Every year people ask the same question: Is the Amex Platinum really worth the $895 annual fee?
Short answer: For the right person, it’s not just worth it—it’s one of the best deals in points and travel.
Long answer: keep reading.
If you travel even a few times a year, value airport lounges, or like extracting serious value from card benefits, the Amex Platinum remains the gold standard (no pun intended).
Welcome Bonus: The Easiest Way to Jump-Start Your Points Stash
The biggest reason to apply for the Amex Platinum is the welcome bonus. This is often the fastest way to earn a massive chunk of Membership Rewards points in one shot.
👉 Apply for the personal Amex Platinum referral link here:
These points are extremely flexible and can be transferred to airlines like:
- Air France / KLM
- ANA
- Virgin Atlantic
- Delta
- British Airways
…and many more.
Used correctly, this bonus alone can be worth thousands in travel.
Airport Lounge Access That Actually Feels Premium
This is where the Amex Platinum absolutely destroys most other cards.
You get access to:
- Centurion Lounges (some of the best lounges in the U.S.)
- Priority Pass lounges worldwide
- Delta Sky Clubs (when flying Delta)
- Plaza Premium lounges
If you’ve ever paid $15 for bad airport food or sat on the floor near a gate, this perk alone can change how you travel.
Statement Credits That Can Offset Most (or All) of the Annual Fee
The annual fee looks scary—until you realize how easy it is to offset.
Key credits include:
- Airline fee credits
- Uber credits
- Digital entertainment credits
- Hotel credits
- CLEAR® and Global Entry / TSA PreCheck credits
If you already use services like Uber, streaming, or fly a few times a year, you’ll likely recoup a huge portion of the fee without changing your behavior.
Earn Points Faster on Travel
The Amex Platinum earns:
- 5x points on flights booked directly with airlines
- 5x points on prepaid hotels booked through Amex Travel
If flights are one of your biggest expenses, this card prints points fast.
Who Should (and Shouldn’t) Get the Amex Platinum
This card is perfect if you:
- Travel at least a few times a year
- Care about lounges and elite-style perks
- Can use credits strategically
- Want transferable points
Skip it if you:
- Never travel
- Hate tracking benefits
- Want a simple cash-back card
Final Thoughts: Is It Worth Applying Right Now?
The Amex Platinum isn’t for everyone—but if it fits your lifestyle, few cards can match the value.
Between the welcome bonus, lounge access, and credits, this is one of those cards that can feel expensive upfront but rewarding long-term.
If you’re considering it anyway, using a referral link is a win-win—and it helps support the blog.