Why my Amex Platinum card is worth the pricey annual fee

Like some, I initially balked at paying a $695 annual fee (see rates and fees) for The Platinum Card® from American Express, but with its vast array of benefits and rewards, this card drew me in — and I don’t regret it.

As a cardmember for over two years, I have leveraged this pricey card to my advantage, jumping on the valuable perks it grants its customers. Though I do not love paying the high annual fee, I am unwilling to part with the benefits of this card.

From zipping through airport security lines to treating myself to complimentary Starbucks each month, here’s why the Amex Platinum reigns supreme in my eyes.

As someone who regularly runs through the airport and is nail-bitingly close to missing my flight, the Amex Platinum card has offered me a stress-free experience through security. Though I already have TSA PreCheck, those lines have seemingly become increasingly longer in recent years.

The Amex Platinum offers cardmembers up to $189 in statement credits on a Clear Plus annual membership. Enrollment required.

You’ve probably seen the Clear stands next to security lines at major airports and wondered what it was — I know I did. This membership is a fast-track way to the front of the TSA line.

Plus, since I also have TSA PreCheck, I can move to the front of the PreCheck line, therefore combining both perks of Clear Plus and PreCheck. But don’t worry, even if you don’t have PreCheck, you will still get to the front of the regular security line — you will just have to take your shoes off.

While Clear is not offered at every airport, my home airports Palm Beach International Airport (PBI) and Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL), thankfully have them.

Therefore, for most flights, I am no longer playing a guessing game on if I need to arrive at the airport two hours ahead of my flight. With my Clear and PreCheck benefits, I can usually get through airport security in under 10 minutes.

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Related: How to maximize benefits with the Amex Platinum

Who doesn’t love money toward their Uber ride-hailing or food-delivery purchases? With this card, I get up to $200 annually in Uber Cash, valid on Uber rides and Uber Eats orders in the U.S.

Each month, a $15 credit (plus a $20 bonus in December) is added to my Uber Cash account.

I tend to use my Uber credit to pay for a few Starbucks drinks each month. Basically, I’m fully embracing the “treat yourself” mantra.

If you have not been welcomed to the world of airport lounges, let me introduce you to this game-changing perk. You will no longer have to sit on the uncomfortable seats in your terminal, observing the chaos around you.

The Amex Platinum gives you access to the American Express Global Lounge Collection, including Priority Pass, Plaza Premium lounges and Amex’s own Centurion lounges.

Though every lounge differs, you can often find yourself sitting in a comfy chair with a power outlet available to use at your leisure. Yes, you don’t have to fight for the few that are in your terminal.

But my favorite part of airport lounges is the complimentary food and drinks available. Who doesn’t love free food?

Related: How to maximize benefits with the Amex Platinum

One of the biggest highlights of this card is the ability to earn American Express Membership Rewards points, which you can use to book travel. In June 2023, I flew round trip from Miami to Milan on Air France for around $250 out-of-pocket.

Since Air France-KLM Flying Blue is a partner of Amex, I transferred 30,000 points to Flying Blue. I paid about $250 for the taxes and fees for the flights. If I had decided to pay for the round-trip ticket out-of-pocket, I would have spent close to $1,000, giving me a value of 2.5 cents per point, above our valuation of Membership Rewards points at 2 cents each.

Utilizing my Amex points allowed me to take my dream vacation, a trip I would not have been able to afford had I not.

Though the Amex Platinum‘s annual fee (see rates and fees) is high, this card offers many benefits and added perks.

Between earning transferable points for my upcoming travel plans and receiving statement credits, the card’s steep annual fee is worth it to me. If you take full advantage of what the Amex Platinum offers, you will receive up to $1,500 in annual statement credits.

To learn more, check out our full review of The Platinum Card® from American Express.

Apply here: The Platinum Card® from American Express

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