My Test of the American Express Platinum Card: Is it Worth it for Travel? (Conclusion after 4 Years)

What does a credit card like the American Express Platinum Card really bring you? For me, this credit card is a game changer when traveling - and currently, you can earn 80,000 Membership Rewards(R) points with it.

Keep reading, I'll show you how I use it here in South Africa to collect Membership Rewards points, gain lounge access at the airport, and redeem my travel credits. There are additional benefits I take advantage of.

I have been using the American Express Platinum Card for 4 years (first for business, now just the personal version). Especially when traveling, the card provides me with many advantages and perks, making my trips and airport waits more pleasant.

However, these benefits come at a cost: The current monthly fee is €60 (annual fee of €720). That sounds quite high at first and did deter me. However, my calculations worked out (see table).

!!️ Current offer from American Express(R): 85,000 Membership Rewards points!!️ (record welcome bonus, never seen before) Until November 10, 2025, the American Express Platinum Card offers 85,000 Membership Rewards points as a welcome bonus through this link at Amex. The only catch: You must spend €10,000 with the card within 6 months (about €1,666 per month). With the American Express Gold Card, you get 55,000 Membership Rewards points and only have to spend €4,500 in 6 months. This card offers less attractive extras while traveling and is ideal for everyday use if the fee for the American Express Platinum Card is too high.

Is the American Express Platinum Card worth it for you?

Why should you consider the American Express(R) credit card? The Platinum and Gold variants are distinguished by a variety of additional services. Especially if you travel frequently, the Platinum Card is worth it: It offers you a comprehensive insurance package, upgrade options for flights and hotels, various credits, and more.

The card isn't worth it for everyone. Therefore, you need to assess which benefits you will use, what expenses you can incur monthly with the American Express Platinum Card, and whether the fees are worth it to you. If you still want to benefit from the perks, keep reading. I will show you where I use the card.

I have owned the Platinum Card from Amex for 4 years as mentioned, after a friend inspired me through their experiences. Currently, I am using the card in South Africa and based on this trip, I'll report how I use the card from A to Z.

Time and again, my friend told me how he got a hotel upgrade here, lounge access there, a business-class ticket upgrade, or a rental car inexpensively. His answer to my question of how he does it: With the American Express Platinum Card.

In this article, you will find all my experiences, both benefits and drawbacks, of the American Express Platinum Card.

The American Express Platinum Card is the icon among credit cards for collecting points. While it has a high annual fee, it offers a vast array of benefits. These are so numerous that I will discuss them in detail in the next section.

Here are the most important ones for me:

After extensive research and now four years of experience with the American Express Platinum Card, I have compiled here a comprehensive report with all the pros and cons. My conclusion follows at the end.

I do not use all the benefits, I only book hotels through the travel portal if the hotel is cheaper and includes benefits. Always compare hotel prices with Booking.com. Sometimes they are cheaper, the same, or more expensive. One cannot make a general statement; always compare.

Some benefits have never been interesting for me (SIXT ride credit), but maybe they are for you? Due to my extensive travels, I am generally well insured. However, baggage insurance for flights is advantageous if something goes wrong, like my co-author Dom, whose suitcase was broken into in Johannesburg and his baggage insurance kicked in (he also uses the American Express Platinum Card).

Continue reading the article and see how I currently utilize the benefits on a trip and if it's worth it.

Note: These benefits apply to American Express Germany. If you are from Austria or Switzerland, you have to check which offers are available for your country. They vary.

1 I advise you to generally wait until there's an offer of at least 50,000 Membership Rewards points for new customers when applying. You can redeem these with many airlines and hotels. I use these for upgrades to business class on long-haul flights (through Doha to Australia) or transfer the points via Payback to Lufthansa to book flights and upgrades.

The benefits sound great, but what are the drawbacks of the American Express Platinum Card? The disadvantages that arise are listed here. However, I don't consider everything to be a disadvantage, as you should never use the American Express Platinum Card as your sole travel credit card. Just to withdraw cash and pay things in non-European countries, other credit cards are better for traveling (and free).

In the end, it's your decision whether the card provides you with value or if the disadvantages outweigh for you.

The biggest hurdle that kept me from applying for the card for a long time is the monthly fee of €60, which totals to €720 a year. Not a bargain at first glance. Up until now, I have exclusively used free credit cards for travel and in everyday life.

Simply by reaching the welcome bonus (which was 50,000 Membership Rewards points for me), you can accumulate a considerable amount of miles with most frequent flyer programs at a transfer rate of 5 to 4. This means that from 1,000 Membership Rewards points, you will gather 800 miles - thus 40,000 miles that you can use for flights and upgrades.

With Payback, you get one cent for each point. When you transfer your Membership Rewards to Payback, they are only worth 1/3 (0.33 cents). Be aware of which airline you prefer to fly with. If it's Lufthansa and the Star Alliance, then get the PAYBACK American Express credit card (free).

If you have a partner, you can give the second card to them. You'll collect on one account. However, only you with the first card will have the benefits of collection. However, you can reduce the monthly contribution of €60 to €30 per person.

Tip: Apply for your Platinum Card now and secure not only the high welcome bonus but also extras like the €200 online travel credit and €150 restaurant credit for various restaurants worldwide. If you take advantage of many credits and services from the Platinum Card, you'll quickly recover the annual fee of the card.

The American Express Platinum Card is worth it for you if you travel frequently and want to enjoy the numerous perks. With the card, you receive many exclusive benefits such as upgrades when booking hotels or rental cars, along with a comprehensive insurance package that includes travel and shopping insurance.

I love the airport lounge access to shorten travel time, online travel credits (which I use for flights or hotels), restaurant credits, hotel and rental car benefits (e.g. Avis Preferred program: cheaper prices, upgrades, free additional driver, insurance included), and of course, to collect miles by transferring my Membership Rewards.

However, you should never only have this one credit card for traveling; instead, use it as a supplement. That's one of the disadvantages: it's not always accepted as a credit card, but in my experience, it is becoming increasingly accepted.

So, I checked if the costs for 1 year and the benefits of the American Express Card are worth it:

I noted all the benefits I utilized. Thus, I can see at a glance whether I had benefits or not. I have not listed my collected Membership Rewards points in one year with the Platinum Card, as these provide additional advantages - especially for flights - because that data is private.

Here's my list to find out whether the American Express Platinum Card is worth it for travel:

American Express Platinum Card (United States) | Value for me | Worth of the benefits

Priority Pass "Prestige" | $180 | $402 (annual fee), used 6 times (saved $25 - $30 per visit)

Travel credit | $200 | $200 used for hotel booking

Restaurant credit | $150 | $150 used for dining in Berlin

Dropbox 40% discount on annual fee | $75.84 | Normally $199, with 40% discount only $119.40

AVIS Preferred Status | $120 | - 10% on bookings, additional driver included, additional benefits. Used 3 times

Rental car insurance | $275.90 | Included with American Express Platinum Card, estimated cost per day (for 1 year)

Membership Rewards: Collect Membership Rewards points with every expenditure | (personal) | The value is immense for me as a self-employed person since I have high ongoing costs for software, insurance, etc.

Total | = $1,001.74 | Additionally, with the Membership Rewards points, we managed to extract the card cost plus $1,330 in value from the card in 1 year.

Annual fee | - $720 |

Total savings without Membership Rewards points | $281.74 |

You see the card is worth it for me, even though I did not use the $200 Sixt-Ride credit. Access to airport lounges worldwide through Priority Pass and Lufthansa Senator Lounges (I usually fly from Frankfurt) and the $200 travel credit are a welcome added value. Additional drivers and insurance offers me more benefits than perhaps for you. I have not included the costs for the additional driver in the table.

I haven't listed further additional services like the comprehensive insurances because it would otherwise become too extensive. Along with this credit card, I do not possess another card with such a comprehensive insurance package.

For me, the American Express Platinum Card is truly worth it.

Since I love utilizing the benefits while traveling, I'd like to share my experiences from my trip to South Africa with you. Of course, not everything is perfect, so I'll show you where the card reaches its limits and what the drawbacks are.

I was very surprised at how well the credit card was accepted in Australia. During almost three weeks of road-tripping along the east coast from Cairns to Brisbane (here for the travel report), it was only not accepted twice. That's fantastic.

The best part was certainly the ability to upgrade our flights (each 2 long-haul flights) with Singapore Airlines thanks to point transfer. Priceless. Since we had a camper, unfortunately, the insurance didn't apply here. But check out the video:

I booked my flight from Germany to South Africa directly with Lufthansa. Although it's also possible through the Amex travel portal, I can redeem miles directly with the airline. Unfortunately, Miles and More is not a direct partner to use Membership Rewards points for upgrades to business class or generally pay for the ticket.

The workaround is via the Payback program. American Express regularly offers (2:1) to convert Membership Rewards points into Payback points at favorable rates. You can then easily transfer them to Miles and More (the program for collecting miles with Lufthansa and partners). Normally, you can transfer 3 Membership Rewards points for 1 Payback point.

Since the flight connects through Doha or Dubai, which, for environmental reasons, would not work for me (I prefer direct flights to save time and stress), I didn't transfer points to Emirates or Qatar Airways this time. However, that is very easy to do and 1-2 days later, they are credited to your airline mileage program.

This is a screenshot of a previous transfer:

Thanks to the American Express Platinum Card, I have free access to Lufthansa Business Lounges and Lufthansa Senator Lounges in Frankfurt before my departure. I also have access to other lounges with Priority Pass access. Since the Lufthansa Senator Lounge is better, larger, and closer to the gate, I utilize it.

As I like to include some buffer time for long-haul flights (when arriving via Deutsche Bahn), it really is a relief to relax away from the hustle at the gate in a lounge, having something to eat and drink, or even taking a shower. These things are all free and, in my opinion, great benefits. Normally, you only enter the business lounge with a business-class flight, but thanks to Amex, you'll gain entry regardless.

Each year you receive a $200 travel credit if you book through the Amex portal. You can redeem this when booking rental cars, flights, and hotels. With this, you have almost recovered one-third of the annual fee. I often use this credit for hotels since flights for my travel destinations are often not available (unfortunately, also not the domestic flights in South Africa).

Always compare the prices in the AMEX travel portal with those on booking platforms. In my cases, they were often identical. Sometimes hotels offer a free breakfast included or provide credits that you can redeem at the hotel (restaurant, breakfast, spa).

I have already used my annual credit prior to the trip in Munich for a hotel. Therefore, I could not take advantage of the offer for South Africa.

For this trip, I needed not only a rental car. The advantage of the American Express Platinum Card is that I automatically receive the AVIS Preferred status.

This has the following benefits:

Car rentals in Cape Town are generally expensive (high demand). Therefore, the 10% discount is very valuable. After extensive comparisons on platforms, I found that AVIS had the best deal. For the Kruger National Park, other providers were just as expensive. Thus, I also booked through AVIS and received the 10% discount.

For Cape Town, no upgrade was available for the car; however, in the Kruger National Park, we received an upgrade (to a Toyota Fortuner 4 x 4). That was fantastic, and we could comfortably go on safari during the rainy season. The additional drivers at no extra charge were also very valuable.

I was able to pay for domestic flights with my American Express credit card with both CemAir and Airlink. Thus, I earned Membership Rewards points with every expenditure.

Since Airlink collects Avios points with Qatar Airways, I could have converted my Membership Rewards points to Qatar Airways in Avios and booked the flight with that.

With friends, we spent a week in the Kruger National Park. SANParks (South African National Parks) boasts everywhere that you can pay with American Express credit cards. So I paid for all accommodations before the trip through the website with my American Express Platinum Card.

Additionally, we were able to book morning, sunset, and night game drives in advance. I could pay for everything with the Platinum Card. To collect more Membership Rewards points, I took on all the expenses and later had my friends reimburse me. We traveled with five people, so it adds up.

Even though the fees abroad are high at 2% compared to free credit cards, it was worthwhile for me to pay for our bill with the Platinum Card from Amex with five of us.

Not everyone uses the same benefits as I do. Everyone has different priorities. Even if you don't travel much, you can earn Membership Rewards points diligently that you can then use beneficially.

I mainly use the card for these reasons:

For me, one of the most important benefits is the lounge access at Lufthansa Business and Senator lounges or for other lounges that I access thanks to the included Priority Pass. In India, I was able to spend many hours comfortably when our flight had to turn back, and we had to wait in Delhi until 2 a.m. for the next flight to Germany. Thus, I could shower, eat and drink, and use the lounge's better Wi-Fi.

The lounge access makes traveling much more pleasant and comfortable for me.

I always use the $200 travel credit for flights (when they are bookable via the travel platform at American Express), hotels, or sometimes rental cars. Depending on the offers from other providers. Comparison helps. I have never missed out on the $200.

Since I like to be flexible on-site by car (USA, Canada, South Africa ...), I almost always rent a car. Thanks to my AVIS Preferred status, I not only receive a discount of 10 - 25% but also a vehicle upgrade (subject to availability) and additional benefits like a free additional driver included.

Since the credit card also includes rental car liability insurance, I save this cost with the provider.

In partner hotels, you can get better conditions for hotels through the Amex travel platform. Last year, we saw an example for a hotel in Memphis for 3 nights (each room for one person - we were two). In total, we saved €100 compared to Booking.com or the hotel's website.

Additionally, when booking with the American Express Platinum credit card for each room we paid for, we received an upgrade (subject to availability). Thanks to the Platinum Card, we also received status with Hilton Hotels upon registration. As if that's not enough, we received $100 credit per day that we could spend at the hotel (I'm thinking of laundry or parking fees for our rental car, as parking in hotels in the USA must be booked separately, and it's not cheap).

Example:

With no other credit card in the United States can I accumulate points and transfer them to so many other frequent flyer programs. Although Miles and More (Lufthansa) is not included, the workaround of transferring Membership Rewards to Payback (3:1) and then 1:1 to Miles and More has already earned me a few award flights (e.g. to Kenya).

The automatically included status upon registration at Hilton, Marriott Bonvoy, or Radisson has often brought me upgrades and the possibility of late check-out. Normally, this service (especially in New York) is chargeable. If I have a flight in the afternoon or evening, I don't have to worry about my luggage; instead, I can often keep the room until 4 p.m. For me, a major advantage, not necessarily interesting for everyone.

I shop online a lot with my credit card, whether it's technical equipment or clothing for travels (outdoor clothes and various gear). When I pay with this credit card, I can get my money back for 90 days through a chargeback procedure if something is not compliant or the product did not arrive as described.

Last but not least, collecting Membership Rewards points. Thanks to my purchases like cameras, lenses, new phone, and furniture when moving into a new apartment, I have been able to accumulate a lot of Membership Rewards points over the years.

It sounds trivial, but it's the most effective tip: Pay for all your expenses with the AMEX credit card when it's accepted. Gas bills, grocery shopping, link the card to online shops like Amazon or streaming services (Netflix, Disney+, Spotify, DAZN).

You will be surprised at how many Membership Rewards points accumulate in 6 months.

There is a tip (not a trick) on how to collect Membership Rewards points more quickly. You only need to sign up for the Turbo Program for €15. Then you will earn 1.5 Membership Rewards points for every euro spent. To activate the program, simply register online on the website.

Note: There's a cap of 20,000 additional Membership Rewards points through the Amex Turbo program in a year. However, you would need to achieve a turnover of €40,000 per year. After that, you will again earn points normally at a rate of one point per euro.

This way, you are guaranteed to accumulate more miles or points for flights, hotels, rental cars, etc. than with any other credit card.

In many places where American Express is not accepted, you can pay with Apple Pay, Google Pay, or PayPal. Therefore, you should also save the card as your preferred payment method with these platforms.

Give the additional cards to family, friends, and partners. If they plan to make larger purchases, they can pay through the additional cards (you can set up a separate account for billing) and also collect Membership Rewards points.

One Platinum supplemental card and up to 4 additional cards (American Express Card, Gold Card) are included.

I am definitely not a pro in gathering miles or getting upgrades. Nevertheless, over the past two years, I have collected over 600,000 Membership Rewards points.

I use the card daily to collect Membership Rewards points through payments, in online purchases, for insurance, for bookings of flights, hotels, and rental cars. I pay everywhere possible with my American Express Platinum Card. My Amex is linked to PayPal, and when I fill up my tank, I pay with the credit card.

Additionally, I registered for the Membership Rewards Turbo program to receive 50% more points. For every €2, I then receive 3 Membership Rewards points.

Both have their benefits, it depends on how you use them. The Platinum Card is the more premium of the two credit cards. However, it also comes with a hefty annual fee of €720 (€60 per month) compared to the Amex Gold Card with an annual fee of €140 (€12 per month).

The Platinum Card offers luxurious travel benefits, like global access to airport lounges, upgrades in hotels, more points per € spent, and some more. In the end, you have to decide for yourself which credit card is worth it for you while traveling. For frequent travelers like me, the American Express Platinum Card is ideal. If you travel little, you should look at the American Express Gold Card or even the free Payback credit card from American Express.

Do you know my travel credit card comparison for free cards?

Currently, the Amex Platinum Card costs €720 annually. However, this includes €200 in travel credits, €150 in restaurant credits, and €200 SIXT Ride credits. You also gain access to over 1,200 airport lounges thanks to Priority Pass with one guest. Additional benefits include a status and upgrades with several hotel and rental car providers, as well as a good package of travel insurances.

The annual fee of €720 seems expensive at first glance, but it is worth it for me, mainly because I can accumulate Membership Rewards points with all airlines during my travels that never expire. For me, the advantages of this special credit card outweigh the disadvantages.

There are often temporary offers like credits at Dell (€200), you get Dropbox 40% cheaper (which I use anyway and thus save over €70 a year on the subscription), gain free access to the expensive Priority Pass, or can receive short-term 500 Membership Rewards points by paying for postage at the Post Office.

In the past, I always said the American Express Platinum Card was not worth it and was too expensive. But really at every meeting with a specific friend, who has been using this credit card for years, he told me about deals in the Amex travel portal, his upgrades and lounge access. He says it's very beneficial for him and his wife. Both are employed full-time and only travel 2-3 times a year, like most of you readers. Exactly during those few trips, they have always had a great time thanks to upgrades in flights, travel credits, and statuses with rental car providers.

For me, this card has also proven itself now. After initial skepticism about paying €720 a year for the credit card, I realized that thanks to the comprehensive insurance package, I could cancel other travel insurances and with upgrades, vouchers, Amex Offers, and travel credits quickly covered the annual fee again. I have had all good experiences with the American Express Platinum Card and can now recommend it to anyone who enjoys traveling.

I also own the Miles and More credit card so that points do not expire, and I also collect Payback points with the free Amex Payback. You can convert those additional points directly into miles. In the past, I was able to book a flight to Kenya for free due to points. For this South Africa trip, I got a business-class upgrade for the return flight. That doesn't always work out and should be made clear to everyone.

The question of whether the American Express Platinum credit card is worthwhile for someone depends on how you define 'worth it.' Is it just the convenience factor when traveling (lounge access, upgrades, status at hotels and rental car providers) or is it the monetary aspect?

Do you pay a lot of money for the credit card and not use the benefits? Then you should refrain from it.

I would pay a little more for the comfort that the card brings me. Whether that works for you, I can't answer. If you have to stick to a budget while traveling, you should calculate precisely and consider. I often missed offers (online in the member area), which are only temporary because I didn't see them or was simply on the move. Some I unfortunately cannot use (Microsoft €100 credit).

In the past, I could save 40% of the annual fee through AMEX at Dropbox, I got €10 back for payment with AMEX at WOW (family watches football), a €10 credit with Adobe on card usage, or €50 refunded during a rental car booking with Hertz (of at least €250).

I hope you enjoyed this article and it helped answer your questions about the American Express Platinum Card. If you have further ideas or questions on usage for travel, I would really appreciate your comment here on the travel blog.

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