The American Express Platinum Card has just gotten an upgrade. The card now comes with a $300 annual airline fee credit, a benefit that's sure to please frequent flyers.
This credit can be used towards airline fees such as checked bags, change fees, and more. It's a great perk for those who travel often.
The card's annual fee has also increased to $699, a $100 jump from its previous price.
American Express Platinum Card News
The American Express Platinum Card has undergone some significant changes, so it's essential to know what to expect. The annual fee has increased from $699 to $799, and the earning rate on dining has been reduced from 3 points to 2 points per dollar spent.
Additional cards now come with a higher annual fee of $250, while additional Gold cards have a reduced annual fee of $0, with limited benefits. This change is part of the card's evolution, aiming to provide more value to cardholders.
The card's benefits have also been updated, with a new $200 annual dining credit available to Basic Platinum Cardmembers. To redeem this credit, cardholders must spend $200 or more at one of the eligible restaurants listed on the American Express website, and the credit will be applied as a statement credit.
Here are the key details about the $200 annual dining credit:
- Available to Basic Platinum Cardmembers only
- Must spend $200 or more at one eligible restaurant
- Credit will be applied as a statement credit
- Limited to one redemption per redemption period
- Participating restaurants are subject to change
Card Details
The American Express Platinum Card has undergone some significant changes. The annual fee has increased from $699 to $799, with additional cards now costing $250 each, up from $175.
The earning rate has been reduced from 3 points to 2 points per dollar spent on dining.
You'll also get a $200 annual dining credit, but there are some conditions to be aware of. Here's a breakdown of the credit:
All other benefits, such as lounge access and hotel status, remain the same.
Benefits and Features
The American Express Platinum card is packed with exciting benefits and features. You can earn up to $240 in statement credits towards entertainment expenses, which will likely be distributed monthly in increments of $20.
This credit can cover a wide range of expenses, including streaming services and news subscriptions. I think most of us spend at least $20 on streaming services every month.
Additionally, you can earn up to $200 in statement credits towards prepaid hotels. However, this benefit may not be as useful for everyone, as prepaid hotel bookings can be less common.
If you do make prepaid hotel bookings regularly, this credit can effectively reduce your annual fee by $200. But if you prefer to book direct with hotels to earn points and enjoy elite perks, this benefit may not be as valuable.
You'll also get up to $100 in Resy credit, which is a temporary benefit. Resy is a restaurant reservation website, and this credit may work similarly to current Resy credits on other American Express cards.
With the CLEAR membership benefit, you can skip TSA lines altogether and enjoy a $189 value. This will replace the current benefit of free TSA PreCheck membership, but you'll still receive a credit of up to $100 towards Global Entry.
Here's a summary of the benefits and features:
- Up to $240 in statement credits towards entertainment expenses
- Up to $200 in statement credits towards prepaid hotels
- Up to $100 in Resy credit
- CLEAR membership with a $189 value
Airport Lounge Access
The American Express Platinum card is changing its airport lounge access rules. Beginning February 1, 2023, anyone with a U.S.-issued Amex Platinum card, personal or business, will lose their guest privileges unless they spend $75,000 on their card per calendar year.
You can still bring guests into the Centurion Lounge, but you'll have to pay $50 per guest if you don't meet the spending requirement. This is a significant change, especially for those who frequent the lounges.
To avoid paying for guest access, you can add up to three authorized users to your Amex Platinum card for a total of $175 annually. This will give each authorized user the ability to enter the Centurion Lounge for free.
Paying the $175 fee can be a no-brainer for families, as it would nearly pay for itself after a single visit.
Summary
The American Express Platinum Card is a premium card with a hefty annual fee of $799. You'll need to spend at least $7,500 in three months to earn the welcome bonus on some versions of the card.
In exchange for the high fee, you'll get unlimited access to airport lounges and a $200 annual travel credit. This card is definitely geared towards high-end travelers.
Some rumored changes to the card include up to $240 in entertainment credits and up to $200 in prepaid hotel bookings. These credits could add up to significant savings.
If the card were repackaged with a lower fee of $695, it's worth considering the value of the benefits. The statement credits alone could save you over $1,600.
Frequently Asked Questions
What salary do you need for a platinum Amex?
To be eligible for the Amex Platinum card, you typically need an annual income of at least $50,000. Meeting this income requirement is just one factor considered in the application process.
Is Amex Platinum no longer a charge card?
No, The Platinum Card from American Express is no longer considered a charge card. It now offers preset spending limits, allowing cardholders to carry a balance.
Why is Amex Platinum so hard to get?
To be eligible for the Amex Platinum Card, you'll typically need a good to excellent credit score, making it a challenging card to get approved for. This is due to its high standards for creditworthiness.
Sources
- https://www.cardexpert.in/amex-platinum-refresh-oct-2024/
- https://milesopedia.com/en/news/finance/changes-platinum-cards-american-express/
- https://www.investopedia.com/amex-business-platinum-card-gets-a-makeover-adds-perks-and-a-higher-annual-fee-5205640
- https://millionmilesecrets.com/news/rumor-big-changes-coming-to-the-amex-platinum/
- https://taiwannews.com.tw/news/4237701
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