How to Maximize Your American Express Platinum in 2017

Competition for credit card users is becoming more and more ferocious. As a result, it should come as no surprise to learn that credit card companies are offering a number of related benefits to bring in interested individuals. Despite its reputation, American Express is no exception to this rule, meaning that American Express Platinum card-holders have a fair number of benefits with which to make their credit cards that much more useful to them. However, some of these benefits can be more obscure than others, meaning that they should make sure to research their cards in detail before getting started on their use.

Here are some examples of the benefits that come with an American Express Platinum, which can be used to maximize its usefulness:

$200 Airline Fee Credit

Like its name suggests, the $200 airline fee credit lets the card-holder receive up to $200 in credit for incidental fees charged by a single chosen airline to their American Express Platinum. Since card-holders choose the airline in January but cannot change it outside of that period, this benefit incentivizes them to use a single airline, meaning that their choice should be made with care and consideration. With that said, the process is automatic, though card-holders should be prepared to call in after four weeks if the credit has not been applied to their accounts by that time.

The Lounge Club Collection

Technically, the Lounge Club Collection is not a single benefit but five of them. In brief, it lets card-holders gain access to more than 900 airport lounges in 120 countries through one of five programs, which consist of the Centurion lounge network, the International American Express lounges, the Delta Sky Club, the Priority Pass Select lounges, and the Airspace Lounge. Interested individuals can learn about the locations of said lounges by either calling the phone number on their credit cards or consulting the finder on the Lounge Club Collection website. However, they should remember that each of the five programs has its own separate set of rules regarding who can use its services under what circumstances. As a result, card-holders should read up beforehand to make the process easier for themselves.

The Hotel Collection

Booking a stay through the Hotel Collection website can provide a number of useful benefits to people who travel. For example, it comes with $75 hotel credit, which can be spent on extras such as dining and entertainment. Furthermore, it comes up with a room upgrade upon arrival, though it should be noted that this particular benefit is limited by whether such rooms are available at that point in time. Other benefits can be just as useful, as shown by examples ranging from getting the lowest hotel rates guaranteed to earning twice as many Membership Rewards points as normal.

Platinum Dining Program

Like the Lounge Club Collection and the Hotel Collection, the Platinum Dining Program is intended to maximize the benefits for those who like to travel, though it has more than its fair share of uses for those who prefer staying put as well. Basically, it helps card-holders secure reservations at 1,000 of the best restaurants that can be found in countries all around the world, meaning that it can be an incredible convenience for those who like eating out on short notice. While American Express can help a great deal in this particular matter, said individuals should also remember that reservations are still subject to the rules of the restaurants at which they are planning to dine, meaning that they should plan accordingly even if they use the Platinum Dining Program.

No Foreign Transaction Fees

A lot of credit cards are limited in the sense that their card-holders cannot use them outside of their home countries without being charged an additional fee in the process. This is not the case with the American Express Platinum, which charges no foreign transaction fees whatsoever. However, card-holders should still use it with care and consideration since there can be other fees such as ATM fees as well, meaning that their transactions may not necessarily be free of charge even with this particular benefit.

Membership Rewards

In short, card-holders can use their American Express Platinum to earn Membership Rewards points, which can be spent on a number of useful rewards. Unsurprisingly, these rewards cover flights, hotel stays, and even vacation experiences, though card-holders should remember that insufficient points to cover the full cost will result in the reminder being charged to their credit cards. Otherwise, since there is such a wide range of potential uses for Membership Rewards points, they should check out what is available to them when they can spare the time to do so.

Platinum Service

Platinum service might not be particularly flashy, but it promises to be one of the more useful benefits associated with the American Express Platinum. It is exactly what it sounds like.’ In short, card-holders can call in to speak with the staff at American Express, who will provide them with assistance with all of the aspects of their travel planning, thus helping them to save a lot of time and effort while also increasing their chances of getting the travel experience that they want. Since the service is available 24 hours a day and 7 days a week, card-holders should make sure to call in whenever they are not sure about something, particularly since it is meant to help them maximize the benefits from their American Express Platinum.

Conclusion

Of course, these are but some of the benefits that come with an American Express Platinum. As a result, card-holders should make sure to read more on their own because the more that they known about their credit cards, the better they will be able to make use of their benefits by planning their purchases around them. In this as in other things, knowledge provides them with the best chance of getting exactly what they want from their financial products.