American Express has several varieties of their premium Platinum cards. And, while they’re expensive, they’re loaded with great perks. Which is the best best Amex Platinum card? As long as the 200K offer is around, there’s no question that the Business Platinum card offers the best first year value. But what if you’re looking longer term, then which is best? The answer depends upon which perks you value the most. In fact, Nick and I discussed it on a recent Frequent Miler on the Air podcast and came to completely different conclusions.
Here’s everything you need to know to make the best decision for your own needs.
American Express Platinum Benefits
The following perks apply to all Platinum cards:
| Flight & Airport Benefits | Benefit Description |
|---|---|
| 5X through American Express Travel® | Earn 5X points for prepaid hotel and airline bookings via American Express Travel® |
| $200 airline fee credit | Registration required. Amex will automatically reimburse up to $200 per calendar year for airline fees for your selected airline only. Eligible fees include: baggage fees, flight-change fees, in-flight food and beverage purchases, and airport lounge day passes. For tips on using this benefit, please see: Amex airline fee reimbursements. What still works? |
| International Airline Program | Save money when booking select premium cabin international flights originating in the US or Canada. This benefit is also available to Platinum authorized users. |
| Airport Lounge Access: Centurion Lounges | The cardholder is allowed free entry. Guests are charged $50 per adult, or $30 per child aged 2 through 17. After $75K of eligible spend in a calendar year, the cardholder is permitted 2 complimentary guests per visit. This benefit is also available to Platinum authorized users. |
| Airport Lounge Access: Airspace Lounges, Escape Lounges, Plaza Premium Lounges | Cardholder plus two guests are allowed free entry. This benefit is also available to Platinum authorized users. |
| Airport Lounge Access: Delta Sky Clubs | Cardholder is allowed 10 Sky Club visit-days per year. After $75K of eligible spend in a calendar year, the cardholder is permitted unlimited visits through the end of the following calendar year. This benefit is also available to Platinum authorized users. |
| Airport Lounge Access: Priority Pass Lounges | Registration is required to obtain your Priority Pass card. Member plus 2 guests are allowed free entry. This version of Priority Pass does not cover Priority Pass restaurants. This benefit is also available to Platinum authorized users. |
| Airport Lounge Access: select Lufthansa Lounges | Free access to Lufthansa Business Lounges (with confirmed ticket) or to Senator Lounges (with Business Class ticket) in the satellite building of Terminal 2 at Munich Airport and in Terminal 1, Departure Area B, at Frankfurt Airport. Valid only when flying Lufthansa, SWISS or Austrian Airlines. This benefit is also available to Platinum authorized users. |
| CLEAR® Plus credit | Get up to $209 per year reimbursed for CLEAR® Plus subscriptions. See also: 5 ways to get CLEAR® Plus for less. |
| Global Entry or TSA Pre fee credit | Get reimbursed for the cost of Global Entry or TSA Pre once every 5 years. This benefit is also available to authorized users. |
| Hotel Benefits | Benefit Description |
| Fine Hotels & Resorts | Book high-end hotels through Amex Fine Hotels & Resorts and get: room upgrade, daily breakfast for 2, 4 pm late checkout, noon check-in, free wifi, and a unique property amenity. Also: Earn 5X Membership Rewards for prepaid bookings. This benefit is also available to Platinum authorized users. |
| $600 Hotel Credit | Up to $300 back in statement credits semi-annually on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection bookings through Amex Travel™. The Hotel Collection bookings require stays of 2 nights or longer. |
| Hilton Honors Gold Status | Registration required. Hilton Gold members receive food & beverage waivers or free breakfast, room upgrades when available, and other perks at Hilton hotels. This benefit is also available to authorized users. |
| Marriott Gold status | Enrollment required. Gold members receive a welcome gift (bonus points) with each stay, room upgrades when available, 2 pm late checkout, and other perks (details here). This benefit is also available to authorized users. |
| Leading Hotels of the World (LHW) Sterling Status | Enrollment required. Enroll to get Leaders Club Sterling Status from The Leading Hotels of the World® |
| Other Travel Benefits | Benefit Description |
| Emergency Medical Transportation Assistance | Call the Premium Global Assist Hotline: 1-800-333-Amex (toll free), or 1-715-343-7977 (direct-dial collect). This benefit is also available to Platinum authorized users. |
| National Car Rental Executive status | Registration required (Enroll here). Book midsize cars and select any car from the Executive Aisle for no extra charge. This benefit is also available to Platinum authorized users. |
| Hertz Rental Car Privileges | Registration required (Details and enrollment form found here). Privileges include President's Circle Status, discounts, plus a four-hour grace period for rental car returns. This benefit is also available to Platinum authorized users. |
| Avis Preferred status | Registration required (Details and enrollment form found here). Preferred status offers priority service at the counter, discounts, and a one-car class upgrade for groups C-E (Intermediate, Standard, and Full size). This benefit is also available to Platinum authorized users. |
| Cruise Benefits | Pay for your cruise with your Platinum card and receive $100 to $300 per stateroom shipboard credit plus additional amenities unique to each cruise line. This benefit is also available to Platinum authorized users. |
| Miscellaneous Other Benefits | Benefit Description |
| Cell Phone Protection | No need to enroll. Pay your cell phone bill with your Platinum card. Max $800 per claim, $50 deductible. This benefit is also available to Platinum authorized users. |
Consumer Platinum Card Benefits
The following perks apply to all consumer Platinum cards (including the regular Amex Platinum, Morgan Stanley Platinum, and Schwab Platinum):
| Benefit | Benefit Description |
|---|---|
| 5X on flights | Earn 5x on flights booked directly with airlines (with Business Platinum cards, you must book through Amex Travel to earn 5x) |
| $400 Resy Dining Credit | Enrollment required. Earn up to $100 back each quarter after making eligible purchases directly with Resy or for dining purchases at any U.S. Resy restaurant. |
| $120 Uber One Membership Credit | Earn up to $120 in statement credits each calendar year with an auto-renewing Uber One membership in the U.S. |
| $200 in Uber / Uber Eats Credits | Get $15 in Uber credits per month ($35 in December) simply by adding your Platinum card number to your Uber account as a payment method. This benefit also includes Uber VIP status. Important: when requesting a ride, select Uber Cash for payment to use your credits. |
| $300 Digital Entertainment Credit | Enrollment required. Earn up to $25 back each month after paying for select digital subscriptions: Disney+, a Disney+ bundle, ESPN+, Hulu, The New York Times, Peacock, The Wall Street Journal |
| Free Walmart+ Subscription | Get back the full cost, including taxes, for a Walmart+ monthly subscription. In addition to its standard benefits, Walmart+ also includes your choice of Paramount+ Essential or Peacock Premium streaming, at no extra cost. |
| $300 lululemon Credit | Enrollment required. Earn up to $75 back each quarter in statement credits for eligible purchases at Lululemon stores or Lululemon.com in the U.S. Enrollment required. |
| $100 Saks Fifth Avenue Credits | Enrollment required. Earn up to $50 back each January through June, and July through December for purchases at Saks Fifth Avenue online or at locations in the US and US Territories. |
| $300 Equinox Credit | Enrollment required. Earn up to $300 back per year in statement credits for a digital or club membership at Equinox. |
| $300 SoulCycle Credit | Must join Equinox first. Charge the full price of a SoulCycle at-home bike and get $300 back in statement credits. |
| $200 Oura Credit | Enrollment required. Earn up to $200 back each calendar year in statement credits when purchasing an Oura Ring through Ouraring.com |
| Active Military Fee Waiver | Amex will waive consumer card fees (including annual fees) for US active military personnel. Call the number of the back of your card and tell them you are serving on active duty military and had heard that AMEX offers to handle your account in accordance with the Military Lending Act (MLA). This may work to waive authorized user fees too. |
Business Platinum Card Benefits
The following perks apply only to Business Platinum cards:
| Benefit | Benefit Description |
|---|---|
| 2X Membership Rewards® | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on eligible purchases in key business categories, as well as on eligible purchases of $5,000 or more. Details: Earn 2X on up to two million dollars of eligible purchases per calendar year, made in any of the following categories: (1) U.S. construction material and hardware suppliers, (2) U.S. electronic goods retailers and software & cloud system providers, (3) at U.S. shipping providers, or (4) eligible purchases of $5,000 or more. |
| 35% Airline Bonus | Get 35% points back after using Pay with Points for flights booked through Amex Travel with your selected airline, up to 1,000,000 points back per calendar year. |
| Redeem points for 1 cent per point | Requires an American Express business checking account. |
| $120 Wireless Credits | Enrollment required. Earn up to $10 back per month when you use your card to pay for wireless telephone service. |
| $200 Hilton Credits | Enrollment required. Earn up to $50 back per quarter when you use your card directly with a Hilton property. |
| $1,150 in Dell Credits | Enrollment required. Earn up to $150 in credits each calendar year for all purchases at Dell.com, plus an additional $1,000 back when spending $5,000 in a calendar year. |
| $360 Indeed Credit | Enrollment required. Earn up to $90 back per quarter for purchases with Indeed |
| $250 Adobe Credit | Enrollment required. Earn up to $250 back per year on $600+ of U.S. purchases with Adobe |
| $1,200 Flight Credit | After spending $250,000 on eligible purchases in a calendar year, unlock up to $1,200 in statement credits for use in the next calendar year on flights booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| $2,400 One AP® Statement Credit | After spending $250,000 on eligible purchases in a calendar year, unlock up to $2,400 in statement credits for use in the next calendar year on monthly fees for American Express One AP®, American Express’ digital accounts payable product that automates supplier payments on one platform. |
Consumer Card Variations
In addition to the standard Amex Platinum consumer card, there are two currently available co-branded variations. Each one offers a couple of unique features that can be very useful depending on your situation.
The Platinum Card from American Express Exclusively for Morgan Stanley
To get this card you must have a Morgan Stanley account. Fortunately, a low-end Morgan Stanley Access Investing account works fine.
The Morgan Stanley Platinum card adds the following benefits:
- First authorized user free: Add one Platinum authorized user for free.
- Invest with rewards: Liquidate Membership Rewards points for 1 cent each when deposited to your Morgan Stanley brokerage account.
- $500 anniversary spend award: Spend $100K in a cardmember year to get $500. If you spend exactly $100K per year, that amounts to a bonus of half of 1 cent per dollar spent.
- $695 Annual Engagement Bonus: You can qualify for this bonus by opening a Morgan Stanley Platinum CashPlus Account before opening the Platinum card account.
American Express Platinum Card for Schwab
The Schwab Platinum card adds the following benefits:
- $100 to $1,000 statement credit: Receive a statement credit each year based on your qualifying Schwab holdings:
- $250,000: $100 statement credit
- $1,000,000: $200 statement credit
- $10,000,000: $1,000 statement credit
- Invest with Rewards: Liquidate Membership Rewards points for 1.1 cents each when deposited to your eligible Schwab account, Starting October 1st, there will be an annual limit of 1,000,000 points that can be invested at 1.1 cents each.
To get this card you must have a Charles Schwab account. Fortunately, even a no-fee checking account is fine. And, incidentally, Schwab has one of the best no-fee debit cards around with no foreign transaction fees and it reimburses ATM fees.
Platinum Card Fee Differences
Each of the consumer Platinum cards charge a $695 annual fee, and you can Platinum authorized users (AUs) for $195 each. There are also no-annual-fee “Companion Platinum” authorized user cards, but those do not have benefits like airport lounge access.
The Business Platinum card charges a $695 annual fee, and each Business Platinum employee card costs another $350.
The following table shows the total amount paid depending upon the number of Platinum cards you have with each account.
| Number of Platinum Cards | Consumer Platinum | Morgan Stanley | Business Platinum |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 (Primary Only) | $695 | $695 | $695 |
| 2 (Primary + 1 AU) | $890 | $695 | $1045 |
| 3 (Primary + 2 AUs) | $1085 | $890 | $1395 |
| 4 (Primary + 3 AUs) | $1,280 | $1085 | $1745 |
Note that you can also add “Companion Platinum” cards with no fee. Unfortunately, these do not include airport lounge benefits. With the exception of Global Entry credits, authorized user cards do not qualify for their own statement credits, but spend on those cards does count towards the primary user’s credits.
Meaningful Differences
Some of the differences between cards show above are hardly worth mentioning. For example, the Morgan Stanley card lets you cash out points at 1 cent per point value; and the Business Platinum allows the same when you also have a Business Checking account. I don’t recommend that unless you really need the cash. You should be able to get far more value for your points.
Here are the differences that I find meaningful:
- Annual Fees for two: If you want or need 2 Platinum cards, the Morgan Stanley Platinum card is the cheapest option since it offers the first authorized user card for free.
- Annual Fees for a family: If you want or need multiple Platinum cards, the consumer cards are much cheaper than the business cards since the former charges just $195 per year for authorized user cards, whereas the Business Platinum card charges $350 per employee Platinum card.
- $200 Uber credit annually (consumer cards only): If you ride Uber regularly or use Uber Eats, this can be almost as good as cash. For others it may be nearly worthless.
- $240 Digital Entertainment credit annually (consumer cards only): If you already subscribe to any of the covered services (such as Disney+ or Hulu), this could be almost as good as cash.
- $150 Dell credit annually (business card only): This is a very specialized benefit, but obviously valuable if you use it.
- $120 Wireless Credits annually (business card only): This will be an easy credit to use for most people, but some won’t like only earning 1x on their phone bills when there’s so many options out there for a category bonus.
- 35% Pay with Points rebate (business card only): This used to be the killer feature of the Business Platinum card when it was a 50% rebate. With a 35% rebate, points are worth about 1.5 cents each. That’s good, but hardly a show stopper.
- Cash out points for 1.1 cents each (Schwab Platinum only): The Schwab Platinum is the only card that lets you cash out points at better than 1 cent per point value on up to $1M in points per year.
- $100 to $1,000 statement credit (Schwab Platinum only): If you already have a lot of money invested with Schwab, or if you can easily move your investments to Schwab, this is a nice perk that effectively lowers the annual fee by $100 or $200 per year.
- $695 Annual Engagement Bonus (Morgan Stanley Platinum only): If you qualify for Morgan Stanley’s annual $695 Engagement Bonus (see this post for details) then the Morgan Stanley Platinum card is essentially fee-free for you and one authorized user!
- Earn Membership Rewards when referring friends: The generic consumer Platinum card and the Business Platinum card offer Membership Rewards points as a bonus (the amount varies from as little as 5,000 points to 45,000 points). The Schwab and Morgan Stanley Platinum cards, though, only offer cash rewards (typically $100 per referral). Since I value Membership Rewards points at more than 1 cent each, I’d much prefer to earn 10K Membership Rewards or more per referral than $100.
Which Platinum card is best?
It depends. Your first decision point should be consumer vs. business:
- A business Platinum card is best if you highly value the 35% Pay with Points rebate and the $400 Dell credits and the $120 in wireless credits.
- A consumer Platinum card is best if you highly value the $200 Uber credits, $240 entertainment credits $100 Saks credits, and the ability to earn 5X directly with airlines and/or if you are already paying for services like Walmart+ and Disney+ and can them them rebated.
Which consumer Platinum card is best?
If you decide that a consumer card rather than a business card is right for you (see above), then consider these decision points:
- The Morgan Stanley Platinum card is best if you want to add a Platinum authorized user (since the first AU is free), or if you qualify for the annual $695 Engagement Bonus (which makes the card free for you and one authorized user).
- The Charles Schwab Platinum card is best if you prefer cash back over travel rewards (since it lets you cash out points at 1.1 cents each); or if you have a lot of money invested with Schwab since you’ll get an annual kickback ($100 for $250K invested, or $200 for $1M invested, or $1,000 for $10M invested).
- The generic consumer Platinum card is best if you value the ability to earn Membership Rewards points when referring friends.
If you are serving on active duty in the military, then get any or all of the cards since Amex will waive the fees upon request. Call the number of the back of your card and tell them you are serving on active duty military and had heard that AMEX offers to handle your account in accordance with the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act.
Additional details about each of the Platinum cards follows (click the card names for more information):
| Card Offer and Details |
|---|
 ⓘ $2692 1st Yr Value Estimate$200 airline incidental fee credit for select airline only valued at $140, $200 Uber credit ($15 per month, $35/December) valued at $100, $100 Saks credit ($50 per six months) valued at $25, $600 Fine Hotels & Resorts credit valued at $300, $300 Digital Entertainment credit ($25 per month) valued at $150, $300 Lululemon credit ($75 per quarter) valued at $150, 400 Resy credit ($100 per quarter) valued at $85, $120 Uber One credit ($10 per month) valued at $48 Click to learn about first year value estimates As high as 175K points ⓘAffiliateThis is an affiliate offer. Frequent Miler may earn a commission if you are approved for this offer As high as 175K points after $8K spend in 6 months. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Terms apply. Rates & Fees$895 Annual Fee Recent better offer: 175K points after $8K spend in 6 months. FM Mini Review: This card is absolutely loaded with high end perks. Depending upon your situation, those perks may be worth the annual fee or much more. Earning rate: 5X points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel (limit $500,000 in purchases each calendar year) ✦ 5X points for prepaid hotels booked through American Express Travel Card Info: Amex Pay Over Time Card issued by American Express. This card has no foreign currency conversion fees. Noteworthy perks: Up to $200 a year in statement credits for incidental fees at one qualifying airline per calendar year ✦ Up to $600 prepaid hotel credits semi-annually ($300 Jan - June and July - Dec) valid on Fine Hotels + Resorts and The Hotel Collection bookings ✦ Up to $100 per calendar quarter in statement credits on eligible purchases with U.S. Resy restaurants ✦ Up to $25 per month rebate for Disney+, a Disney Bundle, ESPN+, Hulu, The New York Times, Paramount+, Peacock, The Wall Street Journal, YouTube Premium and/or YouTube TV ✦ Up to $120 Global Entry/TSA Precheck fee reimbursement ✦ $15 monthly Uber or Uber Eats credit ($20 in December, use it or lose it each month) ✦ Up to $120 in statement credits each calendar year towards an auto-renewing US Uber One membership ✦ Up to $300 in annual credits for eligible US purchases at lululemon stores or luiulemon.com (up to $75 quarterly) ✦ $209 CLEAR (R) Plus fee credit per calendar year ✦ $12.95 (+tax) monthly credit for Walmart+ monthly membership subscription credit when you pay with Platinum card ✦ Up to $100 in credits annually for purchases at Saks Fifth Avenue (up to $50 in credits semi-annually) ✦ Up to $200 back each calendar year in statement credits when purchasing an Oura Ring through Ouraring.com ✦ Global Lounge Access benefits: Priority Pass membership (Lounges only) with 2 guests, Centurion Lounge access. Also, Delta Sky Club® access (when flying an eligible Delta flight): 10 visits per year February 1 until January 31 of the next calendar year (after 10 visits have been used, additional visits can be purchased for $50 each or earn unlimited visits after spending $75K/calendar year on the card). Access limited to eligible card members ✦ Rental car elite status ✦ Marriott Gold status ✦ Hilton Honors Gold status ✦ Leading Hotels of the World Sterling Status ✦ Enrollment required for some benefits. Terms Apply. See also: Amex Platinum Guide |
![](http://cdn.nextinsure.com/imaging/opt/9f9fa454-a6e1-41eb-8c7c-3d13bcbcb984.png?w=300" alt="The Business Platinum Card® from American Express" />) ⓘ $1838 1st Yr Value Estimate$200 airline incidental fee credit for select airline only valued at $140, $200 Hilton credit ($50 per quarter) valued at $150, $120 wireless credit ($10 per month) valued at $90, $150 Dell credit valued at $37.5, $600 Fine Hotels & Resorts credit valued at $300 Click to learn about first year value estimates 150K points ⓘAffiliateThis is an affiliate offer. Frequent Miler may earn a commission if you are approved for this offer 150K points after $20K spend in the first 3 months. Terms apply. (Rates & Fees)$895 Annual Fee Recent better offer: 250K after $20K spend expired 2/10/25 FM Mini Review: This card is absolutely loaded with high end perks. Depending upon your situation, those perks may be worth the annual fee or much more. Click here for our complete card review Earning rate: Earn 5X flights & prepaid hotels booked at AmexTravel.com. ✦ 2X points per dollar (on up to $2 million of those purchases per year) for each eligible purchase of $5000 or more, US construction/hardware stores, US software & cloud system providers, US electronic goods, and US shipping ✦ 1X elsewhere ✦ Terms apply. Card Info: Amex Pay Over Time Card issued by American Express. This card has no foreign currency conversion fees. Big spend bonus: Spend $250k+ on eligible purchases in a calendar year, get up to $1,200 in statement credits to use in the next calendar year on flights booked on AmexTravel.com, and up to $2,400 in statement credits for use in the next calendar year on monthly fees for American Express One AP®. Noteworthy perks: Select one qualifying airline and receive up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year for qualifying charges ✦ Up to $600 prepaid hotel credit semi-annually ($300 Jan - June and July - Dec) valid on Fine Hotels + Resorts and The Hotel Collection bookings ✦ Up to $1,150 a year in statement credits for Dell purchases ($150 + $1,000 when spending $5,000 in a calendar year) ✦ Up to $200 in Hilton credits ($50 per quarter) ✦ Up to $120 in wireless services credits per year ($10 per month) ✦ Global Entry statement credit every 4 years ($120) or TSA PreCheck statement credit every 4.5 years ✦ Global Lounge Access benefits: Priority Pass membership (Lounges only) with 2 guests, Centurion Lounge access. Also, Delta Sky Club® access (when flying an eligible Delta flight): 10 visits per year February 1 until January 31 of the next calendar year (after 10 visits have been used, additional visits can be purchased for $50 each or earn unlimited visits after spending $75K/calendar year on the card). Access limited to eligible card members ✦ Rental car elite status ✦ Marriott Gold status ✦ Hilton Gold status. ✦ Leading Hotels of the World Sterling status ✦ $209 CLEAR® fee reimbursement annually ✦ 35% Airline Bonus: Get 35% points back after you Pay With Points for flights with your selected airline. ✦ $250 statement credit when spending $600+ on U.S. purchases with Adobe per calendar year ✦ Enrollment required for select benefits See also: Amex Platinum Guide |
 ⓘ $1444 1st Yr Value Estimate$200 airline incidental fee credit for select airline only valued at $140, $200 Uber credit ($15 per month, $35/December) valued at $100, $100 Saks credit ($50 per six months) valued at $25, $600 Fine Hotels & Resorts credit valued at $300, $300 Digital Entertainment credit ($25 per month) valued at $150, $300 Lululemon credit ($75 per quarter) valued at $150, $250 airline incidental fee credit valued at $225, $120 Uber One credit ($10 per month) valued at $48, 400 Resy credit ($100 per quarter) valued at $85 Click to learn about first year value estimates 80K points Non-AffiliateThis is NOT an affiliate offer. We always present the best offer even when it means less revenue for Frequent Miler 80K after $8K spend in first 6 months. Terms apply.$895 Annual Fee Information about this card has been collected independently by Frequent Miler. The issuer did not provide the details, nor is it responsible for their accuracy. Recent better offer: 150K after $8k spend in the first 6 months. (Expired 6/11/25) FM Mini Review: In my opinion, this is the best of the consumer Amex Platinum cards when you need two cards thanks to Morgan Stanley offering one free authorized user. Unfortunately you do need to have a Morgan Stanley account to apply. Earning rate: ✦ 5X points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel (limit $500,000 in purchases each calendar year) ✦ 5X prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel Card Info: Amex Pay Over Time Card issued by American Express. This card has no foreign currency conversion fees. Big spend bonus: $500 after $100K cardmember year spend Noteworthy perks: This card includes all of the great perks that come with the American Express Platinum Card, plus: ✦ 1 Free Authorized User ✦ Redeem points for 1 cent each into your Morgage Stanley account ✦ $695 Annual Engagement Bonus for Platinum CashPlus accounts See also: Amex Platinum Guide |
 ⓘ $1219 1st Yr Value Estimate$200 airline incidental fee credit for select airline only valued at $140, $200 Uber credit ($15 per month, $35/December) valued at $100, $100 Saks credit ($50 per six months) valued at $25, $600 Fine Hotels & Resorts credit valued at $300, $300 Digital Entertainment credit ($25 per month) valued at $150, 400 Resy credit ($100 per quarter) valued at $85, $120 Uber One credit ($10 per month) valued at $48, $300 Lululemon credit ($75 per quarter) valued at $150 Click to learn about first year value estimates 80K points Non-AffiliateThis is NOT an affiliate offer. We always present the best offer even when it means less revenue for Frequent Miler 80K after $8K spend in first 6 months. Terms apply. $895 Annual Fee This card is only available to clients that maintain an eligible Schwab brokerage account. Information about this card has been collected independently by Frequent Miler. The issuer did not provide the details, nor is it responsible for their accuracy. Recent better offer: 125K points after $8K spend [Expired 6/12/25] Earning rate: ✦ 5X points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel (limit $500,000 in purchases each calendar year) ✦ 5X prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel Card Info: Amex Pay Over Time Card issued by American Express. This card has no foreign currency conversion fees. Noteworthy perks: This card includes all of the great perks that come with the American Express Platinum Card, plus: ✦ Use Membership Rewards® points for deposits by Schwab to your eligible brokerage account. (For example, 10,000 points = $110) ✦ $100 credit with Schwab holdings of $250,000+ or $200 credit with holdings of $1,000,000+ on approval & each year. See also: Amex Platinum Guide |
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My wife just got an offer upon logging into her online account. 250000 points with 15$ k of spend on Amex Business platinum.. She already had an Amex business platinum card that was just at renewal. This has happened to us several times over the past 2 years. Strange strategy and no brainer.
[…] My AAdventures AAttempting to fly AA to London […]
CPP (Cruise Privileges Program) only valid if you book the cruise through amex travel
Not true. Many posts on cruise blogs that people get it via their travel agent. That’s how I got it.
Hi Mari
Are you saying Amex does not enforce CPP strictly i..e you can book through travel agent and pay with Amex and still get the credit. If that is the case, it is a case of YMMV
Thanks
Raghu
I did this with an Avoya TA. They were part of AMEX travel consortium but that may no longer be the case. At any rate I booked an Oceania cruise, one of the lines listed for CPP. My TA is an Oceania Cruise Connoisseur level agent with great contacts at Oceania.
Even so I had to push about getting the CPP. Lots of discussion of this on CruiseCritic, a forum for cruisers.
According to some people, if you get prepaid gratuities you cannot get CPP.
Truthfully, I only used my Platinum to pay for this cruise because we got multiple Amex offers for Oceania, earning huge number of MR and some cash rebates. Otherwise it is better to pay with my Amex Green (3x MR).
This was 1st time I got CPP. Often get prepaid gratuities or pay with another card.
Probably worth mentioning 1 cent per point cash out options for Business Platinum with business checking and Morgan Stanley has this option too I believe.
Added. Thank you.
Just for the sake of completeness since you have mentioned the Morgan Stanley appreciation bonus (which has hefty requirements),
there is a $1000 annual appreciation bonus for folks with a Schwab Platinum and with 10 million invested
.
Updated. Thank you
I suppose if I had 10 million invested I probably wouldn’t have to worry too much about a rebate bonus
But this is good to know. Working on it but a ways to go. Thanks.
The Plaza Premium lounge access should include two guests similar to the Escape, Airspace, and Priority Pass lounges:
“Card Members receive complimentary access to any global location of Plaza Premium Lounges… Card Members may bring up to two (2) companions into Plaza Premium Lounges as complimentary guests.”
Thanks. Fixed.
I might be confused but isn’t it now each au card costs its own fee and not 3 for 175 as stated in this article?
Yes, thanks. Fixed
Are you guys going to post any real articles this week or next? Just wondering, since timmy and Stephen appear to be holding the site together these days. I don’t need cc pimps and would prefer worthwhile information. Enjoy the trip.
Thank you Stephen and Timmy for keeping the site together.
Stephanie, I like CC pimps and I prefer useless information. That’s why I’m an FM reader. I don’t want FM to change a single thing. Sounds like you’re unhappy. Sounds like other blogs would be a better fit for you. But, don’t go away mad . . . just go away. Just curious, are you a Millennial?
so you’re THAT Stephanie
The Business Platinum airfare rebate sets a floor on the value of MR points at 1.53 cpp (provided you have enough airfare eligible for reimbursement), way above the Schwab 1.1 cpp cash-out.
It is most useful for people who don’t have the flexibility to shift travel dates and airports seeking deals or saver award availability. Where all other point booking options yield below the reasonable redemption value of the points.
It’s my favorite AmEx benefit.
Agreed as long as you are very certain you will use the ticket(s) within one year of booking. You can change, but the original booking date starts the clock. Been there a few times.
Add to that the fact that you’ll also earn points on this pseudo-paid ticket. Depending, adding the value of the earned points, I figure a Business Platinum airfare redemption purchase is worth closer to 1.8 cpp.
Not certain if it is still the case but the Morgan Stanley version used to have an annual spending incentive. Spend $100k or more in a year and receive a $500 bonus that year. This is separate and in addition to the reimbursement.
I had never seen the Fiesta Rewards program information anywhere before!? I signed up in English and used the code and it gave me Platinum status right away. Many thanks for the very detailed write up!
I had not heard about this either! Could be interesting. I have seen many Fiesta Americana properties in the past. Now that Hyatt has several properties in many same areas I will stick with Hyatt (Globalist)
On the Morgan Stanley card, the fee reimbursement will get you a 1099 from Morgan Stanley. Mine was $679 taxable for whatever reason. So, not exactly fee-free.
I believe this is avoidable by spending at least $1,000 on the card during the year. Did you not do that? (I’ve had this card for years and have never received a 1099 for it after receiving the reimbursement credit.)
Wasn’t there an article on how to cancel and apply for a new version of the Amex Platinum Card each year, so that you could get the SUBs for each of the four versions? I’m certain it was on this website but I can’t find it. Does anyone know?
I remember reading that. After the first year, you ask for a retention bonus. After the second year, cancel and get a different version. Repeat for each version. By the time you’ve had them all you are eligible for the first bonus again.
Speaking of refer a friend . . . given current referral bonuses and assuming only two referrals a year, the generic and Morgan Stanley cards are essentially even in value. This assumes MS rebate and free first AU — if not, don’t. If someone’s not already at MS, why go through the hassle? Squeeze? Juice? Squeeze? Juice? SUB, then punt. As for the Schwab version, one would have to redeem 900k points per year via Schwab for it to make sense. It, too, SUB then punt.
Any idea when the 150k Platinum Biz offer will end? (I got the personal Gold in April and personal Plat in June). I’m wanting to signup for Platinum Biz, but my spend that I’ll need will be in the fall/winter of this year. I’m worried if I wait until then, the SUB may not be as good. I don’t want to mess with MS on the spend as I heard AMEX is very sensitive to that and don’t want to risk a shutdown
I’m new to the AMEX world so not sure how often they rotate SUBs. I know some of the offers available in the spring/early summer ended on 8/3/22. So not sure if it’s tied into some calendar cycle.