7 non-travel Amex Platinum benefits you should be using

By DFB Guy On Jul 7, 2024

Editor’s note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information and offers.

The Platinum Card® from American Express is a TPG favorite. We love the travel perks we get with it — like comprehensive airport lounge access, hotel and airline fee credits and travel protections.

But for all the reasons it makes travel easier, the Amex Platinum is far more than just a travel card. Cardmembers can receive over $1,500 in statement credits — many of which aren’t travel-related — and enjoy a wide range of shopping protections that can help justify the card’s $695 annual fee (see rates and fees) even for infrequent travelers.

Let’s take a look at some of the non-travel benefits that continue to make this card worthwhile to keep in your wallet.

$300 Equinox Credit

Equinox is an upscale chain of gyms in the U.S., Canada and London. When you charge the fees on your Amex Platinum Card, you’ll receive up to $300 back via a statement credit annually on select Equinox memberships or a digital subscription to Equinox+ (the on-demand fitness app).

Enrollment is required. If you don’t live in a city with an Equinox gym, you’ll get the biggest bang for your buck when you use the credit for a digital subscription to Equinox+, regularly $39.99 per month.

Value: Up to $300 annually

$240 digital entertainment credit

The Amex Platinum offers a monthly up to $20 statement credit for select digital entertainment services. These services include Peacock., Disney+, Hulu and ESPN+ — or a Disney Bundle (which includes up to all three services), the New York Times and the Wall Street Journal. If you already use any of these, this is a good benefit to have. Enrollment is required.

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Value: Up to $240 annually

Uber Cash

Amex Platinum cardmembers get $15 in Uber statement credits each month, plus an extra $20 in December. The Amex Platinum must be added to the Uber app to receive the benefit.

And that credit doesn’t just work for rides — it also works for food delivery and pickup through Uber Eats (for services in the U.S. only).

Value: $200 annually

American Express Platinum Concierge

Short on time? Don’t feel like researching things such as restaurant reservations and other mundane tasks? Let the Amex Platinum Concierge help. Your card gets you access to a special phone service to assist you in booking top restaurants and events, as well as finding a perfect dinner spot or even delivering items on demand and other tasks.

Restaurants owned by Chef Jose Andres are among those included in the Global Dining Access program. JOHN PARA/GETTY IMAGES

Amex also has the Global Dining Access program powered by Resy, and cardmembers receive special access to some of the world’s most sought-after restaurants. You can also book high-profile chef dinners, curated culinary experiences, virtual cooking classes and pre-sales of Resy events.

Saks Fifth Avenue credit

Amex Platinum’s Saks statement credit is available in the form of two up to $50 statement credits per calendar year. The first credit is valid from Jan. 1 through June 30, and the second is valid from July 1 through Dec. 31.

AARONPBAUER/GRIFFINGC-IMAGES/GETTY IMAGES

Anything that you purchase from Saks will automatically trigger the credit. And if you use an online shopping portal to shop at Saks, you’ll double dip on earnings from your purchase.

Saks is known for luxury apparel or accessories, but you can still score a great deal on everyday essentials, especially when there’s a sale. From scented candles to skincare, you can complete your shopping list using the Amex Platinum credit. Enrollment is required for select benefits.

Value: Up to $100 annually

Walmart + Credit

Walmart+ provides free shipping on hundreds of thousands of items from Walmart with no minimum spending required. (Grocery deliveries require a $35 order minimum.) Each month you pay for a Walmart+ membership with the Amex Platinum, you will receive a statement credit for $12.95 plus applicable taxes on one membership fee (subject to auto-renewal).

You also get 10 cents off each gallon of gas at select gas stations, including Exxon, Mobil and Murphys. Additionally, streamers can rejoice, as a Walmart+ membership includes a complimentary standard Paramount+ membership. Enrollment is required, and Plus Up memberships are excluded from the credit.

Value: Up to $155 annually

Purchase, return, and extended warranty protection

Many credit cards offer purchase protection and extended warranty, and they’re worth highlighting during tough economic times for the reassurance they offer cardmembers.

With the Amex Platinum Card, you’ll get purchase protection* that covers purchases of up to $10,000 per incident against damage, loss or theft. A limit of $50,000 in total claims per card applies. Purchase protection benefits are limited to 90 days from the date of purchase. This is a fantastic benefit to have in case of loss, theft or accidental damage. Terms apply.

The Platinum card also offers 90 days of return protection**. If a retailer does not accept a return, Amex will refund the entire purchase price up to $300 per item, excluding shipping and handling fees. This particular benefit is limited to $1,000 per calendar year.

Finally, Amex Platinum’s extended warranty coverage* offers one full year of coverage at $10,000 per item and up to $50,000 per calendar year.

*Eligibility and benefit levels vary by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for details. Policies are underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.

**Eligibility and benefit levels vary by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for details.

Adding up your Platinum credits

The key to getting value from the Amex Platinum is using the credits. But if you have the Platinum and can use these statement credits, you’ll come out ahead of this card’s $695 annual fee.

Equinox credit: up to $300*
Digital entertainment credit: up to $240*
Uber Cash: up to $200*
Saks credit: up to $100*
Walmart+ membership credit: up to 155*
Airline fee statement credit: up to $200*
Prepaid hotel credit: up to $200
Clear Plus membership credit: up to $189*
Global Entry/TSA PreCheck credit: up to $100
Total annual credits = up to $1,684

*Enrollment is required for select benefits.

Bottom line

With an array of credits, Walmart+ membership, and shopping protections, the Amex Platinum card has plenty of non-travel benefits. These benefits can easily help offset the hefty annual fee. (see rates and fees) And if you’re new to the Amex Platinum, you can earn a generous welcome offer.

Apply here: Amex Platinum card

Check the CardMatch tool to see if you’re targeted for a 125,000 or 150,000-point Platinum card offer (after meeting minimum spending requirements). These offers are subject to change at any time.

For rates and fees of the Amex Platinum Card, please click here.

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