Late last year, I finally jumped in and got my own premium travel card, the American Express Platinum Card®, after years of being an authorized user on my late husband Matthew’s account.
With his unexpected loss, I had to have a serious reckoning with my finances, but after looking at the benefits we used most in our extensive travels and day-to-day life, the card’s benefits still made sense for it to claim a spot in my wallet and justify the $895 annual fee (see rates and fees).
For starters, there were things I just didn’t want to give up, like extensive lounge access around the world (I am a travel reporter, after all!), which saves me serious cash on in-airport food and drinks and gives me a place to relax during long layovers or delays.
But the more subtle benefits have really been the icing on the cake, especially in this heavy season of life for me.
With the $400 Resy statement credit (distributed as up to $100 per quarter for eligible U.S. Resy purchases; enrollment is required), I have a reason to “splurge” on a nice dinner with my Amex Platinum Card every few months. Often, I use it to treat friends to meals at places Matthew and I loved to eat at together.
I also get benefits when I use my Amex Platinum for purchases I already make on the regular, including:
An up-to-$120 statement credit each year for Uber One (when I pay for my Uber membership using my Amex Platinum; subject to auto-renewal), plus $200 in Uber Cash per year* (split into monthly up-to-$15 credits, plus an up-to-$20 bonus in December)
Statement credits for TSA PreCheck or Global Entry (up to $85 every 4 1/2 years for TSA PreCheck or $120 every four years for Global Entry) and Clear+ (up to $209 annually; subject to auto-renewal)
The ability to earn valuable and transferable American Express Membership Rewards points on my spending so I can travel even more
Remember: Enrollment is required for select benefits.
For me, the math makes sense to carry this card. The way I see it, I’m going to be spending money on a lot of these things either way, so why not get it back in statement credits, take advantage of the lounges and earn points while I go?
And if you want to see where my card takes me, keep up with my travels over on Instagram.
*Note: Uber Cash will only be deposited into one Uber account when you add the Amex Platinum as a payment method and redeem with any Amex card.Valid on U.S. Uber rides and Uber Eats orders.
Posts in this newsletter contains references to products from one or more of our advertisers. We may receive compensation when you click on links to those products, and this may impact how or where they appear. For an explanation of our Advertising Policy, visit this page.
What may be the best airport hotel in the U.S. just got even better now that the Grand Hyatt DFW has completed a full renovation. TPG got a first look inside.
Large purchase coming up? Think about which credit card makes the most sense to get max reward value — and even purchase protections — from whatever you buy.
You are receiving this email because you opted in atthepointsguy.com.
Where to find us:
The Points Guy 100 5th Ave., 16th Floor New York, NY 10011 USA USA
If this newsletter was forwarded to you, you can subscribe here.
Advertiser Disclosure:
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. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.
Editorial Note: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airlines or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.
