Maximizing Benefits with the American Express Platinum Card

The American Express Platinum Card is one of the most benefits-rich premium travel rewards cards available. While its value lies in the Amex Membership Rewards points that can be earned with it, the card's true utility comes from its impressive slate of benefits that can be worth thousands of dollars each year.

To unlock the card's full potential, it's essential to take advantage of its benefits and maximize them. This can be achieved by following a few key strategies.

## Setting Up the Amex Platinum Card

Before you start maximizing the card, it's essential to complete a few setup tasks. These include enrolling in eligible statement-credit benefits, selecting an eligible U.S. airline for the annual up to $200 airline incidental fee statement credit, activating complimentary hotel and rental car status, and adding the Platinum Card to your Uber account.

Here are the benefits that require enrollment or activation:

| Benefit | Enrollment Required | | --- | --- | | Statement-credit benefits | Yes | | Annual airline incidental fee statement credit | Yes | | Complimentary hotel elite status | Yes | | Complimentary car rental elite status | Yes | | Priority Pass | Yes | | Uber Cash | Yes |

## Choosing the Right Airline for the Incidental Fee Credit

When selecting a U.S. airline for the annual up to $200 airline incidental fee statement credit, it's essential to choose an airline that you fly occasionally. This will ensure that you need the card to cover some small charges here and there.

| Airline | Incidental Fee Credit | | --- | --- | | American Airlines | $200 | | Delta Air Lines | $200 | | United Airlines | $200 | | Other U.S. airlines | $200 |

## Stacking Amex Fine Hotels + Resorts Credits and Perks

When booking an eligible prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts stay through American Express Travel, cardholders can receive benefits like availability-based upgrades, free daily breakfast for two, guaranteed 4 p.m. late checkout, and a $100 experience credit to use toward on-property charges like dining or the spa.

The Platinum also offers up to $600 in statement credits each calendar year on eligible prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts or The Hotel Collection bookings through Amex Travel.

## Setting Reminders for Uber Cash and Resy Statement Credits

Some of the easiest Amex Platinum benefits to lose are the ones that expire periodically. Cardholders receive up to $15 in Uber Cash each month, plus an extra up to $20 in December, valid for rides or Uber Eats orders in the U.S. To use the benefit, you have to first add your Amex Platinum to your Uber account.

You also get up to $120 in statement credits each calendar year toward an eligible auto-renewing Uber One membership.

| Benefit | Statement Credit | | --- | --- | | Uber Cash | Up to $15/month | | Uber One membership | Up to $120/calendar year | | Resy statement credit | Up to $100/quarter |

## Maximizing Airport Security Benefits

Amex Platinum cardholders can enroll and receive a statement credit of up to $219 per year for Clear+ membership, which allows you to use the dedicated lanes at airport security and skip the standard identification check.

You'll also get up to a $120 statement credit for Global Entry once every four years, or an up to $85 statement credit for a five-year TSA PreCheck membership.

| Benefit | Statement Credit | | --- | --- | | Clear+ membership | Up to $219/year | | Global Entry | Up to $120/every 4 years | | TSA PreCheck | Up to $85/5 years |

## Using Digital Entertainment and Walmart+ Benefits Strategically

One of the Amex Platinum's easiest benefits to use is up to $300 in statement credits each year for eligible subscriptions with Disney+, ESPN+, Hulu, Paramount+, Peacock, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, YouTube Premium, and YouTube TV.

You also get up to $12.95 plus applicable taxes in statement credits each month for a Walmart+ membership, excluding Plus Ups (up to $155 annually) when you pay for your monthly Walmart+ membership with your card.

| Benefit | Statement Credit | | --- | --- | | Digital entertainment | Up to $300/calendar year | | Walmart+ membership | Up to $12.95/month |

## Checking Lounge Options Before You Fly

One of the Amex Platinum's standout benefits is access to the American Express Global Lounge Collection, which includes Amex Centurion and Priority Pass lounges, as well as Delta Sky Clubs (when flying Delta Air Lines; limited to 10 annual visits).

## Activating Complimentary Hotel and Rental Car Status

The Amex Platinum provides complimentary hotel elite status with Hilton Honors, Marriott Bonvoy, and Leading Hotels of the World, as well as car rental elite status with Avis Preferred Plus, Hertz Gold Plus Rewards President's Circle, and National Car Rental Emerald Club Executive.

Enrollment is required for all of these benefits.

By following these key strategies, you can unlock the full potential of the Amex Platinum Card and maximize its benefits to the tune of thousands of dollars each year.