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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.
Guides
4 different flavors of Amex Platinum — which one is right for you?
Chris was a reporter at The Points Guy, where he covered the intersection of credit card rewards and travel. At TPG, he wrote a broad array of stories ranging from in-depth features and reports to trending travel news as it related to loyalty, card benefits and consumer behavior.
When Ryan worked as a TPG credit cards writer, he oversaw refreshes of card reviews and card offer stories. He enjoyed racking up cash back and helping readers maximize their points and miles for their next big trip.
also contributed to this story
January 29, 2025 • 15 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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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.
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Quick summary
There are four main premium travel rewards cards in this family, each offering luxury perks and a sleek metal design.
All versions provide extensive travel benefits, lounge access, and statement credits for select purchases, but differ in unique perks and eligibility requirements.
Some cards are available only to customers of specific financial institutions and offer options to cash out points or receive annual statement credits tied to account balances.
Each card is considered a separate product, allowing eligibility for a welcome offer on each, but some offers mentioned may no longer be available.
What to consider
Eligibility for certain versions requires an existing relationship with a specific financial institution.
Statement credits and unique perks vary, including options for cashing out points or receiving annual bonuses based on account balances.
Membership Rewards points are valued at 2 cents each as of January 2025 per TPG’s valuations, but cash-out rates may be lower.
What you'll miss from the article
A detailed comparison of each card’s unique features, eligibility criteria, and how to maximize value based on your financial profile.
Generated by AI with support from our editorial team.
Update: Some offers mentioned below are no longer available. View the current offers here.
The premium rewards card market is pretty crowded, with many cardholders willing to pay hundreds of dollars in annual fees to get luxury perks.
It’s crazy to think that there was really only one mass-market premium card less than a decade ago — The Platinum Card® from American Express. Now, the Platinum card is just one of a half dozen or so premium card offerings from American Express, but there are actually several different versions.
They share many common features, including the sleek metal design and access to Amex Offers. Still, each card features subtle differences that might make one more attractive to you than the others. Let’s talk about the different types of Amex Platinum cards and what you need to know about each one.
Four different shades of platinum
These are the four different Amex Platinum cards we’re diving into:
The Platinum Card from American Express
The Business Platinum Card® from American Express
The American Express Platinum® Card for Schwab
The Platinum Card® from American Express Exclusively for Morgan Stanley
The information for The American Express Platinum Card for Schwab and The Platinum Card from American Express Exclusively for Morgan Stanley has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
The Platinum Card from American Express
The Business Platinum Card from American Express
The American Express Platinum Card for Schwab
The Platinum Card from American Express Exclusively for Morgan Stanley
Welcome bonus
Find out your offer and see if you are eligible for as high as 175,000 Membership Rewards Points after spending $12,000 on purchases within the first six months of card membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.
Find out your offer and see if you are eligible for as high as 300,000 bonus points after spending $20,000 on purchases in the first three months of card membership. Welcome offers vary, and you may not be eligible for an offer.
Earn 80,000 bonus points after you spend $8,000 on purchases within the first six months of card membership.
80,000 bonus points after you spend $8,000 on purchases within the first six months of card membership.
Annual fee
$895 (see rates and fees)
$895 (see rates and fees)
$895
$895
Bonus categories
5 points per dollar spent on airfare purchased directly from the airline and on airfare and prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel® (up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year for airfare purchases, 1 point per dollar thereafter)
5 points per dollar spent on airfare and prepaid hotels booked through AmexTravel.com and 2 points per dollar on eligible purchases in select business categories and eligible purchases of $5,000 or more (up to $2 million of these purchases per calendar year, then 1 point per dollar thereafter)
5 points per dollar spent on airfare purchased directly from the airline and on airfare and prepaid hotels booked with Amex Travel (up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year)
5 points per dollar spent on airfare purchased directly from the airline and on airfare and prepaid hotels booked with Amex Travel (up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year)
Annual credits
Up to $600 in statement credits annually (up to $300 semiannually) on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts or The Hotel Collection bookings through AmexTravel.com per calendar year (The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay)
Up to $200 credit for airline fees per calendar year with one selected eligible airline, which covers incidental charges
Up to $219 annual statement credit for a Clear+ membership (subject to auto-renewal)
$120 statement fee credit for either Global Entry every 4 years or up to $85 fee credit TSA PreCheck every 4 1/2 years
Up to $15 in statement credit each month to use on Uber rides or Uber Eats orders in the U.S., with an additional up to $20 in December (Uber Cash will only be deposited into one Uber account when you add the card as a payment method and redeem with any Amex card)
Up to a $120 statement credit that fully covers an auto-renewing $96 annual or $9.99 monthly Uber One membership
Up to $25 monthly statement credits and applicable only for The New York Times, Peacock, The Wall Street Journal, Disney+, Hulu, ESPN+, the Disney Bundle, Paramount +, Youtube Premium or YouTube TV
Up to $300 annual statement credit for select Equinox memberships or a digital subscription to Equinox+ fitness app (subject to auto-renewal)
Walmart+ membership statement credit reimbursement for up to $12.95 on one membership fee monthly for Walmart+ membership (plus applicable taxes; subject to auto-renewal); Plus Up benefits not eligible
Up to $75 quarterly statement credit for Lululemon purchases (at U.S. stores, excluding outlets, and online)
Up to $200 Oura Ring statement credit (hardware only)
Up to $400 annual statement credit (up to $100 quarterly) at U.S. Resy restaurants
Enrollment is required for select benefits
Up to $600 in statement credits annually (up to $300 semiannually) on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts or The Hotel Collection bookings through AmexTravel.com per calendar year (The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay)
Up to $1,150 in statement credits per calendar year for U.S. Dell purchases: up to $150 each calendar year and an additional $1,000 statement credit after spending $5,000 on Dell purchases with the same card each calendar year
Up to $360 in annual statement credits (up to $90 per quarter) on Indeed hiring and recruiting products and services per calendar year
Up to $200 credit for airline fees per calendar year with one selected eligible airline, which covers incidental charges
Up to $200 in annual statement credits for eligible Hilton purchases each calendar year (allotted up to $50 per quarter). You must enroll in Hilton for Business to receive the credit.
Up to $219 in annual statement credits for a Clear+ membership per calendar year (subject to auto-renewal)
A $250 statement credit after spending $600 or more on U.S. purchases with Adobe each calendar year (subject to auto-renewal)
Up to $300 in annual statement credits for U.S. purchases of ChatGPT Business subscriptions (subject to auto-renewal)
After spending $250,000 on eligible purchases, unlock $1,200 Amex Travel online flight statement credit and $2,400 in One AP statement credit (Valid 1/1-12/31 the calendar year after the year you meet the spending requirements.)
Enrollment is required for select benefits
Up to $200 in statement credits annually on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts or The Hotel Collection bookings through AmexTravel.com per calendar year (The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay)
Up to $200 credit for airline fees per calendar year with one selected eligible airline, which covers incidental charges
Up to $219 annual statement credit for a Clear Plus membership per calendar year
$120 fee credit for either Global Entry every 4 years or up to $85 fee credit TSA PreCheck every 4 1/2 years
Up to $15 in statement credit each month to use on Uber rides or Uber Eats orders in the U.S., with an additional up to $20 in December (Uber Cash will only be deposited into one Uber account when you add the card as a payment method and redeem with any Amex card)
Up to $20 monthly statement credits and applicable only for The New York Times, Peacock, The Wall Street Journal, Disney+, Hulu, ESPN+ or the Disney Bundle (enrollment required in advance)
Up to $300 annual credit for select Equinox memberships or a digital subscription to Equinox+ fitness app, per calendar year (enrollment required in advance, subject to auto-renewal)
Walmart+ membership credit reimbursement for $12.95 monthly membership fee for Walmart+ membership (subject to auto-renewal); Plus Up benefits not eligible
Enrollment is required for select benefits
Up to $200 in statement credits annually on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts or The Hotel Collection bookings through AmexTravel.com per calendar year (The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay)
Up to $200 credit for airline fees per calendar year with one selected eligible airline, which covers incidental charges
Up to $219 annual statement credit for a Clear Plus membership per calendar year
$120 fee credit for either Global Entry every 4 years or up to $85 fee credit TSA PreCheck every 4 1/2 years
Up to $15 in statement credit each month to use on Uber rides or Uber Eats orders in the U.S., with an additional up to $20 in December (Uber Cash will only be deposited into one Uber account when you add the card as a payment method and redeem with any Amex card)
Up to $20 monthly statement credits and applicable only for The New York Times, Peacock, The Wall Street Journal, Disney+, Hulu, ESPN+ or the Disney Bundle (enrollment required in advance)
Up to $300 annual credit for select Equinox memberships or a digital subscription to Equinox+ fitness app (enrollment required in advance, subject to auto-renewal)
Walmart+ membership credit reimbursement for $12.95 monthly membership fee for Walmart+ membership (subject to auto-renewal); Plus Up benefits not eligible
Enrollment is required for select benefits
Unique perks
N/A
35% pay-with-points bonus when you book with Amex Travel (valid flights with your selected airline, up to 1 million points per calendar year)
A $100 card statement credit if your qualifying Schwab holdings are equal to or greater than $250,000 and less than $1,000,000; a $200 card statement credit if your qualifying Schwab holdings are equal to or greater than $1,000,000 and less than $10,000,000; or a $1,000 card statement credit if your qualifying Schwab holdings are equal to or greater than $10,000,000
As a Morgan Stanley Card Member, you can use Membership Rewards points for deposits by Morgan Stanley to your qualifying brokerage account (for example, 50,000 points equals $500)
$695 annual engagement bonus into your Platinum CashPlus account, effectively waiving the card’s annual fee
Add Companion Platinum cards for no annual fee or full-service Additional Platinum cards for $195 apiece
The Platinum Card from American Express
In addition to the perks described above, the Amex Platinum card — along with all its variations — also offers a Priority Pass Select membership, access to Amex Centurion lounges, access to Delta SkyClubs* on same-day Delta flights, complimentary Leaders Club Sterling Status (from The Leading Hotels of the World) and complimentary Gold elite status with both Hilton and Marriott. Enrollment is required for select benefits.
One reason you might want to consider a different version is that Amex only allows you to earn a welcome bonus on any card once in a lifetime. Technically, these four Platinums are all different cards, so you can get the welcome offer on each.
*Eligible Amex Platinum cardmembers will receive 10 visits per eligible Amex Platinum card per year to the Delta Sky Club or to Grab and Go when traveling on a same-day Delta-operated flight. Cardmembers who spend $75,000 in a program year will unlock unlimited SkyClub access.
FRESHSPLASH/GETTY IMAGES
With the consumer Amex Platinum card, you can find out your offer and see if you are eligible for as high as 175,000 Membership Rewards Points after spending $12,000 on purchases within the first six months of card membership. Welcome offers vary, and you may not be eligible for an offer. Those 175,000 points are worth up to $3,500, according to TPG’s January 2025 valuations.
The Business Platinum card has a potentially lucrative welcome offer. Find out your offer and see if you are eligible for as high as 300,000 bonus points after spending $20,000 on purchases in the first three months of card membership. Welcome offers vary, and you may not be eligible for an offer. If your business has large expenses, a world of rewards is waiting for you.
This card is a standout choice for two reasons: The 35% bonus when you use your points to pay for flights on any airline on your selected qualifying airline, up to 1 million points per calendar year) and the 100% point bonus on purchases of $5,000 or more (on up to $2 million of these purchases per calendar year; 1 point per dollar thereafter)
The best way to use this would be on a large travel purchase made with American Express Travel, so your 100% bonus would be on top of the 5 points per dollar spent bonus category.
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But even if you’re using this for non-bonus spending, it can be a great deal. The 2 points per dollar aren’t the highest possible return, but they’re pretty solid. Curious about what else you can do with one of these cards? Read our full review of the Amex Business Platinum for more details.
The American Express Platinum Card for Schwab
The American Express Platinum Card for Schwab is only available to Charles Schwab customers. There’s no way around this requirement since you must sign into your Schwab account during the application process.
If you’re not a Schwab customer, you should consider signing up. The Schwab investor checking account reimburses all ATM fees worldwide, making this a great option for getting cash when traveling.
This card is identical to the personal Platinum card in most ways, except it comes with one neat perk — the ability to cash out Membership Rewards points at 1.1 cents per point to a linked Schwab brokerage account. Note that this is significantly below TPG’s January 2025 valuation of Membership Rewards points at 2 cents each, but if you find yourself racking up points faster than you can spend them, this can be a worthwhile option.
ROB LEWINE/GETTY IMAGES
Points are a bad long-term investment as they’re susceptible to award chart devaluations with no advance notice, so if your circumstances change and you aren’t traveling enough to burn your points, consider cashing them out. The process is straightforward, and when I tried it out myself, the money posted instantly to my Schwab account even though it was a Sunday and banks were closed.
Cardmembers can receive an annual appreciation bonus of: a $100 statement credit if your qualifying Schwab holdings are equal to or greater than $250,000 and less than $1,000,000, a $200 statement credit if your qualifying Schwab holdings are equal to or greater than $1,000,000 and less than $10,000,000 or a $1,000 statement credit if your qualifying Schwab holdings are equal to or greater than $10,000,000.
The American Express Platinum Card Exclusively for Morgan Stanley
Like its Schwab counterpart, The American Express Platinum Card Exclusively for Morgan Stanley is only available to Morgan Stanley customers. You’ll get all the usual benefits of the Amex Platinum, plus the ability to use Membership Rewards points for deposits by Morgan Stanley to your qualifying brokerage account. (For example, 50,000 points equals $500.)
PEKIC/GETTY IMAGES
You’ll also to eligible to receive a $695 annual engagement bonus into your Platinum CashPlus account, effectively waiving the card’s annual fee. The deposit is received each year upon card opening and upon renewal thereafter. Some Morgan Stanley debit card holders may also qualify.
Lastly, you’ll be able to add Companion Platinum cards for no annual fee, although Companion Platinum cardmembers will not receive as many benefits as Additional Platinum cardmembers. You can add full-service Additional Platinum cards for $195 apiece.
These four versions of the Amex Platinum card offer slightly different variations of a common package of luxury travel perks. To pick the right one for you, consider how you plan to use your points (cash out, transfer to airlines, pay with points, etc.) and how much/what type of spending you plan to put on the card.
No one needs all four different variations of the Platinum card, but you may find that there’s room for one in your wallet, especially if you’re in the market for a valuable welcome bonus.
For rates and fees of the Amex Platinum Card, click here. For rates and fees of the Amex Business Platinum, 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.
