EXPRESS
American Express Platinum
Heavy travelers wanting Centurion Lounge access + status credits.
External link to American Express’s own application page.
The American Express Platinum costs $895 a year. It earns 5% on travel and 1% on everything else. Forex markup is 0%. These figures are from our catalog and have not yet been re-verified against the issuer.
5-year value calculator
How much American Express Platinum actually pays you over time, net of annual fees.
Includes 40% in this card's boost category, 60% general spend.
Estimates use the card's published rates and a 40/60 boost-vs-general split. Real returns vary with how tightly your spend matches each card's boost categories.
What does the American Express Platinum earn?
What you earn back, by category.
80,000 Membership Rewards points after $8,000 in 6 months
What do you get with the American Express Platinum?
- 5x points on flights booked direct or via amextravel
- Centurion Lounge + Priority Pass + Delta SkyClub access
- $200 annual airline fee credit + $200 Uber Cash
- $200 hotel credit + $189 CLEAR credit
- Marriott Bonvoy Gold + Hilton Honors Gold status
- No foreign transaction fees
Who qualifies for the American Express Platinum?
These are guidelines, not hard cutoffs. Banks frequently approve below the listed income if your credit is healthy.
What 1 American Express Platinum point is actually worth
Same points, wildly different values depending on redemption. Most cardholders default to the boring option and never see the upside. Here's the full ladder for American Express Platinum:
Marriott Bonvoy transferBest
1:1 to Marriott Bonvoy. Cat 5 stays unlock big value.
Singapore KrisFlyer transfer
1:1 KrisFlyer. Premium-cabin sweet spots on SQ.
Amex Travel Online (points + cash)
Book any flight/hotel; mix of points + INR.
Taj Hotels Epicure redemption
20K MR = ₹20K Taj credit. Decent on Taj-loyal traveler.
Welcome bonus, the under-priced lever
1 lakh MR points on ₹6L spend in first 6 months (worth ~₹1.5-2.5L at best transfers).
Sweet spots & gotchas
- ✓Annual fee ₹66,000, only justifiable if you fly 4+ premium-cabin international/yr or stay at Marriott Cat 5+ regularly.
- ✓Best redemption rate of any Indian card if you fly business class internationally.
American Express Platinum FAQ
›What is the American Express Platinum annual fee?
The annual fee is $895 (joining fee $0).
›What does the American Express Platinum earn?
It earns 5% on travel and 1% on everything else.
›What is the American Express Platinum forex markup?
The American Express Platinum charges 0% forex markup on foreign-currency spends.
›What income do you need for the American Express Platinum?
American Express publishes no minimum income requirement for this card; approval rests on your credit profile.
›What is the American Express Platinum welcome bonus?
80,000 Membership Rewards points after $8,000 in 6 months.
›Are these American Express Platinum figures verified?
These figures are from our catalog and have not yet been re-verified against the issuer.
More cards in the US
Chase Sapphire Preferred
Chase
First-time travel-rewards card, sweet-spot earn rates
EXPRESS
American Express Gold
American Express
Heavy restaurant + grocery spenders ($1K+/mo on food)
Citi Double Cash
Citi
Set-it-and-forget-it 2% on everything