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Platinum Card® from American Express

Updated:

Image of the Platinum Card by American ExpressImage: Image of the Platinum Card by American Express

242 reviews from Intuit Credit Karma members

4.2

Rating: 4 out of 5.
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Great for maximizing your credits and perks

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Annual fee: $695

This content is curated by Intuit Credit Karma’s Editorial team using data from members who were approved for this card or similar cards, or who self-matched this card or similar cards. Intuit Credit Karma receives compensation from third-party advertisers, but that doesn’t affect our editors’ opinions. Our third-party advertisers don’t review, approve or endorse this content. Information about financial products not offered on Credit Karma is collected independently. Our content is accurate to the best of our knowledge when posted.


Member stats

Updated: November 1, 2023

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30.9%

Average credit utilization (or what percent of the card’s credit limit is being used) of members who matched with this card or similar cards.


The Platinum Card® from American Express does not have a traditional credit limit; utilization for this card is not calculated the same as cards with credit limits.

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41 years

Average age of members who matched this card or similar cards.

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$102,153

Average annual income of members who matched this card or similar cards. Note: Income may be estimated for some members by Credit Karma and may differ from members’ actual incomes.


Card highlights

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Big welcome bonus

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Plenty of interesting travel and lifestyle credits

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Lots of airline and hotel transfer partners



Platinum Card® from American Express review

Updated October 12, 2023


This date may not reflect recent changes in individual terms.


Written by: Tim Devaney


Pros


Cons



Key features of the Platinum Card® from American Express

Benefits leave the annual fee in the dust

Total Benefit Value: $4,293

Ease of Use: Difficult


The Platinum Card® from American Express has an estimated Total Benefit Value of $4,293 as of May 2022, based on Credit Karma’s calculation.


The Total Benefit Value measures how much a premium rewards card could be worth if you use each benefit once. We found the Platinum Card® from American Express pays for itself with travel perks that are worth a whopping six times as much as the $695 annual fee.


Here are a few of our favorite benefits.



There’s no doubt the Platinum Card® from American Express offers tremendous value.


Generally speaking, these benefits are practical for most people because they cover run-of-the-mill expenses like travel, rideshares, shopping, fitness and entertainment purchases that are part of a regular budget. With the exception of a handful of perks you might never use, we expect that people in all walks of life could find benefits that appeal to them.


Unfortunately, many of the perks this card offers come with so many strings attached that you might find it difficult to use all of them. Still, with so much value packed into this card, you should have no problem offsetting the annual fee at the very least.


$695 annual fee will make you gulp

The Platinum Card® from American Express charges an exceptionally high $695 annual fee that could drive away many would-be cardholders.


Enjoy world-class lounges

The Platinum Card® from American Express comes with complimentary access to more than 1,400 lounges around the world through the Global Lounge Collection.


The Global Lounge Collection is a consortium of airport lounges spanning seven networks: The Centurion Lounge, Delta Sky Club, Priority Pass, Lufthansa, Air Space Lounge, Escape Lounges and Plaza Premium. This is the highlight of the card for many people.


Welcome bonus raises the stakes

The Platinum Card® from American Express boasts a generous welcome bonus.


You’ll earn 80,000 Membership Rewards points after spending $8,000 on purchases in the first 6 months from account opening.


Earn more rewards when you travel

The Platinum Card® from American Express features top-notch travel rewards.


You’ll earn five points for every $1 you spend on flights booked directly through airlines or through the American Express travel portal on up to $500,000 spent per calendar year, then one point per $1. You’ll also get five points per $1 on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel.


You’ll earn one point per $1 on all other eligible purchases.


More travel credits than you probably need

The Platinum Card® from American Express offers so many travel credits you might have a hard time using them all. Take a look.



Lifestyle credits make it more than just another travel card

The Platinum Card® from American Express is a luxury travel card, but it also offers some lifestyle perks.



Statement credits come with strings attached

The Platinum Card® from American Express offers plenty of statement credits, but most of them come with certain constraints — making it difficult to get the most out of the travel and lifestyle credits. For example …



We’re not saying you won’t get any use out of these credits. It’s just something to keep in mind.


Understanding your points

You can redeem your points for travel, statement credits, shopping, gift cards and charitable donations. But that’s not your only option.


American Express operates what’s known as a “flexible rewards program,” which means you can transfer your points to a number of airline and hotel partners. In some cases, you might get more bang for your points if you do this.


We calculated your points are worth 1 cent each when redeemed through American Express Membership Rewards®. But you might get a better value if you redeem through an American Express transfer partner. For example, if you redeem through Delta SkyMiles®, your points could be worth an estimated 1.61 cents each, based on Credit Karma’s point valuations.


Who this card is good for

The Platinum Card® from American Express certainly wasn’t designed with budget-conscious people in mind.


It’s intended for big spenders who aren’t afraid to pay more to get more. If you manage to claim a majority of the travel and lifestyle credits, this card could be a great deal, even with its annual $695 price tag. But if you can’t take advantage of these credits, it’s probably not worth it.


Member reviews

Updated: November 7, 2023

Overall rating:

4.2

Rating: 4 out of 5.

242 reviews from Intuit Credit Karma members

Most helpful positive review

April 2, 2022

Rating: 5 out of 5.

Do Not Trust Credit Karma

Credit Karma Member


Credit Karma indicates that I have a fair chance of getting the American Express Platinum Card. When I went on the AMEX Website and went through there PRE-APPROVAL Process AMEX indicated that they could not issue me a AMEX Card at this time. Good thing I have learned from my past mistakes, I was fortunate to have went to the AMEX Website and went through the pre approval process, and spared my self from a Hard Credit Inquiry. Many Credit Card Issuer's have a Pre approval process like AMEX, DISCOVER, CAPITAL ONE and many others.

Most helpful negative review

November 27, 2022

Rating: 3 out of 5.

a very premium price for not so premium perks

Credit Karma Member


Do not get the credit card unless the perks it offers actually are going to be beneficial to you. I don't even use walmart+. The airline credit is only eligible for one airline that you have to choose, it is very inconvenient. The Centurian lounge access is ending in January 2023. The concierge service cannot do anything more than we can do. They just do google searches and make calls, unless you need them for selects events that they have access to. The 1% back is nothing compared to what other cards offer. The only perk I like is the $20 entertainment credit. To me, this card is not worth the annual fee.

All member reviews


*Approval Odds are not a guarantee of approval. Credit Karma determines Approval Odds by comparing your credit profile to other Credit Karma members who were approved for the card shown, or whether you meet certain criteria determined by the lender. Of course, there's no such thing as a sure thing, but knowing your Approval Odds may help you narrow down your choices. For example, you may not be approved because you don't meet the lender's "ability to pay standard" after they verify your income and employment; or, you already have the maximum number of accounts with that specific lender.