New advantages, extra worth: Why I’m extra excited than ever to be an Amex Platinum Card member

A number of years in the past, I made a decision it was lastly time so as to add a premium way of life card to my pockets. After including the American Categorical Platinum Card®, I knew I had made the precise selection.

The Platinum Card has offered unmatched worth since day one, which makes my life as a spouse, mother and frequent traveler simpler at residence and on the highway.

Amex simply overhauled its Platinum Card, including a number of brand-new advantages and rising the worth of many current ones. It hasn’t misplaced any of the advantages I already beloved, and now it has much more worth than ever earlier than. When absolutely utilized, these advantages can unlock greater than $3,500 in annual worth. And I’ll present you the way.

Together with these modifications, Amex elevated the annual price from $695 to $895 (efficient instantly for brand spanking new cardmembers and Jan. 2, 2026, for current cardmembers; see charges and costs).

It has been simply over two months because the Platinum Card launched these new advantages, and I wasted no time benefiting from them. Here is how I am already maximizing the refreshed Amex Platinum Card. Phrases apply.

Journey advantages I already use (and love)

I journey rather a lot, for work and for leisure, so I had an opportunity to place the refreshed Platinum Card by its paces straight away.

I simply returned from a go to to Common Orlando Resort with my husband and youngsters. We trip there a number of instances annually, so I instantly knew the place I needed to remain.

Loews Portofino Bay Lodge is one in every of over 1,800 properties worldwide that take part within the Amex Effective Accommodations + Resorts program.

Once you e book Effective Accommodations + Resorts properties by American Categorical Journey, you possibly can obtain a collection of advantages with a median complete worth of $550*. You get advantages like a room improve at check-in (when accessible; sure room classes should not eligible for improve), a $100 credit score to make use of towards eligible lodge fees (which range by property), complimentary breakfast for 2, assured 4 p.m. checkout and midday check-in when accessible.

*Common worth primarily based on Effective Accommodations + Resorts bookings in 2024 for stays of two nights. Precise worth will range primarily based on property, room fee, improve availability and use of advantages.

Once we checked in, we have been upgraded to a room overlooking the water, and a welcome amenity of fruit, chocolate and bottled water was ready for us. We mixed the $100 credit score to make use of towards eligible fees with the complimentary breakfast perk to have a sit-down buffet breakfast at one of many lodge’s eating places to gasoline up earlier than a busy day driving curler coasters.

And, after we determined on the final minute to spend an additional day within the parks, we used the late-checkout profit to hurry to get on rides within the morning as an alternative of speeding to take a look at of our room. We have been capable of play all morning and pack up after we have been prepared for a day break.

Between the upgraded room and the complimentary breakfast, our trip felt much more enjoyable and particular.

Because of the cardboard’s as much as $300 in assertion credit semiannually (as much as $600 complete in assertion credit per calendar yr) on pay as you go Effective Accommodations + Resorts or The Lodge Assortment bookings by American Categorical Journey utilizing your Platinum Card (The Lodge Assortment requires a minimal two-night keep), my future visits to Common Orlando can be simply as memorable.

Once I visited Orlando later within the month with my husband, we determined to not lease a automotive for our quick keep. Quite, I used my $200 Uber Money profit to assist cowl the quick experience from our lodge to Common. With the Platinum Card, I obtain $15 in Uber Money every month (plus a bonus $20 in December) by including my Platinum Card to my Uber account to make use of on rides and orders within the U.S. once I choose an Amex card for my transaction.

Now that Amex has added an annual $120 Uber One assertion credit score towards an auto-renewing Uber One membership, I earn 6% again in Uber One credit on eligible rides, which I can apply towards future Uber journeys.

I additionally not too long ago visited Zion Nationwide Park with my household and, because of my Platinum Card, we breezed by the airport utilizing Clear Plus. With my Platinum Card, I can obtain as much as $209 in assertion credit per calendar yr by enrolling and paying for a Clear Plus Membership (topic to auto-renewal) with my eligible Amex card.

Ready in line is one in every of my children’ least favourite actions, and skipping the usual airport safety line meant extra time to replenish on snacks earlier than our flight.

Now that baggage now not fly free on Southwest Airways, we utilized the $200 Airline Price Credit score to cowl our checked bag charges. Annually, I choose one qualifying airline and obtain as much as $200 in assertion credit per calendar yr towards incidental charges like checked baggage and inflight refreshments when charged by the airline to my Platinum Card.**

Positive, we might have every introduced a carry-on bag by the airport, however checking two bigger baggage made for one much less factor to fret about. And understanding I might be reimbursed by way of assertion credit score made it even higher.

Sadly, our return flight residence was delayed by three hours. However being caught on the airport is not so unhealthy when you’ve entry to greater than 1,500 lounges because of Amex’s International Lounge Assortment. My card unlocks over $850 of annual worth, with entry to Centurion Lounges, 10 complimentary Delta Sky Membership visits when flying on an eligible Delta Air Strains flight, Precedence Move Choose membership (enrollment required), and different choose accomplice lounges.

**American Categorical depends on airways to submit the right info on airline transactions to determine incidental price purchases. If you don’t see a credit score for a qualifying incidental buy in your eligible card after eight weeks, merely name the quantity on the again of your card. Qualifying airways are topic to alter. See phrases and circumstances for extra particulars.

We headed straight for the Centurion Lounge and loved complimentary dinner, drinks (for the adults) and too many chocolate chip cookies (for the youngsters) in a quiet, relaxed setting.

However there’s far more to this card’s complete way of life perks.

Utilizing the brand new and expanded way of life advantages

The Platinum Card’s new and current eating, leisure, buying and wellness advantages have confirmed to be fairly precious at residence and through my frequent travels.

1000’s of Resy eating places (greater than 10,000 within the U.S. as of March 2025) are eligible for the Platinum Card’s up-to-$400 Resy Credit score profit. I stand up to $100 in assertion credit every quarter once I use my enrolled Platinum Card to make eligible Resy purchases, together with eating, so it is easy to take pleasure in meals at residence or whereas I am touring. Since there may be solely a handful of eligible eating places in my space, I want to make use of this credit score to find new eating spots once I journey.

And you do not even must make a reservation to obtain the credit score; you simply must dine at an eligible restaurant and use your Platinum Card to pay the invoice.

For this quarter, I used the Resy credit score on our household journey to Common Orlando. A fast search on the Resy web site confirmed me that a number of Common lodge eating places take part within the Resy program. On our arrival day, we had a soothing household dinner at Trattoria del Porto at Loews Portofino Bay Lodge.

I take advantage of the $300 Digital Leisure Credit score to cowl my household’s Disney+ subscription. We will watch family-friendly programming at residence, and I can obtain my children’ favourite exhibits onto their tablets to maintain them busy throughout lengthy flights.

With this profit, you stand up to $25 in assertion credit every month if you use the Platinum Card for eligible purchases on Disney+, a Disney+ bundle, ESPN+ streaming providers, Hulu, The New York Occasions, Paramount+, Peacock, The Wall Road Journal, YouTube Premium and YouTube TV if you buy straight from a number of of the suppliers (enrollment required).

I used to be excited to make use of the brand new up-to-$300 lululemon credit score as a result of I all the time want comfy, practical gear all year long. This profit comes with as much as $75 in assertion credit every quarter once I use my Platinum Card for eligible purchases at U.S. lululemon retail shops (excluding shops) and lululemon.com (enrollment required).

I discovered the proper pair of shorts for a day spent strolling round a theme park with my children, and a brand new water bottle to remain hydrated on the aircraft.

Along with these advantages, I take advantage of the Walmart+ Month-to-month Credit score profit to stand up to a $12.95 assertion credit score every month, plus relevant taxes, once I pay for a month-to-month Walmart+ membership (topic to auto-renewal; Plus Ups excluded) with my enrolled Platinum Card. I take advantage of this profit for our weekly groceries at residence and to have snacks, drinks and different requirements delivered to our lodge after we journey.

The Platinum Card additionally will get me as much as $100 yearly for purchases at Saks Fifth Avenue or saks.com (as much as $50 in assertion credit semiannually) once I pay utilizing my enrolled card.

Backside line

It is all the time been simple to get worth from my Platinum Card, but it surely’s simpler than ever with the current refresh. I can nonetheless use the entire card’s current advantages, together with an extended record of latest and expanded advantages which can be helpful at residence and once I journey.

It is not simply the financial worth of the cardboard’s lengthy record of advantages; it is the peace of thoughts that comes from being a cardmember and understanding I’ve entry to advantages that assist me breeze by the airport, take pleasure in luxurious lodge perks and a lot extra. Whether or not I am looking for groceries or reserving a lodge keep, I do know the American Categorical Platinum Card has me lined.

For profit phrases, charges and costs of the American Categorical Platinum Card, click on right here.