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eTicket Flight Credit(s) Available

You have eTicket Flight Credit(s) available that can be applied to your booking with applicable airlines. Please see below for redemption options.

Introduction to Amex Airline Credit

Eligible amex cards for airline credit, selecting an airline for your credit, eligible expenses covered by the credit, how to use your amex airline credit, maximizing your amex airline credit: a complete guide.

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  • Several premium American Express cards offer airline incidental fee credits** as a benefit.
  • Purchases that officially qualify include checked bag fees, seat selection fees, and lounge passes.
  • You'll receive statement credits up to a maximum per year after you make a qualifying purchase.

Overview of the Airline Fee Credit

One of the most valuable benefits offered by premium American Express cards like The Platinum Card® from American Express , The Business Platinum Card® from American Express , and Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card is a yearly airline incidental fee credit. When you use your card to pay for extras like checked baggage, seat selection, or inflight purchases on one eligible airline of your choice, you'll receive a statement credit toward the charge, up to a certain amount each year.

Benefits of the Airline Credit

The maximum airline fee credits you can receive varies by card, but in all cases, the benefit resets at the end of the calendar year . They don't roll over to the next year; if you don't use them, you lose them.

Here's where things get a little tricky: American Express only publishes a partial list of airline fees that qualify for reimbursement. And although the terms and conditions for the benefit specifically exclude certain types of airline purchases, some cardholders have had success triggering the credit with transactions that aren't listed as eligible.

Cards Offering Airline Fee Credit

Depending on the Amex card you have, you'll receive up to a specified amount in airline incidental fee credits on your selected airline:

  • The Platinum Card® from American Express — Up to $200 per calendar year
  • The Business Platinum Card® from American Express — Up to $200 per calendar year
  • Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card — Up to $250 per calendar year

When you open the card, Amex allows you to choose one airline from a list with which to use the credit, and you can change your selection each January. You can make your selection under the "Benefits" section in your Amex online account, through online chat, or by calling the number on the back of your card.

Changing Your Selected Airline

Unofficially, it's possible to change your airline even if it's not January — in the past, many cardholders (self included) have been able to do so easily via online chat — but there's no guarantee this will always work. This can be handy if you've had a change of travel plans, or if it's near the end of the year and you want to use up the credit before it expires.

Once you've made your choice, you'll receive a statement credit toward eligible purchases made with the card on your selected airline, up to the yearly limit. The reimbursement typically posts within a few days of the transaction, although the terms say it can take up to four weeks.

Amex relies on airline transaction data to determine if a charge qualifies for the credit, so if you don't see a statement credit after four weeks, use online chat or call the number on the back of your card for help.

In-flight Purchases

American Express is very clear about what will  not qualify for the airline incidental fee reimbursement. According to the terms and conditions, you won't receive a credit for these types of purchases:

  • Airline tickets (basically, airfare)
  • Mileage points purchases
  • Mileage points transfer fees
  • Duty-free purchases
  • Award tickets

However, these exclusions haven't always been strictly enforced. For example, until mid-2019, gift card purchases from some airlines would trigger the reimbursement even though they weren't technically allowed. And some cardholders have reported receiving the credit for cheap airfare purchases (typically less than $100) on certain airlines. That doesn't mean similar purchases will work for you, so proceed with caution if you use the card to pay for a fee that isn't explicitly included. 

Officially, the airline incidental fee credit reimbursement will cover the following charges:

  • Checked baggage fees (including overweight and oversize fees)
  • Itinerary change fees
  • Phone reservation fees
  • Pet flight fees
  • Seat assignment fees
  • In-flight amenity fees (beverages, food, pillows and blankets, headphones)
  • Inflight entertainment fees (excluding wireless internet, which isn't usually charged by the airline)
  • Airport lounge day passes and annual memberships

Anecdotal reports from cardmembers suggest other incidental fees — not mentioned by Amex — are also eligible, including priority boarding, award ticket cancellation, and mileage-redeposit fees. However, be aware that because such fees are not on the official list, you may have trouble getting reimbursement if it doesn't appear automatically.

Remember, these purchases only qualify if they're with your  selected airline. 

Some people still aren't traveling as much as they used to, so cardholders might find themselves unable to use all of their Amex airline fee credits right now. Because these credits are a good way to partially offset the hefty annual fees on these cards , it's natural to want to maximize them before they reset at the end of the year.

Even if you don't have immediate travel plans, here are a few options (all of which are officially eligible) for using up your Amex airline fee credit:

  • Pre-pay for checked baggage fees, seat assignment fees, or pet fees for flights you've booked later in the year (note that this won't work if you pay the fees at the same time you book the ticket — it has to be a separate charge)
  • Buy airport lounge passes for yourself or as a gift to use in the future (just be mindful of expiration dates)
  • Offer to pay for a friend or family member's checked bags or seat selection fees if they're traveling soon

If you are traveling but won't have any fees or purchases to make, you could always pay for someone else's bag fee at the check-in counter or treat your seatmate to an inflight beverage or snack. You'll have the satisfaction of using up your credits, and will make someone's day a little better at the same time.

Log into your Amex account and navigate to the benefits section to select your preferred airline. Note that you can typically change your airline selection once per year in January.

The credit can be used for checked baggage fees, in-flight refreshments, and Wi-Fi, seat selection fees, and other incidentals. Note that ticket purchases, upgrades, and gift cards are usually not covered.

Yes, as long as the charges are from the airline you've selected for your credit and fall under the eligible expense categories.

Check your Amex account statement. Credits for eligible purchases typically appear within 2-4 weeks after the transaction.

Unused credits do not roll over to the next year. It's important to utilize the full credit amount within the calendar year.

amex travel flight credits

For rates and fees of The Platinum Card® from American Express, please click here.

For rates and fees of The Business Platinum Card® from American Express, please click here.

Editorial Note: Any opinions, analyses, reviews, or recommendations expressed in this article are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any card issuer. Read our editorial standards .

Please note: While the offers mentioned above are accurate at the time of publication, they're subject to change at any time and may have changed, or may no longer be available.

**Enrollment required.

Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Trip Delay Insurance, Trip Cancellation and Interruption Insurance, and Cell Phone Protection Underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company. Global Assist Hotline Card Members are responsible for the costs charged by third-party service providers. If approved and coordinated by Premium Global Assist Hotline, emergency medical transportation assistance may be provided at no cost. In any other circumstance, Card Members may be responsible for the costs charged by third-party service providers. Extended Warranty, Purchase Protection, and Baggage Insurance Plan Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company. Car Rental Loss & Damage Insurance Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company. Car Rental Loss or Damage Coverage is offered through American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc.

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The Amex Platinum Card: How To Best Use Your $200 Airline Credit [Every Year]

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The Amex Platinum Card: How To Best Use Your $200 Airline Credit [Every Year]

Amex Platinum Card – Snapshot

Selecting an airline for your airline incidental credit, official ways to redeem the incidental fee credit, unofficial ways to redeem the incidental fee credit, purchases that do not trigger the airline incidental credit, what if my purchase isn’t automatically reimbursed, final thoughts.

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The Platinum Card ® from American Express is one of the top premium travel credit cards on the market, but also one of the most expensive.

The card’s annual fee is substantially higher than other cards. Still, it also comes with an extensive list of benefits like airport lounge access, Hilton Honors and Marriott Bonvoy hotel elite status, major bonus earnings on flights booked with airlines, and much more.

While the card’s fee may seem like a shocker at first, it’s not so  bad when you take a look at the multiple statement credits offered, including an airline incidental credit of up to $200 (enrollment required).

Many travelers often aren’t sure how to take advantage of the airline incidental credit and what it can cover. After all, it doesn’t let you cover paid plane tickets but does let you cover other fees incurred from an airline — whether inflight or at the airport.

In this article, you’ll finally get clarity as to precisely what the Amex Platinum card’s airline incidental credit is and your best options for redeeming your card’s $200 annual credit. After all, what use is a benefit if you don’t know how to use it, right?

The Platinum Card® from American Express

The Platinum Card ® from American Express

The Amex Platinum reigns supreme for luxury travel, offering the best airport lounge access plus generous statement credits, and complimentary elite status.

When it comes to cards that offer top-notch benefits, you’d be hard-pressed to find a better card out there than The Platinum Card ® from American Express.

Make no mistake — the Amex Platinum card  is a premium card with a premium price tag. With amazing benefits like best-in-class airport lounge access , hotel elite status, and tremendous value in annual statement credits, it can easily prove to be one of the most lucrative cards in your wallet year after year.

  • The best airport lounge access out of any card (by far) — enjoy access to over 1,400 worldwide lounges, including the luxurious Amex Centurion Lounges, Priority Pass lounges, Plaza Premium Lounges, and many more!
  • 5x points per dollar spent on flights purchased directly with the airline or with AmexTravel.com (up to $500,000 per year)
  • 5x points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels booked with AmexTravel.com
  • Annual and monthly statement credits upon enrollment ( airline credit, Uber Cash credit, Saks Fifth Avenue credit, streaming credit, prepaid hotel credit on eligible stays, Walmart+ credit, CLEAR credit, and Equinox credit )
  • TSA PreCheck or Global Entry credit
  • Access to American Express Fine Hotels and Resorts
  • Access to Amex International Airline Program
  • No foreign transaction fees ( rates and fees )
  • $695 annual fee ( rates and fees )
  • Airline credit does not cover airfare (only incidentals like checked bags)
  • Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards ® Points after you spend $8,000 on purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Apply and select your preferred metal Card design: classic Platinum Card ® , Platinum x Kehinde Wiley, or Platinum x Julie Mehretu.
  • Earn 5X Membership Rewards ® Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year and earn 5X Membership Rewards ® Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel.
  • $200 Hotel Credit: Get up to $200 back in statement credits each year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts ® or The Hotel Collection bookings with American Express Travel when you pay with your Platinum Card ® . The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay.
  • $240 Digital Entertainment Credit: Get up to $20 back in statement credits each month on eligible purchases made with your Platinum Card ® on one or more of the following: Disney+, a Disney Bundle, ESPN+, Hulu, The New York Times, Peacock, and The Wall Street Journal. Enrollment required.
  • $155 Walmart+ Credit: Cover the cost of a $12.95 monthly Walmart+ membership (subject to auto-renewal) with a statement credit after you pay for Walmart+ each month with your Platinum Card ® . Cost includes $12.95 plus applicable local sales tax. Plus Up Benefits are excluded.
  • $200 Airline Fee Credit: Select one qualifying airline and then receive up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year when incidental fees are charged by the airline to your Platinum Card ® .
  • $200 Uber Cash: Enjoy Uber VIP status and up to $200 in Uber savings on rides or eats orders in the US annually. Uber Cash and Uber VIP status is available to Basic Card Member only. Terms Apply.
  • $300 Equinox Credit: Get up to $300 back in statement credits per calendar year on an Equinox membership, or an Equinox club membership (subject to auto-renewal) when you pay with your Platinum Card ® . Enrollment required. Visit https://platinum.equinox.com/ to enroll.
  • $189 CLEAR ® Plus Credit: Breeze through security with CLEAR Plus at 100+ airports, stadiums, and entertainment venues nationwide and get up to $189 back per calendar year on your Membership (subject to auto-renewal) when you use your Platinum Card ® . Learn more.
  • $100 Global Entry Credit: Receive either a $100 statement credit every 4 years for a Global Entry application fee or a statement credit up to $85 every 4.5 years for a TSA PreCheck ® (through a TSA official enrollment provider) application fee, when charged to your Platinum Card ® . Card Members approved for Global Entry will also receive access to TSA PreCheck at no additional cost.
  • Shop Saks with Platinum: Get up to $100 in statement credits annually for purchases in Saks Fifth Avenue stores or at saks.com on your Platinum Card ® . That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
  • $300 SoulCycle At-Home Bike Credit: Get a $300 statement credit for the purchase of a SoulCycle at-home bike with your Platinum Card ® . An Equinox+ subscription is required to purchase a SoulCycle at-home bike and access SoulCycle content. Must charge full price of bike in one transaction. Shipping available in the contiguous U.S. only. Enrollment Required.
  • Unlock access to exclusive reservations and special dining experiences with Global Dining Access by Resy when you add your Platinum Card ® to your Resy profile.
  • $695 annual fee.
  • Terms Apply.

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Hot Tip:  Check to see if you’re eligible for a welcome bonus offer of up to 125k (or 150k) points with the Amex Platinum. The current public offer is 80,000 points. (This targeted offer was independently researched and may not be available to all applicants.)

What Is the Amex Platinum Card’s Airline Incidental Credit?

Both the Amex Platinum card and  The Business Platinum Card ® from American Express offer a $200 airline incidental fee credit upon enrollment.

According to American Express, this credit will be used to cover inflight expenses on your selected airline. Some of the items American Express lists as eligible for reimbursement include inflight refreshments and checked bag fees. Airline tickets, gift cards, and points or miles purchases aren’t eligible for reimbursement.

Here’s what the terms and conditions have to say:

“Incidental airline fees charged prior to selection of a qualifying airline are not eligible for statement credits. Airline tickets, upgrades, mileage points purchases, mileage points transfer fees, gift cards, duty free purchases, and award tickets are not deemed to be incidental fees. The airline must submit the charge under the appropriate merchant code, industry code, or required service or product identifier for the charge to be recognized as an incidental air travel fee.”

Once you’ve selected your airline, you can charge these expenses to your Amex Platinum card. You’ll automatically be reimbursed in the form of a statement credit within 6 to 8 weeks of the charge posting to your account.

If the statement credit has not posted after 8 weeks from the date of purchase, it is best to call the number on the back of the card.

Hot Tip:  You receive the airline incidental once per calendar year. The credit is dispersed on January 1st each year and doesn’t roll over.

Unlike the Chase Sapphire Reserve ® ‘s $300 travel credit, you’re limited to using your Amex Platinum card’s incidental fee credit on a single airline. You can select your airline when you receive your card and change it once per year in January. However, we at Upgraded Points have had luck changing the airline more than once when chatting (nicely) with an American Express representative.

You can pick from the following airlines:

  • Alaska Airlines
  • American Airlines
  • Delta Air Lines
  • Hawaiian Airlines
  • JetBlue Airways
  • Spirit Airlines
  • Southwest Airlines
  • United Airlines

You must select an airline before you can use the airline incidental credit. Charges made to your account before choosing an airline are  not eligible for reimbursement , so select your airline as soon as you receive your Amex Platinum card and have a trip booked.

Thankfully, selecting your Amex Platinum card airline choice is easy. Just head over to the American Express website , log in, and select your Amex Platinum card (should you have more than 1 American Express card).

Click on the Rewards & Benefits  tab on the bar at the top of the screen. And then click on the Benefits tab.

Amex Platinum Rewards Benefits Page

Here, you’ll see the balance of your Airline Fee Credit — how much you’ve used and how much you have left.

Amex Platinum Airline Fee Credit

Scroll down the page for a list of benefits included with your Amex Platinum card . There will be an option labeled $200 Airline Fee Credit. Click on the Learn More button, and from there you can select your airline using the drop-down menu at the center of the screen.

Amex Platinum Airline Fee Credit Airline

The Best Ways To Use Your Airline Incidental Fee Credit

As mentioned earlier, the Amex Platinum card’s airline incidental fee credit cannot be used toward plane tickets, points purchases, or gift cards.

Frustrating, yes. But, thankfully, there are still plenty of great ways that you can spend the credit over the year.

Here are our favorite ways of utilizing the flight credit. We’ve split this section into 2 parts: official and unofficial ways to redeem the incidental fee credit.

Passenger walking into Admirals Club

Airport Lounge Day Passes and Annual Memberships

While the Amex Platinum card includes extensive lounge access , it doesn’t include access to all  of the U.S. carrier’s lounges. You can use your Amex Platinum card’s credit to buy day passes to:

  • Alaska Lounge
  • American Airlines Admirals Club
  • Delta Sky Club
  • United Club

Just remember, you have to select the applicable airline for the lounge charge to be covered. So if you choose Delta as your preferred airline, your charges to the Admirals Club won’t be covered by your incidental fees.

United American and American Airlines both sell day passes, which could be an option if you don’t have access to a lounge on a long layover. You must be flying with the airline to have lounge access.

Hot Tip:  If you purchase an annual lounge membership with your Amex Platinum card that costs more than $200, you’ll be credited the entirety of the incidental fee credit at once. So, in this case, you can think of it as a $200 discount on your lounge membership of choice.

Further, note that Amex Platinum cardmembers do not receive complimentary guest access at Delta Sky Clubs . However, guest access can be purchased for $50 for a standard day pass. If you purchase Delta Sky Club guest access and Delta is selected as your Amex Platinum card’s airline, you will be reimbursed for your entry fee.

Change Fees

Changing a trip’s date can be expensive, but your Amex Platinum card’s incidental fee credit covers the itinerary change fee. Note that the incidental fee will not likely cover the airfare difference as this is often charged like a plane ticket.

Hot Tip: Want more information on airline change fees? Learn how to avoid airline change fees in our dedicated article. 

Checked Baggage Fees

So you planned on checking a bag, but it isn’t included with your ticket? Just charge it to your Amex Platinum card. This is especially helpful if you’ve selected a low-cost carrier, such as Spirit, as your airline, as these carriers generally charge more for baggage. Remember that the incidental fee credit only covers baggage fees on your selected airline.

Most airlines have a co-branded credit card that provides perks such as free checked baggage. If you carry an airline’s co-branded credit card , check if that card provides free checked baggage. This allows you to use your Amex airline incidental fee credit elsewhere.

Inflight Entertainment Fees

The incidental fee credit covers inflight entertainment fees including TV, movies, and tablet rentals charged directly by the airline. A good example of this is renting an Alaska Airlines entertainment tablet in flight. The airline charges a fee to rent these in economy class.

Unfortunately, this does  not cover inflight internet, as a third party generally bills this . However, we have heard of United inflight entertainment being reimbursed, as it is usually charged by United directly. Proceed with caution, though, as there’s no guarantee it will be refunded.

Inflight Amenities

Most other inflight purchases are covered, too. Think amenities like headphones, blankets on budget carriers, food, and drink. The airline almost always charges for these directly, and you’re automatically reimbursed for them by your Amex Platinum card’s incidental fee credit.

Seat Selection Fees

Seat selection fees are another great way to redeem your airline incidental fee credit. You can use this when flying low-cost carriers or on a basic economy fare that doesn’t include free seat selection. Note that this  does include things like Even More Space seating on JetBlue and Economy Plus on United Airlines.

Most airlines charge anywhere from $10 up to $50 for a seat assignment on domestic flights.

Pet Flight Fees

If you’re taking a furry companion with you , use your Amex Platinum card’s incidental credit to cover the pet fee. This can take out a nice chunk of your reimbursement, though — for example, JetBlue charges $125 per one-way flight.

Phone Booking Fees

You can usually avoid these by booking online, but there may be instances where you need to call to book an award ticket or a flight with special routing. If you can’t get the agent to waive this fee, your Amex Platinum card’s incidental fee credit should cover it.

Priority Boarding

Priority boarding purchases work on virtually all airlines. This can be especially valuable when flying Southwest Airlines, as it gives you first dibs on the best seats . Again, remember that the incidental fees only cover priority boarding fees on your selected airline.

The methods below are ways our team members have either tried or seen work for other travelers. Proceed with caution . There’s no guarantee that these will work for you, too. While we try to keep this section as up-to-date as possible, these things can change on a dime, and we can’t be held liable for a charge not  being reimbursed.

Fill Your United TravelBank Account

This might be the easiest unofficial way to use your Amex incidental fee credit. United’s TravelBank allows you to fund the account with cash to use on future United flights. Any money you put in your TravelBank account does not expire for 5 years, provided there is account activity at least every 18 months.

You can fund your account in different increments up to $1,000. However, it is best to fund with how much you have available with your credit. You need to make sure United is selected as your preferred airline.

Admirals Club Food or Drink Purchases

A number of American Airlines Admirals Club locations have premium food and drink available for purchase. American Express has reimbursed these purchases, as they’re billed directly by American Airlines.

Unfortunately, we don’t have data for purchases at other lounges at this time. Again, proceed with caution.

Delta Airfare Purchased Partially With a Gift Card

There are reports of Delta tickets purchased partially with a gift card being reimbursed by American Express. This is because, when the purchase processes, it adds an “additional collection” to the transaction instead of listing an airline route, like most airfare purchases.

This means that American Express sees the transaction as if it were some sort of add-on or other inflight expense. However, this is not officially supported, and American Express may choose not to honor your incidental credit for this purchase.

Airfare of $99 or Below on Certain Airlines

We’ve seen reports of below-$99 fares on Delta, Southwest, and JetBlue being reimbursed by the incidental fee credit. But again, this is very much something you would try at your own risk, as the purchase  will code as airfare.

Spirit Saver$ Club Memberships

Spirit Airlines has a members-only discount club called Spirit Saver$ Club. It provides access to discounted tickets and includes other perks but has an annual fee.

We’ve seen reports of Spirit Saver$ Club memberships being reimbursed by American Express. Definitely keep this in mind if you’re a frequent flyer on this ultra-low-cost carrier, as it can save you a nice sum of money as you travel throughout the year.

$5.60 TSA Passenger Security Fee on Award Tickets

Our team has had the $5.60 TSA passenger security fee reimbursed on multiple award tickets in the past.

Now that you have a full list of things that  do (or might) trigger the airline incidental fee credit, here’s a quick look at the things that don’t trigger this credit.

Award Taxes and Fees

Aside from the $5.60 TSA security fee mentioned above, our team has not had luck having other award fees reimbursed. This is likely because these purchases code as airfare when posted to your American Express card.

Airline Gift Card Purchases

Airline gift card purchases were a longtime favorite for redeeming the airline incidental fee credit. However, as of this summer, our team has had no luck getting these reimbursed.

Class of Service Upgrades

Cabin upgrades are not eligible for reimbursement .

Inflight Wi-Fi

As mentioned, inflight Wi-Fi generally does not trigger the incidental fee credit, as a third party like Gogo or Panasonic usually bills it. However, we’ve seen reports of United Airlines Wi-Fi purchases being reimbursed because United does bill Wi-Fi purchases on its own or if you purchase the service through the airline before your flight.

While American Express states that it will reimburse eligible charges within 4 weeks, some charges don’t make it through the system. If you’re not reimbursed for an eligible charge, you can call the number on the back of your card or use the American Express live chat service to request reimbursement.

While the Amex Platinum card’s airline incidental fee credit is limited compared to travel credits offered by other premium credit cards, it still provides a ton of value. It has gotten hard to use the credits, but there are still ways to get the total value.

When you use the methods listed above, you’ll save money and have a better travel experience with extra checked bags, lounge access, and more. Better yet, the airline incidental credit can help offset the hefty annual fee of the Amex Platinum card.

For rates and fees of The Platinum Card ® from American Express, click here . For rates and fees of The Business Platinum Card ® from American Express, click here .

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the american express airline fee credit.

The American Express airline incidental fee credit allows you to receive up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year when incidental fees are charged to your account. You must select a qualifying airline before you can use the airline incidental credit.

Do authorized users get additional airline incidental fee credits?

No, the airline incidental fee credits are up to $200 per account per calendar year.

Can I use my airline incidental credit toward airfare?

Generally speaking, no. The terms and conditions prohibit this, and it has not worked in practice for a majority of Amex Platinum cardholders. However, there are reports of fares of $99 or below triggering the credit when you book on certain airlines.

Can I cash out my incidental fee credit if I don't use it?

No, you must use the entirety of the incidental fee credit before the end of a calendar year. Otherwise, the credit expires.

When does the airline incidental credit renew?

You receive $200 per year in incidental fee credit. The credit renews on January 1 of the new calendar year.

Will I earn points on purchases reimbursed by the incidental fee credit?

Yes, you will still earn points on reimbursed purchases.

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About Andrew Kunesh

Andrew was born and raised in the Chicago suburbs and now splits his time between Chicago and New York City.

He’s a lifelong traveler and took his first solo trip to San Francisco at the age of 16. Fast forward a few years, and Andrew now travels just over 100,000 miles a year, with over 25 countries, 10 business class products, and 2 airline statuses (United and Alaska) under his belt. Andrew formerly worked for The Points Guy and is now Senior Money Editor at CNN Underscored.

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This bonus value is an estimated valuation calculated by UP after analyzing redemption options, transfer partners, award availability and how much UP would pay to buy these points.

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MORE FROM VAULT

Best Card to Pair with the Amex Gold: 4 Options to Consider

Melanie Lockert

Melanie Lockert

Credit & Credit Cards Expert

Melanie Lockert is a freelance writer with nearly a decade of experience in the personal finance space. She is the founder of the blog and author of the book “Dear Debt” and paid off $81,000 in student loans. She has an M.A. from New York University and is an LA native based in Brooklyn, NY.

Robert Thorpe

Robert Thorpe

Senior Editor

Robert is a senior editor at Newsweek, specializing in a range of personal finance topics, including credit cards, loans and banking. Prior to Newsweek, he worked at Bankrate as the lead editor for small business loans and as a credit cards writer and editor. He has also written and edited for CreditCards.com, The Points Guy and The Motley Fool Ascent.

Updated April 23, 2024 at 2:29 pm

Cloesup view of credit cards in silver, gold and platinum black

Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more.

The American Express® Gold Card is one of the best travel credit cards , with high earning potential on dining and travel. Earning 4X points at restaurants worldwide including takeout and delivery in the U.S. and 3X points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com, cardholders who spend in these categories can rack up rewards easily.

While the card can be a good standalone option, travelers who want to maximize their spending and rewards strategies can pair another credit card with the Amex Gold. Find out the best credit card to pair with Amex Gold and other solid alternatives.

Understanding the value of cash back is simple, but valuing airline miles or points redeemable for travel requires digging a bit deeper. At Newsweek, we’ve developed a common language to talk about the value of points and miles: our valuations.

Our valuations translate points into dollars and cents in a way that reflects reality. They are based on actual data across a balance of accessible redemption options, not just the aspirational first and business class redemptions that require a PhD in miles and points to book. The upshot is that our valuations help you understand the actual value you can easily get from your miles and points.

Vault’s Viewpoint

  • The Amex Gold card is ideal for restaurants worldwide, U.S. supermarkets, and flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com, but not other everyday expenses.
  • Getting another credit card that offers higher earning potential in other categories can optimize your rewards strategy.
  • The best credit card to pair with Amex Gold is the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card.

Amex Gold and Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

While the Amex Gold has generous rewards for restaurants worldwide, U.S. supermarkets and flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com, all other eligible purchases only earn 1X points. One of the best credit cards to pair with Amex Gold is the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card for several reasons.

Complementary Rewards

The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card fills the gaps that Amex Gold has and offers a minimum of unlimited 2X miles on all purchases. On top of the flat rate rewards , you can also earn 5X miles when you book hotels and rental cars through Capital One Travel.

So a good strategy would be to use the Amex Gold for restaurants worldwide, U.S. supermarkets and flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com and the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card for all other everyday purchases as well as hotels and rental cars that are booked through Capital One Travel. For travel lovers, this can cover all your bases and ensure you’re optimizing your rewards and spending.

Lower Annual Fee

The Amex Gold card has an elevated annual fee clocking in at $250. While it’s not the most expensive travel rewards card on the market, it’s a step above many other mid-tier rewards cards.

The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card annual fee is more than 50% lower than the Amex Gold at $95, making it easier to stomach. Pairing a card with a higher annual fee with another that has a lower annual fee can balance out your strategy and ensure you’re not spending a good chunk of change on annual fees.

Extra Travel Perks

The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card comes with two major travel perks that the Amex Gold doesn’t offer as part of its suite of benefits:

  • Global Entry or TSA PreCheck Credit. You can get up to a $100 credit on either Global Entry or TSA PreCheck. To qualify, you must use your Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card when paying either application fee and be in good standing with your account. You’ll get a statement credit, which you’re eligible for every four years.
  • Travel Accident Insurance. Having both of these cards can round out your travel protections so you cover your bases. If you use your Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card to purchase your fare, you could have insurance kick in for a covered loss at no cost when you use your card to purchase your fare. These benefits go well with Gold benefits like the baggage insurance plan*.

amex travel flight credits

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

After spending $4,000 in first 3 months from account opening

Why Would You Want To Pair One Card With Another?

If you have a rewards-rich card like the Amex Gold, you might wonder why you’d want to pair it with another card. You might think getting another card is a distraction, but in reality, it’s a way to diversify your rewards. There are many potential benefits when you take advantage of each card.

Different Rewards Programs

The Amex Gold card offers users Membership Rewards Points, while the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card earns you miles. Having two different rewards programs can be advantageous as each card has a different reward structure and redemption value. When it’s time to take advantage of your rewards, you might find that one is more valuable than the other. Having both can help you assess the redemption value and decide which is most effective.

Pool Together Rewards With a Transfer Partner

Since the Amex Gold and Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Cards are from two different credit card issuers, you get different rewards and can’t pool them together. But both Amex Gold and the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card have transfer partners that overlap. For example, the following are transfer partners for both Amex and Capital One:

  • Emirate Skywards
  • Etihad Guest
  • Qantas Frequent Flyer
  • Singapore KrisFlyer

That means you can pool your points and miles together by transferring them to one of those eligible partners. Doing so can increase your rewards, which can help you book award travel faster. For frequent fliers on airlines associated with these rewards programs, this strategy can be particularly effective.

Fill the Gaps

All rewards credit cards have unique benefits, but also limitations. To optimize your rewards strategy, it can be a good idea to mix and match different credit cards. In this case, Amex Gold should be your go-to card for restaurants worldwide (plus on takeout and delivery in the U.S.), U.S. supermarkets, and flight purchases that are booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com.

But everything else, like subscriptions, utilities , gas, insurance, etc., should be on the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card. If you only had the Amex Gold, you’d earn only 1X points. But when using the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card, you’ll earn 2X miles. Having more than one card paired with another ensures you’re maximizing your rewards and being strategic with your spending.

Other Cards To Consider

While the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card may be the best credit card to pair with Amex Gold, there are other compelling options to consider.

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is popular with travel lovers and rewards enthusiasts—and for good reason. The card has a significantly lower annual fee of $95 than its premium counterpart, the Chase Sapphire Reserve® at $550.

The card has an attractive welcome bonus and offers up to a $50 hotel credit each year in the form of statement credit for stays booked using the Chase Travel portal. Somewhat similar to the Amex Gold, you’ll earn 3X points on dining (including eligible delivery services, takeout and dining out) and on online groceries (excluding Target, Walmart and wholesale clubs).

While you can earn 3X points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com with the Amex Gold, the Chase Sapphire Preferred® card offers 5X points on travel purchased using Chase Travel and 2X points on all other travel purchases. This is a great complement as Chase has an expansive definition of travel purchases including:

  • Car rental agencies
  • Discount travel sites
  • Campgrounds
  • Toll bridges and highways
  • Parking lots and garages

Your Amex Gold would be ideal for purchasing flights (booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com) and your Chase Sapphire Preferred® for all other eligible travel-related purchases. When you get a Chase Sapphire Preferred® card you start earning Chase Ultimate Rewards. Your rewards are worth 25% more when you redeem for travel using Chase Travel, elevating the point value to 1.25 cents instead of 1 cent.

Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express

If you want another American Express card, the best credit card to pair with Amex Gold is the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express . While the card doesn’t earn you Membership Rewards like Amex Gold, you earn cash back through Reward Dollars, which can be redeemed as a statement credit or at Amazon.com checkout. This can help offset costs and lower your credit card balance. The card has a $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $95.

Despite having two different reward types, this is a great pairing with the Amex Gold as it has significant earning potential in many categories that fall under everyday spending. For example, the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express earns you 6% cash back on purchases at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $6,000 per year, then 1%), 6% cash back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions, 3% cash back on transit, and 3% cash back at U.S. gas stations. For everything else you only earn 1% cash back. Cash back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit or at Amazon.com checkout.

The Blue Cash Preferred Card has a higher redemption value for statement credits at one cent each for every Reward Dollar compared to the Amex Gold’s Membership Rewards which are worth 0.6 cents when used this way. Your best bet is to use your Amex Gold in categories like travel which have a higher redemption value while earning cash back as a statement credit with the Blue Cash Preferred Card.

The Platinum Card® from American Express

If you want to pair your Amex Gold with a premium card that can earn you more Membership Rewards and unlock more travel perks, The Platinum Card® from American Express is your go-to option. The card has a high spending minimum requirement to earn the welcome bonus but a high value earned that matches the spending. Though the annual fee is $695 ( see rates and fees ), there are numerous credits to take advantage of that help offset this cost including:

  • Up to $200 hotel credit back in statement credits each year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts or The Hotel Collection bookings with American Express Travel when charged to your card (two-night stay required on The Hotel Collection)
  • Up to $240 digital entertainment credit (up to $20 in statement credits each month) on eligible purchases made directly from one or more of the participating providers
  • $155 Walmart+ credit to cover the cost of $12.95 monthly Walmart+ membership (plus tax) back in statement credit after you pay each month with your card
  • Up to $200 Uber Cash that’s use it or lose it savings for eligible Uber Eats and rides in the U.S. annually, made up of $15 issued monthly and a bonus $20 in December
  • Up to $200 airline fee credit in statement credits per calendar year when incidental fees are charged to your card by one selected qualifying airline
  • Up to $189 CLEAR® Plus Credit back in statement credits each calendar year when you use your card to pay for membership
  • Up to $300 Equinox credit in statement credits annually for cardholders who use their card to pay for an eligible membership
  • $100 fee statement credit for Global Entry every four years when you pay with your card or $85 fee statement credit for TSA PreCheck application fee every four and a half years

Some credits may require enrollment and there are terms that apply. If you can take advantage of these benefits, the annual fee isn’t so bad. Through The Platinum Card® from American Express, you earn 5X points on flights booked directly with airlines or through American Express Travel (on up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year, then 1X), 5X points on eligible prepaid hotels booked through American Express Travel, and 1X points on all other eligible purchases.

This is a great companion with the Amex Gold because you can earn more Membership Rewards. Plus, the card has high earning potential for eligible flights and hotel stays through American Express Travel and provides premium benefits the Gold card doesn’t. The Platinum Card® benefits include lounge access at over 1,400 airport lounges through The Global Lounge Collection. Through the card, you’re also eligible for Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite Status and Hilton Honors Gold Status which can help elevate your hotel experience and get added perks.

*Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by Amex Assurance Company.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will applying for an amex gold card affect my credit score.

If you’re interested in applying for the American Express® Gold Card, you can go to the website and check your approval for the card with zero impact on your credit. You can submit an application, which will lead to a hard inquiry that can cause a temporary drop in your score.

Is It Hard To Get Approved for the Amex Gold Card?

As a rewards credit card, it can be more difficult to get approved for the American Express® Gold Card. Typically, you’re recommended to have at least good to excellent credit to qualify and sufficient income.

Does the Amex Gold Card Have Foreign Transaction Fees?

If you’re traveling abroad, there’s no need to worry as the Amex Gold card doesn’t have any foreign transaction fees ( see rates and fees ). So that’s one less cost to think about when planning for international travel.

Related Articles

Best Travel Credit Cards With No Annual Fee of April 2024

Editorial Note: Opinions expressed here are author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post. We may earn a commission from partner links on Newsweek, but commissions do not affect our editors’ opinions or evaluations.

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Credit Cards

United Airlines credit cards have a secret perk that makes it easier to book awards

Jason Steele

Julie Sherrier

Julie Sherrier

“Verified by an expert” means that this article has been thoroughly reviewed and evaluated for accuracy.

Robin Saks Frankel

Robin Saks Frankel

Published 5:12 a.m. UTC April 22, 2024

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Featured Image

joshblake, Getty Images

Sometimes the best reason to have an airline credit card isn’t necessarily for the miles you can earn and redeem, it’s for the perks. 

You can earn far more points using Chase credit cards like the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card and the Chase Freedom Flex℠ * The information for the Chase Freedom Flex℠ has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. than you will from the cobranded United credit cards issued by Chase. And since you can transfer Chase Ultimate Rewards® points into United MileagePlus miles, there’s little reason to use a United card just to earn miles. 

Instead, you should have a United MileagePlus card for its benefits, including free checked bags and discounts on in-flight purchases. 

But there’s one other important benefit that you rarely see mentioned by Chase or United. MileagePlus cardmembers are eligible for “special member pricing” that’s otherwise reserved just for those with elite status. Just by having a United MileagePlus credit card, you’ll get the same, lower pricing that United elite status holders have access to, which can mean significant mileage savings on award flights.

our partner

Blueprint receives compensation from our partners for featured offers, which impacts how and where the placement is displayed.

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

Welcome bonus.

Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That’s $750 when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.

Regular APR

Credit score.

Credit Score ranges are based on FICO® credit scoring. This is just one scoring method and a credit card issuer may use another method when considering your application. These are provided as guidelines only and approval is not guaranteed.

Editor’s Take

  • Flexible points that can be transferred to 14 travel partners or redeemed through Chase Travel℠ at 1.25 cents each.
  • $50 annual statement credit toward Chase Travel hotel bookings.
  • Valuable travel protections.
  • $95 annual fee.
  • Category bonuses are limited and not competitive against other travel cards.
  • Transfer partner list is limited compared to programs like Amex Membership ® Rewards and Citi ThankYou ® .

Card Details

  • Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That’s $750 when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.
  • Enjoy benefits such as 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases, $50 Annual Chase Travel Hotel Credit, plus more.
  • Get 25% more value when you redeem for airfare, hotels, car rentals and cruises through Chase Travel℠. For example, 60,000 points are worth $750 toward travel.
  • Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Lost Luggage Insurance and more.
  • Get complimentary access to DashPass which unlocks $0 delivery fees and lower service fees for a minimum of one year when you activate by December 31, 2024.
  • Member FDIC

What is “special member pricing”?

Let’s say you wanted to fly from Denver to Paris this summer. When I searched for flights on July 11, 2024, and filtered out options with more than one stop, I found flights starting at 70,000 miles.

amex travel flight credits

But once I added my card to my MileagePlus account and logged in as a cardholder, the same options were available starting at just 40,000 miles.

amex travel flight credits

You’ll notice that the lower priced options have a small notation indicating that it’s granted “special member pricing.” And true travel nerds might notice that the higher priced option shows a fare code of YN, while the lower priced option shows the code of XN, which is reserved for cardmembers and those with elite status.

Which credit cards offer United’s special member pricing?

All United MileagePlus credit cards issued by Chase include this benefit, which includes:

  • United Gateway℠ Card * The information for the United Gateway℠ Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
  • United℠ Explorer Card * The information for the United℠ Explorer Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
  • United Quest℠ Card * The information for the United Quest℠ Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
  • United Club℠ Infinite Card * The information for the United Club℠ Infinite Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
  • United℠ Business Card * The information for the United℠ Business Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
  • United Club℠ Business Card * The information for the United Club℠ Business Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

Except for the no-annual-fee Gateway card, all of these cards have an annual fee — starting at a $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95 for the Explorer card and topping off at $525 for the United Club Infinite card. 

If you’re just looking for access to lower-priced flight awards, you might be tempted to get the Gateway card, which comes with a welcome offer of 20,000 miles after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first three months of account opening. Instead, I’d recommend getting either the Explorer card, which currently has a welcome bonus of 50,000 miles after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first three months of account opening, the Quest card, which offers 60,000 miles and 500 Premier qualifying points after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first three months of account opening, or the Club Infinite card, which comes with 80,000 miles after spending $5,000 on purchases in the first three months of account opening.

After having the card for a year, you might decide that you want to keep the card for its other perks. But you can always request a downgrade to the no-annual-fee Gateway card. This move allows you to keep your miles and account open, eliminate the annual fee and continue to enjoy lower-priced flight awards. 

Looking to get the most out of your United rewards? Read our guide on how to earn and redeem United miles

Final verdict

The hardest part of award travel isn’t always earning the points and miles, it’s finding efficient ways to spend them. United makes this easy for those with elite status and anyone who holds one of their credit cards. By signing up for the best card offer available and longer-term keeping a no-annual-fee United card open at all times, you can be assured of the lowest prices when you book your United award tickets.

*The information for the Chase Freedom Flex℠, United Club℠ Business Card, United Club℠ Infinite Card, United Gateway℠ Card, United Quest℠ Card, United℠ Business Card and United℠ Explorer Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

Blueprint is an independent publisher and comparison service, not an investment advisor. The information provided is for educational purposes only and we encourage you to seek personalized advice from qualified professionals regarding specific financial decisions. Past performance is not indicative of future results.

Blueprint has an advertiser disclosure policy . The opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the Blueprint editorial staff alone. Blueprint adheres to strict editorial integrity standards. The information is accurate as of the publish date, but always check the provider’s website for the most current information.

Jason Steele

Jason Steele is a freelance writer specializing in credit cards and award travel. Since 2008, Jason's work has appeared in over 100 outlets and he's been widely quoted in the mainstream media. Jason also produces CardCon, which is The Conference for Credit Card Media.

Julie Stephen Sherrier is a personal finance writer and editor based in Austin, TX. She is the former senior managing editor for LendingTree, responsible for all credit card and credit health content. Before joining LendingTree, Julie spent more than a decade as the managing editor and then editorial director at Bankrate and CreditCards.com. She also served as an adjunct journalism instructor at the University of Texas at Austin.

Robin Saks Frankel is a credit cards lead editor at USA TODAY Blueprint. Previously, she was a credit cards and personal finance deputy editor for Forbes Advisor. She has also covered credit cards and related content for other national web publications including NerdWallet, Bankrate and HerMoney. She's been featured as a personal finance expert in outlets including CNBC, Business Insider, CBS Marketplace, NASDAQ's Trade Talks and has appeared on or contributed to The New York Times, Fox News, CBS Radio, ABC Radio, NPR, International Business Times and NBC, ABC and CBS TV affiliates nationwide. She holds an M.S. in Business and Economics Journalism from Boston University. Follow her on Twitter at @robinsaks.

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amex travel flight credits

3 Reasons to Get an Airline Credit Card Even if You're Not a Frequent Flyer

I just recently got started with travel rewards credit cards , and I already opened a Chase Trifecta. I'm excited about traveling, and I want to do more to explore this fun new way of life. So even though I'm not a frequent flyer, I'm strongly considering applying for an airline credit card in 2024.

Is it worth getting an airline credit card, even if you only fly a few times per year? If you plan ahead, pay your bills on time, and get enough value from the card, it can be worth having one (or more) of the best airline credit cards in your wallet.

Featured offer: save money while you pay off debt with one of these top-rated balance transfer credit cards

Here are a few good reasons to get an airline credit card, even if you don't fly often.

1. You like the airline and its routes

Are you a fan of Southwest Airlines , or Delta Air Lines? Or when you book a flight, do you tend to fly through a big hub for United Airlines or American Airlines more often?

Even if you're not a frequent flyer, if you have a regular airline that you tend to use, it can be worth getting that airline's credit card. For example, I have recently had good experiences flying to Europe from the U.S. Midwest on Delta Air Lines through Atlanta. If I had to choose a regular flight route, I'd rather fly through Atlanta more often (instead of through Chicago -- Atlanta tends to have better weather and warmer winters). Based on how I travel, this could make a Delta Air Lines card worth getting.

2. You want to get thousands of bonus miles

Some of the best airline cards have welcome offers with tens of thousands of bonus frequent flyer miles! For example, the best Delta cards offer 40,000-60,000 bonus miles. Terms apply: you have to meet the minimum spending requirements to earn those bonus miles, and some of the best airline cards also charge annual fees.

If you can cash in on a generous welcome offer for a new airline credit card, that's like getting a cheap/nearly "free" plane ticket. Keep in mind: award travel airline tickets are not "free," because you still have to pay some cash to cover taxes and fees. But using frequent flyer miles to buy plane tickets can make the cost much cheaper.

3. You're open to receiving extra perks and benefits

Airlines have recently announced higher fees for checked bags. Some airline credit cards let you have a free checked bag, just for being a cardholder. I am 6'3" and so I like to have extra leg room on the plane; if I can check my carryon bag and then stow my laptop (personal item) in the overhead bin, that's more leg room for me! Many cards also allow free checked bags for a certain number of companions on the same reservation.

Other examples of easy-to-get perks from airline credit cards include airport lounge passes and in-flight discounts on purchases.

The future of the airline industry is likely to be more rewarding for airline credit card customers, no matter how often they fly. American Airlines recently announced that it's re-thinking its credit cards and trying to offer better value for its AAdvantage® program. This is a sign that airlines are likely going to make extra efforts to reward frequent flyers and give people incentives to spend more money on premium seats.

Bottom line

Getting the best credit cards can help you get the best experiences from airlines in the years ahead. If you only fly once or twice a year, finding the cheapest ticket on any airline is a valid travel strategy. But if you want more consistency and perks like free checked bags and free airport lounge access, applying for an airline credit card can help you unlock a higher-quality air travel experience -- without much extra effort or extra costs.

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We're firm believers in the Golden Rule, which is why editorial opinions are ours alone and have not been previously reviewed, approved, or endorsed by included advertisers. The Ascent does not cover all offers on the market. Editorial content from The Ascent is separate from The Motley Fool editorial content and is created by a different analyst team.JPMorgan Chase is an advertising partner of The Ascent, a Motley Fool company. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends JPMorgan Chase. The Motley Fool recommends Delta Air Lines and Southwest Airlines. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy .

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AmEx Green Review: Triple Points on Dining and Travel, Plus Credits

Claire Tsosie Author Avatar

This card is a great fit for travelers who can make use of its valuable transfer partners, rich rewards and generous credits. Doing so takes some time and effort, though, and cheaper options exist.

Transferable points

  • High rewards rates
  • No foreign transaction fee
  • Has annual fee
  • Some low-value redemptions

See Pay Over Time APR

Rewards rate

Bonus offer

  • Earn 40,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $3,000 on purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.

Ongoing APR

APR: See Pay Over Time APR

Cash Advance APR: 29.99%, Variable

Balance transfer fee

Foreign transaction fee

  • Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on travel including airfare, hotels, cruises, tours, car rentals, campgrounds, and vacation rentals.
  • Earn 3X Membership Rewards® Points on transit purchases including trains, taxicabs, rideshare services, ferries, tolls, parking, buses, and subways.
  • Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on eligible purchases at restaurants worldwide, including takeout and delivery in the US.
  • $189 CLEAR Plus Credit: Receive up to $189 per calendar year in statement credits when you pay for your CLEAR Plus membership (subject to auto-renewal) with the American Express® Green Card.
  • $100 LoungeBuddy: No airport lounge membership? No problem! Purchase lounge access through the LoungeBuddy app using the American Express® Green Card and receive up to $100 in statement credits annually.
  • Payment Flexibility: When it comes to paying your bill, you have options. You can always pay in full. You also have the flexibility to carry a balance with interest or use Plan It® to split up large purchases into monthly payments with a fixed fee, up to your Pay Over Time Limit. You may be able to keep spending beyond your limit – you’ll just need to pay for any new purchases in full when your bill is due.
  • Trip Delay Insurance: If a round-trip is paid for entirely with your Eligible Card and a covered reason delays your trip more than 12 hours, Trip Delay Insurance can help reimburse certain additional expenses purchased on the same Eligible Card, up to $300 per trip, maximum 2 claims per eligible account per 12 consecutive month period. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Coverage is provided by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees: No matter where you’re traveling, when you use your American Express® Green Card there are no foreign transaction fees.
  • $150 annual fee.
  • Terms Apply.

Compare to Other Cards

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card Image

Detailed review: American Express® Green Card

Among travel credit cards, the $150 -annual fee American Express® Green Card is a strong choice.

It earns Membership Rewards — AmEx's versatile rewards currency, which can be transferred to several different loyalty programs — and features high ongoing rewards rates on travel and restaurants worldwide. You'll also get some unique and potentially valuable travel credits, not to mention an impressive welcome offer: Earn 40,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $3,000 on purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.

Cheaper options exist. But for travelers and folks who can take advantage of the card's perks and rewards — say, by transferring points to other airline and hotel programs and making high-value redemptions — it's a good deal.

» MORE: Making the most of the American Express Green Card

American Express® Green Card : Basics

All information about the American Express® Green Card has been collected independently by NerdWallet. The American Express® Green Card is no longer available through NerdWallet.

Card type: Travel , dining.

Annual fee: $150 .

Welcome offer: Earn 40,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $3,000 on purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.

3 Membership Rewards points per dollar spent on eligible travel purchases.

3 points per dollar spent on restaurants worldwide.

1 point per dollar spent on other purchases.

Terms apply.

Membership Rewards points are super flexible and can range in value from about 0.5 cents to 1 cent each depending on how you redeem them, with travel and gift card redemptions generally being the most valuable. Points are also transferable and can be worth even more if redeemed strategically after being transferred to other loyalty programs.

Aer Lingus (1:1 ratio).

AeroMexico (1:1.6 ratio).

Air Canada. (1:1 ratio).

Air France/KLM (1:1 ratio).

ANA (1:1 ratio).

Avianca (1:1 ratio).

British Airways (1:1 ratio).

Cathay Pacific (1:1 ratio)

Delta Air Lines (1:1 ratio).

Emirates (1:1 ratio).

Etihad Airways (1:1 ratio).

Hawaiian Airlines (1:1 ratio).

Iberia Plus (1:1 ratio).

JetBlue Airways (2.5:2 ratio).

Qantas (1:1 ratio).

Qatar Airways (1:1 ratio).

Singapore Airlines (1:1 ratio).

Virgin Atlantic Airways (1:1 ratio).

Choice Hotels (1:1 ratio).

Hilton Hotels & Resorts (1:2 ratio).

Marriott Hotels & Resorts (1:1 ratio).

For details on transfer ratios, see AmEx's website .

APR: See terms.

This card offers two different features — " Plan It® " and " Pay Over Time ." Plan It® lets you set up a payment plan for eligible purchases, during which you pay a monthly fee instead of interest charges. With this feature, you know how much you'll pay each month. "Pay Over Time" lets you finance eligible purchases over a term with interest. There is a limit to the amount you can finance with a Pay Over Time plan.

Foreign transaction fees: None.

Other benefits:

Up to $189 per year in statement credit when you use the card to pay for your Clear membership fee. (Clear is a prescreening program at certain airports and other venues that uses biometrics to verify your identity.)

Up to $100 per year in statement credit when you purchase LoungeBuddy passes with your card. (LoungeBuddy lets you buy single-use day passes to airport lounges.)

» MORE: Top benefits of the American Express Green Card

Benefits and perks

One of the card's most valuable features: It earns Membership Rewards points. These can be transferred to an extensive list of airline and hotel loyalty programs. The transfer ratios vary by partner, but in many cases, they're 1:1. That means, for instance, you could turn 50,000 Membership Rewards points into 50,000 miles with a certain airline program. Potentially, this means you could get much more than one cent apiece from these points if you moved points to a loyalty program and took advantage of a high-value redemption.

The card makes it easy to rack up points, too. It earns a generous 3 points per dollar spent on eligible travel and restaurant expenses. Terms apply. The list of what counts as travel is expansive, too. It includes airfare, hotels and car rentals, but also cruises, campgrounds, tours, trains, rideshares, buses, subways, tolls, parking and more. Third-party travel websites and amextravel.com also qualify.

Generally, you can transfer points fee-free. But if you're transferring earnings to a U.S. airline, you'll get hit with a fee of $0.0006 per point, up to a maximum fee of $99.

Solid welcome offer

New cardholders can get a generous welcome offer: Earn 40,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $3,000 on purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. That could potentially cover a round-trip flight or a night or two at a hotel.

Potentially valuable travel credits

The travel-related perks that come with the American Express® Green Card are relatively specific — but they could be worth as much as $289 for those who can use them. For frequent travelers, they could prove valuable. Here's how they work:

$189 annual statement credit toward a Clear membership: Over three dozen airports — and several other stadiums and venues across the country — use Clear's biometric ID technology to allow people to breeze through eligible prescreening lines (though you'll still have to go through the X-ray line). However, keep in mind that Clear isn't the same thing as TSA Precheck or Global Entry . More on that below.

$100 annual LoungeBuddy statement credit: This online- and app-based service allows you to buy airport lounge access for a fee at hundreds of airports.

» MORE: Airport lounges: Comparing traditional access to LoungeBuddy and Priority Pass

Drawbacks and considerations

Relatively high annual fee.

The card's $150 annual fee can be worthwhile, especially if you can take advantage of AmEx's transfer partners and the card's statement credits. But it's still relatively expensive for a non-premium travel card, and if you won't use travel partners or credits, go with a different option.

The Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card could be a good match, for example. It earns 1.5 points per $1 on all purchases. Points are worth 1 cent each when redeemed for travel. It also comes with a good sign-up bonus and an introductory 0% APR offer.

» MORE: NerdWallet's best no-annual-fee travel credit cards

Some redemption options are low-value

The American Express® Green Card can deliver excellent value through its transfer partners. But other redemption options aren't that great. For example, redeeming for a statement credit will get you only 0.6 cent per point.

For a card with better redemption options and excellent transfer partners, try the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card . For an annual fee of $95 , you'll get access to many of the same transfer partners, including Aer Lingus, Air France/KLM, British Airways, Emirates, Iberia, JetBlue, Singapore, Virgin Atlantic and Marriott. The card earns 5 points per $1 spent on all travel purchased through Chase; 3 points per $1 spent on dining (including eligible delivery services and takeout), select streaming services, and online grocery purchases (not including Target, Walmart and wholesale clubs); 2 points per $1 spent on travel not purchased through Chase; and 1 point per $1 spent on other purchases. Booking travel through Chase gets 1.25 cents out of each point, and redeeming for cash back gets 1 cent per point. The card also comes with an solid sign-up bonus: Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.

» MORE: American Express credit cards mobile app review

Other cards offer more useful travel credits

A Clear credit may be useful in specific situations, especially as a supplement to TSA Precheck or Global Entry. But it isn't really a substitute for those programs. Unlike Clear, which is a private company, TSA Precheck and Global Entry are administered by the federal government and are in wide use across the country. They're also significantly cheaper: The application fee for TSA Precheck is $78; for Global Entry, it's $100. What's more, your status with those federal programs lasts for five years — not just one — and many travel credit cards with less hefty annual fees will cover the full application cost for you .

» MORE: Is Clear worth the cost?

The LoungeBuddy credit is also a nice touch and potentially more useful, particularly if you don't have any other cards that provide lounge access. But while you can access some lounges for around $25 per visit, many lounges on the platform will end up costing you significantly more than that. Also be aware that some travel credit cards with lower annual fees already offer some version of airport lounge access .

If you're looking for a card with bonus rewards on travel and dining and more useful credits, the Bank of America® Premium Rewards® credit card could be a match. It earns 2 points per dollar spent on travel and dining, and 1.5 points per dollar spent on all other purchases. You'll get a statement credit toward TSA Precheck or Global Entry application fees every four years. There's also an annual airline incidental statement credit worth up to $100 that can cover qualifying purchases like seat upgrades, airline lounge fees and checked bag fees. The annual fee is $95 .

For more offers, check out Nerdwallet's full list of the best credit cards to have .

alternate-pick-product-card-image

The Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card earns 1.5 points per $1 on all purchases, but it has a $0 annual fee, plus a sign-up bonus: Earn 25,000 online bonus points after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening - that can be a $250 statement credit toward travel purchases. . Pay 0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for purchases, and for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days. After the Intro APR offer ends, a Variable APR that’s currently 18.24% - 28.24% will apply .

How to decide if it's right for you

The American Express® Green Card isn't particularly simple: Scoping out good deals and moving points to other programs takes some effort and taking advantage of this card's side perks might mean using services you might not otherwise try. But for travelers who love the challenge of maximizing points and perks, it offers excellent value and versatility, making it well worth its annual fee.

  • The best credit cards of 2024
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Methodology

NerdWallet reviews credit cards with an eye toward both the quantitative and qualitative features of a card. Quantitative features are those that boil down to dollars and cents, such as fees, interest rates, rewards (including earning rates and redemption values) and the cash value of benefits and perks. Qualitative factors are those that affect how easy or difficult it is for a typical cardholder to get good value from the card. They include such things as the ease of application, simplicity of the rewards structure, the likelihood of using certain features, and whether a card is well-suited to everyday use or is best reserved for specific purchases. Our star ratings serve as a general gauge of how each card compares with others in its class, but star ratings are intended to be just one consideration when a consumer is choosing a credit card. Learn how NerdWallet rates credit cards.

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You’re a Member When Every Trip Can Be Extraordinary

Book through American Express Travel® and elevate your next journey.

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Plan Your Ideal Getaway 

With the many travel benefits of your personal Platinum Card ® .

Multi-Card Carousel

The Beekman Hotel bar in New York City.

Elevate Your Stay With Fine Hotels & Resorts®

Explore a curated list of hotels worthy of your dreams. From city escapes to beachside destinations, any one of the 1,500 Fine Hotels + Resorts properties are thrilled to welcome Platinum Card Members. Book through American Express Travel and receive benefits that elevate your stay from morning to night, like daily breakfast for two, 4pm check-out, and more. Terms apply.‡

A tranquil pool and lounge chairs at the InterContinental Sydney.

Enjoy More Benefits With The Hotel Collection

Style, perks, and benefits await at over 700 boutique, design-inspired hotels around the world. Enjoy premier benefits unique to each property – including a room upgrade at check-in when available and a $100 experience credit – when you book a prepaid stay of at least two consecutive nights with The Hotel Collection through American Express Travel. Experience credit varies by property. Certain room categories not available for upgrade. Terms apply.‡

A couple enjoying a meal on a Qatar Airways flight.

Airfares Just for You

Save on the best seats in the house when you book with your Platinum Card on a partner flight from the International Airline Program through American Express Travel.‡ Explore lower fares on international First Class, Business Class, and Premium Economy seats or go farther for less when you use Membership Rewards® points through Insider Fares. Card Member must be traveling on the itinerary. Max eight tickets and must originate and return to the US. Terms apply.‡

A couple in a hot tub on a Celebrity Cruises ship.

Experience Cruises and Custom Vacations

From one-of-a-kind charters to premier culinary experiences, let your adventurous spirit and American Express® Platinum Card guide your next journey.‡

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Ready, Set, Book

From extra Membership Rewards points to special offers and more, book through American Express Travel to take advantage of your Platinum Card benefits.

The exteriors of The Peninsula hotel in Paris.

Earn $200 for Your Stay

Get up to $200 back in statement credits ‡ each year for prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts  bookings, or stays of two nights or more with The Hotel Collection , when you book through American Express Travel using your personal Platinum Card. Terms apply. ‡

A man sitting at an airport, smiling at his phone.

Earn 5X Membership Rewards Points

From short flights to long hotel stays, you can use Pay with Points for all or part of the purchase through AmexTravel.com . Or, earn 5X Membership Rewards points when you book with your Platinum Card. This includes up to $500,000 per calendar year on flights booked directly with airlines or through American Express Travel and eligible prepaid hotels. Terms apply. ‡

An ocean-view room in the Conrad Punta de Mita.

Enjoy Hilton Honors Gold Status

With Hilton Honors Gold status, you can enjoy benefits at hotels and resorts within the Hilton portfolio and earn reward stays faster with Hilton Honors Bonus Points. ‡ Enjoy this elevated status automatically when you enroll with your Platinum Card.

The grounds of The Miami Beach EDITION hotel.

Enjoy Marriott Bonvoy® Gold Elite Status

As a Platinum Card Member, you can upgrade to Marriott Bonvoy ® Gold Elite status without meeting any stay requirements. You can enjoy perks like 25% more Marriott Bonvoy ® points , priority late checkout, and enhanced room upgrades when available. Terms and limitations apply. ‡

A couple laughing as they drive.

Drive in Style

Take advantage of your instant elevated status with Avis, Hertz, and National and explore any city in style. Enjoy perks like member-only discounts, no fees for additional drivers, and the ability to skip the rental line. Enrollment required. ‡

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Elevate Your Experiences

It’s time to make the most of your benefits. Enjoy access to lounges, priority tables at premier restaurants, and more along your journey.

A Centurion Lounge entrance.

Unwind Before Takeoff

The American Express Global Lounge Collection® provides Platinum Card Members with more airport lounge options than any other credit card issuer on the market, as of 3/2023. Experience the highest levels of luxury at The Centurion® Lounge along with various other lounge programs and partners in destinations worldwide.‡

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Take Global Dining to the Next Level With Priority Notify

Wherever you go, be in the know when a table at the world’s most sought-after restaurants becomes available with Priority Notify from Resy. Download the Resy iOS app or log in to Resy.com and add your Platinum Card® to your Resy profile to take advantage of your special benefits and discover restaurants near you.‡

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Arrive on Time With Uber

Book your Uber in advance so you can head to the airport on your schedule. As a Platinum Card Member, you receive $15 in Uber Cash, available to you through the Uber app, for orders with Uber Eats or rides with Uber in the US each month plus a bonus $20 in December*, delivered through an exclusive Uber app experience. Simply download the Uber app and add your Platinum Card to your Uber account to get started. *Uber Cash and Uber VIP status is available to Basic Card Member only.

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Get Through Airport Security Faster With CLEAR® Plus

CLEAR® uses unique attributes, such as eyes or fingerprints, to digitally verify identity to help its members move faster through security at select airports nationwide. You can cover the cost of a CLEAR Plus Membership‡, excluding any applicable taxes, with up to $189 in statement credits per year after you enroll and pay for CLEAR Plus, which is subject to auto-renewal with your Platinum Card.† †Taxes and fees subject to autorenewal. Excluding any applicable taxes and fees. Subject to auto-renewal.

A man relaxing at a gate before his flight.

Save $200 on Airline Fees

Select one qualifying airline and then receive up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year when incidental fees are charged by the airline to your Card or any of the Additional Cards on your Platinum Card account.§ §American Express relies on airlines to submit the correct information on airline transactions to identify incidental fee purchases. If you do not see a credit for a qualifying incidental purchase on your eligible Card after 8 weeks, simply call the number on the back of your Card. Qualifying airlines are subject to change. See terms & conditions for more details.

Start Your Next Adventure

You deserve the best from every journey. We’re here to help you get it.

‡ Terms and Conditions

Fine Hotels + Resorts Program Show Details Hide Details

Fine Hotels + Resorts® (FHR) program benefits are available for new bookings made through American Express Travel with participating properties and are valid only for eligible U.S. Consumer, Business, and Corporate Platinum Card® Members, and Centurion® Members. Additional Platinum Card Members on Consumer and Business Platinum and Centurion Card Accounts are also eligible for FHR program benefits. Companion Card Members on Consumer Platinum and Centurion Card Accounts, Additional Business Gold and Additional Business Expense Card Members on Business Platinum and Centurion Card Accounts, and Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Card Members are not eligible for FHR program benefits. Bookings must be made using an eligible Card and must be paid using that Card, or another American Express® Card, in the eligible Card Member's name, and that Card Member must be traveling on the itinerary booked. The average total value of the program benefits is based on prior-year bookings for stays of two nights; the actual value varies. Noon check-in and room upgrade are subject to availability and are provided at check-in; certain room categories are not eligible for upgrade. The type of experience credit or additional amenity (if applicable) varies by property; the experience credit will be applied to eligible charges up to the amount of the experience credit. Advance reservations are recommended for certain experience credits. The type and value of the daily breakfast (for two) varies by property; breakfast will be valued at a minimum of US$60 per room per day. If the cost of Wi-Fi is included in a mandatory property fee, a daily credit of that amount will be applied at check-out. Benefits are applied per room, per stay (with a three-room limit per stay). Back-to-back stays booked by a single Card Member, Card Members staying in the same room or Card Members traveling in the same party within a 24-hour period at the same property are considered one stay and are ineligible for additional FHR benefits (“Prohibited Action”). American Express and the Property reserve the right to modify or revoke FHR benefits at any time without notice if we or they determine, in our or their sole discretion, that you may have engaged in a Prohibited Action, or have engaged in abuse, misuse, or gaming in connection with your FHR benefits. Benefit restrictions vary by property. Benefits cannot be redeemed for cash and are not combinable with other offers unless indicated. Benefits must be used during the stay booked. Any credits applicable are applied at check-out in USD or the local currency equivalent. Benefits, participating properties, and availability and amenities at those properties are subject to change. To be eligible for FHR program benefits, your eligible Card Account must not be cancelled. For additional information, call the number on the back of your Card.

The Hotel Collection Program Show Details Hide Details

The Hotel Collection (THC) benefits are available for new bookings of two consecutive nights or more made through American Express Travel with participating properties and are valid only for eligible U.S. Consumer and Business Gold Card, Platinum Card® Members, and Centurion® Members. Additional Card Members on Consumer and Business Platinum Card Accounts, and Additional Card Members on Consumer and Business Centurion Accounts are also eligible for THC program benefits. Delta SkyMiles® Gold and Platinum Card Members are not eligible. Bookings must be made using an eligible Card and must be paid using that Card, or another American Express® Card, in the eligible Card Member's name, and that Card Member must be traveling on the itinerary booked. Room upgrade is subject to availability and is provided at check-in; certain room categories are not eligible for upgrade. The type of experience credit or additional amenity (if applicable) varies by property; the experience credit will be applied to eligible charges up to $100. Advance reservations are recommended for certain experience credits. Benefit restrictions vary by property. Benefits are applied per room, per stay (with a three-room limit per stay). Back-to-back stays booked by a single Card Member, Card Members staying in the same room or Card Members traveling in the same party within a 24-hour period at the same property are considered one stay and are ineligible for additional THC benefits (“Prohibited Action”). American Express and the Property reserve the right to modify or revoke the THC benefits at any time without notice if we or they determine, in our or their sole discretion, that you have engaged in a Prohibited Action, or have engaged in abuse, misuse, or gaming in connection with your THC benefits. Benefits cannot be redeemed for cash and are not combinable with other offers unless indicated. Benefits must be used during the stay booked. Any credits applicable are applied at check-out in USD or the local currency equivalent. Benefits, participating properties, and availability and amenities at those properties are subject to change. To be eligible for THC program benefits, your eligible Card Account must not be cancelled. For additional information, call the number on the back of your Card.

International Airline Program Show Details Hide Details

International Airline Program benefits are valid only for eligible U.S. Consumer and Business Platinum Card ® and Centurion ® Members (Delta SkyMiles ® Platinum Card Members are not eligible), on international tickets booked through American Express Travel for select first class, business class, and premium economy tickets with participating airlines, subject to availability. Travel must originate in and return to U.S. gateway (may exclude certain overseas territories) and select Canadian gateways. One-way travel is permitted on some airlines where routing originates in U.S. or select Canadian gateways. An eligible Card Member can book for himself/herself and up to seven passengers traveling on the same itinerary as that Card Member. Bookings must be made using an eligible Card in the Card Member’s name. Discounts are applied to the base airfare. Discounts are not combinable with other offers unless indicated and may not apply to codeshare partners. Airline fare rules and restrictions apply and are subject to change at the discretion of the airline. Tickets are non-refundable unless otherwise indicated. Tickets are non-transferable; name changes are not permitted. Benefits, participating airlines, and ticket availability are subject to change.

Cruise Privileges Program Show Details Hide Details

Cruise Privileges Program (“CPP”) benefits are valid only for new CPP bookings made with participating cruise lines through American Express Travel. CPP benefits are valid only for eligible U.S. Consumer and Business Platinum and Centurion ® Card Members (Delta SkyMiles ® Platinum Card Members are not eligible). CPP bookings must be made using the eligible Card. CPP benefits are non-transferable. Participating cruise lines and program benefits are subject to change. The benefits of an onboard credit and amenity are valid for new CPP bookings of at least five nights and require double occupancy; the eligible Card Member must be traveling on the itinerary booked; the total cost of the CPP booking must be paid using an American Express ® Card in the eligible Card Member's name. Onboard credits and amenities cannot be combined with other offers unless indicated; blackout dates, category and fare restrictions may apply. Onboard credits and amenities may not be available to residents outside of the 50 United States. Onboard credits and amenities apply per stateroom, with a three-stateroom limit per eligible Card Member, per cruise. For new CPP bookings with Celebrity Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line, Holland America Line, Princess Cruises, and Royal Caribbean International, eligible Card Members receive an onboard credit (in USD) of: $100 for inside and outside staterooms, $200 for balcony, verandah, and mini-suite staterooms, and/or $300 for suites. For new CPP bookings with Cunard, eligible Card Members receive an onboard credit (in USD) of: $300 for all Queen Mary ocean-view staterooms category EF or higher, and/or Queen Victoria or Queen Elizabeth ocean-view staterooms category FA or higher. For new CPP bookings with Ama Waterways, Oceania, Regent, Azamara, Seabourn, Silversea, Uniworld, and Windstar, eligible Card Members receive an onboard credit of US$300 for all stateroom categories. For new CPP bookings, Centurion Members receive an additional US$200 onboard credit on Regent Seven Seas Cruises, Seabourn, and Silversea. Onboard credits will be applied at checkout upon completion of the cruise; credit amounts in local currency may vary due to foreign exchange rates; credits are subject to cruise line terms and policies; credits cannot be used for casino charges, gratuities or other similar charges. Any unused portion of a credit is non-refundable and is not redeemable for cash. Other restrictions may apply. Onboard amenities vary by participating cruise line and are not available on Silver Explorer, Silver Galapagos and Silver Discoverer. Onboard credits and amenities are not available on Celebrity Cruises Galapagos sailings.

Extra Membership Rewards ® points: CPP-eligible Card Members that are Membership Rewards program-enrolled will receive one (1) extra Membership Reward ® point per eligible dollar spent on new CPP bookings made with participating cruise lines through American Express Travel; separate airfare and other charges associated with such bookings are not eligible. CPP bookings must be made using the eligible Card (described above). The extra points will be credited to the Card Member’s Membership Rewards account 8-12 weeks after completion of the CPP cruise. For more information visit membershiprewards.com/terms .

American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc. is acting solely as a sales agent for travel suppliers and is not responsible for the actions or inactions of such suppliers. Certain suppliers pay us commission and other incentives for reaching sales targets or other goals and may provide incentives to our travel consultants. For more information visit americanexpress.com/travelterms

California CST#1022318; Washington UBI#600-469-694

$200 Hotel Credit Show Details Hide Details

Basic Card Members on U.S. Consumer Platinum Card Account are eligible to receive up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year when they or Additional Platinum Card Members use their Cards to pay for eligible prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts ® and The Hotel Collection bookings made through American Express Travel (meaning through amextravel.com, the Amex ® App, or by calling the phone number on the back of your eligible Card) or when Companion Platinum Card Members on such Platinum Card Accounts pay for eligible prepaid bookings for The Hotel Collection made through American Express Travel (meaning through amextravel.com, the Amex ® App, or by calling the phone number on the back of your eligible Card). Purchases by both the Basic Card Member and any Additional Card Members on the Card Account are eligible for statement credits. However, the total amount of statement credits for eligible purchases will not exceed $200 per calendar year, per Card Account. Fine Hotels + Resorts ® program bookings may be made only by eligible U.S. Consumer Basic Platinum and Additional Platinum Card Members. The Hotel Collection bookings may be made by eligible U.S. Consumer Basic and Additional Platinum Card Members and Companion Platinum Card Members on the Platinum Card Account. Delta SkyMiles ® Platinum Card Members are not eligible for the benefit. To receive the statement credits, an eligible Card Member must make a new booking using their eligible Card through American Express Travel on or after July 1st, 2021, that is prepaid (referred to as "Pay Now" on amextravel.com and the Amex App), for a qualifying stay at an available, participating Fine Hotels + Resorts or The Hotel Collection property. Bookings of The Hotel Collection require a minimum stay of two consecutive nights. Eligible bookings must be processed before December 31st, 11:59PM Central Time, each calendar year to be eligible for statement credits within that year. Eligible bookings do not include interest charges, cancellation fees, property fees or other similar fees, or any charges by a property to you (whether for your booking, your stay or otherwise).

Statement credits are typically received within a few days, however it may take 90 days after an eligible prepaid hotel booking is charged to the Card Account. American Express relies on the merchant to process transactions within the same calendar year that you made the prepaid booking in order to apply the statement credit in the calendar year that it was intended. For example, if you make an eligible prepaid booking on the last day of the year, but the merchant doesn't process that transaction until the next day, then the statement credit available in the next calendar year will be applied to the Card Account, if the purchase is eligible. Statement credits may not be received or may be reversed if the booking is cancelled or modified. To be eligible for this benefit, your Card account must not be cancelled or past due at the time of statement credit fulfillment. If American Express does not receive information that identifies your transaction as eligible, you will not receive the statement credits. For example, your transaction will not be eligible if it is a booking: (i) made with a property not included in the Fine Hotels + Resorts or The Hotel Collection programs, (ii) not made through American Express Travel, or (iii) not made with an eligible Card. Participating properties and their availability are subject to change. If American Express, in its sole discretion, determines that you have engaged in or intend to engage in any manner of abuse, misuse, or gaming in connection with this benefit, American Express will not have an obligation to provide and may reverse any statement credits provided to you. If a charge for an eligible purchase is included in a Pay Over Time balance on your Card Account, the statement credit associated with that charge may not be applied to that Pay Over Time balance. Instead, the statement credit may be applied to your Pay In Full balance. Please refer to AmericanExpress.com/FHR and AmericanExpress.com/HC for more information about Fine Hotels + Resorts and The Hotel Collection, respectively.

5X Air and Hotel Show Details Hide Details

Basic Card Members will get 1 Membership Rewards® point for each dollar charged for eligible purchases on their Platinum Card® or an Additional Card on their Account and 4 additional points (for a total of 5 points) for each dollar charged for eligible travel purchases on any Card on the Account (“Additional Points”), minus cancellations and credits. Eligible travel purchases are limited to: (i) purchases of air tickets on scheduled flights, of up to $500,000 in charges per calendar year, booked directly with passenger airlines or through American Express Travel (by calling 1-800-525-3355 or through AmexTravel.com); (ii) purchases of prepaid hotel reservations booked through American Express Travel; and (iii) purchases of prepaid flight+hotel packages booked through AmexTravel.com. Eligible travel purchases do not include: charter flights, private jet flights, flights that are part of tours, cruises, or travel packages (other than prepaid flight+hotel packages booked through AmexTravel.com), ticketing or similar service fees, ticket cancellation or change fees, property fees or similar fees, hotel group reservations or events, interest charges, or purchases of cash equivalents. Eligible prepaid hotel bookings or prepaid flight+hotel bookings that are modified directly with the hotel will not be eligible for Additional Points. 

Bonuses that may be received with your Card on other purchase categories or in connection with promotions or offers from American Express cannot be combined with this benefit. Any portion of a charge that the Basic Card Member elects to cover through redemption of Membership Rewards points is not eligible to receive points. Additional terms and restrictions apply. 

Merchants are assigned codes based on what they primarily sell. We group certain merchant codes into categories that are eligible for Additional Points. A purchase with a merchant will not earn Additional Points if the merchant’s code is not included in an Additional Points category. Basic Card Members may not receive Additional Points if we receive inaccurate information or are otherwise unable to identify your purchase as eligible for an Additional Points category. For example, you may not receive Additional Points when: a merchant uses a third-party to sell their products or services, a merchant uses a third-party to process or submit your transaction to us (e.g., using mobile or wireless card readers), or you choose to make a purchase using a third-party payment account or make a purchase using a mobile or digital wallet. 

To be eligible for this benefit, the Card Account must not be cancelled. If American Express, in its sole discretion, determines that you have engaged in or intend to engage in any manner of abuse, misuse, or gaming in connection with this benefit in any way American Express may remove access to this benefit from the Account. For additional information, call the number on the back of your Card or visit  americanexpress.com/rewards-info  for more information about rewards.

Hilton Honors Gold Status Enrollment Show Details Hide Details

Enrollment through American Express is required to receive the benefit. Platinum Card Members and Additional Platinum Card Members on the Platinum Card Account can enroll in complimentary Hilton Honors Gold status in the Benefits section of their americanexpress.com online account or by calling the number on the back of their Card. If a Card Member already has a Hilton Honors Number, they may enter it on the benefit page prior to enrollment. Benefit available only to Platinum Card Members and is not transferable. Once the Card Member requests enrollment in the Hilton Honors program, American Express will share their enrollment information with Hilton. Hilton may use this information in accordance with its privacy policy available at hilton.com/en/p/global-privacy-statement/ . Enrolled Card Members will maintain Hilton Honors Gold Status without meeting otherwise required Hilton Honors criteria as long as the Card Member remains an eligible American Express Card Member or until American Express notifies the Card Member that the benefit is terminated. If your Platinum Card is cancelled for any reason, your complimentary Hilton Honors Gold status provided with the Card will be cancelled. American Express reserves the right to change, modify or revoke complimentary Gold status at any time. If your complimentary Gold status is cancelled, you may be able to maintain your Gold status by qualifying under the Hilton Honors Program terms. Gold status benefits are subject to availability and vary by hotel; see Hiltonhonors.com/MemberBenefits and Hilton.com/en/hilton-honors/benefit-terms/ for additional details. The Hilton Honors Program, including the benefits of Hilton Honors membership, are subject to Hilton Honors Terms and Conditions; see hiltonhonors.com/terms .

To be eligible for this benefit, Card Account(s) must not be cancelled. If your Card has been replaced, please check the Benefits section of your americanexpress.com account, mobile app or call the number on the back of your Card to confirm your continued enrollment in the benefit. If American Express, in its sole discretion, determines that you have engaged in or intend to engage in any manner of abuse, misuse, or gaming in connection with this benefit in any way, American Express may remove access to this benefit from the Account. For additional information, call the number on the back of your Card.

Marriott Bonvoy ™ Gold Elite Status Show Details Hide Details

Enrollment through American Express is required to receive the benefit. Platinum Card Members and Additional Platinum Card Members are eligible to enroll in the complimentary Marriott Bonvoy™ Gold Elite Status benefit in the Benefits section of their americanexpress.com online account or by calling the number on the back of their Card. If a Card Member already has a Marriott Bonvoy account number, they may enter it in the Benefits section prior to enrollment. Once the Card Member requests enrollment, American Express will share their enrollment information with Marriott International Inc. Marriott Bonvoy may use this information in accordance with its privacy statement available at www.marriott.com/about/privacy.mi . Enrollment into the Marriott Bonvoy program is required to receive program benefits, and enrollment may be terminated without prior notice subject to Marriott Bonvoy terms and conditions. Enrollment usually occurs within 3-5 business days, but in limited instances it may take longer. Please call the number on the back of your Card for assistance if you have not received a benefit enrollment confirmation within 10 days from the time you requested enrollment. The Marriott Bonvoy program is subject to change and certain eligibility requirements and benefit availability may vary by property. Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status benefits may be combined with the American Express Fine Hotels + Resorts program. Not all Marriott International brand properties participate in the Marriott Bonvoy program. Reservations booked through third parties and online booking services are not eligible to earn Marriott Bonvoy points, miles or Gold Elite Status benefits. All Marriott Bonvoy program terms and conditions apply; for complete terms and conditions, visit www.marriottbonvoy.com/terms . American Express reserves the right to instruct Marriott Bonvoy to remove Gold Elite status if the Card Member ceases to be a Platinum Card Member or their account is cancelled or past due. To be eligible for this Gold Elite status benefit, Card Account(s) must not be cancelled and you must remain in good standing with Marriott Bonvoy. If your Card has been replaced, please check the Benefits section of your americanexpress.com account, mobile app or call the number on the back of your Card to confirm your continued enrollment in the Gold Elite status benefit. If American Express, in its sole discretion, determines that you have engaged in or intend to engage in any manner of abuse, misuse, or gaming in connection with this the Gold Elite status benefit in any way, American Express may remove access to this benefit from the Account. For additional information, call the number on the back of your Card.

Car Rental Privileges Show Details Hide Details

Consumer Platinum Card® Members, Corporate Platinum Card® Members and Business Platinum Card® Members are eligible to receive complimentary status in the following programs: Avis Preferred®, Hertz Gold Plus Rewards®, and/or National Car Rental® Emerald Club. Additional Platinum Card Members on Consumer and Business Platinum Accounts are also eligible for this benefit. Companion Platinum Cards® on Consumer Platinum Card Accounts and Additional Gold and Additional Business Expense Cards on Business Platinum Card Accounts are not eligible to receive this benefit. Benefits provided to Platinum Card Members are subject to each car rental company’s terms and conditions, including age restrictions, and require enrollment in each car rental program through your American Express online account to receive benefits. Payment must be made using the Platinum Card. Platinum Card Members are required to enroll in Avis Preferred, Hertz Gold Plus Rewards and National Emerald Club memberships to receive the car rental program benefits. Hertz Gold Plus Rewards® is a registered trademark of Hertz System, Inc. Minimum rental age is 25 (exceptions apply). Minimum age to join Hertz Gold Plus Rewards is 21. Standard rental terms and conditions apply. National collects Frequent Flyer Tax Recoupment Surcharge to cover the federal tax on the cost of the miles awarded at the time of rental. Discount applies to base rate only. Taxes (including GST), other governmentally authorized or imposed surcharges, license recoupment/air tax recovery and concession recoupment fees, airport and airport facility fees, fuel, additional driver fee, one-way rental charge, and optional items are extra. Renter must meet applicable age, driver, and credit requirements. Advance reservation required. May not be combined with other discounts. Availability is limited. Subject to change without notice. Blackout dates may apply. National’s Emerald Club and Hertz Gold Plus Rewards and their services require a signed Master Rental Agreement to be on file. Please note that the Car Rental Privileges program available to Platinum Card Members is a separate program from the Premium Car Rental Protection insurance product offered by American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc. and underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company. 

To be eligible for this benefit, Card Account(s) must not be canceled or past due. If you have a Card on file with one of the eligible partners, make sure that the most up to date Account information is on file or else you may not receive the benefit. If American Express, in its sole discretion, determines that you have engaged in or intend to engage in any manner of abuse, misuse, or gaming in connection with this benefit in any way, American Express may remove access to this benefit from the Account. For additional information, call the number on the back of your card.

The Global Lounge Collection Show Details Hide Details

The American Express Global Lounge Collection®

U.S Consumer and Business Platinum Card Members and any Additional Platinum Card Members on the Account are eligible for access to the participating lounges in the American Express Global Lounge Collection. Companion Platinum Cards on Consumer Platinum Accounts and Additional Gold and Additional Business Expense Cards on Business Platinum Accounts are not eligible for the Global Lounge Collection benefit. All lounge access is subject to space availability. Each lounge program within the Global Lounge Collection has its own policies and access to any of the participating lounges is subject to the applicable rules and policies. Participating lounges reserve the right to remove any person from the premises for inappropriate behavior or failure to adhere to rules, including, but not limited to, conduct that is disruptive, abusive, or violent. To be eligible for this benefit, Card Account must not be cancelled. Please refer to each program’s terms and conditions to learn more.

The Centurion® Lounge U.S. Platinum Card Members have unlimited complimentary access to all locations of The Centurion Lounge. Companion Platinum Cards on Consumer Platinum Accounts and Additional Gold and Additional Business Expense Cards on Business Platinum Accounts are not eligible for access to The Centurion Lounge. All access to The Centurion Lounge is subject to space availability. To access The Centurion Lounge, Platinum Card Members must arrive within 3 hours of their departing flight and present The Centurion Lounge agent with the following upon each visit: their valid Card, a boarding pass showing a confirmed reservation for a departing flight on the same day on any carrier and a government-issued I.D. Note that select lounges allow access to Card Members with a confirmed reservation for any same-day travel (departure or arrival). Refer to the specific location’s access policy for more information. Failure to present this documentation may result in access being denied. Card Members must be at least 18 years of age to enter without a parent or legal guardian. All Centurion Lounge visitors must be of legal drinking age in the jurisdiction where the Lounge is located to consume alcoholic beverages. Please drink responsibly. American Express reserves the right to remove any person from the Lounge for inappropriate behavior or failure to adhere to rules, including, but not limited to, conduct that is disruptive, abusive or violent. Soliciting other Card Members for access into our Lounge is not permissible. Hours may vary by location and are subject to change. Amenities vary among The Centurion Lounge locations and are subject to change. Card Members will not be compensated for changes in locations, rates or policies. In addition to the complimentary services and amenities in the Lounge, certain services, products or amenities may be offered for sale. You are responsible for any purchases and/or servicing charges you make in The Centurion Lounge or authorize our Member Services Professionals to make on your behalf. Services available at the Member Services Desk are based on the type of American Express Card used to enter the Lounge. American Express will not be liable for any articles lost or stolen or damages suffered by visitors to The Centurion Lounge. If we in our sole discretion determine that you have engaged in abuse, misuse, or gaming in connection with Lounge access in any way or that you intend to do so, we may remove access to The Centurion Lounge from the Platinum Account. Use of The Centurion Lounge is subject to all rules and conditions set by American Express. American Express reserves the right to revise the rules at any time without notice.

U.S. Platinum Card Members, U.S. Business Platinum Card Members and Additional U.S. Platinum Card Members on the Account will be charged a $50 fee for each guest (or $30 for children aged 2 through 17, with proof of age) unless they have qualified for Complimentary Guest Access. U.S. Platinum Card and U.S. Business Platinum Card Members may qualify for Complimentary Guest Access for up to two (2) guests per visit to locations of The Centurion Lounge in the U.S., Hong Kong International Airport and London Heathrow Airport (“Complimentary Guest Access”), after spending $75,000 or more on eligible purchases on the Platinum Account in a calendar year. Once effective, Complimentary Guest Access will be available for the remainder of the calendar year in which it became effective, the following calendar year, and until January 31 of the next calendar year (for example, if Complimentary Guest Access became effective on May 1, 2023, it would remain effective until January 31, 2025). Eligible purchases made by any Additional Card Members on the Platinum Account will contribute to the purchase requirement. Complimentary Guest Access is limited to two (2) guests per Card Member per visit, regardless of whether you are eligible for complimentary guest access through multiple Platinum Accounts or through other Amex Cards. Guest access policies may vary internationally by location and are subject to change.

  Eligibility for Complimentary Guest Access will typically be processed within a week of the Platinum Account’s meeting the purchase requirement, but may take up to 12 weeks to become effective. Complimentary Guest Access status will be reflected in the Benefits tab of your online Account and in the American Express App. Eligible purchases to meet the purchase requirement are for goods and services minus returns and other credits. Eligible purchases do NOT include fees or interest charges, cash advances, purchases of travelers checks, purchases or reloading of prepaid cards, purchases of gift cards, person-to-person payments, or other cash equivalents. If a Card Member upgrades or downgrades from a different American Express Card to a Platinum Account, eligible purchases made on that Card Account will count toward meeting the purchase requirement to achieve Complimentary Guest Access on the new Platinum Account. 

Escape Lounges – The Centurion® Studio Partner This benefit is available to U.S. Platinum Card Members. Companion Platinum Cards on Consumer Platinum Accounts and Additional Gold and Additional Business Expense Cards on Business Platinum Accounts are not eligible for access to Escape Lounges – The Centurion® Studio Partner. Card Members receive complimentary access to all US locations of the Escape Lounges. Card Member must present their valid Card, a boarding pass showing a confirmed reservation for same-day travel on any carrier and government-issued I.D. Card Member must be at least 18 years of age to enter without a parent or legal guardian. All Escape Lounge visitors must be of legal drinking age in the jurisdiction where the Lounge is located to consume alcoholic beverages. Please drink responsibly. The eligible flight must be booked on a U.S. issued American Express credit card and Card Members may bring up to two complimentary guests per visit. Card Member must adhere to all house rules of participating lounges. Card Members and their guests will receive all of the complimentary benefits and amenities afforded to the Escape Lounge customers, including access to purchase non-complimentary items. Some product features may be subject to additional charges. Escape Lounge locations are subject to change without notice. Additional restrictions may apply. 

Delta Sky Club

This benefit is available to U.S. Platinum Card Members and Additional Platinum Card Members on the Account (each, an “Eligible Platinum Card Member”). Companion Platinum Cards on Consumer Platinum Accounts and Additional Gold and Additional Business Expense Cards on Business Platinum Accounts are not eligible for the Delta Sky Club benefit. Platinum Card Members must present their valid American Express Card, government-issued I.D., and boarding pass to the Delta Sky Club ambassador. Boarding pass must show a reservation for a same-day Delta-operated flight (Delta or Delta connection) departing from or arriving at the airport in which the Delta Sky Club is located. Name on boarding pass must match name on the Card. Eligible Platinum Card Members on departing flights can only access the Delta Sky Club or the Delta Sky Club “Grab and Go” feature within 3 hours of their flight's scheduled departure time. During a layover between Delta-operated flights on the same ticket, you may use the Delta Sky Club in your connecting airport at any time during the layover. Delta reserves the right to limit access for non-revenue flyers at any Delta Sky Club. Individuals must be at least 18 years of age to access Delta Sky Club, and 21 years of age to access locations with a self-service bar, unless accompanied by a responsible, supervising adult who has access to the Delta Sky Club. Benefit valid only at Delta Sky Club. Partner lounges are not included. Note that amenities may vary among Delta Sky Club locations. Participating airport clubs and locations subject to change without notice. Eligible Platinum Card Members may bring guests into the Delta Sky Club subject to the most current Delta Sky Club access and pricing policies and must use their valid Platinum Card as the payment method for guest access. Guests also must be flying on a same-day Delta-operated flight. Guest access and fees subject to terms and conditions of participating airport clubs. Access is subject to Delta Sky Club rules. To review the rules, please visit  delta.com/skyclub . Benefit and rules subject to change without notice. Additional restrictions may apply.

Effective January 1, 2024:  Eligible Platinum Card Members traveling on a same-day Delta-operated flight with Basic Economy (E) fare tickets will not have access to the Delta Sky Club or to Grab and Go.  

Effective September 14, 2023 through January 31, 2025:  Eligible Platinum Card Members receive complimentary access to the Delta Sky Club or to Grab and Go when traveling on a same-day Delta-operated flight. Eligible Platinum Card Members may bring either up to two guests, or their immediate family (spouse/domestic partner and children under 21) to the Club at a per-visit rate of $50 per person, per location or to Grab and Go at a per-visit rate of $25 per person, per location. The Eligible Platinum Card must be used as the payment method to purchase guest access. Guests must also be flying on a same-day Delta-operated flight. Children under 2 years of age may accompany the Eligible Platinum Card Member for free.

Effective February 1, 2025:  Eligible Platinum Card Members will receive 10 Visits per Eligible Platinum Card per year to the Delta Sky Club or to Grab and Go when traveling on a same-day Delta-operated flight. Visits are non-transferable and may only be used by the Eligible Platinum Card Member. Visits issued from February 1, 2025 through January 31, 2026 will expire on January 31, 2026, and Visits issued in subsequent years will expire on January 31 of each calendar year thereafter. 

A “Visit” is an entry to one or more Delta Sky Clubs or usage of the Delta Sky Club “Grab and Go” feature, at one or more airports, for a period of up to 24 hours starting upon the first Delta Sky Club entry or Grab and Go usage, during an Eligible Platinum Card Member’s travel on a same-day Delta-operated flight. A single Visit permits usage of Delta Sky Club(s) in multiple airports during the 24-hour period. For example, if you visit a Delta Sky Club in different airports on a trip, entry into one or more of these Clubs will be considered part of the same Visit as long as these additional entries occur within 24 hours of the first Delta Sky Club entry. If travel exceeds 24 hours from the first Delta Sky Club, then a second Visit will be deducted if entering the Delta Sky Club or using Grab and Go more than 24 hours after the first entry. Eligible Platinum Card Members may not access the Club or a Grab and Go location in the three hours from the time of previous Grab and Go usage at the same airport. Once all 10 Visits have been used, Eligible Card Members may purchase additional Delta Sky Club Visits (including Grab and Go) at a per-Visit rate of $50 per person. Visits cannot be used for guest entry. During a Visit, Eligible Platinum Card Members may bring either up to two (2) guests, or their immediate family (spouse/domestic partner and children under 21) to the Club (including Grab and Go) at a per-Visit rate of $50 per person. The Eligible Platinum Card must be used as the payment method to purchase Card Member and guest access. Guests must also be flying on a same-day Delta-operated flight and be accompanied by the Eligible Platinum Card Member. Children under 2 years of age may accompany the Eligible Platinum Card Member for free.

To earn an unlimited number of Visits (“Unlimited Delta Sky Club Access”) starting on February 1, 2025, the total eligible purchases on the Eligible Platinum Card Account must equal or exceed $75,000 (the “Purchase Requirement”) between January 1, 2024 and December 31, 2024 and in each calendar year thereafter. Unlimited Delta Sky Club Access will be provided to all Eligible Platinum Card Members once the Account has reached the Purchase Requirement. Companion Platinum Cards on Consumer Platinum Accounts and Additional Gold and Additional Business Expense Cards on Business Platinum Accounts are not eligible for the Unlimited Delta Sky Club Access benefit. All entry requirements set forth above will continue to apply with respect to Unlimited Delta Sky Club Access.

Unlimited Delta Sky Club Access will be processed within a week of the Eligible Platinum Card Account’s satisfying the Purchase Requirement in most instances but may take up to 12 weeks to become effective. Once effective, Unlimited Delta Sky Club Access will be available for the remainder of the calendar year in which it became effective, the following calendar year and through January 31 of the next calendar year (for example, if Unlimited Delta Sky Club Access becomes effective on May 1, 2025, it will remain effective through January 31, 2027). Eligible purchases made by any Additional Card Members on the Eligible Platinum Card Account will contribute to the Purchase Requirement. Eligible purchases to meet the Purchase Requirement are for goods and services minus returns and other credits. Eligible purchases do NOT include fees, interest charges, cash advances, purchases of travelers’ checks, purchases or reloading of prepaid cards, purchases of gift cards, person-to-person payments, or other cash equivalents. If a Card Member upgrades or downgrades from a different American Express Card to an Eligible Platinum Card, eligible purchases made on the prior Card Account will count toward the Purchase Requirement. Delta reserves the right to revoke Unlimited Delta Sky Club Access if you return, reverse or charge back eligible purchases in a way that reduces your eligible spend below the Purchase Requirement for the calendar year. If Delta and/or American Express determine that you have engaged in abuse, misuse, or gaming in connection with this Delta Sky Club Access Benefit in any way or that you intend to do so, Visits may be deducted from your account and/or Unlimited Delta Sky Club Access revoked.  

This benefit is available to U.S. Platinum Card Members. Companion Platinum Cards on Consumer Platinum Accounts and Additional Gold and Additional Business Expense Cards on Business Platinum Accounts are not eligible for the Lufthansa lounges benefit. Platinum Card Members have complimentary access to select Lufthansa Business Lounges (regardless of ticket class) and Lufthansa Senator Lounges (when flying business class) when flying on a Lufthansa Group flight. To access the Lufthansa lounges, a Platinum Card Member must present their valid Platinum Card, a government issued I.D., and a same-day departure boarding pass showing confirmed reservation on a Lufthansa Group flight (Lufthansa, SWISS and Austrian airlines). Card Members must adhere to all rules of participating lounges. Participating lounges and locations subject to change without notice. Additional guest access and fees subject to terms and conditions of participating lounges. In some Lounges the Platinum Card Member must be at least 18 years of age to enter without a parent or guardian. Must be of legal drinking age to consume alcoholic beverages. Please drink responsibly. For the most current list of Lufthansa lounges, guest access requirements, rules, and pricing policy, please visit  https://www.lufthansa.com/de/en/lounges .

Plaza Premium Lounges This benefit is available to U.S. Platinum Card Members. Companion Platinum Cards on Consumer Platinum Accounts and Additional Gold and Additional Business Expense Cards on Business Platinum Accounts are not eligible for the Plaza Premium Lounges benefit. Card Members receive complimentary access to any global location of Plaza Premium Lounges. To access Plaza Premium Lounges, Card Member must present their valid Card, a boarding pass showing a confirmed reservation for same-day travel on any carrier and government-issued I.D. In some cases, Card Member must be 21 years of age to enter without a parent or guardian. Card Members may bring up to two (2) companions into Plaza Premium Lounges as complimentary guests. Must be of legal drinking age to consume alcohol. Please drink responsibly. Card Member must adhere to all house rules of participating lounges. Card Members and their guests will receive all of the complimentary benefits and amenities afforded to the Plaza Premium Lounge customers, as well as access to purchase non-complimentary items. Some product features may be subject to additional charges. Plaza Premium Lounge locations are subject to change.

Priority Pass Select This benefit is available to U.S. Platinum Card Members. Platinum Card Members and Additional Platinum Card Members must enroll in the Priority Pass™ Select program through the benefits section of their americanexpress.com account or by calling the number on the back of their Card to receive the benefit. Companion Platinum Cards on Consumer Platinum Accounts and Additional Gold and Additional Business Expense Cards on Business Platinum Accounts are not eligible for the Priority Pass Select benefit. Priority Pass is an independent airport lounge access program. You acknowledge and agree that American Express will verify your Card Account number and provide updated Card Account information to Priority Pass. Priority Pass will use this information to fulfill on the Priority Pass Select program and may use this information for marketing related to the program. Once enrolled, Platinum Card Members with a valid Card Account may access participating Priority Pass Select lounges by presenting their Priority Pass Select card and airline boarding pass. If the Card Account is canceled, you will not be eligible for Priority Pass Select and your enrollment will be canceled. When visiting a Priority Pass Select lounge that admits guests, Platinum Card Members receive complimentary access for up to two accompanying guests. After two guests, the Card Account on file with Priority Pass Select will be automatically charged the guest visit fee of the Priority Pass Standard program for each additional guest after you have signed up for the additional guest visit and it has been reported to Priority Pass by the participating lounge. Some lounges limit the number of guests or do not admit guests. In some lounges, Priority Pass Select members must be 21 years of age to enter without a parent or guardian. Priority Pass Select members must adhere to all house rules of participating lounges and access to participating lounges is subject to all rules, terms and conditions of the applicable lounge. Amenities may vary among airport lounge locations. Conference rooms, where available, may be reserved for a nominal fee. Priority Pass Select lounge partners and locations are subject to change. All Priority Pass Select members must adhere to the Priority Pass Conditions of Use, which will be sent to you with your membership package, and can be viewed at  www.prioritypass.com . Upon receipt of your enrollment information, Priority Pass will send your Priority Pass Select card and membership package which you should receive within 10–14 business days. If you have not received the Priority Pass card after 14 days, please contact American Express using the number on the back of your American Express® Card. To receive immediate access to lounges after your enrollment in Priority Pass Select has been processed, you can activate your membership online by using your Priority Pass Select membership details to receive a Digital Membership Card. For a step-by-step guide on the activation process, visit  prioritypass.com/activation .  

Additional Global Lounge Collection Partner Lounges

American Express offers access to additional lounges in the Global Lounge Collection where U.S.Platinum Card Members have unlimited complimentary access to participating locations. Companion Platinum Cards on Consumer Platinum Accounts and Additional Gold and Additional Business Expense Cards on Business Platinum Accounts are not eligible for access to participating locations. Card Members must present their valid Platinum Card, a government-issued I.D., and a boarding pass showing a confirmed reservation for same-day travel on any carrier. Guest access and associated fees are subject to the terms and conditions of the participating lounge provider. Participation, locations, rates, and policies of lounges are subject to change without notice, and Card Members and their guests will not be compensated for such changes. Amenities, services, and hours may vary by participating lounge and are subject to change without notice. American Express and the participating lounge will not be liable for any articles lost or stolen, or damages suffered by the Card Member or guests inside the participating lounge. For participating lounges with a self-service bar, the Card Member may be required to be of legal drinking age in the participating lounge jurisdiction to enter without a parent or legal guardian. All Card Members and their guests must be of legal drinking age to consume alcoholic beverages. Please drink responsibly. Each participating lounge may have their own policy allowing for children under a certain age to enter for free with the Card Member who is a parent or legal guardian. Card Member must adhere to all house rules of participating lounges. If American Express, in its sole discretion, determines that the Card Member or their guests have engaged in abuse, misuse, or gaming in connection with access to participating lounges in any way, or that the Card Member or their guests intend to do so, we may remove access to the Additional Lounges from the Account. American Express and the participating lounge reserve the right to revise the rules at any time without notice. For the most current list of participating lounges and access requirements, please use the Lounge Finder feature in the American Express App or visit  www.americanexpress.com/findalounge .

Global Dining Access by Resy Show Details Hide Details

The Global Dining Access program (“GDA”) is a benefit available to eligible Card Members. “Eligible Card Members” are account holders of Platinum Card ® or Centurion ® Card from American Express, Business Platinum Card ® , Business Centurion ® Card from American Express, Corporate Platinum Card ® or Corporate Centurion ® Card from American Express, Delta SkyMiles ® Reserve American Express Card, Delta SkyMiles ® Reserve Business American Express Card, Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card, The Platinum Card ® from American Express Exclusively for Morgan Stanley, The Platinum Card ® from American Express Exclusively for Charles Schwab, The Platinum Card ® from American Express for Goldman Sachs, and The Centurion ® Card from American Express for Goldman Sachs (and any Additional Card Member(s) on their accounts). GDA may not be available for Cards issued from some countries. GDA provides eligible Card Members with (a) access to exclusive reservations, (b) Priority Notify, which allows GDA members to set notifications to be in the first group notified when tables become available before they are made available to other Resy users, and (c) access to exclusive events. GDA reservations are accessible through the Resy iOS App and Website (“Resy Sites”) and Concierge. Some features of GDA, like Priority Notify, may not be available through Concierge. To access this benefit through the Resy iOS App, you must download the Resy App; or if you already have the Resy iOS App, ensure the latest update is downloaded. When using the Resy Sites, create a Resy account or log into your existing Resy account and add your eligible Card to your Resy account. If you are assigned a new Card number, you must update the Card number in your Resy account. When you use GDA, a badge will be placed on your Resy profile, letting restaurants know that you are a member of the GDA program. Reservations are based on a first-come, first-served basis. In the event of a reservation cancellation, you will be subject to the restaurant’s cancellation policy. Generally, same-day reservations that are not booked by GDA members are released back to restaurants at certain times of day that vary across restaurant policies. American Express and Resy make no representations or warranties regarding the availability of reservations, events, and/or experiences, which shall at all times be subject to availability and the discretion of the applicable restaurant. American Express and Resy are not responsible for informing the restaurants of any dietary restrictions or for a restaurant being able to accommodate such restrictions. There is no cost to you for booking services through GDA, although you are responsible for any purchases or fees you authorize to be charged to your Card account. GDA reservations and events are intended for personal use only and cannot be resold or used for commercial purposes. By participating in the GDA program, you are accepting these GDA terms and conditions, which are in addition to and do not replace the Resy Sites’ Terms of Service. To be eligible for this benefit, your Card account must not be cancelled.

$200 Uber Cash Show Details Hide Details

Basic Card Members on a Consumer Platinum Card or Centurion account and Additional Centurion Card Members are eligible for Uber VIP and the monthly Amex Benefit (“Amex Benefit”). To receive this benefit, you must have downloaded the latest version of the Uber App and your eligible Platinum Card or Centurion Card must be a method of payment in your Uber account. The Amex Benefit may only be used in the United States.

To be eligible for the Amex Benefit, your Card Account must not be canceled or past due. American Express reserves the right to suspend your eligibility for the Amex Benefit if we suspect any violation or abuse. To continue to receive the Amex Benefit, the details for your eligible Card must be kept up to date in your Uber Account. Cards added to your Uber account through a third party such as Apple Pay or PayPal will not be eligible. An eligible Platinum Card or Centurion Card may receive the Amex Benefit on one Uber account. If the same Card is added to multiple Uber accounts, only the first Uber account to which the Card is added will receive the Amex Benefit. If your American Express Card details change, you will need to make required updates to your Card details in your Uber payment profile before the end of the current month to ensure you remain enrolled in the Amex Benefit. If you do not update your Card details prior to the first day of the following month, you may need to re-enroll to continue to receive your Amex benefit. It may take up to 48 hours for the Amex Benefit to become available in your Uber account after your eligible Card has been added to that account. Uber VIP is available in select cities and is governed by Uber’s terms and conditions.

The Amex Benefit is found within your Uber Cash balance. In order to use the Amex Benefit, Uber Cash must be turned on. If Uber Cash is turned on when you request a ride, Uber Cash will appear above the confirmation button. If Uber Cash does not appear above the confirmation button, tap on the current payment option and turn on Uber Cash. If you do not see the Amex Benefit in your Uber Cash balance within 48 hours from the time you enroll, call the number on the back of your Card for assistance.

The Amex Benefit may be applied to all vehicle types with Uber, orders on Uber Eats and to any other services to which Uber permits Uber Cash to be applied. If your Uber Cash balance does not satisfy the cost of your ride or order, the primary payment method on your Uber account will be charged for the difference.

The Amex Benefit will not apply to previous Uber transactions and cannot be used when paying with an UberFAMILY profile. New and existing Uber users are eligible. Uber will apply the Amex Benefit at the point of sale and it will be displayed on your emailed receipt. There is no limit to the number of transactions you may apply your Amex Benefit to each month, up to a total of $15 per month (up to a total of $35 in December).

Your monthly Amex Benefit expires at 11:59 PM Hawaii Standard Time on the last day of each calendar month. Unused balance in Uber Cash from your Amex Benefit will not carry over to the following month. Your Amex Benefit will be applied for the month in which the transaction is completed. If a transaction is eligible for another promotion that you have added to your Uber account, the promotion will be applied before your Amex Benefit. Certain other types of balances in Uber Cash may be applied to the cost of your ride or order prior to your Amex Benefit in Uber Cash. For purposes of fulfilling this benefit, American Express will share with Uber certain information about your Card, including the Card type, and updated Card information from time to time. If you do not wish to receive the Amex Benefit, please call the number on the back of your Card. If you do not see the Amex Benefit in your Uber Cash balance by 5:00 PM Hawaii Standard Time on the first day of each calendar month, call the number on the back of your Card for assistance.

$189 CLEAR Plus Credit Show Details Hide Details

Basic Card Members can earn up to $189 in statement credits per calendar year when the Platinum Card or Additional Cards on the Account are used to pay for an annual CLEAR Plus membership. Enrollment in CLEAR Plus is required and is subject to CLEAR’s terms and conditions. CLEAR Plus memberships automatically renew each year unless canceled and CLEAR will charge the applicable membership fee to the Card CLEAR has on file. American Express has no control over the application and/or approval process for CLEAR, and does not have access to any information provided to CLEAR by the Card Member or by CLEAR to the Card Member. American Express has no liability regarding the CLEAR program. If a Card Member's application is not approved by CLEAR, CLEAR will refund the charges. If the statement credit benefit has been applied before CLEAR refunds the charges, that statement credit will be reversed. Purchases by both the Basic Card Member and any Additional Card Members on the Card Account are eligible for statement credits. However, the total amount of statement credits for eligible purchases will not exceed $189 across all Cards on the Account per calendar year. For additional information on the CLEAR program, including information regarding membership, eligibility, and for a list of participating locations, as well as the full terms and conditions of the program, please go to www.clearme.com . The CLEAR program is subject to change, and American Express has no control over those changes. Please allow up to 6-8 weeks after a qualifying CLEAR transaction is charged to the Card Account for the statement credit to be posted to the Account. American Express relies on accurate transaction data to identify eligible CLEAR Plus purchases. If you do not see a credit for a qualifying purchase on your eligible Card after 8 weeks, please call the number on the back of your Card. Card Members remain responsible for timely payment of all CLEAR charges. If you are assigned a new Card number or have a Card number on file with CLEAR that is outdated (for example, if you replace your Card or if your Card has expired), you must update your Card information on file with CLEAR to help ensure that statement credits are received for eligible CLEAR Plus membership fees. To be eligible for this benefit, the Card Account must not be cancelled or past due at the time of statement credit fulfillment. If a charge for an eligible purchase is included in a Pay Over Time feature balance on your Card Account, the statement credit associated with that charge may not be applied to that Pay Over Time feature balance. Instead, the statement credit may be applied to your Pay In Full balance. For additional information, call the number on the back of your Card.

$200 Airline Fee Credit Show Details Hide Details

Enrollment through American Express is required to receive the benefit. Basic Card Members on U.S. Consumer and Corporate Platinum Card Accounts can enroll in the benefit by making their airline selection in the Benefits section of their americanexpress.com online account or by calling us. Enrolled Basic Card Members on U.S. Consumer Platinum and U.S. Corporate Platinum Card Accounts are eligible to receive up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year for incidental airline fees charged by their one selected qualifying airline to the enrolled Card Account. Purchases by both the Basic Card Member and Additional Card Members on the enrolled Card Account are eligible for statement credits. However, the total amount of statement credits will not exceed $200 per calendar year, per Card Account. To receive statement credits, the Basic Card Member must select one qualifying airline through their American Express Online Account or the link for their Card below:

  • American Express Platinum Card ®
  • Goldman Sachs Platinum Card ®
  • Morgan Stanley Platinum Card ®
  • Charles Schwab Platinum Card ®
  • American Express Corporate Platinum Card ®

Qualifying airlines include Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Delta Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines, JetBlue Airways, Spirit Airlines, Southwest Airlines, and United Airlines, and are subject to change. Only the Basic Card Member or Authorized Account Manager(s) on the Card Account can select the qualifying airline. Card Members who have not chosen one qualifying airline will be able to do so at any time. Card Members who have already selected one qualifying airline will be able to change their choice one time each year in January through their American Express Online Account or by calling the number on the back of the Card. Card Members who do not change their airline selection will remain with their current airline. Incidental airline fees must be separate charges from airline ticket charges. Fees not charged by the Card Member’s selected airline (e.g. wireless internet and fees incurred with airline alliance partners) do not qualify for statement credits. Incidental airline fees charged prior to selection of a qualifying airline are not eligible for statement credits. Airline tickets, upgrades, mileage points purchases, mileage points transfer fees, gift cards, duty free purchases, and award tickets are not deemed to be incidental fees. The airline must submit the charge under the appropriate merchant code, industry code, or required service or product identifier for the charge to be recognized as an incidental air travel fee.

Please allow 6-8 weeks after the qualifying incidental air travel fee is charged to your Card Account for statement credit(s) to be posted to the Account. American Express relies on airlines to submit the correct information on airline transactions, so please call the number on the back of the Card if statement credits have not posted after 8 weeks from the date of purchase. Card Members remain responsible for timely payment of all charges. Statement credits may be reversed if an eligible purchase is returned/cancelled. To be eligible for this benefit, Card Account(s) must be not canceled and not past due at the time of statement credit fulfillment. If American Express, in its sole discretion, determines that you have engaged in or intend to engage in any manner of abuse, misuse, or gaming in connection with this benefit, American Express will not have an obligation to provide statement credits and may reverse any statement credits provided to you. If a charge for an eligible purchase is included in a Pay Over Time feature balance on your Card Account, the statement credit associated with that charge may not be applied to that Pay Over Time feature balance. Instead, the statement credit may be applied to your Pay In Full balance. For additional information, call the number on the back of your Card.

Which American Airlines expenses trigger the American Express airline fee credit?

JT Genter

Update: Some offers mentioned below are no longer available. View the current offers here .

Although it's designed to reimburse airline incidental fees, many American Express cardmembers had come to rely on being able to use their Amex airline fee credit to purchase airline gift cards. But, in February 2019, American Airlines gift card purchases stopped triggering the airline fee credit .

That's left a lot of cardmembers wondering what purchases still trigger the credit — including me. Unfortunately, I didn't clear out my airline fee credits while the gift card option still worked. And as we entered November, I hadn't used a single dollar of the combined $650 in annual airline fee credits that I have from The Platinum Card® from American Express (up to $200 annual credit per calendar year), The Business Platinum Card® from American Express (up to $200 annual credit per calendar year) and the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card (up to $250 annual credit per calendar year). Enrollment required.

The information for the Hilton Aspire Amex card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

If you're in the same situation, here's how to check how much of your Amex airline fee credit you have remaining .

As an American Airlines top-tier elite , I don't incur many incidental expenses on American Airlines. But, over the past few weeks, I've tested what I could to confirm which American Airlines purchases trigger the airline fee credit.

Note: In this article, I'm focusing on what expenses are reimbursed for cardmembers that have already selected American Airlines as your airline. If you haven't picked an airline yet, you're going to want to read this guide to choosing an airline for your Amex airline fee credit .

For more TPG news delivered each morning to your inbox, sign up for our daily newsletter .

What the Amex airline fee credit is supposed to reimburse

There are not a lot of specifics in the American Express card terms and conditions about what's covered. The T&C only state that the airline fee credit is for "incidental air travel fees" — which "must be separate charges from airline ticket charges" and can be charged by both "Basic and Additional Card Members."

While there aren't many details about what's covered, American Express provides a specific list of what types of transactions "are not deemed to be incidental fees," including:

  • Airline tickets
  • Mileage points purchases
  • Mileage points transfer fees
  • Duty-free purchases
  • Award tickets

That generally means expenses such as checked baggage fees, change fees, phone reservation fees, pet flight fees, lounge passes, lounge memberships, seat assignments, inflight amenities and inflight entertainment fees are reimbursed. But, as you'll see below, not all of these expenses are reimbursed on American Airlines.

One thing is for sure: You're going to want to pay to select a seat, pay for baggage, seat selection and other fees separate from the original flight purchase. If you purchase these add-ons as part of the airfare purchase, they're not going to be reimbursed.

Also, there are other requirements to keep in mind. First, you need to make your airline selection before making the purchase. The credit can't be applied to a purchase you made on another Amex card, so make sure to put the purchase on the correct card.

Also, the airline itself has to be the merchant. That means that you won't be reimbursed for Wi-Fi access fees charged by Gogo, ViaSat or Panasonic on American Airlines flights.

Related: Top cards with airline fee credits: Make change, cancellation and baggage fees a thing of the past

Results of TPG's airline fee credit testing

Here are the results (so far) of the purchases I've made in November 2019:

Food and drink in Admirals Club : Much of the drinks and food — including new fresh options like mac and cheese — in Admirals Clubs is complimentary. However, some locations have additional fresh food options for sale and many alcoholic drinks require payment. Looking for a quick non-alcoholic option before an early morning flight out of Los Angeles (LAX), I ordered a Red Bull and paid $5.38 after tax and tip. The expense was automatically reimbursed a few days later.

Mileage multiplier (online): AA gives flyers numerous chances to "enhance your trip" by buying miles through its Mileage Multiplier program. Unlike United — which can offer decent rates for buying miles this way — AA charges steep rates for this method. The least-expensive option that I found on my upcoming trips was to buy 1,250 miles for $40.31 — a rate of 3.2 cents per mile. Thankfully the purchase was automatically reimbursed three days later.

While the purchase rate is high, this is a good way for AA elites who have selected AA as their airline to use their credit, as they may not have many other incidental fees. You'll want to wait until after you purchase your flight to add on the mileage multiplier to make sure that the purchase is charged separately from the airfare purchase.

Mileage multiplier (kiosk): If you didn't buy additional miles during purchase or online check-in, AA gives you yet another chance when you check in at an airport kiosk. The least expensive option I was given was to buy 5,000 miles for $161.25 — the same awful rate of 3.2 cents per mile. But, for the sake of research, I bit the bullet and made the purchase. Thankfully, the purchase was reimbursed three days later.

Same-day flight change : AA gives travelers the option of changing their flight within 24 hours of departure through the Same Day Flight Change program. The change is free for Platinum Pro and Executive Platinum elites but costs $75 for everyone else. So, when one of my TPG colleagues wanted to change her flight after a recent meeting, I offered up the chance to charge my Hilton Honors Aspire Card for the fee. Sure enough, the expense was reimbursed three days later.

Elite 500-mile upgrades : American Airlines elites earn and use 500-mile upgrades for upgrades on flights within North America. If elites run out of upgrades, they can buy more for $40 each. Although I had 24 upgrades in the bank and I don't need to use any as AA Executive Platinum elites get unlimited complimentary 500-mile upgrades, I tested a purchase and the $40 was credited back to my account three days later.

Upgrades (online): While upgrades are specifically listed as a non-qualifying fee, several FlyerTalk users have reported success getting upgrade fees reimbursed — particularly the cash copay of mileage upgrades.

During online check-in for a flight from Newark (EWR) to Charlotte (CLT), a TPG colleague got an offer to pay $69 upgrade his AA flight. I offered up my credit card to test if it would be reimbursed. No credit was automatically applied, so I messaged Amex a week after the purchase. The agent said to check back 14 days after the purchase was made. When I did so, the Amex agent manually processed a credit for this purchase.

Related: Choosing the best credit card for American Airlines flyers

Other reports of which expenses are reimbursed

I checked with TPG readers in the TPG Lounge to see what other types of expenses have been successful at getting reimbursed. Here's what they reported:

  • Admirals Club day pass: TPG reader Jim S. reports being able to get an Admirals Club day pass reimbursed using his Amex airline fee credit.
  • Cash copay on mileage upgrades : TPG reader John Z. successfully triggered the credit when doing an American Airlines mileage upgrade to business class on an international flight.
  • Seat selection: Many TPG readers reported getting Main Cabin Extra — AA's extra-legroom economy seats — and Preferred seat selection fees reimbursed.
  • Upgrades (online) : TPG reader Anthony I. was offered the chance to pay to upgrade during check-in on two different flights. Although I had to manually request a credit for a similar purchase, the fees were automatically reimbursed for both of his purchases.

If you haven't requalified for AA status this year, AA's been sending out elite status boost offers . The rates that AA is charging are generally not worth it. However, if you're considering paying to boost your status, Twitter user PointsEnthusiast reports that the fee triggered the airline fee credit on his American Express Platinum.

There's a thread on FlyerTalk dedicated to the topic of which American Airlines expenses are reimbursed through the Amex airline fee credit. Here's a quick rundown of what TPG didn't test that FlyerTalk users have reliably reported works:

  • Admirals Club memberships (2 data points)
  • Admirals Club passes (2 data points)
  • Baggage fees — kiosk purchases have required calling Amex and requesting a manual credit
  • External reservation fee (1 data point)
  • Five Star Service (1 data point)
  • MCE/Seat selection (8 data points)

On the flip side, the following types of expenses reliably do not work:

  • Award cancellation fees (3 data points)
  • Close-in award booking fees (2 data points)
  • Infant fees (1 data point)
  • Pet fee (1 data point)

Just note that these data points range over the past few years, so expenses that have been reimbursed in the past may no longer work.

How long it takes for the credit to post

The card benefit terms and conditions say that cardmembers should "allow 2-4 weeks after the qualifying incidental air travel fee is charged to your Card Account for statement credit(s) to be posted to the Card Account."

However, for many test purchases, the credit automatically posted around three days after the purchase was made:

amex travel flight credits

For the expenses that haven't been credited yet, I checked in with an Amex chat agent about how long it might be before the expense is reimbursed. The agent stated the "2-4 weeks" language from the T&C before noting that I could inquire 14 days after the transaction has posted to request that the credit is manually applied:

amex travel flight credits

Either way, I'd recommend using your airline fee credits sooner rather than later — especially if you're trying to use it on expenses that have mixed reports on whether or not it works. That way you'll have time to make another purchase to finish off your credit if prior purchases don't end up being reimbursed.

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COMMENTS

  1. Flight Credit Redemption

    Basic Card Members will get 2 additional points (for a total of 3 points) for each dollar spent on eligible travel purchases on their Business Gold Card Account from American Express. Eligible travel purchases include scheduled flights and prepaid flight+hotel packages made online at amextravel.com, minus returns and other credits.

  2. Flight Booking Support & FAQs

    Visit the American Express Travel FAQs and Find Answers to Frequently Asked Questions about Booking Flights with American Express Travel. ... you will only be able to redeem you eTicket Flight Credit by calling American Express Travel for assistance at 1-800-297-2977.

  3. Amex Airline Credits: 9 Great Ways to Maximize Them in 2024

    Meanwhile, the Hilton Aspire card's annual credit is the largest at $250 a year. The *amex gold card* previously got $100 a year in airline credits, though that ended in 2022. All of these travel credits reset each calendar year, not based on the month you opened your account. So you can use up the credits from Jan. 1 through Dec. 31.

  4. How To Maximize The Amex Platinum Airline Fee Credit

    The Amex Platinum airline fee credit is a credit up to $200 that comes as a benefit of The Platinum Card® from American Express for one select airline. The credit applies as statement credits ...

  5. Guide To Amex Airline Fee Credits For 2024

    The following two premium cards offer airline fee credits, in the following increments: The Platinum Card® from American Express ( review ), which has a $695 annual fee ( Rates & Fees ), offers an up to $200 annual airline fee credit. The Business Platinum Card® from American Express ( review ), which has a $695 annual fee ( Rates & Fees ...

  6. How to Use the AmEx Airline Fee Credit

    The AmEx airline fee credit is a valuable perk of a handful of American Express premium travel cards. This perk can provide cardmembers with up to $200 or $250 — depending on the card — in ...

  7. Book Flights

    International Airline Program . If you're ready to book your next flight to your favorite international destination, as a Platinum and Business Platinum Card Member, get exclusive access to lower fares for yourself and up to 7 travel companions traveling on your same itinerary when you book select First, Business, or Premium Economy class tickets on international itineraries through the Inter

  8. How to Use the American Express Airline Credit

    Steps to use the American Express airline credit. 1. Choose your AmEx card. The first step in using the AmEx airline credit comes in having a card that offers this credit, as not all cards do ...

  9. American Express Travel: Everything you need to know

    Flight credit vouchers from cancellations can only be used for rebooking through Amex Travel via phone. On the positive side, Amex Travel allows a 24-hour cancellation window for most reservations, and booking flights through the site generally still qualifies for earning miles and status with airline loyalty programs.

  10. Amex Airline Credit: How to Use and Maximize Your Benefit

    The Business Platinum Card® from American Express — Up to $200 per calendar year. Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card — Up to $250 per calendar year. When you open the card, Amex ...

  11. Amex Platinum Card: How To Use Your $200 Airline Credit

    The Platinum Card ® from American Express is one of the top premium travel credit cards on the market, but also one of the most expensive.. The card's annual fee is substantially higher than other cards. Still, it also comes with an extensive list of benefits like airport lounge access, Hilton Honors and Marriott Bonvoy hotel elite status, major bonus earnings on flights booked with ...

  12. How to use the Amex Platinum $200 airline fee credit in 2024

    5 suggestions on using the airline fee credit this year. Here are some ideas for using your Amex Platinum airline incidental credits throughout 2024: Pay for seat assignments and checked bag fees. Use it to splurge on food and beverages while inflight. Purchase airline lounge daypasses for future use.

  13. How can I use my Amex airline fee credits?

    Award ticket cancellation and redeposit fees. Without status, most of the major carriers charge a fee for you to cancel an award ticket and get your miles back. This ranges from $75-$125 per ticket, which can really sting. Paying for the fee with your card in some cases (but not all) will trigger the credit.

  14. How To Use Amex Points For Flights

    All you have to do once you log in to your account is click "Transfer Points.". Next, click "View All" to see the available transfer partners and check the conversion rates for each one ...

  15. How To Maximize the AmEx Platinum Hotel Credit

    Here's how my AmEx travel booking broke down. The room rate was $349, but by booking a FHR property through AmEx travel I got: The Platinum Card® from American Express credit: $200. Property ...

  16. Got Amex Airline Credits? Pair Them with Delta eCredits to Book Flights!

    Top Amex travel cards including The Platinum Card® from American Express and the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card come with up to $250 a year in Amex airline credits.On paper, these credits are for ancillary fees like bags and seats - not actual airfare. But in reality, that's not quite true: There are a handful of creative ways you can put these credits to use to cover the cost ...

  17. Did you know your airline elite status gives you perks on other

    Plus, we'll show you how to leverage airline credit cards to earn elite status even faster. Related article Navigating air travel etiquette: The 18 do's and don'ts for passengers in 2024

  18. American Express Platinum Benefits, Offers, & Rewards

    When you book through American Express Travel, you'll receive a suite of benefits with an average total value of $600* in perks, like daily breakfast for two, 4pm check-out, and more. Plus, book on AmexTravel.com and you can earn 5X Membership Rewards points, or use Pay with Points, on prepaid stays. *Average value based on Fine Hotels ...

  19. Airline credit cards vs. travel credit cards: Which are best?

    The annual fee for airline credit cards can range from no annual fee to upward of $500. Usually, an airline credit card with a higher annual fee includes impressive benefits such as increased ...

  20. Use Amex Platinum airline fee credit for seat upgrades

    The Platinum Card® from American Express is one of the top premium travel rewards cards on the market, though it comes with a hefty $695 annual fee (see rates and fees) to match. One of the easiest ways to recoup that upfront investment is by taking advantage of the card's up to $200 annual airline incidental fee credit, though over the years ...

  21. Best Card to Pair with the Amex Gold: 4 Options to Consider

    The Amex Gold card has an elevated annual fee clocking in at $250. While it's not the most expensive travel rewards card on the market, it's a step above many other mid-tier rewards cards. The ...

  22. United Airlines credit cards have a secret perk that makes it easier to

    Just by having a United MileagePlus credit card, you'll get the same, lower pricing that United elite status holders have access to, which can mean significant mileage savings on award flights ...

  23. 3 Reasons to Get an Airline Credit Card Even if You're Not a ...

    3. You're open to receiving extra perks and benefits. Airlines have recently announced higher fees for checked bags. Some airline credit cards let you have a free checked bag, just for being a ...

  24. Senate bill aims to lower credit card fees, but travel groups warn of

    Data from the U.S. Travel Association shows that even a 10% decrease in travel booked via credit card rewards would mean 1.5 million fewer trips and $4.3 billion in lost economic activity for ...

  25. AmEx Green Review: Triple Points on Dining and Travel, Plus Credits

    The Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card earns 1.5 points per $1 on all purchases, but it has a $0 annual fee, plus a sign-up bonus: Earn 25,000 online bonus points after you make at least ...

  26. Ranked: The Best Credit Card Rewards of 2024

    KEY POINTS. 56% of Americans with a credit card have a cash back card. You can earn free airline tickets with a travel rewards card. Gas and grocery cards may be a good choice for big families ...

  27. The ultimate guide to United Clubs worldwide

    United Airlines offers its own range of branded credit cards, which can help build up travel rewards.By holding certain United-branded cards, you can unlock access to United Club lounges.

  28. American Express Travel: Book Flights, Hotels, Cars, Cruises & More

    Eligible travel purchases include all travel purchases made with your Membership Rewards program-enrolled American Express® Card on amextravel.com, including air, prepaid hotels, prepaid short-term rentals, prepaid car rentals, vacation packages (flight + hotel packages) or cruise reservations, minus returns and other credits.

  29. American Express Platinum Benefits & Travel Perks

    From short flights to long hotel stays, you can use Pay with Points for all or part of the purchase through AmexTravel.com. Or, earn 5X Membership Rewards points when you book with your Platinum Card. This includes up to $500,000 per calendar year on flights booked directly with airlines or through American Express Travel and eligible prepaid ...

  30. Which American Airlines expenses trigger the American Express airline

    And as we entered November, I hadn't used a single dollar of the combined $650 in annual airline fee credits that I have from The Platinum Card® from American Express (up to $200 annual credit per calendar year), The Business Platinum Card® from American Express (up to $200 annual credit per calendar year) and the Hilton Honors American ...