American Express Introduces New Platinum Card Benefits

By Paul Riegler on 2 March 2017
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American Express Centurion Lounge in Miami

American Express Centurion Lounge in Miami

American Express announced several significant improvements to its Platinum charge card.

The changes include the replacement of the current plastic card with a new metal card, a $200 per year Uber credit, VIP status with Uber, complimentary additional Gold Card on an account, expanded airport lounge access, and five points per dollar spent on hotel bookings made through American Express Travel. Access to its Global Lounge Collection at airports will be expanded to more than 1,000 lounges worldwide.

Cardmembers, after adding the Platinum Card as a payment method to the Uber app, will receive up to $200 in annual Uber credits for rides within the United States at a rate of $15 per month with an additional $20 bonus each December. If the card is already listed, no further action is required to receive the bonus.

American Express is also arranging for Platinum Card members who add their card as a payment method to have Uber VIP status, which guarantees access to Uber’s highest-rated drivers and cars at no additional cost. The Uber VIP program is available in Atlanta, Georgia; Denver, Colorado; Nashville, Tennessee; New York City; and Washington, D.C.

In addition to the current five points per dollar earned on airline tickets regardless of booking method, Platinum cardholders will receive five points per dollar for hotel bookings, but only for those made through American Express Travel.

The company, which first introduced the Platinum Card in 1984, is replacing the plastic version with a redesigned metal card. In addition, American Express is eliminating the $45 fee for adding up to 5 Gold cards, although those cards will continue to be plastic.

Finally, the company also said that, starting in September 2017, it will raise the annual fee from $450 to $550 for renewals.

(Photo: Accura Media Group)

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