Link: Apply now for The Platinum Card® from American Express
The Platinum Card® from American Express is one of the most popular premium cards on the market. We’ve just seen an improved welcome offer rolled out on the card (with a twist), making it a great time to apply, if eligible.
In this post:
Amex Platinum Card welcome offer with lots of points
The Amex Platinum Card has an increased welcome offer, with a twist. The welcome offer is marketed as being as high as 175,000 Membership Rewards points after spending $8,000 within the first six months. Amex notes how the welcome offers vary, and applicants may not be eligible for that welcome offer.
The way this works, you can apply for the card, and then find out your offer amount. Then you can decide whether you want to accept the offer or not. That’s an unconventional approach for a welcome offer. At least Amex has the “apply with confidence” feature, so there won’t be a hard pull unless you accept the offer.
Personally, I value Membership Rewards points at 1.7 cents each, meaning that to me, 175,000 points are worth a staggering $2,975. Of course that assumes you’re eligible for this offer, which not everyone will be. There are lots of great uses for Amex points, as they can be transferred to all kinds of useful airline and hotel partners.
Who is eligible for the Amex Platinum Card offer?
In line with Amex’s “once in a lifetime” rule, the welcome offer on the Amex Platinum Card isn’t available to those who currently have the card, or those who have had the card (or previous versions of the card) in the past. On top of that, Amex’s general card restrictions apply. There are a few additional things to note:
- You are eligible for the welcome offer on this card if you’ve had any other Amex card, so you can apply for this card even if you have other Amex cards
- While Amex typically has a limit of letting someone have at most five Amex credit cards (including personal and business cards), that doesn’t include this product, since it’s not a traditional credit card
- There’s a mystery to Amex card approvals, as you may sometimes receive a pop-up when applying for cards, indicating that you’re not eligible for the offer
Why the Amex Platinum Card could be worth it
The Amex Platinum Card has a $695 annual fee (Rates & Fees). While this isn’t the most rewarding card in terms of the return on spending, it does have a huge number of valuable perks. Here are just some of them (enrollment is required for select benefits, and often using the perks can take a bit of effort):
- Comprehensive airport lounge access, including Amex Centurion Lounge access, Delta Sky Club® access, a Priority Pass™ Select membership, and more; in all cases, there are some terms and restrictions associated with access
- Elite status with travel brands, including Hilton Gold status, Marriott Gold status, and elite status with multiple rental car companies
- $1,800+ of credits or benefits for airline fees, hotels, Equinox, SoulCycle, CLEAR, Saks, and much more
- Access to all kinds of special programs, from Amex Fine Hotels + Resorts®, to the Amex International Airline Program, and more
Read a full review of the Amex Platinum Card here. Also keep in mind that Amex has announced that major changes are coming to this card later in the year. So this is an opportunity to pick up the card now at the current fee and with the current benefits.
Bottom line
The Amex Platinum Card has a new welcome offer as high as 175,000 points upon completing minimum spending. The structure of this offer is a little unusual, since the offer is “as high as” that amount, and when you fill out your application, you’ll see exactly what offer you’re eligible for.
If you are eligible for such a big welcome offer, this card is absolutely worth picking up. It offers all kinds of great perks that can help offset the annual fee, ranging from lounge access, to credits, to elite status, and more. If you’re eligible for this card, this would be a great time to apply.
Do you plan on picking up the Amex Platinum Card with this improved welcome offer?
The following links will direct you to the rates and fees for mentioned American Express Cards. These include: The Platinum Card® from American Express (Rates & Fees).
Given its current category earning rates, it's hard to imagine Amex will so change them with a refreshed Platinum that it will outdo the just-refreshed CSR. Separately, there will certainly be additional credits to offset a higher annual fee . . . but it will be more of the current $10 here and $10 there. Not for me. While the refresh is yet to be seen, my wife and I are predisposed to let go of our Platinums.
In line with others, 80k was my offer. Hard pass.
I love my Gold card and had no plans to get the platinum. I don't really need all the perks of a high fee premium card. However, I just got an Platinum upgrade offer in the mail for 125K points for a $6000 spend in 6 months. I grabbed it. No credit check. No change to my 5/24 status. I will still get this for the $695 fee and when the fee likely goes up...
I love my Gold card and had no plans to get the platinum. I don't really need all the perks of a high fee premium card. However, I just got an Platinum upgrade offer in the mail for 125K points for a $6000 spend in 6 months. I grabbed it. No credit check. No change to my 5/24 status. I will still get this for the $695 fee and when the fee likely goes up this year, I'll downgrade back to the gold in a year from now. I won't want to pay a higher fee no matter what the perks are. I understand I will not be eligible to apply for a platinum card in the future by doing this, but that's ok with me.
I just did the same. No regrets.
Ben's link is for 80k; I did a google search and found the link for up to 175k... Missing out on referrals...
Why would you try to entice people to apply for premium credit cards with pictures of Lufthansa’s terrible first class?
Mine was only 80k. Not worth the change
180k up here in Canada.
Seemingly, a pathetic me-too from Amex. Just hang on, we're doing a refresh at the end of the year. Oh, it's going to be big. We won't say what. But, oh, it's going to be big.
Only got the 80k offer and declined. Wonder what others got