American Express has upgraded its flagship The Platinum Card® from American Express, enhancing its benefits while maintaining its status as one of the premier travel rewards cards available.
With an annual fee of $895 (see rates and fees), the Platinum card offers lounge access, elite hotel status, substantial statement credits, and competitive earning rates for flights and hotels. Coupled with an attractive welcome offer for new applicants, the Platinum card delivers outstanding rewards and travel benefits for users who can fully utilize its features.
Let’s take a closer look at the current offer and what the Amex Platinum has to offer.
Amex Platinum Welcome Offer
The welcome offers for the Platinum card take a unique approach compared to many of American Express’s other cards: applicants must submit an application to view their personalized welcome offer, which appears before finalizing the process.
New Amex Platinum applicants can qualify for a welcome bonus of up to 175,000 bonus points after spending $8,000 within the first six months of card membership. Welcome offers can vary, and eligibility is not guaranteed.
According to Flying Frugal’s September 2025 valuations, this bonus can be worth as much as $3,500, making it one of the highest bonuses available to new cardholders if they are targeted.
The exact welcome bonus will be revealed upon application submission, with consistent spending requirements and time frames across offers.
This approach allows for a personalized welcome offer without impacting your credit score, as Amex only conducts a soft credit check during the application process. If you accept the offer, a hard inquiry will be conducted on your credit report. You can choose to decline the offer if you prefer to wait for a potentially better one.
Remember, Amex has a one-bonus-per-lifetime policy, so it’s crucial to secure the highest welcome offer available when applying.
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Related: What is the difference between a hard and soft pull on your credit report?
Amex Platinum Benefits
The Amex Platinum comes with an annual fee of $895 that may catch some off guard. However, a glance at its extensive range of benefits shows the potential to more than offset that cost.
Earning Rates
- 5 points per dollar on flights booked directly with airlines or through American Express Travel® (on up to $500,000 in annual purchases, then 1 point per dollar)
- 5 points per dollar on prepaid hotels booked through Amex Travel
- 1 point per dollar on other purchases
Statement Credits
Utilizing all available statement credits can yield over $2,800 in annual value (including pro-rated Global Entry credit):
| Credit* | Annual Amount | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Airline Fee | Up to $200 | For incidental charges with a chosen airline |
| Clear Plus | Up to $209 | For Clear Plus airport security membership (automatic renewal applies) |
| Digital Entertainment | Up to $300 | Up to $25 monthly for select streaming subscriptions |
| Global Entry/TSA PreCheck | Up to $120 (every 4 to 4.5 years) | For Global Entry ($120 every four years) or TSA PreCheck (up to $85 every 4.5 years) |
| Hotel | Up to $600 | Up to $300 bi-annually for prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts and The Hotel Collection bookings (minimum two-night stay for The Hotel Collection) |
| Lululemon | Up to $300 | Up to $75 quarterly for eligible purchases at Lululemon in the U.S. (excluding outlets) and lululemon.com |
| Oura Ring | Up to $200 | For hardware purchase of an Oura Ring |
| Resy | Up to $400 | Up to $100 quarterly at U.S. Resy restaurants or for other eligible Resy dining expenses |
| Saks Fifth Avenue | Up to $100 | Up to $50 bi-annually for purchases at Saks |
| Uber Cash | Up to $200 | Up to $15 monthly in Uber Cash for rides or dining in the U.S. (plus a $20 bonus in December) after linking your Amex Plat to your Uber account; payment can be made with any Amex card |
| Uber One Membership | Up to $120 | Covers membership costs for annual or monthly installments, subject to auto-renewal |
| Walmart+ | Up to $155 | Covers the cost of one monthly Walmart+ membership (up to $12.95), including taxes (automatic renewal required; Plus Ups excluded) |
*Some benefits require enrollment.
Additional Card Perks
In addition to its earning rates and credits, the Amex Platinum provides a host of premium benefits*:
- Lounge Access: Eligible cardmembers gain entry to the American Express Global Lounge Collection, including Centurion Lounges, Delta Sky Clubs (when traveling on same-day Delta flights, excluding basic economy; up to 10 visits per calendar year), and Priority Pass Select lounges (excluding restaurants).
- Hotel Elite Status: Complimentary Gold status with Hilton Honors and Marriott Bonvoy, along with Leaders Club Sterling Status with The Leading Hotels of the World.
- Comprehensive Travel and Shopping Protections when utilizing the card.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees (see rates and fees).
*Some benefits require enrollment.
Conclusion
The Amex Platinum maintains its reputation as a top-tier travel card due to its blend of luxury perks, valuable statement credits, and strong earning potential on flights and hotels.
With a robust welcome offer currently available, it is an excellent option for travelers who can fully leverage its benefits.
Although the $895 annual fee is significant, those who take full advantage of the Platinum’s offerings will find it justifies its presence in their wallet.
For more details, check out our comprehensive review of the American Express Platinum Card.
Apply here: American Express Platinum Card
For rates and fees regarding the Amex Platinum Card, click here.
