savings. Perks such as bonus points on airfare, lounge access, hotel credits, and rental car status go a long way to level up family vacations.