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So you've just been approved for The Platinum Card® from American Express. Congratulations! For its $695 annual fee, this travel rewards card delivers a slew of perks that can take your trips above and beyond the typical.
Here are six things to do now that you have this premium travel card.
1. Enroll in Priority Pass Select
One of the best perks of The Platinum Card® from American Express is its airport lounge access. You get access to AmEx's Centurion Lounges, Airspace Lounges, Delta Sky Clubs (when flying Delta same-day) and Priority Pass Select lounges. It's important to note that you must activate your Priority Pass membership first if you want to walk into one of the more than 1,000 locations across the globe. Terms apply.
While signing up gives you a digital membership card, some locations insist on seeing the physical card. According to Priority Pass, your card will ships within three business days of receiving your application, so sign up well before your next trip to avoid potentially being turned away at a lounge.
» Learn more: How to pick a premium travel credit card
2. Contact the concierge
Once you're approved for The Platinum Card® from American Express, you can contact the concierge staff assigned to cardholders. They can book you a table at the hippest restaurant in town or help you plan a special event. The first time you call, they'll request a lot of personal information — email address, cell phone number, etc. — so it's a good idea to call before you actually need anything. This way, with those details already nailed down, you can both get down to business. Terms apply.
3. Hit up the hotels as an elite status holder
Cardholders of The Platinum Card® from American Express gain instant elite status at the following hotel chains: Shangri-La Golden Circle (Jade membership), Marriott Bonvoy (Gold Elite status), Radisson Rewards (Gold status) and Hilton Honors (Gold status). These statuses offer plenty of perks, including bonus reward points, free nights, complimentary breakfast and room upgrades. Terms apply.
4. Sign up for ShopRunner
Cardholders can take advantage of ShopRunner, which offers free two-day shipping and free returns at more than 100 retailers. Visit ShopRunner's AmEx site to sign up and start shopping. Terms apply.
5. Move to the front of the line with Clear
A Clear membership helps travelers get to the front of the security line at the airport with biometric identity verification. The Platinum Card® from American Express will cover the annual $189 fee for Clear membership. Terms apply.
» Learn more: Is Clear worth the cost?
6. Take the travel credits
One of the great perks of The Platinum Card® from American Express is the $200 annual credit for Uber and the $200 annual credit for airline fees. The airline credit is available once per calendar year, and the Uber credit is issued in monthly installments — $15 per month, then $35 in December. Terms apply.
How to maximize your rewards
You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are our picks for the best travel credit cards of 2024, including those best for:
Flexibility, point transfers and a large bonus: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
No annual fee: Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card
Flat-rate travel rewards: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
Bonus travel rewards and high-end perks: Chase Sapphire Reserve®
Luxury perks: The Platinum Card® from American Express
Business travelers: Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card
