Cardholders are eligible for this statement credit every four years (4.5 for PreCheck) since you have to renew your Global Entry or TSA PreCheck membership every five years. One airline-branded card, for example, offers a free checked bag for the cardholder and a companion. Sort of like Amazon Prime, Walmart + includes free next-day and two-day shipping on items from Walmart.com, with no minimum required (excluding overweight, freight and Marketplace items), free delivery from your local Walmart store on orders of $35 or more, select prescriptions for as little as $0, savings of up to 85% at thousands of Walmart pharmacies, and discounts of 5 cents per gallon at Walmart and Murphy gas stations along with member pricing at Sams Club fuel centers. Gold status includes: daily food/beverage credit, upgrades when available, fifth night free when using points and free Wi-Fi. Technically, this credit is meant to be used toward charges such as checked baggage fees, seat assignment fees, airline lounge passes and similar expenses. | BestCreditCard. Please view our advertising policy page for more information. American Express Platinum Charge Card is often called 1712 - a reference to its princely annual fee of S$1,712. Enrollment is required. The credit card offers that appear on the website are from credit card companies from which ThePointsGuy.com receives compensation. (you may be eligible for an. This can help negate the cost of the $250 annual fee (See Rates & Fees). Plus, you'll receive an automatic 10,000 mile bonus every year you keep your card open. Read more in TPGs full guide on the Fine Hotels + Resorts Program. There's no guarantee that you'll receive one, but a statement credit or some bonus points may make the difference between keeping the card vs. canceling it. Toward the other end of the spectrum is an elite travel credit card with a $550 annual fee. That's enough to give almost anyone sticker shock. American Express Platinum card's $695 annual fee is higher than the average annual fee among new credit card offers right now. Related: Best credit cards for streaming services. Read more in TPGs full guide to the Cruise Privileges Program. Cardholders can take advantage of numerous annualstatement credits, entertainment benefits, extensive airport lounge access, elite status perks and much more. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. This site does not include all credit card companies or all available credit card offers. Given the byzantine nature of this perk and how much you have to spend to leverage it, though, we're not really considering it here. For example, if you dont use Equinox, Uber and Clear, thats over $600 worth of perks that you would not use, which could make the card not worth it to you. There are strong arguments in favor of the card, such as an impressive roster of 17 airline and three hotel transfer partners including British Airways and Delta, extensive airport lounge access perks, a Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee waiver every four years (up to $100), an annual airline fee credit, Uber credits, medical evacuation travel protection, travel insurance and more. Assuming you take one or two rides or place an Uber Eats order in the U.S. each month, its easy to max out this perk. The material made available for you on this website, Credit Intel, is for informational purposes only and is not intended to provide legal, tax or financial advice. *Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. We may receive compensation when you click on links to those products. These offers are not extended to everyone and may depend on your purchasing and payment behaviors, but may include statement credits or Membership Rewards to offset the cost of the annual fee. I got lucky and found $1k in cash in his sock drawer. The material made available for you on this website, Send Money & Split Purchases: Venmo and PayPal, Credit Intel Financial Education Center. However, there are a few ways to waive the Amex Platinum annual fee if youre eligible. Nordstrom - 15,000. DEXSTA's Visa Platinum Card Offers A 2.99% Introductory Rate For Borrowers. Cardmembers receive up to $200 in Uber Cash per calendar year toward U.S. rides and Uber Eats orders. Jul 27, 2022 Annual fees on the American Express Platinum card are typically charged on the account anniversary date. Terms apply to all benefits listed below1 and all offers listed are subject to change. Depending on your spending preferences, that can mean big travel, wellness, and entertainment opportunities. Now is the best time to sign up for the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card, as its offering a 60,000-point bonus after you spend $4,000 in the first three months. Please try again later. Macys American Express - 6400, 19,000. If you're a regular Walmart customer, this can save you a ton of money. With those credits and benefits, though, comes a price. The Platinum Card also gets cardholders into Delta Sky Clubs on same-day flights operated by Delta and its partner airlines. Among this card's newer perks is up to $155 in annual statement credits toward the cost of a monthly Walmart+ membership. For example, the Platinum Card offers the following elevated credits and benefits: For more on the Offer & Benefit Terms listed above, click here. By providing your email, you agree to the, One Thing Couples Should 'Never, Ever' Do With Their Money, According to Suze Orman, What Is Term Life Insurance? Next, consider the Platinum Cards benefits, such as earning 5 Membership Rewards per dollar on select airfare and hotel purchases, extensive lounge access, excellent travel protections, elite status with Hilton and Marriott, access to the Hotel Collection and Amex Fine Hotels + Resorts booking perks and more and decide how much value these benefits can provide to you. This is one of the most basic, yet still confusing (to some), benefits of the Amex Platinum Card. That said, theres no denying that $695 is a lot of money. Find the right card for you. Things To Do Before Canceling A Credit Card, Best Credit Cards: Reviews, Rewards & Offers, Chase Sapphire Preferred Credit Card Review, High reward potential on flights and hotels booked through American Express Travel, Multiple credits can help justify the fee, Luxury travel benefits and elite status with Hilton and Marriott with enrollment, Maximizing the statement credits takes some work and could be unworkable for many, Reward rate outside of travel is sub-par for a premium card. There's little question that The Platinum Card from American Express is one of the best travel cards for frequent travelers who want lounge access, hotel status, a huge points bonus, and other luxuries. For those who don't want to fork over north of $500 for an annual fee, consider the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card. When does the annual fee kick in for the platinum? Those points are worth up to $750 for travel when booking through Chase and the card carries an annual fee of only $95. Earn 120,000 Membership Rewards points after you spend $15,000 on eligible purchases within the first 3 months of card membership. originally joined TPG as the site's first managing editor back in 2011. Earn 10,000 Membership Rewards Points. Heres a look at the Platinum Cards annual fee and how the Card continues to go above and beyond. Cardholders will also get more lifestyle and experience-based perks, including 40% off a membership for the Premium Private Jet Program with Wheels Up, as well as up to $2,000 in initial year flight credits to book private charter flights; and access to the Global Dining Access program by Resy, where cardholders can get exclusive tables at some of the worlds top restaurants. Between the welcome offer, laundry list of benefits, consumer protections and excellent concierge service, it is an experience having the card. Looking beyond the welcome offer, which is pretty lucrative, you will have to map out which of the perks of The Platinum Card from American Express you will eventually utilize and to what extent. Get $200 each year in incidental credits (i.e. Is It Worth It? (Enrollment is required for Priority Pass.). You will get $20 back each month for one or more of the following services: Peacock, The New York Times, Audible, Sirius XM, Hulu, ESPN, The Disney Bundle, Disney+ (enrollment required). This included hundreds of dollars worth of annual statement credits one which can offset the price of Clear, a program that expedites your airport security experience. ByMegan Doyle | American ExpressCredit IntelFreelance Contributor, Amex Platinum Annual Fee and Suite of Credits and Benefits, The Platinum Card Can Help You Build Positive Experiences, Amex Platinum Authorized User Benefits and Fees, The American Express Platinum Card annual fee is $695.1. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Enrollment is required. Whether you're a current Amex Platinum cardholder or are considering applying for it, it is advantageous to consider all options available. If your application is not approved for those options, you may have to choose between the annual fee or doing without a card. AMEX Platinum Charge members are entitled to two complimentary supplementary cards (a S$160.50 fee applies for the third card onwards), a benefit you should absolutely max out. The primary Card Member is responsible for all spending activity and must pay for all charges made by Additional Card Members. Its not a cash equivalent if you dont use a credit and in many cases youll need to make a special effort to earn them. There are 7 key factors to consider before you apply for one. American Express has expanded The Centurion Network to include 40+ Centurion Lounge and Studio locations worldwide. See rates & fees) has long been one of the most popular travel rewards cards available thanks to the usefulness of the Membership Rewards points it earns as well as an array of valuable perks. Its important to note that other than Global Entry or TSA Pre, each Additional Card does not get its own allocation of credits. The use of this website means that you accept the confidentiality regulations and the conditions of service. Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards points after you spend $6,000 on purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. It's harder to put a price on airline lounge access and elite status with Hilton and Marriott. The American Express Platinum Cards $695 annual fee works out to about $58 a month. We want to help you make more informed decisions. it boasts very high fees: a $5,000 annual fee and a $10,000 initiation fee. On cards that offer better-than-average rewards and therefore cost credit card companies more to provide. Through Amexs International Airline Program, cardmembers can get discounts on premium economy, business- and first-class tickets on around two dozen airlines. Also, earn 1.5X points (that's an extra half point per dollar) on eligible purchases at US construction material & hardware suppliers, electronic goods retailers and software & cloud system providers, and shipping providers, as well as on purchases of $5,000 or more everywhere else, on up to $2 million of these purchases per calendar year. Cardmembers receive up to $200 in statement credits each calendar year when booking a prepaid stay via Amex Fine Hotels + Resorts or The Hotel Collection on Amex Travel. A final point on the math: Dont forget to consider interest charges. The Business Platinum Card from American Express, Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card. The $200 . To view rates and fees for The Platinum Card from American Express please visit this page. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site (including, for example, the order in which they appear). It also earns 3 points per dollar on dining, 5 points per dollar on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards and 2 points on all other travel. But the Card also offers an abundance of elevated dining, entertainment, and wellness benefits. If you're considering the Amex Platinum, it could be worth it for the first year, and then reevaluate when the second annual fee posts. In the right hands, the classic status card's staggering annual fee is well justified. If you add up all of the existing and new credits, youre looking at over $1,400 in value in your first year alone. That means you may have the $695 annual charge for the American Express Platinum Card removed. Get $200 back in statement credits each year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts or The Hotel Collection bookings, which requires a minimum two-night stay, through American Express Travel when you pay with your Platinum Card. Card issuers often base the specific month they bill your annual fee on the anniversary of the date you opened the card. Apply and select your preferred metal Card design: classic Platinum Card, Platinum x Kehinde Wiley, or Platinum x Julie Mehretu. They can also register for complimentary Uber VIP status, which gives access to better cars and better-rated drivers in select locations. Thankfully, the up to $200 prepaid hotel credit is fairly easy to . Uber VIP status and up to $200 Uber credit, split into monthly $15 credits for U.S. rides plus a bonus of $20 in December. Barclay Arrival Mastercard - 7,000. The Amex Platinum Card offers eight main statement credits that can reduce the effective cost of the annual fee. You must check at least one of the boxes to proceed. You might be using an unsupported or outdated browser. Car Rental Loss or Damage Coverage is offered through American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc. New cardmembers will see the annual fee on their first billing statement. The Platinum Card offers a suite of elevated benefits, including wellness, entertainment, and travel credits. The material made available for you on this website, Credit Intel, is for informational purposes only and is not intended to provide legal, tax or financial advice. 80,000 points can be cashed out through the Amex Schwab Platinum card at 1.1 cents per point, making 80,000 Amex worth $880 cash. Must select one airline and charge to Amex Plat. However,. 2 Coverage is provided by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company. In addition to hotel elite status, cardholders can enroll for status with several car rental programs, including Avis Preferred, Hertz Gold Plus Rewards and National Car Rental Emerald Club Executive. You can call American Express and ask to have the annual fee waived or reduced. Although the card underwent a major revamp last year and added several new features, some consumers are wondering whether a travel card like the Amex Platinum is right for them, especially during a time of inflation. That's $750 when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards. With perks like $120 in annual dining statement credits ($10 monthly statement credit) and up to $120 in Uber Cash ($10 Uber Cash each month) . Yes, there are some no annual fee credit cards designed for people in this situation. Insider values Amex points as worth 1.8 cents each, on . Lastly, beginning with your second year of card membership, you can contact American Express to inquire if youre eligible for any retention offers. Enrollment may be required for some American Express benefits and offers. Whats more, Additional Card Members will receive benefits including but not limited to Global Entry or TSA Pre fee credits. Something went wrong. 2023 American Express. She previously covered travel and credit cards as lifestyle. On the other hand, if you will take advantage of its ongoing benefits, such as lounge access, Fine Hotels + Resorts bookings, Marriott and Hilton elite status, and International Airline Program ticket savings, as well as even just one or two of the credits, then springing for the Platinum Card from American Express is probably worthwhile. How do I Redeem Membership Rewards Points. Here's what you need to know to decide whether this card is worth it to you.. Is a Credit Card with an Annual Fee Worth It? Take control of your financial future with information and inspiration on starting a business or side hustle, earning passive income, and investing for independence. You will receive $50 semiannually to use at either Saks Fifth Avenue or saks.com. But aside from the benefits, be sure to evaluate your own spending prior to applying. Let's get the bad news out of the way up front the Amex Platinum 's annual fee has increased from $550 to $695 ( Rates & Fees ): The $695 annual fee applies for new accounts opened as of July 1, 2021. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Gold status includes: upgrades when available, late checkout and enhanced Wi-Fi. Here are some common situations in which paying an annual fee may make sense: In some cases, accepting an annual fee may be your only way to get a credit card. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Although the rewards you earn generally are limited to the brand, the annual fee may still be a good deal. Get all of our latest home-related storiesfrom mortgage rates to refinance tipsdirectly to your inbox once a week. Clear lets you use biometric kiosks for identification purposes so you can skip the TSA agent shuffling through other travelers' identification and head straight to the baggage security line. This compensation comes from two main sources. Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Many middle-class households can make this work. Youll need to enroll your Amex Platinum Card for this benefit to take effect, but theres no minimum purchase required. Plus Ups are excluded. A Housing Market Prediction From Counting Crows? Someone who wont use the majority of these statement credits should probably skip this card. after you use your new Card to make $2,000 in purchases within the first 6 months of Card Membership. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. Photo by Isabelle Raphael/The Points Guy. Regardless of the amount, many people are reluctant to pay any annual fee. The Amex Platinum Card offers eight main statement credits that can reduce the effective cost of the annual fee. You have poor or limited credit history and cant qualify for a no annual fee credit card. The Platinum Card is destined for frequent travelers who intend to fully leverage the rich set of luxury travel benefits and Platinum Concierge service. I was told by CS that the Amex Ascend fee does not get included in the one annual fee policy - asked them to check multiple times and just stopped short of saying . Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Remember: While Additional Card Members are not account owners, they are authorized to use the primary Card Members account. Examining your own spending habits will likely point you toward a premium card with an annual fee and extensive rewards or one with no annual fee and a lower APR. At 80,000 points, the welcome offer alone is worth around $1,600 by our latest estimates thanks to how versatile American Express Membership Rewards points are. Getting the yearly fee for Amex Platinum to be waived The annual charge for all American Express cards is eliminated for active-duty military personnel, according to a spokesman of the credit card company. When the representative mentions the annual fee, find out if they would be willing to waive the fee for the first year. There are a couple of International American Express Lounges in Argentina, Australia, India and Mexico, too. Hot Tip: You receive the airline incidental once per calendar year. So, to help cover the costs (I'm really desperate for the 150k MR), I decided to rob my neighbor. Your email address will not be published. You can book up to three rooms and receive these benefits on each room. Then use your card to pay for eligible incidental fees from that airline and receive a statement covering those fees, usually 2-4 weeks after you pay for them. With those credits and benefits, though, comes a price. By doing so, youll get elite-like benefits including noon check-in (based on availability), room upgrades (when available), daily breakfast for two people, complimentary Wi-Fi, guaranteed 4 p.m. late checkout and a unique property amenity valued at $100 or more. The venerable Platinum Card has a $695 annual fee. The Platinum Card from American Express has a $550 annual fee, but for many travelers the card's benefits will more than offset the annual fee. Eligible Equinox membership types include Single Club, Regional Access, All-Access, Destination Access, and E by Equinox access. However, this depends on you leveraging each credit to its maximum. Although many people avoid cards that charge an annual fee, cards with fees may be a savvy choice if you can make use of their benefits. Instead, we'll look at the card's ongoing benefits. Though rental car perks are hard to quantify, the conveniences, discounts and time-saving benefits like guaranteed availability and return grace periods can be invaluable especially with recent shortages. If you have travel purchases like flights and hotels coming up, you can take advantage of the 5X points for every dollar spent on travel booked through American Express. However, note that these figures are based on earning status the regular way through nights and stays and leveraging those benefits on those nights and stays. Official application link: The Platinum Card from American Express with 80,000 Membership Rewards Points after you spend $6,000 on purchases within the first six months of card membership. Capital One Venture X Vs. Chase Sapphire Reserve, How To Find The Cheapest Travel Insurance. Forbes Advisor created additional star ratings so that you can see the best card for specific needs. Please review. The Platinum Card from American Express ($695 annual fee; see rates and fees) currently offers: Enrollment is required for select benefits. Youll also receive a complimentary Priority Pass Select lounge membership, which gives you access to over 1,300 airport lounges around the world. Uber Cash and Uber VIP status is available to Basic Card Member only. Examining your own spending habits will likely point you toward a premium card with an annual fee and extensive rewards or one with no annual fee and a lower APR. Earn 3X points on other travel and dining & 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases plus, 10X points on Lyft rides through March 2025, Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. If used fully, these credits amount to nearly $1,600 in value per year, more than double the card's annual fee. On cards designed for people with no credit or poor credit who therefore pose a greater risk of defaulting on payments. He is also the author of four books on management. To enjoy the features and perks of some credit cards, you pay an annual fee. For example, lets consider two cash back rewards cards offered by the same company. There is no guarantee youll receive an offer of any type. In many cases, cards with an annual fee may be a better value. Clear expedited airport security program: Is it worth it? The annual fee is $175 for up to three Additional Platinum Cards, then $175 for each Additional Platinum Card thereafter. For new applicants, you'll be required to pay this new fee immediately, but existing cardholders won't have to fork over the extra cash until renewals begin in January 2022. The Platinum Card has a $695 annual fee.1 Though the fee is paid once a year, the math works out to about $58 a month. Compare the cost in points or miles to cash, and see which option is best. They include an annual airline fee credit, an annual hotel credit, annual credits for Equinox, digital entertainment and Clear, monthly Uber cash, a bi-annual Saks credit and an every-four-years Global Entry or TSA PreCheck credit. If the annual fee is too expensive, don't fret there are several other credit cards you can consider without a steep annual fee. Add up to three authorized users for a fee of $175 per year (see. A recent national survey conducted on behalf of Experian found that 33% of Americans with credit cards are concerned by annual fees. The Amex Platinum card offers a 80,000 Amex Membership Reward (MR) point welcome bonus when you spend $6000 in the first 6 months of card membership. When you book a two-night or longer stay through The Hotel Collection with American Express Travel, youll get a $100 hotel credit for use on qualifying dining, spa and resort activities and a room upgrade upon arrival (when available). Note that the card also confers up to $300 in statement credits when purchasing one SoulCycle at-home bike (which retails for $2,500 apiece) on up to 15 bikes per calendar year. Plus, youll earn 5 points per dollar on prepaid stays booked online through FHR. When you pay for your eligible Equinox membership or the Equinox+ fitness app, youll receive up to $300 in statement credits each year.