The unique benefits of the Platinum Card^® from American Express

The Platinum Card^® clearly stands out from the competition because of the various benefits it provides for frequent travelers. I will try to assign a value to each of them.

It’s something I personally love (and I know many of the Facebook group members do too!).

The Platinum Card^® provides free unlimited access to the cardholder and a travel companion at most of the lounges listed below.

When we look at just the Priority Pass membership included for the Platinum Card^® holder, we are talking about a benefit that has a value of US$429 / year.

And American Express has a special agreement with Priority Pass to add a travel companion to this pass (which would have cost US$ 32 / visit otherwise)!

That’s not taking into account access to all the other types of lounge around the world:

Here are the conditions of access for each type of lounge:

Being reasonable in my estimates, with this airport lounge access benefit offered by the Platinum Card^®, I estimate that I save $20/person each time we pass through an airport (for drinks/meals).

That’s not counting the rest you get versus waiting in some terminals (especially with young children)!

American Express has partnered with various hotel programs to gain access to higher statuses by being a Platinum Card^® holder.

Of all the hotel programs, I consider only the status offered by the Platinum Card^® on the Hilton Honors side to be of value.

It is the only one to offer breakfast in most of the group’s hotels.

Unfortunately, Marriott Bonvoy’s Elite Gold status has lost its lustre, with the program now reserving the benefit of complimentary breakfasts for Elite Platinum members.

I would have liked to see American Express offer Platinum Elite status, or at least status nights to reach that level of status faster.

Program	Status	Key benefits
	Elite Gold	Room upgrade 2 p.m Late departure 10 points for every eligible U.S. dollar and 25% more points than base members Premium Internet access
	Gold	Complimentary Breakfast Room Upgrade 80% more points than base-level members Premium Internet access 2 free bottles of water per stay
	Gold	Room Upgrade Early Arrival and Late Checkout 25 Points per U.S. Dollar spent and 15% off food and drink 2 free bottles of water per stay

The value of this Platinum Card^® benefit is relative. It will be based on the number of stays made in these different hotels each year. If your preference is Hilton Group hotels, getting free breakfast for each of your nights can be a great benefit!

With an average rate of $20/breakfast/person, for 10 nights stay per year, this could be a saving of $400/year thanks to this benefit.

But if you stay at Marriott hotels instead, the value of this benefit is lessened.

If there is one easily quantifiable benefit of the Platinum Card^®, it is the $200 annual travel credit.

When you sign up for the Platinum Card^®, you get 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 get that credit again. I explain in detail in this article how the annual travel credit works.

Having the opportunity to travel several times a year, it is easy for me to use the $200 annual Platinum Card^® credit. So it has a value of… 200$, for trips I would have bought anyway!

The Platinum Card^® comes with another benefit for travellers: the $100 NEXUS Card Statement Credit. Simply charge your NEXUS membership (every 4 years) onto your Platinum Card^® to get this credit.

In addition to the travel benefits, it is important to note the excellent earning rate of Membership Rewards points through the Platinum Card^®:

• 3 points for every $1 in Card purchases on eligible dining in Canada
• 2 points for every $1 in Card purchases on eligible travel
• 1 Membership Rewards point per dollar per dollar of other purchases

Here is an example of earning rate:

The American Express Cobalt^® Card – like the American Express Cobalt^® Card – allows you to use your Membership Rewards points in multiple ways, “without being caught” with Aeroplan points:

• via transfers to other airline or hotel loyalty programs
• via the fixed-point travel programme for flights
• via account credit for travel purchases
• via account credit for everyday purchases

For sure, the Platinum Card^® is not for everyone and remains a card for travelers.

However, if you have travel plans and can take advantage of its various benefits ($200 annual credit, access to airport lounges, status, etc.) as well as the Membership Rewards points earning categories, this is THE card to get in anticipation of those trips!

The benefits exceed the annual fee (especially the first year with a welcome bonus of 50,000 Membership Rewards points!)

So for me, it remains an essential card alongside my American Express Cobalt^® Card!

This post was not sponsored. The views and opinions expressed in this review are purely my own. American Express is not responsible for maintaining or controlling the accuracy of the information published on this website. For complete and up-to-date product information, click on the Apply Now link. Terms apply.