Earn As High As 175,000 Points With Platinum Card® from American Express

The Platinum Card® from American Express: Worth the Hype?

If you travel often or enjoy luxury lifestyle perks, The Platinum Card® from American Express might offer more value than you expect — even with its $695 annual fee. From a generous welcome bonus to elite hotel status, here’s a full breakdown of what this premium card offers in 2025.

🔹 Welcome Bonus: Up to 175,000 Membership Rewards® Points

New cardholders can receive up to 175,000 Membership Rewards® points after spending $8,000 in the first 6 months of card membership.

• You’ll see your personal welcome offer upon applying.

• If you're not eligible for a bonus, Amex will notify you before proceeding.

• No impact on your credit score unless you accept the offer.

• Existing Amex cardholders typically do not get a hard credit pull.

🔹 Annual Fees and Additional Users

• Primary card: $695/year

• Additional Platinum cards: $195/year

• Companion Platinum cards: $0/year (limited benefits)

Additional Platinum cardholders enjoy airport lounge access, elite hotel status, Global Entry credits, and more. Companion cards exclude lounge access but still receive TSA PreCheck/Global Entry benefits.

🔹 How You Earn Points

• 5x points on flights (up to $500,000/year) and prepaid hotels via AmexTravel.com

• 1x point on all other eligible purchases

• No foreign transaction fees

🔹 Tips to Hit the $8,000 Spend Threshold

To help meet the welcome bonus:

• Prepay utility bills (like gas or electric)

• Pay taxes online (Amex is accepted with a small fee)

• Book upcoming travel

• Make large purchases strategically

🔹 Over $2,000+ in Annual Credits

These credits can dramatically offset the annual fee when used strategically:

🔹 Lounge Access Benefits

The Platinum Card gives access to some of the best airport lounges globally:

• Centurion Lounges (premium lounges in major airports)

• Priority Pass Select (1,300+ global lounges; 2 guests free)

• Delta SkyClub (when flying Delta, no guest access)

• Escape, Plaza Premium, Lufthansa Lounges

Authorized Platinum users also get lounge access.

🔹 Hotel & Airline Elite Status

Your Platinum Card unlocks automatic elite status:

• Hilton Gold: room upgrades, free breakfast, 5th night free on rewards

• Marriott Gold: late checkout, upgrades, enhanced points earnings

You can also enroll your additional Platinum users for these elite perks.

🔹 Protection & Insurance

🔹 Membership Rewards® Points Transfers

• Transfer ratio: typically 1:1 (unless otherwise stated)

• Look out for 10–40% transfer bonuses during promos

🔹 Car Rental Benefits

• Hertz President’s Circle: late returns, upgrades, better cars

• National Executive: priority aisle access and upgrades

🔹 Other Premium Benefits

• AMEX Offers: enroll and receive cash-back credits at select stores

• Fine Hotels & Resorts Program: early check-in, breakfast, upgrades, $100 experience credit

• Platinum Concierge: personalized help with events, reservations, and travel

• Preferred Seating: early access to events and sports tickets

• Terms Apply

Final Thoughts

The American Express Platinum Card isn’t just a luxury credit card — it’s a tool for unlocking travel savings, convenience, and elite perks. If you maximize the credits, lounge access, and transfer potential, the card can deliver thousands in value every year.