American Express Platinum Card® review

With a $799 annual fee is the Amex Platinum Card worth it?

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4.5

Welcome Offer

Earn 70,000 Membership Rewards® points1*

2x Earn 2 points for every $1 in Card purchases on eligible dining and food delivery in Canada

2x points for every $1 in Card purchases on eligible travel

1x point for every $1 in all other Card purchases

21.99% Purchase APR The Preferred rate of 21.99% applies to your Flexible Payment Option balance.

$799 Annual Fee Includes $200 annual travel credit and $200 annual dining credit

2.50% Foreign Transaction Fee

Excellent Recommended Credit Score

4.5

American Express Platinum Card® review

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Card overview

Quick overview of The Platinum Card® from American Express

The Platinum® Card from American Express is a luxurious travel card that stands out. This card is the "grandpappy of all Canadian credit cards." Not only does it come with a high annual fee and a staggering welcome bonus, but it also boasts a physical card made of thick metal. And that metal (weighing 18.5 grams) is so thick that inserting it into conventional chip readers can be a challenge. This card is often considered the final boss for point enthusiasts or the default choice for high-net-worth individuals. It's so popular among credit card enthusiasts that it's sometimes called the "Plat," though we prefer the more common Amex Platinum Card. 

$799 annual fee

Let's address the fee right away. Amex has significantly raised the annual fee to $799. However, don't let that deter you just yet. The perks associated with this card help offset the cost.

Who's it for?

Who can benefit from the American Express Platinum Card?

As I mentioned above there are two types of people for whom the Amex Plat holds obsession-like appeal – those who find $800 a pittance and don’t know the cost of a banana, and weirdo point collectors who’ve min-maxed schemes for travel and realise the value far outweighs the cost. For most others, an $800 upfront fee (not to mention spending $10,000 on an Amex in three months) is a lot to ask.

Two types of people are attracted to ultra-premium cards like the Platinum® Card from American Express. First, there are those for whom money is not an issue. These individuals are unaware of the cost of everyday items like a pint of milk or a banana, so they are unlikely to be deterred by the substantial $799 annual fee.

The second type consists of credit card point collectors and those who carefully track their reward earnings. These cardholders are always searching for the best value and will likely transfer their points to a frequent flyer program to get a long-awaited dream vacation.

Regardless of your personality type, you will likely find value with the American Express Platinum Card thanks to the dizzying number of statement credits, airport lounge access and versatility of Amex Membership Rewards (MR) points.

Pros and cons

Amex Platinum Pros and cons

Pros

Pros

  • Earn 5X Rewards Points for flights and on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel

  • Access to a wide range of luxury perks, including premium concierge service

  • Complimentary lounge membership providing access to over 1,200 airport lounges worldwide

  • Annual statement credits: $200 airline fee credit, $200 hotel credit, $240 digital entertainment credit

  • Special insurance coverages like trip cancellation/interruption, flight delay, lost or stolen baggage and rental car theft & damage.

  • Provides extended warranty (2 years) and purchase protection (120 days).

Cons

Cons

  • High annual fee of $799, one of the heftiest among Canadian cards

  • The rewards system can be complicated, especially for users not familiar with maximizing credit card points

  • Requires good to excellent credit for eligibility

Welcome bonus

The Platinum Card from American Express welcome bonus

And now, we arrive at the welcome bonus:

  • Earn 70,000 bonus points after you charge $10,000 in net purchases to your Card in your first three months of card membership
  • Plus, earn 30,000 points when you purchase between 14 and 17 months of card membership

All told this welcome bonus is worth up to 100,000 MR points. Assuming you can spend $10,000 in three months (no mean feat), you’re looking at 70,000 bonus points. Decide to keep it for another year? One purchase between 14- and 17 months nets you another 30,000. It’s pretty clear why the wealthy and the wannabes (present company included) have Platinum on the brain.

We estimate the welcome bonus to have a value of $700 when redeeming points towards a flight with Amex Travel, with that value jumping as high as $1,000 when meeting those spending requirements within the first 17 months of card membership.

How to earn MR points

How to earn Membership Rewards points with the Amex Platinum

When you do get your points (welcome or otherwise), it’s a great idea to look at transferring them to a partner (like Marriott or Aeroplan) – usually its value is magnified for a niche like flights or hotels.

While the Amex Platinum Card offers a massive sign-up bonus, don't expect big rewards for everyday purchases. Instead, the Amex Platinum is a card built around its bonus and perks—not its daily earning categories.

Card members earn the following rewards on card purchases:

  • 2 points for every $1 in card purchases on eligible dining and food delivery
  • 2 points for every $1 in Card purchases on eligible travel
  • 1 point for every $1 in all other Card purchases

Double points on dining, food delivery, and travel, and a single point on everything else are kinda underwhelming, right? That said, if you can easily put $10,000 on your Platinum in three months, those points can and will rack up, just not with the big multipliers you’d expect from your garden variety daily spend cards.

No matter what you buy with The Platinum Card®, it’s vital to remember that it’s not technically classified as a ‘credit card.’ Interest applies per your cardmember agreement, information box and disclosure statement if the total new balance is not paid by the payment due date each month. All payments must be received by the payment due date n on the monthly statement.

How to redeem

How to redeem Membership Rewards points

In general, the Platinum Card® Membership Rewards® points have a single point dollar value of $0.01. They can be redeemed for flights, hotel stays, retail gift cards and more on the rewards website. Plus you can use them for exclusive member-only experiences and events offered through Amex’s Platinum Concierge. You also have the option of redeeming points as a statement credit. While 1,000 points = $10 when redeemed for travel, the same 1,000 points may not carry the same value when redeemed elsewhere.

The Platinum Card® Membership Rewards® points have a single-point dollar value of $0.01. They can be redeemed for flights, hotel stays, retail gift cards and more on the rewards website. Plus, you can use them for exclusive member-only experiences and events offered through Amex’s Platinum Concierge. You also have the option of redeeming points as a statement credit. While 1,000 points = $10 when redeemed for travel, the same 1,000 points may not carry the same value when redeemed elsewhere.

The Amex site claims you can “pay for almost anything with points” – and it's true. Instead use the points to buy directly. The Amex Membership Rewards page lets you redeem them for everything from travel to Amazon and everything in between. Seriously, there is no reward program that is quite as comprehensive as Amex. Gift cards, Airbnb stays, spa and beauty, dining… the list goes on.

Amex transfer partners

One of the best ways to maximize value with Amex MR points is by transferring them to a partner loyalty program. Transferring points to another program can help increase the value of your points and open up new award possibilities.

American Express partners with eight partners in Canada, including some of the biggest names in hotels and airlines:

  • Air Canada Aeroplan
  • Air France/KLM Flying Blue
  • British Airways Executive Club (Avios)
  • Cathay Pacific Asia Miles
  • Delta Air Lines SkyMiles
  • Etihad Guest
  • Hilton Honors
  • Marriott Bonvoy

You'll likely find the best value in transferring points to Aeroplan. That's because Air Canada offers the most flights and widest selection of airports for Canadian travellers. Aeroplan is part of the Star Alliance, meaning you can use Aeroplan points to book flights with carriers like Aegean Airlines, Lufthansa, Turkish Airlines, Air New Zealand, Avianca and more.

When it comes to transferring points, hotel brands like Marriott or Hilton offer the lowest value. Compared to airline programs, hotel loyalty programs provide significantly less value for money.

Key benefits

Key benefits of the American Express Platinum Card

The Platinum Card is perhaps the most feature-rich travel card in Canada, with an array of goodies that we’ll cover in detail, including:

  • Entry into Amex’s International Airline Program, which offers discounted companion tickets, complimentary airline upgrades and some special discounted airfares.
  • Enjoy premium benefits at the Toronto Pearson Airport including security bypass, complimentary valet car service and discount car care and parking.
  • Standard and premium Amex Entertainment Benefits, including Front of the Line, as well as special dining programs.
  • Hotel perks. Cardholders get automatic gold status in several hotel programs, as well as hotel discounts.

Aside from those, the card has two additional perks that are particularly attractive to frequent travellers, and which could push The Platinum Card® into the must-have category, despite its high annual fee.

$200 annual travel credit and dining credits

This is obviously one of the card’s most significant perks because it essentially reduces the $799 annual fee. Access a $200 Annual Travel Credit through American Express Travel Online or Platinum® Card Travel Service. If you travel even once a year, it’s not difficult to imagine using this credit on a hotel room or a flight upgrade. It’s essential, however, to pay attention to the fine print. You must use the credit on travel purchases booked via American Express Travel Services (or by calling Platinum Card Travel Service) and can only use the credit ONE time per year on the SAME transaction. That means you can’t split it for one trip to pay for a checked bag and use what’s left over on another trip that same year to pay for seat selection. It must be used all at once on one travel expense.

With your Platinum Card, you now have access to an annual $200 Dining Credit. This is made possible through Amex’s partnership with Canada’s 100 Best, and have curated a list of some of the top restaurants nationwide. Use your Platinum Card to pay at these establishments and tap into your $200 Annual Dining Credit.

Unlimited lounge visits

Despite my deep love of travel, I don’t enjoy airports. That’s why the Airport Lounge Access perk is so important to me. It really can make what would be a hellish eight-hour layover into a thing of beauty thanks to excellent food, quality wines, free Wi-Fi, plush seating and sometimes even shower and nap areas. With The Platinum Card® you can take full advantage of The American Express Global Lounge CollectionTM which unlocks access to over 1,300 airport lounges worldwide. This includes The Centurion® Lounge network, Plaza Premium Lounges and hundreds of other domestic and international lounges designed to enhance your travel experience.  

Insurance coverage

American Express Platinum Card insurance coverage

While they may be the least glamourous perks of a credit card, insurance benefits can be by far the most vital, especially if you end up needing medical attention while in a foreign country. As you would expect for the steep annual fee, The Platinum Card® offers a comprehensive lineup of insurance:

  • Emergency medical insurance: Up to $5 million in coverage for emergency medical expenses incurred in the first 15 days of your trip (for card holders under 65). We'll cover this one in more detail below.
  • Trip cancellation/trip interruption: In the event of trip cancellation, you’re covered for non-refundable purchases made on your platinum up to $2,500 per person up to $5,000 total. This also applies in case your trip is interrupted or pushed back for any reason, except it’s covered up to $6,000 total.
  • Flight delay insurance: You’re covered for up to $1,000 when your boarding is delayed for more than four hours, for things like hotels, restaurants and sundry items purchased on your Amex Platinum.
  • Baggage insurance: In the event your baggage is delayed for more than six hours, you’re covered up to $1,000 for reasonable purchases of clothing and necessary items. This also goes in the event it’s lost or stolen, so long as you paid the full price of your airline ticket on your Amex Platinum.
  • Travel accident insurance: You’re covered up to $500,000 in the event of a major accident while travelling
  • Car rental theft and damage insurance: So long as you rent a car valued less than $85,000 with your Platinum, receive coverage against theft, loss or damage.
  • Extended warranty: Tack on an additional one year of warranty to products you purchase that have a manufacturer's warranty of less than five years.
  • Purchase protection: Get up to 120 days of purchase protection for items purchased on your Platinum.

Emergency medical insurance (out of province/country)

This is possibly one of the most critical insurance features for people who travel frequently. Two of the most significant details to note are how many days you’re covered for and how much you’re covered in terms of dollar amounts. With The Platinum Card® you are protected up to a maximum of $5,000,000 per insured person (one of the highest dollar amounts for Canadian similar cards) for 15 consecutive days of each trip. While 15 days is fairly standard, the coverage is only available if you’re under 65 years of age. Once you hit that age threshold, you’re out of luck.

Other travel cards, like the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Card, have a much lower annual fee and longer coverage—25 consecutive days in the case of the Scotiabank Passport® Visa Infinite* Card. It also offers 3 consecutive days of coverage to those over age 65.

Personally, when a card comes with a $799 annual fee, I expect the emergency medical protection to be among the best possible available for all age categories. For me, this is one of the major drawbacks of The Platinum Card®. It’s also discouraging that, while the Baggage Delay Insurance reimburses you up to $1,000, it only kicks in after six hours, whereas other less costly cards (like the Scotiabank Gold American Express card kick in after only four hours. You can compare travel insurance credit cards via our detailed page on the issue.

Extra benefits

Extra benefits of the Platinum Card from American Express

  • Member extras: Earn $200 or more in additional statement credits when you make qualifying purchases with partner brands
  • Amex Global Dining Collection access: Amex cardholders enjoy access to dining experiences with the Global Dining Collection, including hard to get reservations and one-f-a-kind experiences
  • Platinum concierge: Cardholders also enjoy free access to Platinum concierge. Platinum Concierge offers you complimentary assistance, anytime, 24/7, wherever you are worldwide
  • Amex Experiences: Enjoy access to tough to get tickets through Front Of The Line®, including presales, reserves seats, meet-and-greets and more
  • Access to the American Express mobile app
  • EMV chip and pin technology for contactless payments and an additional layer of security when shopping in-store or online.
How it compares

How does the Amex Platinum compare?

The Platinum by American Express vs. Scotiabank Platinum American Express

Scotiabank Platinum American Express® Card

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4.0

up to 60K pts

Welcome offer

Good

Suggested credit score

Earn up to $2,100* in value in the first 14 months, including up to 60,000 bonus Scene+ points

Expires

Nov 1, 2024

Apply now

Pros

  • The card offers a competitive low interest rate on purchases, cash advances, and balance transfers

  • Comprehensive insurance coverage

  • Complimentary Airport lounge access

  • No foreign transaction fees

  • Ideal for travelers as it has no foreign transaction fees

  • Offers a substantial welcome bonus that can be worth up to 60,000 Scene+ points

  • Enjoy premium perks like Hertz #1 Club Gold membership and concierge services.

Cons

  • High annual fee: At $399, the annual fee is steep, which could offset the rewards and benefits for some cardholders

  • Below average rewards rate: Lower compared to other cards with similar or lower annual fees

  • Limited American Express acceptance: Especially outside major cities

  • Rewards potential: The net rewards potential is relatively low when considering the high annual fee

  • Non-transferable points: Scene+ points cannot be transferred to other rewards programs

Eligibility

Recommended Credit Score

Good

Required Annual Personal Income

$12,000

Pros

  • The card offers a competitive low interest rate on purchases, cash advances, and balance transfers

  • Comprehensive insurance coverage

  • Complimentary Airport lounge access

  • No foreign transaction fees

  • Ideal for travelers as it has no foreign transaction fees

  • Offers a substantial welcome bonus that can be worth up to 60,000 Scene+ points

  • Enjoy premium perks like Hertz #1 Club Gold membership and concierge services.

Cons

  • High annual fee: At $399, the annual fee is steep, which could offset the rewards and benefits for some cardholders

  • Below average rewards rate: Lower compared to other cards with similar or lower annual fees

  • Limited American Express acceptance: Especially outside major cities

  • Rewards potential: The net rewards potential is relatively low when considering the high annual fee

  • Non-transferable points: Scene+ points cannot be transferred to other rewards programs

Eligibility

Recommended Credit Score

Good

Required Annual Personal Income

$12,000

Scene+ points for every $1 spent on all other eligible purchases

2x

No foreign transaction fees

0%

Complimentary airport lounge passes per year

10

Purchase APR

9.99%

Cash Advance APR

9.99%

Annual Fee

$399

Foreign Transaction Fee

0.00%

Google the Scotiabank Platinum American Express card and you might go “woah, woah, woah – this card says it offers a generous welcome bonus and perks, all for a $399 fee? Half the Amex Plat? What gives?” Let me spare you the confusion and say Scotiabank goes through some very creative calculus to reach its welcome bonus numbers. It's broken down in its legal footnotes that includes estimations on how much foreign exchange fees you’ll be saving and how many Scene+ points you’re going to earn by spending X amount. A lot of assumptions going on there.

Aside from the marketing BS, the Scotiabank Platinum is damn good. Lots of ways to earn and a dandy welcome bonus. The $399 price tag is kinda steep though, especially considering you don’t get the credits offered by the Amex Plat. I’m leaning OG Amex Plat on this, despite Scotiabank trying to steal a little of their valour. 

Conditions Apply. Visit here for the Scotiabank Platinum American Express® Card to learn more.

*See Card Provider's website and Card Application for complete card details, terms and current offers. Reasonable efforts are made to maintain accuracy of information.

The Platinum by American Express vs. American Express Cobalt

American Express Cobalt® Card

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5.0

15,000 pts

Welcome offer

Fair

Suggested credit score

Earn up to 15,000 Membership Rewards points

Apply now

Pros

  • High earn rates (up to 5% return on spending!)

  • Flexible month-by-month fee structure

  • Free supplementary cards

  • 1:1 points transfer with selected hotels, airlines and frequent flyer programs

Cons

  • Accelerated earn rates only apply to purchases in Canada (not to purchases made abroad)

  • Amex has a more limited merchant acceptance rate than Visa and Mastercard

  • Slightly higher than average annual fee

Eligibility

Recommended Credit Score

Fair

Required Annual Personal Income

$0

Required Annual Household Income

$0

Pros

  • High earn rates (up to 5% return on spending!)

  • Flexible month-by-month fee structure

  • Free supplementary cards

  • 1:1 points transfer with selected hotels, airlines and frequent flyer programs

Cons

  • Accelerated earn rates only apply to purchases in Canada (not to purchases made abroad)

  • Amex has a more limited merchant acceptance rate than Visa and Mastercard

  • Slightly higher than average annual fee

Eligibility

Recommended Credit Score

Fair

Required Annual Personal Income

$0

Required Annual Household Income

$0

Earn 5 times the points on eligible eats and drinks in Canada, including groceries and food delivery. Spend cap applies.

5x

Earn 3 times the points on eligible streaming subscriptions in Canada.

3x

Get 2 times the points on eligible ride shares, transit & gas in Canada.

2x

Earn 1 additional point on eligible hotel and car rental bookings via American Express Travel Online

1x

Earn 1 point for every $1 in Card purchases everywhere else

1x

Get up to $100 USD hotel credit to use on amenities when charged to the room for a stay of 2 or more consecutive nights through The Hotel Collection from American Express Travel.

$100 USD

Purchase APR

21.99%

Cash Advance APR

21.99% - 2.75%

Annual Fee

$155.88

Foreign Transaction Fee

2.50%

Two completely different cards, two completely different target audiences. The American Express Cobalt card is a slow and steady daily driver and a great card for young working professionals looking to build points over time. The Amex Plat is for the amazing perks, huge bonus and people who have either done the point math or literally have the spare money to have people do math for them.

For travel and quickly-earned point volume, the Amex Plat is in a different league than the Cobalt.

The Platinum by American Express vs. American Express Gold

American Express® Gold Rewards Card

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4.0

60,000 pts

Welcome offer

Very Good

Suggested credit score

Earn up to 60,000 Membership Rewards® points1*

Apply now

Pros

  • Generous welcome bonus of up to 60,000 Membership Rewards® points.

  • Convertibility of Member Rewards® points to popular airline and hotel loyalty programs (e.g. Aeroplan, Marriott).

  • Earn two points per dollar on travel, gas, grocery and drugstore purchases.

  • $100 annual travel credit when booking through American Express® Travel online.

  • Built-in travel medical insurance and trip coverage.

Cons

  • $250 annual fee.

  • 2.5% foreign transaction fee.

  • Travel medical insurance only covers those under age 65.

Eligibility

Recommended Credit Score

Very Good

Pros

  • Generous welcome bonus of up to 60,000 Membership Rewards® points.

  • Convertibility of Member Rewards® points to popular airline and hotel loyalty programs (e.g. Aeroplan, Marriott).

  • Earn two points per dollar on travel, gas, grocery and drugstore purchases.

  • $100 annual travel credit when booking through American Express® Travel online.

  • Built-in travel medical insurance and trip coverage.

Cons

  • $250 annual fee.

  • 2.5% foreign transaction fee.

  • Travel medical insurance only covers those under age 65.

Eligibility

Recommended Credit Score

Very Good

Earn 2 MR points per $1 dollar spent on travel (flights, hotels, car rentals, cruises and more)

2

Earn 2 MR points per $1 spent in everyday purchases (gas, groceries and drugstore purchases)

2

Earn 1 MR point per $1 dollar spent on everything else

1

Earn 1 additional MR point for every dollar charged on bookings made through Amex Travel Online

1

Purchase APR

21.99%

Cash Advance APR

21.99%

Annual Fee

$250

Foreign Transaction Fee

2.50%

Features The Platinum by American Express American Express Gold
Annual fee $799 $250
Welcome offer Up to 100,000 bonus points Up to 60,000 bonus points
Insurance Comprehensive coverage Comprehensive coverage
Benefits Travel credit, dining credit, concierge, lounge access Some lounge access, general Amex perks
What people have to say

What do users say about the Amex Platinum Card?

... worth it? Absolutely is! They say you have to travel frequently. FK it: collecting the points over 2 years and using it for an almost $0 trip to Hawaii.

/u/whatthenickname
Is it worth it?

Is the American Express Platinum Card worth it?

Oh yeah. That $799 is going to be too tough a pill to swallow for most people, but for those who can see past that, there’s no doubt it more than makes up for it with the value it offers. It remains one of the hardest card cancellations I’ve ever made – I loved it that much.

American Express is not responsible for maintaining or monitoring the accuracy of information on this website. For full details and current product information, click the Apply Now link. If you apply and get approved for an American Express Card, (I/we) may receive compensation from American Express, which can be in the form of monetary payment.

FAQs

FAQs

  • How do I qualify for Amex Platinum?

    +

    Amex recommends your income be at least $50,000 before applying, and your credit score will likely need to exceed 700 for a chance at auto approval.

  • What is the limit on an American Express Platinum card?

    +

    There’s no credit limit associated with Amex Platinum – just make sure you pay down the balance for each billing cycle.

  • Does American Express Platinum cover car rental insurance?

    +

    Yes, it provides coverage for vehicles up to $85,000 MSRP for rental of 48 days or less when you fully charge you rental to your Platinum card. Be sure to decline the rental agency coverage.

  • Does The Platinum by American Express have foreign transaction fees?

    +

    Yes, the Amex Platinum still requires you to pay foreign exchange fees. The foreign transaction fee is 2.5%.

  • Is Priority Pass free with American Express Platinum?

    +

    There’s no deal with Priority Pass, but you won’t need one – the Amex Platinum has extremely comprehensive global lounge access.

Sandra MacGregor Freelance Contributor

Sandra MacGregor has been writing about finance and travel for nearly a decade. Her work has appeared in a variety of publications like the New York Times, the UK Telegraph, the Washington Post, Forbes.com and the Toronto Star.

Cameron Smonk Freelance Writer

Cam is a content marketer with a passion for saving, financial independence, and pulling off elaborate credit card point schemes. He has worked in Fintech and Finserve (specifically Group Retirement) and loves researching and writing about finance.

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