Benefits of Amex Platinum Card | Nova Credit

American Express is a Nova Credit advertiser. This content is not provided by American Express. Any opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the authors alone, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by American Express.

A crucial aspect of moving to a new country is starting to establish credit with its financial institutions, especially if you plan to stay there for several years. When noncitizens move to the U.S. for work, they can apply for credit cards to help build their credit history and earn rewards that they can use for travel, dining and more.

American Express is one of the most popular card issuers due to the considerable rewards offered by its wide variety of cards. But with so many choices, it can be difficult to figure out which credit card best fits your circumstances and lifestyle. 

Below, we provide a guide to one of the most popular cards the American Express (Amex) Platinum card. 

Amex Platinum Card: An Overview

The Amex Platinum is a premium credit card that offers a welcome bonus, luxury perks, and other value-added services. Cardholders benefit from Uber credits, airfare discounts, bonus points, cashback and much more. Unlike typical credit cards, this card allows you to carry a balance for certain charges, but not all.

There is a catch, though: the Amex Platinum carries a $695 annual fee which is high compared to other options.

Many people are happy to pay the annual fee because of the incredible perks attached to the Amex Platinum. If you’re calculating whether the cost is worth it, potential applicants must understand whether their lifestyle and financial circumstances are a good fit for the Amex Platinum Card.

Understanding Amex Platinum Card fees

A premium credit card like the Amex Platinum is suited to individuals who do not mind paying a large annual fee ($695) in return for access to a plethora of rewards and value-added services. 

Note that select benefits require enrollment. Cardholders must also pay interest on purchases that are not paid off by the deadline on each monthly statement. 

For instance, American Express may send a bill for $2,000 spent over a one-month period. If you pay off all $2,000 before the due date, you won’t be charged interest. But if you only make a minimum payment and leave a remaining balance, you will be charged interest on that figure.

The interest rate for your Amex Platinum card is calculated when you apply, with factors such as age, occupation, and credit history impacting the rate.

Amex Platinum Card benefits

Welcome offer

Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 on purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.

These Membership Rewards® Points are usable in several ways, such as:

• Purchases at online retailers

• Gift cards

• Covering card charges

• Booking or upgrading travel

• Transferring points to another account

American Express provides an online calculator to show the value of these points. 

Membership Rewards® Points on purchases

Typically, American Express offers a single point for each dollar spent on the Amex Platinum card. These points cover everyday purchases from groceries to gas and other essentials.

For some categories, there are added benefits. For example, frequent travelers can benefit from the Amex Platinum 5X Membership Rewards® Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year and earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel.

You can also receive $200 back in statement credits each year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection bookings with American Express Travel when you pay with your Platinum Card®.

American Express has partnered with Uber to offer Amex Platinum cardholders Uber VIP status and up to $200 in Uber savings on rides or eats orders in the US annually. Uber Cash and Uber VIP status is available to Basic Card Member only.

Amex Platinum card holders can also receive up to $20 in statement credits each month when you pay for eligible purchases with the Platinum Card® at your choice of one or more of the following providers: Peacock, Audible, SiriusXM, The New York Times, and other participating providers. Enrollment required.

Frequent shoppers receive impressive value from the Amex Platinum card, going beyond statement credits or discounts.

$155 Walmart+ Credit: Cover the cost of a $12.95 monthly Walmart+ membership with a statement credit after you pay for Walmart+ each month with your Platinum Card. Cost includes $12.95 plus applicable local sales tax.

American Express also provides return protection to shoppers, which allows you to return an item within 90 days for a full purchase price refund. The protection goes into effect when a merchant refuses to accept the return and does not include shipping or handling charges.

The return refund goes up to $300 for a single item and a total of $1,000 per Card Member in returns for the calendar year. Any item eligible for the extended return protection must be purchased with the Amex Platinum card.

Travel perks

American Express has a Global Lounge Collection and has expanded The Centurion® Network to include 40+ Centurion Lounge and Studio locations worldwide. Now there are even more places your Platinum Card® can get you complimentary entry and exclusive perks.

$189 CLEAR® Credit: Breeze through security with CLEAR® Plus at 45+ airports nationwide and get up to $189 back per year on your membership (subject to auto-renewal) when you use your Card.

Traveling abroad should not lead to additional card fees as American Express does not charge any foreign transaction fees to Amex Platinum cardholders.

American Express offers car rental privileges such as membership to premium rental programs, free car rental loss and damage insurance, and other discounts. There is also an Amex Premium Global Assist Hotline that offers 24/7 emergency assistance for medical, legal, luggage and related crises when traveling more than 100 miles from your hometown.

Did you know?

You can use your foreign credit history to apply for a U.S. credit card with no credit and without a Social Security Number

Credit history used to stop at the border—until now. Your existing foreign credit history could help you get credit in the United States. No SSN is required to start your credit history today.

Learn More

Value-added services

Do you love going out to dinner at upscale restaurants when you visit cities around the world? American Express makes it easier to book reservations at sought-after restaurants and grants cardholders the privilege to meet chefs through special dining events.

American Express has a dedicated concierge number on the back of every Amex Platinum card. It allows cardholders to call anytime they need help making a dinner reservation, securing tickets to a sporting event or concert, or with any other issue. The service is available 24/7 and requests can also be emailed. 

Is the Amex Platinum card right for you?

Rideshare users

If you regularly use Uber, Lyft or other rideshare services, the Amex Platinum card may be an ideal premium credit card. As mentioned, you can not only enjoy Uber VIP status, but you’ll also earn up to $200 in annual Uber savings on rides or eats orders in the US annually. Uber Cash and Uber VIP status is available to Basic Card Member only. Assuming an average ride cost of $10, the reward translates to up to 20 free rides each year.

Frequent flyers

Do you travel frequently every year? If you select a qualifying airline, you can receive up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year when you charge fees for your checked bag and more to your Platinum Card® Account.

The American Express benefits for renting cars also come in handy when traveling around the world, while its Premium Global Assist Hotline can help travelers get the medical, legal, or baggage assistance they need.

Loyal Marriott and Hilton customers

Frequent travelers that choose to stay at Marriott or Hilton establishments can gain significantly with the Amex Platinum card. As a Platinum Card Member you are eligible to enroll in complimentary Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite Status.

Gold Status makes it easier and less expensive to get upgrades, welcome gifts, late check-out, early check-in, complimentary breakfast, free Wi-Fi and other hotel perks. It is an entirely free benefit of the Amex Platinum, while it can offer hundreds of dollars in value to individuals who often stay at Marriott or Hilton hotels.

Over the limit for Chase?

Chase Bank is a national bank that serves both private and commercial clients. Its services include bank accounts, credit cards, mutual funds, and more. Chase has some of the most sought after credit cards on the market, both for newcomers and seasoned cardholders. They offer competitive APRs, low annual fees, and appealing rewards.

Chase credit cards are often the first choice for individuals who want to bolster their credit score and earn premium rewards, but Chase has a “5/24” application rule that may prevent those who have applied for many charge cards in the past two years from being approved.

The 5/24 rule specifies that if someone has applied for five credit cards in the past 24 months, they cannot apply for a new Chase card. If you have already reached the 5/24 limit, the Amex Platinum Card is an excellent alternative to cards like the Chase Sapphire Reserve or the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card.

When to avoid the Amex Platinum card

While the American Express Platinum credit card can be a valuable tool for travelers and shoppers, it is not the ideal card for everyone. There are circumstances where it may make sense to opt for a credit card from another company that offers a better value in your circumstances.

Low credit quality

Regardless of whether you use your foreign credit history or your U.S. credit history, you will need an excellent credit rating in order to qualify to for the American Express card. If you’re unsure about your rating, it’s best to check it with your credit bureaus. For eligible countries, you can translate your foreign credit score into a U.S. equivalent credit score using Nova Credit. You’ll be able to see whether your translated score results in a recommendation to apply for the American Express Platinum card. To see whether your country is eligible, you can visit our homepage.

Individuals who use travel agencies or websites

Do you often book airline tickets through the airlines themselves? Whether it is by visiting their website or calling, direct airline ticket purchases receive the greatest perks from the Amex Platinum card. The 5X Membership Points offer applies in those circumstances, not when booking through a travel agency or third-party website.

If you complete most of your airline and hotel bookings through sites like Expedia, Cheap Tickets, or Orbitz, look to other cards that offer bonuses on those airline ticket purchases. Possible cards include the Citi Prestige from Citibank or Chase’s Sapphire Reserve.

People who buy discount airline tickets

The American Express Platinum card shines when booking airline tickets through the airlines. The 5X membership rewards program can amount to a 10 percent return on every dollar spent on an airline ticket.

Unfortunately, though, the card does not provide many common travel protections that are available with cards like the Citi Prestige Card or Chase Sapphire Reserve. The Amex Platinum does not provide trip delay, baggage delay, or trip cancellation protection for cardholders, either.

A discount airline ticket means fewer dollars spent, which results in fewer membership points. Even with the 5X Membership Rewards® Points offer, the lack of protection can be problematic if you experience a trip interruption or baggage delay.

Individuals who don’t use Uber or Equinox

The Amex Platinum card is increasingly popular due to its $200 in Uber savings on rides or eats in the US annually. But what if you do not use Uber? 

Individuals with cars or those who use public transportation may never get close to redeeming the full value of the $200 annual Uber credits. While that Uber Cash is usable for food deliveries on UberEats, it is still not as useful for people who do not use Uber’s ridesharing service.

The same is true for those who do not go to Equinox since the Amex Platinum immediately loses $300 in yearly value in your circumstances.

In summary, the American Express Platinum card is one of the best premium credit cards available today. While its $695 annual fee is eye-raising, frequent shoppers, travelers, and Uber customers should have no problem exacting maximum value from the card’s benefits.

More from Nova Credit:

Credit Cards for No Credit

Credit Cards for International Students

Credit Cards Without SSN

Credit Cards to Build Credit

How to Build Credit‍

How to use your foreign credit history to get credit in the U.S.