amex travel
The Platinum Card from American Express
The Amex Platinum is the flagship premium travel card with unmatched lounge access and a staggering amount of annual credits. The 150,000 point bonus is very strong, though we've seen 175,000 via targeted offers. If you can use the credits (Uber, Saks, airline fees, etc.), the effective fee is much lower. I recommend this card for frequent travelers who value lounge access and premium perks over everyday earning rates.
Current Sign-Up Bonus
150,000 points
after $8,000 spend in 6 months
Estimated value: $2250
Last validated: 2025-01-27
Rewards Structure
Base Rate: 1x on all purchases
Bonus Categories:
- flights booked directly or via Amex Travel 5x
- prepaid hotels via Amex Travel 5x
Pros & Cons
Pros
- + Exceptional lounge access
- + Huge array of credits
- + Strong sign-up bonus
- + Valuable hotel and airline statuses
- + 5x on flights
Cons
- - $695 annual fee is steep
- - Only 1x on most spending
- - Credits require specific merchants/timing
- - Amex not accepted everywhere
Key Benefits
- $200 airline fee credit
- $200 hotel credit (FHR/THC)
- $240 digital entertainment credit
- $200 Uber Cash annually
- $100 Saks Fifth Avenue credit
- Global Lounge Collection (Centurion, Priority Pass, Delta, etc.)
- Hilton and Marriott Gold status
- Global Entry/TSA PreCheck credit
- Fine Hotels + Resorts benefits
Offer History
Historical High: 175,000 points
| Period | Bonus | Spend Req. | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-01-10 to present Current | 150,000 points | $8,000 | |
| 2024-01-01 to 2025-01-09 | 125,000 points | $8,000 | |
| 2023-08-01 to 2023-10-31 | 175,000 points | $8,000 | Highest |
Note: Historical offers are tracked for informational purposes. Past offers may not return.