The American Express Platinum Card is the flagship offering from American Express. For the dedicated traveller, it packs a hefty array of travel and lifestyle perks.
You could enjoy airport lounge access, elite loyalty status in a range of programs, the ability to transfer points to 10 airline and hotel programs, and so on.
The catch? Well, it’s not cheap. The card has a fairly hefty annual fee at $1,450 per year. While at first blush that seems a lot, if you work through the cards benefits, it may well pay for itself.
As a new cardmember, you could receive 80,000 Membership Rewards Points when you take up this card.
What does $1,450 get me?
As you might expect for a card with such a hefty price tag, there are a range of included benefits. Some of the perks on offer with the card include:
- Lounge Access:
- Eligible Card Members have access to approximately 1,200+ Priority Pass lounge locations in more than 130 countries. Card Members can review which locations they have access to by logging into their Priority Pass membership account on the Priority Pass website and mobile app, or by visiting this page
In addition, members have access to Virgin Australia Lounges, Delta Sky Club Lounges and American Express Lounges - $450 Platinum Travel Credit
Every year, American Express will give you a $450 Platinum Travel Credit. The travel credit may be redeemed through American Express travel, and can be used for airfares, car hire or hotel bookings - Membership of Ascent Premium
Members will earn points in the Ascent Premium program. The program allows with point transfers to 10 airline and 2 hotel loyalty programs. - Elite Loyalty Status
Complimentary enrolment into elite tier of hotel partner programs including Club Carlson, Starwood Preferred Guest, Shangri-La Golden Circle Jade Membership and Hilton Honors Gold status - Insurance
The Platinum Card includes a travel insurance policy, with a range of features.
Points Earning Structure
As mentioned, points are earned in the Ascent Premium program which has 10 airline partners you can transfer points to, including Qantas.
The earn rate is 2.25 Membership Rewards points per dollar spent on all purchases, except for spend with government bodies, for which you will earn 1 point per $1 spent