The Platinum Card® from American Express: up to 175,000 welcome points
We break down the personal Amex Platinum welcome offer, its annual credits, airport lounge access and whether the $895 annual fee is worth it for you.
Published Nov 13, 2026 · Verified Nov 3, 2026
- Welcome offer
- Up to 175,000 Membership Rewards® points
- Spending requirement
- $12,000 in purchases in the first 6 months
- Annual fee
- $895 USD
The Platinum Card® from American Express is Amex’s most premium personal card in the United States. The annual fee is high, but in return you get a large welcome bonus, hundreds of dollars in yearly credits and one of the broadest airport lounge networks available.
The welcome offer
Amex advertises as high as 175,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $12,000 in purchases on your new card within the first 6 months of card membership.
One important detail: the offer varies by applicant. If you apply and are approved, Amex shows you your exact offer amount before you accept the card, so you can decide whether it’s worth it with no commitment.
How it works:
- Apply and, if approved, see your offer amount.
- Accept the card with that offer.
- Spend $12,000 on eligible purchases in 6 months (purchases on additional cards count too).
- Points generally post 8 to 12 weeks after you meet the requirement.
What doesn’t count
Fees, interest charges, traveler’s checks, prepaid card purchases or reloads, gift cards, person-to-person payments and other cash equivalents do not count toward the spending requirement. Returns and credits reduce your qualifying total.
How you earn points
| Category | Points per dollar |
|---|---|
| Flights booked directly with airlines or through American Express Travel | 5x |
| Prepaid hotels booked through American Express Travel | 5x |
| Everything else | 1x |
The flight category has an annual purchase cap; check the current terms. The card charges no foreign transaction fees.
Annual credits: where the value is
Much of this card’s value comes from its credits. Many require enrollment in your Amex account, and most reset by calendar year, month or quarter, so you need to use them on time.
| Benefit | Maximum value |
|---|---|
| Fine Hotels + Resorts® and The Hotel Collection credit (prepaid through Amex Travel) | Up to $600 per year ($300 semi-annually) |
| Resy dining credit | Up to $400 per year ($100 per quarter) |
| Digital entertainment credit | Up to $300 per year ($25 per month) |
| lululemon credit | Up to $300 per year ($75 per quarter) |
| Equinox credit | Up to $300 per year |
| CLEAR+® credit | Up to $209 per year |
| Airline fee credit (one airline you select) | Up to $200 per year |
| Uber Cash | Up to $200 per year ($15 monthly + $20 extra in December) |
| Oura Ring credit | Up to $200 per year |
| Uber One credit | Up to $120 per year |
| Shop Saks with Platinum | Up to $100 per year ($50 semi-annually) |
| Walmart+ monthly membership | Up to $12.95 per month plus taxes |
| Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® | Up to $120 every 4 years (Global Entry) or $85 every 4.5 years (TSA PreCheck) |
Added up, the credits exceed $3,000 per year. That number is only real if you actually use those services. Before applying, do an honest count: which credits would you use without changing your habits?
Airport lounges
- American Express Centurion Lounges. Guests are paid unless you spend $75,000 per year, which unlocks two complimentary guests.
- Delta Sky Club when flying Delta the same day. Guests are paid; unlimited visits unlock after $75,000 in annual spending.
- Priority Pass™ Select, with enrollment and up to two guests.
- Plaza Premium and Escape Lounges, with up to two guests.
- Lufthansa lounges when flying an eligible Lufthansa Group airline (no complimentary guests).
Built-in protections
- Trip cancellation and interruption insurance: up to $10,000 per trip and $20,000 per account every 12 months.
- Trip delay insurance: up to $500 per trip for delays over 6 hours (maximum 2 claims every 12 months).
- Cell phone protection: up to $800 per claim, 2 claims every 12 months and a $50 deductible, when you pay your monthly wireless bill with the card.
- 90-day purchase protection, up to one extra year of extended warranty, and return protection.
- Secondary rental car coverage (not available in Australia, Italy or New Zealand) and baggage insurance.
Who can get the bonus?
Under Amex’s terms, you may not be eligible for the offer if you have or have had the Platinum Card®, the Platinum Card® Exclusively for Charles Schwab or the Platinum Card® Exclusively for Morgan Stanley. Amex also considers other factors, such as your history with the company, how many cards you’ve opened and closed, and your balance transfer history.
To receive the points, your account must not be cancelled or past due. Amex may take back points or close the account if it detects abuse or gaming of the offer.
Is it worth it?
It may be a fit if: you travel several times a year, value lounge access and can naturally use several of the credits. The welcome bonus alone can offset more than a year of fees.
It’s probably not a fit if: you rarely travel, wouldn’t use the credit partners, or spending $12,000 in 6 months would push you beyond your normal budget. Never carry debt to earn a bonus: interest wipes out any benefit.
Premium cards like this one are generally designed for people with an established US credit history. If you’re just starting to build credit, a no-annual-fee card is a better first step.
The data in this article was verified against American Express’s official information. Offers and benefits can change; always confirm the current terms before applying.