American Express Platinum Card 2025 Review: Exclusive Lounges, Rewards & Perks

The American Express Platinum Card® continues to stand out in 2025 as a top-tier travel card, offering a blend of luxury perks, extensive lounge access, and valuable rewards, making it a preferred choice for frequent travelers seeking both convenience and elite benefits.

NEW YORK- The American Express Platinum Card® stands as one of the most prestigious travel rewards cards available today.

With an annual fee now set at $895, the card offers unmatched value through exclusive airport lounge access, premium travel protections, and generous lifestyle credits that can far outweigh its cost.

Whether departing from New York (JFK) or Los Angeles (LAX), Amex Platinum cardmembers enjoy seamless entry into Centurion Lounges, elite hotel status upgrades, and valuable Membership Rewards points on every qualifying purchase. But with so many premium cards now on the market, is it still worth keeping in your wallet?

Amex Platinum 2025 review

For years, the American Express Platinum Card® was the only premium travel card that combined luxury and practicality.

While other issuers have since introduced metal cards with similar weight and design, the Amex Platinum continues to lead with its global benefits, distinctive rewards, and elevated experiences.

According to The Points Guy, the 2025 refresh introduced several enhanced benefits across travel, dining, and lifestyle categories, ensuring the higher annual fee comes with tangible value.

The refresh also included a limited-edition mirror card design, marking one of the most visually distinctive updates in recent years.

Welcome Offer and Eligibility

New Amex Platinum Card® 2025 members can qualify for up to 175,000 bonus Membership Rewards points after spending $8,000 within the first six months of card membership.

Based on The Points Guy’s September 2025 valuations, Membership Rewards points are worth 2 cents each, giving this welcome bonus a potential value of $3,500, more than three times the annual fee.

However, Amex’s “once per lifetime” rule may restrict eligibility for applicants who have previously held the Platinum or similar card variants. TPG recommends having a good to excellent credit score before applying.

Membership Rewards: Earning Potential

The Amex Platinum earns 5x points on airfare purchased directly with airlines or through American Express Travel® (on up to $500,000 per year), 5x points on prepaid hotels booked through Amex Travel, and 1x point per dollar on all other purchases.

These rates make it ideal for frequent flyers purchasing tickets directly from carriers such as Delta Air Lines (DL), United Airlines (UA), or British Airways (BA).

The card also grants access to Amex Offers, which periodically provide higher earning rates or cash rebates at select merchants like Amazon or travel providers.

While everyday spending earns just 1 point per dollar, pairing the Platinum with a flat-rate card (like the Citi Double Cash® or Capital One Venture X Rewards) can help maximize overall returns.

Redeeming Membership Rewards Points

Membership Rewards points are among the most flexible in the travel industry. Points can be transferred to over 20 airline and hotel partners, covering all major alliances, Oneworld, Star Alliance, and SkyTeam.

Notable transfer partners include:

• Air Canada Aeroplan (AC)
• ANA Mileage Club (NH)
• Delta SkyMiles (DL)
• Iberia Plus (IB)
• Qantas Frequent Flyer (QF)
• Hilton Honors (HH)

Direct redemptions through Amex Travel typically yield 1 cent per point on airfare and slightly less for hotels. However, transferring points to loyalty programs often doubles their value when used for premium cabin flights or luxury stays.

Business Platinum Card® holders receive a 35% rebate on points redeemed for flights through Amex Travel, worth up to 1 million bonus points annually, making it one of the best redemption options available.

Airport Lounge Access

Few cards rival the Amex Platinum card 2025 for lounge access. Cardmembers enjoy entry to the American Express Global Lounge Collection, which includes:

• Centurion Lounges
• Delta Sky Clubs (when flying same-day on Delta Air Lines)
• Plaza Premium Lounges
• Aspire and Escape Lounges
• Priority Pass Select lounges (over 1,700 worldwide, enrollment required)

Eligible Platinum cardholders receive 10 complimentary visits per year to Delta Sky Clubs or Grab-and-Go locations, with unlimited access unlocked after $75,000 in annual card spend.

Lounge access at major hubs such as Atlanta (ATL), London Heathrow (LHR), and Singapore Changi (SIN) provides unparalleled comfort between flights.

Extensive Statement Credits

The American Express Platinum Card’s broad suite of statement credits valued at over $3,500 annually is designed to offset its fee through travel, lifestyle, and shopping perks.

Travel and Dining Credits

• Hotel Credit: Up to $600 annually ($300 every six months) for prepaid bookings via Amex Fine Hotels + Resorts or The Hotel Collection (two-night minimum).
• Resy Dining Credit: Up to $400 annually ($100 quarterly) at eligible U.S. restaurants.
• Airline Fee Credit: Up to $200 annually for incidental charges from one selected airline.
• Clear Plus Credit: Up to $209 annually for CLEAR Plus enrollment.
• Uber Cash: Up to $200 annually in monthly increments for rides or Uber Eats in the U.S.
• Uber One Membership: Up to $120 annually toward a membership plan.
• Global Entry/TSA PreCheck: Up to $120 credit every four years for application fees.

Fitness and Lifestyle Credits

• Digital Entertainment: Up to $300 annually ($25 monthly) for YouTube Premium, YouTube TV, and Paramount+.
• Oura Ring: Up to $200 annually toward Oura hardware purchases.
• Equinox Membership: Up to $300 annually toward gym or Equinox+ app memberships.
• SoulCycle Bike: Up to $300 per year, with eligibility tied to Equinox+ membership.

Shopping and Retail Credits

• Lululemon: Up to $300 annually ($75 per quarter).
• Walmart+: Up to $155 annually, covering a full membership (includes Paramount+ access).
• Saks Fifth Avenue: Up to $100 annually ($50 semiannually).

Even if cardmembers use only a portion of these benefits, such as Uber Cash, airline credits, and dining credits, they can easily recoup or exceed the $895 annual fee.

Travel Protections and Insurance

The Platinum Card provides some of the most comprehensive travel protections available:

• Trip Delay Insurance: Up to $500 for delays exceeding six hours.
• Trip Cancellation/Interruption: Up to $10,000 per trip for covered reasons.
• Extended Warranty Protection: Extends manufacturer warranties (five years or less) by one year.
• Purchase Protection: Covers theft or accidental damage for 90 days after purchase.

Coverage is underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company and New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG subsidiary. Terms, conditions, and enrollment requirements apply.

Hotel and Travel Status

Cardmembers automatically receive Gold Status with Hilton Honors and Marriott Bonvoy, plus complimentary Leaders Club Sterling status through The Leading Hotels of the World. Additional travel perks include:

• Complimentary Hertz President’s Circle, Avis Preferred Plus, and National Emerald Club Executive status.
• Access to Fine Hotels + Resorts, offering perks like free breakfast, late checkout, and upgrades.
• Exclusive Platinum Nights by Resy events in select cities, including Los Angeles, Miami, and New York City.

Competing Premium Cards

Other premium cards challenge the Amex Platinum but rarely surpass its all-around luxury value:

• Chase Sapphire Reserve®: $795 annual fee with $300 travel credit and strong dining rewards, but limited lounge access.
• Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card: $395 annual fee, high earning potential (10x on hotels and car rentals, 5x on flights), and simple flat-rate structure.
• American Express® Green Card: $150 annual fee and 3x points on dining and transit, ideal for younger travelers seeking a lower-cost entry.

Each card suits different traveler types, but the Amex Platinum remains unmatched in total premium benefits.

Card Ratings and Editorial View

TPG’s editors rate the Amex Platinum 4.5 out of 5 stars, reflecting its top-tier perks and lounge network.

While the annual fee is steep, consistent travelers can extract far greater value by maximizing statement credits and travel protections.

“Even using just a few key benefits, Uber, airline credits, digital entertainment, and dining, I recoup over $1,100 yearly,” notes TPG senior editorial director Nick Ewen. “That effectively pays me to keep the card and enjoy all the extra perks.”

Bottom Line

The American Express Platinum Card® remains one of the most rewarding premium travel cards, particularly for frequent flyers using major airports like New York (JFK), Los Angeles (LAX), and London (LHR).

When optimized, its combined travel credits, elite statuses, and lounge privileges easily justify the $895 annual fee.

For travelers who value comfort, convenience, and top-tier benefits, the Amex Platinum continues to deliver exceptional long-term value in 2025 and beyond.

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