Maximizing Platinum Card Benefits for Travel and More

If you're a frequent traveler, you're likely familiar with the Platinum Card's impressive benefits. You can earn up to 5X points on air travel and hotels, and get a $200 airline fee credit each year.

The Platinum Card also offers a $100 credit towards Global Entry, which can save you time and hassle when traveling internationally. This is especially useful if you're a frequent international traveler.

One of the best benefits of the Platinum Card is its concierge service, which can help you book hard-to-get reservations and even provide personalized recommendations. This service is available 24/7, making it a valuable resource for travelers.

With the Platinum Card's extensive network of airport lounges, you can enjoy complimentary food, drinks, and Wi-Fi during layovers. This is a great perk for travelers who want to relax in style while waiting for their flights.

The Platinum Card from American Express offers a wide range of rewards and perks that can enhance your travel and shopping experiences. You can earn 5 Membership Rewards points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel.

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One of the benefits of this card is the ability to earn points on other travel expenses booked through American Express Travel, such as hotels and car rentals. You can also earn points on all other spending, including dining and entertainment.

Some of the notable perks of this card include access to over 1,300 airport lounges worldwide, an annual $200 airline fee credit, and VIP status with Uber. You can also get elite status in the Marriott Bonvoy and Hilton Honors hotel loyalty programs, concierge service, and reimbursement for TSA PreCheck or Global Entry application fees.

Here are some of the key rewards and perks offered by the Platinum Card from American Express:

The Platinum Card from American Express is a premium credit card that offers a long list of perks and benefits. These perks can make a big difference in your travel and shopping experiences.

One of the most valuable perks is lounge access, which gets you into Centurion Lounges, described as a traveler's Shangri-La, where you can enjoy delicious meals, custom cocktails, and other amenities like shower suites.

You can also get up to $200 in hotel credits for Fine Hotels and Resorts or The Hotel Collection bookings, and up to $200 in airline incidentals credit per calendar year. Additionally, you'll receive a $155 credit for Walmart+ membership, up to $240 in digital entertainment credit, and up to $200 in Uber Cash, among other credits.

Some Amex credit cards also come with a complimentary ShopRunner membership, which offers free two-day shipping and free return shipping on qualifying items. You can also get a $300 statement credit when you purchase a SoulCycle at-home bike, and up to $100 in statement credits annually at Saks Fifth Avenue.

Here are some of the other perks you can enjoy with the Platinum Card:

Return protection is a valuable benefit offered by American Express. You can return eligible purchases to American Express if the seller won't take them back within 90 days from the date of purchase. This benefit covers purchases made in the U.S. or its territories.

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Eligible purchases are refundable up to $300 per item, with a maximum of $1,000 per calendar year per card account. This means you can return multiple items, as long as the total refund doesn't exceed $1,000 per year.

Some American Express credit cards come with a return protection benefit that guarantees you can return an item within a specific period when the retailer won't take it back. For example, the Blue Cash Preferred offers return protection that refunds items up to $300 when merchants won't take them back within 90 days of purchase.

Purchases must be made entirely with your eligible American Express Card to qualify for return protection. Shipping and handling costs are not covered by this benefit.

Here are some key details about return protection:

Travel Benefits are a major perk of having a Platinum Card. You can earn up to $200 in airline incidental fees per calendar year when you enroll and charge fees like checked bags or in-flight refreshments to your card.

Some airlines also offer exclusive benefits to Platinum Card holders, such as access to airport lounges and priority boarding. For example, you can get up to $200 in airline incidental credits per year toward purchases like seat upgrades, checked baggage, and in-flight wifi access.

You can also enjoy a range of travel-related benefits, including access to airport lounges, CLEAR membership credits, and Cruise Privileges Programs. The Platinum Card offers access to more than 1,300 airport lounges worldwide, including Priority Pass airport lounges, Amex Centurion lounges, and Delta Sky Clubs.

Here are some travel benefits that come with the Platinum Card:

The American Express Platinum Card offers some of the best travel rewards in the business. You earn 5 Membership Rewards points per dollar on up to $500,000 spent per calendar year on flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel.

For prepaid hotels booked through American Express Travel, you'll earn 5 points per dollar as well. However, keep in mind that many hotels don't require payment until checkout, which can give you more flexibility if you need to cancel.

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Other travel expenses booked through American Express Travel earn 2 points per dollar, while all other purchases earn 1 point per dollar.

Here's a breakdown of the earning rates:

You can get complimentary premium status for car rental programs like Avis Preferred, National Car Rental Emerald Club and Hertz Gold Plus Rewards when you enroll in Car Rental Privileges.

This means you'll be eligible to receive upgrades, discounts and priority service for your next car rental at participating locations, depending on availability, when you pay with the card.

By paying with your card, you'll get priority service, which can be a huge time-saver, especially during peak travel seasons.

Car Rental Privileges also comes with benefits like upgrades and discounts, but these are subject to availability and terms.

You'll need to pay for your rental with your card to qualify for these benefits, and some exclusions and terms may apply.

Premium Car Rental Protection is also available, which offers primary rental coverage for a flat rate per rental, for up to 42 consecutive days.

This coverage is available for rentals of eligible luxury cars, SUVs and pickup trucks, and can provide peace of mind during your trip.

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The Platinum Card from American Express has a pretty hefty annual fee of $695. This is a significant cost to consider when deciding whether or not to apply for the card.

The card's rewards rate is variable, ranging from 1x to 5x, but the exact rate depends on the specific purchase or category.

One of the benefits of the card is that it has no foreign transaction fees, which can be a huge cost-saver for frequent international travelers.

Here are some key fees associated with the card:

The Clear credit is an annual benefit worth $199, which covers the cost of Clear membership. This membership allows you to use biometrics to bypass part of the security line at airports and stadiums in some cities.

You can think of this credit as a free pass to skip the long security lines, which can be a huge time-saver if you travel frequently. The Clear credit is just one of the many benefits that come with the Platinum Card from American Express.

If you're someone who values convenience and time, this credit can be a game-changer.

The American Express Platinum Card has a significant annual fee, with a rate of $695. This is a substantial cost, but it may be worth it for the benefits you receive.

If you're looking to avoid foreign transaction fees, you're in luck - this card doesn't charge them. However, it's worth noting that American Express cards aren't as widely accepted internationally as Visa and Mastercard products.

The card also doesn't have balance transfer fees, cash advance fees, or a foreign transaction fee. This can help you save money on your financial transactions.

Here are the fees associated with the card:

You can save money on balance transfers with a low intro APR. This type of credit card offer can save you money on interest, but only if you pay off the balance before the intro period ends.

A 0% intro APR for 12 months is a common offer, allowing you to transfer balances without incurring interest for a year. This can give you some breathing room to pay off your debt.

No transfer fee is another perk of some low intro APR balance transfer offers, which means you won't have to pay extra to move your balance to a new card.

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The Platinum Card from American Express offers a range of rewards earning and redemption options. You can earn Membership Rewards points on your spending, which offer flexible redemption options.

Earning points is straightforward: you earn 5 points per dollar on up to $500,000 spent per calendar year on flights booked directly with airlines or American Express Travel, and 5 points per dollar on prepaid hotels booked through American Express Travel.

Other travel expenses booked through American Express Travel earn 2 points per dollar, while all other purchases earn 1 point per dollar. This means you can rack up points quickly on your regular travel expenses.

Here's a breakdown of the rewards earning rates:

With these rewards earning rates, you can redeem your points for a range of benefits, including instant redemption at participating hotels, where you can use points to charge to your hotel room for things like cocktails, meals, and spa experiences.

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Upgrade with points is a fantastic way to elevate your travel experience. You can redeem Membership Rewards points for an airline ticket upgrade, which will be charged to your card and points will be subtracted from your Membership Rewards to cover the expense as a credit.

This feature is available on eligible upgrades, and the dollar amount of the upgrade will be charged to your card. The points will be used to cover the expense, making it a convenient way to upgrade your travel experience.

To give you a better idea of the benefits, here are some key points to consider:

Overall, upgrading with points is a great way to enhance your travel experience and make the most of your Membership Rewards points.

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The Annual Choice Benefit is a perk that's exclusive to members who have reached 50 Elite Night Credits. This benefit allows you to choose from a variety of options, each with its own unique value.

You can choose to get five Nightly Upgrade Awards, which can be redeemed for upgrades to select premium rooms and suites. Alternatively, you can save US$1,000 on a bed from any Marriott Bonvoy retail brand.

If you're feeling generous, you can gift Marriott Bonvoy Silver Elite Status to a family member or friend. This is a great way to share the benefits of Elite status with someone you care about.

You can also make a US$100 donation to a charity of your choice. This is a wonderful way to give back to your community and make a positive impact.

Lastly, you can add 5 Elite Night Credits to your account, which can help you get closer to your next Annual Choice Benefit.

Here are the options in a nutshell:

Visit the Annual Choice Benefits portal to make your selection and see terms and conditions for details.

Instant redemption is a game-changer for travelers. During your stay at any of the participating hotels, you can instantly redeem points for cocktails, meals, spa experiences, and more, anything you can charge to your hotel room.

The Platinum Card from American Express offers automatic perks and benefits. You'll get access to more than 1,300 airport lounges worldwide.

Elite status comes with its privileges. With the Platinum Card, you'll get elite status in the Marriott Bonvoy and Hilton Honors hotel loyalty programs.

Automatic reimbursements can be a lifesaver. With the Platinum Card, you'll get reimbursement for TSA PreCheck or Global Entry application fees.

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Limited rewards earning can be a drawback for some credit card holders. You'll earn 5 Membership Rewards points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel, but this is limited to $500,000 spent per year.

For prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel, you'll earn 5 points per dollar, but this comes with the caveat that you need to pay upfront. Many hotels don't require payment until checkout, which can be less convenient.

For all other purchases, you'll earn just 1 point per dollar spent. This can make it less appealing for everyday spending.

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Limited-use credits can be a major drawback for some rewards credit cards. The credits on some cards are downright finicky, such as the hotel credits that can only be used to book specific hotel rooms.

The airline fee credits on certain cards don't even cover airfare, which is a major limitation. This is especially true if you're looking for a more flexible rewards program.

The $300 credit on the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card is much more flexible, allowing you to use it for any travel expense. This makes it a more attractive option for those who want to earn and redeem rewards.

However, using limited-use credits can be tricky, especially if you don't live in a city with specific gyms or airports. You may end up spending more on luxuries just to use the credits once, which can be a waste of money.

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Protection and insurance benefits are a crucial part of the platinum card package. You can rest assured that your purchases are protected against accidental damage, theft, or loss for up to 90 days.

Eligible purchases can be returned to American Express if the seller won't take them back, up to 90 days from the date of purchase. This benefit can refund the full purchase price, excluding shipping and handling, up to $300 per item, up to a maximum of $1,000 per calendar year per card account.

Purchase protection covers up to $10,000 per incident for up to a maximum of $50,000 per year. This benefit is embedded in the card membership and requires no enrollment.

Here are some key protection and insurance benefits offered by the platinum card:

These benefits can provide peace of mind and financial protection for your purchases and travel plans.

The Amex Auto Purchasing Program is a valuable resource for those looking to purchase a car. Through this program, you're connected with eligible dealers that accept American Express.

These dealers have a minimum purchase requirement of $2,000 and can accept your card for the full purchase price of the car. You can find these dealers on the auto purchasing program's website.

By using this program, you'll also receive a Guaranteed Savings Certificate on your configured car and in-stock cars that match your preferences.

Purchase protection is a valuable benefit that comes with many American Express credit cards. It helps safeguard your purchases against accidental damage, theft, or loss for up to 90 days from the purchase date.

Coverage includes up to $10,000 per incident, with a maximum of $50,000 per year. This means you can have peace of mind knowing that your purchases are protected, even if something unexpected happens.

Eligibility and benefit level vary by card, so it's essential to check your specific card's terms and conditions. Some cards may have more comprehensive coverage than others.

Here are some key details to keep in mind:

Don't forget to review the specific terms and conditions of your card to understand the coverage and limitations.

The Baggage Insurance Plan is a valuable benefit offered by American Express cards. It provides coverage for lost, damaged, or stolen baggage during travel on a common carrier vehicle.

You can be covered for up to $2,000 for checked baggage and up to a combined maximum of $3,000 for checked and carry-on baggage. This coverage is in addition to any coverage provided by the common carrier.

To be eligible, you must charge the entire fare for a ticket for the trip to an eligible card. The coverage is also subject to a $3,000 aggregate limit per covered trip.

For New York State residents, there is a $2,000 per bag/suitcase limit for each covered person with a $10,000 aggregate maximum for all covered persons per covered trip.

Eligibility and benefit level vary by card, so be sure to check your specific card's terms and conditions.

Here's a breakdown of the coverage limits for different types of baggage:

Remember to check your card's terms and conditions for specific details on the Baggage Insurance Plan.

You can use American Express's Pay Over Time feature to carry a balance on certain purchases, making it more like a traditional credit card. This is a departure from the original Platinum Card, which required payment in full every month.

The Pay Over Time feature allows you to pay off your balance over time, which can be helpful if you need to finance a larger purchase. You can create a payment plan with fixed monthly payments and no interest through the Amex app.

For smaller purchases, Amex Pay It lets you automatically pay off purchases under $100 through the app. This can be a convenient way to stay on top of your expenses and avoid accumulating debt.

Walmart+ members can also get reimbursed with statement credits for their monthly membership fee, up to $12.95 plus applicable taxes, by using their card to pay for the membership.