4.1 / 5 \u00b7 Bonus Eagle score
American Express
The Platinum Card® from American Express
Welcome bonus
175,000Points
after $12,000 in 6 mo
Annual fee
$895
Purchase APR
—
Credit needed
Good to Excellent (690–850)
on American Express's secure site
The bottom line
The Platinum is a lifestyle-and-lounge card first and a points card second. The 2025 refresh raised the fee to $895 but also loaded on credits — hotel, dining, Uber, entertainment, wellness — that Amex totals at $3,500+.
At a glance
Pros and cons.
Pros
- Best-in-class lounge access (Centurion, Priority Pass, Delta Sky Club when flying Delta)
- Over $3,500 in potential annual credits (hotel, dining, Uber, and more)
- 5x on flights and prepaid hotels through Amex
- Hotel elite status with Marriott and Hilton, plus Global Entry/TSA credit
- Transferable Membership Rewards points and no foreign transaction fee
Cons
- $895 fee is among the highest; value hinges on using narrow, enrollment-based credits
- No bonus categories for everyday spending
- Charge card — most spend must be paid in full each month
- Welcome offer is personalized, so many applicants see less than the headline
The editorial review
Our take on this card.
The Platinum is a lifestyle-and-lounge card first and a points card second. The 2025 refresh raised the fee to $895 but also loaded on credits — hotel, dining, Uber, entertainment, wellness — that Amex totals at $3,500+. As always, that figure is theoretical: most credits require enrollment and arrive in monthly or semi-annual slices, so the real question is how many you'll actually use. For someone who flies often, the lounge access alone can justify a lot of the fee, and the 5x on flights and prepaid hotels plus transferable points round it out. Hotel elite status and travel protections add genuine value for frequent travelers. The honest trade-off: there are no everyday earn categories, the credits demand active management, and the welcome offer is personalized (the 175K figure is a ceiling, not a guarantee). If you won't work the credits and lounges, the Amex Gold or a Sapphire card gives more usable value for far less.
How you earn
Rewards by category.
Flights booked direct or via Amex Travel
5x
Prepaid hotels via Amex Travel
5x
Everything else
1x
Rates and fees
The full disclosure.
All rates and fees current as of publication. Verify against the issuer's official Terms and Conditions before applying.
Annual fee
$895
Penalty APR
29.99%
Foreign transaction fee
None
Late payment fee
Up to $40
Frequently asked
Questions readers ask.
Is the $895 fee worth it?
Only if you'll use the lounge access and a meaningful share of the credits; otherwise it's hard to justify.
Is it a credit card or charge card?
A charge card — balances are generally due in full, though Pay Over Time is available for some purchases.
What's the welcome offer, really?
It's personalized. "As high as 175,000" is the top figure; check your specific offer at application.
Does it earn on everyday purchases?
No bonus categories — just 1x outside flights and prepaid hotels.
Is there a foreign transaction fee?
No.
