American Express Platinum Card® Review

If you’re looking for a premium American Express credit card, look no further than the American Express Platinum Card. This metal-plated card offers more perks than any other credit card in Canada. It’s perfect for frequent travellers and high-spenders who want to make the most out of multiple benefits.

For the intel on everything you need to know about this top-tier option, we created this comprehensive review.

How You Earn Rewards With The American Express Platinum Card

Here’s a brief breakdown of the rewards you can expect from this premium card:

• 2x points per $1 spent on eligible dining and food delivery purchases (restaurant, fast food, coffee shop, food delivery)
• 2x points per $1 spent on eligible travel purchases (flights, hotels, tours and more)
• 1x point per $1 spent on all other purchases

Compared to other competing credit cards (specifically those part of the same network), these rewards could be a bit higher, but this card is more about premium perks than high-earn rates. Still, the solid points earnings on dining purchases and travel are something to boast about, especially when paired with this platinum card’s robust benefits list.

The American Express Platinum Card also offers an impressive points-focused welcome bonus, adding even more value to its rewards program. Plus, earn additional points on Amex Travel Online purchases like eligible hotel or car rental bookings.

Redeeming your Rewards With The American Express Platinum Card

From the highest redemption value to the lowest, we’ve pulled together a list of all your redemption options using the American Express Platinum Card:

• Transfer to Airline Partners: when you transfer your points to a participating airline and redeem those points towards plane tickets.
• Fixed Point Travel Program: when you use a fixed number of points and apply it to the base ticket price of eligible flights (capped at the applicable maximum base ticket price).
• Transfer to Hotel Partners: when you use your points towards hotel bookings at partnered hotels like Marriott Bonvoy.
• Statement Credits: when you simply choose to redeem your points as cash towards your credit card statement balance.
• Gift Cards: when you use your points to purchase eligible gift cards for the perfect present.
• Amazon.ca: when you redeem your points towards Amazon.ca purchases
• Merchandise: when you use your points to buy eligible everyday items.

10 Benefits of the American Express Platinum Card

Get comfortable, because we’re about to highlight every notable perk the American Express Platinum Card has to offer – and as one of the best benefit cards in Canada – there are plenty!

The Big Welcome Bonus

Let's begin by recognizing the American Express Platinum Card's welcome bonus, which is one of the biggest intro offers you'll come across in your credit card search. With extremely high earning potential, if you're a big enough spender, or simply have some large expenses coming up, you'll definitely be incentivized by this sign-up bonus.

Tap Into a Travel Credit

To complement its admirable earnings and redemptions in the travel category, the American Express Platinum card tops it all off with an annual travel credit. Redeem $200 every year when you book through American Express Travel Online or make arrangements by calling the Platinum Card Travel Service. This credit is applicable towards any flight, hotel, car rental, or vacation booking.

For this offer to be valid, you’ll need to charge the entire travel cost to your Platinum Card and make sure your account is in good standing. The credit will also need to be applied towards a singular travel booking valued at $200 or more. To find this benefit, browse your billing statement for the “Platinum Annual Travel Credit.”

You only get one shot at using this perk per year and it must be redeemed in the same year in which it was received. Simply put, you cannot stock up on this benefit, meaning the credit won’t be carried into the next year. If you don’t use it, you’ll lose it (until of course the next one comes around). If you happen to cancel your credited trip after redemption, unfortunately, you will not be able to apply the credit to another booking that same year.

Overall, if you follow the Platinum Card’s travel credit’s terms and conditions, you’re in for a nice treat each year you book an eligible trip.

Indulge In a Dining Credit

We’re constantly using our credit cards to cover the cost of our dinner, but what if your credit card could actually cover most of the cost? Meaning, you don’t have to eventually front the whole balance out of pocket.

The Platinum Card’s dining credit comes through as a statement credit of $200, which is redeemable at some of Canada’s 100 Best Restaurants. To set yourself up for this delicious deal, you’ll need to enrol through Amex Offers in your Online Services account or the American Express App – this is a one-time enrolment requirement that will automatically set you up for future redemption periods.

Similar to the travel credit, you’ll need to apply this credit to an eligible dining expense that costs $200 or more, and you’ll only be able to take advantage of the perk once per year in compliance with the redemption period, which resets annually on January 1st. The cost will also need to be covered completely by your Platinum Card. Additionally, if you don’t use the credit one year, it won’t be added to the following year’s credit – you get one credit per year.

You’ll also want to note that this credit is applicable exclusively to dine-in services (so don’t expect it to work towards delivery, takeout, or restaurant gift card purchases).

Ultimately, you can enjoy a significant discount on a special occasion dinner every year – whether that be for a birthday, an anniversary, or any other type of celebration.

Get Cozy With The American Express Global Lounge Collection

With the American Express Global Lounge Collection, you’ll feel like the vacation started well before takeoff. The best part? Rather than having only a handful of complimentary airport lounge visits like you’ll see on other cards, the Platinum Card provides unlimited access to more than 1,400+ lounges at 500+ airports in 140 countries around the world.

Some specific lounges included in this collection are:

• The Centurion Lounge: with up to two additional guests permitted at no cost.
• Plaza Premium Lounges: with up to one guest allowed at no fee.
• Delta Sky Club: guests with same-day corresponding Delta departures may enter the lounge with the cardholder for an additional fee.
• Airspace Lounges: cardholders may be accompanied by up to two guests per visit, both at no additional cost.
• Escape Lounges - The Centurion Studio Partner: up to two complimentary companions are permitted.
• Priority Pass (which you will need to enrol for, call Platinum Card Service for assistance): available for the cardholder and up to one guest free of charge.
• Executive Lounges by Swissport: here, the cardmember's spouse, and up to two children under the age of 21, or one travel companion, may access the lounge for free.

Keep in mind that the list of participating lounges may change from time to time and that you must comply with each individual lounge’s terms and conditions during your stay. Access to each lounge will be subject to availability. Guest access policies may also vary by lounge location, so you'll want to double check individual terms prior to your visit.

For more information on your lounge access, always check your credit card agreement or contact customer service on the back of your card.

Earn a Status Lift at Participating Hotels

Have you ever wanted to feel like an elite guest at a hotel? The Platinum Card’s Hotel Status Benefit boosts you to the top tiers of participating hotel loyalty programs – without having to work your way up through multiple stays!

Here’s some further insight on the eligible status upgrades:

Hilton Honors Gold Status

Platinum cardholders can enrol in complimentary Hilton Honors Gold status. As a member of this program, you can receive perks such as:

• Room Upgrades: if your Hilton hotel happens to have a better room available, you might get an upgrade (applicable up to Executive Floor room types).
• A Point-Earning Bonus on Stays: accumulate more points on each stay, getting you one step closer to some free nights.
• Dining Credits: indulge in a daily food and beverage credit, or continental breakfast (depending on the hotel brand and location). You'll receive the credit for yourself and one additional guest registered under same room every night of your stay.
• Milestone Bonuses: after you've stayed at a Hilton hotel for 40 nights in the same year, you can receive bonus points on every 10 nights afterward.

Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite Status

Similar to the Hilton Honors Gold Status, the Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite Status program rewards guests with exclusive benefits, such as:

• More Points Per Purchase: earn extra points on every eligible hotel purchase, which includes room rates or other services that can be charged to your room, like dining or spa purchases.
• Priority Late Checkout: hit snooze and enjoy a late checkout until up to 2 p.m. (depending on availability).
• Enhanced Room Upgrades: if you arrive at a participating hotel and there happens to be a better room available, the staff will try their best to upgrade you.

Partake In Priority Travel Perks at Pearson Airport

Available to both basic and supplementary cardholders, there are a few ways you can take advantage of some travel perks at Pearson Airport as a Platinum cardmember. Here’s a brief overview of those benefits:

• Access to the Pearson Priority Security Lane (Terminals 1 and 3), available to both the cardholder and travel companions. There are also online single-use QR codes available for a seamless eGate entry experience.
• Complimentary valet service at Toronto Pearson Airport Terminal 1. You must charge the parking expense to your Platinum card to be eligible.
• 15% discount on parking at Express Park (Terminal 1) and Daily Park (Terminals 1 and 3), subject to availability. Remember to pay with your Platinum Card. After the charge has been applied to your account, you’ll receive a statement credit. This discount will not be applied to parking reservations made on the Greater Toronto Airport Authority’s (GTAA) Parking Reservation system or in addition to any other offers or discounts featured by the GTAA.

On-Call Concierge Services

With the American Express Platinum Card, complimentary concierge service is always on-call 24/7.

No matter where you are, you can contact the Platinum Concierge for restaurant reservations, ticket purchases, transportation arrangements, or personal shopping assistance. These services are available at no additional charge, but the cardholder will be responsible for covering the cost of all transactions that take place through the service, including any taxes, fees, or shipping costs associated with each purchase.

To access Platinum Concierge services, please dial the number situated on the back of your American Express Platinum Card.

Receive a Nexus Program Rebate

The Platinum Card's built-in NEXUS program rebate keeps you on track toward where you need to go, and covers some of the associated costs. With this perk, receive up to $100 in a statement credit when you charge any NEXUS application or renewal fees to your Platinum Card. This credit is available once per 4 year period, running from the initial card anniversary date to the day before the fourth card anniversary date.

Take Advantage of Trip and Legal Assistance

For trip or legal assistance, Platinum cardmembers can also take advantage of the Global Assist Hotline. This hotline is open 24/7 and provides emergency assistance to cardholders who have traveled more than 100 miles away from home.

Some of the services you can expect include:

• Translation Services: for when you need to make arrangements in a foreign country but don't speak the native language.
• Passport Replacement Assistance: for when your passport is lost or stolen during your trip.
• Missing Luggage Assistance: for when your airline misplaces your belongings.
• Emergency Legal and Medical Referrals: for when you need legal or medical assistance but are unsure how to find it, or need help finding English-speaking services in these categories.

While access to this hotline is available at no additional cost, cardmembers will be responsible for any accumulated costs for the services booked through the program.

Stay Covered With Comprehensive Insurance

We can’t move on without discussing the Platinum Card’s comprehensive coverage. To complement the card’s travel perks, you’ll get 11 insurance categories, most of which are geared towards travellers. These categories include trip interruption and trip cancellation, flight and baggage delay, and travel accident insurance. Scroll back up to the top of this page for the full list of protections.

2 Downsides Of The American Express Platinum Card

While we’re happy to keep talking about the Platinum Card’s benefits, it’s also important that we bring up a couple of the card’s drawbacks.

Here are some of the inconveniences you might encounter as a Platinum cardholder:

High Annual Fee

High rewards come with a high price tag. The American Express Platinum Card is quite expensive, which may make it less accessible for low to average spenders. That said, if you’re a frequent traveller who makes everyday dining purchases, the point earnings and perks can be paired together to offset some of the cost, but not all of it.

Amex Acceptance

Since American Express specializes in travel credit cards, it’s only fair to bring up its overall acceptance rate. In some places, particularly in Europe, American express isn’t as widely accepted as a method of payment. If this is a concern for you, you might want to look for an alternative from another network.

Comparison to Other Premium Points Credit Cards

To keep things fair, we’ve decided to compare the American Express Platinum Card to other premium points competitors, a couple of which are from the same network. This way, if there are some aspects you like about the Platinum Card and others that you don’t, you might be able to find a similar card with just the right combination. 

Before we begin, check out this comparison table we’ve put together:

Amex Platinum vs American Express Cobalt Card

If you were a bit bummed about the overall annual value of the American Express Platinum Card, or if you were hoping for a better rewards program, then the American Express Cobalt Card could be your solution. Plus, it’s often referred to as the best credit card in Canada – which is always a good sign.

For a fraction of the cost of the Platinum Card, the Cobalt Card offers slightly less coverage (at half the value of most categories offered by the Platinum Card), specifically, it doesn't feature important categories like trip interruption and trip cancellation insurance. The Cobalt Card also comes with a hotel travel credit (also at half the value of the Platinum Card’s travel credit), and over double the points on eligible dining (including groceries) compared to the Platinum Card, but mind the monthly cap.

Speaking of points, there’s also solid rewards for Canadian streaming subscriptions, gas, and transit. All of which contribute to a high annual value, especially in the first year when combined with the points-focused welcome bonus.

So, if you’re looking for a lower annual fee, more rewards, and the highest annual value overall, then the American Express Cobalt Card might sway you. However, with its only benefits being a lesser-value travel credit and the standard inclusion of Amex Experiences, if you still want to prioritize perks, then the American Express Platinum Card should still be your top pick.

Amex Platinum vs Scotiabank Gold American Express Card

The Scotiabank Gold American Express Card’s rewards are extensive, with its highest earning category covering purchases at select grocers, followed by solid rewards in entertainment, transit, and streaming. Keep in mind, however, that its loyalty program is Scene+ rather than American Express Membership Rewards, which are slightly less valuable in most cases.

The Scotiabank Gold American Express Card’s insurance covers more categories than the American Express Platinum Card (adding mobile device insurance and emergency medical over 65), but most of the time, the Scotiabank Gold American Express Card’s actual coverage amounts are lower in comparison to the American Express Platinum Card.

As for benefits, alongside concierge services and American Express Experiences, the Scotiabank Gold American Express Card offers no foreign transactions fees (a rarity) and a discount on PriorityPass Memberships. Unfortunately, the list ends here, whereas it's prolonged with the American Express Platinum Card.

Conclusively, if you want to pay an even lower annual fee (one that’s waived in the first year), spend money abroad without any transaction fees, and earn high rewards in multiple popular categories, then you might want to swap platinum for gold. However, if you’re still big on the most benefits and high-value coverage, then you might want to splurge on the American Express Platinum Card.

Amex Platinum vs American Express Gold Rewards Card

For the second highest fee on this list, and almost as many benefits, you can pick the American Express Gold Rewards Card.

Also benefits-oriented, this card offers the same rewards program as the American Express Platinum Card. Their insurance categories match up as well, but true to the theme we’ve seen so far, most categories don’t give you as much coverage on the American Express Gold Rewards Card as they do for the American Express Platinum Card.

In terms of benefits, both cards boast Amex Experiences and extra points on Amex Travel, along with:

• Status lifts (although there’s only one for the American Express Gold Rewards Card)
• Travel credits (but the American Express Gold Rewards Card’s credit is half the value of the American Express Platinum Card’s credit)
• Complimentary Hotel Benefits on hotels booked through American Express Travel
• The Nexus Program Rebate (which is half the value of American Express Platinum Card’s program on the American Express Gold Rewards Card)
• Airport lounge access (but for the American Express Gold Rewards Card, you can only get a Priority Pass and 4 complimentary visits at Plaza Premium lounges)

So, really, you might only opt for the American Express Gold Rewards Card over the American Express Platinum Card if you don’t mind cutting down on some benefits for a lower annual cost.

Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Card

We’re throwing in a non-amex travel credit card alternative for those who might be concerned about the Amex acceptance rate. For a much lower annual fee compared to the American Express Platinum Card, the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Card offers comparable travel coverage (with the addition of emergency medical over 65).

Regarding rewards rates, the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Card has a high-rate on points per dollar spent at eligible grocers (like Sobeys), and similar points earned on dining as the American Express Platinum Card, with the addition of entertainment and transit purchases in this same category. Notably, there is no special earning category for travel purchases like there is with the American Express Platinum Card. You’ll also want to keep in mind that the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Card is also under the Scene+ loyalty program, which as mentioned previously has less valuable points, but it’s nice that the welcome bonus adds some extra points (contributing to a good first year value).

When we look at the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Card’s benefits, like the American Express Platinum Card, you’ll see concierge services and a status lift (particularly for the Avis Preferred Plus membership), plus no foreign transaction fees (like the Scotiabank Gold American Express Card), airport lounge access (although limited to 6 complimentary visits with the Dragon Pass), and Visa Infinite Exclusive benefits as opposed to American Express Experiences.

One other drawback to the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Card, is its high annual income requirements, something you won’t find on the American Express Platinum Card.

Ultimately, you'll probably only pick the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Card over the American Express Platinum Card if you don’t want to deal with limited Amex acceptance, don’t mind less benefits for a lower annual fee, and want to take advantage of no foreign transaction fees when traveling.

How to apply for the American Express Platinum Card

If you’re pleased with everything you’ve read so far about the American Express Platinum Card, here’s a step-by-step process on how to apply:

• Hit the “Apply Now” button featured by the American Express Platinum Card on the official American Express Canadian website. The “Apply Now” button you see listed under the Platinum Card in this blog post will take you directly to the necessary site.
• At the start of the application process, you’ll want to review the card’s terms and conditions before clicking “Agree and Begin” to move on to the next section.
• This section will ask for personal information, including your name, birthdate, and address.
• Next, you’ll be required to fill out some financial information, such as your income and employment details.
• After that, you’ll need to pick a four-digit PIN.
• Finally, you’ll want to carefully review your application before pressing submit.

Final Verdict

If you plan on optimizing every perk the American Express Platinum Card has to offer, then it’s certainly a superb credit card to keep inside your wallet. Frequent travellers will get the most out of it, taking advantage of the various travel-oriented earnings, benefits, and coverage.

Since the annual cost is high and the overall annual value doesn’t offset the entire yearly expense, you’ll want to make sure you’re participating in all the perks so you’re still essentially paying less for more.

If you’re worried you won’t use all the benefits on this card, circle back to our comparison section to find another Amex card, or a Visa alternative that satisfies some of the same categories.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the American Express Platinum Card worth it?

If you're a frequent traveller who will make the most out of the Amex Platinum Card’s benefits – like the unlimited lounge access, hotel upgrades, and Priority Travel perks – then this premium card will be worthwhile. If you fit this profile and also spend lots of money on dining, whether that be at eligible restaurants, fast food establishments, coffee shops, or on food delivery services, then this card will suit and benefit you all the more.

How do you qualify for the American Express Platinum Card?

Considering it’s such a high-value card, it’s pretty surprising that the requirements for getting the American Express Platinum Card aren’t too difficult. Notably, there’s no annual income requirement, making the card widely accessible. Basically, as long as you have an estimated good credit score and can cover the annual cost, you’re already in good standing.

That said, you’ll also want to fit the following criteria:

• You are a Canadian resident
• You have a Canadian credit file
• You are the age of the majority in the province or territory where you live

What's the American Express Platinum Card’s credit limit?

The American Express Platinum Card does not have a concrete credit limit, this means your spending limit is flexible unless otherwise indicated by your card issuer. Operating as a charge card, the Platinum Card will take into account your unique spending habits to determine your spending power over time.