Amex Platinum Card Revamp: Luxury Travel Benefits Guide

American Express just updated their famous Platinum Card. This card is for people who love to travel in style. The new changes make it even better for luxury trips. You get more perks and benefits than before.

This card costs $695 per year. That might seem like a lot. But you get so much value if you use all the benefits. We will show you how to make the most of this card. You will learn about all the new features and how to use them.

Many people wonder if this card is worth it. The answer depends on how you travel. If you fly often and enjoy nice hotels, this card is perfect. Read on to discover all the details about the revamped Amex Platinum Card.

What's New in the Amex Platinum Card Revamp

American Express made several key changes to the Platinum Card. These updates focus on travel and lifestyle benefits. The goal is to give card members more value for their annual fee.

The most exciting new benefit is the digital entertainment credit. You can get up to $20 back each month. This applies to services like Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+. This is a $240 value per year.

Another new feature is the equinox credit. Card members get $300 per year to use at Equinox gyms. This is great for people who like to stay fit while traveling.

The card also added more airline fee credits. You now get $200 back for baggage fees and other airline charges. This applies to one selected airline each year.

Enhanced Travel Insurance

The travel insurance benefits got better too. Now you get higher coverage limits for trip delays and cancellations. This means more protection when things go wrong during your travels.

The card also offers premium car rental insurance. This can save you money when renting cars abroad. You don't need to buy extra insurance from rental companies.

Improved Lounge Access

Platinum Card members get access to more airport lounges worldwide. This includes Centurion Lounges, Priority Pass lounges, and Delta Sky Clubs (when flying Delta).

The lounges offer free food, drinks, and comfortable seating. This makes waiting for flights much more enjoyable. Some lounges even have showers and spa services.

Earning Points with the Amex Platinum Card

The Amex Platinum Card helps you earn Membership Rewards points quickly. You get 5 points per dollar on flights booked directly with airlines. You also get 5 points per dollar on prepaid hotels through Amex Travel.

For other purchases, you earn 1 point per dollar. This includes shopping, dining, and everyday spending. The points don't expire as long as you keep your card active.

There's also a welcome bonus for new card members. You can earn 100,000 points after spending $6,000 in the first 6 months. This bonus is worth about $1,000 in travel according to The Points Guy valuations.

Maximizing Point Earnings

To earn the most points, use your card for all travel purchases. Book flights directly with airlines instead of through third-party sites. This way you get 5 points per dollar instead of 1.

Also use the card for prepaid hotel bookings through Amex Travel. The 5x points on these purchases add up quickly. For other spending, consider if another card might offer better rewards.

Point Redemption Options

You can redeem points for travel, gift cards, or merchandise. The best value comes from transferring points to airline partners. Amex has over 20 airline partners including Delta, British Airways, and Singapore Airlines.

When you transfer points to airlines, you can often get 2 cents or more per point in value. This makes your points worth much more than redeeming for cash back.

Travel Benefits and Perks

The Amex Platinum Card offers amazing travel benefits. These perks can save you money and make travel more comfortable. Many of these benefits are exclusive to Platinum Card members.

You get automatic hotel elite status with Hilton Honors and Marriott Bonvoy. This means room upgrades, late checkout, and free breakfast at many hotels. These statuses normally require many hotel stays to earn.

The card also provides airline fee credits of $200 per year. This covers baggage fees, airport lounge day passes, and other incidentals. You must select one airline each year for this credit.

Airport Lounge Access

Platinum Card members get comprehensive lounge access worldwide. This includes:

Centurion Lounges - Exclusive Amex lounges with premium food and drinks
Priority Pass Select - Access to 1,300+ lounges worldwide
Delta Sky Clubs - When flying Delta same day
Airspace Lounges - Located in US airports
Escape Lounges - The Centurion Studio Partner

According to American Express, these lounge benefits alone can save frequent travelers hundreds of dollars per year in airport food and comfort.

Hotel Benefits

When you book through Amex Fine Hotels & Resorts, you get valuable perks:

Room upgrade upon availability
Daily breakfast for two
Early check-in and late checkout
Property-specific amenities (often $100 credit)

These benefits make luxury hotel stays even better. They can add significant value to your vacation experience.

Lifestyle Benefits and Credits

The Amex Platinum Card isn't just for travel. It also offers many lifestyle benefits. These credits help offset the annual fee while improving your daily life.

You get a $200 Uber Cash credit each year. This is broken into $15 monthly credits plus $20 in December. You can use this for Uber rides or Uber Eats food delivery.

There's also a $100 Saks Fifth Avenue credit each year. This is split into two $50 credits (January-June and July-December). You can use it for clothing, accessories, or home goods.

Digital Entertainment Credit

The new digital entertainment credit gives you $20 back each month. This applies to subscriptions like:

Disney+
Hulu
ESPN+
The Disney Bundle
Peacock
New York Times
Audible
SiriusXM

This credit automatically applies when you use your Platinum Card for these services. It's an easy way to save $240 per year on entertainment.

Equinox and Wellness Credits

The card offers a $300 Equinox credit annually. You can use this for gym memberships or digital classes. Equinox is a premium fitness brand with locations worldwide.

There's also a $100 Global Entry credit every 4 years. Global Entry includes TSA PreCheck and makes international travel smoother. Alternatively, you can get a $85 TSA PreCheck credit every 4.5 years.

Practical Tips for Maximizing Value

To get the most from your Amex Platinum Card, you need a strategy. Here are practical tips to maximize your benefits and offset the annual fee.

First, use all available credits. The various credits total over $1,400 in potential value. Make sure you use them before they expire each year.

Second, take advantage of lounge access. If you travel frequently, these lounges can save you money on airport meals. They also provide a comfortable place to work or relax.

Step-by-Step Guide to Using Credits

Follow these steps to ensure you use all your credits:

Set up monthly reminders for Uber credit
Select your preferred airline for the $200 fee credit
Plan Saks Fifth Avenue purchases around the credit schedule
Use your Platinum Card for digital subscriptions
Schedule Equinox visits to use the fitness credit
Apply for Global Entry/TSA PreCheck if you haven't already

By being organized, you can ensure you don't leave any benefits unused.

Travel Booking Strategies

When booking travel, always check Amex Travel first. Sometimes they have special offers or benefits. But also compare prices with other sites to ensure you're getting the best deal.

For maximum points, book flights directly with airlines. Use your Platinum Card to get 5x points. For hotels, consider whether booking through Amex Travel (for 5x points) or directly (for hotel loyalty points) is better.

Real Examples of Value

Let's look at real examples of how people get value from the Amex Platinum Card.

Example 1: Sarah travels for business twice monthly. She uses lounge access at every airport. This saves her about $25 per visit on food and drinks. With 24 trips per year, that's $600 in savings. She also uses the airline fee credit for baggage, saving $200. Her Uber credit saves $200 on rides to the airport. Already she has $1,000 in value, more than the $695 annual fee.

Example 2: Mike and Lisa take one luxury vacation yearly. They use Fine Hotels & Resorts to book a $500/night hotel. They get free breakfast ($100 value), room upgrade ($150 value), and $100 property credit. That's $350 in extra value on their 4-night stay. They also use the digital entertainment credit year-round ($240 value) and Saks credit ($100 value). Their total benefits exceed the annual fee.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Amex Platinum Card worth the $695 annual fee?

Yes, if you use the travel benefits and credits. The credits alone can value over $1,400. This makes the card worth it for frequent travelers.

How do I use the $200 airline fee credit?

You must select one airline each year. Then incidental fees like baggage, lounge day passes, or flight changes trigger the credit. It doesn't cover ticket purchases.

Can I bring guests into airport lounges?

Yes, but rules vary. Centurion Lounges allow two guests free. Priority Pass lounges may charge for guests. Always check specific lounge policies.

Do points expire?

No, as long as your card account remains open and in good standing. If you cancel your card, you lose unused points.

How do I maximize point redemption?

Transfer points to airline partners for international business class flights. This often provides the best value per point.

What is the minimum credit score needed?

You typically need excellent credit (score above 700). American Express looks for high income and good credit history.

Can I have multiple Amex cards?

Yes, you can have multiple American Express cards. You can earn welcome bonuses on different cards too.

Conclusion

The revamped Amex Platinum Card offers incredible value for luxury travelers. The new benefits make it even better than before. With over $1,400 in potential credits, the $695 annual fee is easy to justify.

To get the most from this card, be strategic about using all benefits. Use the credits for Uber, Saks, digital entertainment, and airline fees. Enjoy lounge access when traveling. Take advantage of hotel elite status and Fine Hotels & Resorts benefits.

If you travel frequently and appreciate luxury experiences, this card is perfect. The points earning and redemption options provide excellent value. Apply now to start enjoying these premium benefits on your next journey.