Most people today have some type of American Express Credit Card in their wallet but finding the right credit card is the biggest challenge for most people. There are different tiers of American Express Cards and each card has different benefits based.
The benefits of these cards can range from cash back to travel and even statement credits. In this article I will review the American Express Platinum Card and help you figure out if it is worth the $695 Annual Fee.
Travel Benefits Of the American Express Platinum
The Amex Platinum Card is known for being a luxury travel credit card. This means that the card focuses on benefits like Hotel Status, Lounge Access, Travel Credit and other benefits that make travel easier. Now let’s take a deeper dive into the Travel Benefits of the American Express Travel Card.
Travel Credits
There are 2 major credits you get from the American Express Platinum Card. These statement credits are the $200 Airline Fee Credit and the $200 Hotel Credit.
The Airline Fee Credit can be used for things like Checked Baggage, Inflight Entertainment, and on board food and beverages. You get $200 each calendar year to spend on this category.
The Other Travel credit you get is $200 Hotel Credit. You get this hotel credit by booking a stay with American Express Travel and the qualifying hotels are through The Hotels Collection and Fine Hotel + Resorts Collection.
Lounge Access
The Amex Platinum Card has multiple ways to get into airport lounges. One of the lounge benefits is with the complimentary Priority Pass Membership. With Priority Pass you get access to over 1,300 lounges in airports around the world.
You also get into American Express’ World Renown Centurion Lounge. This Lounge sets the standard for all other competitors’ lounges and is marked as a staple of luxury. Before your flight you can get a drink or a small lunch before boarding your plane.
Make sure you read the terms and conditions for each lounge because each one has different policies regarding guests. Some lounges charge fees for guests to reduce crowding in lounges.
Hotel Status
The American Express Platinum card gives you Hilton Gold Status. Hilton Gold Status gives you benefits when staying at a Hilton Brand Hotel. Some of the benefits Hilton Gold Gives you is:
- All Inclusive Spa Discount
- 80% Points Earning Bonus Stays
- Space Available Room Upgrades
- Daily FOod and Beverage Credit
You also get all of the benefits from a Hilton Silver Membership as well. To see all of the benefits you will receive with the Hilton Gold Status Click Here
Hotel Status Matching
Once you sign up for your Hilton Gold Status, you can go on Wyndham Rewards and receive a status match. This transfers your Hilton Gold Status to an equivalent at Wyndham resorts for 90 days.
If you want to take it a step further, you can take the Wyndham Rewards Status Match and then match that again to Caesars Diamond Status. Each one of these matches have their own set of benefits which you can find on each company’s website.
Entertainment Benefits
The American Express Platinum Card is not just for travel but has benefits people use every day. One of the benefits American Express offers is their $240 Entertainment Credit. With this credit, you will receive $20 per month for any of the following services:
I love this benefit because I recently dropped my current TV Service Provider and switched to Hulu Live TV. Hulu Live TV is $76.99 Per month and you will receive Hulu, Disney+ and ESPN+. Doing this, I receive $20 off a month and it is cheaper than having my original TV Provider.
$200 Uber Credit
With the Platinum Card, you will also receive $200 a year to spend on both Uber and Uber Eats. The $200 Credit is broken up to $15 a month with $20 in December.
To use this credit you just have to enter your Amex card into your Uber account and the credit will appear in your Uber App .
Note: Keep In Mind If You Don’t Use The Credit You Lose It
Concierge Service
This is a service that I never thought I would use but came in really handy when i got stuck traveling. The Concierge Service is a number you can call and American Express gets you in contact with a Service Representative to help you with whatever request you may have.
When I was on vacation this summer, my flight got canceled and the hotel we were provided by the airline had horrible conditions. We needed a hotel last minute and the closest hotel to us had all of their rooms booked. I called American Express and within 25 minutes they were able to get me into that hotel even though it was late at night.
The Service from American Express Offers is some of the best in the industry. This is one of the main reasons I personally Carry this card.
Conclusion: Is the American Express Card Worth It?
I have only listed some of the benefits of the American Express Platinum Card but knowing what benefits you are going to use is going to help decide if this card is right for you. I advise my clients to look at each benefit and see if the benefits you will use are worth more than the annual fee, then the car makes sense.
Another piece of advice is to understand the full terms and conditions of each benefit. Make sure you understand what exactly is included and if you have to enroll in the benefit to receive it.
