How to Maximize The Amex Platinum for a Trip to Aspen, Colorado
Update: Some offers mentioned below are no longer available. View the current offers here.
I always enjoy attending the special events American Express hosts for card members, such as the Amex Platinum House and the EMP Summer House in the Hamptons. Now that winter is in full swing, Amex and Eleven Madison Park — the world famous Daniel Humm-helmed restaurant in New York City — have moved west, to Aspen, Colorado: arguably the country's premier winter-weather destination.
I got to spend a few days exploring this stunning mountain town, and, of course, enjoyed a fantastic meal as an Amex Ambassador at the very first EMP Winter House in partnership with American Express..
The pop-up restaurant, which opened Dec. 15, is housed in the Chefs Club at the St. Regis in Aspen and runs through April 6, 2019. You can either dine indoors in a rather swanky dining room or outside in the very on-trend Yurt Village in the courtyard.
After all, it really wouldn't be a winter-themed eating establishment without yurts, would it? They're really fun, and perfectly fit that ski lodge vibe.
The à la carte menu was awesome — it was actually inspired by chef Humm's childhood — with dishes like smoked trout toast, fondue and an enticing lobster wedge salad. But my personal favorite was the veal schnitzel, which was savory and delicious: the perfect winter comfort food. In addition to the amazing schnitzel, the cocktails were also fantastic.
With more than 250 wine options, there's plenty to warm you up on a frosty evening.
The restaurant also has a special Après Ski menu in the afternoon with snacks and light bites, in addition to its dinner menu.
My visit to the restaurant was a blast, even though I was more affected by the altitude in Aspen than I'd like to admit, and the location in the St. Regis was gorgeous. (Don't worry, the hotel has canned oxygen at its Reméde Spa.)
In fact, the entire hotel was stunning, and I had a fantastic stay. Thanks to booking the St. Regis with Amex, I got FHR benefits, which included a room upgrade upon arrival, daily breakfast for two, a guaranteed 4pm checkout, complimentary Wi-Fi and a 12pm check-in, plus a special amenity -- in this case, a $100 food and beverage credit. Although I'd get some off these perks anyway for having Platinum Premier Elite + Ambassador status, I always appreciate a solid food and beverage credit.
Although I enjoyed my meal at the EMP Winter House indoors with one friend, I would love to come back with a group and dine in one of the yurts. It was fun checking the cozy tent-style huts out, though -- I loved the decor, and they are perfect for groups. In fact, my brief hangout in the yurt had me thinking that perhaps Mongolia should be added to my 2019 destination list?
Eleven Madison Park and the EMP Winter House pop up are part of the Amex Global Dining Collection program. It allows Platinum Card Members to make reservations at hundreds of restaurants around the world, as well as offering off-the-menu perks and in some cases, even gifts at select restaurants for all-around unique dining experiences. To give you an idea of how special this program is, Amex partners with some of the world's greatest culinary minds like Daniel Humm, Stephanie Izard, José Andrés, Massimo Bottura, Michael Solomonov, Dominique Crenn, The Roca Brothers, Virgilio Martinez, Heinz Beck, Alain Ducasse and Marcus Wareing. If you're looking to access these event, you can easily do so with the help of the Platinum Concierge.
I always find the Platinum Concierge helpful, actually, especially when it comes to dining. During my Aspen trip, they got me a reservation to dine at Matsuhisa, a sushi restaurant with Chef Nobu's new-style Japanese cuisine.
Who Is Eligible and How to Book
In addition to being the only form of credit card payment accepted at the EMP Winter House, American Express Card Members will also get exclusive access to reservations.
I was able to secure my reservation back in November, and any Amex cardholder can reserve a table now through the end of January on the EMP Winter House website. Reservations for February 2019 opened the first of January, and reservations for March 1 to April 6 will become available on Feb. 1, 2019, so mark your calendar if you want to score a table. If you've got The Platinum Card® from American Express in your wallet, you can also book reservations through the Platinum Concierge.
You'll pay directly at the restaurant after your meal using any American Express card, though a $50 non-refundable deposit per person is required for all reservations, which will be applied to the final dining bill.
My recommendation, of course, is to use your American Express® Gold Card to get 4x points on your bill. When booking, keep in mind that the largest table accommodates eight people, so really be sure of who you want to invite. Bon Appétit!
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 3X | Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Delta SkyClub access when flying Delta
- Annual companion ticket for travel on Delta (upon renewal)
- Ability to earn MQDs through spending
- Various statement credits for eligible purchases
Cons
- Steep annual fee of $650
- Other Delta cobranded cards offer superior earning categories
- Earn 100,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $6,000 or more in purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership and an additional 25,000 bonus miles after you make an additional $3,000 in purchases on the Card within your first 6 months, starting from the date that your account is opened. Offer Ends 04/01/2026.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members receive 15 Visits per Medallion® Year to the Delta Sky Club® when flying Delta and can unlock an unlimited number of Visits after spending $75,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year. Plus, you’ll receive four One-Time Guest Passes each Medallion Year so you can share the experience with family and friends when traveling Delta together.
- Enjoy complimentary access to The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. and select international locations (as set forth on the Centurion Lounge Website), Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. (see the Centurion Lounge Website for more information on Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge availability), and Escape Lounges when flying on a Delta flight booked with the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card. § To access Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 90 minutes of their departing flight (including layovers). To access The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 3 hours of their departing flight. Effective July 8, 2026, during a layover, Card Members must arrive within 5 hours of the connecting flight.
- Receive $2,500 Medallion® Qualification Dollars with MQD Headstart each Medallion Qualification Year and earn $1 MQD for each $10 in purchases on your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card with MQD Boost to get closer to Status next Medallion Year.
- Enjoy a Companion Certificate on a Delta First, Delta Comfort, or Delta Main round-trip flight to select destinations each year after renewal of your Card. The Companion Certificate requires payment of government-imposed taxes and fees of between $22 and $250 (for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. Delta Basic experiences are not eligible for this benefit.
- $240 Resy Credit: When you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card for eligible purchases with U.S. Resy restaurants, you can earn up to $20 each month in statement credits. Enrollment required.
- $120 Rideshare Credit: Earn up to $10 back in statement credits each month after you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card to pay for U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers. Enrollment required.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- With your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, receive upgrade priority over others with the same Medallion tier, product and fare experience purchased, and Million Miler milestone when you fly with Delta.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees. Enjoy international travel without additional fees on purchases made abroad.
- $650 Annual Fee.
- Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees