*Note – This particular offer isn’t currently available.*
The Platinum Card® from American Express has been around since 1984, but it has no problem keeping up with the changing wants and needs of its affluent customers.
The company’s goal is to ensure that the customer is taken care of, and that through benefits and points, the card will pay for itself.
While all the cards offer excellent benefits, the Platinum card’s Membership Rewards First program specifically focuses on making travel easier and less stressful (making it an excellent travel rewards card).
First off, understand that the American Express Platinum Card® is a charge card not a credit card.
This means you will be paying your balance off monthly. That’s great since you won’t pay any interest on the card. It also means there’s no pre-set spending limit (thought that doesn’t mean unlimited spending).
Some of the most exciting benefits in the rewards program for the Platinum card are:
Rewards Point Benefits
You can earn 25K Membership Rewards® once you spend $2,000 during your first three months of card membership.
For your purchases you earn 1 point for every dollar you spend. Use your points for travel, gift cards, products, and entertainment from over 500 well-known brands.
Sign-Up Bonuses
American Express is offering up 25,000 bonus Membership Rewards points when you spend $2,000 in purchases in the first three months of card membership.
If you meet the reward requirements then you’re also eligible for free Amazon Prime for a year. You’ll see that this card is full of special privileges. Having 2-day shipping from most Amazon purchases is just one of the many perks you get with this card.
The travel benefits are truly one-of-a-kind, making this card a premier card for frequent travelers.
With your Platinum Card you’re getting airport club access to over 600 airport lounges including American Airlines Admirals Club®, Delta Sky Club®, and US Airways® clubs as part of the Airport Club Access Program. This is for you and your guests.
Please note: beginning March 22th, 2014 Platinum cardmembers will no longer have access to the American Airlines Admiral Club and the US Airways Club as a benefit with their card.
If you have ever had to wait around for a flight you can appreciate how nice it must be to have access to this many airport lounges. You need to enroll in Priority Pass(TM)Select to take advantage of this.
Use your Platinum Card abroad without the foreign transaction fees many other cards charge. This fee can generally be around 3%. That’s a real drag on your travel spending.
You have access to complimentary benefits at over 700 hotels worldwide. That’s a nice little benefit for flashing your card.
Get companion tickets with the purchase of a business class ticket (specific requirements are needed).
Book your next cruise through Platinum Travel Service and enjoy $400 in benefits on your next cruise purchase. You can also qualify for a statement credit of $100 once yearly with a qualifying cruise or vacation purchase.
You know how airlines have been sticking customers with baggage fees? It’s so annoying isn’t it? And how about on-board food? Seems like you’re lucky to get peanuts and water these days, right? Well with your Platinum Card you can receive up to $200 annually with the airline of your choice to use towards baggage fees, flight-change fees, in-flight food and beverage purchases and more. You get this back as a statement credit.
Planning a vacation can be fun for some. For others it’s a time suck and a general pain. With the Platinum Card you have access to the 24/7 Platinum Card® Concierge service, full of expert travel consultants who plan every detail of your trip with you in mind. They can set up customized travel itineraries, guided tours, and many other exciting experiences when booked through Platinum Travel Service.
Here are a few other travel perks to enjoy:
– Limousine Program that gives you triple rewards points while you enjoy the benefit of having a private car and driver.
– Private Villas on your next vacation.
– Private jet travel and extra benefits with whichever private jet option you choose.
– 20% travel bonus – every time you use your points to book a vacation, you get 20% of those points credited back to your account.
– American Express Travel App, a complimentary mobile application that acts as a personal travel assistant.
Expedite your international airport arrivals
The Platinum Card can help you save time in bypassing arrival lines at most major U.S. airports when you return from international traveling. If you use your card to apply for Global Entry, American Express will waive the fee (a $100 statement credit will be given) and your membership in the program will be valid for 5 years (American Express has no control on whether you will be accepted to the Global Entry program).
This is a really nice perk to the card if you travel internationally!
What is Global Entry? It’s a U.S. government program that allows expedited clearance for pre-approved travelers. See more at Global Entry – http://www.globalentry.gov/.
Is the Platinum Card for everyone?
No.
Is it THE best card to have? It depends on how you will use it.
Is it cheap? Not at all (the annual fee is $450).
But if you are one who would use the benefits then this card can more than pay for itself.
For example, if you book your hotel stay through Platinum Travel Service, you get up over $450 in upgrade benefits. Use just one time, and you have offset the cost of the card, but you will get this upgrade not just once, but every time you book your hotel through them.
Don’t get this charge card just because it carries some kind of mysterious prestige.
That’s a waste. Get this card if the benefits will pay for themselves and you value the backing and customer service that American Express is famous for.
Honestly, if you are seriously considering the American Express Platinum Card then a) your budget probably won’t be affected much by the annual fee, and b) the value of the card is what you are looking for.
There are so many cards available to choose from, but don’t you want the one that treats you to the best travel benefits, without the stress of blackout dates or restrictions?
Wouldn’t it be nice to have the card that allows you to upgrade your vacation, customize your itinerary, and give you personalized service on all your vacations? If so, the card for you will always be the American Express Platinum.
*As you always should, make sure you read through the card details to make sure this card fits your needs and you understand the terms and conditions. Be aware that the terms may change after this article’s publication.
Disclaimer: This content is not provided or commissioned by American Express. Opinions expressed here are author’s alone, not those of American Express, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by American Express. This site may be compensated through American Express Affiliate Program.
