The Amex Platinum Card: ACTUAL Value 3 Years Later (2025)

Summary

In this honest review of the American Express Platinum Card, the reviewer shares their personal experience after owning the card for over three years. They discuss the true value of the card’s perks, like the $200 hotel credit, airport lounge access, and entertainment credits. The reviewer breaks down which benefits they use regularly, occasionally, or not at all, offering a realistic perspective on whether the card justifies its $695 annual fee. Ultimately, the reviewer finds the card useful for elevated travel experiences but emphasizes the importance of evaluating its fit for individual lifestyles.

Takeaways

• 😀 The American Express Platinum Card offers significant value through its perks, including travel-related benefits, which can easily offset its $695 annual fee.
• 😀 The $200 Hotel credit is valuable, especially when booking through the AMEX Travel portal, and allows users to access elevated perks at top-tier hotels.
• 😀 Airport lounge access, including Centurion, Priority Pass, and Delta lounges, significantly enhances the travel experience, offering comfort and amenities like food, drinks, and bathrooms.
• 😀 The $240 Entertainment Credit is highly beneficial for services like Disney+ and Hulu, or for individual preferences like Peacock, which adds substantial value without extra cost.
• 😀 The $200 Uber Cash can be used on Uber Eats, though the inflated prices make it more useful for food delivery than for actual Uber rides, offering about $120 worth of value annually.
• 😀 The Platinum Card earns 5x points on flights and prepaid hotels booked through the AMEX portal, adding to its overall value, especially for frequent travelers.
• 😀 Global Entry and TSA Pre-Check reimbursement is another useful benefit, offering $120 worth of value for easy airport access, valid for 5 years.
• 😀 The $200 Airline Fee Credit is applicable to specific airlines and is best used for covering bag fees or lounge access, though it may not always provide value depending on the user's flight choices.
• 😀 Additional perks like purchase protection and rental protections are nice to have but may not be used frequently, offering security in case of an issue.
• 😀 While some perks like Walmart+ or Saks Fifth Avenue credits are nice to have, they may not be essential for everyone and tend to go unused if they don't fit the person's lifestyle.
• 😀 Overall, despite some unused benefits, the American Express Platinum Card offers considerable value for travelers who prioritize hotel stays, airport lounges, and entertainment credits.

Q & A

What was the initial sign-up bonus for the American Express Platinum Card when the creator applied?

The creator applied in August 2021 when the sign-up bonus was 125,000 points, worth $1,250 in cashback.

What is the current sign-up bonus for the American Express Platinum Card, and what is the spending requirement?

Currently, the sign-up bonus is 80,000 points, with a spending requirement of $8,000 within 6 months.

What strategy does the creator suggest for those interested in both the Platinum and Gold American Express cards?

The creator suggests applying for the Gold card first to secure its sign-up bonus before applying for the Platinum card, as this ensures eligibility for the Gold card bonus.

How does the $200 Hotel Credit work, and why does the creator value it?

The $200 Hotel Credit can be used to book through the AMEX Travel portal, and it is valued highly by the creator for offering upgrades and perks at luxury hotels, often allowing them to get a $200 hotel stay for little to no out-of-pocket cost.

What are the benefits of the airport lounge access provided by the American Express Platinum Card?

The card provides access to Centurion and Delta lounges, offering comfort, food, drinks, and other amenities, which the creator finds valuable for improving the airport experience.

What is the $240 Entertainment Credit, and how does the creator use it?

The $240 Entertainment Credit can be used for subscription services like Disney+ or Peacock. The creator uses it for Peacock, as they watch college football on it.

How does the $200 Uber Cash benefit work, and what value does the creator get from it?

The $200 Uber Cash is provided in monthly increments. The creator mostly uses it for Uber Eats, but they value it at about 60% due to the inflated prices of food delivery.

What is the value of the 5x points on flights and hotels, and how does the creator use it?

The 5x points are earned on flights and prepaid hotels booked through the AMEX portal. The creator uses it for travel-related bookings, benefiting from increased rewards on these purchases.

What are the benefits of the Global Entry/TSA PreCheck reimbursement?

The card reimburses $120 for Global Entry, which also includes TSA PreCheck, providing faster airport security screening. The credit is valid for 5 years.

How does the $200 Airline Fee Credit work, and what does the creator use it for?

The $200 Airline Fee Credit can be used for specific airlines, covering costs like bag fees and lounge access. The creator uses it for Delta, covering baggage fees and guest fees for their significant other.

What rental car and hotel status benefits does the American Express Platinum Card provide?

The card provides Hertz President's Circle, National Executive Elite, and Hilton/Marriott Gold status, offering benefits like discounts, upgrades, and better treatment at hotels. The creator doesn't use these perks regularly but appreciates their availability.

What are some of the perks that the creator considers 'nice-to-have' but doesn't regularly use?

The creator mentions perks like Walmart+ membership, Clear membership, Saks Fifth Avenue credit, and Equinox credit. These are seen as nice-to-have, but they aren't regularly used due to personal preferences or lack of necessity.

What is the effective annual fee for the American Express Platinum Card after accounting for credits?

After considering the credits the creator uses, the effective annual fee is $95, which is much lower than the $695 standard fee.

What does the creator think of the overall value of the American Express Platinum Card?

The creator finds the American Express Platinum Card to be a great way to get elevated experiences at a lower cost, especially for hotels, airport lounges, and travel perks. They recommend it for frequent travelers who can utilize its benefits.