when i decide to open American Express Platinum Card® Last year, I focused on its lounge access and huge welcome bonus. But the Walmart+ bill credit of up to $12.95 a month doesn’t even get a second look.
I think Walmart+ is useless because I’m not a regular Walmart customer. However, after a few months of becoming a Platinum card holder, I decided to finally take a serious look at the benefits of the program. The rising cost of groceries has me turning to Walmart for lower prices—the perfect time to consider using my bill credit.
To my surprise, Walmart+ offers more than just free shipping and no minimum order requirement for free shipping. In fact, some of its benefits don’t even have anything to do with the brand at all. This statement credit is now an important part of how I justify the card’s $895 annual fee (see Rates and Fees).
If you’re ignoring the Platinum Card’s Walmart+ bill points, you’re making a mistake. Even if you’re not a regular Walmart customer, there are ways to make your membership more worthwhile — here’s how.
What are American Express Platinum Walmart+ Points?
It seems like every store has some kind of membership program. Walmart+ is Walmart’s paid membership program that offers members a range of benefits to help them save money at Walmart and its partners.
Monthly membership is $12.95 (tax included). Your Amex Platinum provides a monthly bill credit toward this amount, for a total of $155 per calendar year (auto-renewable; except Plus Ups). You need to register to receive this statement credit, so please register before signing up for membership.
Free shipping and delivery via Walmart+
Now that Walmart is my primary grocery store, I’ve come to rely on the Walmart-related perks that come with Walmart+. As long as my order is $35 or more, I don’t have to pay extra for delivery. As grocery prices continue to climb, hitting rock bottom prices isn’t hard. As much as I love buying as little as possible, it’s more important now to get more value for my money.
I hate grocery shopping in person, so I’m glad I have someone to do it for me without having to pay out of pocket. TPG credit card writer Augusta Stone also likes getting free same-day delivery on her grocery orders; she notes that this benefit saves her a lot of time “on essentials like shampoo, conditioner, and cleaning supplies.”
I also don’t have to pay shipping when my order is shipped instead of delivered. Walmart’s online selection includes a wide range of products that its brick-and-mortar stores don’t always stock. If your local store is out of stock, Walmart can often ship directly from one of its warehouses. Best of all, unlike shipping, there is no minimum purchase required for free shipping.
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Without Walmart+, the added delivery and shipping costs would negate any savings I would make by shopping at Walmart. If you haven’t considered choosing Walmart for your groceries, it’s worth a look as you may save more money than you expect.
Free Peacock Premium or Paramount+
Streaming services abound these days. If you want to watch a specific movie, show, or sporting event, you usually have to do some research and sifting to find the streaming platform it’s on.
With our favorite entertainment content spread across multiple services, we have to spend a lot of cash every month to maintain access to it all. While I was still snubbing Walmart+, I missed out on a way to save money on streaming.
Walmart+ members can get a free Paramount+ Essential or Peacock Premium subscription. Paramount+ Essential usually costs $7.99 per month, and Peacock Premium costs $10.99 per month. (Please note that plans include advertising.)
As a college football fan and Oregonian, I love following the Oregon Ducks. Their games can often be found on Paramount, so a free subscription to Paramount+ makes Walmart+ easier to enjoy. Once football season is over, I can switch my choice to Peacock for some of my favorite shows like House, MD (You can switch between the two services every 90 days.)
Augusta also highlighted the Walmart+ streaming perk as one of her favorite projects. She opted to subscribe to Paramount+ for free so she can watch live streams of her favorite shows, like Big Brother.
If you already pay for any streaming service, use your American Express Platinum Card Walmart+ points can net you real savings—up to $96 per year with Paramount+ and up to $132 per year with Peacock (based on a monthly subscription). May require separate activation.
Burger King Savings
Admittedly, when I’m craving fast food these days, I reach for Taco Bell. But I still think Burger King gets too much of a negative rap as a fast food option, so I’m a fan of the Walmart + Burger King perk.
When I want to eat Burger King, these benefits are available. Walmart+ members can save 25% on Burger King digital orders every day. While I don’t eat Burger King often, it’s nice to know I can get these savings any (or every) day of the week.
Walmart+ members also get a free Whopper every three months. Unlike the 25% discount, this offer can be used digitally or in-store. Buying in-store will save you the most money because you won’t have to pay any delivery fees.
If you like to order food out or occasionally find yourself without time to cook, your Walmart+ membership can get you food at lower prices than you’d pay without a membership.
bottom line
American Express Platinum Card Cardmembers receive up to $155 in monthly Walmart+ membership each calendar year (auto-renewable; excludes Plus-Ups; registration required).
I saved more money than I expected by using some of Walmart+’s key perks. I definitely appreciate this perk more than I did before, and I’m not even taking advantage of all the perks that come with being a Walmart+ member, like fuel savings, access to remote veterinary services, free pharmacy delivery, and free tire repairs.
Even if you don’t shop at Walmart regularly, really consider the Walmart+ bill credit on your Amex Platinum. You might be surprised by how much money you can save.
To learn more, check out our full review of the American Express Platinum Card.
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For American Express Platinum Card rates and fees, click here
