Both American Express Platinum Card® (review) and The Business Platinum Card® from American Express (review) offer a variety of useful perks, and it can almost be tough to keep track of them.
Many people don’t realize that the Amex Platinum offers hotel status with two major hotel loyalty programs, so in this post I wanted to go over the details of how that works. This is in addition to the Amex Platinum offering elite status with three major car rental brands.
Amex Platinum hotel status benefits
Those with the Amex Platinum receive both Gold elite status and Marriott Gold status on an ongoing basis (Enrollment required):
- This applies to both the Amex Personal Platinum and Amex Business Platinum
- Even authorized users are entitled to this benefit
- This benefit is available on an ongoing basis, for as long as your card remains open and in good standing; you only have to register once, and the perk will auto-renew year after year
- While you receive the benefits that correspond to the elite status, you don’t receive the corresponding elite qualification; in other words, when you receive status you’re no closer to getting Hilton Diamond elite status or Marriott Platinum status
Amex Platinum Hilton Gold status
To request your complimentary Amex Platinum Hilton Gold elite status, simply visit this website and log into your American Express account.
On the next page you’ll be prompted to enter your Hilton number.
Then within 72 hours your Hilton account should automatically be updated with Gold elite status.
Hilton Gold elite status benefits
There are lots of perks to Hilton Gold elite status, though the way I view it, the main perks are the following:
- Complimentary breakfast or hotel credit — within the United States receive a food & beverage credit, and outside the United States receive at least a continental breakfast
- Executive lounge access, subject to availability
- Upgrades to preferred rooms, subject to availability
- Late check-out, subject to availability
- 80% bonus Hilton points
- A fifth night free on award redemptions
The way I see it, the single most valuable perk of Hilton Gold is that you get free breakfast, a food & beverage credit, and/or lounge access, as that’s a perk that will quickly add up. Note that there are several other credit cards offering Hilton Gold elite status.
Amex Platinum Marriott Gold status
To request your complimentary Amex Platinum Marriott Gold status, simply visit this website and log into your American Express account.
On the next page, you’ll be prompted to enter your Marriott number.
Then, within 72 hours, your account should be automatically updated to reflect Marriott Gold status.
Benefits of Marriott Gold status
There are several perks to Marriott Gold status, though the way I view it, the main perks are the following:
- A 25% points bonus on all stays
- An upgrade to an enhanced room, subject to availability
- 2PM late check-out, subject to availability
- Premium in-room internet
- A welcome gift of bonus points
The benefits are fairly limited, but better than nothing if staying at a Marriott. Note that there are several other credit cards offering Marriott Gold status.
Which Amex Platinum hotel status is more valuable?
Personally I think Hilton Gold elite status is significantly more valuable than Marriott Gold status. Why? Hilton status gets you breakfast, lounge access, or a hotel credit, which I’d consider to be among the most valuable perks of elite status.
That being said, ultimately either status can come in handy, if you find yourself staying at a hotel belonging to either Hilton or Marriott. Some status is better than none.
Bottom line
While there are lots of awesome perks to the Amex Platinum Card, the complimentary hotel status is one benefit that’s often overlooked. Just for having the Amex Platinum you receive Hilton Gold elite status and Marriott Gold status.
Those perks can add value for cardmembers, particularly the Hilton Gold elite status, which offers some substantial perks.
If you have the Amex Platinum, have you benefited from the complimentary hotel status?
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