Are you looking for a travel credit card that offers exclusive perks and rewards? Look no further than the American Express Platinum Travel Credit Card. In this article, we’ll review the features, benefits, and drawbacks of this premium credit card.
Introduction
The American Express Platinum Travel Credit Card is a premium credit card designed for frequent travelers. This card offers a range of exclusive benefits and rewards, including airport lounge access, travel credits, and complimentary hotel stays. In this review, we’ll explore the card’s features and benefits, as well as its drawbacks and eligibility requirements.
Card Overview
The American Express Platinum Travel Credit Card is a charge card, which means that you must pay off the full balance each month. This card has an annual fee of $695, which is on the higher end of the spectrum. However, the card’s benefits and rewards more than make up for the cost.
Rewards Program
The American Express Platinum Travel Credit Card offers a generous rewards program. Cardholders earn 3 Membership Rewards points per dollar spent on eligible dining purchases and on travel purchases made through American Express Travel. All other purchases earn 1 point per dollar spent.
Membership Rewards points can be redeemed for a range of rewards, including travel, merchandise, and gift cards. When redeeming points for travel, cardholders can receive a 25% point bonus if they book their travel through American Express Travel.
Milestone Bonus Membership Rewards
The American Express Platinum Travel Credit Card offers a Milestone Bonus as part of its Membership Rewards program. Cardholders can earn 5,000 bonus Membership Rewards points for every $10,000 spent on eligible purchases, up to a maximum of 30,000 bonus points per year.
In addition to the Milestone Bonus, the Membership Rewards program allows cardholders to earn points for every dollar spent on eligible purchases. Points can be redeemed for travel, merchandise, gift cards, and more. Cardholders can also transfer points to select airline and hotel loyalty programs for even more value.
The earning rate for the American Express Platinum Travel Credit Card is 5x points on flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel, as well as on eligible hotels booked through American Express Travel. Cardholders also earn 1x points on all other eligible purchases.
Overall, the Membership Rewards program offers a flexible and rewarding way to earn and redeem points for a variety of travel and lifestyle benefits.
Rewards Redemption
The American Express Platinum Travel Credit Card offers several options for rewards redemption. Cardholders can redeem Membership Rewards points for travel, merchandise, gift cards, and more.
One of the most popular redemption options is for travel, which can be booked directly through American Express Travel using Membership Rewards points. Cardholders can use points to book flights, hotels, car rentals, and vacation packages. The points redemption value can vary depending on the travel provider and the time of booking.
Another redemption option is to transfer Membership Rewards points to select airline and hotel loyalty programs. This allows cardholders to maximize the value of their points by taking advantage of airline and hotel rewards programs.
Cardholders can also redeem points for merchandise, gift cards, and statement credits. Merchandise includes a wide range of products, such as electronics, home goods, and fashion accessories. Gift cards can be redeemed for a variety of retailers and restaurants.
Overall, the American Express Platinum Travel Credit Card offers a flexible and rewarding rewards program with a variety of redemption options to suit different preferences and needs.
Travel Benefits
One of the primary benefits of the American Express Platinum Travel Credit Card is the range of travel benefits it offers. Cardholders receive a $200 annual travel credit that can be used towards flights, hotels, or car rentals booked through American Express Travel. In addition, cardholders receive access to over 1,200 airport lounges worldwide through the Priority Pass Select program.
Other travel benefits include:
- Complimentary Gold Elite status with Marriott Bonvoy and Hilton Honors
- A complimentary night’s stay at select hotel properties when booking consecutive stays of two or more nights through American Express Travel
- Access to the American Express Fine Hotels and Resorts program, which offers exclusive benefits at over 1,000 luxury hotels worldwide
Other Benefits
In addition to travel benefits, the American Express Platinum Travel Credit Card offers a range of other benefits. These include:
- A $100 credit towards Global Entry or TSA PreCheck
- Access to exclusive events and experiences through the American Express Platinum Concierge
- Purchase protection and extended warranty coverage on eligible purchases
- No foreign transaction fees
Fees and Charges
The American Express Platinum Travel Credit Card has an annual fee of $695. This fee is not waived for the first year of card membership. The card also has a late payment fee of up to $40 and a returned payment fee of up to $40.
As a charge card, the American Express Platinum Travel Credit Card does not have a preset spending limit. However, cardholders are expected to pay off the full balance each month. If you do not pay off the full balance, you may be subject to a penalty APR of up to 29.99%.
Pros and Cons
Certainly! Here are the pros and cons of the American Express Platinum Travel Credit Card:
Pros
- Generous rewards program
- Exclusive travel benefits
- Access to airport lounges worldwide
- Complimentary hotel stays and elite status with select hotel programs
- No foreign transaction fees
- Purchase protection and extended warranty coverage
- $100 credit towards Global Entry or TSA PreCheck
Cons
- High annual fee of $695
- Late payment and returned payment fees
- Must pay off the full balance each month
- Penalty APR of up to 29.99% if full balance is not paid off
- Limited acceptance compared to other credit cards
Eligibility and Application
To be eligible for the American Express Platinum Travel Credit Card, applicants must have a good to excellent credit score and meet the income requirements set by American Express. Applicants must also be at least 18 years of age and a resident of the United States.
The application process can be completed online or by phone. Applicants will need to provide personal and financial information, including their name, address, income, and Social Security number. American Express may also request additional documentation to verify the applicant’s identity and income.
Once the application is submitted, American Express will review it and determine if the applicant is approved. If approved, the card will typically arrive within 7-10 business days.
It’s important to note that American Express may also conduct a credit check as part of the application process. This can temporarily lower the applicant’s credit score, so it’s important to only apply if the applicant meets the eligibility requirements and believes they have a strong chance of being approved.
Customer Service
American Express offers 24/7 customer service for their Platinum Travel Credit Card. Cardholders can contact American Express by phone, email, or through their online account.
In addition to general customer service, American Express also offers a dedicated concierge service for Platinum Travel Credit Cardholders. This service can assist with travel planning, restaurant reservations, event tickets, and more. Cardholders can contact the concierge service by phone or through their online account.
American Express also has a mobile app that allows cardholders to manage their account, view transactions, make payments, and redeem rewards. The app also provides access to exclusive offers and discounts for Platinum Travel Credit Cardholders.
Overall, American Express is known for its excellent customer service and support. Cardholders can expect prompt and helpful assistance with any questions or issues related to their Platinum Travel Credit Card.
Alternatives
If the American Express Platinum Travel Credit Card isn’t the right fit for you, there are several alternatives to consider. Here are a few options:
Chase Sapphire Reserve: This card offers similar travel benefits, including airport lounge access and travel credits, as well as a competitive rewards program. The annual fee is $550.
Citi Prestige Card: This card offers a generous rewards program, including 5x points on air travel and dining purchases, as well as exclusive travel benefits and a $250 travel credit. The annual fee is $495.
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card: This card offers a straightforward rewards program, with 2x miles on every purchase, as well as travel benefits and no foreign transaction fees. The annual fee is $95.
Bank of America Premium Rewards Credit Card: This card offers a flexible rewards program, with 2x points on travel and dining purchases, as well as a $100 airline incidental statement credit and travel benefits. The annual fee is $95.
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It’s important to compare the features and benefits of each card to determine which one best suits your needs and spending habits.
Transfer to Airlines/Hotel Loyalty Programs
The American Express Platinum Travel Credit Card allows cardholders to transfer Membership Rewards points to select airline and hotel loyalty programs. This allows cardholders to maximize the value of their points by taking advantage of airline and hotel rewards programs.
Cardholders can transfer Membership Rewards points to a variety of airline loyalty programs, including Delta SkyMiles, British Airways Executive Club, and Emirates Skywards, among others. Points can also be transferred to hotel loyalty programs, such as Hilton Honors and Marriott Bonvoy.
The transfer rate for Membership Rewards points varies depending on the loyalty program, but in general, one Membership Rewards point is equal to one airline or hotel point. Some loyalty programs offer a bonus for transferring points, which can increase the value of the transferred points.
Transferring points to airline and hotel loyalty programs can be a great way to book flights and hotel stays at a discounted rate, or to take advantage of exclusive rewards and benefits offered by loyalty programs. It’s important to compare the transfer rates and redemption options of different loyalty programs to determine which one offers the best value for your needs.
Complimentary Airport Lounge Access
One of the benefits of the American Express Platinum Travel Credit Card is complimentary airport lounge access. Cardholders can enjoy access to over 1,200 airport lounges in over 130 countries worldwide through the Priority Pass program.
Priority Pass provides access to a network of airport lounges, regardless of airline or class of ticket. Cardholders can enjoy complimentary snacks and beverages, comfortable seating, and free Wi-Fi, among other amenities.
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In addition to Priority Pass, the American Express Platinum Travel Credit Card also provides access to select Delta Sky Club lounges when flying on Delta. Cardholders can also access the American Express Centurion Lounges, which offer premium amenities such as gourmet food and cocktails, shower suites, and exclusive member services.
To access airport lounges, cardholders simply need to present their American Express Platinum Travel Credit Card and a valid boarding pass. Some lounges may require a reservation in advance, so it’s important to check the lounge’s policy before arriving at the airport.
Overall, the complimentary airport lounge access provided by the American Express Platinum Travel Credit Card is a valuable benefit for frequent travelers looking for a comfortable and relaxing experience at the airport.
Annual Fee Waiver
The American Express Platinum Travel Credit Card has an annual fee, but in some cases, cardholders may be eligible for an annual fee waiver.
The annual fee for the American Express Platinum Travel Credit Card is typically charged on the anniversary of the card’s opening and varies depending on the cardholder’s location. While the annual fee is a significant cost, the card’s benefits can easily outweigh the fee for frequent travelers.
In some cases, American Express may offer an annual fee waiver as a retention offer to encourage cardholders to continue using the card. The decision to offer a fee waiver is at the discretion of American Express and is based on several factors, including the cardholder’s spending habits and overall relationship with American Express.
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Cardholders can also try to negotiate an annual fee waiver by contacting American Express customer service and explaining their situation. However, there is no guarantee that an annual fee waiver will be granted, and it’s important to consider the card’s benefits and annual fee before deciding to apply for the card.
Apply for the Platinum Travel card
If you’re interested in applying for the American Express Platinum Travel Credit Card, the application process is relatively straightforward.
You can apply for the card online through the American Express website or by phone. To apply online, you’ll need to provide personal and financial information, including your name, address, employment details, and annual income. You’ll also need to consent to a credit check, which will impact your credit score.
After submitting your application, you’ll typically receive a decision within minutes. If approved, you’ll receive your card in the mail within 7-10 business days.
It’s important to note that the American Express Platinum Travel Credit Card is a premium card with strict eligibility requirements, including a high credit score and income level. Before applying, it’s a good idea to review the card’s eligibility criteria to ensure that you meet the requirements.
In addition, while the card offers many benefits, it also has a high annual fee, so it’s important to carefully consider whether the benefits of the card outweigh the cost. It’s also important to use the card responsibly to avoid high interest charges and late fees.
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Round-the-Year Offers
The American Express Platinum Travel Credit Card offers a variety of round-the-year offers that provide cardholders with additional value and savings.
One of the most notable offers is the welcome offer, which provides new cardholders with bonus Membership Rewards points after meeting minimum spending requirements within the first few months of opening the card. The welcome offer can be a significant boost to a cardholder’s Membership Rewards balance, which can be redeemed for travel, merchandise, or other rewards.
The card also offers ongoing benefits such as airline and hotel statement credits, travel insurance, and dining offers. For example, cardholders can receive up to a certain amount in statement credits for airline incidental fees such as baggage fees, in-flight meals, or airport lounge access fees. Similarly, cardholders can receive statement credits for hotel stays and other travel-related expenses.
In addition, the American Express Platinum Travel Credit Card offers various dining offers throughout the year, such as discounts at select restaurants or bonus Membership Rewards points for dining purchases.
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Conclusion – American Express Platinum Travel Credit Card
In conclusion, the American Express Platinum Travel Credit Card is a premium credit card that offers a wide range of benefits and rewards for frequent travelers. From earning bonus Membership Rewards points to enjoying complimentary airport lounge access, cardholders can take advantage of many perks and privileges that can enhance their travel experiences.
However, the card also comes with a high annual fee, so it’s important to carefully consider whether the benefits of the card outweigh the cost. It’s also important to use the card responsibly to avoid high interest charges and late fees.
Overall, if you meet the eligibility criteria and are a frequent traveler, the American Express Platinum Travel Credit Card may be an excellent choice for you. With its various benefits, rewards, and offers, the card can help you save money and enjoy a more luxurious travel experience.