In this guide

  • Our verdict
  • Details
    • Product overview
    • Fees and charges
    • Application requirements
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The Platinum Card® by American Express review

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The Platinum Card® by American Express
4.0
★★★★★
Finder score
Representative example:
When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 30.7% (variable) p.a. with a fee of £650 per annum, your representative rate is 701.4% APR (variable).
Intro bonus
Up to 50,000 points
Earn rate
1 point per £1 spent
Earn rate (at select partners)
2 points per £1 spent

Our verdict

Amex has relaunched the iconic Platinum Card, with extensive travel benefits and a shiny new welcome bonus. Bye-bye charge card and hello to a super-premium (metal!) credit card.
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Amex has relaunched its iconic super-premium Platinum Card as a credit card, with a monster welcome bonus. There’s a high annual fee and a pretty hefty representative APR, but if you’re likely to spend a fair bit on the card and could really milk the ongoing rewards, then this card could be a good choice. Plus, you can request one supplementary card for a fee of (yep – also metal) perhaps for a partner or family member, to earn reward points faster and to share the perks.

If you already own the traditional charge card, don’t panic throw it away just yet, Amex have announced that your card won’t be automatically cancelled and will still be available for you to use. Both credit cards and charge cards offer different purposes, you may wish to apply for the Platinum Credit Card. If approved for the new credit card, unfortunately will not be eligible for the new welcome bonus and if you do not cancel your charge card, you will have to pay for both annual fees. Stay sharp as the charge card will not be automatically cancelled if you get the credit card.

The impressive perks attached to this card are geared up to frequent travellers. You and an additional cardholder can benefit from complimentary airport lounge access, comprehensive worldwide travel cover (subject to enrolment) and hotel benefits like room upgrades and late check-outs.

Oh, and did we mention it's made of metal?

Pros

  • Airport lounge access
  • Earn points as you spend
  • Worldwide travel insurance (subject to enrolment)
  • Up to 50,000 Membership Rewards® points introductory bonus
  • Dining statement credit at selected restaurants (subject to enrolment)
  • Harvey Nichols Lifestyle credit (subject to enrolment)
  • Hotel benefits like complimentary room upgrades and late check-out
  • Refer-a-friend points bonus

Cons

  • High annual fee of £650 per annum
  • Many of the perks will require you to actively opt in

In this guide

  • Our verdict
  • Details
    • Product overview
    • Fees and charges
    • Application requirements

If you travel often and want to access a wide range of benefits through your spending, such as airport lounge access and a concierge service, it could be worth considering this credit card from American Express.

Details

Product overview

Issuer American Express
Network Amex
Representative APR 701.4% APR (variable)
Annual/monthly fees £650 per annum
Loyalty scheme Points
Incentive Earn 50,000 Membership Rewards® points, when you spend £6,000 in your first 3 months of Cardmembership. 18+, subject to status. Terms Apply.
Incentive on opening Earn 50,000 Membership Rewards® points, when you spend £6,000 in your first 3 months of Cardmembership. 18+, subject to status. Terms Apply.
Additional Rewards Info This new Cardmember offer is only available if you have not held a personal Membership Rewards enrolled American Express Card within the previous 24 months. If you have held a personal Membership Rewards enrolled American Express Card within the previous 24 months, you will be entitled to all other Card benefits, excluding the welcome offer.
Lounge access Complimentary access to over 1,200 airport lounges across more than 130 countries worldwide through Priority Pass, with supplementary cardholder as guest. Access to the new Centurion Lounge, coming soon to Heathrow Terminal 3.
Purchases 30.7%
Purchases interest-free period (days) 56
Balance transfers 30.7%
Potential costs 3.0 ★★★★★
Doing its job 5.0 ★★★★★
Extras 4.5 ★★★★★
Overall Finder Score 4.0 ★★★★★

Fees and charges

Minimum monthly payment £25 (or the total amount you owe if less)
Annual/monthly fees £650 per annum
Balance transfer fee 0%
Money transfer fee 3%
Foreign usage charge (EU) 2.99%
Foreign usage charge (rest of world) 2.99%
Cash advance fee 3% (min. £3)
Late payment fee £12 for amounts still owed after 30 days, then payable each month after 60 days
Replacement card fee £0
Duplicate statement fee £2
Exceeding limit fee £0
Dormancy fee £0

Application requirements

Minimum Age 18
Residency UK resident and has a UK bank or building society account.
Availability Available to new customers

How does it compare?

American Express's card

1 - 1 of 1
Name Product UKCCF Finder Score Finder score Rewards earn rate Max. intro bonus Annual/monthly fees Representative APR Link Incentive Representative example
The Platinum Card® by American Express
4.0
★★★★★
★★★★★
Expert analysis
1 point per £1 spent elsewhere
50,000 points
£650 per annum
701.4% APR (variable)
Check eligibility
Earn 50,000 Membership Rewards® points, when you spend £6,000 in your first 3 months of Cardmembership. 18+, subject to status. Terms Apply.
Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 30.7% (variable) p.a. with a fee of £650 per annum, your representative rate is 701.4% APR (variable).
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Other popular Amex rewards deals

Table: sorted by representative APR, promoted deals first
1 - 11 of 11
Name Product UKCCF Finder Score Finder score Rewards earn rate Max. intro bonus Annual/monthly fees Representative APR Link Incentive Representative example
American Express® Rewards Credit Card
3.9
★★★★★
★★★★★
Expert analysis
1 point per £1 spent
10,000 points
£0
30.7% APR (variable)
Check eligibility
Earn 1 Membership Rewards® point for every £1 spent thereafter. Earn up to 90,000 bonus points per year through refer a friend, 4,000 points awarded for every friend approved. 1 point = 0.45p (min 1,000 points) to shop, other rewards have differing conversions.
Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 30.7% (variable) p.a., your representative rate is 30.7% APR (variable).
British Airways American Express® Credit Card
4.0
★★★★★
★★★★★
Expert analysis
1 point per £1 spent
5,000 points
£0
30.7% APR (variable)
Check eligibility
New Cardmembers collect 5,000 bonus Avios when you spend £2,000 in the first 3 months of your Cardmembership. T&Cs Apply, 18+, subject to status.
Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 30.7% (variable) p.a., your representative rate is 30.7% APR (variable).
Amex® Cashback Everyday Credit Card
3.8
★★★★★
★★★★★
Expert analysis
1% cashback
£125
£0
30.7% APR (variable)
Check eligibility
Welcome offer: Get 5% cashback on your purchases (up to £125) for the first 5 months of Cardmembership. Terms and minimum spend apply. 18+, subject to status.
Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 30.7% (variable) p.a., your representative rate is 30.7% APR (variable).
Amex® Cashback Credit Card
3.7
★★★★★
★★★★★
Expert analysis
1.25% cashback
£125
£25 per annum
36.3% APR (variable)
Check eligibility
New Cardmembers get 5% cashback on your purchases (up to £125) for the first 3 months of Cardmembership. T&Cs apply, 18+, subject to status.
Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 30.7% (variable) p.a. with a fee of £25 per annum, your representative rate is 36.3% APR (variable).
Nectar Credit Card
3.8
★★★★★
★★★★★
Expert analysis
2 points per £1 spent elsewhere
20,000 points
Year 1 - £0, Year 2 onwards - £30 per annum
37.5% APR (variable)
Check eligibility
New welcome offer: Earn 20,000 bonus Nectar points when you spend £2,000 in your first 3 months. Earn a minimum of 3 Nectar points for virtually every £1 spent at Nectar partners, and 2 Nectar points for virtually every £1 spent elsewhere.
Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 30.7% (variable) p.a. with a fee of Year 1 - £0, Year 2 onwards - £30 per annum, your representative rate is 37.5% APR (variable).
The Marriott Bonvoy American Express Card
4.0
★★★★★
★★★★★
Expert analysis
2 points per £1 spent elsewhere
20,000 points
£95 per annum
54.5% APR (variable)
Check eligibility
Earn 20,000 bonus Marriott Bonvoy ® points when you spend £3,000 in the first 3 months of Cardmembership. 18+, subject to status. Terms apply.
Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 30.7% (variable) p.a. with a fee of £95 per annum, your representative rate is 54.5% APR (variable).
American Express® Preferred Rewards Gold Credit Card
4.0
★★★★★
★★★★★
Expert analysis
1 point per £1 spent elsewhere
20,000 points
Year 1 - £0, Year 2 onwards - £195 per annum
88.3% APR (variable)
Check eligibility
New Cardmembers earn 20,000 Membership Rewards® points when you spend £3,000 in your first 3 months of Cardmembership. Terms Apply. 18+, subject to status.
Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 30.7% (variable) p.a. with a fee of Year 1 - £0, Year 2 onwards - £195 per annum, your representative rate is 88.3% APR (variable).
British Airways American Express® Premium Plus Card
4.0
★★★★★
★★★★★
Expert analysis
1.5 points per £1 spent elsewhere
30,000 points
£300 per annum
139.2% APR (variable)
Check eligibility
New Cardmembers collect 30,000 bonus Avios when you spend £6,000 in the first 3 months of your Cardmembership. T&Cs Apply, 18+, subject to status.
Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 30.7% (variable) p.a. with a fee of £300 per annum, your representative rate is 139.2% APR (variable).
The Platinum Card® by American Express
4.0
★★★★★
★★★★★
Expert analysis
1 point per £1 spent elsewhere
50,000 points
£650 per annum
701.4% APR (variable)
Check eligibility
Earn 50,000 Membership Rewards® points, when you spend £6,000 in your first 3 months of Cardmembership. 18+, subject to status. Terms Apply.
Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 30.7% (variable) p.a. with a fee of £650 per annum, your representative rate is 701.4% APR (variable).
Vitality American Express® Credit Card (Vitality Members only)
3.3
★★★★★
★★★★★
Expert analysis
0.5% cashback
N/A
£0 (but £4.75 fee for the Vitality programme)
46.8% APR (variable)
0.5% on £1 to £10,000 of yearly spend and 1% thereafter. Paid on anniversary. Must spend £3,000 annually to earn cashback. Earn up to 2% additional cashback on first £1,000 spend each month based on Vitality products held and monthly activity points earned. New cardmember offer: earn £100 statement credit when £2,000 spent in first three months.
Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 31% (variable) p.a. with a fee of £4.75 per month, your representative rate is 46.8% APR (variable).
American Express Basic Charge Card
3.5
★★★★★
★★★★★
Expert analysis
N/A
N/A
£0
N/A (this product is a charge card).
Access to tickets for must-see music, theatre and film events, often before they go on sale to the general public with American Express Experiences.
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Approval for any credit card depends on your status. The representative APRs shown represent the interest rate offered to most successful applicants. Depending on your personal circumstances, the APR you're offered may be higher, or you may not be offered credit at all. Fees and rates are subject to change without notice. It's always wise to check the terms of any deal before you borrow. Most of the data in Finder's comparison tables is provided by Moneyfacts.

How to apply

First, you can use Finder's eligibility checker to find out if you'd be likely to get approved for The Platinum Card® by American Express. This won't impact your credit score. If it's good news, you can then proceed to American Express's online application, which takes 10–15 minutes to complete.

Bottom line

As the exclusively simple name suggests, the American Express Platinum Card is a premium credit card that doesn’t skimp on the perks. Whether it’s airport lounge access, concierge services or simple reward points, this card delivers in spades, but you’ll need to cough up a whopping £650 per annum fee for the privilege. Make sure you repay your card in full each month or you might be hit by that high APR.

But if rewards are what you’re after, it’s hard to look past this premium card, especially if you’re likely to take full advantage of the enormous introductory points bonus.

Frequently asked questions

What credit limit will I get with The Platinum Card® by American Express?

If American Express offers you this deal, it will specify a personalised credit limit based on American Express's assessment of your situation. The minimum limit offered on this card is £700, and American Express does not specify a maximum. Once you've had the card for a while and shown American Express you're reliable, you may wish to apply for a credit limit increase.

Can I withdraw cash using The Platinum Card® by American Express?

Although it's possible, withdrawing cash from a credit card account is generally not a good idea, as "cash-like transactions" (such as withdrawing cash at an ATM, getting cashback at the till, spending at a casino or buying currency) often incur steep fees and/or higher rates of interest.

The cash advance fee on The Platinum Card® by American Express is 3% (min. £3). For example, if you withdraw £50, you'll incur a fee of £3.00. Withdraw £250 and you'll incur a fee of £7.50.

The interest rate on this part of your balance will be 38% (chargeable from the day of the transaction – the card's usual "up to 56 days interest-free" grace period won't apply).

How much does it cost to use The Platinum Card® by American Express abroad?

Non-sterling transactions are subject to a 2.99% charge (which is very standard). For example, if you spend 200 euros (£167.46), it'll cost you around £5.01 in fees.

Can I request an additional The Platinum Card® by American Express?

Yes, in fact, you can request up to 5 more. There's no fee for additional cards. Plus, with additional cards, you could earn points at a faster rate. Bear in mind that card debt accrued by additional cardholders is the sole responsibility of the account holder – not the additional cardholder.

Can I use American Express Platinum with Addison Lee?

Yes, you can use your Amex Platinum card to book a private car or vehicle, and can also use it with CityFleet, Radio Taxis and Checker Cars. You can book a car up to three months in advance by using the Addison Lee app.

Finder credit card scores

★★★★★ — Excellent
★★★★★ — Good
★★★★★ — Average
★★★★★ — Subpar
★★★★★ — Poor

Our experts score credit cards to determine their value against similar products on the market. We look at a number of important factors, like its suitability for its intended purpose, any perks/extras it brings to the table, plus the potential costs involved with running the card both in the short and longer term.

You can read more about our scoring criteria on our credit card methodology page.

We show offers we can track - that's not every product on the market...yet. Unless we've said otherwise, products are in no particular order. The terms "best", "top", "cheap" (and variations of these) aren't ratings, though we always explain what's great about a product when we highlight it. This is subject to our terms of use. When you make major financial decisions, consider getting independent financial advice. Always consider your own circumstances when you compare products so you get what's right for you. Most of the data in Finder's comparison tables has the source: Moneyfacts Group PLC. In other cases, Finder has sourced data directly from providers.
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