Why you'll love it: The Platinum Card from American Express has a big welcome offer and lots of perks for travelers.
Welcome offer: 60,000 points after you spend $5,000 in the first three months
Annual fee: $550
The Amex Platinum has a higher annual fee than the Sapphire Reserve, but also a longer list of benefits. The Platinum card is also one of the best options for paying for flights, because you'll earn 5x Membership Rewards points on airfare purchased directly with airlines.
Like Chase Ultimate Rewards points, American Express Membership Rewards points can be used to purchase travel, gift cards, or products directly through from the issuer, or they can be transferred to certain airline and hotel loyalty programs. The best value comes from that latter use. If you redeem points by using them to book travel through Amex, you'll get around 1 cent per point.
The Platinum Card includes access to the same lounges as the Sapphire Reserve, plus Delta Sky Clubs and the proprietary American Express Centurion Lounges — the additions make the card more useful overall.
It carries a number of perks similar to its rival from Chase, including purchase protections and up to a $200 annual credit on incidental airline fees — think checked bags, drinks, and upgrades. Cardholders also earn Gold elite status with Hilton and Marriott before staying a single night. That can help you stomach the $550 annual fee.
Amex Platinum cardholders also get exclusive access to major events and experiences, including once-in-a-lifetime "By Invitation Only" events.
Of course, $550 is a lot to pay out each year.Up to $200 in annual airline fee credits and up to $200 in annual Uber credits certainly help, but the airline credit can be difficult to use if you aren't checking bags or buying drinks on flights. Some people have found that buying gift cards from the airline of your choice counts as a qualifying purchase.
The bonus spending categories on this card are less generous than on the Sapphire Reserve or the Amex Gold, meaning it can take longer to earn points unless you book a lot of flights. The spending requirement in the first three months is higher than most other cards, and Membership Reward points are worth less than Chase's Ultimate Rewards points when used to book travel through the card issuer — only 1 cent per point.
Even so, the card remains extremely valuable if you can make good use of the benefits. For example, in my first year with the card, I got more than $2,000 in value, which is more than enough to make up for the fee.
Pros: High welcome bonus, perks at airlines including extensive lounge access, points can go toward purchases, points are transferable to airline and hotel rewards programs, valuable benefits
Cons: High $550 annual fee, only 1 cent per point when booking through Amex, high spending requirement, less generous earning rates than Chase Sapphire Reserve
Click here to learn more about the Amex Platinum Card from our partner The Points Guy.
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