keep in mind, this card isn’t for everyone. It’s really designed for people who travel a lot. If you only travel occasionally, the annual fee might not make sense for you. But if you’re like me and you’re constantly on the move, the Amex Platinum can seriously elevate your travel experience.
If you’re an active frequent traveler who books flights directly with airlines, the American Express Platinum Card is one of the best credit cards out there. Before I decided to get any premium travel credit card, I always looked for the most important benefits and rewards. Here’s what I found with the Amex Platinum Card:
5 Points per Dollar on Flights
First off, this card earns you 5 points for every dollar you spend on booking flights directly with airlines. If you’re booking flights often, these points really add up and help you maximize your rewards.
Unlimited Airport Lounge Access
I use airport lounges a lot when I travel. It’s nice to have a quiet place to sit, get some food, or just relax during long layovers. The Amex Platinum gives me more lounge options than other premium cards, including Centurion Lounges, Delta Sky Club (when flying Delta), Priority Pass, Plaza Premium, Escape Lounges, and a few others. Having all these choices makes travel much easier for me.
$300 Hotel Credit (Twice a Year)
I love this new benefit that Amex added in September 2025. The card gives you $300 in hotel credits twice a year when you book through Amex Fine Hotels & Resorts or The Hotel Collection. I usually use it on short stays, and it helps lower the cost a lot. It’s simple – book through Amex, and the credit shows up automatically.
$200 Airline Fee Credit
This one is really useful for me. Every year, I get $200 in airline fee credits, but it only works with certain U.S. airlines, and you have to choose one airline each year. I use it for things like seat fees, checked bags, or onboard purchases. It’s an easy way to cut down on extra travel costs that add up over time.
Trip Delay Reimbursement
One of the standout benefits is the Trip Delay Reimbursement. If your flight gets delayed by more than 6 hours, or if you miss a connecting flight due to a delay, the card can cover up to $500 per ticket for reasonable expenses like meals, hotels, and transportation. I love this because it covers connecting flight delays too, which isn’t something most cards do.
World-Class Travel Protection
Beyond the basics, the Amex Platinum Card also includes trip cancellation/interruption insurance, lost luggage reimbursement, baggage delay reimbursement, trip delay insurance, and even roadside assistance. These protections are rare and provide great security when you’re traveling.
Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver
This card provides reliable coverage for auto rental collision damage. From my own experience, I once had to file a claim, and the process was super smooth with excellent customer service. If you’re renting a car and something happens, you’re covered for up to $75,000. It’s peace of mind knowing you won’t have to deal with unexpected rental car damage costs.
Emergency Evacuation and Transportation Coverage
This is one of the more serious but important benefits. If you become seriously ill or injured during your trip, the Amex Platinum covers emergency evacuation and transportation to get you to the nearest medical facility. It’s great to know that you’re covered in case the unexpected happens.
Global Entry or TSA Pre Fee Credit
If you’re tired of long lines at security or customs, this card reimburses you up to $120 every 4 years for Global Entry or TSA Pre✓® application fees. These programs save you a lot of time at the airport, but just keep in mind they only work in the U.S.
CLEAR® Membership Credit
I also use the CLEAR credit, which covers up to $189 each year. CLEAR helps you get through the airport security line faster, but it’s only available at some airports in the U.S. Between CLEAR and TSA PreCheck, getting through airports in the U.S. is much easier.
Fast and Helpful Customer Service
From my experience, the customer service with this card is fast. When I call for help or have questions, I usually get someone right away without long wait times or confusing automated menus. It’s nice knowing I can reach a real person anytime.
Best Extended Warranty Insurance
I always use this card when I buy electronics because the claim process with the Amex Platinum has been reliable for me, and that’s how you know the insurance is actually good. The card gives you extended warranty, which adds up to one extra year on top of the manufacturer’s warranty. So if something breaks after the original warranty ends, you’re still covered. It gives me peace of mind if anything goes wrong with the product.
Monthly Entertainment Credit
I also like the entertainment credit this card offers for certain streaming services. I personally use it for YouTube Premium, which works great for me because I watch YouTube a lot and I’m a YouTuber myself. But you can also use this credit on other eligible streaming services if YouTube Premium isn’t your thing. It’s nice having part of that cost covered every month.
Other Benefits I Don’t Use
This card also has other credits and perks that I personally don’t use, like the Walmart+ membership credit, Uber Cash, Uber One, Lululemon credit, and a few others I honestly forgot the names of. I don’t really use these in my daily life because I travel internationally most of the time, and these benefits usually can’t be used overseas. But if you use these services at home, these benefits might fit you and could be helpful.
Why I Recommend the Amex Platinum Card
All of the benefits above are pretty rare and not many credit cards offer these types of comprehensive protections. You might be wondering, “This card has an annual fee of $895 — why would you recommend something so expensive?”
I totally get the question, and I had the same one for almost three years. But after using the card, I can say it’s 100% worth it for anyone who travels a lot. The value of all these benefits outweighs the cost of the annual fee, especially if you’re a full-time traveler.