Quick Points: This little-known Amex Platinum perk can get you through security faster at some international airports

Airport security can be time-consuming, especially now that travel is back and airports are crowded again. I love having TSA PreCheck (a benefit of my Global Entry membership) and Clear, but these perks only help me when traveling domestically.

I'm usually on my own when clearing security in an international airport. But, as I found on a recent trip to Stockholm, The Platinum Card® from American Express can get you through security quicker at select international airports for no additional cost. Here's what you need to know.

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On a recent trip to Stockholm, I learned about two complimentary perks of my Amex Platinum Card that I could use when departing Stockholm Arlanda Airport: the lounge at the Pontus in the Air restaurant and Fast Track security. Even though I'm used to my Amex Platinum providing lounge access, a Clear credit and a TSA Precheck or Global Entry credit, I hadn't previously heard of these two perks.

And when I mentioned that Amex Platinum cardholders could use Fast Track security in my Finnair A350-900 business-class review, I learned that many other travelers didn't know their Amex Platinum could get them access to Fast Track security at select international airports.

But, how do you know whether your departure airport offers this perk?

Unfortunately, there's no easy answer to this question. This Swedish page on Amex's website indicates that Fast Track security is offered as a Platinum cardmember perk at several Nordic airports, including:

• Stockholm Arlanda Terminal 5.
• Stockholm Arlanda Terminal 2.
• Gothenburg Landvetter Airport.
• Malmo Airport.
• Helsinki Vantaa.

And I was also able to find several other international airports where Amex Platinum cardholders get access to a special security line, including:

• Toronto Pearson Priority Security Lane at Toronto Pearson Airport in Canada.
• Fast Lane at Brussels Airport in Belgium.
• Fast Lane at Vienna Airport in Austria.
• Fast Track Security Lane at various Italian airports, including Rome Fiumicino, Milan Linate, Naples, Turin, Milan Malpensa, Palermo and Catania.

In Stockholm, Amex Platinum cardholders only need to show their boarding pass and Amex Platinum card to the security attendant. I didn't hear the attendant ask any Amex Platinum cardholders where their card was issued or examine cards to determine their issuer. So, at least when I visited Stockholm earlier this year, those with a U.S.-issued Amex Platinum could use Fast Track security. I also didn't see any cardholders of The Business Platinum Card® from American Express being turned away even though there was no mention of the card on the signage.

But, at some airports, you may not be able to use Fast Track security unless your Amex Platinum Card was issued in the region or by a particular bank. So, you may be turned away from some security lines even if you see a sign indicating that Amex Platinum cardholders get access. And for Fast Track security at some airports, you may need to use a kiosk to register, which may restrict access to only select Amex Platinum cardholders.

Related: 10 ways to get through airport security faster

Bottom line

Especially when security lines are long, it's worth checking to see if your departure airport offers a Fast Track security lane and whether your Amex Platinum can get you access to this lane.

Of course, not all airports offer Fast Track security to Amex Platinum cardholders. But, as Amex continues to expand in select international markets, I expect we'll see more Amex Platinum perks when traveling abroad — they just might not always be accessible to cardholders with cards issued in other markets.