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The Guide to AmEx Platinum Travel Insurance

After spending seven years in the U.S. Air Force as an Arabic linguist, Carissa is now a freelance writer using points and miles to fund a four-year (and counting!) adventure. She previously worked as a reporter for The Points Guy. Her writing has since been featured in numerous publications, including Forbes, Business Insider, and The Balance. When she's not flying, you'll usually find her in a Priority Pass lounge somewhere, sipping tea and cursing slow Wi-Fi.

Megan Lee joined the travel rewards team at NerdWallet with over 12 years of SEO, writing and content development experience, primarily in international education and nonprofit work. She has been published in U.S. News & World Report, USA Today and elsewhere, and has spoken at conferences like that of NAFSA: Association of International Educators. Megan has built and directed remote content teams and editorial strategies for websites like GoAbroad and Go Overseas. When not traveling, Megan adventures around her Midwest home base where she likes to attend theme parties, ride her bike and cook Asian food.

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Table of Contents

When does the AmEx Platinum travel insurance kick in?

Amex platinum travel insurance benefits and limits, how to make an amex travel insurance claim, what if the card’s insurance benefits are insufficient, the platinum card® from american express travel insurance, recapped.

Travel insurance can provide peace of mind when you’re away from home, especially when you’ve spent significant money on your vacation. Although you can choose to buy a separate travel insurance policy, not everyone wants or needs to do so.

Many travel credit cards offer complimentary insurance for a variety of occurrences. The Platinum Card® from American Express offers travel insurance with a suite of benefits for eligible travelers, including coverage for trip interruption, rental car damage and lost luggage.

Let’s take a look at travel insurance on The Platinum Card® from American Express , its limits and the benefits it provides.

» Learn more: What is travel insurance?

So, does The Platinum Card® from American Express have travel insurance? The short answer to this is yes, but you’ll need to meet specific requirements for it to apply.

To get coverage from your card, you’ll need to use it to pay for your trip in its entirety. This is true whether you’re looking to utilize the trip insurance or the rental car insurance — you must pay for the full cost with The Platinum Card® from American Express .

Be aware of coverage limitations if you’re traveling using points or miles. While it’s possible to receive benefits when using your card to pay the taxes and fees on a reward redemption, coverage may not always apply.

You may still be covered for trip interruption, delay, and cancellation insurance when using points or frequent flyer miles.

However, rental car and baggage insurance only apply when you’ve used your card to pay for the full cost of whatever you’re buying — no points allowed. The exception is if you redeem American Express Membership Rewards to pay for some or all of the booking.

» Learn more: How does credit card travel insurance work?

We’ve included a breakdown of all the insurance benefits and other travel protections provided by The Platinum Card® from American Express .

Trip cancellation protection

The trip cancellation insurance you’ll receive will pay for any nonrefundable losses you incur due to a covered event.

Given the current climate, you may also be wondering: does The Platinum Card® from American Express travel insurance cover COVID? It can, depending on the reason you need to cancel. Covered events include quarantine imposed by a physician or illness for you, your family members or a traveling companion.

Other eligible events include a change in military orders, inclement weather or jury duty.

If you need to cancel your trip, AmEx will provide up to $10,000 per trip and a maximum of $20,000 every 12 months. Terms apply.

» Learn more: The guide to American Express travel insurance

Trip interruption coverage

As with trip cancellation protection, trip interruption insurance will reimburse you for nonrefundable losses by a covered event.

If your trip is interrupted, American Express will cover you for prepaid land, air and sea travel bookings you’ve missed. They’ll also pay for the cost of an economy-class ticket on the most direct route to rejoin your covered trip (or take you home).

The maximum benefit you’ll receive is $10,000 per trip and up to $20,000 every 12 months. Terms apply.

Trip delay insurance

As it sounds, trip delay insurance will reimburse you for expenses incurred when your trip doesn’t go as scheduled. In the case of The Platinum Card® from American Express , coverage kicks in after you’ve been delayed by at least six hours for a covered reason.

Covered purchases may include food, toiletries, lodging, medication and other personal use items. You’ll be reimbursed for up to $500 on a covered trip and can make two claims within a 12-month period. Terms apply.

Rental car insurance

The Platinum Card® from American Express provides secondary rental car insurance . This means it’ll kick in after other claims — like those made to your personal insurance — have been paid. To activate coverage, you’ll need to decline the insurance offered by the rental car company.

AmEx will provide up to $75,000 due to damage or theft of the rental vehicle, but be aware that the policy doesn’t provide liability insurance.

It’ll also give you up to $1,000 per person (max of $2,000) for personal property lost in the incident and up to $5,000 for accidental injury. Finally, you’ll receive up to $300,000 for accidental death or dismemberment, though the rates will vary depending on the severity of your injuries.

This rental car insurance is valid worldwide with a few notable exceptions, including Australia, Italy and New Zealand. Terms apply.

» Learn more: Credit cards that provide travel insurance

Baggage coverage

Cardholders and their families are eligible for baggage insurance provided they’ve paid for the fare using The Platinum Card® from American Express . This benefit is only for lost baggage; delayed luggage is not protected.

Coverage limits vary depending on whether you’ve checked your bag or carried it on:

Checked bags: Up to $2,000 per person.

Carry-on: Up to $3,000 per person.

Note also that checked baggage is only covered when you’re actually traveling with a common carrier. Meanwhile, carry-on luggage is also covered when traveling to and from or waiting at the terminal.

There are also specific limits for high-risk items such as jewelry and electronic equipment. For these items, you’ll receive a maximum of $1,000 per person per trip. Terms apply.

» Learn more: Baggage insurance explained

Premium Global Assist

What else does The Platinum Card® from American Express travel insurance cover? Although this last benefit isn’t technically a type of travel insurance, it’s worth including as it can offer help while you travel.

AmEx’s Premium Global Assist hotline is a 24/7 service that can assist you in various ways, such as helping you get a new passport, finding translation services and even arranging for emergency medical evacuation.

Although using Premium Global Assist is free, the services that you may end up using are not necessarily covered by AmEx.

There are exceptions to this — if you need repatriation of mortal remains, emergency medical evacuation or if a child under 16 is left without care, AmEx will provide aid at no additional cost. Terms apply.

To file a claim, you’ll need to contact your benefit administrator. The phone number and timeframe will vary according to the type of insurance you’re using:

Trip cancellation, interruption or delay insurance: Within 60 days, call 844-933-0648.

Baggage insurance: Within 30 days, call 800-228-6855 or online .

Rental car insurance: Within 30 days, call 800-338-1670 or online .

» Learn more: The guide to AmEx Platinum rental car benefits

If The Platinum Card® from American Express travel insurance doesn’t seem like it’ll be enough for your trip, or if its coverage doesn’t include features that you’d like to have, consider purchasing a separate travel insurance policy before you travel.

Several companies allow you to compare various policies for any vacation and modify inclusions as you shop.

» Learn more: How much is travel insurance?

The travel insurance offered by The Platinum Card® from American Express includes some pretty generous benefits for travelers, especially since it’s complimentary (the $695 annual fee notwithstanding). Terms apply.

If you want to take advantage of this insurance, pay for your trip using your AmEx card and double-check any other stated requirements before heading out to ensure coverage.

Insurance Benefit: Trip Cancellation and Interruption Insurance

The maximum benefit amount for Trip Cancellation and Interruption Insurance is $10,000 per Covered Trip and $20,000 per Eligible Card per 12 consecutive month period.

Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply.

Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details.

Underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.

Insurance Benefit: Trip Delay Insurance

Up to $500 per Covered Trip that is delayed for more than 6 hours; and 2 claims per Eligible Card per 12 consecutive month period.

Insurance Benefit: Car Rental Loss & Damage Insurance

Car Rental Loss and Damage Insurance can provide coverage up to $75,000 for theft of or damage to most rental vehicles when you use your eligible Card to reserve and pay for the entire eligible vehicle rental and decline the collision damage waiver or similar option offered by the Commercial Car Rental Company. This product provides secondary coverage and does not include liability coverage. Not all vehicle types or rentals are covered. Geographic restrictions apply.

Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company. Car Rental Loss or Damage Coverage is offered through American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc.

Insurance Benefit: Baggage Insurance Plan

Baggage Insurance Plan coverage can be in effect for Covered Persons for eligible lost, damaged, or stolen Baggage during their travel on a Common Carrier Vehicle (e.g., plane, train, ship, or bus) when the Entire Fare for a ticket for the trip (one-way or round-trip) is charged to an Eligible Card. Coverage can be provided for up to $2,000 for checked Baggage and up to a combined maximum of $3,000 for checked and carry-on Baggage, in excess of coverage provided by the Common Carrier. The coverage is also subject to a $3,000 aggregate limit per Covered Trip. For New York State residents, there is a $2,000 per bag/suitcase limit for each Covered Person with a $10,000 aggregate maximum for all Covered Persons per Covered Trip.

Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.

Insurance Benefit: Premium Global Assist Hotline

You can rely on Global Assist Hotline 24 hours a day / 7 days a week for medical, legal, financial or other select emergency coordination and assistance services while traveling more than 100 miles away from your home. Plus, the Premium Global Assist Hotline may provide emergency medical transportation assistance and related services. Third-party service costs may be your responsibility.

If approved and coordinated by Premium Global Assist Hotline, emergency medical transportation assistance may be provided at no cost. In any other circumstance, Card Members may be responsible for the costs charged by third-party service providers.

How to maximize your rewards

You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are some of the best travel credit cards of 2024 :

Flexibility, point transfers and a large bonus: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

No annual fee: Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card

Flat-rate travel rewards: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Bonus travel rewards and high-end perks: Chase Sapphire Reserve®

Luxury perks: The Platinum Card® from American Express

Business travelers: Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

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• Amex Platinum Card

24 Benefits & Perks of the Amex Platinum Card [$4,316+ Value]

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Amex platinum card benefits, amex platinum card purchase benefits, final thoughts.

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The Platinum Card ® from American Express is arguably the most premium card on the market. It grants you access to over 1,400+ airport lounges worldwide, gives you loads of annual statement credits , and earns a whopping 5 points per dollar spent on flights! But on the flip side, the card has a fee that’s nothing to scoff at.

However, despite the large annual fee, the popular metal card still ranks at the top of our writers’ favorite cards. This is mainly because the card’s excellent benefits more than outweigh the card’s fee. The benefits aren’t given an exact value by American Express, so it may be hard to gauge if the card actually gives you more than the annual fee in value.

Fear not! We’ve done the hard work, reviewing all of the card’s benefits, researching their respective values, and assigning each benefit a price tag. Then, we added it all up and assigned the entire card a value, which we’ll reveal at the end of the article.

We’ve split the article into 2 parts: Amex Platinum card-specific benefits and more general benefits like American Express purchase protection and extended warranty.

Let’s start with the fun stuff first: Amex Platinum card-specific benefits. These include all of the awesome travel perks that are included with the card and is where the card’s real value is seen. Think of things like lounge access, hotel status, and more.

Here’s a quick summary:

Note: some benefits require enrollment through your American Express account. Terms Apply.

*The bonus value of the welcome offer as well as the value of benefits are an estimated valuation calculated by UP after analyzing redemption options, transfer partners, award availability and how much UP would pay to buy these points.

1. A Huge Welcome Bonus Offer (First Year) — [$1,200 – $2,200]

Amex Platinum cards have historically offered amazing welcome bonus offers .

We value Membership Rewards points at 2.2 cents apiece . This means that your welcome bonus could be worth up to $2,200, covering your annual fee for over 3 years, if you take advantage of the 100,000-point welcome bonus.

See below for the current welcome bonus and our valuation:

The Amex Platinum reigns supreme for luxury travel, offering the best airport lounge access plus generous statement credits, and complimentary elite status.

Apply With Confidence

Know if you're approved with  no credit score impact.

If you're approved and accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.

When it comes to cards that offer top-notch benefits, you’d be hard-pressed to find a better card out there than The Platinum Card ® from American Express.

Make no mistake — the Amex Platinum card  is a premium card with a premium price tag. With amazing benefits like best-in-class airport lounge access , hotel elite status, and tremendous value in annual statement credits, it can easily prove to be one of the most lucrative cards in your wallet year after year.

• The best airport lounge access out of any card (by far) — enjoy access to over 1,400 worldwide lounges, including the luxurious Amex Centurion Lounges, Priority Pass lounges, Plaza Premium Lounges, and many more!
• 5x points per dollar spent on flights purchased directly with the airline or with AmexTravel.com (up to $500,000 per year)
• 5x points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels booked with AmexTravel.com
• $695 annual fee ( rates and fees )
• Airline credit does not cover airfare (only incidentals like checked bags)
• Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards ® Points after you spend $8,000 on eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Apply and select your preferred metal Card design: classic Platinum, Platinum x Kehinde Wiley, or Platinum x Julie Mehretu.
• Earn 5X Membership Rewards ® Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year and earn 5X Membership Rewards ® Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel.
• $200 Hotel Credit: Get up to $200 back in statement credits each year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts ® or The Hotel Collection bookings with American Express Travel when you pay with your Platinum Card ® . The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay.
• $240 Digital Entertainment Credit: Get up to $20 back in statement credits each month on eligible purchases made with your Platinum Card ® on one or more of the following: Disney+, a Disney Bundle, ESPN+, Hulu, The New York Times, Peacock, and The Wall Street Journal. Enrollment required.
• The American Express Global Lounge Collection ® can provide an escape at the airport. With complimentary access to more than 1,400 airport lounges across 140 countries and counting, you have more airport lounge options than any other credit card issuer on the market. As of 03/2023.
• $155 Walmart+ Credit: Save on eligible delivery fees, shipping, and more with a Walmart+ membership. Use your Platinum Card ® to pay for a monthly Walmart+ membership and get up to $12.95 plus applicable taxes back on one membership (excluding Plus Ups) each month.
• $200 Airline Fee Credit: Select one qualifying airline and then receive up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year when incidental fees are charged by the airline to your Platinum Card ® .
• $200 Uber Cash: Enjoy Uber VIP status and up to $200 in Uber savings on rides or eats orders in the US annually. Uber Cash and Uber VIP status is available to Basic Card Member only. Terms Apply.
• $189 CLEAR ® Plus Credit: CLEAR ® Plus helps to get you to your gate faster at 50+ airports nationwide and get up to $189 back per calendar year on your Membership (subject to auto-renewal) when you use your Card. CLEARLanes are available at 100+ airports, stadiums, and entertainment venues.
• Receive either a $100 statement credit every 4 years for a Global Entry application fee or a statement credit up to $85 every 4.5 year period for TSA PreCheck ® application fee for a 5-year plan only (through a TSA PreCheck ® official enrollment provider), when charged to your Platinum Card ® . Card Members approved for Global Entry will also receive access to TSA PreCheck at no additional cost.
• Shop Saks with Platinum: Get up to $100 in statement credits annually for purchases in Saks Fifth Avenue stores or at saks.com on your Platinum Card ® . That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
• Unlock access to exclusive reservations and special dining experiences with Global Dining Access by Resy when you add your Platinum Card ® to your Resy profile.
• $695 annual fee.
• Terms Apply.
• APR: See Pay Over Time APR
• Foreign Transaction Fees:  None

American Express Membership Rewards

Hot Tip:  Check to see if you’re eligible for a welcome bonus offer of up to 125k (or 150k) points with the Amex Platinum. The current public offer is 80,000 points. (This targeted offer was independently researched and may not be available to all applicants.)

2. Earning Rates — [$100+]

The Amex Platinum card earns a whopping 5 Membership Rewards points per dollar on flights booked directly with airlines or with AmexTravel.com (up to $500,000 per year) and 4 Membership Rewards points per dollar on prepaid hotels booked with AmexTravel.com.

If you purchase a $500 flight, you’ll earn 2,500 points. Based on our Membership Rewards valuation of 2.2 cents per point, you’d earn $55 in points back on your flight, for a total return of 11% back.

The value of this benefit solely depends on how much you spend on airfare every year. Those who travel frequently for work may get thousands of dollars worth of points from this benefit, while those that just spend a few hundred dollars a year on flights will see less value.

As a result, we’re giving the 5x points benefit a conservative $100 valuation.

3. American Express Fine Hotels and Resorts Access — [$150+]

American Express operates an in-house hotel program called Fine Hotels and Resorts . This program gives you special benefits when booking luxury hotel rooms around the world. These benefits are often Amex-exclusive or are similar to what you’d receive with top-tier hotel elite status.

You’re entitled to the following when booking hotels through Fine Hotels and Resorts:

• Complimentary Wi-Fi
• Daily breakfast for 2 people
• Guaranteed 4 p.m. late checkout
• Noon check-in (subject to availability)
• Room upgrade upon arrival (subject to availability)
• A unique property amenity valued at $100

Additionally, you’ll earn 5 Membership Rewards points per dollar spent when you book through Fine Hotels and Resorts. However, in most cases, you won’t be eligible to use your hotel elite status perks on these stays or earn hotel points, so be sure to compare your elite benefits side-by-side with this program.

The real value of this benefit depends on how often you book Fine Hotels and Resorts rooms, but even using it once will yield a value of at least $150 when you consider the welcome amenity, free breakfast, and possible room upgrades.

Hot Tip:  Wondering how the Amex Platinum card stacks up against The Business Platinum Card ® from American Express ? Look at our head-to-head comparison: Amex Business Platinum vs. the Amex Platinum . 

4. Airline Incidental Fee Credit — [$200]

Amex Platinum card includes a $200 airline incidental fee credit towards fees incurred on an airline of your choice. This can be things like seat selection fees, lounge passes, and checked bag fees — but there are some other interesting uses, too.

Just select an airline on your card’s Benefits page and charge the eligible purchase to your Amex Platinum card. Then, the charge will be credited back to your card in 4 weeks.

Because of the wide array of ways that you can use this fee credit, most frequent travelers shouldn’t have an issue spending it down. Because of this, we value the benefit at its face value of $200 for most travelers.

5. Prepaid Hotel Credit — [$200]

Amex Platinum cardholders will receive up to $200 back in statement credits each year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts or The Hotel Collection bookings, which require a minimum two-night stay, through AmexTravel.com when you pay with your card.

Bookings through The Hotel Collection receive premium benefits on stays of at least 2 nights at select properties across the globe.  When booking through Fine Hotels & Resorts , you’ll receive elite benefits and perks at over 1,000 luxury hotels worldwide, but with no minimum stay requirement .

Your reservation must be paid for with an American Express card, and the cardholder must travel on the booked itinerary to receive the stated benefits.

6. Saks Fifth Avenue Credit — [$100]

American Express also includes a $100 annual Saks Fifth Avenue credit . $50 of this credit can be used January to June, and the other $50 can be used during the second half of the year.

Once you enroll in the benefit on the Benefits section of your Amex Platinum card’s page on the American Express website, you can simply charge a Saks purchase to your Amex Platinum card and you’ll be credited up to $50 back on your purchase.

Hot Tip:  Use an airline or bank shopping portal (even Rakuten !) to earn extra points on your Saks Fifth Avenue purchases.

Like the airline incidental fee credit, we value this benefit at face value ($100) . Saks Fifth Avenue sells a range of clothing and home goods, so you’d be hard-pressed to not find something that you’ll already purchase on its online store. It can also be helpful when purchasing holiday and birthday gifts.

7. Uber Cash Credit — [$200]

Continuing down the line of credits, the Amex Platinum card includes up to $200 of annual Uber credit to all of its cardholders. These credits are dispersed at a rate of up to $15 per month, with up to $35 in credit being issued in December. This is added directly to your Uber account in the form of Uber Cash after you’ve linked your Amex Platinum card to your Uber account as a payment method.

You can use your monthly Uber credit towards any type of Uber ride or towards Uber Eats meal delivery. Because of this, we also value this benefit at its face value of $200. Uber is available in every major U.S. city, so you’ll be able to use it as you travel for a discounted ride to your hotel, the airport, or home from a long trip.

8. Equinox+ Credits — [$300]

Cardholders will receive an annual statement credit of up to $300 on a digital subscription or club member at Equinox. Make sure you use your card to pay for your Equinox+ digital subscription or club membership fees and enroll via https://platinum.equinox.com/ .

9. Digital Entertainment Credits — [$240]

If you love to watch TV, listen to audiobooks or satellite radio, or read online, your purchases may now be eligible for a new statement credit!

Your eligible purchase or subscription to Disney+, The Disney Bundle , ESPN+, Hulu , The New York Times, Peacock , and The Wall Street Journal could have you earn up to $240 in annual statement credits ($20 per month). Similar to the Equinox credits, make sure you enroll so this benefit is active and you must use your card to pay for your subscription for the credit to be applied.

10. TSA PreCheck or Global Entry Application Fee Credit — [Up to $100]

Like many premium cards, the Amex Platinum card comes with up to $100 statement credit for Global Entry application fees every 4 years or up to $85 for TSA PreCheck application fees every 4.5 years. Simply charge your application fee to your Amex Platinum card and it will be automatically reimbursed in the form of a statement credit to your account.

Note that For TSA PreCheck, you must apply through any TSA PreCheck official enrollment provider.

For Global Entry, we value this as worth $100 over 4 years (or $20 in yearly value). If you go the TSA PreCheck route, we value this as worth $85 over 4.5 years (or $18 in yearly value)

Hot Tip: We highly recommend applying for Global Entry over TSA PreCheck — this is because if you’re approved for Global Entry, you’ll receive access to TSA PreCheck at no additional charge .

11. Annual CLEAR Plus ® Credit — [Up to $189]

CLEAR is an expedited security program available at select U.S. airports and stadiums. Amex Platinum cardholders now receive an annual statement credit for a CLEAR Plus membership when the membership is charged to your card.

12. SoulCycle Bike Credit — [$300+]

Those who hold the Amex Platinum card can score a $300 statement credit after you use your crd to purchase a SoulCycle at-home bike. Note that the credit is only available to full-cost purchases of a bike and not a financed purchase of a bike and that an Equinox+ membership is required to purchase a SoulCycle bike and to access SoulCycle content.

13. Walmart+ Credits — [Up to $155]

Use your card to pay for a monthly Walmart+ membership and receive up to $12.95 plus applicable taxes on one membership each month. You Walmart+ member comes with a number of benefits, including discounted gas and free shipping.

14. Annual Marriott and Hilton Status — [$200+]

You get 2 mid-tier hotel statuses with your Amex Platinum card : Hilton Honors Gold and Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite upon enrollment. Both of these statuses include premier benefits like upgrade eligibility and bonus points — here’s a look at exactly what both of these hotel statuses include:

Hilton Honors Gold Benefits

• 80% points bonus
• Room upgrades (subject to availability)
• Continental breakfast at most full-service properties

Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite Benefits

• 25% points bonus
• Welcome gift at check-in
• Complimentary in-room internet, even when not booking directly with Marriott
• Priority 2 p.m. late checkout

These benefits can make a real difference when you stay at Hilton and Marriott properties, especially if you’re lucky enough to score a room upgrade. It also removes the stress of you having to meet stay requirements to gain status, so you can spread your loyalty between Hilton and Marriott and not lose any status perks.

We value this Amex Platinum card benefit at $200 for moderate use. However, if you stay at Hilton or Marriott properties more than a few times per year, you’ll see even more benefit from these status perks.

15. Rental Car Status (Avis, Hertz, National) — [$200+]

Amex Platinum cardholders are entitled to rental car benefits with Avis, Hertz, and National. Avis and Hertz offer special perks and pricing, while National will give you full-blown status with your membership. We’ve outlined each of these benefits below and broken down its value.

National Emerald Club Executive Status

• Executive Area Access — You can choose any car class (full-size and above) and only pay the mid-size rate.
• Guaranteed Upgrades — You’re guaranteed upgrades on mid-sized vehicle rentals in the U.S. and Canada.
• No Second Driver Fees — Add a second driver for no additional charge.
• Upgrades in Europe — Free 1-class upgrades at participating National locations in the U.K., Ireland, France, Spain, and Germany.
• Special Pricing on Premier Selection Cars — Special pricing on upgrades to the Premier Selection cars at the rental lot.
• Faster Free Rentals — Earn a free rental credit after 6 car rentals.

Avis Preferred American Express Benefits

• Complimentary 1-Car Class Upgrade — Use coupon code #UUNA007 when making a reservation and you’ll receive a 1-class upgrade when available. Unfortunately, though, this is not a guaranteed benefit.
• 25% Off Base Rates — Book directly with Avis and use Avis Worldwide Discount (AWD)  code #756900 for the discount.

Hertz President’s Circle Status

• 20% Off Standard Rates — You must use code 633306 to take advantage of this discount and other benefits.
• 25% off Premier Rentals When a Saturday Night Is Included — Available for U.S., Canada, and European Hertz Premier rentals.
• 4-Hour Grace No-Charge Period — You can return a rental up to 4 hours late with no penalty in most countries; select countries — like UAE and China — offer a 2 hour grace period.
• 1-Car Class Upgrade — This benefit is based on availability, but it’s not guaranteed.

These benefits can be extremely valuable if you frequently rent cars when you travel. To us, the most valuable is the National Emerald Club Executive status perk as it lets you rent any car on the lot for the price of a standard vehicle. This can be a life (and wallet) saver if you need to rent a mini-van, pickup truck, or another more premium vehicle for a specific use.

All in all, we value these rental car perks at $200 . You may be able to reap this value in a single rental, too, especially when you consider the fact that you get more than 20% off standard rental rates at Avis and Hertz.

16. Worldwide Airport Lounge Access

Airport lounge access is one of the main selling points of the Amex Platinum card. Cardholders have access to 8 different types of airport lounges including:

• The Centurion Lounge Network ( U.S. and international locations)
• Delta Sky Club (when flying Delta the same day)

Escape Lounges – The Centurion Studio Partner

Plaza premium lounges.

• Priority Pass Select (upon enrollment)
• Select Lufthansa Lounges
• Select Virgin Clubhouses

However, each of these lounges has different rules around entry which affects how we value said lounge access. We’ve outlined each of these access rules as well as some general info about each of these lounges below and assigned a value to each type of lounge.

It’s nearly impossible to put a dollar value on this benefit since your usage will be based on travel frequency, lounge access on routes, and what you food/drink options add value to you. Obviously, you’ll get more value out of Delta Sky Clubs if you fly Delta frequently, but you may get little-to-no value if you only fly the airline once a year. With this in mind, you may want to assign your own subjective value to each lounge network.

The Centurion Lounge Network

American Express has added Centurion Lounges to a variety of airports around the world, with a strong focus on the U.S. These lounges are meant to be a step above offerings from domestic airlines, offering chef-curated food, high-end cocktails, and posh furniture and aesthetics. You’ll find locations for these lounges both domestic and abroad.

Each of these lounges curates its food and drink offerings around the city it’s located in. For example, you might find local craft beers at the bar and a dish that the town is known for (think BBQ in Dallas) in the kitchen. This gives each Centurion Lounge a unique feel, so you’ll undoubtedly want to see them all.

You’re required to present your Amex Platinum card, government-issued ID, and valid boarding pass when entering a Centurion Lounge. You can arrive at the lounge up to 3 hours before your flight is scheduled to depart, or whenever you’d like if you’re on a layover.

Many U.S. hubs already have Centurion Lounges , and more are in the process of being built, so you’ll have many opportunities to check them out during your travels. Plus, if you have a Centurion Lounge at your home airport, you may value this perk even more highly.

Delta Sky Club

Amex Platinum cardholders can access all Delta Sky Club locations when flying on a Delta-operated flight. There are more than 50 Sky Club locations worldwide, with international locations in Santiago (SCL) and Tokyo-Narita (NRT). At this time, cardholders cannot bring guests into the lounge for free; all guests are charged at a rate of $29 per person.

Hot Tip:  Often fly with the same guest? Make them an authorized user on your Amex Platinum card — they can use the authorized user card to access the Delta Sky Club for free, too.

Each of these lounges offers complimentary food, beverages, alcohol, and Wi-Fi. Some even have showers, rooftop lounges, and premium drinks for purchase. These are great places to catch up on work before a long flight or grab a snack before you jet off to a meeting or vacation.

The value of this benefit largely depends on how often you fly Delta Air Lines. However, frequent Delta flyers will get lots of value from this perk — especially if flying solo for business.

Escape Lounges – The Centurion Studio Partner can be found in a variety of airports in the U.S. and U.K.

Amex Platinum cardholders receive unlimited access to all U.S. locations, which are generally found in smaller airports like Oakland (OAK) , Columbus (CMH) , Ontario (ONT), and Providence (PVD). These lounges are pretty standard and offer free snacks, drinks, and alcoholic beverages.

Hot Tip: Amex Platinum cardholders can bring up to 2 guests with them to Escape Lounges. Consider using the Escape Lounge as an alternative to Delta Sky Clubs at Minneapolis (MSP) when traveling with a companion to avoid the $29 Sky Club companion fee.

Note that you’ll need your Amex Platinum card, boarding pass for any carrier, and a government-issued ID to access Escape Lounges in the U.S.

Plaza Premium Lounges is a Hong Kong-based lounge network with dozens of worldwide locations. These lounges are similar to the Centurion Lounges in that they have upgraded food and drink offerings, but stop short of having chef-curated food. However, these lounges are still an excellent place to stop before a long flight and grab a snack or full meal.

You can access any Plaza Premium Lounge with a boarding pass and your Amex Platinum card. Plus, you can bring up to 1 guest with you, letting you share the pre-departure experience with a friend or family member.

Priority Pass Select

Priority Pass is the world’s largest airport lounge network with over 1,400 lounges in operation worldwide. This vast network of lounges has locations in the U.S. and abroad, with lounges in some of America’s busiest airports like Atlanta (ATL), Los Angeles (LAX), and New York (JFK).

Amex Platinum cardholders have unlimited access to all of these lounges and can bring 1 guest with them at any time. Like accessing American Express’ in-house lounges, you don’t need to fly a specific airline to access these lounges, but you do need a same-day boarding pass.

Note that you need to manually enroll in Priority Pass Select before you can access these lounges. You can do this on the Benefits  page of your Amex Platinum card’s page on the American Express website. You’ll be mailed a Priority Pass card after enrollment.

When traveling abroad, you’ll find Priority Pass lounges at most airports, so you’ll almost always have a nice place to relax before a long flight.

Note: The Amex Platinum card’s Priority Pass memberships no longer include Priority Pass restaurant access (“non-lounge airport experiences”).

Lufthansa Lounges

Amex Platinum cardholders receive complimentary access to select Lufthansa Business Class lounges. If the cardholder is flying business class, they’ll have access to the more premium Lufthansa Senator Lounges.

Like Sky Club access, you can only access these lounges if you’re flying on a Lufthansa group flight. This includes flights on Austrian Airlines, Lufthansa, and SWISS.

Virgin Clubhouses

Cardholders receive complimentary access to Virgin Clubhouses in  New York (JFK) and  Washington, D.C. (IAD) .

JFK’s Clubhouse is only open/accessible to eligible Amex cardholders from 5 a.m. to 8 a.m. daily.

17. Access the International Airline Program

Amex Platinum cardholders can access American Express’ International Airline Program. This little-known program lets cardholders access special discount fares when booking international premium economy, business, and first class tickets on select carriers through AmexTravel.com.

The discount you’ll receive depends on the type of ticket you book. For our example search, we looked for a round-trip premium economy ticket from New York (JFK) to Madrid (MAD).

The non-stop option on Iberia costs $1,903 when booked through Google Flights, or just $857 when booked through the International Airline Program. This means the program saves Amex Platinum cardholders nearly 55% on their ticket , which is an absolutely incredible deal.

This is the most extreme example we were able to find though. We also looked for tickets from Newark (EWR) to London (LHR) in business class on the same dates. A nonstop flight on British Airways cost $5,215, while the International Airline Program had tickets for $4,227. This resulted in an $898 (17.5%) discount on the trip, which is still a very good deal.

The International Airline Program currently partners with the following airlines:

• Air New Zealand
• All Nippon Airways
• Asiana Airlines
• Austrian Airlines
• Brussels Airlines
• Cathay Pacific
• China Airlines
• Delta Air Lines
• Etihad Airways
• Japan Airlines
• KLM Royal Dutch Airlines
• Qatar Airways
• Royal Air Maroc
• Singapore Airlines
• Virgin Atlantic

The value of the International Airline Program benefit really boils down to how often you use it. If you frequently pay for premium tickets, then you could get thousands of dollars in value per year.

However, if you never pay for premium airfare, you’ll get no value. So with that in mind, we’ll leave it up to you to assign your own value to this benefit.

18. Global Dining Access by Resy

Add your card to your Resy profile to unlock access to special dining experinces (like access to premium events), exclusive reservations at top restaurants across the globe, and access to benefits like priority notify and VIP status.

Beyond travel benefits, holding an Amex Platinum card entitles you to an array of purchase and travel protection benefits. All of the benefits we’ve outlined below apply to all of the purchases you make on your Amex Platinum card (unless specifically excluded in the terms and conditions).

Here’s a look:

19. Extended Warranty

All purchases you make with your Amex Platinum card are eligible for an extended warranty from American Express. If the product you purchase has a standard warranty of 5 years or less, American Express will add a year of coverage on top of the standard warranty.

This warranty will cover up to $10,000 per item with a maximum of $50,000 in claims annually. This benefit can be extremely beneficial for big-ticket purchases like computers and TVs, so make sure that you charge these items to your Amex Platinum card to protect your purchase.

20. Return Protection

All purchases made in the U.S. or U.S. territories with your Amex Platinum card are eligible for return within 90 days of purchase. If the store you make a purchase from won’t accept your return, American Express will cover up to $300 per item for a total of $1,000 in reimbursements per calendar year (excluding shipping and handling charges).

21. Purchase Protection

We’ve all done it: you bought a new cell phone and dropped it 2 weeks after you took it out of the box. Now, you’re liable for a $250 replacement screen. That is, if you didn’t charge the purchase to your Amex Platinum card.

The Amex Platinum card protects eligible purchases from theft and accidental damage for 90 days from your original purchase date. This covers up to $10,000 per incident and up to $50,000 per calendar year, so it’s perfect for portable electronics, music equipment, and sporting goods.

22. Amex Car Rental Loss and Damage Insurance

American Express provides secondary rental car insurance on all rentals charged to your Amex Platinum card. Eligible rentals are covered for theft and damage up to $75,000 without increasing the cost of your car rental — just make sure to decline the damage waiver from the rental car company.

However — unlike the Chase Sapphire Preferred ® Card that provides primary insurance — this card only provides secondary coverage, which means it kicks in after your own insurance. This means that you’ll still have to pay your deductible, so consider using another card that offers primary insurance for your rentals instead.

23. Cell Phone Protection

Amex Platinum cardholders receive coverage for a stolen or damaged eligible cellular wireless telephone. The maximum liability is $800, per claim, per eligible card account. Each claim is subject to a $50 deductible. Coverage is limited to two (2) claims per eligible card account per 12 month period. Each claim has a $50 deductible and your monthly phone bill mut be paid with your Amex Platinum card to receive coverage.

While it’s no secret that the Amex Platinum card isn’t for everybody, we do think it’s worth it for those that travel with moderate frequency. If you utilize the benefits, we believe that you’ll be able to get over $4,389 in value out of the card . And if you consider the welcome bonus, you’ll come out even further ahead of the fee during your first year.

Sold on the Amex Platinum card? We’ve covered the requirements necessary to apply for the card, and then you can check out our full article on what to do when you first receive your Amex Platinum card. This guide will show you how to properly utilize all of the benefits included with your card, ensuring that you’re not missing any vital steps.

For the Annual Clear Plus membership benefit of The Platinum Card ® from American Express, your Clear Plus membership is auto-renewing or subject to auto-renewal.

For the extended warranty benefit of The Platinum Card ® from American Express when an American Express ® card member charges a covered purchase to an eligible card, extended warranty can provide up to one extra year added to the original manufacturer’s warranty. Applies to warranties of five (5) years or less. Coverage is up to the actual amount charged to your card for the item up to a maximum of $10,000; not to exceed $50,000 per card member account per calendar year. Eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.

For the return protection benefit of The Platinum Card ® from American Express, with return protection, you may return eligible purchases to American Express if the seller won’t take them back up to 90 days from the date of purchase. American Express may refund the full purchase price excluding shipping and handling, up to $300 per item, up to a maximum of $1,000 per calendar year per Card account, if you purchased it entirely with your eligible American Express ® Card. Purchases must be made in the U.S. or its territories. Eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details.

For the purchase protection benefit of The Platinum Card ® from American Express, purchase protection is an embedded benefit of your card membership and requires no enrollment. It can help protect covered purchases made on your eligible card when they’re accidentally damaged, stolen, or lost, for up to 90 days from the covered purchase date. The coverage is limited up to $10,000 per occurrence, up to $50,000 per card member account per calendar year. Coverage limits apply. Eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.

For the car rental loss and damage insurance benefit of The Platinum Card ® from American Express, car rental loss and damage insurance can provide coverage up to $75,000 for theft of or damage to most rental vehicles when you use your eligible card to reserve and pay for the entire eligible vehicle rental and decline the collision damage waiver or similar option offered by the commercial car rental company. This product provides secondary coverage and does not include liability coverage. Not all vehicle types or rentals are covered. geographic restrictions apply. Eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company. Car Rental Loss or Damage Coverage is offered through American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc.

For the cell phone protection benefit of The Platinum Card ® from American Express, coverage for a stolen or damaged eligible cellular wireless telephone is subject to the terms, conditions, exclusions and limits of liability of this benefit. The maximum liability is $800, per claim, per eligible card account. Each claim is subject to a $50 deductible. Coverage is limited to two (2) claims per eligible card account per 12 month period. Eligibility and benefit level varies by Card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.

For rates and fees of The Platinum Card ® from American Express, click here . For rates and fees of The Business Platinum Card ® from American Express, click here . For rates and fees of the American Express ® Gold Card, click  here .

Frequently Asked Questions

How many airport lounges can i access with the amex platinum card.

The Amex Platinum card is perhaps the best card for airport lounge access . You can get into 1,300+ lounges worldwide with this card including Priority Pass lounges , Amex Centurion Lounges , and more.

How many Uber credits do I get with the Amex Platinum card?

Cardmembers will receive $15 per month of Uber credits and $35 in December. Credits do not rollover so you want to be sure to use them all up each month!

How many points does the Amex Platinum card earn on purchases?

The Amex Platinum card earns points at the following rates:

• 5 points per dollar on airfare purchased directly from the airline
• 5 points per dollar on prepaid hotels and flights booked on AmexTravel.com
• 1 point per dollar on all other purchases

What is the annual fee of the Amex Platinum card?

Can i transfer membership rewards points to different airlines.

Yes, points you earn on the Amex Platinum card can be transferred to many different Amex transfer partners . Alternatively, you can also use your Membership Rewards Points at a fixed redemption rate to purchase flights on any airline through AmexTravel.com.

Do Amex Platinum card additional card members get lounge access?

Yes! Additional card members receive all of the lounge benefits as the primary cardholder.

For a full look at authorized user benefits, check out our complete guide to Amex Platinum card authorized users .

How much do Amex Platinum card authorized users cost?

Adding authorized users to your Amex Platinum card costs $195 per card.

Can I upgrade the American Express® Gold Card to the Amex Platinum Card?

Yes, you can. See our post on how to upgrade the Amex Gold to the Amex Platinum for more details.

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About Andrew Kunesh

Andrew was born and raised in the Chicago suburbs and now splits his time between Chicago and New York City.

He’s a lifelong traveler and took his first solo trip to San Francisco at the age of 16. Fast forward a few years, and Andrew now travels just over 100,000 miles a year, with over 25 countries, 10 business class products, and 2 airline statuses (United and Alaska) under his belt. Andrew formerly worked for The Points Guy and is now Senior Money Editor at CNN Underscored.

Discover the exact steps we use to get into  1,400+ airport lounges worldwide, for free  (even if you’re flying economy!).

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American Express credit cards have emerged as one of the top card travel insurance options. After years of neglecting this aspect of their card benefits, they’re extremely competitive among other bank cards — particularly The Platinum Card® from American Express.

The Amex Platinum receives extra insurance less premium cards simply don’t have. Yes, it’s got a massive 100,000 point bonus after spending $6,000 in the first six months of account opening (read our post on common mistakes people make with Amex points to see how valuable they can be), but that’s a short-lived aspect of the card.

Let’s take a look at the Amex Platinum travel insurance — and learn how you can leverage the card for coverage on airfare, baggage, rental cars, and more. You can read our Amex Platinum review for a more well-rounded look at the card’s benefits.

Credit card travel protection benefits

When you pay for airfare with the best travel insurance credit cards , you can get automatic travel protection benefits at no extra charge. Chase and Amex offer fantastic features (while Citibank travel insurance is nonexistent, by the way).

Depending on the card, sometimes just paying the taxes and fees on an award flight will get you coverage. But the coverage you get can vary significantly by card. Enrollment required for select benefits.

Note: Amex stipulates that you must book with a “Common Carrier” to qualify for coverage. That just means you’ve booked an airline, a cruise ship, etc. You won’t be reimbursed if you book an under-the-table commute across Lake Okeechobee on your cousin’s fan boat.

Amex cards eligible for travel insurance

The best American Express cards are eligible for travel insurance. Here’s a table breaking down the most popular cards with the best coverage.

• The Platinum Card® from American Express
• The Business Platinum Card® from American Express (similar name but quite different from the regular Platinum card — read our Amex Business Platinum review )
• Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card
• Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card
• Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant™ American Express® Card
• Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card

The information for the Hilton Aspire card has been collected independently by Million Mile Secrets. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

Here’s a list of the most popular cards with benefits a tier below the most premium cards:

• American Express® Gold Card
• American Express® Business Gold Card
• American Express® Green Card
• Business Green Rewards
• Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card
• Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card
• The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express

These cards don’t come with trip cancellation or interruption, and they have lower reimbursement caps for coverages like trip delay and baggage protection.

The Amex Platinum benefits are top of the food chain. Let’s get into the nitty-gritty.

Trip Interruption and Cancellation Insurance

With Amex Platinum Trip Cancellation Insurance, you’re are eligible for up to $10,000 per trip (with a maximum payout of $20,000 per 12-month period) for flight cancellations occurring due to a covered reason (such as inclement weather, jury duty, injury, illness, etc.). You must pay the full ticket with your card (award flight taxes and fees and Pay With Points tickets also eligible).

Trip Delay Insurance

If your trip is delayed more than six hours for a covered reason, you’ll get up to $500 for reasonable expenses (think meals, lodging, toiletries, etc.). Again, you must purchase your trip in full with your Amex Platinum — and paying taxes & fees on award flights or Pay With Points qualifies you for coverage.

Here are some examples of eligible reasons for which Amex will compensate you:

• Equipment failure (the plane wheels fall off, the engine won’t start, etc.)
• Inclement weather
• You lose your travel documents
• Your flight is hijacked

Note that this insurance is valid for round-trip flights only . However, the Amex Platinum benefits guide states:

The period of round-trip travel may consist of roundtrip, one-way, or combinations of roundtrip and one-way tickets with Common Carrier(s).

Rental Car Insurance

The Amex Platinum comes with secondary rental car insurance. That basically means that if your rental car is damaged or stolen, it’ll cover you for any expenses that remain after your personal insurance pays for everything that it covers. Or, if you purchased rental car insurance from the rental agency, Amex Platinum insurance will scoop up the remaining costs that it won’t cover.

However , you can enroll for free in the American Express Premium Car Rental Protection program , and that does offer primary rental car insurance. You’ll pay ~$25 (~$18 for California residents, ~$16 for Florida residents) per rental for up to 42 consecutive rental days (30 consecutive rental days for Washington State cardholders). If you’re renting for a few days, this is definitely worth purchasing.

Unless you’ve got any one of the best credit cards for car rentals . These come with primary rental car insurance for free.

Lost, Damaged, and Stolen Baggage Insurance

The Amex Platinum comes with various coverages in the event that your baggage is lost, stolen, or damaged by the common carrier:

• Up to $2,000 per person per trip for loss of checked baggage
• Up to $3,000 per person per trip for loss of carry-on baggage
• Up to $250 per person per trip for loss of high risk items (i.e. jewelry & electronics)
• Cap of $10,000 per trip for everyone on your itinerary.

High-risk items such as jewelry, electronic equipment, sports equipment, etc., are capped at $1,000 in total coverage. For things like cash, medical items, and contact lenses, you won’t be covered at all.

Delayed Baggage Insurance

Some cards will reimburse you in the event that your checked bags are delayed by more than six hours. If you arrive at your destination and your stuff doesn’t show up, you can go to the store and buy things to tide you over until your bag finally arrives (toiletries, clothes, and the like).

American Express completely ignores this fantastic feature. The Amex Platinum gives you none of this coverage. But read our post on the best credit card for baggage delay coverage to find a good one. This has saved me $500+ on a single trip in the past.

Premium Global Assist

 When you are at least 100 miles from home, you can call the Amex Platinum Premium Global Assist to help solve pretty much any hardship. For example:

• You can call for help finding a lost item — including luggage. Amex will pester the airline until you are satisfied
• You can tell Amex to contact a friend or family member during your trip if you can’t reach them yourself
• If you lose your wallet, you can tell Amex to cancel all your credit cards
• If you need emergency evacuation, Amex will arrange everything

Note that Amex may be able to cover your emergency expenses and transportation if you’re in an area with sub-par treatment.

Plus, if you’re in the trenches of your trip planning, they can help you iron out the tedious details. They’ll help you understand travel etiquette in the country you’re visiting, if there are any shots that are required/recommended, and tell you if you need any special visas for your trip. 

There are plenty of other things they can do, too. Their number is 1-800-345-2639.

FAQ: Things to consider with trip protection benefits

Because travel coverage is not the same across all cards, you’ll want to use the card that is best for your personal situation. Here are a few things that might factor into which card you use to pay for travel.

Will your airline elite status help if there’s a flight delay or cancellation?

Having airline elite status comes with perks that can help if you pay with a card like the Amex Platinum, which doesn’t have trip delay or cancellation insurance.

For example, some airlines offer passengers with elite status free same-day standby flights, so if your flight is delayed, you could switch to another flight without having to worry about filing a claim for a trip delay.

Similarly, if your flight is canceled, having elite status might give you a higher priority to get a seat on the next available flight. But consider if you’re traveling to a remote destination or region with unpredictable weather that it’s wise to pay with best travel insurance credit cards . If all flights are delayed or canceled, you could end up paying out of pocket for hotel rooms and necessary expenses. Having a card that gets you reimbursed is a great benefit.

Did you book an expensive cruise or tour?

Having trip interruption or cancellation insurance from a credit card can come in handy should you have to cancel an expensive trip for an eligible reason. For example, let’s say you pay for a family cruise to Alaska, but are unable to go due to a last-minute illness. If you paid with the Amex Platinum, it’s possible to get a refund for your trip up to a certain limit.

I recommend reading the terms and conditions of your card’s trip protection benefits before paying for a vacation. It’s important to know who is covered, the claims process, and the reasons you’re eligible to get a refund.

Do you have third-party travel insurance?

Many purchase travel insurance through a third-party company to cover trip delays, cancellations, and other unforeseen events. You can often bundle these coverages with a supplemental medical travel policy, which can be helpful if you’re traveling outside the U.S.

There are great resources on the web to research travel insurance policies . Keep in mind, travel insurance plans and coverage amounts can differ widely — but purchasing a third-party plan can be helpful for folks who don’t pay for a trip with a card that comes with these benefits.

Bottom line

When you pay for a trip with Amex Platinum, you’ll receive trip delay insurance, as well as trip cancellation and interruption. These insurances make the card even more enticing to use for your travel, as you’ll earn 5x Amex Membership Rewards points on airfare purchased directly from airlines or from Amex Travel . Read our post on the best ways to use Amex points to see why that’s such a big deal.

This isn’t even counting the other great perks that come with the card, like Amex purchase protection and a gigantic welcome bonus worth potentially thousands in travel. Line this card’s virtues against the wall and it’s easy to see why the American Express Platinu m card is worth it .

Have you used any of the Amex Platinum travel insurance? I’d love to hear about your experience in the comments. And subscribe to our newsletter for more credit card travel techniques.

For rates and fees of the Amex Platinum, click here.

Joseph Hostetler

Joseph Hostetler is a full-time writer for Million Mile Secrets, covering miles and points tips and tricks, as well as helpful travel-related news and deals. He has also authored and edited for The Points Guy.

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12 hotels where you can stay for half price (or break even) with your Amex Platinum credit

The Platinum Card® from American Express offers a slew of incredible perks for travelers, ranging from statement credits to status upgrades to lounge benefits . This results in one of the best collections of membership perks of any card out there for its undoubtedly high $695 annual fee (see rates and fees ).

One of the main benefits for cardmember comes in the form of an annual up-to-$200 statement credit on prepaid nights at hotels that are part of American Express Fine Hotels + Resorts or The Hotel Collection .

You need to book your stays at the included properties through Amex Travel and pay with your Amex Platinum card. You might even end up spending a night for half off (and, in some cases, close to nothing at all) once the statement credit comes through (it's good for up to $200 annually).

From Bali to Miami , there are many noteworthy hotels with availability between $150 and $550 per night in the American Express Fine Hotels + Resorts and The Hotel Collection portfolios.

Fine Hotels + Resorts benefits

It's especially appealing to book through Amex Fine Hotels + Resorts thanks to all the standard perks that get added onto reservations for Amex Platinum or Centurion cardmembers, including the following (regardless of the length of your stay):

• Room upgrade upon arrival, when available at check-in (properties may exclude some room types, and some may only give you a room with a better view)
• Experience credit valued at $100 or more, usually consisting of a property, dining or spa credit
• Complimentary daily breakfast for two people
• Guaranteed 4 p.m. late checkout
• Noon check-in, when available
• Complimentary Wi-Fi*

* When a property includes Wi-Fi in a mandatory resort fee, you'll receive a daily credit equal to the property's standard Wi-Fi cost.

The information for the Centurion cards has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

Perks through The Hotel Collection

The Hotel Collection properties are much shorter:

• Upgrades based on availability at check-in
• 12 p.m. check-in, when available
• Late checkout, when available

Note that you must book a minimum two-night stay through The Hotel Collection, but Fine Hotels + Resorts bookings can be for a single night.

Hotels to book with your Amex Platinum credit

While there are many hotels you can book in the Amex Fine Hotels + Resorts and The Hotel Collection portfolios, some provide significant discounts and cost next to nothing once you tack on the annual Amex Platinum hotel statement credit. You might even end up ahead once you add in the $100 experience or property credits that come with all of the below stays.

Hotel La Compañía

Between the statement credit and the $100 experience credit, you can break nearly even at this treasure of a Panama City, Panama, hotel where room rates average around $317 per night. Overlooking the Casco Antiguo — the city's pedestrian-friendly historic neighborhood, brimming with restaurants, bars and boutiques — Hotel La Compañía ties French, Spanish and beaux-arts decor influences into its various wings.

Don't miss a meal on-site at the hotel's excellent restaurant, El Santuario, where you can dine on Panamanian-, Spanish- and Indian-inflected dishes under grand vaulted ceilings in a space that was once a sacred monastery.

TPG tip: Use your experience credit for a custom wine tasting in the hotel's exquisite underground cellar.

Vana Belle, a Luxury Collection Resort, Koh Samui

Overlooking the Gulf of Thailand, Vana Belle, a Luxury Collection Resort in Koh Samui, puts explorations on one of Thailand's most storied islands at your doorstep.

With average rates of $307 per night, your statement and experience credits can nearly cover a night's stay. When you're not strolling the white sand beach fronting the property, dipping in the infinity pool or indulging in yet another Thai massage, visit nearby attractions like the Samui Elephant Sanctuary, the Buddhist temple complex of Wat Phra Yai on a small offshore island or famous Chaweng Beach, just a short taxi ride north.

TPG tip: Use your experience credit to enjoy a spread of spicy, savory southern Thai cuisine at the resort's great restaurant, Panali.

Palacio del Inka, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Cusco

Heady times await in the vertiginous city of Cusco, Peru, perched in the Andes at over 11,000 feet. Stay in the heart of the city's historic center, right across from the Temple of the Sun, at Palacio del Inka, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Cusco, where TPG has found average room rates for around $369 per night.

The hotel occupies a mansion that's more than 500 years old and is loaded with hand-carved furnishings, Latin American artwork (including pre-Inca pieces) and antiques. These create a real sense of place alongside the creature comforts you crave in a luxury stay. Rooms are painted rich reds and ochres and decorated with ceramics and tiles, adding to the richness of the hotel's ambience.

TPG tip: Use your experience credit to enjoy a thermal circuit or a hydromassage in the on-site spa.

Kimpton De Witt Amsterdam

Just a five-minute walk from Amsterdam's main train station and central to many other iconic sights in Holland's main metropolis, the Kimpton De Witt Amsterdam feels like a thrilling little boutique find set amid the hectic tourist heart of town.

Average rates hover around $356, meaning your statement and experience credit go a long way to defray a night's stay. Make time for cocktails in the hotel's pretty interior garden, and channel some of the hotel's California inspiration during Taco Tuesdays and Margarita Mondays at Celia restaurant.

Frette robes and yoga mats make for nice room amenities, and you can hop on one of the hotel's complimentary bicycles to get around town like the Dutch do.

TPG tip: Use your experience credit for cocktails and a delicious meal.

Related: The top Kimpton Hotels across the world, according to IHG Diamond members

PGA National Resort

Spend some time in the South Florida sun playing golf or just relaxing poolside when you check into PGA National Resort in Palm Beach Gardens, where you can take your pick of six championship golf courses for play. Rooms average around $500 but can often be found for far less, particularly midweek.

The resort's spa offers unique ocean-inspired treatments like seafoam body wraps. You're spoiled for pools to lounge by here, too, with three in the mix.

TPG tip: Use your experience credit for dinner at the retro-inspired Birdie's Diner.

Kimpton Epic Hotel

A downtown Miami pick for sweeping city views from the rooms' floor-to-ceiling windows and two prime rooftop pools, the riverfront Kimpton Epic Hotel is pet-friendly and located a short stroll from Brickell and the Bayfront Park. Average per-night rates start at just $254, too.

There are so many great restaurants nearby (including Zuma, right off the hotel's lobby), but make time for a meal at Area 31 on the hotel's 16th floor for one of the best whole-fish entrees in town (they debone it tableside so you don't have to do any work). The dazzling views from the rooftop tables shouldn't be missed.

TPG tip: Use your experience credit to dine at Area 31.

Related: TPG's ultimate guide to Miami and South Florida

The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas

At this popular Las Vegas hotel and casino in the FHR collection, average room rates hover around $470 per night.

The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas ' pool scene is a favorite along the Las Vegas Strip, with a "Pool District" that includes three different experiences, among them the adults-only Marquee Dayclub.

TPG tip: Use your experience credit at the desert-inspired Sahra Spa, Salon & Hammam during your stay.

Related: Jackpot! Best hotels in Vegas for a Sin City getaway

The Ritz-Carlton, Bali

One of the most spectacular properties on an island full of them, TPG recently found rates in the Amex Fine Hotels + Resorts collection for around the $540 mark for junior suites at The Ritz-Carlton, Bali, where cliffside villas with private pools overlook the ocean in Nusa Dua. It's a splurge, to be sure, but there are so many things to love at this resort.

If you do just one thing on-site, soak in the spa's Hydro-Vital Pool, where you can relax at five hydrotherapy stations within a tropical greenhouse setting.

TPG tip: Use your experience credit at the hotel's clifftop Indonesian restaurant and spa.

Related: Stay at these amazing Ritz-Carltons around the world

Casa de Campo Resort & Villas

The Dominican Republic makes for one of the more accessible Caribbean getaways. And if you're into golfing, you can leave the Punta Cana crowds behind with a stay at Casa de Campo Resort & Villas, an Amex Fine Hotels + Resorts property along the island's south coast, home to three award-winning courses.

We found nights for under $570 in superior casitas with a complimentary personal golf cart for cruising the resort's vast and rolling grounds. The three Pete Dye-designed golf courses make Casa de Campo a runaway favorite with the golf crowd, and there are also an equestrian center and an on-site marina where you can head out on deep-sea fishing excursions.

TPG tip: You'll receive a complimentary round of golf for two people per room (includes all applicable fees, including green and cart fees).

Canopy by Hilton Cancun La Isla

With rates consistently around or below the $200 mark (TPG recently found a room for just $152 per night), this urban hotel overlooking Nichupte Lagoon in Cancun, Mexico , may not be on the beach but still offers lots of great amenities.

Part of The Hotel Collection, the Canopy by Hilton Cancun La Isla has a rooftop pool and is directly connected to the nightlife and restaurants of La Isla Entertainment Village.

TPG tip: Use your $100 experience credit at Wander Rooftop for cocktails or dinner while enjoying views of Cancun.

Hotel William Gray

Also in The Hotel Collection, the Hotel William Gray in Montreal shows rates around the $330 mark and makes for an elegant stay right near the Place Jacques-Cartier and the Old Port of Montreal.

The rooftop bar, Terrasse William Gray, has fab views of the St. Lawrence River and heaters that switch on when the temperatures drop.

TPG tip: Use your experience credit to access Spa William Gray facilities, which require an additional fee. Facilities include a hot and cold thermal experience with a Himalayan salt room, Finnish sauna, experiential showers, cold room, herbal sauna, and seasonal outdoor pool.

Ink 48 Hotel

Stay for a steal in New York City when you put your $200 credit toward the $327 average rate for a stay at the stylish Ink 48 Hotel in Hell's Kitchen.

After a day of sightseeing, return to a room or suite with a deep soaking bathtub and views of New York City or the Hudson River. The complimentary wine hour every evening is a particularly nice touch for a city hotel.

TPG tip: Use your experience credit on grab-and-go breakfast items available until 2 p.m. daily.

Bottom line

The Amex Platinum offers a wide range of benefits, and the annual up to $200 statement credit toward American Express Fine Hotels + Resorts or The Hotel Collection is one of the easiest ways for cardmembers to recoup money. In addition to the statement credit, the hotel booking's inclusion of an upgrade, breakfast and property credit brings down the cost of your stay, all while being able to enjoy a luxury property.

For more information on other benefits of the card, read our full review of the Amex Platinum .

Apply here: Amex Platinum . But you may be targeted for a higher welcome bonus through CardMatch .

Related reading:

• The best hotel credit cards
• Guide to lounge access with the Amex Platinum and Business Platinum
• The 7 do's and don'ts in an airport lounge
• 7 domestic lounges that are worth going out of your way for
• Which is the best American Express credit card for you?

For rates and fees of the Amex Platinum card, click here .

Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.

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Travel forward with Platinum

There’s no going back to travel as usual. Enjoy benefits that elevate more of life’s moments.

5X points for flights

Per dollar spent on flights purchased directly from airlines or American Express Travel on up to $500,000 per calendar year.

5X points for prepaid hotels

Per dollar spent on prepaid hotel purchases, booked, and paid in advance, online at AmexTravel.com .

1X points on everything else. Per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.

Enjoy Platinum benefits for every part of the journey

$200 Airline Fee Credit

Get up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year when incidental fees, such as checked bags and in-flight refreshments, are charged by one selected airline to your Platinum Card Account. Airline selection required.

American Express relies on airlines to submit the correct information on airline transactions to identify incidental fee purchases. If you do not see a credit for a qualifying incidental purchase on your eligible Card after 8 weeks, simply call the number on the back of your Card. Qualifying airlines are subject to change. See terms & conditions for more details.

International Airline Program

As a Platinum Card® Member, you can get exclusive access to lower fares for you and your travel companions when you book select First, Business, or Premium Economy class tickets on International itineraries with the International Airline Program through American Express Travel®.

American Express Global Lounge Collection

When you’re seeking a place to rest and recharge while traveling, enjoy access to more than 1400+ lounges across 650+ cities, and 140 countries around the world.

With Lounge Finder, you can locate and check into nearby airport lounges based on your location. To gain entry, simply use the Amex®️ App to display a QR code within Mobile Check-In.

$189 CLEAR® Credit

CLEAR® uses unique attributes, such as eyes or fingerprints, to digitally verify identity to help its members move faster through security at select airports nationwide. You can cover the cost of a CLEAR Plus membership* with up to $189 in statement credits per year after you pay for CLEAR Plus with your Platinum Card.

*Excluding any applicable taxes and fees. Subject to auto-renewal.

Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®

Stay focused on getting where you need to go. Receive either a statement credit every 4 years after you apply for Global Entry ($100) or a statement credit every 4.5 years after you apply for a five-year membership for TSA PreCheck® (up to $85 through a TSA PreCheck official enrollment provider) and pay the application fee with your Platinum Card.

If approved for Global Entry, at no additional charge, you will receive access to TSA PreCheck. Each Additional Card on eligible Card accounts is also eligible for one statement credit for an application fee for a five-year membership every 4 years for Global Entry or every 4.5 years for TSA PreCheck. To receive the statement credit, the application fee must be charged on the eligible Additional Card.

To read the full terms and conditions, visit www.americanexpress.com/expeditedtravel .

Car Rental Privileges

Enjoy complimentary premium status for a number of car rental programs. Once enrolled in a program, receive upgrades when available, discounts, and priority service for your next car rental at participating locations.

Enrollment required. See terms & conditions for more details.

Premium Travel Service

Enjoy personalized travel planning from Platinum Travel Services. Call 800-525-3355 to speak with a Travel Counselor.

$200 Uber Cash

With your Platinum Card, you’ll receive $15 in Uber Cash for U.S. rides with Uber and orders with Uber Eats every month in the U.S., plus a $20 bonus in December, delivered straight through an exclusive Uber app experience. That’s up to $200 in annual savings.

Simply download the Uber app and add your Platinum Card to your Uber account to get started.

Global Dining Access by Resy

Unlock access to exclusive reservations and special dining experiences with Global Dining Access by Resy when you add your Platinum Card to your Resy profile.

Learn more at resy.com/globaldiningaccess , or log into the Resy app to take advantage.

Premium Events Collection

As a Platinum Card® Member, you have access to Premium Events Collection™, which allows you to purchase tickets to see inspiring exhibits, attend some of the world’s biggest sporting events, experience acclaimed restaurants and more. Premium Events Collection™ experiences are customized and are not available to the general public. Visit American Express Entertainment online for details.

Elevate your stay

$200 Hotel Credit

Get $200 back in statement credits each year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection* bookings through American Express Travel when you pay with your Platinum Card®.

*The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay.

Fine Hotels & Resorts

When you're ready to relax and need an escape, enjoy an unforgettable experience with Fine Hotels + Resorts®. When you book through American Express Travel, you’ll receive a suite of benefits with an average total value of $600* in perks, like daily breakfast for two, 4pm check-out, and more. Plus, book on AmexTravel.com and you can earn 5X Membership Rewards® points, or use Pay with Points, on prepaid stays.

*Average value based on Fine Hotels + Resorts bookings in 2022 for stays of two nights. Benefits include daily breakfast for two, room upgrade upon arrival when available, $100 amenity, guaranteed 4pm late checkout, noon check-in when available, and welcome amenity at select properties. Certain room categories not eligible for upgrade. $100 amenity and welcome amenity vary by property. Actual value will vary based on property, room rate, upgrade availability, and use of benefits.

Complimentary 3rd Night at Select Hotels

Celebrate your membership and 40 years of the Platinum Card® with access to a complimentary 3rd night at 200+ Fine Hotels + Resorts® and The Hotel Collection properties booked through American Express Travel®. Travel dates and terms apply.

The Hotel Collection

Every property in The Hotel Collection was handpicked with design in mind. Find a hotel that suits your style and enjoy signature perks like a $100 experience credit* when you book a 2-night stay with American Express Travel.

*Experience credit varies by property.

Hilton Honors Elite Status

With Hilton Honors Gold status, you can enjoy benefits at hotels and resorts within the Hilton Portfolio and earn reward stays faster with Hilton Honors Bonus Points. Terms apply.

Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite Status

Upgrade to Gold Status. With Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite Status, you can receive upgrades to enhanced rooms upon check-in when available.*

Plus, earn 10 points per eligible U.S. dollar spent and a 25% bonus over base-level members. Late checkout up to 2pm, subject to availability at resort and conference center hotels. Receive a welcome gift of points upon arrival.

*Subject to availability at check-in for the length of the stay, provided the room was not booked through a pre-paid third-party channel.

Explore Cruises and Custom Vacations with American Express Travel

Platinum Destinations® Vacations

Craft the adventure of a lifetime with American Express Travel®. From safaris on the Serengeti to sailing in Santorini, savor the wonders of the world with custom itineraries and personalized service, and earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on eligible bookings made through American Express Travel®. With Platinum Destinations® Vacations, each trip you take gets you closer to the next.

Cruise Privileges Program

Platinum Card® Members receive valuable benefits on eligible sailings of 5 nights or more with participating cruise lines when booking through American Express Travel or AmexTravel.com . † Up to $300 onboard credit per stateroom to use toward dining, spa and more. One unique amenity per stateroom. Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per booking through American Express Travel. Available only for Platinum Card and Centurion Members.

† Ship and stateroom exclusions apply, please see full terms and conditions.

Custom Travel Planning

Enjoy personalized itineraries, world-class service, and get one extra Membership Rewards® point for every eligible dollar you spend on a qualifying vacation package.

Plan, book, and travel your way

From exploring new destinations to booking them, do it all in one place with American Express Travel.

Travel with more support and confidence

Trip Cancellation and Interruption Insurance

Despite our best efforts, sometimes things happen that are out of our control. If you purchase a round trip entirely with your Eligible Card and a covered reason cancels or interrupts your trip, Trip Cancellation and Interruption Insurance can help reimburse your non-refundable expenses purchased with the same Eligible Card, up to $10,000 per trip and up to $20,000 per Eligible Card per 12 consecutive month period. Terms, conditions and limitations apply.*

*Coverage is provided by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.

Trip Delay Insurance

If a round-trip is paid for entirely with your Eligible Card and a covered reason delays your trip more than 6 hours, Trip Delay Insurance can help reimburse certain additional expenses purchased on the same Eligible Card, up to $500 per trip, maximum 2 claims per Eligible Card per 12 consecutive month period. Terms, conditions and limitations apply.*

Baggage Insurance Plan

Can provide coverage for lost, damaged or stolen baggage when traveling on a Common Carrier Vehicle (e.g. plane, train, ship, or bus) when the Entire Fare has been charged to your Eligible Card. Coverage limits apply. Please read important exclusions and restrictions.

Car Rental Loss and Damage Insurance

Can provide coverage for Damage to or Theft of a Rental Vehicle in a Covered Territory when You use Your Eligible Card to reserve and pay for an Entire Rental and decline the collision damage waiver (CDW) at the Rental Company counter. Please read important exclusions and restrictions. Not all vehicle types or rentals are covered. Coverage is not available for vehicles rented in Australia, Italy, and New Zealand. This product provides secondary coverage and does not include liability coverage.

Premium Global Assist Hotline

When you're traveling more than 100 miles from home, Premium Global Assist can coordinate help on a select range of issues, including medical and legal.

Call ahead of your trip for important information specific to your destination. Our representatives will help you find a solution, or refer you to someone who can. Terms apply.

Emergency medical transportation assistance may be provided at no cost only if approved and coordinated by Premium Global Assist Hotline. Card Members may be responsible for the costs charged by third-party service providers.

No Foreign Transaction Fees

No matter where you're traveling, there are no foreign transaction fees when you use your Card.

How to earn a 80,000-point (or more) welcome offer on the Amex Platinum

Editor's Note

The Platinum Card® from American Express has long been one of the best premium travel rewards cards out there, thanks to a long list of benefits, a strong earning rate on flight purchases and a solid welcome bonus.

Currently, the Amex Platinum Card is offering a 80,000-point welcome offer after you spend $8,000 on purchases in the first six months of card membership — worth a generous $1,600, according to TPG's valuations . For comparison purposes, the highest publicly-available welcome offer we've seen on this card over the past few years has been 100,000 points.

Note that you could potentially be targeted for a 125,000-point or 150,000-point welcome bonus by using the CardMatch Tool . These offers are subject to change at any time.

In addition to the welcome bonus, this Amex card has a slew of enticing benefits, from up to $300 in annual Equinox statement credits annually and an annual statement credit of up to $189 for your Clear Plus membership . Enrollment is required for select benefits.

Let's review this latest Amex Platinum offer and analyze if it's worth applying for.

Amex Platinum benefits overview

The Amex Platinum has a $695 annual fee (see rates and fees ), which may trigger some sticker shock. But when you dive into its mile-long list of benefits, there's the potential to recoup that value:

• 5 points per dollar on flights booked directly with the airline or through Amex Travel on up to $500,000 in purchases per calendar year
• 5 points per dollar on prepaid hotels booked with Amex Travel
• 1 point per dollar on other purchases
• Up to $200 annual hotel credit , in the form of a statement credit on prepaid Amex Fine Hotels and Resorts or The Hotel Collection bookings (requires a minimum two-night stay) with Amex Travel when you pay with your Amex Platinum*
• Up to $240 annual digital entertainment credit , in the form of $20 in monthly statement credits when you pay for eligible purchases with the Amex Platinum on one or more of the following: Disney+, The Disney Bundle, ESPN+, Hulu, Peacock, The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal*
• Up to $300 annual Equinox credit annually on Equinox or Equinox+ app memberships*
• Up to $189 annual Clear Plus credit for your Clear Plus membership *
• Up to $200 annual airline fee credit *
• Up to $200 in annual Uber Cash in the form of $15 in Uber credits for dining or rides each month, with an up to $20 bonus in December (for use in the U.S.)*
• Up to $100 in credits at Saks each calendar year (up to $50 for January to June and up to $50 for July to December)*
• Airline lounge access — including Centurion Lounge access, Priority Pass Select lounge access (excluding restaurant locations ), and Delta Sky Club access when you're flying same-day Delta flights (limited to 10 annual visits from Feb. 1, 2025) — through the American Express Global Lounge Collection *
• Up to $100 application fee credit for Global Entry ($100) every four years or TSA PreCheck ($85) every 4½ years
• Gold status with Hilton Honors and Marriott Bonvoy *
• Extra perks when you book a stay through Amex's Fine Hotels & Resorts program or Amex's Hotel Collection (minimum two-night stay)*
• Up to a $155 statement credit that covers the cost of a monthly Walmart+ membership when paying with the Amex Platinum (subject to auto-renewal, Plus Up is excluded)
• Up to a $300 statement credit toward a SoulCycle at-home bike (an Equinox+ membership is required to purchase a SoulCycle at-home bike)*
• Access to the Platinum Card Concierge *
• Access to the American Express International Airline Program *
• Extensive travel protections when you use your card, including trip delay insurance and trip cancellation and interruption insurance (Underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company) , car rental loss and damage insurance (Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company. Car Rental Loss or Damage Coverage is offered through American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc.) and baggage insurance (Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.)**
• Premium Global Assist hotline that may provide many services when you're away from home, including emergency medical transportation assistance — though cardmembers are responsible for the costs charged by third-party service providers**
• Numerous shopping protections when you use your card
• Multiple options for redeeming points , including transferring to hotel and airline partners, booking travel through Amex Travel and Pay With Points
• Complimentary additional Gold Cards , or you can add up to three Platinum Card authorized users for $195 each per year ( see rates and fees )
• No foreign transaction fees ( see rates and fees )

*Enrollment required for select benefits. **Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details.

That's one of the most exhaustive lists of perks available among premium travel rewards cards . You're looking at more than $1,500 in value from the annual credits alone. So, if you can put many of these to use, the Amex Platinum could be worth a place in your wallet — even with that high annual fee.

Related: Amex Platinum Card review

Bottom line

The current Amex Platinum welcome offer is worth $1,600, according to TPG's valuations — more than twice the card's annual fee. Remember that you could be targeted for an even bigger welcome bonus through the CardMatch tool.

Right now, some new cardholders are being targeted for an up to 125,000-point welcome offer (offer subject to change at anytime).

The Amex Platinum is one of the best travel cards on the market, and applying for the card now could help pay for upgraded experiences on your trips down the road. Since Amex only allows you to earn one welcome bonus per lifetime on each card, it's important to try and apply when there's a high welcome bonus offer.

If you are targeted for the 125,000- or 150,000-point CardMatch offer, now is an excellent time to apply for the card to rake in a large bonus while utilizing an array of valuable perks both for travel and your everyday spend activity.

Apply here: The Platinum Card® from American Express with an 80,000-point bonus, or check out the CardMatch tool to see if you are targeted for a bonus of up to 150,000 points.

For rates and fees of the Amex Platinum Card, click here .