Before acquiring any credit card, it is important to investigate the payment fees and whether there are annual maintenance fees.
This will help you study the pros and cons and decide when choosing a card. One of the most popular cards is the platinum card, so if you consider applying for one, I invite you to continue reading to learn more about it.
What are the advantages I will have if I get a platinum card?
By acquiring this card, you will have access to more than 1400 VIP lounges worldwide. This includes Plaza Premium lounges, AmEx Centurion lounges, and Priority Pass lounges.
Membership Rewards
They also have great rewards in Membership Rewards. For every dollar spent on airline ticket purchases through the airline or with American Express Travel, 5 points will be earned. On prepaid hotel reservations made through American Express Travel, you also receive 5 points for every dollar spent.
Status Credits
All types of status credits are available at the time of enrollment. These credits are Equinox credit, airline credit, Uber Cash credit, Saks Fifth Avenue credit, streaming credit, Walmart+ credit, and CLEAR credit.
Access to Programs Hotels & Resorts
Allow access to American Express Fine Hotels and Resorts and the AmEx international airline program.
Welcome Bonus
They have a welcome bonus of 100,000 Membership Rewards points when you spend $6,000 on purchases during the first six months of card membership.
Card Design
Allows the user to request and select the design of the card. They have three models: Platinum x Julie Mehretu, Classic Platinum Card, or Platinum x Kehinde Wiley.
Rebate
It also provides a $200 rebate in statement credits for prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts or The Hotel Collection bookings. A minimum stay of two nights is required to enjoy this benefit.
Car Rental
When spending many days in another country, a good option is to rent a car to save money on uber.
Because American Express thinks a lot about its travelers, it has decided to grant those with an AmEx platinum card the automatic National Emerald Club Executive status. Hertz Gold Plus and Avis Preferred benefits are also available.
Each company’s main benefits include discounts, expedited pick-up lanes, convenient drop-off locations, and vehicle upgrades.
Insurance
American Express Platinum provides travel insurance and consumer protection. Travel insurance includes trip cancellation and interruption, trip delay, lost luggage assistance, and rental car insurance.
On the other hand, consumer protection provides cell phone insurance, return protection, purchase protection, and extended warranty coverage.
How do I know if the Platinum Card is best for me?
This card is probably the best option if you are a frequent traveler.
This is because it offers many travel advantages due to its annual credits in airlines and hotels, which help to reduce expenses a little. In addition, it gives you free access to more airport lounges in different countries.
They also provide monthly credits to companies such as Uber, digital entertainment, and Equinox. The credits add up to more than $1,500 a year.
By purchasing this card, you will have access to the AmEx Fine Hotel & Resorts program and Gold elite status with Marriott Bonvoy and Hilton Honors.
What are the AmEx platinum card rates?
When you purchase an AmEx platinum card, you must pay an annual fee of $695. There are no foreign transaction fees. On the other hand, if you do not pay your debts on time, you may receive a late fee of up to $40.
The penalty APR is a 29.99% variable, and the cash advance APR is a 28.24% variable.
What are the best ways to redeem Membership Rewards points?
While you can redeem points as you wish, it may be helpful to know that certain airlines and hotels offer a greater benefit.
The best option for flights
The best way to redeem your points is on Singapore Suites on an A380 because it has first-class experiences. For bookings of two people, you could opt for a double bed.
There is also the option of flying Lufthansa First Class to Europe, as it is the most elegant way to travel. Taxes and fees through this airline are $41 per person.
Another way to redeem points is to fly Virgin Atlantic Upper Class to Europe with Air France-KLM Flying Blue. They save up to $600 in taxes and fees.
Better hotel options
Although the best redemptions are on airline tickets, you can also find good hotel options. You will have access to hotel reservations, and some redemptions will save you a lot of money on hotels.
Points can be transferred to Choice Privileges at a dollar per point, allowing you to find the best hotel redemptions in Europe. In some hotels costing hundreds of euros in Honduras, Sweden, and Italy, you can stay for as little as 8,000 points per night.
Some of the best options in price and quality are staying in Rome at Clarion Collection Hotel Principessa Isabella with only 16,000 points per night. Clarion Suites Roatan redeems between 12,000 to 16,000 points per night in Honduras.
The Hotel C Stockholm, Ascend Hotel Collection with 16,000 points per night. Finally, in Oslo, the Hotel Christiania Teater, Ascend Hotel Collection, only 20,000 points per night.