American Express Platinum Card Welcome Offer: 80,000 Membership Rewards Points

Q: How does the Amex Platinum lounge access compare to other premium cards?

The Platinum Card® from American Express offers the most comprehensive airport lounge access of any premium travel card. Cardholders can access Centurion Lounges (Amex's proprietary high-end lounges), Delta Sky Clubs when flying Delta (up to 10 visits per year), Priority Pass Select lounges (excluding restaurants), and lounges in the Plaza Premium, Escape, and Airspace networks. This is more extensive than competitors like the Chase Sapphire Reserve, which only offers Priority Pass Select membership. The quality of Centurion Lounges in particular—with amenities like chef-designed menus, premium bars, shower suites, and spa services at select locations—sets the Platinum Card's lounge benefit apart from other premium cards.

Q: Can I have both the personal and business versions of the Platinum Card?

Yes, you can hold both the Platinum Card® from American Express (personal version) and the Business Platinum Card® from American Express simultaneously. American Express considers these to be different products, so having one doesn't disqualify you from receiving the welcome bonus on the other. This can be a valuable strategy for maximizing benefits, as some credits (like the airline fee credit and hotel credit) are available on both cards, effectively doubling your access to these perks. However, keep in mind that you'll also be paying two annual fees ($895 each), so you should ensure you can maximize enough benefits on both cards to justify the combined $1,790 in annual fees.

Q: How do the Platinum Card's hotel elite status benefits work?

The Platinum Card® from American Express provides complimentary Gold status with both Marriott Bonvoy and Hilton Honors, as well as Leaders Club Sterling status with The Leading Hotels of the World. You must enroll for these benefits through your American Express account. Hilton Gold status is particularly valuable, offering daily food and beverage credits (or continental breakfast outside the U.S.), space-available room upgrades, and late checkout. Marriott Gold Elite provides 25% bonus points on stays, 2 p.m. late checkout (subject to availability), and enhanced room upgrades. Leaders Club Sterling status includes five pre-arrival room upgrades per year, continental breakfast for two, and early/late checkout when available. These status levels would typically require numerous qualifying nights or stays if earned through the traditional loyalty program path.

Offers American Express Platinum Card Welcome Offer: 80,000 Membership Rewards Points

To the point The current welcome offer for the Platinum Card® from American Express is 80,000 Membership Rewards points, worth ~$1,600. This is in addition to the card's array of perks, including $400 Resy dining credit, $600 hotel credit, and premium lounge access for its $895 annual fee.

The Platinum Card^® from American Express recently underwent a significant refresh, introducing valuable new benefits while increasing its annual fee to $895. To complement these enhancements, American Express recently offered new applicants the opportunity to earn a welcome offer of up to 175,000 Membership Rewards points—one of the most generous welcome offers ever available for this premium travel card.

Comparatively, the current welcome offer of 80,000 Membership Rewards (MR) points is considerably less attractive; however, it does still represent around $1,600 in value based on our valuation of MR points at 2¢ each.

With this still-solid bonus and the card’s expanded suite of benefits, now may be a good time to consider adding the Platinum Card^® from American Express to your wallet. Let’s examine the details of this welcome offer and evaluate whether the refreshed Platinum Card delivers enough value to justify its premium price tag.

Welcome Offer Details: 80,000 Membership Rewards Points

The Platinum Card® from American Express

Unlock Premium Travel & Lifestyle Benefits with The Platinum Card^® from American Express

Welcome Offer: 80,000 Membership Rewards^® points after spending $8,000 in eligible purchases in your first 6 months of Card Membership.

The Platinum Card^® from American Express delivers exceptional value for travelers and lifestyle enthusiasts. With this premium card, you’ll enjoy:

5X Membership Rewards^® points on flights and prepaid hotels booked through American Express Travel^®
Global Lounge Collection^® access to over 1,550 airport lounges including Centurion Lounges and Delta Sky Clubs^®
$600 Hotel Credit annually on Fine Hotels + Resorts^® or The Hotel Collection bookings
$400 Resy Credit plus exclusive Platinum Nights by Resy restaurant reservations
$320 Uber benefits ($200 Uber Cash + $120 Uber One membership credits)
$300 Digital Entertainment Credit ($25 monthly for eligible streaming services)
$300 lululemon Credit ($75 quarterly)
$209 CLEAR^® Plus Credit annually
$200 Airline Fee Credit with your selected qualifying airline
$155 Walmart+ Credit for monthly membership
$100 Saks Fifth Avenue Credit ($50 semi-annually)

The Platinum Card^® offers premium early check-in and guaranteed 4PM late checkout at Fine Hotels + Resorts^® properties, helping you maximize your vacation time.

With dedicated 24/7 Member Services support and a suite of benefits that deliver over $2,500 in potential annual value, The Platinum Card^® stands apart as a premium travel and lifestyle companion.

Eligibility for the Welcome Bonus

American Express follows a “once-in-a-lifetime” rule for welcome bonuses, meaning you’re only eligible for this offer if you’ve never had the Platinum Card before. Specifically, you won’t qualify if you:

Currently have the Platinum Card
Previously had this card (or earlier versions of it)
Have been flagged by Amex’s systems for other reasons (such as gaming welcome bonuses)

Important eligibility notes:

You can qualify for this bonus even if you have or had other Amex cards, including the Business Platinum Card or Gold Card
The Platinum Card is a charge card, not a credit card, so it doesn’t count toward Amex’s typical limit of five credit cards per person
Amex may display a pop-up during your application if you’re not eligible for the welcome bonus, allowing you to cancel the application before a hard inquiry

Key Benefits of the Refreshed Platinum Card

Following its refresh in September 2025, the Platinum Card now offers an impressive array of benefits and statement credits that can help offset its $895 annual fee.

Here’s a comprehensive breakdown of what the card offers (enrollment required for select benefits):

New and Enhanced Benefits

Resy Dining Credit: Up to $400 annually ($100 per quarter) for purchases at over 10,000 U.S. Resy restaurants
Enhanced Hotel Credit: Up to $600 annually ($300 semi-annually) for prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts or The Hotel Collection bookings through Amex Travel
Lululemon Credit: Up to $300 annually ($75 per quarter) for purchases at Lululemon in the U.S. or lululemon.com
Digital Entertainment Credit: Increased to $300 annually ($25 monthly) for select streaming services including Disney+, Hulu, ESPN+, Peacock, Paramount+, YouTube Premium, YouTube TV, The New York Times, and The Wall Street Journal
Oura Ring Credit: Up to $200 annually for Oura Ring hardware purchases
Uber One Membership: Up to $120 annually for an auto-renewing Uber One membership
Leaders Club Sterling Status: Elite status with The Leading Hotels of the World

Existing Premium Benefits

Comprehensive airport lounge access:
- Centurion Lounges
- Delta Sky Clubs (when flying Delta, up to 10 visits per year)
- Priority Pass Select membership (excluding restaurants)
- Plaza Premium, Escape, and Airspace lounges
Travel credits:
- Up to $200 airline fee credit (for incidentals on your selected airline)
- Up to $200 in Uber Cash ($15 monthly, plus $20 in December)
- Up to $209 CLEAR Plus credit
- Global Entry or TSA PreCheck fee credit (up to $120 every 4-4.5 years)
Shopping credits:
- Up to $100 at Saks Fifth Avenue ($50 semi-annually)
- Up to $155 for Walmart+ membership ($12.95 monthly)
Additional benefits:
- Up to $300 Equinox credit (for gym memberships or Equinox+ app)
- Hotel elite status (Marriott Bonvoy Gold and Hilton Honors Gold)
- Cell phone protection (up to $800 per claim, maximum two claims per year)
- Comprehensive travel and purchase protections
- No foreign transaction fees

Earning Structure

5X points on flights booked directly with airlines or through American Express Travel (up to $500,000 per calendar year, then 1X)
5X points on prepaid hotels booked through American Express Travel
1X points on all other eligible purchases

Maximizing the 80,000-Point Welcome Bonus

With up to 80,000 Membership Rewards points, you’ll have access to numerous valuable redemption options through Amex’s transfer partners and travel portal. Here are some possibilities:

International business class flights: Transfer to partners like ANA, Virgin Atlantic, or Air Canada for premium cabin experiences worth $5,000-$10,000
Luxury hotel stays: Transfer to Hilton (with a 1:2 ratio) or Marriott for high-end accommodations
Multiple domestic flights: Book through the Amex Travel portal or transfer to partners like Delta or British Airways for short-haul American Airlines flights

Example redemptions with 80,000 points:

One-way business class flight between the US to Japan on ANA (75,000-90,000 points each way)
Multi-night stay at select Hilton properties (after transferring to Hilton at a 1:2 ratio)
Multiple round-trip transcontinental business class flights within the US

Is the Amex Platinum Card Worth the $895 Annual Fee?

With an $895 annual fee, the Platinum Card^® from American Express is undoubtedly a premium product. However, for many travelers, the extensive benefits can more than offset this cost:

First-year value: The up to 80,000-point welcome bonus alone is worth approximately $1,600 making the first year a no-brainer if you can meet the spending requirement
Ongoing value: The card offers over $2,800 in annual statement credits if fully maximized
Additional value: Lounge access, hotel elite status, and travel protections can add thousands more in subjective value

The card is particularly valuable for travelers who:

Travel frequently and can utilize the lounge access and hotel benefits
Dine out regularly at Resy-affiliated restaurants
Can easily meet the $8,000 minimum spending requirement
Can maximize at least several of the statement credits
Value the flexibility of Membership Rewards points

However, it may not be the best fit if you:

Rarely travel or can’t utilize the travel-focused benefits
Would struggle to use enough statement credits to offset the annual fee
Prefer cash back or simpler rewards programs

Bottom Line

The current welcome offer of up to 80,000 Membership Rewards points on the Platinum Card^® from American Express represents a solid opportunity for those who can meet the $8,000 spending requirement. With a value of approximately $1,600, this bonus alone more than offsets the card’s $895 annual fee for the first year.

Beyond the welcome bonus, the card’s extensive suite of benefits—including the new $400 Resy dining credit, enhanced $600 hotel credit, and comprehensive lounge access—can provide substantial ongoing value for travelers who can maximize multiple statement credits.

While the high annual fee may give some potential applicants pause, those who travel frequently and can leverage the card’s benefits will find the Platinum Card to be one of the most rewarding premium travel cards available.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much is the current welcome offer for the Platinum Card^® from American Express?

The current welcome offer for the Platinum Card^® from American Express is 80,000 Membership Rewards points, valued at around $1,600.

How do the Resy and hotel credits work?

The $400 Resy dining credit is divided into quarterly increments of $100. You can use this at over 10,000 U.S. restaurants that use the Resy platform for reservations. You don’t necessarily need to book through Resy to use the credit—simply paying with your Platinum Card at eligible restaurants will trigger the statement credit.

The $600 hotel credit is structured as two $300 statement credits per calendar year (January-June and July-December). To use this credit, you must book prepaid stays through American Express Travel at properties in either the Fine Hotels + Resorts program or The Hotel Collection. Fine Hotels + Resorts bookings require a minimum one-night stay, while The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay.

Is the Amex Platinum Card a credit card or a charge card?

Historically, the Amex Platinum was a charge card, which meant you had to pay your balance in full each month. Today, it functions as a hybrid. By default, you’re still expected to pay your statement balance in full, but Amex offers two features that allow for more flexibility: “Pay Over Time” and “Plan It.”

Pay Over Time allows you to carry a balance on eligible purchases with interest, while Plan It lets you create installment plans for eligible purchases with a fixed fee instead of interest. Despite these flexible payment options, the Platinum Card is still not considered a traditional credit card in Amex’s system, so it doesn’t count toward their typical limit of five credit cards per person.

How does the Amex Platinum lounge access compare to other premium cards?

The Platinum Card^® from American Express offers the most comprehensive airport lounge access of any premium travel card. Cardholders can access Centurion Lounges (Amex’s proprietary high-end lounges), Delta Sky Clubs when flying Delta (up to 10 visits per year), Priority Pass Select lounges (excluding restaurants), and lounges in the Plaza Premium, Escape, and Airspace networks.

This is more extensive than competitors like the Chase Sapphire Reserve, which only offers Priority Pass Select membership. The quality of Centurion Lounges in particular—with amenities like chef-designed menus, premium bars, shower suites, and spa services at select locations—sets the Platinum Card’s lounge benefit apart from other premium cards.

Can I have both the personal and business versions of the Platinum Card?

Yes, you can hold both the Platinum Card^® from American Express (personal version) and the Business Platinum Card^® from American Express simultaneously.

American Express considers these to be different products, so having one doesn’t disqualify you from receiving the welcome bonus on the other. This can be a valuable strategy for maximizing benefits, as some credits (like the airline fee credit and hotel credit) are available on both cards, effectively doubling your access to these perks. However, keep in mind that you’ll also be paying two annual fees ($895 each), so you should ensure you can maximize enough benefits on both cards to justify the combined $1,790 in annual fees.

How do the Platinum Card’s hotel elite status benefits work?

The Platinum Card^® from American Express provides complimentary Gold status with both Marriott Bonvoy and Hilton Honors, as well as Leaders Club Sterling status with The Leading Hotels of the World.

You must enroll for these benefits through your American Express account. Hilton Gold status is particularly valuable, offering daily food and beverage credits (or continental breakfast outside the U.S.), space-available room upgrades, and late checkout. Marriott Gold Elite provides 25% bonus points on stays, 2 p.m. late checkout (subject to availability), and enhanced room upgrades. Leaders Club Sterling status includes five pre-arrival room upgrades per year, continental breakfast for two, and early/late checkout when available.

These status levels would typically require numerous qualifying nights or stays if earned through the traditional loyalty program path.

Jean-Maximilien Voisine

Jean-Maximilien Voisine is the President and Founder of Milesopedia and a leading expert in rewards programs, credit cards, and travel across Canada, France, and the U.S.A. Now 40 years old and a father of two, he has explored more than 100 countries—many of them alongside his wife Audrey and their children. Specializing in loyalty programs such as Aeroplan, Flying Blue, American Express Membership Rewards, and Marriott Bonvoy, Jean-Maximilien helps travellers unlock the full potential of their points and benefits. His mission: empower others to travel better and smarter across North America and Europe.

All posts by Jean-Maximilien Voisine