Amex platinum cards - Revision history

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‎Other Notable Benefits

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‎Other Notable Benefits

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‎Bonus Categories

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‎Getting Rid of the Card

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‎Business vs. Personal Version

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 <li>'''An annual $179 Clear credit'''. Clear provides fast access to the security screening stations at a bunch of airports and a few other locations. The credit covers a year of their normal price service. All United and Delta members already get a discount, so the credit would cover them plus the additional $50 it costs to add an extra person to your account.</li>
-<li>'''Semi-annual $50 Saks credits'''. You'll receive $50 credit good from January to June and another credit good from July through December. You'll need to spend at least $50 to trigger the credit. Like the other credits, you'll need to register (once) to activate these credits. Here's a [//www.doctorofcredit.com/what-to-do-with-that-50-saks-credit-from-amex/ useful article] from Doctor of Credit on ways to use your credit (if you don't normally shop at Saks). Because the credit is available every half of a calendar year, you can use it three times during the initial year you have the card. </li>
+<li>'''Semi-annual $50 Saks credits'''. You'll receive $50 credit good from January to June and another credit good from July through December. You'll need to spend at least $50 to trigger the credit. Like the other credits, you'll need to register (once) to activate these credits. Here's a [//www.doctorofcredit.com/what-to-do-with-that-50-saks-credit-from-amex/ useful article] from Doctor of Credit on ways to use your credit (if you don't normally shop at Saks). While you can't directly use the credit at Saks Off 5th, if you pay with your Platinum Card through PayPal on their website, Amex has been applying the credit. Because the credit is available every half of a calendar year, you can use it three times during the initial year you have the card. </li>
 <li>'''Access to the "Fine Hotels & Resorts” program'''. If you stay in luxury hotels, you can get great benefits with the Platinum card’s highly-touted Fine Hotel and Resorts program. Many of the hotels in the program participate in similar programs run by the other credit card programs or luxury travel agents (which don't require paying a huge annual fee), but Amex’s Fine Hotel & Resorts program more frequently offers 3<sup>rd</sup> and 4<sup>th</sup> night free offers. While the potential upside can be high, you might not get any real value from this in any given year, especially if you aren't likely to pay cash for a stay at an expensive hotel. You also have access to Amex's lower-tier Hotel Collection (which requires a minimum 2 night stay). {{Link|luxury hotels}}.</li>

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 However, unlike the Priority Pass memberships that come from other credit cards, the memberships that come from Amex credit cards no longer provide access to the restaurants and other alternative locations that participate in the Priority Pass program. You'll only get access to the program's more traditional lounges.
-Also, unlike most of the other premium cards, you are limited to 2 free guests when you visit Priority Pass lounges (and when you are visiting one of their own Centurion lounges), and only the cardholder receives free access to Delta lounges. So, if you frequently travel with a family and don’t pay the $175 additional fee to add authorized cardholders, the Platinum card’s lounge benefit can be less valuable than the lounge benefit from the other cards.
+Also, unlike most of the cards from other banks, you are limited to 2 free guests when you visit Priority Pass lounges (and when you are visiting one of their own Centurion lounges until early 2023), and only the cardholder receives free access to Delta lounges (and to Centurion lounges after early 2013). So, if you frequently travel with a family and don’t pay the $175 additional fee to add authorized cardholders, the Platinum card’s lounge benefit can be less valuable than the lounge benefit from the other cards.
 <li>'''Automatic Gold status at Hilton and Marriott hotels'''. At Hilton, that’s good enough for free breakfast. With Marriott, you'll get some minor benefits. While you can easily get Hilton Gold status from one of the Hilton credit cards, that would require an annual fee of at least $95 and you wouldn't get status with Marriott. {{Link|free breakfast}}.</li>

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 <ul class="bulletlist">
-<li>'''The Platinum Card earns the most valuable rewards on your airfare spending'''. You'll earn 5x Membership Rewards points, valued at {{Value|MR|5}} cents per dollar. The Citi Prestige card also offers 5x points, but Citi ThankYou points are generally a little less valuable than Membership Rewards points and the Citibank card doesn't provide any travel insurance. Several Chase cards only earn 3x Ultimate Rewards points but provide better travel insurance than the Platinum Card. {{Link|Travel spending}}.</li>
+<li>'''The Platinum Card earns the most valuable rewards on your airfare spending'''. You'll earn 5x Membership Rewards points, valued at {{Value|MR|5}} cents per dollar. The discontinued Citi Prestige card also offered 5x points, but Citi ThankYou points are generally a little less valuable than Membership Rewards points and the Citibank card doesn't provide any travel insurance. Several Chase cards only earn 3x Ultimate Rewards points but provide somewhat better travel insurance than the Platinum Card. {{Link|Travel spending}}.</li>
 The personal version earns 5x points on flights booked directly with the airline, as well as flights booked through Amex Travel. The business version only earns bonus rewards on flights booked through Amex Travel. Neither earns bonus rewards on flights booked through other travel booking sites, like Expedia.

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 |NormalSpend=5000
 |NormalCustom=
-|NormalValue = 725
+|NormalValue = 890
-|NormalPer = .15
+|NormalPer = .18
 |PointType=Membership Rewards points
 |SignupBonusChart=//www.uscreditcardguide.com/amex-platinum-card/#Historical_Offers_Chart

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 <li>'''We usually recommend cancelling your card, rather than doing a product change'''. If you change to a card that you haven't had before, you won't be able to earn the signup bonus for that card in the future. In addition, signing up directly for the new card would earn a referral bonus for your Amex referral partner. And it usually isn't hard to get approved for a new Amex card when you need it.</li>
-You can product change between the personal Platinum ($550), Gold ($250), and Green ($195) cards, or between the business Platinum ($595), Business Gold ($295), Business Green ($95), and Plum ($250) cards.
+You can product change between the personal Platinum ($695), Gold ($250), and Green ($195) cards, or between the business Platinum ($595), Business Gold ($295), Business Green ($95), and Plum ($250) cards.
 <li>'''You can wait to cancel the card until after the annual fee shows up on your statement'''. As long as you cancel within 30 days of the statement closing date, Amex will refund the fee. After 30 days, you can receive a pro-rated refund by downgrading to a lower-priced card.</li>

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 <ul class="bulletlist">
-<li>'''The business version has a normal signup offer of 75,000 points rather than 60,000 points'''. However, you'd normally need to spend $10,000 to get the first 50,000 points, and another $10,000 to get the next 25,000 points, while the personal card only requires a total of $5,000 in initial spending.</li>
+<li>'''The business version has a normal signup offer of 75,000 points rather than 60,000 points—but considerably higher bonuses are often available for both types of cards'''. However, the business version often requires additional minimum spend.</li>
-<li>'''The business version has a $595 annual fee, rather than $550'''.</li>
+<li>'''The business version has a $595 annual fee, rather than $695'''.</li>
-<li>'''The business version includes a $200 per year credit for purchases at Dell'''. You get a $100 credit for purchases between January and June, and another $100 for purchases between July and December. You can use this $100 credit three times during your initial year. Don't worry if you are not in the market for anything made by Dell, Dell.com sells a wide variety of tech and electronics, as well as "Xbox" gift cards that you can use for anything at the Microsoft Store. Also, don't worry if Dell's prices are too high. They have a price match guarantee available via telephone or chat.  </li>
+<li>'''The business version includes up to $200 o credits or purchases at Dell per year'''. You get a $100 credit for purchases between January and June, and another $100 for purchases between July and December. As a result, you can use this $100 credit three times during your initial year. Don't worry if you are not in the market for anything made by Dell, Dell.com sells a wide variety of tech and electronics, as well as "Xbox" gift cards that you can use for anything at the Microsoft Store.   </li>
-You can actually get way more than a $100 worth of electronics with each purchase. Coupons and special offers for Dell.com are frequently available, allowing you to get more than $100 worth of stuff for a $100 payment. But it is also possible to get additional credits and cash back. For example, at the launch of the Dell credit, Amex also had a 10% back "Amex Offer" for Dell, and cashback portals were offering 5%.  So, after making a $100 purchase, you'd receive $110 in statement credits from Amex, plus an additional $5 back from a cashback portal. You'd wind up with $15 in cash, plus whatever you bought.
+You can actually get way more than a $100 worth of electronics with each purchase. Coupons and special offers for Dell.com are frequently available, allowing you to get more than $100 worth of stuff for a $100 payment. But it is also possible to get additional credits and cash back. For example, at the launch of the Dell credit, Amex also had a 10% back "Amex Offer" for Dell and cashback portals were offering 5%.  So, after making a $100 purchase, you'd receive $110 in statement credits from Amex, plus an additional $5 back from a cashback portal. You'd wind up with $15 in cash, plus whatever you bought.
-<li>'''However, the business version doesn't include the Uber, Saks, or (temporary) PayPal credits''', or the Uber Eats Pass subscription.  Many people will naturally bet able to take advantage of these credits. However, if you don't normally use Uber and shop at Saks, it is usually easier to figure out a good way to take of the business version's Dell credit.  </li>
+<li>'''However, the business version doesn't include the hotel credit, digital entertainment credits, and Uber, Saks, or Equinox credits'''.  Depending on your individual circumstances, these credits can be much more valuable or potentially somewhat less valuable than the Dell credit.</li>
 <li>'''The business version gives you a 35% rebate when you use your points to purchase certain airplane tickets through Amex Travel'''. Rather than converting your Membership Rewards points into frequent flyer miles to book award tickets, you can use them to purchase travel through Amex's travel site. When used in this way, points are worth 1 cent each, which is much lower than the value that you can get sometimes get by using them for frequent flyer tickets.</li>

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 <li>'''Annual $200 Hotel Credit'''. The personal version offers a $200 hotel credit for prepaid (but often refundable) hotel reservations made through Amex's Fine Hotels and Resorts or Hotel Collection programs. Like the airline incidental credit, this is based on the calendar year, so you can use it twice during the first year you have the card. Due to the restrictions on the available hotels, it can be hard to get an opportunity to use this credit.</li>
-<li>'''$200 of Uber / Uber Eats credits per year'''. The personal version provides up to $200 of Uber credits every year. You'll receive a $15 credit every month and an extra $20 in December. Credits can only be used for Uber rides within the United States, but can also be used for uberEats. Credits from (multiple) Platinum and Gold Cards can all be added to the same Uber account. </li>
+<li>'''$200 of Uber / Uber Eats credits per year'''. You'll receive a $15 credit every month and an extra $20 in December. Credits can only be used for Uber rides within the United States orfor uberEats. Credits from (multiple) Platinum and Gold Cards can all be added to the same Uber account. </li>
-If you don't frequently use Uber or get takout, you can let someone you trust add your Platinum card to their Uber app. As long as they set a different card as their "primary" credit card, they can take advantage of your credits and your card won't be charged for any additional usage.
+If you don't frequently use Uber or get takeout, you can let someone you trust add your Platinum card to their Uber app. As long as they set a different card as their "primary" credit card, they can take advantage of your credits and your card won't be charged for any additional usage.
-<li>'''Free year of Uber Eats Pass'''.  The personal version also entitles you to activate a free one-year subscription to Uber Eats Pass any time up until the end of 2021. With the subscription, you'll get a $0 delivery fee and 5% off purchases of over $15 at participating restaurants. Since the subscription is available on multiple cards, you might be able to sign up with one card for the remainder of 2021 and sign up with another card towards the end of the year for 2022. Once your year is up, they will automatically start charging the normal $10/month charge, so make sure to cancel. </li>
+<li>'''Free year of Uber Eats Pass'''.  You are also entitled to activate a free one-year subscription to Uber Eats Pass any time up until the end of 2021. With the subscription, you'll get a $0 delivery fee and 5% off purchases of over $15 at participating restaurants. Since the subscription is available on multiple cards, you might be able to sign up with one card for the remainder of 2021 and sign up with another card towards the end of the year for 2022. Once your year is up, they will automatically start charging the normal $10/month charge, so make sure to cancel. </li>
-<li>'''Semi-annual $50 Saks credits'''. The personal version provides a $50 credit good from January to June and another credit good from July through December. You'll need to spend at least $50 to trigger the credit. Like the other credits, you'll need to register (once) to activate these credits. Here's a [//www.doctorofcredit.com/what-to-do-with-that-50-saks-credit-from-amex/ useful article] from Doctor of Credit on ways to use your credit (if you don't normally shop at Saks). Because the credit is available every half of a calendar year, you can use it three times during the initial year you have the card. </li>
+<li>'''Up to $240 worth of "Digital Entertainment Credits" per year'''. You get $20 per month good for subscription costs for Audible, SiriusXM, Audible, and/or the New York Times. Most people don't already subscribe to $20 per month worth of these services, so it won't receive full value for this credit. But you might as well treat yourself to whatever combination of these services is most interesting.</li>
 <li>'''Access to the "Fine Hotels & Resorts” program'''. If you stay in luxury hotels, you can get great benefits with the Platinum card’s highly-touted Fine Hotel and Resorts program. Many of the hotels in the program participate in similar programs run by the other credit card programs or luxury travel agents (which don't require paying a huge annual fee), but Amex’s Fine Hotel & Resorts program more frequently offers 3<sup>rd</sup> and 4<sup>th</sup> night free offers. While the potential upside can be high, you might not get any real value from this in any given year, especially if you aren't likely to pay cash for a stay at an expensive hotel. You also have access to Amex's lower-tier Hotel Collection (which requires a minimum 2 night stay). {{Link|luxury hotels}}.</li>
 <li>'''Cell phone protection'''. If you pay your cell phone bill with the Delta Reserve or Platinum Card, you'll receive automatic coverage. The maximum claim is $800, with a $1,600 annual cap and a $50 deductible. [//www.americanexpress.com/us/credit-cards/features-benefits/policies/cell-phone-protection.html Coverage details]. </li>
 <li>'''National Car Rental Executive Club status'''. You're entitled to elite status with National, allowing you to pick a nicer car from the Emerald Aisle along with other benefits. You'll also get some extra benefits with Avis and Hertz, but not actual elite status. {{Link|rental elite status}}.</li>

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 <li>{{Signup Intro|high}}. The Amex Platinum cards have extremely lucrative signup offers. 60,000 Membership Rewards points are valued at about {{Value|MR|60000}} and 75,000 points are valued at {{Value|MR|75000}}. Higher targeted offers of 100,000 Membership Rewards points are sometimes available.</li>
-In addition, both the personal and business version comes with a $200 airline incidental credit and because the credit is available every calendar year, you can earn it twice during your initial year.  The personal version also comes with $200 work of Uber credits and $100 worth of Saks credit. But since it can be hard to get full value from all three of these credits, we only value them at 50% of their face value.
+In addition, both the personal and business version comes with a $200 airline incidental credit and because the credit is available every calendar year, you can earn it twice during your initial year.  The personal version also comes with $200 Amex Travel hotel credit that can also be used twice in the initial year, $200 worth of Uber credits, a $50 Saks credit you can use 3x during your initial year, $240 of "digital entertainment" credits, $179 worth of Clear credits, and $300 worth of Equinox credits . But since it can be hard to get full value from all these credits, we only value them each at 25 to 50% of their face value.
 {{Signup Value|750|5000|550}} {{Signup Variable|Membership Rewards points and the credits}} {{Link|transferable points}}.
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 {{Signup Amex}}
-<li>'''However, you can earn the signup bonus from each different version of the card'''. Almost everyone can earn at least two Platinum card signup bonuses—from the regular and Schwab versions of the card. If you have any kind of small business, you can also get the Business Platinum card. If you are willing to spend a small amount of money in brokerage fees, you can get the Morgan Stanley card, and some people may be able to get the Goldman Sachs card. </li>
+<li>'''However, you may be able to earn the signup bonus from each different version of the card'''. Almost everyone can get at least two Platinum cards: the regular and Schwab versions. If you have any kind of small business, you can also get the Business Platinum card. If you are willing to spend a small amount of money in brokerage fees, you can get the Morgan Stanley card. A few people may even be able to get the Goldman Sachs card. Historically, each of these cards counted as separate cards for Amex's once-per-lifetime rules, allowing you to earn one bonus from each version of the card. When the benefits and an annual fee were modified on July 1st, 2021, the Schwab card offer said that it was not available if you had "previous versions of the Platinum card". There is a chance that things are changing and that all the personal versions of the card will be considered a single version. But there is also a chance that this won't be the case. In an event, if you don't see a pop-up during the application process, you will probably be qualified for the bonus.</li>
-<li>'''The normal signup bonus on the business card is higher'''. But, qualifying for the offer requires a lot of spending. A typical offer is 50,000 points with $10,000 initial spend, and an additional 25,000 points, for making it all the way to $20,000 of spending in the first three months. If you were paying a 2.5% fee to use a payment service to generate the extra $10,000 in spending, you would wind up paying $250 to generate an extra 25,000 points (1 cent per point).</li>
+<li>'''The normal signup bonus on the business card is usually, but not always, higher'''. But qualifying for the offer requires a lot of spending. A typical offer is 100,000 points for $15,000 initial spend.
 Targeted offers for the business version can be as high as 125-150,000 points, or can require less than the standard amount of qualifying spending.