Amex Platinum cardholders: You might have $200 in travel credit to use by Dec. 31

July 20, 2021

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4 min read

Amex Platinum cardholders: You might have $200 in travel credit to use by Dec. 31

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Public service announcement: Some Amex customers holding The Platinum Card® from American Express have an extra up to $200 travel statement credit that others do not. Are you one of the lucky cardmembers?

Amex has recently added $900+ in new annual statement credits to the Amex Platinum. The aforementioned $200 travel credit is not one of them -- it's only valid through Dec. 31, 2021, so it's important to know if you're one who qualifies.

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Use this credit for a discounted stay at The Savoy in London, -- and get Amex Fine Hotels and Resorts perks while you're at it. (Photo courtesy The Savoy)

$200 travel credit for select Amex Platinum cardmembers

You've probably already heard about the massive Amex Platinum 2021 refresh, which debuted earlier this month. The card now comes with more travel-unrelated "lifestyle" benefits, such as up to $240 per calendar year in digital entertainment statement credits and up to $300 per calendar year in Equinox statement credits (enrollment required for some benefits). The card also received a couple of travel improvements, such as an up to $200 prepaid hotel statement credit when booking through the Amex Travel portal. The card has a $695 annual fee (see rates & fees).

However, Amex also doled out an up to $200 "travel" credit as a gimmick to keep Amex Platinum cardholders from canceling during the coronavirus pandemic. This perk is completely unrelated to the new hotel credit above. In short, this travel credit is available targeted to cardholders of the personal Amex Platinum who renewed their card between April 2020 and March 2021. It's your reward for continuing to pay top dollar for a premium travel card during the least travel-conducive year in history. You can use the credit for airfare, hotels, rental cars and cruises.

You'll receive a notification at the top of your benefits page after redeeming the $200 travel credit. (Photo courtesy of American Express)

If you qualify, you could combine this credit with your new up to $200 prepaid hotel statement credit for a total of $400 in reimbursed hotel stays this year. Pair that with the exclusive Amex Fine Hotels and Resorts benefit, which provides VIP hotel perks like up to $100+ in property credits, free breakfast, room upgrades (when available) and guaranteed late checkout, and you could potentially parlay that savings into $700+, easy. To better understand, check out TPG editor Summer's recent post about how she used Amex Fine Hotels and Resorts to save hundreds on a stay in Las Vegas.

Bottom line

In the past year, American Express has taken drastic measures to retain cardmembers, adding temporary wireless, streaming and dining credits to some cards. One major addition for Amex Platinum cardholders who renewed their membership between April 2020 and March 2021 is a bonus up to $200 "travel statement credit," which can be redeemed through the Amex Travel portal. This expires Dec. 31, 2021. It is not the same thing as the up to $200 prepaid hotel credit that was added earlier this month.

Again, new applicants aren't eligible for this particular credit -- they'll have to settle for the remaining $1,400+ in annual credits this card provides, a slew of ridiculously premium benefits, and an elevated 100,000-point bonus after spending $6,000 on the card within the first six months of account opening. Read our Amex Platinum review to see if the card fits your travel goals.

For rates and fees of the Amex Platinum card, click here.

Featured image by The Savoy in London, an Amex FHR property. (Photo courtesy The Savoy)

Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.