American Express Platinum Card Review: The Ultimate Luxury Travel Card

The Platinum Card® from American Express (terms apply; see rates and fees) is practically synonymous with luxury travel. This iconic card has set the standard for premium credit cards for decades, offering an array of elite perks that few competitors can match. But with a hefty annual fee and new rivals entering the market, is the Amex Platinum still the best luxury travel card of 2025? In this Amex Platinum review 2025, we’ll take an in-depth look at what makes the card unique, its extensive benefits, how to use those perks, and how it stacks up against other top-tier cards. Whether you’re a frequent flyer eager to learn how to use Amex Platinum benefits to the fullest, or you’re weighing the Amex Platinum vs Chase Sapphire Reserve, this comprehensive review will help you decide if the Platinum Card deserves a spot in your wallet.

Introduction: A Status Symbol with Substance

The Amex Platinum isn’t just a status symbol — it’s a workhorse for the luxury traveler. With a sky-high annual fee of $695, this card is aimed at high-end consumers who demand premium experiences. In return, it unlocks VIP travel benefits, exclusive lounge access, hotel elite status, and generous statement credits that can easily offset the cost if you maximize them. This card is best for frequent travelers, business road warriors, and luxury seekers who value comfort, convenience, and experiences over cash-back savings. If you find yourself in airports often or staying at upscale hotels, the Platinum Card can transform your travel with perks at every step. However, if you rarely travel or won’t use the perks, that $695 fee can be hard to justify.

In short, the Amex Platinum is unique for combining top-tier travel rewards with lifestyle benefits. Let’s dive into the key features that make this card stand out.

Learn more about The Platinum Card® from American Express.

Key Benefits and Luxury Perks

What sets the Amex Platinum apart is its comprehensive suite of luxury perks. From airport lounge access to hotel upgrades and annual credits, this card is packed with features designed for a premium travel experience. Here are the major benefits and how they can elevate your journeys:

Unrivaled Airport Lounge Access: The Amex Platinum is famous for its lounge benefits. Cardmembers get access to over 1,400 airport lounges worldwide, arguably the best lounge network of any card. This includes the exclusive American Express Centurion Lounges (some of the swankiest lounges in the U.S. with gourmet food and spa services), Delta Sky Club lounges when flying Delta, the Priority Pass Select network (enrollment required) of hundreds of lounges globally, Escape Lounges (Centurion Studio), Plaza Premium lounges, select Lufthansa lounges, and more. No matter what airline you’re flying, chances are you can find a lounge to relax in – with free Wi-Fi, snacks, and drinks – all thanks to your Platinum card. (Note: guest access policies have changed – e.g., Centurion Lounges now charge for guests unless you meet certain spend criteria, and starting in 2025 Delta is introducing limits to Sky Club visits for non-elite cardholders – but the bottom line is that as an Amex Platinum member you will enjoy a quiet oasis in the airport almost anywhere you go.)

Elite Hotel Status & Luxury Hotels: Love VIP treatment at hotels? The Amex Platinum grants automatic elite status with major hotel programs: Hilton Honors Gold and Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status are yours just for being a cardmember (enrollment required). Hilton Gold gets you perks like free breakfast and room upgrades when available, and Marriott Gold can yield late checkout and enhanced rooms. Additionally, Platinum cardholders gain access to the Fine Hotels & Resorts program (FHR) and The Hotel Collection. When you book upscale hotels through Amex’s FHR portal, you receive extra benefits on each stay — typically daily breakfast for two, room upgrades (if available), late checkout, and a property credit (often $100 for spa, dining, etc.). These amenities can turn a normal hotel stay into a truly luxurious experience, often worth hundreds of dollars in value. If you enjoy five-star accommodations, the Platinum card makes sure you get the VIP treatment every time.

Valuable Annual Statement Credits: To justify its premium price, the Amex Platinum offers a plethora of statement credits that reward you throughout the year. If used fully, these credits can add up to over $1,500 in annual value, far exceeding the $695 fee. Here are some of the key credits available in 2025 (enrollment may be required for some):

• $200 Airline Fee Credit: Each calendar year, you can get up to $200 in fees refunded for your selected airline. This credit covers incidental charges like checked baggage fees, seat assignments, or in-flight refreshments (note: it doesn’t cover outright airfare tickets). Choose one airline each January, and any qualifying fees on that airline will automatically be reimbursed up to $200.

• $200 Hotel Credit: You’ll get $200 back in statement credits each year for prepaid hotel bookings made through Amex Fine Hotels & Resorts or The Hotel Collection (minimum 2-night stay for the latter) using your Platinum Card. Essentially, your first luxury hotel stay each year could be $200 cheaper, on Amex.

• $200 Uber Cash: The Platinum card is great even after you land. It provides up to $15 in Uber Cash each month ($35 in December) for a total of $200 per year. This credit can be used for Uber rides or Uber Eats food delivery. It’s essentially like getting a free rideshare or meal every month. (Just remember the credit resets monthly – use it or lose it.)

• $189 CLEAR Credit: Skip the lines at airport security – Platinum reimburses you for a CLEAR® membership (up to $189 per year). CLEAR helps you zoom through ID checks at many airports and stadiums. Combined with TSA PreCheck (which the card also covers, see below), you’ll breeze through security with minimal time wasted.

• Global Entry/TSA PreCheck Credit: Get reimbursed for the application fee for Global Entry ($100) or TSA PreCheck ($78) every 4.5 years (Global Entry includes PreCheck). This helps you speed through customs and security lines, a must-have for frequent flyers.

• $240 Digital Entertainment Credit: The Platinum caters to your life at home, too. It offers up to $20 per month in credits ($240/year) for select digital entertainment subscriptions. This includes providers like Audible, Peacock, The New York Times, SiriusXM and others (the exact list can change, so check which services are eligible). If you’re already paying for any of these, you can basically have Amex cover the cost.

• $300 Equinox Credit: Fitness enthusiasts get up to $25 per month ($300/year) in credits toward Equinox gym memberships or the Equinox+ digital fitness app. Equinox is a luxury fitness club, and this credit helps take the sting out of its premium pricing.

• $100 Saks Fifth Avenue Credit: Treat yourself to something nice every year with Saks. The Platinum card gives you a $50 statement credit for Saks Fifth Avenue purchases from January through June, and another $50 July through December (total $100/year). No minimum purchase required – you could, for example, get a $50 item free twice a year. Perfect for picking up gifts or a little luxury retail therapy.

• Other Credits: Amex periodically adds or changes benefits, but other perks have included a monthly Walmart+ membership credit, SoulCycle at-home bike credits, and more. The above are the primary ones for 2025, but it’s worth checking your Amex Offers and benefits periodically for new credits or partnerships that can save you money.

As you can see, if you maximize these credits (like using the Uber credit every month, booking a flight with incidental fees, enjoying a nice hotel via FHR, etc.), the Platinum Card can pay for itself and then some. Of course, not everyone will use every credit – but even using a few big ones can substantially offset the cost. For instance, many cardholders easily utilize the airline credit, Uber credits, and Global Entry, already recouping around $500 of value, before even considering lounges or hotel upgrades.

Premium Travel Protections and Services: True to its premium nature, the Amex Platinum also comes with a suite of travel insurances and purchase protections. When you pay for travel with your card, you’re covered by benefits like Trip Delay Insurance (reimbursement if your flight is significantly delayed or you’re stranded overnight), Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance (coverage if you have to cancel a trip for covered reasons), Baggage Insurance (in case your bags are lost or delayed), and Secondary Rental Car Insurance against damage/theft of rental cars. These protections give peace of mind that if your trip goes sideways, you have a safety net. On the shopping side, the Platinum offers Purchase Protection (coverage for new purchases against damage or theft, up to a limit and timeframe), Return Protection (ability to return eligible items that a store won’t take back, up to $300 per item), and Extended Warranty on purchases. Plus, when you use your Platinum to pay your cell phone bill, you get cell phone protection (coverage if your phone is stolen or damaged, subject to a deductible). These behind-the-scenes perks can save you hundreds in emergencies.

And let’s not forget the 24/7 Concierge Service that comes with the Platinum Card. Need hard-to-get dinner reservations, tickets to a sold-out event, or help planning a special occasion? Amex’s concierge is a personal assistant just a phone call away. Platinum cardholders also get access to exclusive events and experiences (through programs like Amex Experiences and By Invitation Only), presales for concert tickets, and special treatment with certain merchants. All of these benefits underscore the Platinum Card’s ethos: it’s not just a credit card, it’s a lifestyle enhancer.

Learn more about The Platinum Card® from American Express.

Membership Rewards: Earning Points and Using Them

Beyond the luxury perks, the Amex Platinum is a powerful rewards card, earning valuable Membership Rewards points on every swipe. Here’s a breakdown of the Platinum’s reward structure and how to make the most of those points:

Earning Membership Rewards Points: The Platinum Card earns 5X Membership Rewards points per dollar on airfare (when you book directly with an airline or through Amex Travel) and 5X points on prepaid hotels booked through Amex Travel. These are among the highest earning rates in the industry for travel purchases – if you spend a lot on flights and hotels, the points will pile up fast. (Note: the 5X on flights is capped at $500,000 in flight purchases per year, which is effectively unlimited for most folks.) All other eligible purchases on the Platinum earn 1X point per dollar. There are no broad bonus categories for everyday spending like groceries or dining on this card – it’s laser-focused on travel purchases. This means you’ll want to use the Platinum for flights, hotels, and big travel expenses, but you might use a different card with better bonuses for things like restaurants or gas. For example, many people pair the Platinum with the Amex Gold Card (which earns 4X on dining and supermarkets) to maximize point earning on all fronts. Still, any purchases you do put on the Platinum will earn Membership Rewards points, which are one of the most flexible and valuable points currencies out there.

Redemption Options and Strategies: Earning points is only half the fun – using them is where you get value back. Membership Rewards (MR) points are prized because they can be transferred to a wide array of airline and hotel partners or used directly for travel bookings. Here are the main ways to redeem your Amex points and how to maximize them:

• Transfer to Airline Partners for Huge Value: This is generally the best use of Membership Rewards points. Amex has over 20 transfer partners, including Delta SkyMiles, British Airways Avios, Emirates Skywards, Air France/KLM Flying Blue, Singapore KrisFlyer, ANA Mileage Club, Cathay Pacific Asia Miles, Virgin Atlantic Flying Club, and many more. Most transfers are at a 1:1 ratio (1 Amex point = 1 airline mile in the partner program). By transferring points and booking award tickets, you can get outsized value, especially for business and first class flights or expensive last-minute tickets. For example, 100,000 points might get you a round-trip business class flight to Europe (worth several thousand dollars), which is a far better value than using those points for gift cards or merchandise. Amex frequently runs transfer bonuses (e.g. 30% more miles when transferring to a specific airline), which can stretch your points even further. If you enjoy international travel or aspirational flying experiences, learning the sweet spots of Amex’s transfer partners is key to maximizing the Platinum Card’s rewards.

• Transfer to Hotel Partners: Amex points can also transfer to hotel programs like Marriott Bonvoy, Hilton Honors, and Choice Privileges. The transfer ratios are usually less favorable (e.g., 1:1 for Marriott, 1:2 for Hilton) and hotel point values vary, so this is generally a secondary option unless you need to top off some hotel points for a specific redemption. Still, the flexibility is there if you find a great use.

• Book Travel Through Amex Travel: If you don’t want to deal with airline programs, you can use points to book flights, hotels, or rental cars directly via the Amex Travel portal. When used for flights, points are worth a flat 1 cent each (so 50,000 points = $500 toward a flight). There’s no worrying about award seat availability – you’re basically using points as cash to pay for any flight. This can be a decent value for economy flights or for times when using an airline program isn’t practical. For hotels or other travel, the value might be slightly less (around 0.7 cents per point, as prices can include markups). Keep in mind, if you also hold the Business Platinum Card, there’s a 35% points rebate on Pay-with-Points for flights in premium cabins or your chosen airline, but the personal Platinum doesn’t have that rebate.

• Other Redemptions (Less Optimal): Membership Rewards points can be cashed out as statement credits, used on Amazon, or for gift cards and merchandise. However, these typically yield a low value (~0.6 to 0.8 cents per point). For example, wiping $100 off your statement might cost around 17,000 points – not a great deal compared to using those points for travel. These options are there if you really just want simplicity or have a small leftover points balance, but to get the best bang for your buck, focus on travel redemptions.

With such flexibility, MR points are often valued around 1.8 to 2 cents per point by savvy travelers. That means the points you earn can effectively rebate 5-10% of your spending on flights/hotels (thanks to 5X earning) when you redeem strategically. For instance, spending $1,000 on airfare could earn 5,000 points, which might be worth ~$100 toward a great award flight – a 10% return. The key to maximizing your rewards is to learn the best uses of each transfer partner. If that sounds daunting, don’t worry: even just transferring to your preferred airline’s program for a trip you want is often more rewarding than the simplest cash-back option. And if you’re not into the points hobby, using the Amex Travel portal at 1 cent per point is straightforward and still effective.

Learn more about The Platinum Card® from American Express.

Amex Platinum vs. Other Top Travel Cards

The premium credit card space is more crowded than ever, and high-end travelers have some excellent options beyond the Amex Platinum. Let’s compare how the Platinum stacks up against its main competitors in 2025: the Chase Sapphire Reserve, Capital One Venture X, Amex Gold, and Citi Prestige. Each of these cards targets a similar luxury-minded audience but with their own twist. Understanding the differences will help you decide if the Platinum is truly the best fit for your needs.

Amex Platinum vs. Chase Sapphire Reserve

The Chase Sapphire Reserve is often the Platinum Card’s fiercest rival for a spot in travelers’ wallets. Both are premium travel cards, but they have distinct strengths:

• Annual Fee & Credits: Sapphire Reserve comes with a $550 annual fee (lower than the Platinum’s $695). It includes a very user-friendly $300 annual travel credit that applies to virtually any travel purchase (airfare, hotels, car rentals, transit, parking, etc.). This effectively brings its net cost down to about $250 if you normally spend at least $300 on travel each year (and most Platinum prospects certainly do). The Amex Platinum’s credits, by contrast, add up to more but are split across specific categories (airline fees, Uber, hotels, etc.), which requires more effort to use fully. If you prefer simplicity, the Reserve’s flat $300 credit is easier, but the Platinum can deliver greater total value if you leverage all its credits.

• Reward Earnings: The Sapphire Reserve earns 3X Ultimate Rewards points on a broad swath of travel purchases (from flights to hotels to taxis, once you’ve used up the $300 credit) and 3X on dining worldwide, plus 10X on Lyft rides (through 2025) and 1X on everything else. The Amex Platinum sharply concentrates on 5X for flights and hotels (booked in specific ways), and 1X on other spending. That means for airfare and prepaid hotels, Platinum actually earns more points (5X vs 3X), but for general travel expenses (like tours, trains, cruises, Airbnbs) and dining, the Reserve has the edge. If a lot of your spend is at restaurants or non-flight travel, the Reserve racks up points faster.

• Point Value & Redemption: Chase’s Ultimate Rewards (UR) points are often considered equally as valuable as Amex points. The Reserve lets you redeem UR points through Chase’s travel portal at 1.5 cents per point towards any travel (making 3X effectively a 4.5% return), or you can transfer UR points to airline/hotel partners like United, Southwest, Hyatt, Marriott, and more. Amex MR points, as discussed, can be worth 1.8-2 cents or more with good transfers, but require more strategy (and are only 1 cent in their portal for flights). Both programs have excellent airline partners; Chase has fewer total partners but includes unique ones like Hyatt (great for hotel redemptions) and United. If you prefer ease of use, Chase’s 1.5c portal option and broad travel credit are very appealing. If you love playing the points game for maximum value, Amex’s wider array of partners and transfer bonuses might win out.

• Travel Perks: Lounge access is a major differentiator. The Sapphire Reserve gives Priority Pass Select membership (just like Amex, but notably with restaurant lounges included, which Amex’s version excludes). However, it doesn’t get you into Centurion Lounges or Delta Sky Clubs – those are Amex exclusives. Chase is developing its own Sapphire Lounge network, but as of 2025 only a few exist and they are accessible via Priority Pass anyway. For hotel perks, Chase Reserve doesn’t grant automatic elite status like Platinum does, though it does offer benefits through the Luxury Hotel & Resort Collection (similar to Amex’s FHR, offering upgrades, breakfast, credits at certain hotels when you book via Chase’s program). Both cards cover Global Entry/TSA PreCheck fees and have strong travel protections (trip delay/cancellation insurance, rental car coverage – in fact, Chase’s rental car insurance is primary, which is slightly better than Amex’s secondary coverage). Both also have no foreign transaction fees and similar purchase protections.

• Extras: The Sapphire Reserve has a few unique perks like an annual DoorDash credit and Lyft Pink membership (these were promotional and may change), and it currently offers Instacart perks. But these are relatively minor and subject to change. The Platinum’s extras, like the extensive credits for Uber, Saks, etc., and hotel statuses, are more substantial.

Bottom Line: Amex Platinum vs. Chase Sapphire Reserve really comes down to perks vs. points. The Platinum clearly wins on luxury perks (lounge access, hotel status, big credits) and is the choice for those who want a VIP travel experience. The Sapphire Reserve wins on simplicity and everyday usability – it has a lower net cost and better rewards on dining and general travel, making it slightly more practical for many users. Many frequent travelers actually carry both cards to cover all bases. But if you have to choose: go with the Platinum if you value the premium benefits and can use the credits; go with the Reserve if you prefer a lower fee and more straightforward rewards earning.

Amex Platinum vs. Capital One Venture X

Capital One made a splash with its Venture X card, launched a few years ago as a fresh competitor in the premium travel card arena. The Venture X aims to offer a blend of luxury perks and low maintenance, and it stands out in a few ways:

• Annual Fee & Credits: Venture X carries a $395 annual fee – notably lower than both the Platinum and Sapphire Reserve. It also provides a $300 annual travel credit but limited to bookings through the Capital One Travel portal. In addition, you get 10,000 bonus Capital One miles every account anniversary (starting from your second year) as a loyalty gift, which is effectively worth $100 towards travel. These two perks alone can more than offset the $395 fee if you use them (making Venture X’s net cost as low as ~$-5, essentially paying you in value). The Amex Platinum’s buffet of credits can far outweigh $300, but they require more effort across different categories. Venture X is more “set it and forget it” – book one trip through their portal and you’ve nearly covered the fee.

• Reward Earnings: Venture X keeps it simple: 2X miles on every purchase, unlimited. Plus, it offers elevated rewards for travel booked via Capital One’s portal (5X on flights, 10X on hotels and rental cars through the portal). This is somewhat analogous to how Platinum gives 5X on Amex Travel bookings. If you’re okay booking through the Capital One portal, Venture X can earn a ton of miles on those purchases. For daily spend, 2X on everything is very solid (equal to a 2% return at minimum). By contrast, Platinum’s 1X on most non-travel spend is a poor return unless you highly value the MR points. So for day-to-day usage, Venture X is more rewarding, while Platinum is more about the perks than using it for every purchase.

• Point Value & Redemption: Capital One “miles” (which are actually points) can be used in two main ways: redeem as a statement credit for travel purchases (at 1 cent per point) or transfer to airline partners. Capital One has been beefing up its transfer partners list, now including programs like Air Canada Aeroplan, Etihad, Singapore, and others (some at 1:1, some at slightly reduced ratios). The value of CapOne miles is comparable to other flexible points if transferred (roughly 1.5-1.8 cents each with good redemptions). The 10K anniversary miles are essentially $100 if used for travel credit. Overall, Venture X makes redemption easy if you want – just erase travel charges at 1 cent/point – but also gives the option to transfer for higher value, similar to Chase and Amex.

• Travel Perks: Venture X comes surprisingly close to the Platinum on lounge access. It includes Priority Pass (with similar lounge access to others, including restaurant lounges which Amex excludes) and also grants access to Capital One Lounges. While Capital One’s lounge network is small (a few locations currently), they are modern and high-quality. Venture X also lets you add up to 4 authorized users for free, and each of them gets their own Priority Pass and lounge access privileges – a huge win for those with family or friends traveling, as Amex charges $175 for 3 authorized users (still a good deal, but not free). Venture X also covers Global Entry/TSA PreCheck fees, and has travel protections like trip cancellation and rental car insurance (also primary coverage). However, Venture X does not offer things like hotel elite status or the myriad lifestyle credits that Platinum does. There’s no automatic Hilton/Marriott status, no special hotel program like FHR, and no credits for Uber or retail. In essence, Venture X gives you the core travel perks (lounges, credits, insurance) but trims the “extras.”

• Lifestyle/Other: The Platinum still outshines Venture X when it comes to those additional luxury perks – hotel upgrades via FHR, concierge, exclusive events, and those various retail/wellness credits. Venture X is more no-frills in that regard. It’s more akin to “we give you points and lounge access, you handle the rest.”

Bottom Line: Amex Platinum vs. Venture X is a battle of maximal perks vs. maximum simplicity/cost value. The Amex Platinum delivers a higher level of luxury benefits and potential value, but at a higher cost and complexity. The Venture X offers an extremely compelling value proposition – a low effective cost, solid rewards on all spending, and decent lounge access – making it a fantastic choice for travelers who want many premium benefits without a $700 price tag. If you’re a frequent luxury traveler, the Platinum’s extras (elite statuses, FHR, multiple credits) could easily be worth the additional cost. But if you travel moderately or are more budget-conscious yet still want a taste of luxury, Venture X can give you 80% of the experience for about half the price. In 2025, many consider the Venture X the best “mid-range premium” card, while the Platinum remains the top “ultra-premium” option.

Learn more about The Platinum Card® from American Express.

Amex Platinum vs. Amex Gold

While not a direct competitor, the American Express® Gold Card is often considered alongside the Platinum as part of Amex’s elite lineup. In fact, these two cards complement each other, but if you’re deciding between them, here’s how they differ:

• Annual Fee & Credits: The Amex Gold has a $250 annual fee – much lower than Platinum. It offers a couple of useful credits: up to $120 in annual dining credits (distributed as $10 monthly credits at select restaurants and food delivery services) and up to $120 in Uber Cash ($10 monthly for Uber rides or Eats, like a mini version of the Platinum’s Uber benefit). If you use these, they can effectively bring the Gold’s cost down to ~$10 per month. Still, the Gold’s credits are narrower compared to Platinum’s extensive list.

• Reward Earnings: This is where the Amex Gold shines for everyday spend. The Gold Card earns 4X Membership Rewards points at restaurants worldwide, 4X at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per year in grocery spend), 3X on flights booked directly with airlines or Amex Travel, and 1X on other purchases. It’s one of the best cards out there for food purchases, making it a favorite for foodies and families. The Platinum, as we know, doesn’t offer those dining or grocery bonuses (it’s 1X in those categories). So if your goal is to rack up Membership Rewards points from everyday spending, the Gold Card is the better tool. Many serious points collectors will use Gold for dining and grocery, and Platinum for flights/hotels and perks – a powerful combo.

• Travel Perks: Here’s where the Gold can’t compare to the Platinum. The Gold Card does not include lounge access, hotel status, or most of the travel perks that Platinum has. It does still have no foreign transaction fees and offers some travel insurance on flights (trip delay insurance if round-trip is paid with Gold, for instance), but it’s not a card built around luxury benefits. Think of Gold as a high-earning rewards card, whereas Platinum is a perks and benefits card (with some earning).

• Point Redemption: Both Platinum and Gold earn Membership Rewards, so their points are equally valuable and go into the same MR account. There’s no difference in redemption options – if you have both cards, you pool your points and can use those points with all the same airline partners or redemption methods described earlier. In fact, having both could accelerate how quickly you earn points (Gold for dining/groceries, Platinum for travel spend) so you can then redeem for big travel experiences.

• Other Benefits: The Gold Card has a few other minor perks, like secondary rental car insurance and purchase protection, but nothing on the level of Platinum’s concierge or invitation-only events. It’s also available in some stylish metal finishes (even a rose gold option), which appeals to some users, but that’s purely aesthetic.

Bottom Line: The decision between Amex Platinum vs. Amex Gold comes down to rewards vs. perks (and of course, cost). If you want to earn a ton of Amex points on everyday spending and keep a lower annual fee, the Gold Card is superb. If you want to burn points on first-class travel and have VIP treatment along the way, the Platinum is in a league of its own. Many people find value in holding both: use Gold to maximize points on food and day-to-day expenses, and use Platinum for travel purchases and accessing the luxury benefits. But if you’re just starting out, ask yourself: would you take full advantage of lounges, credits, and hotel perks (go Platinum), or do you care more about bonus points on every dinner and grocery run (go Gold)?

Learn more about The Platinum Card® from American Express.

Amex Platinum vs. Citi Prestige

The Citi Prestige Card is a bit of a wild card in this comparison because as of 2025, the Citi Prestige is no longer available to new applicants in the U.S. (Citi discontinued new sign-ups a couple years ago). However, it was once a top-tier luxury card, and some lucky cardholders still have it, so it’s worth mentioning in context:

• Annual Fee & Credits: The Citi Prestige carried a $495 annual fee. It featured a straightforward $250 annual travel credit (much like the Sapphire Reserve’s, automatically erasing any $250 in travel spend each year). This made its net cost $245 if you fully used the credit. It did not come with the laundry list of credits that the Amex Platinum offers; aside from the travel credit, its value was in the rewards and a couple of signature perks.

• Reward Earnings: Prestige was a strong earner: it offered 5X ThankYou points on air travel and dining, 3X on hotels and cruise lines, and 1X on other purchases. This made it one of the best cards for restaurant spending and competitive for flights (equaling or exceeding the Platinum on those categories). Citi’s ThankYou points are transferable to airline partners (like Singapore KrisFlyer, Avianca LifeMiles, etc.), similar to Amex and Chase’s programs.

• Travel Perks: The hallmark benefit of Citi Prestige was the 4th Night Free on hotel stays. When booking four consecutive nights through the Citi ThankYou travel portal (or previously, any hotel direct with later reimbursement), cardholders would get one night’s cost back (limited to two uses per year in its later iteration). This could be incredibly valuable if you used it for expensive hotel stays. The Prestige also included Priority Pass lounge access for the cardholder and guests (similar to Reserve). However, it did not have something like Amex’s Centurion Lounges, nor did it give hotel elite status automatically. Prestige cardholders had access to Citi’s concierge and got perks like Global Entry fee credit and robust travel insurance (though notably, Citi removed a lot of travel protections from Prestige in 2019, which was a sore point).

• Current Relevance: If you already have a Citi Prestige in your wallet, it can still be a strong card to keep – the 5X earnings on dining and the 4th Night Free benefit are valuable. But with no new Prestige cards available, new seekers of premium cards will be looking at Citi’s other offerings (which frankly don’t compete at this high end – the Citi Premier is good for rewards but has no luxury perks, and Citi has yet to launch a true Prestige replacement in the U.S.). In comparing Prestige to Platinum, Platinum clearly offers a more robust set of benefits (lounges, credits, statuses, etc.), whereas Prestige (when it was around) was more about the points and the unique hotel discount.

Bottom Line: Amex Platinum vs. Citi Prestige – for most people this isn’t an active choice anymore since you can’t newly get a Prestige. But it highlights how much value the Platinum packs in beyond just points. Unless Citi revives the Prestige or a similar product, the Amex Platinum stands unchallenged by Citi in the ultra-premium space. Existing Prestige holders might supplement it with another card for lounge access (since Prestige alone won’t get you Centurion Lounges, for example). If you’re looking for alternatives today, you’d likely compare Platinum to something like the Sapphire Reserve or Venture X (discussed above) rather than Citi, simply because Citi doesn’t have a current offering with comparable perks.

Learn more about The Platinum Card® from American Express.

Real-World Scenarios: How to Use Amex Platinum Benefits

Reading about perks is one thing, but how do they play out in real life? Let’s paint a picture of how to use Amex Platinum benefits on a trip, and share some tips for maximizing value:

Imagine this scenario: You’re planning a vacation abroad. First, you use your Platinum Card to book your flights – $1,500 for a business class seat. Because you booked directly with the airline, you earn 5X points, netting about 7,500 MR points on that purchase. You also pay the airline’s $150 fee for extra-legroom seats, but that’s okay – the $200 airline fee credit will reimburse it automatically. Next, you reserve your hotel through Amex Fine Hotels & Resorts for a 5-night stay at a luxury property. It costs $2,000, but you apply your $200 hotel credit, bringing your out-of-pocket to $1,800 – and you’ll still get all the FHR perks like free breakfast and a $100 spa credit during your stay. Plus, since it’s prepaid in Amex Travel, you’ll earn another 5X points on that $1,800 (around 9,000 points).

As your trip approaches, you make sure to enroll in Global Entry (you used the Platinum to pay the $100 fee last year, so you skip the immigration lines on arrival) and CLEAR (reimbursed by Platinum) to speed through airport security. TSA PreCheck is on your boarding pass as well, so the security line is a breeze. You call up the Platinum concierge to help snag a dinner reservation in your destination city — they come through with a table at a hot restaurant that was otherwise booked up. On the day of departure, you use the monthly Uber credit to get a free ride to the airport. Once there, you flash your Platinum Card to enter the Centurion Lounge. Inside, you enjoy a hot breakfast and a cappuccino in comfort instead of waiting at the gate. Your travel companion doesn’t have Platinum, but you’ve added them as an authorized user (for a fee of $175, you can add up to 3 users, granting them many of the same lounge and status perks), so they join you in the lounge for free.

Your flight is delayed by 3 hours – normally a headache, but thanks to trip delay insurance on the Platinum, you know you can get reimbursed for the meal and snacks you buy during the wait. When you finally arrive overseas, Global Entry speeds you through customs in minutes. At your hotel, your Amex Platinum-entitled Hilton Gold status (say you chose a Waldorf-Astoria through FHR, which is part of Hilton) pays off with an upgrade to a suite and complimentary breakfast each morning – saving you easily $50+ per day. During the trip, you use your Platinum Card’s travel protections again when your checked luggage is delayed – you buy some clothing and toiletries, and those expenses are reimbursable. You also remember to use your Saks Fifth Avenue credit before the semester resets – you find a Saks store in the city and pick up a nice designer accessory, getting $50 off thanks to Amex. Throughout your travels, you never worry about foreign transaction fees (Platinum has none), and you use the card confidently knowing it’s widely accepted and comes with strong fraud protection.

By the time you return home, you’ve experienced firsthand how the Amex Platinum makes travel smoother and more luxurious at every turn. You saved money (around $500 in credits used on that one trip, plus free meals and upgrades that would have cost even more), earned thousands of points (that you can reinvest in another trip), and felt like a VIP throughout. This is the power of the Amex Platinum in the real world.

Tips to Maximize the Amex Platinum:

• Take advantage of every credit: Mark your calendar for the monthly credits (Uber, digital entertainment, etc.) so you don’t forget to use them. If you don’t use Uber often, consider Uber Eats for food delivery. If you don’t shop at Saks, remember you can buy gift cards or nice gifts. The more credits you use, the more value you extract from the card.

• Plan your travel through Amex when beneficial: Use the Platinum for all airfare purchases (to get 5X and trigger insurance protections). Plan at least one hotel stay through Fine Hotels & Resorts each year to use the $200 hotel credit and enjoy the VIP amenities – it can be a staycation or part of a larger trip. Enroll in your Hilton and Marriott Gold statuses before you travel so you can leverage them.

• Leverage authorized users for family perks: If you often travel with a partner or family, adding them as additional Platinum cardholders (up to 3 for a total of $175) can be tremendously worthwhile. They’ll get their own lounge access, Elite status, Global Entry credit, etc. For a frequent-traveling couple or family, splitting $175 for the extra perks is far cheaper than each person getting their own Platinum.

• Pair with other cards for maximum points: As mentioned, consider pairing the Platinum with a high-earning rewards card (like the Amex Gold or even a card from another issuer) for your everyday spending. That way you earn bonus points on all categories, and still use Platinum for travel and perks.

• Use transfer partners for big redemptions: When it’s time to redeem points, do some research on Amex’s airline partners for your desired destination. Those 100k points you earned could get you a first-class flight or multiple hotel nights if transferred strategically. Check for transfer bonuses Amex might be running – an extra 20-30% in miles can make a huge difference. If you’re not finding a good transfer use, the Amex Travel portal’s 1 cent/point for flights is a solid backup plan for easy booking.

• Stay informed on new perks: Amex frequently updates benefits or runs promotions (for example, limited-time offers through the Amex Offers platform or new partnerships). Keep an eye on your Amex account or newsletters so you don’t miss an opportunity to save or gain extra rewards.

By using these strategies, you’ll ensure you’re squeezing every bit of value from the Platinum Card, turning that steep annual fee into an investment in unforgettable experiences.

Learn more about The Platinum Card® from American Express.

Who Should Get the Amex Platinum?

The Platinum Card from Amex is a phenomenal card, but it’s not for everyone. Who is the ideal candidate for this card in 2025?

Get the Amex Platinum if you:

• Travel frequently and value comfort: If you’re on a plane or in a hotel monthly (or even just a few big trips a year), the lounge access, upgrades, and smoother travel experience will significantly enhance your journeys. Frequent flyers, whether for business or leisure, will see outsized value.

• Enjoy luxury perks and VIP treatment: This card is tailored for those who appreciate the finer things. Love relaxing in a premium airport lounge, skipping the security lines, being greeted as a valued elite guest at hotels, and having a concierge on call? Then you’ll love what the Platinum provides. It’s all about elevating your travel lifestyle.

• Can utilize the annual credits: Crunch the numbers for your situation. If you know you’ll use at least a few of the credits (airline fees, Uber, hotel, Global Entry, etc.), you can offset a large chunk of the fee. For example, many cardholders easily use $400-$500 of credits without changing habits much (airline fees, Uber rides, one FHR hotel night, etc.). If that’s you, the remaining “net cost” of the card might be just $200-$300, for which the lounge access and other perks more than pay off.

• Collect and use points for travel: If you’re someone who likes to earn points for free travel, the Platinum fits well into a strategy for accumulating valuable Membership Rewards points, especially alongside other Amex cards. It’s a great card for big travel purchases, and if you redeem points for luxury flights or expensive hotels, you’ll see excellent value.

• Are a business traveler or have significant travel expenses reimbursed: Many business travelers get their flights/hotels paid by their company but still reap the credit card rewards and perks. If that’s you, having the Platinum means every work trip becomes more comfortable (lounges, etc.) and you’re earning 5X points on those sizable expenses. The fee can be easy to justify if travel is a part of your job (and perhaps tax-deductible if you’re a freelancer using it for business).

• Already have another premium card but want to stack perks: Even if you have, say, a Sapphire Reserve for the points on dining, you might add the Platinum for the lounges and credits. A lot of enthusiasts hold multiple top cards because each offers something unique. The Platinum is often worth it in addition to others if you really maximize travel benefits.

In essence, the Platinum Card is best for high-spending travelers who will fully leverage the luxury perks. If you find yourself nodding along to the benefits we’ve outlined and thinking “I’d use that,” then the Platinum is likely a great fit for you.

Learn more about The Platinum Card® from American Express.

Who Should Consider Alternatives?

On the flip side, the Platinum Card might not make sense if you won’t use what it offers. Here are some signs that you might be better off with a different card:

• Infrequent travelers: If you only take one or two small trips a year, it’s hard to justify a $695 fee for perks you’ll rarely use. A lower-fee travel card or a cash back card might serve you better. For example, if you won’t visit airport lounges often or use hotel elite status, those benefits could go to waste.

• Deal-seekers who don’t value luxury extras: Some travelers are perfectly happy flying economy, staying at an Airbnb, and bringing a sandwich to the airport – and there’s nothing wrong with that! If you’re more about saving money than having a premium experience, consider cards with no annual fee or a simple cashback strategy. The Platinum is about enhancing your travel, not necessarily cheapest travel.

• Those who can’t utilize most credits: Be realistic about which credits you’ll actually use. If you live somewhere without Uber, don’t care about digital entertainment subscriptions, never shop at Saks, and don’t fly often enough for the airline credit, then a lot of the Platinum’s value propositions fall flat. You might be better off with a card that has a lower fee and more straightforward rewards (like the Venture X or a travel card that gives cashback).

• Heavy everyday spenders (who want rewards but not perks): If your credit card strategy is centered on maximizing rewards for everyday spending (groceries, gas, dining), the Platinum is not the top choice for that (aside from travel purchases). You’d be better with a card like the Amex Gold (for food) or a versatile rewards card like the Chase Sapphire Preferred (with a low fee and bonus categories) or even a flat-rate cashback card. Then, if you still want some lounge access, you could consider a mid-tier card or even paid lounge memberships rather than paying $695 primarily for that privilege.

• People averse to high annual fees: Some folks simply have a psychological barrier with paying a high fee on a credit card, no matter the perks. If you know you’d stress over “needing to get $695 of value” each year, and that would diminish your enjoyment, it might be better to choose a card with a fee that matches your comfort level. There are excellent travel cards at the $95-$250 range that might feel more palatable.

In summary, if you’re not fully onboard with the Platinum’s lifestyle, consider alternatives like the Chase Sapphire Reserve (if you still travel but want a lower fee and simpler benefits), the Capital One Venture X (for a strong middle-ground option), the Amex Gold (if you want points on everyday spend), or even no-fee cards if travel is only occasional. The right card for you is the one whose benefits align with your habits. It’s okay to pass on the Platinum if you’re not a match – it will be waiting down the line if your travel patterns change.

Learn more about The Platinum Card® from American Express.

Final Verdict: Is the Amex Platinum Worth It in 2025?

Absolutely – for the right person. The American Express Platinum Card remains a pinnacle of travel rewards cards in 2025, and it’s easy to see why. No other card marries luxury travel perks, robust rewards, and extensive credits in quite the same way. If you maximize what the Platinum offers, you can extract several thousands of dollars of value each year, far outweighing the cost. Lounge access, elite hotel stays, hundreds in credits, and a trove of Membership Rewards points all contribute to making the Platinum a powerhouse for frequent travelers and luxury enthusiasts. It’s no surprise many still consider it the best luxury travel card of 2025.

However, its worth is highly individual. The Platinum Card is worth it if you’ll use it. For jet-setters, business travelers, and those who crave VIP treatment, it’s a game-changer – turning travel from a hassle into a pleasure. For more casual travelers or those on a tighter budget, the Platinum could be overkill, and you might derive greater satisfaction from a lower-fee card that fits your lifestyle.

In the end, the Amex Platinum is as relevant as ever, even amidst growing competition. Its recent enhancements (like additional credits and partnerships) show that American Express is intent on keeping it at the top of the premium pack. While cards like the Sapphire Reserve and Venture X have closed some of the gap, the Platinum’s sheer breadth of benefits keeps it a step ahead in the luxury arena.

The verdict: If your goal in 2025 is to travel better – not just cheaper – then the Amex Platinum is worth every penny. It can unlock experiences and convenience that genuinely improve your travel life. Just be sure you’re ready to fully engage with all it offers. For those who do, the Platinum Card isn’t just worth it; it’s indispensable. Safe travels and enjoy the journey in style!

Learn more about The Platinum Card® from American Express.