The American Express Platinum Card in 2025: A Luxury Travel Powerhouse or an Overpriced Status Symbol?

Introduction

The American Express Platinum Card has long been a symbol of luxury travel, catering to those who demand premium perks, top-tier service, and exclusive access. As a high-end travel rewards credit card, it offers a suite of benefits that range from airport lounge access to elite hotel status, making it a favorite among frequent travelers and those who enjoy a first-class experience.

This card is designed for jet-setters who prioritize travel perks over everyday spending rewards. Frequent flyers, business travelers, and luxury seekers will find immense value in the card’s extensive lounge network, travel credits, and premium concierge services. However, the $695 annual fee remains a point of contention, even in 2025. While some users easily extract thousands of dollars in value from the benefits, others struggle to justify the cost if they don’t travel enough or fail to maximize the credits. The real question remains: Does the Amex Platinum still hold its weight as the ultimate travel card, or has it become an overpriced status symbol?

Unmatched Travel Perks: What Sets This Card Apart

Elite Lounge Access That’s Hard to Beat

One of the biggest selling points of the Amex Platinum is its best-in-class airport lounge access. Cardholders enjoy entry to the exclusive Centurion Lounges, a perk that alone elevates the travel experience with gourmet dining, premium drinks, and upscale seating areas. Additionally, when flying Delta, Platinum members can access Delta Sky Clubs, further enhancing their pre-flight comfort. For even more flexibility, the card includes a Priority Pass Select membership, unlocking entry to over 1,300 lounges worldwide.

For frequent travelers, lounge access can be a game-changer. It transforms long layovers and delays into moments of relaxation and productivity, with amenities like complimentary food, drinks, and even showers in select locations. Compared to other premium travel cards, the Amex Platinum stands out by offering access to multiple lounge networks, while competitors like the Chase Sapphire Reserve primarily rely on Priority Pass alone. If seamless, comfortable airport experiences are a priority, this card delivers.

Generous Travel Credits That Offset Costs

Despite its high annual fee, the Amex Platinum offers a range of credits designed to offset costs, particularly for travelers who maximize them strategically. The $200 airline incidental fee credit helps cover checked bags, seat upgrades, and in-flight purchases, though it doesn’t apply to airfare itself. The $200 hotel credit applies to prepaid bookings through Amex’s Fine Hotels + Resorts or The Hotel Collection, offering luxury perks like free breakfast and late checkout.

For urban travelers, the $200 annual Uber credit—divided into $15 per month with a $35 boost in December—helps cover rides and Uber Eats orders. Meanwhile, the $189 CLEAR credit speeds up airport security, and the $100 Global Entry or TSA PreCheck credit ensures a smoother screening process.

While these credits can significantly reduce the effective cost of the card, they require some effort to fully utilize. Unlike a straightforward travel statement credit, many of these perks are tied to specific categories or require monthly redemptions, making them less appealing for those who prefer flexibility. However, for those who are already spending in these areas, the credits can make a major dent in the card’s hefty price tag.

Strong Welcome Bonus & High-Earning Potential

New cardholders can earn an impressive 80,000 Membership Rewards points after spending $8,000 in the first six months. While the spending requirement is steep, the bonus itself can be worth well over $1,200 when redeemed for travel, especially through Amex’s airline transfer partners.

Beyond the welcome offer, the card excels in earning rewards on travel-related purchases. It earns 5X points on flights booked directly with airlines or through Amex Travel (up to $500,000 per year), as well as 5X points on prepaid hotels booked through Amex Travel. This earning structure makes it an exceptional choice for those who frequently book airfare and luxury accommodations.

Compared to other premium travel cards, the Amex Platinum is one of the best for flight bookings, but it falls short for everyday purchases. With just 1X points on most other spending categories, it lacks the versatility of cards like the Chase Sapphire Reserve, which offers 3X on dining and travel across the board. This means that while the Platinum card is an excellent travel companion, it may need to be paired with another rewards card for everyday purchases.

Beyond Travel: Lifestyle & Everyday Benefits

Luxury Perks That Add Value

The American Express Platinum Card isn’t just about travel—it’s also packed with premium lifestyle benefits that elevate everyday experiences. One of the standout perks is automatic Gold status with Hilton Honors and Marriott Bonvoy, providing members with room upgrades, late checkout, and bonus points on stays. While these mid-tier statuses don’t come with guaranteed suite upgrades or free breakfast like their top-tier counterparts, they still offer meaningful perks for frequent hotel guests.

For those who prefer the VIP treatment, the Fine Hotels + Resorts program sweetens the deal with benefits such as daily breakfast for two, room upgrades, and guaranteed late checkout at luxury properties worldwide. These perks often add hundreds of dollars in value per stay, making the card particularly attractive for those who enjoy high-end hotel experiences.

Beyond hotels, Platinum cardholders also gain access to a 24/7 concierge service that can assist with everything from securing hard-to-get dining reservations to planning a perfect night out. While not every cardholder takes full advantage of this service, those who do often find it invaluable, especially for booking exclusive experiences or last-minute reservations.

Statement Credits for Lifestyle Spending

The Platinum Card’s lifestyle benefits extend beyond travel, though some credits are more useful than others. One of the more polarizing perks is the $300 Equinox credit, which offsets the cost of an Equinox gym membership or Equinox+ digital fitness subscription. While this is a great perk for those already paying for Equinox, it’s a niche benefit that won’t appeal to everyone, especially given the gym’s high membership fees.

A more universally appealing perk is the $100 Saks Fifth Avenue credit, which is split into two $50 credits (one for January–June and another for July–December). While this isn’t a game-changing benefit, it’s an easy way to grab a luxury item or gift without spending extra.

For digital entertainment, the Platinum Card provides a monthly credit for select streaming services like Audible, SiriusXM, Peacock, and The New York Times. While the list of eligible services isn’t as broad as some would like (Netflix and Spotify are notably absent), it still helps offset everyday costs for those who already subscribe to these platforms.

Perhaps the most unexpected lifestyle benefit is the inclusion of a complimentary Walmart+ membership, which offers perks like free shipping, fuel discounts, and Paramount+ streaming. While Walmart+ might seem out of place on a luxury card, it provides tangible value for frequent Walmart shoppers and those who use its grocery delivery services.

Where the Amex Platinum Falls Short

The Steep $695 Annual Fee: Worth It or Not?

With an annual fee of $695, the Amex Platinum is one of the most expensive consumer travel cards on the market. The question is whether the card’s perks provide enough value to justify the cost. For frequent travelers who take full advantage of lounge access, hotel benefits, and travel credits, the answer is often a resounding yes. The potential savings on airport lounge visits alone can quickly add up, especially for those who fly often.

However, for those who don’t maximize the card’s benefits, the annual fee can be a tough pill to swallow. Many of the credits are tied to specific brands or categories, requiring extra effort to use them all effectively. For cardholders who don’t travel often or who prefer a simpler rewards structure, other premium cards with lower fees may provide better overall value.

Limited Everyday Spending Rewards

Despite its travel and lifestyle perks, the Amex Platinum falls short in its everyday rewards structure. It earns just 1X Membership Rewards point per dollar on most non-travel purchases, which is underwhelming for a card at this price point. Other premium cards, like the Chase Sapphire Reserve and Capital One Venture X, offer elevated earnings on dining and everyday spending, making them more well-rounded options for those who want to maximize points on a wider range of purchases.

As a result, most Platinum cardholders pair it with another rewards card to earn more points on dining, groceries, and general spending. For example, the American Express Gold Card complements the Platinum well, offering 4X points on dining and U.S. supermarkets, while the Blue Business Plus earns 2X points on all purchases up to $50,000 per year.

Complicated Credit Structure

Another common complaint is that many of the card’s credits are split into monthly or semi-annual allotments, making them harder to fully use. The Uber and Saks credits, for example, require consistent monthly redemptions rather than being available as a lump sum. This means that if you don’t use these benefits every month, you’re leaving money on the table.

Additionally, some of the credits are tied to specific brands or services, such as Equinox, which limits their usefulness. Unlike more flexible travel credits found on other premium cards, the Amex Platinum requires a more hands-on approach to extract maximum value—something that not all cardholders are willing to do.

Maximizing Membership Rewards: The Best Redemption Strategies

Leveraging Transfer Partners for Premium Travel

One of the most powerful aspects of the American Express Platinum Card is the ability to transfer Membership Rewards points to airline and hotel partners, often unlocking significantly higher value than using points for statement credits or gift cards. Amex partners with more than 20 airlines and hotels, including Air Canada Aeroplan, ANA, Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer, and Virgin Atlantic, which are well-known for their sweet spots on business and first-class flights.

For example, transferring 100,000 Membership Rewards points to ANA Mileage Club can be enough for a round-trip business class ticket to Japan, which would otherwise cost several thousand dollars. Similarly, transferring points to Air Canada Aeroplan can provide flexible award options with no fuel surcharges, making it a great choice for booking premium cabin travel.

On the hotel side, Amex transfers to Hilton, Marriott, and Choice Hotels, though redemptions here tend to be less valuable than airline transfers. Since Hilton and Marriott points often require more points per night than competitors like Hyatt (which isn’t an Amex transfer partner), it’s usually better to redeem Amex points for premium flights rather than hotel stays.

Booking Flights & Hotels Through Amex Travel

For those who prefer to book directly through American Express, the Amex Travel portal offers another solid redemption option. Platinum cardholders can earn 5X Membership Rewards points on flights booked directly with airlines or through Amex Travel (up to $500,000 per year), making it one of the most rewarding cards for airfare purchases.

When should you book through Amex Travel instead of transferring points? The answer depends on your travel goals. If you're booking flights on airlines where award availability is limited, using points through Amex Travel at 1 cent per point can provide more flexibility. Additionally, prepaid hotel bookings through Amex Fine Hotels + Resorts allow Platinum members to earn 5X points while also enjoying perks like room upgrades, daily breakfast, and late checkout.

However, if you’re looking for maximum redemption value, transferring points to airlines usually provides outsized value compared to booking flights through Amex Travel.

Who Should Get the American Express Platinum Card?

Ideal Cardholders

The Amex Platinum is designed for a specific type of cardholder—one who can maximize its travel and luxury perks while offsetting the high annual fee. The ideal cardholder includes:

• Frequent travelers who can take full advantage of lounge access, airline fee credits, and hotel perks. If you regularly fly and value airport lounge access, this card can easily pay for itself.

• Luxury seekers who appreciate elite hotel status, Fine Hotels + Resorts benefits, and concierge service. If you enjoy premium travel experiences, this card enhances your trips significantly.

• High spenders who can comfortably meet the $8,000 spending requirement for the 80,000-point welcome bonus and use the card for large travel purchases to maximize 5X earning on flights and hotels.

For these travelers, the $695 annual fee is an investment rather than an expense, as they’re likely to extract thousands of dollars in value from the card’s benefits.

Who Should Skip This Card?

Not everyone will find the Amex Platinum to be the best fit. Those who should reconsider applying include:

• Business travelers who may be better off with the Amex Business Platinum, which offers similar perks but includes additional benefits like 35% points rebates on airfare booked through Amex Travel and higher earning rates on business-related expenses.

• Those looking for a well-rounded rewards card that offers higher points earning on everyday spending. If you want a premium travel card but also need strong rewards on dining and groceries, the Chase Sapphire Reserve or Amex Gold Card might be better options.

• People who won’t use enough credits to justify the annual fee. If you don’t frequently use Uber, stay at Fine Hotels + Resorts properties, or shop at Saks Fifth Avenue, many of the Platinum’s credits could go to waste, making it hard to break even on the annual fee.

Ultimately, the Amex Platinum is an elite travel card, not a general-purpose rewards card. If its benefits align with your lifestyle, it can be an incredibly valuable tool—but if you’re not taking full advantage of its perks, a lower-fee or more flexible rewards card may be a better fit.

Final Thoughts: Is the Amex Platinum Worth It in 2025?

The American Express Platinum Card remains one of the most powerful travel rewards cards on the market, offering elite lounge access, luxury hotel perks, and a range of statement credits that help offset its steep $695 annual fee. For frequent travelers and high-spenders, the value of these perks can far exceed the cost, making it an essential tool for premium travel experiences.

However, the card isn’t for everyone. Those who don’t fly frequently, utilize the travel credits, or book premium travel experiences may struggle to extract enough value to justify the fee. Additionally, the 1X points on everyday purchases means that pairing the Platinum with another rewards card—such as the Amex Gold for dining and groceries or the Amex Blue Business Plus for non-bonus spending—is often the best strategy.

Ultimately, the Amex Platinum is an aspirational travel card, best suited for those who prioritize travel perks over everyday rewards. If you can take full advantage of its benefits, it’s one of the most valuable cards available—but if not, there may be better, more flexible options to consider.

FAQ: Common Questions About the Amex Platinum Card

Can I carry a balance on the Amex Platinum?

The Amex Platinum is a charge card, meaning you’re generally required to pay off the balance in full each month. However, it does offer the Pay Over Time feature, which allows you to carry a balance on eligible purchases at a variable APR.

Does the Amex Platinum have a foreign transaction fee?

No. The Amex Platinum has no foreign transaction fees, making it a great choice for international travelers who frequently make purchases abroad.

How do I access Centurion Lounges with this card?

Amex Platinum cardholders receive complimentary access to Centurion Lounges, but there are restrictions. You must be flying on a same-day boarding pass, and as of 2023, guests are no longer free—you’ll need to pay $50 per guest unless you meet an Amex spending threshold.

What happens if I cancel my card—do I lose my points and benefits?

If you cancel your Amex Platinum Card, you will lose your Membership Rewards points unless you have another Amex card that earns Membership Rewards, such as the Amex Gold or Amex Blue Business Plus. Any unused travel credits or perks will also be forfeited upon cancellation.

Can I add authorized users, and what benefits do they get?

Yes, you can add up to three authorized users for a $175 annual fee total. Authorized users receive lounge access, hotel elite status, and travel protections, but they don’t get individual travel credits (such as the Uber or airline fee credit).

The Amex Platinum card offers exceptional rewards and benefits that truly enhance my travel experiences.

John D.

★★★★★