American Express has refreshed its flagship American Express Platinum Card®update benefits while firmly positioning the card as one of the highest premium travel reward cards on the market.
With an annual fee of $895 (see Fees & Fees), Platinum offers access to the lounge, hotel elite status, extensive declared credit, and high income rates for flights and hotels. Coupled with valuable welcome offers for new applicants, Platinum continues to offer outstanding rewards and travel allowances to those who can maximize their benefits.
This is a careful study of the current offer and what Amex Platinum gets.
amex Platinum Welcome Discount
Compared to most other cards, American Express adopts a different platinum quotation method: Applicants must submit an application to view their personalized welcome quote, which is displayed before they accept and complete the process.
New Amex Platinum Applicants can check whether they are eligible for up to 175,000 bonus points, after spending $8,000 in the first six months of card membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.
According to TPG’s September 2025 valuation, the welcome bonus is worth up to $3,500. This is one of the highest bonuses a new card member can earn.
After submitting an application, the exact welcome reward offer will be displayed, while the expenditure requirements and time frames are usually consistent in the offer.
The advantage is that the personalized welcome offer displayed will not affect your credit score, as a soft credit check will be performed when AMEX applies. If you are satisfied with the welcome quotes and acceptance, then a hard inquiry will be conducted in your credit report. However, if you want to wait or try to find a higher offer, you can refuse to proceed.
Since AMEX has a per millennium limit, it is important to get the highest welcome offer when applying.
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Related: What is the difference between hard and soft extraction in credit reports?
Benefits of amex Platinum
this Amex PlatinumThe annual fee of $895 may cause some sticker shock. But when you dig into its lengthy benefits, it is possible to reclaim that value – and then some value.
Income rate
- Spend 5 points per dollar on flights booked directly with the airline or through American ExpressTravel® (up to $500,000 per year for purchases, followed by 1 point per dollar)
- Spend 5 points per dollar on prepaid hotel booked
- Spend 1 point on other purchases per dollar
Declare credits
The card offers an annual value of over $2,800 (including the proportional value of global entry credits) if you maximize all declared credits:
| Credit* | Annual amount | How it works |
|---|---|---|
| Airline Fee | Up to $200 | The incidental charges for the airline you choose |
| Transparent plus sign | Up to $209 | For Clear Plus Airport Security Membership (Automatic renewal is applicable) |
| Digital Entertainment | Up to $300 | Up to $25 per month for select streaming orders |
| Global Entry/TSA Precheck | Up to $120 (every 4-4 1/2 years) | For global entry ($120 per four years) or TSA Precheck (up to $85 per 4 1/2 years) |
| hotel | Up to $600 | Up to $300 per two years for prepaid food + resort and hotel collection reservations (two nights in hotel collection) |
| lululemon |
Up to $300 | Qualified purchases for Lululemon (excluding stores) and Lululemon.com in the United States are up to $75 |
| Ula Ring |
Up to $200 | To purchase URA rings (hardware only) |
| Resy | Up to $400 | $100 per quarter per quarter in US Resy Restaurants or other qualified Resy catering purchases |
| Sax 5th Street | Up to $100 | Buy Saks for up to $50 a year |
| Uber Cash | Up to $200 | Up to $15 per month Uber cash for rides or dining in the U.S. after adding Amex Plat to your Uber account; you can pay with any Amex card |
| Uber One Membership | Up to $120 | Covering annual or monthly installments membership, but automatic renewal |
| Walmart+ | Up to $155 | Pay a monthly Walmart+ membership fee (up to $12.95), including taxes (automatic renewal required; not including UPS) |
*Enrollment is required to choose benefits.
Other cards
In addition to its revenue rate and points Amex Platinum A wide range of premium benefits*:
- Lounge Access: Qualified card members will receive access to the American Express Global Lounge Collection, including Centurion Lounges, Delta Sky Clubs (except for basic economic tickets when traveling on the same day of Delta flights; up to 10 visits per calendar year) and Priority Pass Trials (excluding restaurants)
- Hotel elite identity: With Hilton Honors and Marriott Bonvoy’s free golden status, as well as Leaders Club Club, with the world’s leading hotels
- Comprehensive travel protection and Shopping protection When using a card
- No foreign transaction fees (See rates and fees)
*Enrollment is required to choose benefits.
Bottom line
this Amex Platinum Thanks to its convergence of luxury goods, valuable statement credits, and huge revenue from flights and hotels, it continues to set high standards for premium travel cards.
With the valuable welcome offers available right now, this is a great option for travelers who can make the most of their interests.
While the annual fee of $895 is high, those who maximize the platinum allowance will find that the card has a position in the wallet beyond its position.
To learn more, check out our full review of American Express Platinum Card.
Apply here: American Express Platinum Card
For rates and fees for Amex Platinum cards, click here.
