The Platinum Card from American Express
Issued by American Express
$1119/year in trackable credits — never leave money on the table
Earning Categories
Current Welcome Bonus
Up to 175,000 Membership Rewards points after $12,000 spend in 6 months. Actual offer amount varies by applicant eligibility.
Year 1 net value: $-860 (bonus − annual fee)
Statement Credits
$200/year credit for Fine Hotels + Resorts or The Hotel Collection prepaid bookings (minimum 2-night stay)
$210/year in Uber Cash ($15/month + $20 bonus in December)
$200/year for airline incidental fees (select one airline)
$100/year at Saks Fifth Avenue ($50 Jan-Jun, $50 Jul-Dec)
Up to $100 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application (once every 4-5 years)
Up to $189/year for CLEAR Plus membership
Card Perks
Complimentary access to Amex Centurion Lounges worldwide for cardholder and up to 2 guests
Complimentary Priority Pass Select membership with access to 1,300+ airport lounges worldwide
Access to Delta Sky Club lounges when flying Delta (limited to 10 visits per year unless Delta Platinum/Diamond Medallion)
Room upgrade, daily breakfast for two, noon check-in when available, 4pm late checkout, and a unique property amenity (typically $100 value) at Fine Hotels + Resorts properties
Complimentary Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status
Complimentary Hilton Honors Gold status
Complimentary Hertz Gold Plus Rewards President's Circle status
Complimentary Avis Preferred Plus status
Complimentary National Car Rental Emerald Club Executive status
Maximize Your American Express Membership Rewards Points
Program Overview
American Express Membership Rewards is one of the largest transferable points ecosystems with 20+ airline and hotel partners. Points are earned through personal and business Amex cards (Platinum, Gold, Green, Blue Business Plus, etc.). Key strengths: - Largest number of transfer partners of any program (20+ airlines and hotels) - Amex Offers provide statement credits that effectively reduce annual fees - Gold Card is one of the best everyday spending cards (4x dining, 4x groceries) - Business Platinum offers 1.5x on purchases over $5,000 - Points don't expire as long as your account is open - Transfer bonuses to partners happen frequently (often 20-40% extra)
Earning Tips
Card stacking strategy for maximum earning: Premium cards: - Platinum: 5x flights booked directly with airlines, $200 hotel credit, $200 Uber credit, $155 Walmart+, lounge access - Gold: 4x dining worldwide, 4x US supermarkets (up to $25K/yr), $120 dining credit, $120 Uber credit - Green: 3x travel, 3x transit, 3x dining Everyday earning: - Blue Business Plus: 2x on everything up to $50K/yr (best everyday business card) - Everyday Preferred: 1.5x-4.5x (up to 50% bonus for 30+ transactions/month) Business cards: - Business Platinum: 1.5x on purchases over $5K, 5x flights, extensive travel benefits - Business Gold: 4x on top 2 spending categories each month (from 6 options, up to $150K/yr) Key tips: - Gold + Blue Business Plus covers most spending: 4x dining/groceries, 2x everything else - Amex Offers can save hundreds per year across all your cards (check weekly) - Self-referrals between cards can earn bonus points - Amex popup: If denied a signup bonus, try different browsers or wait a few months - Business cards don't appear on personal credit report
Redemption Tips
Best redemption values: ANA first class via Virgin Atlantic: - 120,000 VS miles round-trip US to Japan in first class (worth $25,000+) - 60,000 VS miles one-way, or look for 2-for-1 promos - Book 355 days out for best availability Air Canada Aeroplan sweet spots: - 75,000 pts round-trip in business to Europe via Star Alliance - Free stopovers on round-trip awards - Use for Lufthansa first class availability British Airways Avios short-haul: - 7,500 Avios for AA flights under 1,151 miles one-way - 13,000 Avios for AA domestic up to 2,000 miles - Great for flights between major US cities Air France/KLM Flying Blue promos: - Monthly promo awards with 25-50% off standard pricing - Business class to Europe from 50,000 miles one-way during promos Hilton (via 1:2 transfer): - Premium resorts can yield good value when Hilton rates are high - 5th night free on 5+ night stays at high-category properties Avoid: - Pay with Points at checkout (usually 0.7 cpp) - Gift card redemptions - Delta transfers when other options available (unless Delta is the only option for your route)
Transfer Strategy
Transfer partners and strategy (most are 1:1): Top airline partners: - ANA Mileage Club: Premium cabin sweet spots, especially first class (1:1) - Air Canada Aeroplan: Strong Star Alliance options, stopover rules (1:1) - Virgin Atlantic: Delta flights + ANA first class bookings (1:1) - British Airways Avios: Short-haul sweet spots on AA/Alaska/BA (1:1) - Delta SkyMiles: Only option for Delta awards, ratio varies (1:1 for MR, but SkyMiles value is lower) - Air France/KLM Flying Blue: Monthly promo awards to Europe (1:1) - Singapore KrisFlyer: Singapore Airlines premium cabins (1:1) - ANA: Round-trip first class for 55,000 miles via Virgin Atlantic (transfer MR to VS) Top hotel partners: - Hilton Honors: 1:2 ratio (1 MR = 2 Hilton pts), decent for aspirational stays - Marriott Bonvoy: 1:1 ratio, best for 5th-night-free benefit on long stays - Choice Privileges: 1:1, niche use for budget stays Strategy tips: - Watch for transfer bonuses (Amex runs them frequently, especially to Avios and Virgin) - ANA via Virgin Atlantic is one of the best redemptions in travel rewards - Delta transfers are 1:1 but SkyMiles value is typically lower; use only when needed - Hilton 1:2 is decent when Hilton runs point promotions on stays - Never transfer speculatively; always book awards first when possible
American Express Membership Rewards Program
Recommended Cards
Blue Business Plus Credit Card from American Express
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American Express Business Gold Card
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Add Business Gold for 4x on top 2 business categories. Points pool with Platinum. $395 in annual credits (Walmart+, flexible business credit) offset $375 fee.
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Related guide: The Amex Membership Rewards Ecosystem: A Complete Guide
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