Get the Most Out of Your American Express Platinum Card

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The Platinum Card® from American Express (see rates & fees) comes with a not-so-small annual fee of $695. But it also comes with a litany of valuable benefits that can help you offset the annual fee.

However, many of these benefits are not automatic. To get the most out of the Platinum Card, you need to spend a little time enrolling in each one of the program perks and reading the small print of how to use them.

Let’s see what benefits you need to enroll in and how to use them.

$200 in Uber Cash Credits

The Amex Platinum offers cardholders up to $15 every month in Uber Cash credits, with a bonus of $20 in December (totaling $35). That works out to $200 worth of Uber Cash credits every year.

To be eligible to receive this benefit, effective 11/8/2024, an Amex Card must be selected as the payment method for your Uber or Uber Eats transaction to redeem the Amex Uber Cash benefit. Keep in mind that adding your Platinum Card to Uber through a third-party such as PayPal or Apple Pay will make you ineligible for the benefit.

The credit should appear within your Uber Cash balance within 48 hours of adding your Platinum Card to your account. To receive this benefit, you must have downloaded the latest version of the Uber App and your eligible Platinum Card must be a method of payment in your Uber account. The Amex Benefit may only be used in the United States.

Credits don’t roll over from one month to the next. For example, if you don’t use Uber in May, you won’t start the month of June with $30 worth of credit, just the standard $15. Credits are applied to Uber rides and Uber Eats orders within the United States only.

$200 Airline Fee Statement Credit

You can get up to $200 in statement credits every year toward incidental fees with one qualifying airline.

To enroll in the benefit, you need to select your airline in the Benefits section of your Amex account. You’re able to change your airline selection once per year in January. Qualifying airlines include the following:

• Alaska Airlines
• American Airlines
• Delta Air Lines
• Hawaiian Airlines
• JetBlue Airways
• Spirit Airlines
• Southwest Airlines
• United Airlines

Keep in mind that any incidental fees charged before you select your qualifying airline will not be eligible for the benefit. Likewise, airline tickets, upgrades, mileage points purchases, mileage points transfer fees, gift cards, duty free purchases and award tickets don’t count as incidental fees.

Instead, incidental fees include change fees, baggage fees, in-flight purchases and cancellation fees. However, you’ll need to rely on the airline coding the fee as an incidental fee to qualify for the credit.

The statement credit can take between six to eight weeks to post your account, although it can be much quicker. If it still hasn’t appeared after eight weeks, you should talk to a phone agent by calling the number on the back of your card.

$120 Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® Application Fee Credit 

As an Amex Platinum cardholder, you can get either a $120 statement credit every four years for a Global Entry application fee or a statement credit of up to $85 every 4.5 years for a TSA PreCheck® application fee (when applying through a TSA official enrollment provider), in each case when charged to your eligible American Express card.  If approved for Global Entry, at no additional charge, you will receive access to TSA PreCheck.

Both Global Entry and TSA PreCheck are Trusted Traveler Programs (TTP) run by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). Together, both programs speed up the immigration and security screening process for pre-approved low-risk travelers traveling by land, air and sea through the U.S.

Having Global Entry membership allows you to skip the immigration and customs queues when arriving in the U.S. Instead of spending time in line and having to talk to an agent, you’ll tap a few buttons at a kiosk and be done in no time. Likewise, TSA PreCheck membership means you don’t have to remove belts, shoes, light jackets, liquids or laptops during the security screening process.

Both programs are valid for five years. If you only travel domestically, TSA PreCheck will suffice. However, if trips abroad are on your bucket list, you’ll want to go for Global Entry, which also includes TSA PreCheck.

There are just a few steps involved in obtaining Global entry: an application and an interview.

First, you need to create a US Customs and Border Protection Trusted Traveler Program account for Global Entry.

After you provide the necessary information required and pay a non-refundable application fee of $120 (with your Platinum Card), they will run a background check. If all goes well, your application will be approved conditionally. From there, you’ll need to schedule an interview at your nearest Global Entry enrollment center.

If more convenient, you can complete your enrollment interview upon arrival at 60+ participating U.S. and international airports. TSA has also started Enrollment on Departure, which is currently available at Washington-Dulles airport only. You’ll need to bring supporting documents, such as your passport, permanent resident card and proof of residency (when applicable).

If you’re approved, you can expect to receive your Global Entry card in the mail within two to four weeks. 

The statement credit can take up to eight weeks to post to your Amex account.

Access to the American Express Global Lounge Collection

One of the flashiest benefits of the Amex Platinum Card is access to The American Express Global Lounge Collection.

This collection includes more than 1,400 lounges worldwide with access to Centurion lounges, Delta SkyClub lounges, Lufthansa lounges, Plaza Premium Group lounges and Priority Pass Select^TM lounges.

Delta SkyClub Access

To access Delta SkyClub lounges, you’ll need to present your Platinum Card, government-issued I.D. and boarding pass. You’ll need to be flying on a same-day, Delta-operated flight and can access the lounge for up to three hours before your flight departs. On connecting flights, you can access Delta SkyClubs in your connecting airport at any time.

Keep in mind that you won’t be allowed access to Delta SkyClubs if you’re flying Basic Economy (E).

Through Jan. 31, 2025, you can choose to bring either up to two guests or your immediate family (spouse/domestic partner and children under 21) to SkyClub lounges. You’ll pay a per-visit rate of $50 per person, per location or you can “Grab and Go” at a per-visit rate of $25 per person, per location.

Effective from Feb. 1, 2025, access to Delta SkyClub lounges will change for Amex Platinum cardholders. You will receive 10 visits per year to the Delta Sky Club or to “Grab and Go” when traveling on a same-day Delta-operated flight, which can’t be rolled over into the next year if unused.

Keep in mind a visit will be defined as a visit to one or more SkyClubs at one or more airports within a 24-hour period, starting from your first visit. That means accessing two lounges at two separate airports within 24 hours would count as one visit.

To receive unlimited access to Delta SkyClubs after Feb. 1, 2025, you’ll need to spend a minimum of $75,000 using your Platinum Card within a calendar year.

Escape Lounges—The Centurion® Studio Partner

Amex Platinum cardholders can access Escape Lounges—The Centurion® Studio Partner, at all U.S. locations.

To access a lounge, simply present your Platinum card, government-issued I.D. and a boarding pass for a same-day flight with any carrier.

You can bring up to two guests free of charge into Escape Lounges with you.

Lufthansa Lounges

You can access Lufthansa Business Lounges regardless of your ticket class and Lufthansa Senator Lounges on a Business Class fare when flying on a Lufthansa Group flight.

Lufthansa Group includes Swiss Airlines, Austrian Airlines and Lufthansa.

You’ll need to present your Amex Platinum Card, government-issued I.D. and boarding pass for a same-day Lufthansa Group flight.

Plaza Premium Group

You can enter Plaza Premium Group lounges as an Amex Platinum cardholder.

To access a Plaza Premium lounge, you’ll need to present your Platinum card, government-issued I.D. and a boarding pass for a same-day flight with any carrier.

You can bring up to two guests free of charge into Plaza Premium lounges with you.

Priority Pass Select^TM

Amex Platinum cardholders can enroll in Priority Pass Select free of charge through the benefits section of their account.

You should receive your separate Priority Pass Select membership card within 10 to 14 days after enrolling. However, you can receive a digital membership card which allows you to access Priority Pass lounges immediately after enrollment.

To access Priority Pass Select lounges, you’ll need to present your membership card and boarding pass for a same-day flight with any carrier.

When visiting Priority Pass lounges, you can bring up to two guests free of charge with you.

Centurion Lounges

You’ll also be able to access Centurion Lounges as an Amex Platinum cardholder.

Just present your Platinum card, government-issued I.D. and a boarding pass for a same-day flight with any carrier, and you should be able to access the lounge.

You can access the lounge up to three hours before your flight departs.

Guest policies vary by lounge, so you’ll need to do your homework beforehand.

Hilton Honors Gold Status

Both Platinum cardholders and authorized users can qualify for complimentary Hilton Honors Gold Status.

This entitles you to the following benefits:

• All the benefits included with Hilton Honors Silver Status (free bottled water, fifth night free during reward stays, elite rollover nights and an all-inclusive spa discount)
• 80% bonus points on stays
• Space-available room upgrades
• Daily food and beverage credit or continental breakfast credit (varies by brand and region)
• Milestone bonuses

You can enroll in Hilton Honors by going to the benefits page of your Amex account. If you’re already a member of Hilton Honors, you can enter your member number here.

Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite Status

In addition to complimentary Hilton Honors Gold Status, Amex Platinum cardholders and authorized users receive complimentary Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite Status.

Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite Status comes with the following benefits:

• Ultimate reservation guarantee
• 25% bonus points on eligible hotel purchases
• 2 p.m. late checkout
• Ability to earn additional Emirates Skywards on hotel stays

You can enroll in Marriott Bonvoy by going to the benefits page of your Amex account. If you’re already a member of Marriott Bonvoy, you’ll be able to enter your member number during the enrollment process.

It typically takes between three to five business days for your membership status to process. If you haven’t heard anything after 10 business days, you should contact Amex.

$199 CLEAR® Plus Credit

CLEAR® Plus members can enjoy an expedited identity verification process when traveling through airports.

CLEAR Plus uses biometrics, including fingerprinting and iris scanning, to verify your identity at dedicated CLEAR kiosks. That means you don’t need to wait for a TSA agent to verify your identity.

You can enroll in CLEAR Plus online by submitting identity verification documents and then use a CLEAR Plus kiosk to have your irises and fingerprints scanned. It’s a much quicker process than Global Entry or TSA PreCheck and doesn’t require an interview.

However, at $199 per year, it’s also more expensive.

If you pay for the membership fee using your Amex Platinum card, you’ll have the cost reimbursed as a statement credit within eight weeks.

Keep in mind that if you pay for CLEAR Plus membership within 24 hours of opening your Amex Platinum account, you may not be eligible to receive the statement credit.

$200 Hotel Credit

If you use your Amex Platinum Card to prepay a stay with the Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection through American Express Travel^®, you can receive a statement credit of up to $200 every calendar year.

For stays with The Hotel Collection, you’ll need to book a stay with a minimum of two nights.

It can take up to 90 days to receive the credit, although it usually posts to your account within a few days.

Beware that bookings made less than 24 hours after having opened your Amex Platinum account may not be eligible to receive the $200 hotel statement credit. 

$240 Digital Entertainment Credit

The Platinum Card offers up to $240 in annual statement credits toward eligible digital subscription purchases, given in $20 monthly increments.

You can enroll in this benefit through the benefits section of your Amex account.

Amex states the following for each eligible digital services provider:

Disney+: All Disney+ purchases made directly through www.disneyplus.com are eligible, for example, a Disney Bundle. The Disney Bundle includes Disney+, Hulu and ESPN+, or Disney+ and Hulu. Access content from each service separately.

ESPN+: All ESPN+ purchases made directly through plus.espn.com are eligible, for example, Pay Per View (PPV) purchases and a Disney Bundle. The Disney Bundle includes Disney+, Hulu and ESPN+, or Disney+ and Hulu. Access content from each service separately.

Hulu: All Hulu purchases made directly through www.hulu.com are eligible, for example, a Disney Bundle. Disney Bundles include Disney+, Hulu and ESPN+, or Disney+ and Hulu. Access content from each service separately.

The New York Times: Eligible purchases for The New York Times include subscriptions for digital or print News, New York Times Cooking, New York Times Games, Wirecutter, and The New York Times All Access bundle made directly through www.nytimes.com/subscription. Eligible purchases do not include advertising services, NYT conferences, gift cards, TimesDigest or purchases from the NYTimes company store.

Peacock: Eligible purchases for Peacock include all Peacock subscriptions, for example, Peacock Premium and Premium Plus, made directly online at www.peacocktv.com. Eligible purchases do not include subscriptions bundled with cable services or other bundles, promotional offers through third parties, or gift cards.

The Wall Street Journal: Eligible purchases for The Wall Street Journal include any subscriptions, for example, news bundles, including The Wall Street Journal and Barron’s, MarketWatch and/or Investor’s Business Daily, made directly through www.wsj.com/amex. Eligible purchases do not include advertising services, WSJ events, gift cards or purchases from The Wall Street Journal Online Store.

$300 Equinox Credit

Platinum cardholders can enroll in Equinox through the benefits section of their Amex account.

If you link your Platinum card as a payment method, you’ll receive up to $300 in statement credits per year toward Equinox membership. Eligible membership options include:

• Single Club (U.S. only)
• Regional Access (U.S. only)
• All-Access
• Destination Access
• E by Equinox access
• Equinox+ app

Car Rental Privileges: Avis, Hertz and National

Platinum cardholders are eligible for complimentary Avis Preferred®, Hertz Gold Plus Rewards® and National Car Rental® Emerald Club status.

To enroll in these programs, you’ll need to go through the benefits section of your Amex account.

Statement Credits at Saks Fifth Avenue

You can get up to $100 in statement credits, given in $50 biannual credits, for purchases made at Saks Fifth Avenue store locations in the U.S. and U.S. territories or online at saks.com.

You’ll need to enroll with Saks Fifth Avenue through the benefits section of your Amex account.

Keep in mind that the credit isn’t valid on Saks Fifth Avenue gift cards, purchases at Saks OFF 5TH Avenue stores, at saksoff5th.com or purchases shipped outside of the U.S.

The credit should take a maximum of eight weeks to post to your account.

Final Thoughts

The Platinum Card from American Express has an extensive list of benefits that can easily offset the annual fee, as long as you make sure to enroll in them!