American Express Platinum Card: Is it Worth It?
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When I first started exploring the world of points and miles, I couldn’t believe the amount of people who had the Platinum Card® from American Express. The card’s annual fee felt shockingly high, and the perks couldn’t possibly be worth it, right?
Turns out, it’s completely worth it. From both a simple math perspective and a luxury travel perspective, there are solid ways to get enough value out of this card.
I’ve now held both the personal Platinum and the Business Platinum for years, and despite the fee jumping to $895 in 2025, I can’t seem to let these cards go.
There are three components that make this card so valuable, and I’ll dive into each one:
- The high welcome bonus that can easily be used to book business-class flights, thanks to Amex’s generous travel partner program.
- The incredible Centurion lounges that have ruined all other airport lounges for me.
- How to use the awesome new statement credits to massively outweigh the fee, giving you well over $2,600 in value.
American Express Platinum Card Quick Links
Highest Welcome Offer I Can Find Right Now
Just looking for the highest welcome offer to sign up? Check out the latest official best offer here or click here to open this referral link in an incognito window to see if you qualify for a higher welcome bonus.
How to Tell if the Amex Platinum Is Worth It For You
Before we dive into the math, let’s establish whether this card even makes sense for your travel style. The American Express Platinum Card isn’t for everyone, and that’s completely fine.
You’ll Love This Card If:
- You travel at least 3-4 times per year and spend significant time in airports. The lounge access alone is worth hundreds of dollars if you’re a regular traveler. Good God the Centurion lounges are nice. I quite literally plan my airport arrival times around getting into the Centurion lounge now.
- You dine out regularly at quality restaurants. With the new $400 annual Resy credit, this card basically pays for your nice dinners. There are thousands of restaurants on Resy across the U.S., so finding places to use this credit is surprisingly easy.
- You stay at hotels several times a year (or want to!). The expanded $600 hotel credit through Fine Hotels + Resorts or The Hotel Collection delivers incredible value when you’re booking stays anyway.
The late checkout and room upgrades are game-changers and I’m excited to use it for a hotel during Thanksgiving this year.
- You use ride-sharing services or order food delivery. Between the $200 Uber Cash and new $120 Uber One membership credit, you’re getting $320 in value if you’re already an Uber user.
This Card Might Not Be Worth It If:
- You travel once a year or less. The high annual fees don’t make sense if you’re not taking advantage of lounge access and travel benefits regularly.
- You do a lot of family travel. Guests aren’t free in Centurion lounges, so if you’re constantly traveling with family, a cheaper card like the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card would be a better idea.
- You don’t dine out much. If the Resy credit doesn’t fit your lifestyle, you’re leaving $400 on the table immediately.
- You can’t or won’t use lifestyle credits. The Lululemon ($300), Oura Rings ($200), and digital entertainment credit ($300) require specific spending habits to maximize value.
Breaking Down the $895 Annual Fee: The Math to Tell if It’s Worth It For You
Let’s do the real math on whether the Amex Platinum worth it with the current fee. I’m going to show you the credits I actually use, because that’s what matters. It’s not about spending on things you wouldn’t normally buy, but rather getting reimbursed for things that you would buy anyway.
Credits I’ll Use Every Single Year
- $600 Hotel Credit ($300 semi-annually in June and December): This is one of my favorite benefits. I book through Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection and get $600 back throughout the year.
But the real value isn’t just the credit. You also get:- Complimentary breakfast for two (using this to order room service in Vegas is a favorite for me)
- Room upgrades when available (Hello, suite life)
- Guaranteed 4pm late checkout
- A unique property amenity (usually a $100 credit for the restaurant/bar) at over 1,800 luxury properties
That late checkout alone gives me an entire extra half-day to enjoy the hotel without rushing to pack. (Enrollment required for select benefits. The Hotel Collection requires minimum two-night stay)
- $400 Resy Credit ($100 per quarter): This might be the new benefit I’m most excited about. Resy has over 10,000 restaurants in the U.S., so finding places to use this is ridiculously easy.
I use it for date nights, group dinners when friends visit, and those special meals when I’m traveling. You don’t even need a reservation. You can just dine at any Resy-affiliated restaurant and pay with your Platinum Card.
The credit posts within a few days. (Enrollment required)
- $300 Digital Entertainment Credit ($25 per month): My subscriptions to The New York Times, Peacock, and Disney+ are covered by this credit. This increased from $240 in 2024.
It now covers even more streaming services including Hulu, YouTube Premium, YouTube TV, ESPN+, and the Wall Street Journal. (Enrollment required)
- $200 Uber Cash: This is automatic once you link your Amex Platinum Card to your Uber account. I get $15 in Uber Cash each month plus a bonus $20 in December, totaling $200 per calendar year.
I use this for airport rides and Uber Eats orders constantly (too much?).
- $200 Airline Fee Credit: I use this for incidental fees like checked baggage fees, seat selection, and in-flight purchases on my selected airline. Pick your airline carefully at the start of the year and you’ll easily use the full $200. You can also chat into Amex to ask them to change it once. (Enrollment required)
- $209 CLEAR® Credit: I fly enough that skipping TSA lines makes a massive difference in my stress levels. This credit covers my entire CLEAR Plus membership and I buy it for my dad as well.
The time saved is worth far more than the dollar value. (Enrollment required)
- $155 Walmart+ Credit: The monthly membership fee for Walmart+ is fully covered, giving me free shipping and other benefits throughout the year. To be honest, I don’t use Walmart+ as much as I use Amazon, but I like the option. (Enrollment required)
- $120 Global Entry Credit: This is my boyfriend’s favorite perk. There is truly no better feeling than walking past a long customs line when you return to the U.S. I just paid my my Global Entry application fee using my Amex and received a $120 statement credit.
This also includes TSA PreCheck® at no extra cost, which is useful at airports where CLEAR isn’t available.
- $300+ Lounge Access Value: Access to Centurion lounges alone is worth hundreds of dollars to me each year. Even if you don’t live near a Centurion lounge, you get Priority Pass™ Select membership with your Platinum Card.
This gives you access to over 1,550 airport lounge access locations worldwide. Plus, cardholders now get 10 complimentary Delta Sky Club® visits per calendar year when flying on eligible Delta flights. (Enrollment required for select benefits)
That’s $2,484 in Easily Achievable Value
$2,484 in benefits – $895 annual fee = $1,589 in pure profit
And that’s before we even talk about the lifestyle credits, elite status perks, and the welcome bonus.
Lifestyle Credits I Use (But You Might Not)
- $120 Uber One Credit ($10 per month): If you already use Uber regularly, the Uber One membership is incredible and I love to use it when I visit Mexico City for grocery delivery. I honestly feel like I’ve won life when I can have groceries for the week waiting at my Airbnb on arrival.
You get:- 6% Uber One credits on rides
- Up to 10% off eligible Uber Eats orders
- $0 delivery fees on orders over the minimum subtotal
This stacks beautifully with the $200 Uber Cash benefit. (Enrollment required)
- $100 Saks Fifth Avenue Credit ($50 semi-annually): I use this for household items like cocktail glasses or a picnic backpack. The credit is split into $50 increments twice a year, which makes it easy to grab something nice without a huge purchase. I just go to their site, filter to <$50 and go from there.
- $300 Equinox Statement Credit ($25 per month): If you’re into fitness, this covers a digital Equinox membership or can be used toward spa treatments at Equinox locations. My boyfriend recently got a robot massage at an Equinox so there’s always that! (Enrollment required)
New Lifestyle Credits in 2025 (Depending on Your Interests)
- $300 Lululemon Credit ($75 per quarter): This is new for 2025 and covers eligible purchases at U.S. Lululemon stores or online (excluding outlet locations). Technically it’s not meant to work for gift cards but….
If you already shop at Lululemon for travel clothes or activewear, this is a nice win. (Enrollment required)
- $200 Oura Ring Credit: I’m not a huge fan of tracking my activity, but basically all of my friends have one 😂 If you purchase an Oura Ring through ouraring.com using your Platinum Card, you can get up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year. Note this applies only to the ring itself, not the subscription fees.
The Bottom Line: If you can realistically use even 60% of the available credits, the American Express Platinum Card delivers well over $3,000 in annual value. That makes the $895 fee look reasonable, if not a genuine bargain.
The Centurion Lounges: The Crown Jewel of Airport Lounges
Let’s start with the Centurion Lounges because they are, in a word, incredible. When it comes to travel credit cards for lounge access, nothing beats the luxury of a Centurion lounge.
From gourmet food options that rival what you’d find in top restaurants to full bars stocked with premium spirits, Centurion Lounges redefine what an airport experience should be.
In fact, most people don’t realize these lounges also come with additional hidden perks. We’re talking manicures, massages, and even a speakeasy if you’re at JFK.
These lounges are so good, I actually look forward to arriving at the airport early.
Yes, you read that right. I want to spend more time at the airport.
If you travel frequently (or even semi-frequently), access to these lounges can reshape your travel experience.
Wondering what the Centurion lounge locations are? These lounges are available at many major airports in the U.S. and a bit internationally. Some key U.S. Centurion Lounge locations include New York City (JFK and LGA), Los Angeles (LAX), Miami (MIA), and San Francisco (SFO). Internationally, you can find Centurion Lounges in locations like London (LHR), Hong Kong (HKG), and Sydney (SYD).
What’s Not so Great About the Centurion Lounges
I promise to always be honest with the Inside the Upgrade community, so here’s what I don’t love about these lounges:
Long Lounge Lines – The lines to get into the lounges can snake around the hall and take 30+ minutes. It’s really annoying, but I usually still think worth it, so long as you can build in time for it so you don’t feel disappointed when you don’t get in (which infuriates me).
Guests aren’t free – It does cost $50 to bring a guest (and $30 for children), so if you’re traveling often with family, you may want to explore what the best card for lounge access is for you.
Additional American Express Platinum Benefits
Beyond the credits, the American Express Platinum Card comes packed with additional benefits that are easy to overlook but add significant value:
- 5x Points on Airfare and Hotels: I book all my flights with my Amex because you earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel, and 5X points on prepaid hotels booked on amextravel.com (Enrollment required).
If you’re a traveler to begin with, earning 5x points on flights is an easy way to rack up enough points for your next free flight. - Gold Status with Marriott Bonvoy and Hilton Honors: Complimentary status with two major hotel chains means free upgrades, late check-outs, and other perks without lifting a finger. (Enrollment required). I also have a free hotel upgrade script you can use which works even better if you already have status.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees: When traveling internationally, you won’t pay foreign transaction fees (usually about 3%) on purchases made outside the U.S. This is pretty critical given how much time I spend in Paris and Mexico City.
- Elite Rental Car Status: I also spend a fair bit of time in LA, so the complimentary elite status with rental car companies including Avis, Hertz, and National means you can skip the counter and get upgraded vehicles more frequently.
The Amex Platinum Welcome Bonus: Your Fast Track to Business Class
The welcome offer on the Amex Platinum Card is currently one of the highest available in the premium travel card space. You may be eligible for as high as 175,000 Membership Rewards® points after spending $8,000 in eligible purchases within the first 6 months of card membership.
(Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.)
Those 175,000 points are worth a minimum of $1,750 when redeemed for travel through American Express Travel. But savvy travelers know you can get way more value by transferring points to airline partners.
For example, you can transfer Membership Rewards points to partners like Air France-KLM Flying Blue, British Airways Avios, or Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer and book business class flights for 60,000-80,000 points each way.
That welcome bonus could easily cover two business class tickets to Europe.
The key is meeting the $8,000 minimum spend requirement. I’ve used tax payments, major travel bookings, and even prepaying for hotels to hit the threshold without buying anything I wouldn’t normally purchase.
How to Maximize Membership Rewards Points
Membership Rewards points transfer to 17 airline and 3 hotel partners at a 1:1 ratio. This flexibility is what makes Amex points so valuable for travelers.
Some of my favorite transfer partners include:
- Air France-KLM Flying Blue for European business class (my favorite way to fly to Paris)
- Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer for luxury long-haul flights (the dream flight)
- Virgin Atlantic for Japan Airlines and Delta redemptions (also a dream flight)
- British Airways Avios for domestic flights
The Points Guy values Amex Membership Rewards at 2.0 cents each, but I regularly get 3-5 cents per point in value when booking premium cabin flights through transfer partners.
Is the Amex Platinum Worth It: Comparing Alternatives
The premium travel card market got significantly more competitive in 2025. Let me break down how the Platinum Card compares to other top travel cards:
Chase Sapphire Reserve®
The Chase Sapphire Reserve® recently increased its annual fee to $795 and added new hotel benefits. It offers:
- $300 annual travel credit
- Priority Pass lounge access plus Chase Sapphire lounges
- 10x points on hotels and car rentals through Chase Travel
- 3x points on dining and travel
Honestly, I think it’s a pretty solid alternative. Especially if you live near a Chase Sapphire lounge airport.
The Reserve is excellent for earning points on everyday spending, but it doesn’t match the comprehensive credits and lounge access of the Platinum Card.
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
I love, love, love this card. The Venture X has a $395 annual fee but includes a $300 travel credit, essentially making it $95 per year. It offers:
- 10,000 anniversary bonus miles (worth $100)
- 2x miles on everything
- Priority Pass lounge access plus Capital One lounges
- Primary rental car insurance
This is a strong value proposition, but again, the breadth of statement credits on the Platinum Card provides more overall value if you can use them.
The Verdict
The Amex Platinum Card makes the most sense for frequent travelers who will use the dining, hotel, and lifestyle credits. If you’re primarily focused on earning points per dollar spent, cards like the Venture X or Reserve might be better daily drivers.
Personally, I use the Platinum Card for flights and hotels (to earn 5x points) and to access all the statement credits, while using other cards for everyday spending where they offer better earning rates.
How to Apply for the Amex Platinum
If these perks seem right for your preferred travel style, Check out the best offer here or click here to open this referral link in an incognito window to see if you qualify for a higher welcome bonus. If that one is no longer available, feel free to email me to see if I have any better offers in my arsenal!
A Note on the New Amex Rules
One thing to keep in mind with Amex is their new rule: if you’ve already received a welcome bonus for a higher-tier card like the American Express Platinum Card, you won’t qualify for the welcome bonus on a lower-tier card like the American Express® Gold Card.
For that reason, I recommend getting the Amex Gold first (I love the points I earn on restaurants and dining with this card), especially since I’ve never found the Green welcome bonus to be high enough to make it worth it.
TL;DR
The American Express Platinum Card is all about turning a hefty annual fee into incredible value. With $1,484 in easily attainable benefits, a stellar welcome bonus, and perks that elevate your travel experience, the benefits far outweigh the fee.
Cheers to your next adventure ✈️🥂
Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
