​

Massive Welcome Bonus — 175000 Points Worth $1,750+

American Express is currently offering up to 175,000 Membership Rewards points as a welcome bonus (via targeted or referral offers) — one of the highest public and semi-public offers they've ever made available.

What’s the value?

• $1,750 minimum when used for flights through Amex Travel (1 cent per point)

• $2,000–$3,000+ when transferred to airline or hotel partners strategically

Transfer partners include:

• ANA (All Nippon Airways) — fly round-trip to Japan in business class for 75,000 points!

• Avianca, Air France/KLM, Singapore Airlines, Qatar Airways, Delta, Emirates, British Airways, and more

• Hotel programs like Marriott Bonvoy and Hilton Honors

That bonus alone can cover:

• A round-trip business class flight to Europe or Asia

• Multiple domestic flights

• 4–6 nights in luxury hotels

• Several upgrades to first or business class

​

Best-in-Class Lounge Access 

With the Amex Platinum, you get the most extensive airport lounge access of any card, including:

• Amex Centurion Lounges (premium food, drinks, spa treatments in some locations)

• Priority Pass Select (1,300+ lounges globally)

• Delta Sky Club access (when flying Delta)

• Plaza Premium Lounges and Escape Lounges

 Whether you're flying domestically or internationally, you’ll almost always have a quiet, comfortable place to relax before your flight  with free food, drinks, Wi-Fi, and sometimes even showers.

 

Over $1,500 in Annual Statement Credits

Despite the $695 annual fee (as of 2025), the card gives back far more in value each year through a robust suite of credits:

Credit Type                                                                                                                 Annual Value

Airline Incidental Credit                                                                                        $200

Uber Cash ($15/mo + $20 Dec)                                                                         $200

Hotel Credit (Fine Hotels + Resorts / The Hotel Collection)                $200

Digital Entertainment (Hulu, Disney+, etc.)                                                  $240

Equinox Credit                                                                                                           $300

CLEAR® Plus Credit                                                                                                $189

Saks Fifth Avenue Credit                                                                                      $100

Walmart+ Membership Credit                                                                           $155

​

Over $1,500 in statement credits if fully used — which more than offsets the fee for active users.

 

Premium Travel Benefits

• 5x Membership Rewards® Points on flights booked directly with airlines or through Amex Travel (on up to $500,000 per year)

• 5x points on prepaid hotels through Amex Travel

• 1x points on other purchases

Plus:

• $100 Global Entry / TSA PreCheck credit

• No foreign transaction fees

• Premium concierge service

• Fine Hotels + Resorts® program: Room upgrades, daily breakfast, guaranteed 4pm late checkout, and $100+ in-property credits at 5-star hotels

 

Elite Protection and Coverage

• Trip Delay and Cancellation Insurance

• Lost Baggage Insurance

• Car Rental Insurance

• Cell Phone Protection

• Purchase Protection

• Return Protection

• Extended Warranty

You’re backed by some of the best coverage available, whether you're traveling, shopping, or booking experiences.

 

Automatic Hotel & Car Rental Elite Status

Just by holding the card, you’re automatically granted:

• Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite

• Hilton Honors Gold

• National Car Rental Executive status

• Hertz President's Circle

These statuses mean room upgrades, late check-out, free breakfast, and better rental car availability — all with zero additional effort.

​

Final Verdict: 

The American Express Platinum Card® is widely regarded as the gold standard (well, platinum) of premium travel credit cards. If you value luxury travel, elite perks, and want to unlock the full power of Membership Rewards, this card offers unmatched long-term value, and with a limited-time welcome offer of up to 175,000 points, it’s arguably one of the best times to apply.

​