It's no secret that the Amex Gold Personal card is one of my top 3 recommended cards (reasons why here and all 3 favs listed here). However, it's big sister card, the Platinum (both personal and business) got a big makeover as of September 18th, 2025. (It looks like Amex is taking a similar approach to Chase with it's Sapphire Reserve makeover).
Take a depth breathe, because the already high $695 annual fee for the personal Platinum card, just got higher - jumping to a whopping $895 per year. Let's talk through the card and it's benefits in this post to determine if it's the right card for your wallet.
American Express Platinum (personal)
Annual Fee: $895
Current Sign up Offer: Spend $12,000 in 6 months, earn up to 170,000 points*
Note the 6-month minimum spend on the personal cards instead of the usual 3-month duration! I know this really helps out low spenders.
*Amex is weird with sign up bonuses. The same link may produce a 75K offer on your phone and 100K offer on your computer. It's always best to check the link in a few different browser and devices (clear your cookies, incognito mode, on your phone), before you apply and accept - to ensure that you're getting the highest offer)
5/24 Status: This IS a personal card, therefore it will take one of your 5/24 spots. (If you're not familiar with what 5/24 Rule is, visit this post New to Points, Rule 2)
Why I Got This Card
1. The high sign up bonus and extended 6-month spend is one of the best across all flexible points banks. It's hard to beat!
2. Rakuten: aka an online shopping portal where you earn Amex Membership Rewards points instead of cash back. Those points can really add up. In August I received 65,000 MRs from my quarterly Rakuten earnings and used those to book a 70K point one-way business class flight to Europe (with a cash value of $4,700). If you aren't familiar with shopping portals and/or Rakuten, this post will tell me you and also show you how to select points instead of cash back.
3. Honestly, I initially opened this card strategically for the sign up bonus and to get automatic Hilton status so that I could book a Hilton Property on points (transferring from Amex to Hilton at a 1 to 2 ratio) AND with Hilton status, I could pay for 4 nights with points and get the 5th night free for our Costa Rica trip... but now that the new annual fee and benefits rolled out, I think this card may be a keeper (or I'll have P2 get it after he gets the gold!)
So let's jump into the benefits!
Off-Setting the Annual $895 Fee
The signup offer and the benefits of this card can make it easy to offset the $895 annual, depending which of these you use.
Travel-Related Benefits
$200 Airline Fee Credit: While you can't use this benefit to directly purchases flights; you can this use this benefit to cover incidentals like seat selections and/or baggage fee. However, you can also use this credit with some airlines to purchase airline credit, which you can you can use then towards cash flights.
How I used this Benefit: In my Platinum Benefits page, I selected United as my associated airline. I then went to United TravelBank and used my Platinum card to make 2 ($100) TravelBank deposits. On my credit card statement, the charges came through and then the statement credit appeared within a few days.
Note: As of 2/4/206, the Travel Bank hack doesn't seem to be working; but you can still use this benefit to pay for checked bags and select seats!
Value I receive from this Benefit: $200
American Express Centurion Airport Lounge Access and Priority Pass Select Membership: To be honest, even though Denver has a Centurion, I still haven't used this benefit! I know! But I'm generally travelling with someone else and the guest benefit is essentially non-existent (or not worth the guest fee of $50 when I have other free lounges available.
Estimated Value I receive from this Benefit (to date): $50 I have utilized Priority Pass lounges and this benefits. Although f PP Lounges are better international!
$209 Clear Credit: Use your Platinum card to pay for your Clear membership and receive a statement credit each calendar year.
Estimated Value I receive from this Benefit (to date): $0 I haven't utilized this benefit. I probably should, but again, the majority of the time I've traveling with others who only have TSA Precheck. But - really this is a no brainer that I need to take advantage of!
$600 Hotel Credit: Use AmexTravel to book a Fine Hotel Resort or Hotel Collection booking and receive a $300 statement credit, twice a year (Jan-June and Jul-Dec). Note - the reservation only needs to be made during this time frame and paid up front, charging the Platinum card, for the credit to be issued. You don't have to stay during these time periods.
These hotels are often more expensive, so sometimes the $300 don't go very far, but if you can find a lower cost stay (using websites like MaxmyFHR) it can be well worth it! Note the Fine Hotel Resorts allow a one-night stay, but the Hotel Collection requires a 2-night minimum booking.
The really nice thing about Fine Hotel Resorts is that you get an elevated stay! These bookings include free Daily Breakfast for 2, $100 Resort Credit (per stay) which can be used for resort experiences like the Spa or Restaurant/Bar/Room Service. You also receive guaranteed 4pm check out, and noon checkout (when available). You may also receive a complimentary upgrade!
Estimated Value I receive from this Benefit (to date): $657 - This benefit updated 9/18/25 and I sadly didn't use the previous $200 available in Jan-June. However, I'm pretty impressed that with one night stay I'm able to find this much value! (Granted the hotel I'm using this at this charges a $60/nt resort fee and $55/nt parking; but it's well worth it!)
Automatic Hotel Status: By holding the personal Platinum card you receive Marriott Silver Status and Hilton Gold Status. Enrollment required. Hilton Gold status allows you to receive 5th night free and free breakfast for two at select hotels.
Estimated Value I receive from this Benefit (to date): $500 - I utilized Hilton 5th night free for Tabacon Resort, which was a cash value savings of $500!
Global Entry or TSA Precheck: Receive up to $120 statement credit every 4 years Global Entry (which includes TSA PreCheck) or $85 credit every 4.5 years for TSA PreCheck; when you pay your application fee with your Platinum Card
Estimated Value I receive from this Benefit (to date): $0 - Myself and my entire family have Global Entry (and PreCheck) from other credit card benefits
Rental Car Status: By holding the personal Platinum card and enrolling in Hertz, Avis, or National loyalty program - you can receive premium status for rental parks and updates.
Estimated Value I receive from this Benefit (to date): $0 - I utilize this benefit already from other credit card benefits
Dining Benefits
$20/mo Uber or Uber Eats Credit: Assign your platinum as your form of payment for Uber and receive $20/mo credit in the Uber app - which can be used on rides or food!
Estimated Value I receive from this Benefit (to date): $160 - We utilize this benefit almost monthly. We've missed one month to date~
$120 UberOne Credit: Use your Platinum to purchase an auto-renewing year long UberOne membership and receive a statement credit every calendar year. UberOne gives free delivery for UberEats and also discounts
Estimated Value I receive from this Benefit (to date): $0 - I need to set this up! My P2 has been paying $7.99 a month for UberOne (Grrrr!)
Summary
There's a lot of ground to cover with Amex Platinum, but that's what makes the high annual high justifiable! In fact, my annual fee just hit on this card and I'm keeping it because I find more than enough value for the fee I pay.
If you want to open this card, or any of the cards I post about, I would SO appreciate if you utilized my referral links to open cards. This doesn't cost you anything, but provides me with some extra points and keeps all of my content free! Thank you in advance!
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Looking for more information on points/miles? You can find all of my points talk posts linked here.
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Curious what cards I (and/or my husband) have, and why? Read here!
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