I recently upgraded my American Express Gold Card to the Platinum Card. I was hesitant to do it with that $695 annual fee being a platinum cost, but after doing some research and assessing my personal monthly spend, I realized I was coming out alright making the switch. When I made a post on social media about the increase I saw in my Membership reward points, I got a lot of questions on what made me go for it. I knew then it may be best to share my research in one place…my blog! If you have been wondering what all comes with being a American Express Platinum Cardholder, keep on reading!
Digital Entertainment Credit
This is a new benefit, and me being an Audible and Sirius XM subscriber, it came right on time. Enroll and get up to $20 in statement credits each month when you use your Platinum Card® to subscribe to your choice of one or more of the following: Peacock, Audible, SiriusXM, and The New York Times. This can be an annual savings of up to $240.‡
Travel Perks
The Platinum Card covers Clear as well as TSA PreCheck/Global Entry reimbursement. I have Global Entry, and was due to renew this year, so this reimbursement came right on time.
For those unaware, CLEAR® uses biometrics to assign you a touchless ID, allowing you to move faster through security at select airports and stadiums across the U.S. You can cover the cost of a CLEAR membership with up to $179 in statement credits per year after you pay for CLEAR with your Platinum Card®.
To receive either a statement credit available every 4 years after you apply for Global Entry ($100) or a statement credit available every 4.5 years after you apply for a five-year membership through any Authorized Enrollment Provider for TSA Pre✓® (up to $85) with an eligible Card. If approved for Global Entry, at no additional charge, you will receive access to TSA Pre✓®. Each Additional Card on eligible Card accounts is also eligible for one statement credit for an application fee for a five-year membership every 4 years for Global Entry or every 4.5 years for TSA Pre✓®. To receive the statement credit, the application fee must be charged on the eligible Additional Card.
For booking flights or hotel, you can earn 5x Membership Rewards® points on flights and prepaid hotels on amextravel.com booked by both you and your Additional Card Members. You earn 5X points on flights purchased directly from airlines or American Express Travel on up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year. There is also a $200 airline credit per calendar year when you select one qualifying airline that covers incidental fees, such as checked bags and in-flight refreshments, as long as you use your card to make the purchases with the airline. I use mine on checked bags and in flight wifi with United Airlines. You also get access to the American Express Lounge Collection for you and 2 other guests by showing your card and boarding pass.
American Express Global Lounge Collection® programs and partners:
- The Centurion® Lounge
- Delta SkyClub®
- Priority Pass™ Select
- Airspace
- Escape Lounges – The Centurion® Studio Partner
- Plaza Premium
- Lufthansa Lounges
- Additional Global Lounge Collection Partner Lounges
Get $200 back in statement credits each year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection bookings with American Express Travel when you pay with your Platinum Card®.
Hotel Status
Being a Platinum Cardholder gives you automatic Gold status with both Hilton and Marriot! Just link your membership numbers with the hotel chains to your amex account and boom…enjoy.
Uber Cash
Platinum Card® Members get $15 in Uber Cash for U.S. rides each month, plus a bonus $20 in December. That can be up to $200 in annual Uber savings. Plus, enjoy Uber’s new safety features – like the Door-to-Door Safety Standard. Simply download the Uber app and add your Platinum Card® to your Uber account to get started.
Cell Phone Protection
Effective April 1, 2021, you can be reimbursed for your costs to repair or replace your damaged or Stolen cell phone up to $800, subject to a $50 deductible, for 2 approved claims per 12-month period when your prior month’s wireless bill was paid utilizing an Eligible Card Account. Terms and conditions apply. This perk is provided by New Hampshire Company, an AIG Company.
Health/Fitness
Choose the best membership for you at Equinox – whether it’s digital or in-club – and get up to $300 back per year.
These perks along with the impressive Membership Reward Point increase made the switch a no brainer. While most of the perk is in travel perks, there are so many other perks that make it worth your while. I spend roughly $3,000 per month on my card, and that used to get me about $60 in points to use. This past month, I got $300 in points to use at my leisure. I love to use my points for Amazon purchases, but with my baby on the way I plan to save my points while on maternity leave to use for a vacation for me and my husband to enjoy before I go back to work.
If you go for it use my referral link below! I promise you it is worth the annual fee if you plan to take advantage of all these benefits.
http://refer.amex.us/KELLIApFkk?xl=cp01
Amex Gold Annual Fee $250. Platinum Annual Fee $695.
Digital Entertainment Credit – $240
Clear Reimbursement – $179
Global Entry Reimbursement – $100
Uber Cash – $200
When I consider all these perks plus the increase in points (roughly an additional $250 to spend at my leisure), This is a no brainer for me. I was already paying the $250 annual fee, so I wanted to make sure the perks made sense to add the additional $445.
Hope this helped! I love saving some coins! So if I can help others do the same, I am all for it!
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