I have been a proud member of American Express since 1988. I started with a green card in college, worked my way up to gold and ultimately became a Platinum card holder. Unlike my American Express Premier Rewards Gold Card, with the Platinum Card, there are no bonus points on specific purchases. For this reason, I do not use this card for everyday spending, as it only yields one American Express Membership Rewards point per dollar spent. So you may be asking why do I keep this card in my wallet? Especially because it carries a hefty $450 annual fee. Well there are many other Platinum benefits that I constantly take advantage of such as……
1. Travel Benefits
2. $450 fee is really not $450-its $250
3. Specific Purchase Benefits
Travel Benefits
Having a Platinum card gives you complimentary access to many Delta airport lounges as well as to the Centurion Lounges, which at the time of this post, have lounges in Las Vegas and Dallas Fort Worth, and now LaGuardia!
Do you have a spouse like mine who insists on leaving more than 3 hours in advance for the airport? By giving ourselves that much leeway time, you can imagine how much time we have once we are at the airport. So whenever I fly with my family on Delta, many times we spend our time in the ……..”not so crowded, easy to get a seat, abundance of outlets for charging, unlimited snacks and drinks (alcohol as well), just way more comfortable and civilized”, airport lounges instead of sitting at the gate with the other common folk :-). The American Express Platinum card allows entry for the cardholder, spouse and all of your children. In addition, being an American Express Platinum card holder allows you to enroll for free in a program called the Priority Pass Select Program. This program provides you access to numerous lounges and airport clubs.
Another travel perk that comes with the American Express Platinum card has to do with American Express Fine Hotels and Resorts. If you stay at an American Express Fine Hotel and Resort and pay with your American Express Platinum card, you can indulge in complimentary amenities and get upgrades at these amazing hotels and resorts. Amenities may include a $100 spa credit, food credit, or free round of golf, etc. In addition, there is a breakfast credit for you and your spouse (many times the kids have eaten for free as well). Also, there are automatic late checkouts and upgrades “when available”. I have to say, that I have never stayed at one of these resorts and not been able to get the upgrade. On one stay in Longboat Key at the Resort at Longboat Key Club, we got an upgrade to a huge suite with an extra bedroom, kitchen and balcony. WOW!!!
$450 Fee is really a $250 fee
Lastly, lets take this $450 annual fee and make it $250. American Express Platinum gives you the ability to choose an airline and enroll your card, and enjoy up to $200 in statement credits each year for airline incidental fees you incur on your Platinum card. What are airline incidental fees? First, how about baggage fees? When you have a family of five like myself, even if you have a specific airline credit card that allows the first checked bag to be free, you will likely be charged fees to check extra baggage. Second, snacks! Snacks on some airlines have become scarce or in some cases nonexistent. Hungry on the plane but don’t want to spend the money purchasing those overpriced plane snacks for the kids? Don’t fret, you can whip out your American Express Platinum card and charge those snacks. Then, why not purchase the Direct TV or the internet to enjoy? Whatever the purchase on the plane, use your American Express Platinum Card and receive an immediate credit on your next statement. (The terms say 2-4 weeks but in my experience the credit is immediate) Lets not forget about that much needed glass or glasses of wine to help you relax on the plane. (Yes I know, ironic that I am a very nervous flyer). Charge away, that glass of wine is on American Express Platinum. Some questions you may be asking.
When must you designate your airline?
You must choose your airline between January 1 and January 31st of each calendar year. Any part of the $200 not spent by December 31st will be lost. (Ask me about the time we bought 14 mini bottles of wine on the plane). 🙂
How do you know which airline to designate?
Choose an airline that you know or think you will be flying on. I personally probably have most of my travel plans set by January 1st of any year, so it is easy for me to choose my airline for that year. If you are more of a last minute planner, you can call American Express when you know which airline you will be flying and they will probably let you designate your airline later than January 31st. Be nice!
Specific Purchase Benefits
Another important reason to me as to why I have this card, is the protection that the American Express Platinum card offers me for certain types of purchases…..
I always use my American Express Platinum Card when I am renting a car as there is automatic coverage for theft or damage.
If I am going to make a big purchase, ie laptop, iPad, etc. I use my American Express Platinum Card as there is a 90 day Purchase Protection Plan. Purchases are protected against loss, theft and accidental damage for 90 days from purchase. This 90 day protection plan comes in very handy when I am shopping for my kids before they leave for camp. They go to camp for 7 weeks, so even if they lose that brand new IPod at camp, (has happened twice so far!), I can get reimbursed from American Express.
There is Return Protection-you have 90 days to return what you buy, even if the seller won’t take it back.
I also use this card when purchasing from any non-traditional vendor. (At least what I consider non-traditional) We went to London a couple of years ago and I purchased many of our tickets and tours in advance. I used my American Express Platinum for all of these purchases as I was protected by the Fraud Protection Guarantee.
Above are all of the reasons that I personally decide to take out my American Express Platinum from my wallet. However, there are tons of other benefits ranging from no foreign transaction fees (yes, we used this card a lot in London) to many premium access and invitations to tons of entertainment and once-in-a-lifetime experiences. (ahhh one day when the kids are older and out of the house). Click here to explore other American Express Platinum Benefits.
