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The Points Guy believes that credit cards can transform lives, helping you leverage everyday spending for cash back or travel experiences that might otherwise be out of reach. That's why we publish a variety of editorial content and card comparisons: to help you find a great card to turn your goals into reality.
Our site may earn compensation when a customer clicks on a link, when an application is approved, or when an account is opened with our partners, and this may impact how or where these products appear. While we don't cover all available credit cards, our editorial team creates and maintains all of the analysis of these cards, and our content is not influenced nor subject to review by any credit card company, bank or partner prior to (or after) publication. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.
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How I’ve earned over $1,200 in value from my Amex Platinum in 7 months
Olivia Mittak is a credit cards editor at TPG. She specializes in maximizing earn for points and miles, finding the best welcome bonuses and choosing the right credit cards for your wallet.
August 10, 2026 • 9 min read
The cards we feature here are from partners who compensate us when you are approved through our site, and this may impact how or where these products appear. We don't cover all available credit cards, but our analysis, reviews, and opinions are entirely from our editorial team. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.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.
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Quick summary
A premium travel card can deliver significant value through a wide array of statement credits and travel perks, potentially exceeding its high yearly cost for some users.
The author reports earning over $1,200 in value within seven months, mainly by maximizing credits for dining, lodging, memberships and travel-related purchases.
Additional benefits, such as extensive airport lounge access and elevated comfort during travel, add value that is difficult to quantify but meaningful for frequent travelers.
This approach works best for those who regularly travel and can easily use the specific credits and perks offered.
What to consider
Maximizing value requires tracking benefit expiration dates and ensuring purchases align with eligible merchants and services.
Some credits are only partially used unless spending patterns match the card's structure, and certain perks may require enrollment or minimum stays.
Those who travel infrequently or live in areas without participating merchants may find it challenging to fully utilize the benefits.
What you'll miss from the article
A detailed breakdown of how to combine multiple statement credits and travel perks to offset a premium card's annual cost.
Generated by AI with support from our editorial team.
I love being able to respond by saying that I actually profit off of this card in terms of value each year — something that's ringing true once again in 2026. We've still got several months left in this year, and I've already earned over $1,200 in value from my Amex Platinum.
And no, none of that value comes from a welcome bonus, since I've had this card for almost two years.
Here's how I'm making an $895-per-year card pay for itself — and then some.
How I earned $1,283 in value from my Amex Platinum in 7 months
The Amex Platinum offers a wide range of statement credits to help offset its high annual fee. While the quantity of statement credits is a turn-off for some, I actually find most of them very easy to use.
Lifestyle statement credits
So far, I've been able to take advantage of the following lifestyle perks on my Amex Platinum:
Benefit
How I've used this benefit so far
Value I've received so far
Up to $155 each calendar year in statement credits for a Walmart+ membership* (up to $12.95 each month; Plus-Ups excluded; subject to auto-renewal)
This perk covers my Walmart+ membership each month, giving me free grocery delivery on orders of $35 or more.
$90
Up to $300 each calendar year in Lululemon statement credits* (up to $75 each quarter; for U.S. in-store purchases — excluding outlets — and online only)
I most recently used my statement credit to purchase a pair of running shorts.
$143
Up to $300 each calendar year in statement credits for eligible digital entertainment purchases* (up to $25 each month)
This statement credit covers most of my Disney Bundle subscription, letting me enjoy Hulu, Disney+ and HBO Max for roughly $8 out of pocket each month.
$175
Up to $400 each calendar year in statement credits for U.S. Resy purchases* (up to $100 each quarter)
I most recently used my statement credit to treat my parents to dinner at Mother's Bistro in Portland, Oregon, for a combined Mother's Day/Father's Day gift, knocking my bill down to just $50 for three people.
$200
*Enrollment required
The Park Hyatt New York, part of Amex's FHR program. SUMMER HULL/THE POINTS GUY
Travel statement credits
In addition to the benefits I've already mentioned, I've earned even more value out of these perks:
Benefit
How I've used this benefit so far
Value I've received so far
Up to $120 in statement credits each calendar year for an auto-renewing Uber One membership (up to $10 each month)
I use my Uber One membership to save on Uber Eats delivery fees and get discounted rides, and my Platinum fully covers the cost of my monthly membership.
$70
Up to $200 in Uber Cash credits every calendar year (up to $15 each month plus a bonus up to $20 in December)†
I use my Uber Cash on rides and Uber Eats orders in the U.S.
$105
Up to $200 each calendar year in statement credits for airline incidental purchases charged by your one selected qualifying airline (enrollment required)
When I flew Delta with two friends to and from Mexico, I used my statement credit to cover my baggage fees and their Delta Sky Club guest passes.
I used my statement credit for a one-night stay at the Royal Palms Resort and Spa in Phoenix, knocking my total down to $134.
$300
†Note that your Amex Platinum must be added as a payment method, and you must pay with an Amex card to use your Uber Cash.
‡The Hotel Collection and Airbnb Luxe bookings require a minimum two-night stay; beginning Jan. 1, 2027, Fine Hotels + Resorts will require stays of two nights or more to be eligible for the lodging statement credit.
How much value do I have left to earn from my Platinum?
As you can see, I haven't maximized most of the statement credits on my Amex Platinum. In fact, the only statement credit I've fully used is my up to $200 per calendar year airline incidentals statement credit.
I plan on using my two remaining up to $100 quarterly U.S. Resy statement credits to take my parents out to dinner when they visit in September and when I travel to Phoenix later in the year. I'll likely use the second up to $300 lodging statement credit to book another night at the Royal Palms Resort and Spa, though I haven't committed to it yet.
HOLBOX/FACEBOOK
Provided I maximize all the statement credits I've partially used so far, I could add just shy of $1,000 in value over the rest of 2026 — bringing my total for the year to $2,268. After subtracting the card's $895 annual fee, my projected year-end value comes to $1,373.
Statement credits account for the vast majority of the value I’ve received, but they’re only part of why I continue renewing the card.
Extra perks that I’ve used that are hard to put a cash value on
The Amex Platinum comes with several other major benefits that offer real value, but that are hard to put a proper dollar amount on since they aren't tied to purchases or statement credits.
While other issuers, like Capital One and Chase, have their own lounges, Amex's Centurion network is much larger.
The Centurion Lounge in Salt Lake City. ZACH GRIFF/THE POINTS GUY
Being able to eat in a lounge saves me a lot of money. I also thoroughly enjoy the more comfortable seating compared to what you'll find at airport gates and (generally) quieter atmosphere.
I also enjoy earning valuable Membership Rewards points on my airline purchases booked directly. Cardmembers earn 5 points per dollar spent on the first $500,000 of these purchases each calendar year, then 1 point per dollar spent. (I'm definitely not spending half a million on airfare, so that part isn't a worry).
Who is the Amex Platinum the best fit for?
Even though it's been very easy for me to get outsize value from my Amex Platinum, that won't be the case for everyone. If you fall under one or more of the following categories, you'll likely have a hard time getting a lot of value out of this card:
Infrequent travelers.
Those who don't frequently travel through airports with Centurion, Plaza Premium or Escape lounges.
Those who live in a rural area with no Resy restaurants.
People who don't want to rely on statement credits to get maximum value from a card.
It's also important to consider whether you can afford to pay the $895 annual fee in a single billing cycle. Getting substantially more value than that from my card doesn't mean I won't see a significant deduction from my checking account when that annual fee comes due.
OSCAR WONG/GETTY IMAGES
If the Amex Platinum isn't a good fit for you, other premium cards may be. If you're a frequent traveler who doesn't want to bother with merchant statement credits, consider the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card.
If you don't mind relying on shopping-related statement credits to justify an annual fee, but just don't mesh with what the Platinum offers, check out the Chase Sapphire Reserve® (see rates and fees) instead.
I'm definitely a satisfied Amex Platinum cardmember. Getting over $1,200 in value from my card hasn't required me to jump through hoops; I just had to keep track of benefit end dates and keep shopping and traveling as I usually do.
Of course, the Amex Platinum isn't going to be a good fit for everyone. But if you travel at least a few times each year and already shop with the merchants covered by its statement credits, the Amex Platinum should easily deliver substantially more value than its $895 annual fee.
For rates and fees of the Amex Platinum, please click here.
Comments
By commenting, you agree to our Community Guidelines to help create a positive space for conversation. The responses below are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser, our partners, or The Points Guy (“TPG”). They have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of these parties. All responses are submitted by individual contributors, and neither the bank advertiser, our partners, nor TPG are responsible for ensuring that all posts and/or questions are answered.
