5 First Class Flights You Can Book With Amex Platinum’s Welcome Offer

If you’ve ever wondered whether a single welcome bonus offer can unlock a first class experience, the answer is yes, at least with Amex Membership Rewards.

The Platinum Card^® from American Express is currently offering a massive welcome bonus as high as 175,000 points:

• Apply and find out if you're eligible for as high as 175,000 points after spending $8,000 in eligible purchases in the first 6 months. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.

This huge haul of points can go further than most people realize. With the right transfer partners, you can turn that bonus offer into flights that typically cost thousands, sometimes into the 5 figures.

After over a decade of earning and redeeming travel rewards, these are the best 5 first class flights I’ve booked entirely (or very close to it) with a single welcome bonus offer.

Amex Platinum Card Overview

At Upgraded Points, we value Amex Membership Rewards at 2.2 cents per point. If you’re targeted for the maximum 175,000-point bonus offer on the Amex Platinum card, these points are worth up to $3,850. When used strategically with transfer partners, those points can be worth far more, especially when booking premium cabins.

Of course, the welcome offer is what grabs everyone’s attention, but the Amex Platinum card keeps its long-term spot in my wallet for other reasons.

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Platinum Card^® from American Express

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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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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

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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

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

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• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

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American Express Membership Rewards

You can get airport lounge access with Centurion Lounges and more, up to $200 in airline fee credits upon enrollment, up to $600 in prepaid hotel statement credits each calendar year (up to $300 semi-annually) through AmexTravel.com, and elite-style perks at Fine Hotels + Resorts and The Hotel Collection (minimum 2-night stay) properties, including guaranteed late checkout, breakfast for 2, and on-property credits.

However, the real reason this card is so powerful is due to its 20+ airline and hotel transfer partners. Programs like Virgin Atlantic Flying Club, Air Canada Aeroplan, or Singapore KrisFlyer have award sweet spots — the kind that let you book $10,000 or more per-person flights for a fraction of the points required.

That’s exactly why the massive welcome bonus offer of the Amex Platinum card stretches so far, and why it can get you into first class seats that most travelers only dream of and assume are unattainable.

1. ANA First Class The Suite to Tokyo (Virgin Atlantic Flying Club)

If there’s a redemption that really shows how far Amex points can take you, it’s ANA First Class. It’s not the flashiest product in the sky, but it’s consistently one of the most comfortable, with caviar, quality champagne, polished Japanese service, and a spacious suite.

The value here is hard to beat. When you transfer Amex points to Virgin Atlantic Flying Club, a one-way ANA first class ticket between the U.S. and Tokyo typically costs between 72,500 and 85,000 miles, depending on your departure city and route. You can easily cover a one-way and, in some cases, even build a round-trip while still having points left over.

The downside? ANA First Class is one of the toughest awards to find. The airline often releases only a single seat — and many flights show none at all. That’s why using Seats.aero‘s ANA first class finder tool is essential.

It scans upcoming dates for availability so you don’t waste time searching manually.

Once you spot space, call Virgin Atlantic Flying Club right away. They can place ANA First Class awards on a 48-hour hold, giving you time to transfer your Amex points safely.

A quick phone call is worth it when you’re redeeming 72,500 to 85,000 miles for a product that regularly sells for $15,000 or more one-way.

Hot Tip:

Virgin Atlantic is often the cheapest way to book ANA First Class, but it’s not the only option. If you want backup strategies, take a look at our breakdown of the best ways to book ANA First Class. It’s the easiest way to improve your odds of snagging this hard-to-find award.

2. Lufthansa First Class to Frankfurt (Air Canada Aeroplan)

There’s something timeless about Lufthansa First Class. The cabin feels elegant without being flashy, and the service has a refined, understated German feel. But the inflight experience is only half of what makes this redemption great.

I booked this flight the day before heading home from my friend’s wedding in Prague. Award space popped up out of Frankfurt, so I transferred 90,000 Amex points to Air Canada Aeroplan and grabbed this first class seat on the Lufthansa A340-600 for just about $202 in out-of-pocket taxes.

Considering this one-way flight often sells for more than $13,000, it was a good reminder of why I collect points.

A highlight was access to the Lufthansa First Class Terminal in Frankfurt. It’s not just a lounge — it’s its own building, complete with a restaurant, bar, quiet rooms, showers, and the famous rubber ducks.

When it’s time to board, a staff member drives you across the tarmac (in a Mercedes-Benz van) straight to the aircraft. It’s an experience in itself.

Lufthansa typically releases First Class award space just a few days before departure, and Aeroplan pricing usually lands between 90,000 and 120,000 points one-way. With the Amex Platinum card’s welcome bonus offer, this is easily one of the most attainable and rewarding first class redemptions you can book … as long as you’re OK booking within 14 days of departure.

3. British Airways First Class to London (British Airways Club)

Not every first class product is a contender for best in the world, and that’s totally fine. British Airways First Class isn’t over-the-top, but it’s absolutely a polished, premium, and very comfortable way to cross the Atlantic. Unlike many premium cabins, British Airways releases award space often, which puts it ahead of much of the competition.

Using Amex points transferred to British Airways Club, you can typically book first class from the U.S. to London starting at 68,000 Avios one-way.

Yes, taxes and fees can be high, but the upside is consistent availability from cities such as New York (JFK), Boston (BOS), Washington, D.C. (IAD), Miami (MIA), and Los Angeles (LAX). With this redemption at only 68,000 Avios one-way, you’ll have plenty of points leftover from the welcome bonus offer to take a companion (or 2) with you.

The inflight experience delivers exactly what you want from a modern first class cabin, with excellent bedding, thoughtful service, solid food and beverage options, and a calm cabin environment. If you fly out of London Heathrow (LHR), the dedicated First Wing check-in and security fast-track area is one of the smoothest airport experiences anywhere.

4. Cathay Pacific First Class to Hong Kong (Cathay Miles)

Cathay Pacific First Class is one of the most elegant and understated premium cabins in the sky, and it’s slowly becoming bookable again as Cathay rebuilds its long-haul network. The cabin is extremely intimate with just 6 suites, and everything is designed to feel calm, spacious, and luxurious without being overly formal.

Award pricing through the Cathay Miles loyalty program generally starts at 125,000 miles one-way from the West Coast and 160,000 miles from the East Coast, making it a perfect match for the Amex Platinum card’s welcome bonus offer.

Considering that cash fares for Cathay Pacific First Class between the U.S. and Hong Kong often start around an eyewatering $11,000, transferring Amex points 1:1 to Cathay’s loyalty program is an incredible way to unlock huge value on one of the most exclusive first class cabins in the sky.

Onboard, you’ll get some of the largest first class seats in the industry, exceptional bedding, and the kind of warm, thoughtful service Cathay is famous for.

Hot Tip:

Cathay tends to release first class award space within 2 to 4 weeks of departure, so flexibility can help in uncovering that elusive seat.

5. Singapore Airlines First Class to Frankfurt (KrisFlyer)

Singapore Airlines First Class is one of the most consistently excellent premium cabins you can book. Everything from the massive seat to the plating of the meals and the softness of the bedding is done rather brilliantly.

While booking Singapore First to Asia requires a massive amount of KrisFlyer miles, the fifth-freedom flight from New York (JFK) to Frankfurt is attainable and easy to access from the U.S.

There’s significant value in Singapore Airlines business class, especially since you can book it for as little as 89,000 KrisFlyer miles between JFK and Frankfurt.

While that’s absolutely a great deal, for just a bit more — 106,500 miles — you can move up to first class instead.

This cabin has only 4 seats total on the Boeing 777-300ER, making it one of the most exclusive first class experiences you can book with points. These aren’t the over-the-top A380 Suites with a room and closing doors, but they’re still incredibly comfortable. The idea of flying in a first class cabin on a top-notch airline like Singapore Airlines and only having to share with 3 other passengers — or sometimes none at all — is pretty cool.

Final Thoughts

The Amex Platinum card’s generous welcome offer gives you a real shot at flying in cabins most people only daydream about. I’ve flown or booked every redemption on this list, and it still amazes me how far a bonus can go when paired with the right transfer partner at the right moment.

Whether it’s ANA’s polished service, Lufthansa’s chauffeur-to-the-plane experience, Cathay’s quiet luxury, British Airways’ easy-to-find space, or Singapore’s exclusive 4-seat first class cabin, these flights aren’t just about getting from A to B. They’re the kind of experiences you remember long after the trip is over.

That’s what I love about Amex Membership Rewards. With a bit of flexibility and some strategic timing, you can turn points into something genuinely special. If you’ve been curious about flying first class without paying first class prices, this welcome offer is one of the easiest ways to finally make it happen.