Platinum Travel Credit Card Benefits and Features Explained

Author

Reads 975

Close-up of a platinum engagement ring with diamonds on a human hand, exuding luxury and elegance.
Credit: pexels.com, Close-up of a platinum engagement ring with diamonds on a human hand, exuding luxury and elegance.

If you're considering applying for a platinum travel credit card, you'll want to know what benefits and features make it worth your while. One of the main advantages is the generous rewards program, which offers 5x points per dollar spent on air travel and hotels.

These points can be redeemed for flights, hotel stays, and other travel-related expenses, making it a great option for frequent travelers. The rewards program also includes a 60,000-point bonus after spending $5,000 in the first 3 months.

Another benefit of the platinum travel credit card is the airport lounge access, which allows you to enjoy complimentary food, drinks, and Wi-Fi in over 1,300 airport lounges worldwide. This can be a huge perk for travelers who value a comfortable and stress-free airport experience.

With the platinum travel credit card, you'll also receive a $200 airline fee credit, which can be used to offset the cost of checked bags, change fees, and other airline expenses. This can add up to significant savings over time.

What Are the Benefits?

A businessman enjoys music on headphones while relaxing in a private jet. Luxurious travel concept.
Credit: pexels.com, A businessman enjoys music on headphones while relaxing in a private jet. Luxurious travel concept.

The American Express Platinum Card is a premium travel credit card that offers a wide range of benefits to its users. The card comes with a $695 annual fee, but it can easily be offset by the savings and rewards earned through the card.

One of the key benefits of the Platinum Card is its airport lounge access, which lets you access over 1,200 airport lounges in 130+ countries at no additional cost. This is a huge perk for frequent travelers.

The card also offers a $200 annual airline fee credit, which can be used for airline incidentals such as checked bags, change fees, and more. This can save you a significant amount of money on your travels.

In addition to these benefits, the Platinum Card also offers a $200 annual Uber credit, which can be used for rides or Eats orders in the US. This is a great perk for those who rely on ride-sharing services.

Credit: youtube.com, Amex Platinum Card - 13 Things You MUST DO

The card also offers a range of travel insurance benefits, including trip delay insurance, trip cancellation/interruption insurance, lost/damaged baggage insurance, and rental car insurance.

Here are some of the key benefits of the American Express Platinum Card:

  • Annual Airline Credit: Annual statement credit for airline incidentals at one select qualifying airline.
  • Hotel Credit: Annual statement credit on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts or The Hotel Collection bookings on Amex Travel.
  • Credits for Uber Rides: Uber VIP Status and annual savings on rides or Eats orders in the US.
  • Complimentary Hotel Status: Cardholders can enroll in Hilton Honors and Marriott Bonvoy as Gold-level members free of charge.
  • Global Entry or TSA PreCheck Credit: Credit for the Global Entry application fee or the TSA PreCheck application fee.
  • Travel insurance: Includes several insurance benefits, such as trip delay insurance, trip cancellation/interruption insurance, lost/damaged baggage insurance, and rental car insurance.

These benefits can help you save money, earn rewards, and enjoy a more comfortable and convenient travel experience.

Travel Features

The Amex Platinum airline credit is a game-changer for travelers. You can use it to prepay for a premium seat selection, such as seats closer to the front of the cabin or seats with extra legroom, and get reimbursed by American Express.

This credit is available on several American Express cards, including the Amex Platinum, Amex Gold, and others. However, the Amex Platinum has the most comprehensive airline credit benefits.

One of the best ways to use the Amex Platinum airline credit is to reserve a seat on a main cabin ticket with American Airlines. You can prepay for a preferred seat and get reimbursed by American Express.

Here are some cards that offer airline fee credits:

  • Amex Platinum
  • Amex Gold
  • Wells Fargo Active Cash
  • Chase Sapphire Preferred
  • Chase Sapphire Reserve
  • Capital One Venture X
  • Chase Freedom Flex
  • Citi Double Cash

The Amex Platinum airline credit can be used on various airlines, including American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and more.

Insurance and Protection

Credit: youtube.com, American Express Platinum Card Travel Protections Explained!!!

The Platinum Card from American Express offers robust travel insurance benefits. If you pay for your travel with your American Express Platinum card, you'll be eligible to file a travel insurance claim.

Trip cancellation and interruption insurance are among the best benefits offered by the Platinum Card. This means you can get reimbursed if your trip is canceled or interrupted due to unforeseen circumstances.

Trip delay insurance reimburses you for necessary expenses, such as food and lodging, if your trip is delayed. This can be a lifesaver if you're stuck in a foreign airport with no way to get to your destination.

Here are the types of American Express Platinum card Travel Insurance:

  • Trip delay insurance
  • Car rental loss and damage insurance

Fees and Costs

The American Express Platinum Card comes with a $695 annual fee, which may be a barrier for some users.

To offset this fee, cardholders can earn significant rewards and savings through benefits like airport lounge access and airline fee credits.

Credit: youtube.com, Amex Platinum $200 Airline Credit! (Step by Step Tutorial | PLUS Hilton Honors Aspire Card)

The initial bonus of 80,000 points can be earned by spending $8,000 in the first 6 months, which can provide a net value of over $1,000 in rewards and perks.

This means that if you use the card regularly and take advantage of its benefits, the annual fee can be easily justified.

What Is the Fee?

The American Express Platinum Card comes with a $695 annual fee, which is a significant cost to consider.

This fee can be a barrier for some users, but it's essential to weigh it against the benefits you'll receive.

The card offers a host of benefits, including airport lounge access, a $200 annual airline fee credit, and 5x points on airfare purchases.

The airline fee credit, in particular, can be a valuable perk, offering up to $200 in statement credits towards airline incidentals.

These incidentals can add up quickly, but with the credit, you can offset some of that cost.

Maximizing Fees

Credit: youtube.com, Maximizing Pricing & Fee Structures with Concourse – Fees & Commissions™

The American Express Platinum Card has a $695 annual fee, which may be a barrier for some users, but it can easily be offset by the savings and rewards earned through the card.

To maximize the benefits of the card, you need to spend $8,000 in the first 6 months to earn the 80,000 points initial bonus.

The card offers 5x points on airfare purchases, which can be a significant source of rewards for frequent travelers. The 5x points on airfare purchases can help offset the annual fee.

The $200 annual airline fee credit is another perk that can be used to offset the cost of the card. However, it requires creativity to be used in full every year.

The Amex Platinum airline fee credit has restrictions, but with some planning, you can maximize your credit before its expiration date.

Rewards and Perks

The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card offers a generous welcome bonus of 75,000 miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

Credit: youtube.com, Best credit card for 2024? Amex Platinum Travel | My honest review

You can earn 10x miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, and 5x miles on flights and vacation rentals booked through the same portal. Additionally, you'll earn 2x miles on all other purchases.

The American Express Platinum Card provides a welcome offer of 80,000 points for spending $8,000 in the first 6 months, and you'll earn 5 points / $1 spent on flights or prepaid hotels booked through Amex Travel.

Here are some of the top rewards and perks offered by premium airline credit cards:

These rewards and perks can help you save money and enhance your travel experience, but it's essential to consider the annual fees associated with these cards and whether they align with your spending habits.

Capital One Venture X Rewards

The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card is a top-notch card with a generous welcome bonus and lounge access. It has an annual fee of $395, which is the cheapest premium travel card out there.

A man sitting on a sofa using a laptop for online shopping, holding a credit card.
Credit: pexels.com, A man sitting on a sofa using a laptop for online shopping, holding a credit card.

One of the unique features of this card is that it offers 2x miles on every purchase, with no additional cost for up to four authorized users. This is a great perk for those who want to earn rewards on all their purchases.

The Venture X is best for people who want a straightforward card with a higher-than-normal earning rate on all purchases and are happy to book through the Capital One travel portal to receive the bonus spend rates. This means you'll earn 10x miles on hotels and rental cars, and 5x miles on flights and vacation rentals, booked through Capital One Travel.

Here are the details of the welcome bonus and other benefits:

  • Earn 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening
  • 10x miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
  • 5x miles on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Travel
  • 2x miles on all other purchases
  • $300 travel credit when booking through the Capital One portal
  • Up to $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck
  • Complimentary access to 1,300+ airport lounges worldwide
  • 10,000 bonus miles every year, starting on your first anniversary

Best Premium

If you're looking for a premium credit card that offers top-notch rewards and perks, you're in luck. The American Express Platinum card is a great option, with benefits like 5X Membership Rewards Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel, and a $695 annual fee.

Credit: youtube.com, New #1 BEST Priority Pass Credit Card?! Bank of America Premium Rewards Elite | Full Review

The Chase Sapphire Preferred Card is another great option, with an annual fee of just $95 and benefits like earning 60,000 points for spending $4,000 in the first 3 months.

Some premium airline credit cards are also worth considering, such as the United Club Infinite Card, which offers 90,000 bonus miles after spending $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months, and the Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card, which offers 70,000 Bonus Miles after spending $5,000 in eligible purchases in your first 6 months.

Here are some key benefits of the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card, which has an annual fee of $395:

  • Earn 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening
  • 10x miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
  • 5x miles on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Travel
  • 2x miles on all other purchases
  • $300 travel credit when booking through the Capital One portal
  • Up to $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck
  • Complimentary access to 1,300+ airport lounges worldwide
  • 10,000 bonus miles (equal to $100 towards travel) every year, starting on your first anniversary
  • $100 experience credit and other premium benefits with every hotel and vacation rental booked from the Premier Collection

Frequently Asked Questions

Is platinum the highest level credit card?

Yes, the Amex Platinum card is considered the highest level credit card among American Express offerings, ranking above the Centurion and Amex Gold cards. It's an ultra-premium option with exclusive benefits and rewards.

Do you get priority pass with Amex Platinum travel card?

Yes, the American Express Platinum Travel Credit Card offers Priority Pass membership. This card is one of the eligible Amex cards that grant Priority Pass access.

Teresa Halvorson

Senior Writer

Teresa Halvorson is a skilled writer with a passion for financial journalism. Her expertise lies in breaking down complex topics into engaging, easy-to-understand content. With a keen eye for detail, Teresa has successfully covered a range of article categories, including currency exchange rates and foreign exchange rates.

Love What You Read? Stay Updated!

Join our community for insights, tips, and more.