The Platinum Card® from American Express (Terms apply, rates & fees) just got a revamp, featuring new statement credits and added value to existing credits, all alongside a higher annual fee.
While the fee may be steep, the card’s statement credits do much of the heavy lifting to offset it. And despite the recent changes, the card still offers a staggering welcome bonus that can take cardholders far—literally.
Big Fee, Big Points
The Platinum Card® from American Express offers new cardholders a personalized offer as high as 175,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $8,000 on eligible purchases on the card in the first 6 months of card membership (approval required, welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer).
While the card boasts a high annual fee of $895, the hefty welcome offer can more than offset the cost—if you know how to use it.
Frequent travelers may already be familiar with American Express’ airline and hotel transfer partners, including:
Airline Partners
- Aer Lingus AerClub (1:1)
- Aeromexico Rewards (1:1.6)
- Air Canada Aeroplan (1:1)
- Air France-KLM Flying Blue (1:1)
- ANA Mileage Club (1:1)
- Avianca Lifemiles (1:1)
- Cathay Pacific Asia Miles (1:1)
- Club Iberia Plus (1:1)
- Delta Air Lines SkyMiles (1:1)
- Emirates Skywards (1:1)
- Etihad Airways Guest Rewards (1:1)
- JetBlue TrueBlue (250:200)
- Qantas Frequent Flyer (1:1)
- Qatar Airways Privilege Club (1:1)
- Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer (1:1)
- The British Airways Club (1:1)
- Virgin Atlantic Flying Club (1:1)
Hotel Partners
- Choice Privileges (1:1)
- Hilton Honors (1:2)
- Marriott Bonvoy (1:1)
If you can meet the spending requirement to earn the welcome bonus, applying for the card is a no-brainer. When you transfer points to one of the above partners, you can unlock thousands of dollars in flights and hotel stays. (More inspiration on how to redeem the welcome bonus for high-value travel options in just a second.)
Alongside the welcome bonus, cardholders receive an annual airline fee credit and an upgraded hotel credit.
New and previous cardholders can utilize an up to $200 airline fee incidental statement credit each calendar year. This applies to incidental purchases, like checked baggage and seat upgrade fees, with one eligible airline of their choice.
The hotel credit has seen a revamp. Cardholders now receive up to $300 in statement credits twice a year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts or The Hotel Collection bookings made through the Amex Travel portal. Previously, this credit was limited to $200 annually for the same hotel categories. (Note: The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay.)
5X Reward Rate
5X Membership Rewards® points on all flights and prepaid hotel bookings through American Express Travel®, including Fine Hotels + Resorts®Read More
Welcome Bonus
As High As 175,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.
Annual Fee
$895
Regular APR
See Pay Over Time APR
Credit Score
Good, Excellent
- 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.
What You Can Get With 175,000 Points
23 Flights From San Francisco to Los Angeles
One of the best ways to redeem Delta SkyMiles is by booking domestic flights, and with partners like Virgin Atlantic, it’s easy to score good deals at low-mileage fares.
A one-way flight from San Francisco (SFO) to Los Angeles (LAX) can cost as low as 7,500 miles. With 175,000 points, you could book 23 trips, no sweat.
Eight Nights in Scandinavia With Choice Hotel Points
Scandinavia is notoriously expensive, especially when it comes to hotels and airfare. This is where American Express’ partnership with Choice Privileges Rewards really shines. Choice Hotels has a strong presence in Scandinavia, with many properties starting at 20,000 points per night, or even less.
For travelers visiting Oslo, several Ascend Hotel Collection properties fall between 15,000 and 30,000 points per night. You can also find great options in Bergen, where premium hotel stays often start at 20,000 points. If you’re more interested in Sweden’s capital, hotels are available in Stockholm for the same number of points.
A Business-Class Ticket to Oceania or Micronesia
Amex’s partnership with ANA Mileage Club is known for its exceptional value on flights to Asia, Oceania and Micronesia.
Business-class flights on ANA aircraft start at just 75,000 miles. First-class flights with Star Alliance partners can begin at 90,000 miles.
Even better, ANA allows for creative routings and stopovers. That means you can pair destinations like Australia or New Zealand with a multiday stop in cities like Seoul or Tokyo all on a single ticket.
To view rates and fees for The Platinum Card® from American Express please visit this page.
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