The Platinum Card® from American Express Review

The Platinum Card® from American Express is the OG of premium travel cards. Since its launch in the 1980s, it’s always been known for its exclusivity, suite of perks, and stellar customer service.

While it does have the highest fee in the game ($695, See Rates and Fees), it offers a ton of bang for your buck. You’ll more than come out on top if you take advantage of all that this premium card has to offer. It unlocks the most comprehensive lounge access of any card, includes elite hotel status, has tons of travel perks, and offers hefty statement credits.

I personally love this card, but it’s not for everyone. Here’s my review to help you decide if it’s right for you.

What does the card offer?

This card unlocks a ton of lounge access, elite status benefits (enrollment required), travel perks, special hotel discounts, and luxury goods and service credits. Here’s a glance at just some of the benefits:

• Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 on eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership
• Earn 5x Membership Rewards® points on flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel® (on the first $500,000 spent per calendar year)
• Earn 5x Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotels booked on American Express Travel
• Travel insurance coverage including secondary car rental insurance, trip interruption and cancellation, lost luggage reimbursement
• Access to The American Express Global Lounge Collection (for eligible Card Members)
• Up to $200 in airline credit (Valid on one qualifying airline that you must choose in advance. Valid on incidentals only, not airfare.)
• Up to $200 back in statement credits each year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection bookings through American Express Travel using your Platinum Card®. (The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay.)
• Up to $199 annual CLEAR® Plus statement credit (covers an annual membership) per calendar year (subject to auto-renewal)
• Receive either a $120 statement credit every 4 years for a Global Entry application fee or a statement credit up to $85 every 4.5 years for a TSA PreCheck® (through a TSA official enrollment provider) application fee, when charged to your Platinum Card®. (Card Members…