American Express: How do I activate American Express Platinum card benefits?

The Platinum Card^MD from American Express and the Business Platinum Card^MD from American Express come with a hefty membership fee ($799) but with significant benefits:

• 200 annual travel credit
• 200 annual dining credit (Platinum Card^MD from American Express only)
• Annual mobile credit of up to $120 (Business Platinum Card^MD from American Express only)
• Free membership and access to PriorityPass network lounges and the worldwide collection of American Express lounges for you and one guest
• Gold status with Marriott Bonvoy and Hilton Honors.
• Nexus Credit

All benefits are listed here on the American Express Canada website.

The American Express website can be difficult to navigate. But here is a mini-guide to help you find your way around.

After creating an online account for your American Express Platinum card, you can go directly to the benefits registration page by clicking here.

On this page you’ll find all the unique benefits associated with the card.

All information is given as to the benefits. You’ll see that some of them require registration.

To use the $200 annual meal credit, you’ll need to log into your Platinum Card^MD from American Express online account or via the American Express Canada mobile app.

Then sign up for the American Express “$200 Annual Meal Credit” online offer just like any other American Express online offer. In subsequent years, you won’t have to register again for the offer to benefit from the $200 annual meal credit: registration will be automatic following this initial registration.

To use the annual mobile credit of up to $120, you will need to log into your Business Platinum Card^MD from American Express online account or via the American Express Canada mobile app.

Then sign up for the American Express “Up to $120 Annual Mobile Credit” online offer just like any other American Express online offer.

Thereafter, you won’t have to sign up for the offer again to benefit from the annual mobile credit of up to $120: the initial sign-up will be automatic.

Registration is required to access Priority Pass lounges and must be done through customer service by calling 1-800-263-1616.

Registration is required to obtain Gold status with Marriott Bonvoy and Hilton Honors.

Registration is required for Review and Hertz benefits and status.

Registration is not required to benefit from the Nexus credit.

Once you click on “register” for any benefit, you’ll be taken to this new page.

All you have to do is register for each program.

Some benefits, such as Gold status at Hilton Honors, take 24 to 48 hours. For Marriott Bonvoy it may take a little longer. Due to a problem with my last name not being recognized at Marriott Bonvoy, I had to contact both customer services departments to manually activate the status.

Finally, it takes about 10 days to receive the Priority Pass card. If you need it first, you can contact Priority Pass customer service to get your membership number and activate your account online. The Priority Pass mobile app then provides access to most of the lounges.