American Express Platinum Card

Last updated: October 27, 2022
  • Up to 85,000 Membership Rewards points
  • $1,503 First-year value
Best offer is available via a referral link
Signup bonus:
65,000 MR points upon spending $6,000 in the first three months
20,000 MR points upon making a purchase between months 14 and 17
Total of 85,000 MR points
Annual fee:
$699
Earning rate:
3 MR points per dollar spent on dining in Canada
2 MR points per dollar spent on travel purchases
1 MR point per dollar spent on all other purchases
Referral bonus:
10,000 MR points per referral, up to a maximum of 225,000 MR points per calendar year
Perks & benefits:
$200 annual travel credit
Unlimited Priority Pass lounge access
Marriott Gold, Hilton Gold, Radisson Gold status
Fine Hotels & Resorts
Platinum Concierge
Insurance:
Strong
Card type:
Charge card

The American Express Platinum Card is one of the leading travel rewards credit cards in Canada. With best-in-class travel perks, the ability to earn powerful Membership Rewards points, and the premium allure of a flashy metal finish, the Platinum Card should have a place in every frequent traveller’s wallet.

Despite the $699 annual fee (which is the highest among major Canadian credit cards), the welcome bonus makes the card unquestionably worth it for the first year, and the ongoing benefits might even tempt you to keep it for years to come.

Bonuses & Fees

The Platinum Card is currently offering a welcome bonus of up to 85,000 Membership Rewards points when applying through a referral link.

The points are earned as follows:

  • 65,000 MR points upon spending $6,000 in the first three months
  • 20,000 MR Points upon making a purchase between months 14 and 17

The annual fee of $699 is one of the highest around, although the Platinum Card offers a $200 travel credit once per year, making the “effective” annual fee $499 per year.

There are also referral bonuses as a Platinum cardholder if you refer your friends or family to the card. You’ll earn 10,000 MR points for every referral you make, up to a maximum of 225,000 MR per calendar year.

Earning Rewards

On daily spending, the Platinum Card allows you to earn:

  • 3 MR points per dollar spent on dining in Canada
  • 2 MR points per dollar spent on travel purchases
  • 1 MR point per dollar spent on all other purchases

The 3x return on dining is highly lucrative when eating out, although keep in mind that the Cobalt Card also offers 5 MR points per dollar spent on the same purchases.

Likewise, the 2x return on travel is a good return, although the same benefit is offered by the Gold Rewards Card as well.

Lastly, the 1x return on all other purchases is rather measly, and you can do better with the Business Platinum Card’s 1.25 MR points per dollar spent on all purchases.

Overall, the Platinum Card’s tiered earning rate is fairly strong when you look at it as a whole. Even though each individual earning category can in fact be bettered with a different card in the Amex portfolio, the Platinum Card is a compelling one-card solution if your spending tends to be concentrated on dining and travel.

Redeeming Rewards

The Membership Rewards program offers outstanding redemption opportunities as well. This is primarily because it’s a flexible, transferable rewards currency.

You can transfer your MR points at a 1:1 ratio to Aeroplan and British Airways Avios, as well as a host of other global frequent flyer programs (including Cathay Pacific Asia Miles) at a 1:0.75 ratio. Moreover, you also have the option of converting points to Marriott Bonvoy at a 1:1.2 ratio for booking hotel stays.

Furthermore, you can redeem MR points directly for flights through the Amex Fixed Points Travel reward chart, although these are limited to round-trip flights departing from Canada.

Essentially, you can use a fixed amount of points towards the base ticket price of a regular cash ticket, up to a certain maximum. The number of points required and the maximum ticket price depends on the geographical region you are visiting (you can only book roundtrip flights that originate in Canada).

Lastly, you have the option of redeeming MR points directly against travel purchases at a rate of 1 cent per point (cpp), although this is typically not recommended, as the value pales in comparison to what you could get by booking flights through Aeroplan, Avios, or even the Fixed Points Travel chart.

Perks & Benefits

What really sets the Platinum Card apart, though, and what is meant to justify its hefty $699 annual fee, is the outstanding travel benefits. Chief among these is the Complimentary Membership in Priority Passwhich grants you (and one guest) access to more than 600 Priority Pass airport lounges all over the world for free. Most major airports have a Priority Pass lounge, meaning that you’ll rarely be without a relaxing space before your flight to grab a drink or a quick meal, away from the crowds at the gate.

As a Platinum cardholder, you’ll automatically be bestowed with Marriott Gold Elite status, Hilton Gold status, and Radisson Gold status. These fast-tracked membership levels come with their own series of valuable benefits when staying at each chain.

Another outstanding benefit is access to American Express’s Fine Hotels & Resorts program, which allows you to book special rates at select luxury hotels around the world. These rates include perks such as suite upgrades, daily breakfast for two, and benefits unique to each property (examples include a private airport transfer or a spa & dining credit). The FHR program often pops up with third-night-free or fourth-night-free offers as well, meaning that there’s plenty of good deals to be had.

Among many other bells and whistles, the Platinum Card also offers priority security lane access at Toronto Pearson Airport, upgrades and discounts on car rentals with Hertz and Avis, and of course the aforementioned $200 annual travel credit that can be used towards any flight, hotel, car rental, or vacation booking made with Amex’s Platinum Travel Service. (Note that you don’t get the travel credit returned to you if you subsequently cancel your booking; instead, it simply remains on your statement!)

Lastly, the Platinum Concierge is worth a brief mention. They’re an extremely professional “global concierge” team that’s able to help you out with any and all requests you may have, wherever you are. In the past, they’ve helped me out with everything from restaurant bookings to last-minute flower orders.

They aren’t miracle workers, so don’t expect them to be able to snag a spot for you at the hottest restaurant in town for tomorrow evening, but they will proactively put you on the waitlist or look to confirm a spot for you on some future date. Personally, I do find it incredibly useful to have a capable, service-oriented Platinum Concierge just a call away.

Insurance Coverage

As a premium travel credit card, you can be sure that the Platinum Card’s insurance coverage is top-drawer as well. In fact, the card offers all of the basic travel coverage items (emergency medical insurance up to $5,000,000, travel accident insurance up to $500,000, flight delay, trip interruption, etc.) plus the following key covered items:

  • Trip cancellation insurance for non-refundable prepaid trip expenses, up to $3,000 for all insured persons combined, when you need to cancel a trip for a covered reason

  • Baggage delay insurance, up to $1,000 (aggregate total with Flight Delay insurance), for items purchased within four days when your baggage is delayed – this is different from lost and stolen baggage insurance, which doesn’t cover delays

If you’ve ever had your baggage delayed because an airline left it somewhere along the way, you’ll know all about the nail-biting wait for getting your stuff back. (If not, just know that it happens to everyone eventually.)

I was recently in a situation where the airline had mishandled my bags and left them in a connecting city, and the card I had booked the ticket with came with coverage for lost and stolen baggage but not delayed baggage, leaving me to cover my costs for a few days out-of-pocket. With the Platinum Card, you’ll be able to rest easy knowing that you are covered in the event that your bags go sightseeing on their own for a little while.

Historical Offers

Apply Now

The American Express Platinum Card does not have a minimum income requirement to be eligible.

You'll earn the best available signup bonus if you apply using a referral link. Consider supporting Prince of Travel by applying for the card via the link below.

33 Comments
  1. pbegin

    About the “2 MR points per dollar spent on travel purchases”… I made two purchases (Sleep and Country Inns)… I got only 1x the points. I did not see any “Canada” limitation as for the dining earn rate. I booked through their web sites. Does the 2x points comes later? Any limitation I am not aware of? I will call the customer service later.

    1. pbegin

      Well, it seems Amex corrected the discrepancies themselves.

      But now, I find that they charged 1.42 USD CAD Exchange Rate on pruchases I made in the USA.
      Look at the mean rate of Oct 19-21, even the min max, and it never went over 1.395…

      Are they supposed to charge market rate+ 2.5%

  2. Cameron

    Was a platinum cardholder in 2018 and just reapplied this fall. I was hoping to slip through and get the bonus offer, but no deal. they denied it as I previously was a primary card holder. I’m also not eligible for the disney+ offer that was recently given to other platinum members because it’s targeted to people who have had the card for one year (according to the agent I spoke with). Bummer, but thought it might be helpful for anyone considering re-applying with their eyes on the bonus.

  3. Nelson

    I am just curious if there’s flight delay/ cancellation on Flair airline (assuming there’s only one flight per day leaving to my destination), would that mean the travel delay insurance will pretty much automatically kick in and cover me up to $1,000?

  4. Tony

    The historical offers chart is great and tends to show that is the worse possible time to get this card (6k in 3 mths not 6 mths, less MR rewards). Take it or leave it for now and wait for a better offer (MR pts versus spending effort).

    Also the 20k MR adder is after a 12 mths period means we pay twice the card fees to get them ? the cobalt seems a better deal today

  5. LGB

    I have both the Amex Platinum and the Amex Platinum Business and am trying to decide which to keep. What do you recommend, and why?

  6. ben

    I just received my card and I am confused about the point bonus. I sweat that when I applied 10 days ago it was 110k point but now I am seeing that the current offer is 80k Can someone confirm?

    1. Tony

      Bonus will be the same as when you applied. So if offer was 110k, you’ll get 110k.

  7. Kresher

    Hi,

    I’d like to know if PoT has ever used the International Airline Program benefit of Platinum card?

    https://www.americanexpress.com/ca/en/benefits/the-platinum-card/international-airline-program.html

    Discounts available on the base fare for qualifying International First, Business, and Premium Economy Class tickets at participating airlines when you book with Platinum Travel or online at American Express Travel and pay in full with your American Express Card.
    Discounts available to Cardmember and up to seven additional passengers when travelling together on the same itinerary. Please note, when booking online at americanexpress.ca/travel, the discounts are limited to five additional passengers.

    It would be nice to read about this particular bit from PoT.

    1. Lawrence

      Does the refundable hotel trick no longer work for Amex platinum? I think I got my $200 credit clawed back

  8. Danielle

    Is there a limit on the 3 MR points per dollar spent on dining in Canada? I beleive on the Cobalt the 5X rate is capped at $30,000? I spend upwards of $300,000 a year on business dining expenses and therefore like the higher dining rate on this card. If so I will apply through your referal link soon.

    1. Ricky YVR

      No limit.

      1. Patrick

        Hello Ricky,

        I’m in the process of getting the ITIN and have just got the Hilton Honours card. I’m wondering if applying for Amex Canadian cards such as Platinum, Gold, and Cobalt would be considered taking up space for the Chase 5/24 rule.

        1. Rachel YYZ

          Only US personal cards count for 5/24.

  9. Zach H.

    For the hotel loyalty programs, say MB, with Gold Status, does that mean you only need 25 additional nights to reach Platinum? Can you combine with the MB Amex’s 15 qualifying nights?

    1. Ricky YVR

      Nope, you just get the status, not the qualifying nights. To reach Platinum, you’d still need 50 nights.

  10. Tchykae

    How long will the Marriott Gold Elite status, Hilton Gold status, and Radisson Gold status be for, As long as the platinum card is active?

    1. Ricky YVR

      Correct. If the Platinum Card is cancelled, the status should last until February of the following year (though there are some anecdotes of the Hilton Gold status in particular being “sticky” for quite a few years after cancellation).

  11. Yz

    Long time Gold holder and thinking of applying for Platinum but not keeping it beyond year 2. Does this impact the MR assuming the new card gets linked to the existing account? Any risk of losing the MR? No plans of churning.

  12. John

    Does AMEX enforce the no rewards bonus if you had the card previously thing? Is there a way to find out before paying the fee? It’s so sketchy how they bury that and say they will approve it anyway.

    1. Ricky YVR

      It’s unclear if it’s enforced. They’ll approve it anyway because you’re always allowed to hold the card again, but you aren’t “supposed” to get the bonus again. For what it’s worth, a few recent repeat applicants for the Platinum Card did get the bonus.

  13. Kristina

    I have an Amex gold, if I apply to the Amex plat with your link will it upgrade my current card and will I still be eligible for the rewards?

    1. Ricky YVR

      It would be in addition to your current card rather than replacing your current card. Yes, you’d be eligible.

  14. Alx Kupah

    The Prince of Travel article states the cardholder and a guest have lounge access with the Platinum card. The Amex website (under footnotes) does not mention a guest. Does anyone know which is accurate?

  15. Ha

    Does is cover auto collision/ damages insurance?

  16. RobDN

    I had a Platinum personal card from 1999 to 2016. If I apply now will I be eligible for the MR bonuses? If not, would my wife, who had a supplimental Gold card in the past associated with my Platinum card, get the MR bonuses if she applied now?

    1. Josh YVR

      Your wife would definitely be eligible for all bonuses if she’s never been a primary cardholder before.

      As for yourself, with a 5-year gap plus a strong history as a loyal cardholder, I’d say your chances are good. Worst case you won’t get the bonus, but in your situation I wouldn’t be worried about a repeat application hurting your relationship with Amex.

  17. Emil

    Does anyone know what benefits are available to additional added card holders? Would an additional card holder also benefit from getting Marriott Elite Gold status for example?

  18. Jeff H TOR

    My amex PP up for renewal this month May 2021. I hope they will work with me here on the renewal considering my circumstances.

  19. Alex

    I don’t see any mention of the Shangri-La Jade status on Amex Platinum website. They state the other three brands.

    1. Josh YVR

      They’ve just phased it out as of March 31! Good catch – edited.

  20. John H

    only seeing 25,000 in incognito mode both chrome and microsoft

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