Compare reviews of the Platinum Card from American Express
A first-class card with a big 60,000-point signup bonus for travel enthusiasts who can pay the price of admission.
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finder score: 80%
Beyond the 60,000-point signup bonus, you won’t accrue any points on non-travel spending. Instead, you’ll acquire points for spending on flights and hotels — 5x per dollar when you book through airlines and American Express Travel.
Finder.com is a personal finance comparison site that provides you with the tools you need to make better decisions. Learn more about how we work and make money.
$550annual fee
N/Avariable APR
720–850credit score range
Beyond the 60,000-point signup bonus, you won’t accrue any points on non-travel spending. Instead, you’ll acquire points for spending on flights and hotels — 5x per dollar when you book through airlines and American Express Travel.
Critic reviews
| Critic | Rating | Notable quotable |
|---|---|---|
 NerdWallet’s Virginia C. McGuire | — | “If you’re an occasional traveler who flies coach and stays at the Holiday Inn, The Platinum Card® from American Express isn’t going to magically get you into first class and the presidential suite at the Ritz-Carlton at no extra charge.” Read more |
| “If you’re an occasional traveler who flies coach and stays at the Holiday Inn, The Platinum Card® from American Express isn’t going to magically get you into first class and the presidential suite at the Ritz-Carlton at no extra charge.” Read more | ||
 WalletHub’s John S. Kiernan | 100% | “As a result, the Amex Platinum Card isn’t an everyday credit card, nor is it ideal for most people. But if you have excellent credit, a penchant for travel and a liberal budget, it’s at least worth a closer look given its assorted accoutrements.” Read more |
| “As a result, the Amex Platinum Card isn’t an everyday credit card, nor is it ideal for most people. But if you have excellent credit, a penchant for travel and a liberal budget, it’s at least worth a closer look given its assorted accoutrements.” Read more | ||
 ValuePenguin’s Robert Harrow | 94% | “Fantastic travel benefits card for frequent flyers. Offers superior travel perks, for a hefty annual feel.” Read more |
| “Fantastic travel benefits card for frequent flyers. Offers superior travel perks, for a hefty annual feel.” Read more | ||
 CreditDonkey’s David R. | 80% | “In our opinion, the Platinum Card is a prestigious travel-friendly charge card that offers travel benefits for frequent flyers, a consistent rewards program, and an exclusive concierge service that’s tough to beat.” Read more |
| “In our opinion, the Platinum Card is a prestigious travel-friendly charge card that offers travel benefits for frequent flyers, a consistent rewards program, and an exclusive concierge service that’s tough to beat.” Read more | ||
 Get.com’s Pedro Pla | 86% | “The Platinum Card® from American Express is a prestigious charge card with top-notch travel and lifestyle perks that can easily make the high annual fee worth it if you actually use them.” Read more |
| “The Platinum Card® from American Express is a prestigious charge card with top-notch travel and lifestyle perks that can easily make the high annual fee worth it if you actually use them.” Read more | ||
 CreditCard.com’s Robin Ratcliff | 46% | “Though the card holds limited appeal for the average traveler, an elite jet-setter will find plenty of value in the bevy of luxury perks that comes with the Platinum Card from American Express.” Read more |
| “Though the card holds limited appeal for the average traveler, an elite jet-setter will find plenty of value in the bevy of luxury perks that comes with the Platinum Card from American Express.” Read more | ||
 CardRatings’s Brooklyn Lowery | 100% | “Fantastic travel benefits card for frequent flyers. Offers superior travel perks, for a hefty annual feel.” Read more |
| “Fantastic travel benefits card for frequent flyers. Offers superior travel perks, for a hefty annual feel.” Read more | ||
 Credit Card Insider’s John Ganotis | 100% | “The key to using the Platinum card effectively is to be aware of the many benefits and enroll in all the additional programs it offers. There are so many that it’d be easy to forget about some, and miss out on a nice discount or pleasant experience.” Read more |
| “The key to using the Platinum card effectively is to be aware of the many benefits and enroll in all the additional programs it offers. There are so many that it’d be easy to forget about some, and miss out on a nice discount or pleasant experience.” Read more | ||
User reviews
| Users | Avg. rating | Review count |
|---|---|---|
| NerdWallet’s users | 92% | 14 reviews |
| WalletHub’s users | 74% | 527 reviews |
 CreditKarma’s users | 92% | 73 reviews |
The Platinum Card review
What you need to know
- Get this card if … you spend a lot on travel.
- Pick something else if … you’re looking for a general cash back card or you’re not a frequent flyer.
The Platinum Card is one of those rare charge cards for travelers offered only by American Express that will reward you with first-class perks that you won’t find anywhere else.
Who is the Platinum Card for?
The Platinum Card is unabashedly aimed at those who love to travel in style. And you’ll pay for it at $550 a year. You’ll enjoy a universe of benefits that include premium airport lounges and Gold status at hotels.
Beyond the signup bonus points, you won’t accrue any points on nontravel spending. Instead, you’ll acquire points for spending on flights and hotels — 5x per dollar when you book through airlines and American Express Travel. Redeem your points for flights, hotels, rental cars and even cruises. You can also transfer your points to such frequent flyer programs as Delta SkyMiles and Emirates Skywards.
En route to your destination, stop by the American Express Centurion airport lounges — the Platinum Card gives you complimentary access. These lounges are considered among the best in the world, and they’re reserved exclusively for American Express cardholders. And when you start your vacation, you’ll like having complimentary Gold status in the Hilton Honors and Starwood Preferred Guest loyalty programs. These come with benefits such as free Wi-Fi and late checkout, on top of accelerated point earnings to take you to higher status tiers.
The Platinum Card isn’t for everyone. It’s a charge card, so you have to pay your balance in full each month. It’s also designed for those who spend a lot on travel. If you don’t spend much on flights or hotels but still want travel benefits, consider a card like the Barclaycard Arrival Plus, which gives you 2x miles on everything you buy.
The perks
- SIGNUP BONUS: Lots of Membership Rewards points. Get 60,000 Membership Rewards points if you spend $5,000 in the first three months.
- POINTS: Big point earnings on flight and hotel spending.
5x points when you book flights directly through the airlines or when booking flights or hotels through American Express Travel.
- Free access to the Global Lounge Collection. You’ll have complimentary entry to the Centurion Lounges, Delta Sky Clubs and Priority Pass Lounges.
The Centurion Lounges are considered best-in-class.
You’ll find seven Centurion Lounges in the United States, and they’re among the best airport lounges you’ll find anywhere. Entry is free for Platinum Card members.
- Transfer points to frequent flyer programs. Participating airlines include British Airways, Delta, Emirates, Hawaiian Airlines, JetBlue and Virgin, among others.
- Airport credits. Charge up to $200 a year in airline fees (checked bags, in-flight meals, etc.) and get it back in statement credit. Get a $100 fee credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck membership.
- Complimentary upgrade to Hilton Honors Gold status. Benefits include late checkout, free Wi-Fi, room upgrades at select hotels and enhanced point earnings.
- Complimentary upgrade to Starwood Preferred Guest Gold status. Benefits include late checkout, free Wi-Fi, room upgrades and enhanced Starpoint earnings.
You’ll also like …
- Amenities at eligible resorts. Get free benefits like free breakfast, room upgrades, late checkout and free Wi-Fi when you stay at select properties.
- Get a complimentary Amex Gold Card. Add a Gold Card — which offers 2x points on flight tickets and at US restaurants — for no annual fee.
- Uber credits. You’ll receive $15 in Uber credits each month, along with $20 extra in December.
- Travel services. Ask Platinum Travel agents for custom itineraries, and access the American Express Global Assist Hotline while you’re on vacation. Also, get free car rental insurance.
- No foreign transaction fees. Use your card internationally without incurring fees.
- Exclusive American Express perks. Gain access to Amex Concierge, By Invitation Only events, Global Dining Collection and preferred seating at events.
- Purchase benefits. Get extended warranties, purchase protection and return protection on eligible items.
- InCircle benefits. Receive a $100 Point Card when you earn 10,000 Neiman Marcus InCircle points.
What to watch out for
- Annual fee. The Platinum Card comes with a $550 p.a. annual fee.
- Not a normal credit card. The Platinum Card is a charge card, which means you have to pay your balance in full each month.
- Not as widely accepted overseas. Because the Platinum Card is an American Express, you might not have as many opportunities to use it overseas as you would with a Visa or Mastercard.
- It hurts to pay late. Making late or returned payments could saddle you with fees as high as $38.
Consider other cards if …
- You want a low annual fee. The Platinum Card has an annual fee that’s higher than average at $550 p.a.. For a travel card with no annual fees, consider the BankAmericard Travel Rewards Credit Card. Also consider the Chase Sapphire Preferred, which has a $95 annual fee.
- You want to carry balances over time. This is a charge card, so you have to pay your balance in full each month.
- You don’t travel much. Beyond the signup bonus, you won’t earn any points for nontravel spending. If you want access to the Centurion Lounges, you can buy a day pass for $50 as long as you have an American Express card. Consider the Amex Gold Card, which gives you points for nontravel purchases. Another good choice is the Barclaycard Arrival Plus, which gives you 2x points on everything you buy.
Compare other American Express credit cards
Rates last updated April 20th, 2018
What to know before you apply
Always consider your options and your financial situation before you apply for a credit card.
To apply for the Platinum Card, you must be:
- At least 18 years old.
- A US citizen or resident.
What credit score do I need?
You’ll have a better chance of being approved for the Platinum Card if you apply with a good to excellent credit score of 680 or higher.
Average approval rate for the Platinum Card from American Express
| Credit Range | Approval Rate |
|---|---|
| 720-850 | 96% |
| 680-719 | 80% |
| 620-679 | 48% |
| 300-619 | 14% |
| Not Sure | 33% |
How to apply for the card
1. On the American Express website, click the Apply Now button.
2. Complete the application form with information like your Social Security number, home address, income source and total annual income.
How long will it take to be approved?
Because conditional credit card approval is automated on the website, you can get a decision on your application within 60 seconds.
I got the card — now what?
- Making payments. Register your account at the American Express website to pay your balance online. You can also enroll in autopay.
- Avoiding fees. Late and returned payments come with hefty fees of up to $38.
- Customer service. Help documents aren’t easily accessible on the American Express website, but you can call 1-800-528-4800 for customer service. According to market research company J.D. Power, cardholders give American Express high marks in customer interaction.
Credit Card Insights: Platinum Card from American Express
We’ve polled hundreds of Platinum Card users. Here’s what we’ve found.
| Quick stats | |
|---|---|
 | Application process rating: 71%. |
 | Customer service rating: 81%. |
 | Approval rate for 720–850 credit range: 96%. |
 | 33% of users confident the $550 annual fee is worth it. |
 | No. 1 reason people sign up: Signup bonus. |
 | 53% pay monthly balance in full. |
 | 74% met the minimum spend and earned the bonus. |
Reviews around the web on the Platinum Card
Critics and user reviews from around the web on the Platinum Card from American Express
Before Chase swept onto the scene vying for American Express’s user base, the Platinum Card from American Express was the go-to travel card for stylish flyers. While the Amex Platinum remains one of the better options, stiffer competition from Chase’s Sapphire Reserve and Barclaycard’s Arrival Plus World Elite means you’ll want to carefully consider how much you travel per year to see if the $550 annual fee is worth it. If you’re “an occasional traveler,” the card isn’t going to “magically get you into first class,” writes NerdWallet’s Virginia McGuire, but the “fantastic travel benefits” (ValuePenguin) means if you’ve “excellent credit and a liberal budget” the Amex Platinum card is worth “a closer look” (WalletHub).
Critic reviews
| Critic | Rating | Notable quotable |
|---|---|---|
| NerdWallet’s Virginia C. McGuire | — | “If you’re an occasional traveler who flies coach and stays at the Holiday Inn, The Platinum Card® from American Express isn’t going to magically get you into first class and the presidential suite at the Ritz-Carlton at no extra charge.” Read more |
| “If you’re an occasional traveler who flies coach and stays at the Holiday Inn, The Platinum Card® from American Express isn’t going to magically get you into first class and the presidential suite at the Ritz-Carlton at no extra charge.” Read more | ||
| WalletHub’s John S. Kiernan | 100% | “As a result, the Amex Platinum Card isn’t an everyday credit card, nor is it ideal for most people. But if you have excellent credit, a penchant for travel and a liberal budget, it’s at least worth a closer look given its assorted accoutrements.” Read more |
| “As a result, the Amex Platinum Card isn’t an everyday credit card, nor is it ideal for most people. But if you have excellent credit, a penchant for travel and a liberal budget, it’s at least worth a closer look given its assorted accoutrements.” Read more | ||
| ValuePenguin’s Robert Harrow | 94% | “Fantastic travel benefits card for frequent flyers. Offers superior travel perks, for a hefty annual feel.” Read more |
| “Fantastic travel benefits card for frequent flyers. Offers superior travel perks, for a hefty annual feel.” Read more | ||
User reviews
| Users | Avg. Rating | Review count |
|---|---|---|
| NerdWallet’s users | 92% | 14 reviews |
| WalletHub’s users | 74% | 527 reviews |
| CreditKarma’s users | 92% | 73 reviews |
Amex Platinum Card vs. Chase Sapphire Reserve
The Platinum Card details
| Product name | The Platinum Card from American Express |
| Issuing bank | American Express |
| Recommended credit score range | 720–850 |
| Annual fee | $550 |
| Signup bonus | 60,000 Membership Rewards points if you spend $5,000 in the first 3 months |
| Intro purchase APR | N/A |
| Intro balance transfer APR | N/A |
| Balance transfer fee | N/A |
| Foreign transaction fees | None |
| Cash advance rate | N/A |
| Cash advance fee | N/A |
| Penalty APR | N/A |
| Late payment fee | Up to $38 |
| Returned payment fee | Up to $38 |
| Overlimit fee | N/A |
| Maximum credit limit | $2,500 |
| Minimum APR | 23.99% |
Bottom line
The Platinum Card has a high bar to entry — but it heavily rewards those who spend big on travel.
Frequently asked questions
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