The best American Express Platinum travel benefits are the card’s initial bonus of 75,000 points for spending $5,000 in the first 6 months, its $200 annual airline fee credit, and complimentary Gold Status in the Hilton Honors and Marriott Bonvoy loyalty programs. Plus, you get 5 points per $1 spent on flights and hotels booked through American Express Travel. And to top it off, there’s a $15 monthly Uber credit, no foreign transaction fee, and baggage and travel insurance.… read full answer
Amex Platinum is a hybrid card, which means you’ll have to pay the balance in full every month. Plus, it has a $550 annual fee. So you should make sure that you will take advantage of as many American Express Platinum travel benefits as possible to get your money’s worth.
Notable American Express Platinum Travel Benefits
Annual Airline Credit: $200 per year for baggage fees, in-flight meals and other airline incidentals. You can’t use the credit for airfare or upgrades.
Credits for Uber Rides: Up to $15 in credits for Uber rides each month, plus a bonus $20 in December ($35 total). The credits expire at the end of each month, so be sure to use them.
Complimentary Hotel Status: Cardholders can join Hilton Honors and Marriott Bonvoy as Gold-level members for free. Members get complimentary room upgrades and more opportunities to earn free nights.
Global Entry or TSA PreCheck Credit: Credit for the $100 Global Entry application fee or the $85 TSA PreCheck application fee, once every four years. Both services expedite airport screening.
Baggage Insurance: Pays up to $2,000 in replacement costs for checked baggage that gets lost and up to $3,000 for carry-on luggage.
Car Rental Insurance: Covers eligible rental vehicles for up to 30 consecutive days against damage and theft up to a maximum of $75,000. Does not cover intoxicated/reckless driving, damage to other vehicles or personal injuries.
Global Lounge Collection: Lets you access over 1,000 airport lounges in 120 countries for free.
Fine Hotels & Resorts: Extra benefits when you book certain accommodations, like free room upgrades, free daily breakfast for two people, free Wi-Fi, and unique amenities depending on the location.
Initial Bonus: 75,000 points for spending $5,000 within 6 months. Points do not expire as long as the account remains open.
Reward Points for Travel Purchases: Earn 5 points for every $1 spent on flights or hotels booked through AmexTravel.com.
Despite all of the American Express Platinum travel benefits, the $550 annual fee might still be too much for you. There are some other good options, fortunately. One is Chase Sapphire Preferred. You’ll earn 80,000 points when you spend $4,000 in the first 3 months, and the annual fee is just $95.
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