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
Rewards
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro offer
Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.