3 Unique Perks of the Amex Platinum Card
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You probably already know the fancy headline features of The Platinum Card® from American Express. Flashy stuff like Centurion Lounge access, lifestyle and shopping credits, etc. (American Express is a Motley Fool Money advertiser.)
Well today I'm covering a few hidden benefits that often fly under the radar.
These "quiet perks" can save you from unnecessary fees, make traveling smoother for your family, and even help you get approved for the card without damaging your credit score.
1. You can check approval odds with no credit score impact
Most credit card applications are a leap of faith. You fill out all your info, hit submit, and hope you get approved.
The scary bit is that "hard inquiry" that shows up on your credit report whether you're approved or not.
Well, if you're applying for the Amex Platinum Card, you won't have that worry. With its "Apply with Confidence" tool, Amex will tell you if you're likely to be approved before you submit a full application
And if you don't like the result, you can walk away with zero impact on your credit score.
That's especially valuable for a premium card like this with a high approval bar and high annual fee ($695, see rates and fees). Knowing your odds upfront can save you from risking your score.
2. Additional card members get lounge access (even when you're not traveling with them)
Airport lounge access is by far my favorite flex of the Amex Platinum Card. But did you know your additional card members get their own access -- even if you're not there?
When you add an additional card member (for a $195 per person annual fee, see rates and fees), that person gets their own Amex Platinum Card. And that card grants them solo access to the Amex Global Lounge Collection -- 1,400+ lounges across 140 countries. Terms apply.
On top of that, authorized users get their own credits for TSA PreCheck® or Global Entry application fees.
This perk can make sense for adding spouses, parents, or even close friends as additional members who want VIP treatment without needing to travel together. That's not always the case with other luxury cards, where authorized users can have more limited access.
On American Express' Secure Website.
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Terms apply
Good/Excellent (670-850)
Intro APR
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APR
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Rewards Earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel® up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year and earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel®. 1X Membership Rewards® Points on other purchases. Terms apply.
1X-5X Membership Rewards® Points
Annual Fee
$695
Welcome Offer You may be eligible for as high as 175,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $8,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.
As High As 175,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.
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This luxury travel card has some of the most prestigious perks you'll find — access to over 1,400 airport lounges, elite status with Hilton and Marriott Bonvoy (enrollment required), and spending credits worth over $1,500 in value every year. Just be ready for the hefty annual fee, which can be offset in the first year with a welcome offer. Terms apply.
Read Full Review -
- Big welcome offer
- Substantial spending credits
- Airport lounge access
- Hotel benefits
- Flexible travel points
- Annual fee
- Limited bonus categories
- Spending credits can be complicated to manage
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- You may be eligible for as high as 175,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel® up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year and earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel®.
- $200 Hotel Credit: Get up to $200 back in statement credits each year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection bookings through American Express Travel using your Platinum Card®. The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay.
- $240 Digital Entertainment Credit: Get up to $20 back in statement credits each month on eligible purchases made with your Platinum Card® on one or more of the following: Disney+, a Disney+ bundle, ESPN+, Hulu, The New York Times, Peacock, and The Wall Street Journal. Enrollment required.
- Enjoy the benefits of the Global Lounge Collection, with over $500 of annual value if you visit Centurion Lounges and each of our partner lounges including Delta Sky Club® lounges when flying an eligible Delta flight (subject to visit limitations) , select Lufthansa lounges when flying Lufthansa, Plaza Premium lounges and Escape Lounges, and enroll in Priority Pass Select. See terms.
- A Walmart+ membership can get you free shipping with no order minimum on eligible items shipped by Walmart. Use your Platinum Card® to pay for a monthly Walmart+ membership (subject to auto-renewal) and receive one statement credit for up to $12.95 (plus applicable taxes. Plus Ups not eligible) each month. Free Shipping excludes most Marketplace items, freight & certain location surcharges. Paramount+ Essential plan only, separate registration required.
- $200 Airline Fee Credit: Select one qualifying airline and then receive up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year when incidental fees are charged by the airline to your Platinum Card® Account. American Express relies on airlines to submit the correct information on airline transactions to identify incidental fee purchases. If you do not see a credit for a qualifying incidental purchase on your eligible Card after 8 weeks, simply call the number on the back of your Card. Qualifying airlines are subject to change. See terms & conditions for more details.
- $200 Uber Cash: Platinum Card® Members can ride or dine in style with $15 in Uber Cash each month, plus a bonus $20 in December after adding their Card to their Uber account. Use your Uber Cash on rides and orders in the U.S. when you select an Amex Card for your transaction.
- $199 CLEAR® Plus Credit: CLEAR® Plus helps get you to your gate faster by using unique facial attributes to verify you are you at 50+ airports nationwide. Receive up to $199 in statement credits per calendar year after you pay for your CLEAR Plus Membership (subject to auto-renewal) with the Platinum Card®.
- Receive either a $120 statement credit every 4 years for a Global Entry application fee or a statement credit up to $85 every 4.5 years for a TSA PreCheck® (through a TSA official enrollment provider) application fee, when charged to your Platinum Card®. Card Members approved for Global Entry will also receive access to TSA PreCheck at no additional cost.
- Shop Saks with Platinum: Get up to $100 in statement credits annually for purchases in Saks Fifth Avenue stores or at saks.com on your Platinum Card®. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- Use Global Dining Access by Resy to access premium dining experiences. Receive Priority Notify and unlock insider access to some of the world's most sought-after restaurants with Global Dining Access by Resy. Download the Resy iOS app or log into Resy.com and add your Platinum Card® to your Resy profile to take advantage of your special benefits and discover restaurants near you.
- $695 annual fee.
- Terms Apply.
3. Enjoy elite hotel status without booking through Amex Travel
As an Amex Platinum Card member, you automatically get Gold Elite Status with both Marriott Bonvoy® and Hilton Honors. No bookings or minimum spending required. Terms apply; enrollment required.
Elite status can unlock:
- Free room upgrades (when available)
- Late checkout privileges
- Bonus points on hotel stays
- Welcome gifts like free breakfast or wifi
The cool part is you'll enjoy these perks no matter how you book your stay -- directly through Marriott or Hilton, via third-party sites, or even a totally different travel rewards card.
Of course, you'll likely want to book through Amex Travel anyway, because the Amex Platinum Card gives you 5X points on all prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel® (terms apply). Too good!
Is the Amex Platinum Card right for you?
The Platinum Card® from American Express is loaded with over $1,500 in annual perks.
Sure, the flashy stuff steals the spotlight and might make the most sense for you. But don't sleep on the smaller perks. Those quiet little benefits could be the exact thing that makes this card a perfect fit for your lifestyle.
Right now, new applicants can score a massive welcome offer. Apply and find out if you are eligible for as high as 175,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $8,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.
Don't miss out. Apply today and find out your welcome offer eligibility.
Our Research Expert
Joel is a full-time Personal Finance Writer at Motley Fool Money, known for his clear, approachable voice on topics like credit cards, savings hacks, and side hustles. He’s been writing about money since 2018 and previously managed editorial content for the How To Money podcast.
We're firm believers in the Golden Rule, which is why editorial opinions are ours alone and have not been previously reviewed, approved, or endorsed by included advertisers. Motley Fool Money does not cover all offers on the market. Motley Fool Money is 100% owned and operated by The Motley Fool. Our knowledgeable team of personal finance editors and analysts are employed by The Motley Fool and held to the same set of publishing standards and editorial integrity while maintaining professional separation from the analysts and editors on other Motley Fool brands. Terms may apply to offers listed on this page.
Editorial Note: This content is not provided by American Express. Any opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the author's alone, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by American Express
For rates and fees for the The Platinum Card® from American Express, click here