New benefits, more value: Why I’m more excited than ever to become an American Express Platinum member
A few years ago, I decided it was finally time to add a premium lifestyle card to my wallet. After adding the American Express Platinum Card®, I knew I made the right choice.
The Platinum Card has provided unparalleled value from day one, making my life as a wife, mom, and frequent traveler much easier at home and on the road.
American Express just overhauled its Platinum Card, adding several brand-new benefits and increasing the value of many existing cards. It hasn’t lost any of the benefits I love about it, and it’s more valuable now than ever. Leveraging these benefits can create more than $3,500 in annual value. I’ll tell you how.
Along with these changes, Amex is increasing the annual fee from $695 to $895 (effective immediately for new card members and January 2, 2026 for existing card members; see Rates and Fees).
It’s been over two months since the Platinum Card launched these new benefits, and I immediately took advantage of them. Here’s how I get the most out of my updated American Express Platinum Card. Terms apply.
Travel perks I’ve used (and loved)
I travel a lot, both for work and pleasure, so I had the opportunity to try out the updated Platinum Card right away.
I just got back from a visit to Universal Orlando Resort with my husband and kids. We vacation there several times a year, so I knew immediately where I wanted to live.
Loews Portofino Bay is one of more than 1,800 hotels worldwide participating in the Amex Fine Hotels + Resorts program.
When you book a Fine Hotels + Resorts hotel with American Express Travel, you can receive a range of benefits with an average total value of $550*. You’ll enjoy benefits such as a room upgrade upon check-in (if available; some room types are not eligible for upgrades), a $100 credit toward eligible hotel charges (varies by hotel), free breakfast for two, guaranteed 4 p.m. check-out and noon check-in (if available).
Reward your inbox with the TPG daily newsletter
Join over 700,000 readers and get breaking news, in-depth guides and exclusive offers from TPG experts
*Average price based on two-night stay at Boutique Hotel + Resort in 2024. Actual value will vary based on hotel, room rate, upgrade availability and offer usage.
When we checked in we were upgraded to a room overlooking the water and a welcome gift of fruit, chocolates and bottled water were waiting for us. We combined $100 in points that can be used toward qualified expenses with the free breakfast benefit to fuel up before a busy day of roller coaster rides with a buffet breakfast at one of the hotel’s restaurants.
And, when we decided at the last minute to stay an extra day at the park, we took advantage of the late checkout offer to rush to the rides in the morning instead of rushing out. We were able to play all morning and then pack up while getting ready for the afternoon break.
The upgraded room and free breakfast made our vacation feel even more relaxing and special.
Since the card offers up to $300 in statement points every six months (up to a total of $600 in statement points per calendar year) when using your Platinum Card to book a prepaid Boutique Hotel + Resort or Hotel Collection (Hotel Collection requires a two-night minimum stay) through American Express Travel, my future trips to Universal Orlando will be just as memorable.
When my husband and I traveled to Orlando later that month, we decided not to rent a car for our short stay. Instead, I used my $200 in Uber Cash benefits to pay for the short ride from our hotel to Universal Studios. With the Platinum Card, I will receive $15 in Uber Cash each month (plus a $20 bonus in December) when I add my Platinum Card to my Uber account for rides and orders within the United States when I select American Express for transactions.
Now that American Express has added a $120 annual Uber One bill credit to an automatically renewing Uber One membership, I can earn 6% in Uber One points on qualifying rides that I can use on future Uber trips.
I also recently visited Zion National Park with my family and thanks to my Platinum Card, we used Clear Plus to get through the airport with ease. With my Platinum Card, I earn up to $209 in statement points each calendar year by signing up for and paying for a Clear Plus membership (which renews automatically) with an eligible American Express card.
Waiting in line is one of my kids’ least favorite activities, and skipping the standard airport security line means more time to stock up on snacks before your flight.
Now that Southwest bags no longer fly free, we use the $200 airline fee credit to pay for checked bags. Each year, I choose an eligible airline and when the airline charges my Platinum card, I receive up to $200 in statement points per calendar year for incidental expenses such as checked bags and in-flight refreshments. **
Sure, we could each carry one carry-on through the airport, but checking two larger bags would be one less thing to worry about. And knowing I’ll be reimbursed via statement credit makes it even better.
Unfortunately, our flight home was delayed by three hours. But thanks to American Express’s global lounge collection, which gives you access to more than 1,500 lounges, getting stuck at the airport isn’t too bad. My card unlocks over $850 in annual value, Centurion lounge access, 10 free Delta Sky Club visits on eligible Delta flights, Priority Pass Select membership (registration required), and other select partner lounges.
**American Express relies on airlines to submit correct information on airline transactions to identify incidental purchases. If you don’t see points for eligible purchases on your eligible card after eight weeks, just call the number on the back of your card. Eligible airlines are subject to change. Please see terms and conditions for more details.
We headed straight to the Centurion Lounge and enjoyed a complimentary dinner, drinks (adults) and plenty of chocolate chip cookies (kids) in a quiet, relaxing environment.
But there’s more to this card’s comprehensive lifestyle benefits.
Take advantage of new and expanded lifestyle benefits
The Platinum Card’s new and existing dining, entertainment, shopping and health benefits have proven to be extremely valuable at home and when I travel frequently.
Thousands of Resy restaurants (more than 10,000 in the U.S. as of March 2025) are eligible for up to $400 in Resy points with the Platinum Card. When I make qualifying Resy purchases (including dining) with my registered Platinum Card, I can earn up to $100 in statement points each quarter, so I can easily grab a meal at home or while traveling. Since there are only a handful of qualifying restaurants in my area, I prefer using this point when traveling to discover new places to eat.
You don’t even need to make a reservation to earn points; you just dine at eligible restaurants and pay the bill with your Platinum Card.
This quarter, I used Resy points on a family trip to Universal Studios in Orlando. After a quick search on the Resy website, I discovered that several Universal hotel restaurants participate in the Resy program. On the day of arrival, we had a relaxing family dinner at the Trattoria del Porto restaurant at the Los Portofino Bay Hotel.
I used $300 in digital entertainment credits to pay for my family’s Disney+ subscription. We can watch family-friendly shows at home, and I can download the kids’ favorite shows onto their tablets to keep them busy on long flights.
With this offer, you can get up to $25 in statement credits per month when you use your Platinum card to purchase directly from one or more providers (signup required) on Disney+, Disney+ bundles, ESPN+ streaming service, Hulu, The New York Times, Paramount+, Peacock, The Wall Street Journal, YouTube Premium and YouTube TV.
I’m excited to use the new up to $300 in lululemon points because I need comfortable, functional gear year-round. Receive up to $75 in bill points per quarter when I use my Platinum Card to make qualifying purchases at U.S. lululemon retail stores (excluding specialty stores) and lululemon.com (registration required)..
I found the perfect pair of shorts for a day of walking at the theme park with the kids, and a new water bottle to stay hydrated on the plane.
In addition to these benefits, when I pay for a monthly Walmart+ membership (subject to auto-renewal; Plus Ups excluded) with a registered Platinum Card, I can also use the Walmart+ Monthly Points benefit to earn up to $12.95 in bill points each month, plus applicable taxes. I use this benefit to purchase weekly groceries at home and have snacks, drinks, and other essentials delivered to our hotel when we travel.
The Platinum Card also allows me to earn up to $100 in rewards every year on purchases at Saks Fifth Avenue or saks.com (and up to $50 in statement points every six months) when I pay with my registered card.
bottom line
It’s always been easy to get value from my Platinum card, but the recent update makes it easier than ever. I still have access to all of the card’s existing benefits, as well as a long list of new and expanded benefits that are useful at home and while traveling.
It’s not just the monetary value of the card’s long list of benefits; becoming a cardmember gives me the peace of mind knowing I have access to benefits that help me breeze through airports, enjoy perks at luxury hotels, and more. Whether I’m shopping for groceries or booking a hotel stay, I know the American Express Platinum Card will meet my needs.
For American Express Platinum Card benefits, rates and fees, click here.
