Maximize Your Amex Platinum Card: Which Benefits You Need to Enroll In

The Platinum Card^® from American Express comes with some substantial money-saving benefits and credits that can help offset the card's hefty $695 annual fee (Rates & Fees). But whether you've just been approved or have been a cardholder for a while, you might not realize that some of these benefits require you to enroll to take advantage of them.

If you haven't activated these benefits yet, you're potentially leaving money on the table. Here's everything you need to know about which Amex Platinum benefits require enrollment and how to do so.

The American Express Global Lounge Collection

For many travelers, one of the biggest selling points of the Amex Platinum is the American Express Global Lounge Collection, which includes the following lounge networks:

• Centurion Lounges
• Delta Sky Clubs
• Escape Lounges
• Lufthansa Lounges
• Plaza Premium Lounges
• Priority Pass Lounges

The Centurion Lounge, Denver Credit: American Express

You can access most lounges, like the Centurion Lounge or Delta Sky Club, by presenting your Amex card and a same-day boarding pass, but you'll need to enroll to get into Priority Pass lounges. To do so, head to the benefits section of your account and click “Enroll Now” next to American Express Global Lounge Collection.

Related: Best Travel Credit Cards With Lounge Access

Digital Entertainment Credit

Cardholders can receive up to $20 in statement credits each month (totaling up to $240 per year) in the form of a digital entertainment credit. This credit can be used on purchases from the following providers:

• Disney+
• A Disney+ bundle
• ESPN+
• Hulu
• The New York Times
• Peacock
• The Wall Street Journal

Credit: American Express

To enroll, log in to your account, navigate to the benefits section, and select “Enroll Now.” Then, you can use your Amex card to make an eligible purchase at one or more of the providers, and you'll get up to $20 back in a statement credit. This benefit won't roll over to the following month. Each month you don't utilize the credit is $20 that you can't get back.

Airline Fee Credit

Another one of the best Amex Platinum benefits for frequent travelers is the $200 airline fee credit. When you use your card to pay for incidental airline fees, like seat selection, checked bags, or in-flight refreshments, you'll receive a statement credit of up to $200 each calendar year.

Credit: American Express

To enroll, you must select one airline to qualify for the credit. Once you select your airline, you won't be able to change it until the following January. You can choose from the following airlines:

• Alaska
• American
• Delta
• Hawaiian
• JetBlue
• Southwest
• Spirit
• United

The list is short, but airline fees can add up. If you take one or two flights per year, chances are you'll be able to easily use up this credit. Just be sure to identify which airline you want to use it on.

Saks Fifth Avenue Credit

You can get up to $100 in statement credits for purchases at Saks Fifth Avenue or Saks.com, but this is doled out in two bi-annual $50 increments. You have from January to June to use the first $50, and from July to December to use the second. If you forget, you'll lose it, so make sure to schedule a shopping trip or shop online.

You must enroll by going to your benefits page in your account and select “Enroll Now.” After that, use your card to make your purchases, and you'll get up to $200 back each year.

Credit: Saks Fifth Avenue

Walmart+ Monthly Membership Credit

The monthly credit for a Walmart+ membership doesn't technically require enrollment, but it does require you to sign up for the membership. Simply use your card to pay the membership fee and you'll receive up to $12.95 back, plus taxes, each month on your statement. A Walmart+ membership gives you benefits like early access deals, free delivery from your store, free pharmacy delivery, free shipping, savings on fuel, and more.

CLEAR Plus Credit

CLEAR is amazing when you're running late to the airport and need to quickly get through security. When combined with TSA PreCheck, it makes security screening a breeze. Whether you use it to avoid missing your flight or to get to the lounge faster, you won't regret signing up for it. Enroll in a CLEAR Plus membership using your card and receive up to $199 in statement credits each year.

Credit: CLEAR

Hilton Honors Gold Status

Cardholders receive complimentary Hilton Honors Gold status, which gives perks like bonus points on stays, a daily food and beverage credit, and space-available room upgrades. If you aren't already enrolled in the Hilton Honors loyalty program, you'll need to sign up first. Then, you can enter your Hilton Honors number in the benefits section of your Amex Platinum account and select “Enroll Now.” It can take up to 72 hours to process, so be sure you enroll at least a few days prior to your next Hilton stay.

Villa at the Waldorf Astoria Maldives. Credit: JT Genter/AwardWallet

Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite Status

Amex Platinum cardholders also receive complimentary Marriott Bonvoy elite status, which includes a welcome gift, complimentary Wi-Fi, enhanced room upgrades, and a 2:00 pm late checkout. Like with the Hilton status, you'll also need to sign up for a Marriott Bonvoy account first, if you haven't already. Then, go to the benefits section of your Amex account, enter your Marriott Bonvoy number, and hit “Enroll Now.” It will take three to five business days to process.

Ritz-Carlton Dove Mountain. Credit: Marriott

$300 Equinox Credit & SoulCycle At-Home Bike Credit

If you are an Equinox fanatic, you can get up to $300 in statement credits each year on a digital subscription or club membership. Go to the dedicated Equinox Amex Platinum website to enroll. You can either create a new membership at enrollment or sign in to your existing account. An Equinox+ membership through the app costs $40/month ($480), so the $300 Amex Platinum credit will cover a large chunk of your overall costs. An in-person membership is substantially more, but any savings can help.

You can also receive a $300 statement credit on the SoulCycle At-Home Bike (which requires an Equinox+ membership).

TSA PreCheck or Global Entry Credit

Global Entry is one of the best programs for frequent travelers, as it allows you to use dedicated Global Entry lanes when re-entering the U.S. after a trip abroad and take advantage of TSA PreCheck. Cardholders of the Amex Platinum can receive a statement credit of $120 every four years for Global Entry enrollment or $85 every 4.5 years for TSA PreCheck. To enroll, click the “Get Started” button in your account and use your card to pay for your application fee.

Credit: James Tourtellotte / CBP

Related: Expedited Security Screening Programs: How To Get Them for Free

Uber Cash

Amex Platinum cardholders get a monthly Uber Cash credit that can be used for rides or Uber Eats orders in the U.S. To get the Uber Cash, you'll first need to add your Amex Platinum as a payment method in your Uber account. After that, you'll receive $15 in Uber Cash on the first day of each month, plus a bonus $20 in December. It won't roll over to the next month, so be sure to use it up in full each month.

Amex Disclosure: To receive the Uber Cash benefit, you must add The Platinum Card^® from American Express to your account in the Uber app. Please see full terms for more details.

$200 Hotel Credit

The Amex Platinum $200 hotel credit is another benefit that doesn't technically require enrollment, but does have some stipulations. Cardholders can receive up to $200 in statement credits each year by booking a prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts or The Hotel Collection hotel stay of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. When you book these properties, you'll also receive perks like daily breakfast, room upgrades, on-site credits, and flexible check-in and checkout.

$200 hotel credit offered with The Platinum Card^® from American Express applies to prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts^® or The Hotel Collection bookings made via American Express Travel^®. The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay.

Final Thoughts

A large chunk of the Amex Platinum benefits are use-it-or-lose-it credits, meaning they don't roll over to the following month or year. If you don't use your credits, you're leaving a lot of money on the table. For a card with such a high annual fee, you should take advantage of every benefit offered to you. Be sure to enroll in these benefits as soon as you get your card so you can start redeeming them.

For rates and fees of the cards mentioned in this post, please visit the following links: The Platinum Card^® from American Express (Rates & Fees)

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