6 American Express Platinum Benefits You Didn’t Know About

• Written by Sarah Silbert
  

  Sarah Silbert

  Sarah Silbert is a writer, editor, and credit card expert who has covered personal finance and travel for various publications. Most recently, she was the deputy editor of personal finance coverage at Business Insider, and she previously contributed to Forbes, Fortune, The Points Guy, and the MIT Technology Review, among others. She loves using credit card rewards to fund trips to her favorite destinations, including Japan, Europe, and Hawaii.

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• Edited by Jasmin Baron
  

  Jasmin Baron

  Credit Cards, Travel Rewards, Loyalty Programs, Family Travel, Credit Building, Credit Scores

  Jasmin Baron is CardCritics’ senior SEO editor, responsible for editing and writing credit cards, travel rewards, loyalty program, and other credit-related content. She is passionate about personal finance education and enjoys sharing tips and tricks for making the most credit card points and miles with her readers. Her expertise in maximizing credit card travel rewards originated from over two decades of aviation industry experience, including 18 years working as a pilot and college professor/flight instructor in her native Canada. Her work has appeared on sites such as CNN Underscored Money, Business Insider, The Points Guy, and point.me. When she’s not planning her next trip with credit card rewards, you’ll probably find her tinkering around in the kitchen, hanging out with her three kids, or playing with her dog, Benji.

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• Last Updated Sep 18, 2025

The Platinum Card® from American Express, an advertising partner, is the original luxury travel credit card, having existed for more than 40 years. It’s changed a lot, especially as other cards like Chase Sapphire Reserve® have entered the scene and given it a run for its money. But it remains popular among well-heeled travelers for benefits like airport lounge access, concierge service and many dining and hotel benefits.

Amex has just unveiled major changes to the Platinum Card, including the addition of numerous new travel and lifestyle credits. But with the updates come a $200 jump in the annual fee, which now clocks in at $895 per year. However, it offers more benefits than you’ll find on other American Express credit cards, and for those who can take advantage of its myriad travel perks, transfer partners and statement credit opportunities, it can be well worth it. 

If you’re considering the Amex Platinum, this breakdown of its best benefits — including both well-known features and some lesser-known perks that add real value — can help you make that decision. 

1. Airport Lounge Access

The Amex Platinum offers more airport lounge access options than any other premium travel credit card. Cardholders get access to the Centurion Lounges, plus the following lounge networks:

• Priority Pass Select: Access airport lounges around the world when you enroll in the Priority Pass Select program through your Amex Platinum card. You can also bring along two complimentary guests.
• Escape Lounges: There are 20 Escape lounges at airports in the U.S., with additional locations in Australia and the UK. Amex Platinum cardholders get access by presenting their card and a same-day boarding pass.
• Plaza Premium Lounges: This airport lounge network spans the globe, with the most locations in Asia. Cardholders get access by showing their card and boarding pass.
• Delta Sky Club: Get complimentary access up to 10 times per year when you’re traveling on a Delta-operated or Delta-marketed flight.
• Lufthansa lounges: Cardholders flying on a same-day Lufthansa Group flight (operated by Lufthansa, SWISS or Austrian airlines) can access select Lufthansa lounges.

Amex Centurion Lounges are top-tier options for relaxing and enjoying quality food and beverages before your flight. Plus, fewer people have access to them than other lounges.

By the end of 2026, there will be 32 Centurion Lounges worldwide, with new locations coming to Newark (EWR) and Salt Lake City (SLC), plus a recently opened lounge at Tokyo Haneda (HND) airport. 

2. Travel Statement Credits

The Amex Platinum offers several statement credits that can save you money on both travel and everyday expenses. Let’s take a look at the travel-focused credits first — these alone represent hundreds of dollars in value if you can take full advantage (enrollment required for some benefits):

• $600 hotel credit: Get up to $300 back from January to June and up to $300 back from July to December on prepaid Fine Hotels & Resorts or The Hotel Collection bookings through American Express Travel® when you pay with your card. Hotel Collection bookings require a minimum two-night stay.
• $200 airline fee credit: Receive up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year with one selected qualifying airline when incidental fees, such as checked bags and in-flight food purchases, are charged to your card. Enrollment required.
• $120 Uber One membership credit: Receive up to $120 in statement credits each year toward an auto-renewing Uber One membership in the U.S.
• $200 Uber Cash: Get $15 in Uber Cash each month, plus a $20 bonus in December for a total of $35 for that month. You can use Uber Cash for both Uber rides and Uber Eats.
• $209 CLEAR® Plus credit: Get up to $209 in statement credits to cover the cost of a CLEAR Plus membership for expedited airport security at more than 50 U.S. airports. (Subject to auto-renewal).
• Fee credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck: Receive up to a $120 statement credit every four years after you apply for Global Entry or $85 every 4.5 years after you apply for TSA PreCheck and pay the application fee with your card.

3. Lifestyle Statement Credits 

While the Amex Platinum places a big emphasis on travel, it also comes with solid shopping and dining benefits, including these statement credits (enrollment required for some benefits):

• $300 digital entertainment credit: Get up to $25 in statement credits each month after you pay for eligible purchases with your card and enroll. Eligible services include Paramount+, YouTube TV, YouTube Premium, Disney+, ESPN+, Hulu, The New York Times, Peacock and The Wall Street Journal.
• $400 Resy credit: After enrollment, get up to $100 per quarter in statement credits toward purchases at U.S. restaurants that participate in the Resy dining platform.
• $300 Lululemon credit: Once enrolled, get up to $75 per quarter in statement credits toward U.S. Lululemon purchases in-store and online at lululemon.com.
• $200 Oura credit: Receive up to $200 back each calendar year toward the purchase of an Oura Ring through ouraring.com after enrollment.
• $155 Walmart+ Credit: Get up to a $12.95 statement credit each month after you pay for a monthly Walmart+ membership with your card. (Subject to auto-renewal).
• Up to $100 in statement credits annually with Saks: Once you enroll in this benefit, you can get up to a $50 statement credit twice per year (once from January through June and once from July through December) on eligible Saks purchases.
• $300 Equinox credit: Cardholders can get up to $300 in statement credits each year for eligible U.S. Equinox memberships or a standalone digital subscription to Equinox+. (Enrollment required and subject to auto-renewal).
• SoulCycle At-Home Bike credit: Cardholders can get a $300 statement credit when using their card to make a single purchase of a SoulCycle At-Home Bike online.

4. Premium Global Assist Hotline

In addition to offering a concierge service that can help you make dining and travel reservations, the Amex Platinum has its own 24/7 hotline for emergency travel assistance and coordination. 

If you’re traveling more than 100 miles from home, you can use this service to find and arrange medical, legal and financial services if you encounter any emergencies on your trip. If you have an emergency, this benefit could cover medical evacuation — potentially a huge cost.

5. Hotel Status With Hilton, Marriott and Leading Hotels of the World

If you stay at Hilton, Marriott or Leading Hotels of the World properties, having elite status can get you benefits like room upgrades and extra rewards on eligible bookings. 

Amex Platinum cardholders get Hilton Honors Gold status, Marriott Bonvoy Gold elite status and The Leading Hotels of the World Leaders Club Sterling status when they enroll through the benefits section of the card accounts online. 

Hilton Gold status gets you space-available room upgrades, an 80% points bonus on eligible stays, a daily food and beverage credit or continental breakfast, free Wi-Fi and more. 

With Marriott Bonvoy Gold status, you get enhanced room upgrades, priority late checkout, a 25% points bonus on eligible stays, free in-room Wi-Fi and more when you enroll.

Leaders Club Sterling status comes with benefits at over 400 independent luxury hotels, including upgrades (subject to availability), daily breakfast for two and on-property perks.

6. Flight Discounts With the International Airline Program

One of the Amex Platinum card’s lesser-known travel benefits is the International Airline Program, which offers discounts on select first, business and premium economy tickets for international itineraries. 

You’ll need to book through Amex Travel® and pay with your card, and depending on the itinerary, you could save anywhere from a few hundred to over a thousand dollars on your ticket. You can even pay with points to cover all or part of your fare, and you can bring up to seven additional travelers on a booking to get savings for the group.

For the Premium Global Assist Hotline on The Platinum Card® from American Express you can rely on Global Assist Hotline 24 hours a day / 7 days a week for medical, legal, financial or other select emergency coordination and assistance services while traveling more than 100 miles away from your home. Plus, the Premium Global Assist Hotline may provide emergency medical transportation assistance and related services. Third-party service costs may be your responsibility. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. If approved and coordinated by Premium Global Assist Hotline, emergency medical transportation assistance may be provided at no cost. In any other circumstance, Card Members may be responsible for the costs charged by third-party service providers.

The information related to the Chase Sapphire Reserve® was collected by CardCritics™ and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of this product/card. Product details may vary. Please see issuer website for current information. CardCritics™ does not receive a commission for this product.