The Platinum Card from American Express
By Alex Compton · Last verified
Travel benefits and statement credits with a substantial annual fee and specific usage rules.
Welcome Bonus
As high as 175,000
≈$3,500 maximum estimate; not guaranteed
Spend Requirement
$12,000
in 6 months
Annual Fee
$895
No FTF
Credit Score
Varies
(No published minimum)
Current offer note: Last recorded advertised maximum; personalized offers vary and you may receive fewer points or no offer. Check the offer shown by Amex before accepting.
Common Questions
What is the Amex Platinum annual fee?
The U.S. personal Platinum Card has a published $895 annual fee. Credits have their own eligibility and timing rules, so compare benefits you would actually use with the fee.
Does the Amex Platinum welcome bonus apply to everyone?
No. Welcome offers are personalized and eligibility can vary. A recorded advertised maximum is not guaranteed. Confirm the points, required purchases, deadline and exclusions shown in your own offer before accepting the card.
Does Amex Platinum require a 740 credit score?
The Amex application-criteria page checked for this review does not publish a guaranteed minimum score of 740. Credit profile and other application information matter; a score by itself does not guarantee approval or bonus eligibility.
Does no preset spending limit mean unlimited spending?
No. Spending power is flexible and depends on factors including your purchase, payment and credit history. Amex may assign a specific limit in some circumstances.
What changes to the Platinum hotel credit in 2027?
From January 1, 2027, Fine Hotels + Resorts bookings require a minimum two-night stay to qualify for the lodging credit. The Hotel Collection and eligible Airbnb Luxe bookings already have a two-night minimum.
Does Amex Platinum give unlimited Delta Sky Club access?
Not automatically. Eligible cardholders receive 10 visits per Medallion Year. Qualifying annual spending can unlock unlimited access, while ticket restrictions, guest rules and capacity limits still apply.
Are the statement credits worth their full advertised amount?
Only to the extent they replace purchases you would make anyway. A credit can have little value to you if it requires an unwanted subscription, a different merchant or a more expensive booking. Check enrollment and each monthly, quarterly or half-year window.
Historical Offers Chart
Every public offer change we've tracked. Hover for details, timing your application is worth hundreds of dollars.
| Observed | Offer | Requirement | What changed | Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-09-04 | 175,000 | $12,000 in 6 mo | Spend: $8,000 → $12,000Personalized offer advertised as high as 175k; spending requirement increased | American Express Platinum Card product page → |
| 2026-01 | 175,000 | $8,000 in 6 mo | Terms reconfirmed | Archive record · no attached snapshot |
| 2025-09 | 175,000 | $8,000 in 6 mo | Terms reconfirmedRefresh: $895 AF, new credit stack | Archive record · no attached snapshot |
| 2024-06 | 175,000 | $8,000 in 6 mo | Bonus increased: 80,000 → 175,000Targeted high via CardMatch | Archive record · no attached snapshot |
| 2023-01 | 80,000 | $8,000 in 6 mo | Bonus decreased: 100,000 → 80,000 · Spend: $6,000 → $8,000 | Archive record · no attached snapshot |
| 2021-07 | 100,000 | $6,000 in 6 mo | Bonus increased: 75,000 → 100,000 · Spend: $5,000 → $6,000 | Archive record · no attached snapshot |
| 2020-01 | 75,000 | $5,000 in 6 mo | Bonus increased: 60,000 → 75,000 · Window: 3 months → 6 months | Archive record · no attached snapshot |
| 2017-03 | 60,000 | $5,000 in 3 mo | Bonus increased: 40,000 → 60,000 · Spend: $3,000 → $5,000 | Archive record · no attached snapshot |
| 2016-01 | 40,000 | $3,000 in 3 mo | Earliest record | Archive record · no attached snapshot |
Primary-source verification log
Append-only evidence ledger- changed
Confirmed published lululemon, Oura and Walmart+ conditions. Equinox was absent from this updated article and current product page; excluded unconfirmed Equinox from selected published credit totals without claiming the benefit has ended.
Fields: credits, creditsNote
Amex shopping and wellness benefits, October 22 update → - changed
No guaranteed numeric approval-score threshold appears in checked source. Replaced editorial 740 minimum presentation with varies and source-qualified FAQ.
Fields: creditScore, editorialReview
Amex application criteria → - confirmed
Confirmed 10 visits per Medallion Year, 24-hour visit definition, eligible flight and fare restrictions, guest limitations and $75,000 spending unlock. Guide scope only.
Delta Sky Club access policy → - changed
Dedicated current page renames hotel credit to lodging credit and includes eligible prepaid Airbnb Luxe. Two-night minimum already applies to THC and Airbnb Luxe; FHR two-night credit requirement starts January 1, 2027.
Fields: credits, editorialReview
Amex lodging-credit terms → - changed
Scoped review: confirmed $895 fee, earning structure, published credit conditions and flexible spending power. Replaced universal pay-for-itself claims. Numeric personalized offer did not render; lastVerified and offer dates remain unchanged.
Fields: credits, benefits, pros, cons, ourTake, editorialReview
Platinum public product page → - confirmed
175,000-point/$12,000 personalized welcome offer unchanged
American Express Platinum Card product page → - changed
Reconfirmed fee, earning rates, credits and lounge terms; personalized maximum offer now requires $12,000 in six months
Fields: currentOffer, offerHistory, credits, benefits
American Express Platinum Card product page →
Source checked 2026-10-19 · spot an outdated offer? Report a correction above.
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Earning Rates
- 5xFlights booked direct or via Amex Travel (up to $500k/yr)
- 5xPrepaid hotels via Amex Travel
- 1xAll other purchases
Credits ($2,694/yr stated)
These are selected published benefit caps, not guaranteed savings. Count only eligible purchases you would make anyway; enrollment, timing and merchant restrictions apply. Monthly and quarterly amounts cannot simply be spent as one annual allowance.
- Lodging credit (formerly hotel credit)$600
$300 per half-year for eligible prepaid Amex Travel bookings. The Hotel Collection and eligible Airbnb Luxe require two nights; FHR credit also requires two nights from January 1, 2027.
- Resy dining credit$400
Up to $100 quarterly for qualifying U.S. Resy purchases; enrollment required.
- Digital entertainment credit$300
Up to $25 monthly at participating providers; enrollment required.
- Lululemon credit$300
Up to $75 quarterly at eligible U.S. stores (excluding outlets) and lululemon.com; enrollment required.
- Airline fee credit$200
Eligible incidental fees with one selected qualifying airline; not a general airfare credit.
- Uber Cash$200
$15 monthly plus $20 extra in December for eligible U.S. Uber use; add the card and pay with an Amex card.
- CLEAR+ membership credit$219
Up to $219 per calendar year for eligible auto-renewing membership charges.
- Walmart+ membership credit$155
One auto-renewing monthly membership, up to $12.95 plus applicable taxes per month; Plus Ups excluded.
- Uber One membership credit$120
Up to $120 per calendar year for an auto-renewing membership paid with the card.
- Oura Ring credit$200
Up to $200 per calendar year for eligible rings at ouraring.com; enrollment required.
Benefits
- ✦Access to Centurion and other Global Lounge Collection locations, subject to entry rules and capacity
- ✦10 eligible Delta Sky Club visits per Medallion Year; ticket and guest restrictions apply
- ✦Priority Pass membership after enrollment
- ✦Eligible Marriott Bonvoy Gold and Hilton Honors Gold status benefits after enrollment
- ✦Fine Hotels + Resorts benefits on qualifying bookings; some benefits depend on availability
- ✦Membership Rewards transfers to participating airline and hotel programs
Lounge Access
This card opens 5 lounge networks. See exactly what you can walk into at your airport with the Lounge Finder.
Why it earns its spot
- +Several lounge networks in one card, subject to each network’s entry rules
- +Useful travel and lifestyle credits when they replace planned purchases
- +Hotel-program benefits on qualifying bookings
Where it costs you
- −A substantial annual fee to recover through benefits you actually use
- −Most everyday purchases earn only 1 point per dollar
- −Enrollment, booking channels and benefit windows require attention
- −Personalized welcome offers are not guaranteed
The Compound Verdict
Platinum is most useful when its travel access and eligible credits replace costs you already expect to incur. Build an annual budget for benefits at your own usable value, then subtract the fee and any additional spending. A large welcome offer can improve the first year, but it does not prove the card is worth keeping.
Is the annual fee worth it for you?
The published annual fee is $895. Compare it with benefits you would otherwise buy, excluding the welcome bonus. For example, $300 of personally useful benefits leaves $595 of the fee uncovered. Even $900 of useful benefits leaves only $5 before interest, other fees or extra spending to use a credit. These are illustrations, not assumed returns. Lounge access can add value, but count what you would pay for it rather than an advertised valuation.
Amex Platinum fee and benefitsHotel credit changes: current rules and January 2027
Amex now calls this the lodging credit and includes qualifying prepaid Airbnb Luxe bookings through Amex Travel. The annual cap is split into two $300 periods. The Hotel Collection and Airbnb Luxe require at least two nights. Starting January 1, 2027, Fine Hotels + Resorts bookings will also need two nights to qualify for the credit. Check the dedicated benefit terms before booking; this future requirement is separate from current FHR eligibility.
Amex lodging-credit termsDelta Sky Club access has limits
Eligible Platinum cardholders receive 10 visits per Medallion Year, February 1 through January 31. A visit can cover multiple clubs within 24 hours. An eligible same-day flight is required, and Delta Main Basic fares are excluded. Visits cannot be shared with guests; guest charges and other entry conditions apply. Eligible annual spending of $75,000 can unlock unlimited visits under Delta’s rules.
Delta Sky Club access policyApproval, spending power and the welcome offer
The issuer does not publish a single guaranteed approval score on the application-criteria page checked for this review. No preset spending limit means flexible spending power, not unlimited purchases. Amex says spending capacity can change with purchase, payment and credit history. Its application process can show an approval decision before acceptance affects your score. Separately, confirm your personalized welcome offer and eligibility before accepting; the historical maximum is not a promise of what you will receive.
Amex application process and spending-power explanationReview details and sources updated 2026-10-22
This scoped update covers fees, benefit rules and application guidance. The offer record retains its separate verification date.
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