Credit Card Reviews

2025 American Express Platinum Card Review

by Kyle BurbankSep 23, 2025

In the fall of 2019, I took the plunge and decided to apply for the Platinum Card from American Express — also known as the Amex Platinum card, American Express Platinum, Plat, and other such variants. Despite that terrible timing (it is a travel card, after all), since then, I’ve been able to experience all of the travel benefits the card has to offer… as well as see how Amex reacts when they realize customers aren’t getting the value they expected. Now, six years later, the annual fee for the card has risen to an eye-popping $895 following another recent refresh.

So, what is the American Express Platinum card and is it worth the cost? Let’s take a look at everything I think you need to know about the card along with some of my experiences over the past several years as a cardmember.

The Platinum Card from American Express

The Platinum Card from American Express

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5

Annual fee

$895

Welcome bonus

Earn up to 175,000 Membership Rewards Points after you spend $8,000 on purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.

Rewards

5x Membership Rewards points on flights booked directly with airlines or via Amex Travel, 5x Membership Rewards points on hotel bookings made via Amex Travel, 1x Membership Rewards points on all other purchases.

Worth the hefty price for frequent travelers

With airport lounge access, numerous travel and lifestyle credits, complimentary hotel status, and more, the Platinum Card is perfect for both luxury travelers and casual travelers alike.

Pros

• Includes complimentary airport lounge accessing including Centurion Lounge, Delta SkyClubs (when flying Delta), and more
• Up to $3,500 in annual credits and value

Cons

• $895 annual fee
• Some credits may not be as usable or valuable to certain cardmembers

What You Need to Know About the American Express Platinum Card

Charge Card vs. Credit Card

The first thing to know about the Amex Platinum card — and something I personally didn’t realize until deep into my research — is that it’s not quite like a normal credit card. However, due to some changes on Amex’s part, it’s also no longer a pure “charge card” either. 

Now, if you’re like me, you may have assumed that those two terms were interchangeable to begin with, but it turns out there is a difference. So what is that difference and how does the Platinum card now fall into some strange in-between?

A charge card means that you’ll need to pay off your entire balance each month. Furthermore, there is no stated credit limit on charge cards. This isn’t to say that you can go hog wild and spend an unlimited amount of money on your card but no formal limit will display on your credit report.

While the Platinum card was previously a charge card, the Pay Over Time feature does blur the lines a bit. This option allows you to finance large purchases (with interest). 

Additionally, those who opt into Pay Over Time will have a Pay Over Time limit — although this amount does not show on your credit reports and is not necessarily meant to represent your overall spending limit. Still, even with this feature enabled, you’ll likely need to pay the majority of your balance each month, especially if your balance is comprised of smaller, sub-$100 purchases.

Personally, I haven’t used Pay Over Time yet. In fact, as someone who’s always paid their balance in full anyway, the charge card-esque aspect of the Platinum card never really impacted me. Nevertheless, it’s definitely something to consider when looking to apply.

Platinum Card Designs

Something I want to mention is that the Platinum card currently offers four designs. In addition to the standard version, Amex introduced collaborations with artists Julie Mehretu and Kehinde Wiley. Then, with the 2025 refresh, a mirrored finish, limited-edition design debuted. As a result, cardholders (including authorized users) can now choose their design. That said, it’s unclear how long the mirrored finish card will be offered for. 

Moreover, if you’re a current cardholder and want to swap to one of the new options, you can just log into your account, go to Account Services > Card Management > Replace a Card and then select your preferred look.

American Express Platinum Card Annual Fee

Let’s now address the elephant in the room. The American Express Platinum card carries one hefty annual fee: $895. It arrived at this fee following an increase from $550 to $695 in July 2021 and from $695 to $895 in September 2025. Because of this, you’d be forgiven if you immediately wrote the card off. 

However, as you’ll see, I think there is still plenty of value to be found in the card that goes above and beyond that $895. Still, dropping that much for a card off the bat can be a big pill to swallow.

Welcome Offer Bonus

Like most cards, the Platinum card offers a sizable bonus when you are approved for the card and spend a certain amount of money within your first few months. When I applied, my offer was 60,000 points after spending $5,000 in the first three months. However, modern offers can be much larger.

I say “can be” because Amex has unfortunately started experimenting with dynamic welcome offers. For example, as of this writing in September 2025, the issuer advertises that new cardholders can earn “As high as 175,000 Membership Rewards Points” after spending $8,000 in purchases during their first six months. However, this offer isn’t guaranteed. Instead, you can apply for the card, see your targeted offer, and then decide whether or not to move forward with your application.

Of course, even if you are approved for the highest offer, an $8,000 minimum spend requirement is also quite hefty. Thankfully, you do have six months to reach this amount versus the traditional three months that most issuers offer for welcome bonuses. Personally, I’d recommend having a plan for reaching this requirement as naturally (as in not spending money just to hit it) as possible before accepting an offer. That’s because, should you fail to earn your welcome bonus, it will put a big dent into the first-year value you can expect from the card.

Earning Points (and Their Value)

Outside of your welcome offer, you can of course earn points on a number of purchases. The majority of these purchases will earn you 1X points (e.g. $120 spent will earn you 120 points). However, there are two travel categories that will earn you 5X in points.

First, airline bookings made directly through the airline or via the Amex Travel portal yield 5X points. Similarly, prepaid hotel bookings made through the Amex Travel site also earn 5X. 

Note the language of that latter category as I’ve seen some confused by it: only prepaid hotel bookings made on Amex Travel qualify for this 5X points. Also, as of July 2021, these 5X categories have a cap of $500,000 in combined spending.

So what are these points worth? Well, that depends. According to The Points Guy, Amex Membership Rewards points are currently worth 2¢ per point on average. However, that’s based on the assumption that you 1) transfer points to American Express’ airline partners and 2) find a deal (oftentimes in business or first class, which can have outsized value). This is also best achieved when certain airline partners offer transfer bonuses, further increasing your value.

As for other use cases, they’re not quite as favorable. For example, spending your points on a statement credit will only earn you 0.6¢ per point. Meanwhile, gift cards are a slightly better value, ranging from .07¢ to 1¢ per point. 

You can also redeem points on the Amex Travel site at a value of up 1¢ per point — flights and Fine Hotels & Resort bookings are 1¢ each, while regular hotel bookings on the platform are 0.7¢ each. Finally, if you have the Charles Schwab version of the Platinum Card (note: this is separate from the regular Platinum card and must be obtained on its own), then you can currently cash out MR points for 1.1¢ per point.

Another option for those looking to turn their points to cash is the American Express Rewards Checking account. When you redeem points for deposits into your linked Amex Rewards Checking, they’ll be assessed at a value of 0.8¢. Although that’s still not great when compared to travel redemptions, it is better than the regular 0.6¢ per point for statement credits. Seeing as the account is free, I think it’s a no-brainer that cardholders open one just in case they need to liquidate their points quickly and easily.

The bottom line is that those looking strictly for cashback are better off looking elsewhere. Moreover, maximizing the value of your points will likely require research — not to mention travel. Having only redeemed 1 MR at this point (I’ll explain that one later), I unfortunately can’t share details on what type of value I’ve been able to get for my points but I am looking to get over 1¢.

AMEX Platinum Credits

To help make up for that major annual fee, the Amex Platinum comes with a number of credits — and the list has only grown with each refresh. These include:

• $600 hotel credit per year to be used on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts or Hotel Collection bookings ($300 from January through June and $300 from July through December)
• $300 in digital entertainment credits per year (up to $25 per month, valid for Paramount+, YouTube TV, YouTube Premium, Peacock, The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, Disney+, Hulu, ESPN, or The Disney Bundle)
• $400 for Resy restaurant purchases ($100 per calendar quarter)
• $300 for Lululemon ($75 per calendar quarter)
• $209 per year CLEAR Plus credit per year (to be used on CLEAR Plus membership)
• $200 per year ŌURA Ring credit
• $300 in Equinox credit per year (up to $300 in statement credit toward digital or club memberships)
• $120 Uber One membership credit
• $200 in Uber Cash per year ($15 a month January through November plus $35 in December)
• $200 in airline incidental credits (good for bag fees, lounge guest passes, on-board food, etc.)
• Walmart+ Monthly Membership Credit ($12.95 per month, covering the entire fee for the service)
• $100 in Saks Fifth Avenue credits ($50 good from January through June and another $50 good from July through December)
• Up to $120 Global Entry or TSA Precheck credit (once every five years)

Let’s start with the initial 2025 additions and tweaks, including the revised hotel and digital entertainment credits, the Lululemon credit, the Resy credit, and more. 

Hotel Credits

First up is the enhanced hotel credit, which now earns you up to $600 in statement credits per year when you make prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts or Hotel Collection bookings. This $600 is divvied up semi-annually, meaning you can earn up to $300 between January and June plus another $300 between July and December. Prior to September 2025, this credit was $200 per year. 

As we’ll discuss a bit later, I’m a fan of this program and have found some good deals under $200 — especially in Vegas. So, now that it’s risen to $300 (times two), there will be even more options available to those who don’t want to spend anything extra out of pocket. Overall, I personally think that this credit should be pretty easy to use for most cardholders. Plus, even if you only end up using one of the two semi-annual credits, you’d still come out ahead versus the previous version of this perk.

Digital Entertainment

Next is the digital entertainment credit, which is definitely more restrictive but has been expanded. With the recent refresh, this benefit is now worth up to $25 per month. Moreover, Amex has added some new options to the list.

At this time, the services eligible for this credit are Paramount+, YouTube TV, YouTube Premium, Peacock, The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, and the Disney Bundle — AKA Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN. 

Previously, Audible and Sirius XM were originally included in this offer, they have since been dropped. That said, the additions of Paramount+ and the two YouTube services help fill out this list. The other good news is that there are a few different price-point options here. 

Personally, I previously used my credit for ad-free Disney+ with Hulu. That came to $19.99 a month, so I was technically leaving a penny on the table. However, with this update, I’ll now be able to add my YouTube Premium Lite subscription to my Platinum to max out this $25 credit. Since I’d pay for these services anyway, this credit ends up being a win for me.

Resy

Easily the most puzzling addition to the Platinum card (but not in a bad way) is the $400 per year in credits for purchases at Resy restaurants. That’s $100 per calendar quarter.

The reason why I say this one is odd is because the Gold Card is the dining-centric option in Amex’s line up. In fact, that card added a $100 credit ($50 semi-annually) for Resy when it was refreshed in 2024. 

Setting that aside, this is another potentially lucrative credit. The only downside is that Resy location options may be limited depending on where you live. I actually downgraded from the Gold Card to the Green Card due to lack of availability in my area — although there are now at least a couple of restaurants that have joined the service in my city.

Something else to note about this credit is that you don’t need to use Resy to make a reservation at the eligible restaurant in order to use the credit. Instead, you can simply find a place listed on Resy, use your card to pay, and you should see the credit applied after a few days… at least that was my experience using the Gold Card version in Atlanta last year.

Lululemon

With the Platinum card, you can now earn up to $75 per calendar quarter on Lululemon purchases. This amounts to $300 per year.

According to Amex, this credit can be used for in-store or online purchases. But, at this time, it’s unclear whether purchases from Lulu’s “Like New” online store will qualify. Since the terms do state that outlet locations are excluded, I’m betting it’s the same with Like New — but I would love to be wrong.

Anyway, I’ve become a fan of Lululemon after trying some of their ABC Warpstream pants. Therefore, I’m looking forward to this credit overall. Then again, $75 will only get you a bit more than halfway to the price for pants, so you may want to explore other, cheaper options.

Oura

Rounding out the newest Platinum credits is one from Oura. Cardholders can now earn up to $200 per calendar year in credits toward the purchase of an Oura ring. Note that the wording on the site suggests that this credit only applies to the purchase of the device and not to the subscription cost.

I’ve been curious about the Oura ring before and so saving $200 on the purchase of one could be nice. Alas, new rings start at $350 and then there’s the subscription fee to consider after that. So, while this could be a nice break if you’re in the market for an Oura ring, it’s unlikely to move the needle for most.

CLEAR Plus

Up next is the $209 CLEAR Plus annual credit. If you’re unfamiliar with CLEAR, it’s a service that offers an expedited security experience at select airports and stadiums. This is accomplished by verifying your identity using biometrics. 

Incidentally, while the sped-up airport security feature might sound similar to TSA Precheck, the two services can actually be used in tandem — which I happened to observe at LaGuardia where those with both CLEAR and TSA Precheck managed to skip even the Precheck line, saving more time overall.

Gym Credit

That brings us to the Equinox credit — AKA the one everyone was complaining about. The first reason for that animosity was that this $300 credit was broken up into $25 per month increments. Luckily, effective January 2023, this has changed. Now, the credit will be offered on an annual basis. This should not only make the credit easier to use for those visiting in person but also make a digital subscription a more reasonable alternative.

Walmart+

One credit that popped up on the Platinum in between major refreshes was one for Walmart+ credit. This one seemed pretty out of left field when it was announced but, hey, free stuff is free stuff. When you sign up for Walmart+ following the instructions on the Amex site, your entire monthly fee (currently $12.95) will be reimbursed each month. 

I’ve found myself using this perk more and more over the years, including taking advantage of the Scan & Go feature as well as some Walmart Cashback deals. Plus, if you want to shop at Walmart and have your items delivered instead of having to go get them yourself, this benefit could be helpful. Even better, Paramount+ is now included with Walmart+, so this seemingly random benefit could be more useful than you think.

Uber

There are actually two Uber perks that are now part of the Platinum card in 2025. Joining the long-held Uber Cash benefit is a $120 annual credit for Uber One. This membership includes discounted delivery fees, credit back on Uber rides, and more.

As for the Uber credits, you’ll need to add your Platinum card to your Uber account. Then the $15 (or $35 in December) credits should show up in Uber Cash on the first of each month. If you have the American Express Gold Card, your Uber Cash from that card will stack nicely with what you earn from your Platinum too. 

By the way, these credits work for rides in the U.S. as well as Uber Eats orders #protip. Double pro tip: opting for the pick-up option in Uber Eats can help you skip delivery fees and make the most of your credit.

Airline Incidentals

When a refresh of the Platinum was teased, the first thing most people thought of was that perhaps Amex would finally update its controversial airline incidentals credit. Alas, that didn’t happen. But, despite its reputation, this perk can still come in handy. 

Unlike the travel credit featured on the Chase Sapphire Reserve (more on that later) that can be used for a variety of purposes, Amex has some very specific rules for what qualifies as an “incidental.” For example, fares, upgrades, and other common fees are excluded, while seat selections, baggage fees, and in-flight refreshments do qualify. The problem is that, depending on which airline you fly and whether or not you have status with them, you may not incur many of these “incidentals.”

Another issue with the airline incidental credit is that, in order to use it, you’ll need to select a single airline for which it will work. This can apparently be changed sparingly but you may need to call customer service in order to do so. 

In my case, I was a little disappointed that Allegiant wasn’t included on the list of qualifying airlines, as it’s the carrier I fly that has the most such fees. In any case, if you do make a purchase that fits the bill, a credit should be applied to your account a few days later.

I’ll also point out that, officially, upgrades aren’t included as an eligible incidental. Yet, when I accepted an upgrade offer via a check-in kiosk (for my selected airline), the fee I paid did trigger the credit. This is something to keep in mind — but proceed at your own risk.

Saks Fifth Avenue

The Saks Fifth Avenue credit is one that’s relatively random (and that I’m honestly surprised survived the update). It can also be a bit hard to use but for an entirely different reason than the airline credit. The problem here is that, to be blunt, Saks ain’t cheap. So, even with $50 off, you may end up spending a pretty penny just to buy anything. That said, we’ve been pretty lucky with our purchases. 

For our first time using the credit, my wife found some shoes she liked that were on sale for $52. Sure enough, a few days after making our purchase, the $50 credit showed on our account. 

Since then, I’ve also used our credits to purchase dress shirts on clearance for myself and even nabbed a chocolate gift box sampler for my mother’s Christmas present. In each case, we spent just over $50, thus maximizing the credit.

Something else I want to shout out regarding the Saks credit is that you can use Rakuten in conjunction with this offer since it’s a statement credit and not a coupon. Thus you could conceivably get $5 back on top of your free $50 purchase. Also, in case you were wondering, the credit only applies at Saks Fifth Avenue proper and not at Saks Off 5th.

Global Entry

Finally, there’s the Global Entry/TSA Precheck credit. I first joined Global Entry in 2018, so I renewed a few years ago and was able to claim this credit quite easily. Also, with the fee for Global Entry recently increasing to $120, Amex has bumped this credit up to match.

Overall, while I might not factor in the face value of these credits, they do help offset the annual fee in my mind. The Uber credits alone have proven useful, while the Saks credits can be put to good use if you’re willing to put the time into searching for deals. In terms of the airline credit, I do wish it was a bit easier to use. Nevertheless, I have been able to take advantage of it so far.

American Express Platinum Perks

Status

One aspect of the Platinum Card that is perhaps a bit underrated is that it entitles you to complimentary status with certain hotel chains and rental car companies. This includes Hilton Honors Gold Status and Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite Status, as well as status and discounts from Avis, Hertz, and National. Plus, with the recent refresh, cardmembers now also enjoy Leaders Club Sterling Status from The Leading Hotels of the World. 

Having not rented many cars in my day, I can only speak to the hotel status. The top dog here seems to be the Hilton Honors Gold, which gets you free breakfast at many properties along with other perks. Meanwhile, the Marriott Bonvoy status doesn’t seem to be as powerful, although I’ve found it to be useful so far.

Purchase Protection

I’ll admit that, when I made the decision to apply for the Amex Platinum card, I didn’t give much consideration to things like purchase protection. However, the more I hear about these types of programs, the more I’ve come to realize how important and valuable they can be. Moreover, American Express recently introduced travel delay and cancellation protections that I am now super glad to have.

Some of the protections that American Express offers are return protection, a baggage insurance plan, car rental loss and damage insurance, purchase protection (for stolen or damaged items), and now trip delay and cancellation/interruption insurance. 

Plus, the latest addition to the card is cell phone insurance. Thankfully, I have not had to use any of these yet. There’s also far too much info to cover with these protections, so I highly recommend checking Amex’s policy guides for all the details.

Lounge Access

Among the perks that appealed most to me when I was looking at applying for the American Express Platinum card was the airport lounge access it offered. Here’s a quick rundown of what’s included:

• Priority Pass Select with access to 1,200+ lounges
• Delta SkyClub access when you’re flying Delta
• American Express Centurion Lounge access

When I started looking at premium cards, Priority Pass was a name I came across over and over again. Looking at their line-up, I realize I’ve walked by many of their participants on my travels. Sadly, I’ve also seen several reports that, due to the popularity of Priority Pass (thanks in part to the number of credit cards that include it), these lounges can get overcrowded and even turn away guests. 

That’s what made the Amex Platinum really stand out for me. Although there aren’t currently any of their famed Centurion Lounges at my most frequented airports, it’s that third option that really got my attention: Delta SkyClubs. 

As a regular Delta flyer and ATL connecting passenger, having access to SkyClubs is a gamechanger. Not only is Delta’s hometown hub lousy with them — with some concourses even featuring multiple clubs — but some of the larger ones even feature showers. I can’t tell you how nice of a perk this is after coming off an 8+ hour flight.

I should note that there is a caveat with the Delta SkyClub access. First, as I noted, you need to be flying Delta (or a Delta-marketed flight — e.g. holding a Delta ticket for a flight on Air France metal) to gain access. Also, while many Priority Pass lounges allow you at least a free guest or two, Delta charges $50 per guest In case you were wondering, yes, this fee is eligible for reimbursement if you select Delta for your airline incidentals credit.

Due to overcrowding, Delta has also put restrictions on the number of visits Platinum card customers can make in a year. Currently, cardholders can enjoy 10 visits per Medallion year (February 1st through January 31st). However, those who spend at least $75,000 per year on their card can enjoy unlimited visits when flying Detla.

While I’ve used the Delta SkyClub perk the most so far, I have also had the good fortune of trying some of the other lounge options. When I was waiting at Hartsfield-Jackson overnight, my wife and I decided to try the Minute Suites. Here, our Priority Pass entitled us to one free hour as well as a discount on subsequent hours. Although this was far from a typical Priority Pass lounge experience, it was certainly nice. We also had success visiting a lounge in South Korea using my Priority Pass.

As for the Centurion Lounge, I’ve had a chance to try the location at Las Vegas’ Harry Reid International Airport first, followed by visits in Philadelphia, Charlotte, Hong Kong, Dallas, and more. Having read that these lounges are also becoming known for crowding and waitlists, I was a bit worried as I walked up. But, with it being early in the morning, we had no issues getting in, finding a seat, and having some breakfast. 

Speaking of busy Centurion Lounges, I should note that Amex has also adjusted visitation policies at these lounges. As of February 2023, Platinum cardholders need to pay $50 per guest. But, this is waived for those who spend at least $75,000 on their card per calendar year. Luckily, if getting guests into the lounge is a priority for you, you can always add them as authorized users. However, the cost of doing that recently increased to $195 per card.

With all of that considered, if you’re a Delta loyalist like me, I really think that this single perk puts the Platinum over the top. Meanwhile, those who live near an airport with a Centurion Lounge (FYI — more such lounges are on the way) might also find this to be a reason to pick the Plat. As for everyone else, the only downside regarding the Priority Pass is that it no longer includes Priority Pass restaurants, whereas the Chase Sapphire Reserve version still does..

Amex Travel and Fine Hotels & Resorts

In order to earn your 5X points on hotel bookings, you’ll need to utilize the Amex Travel portal. This is a fairly straightforward platform that seems similar in price and function to Expedia (I’ve even heard rumors that it’s powered by that site). But beyond the regular travel listings, you may also come across selections from the American Express Fine Hotels + Resorts Collection.

When you book through the Fine Hotels + Resorts Collection, you’ll enjoy special benefits such as late check-outs, $100 credit to use during your stay, room upgrades when available, free breakfast, complimentary WiFi, and more. 

Looking at the travel portal for myself, one property that seems appealing is the NoMad Las Vegas (located at the Park MGM Resort). Whereas some of the other Vegas hotels in the collection include a $100 spa credit, NoMad’s is a $100 food and beverage credit. Between the Park MGM housing Eataly and La La Noodle, I can spend that $100 faster than you can finish reading this sentence. Funny enough, I also recently stayed at the Bellagio via FHR and used my $100 dining credit to eat at a place called Noodles, so I guess I have a type.

Since including that anecdote in my original review, I’ve actually used the Fine Hotels & Resorts Collection as well as the similar but different Hotel Collection on multiple occasions — including at other Las Vegas destinations. In each case, I’ve been impressed with the ease of use and the value that I’ve received from these bookings. 

That said, something to keep in mind is that, while some of the Fine Hotels & Resorts offers may seem like good deals, others may be marked up to a point where that $100 credit isn’t worth it (especially for longer stays where the value gets diluted). Thus you may want to shop around and weigh your options. The same can also be said of the Amex Travel portal in general — although I’ve been pleased with the pricing I’ve found on bookings so far.

Concierge Service

Seeing as the Platinum is a premium product, you’d expect there to be a certain level of service that comes with it. That’s what the concierge service promises. The idea is that you can call up Amex’s concierge line and ask them to assist you with such things as booking reservations, getting tickets, or getting recommendations.

Personally, I have yet to use this service and honestly have no idea what I would use it for. I’ve also heard mixed reviews about how effective their services actually are. So, as the cliche goes, your mileage may vary with this one.

Authorized Users

Finally, like most other cards, you can add authorized users to your Platinum card. However, there are two different options for this: giving your AUs some of the platinum benefits for a fee or just giving a companion card for free. 

For the former option, you could previously add up to three people for a total annual cost of $175 (and then another $175 annual fee for each person after that). Sadly, in August 2023, Amex shook things up by switching to a new pricing model. Now, authorized user cards come at a cost of $195 each. In other words, while three AUs used to cost a total of $175 per year, it would now cost $585 per year. 

The other option is the free Companion Platinum card. In the past, this was referred to as a gold card — but this was confusing seeing as there’s also the real American Express Gold card. FYI, that card offers such perks as 4X on dining, 4X on grocery purchases, and more. Of course, it also comes with a $250 annual fee. 

In any case, these newly-named Companion Platinum cards merely act as a way for your authorized users to make purchases on your account. From what I’ve read, though, each AU card is eligible for its own Global Entry/TSA Precheck credit — so that’s something!

As for the full-fledged Platinum AU option, while it will come equipped with some perks, it doesn’t include all of them. Most notably, the Uber, Saks, and airline incidental credits do not apply. That said, the lounge access and status benefits do remain intact, making this a savvy gift if you have a frequent traveler in your life whom you trust to make an authorized user.

Why I Choose the Platinum Card Over the Chase Sapphire Reserve

It’s hard to talk about the American Express Platinum card without mentioning the other top dog in travel cards: the Chase Sapphire Reserve. Truth be told, I had heard more about the CSR and how great it was so I might have just defaulted to that had I not done more research. Yet, in the end, the Plat won my vote.

Why? Here are a few main reasons:

Better Lounge Lineup

As I mentioned, the additions of Delta SkyClubs and Centurion Lounges (even if they do have limits) really helped push me toward the Platinum card. That decision only seems more justified as I read about how crazy busy many Priority Pass lounges have become. Don’t get me wrong — I’m still glad to have that Priority Pass… but I’m even more glad to have SkyClub access.

5X on Flights

When booking flights, the CSR offered 3x back while the Platinum card has 5x. Game over, right? Okay, it’s not quite that simple as Chase’s 3x actually applied to a much broader “travel” category.

Since then, Chase has actually done away with that generic travel category and now offers 4x on flights booked directly. Still, considering that I rarely book flights through third parties, it makes more sense to go with the higher accrual rate.

Status Benefits

Lastly, while I wasn’t exactly sure how I’d use Hilton or Marriott gold status when I decided on the Platinum card, I now see these as sizable additional benefits over the CSR. Not only have these statuses saved me money so far but I can easily imagine them continuing to do so. Thus, the decision: justified.

That said, the CSR does have plenty of perks — such as the easier-to-use travel credit and a better redemption value for statement credits — that others might find more appealing. Therefore, I’d definitely recommend doing your own research.

My Experience with the Platinum Card So Far

Instant Card

For as much as I love my Amex Platinum card now, my relationship with it didn’t get off to a great start. That’s because I was counting on Amex’s Instant Card feature so that I could load my new card to Apple Pay and get cracking on meeting that $5k minimum spend while traveling. Unfortunately for me, while I was able to generate my card number, adding it to Apple Pay proved to be a problem. This led to several calls to Amex, with some operators telling me that those instant card numbers weren’t meant to be added to a digital wallet… despite the fact that that’s what they advertise on their site.

Eventually, after several calls, I gave up and had to miss out on using the card for that trip. I’m still not sure what the issue was as I’ve heard from plenty of others who have been able to add their cards to Apple Pay without issue (that does seem to be the whole point, despite what the reps I talked to told me). Of course I do take most of the blame here as I should have applied for the card earlier instead of waiting until the 11th hour before a trip. C’est la vie.

The moral of the story is, while an instant card number should work, learn from my mistakes and apply at a time when you’ll be available to get your physical card a few days later.

Amex Offers

This was another benefit I was ignorant to before applying for the Platinum card. Funny enough, it’s quickly become one of the most valuable perks I’ve found. Since obtaining my card, I’ve saved more than $1,000 from Amex Offers — not to mention earning extra points and discounts as well.

I’ve actually written a whole post cataloging my Amex Offer victories but, in short, they’ve allowed me to earn statement credits for purchases from GoPro, Sam’s Club, and other retailers. The biggest of these was my GoPro purchase, where I saved $60 on a purchase of $300 or more. Plus, I’ve also been able to take advantage of different types of offers on Amazon, saving me $30 on a purchase of $60 or more (FYI, this $30 isn’t even included in my aforementioned $824 savings total).

Although you’re sure to come across several Amex Offers you have no use for, it’s definitely worth keeping an eye on this section as some good stuff might just pop up.

Travel Perks

As I had hoped, having the Platinum card has made my travels better in many ways. From the ability to relax in an airport lounge and grab a free bite to eat to saving $16 a day on in-room WiFi thanks to the included Bonvoy status, it’s truly been a blessing. 

Incidentally, I also found the card to come in handy at CES as there was an Amex Lounge at the convention center open to Platinum members and other cardholders. This turned out to be a godsend as it allowed me to get some work done, relax, and — most importantly — enjoy a couple of free Americanos. I will say that this lounge was not present on my last visit to CES, but I’m still thankful for those free coffees of the past.

Earning Points

Last but not least, I’ve been pleasantly surprised by how many points I’ve been able to amass since opening my card. Currently, I have just over 400,000 points in my account. This includes the (now measly) 60,000 welcome offer bonus, a few Amex Offers that put multipliers on my purchases, and now even points earned via Rakuten — plus the spend and welcome bonus from my Gold card.

Although it’s too soon to tell what I should be valuing my Membership Rewards points at, going with the Points Guy’s 2¢ estimate, I tend to use my Platinum card in cases where I would otherwise only earn 1% back with one of my other cards. Of course, I’ve also been sure to use the card for the 5x categories and for items that I want protection on.

Between my two Amex cards, I now have what I’d consider a respectable amount of points. Even without cashing in my points, I’ve still enjoyed plenty of benefits from my Plat  — but I’m definitely looking forward to the day when I can cash in my points for an awesome travel experience.

About Those “Coupon Book” Accusations

For all the complaints I’ve seen on social media and beyond in regards to the increasing annual fee and the credits that Amex added to the Platinum, I have to say I’m personally happy with the changes overall — especially the 2025 edition. While there are now some credits I have no intention of using (namely Equinox), with more than $3,000 in credits now available per year, I’ll still have no problem covering my annual fee. In fact, between the digital entertainment credit increase and the Lululumon credit alone, I feel like I’ll be more than making up for the $200 higher annual fee. Throw in the upped hotel credit, the addition of the Resy credit, and the Uber One credit, and I think this is a huge plus.

That said, there is now the concern that the Platinum card is becoming a glorified “coupon book.” Indeed, there are plenty of different credits and perks to keep track of. Yet, I’m reminded that the reason why I was attracted to the Platinum card in the first place had little to do with the traditional credit card aspects of it but more the lifestyle and travel perks that came with it. So, while it’s definitely not for everyone, it still works well for me. P.S., for a deeper dive into the value I get from my card, you can check out my breakdown from year five as a cardholder.

Final Thoughts on the American Express Platinum Card

Make no mistake: holding a card with a $895 annual fee was not something my wife and I take lightly. Luckily for us, after only a few months of having the American Express Platinum card back in 2019, I was convinced that our decision was a good one. Now, after years of seeing positive value from the card, I’m excited about what’s ahead.

With credits that help offset that annual fee and that can be used relatively easily, Amex Offers that have proven particularly lucrative, protections that can come in handy when things go wrong, lounge and status benefits that can make your travels a bit more comfortable, and more, I have to say that I honestly find the Amex Platinum to be well worth it. Plus, while a few credits to come to the card are a bit hit or miss for me personally, the increased hotel and digital entertainment credits in particular more than make up for the price increase.

At the same time, I wouldn’t recommend that just anybody get this card. There are some vital considerations to be made when determining if you’d get value out of the Platinum card or whether you’d be better off with a competitor like the Chase Sapphire Reserve — or even just sticking to annual fee-free cards. I’d reckon that this calculation will come down to how much you travel, how much you value things like lounge access, how often you use Uber, if you stay at nice hotels at least twice per year, if you have any of the eligible digital entertainment services, etc.

Ultimately, if you’re a frequent traveler, don’t mind keeping track of credits, and can afford to spend $895 upfront in order to gain potentially more on the back end, then I still think you’ll love adding the American Express Platinum card to your wallet.

Author

Kyle Burbank

Head Writer ~ Fioney

Kyle is the head writer for Fioney. He is a personal finance nerd, constantly looking for new apps and services to test and incorporate into his own financial game plan. In addition to his role at Fioney, he's written for other publications including Born2Invest, Lifehack, and Laughing Place, as well as his own site Money@30. He also creates personal finance and travel-related videos for Fioney's YouTube channel, which has garnered more than 2 million views. Currently, Kyle resides in Springfield, Missouri with his wife of 10 years. Together, they enjoy traveling (including visiting Disney Parks around the world), dining, and playing with their dog Rigby.

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