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How to earn a 80,000-point welcome offer (or more) on the Amex Platinum

July 29, 2022
8 min read
Amex Platinum 2021_Lifestyle Plane
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Editor’s note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information including the latest Amex Platinum offer.


The Platinum Card® from American Express has long been one of the best premium travel rewards cards out there, thanks to a long list of benefits, a strong earning rate on flight purchases and a solid welcome bonus.

With a wholesale revamp last year, the card now has even more perks (albeit at a higher cost). Currently, the Amex Platinum Card is offering a generous 80,000-point welcome offer after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first six months of card membership — worth a generous $1,600, according to TPG’s valuations.

Official application link: The Platinum Card from American Express

Note that you could potentially be targeted for a 125,000-point or 150,000-point welcome bonus by using the CardMatch Tool. These offers are subject to change at any time.

In addition to an elevated welcome bonus, this Amex card added a slew of enticing benefits last year, from up to $300 in annual Equinox statement credits annually and an annual statement credit of up to $189 for your Clear Plus membership. Enrollment is required for select benefits.

Unfortunately, along with these recent improvements came a hike to the card’s annual fee, which is now $695 (see rates and fees) — one of the highest annual fees for consumer cards out there.

Let’s review this latest Amex Platinum offer and analyze if it’s worth applying for.

(Photo by Ryan Patterson for The Points Guy)

Amex Platinum benefits overview

The Amex Platinum has a $695 annual fee, which may trigger some sticker shock. But when you dive into its mile-long list of benefits, there’s the potential to recoup that value:

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*Enrollment required for select benefits.
**Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details.

That’s one of the most exhaustive lists of perks available among premium travel rewards cards. From the annual credits alone, you’re looking at more than $1,800 in value. So, if you can put many of these to use, the Amex Platinum could be worth a place in your wallet — even with that high annual fee.

Related: Amex Platinum Card review

Is this offer worth it?

In early 2021, the Amex Platinum’s public offer was 75,000 Membership Rewards points after you spent $5,000 in the first six months. So, compared to that, the current welcome offer of 80,000 Membership Rewards Points after you spend $6,000 on purchases within the first six months of card membership which is an improvement.

However, for much of 2021 and into early this year, the bonus also included the incentive to dine at restaurants worldwide and to “Shop Small” in the U.S. That’s no longer available.

(Photo by VGstockstudio/Shutterstock)

Keep in mind that you could be targeted for an even bigger welcome bonus through the CardMatch tool. Right now, some new cardholders are being targeted for a 125,000- or 150,000-point welcome offer (offer subject to change at anytime).

Offer retrieved on Jan. 20, 2022

Bottom line

The Amex Platinum is one of the best travel cards on the market. As travel ramps back up, applying for the card now could help pay for upgraded experiences on your trips down the road. And since Amex only allows you to earn one welcome bonus per lifetime on each card, it’s imperative to choose wisely when to apply.

Especially if you are targeted for the 125,000- or 150,000-point CardMatch offer, now is an excellent time to apply for the card to rake in a large bonus while utilizing an array of valuable perks both for travel and your everyday activity.

Official application link: The Platinum Card® from American Express with a 80,000-point bonus, or check out the CardMatch tool to see if you are targeted for a bonus of up to 150,000 points.

Additional reporting by Ryan Wilcox, Madison Blancaflor, Stella Shon, Katie Genter and Eric Rosen.

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

Featured image by RYAN PATTERSON/THE POINTS GUY
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.