How do I earn and redeem Amex Platinum points?

You can redeem your American Express Platinum card points by logging in to your online account and clicking the "Rewards" tab to access the "Membership Rewards" page. American Express Platinum card redemption options include travel purchases, gift cards, statement credits and more. To begin redeeming points, choose your preferred redemption method from the tabs near the top of the page.… read full answer

The American Express Platinum card offers 100,000 points for spending $6,000 in the first 6 months. Plus, you earn extensive ongoing spending-based rewards: 10 points per $1 spent at restaurants and Shop Small merchants in the U.S. during the first 6 months (up to $25,000 spent), 5 points per $1 on flights booked with airlines or with American Express Travel (up to $500,000 spent per year), 5 points per $1 spent on prepaid hotels booked through Amex, and 1 point per $1 on all other purchases.

How much American Express Platinum card points are worth fluctuates greatly based on how you redeem them. You can use the Amex Rewards Calculator to see all the American Express Platinum card points redemption values.

American Express points are worth 0.67 cents per point, on average. The value of American Express points depends on how you choose to redeem the points. For example, points from American Express are worth up to 0.77 cents each when redeemed for travel through the Membership Rewards program, and they are worth 0.6 cents each when redeemed for cash back. … read full answer

American Express Points Value by Redemption Method

Popular American Express Cards

• American Express® Gold Card
• The Platinum Card® from American Express
• American Express® Green Card
• American Express® Business Gold Card
• The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express
• The Business Platinum Card® from American Express

Tips for Maximizing the Value of American Express Points

Redeem Points for Travel.

American Express points are worth the most when redeemed for travel.

Redeem American Express points regularly.

American Express points do not expire due to account inactivity, but stockpiling points does put you at risk of rewards devaluation. Plus, you won't get to enjoy the fruits of your spending if you don't redeem.

Keep your account in good standing.

If American Express closes your account because of a failure to pay the bill or fraudulent activity, you'll lose any unredeemed points you have saved. And if you pay late, you might have to pay a fee to get back the points from that billing period.

Redeem before closing your account.

Any points you don't redeem before closing your account will be lost, unless you keep another American Express credit card account open.

Yes, Amex Platinum is worth it for travelers with good credit who spend a lot and can take advantage of the card’s benefits. Amex Platinum benefits include a TSA PreCheck or Global Entry fee credit, airport lounge access, up to $200 in Uber credits and up to $200 in airline fee credits annually, and more. The card’s initial bonus of 100,000 points after you spend $6,000 in the first 6 months also goes a long way toward making the card worth its $695 annual fee.… read full answer

For the first year alone, you could wind up with at least $1,800 in net value (rewards and other perks, minus the $695 annual fee). The American Express Platinum card’s second year will have the same annual fee, but the total value of your benefits in year two would only be about $900 if you spent the same amount on the card as year one.

To really make money with this card after the first year, you’d have to spend a lot more. That said, many of the card’s perks are ongoing. You’ll benefit more if your purchases qualify for Amex Platinum’s ongoing bonus rewards rates, and if you utilize Amex Platinum’s complimentary Gold status in the Marriott Bonvoy and Hilton Honors hotel loyalty programs.

All in all, Amex Platinum is a good card for big spenders who travel all the time and can wring every drop of value out of its benefits. But it’s far too expensive for light spenders and occasional travelers.