American Express · Amex
American Express Platinum
Travelers who'll use the airline, hotel, dining & lifestyle credits ($3,500+ advertised value)
$895 annual fee up to $2994/yr in credits if you use them
Why people consider it
- 5x on Flights.
- Points transfer to 8 airline and hotel partners.
- Marriott & Hilton Gold Status.
Current welcome offer
Welcome offer: 175,000 points≈ $2,625 at our typical valuation
Requirement: Spend $12,000 in 6 months
Tell us what you normally spend and we’ll check it against this requirement. Find a card →
Current offer shown; issuer determines eligibility.
Details: As high as 175,000 Membership Rewards points after $12,000 spend in 6 months. Amex welcome offers are targeted/vary by applicant (NLL) — many see a lower offer or none.
Recommended credit score: 720+
Advertising disclosure: we may earn a commission if you apply through this link. This does not affect your ranking. Full disclosure
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Is this card worth it?
Ongoing value
$-31/year
for the sample household ($4,800/month) · points at typical value
First-year value
$2,594 first year
Includes: +$2,625 welcome offer (175,000 points at our typical value)
$2,625 is one-time. $-31/year is ongoing.
To earn the bonus: spend $12,000 in 6 months.
Offer verified: Nov 4, 2026
Worth considering if you already want this type of card.
- Full annual fee:
- $895, charged in full — credits count only if you use them
- Major trade-offs:
- Very high annual fee Credits require enrollment + specific spend to realize
- Against a no-fee alternative:
- We'd choose the $0-fee option. Citi Double Cash nets as much as Amex Platinum on this spending, with no fee to earn back. (The sample household; run your own numbers.)
Detailed research
Full reward table and category caps
Flights booked directly or via Amex Travel (up to $500k/yr)
Prepaid hotels booked via Amex Travel
Point value: ~1.5¢ each
Optional benefits and credits
Credits — if you use them
Add card to Uber app → up to $200/yr Uber Cash for U.S. rides & eats, auto-loads monthly
Up to $120/yr in statement credits for an auto-renewing Uber One membership paid with the card
Select one airline → up to $200/yr in baggage & incidental fee credits
Up to $300 January–June and $300 July–December (up to $600 per calendar year) on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts or The Hotel Collection stays via Amex Travel; The Hotel Collection needs a 2-night minimum, and Fine Hotels + Resorts does too from 2027-01-01
Up to $100/quarter at U.S. Resy restaurants — enrollment required
Up to $300/yr at participating partners — enrollment required
Up to $300/yr in statement credits at lululemon — enrollment required
Up to $200/yr in statement credits toward an Oura Ring bought at ouraring.com (the ring only; the membership is not covered)
Up to $300/yr toward an Equinox or Equinox+ membership — enrollment required
Up to $12.95/mo statement credit covers a Walmart+ membership
Up to $219/yr covers a CLEAR Plus membership (CLEAR+ price rose 2026-07-01; credit raised to match)
Perks (not counted in our math)
Centurion Lounges, Priority Pass, 10 Delta Sky Club visits a year when flying Delta (unlimited after $75,000 annual spend) & partner lounges
Statement credit for the application fee every 4–4.5 years; shown at its ~$30/yr annualized value
Complimentary mid-tier elite status at both chains — enroll via Amex
Redemption and transfer information
Points transfer to 8 airline and hotel partners — often where the highest redemption values live.
Approval and bonus eligibility caveats
Recommended credit score: 720+ — the issuer decides every application.
Issuer verification source
Rates and fees may vary.See current rates, fees, and terms on American Express's site
Detailed methodology
Net annual value = rewards on a spending profile at typical point value − the full annual fee; credits count only if you tell us you use them; a welcome offer counts once, in year one, only where the profile meets its requirement. Same math as Find a Card. Methodology v2026.09.4.
Editorial review and disclosures
Pros
- + Global Lounge Collection — Centurion + Priority Pass + Delta Sky Club access
- + Deep credit stack (hotel, airline, Resy, CLEAR, Uber, Equinox, lululemon, Oura)
- + Hotel elite status
- + Premium travel insurance
Cons
- - Very high annual fee
- - Credits require enrollment + specific spend to realize
- - 5x only on flights & prepaid hotels — 1x everything else
Written by Tim · Data verified against issuer terms · Last checked Nov 4, 2026 · Methodology v2026.09.4
Card information is collected independently and has not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. See our disclosure for details.