Inside the High-End Credit Card That Delivers True Concierge-Level Service
Image source: Getty Images
Luxury credit cards love to talk about "exclusive access." But most of them offer about as much exclusivity as a Costco membership.
The American Express Platinum Card® is different. Its concierge service actually opens literal doors, like at Centurion Lounges or booked-out restaurants, and gives members the kind of personal help other cards just advertise.
The concierge service that actually works
Plenty of cards brag about "concierge benefits." In practice, most of those services amount to a glorified Google search.
The Platinum Card® is different. Its concierge network, which is backed by real human agents, not chatbots, can actually make things happen. Need a last-minute reservation at a booked-out restaurant in New York? A front-row ticket to a sold-out show? Or even help replacing a lost passport overseas? The Platinum team can step in. Terms apply.
Members report using the concierge for everything from anniversary planning to travel emergencies. And because Amex has partnerships across hotels, airlines, and entertainment groups, the concierge often gets priority access ordinary customers can't.
That's what "concierge-level" really means: access, not just assistance.
= Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair
= Poor
= Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair
= PoorGood/Excellent
Intro APR
Purchases: N/A
Balance Transfers: N/A
APR
See Pay Over Time APR
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
$895
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.
-
The American Express Platinum Card® isn’t just a credit card — it’s a status symbol. With over $3,500 in annual credits like $400 for dining with Resy, $600 in luxury hotel stays, and $300 in digital entertainment, plus VIP access to 1,550 airport lounges and automatic Hilton and Marriott Bonvoy elite status (enrollment required), it delivers prestige few cards can match. The fee is steep, but for those who want the best, the Platinum Card® can more than pay for itself — starting with a powerful 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
-
- 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.
- Get more for your travels with 5X Membership Rewards® points on all flights and prepaid hotel bookings through American Express Travel®, including Fine Hotels + Resorts® and The Hotel Collection bookings. You earn 5X points on flights purchased directly from airlines or through American Express Travel® on up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year.
- More Value! With over 1,550 airport lounges - more than any other credit card company on the market* - enjoy the benefits of the Global Lounge Collection®, over $850 of annual value, with access to Centurion Lounges, 10 complimentary Delta Sky Club® visits when flying on an eligible Delta flight (subject to visit limitations), Priority Pass Select membership (enrollment required), and other select partner lounges. * As of 07/2025.
- More Value! $200 Uber Cash + $120 Uber One Credit: With the Platinum Card® you can receive $15 in Uber Cash each month plus a bonus $20 in December when you add your Platinum Card® to your Uber account to use on rides and orders in the U.S when you select an Amex Card for your transaction. Plus, when you use the Platinum Card® to pay for an auto-renewing Uber One membership, you can get up to $120 in statement credits each calendar year. Terms apply.
- More Value! $300 Digital Entertainment Credit: Get up to $25 in statement credits each month after you pay for eligible purchases with the Platinum Card® at participating partners. Enrollment required.
- More Value! $600 Hotel Credit: Get up to $300 in statement credits semi-annually on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection* bookings through American Express Travel® using the Platinum Card®. *The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay.
- New! $400 Resy Credit + Platinum Nights by Resy: When you use the Platinum Card® to pay at U.S. Resy restaurants and to make other eligible purchases through Resy, you can get up to $100 in statement credits each quarter with the $400 Resy Credit benefit. Plus, with Platinum Nights by Resy, you can get special access to reservations on select nights at participating in demand Resy restaurants with the Platinum Card®. Simply add your eligible Card to your Resy profile to book and discover Platinum Nights reservations near you, enrollment required.
- More Value! $209 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. You can cover the cost of a CLEAR Plus Membership* with up to $209 in statement credits per calendar year after you pay for CLEAR Plus with the Platinum Card®. *Excluding any applicable taxes and fees. Subject to auto-renewal.
- $200 Airline Fee Credit: Select one qualifying airline and then receive up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year when incidental fees, such as checked bags and in-flight refreshments, are charged by the airline to the 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.
- Start your vacation sooner, and keep it going longer. When you book Fine Hotels + Resorts® through American Express Travel®, enjoy noon check-in upon arrival, when available, and guaranteed 4PM check-out.
- New! $300 lululemon Credit: Enjoy up to $75 in statement credits each quarter when you use the Platinum Card® for eligible purchases at U.S. lululemon retail stores (excluding outlets) and lululemon.com. That’s up to $300 in statement credits each calendar year. Enrollment required.
- $155 Walmart+ Credit: Receive a statement credit* for one monthly Walmart+ membership (subject to auto-renewal) after you pay for Walmart+ each month with the Platinum Card®.*Up to $12.95 plus applicable local sales tax. Plus Ups not eligible.
- $100 Saks Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits annually for purchases at Saks Fifth Avenue or saks.com on the Platinum Card®. That’s up to $50 in statement credits from January through June and up to $50 in statement credits from July through December. No minimum purchase required. Enrollment required.
- Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
- $895 annual fee.
- Terms Apply.
The travel perks that make life easier
The Platinum Card® isn't just about who you know; it's about how comfortably you get there. Frequent travelers can unlock thousands of dollars in annual value through perks that go far beyond free snacks in an airport lounge.
Here's a quick look at what members enjoy:
- Global Lounge Collection access: More than 1,550 airport lounges worldwide, including Centurion Lounges and Delta Sky Clubs.
- $200 airline fee credit each year for incidental charges.
- Fine Hotels + Resorts program: Complimentary room upgrades, late checkouts, and daily breakfast at 2,000+ properties.
- TSA PreCheck® or Global Entry credit every four years.
- $209 CLEAR® Plus credit per calendar year
- Terms apply; enrollment may be required
These benefits, combined with 5X points on flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel® up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year and prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel®, make it one of the most valuable travel cards on the market.
The lifestyle extras that set it apart
Beyond travel, the Platinum Card® now leans heavily into everyday luxury. Cardholders get credits for rideshares, streaming services, and fitness memberships. It's become as much a lifestyle membership as a travel card.
Some of the 2025 perks include:
- $300 digital entertainment credit for select streaming platforms.
- $200 Uber Cash annually (for rides or Eats).
- $300 Equinox credit and access to premium fitness experiences.
- Exclusive event access: from early concert tickets to fashion week invites.
- Terms apply; enrollment may be required
While many of these credits require activation and tracking, the total potential value easily tops $3,500 a year if you use them strategically. Click here if you want to learn even more about the American Express Platinum Card® before applying.
Is it worth the annual fee?
For casual travelers, the card may not be worth the $895 annual fee (see rates and fees). But for frequent flyers, business owners, or anyone who values time and access, the Platinum Card® earns its keep. The real differentiator isn't the flashy perks, but the reliability behind them.
Amex's customer service reputation remains unmatched. When something goes wrong, Platinum Card® members get fast, real help. That peace of mind is hard to price, and it's exactly why the card maintains its cult following.
Our Research Expert
Jake FitzGerald is a full-time Editorial Strategist and Personal Finance Writer at Motley Fool Money, leading content production and distribution while also writing about credit cards, bank accounts, and other financial products. He has more than a decade of experience editing and shaping financial content to give readers clear, trustworthy money advice. His work focuses on delivering practical insights that empower people to make smarter financial decisions. Off the clock, he’s a fan of college football tailgates and still loyal to his favorite putter -- despite what his short game suggests.
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 American Express Platinum Card®, click here