Upgrade Amex Card to Platinum for Better Rewards and Benefits

Upgrading your American Express card to Platinum can be a game-changer for your rewards and benefits.

The Platinum card offers a $200 airline fee credit, which can be used towards things like checked bags, change fees, and more. This can save you a significant amount of money on your travels.

One of the biggest perks of the Platinum card is the airport lounge access, which includes access to over 1,200 airport lounges worldwide. This can be a huge time-saver and a great way to relax before your flight.

With the Platinum card, you'll also get a $100 Global Entry credit, which can help speed up your airport security process. This can save you a lot of time and hassle on your travels.

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The Amex Platinum card has a $695 annual fee, but it's worth it if you earn the 80,000 points initial bonus by spending $8,000 in the first 6 months.

Upgrading from the Amex Gold to Platinum card for 50,000 points might not be worth it, especially considering the $695 annual fee. 75% of respondents to a Twitter and Instagram poll thought so too.

You'll need to weigh the benefits of the upgrade against your current points balance and redemption plans. If you already have 380,000 Membership Rewards points and no redemption in mind, the upgrade might not be necessary.

For comparison, the Business Platinum Card from American Express is currently offering 200,000 bonus points after spending $20,000 in the first three months, which could be a more attractive option.

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You can upgrade your American Express card by making a request over the phone at (800) 528-4800. Alternatively, log in to your online account and click on “Amex Offers & Benefits” at the bottom of the page to see if you are eligible for an upgrade.

The Platinum Card from American Express is a premium card that can be upgraded, and it's one of the most sought-after cards on the market.

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If you're targeted for an upgrade offer, you'll see it after logging in to your American Express account, or by calling the number on the back of your card and inquiring if any upgrade offers are available to you.

The upgrade offer for the Amex Platinum card can be located in your American Express account, specifically about half down on the right-hand side, or in the Amex Offers section at the bottom of your account.

You may also receive a targeted upgrade offer, commonly known as a product change, either through email or via regular mail.

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You're considering upgrading your Amex card to the Platinum version, but first, let's talk about eligibility and requirements.

If you've had an Amex Platinum in the past, you may still qualify for an upgrade offer. I know this from personal experience - I had an Amex Platinum in the past and still carry one that was grandfathered in as an Amex Platinum Mercedes.

To upgrade, you can call Amex directly at (800) 528-4800 or log in to your online account to see if you're eligible.

If you don't qualify for a new welcome bonus, upgrading to the Amex Platinum can be a good option. The 100,000-point upgrade offer has a slightly lower spending requirement than the new member welcome bonus.

Here's a comparison of the two offers:

Keep an eye out for targeted welcome bonuses that exclude the once-per-lifetime language - if you receive one that's higher than the upgrade offer, applying for a new card might make more sense.

American Express Rewards offer a lot of flexibility, with the ability to transfer points to airline and hotel partners for valuable redemptions, such as booking first class tickets on great airlines.

You can also use your points for Amazon purchases, booking travel through AMEX's portal, and buying gift cards, but it's usually best to save them up for a transfer to a travel partner.

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Membership Rewards points are frequently valued at 1.5-2.5 cents per point, which is a good return on your investment.

With this in mind, it's worth considering upgrading to an American Express card that offers Membership Rewards, such as the Platinum card, which can provide you with a lot of value and flexibility.

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To determine if upgrading to the Amex Platinum card is worth it, consider your spending habits and whether you can take full advantage of its benefits. The card's $695 annual fee can be offset by its rewards and perks, such as airport lounge access and airline fee credits.

You'll need to spend $8,000 in the first 6 months to earn the 80,000 points initial bonus. This can be a significant hurdle for some, but it's a crucial step to maximizing the card's value.

If you have substantial travel expenses, the Amex Platinum Card's 5X rewards on direct airline purchases, prepaid hotels, and Amex Travel bookings might be a better choice than the Amex Gold Card's 4X rewards on dining and supermarkets. The Amex Platinum Card offers more valuable rewards in this area.

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The Amex Platinum Card also includes $200 in monthly Uber Cash, $200 airline fee credit, $200 hotel credit via Amex FHR, and $20 monthly entertainment credits, which can partially offset its annual fee. These perks can add up to significant savings.

Consider your existing credit cards and benefits, such as Priority Pass membership with dining credits. Adding an Amex Platinum Card to your wallet can expand your lounge options and provide more value.

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