The unique benefits of the American Express Platinum Card®
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The Platinum Card® from American Express
The Platinum Card® is the best premium card in Canada for travellers.
With this welcome offer, you can earn up to 100,000 Membership Rewards® points:
- 70,000 points after you charge $10,000 to your Card in your first 3 months of Cardmembership
- 30,000 points when you make a purchase between months 15 and 17 of Cardmembership
With this Card, you earn:
- 2 points for every $1 in eligible dining and food delivery purchases in Canada
- 2 points per dollar on eligible travel purchases charged to the Card
- 1 point for every $1 in other purchases charged to the Card
You can use your Membership Rewards® points in many ways:
- Point transfers to airline partners: Aeroplan, Avios (British Airways / Qatar Airways), Flying Blue, Delta SkyMiles, etc.
- Point transfers to hotel partners, including Hilton Honors and Marriott Bonvoy
- Redeem points for statement credits toward travel (1,000 points = $10)
- Redeem points for statement credits toward other purchases (1,000 points = $10)
- And more!
For example, with this welcome offer, if you decide to transfer your Membership Rewards® points to a partner loyalty program, you could get up to:
- 100,000 Aeroplan points
- 100,000 Avios
- 100,000 Flying Blue miles
- 120,000 Marriott Bonvoy points
With this Card, you also get travel benefits:
- An annual $200 travel credit
- An annual $200 dining credit
- A $100 statement credit for a NEXUS membership
- Free access for you and one additional traveller to more than 1,550 airport lounges in over 140 countries
- Hilton Honors Gold status
- Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status
- Access to the Fine Hotels + Resorts program
Finally, The Platinum Card® stands out for its extensive insurance coverage: car rental theft and damage, $500,000 travel accident, out-of-province/out-of-country emergency medical, lost or stolen baggage, flight delay and delayed baggage, hotel/motel burglary, Purchase Protection and Buyer’s Assurance.
As with all American Express Canada Cards, no minimum income is required.
- Annual fee
- $799
- Our valuationMilesopedia first-year estimate First-year valueWelcome bonus$1,190Total$1,190Plus $510 of bonus paid after the first year, not counted in this total.Rewards on your spending are not included. The calculator that adds them from your own profile is on the card's page.
- $1,190
- Welcome offerAfter $10,000 in 3 months
- Up to 100,000 points
Apply Now
on American Express's website
Apply with confidenceCheck whether your application will be approved before you submit it, with no impact on your credit score*When you apply for a personal American Express Credit Card, we will tell you whether you are eligible without affecting your credit score. So you can apply with confidence.*Instant decisions are only available for consumer Card applications (also called “personal Cards”).
The Platinum Card® clearly stands out from the competition thanks to the various benefits it offers frequent travellers. For each of them, I will try to assign a value.
The current welcome bonus: up to 100,000 Membership Rewards points, worth up to $1,000 toward your travels. You get 70,000 points after putting $10,000 in net purchases on your Card in the first 3 months, then 30,000 points with a purchase between months 15 and 17. In the first year, that completely changes the profitability calculation, as I show in my quantified profiles below.
The American Express Platinum Card® » />
Airport lounge access
It’s personally something I’m quite fond of (and I know that’s the case for many members of our Facebook group as well).
The benefit
The Platinum Card® offers free, unlimited access for the cardholder and a travel companion to most of the lounges listed below.
If we look only at the Priority Pass membership included for the Platinum Card® cardholder, this benefit is worth US$469/year.
And American Express has a special agreement with Priority Pass that allows you to add a travel companion to this membership (which would otherwise cost US$35/visit)!
And that is without counting access to all the other types of lounges around the world:
Here are the conditions of access for each type of lounge:
| Lounge | Details |
| Priority Pass | Free and unlimited access for the cardholder AND one guest 1,400 lounges worldwide |
| Executive Lounges by Swissport | Free access for the cardholder and spouse & 2 children under 21 upon presentation of the Platinum Card E.g., National Bank Lounge in Montreal, Aspire in Amsterdam, Gatwick… |
| V.I.P. Lounge at Québec City Jean-Lesage International Airport | Free access for the cardholder and one travel companion & 2 children under 18 upon presentation of the Platinum Card |
| Plaza Premium Lounges | Free access for the cardholder and their spouse upon presentation of the Platinum Card® E.g.: Many Plaza Premium lounges in Montreal (Air France), Toronto, Vancouver, Edmonton, Winnipeg… |
| Delta Sky Club | Free access for the cardholder upon presentation of the Platinum Card & a Delta Airlines flight ticket |
| Escape Lounges | Free access for the cardholder & 2 travel companions upon presentation of the Platinum Card Oakland, Minneapolis airports… |
| The Centurion Lounge | Free access for the holder & 2 travel companions on presentation of the Platinum card Airports of Miami, Las Vegas, La Guardia, San Francisco, Hong Kong… |
| International American Express Lounges | Complimentary access for the Cardmember |
The value of airport lounge access
By being reasonable in my estimates, thanks to this airport lounge access benefit offered by the Platinum Card®, I estimate saving $40 per person each time we pass through an airport (for food and drinks). This is without counting the rest obtained versus waiting in certain terminals (especially with children).
Hotel statuses
American Express has partnered with various hotel programs to provide access to higher statuses when you are a Platinum Card® cardholder.
The benefit
Among the hotel programs, the status that has the most value in my eyes remains Hilton Honors Gold. It is the only one of the two to provide a dining benefit: a daily food and beverage credit in the United States, or a continental breakfast at several hotels outside the United States (this varies by brand and region).
On the Marriott Bonvoy side, Gold Elite status does not include any breakfast: Marriott reserves this for its Platinum members and above. Since 2026, Hilton has also revised its tiers: Gold status is now obtained after 25 nights, and a new Diamond Reserve tier has been added. The benefits of Gold status remain the same.
Program benefits by status level
| Program | Status | Key Benefits |
 | Elite Gold | Room upgrade upon arrival, subject to availability (excluding suites) Late check-out until 2 PM, subject to availability 25% more points on stays Free high-speed Wi-Fi Welcome gift (points) No breakfast included |
 | Gold | Daily food and beverage credit (U.S.) or continental breakfast (outside the U.S., depending on the brand) Room upgrade subject to availability (early confirmation) 80% more points Free high-speed Wi-Fi 5th night free on reward stays |
The value of hotel statuses
The value of this benefit depends mainly on the number of stays you make each year and the country where you travel. In a Hilton hotel outside the United States, free continental breakfast for two can represent a significant saving. In the United States, it is instead a daily food and beverage credit, the amount of which varies by hotel. Counting around $20 per person per day, over about ten nights per year, this represents a few hundred dollars depending on your profile.
On the Marriott side, as Gold status does not offer breakfast, the value comes mainly from upgrades and late check-out. It’s up to you to see, based on your travels, the value you give to this benefit. Personally, I value it at around $200 per year.
$200 travel credit
If there is one Platinum Card® benefit that is easy to quantify, it is the annual $200 travel credit.
The benefit
When you apply for the Platinum Card®, you receive a $200 travel credit to use through American Express Travel services. This may be:
- A flight
- A hotel
- A car rental
- A travel package
Then, each year when your Platinum Card® annual fee renews, you receive this credit again. I explain in detail in this article how the annual travel credit works.
The value of the travel credit
As I have the opportunity to travel several times a year, it is easy for me to use the Platinum Card® annual $200 credit. It is therefore worth $200 for travel I would have purchased anyway!
$200 Annual Dining Credit
Another Platinum Card® benefit that is easy to quantify is the annual $200 dining credit.
The benefit
When you apply for the Platinum Card®, you receive an annual $200 dining credit. This credit applies to your restaurant bill according to an American Express restaurant list.
Then, each year on January 1, you receive this credit again.
The value of the annual dining credit
Since I love dining at good restaurants and the bill adds up quickly when eating out, it’s become fairly easy to use the Platinum Card®’s $200 annual dining credit.
Instead of using my American Express Cobalt® Card (which allows me to earn 5 points per dollar at all restaurants), I will use my American Express Platinum Card®.
$100 NEXUS credit
The Platinum Card® comes with another benefit for travelers: the $100 statement credit for NEXUS program membership. Simply charge your NEXUS membership (every 4 years) to your Platinum Card® to receive this credit.
The Membership Rewards program
Beyond the travel benefits, it is important to note the excellent Membership Rewards points earning with the Platinum Card®:
- 2 Membership Rewards points per dollar spent at restaurants and bars
- 2 Membership Rewards points per dollar of travel purchases
- 1 Membership Rewards point per dollar spent on other purchases
Here is an example of earning:
| Restaurants | Travel | Other | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Purchases | $10,000 | $15,000 | $10,000 |
| Membership Rewards | 20 000 | 30 000 | 10 000 |
| Total | 60,000 Membership Rewards points |
The Platinum Card®—like the American Express Cobalt® Card—lets you use your Membership Rewards points in multiple ways, without being “stuck” with Aeroplan points:
- via transfers to other airline or hotel loyalty programs
- via the fixed points travel program for flights
- via a statement credit for travel purchases
- via a statement credit for everyday purchases
My tips for making the Platinum Card profitable
Here is how I go about it, concretely, so that this Card earns more than its $799 annual fee.
- I collect both credits at the beginning of the year: $200 travel credit + $200 dining credit is $400 recovered quickly, which is already half of the annual fee.
- I use the Platinum for the dining credit, then I switch back to the Cobalt: I pay the $200 eligible for the credit with the Platinum, and all the rest of my dinners with my Cobalt® Card at 5 points per dollar.
- I add my travel companion to the lounge access: the Priority Pass membership includes a free guest, which avoids US$35 per visit. For a couple passing through the airport 5 times, that represents about $400.
- I charge my NEXUS membership to the Card: $100 reimbursed every 4 years. Not to be forgotten at the time of renewal.
- I transfer my Membership Rewards points rather than redeeming them: a statement credit is worth 1,000 points = $10, but a 1-to-1 transfer to Aeroplan or Avios is often worth much more per point for a plane ticket.
- I’m aiming for the 2nd tier of the welcome bonus: 30,000 points with a purchase between months 15 and 17. A single purchase is enough; I set a calendar reminder so I don’t miss it.
- I schedule my stays at Hilton to take advantage of Gold status: free breakfast is worth about $20 per person per night.
My concrete calculations by profile
To give you real benchmarks, here are two profiles based on the benefit values I assigned earlier in the article. The annual fee is $799. I present the recurring value (year 2 and beyond), then the first-year value with the welcome bonus.
Profile 1: Frequent traveler as a couple
| Benefit | Annual value |
| Lounge access (couple, 5 visits) | $400 |
| Hilton Gold hotel status | $200 |
| Travel Credit | $200 |
| Dining credit | $200 |
| NEXUS credit ($100 / 4 years) | $25 |
| Benefits subtotal | $1,025 |
| Minus annual fee | – $799 |
| Net value of benefits | $226 |
| Membership Rewards points earned (~60,000 pts) | $600 and + |
| Recurring net value (year 2+) | $826 and + |
Profile 2: Occasional traveler
| Benefit | Annual value |
| Lounge access (2 visits) | $160 |
| Hotel status (Marriott stays) | $0 |
| Travel Credit | $200 |
| Dining credit | $200 |
| NEXUS credit ($100 / 4 years) | $25 |
| Benefits subtotal | $585 |
| Minus annual fee | – $799 |
| Net value of benefits | – $214 |
Conclusion
It is clear that the Platinum Card® is not for everyone and remains a card designed for travellers.
However, if you have travel plans and can take advantage of its various benefits (annual $200 travel credit, annual $200 dining credit, airport lounge access, statuses, etc.) as well as the Membership Rewards points earning categories, this is THE card to get in preparation for those trips!
The benefits easily outweigh the annual fee (especially in the first year with a welcome bonus).
The current offer: up to 100,000 Privilege points as a welcome bonus, which is up to $1,000 for your travels. Compare it as well to the rest of our ranking of the best credit cards, and subscribe to our newsletter so you don’t miss any of the next boosts.
For all the details of this offer, see our full American Express Platinum Card page.
In my view, it therefore remains an essential card alongside my American Express Cobalt® Card!
- Annual fee
- $799
- Our valuationMilesopedia first-year estimate First-year valueWelcome bonus$1,190Total$1,190Plus $510 of bonus paid after the first year, not counted in this total.Rewards on your spending are not included. The calculator that adds them from your own profile is on the card's page.
- $1,190
- Welcome offerAfter $10,000 in 3 months
- Up to 100,000 points
Apply Now
on American Express's website
Apply with confidenceCheck whether your application will be approved before you submit it, with no impact on your credit score*When you apply for a personal American Express Credit Card, we will tell you whether you are eligible without affecting your credit score. So you can apply with confidence.*Instant decisions are only available for consumer Card applications (also called “personal Cards”).
*This post was not sponsored. The opinions and viewpoints expressed in this review are solely my own. American Express is not responsible for maintaining or controlling the accuracy of the information published on this website. To obtain complete and up-to-date information about the product, click the Apply Now link. Terms and conditions apply.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the welcome bonus on the American Express Platinum Card?
The current welcome bonus: up to 100,000 Membership Rewards points. You earn 70,000 points after spending $10,000 in net purchases on your Card within the first 3 months, then 30,000 points with a purchase made between the 15th and 17th month.
How much does the Platinum Card actually earn per year?
For a frequent traveler in a couple who uses the lounges, Hilton status, and the two annual credits, I estimate the value of the benefits at about $1,025 per year. After the $799 fee, $226 remains, to which is added about $600 in earned Membership Rewards points, totaling more than $800 net per year. In the first year, the welcome bonus of up to 100,000 points pushes the value beyond $1,800. For an occasional traveler who does not use the lounges or statuses, the recurring benefits do not cover the fees: the Card is then mainly worth it in the first year.
What are the travel benefits of the American Express Platinum Card®?
The Platinum Card® offers many premium travel benefits, including access to over 1,400 airport lounges, elite status with several hotel chains (Hilton, Marriott), and comprehensive travel insurance. It also includes 24/7 concierge service and annual travel credits.
What is the annual cost of the American Express Platinum Card®?
The annual fee for the Platinum Card® is $799. However, the card offers more than $500 in annual credits ($200 annual travel credit, up to $200 AMEX restaurant credit, $100 for NEXUS, etc.), which can help offset this cost.
How does airport lounge access work with the Platinum Card®?
The card provides access to the Priority Pass network, American Express Centurion Lounges, and Plaza Premium lounges. The primary cardholder and one guest can access these lounges free of charge, offering a more comfortable travel experience.
Can you add additional cards to the Platinum Card®?
Yes, you can add up to 9 additional cards. An additional Platinum Card® costs $250, allowing additional cardholders to enjoy several premium benefits.
Is the American Express Platinum Card® worth its price?
For frequent travellers who regularly use benefits such as lounge access, hotel statuses, and annual credits, the card offers excellent value. The combination of benefits and credits can easily exceed the annual fee for those who maximize the perks.
For your next Hilton stay, see the Hilton Honors American Express® Card available in Canada and the terms of its current offer.