How to use your American Express airline credit

Three American Express credit cards offer airline fee credit, which can help you cover a variety of airline fees such as checked bags or itinerary change fees. To activate it, you must select an eligible airline once every calendar year.

Keep in mind, airline fee credit is not the same as travel credit. The latter covers a variety of travel charges, including flights, not just airline fees.

How to use the Amex airline fee credit

Using the Amex airline fee credit is simple. But you have to set it up first. Here’s how:

1. Log in to your online account. Select the The Platinum Card® from American Express or another eligible card. Select the Benefits section.
2. Enroll in the airline fee credit. Find the airline fee credit and select Enroll Now.
3. Select airline. Choose an eligible airline from the dropdown list and click Submit Selection.

Note: If you chose an airline, it will be your default selection every year until you change it. You can change it once per calendar year, but only in January.

Can authorized users use the airline fee credit?

Yes, authorized users have access to the card’s airline fee credit. But this is not an additional fee credit per cardholder. If the card comes with a $200 airline fee credit, the main cardholder and the authorized users use the same $200.

List of eligible airlines

You can use your airline fee credit once you select one of these eligible airlines:

American Express cards that offer airline fee credit

American Express offers three cards that come with an airline fee credit:

• The Platinum Card® from American Express
• Hilton Honors™ Aspire Card
• The Business Platinum Card® from American Express

Our pick for lounge access
The Platinum Card® from American Express

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• Earn 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 on purchases on the Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.
• Plus, earn 10x points on eligible purchases on the Card at restaurants worldwide and when you Shop Small in the U.S., on up to $25,000 in combined purchases, during your first 6 months of Card Membership.
• Earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year and earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel.
• $200 Hotel Credit: 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®.
• $240 Digital Entertainment Credit: Get up to $20 in statement credits each month when you pay for eligible purchases with the Platinum Card® at your choice of one or more of the following providers: Peacock, Audible, SiriusXM, and The New York Times. Enrollment required.
• $155 Walmart+ Credit: Cover the cost of a $12.95 monthly Walmart+ membership with a statement credit after you pay for Walmart+ each month with your Platinum Card. Cost includes $12.95 plus applicable local sales tax.
• American Express has expanded The Centurion® Network to include 40+ Centurion Lounge and Studio locations worldwide. Now there are even more places your Platinum Card® can get you complimentary entry and exclusive perks.
• $200 Airline Fee Credit: Get up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year in baggage fees and more at one select qualifying airline.
• $200 Uber Cash: Enjoy Uber VIP status and up to $200 in Uber savings on rides or eats orders in the US annually. Uber Cash and Uber VIP status is available to Basic Card Member only.
• $300 Equinox Credit: Get up to $25 back each month on select Equinox memberships when you pay with your Platinum Card®. Enrollment required.
• $179 CLEAR® Credit: Use your Card and get up to $179 back per year on your CLEAR® membership.
• $695 annual fee.
• Terms Apply.
• See Rates & Fees

What is the difference between airline fee credit and travel credit?

The The Platinum Card® from American Express comes with airline fee credit, while the Chase Sapphire Reserve® comes with travel credit. Here are a few notable differences between these two types of credits:

Bottom line

American Express credit cards with airline fee credits give you a chance to balance out the annual fee of a premium travel card, while enjoying top-tier benefits and rewards. Just make sure you keep the terms and conditions in mind to get as much value as possible from this perk.

If you’re still choosing a card, you can also compare these Amex options with other credit cards that offer complimentary flights or travel credit to find the right card for your travel style.