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Introduction to American Express Travel Protection

Types of travel protection offered, american express travel protection: a guide to your benefits.

Affiliate links for the products on this page are from partners that compensate us and terms apply to offers listed (see our advertiser disclosure with our list of partners for more details). However, our opinions are our own. See how we rate credit cards to write unbiased product reviews .

The information for the following product(s) has been collected independently by Business Insider: Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card, Amex EveryDay® Preferred Credit Card, American Express® Green Card, The Plum Card® from American Express. The details for these products have not been reviewed or provided by the issuer.

• Some American Express cards offer trip cancellation and interruption benefits .
• You'll find these perks on cards like The Platinum Card® from American Express.
• If you're eager to sign up for a travel credit card with perks, compare each card's offerings.

Overview of Travel Protection Benefits

While credit card insurance and travel protection coverage are usually considered secondary to rewards programs and other cardholder perks, these benefits can be equally important if you travel.

When you pay for a trip with a credit card that offers trip cancellation and interruption insurance, for example, you can get reimbursed for some of your travel expenses in the event your vacation is halted for reasons beyond your control. Meanwhile, trip delay insurance lets you apply for some reimbursement when a delay of your trip results in surprise expenses, such as an unplanned hotel stay near the airport when your flight is on hold.

Importance of Travel Insurance

Chase credit cards like the Chase Sapphire Reserve® and Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card have really stood out for years in terms of the protections they offer, and with some of the highest limits out there. Still, American Express is still coming around — it recently added trip cancellation and interruption insurance, along with trip delay coverage, to many of its top rewards credit cards. 

If you're in the market for an American Express card and you're hoping to take advantage of important travel benefits, consider the cards below and their expanded travel protections.

Trip Cancellation and Interruption Insurance

New trip cancellation and interruption insurance from American Express credit cards will provide you with up to $10,000 in coverage (and up to $20,000 per account per year) you can use for reimbursement of prepaid travel expenses like airfare and hotels. This coverage can come in handy if your trip is canceled for a covered reason beyond your control, or you're stuck in your destination and require an extended stay and additional costs before you can return home.

Note that this coverage is good for round-trip travel booked with your credit card, meaning you have to pay for travel expenses with a common carrier with your American Express credit card in order to be eligible.

American Express cards that qualify for this coverage include:

• The Platinum Card® from American Express
• Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card
• Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card
• Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card
• The Business Platinum Card® from American Express
• Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card

Other versions of the Amex Platinum card — including the Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley, and corporate flavors —  also offer this coverage, as do all versions of the Amex Centurion (black) card , which is invite-only.

Baggage Insurance Plan

Quite a few American Express credit cards also offer a baggage insurance plan, although this isn't a new or upgraded benefit from the card issuer. This coverage can come in handy if your luggage is lost or stolen during a covered trip. To be eligible for this coverage, you have to pay for travel with a common carrier (airfare, cruise fare, etc.) with your American Express credit card.

The amount of coverage you'll receive depends on the card you have. For example, baggage insurance from the The Platinum Card® from American Express offers up to $3,000 in coverage per person for carry-on luggage and up to $2,000 per person in coverage for some types of checked baggage.

With baggage insurance from the Amex EveryDay® Preferred Credit Card , on the other hand, you'll only qualify for up to $1,250 in coverage per person for carry-on luggage and up to $500 for covered checked baggage, although an extra benefit of $250 is offered for qualified "high risk items" like jewelry or sporting equipment. 

American Express cards that come with baggage insurance include:

• The Platinum Card® from American Express (including various versions)
• American Express® Gold Card (including various versions)
• American Express® Green Card (including various versions)
• Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card
• Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card
• Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card
• Amex EveryDay® Preferred Credit Card
• The Plum Card® from American Express

American Express business cards with baggage insurance include:

• American Express® Business Gold Card
• The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express
• Delta SkyMiles® Gold Business American Express Card
• Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card
• Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card
• The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card
• Lowe's Business Rewards Card from American Express
• Amazon Business Prime American Express Card
• Amazon Business American Express Card

Various versions of the Amex Centurion card and several Amex corporate cards also offer baggage insurance.

Travel Accident Insurance

Some American Express cards also offer secondary auto rental coverage, which means this coverage kicks in after other policies you have are exhausted, as opposed to primary car rental coverage.

While this benefit applies to many Amex cards, note that coverage limits can vary. With the Amex Gold card, for example, coverage is limited to $50,000 per rental agreement for damage or theft, yet the Amex Platinum card offers up to $75,000 in coverage. The insurance doesn't cover personal liability, either.

Also note that this coverage comes with a certain amount of Accidental Death or Dismemberment Coverage that varies by card. With , for example, you'll receive up to $200,000 in coverage per person and up to $300,000 in coverage per car accident for accidental death and dismemberment. Make sure to read your credit card's terms and conditions so you know exactly how much coverage you have. 

American Express cards that come with secondary auto rental coverage include:

• The Platinum Card® from American Express (including various versions)
• Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card
• Hilton Honors American Express Card
• Marriott Bonvoy American Express® Card (no longer available to new applicants)
• Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express
• Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express
• Amex Everyday® Credit Card from American Express

And business cards from Amex that offer secondary car rental insurance include:

While American Express did offer travel accident insurance on some of its cards, this coverage was effectively dropped as of January 1, 2020. The same is true for the American Express Roadside Assistance Hotline, which is no longer available.

Trip Delay Insurance

In January of 2020, American Express also rolled out an upgraded trip delay insurance benefit for many of its top rewards credit cards. While this perk may seem like an unusual one, there are so many scenarios where trip delay coverage could help you save money and avoid surprise expenses when travel is delayed beyond your control. 

With trip delay coverage from Amex, you can be reimbursed for up to $500 per trip for hotel stays, meals, and other miscellaneous required expenses when your flight or other trip plans are delayed by more than six hours. If you're sitting at the airport and your flight is suddenly delayed until the next morning, for example, you could use this coverage to get reimbursed for a nearby airport hotel and your dinner, then for an Uber or Lyft ride back to the airport.

To qualify for American Express trip delay coverage, you need to pay for your round-trip travel expenses with a common carrier with your credit card.

Amex cards that come with trip delay coverage include:

• American Express® Gold Card
• American Express® Green Card

Again, the various versions of the Amex Platinum and Amex Centurion cards also offer trip delay insurance.

Most travel protections are automatically activated when you use your American Express card to book your travel. However, specific activation steps, if any, depend on the benefit.

Covered reasons for trip cancellation or interruption typically include illness, severe weather, and other unforeseen events, reimbursing you for non-refundable travel expenses.

Yes, baggage insurance plans come with coverage limits, which vary depending on the card and the type of loss (e.g., lost, damaged, or stolen baggage).

The Global Assist Hotline offers medical, legal, and other emergency coordination and assistance services, but financial costs for services rendered are typically the cardholder's responsibility.

Eligibility for specific travel protections varies by card. Premium cards often offer more comprehensive protections compared to basic cards.

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

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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Comparing travel protections with the Chase Sapphire Reserve and Amex Platinum

The Chase Sapphire Reserve and The Platinum Card® from American Express are two of the most popular travel rewards cards . After all, both cards offer valuable transferable rewards , lounge access and the ability to receive elite-like perks when booking hotels through Amex's Fine Hotels & Resorts program and Chase's Luxury Hotel & Resort Collection .

Like many of the top rewards cards , the Chase Sapphire Reserve and Amex Platinum Card also provide travel insurance when you use your card to book travel. In particular, these two premium travel rewards cards offer an excellent combination of trip insurance and bonus earnings on select travel purchases. So, in this guide, let's compare the travel insurance provided by these two cards.

Overview of the travel insurance provided by these cards

* Eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for details. Policies are underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company. ^ Eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Not all vehicle types or rentals are covered, and geographic restrictions apply. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for details. Policies are underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company. Coverage is offered through American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc. # Eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for details. If approved and coordinated by Premium Global Assist Hotline, emergency medical transportation assistance may be provided at no cost. In any other circumstance, cardmembers are responsible for the costs charged by third-party service providers. † Eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for details. Policies are underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.

As you can see in the table above, the Amex Platinum doesn't provide baggage delay insurance , emergency medical and dental benefits , roadside assistance or travel accident insurance . For brevity, I won't discuss the types of insurance the Amex Platinum doesn't provide any further in this guide.

Instead, I'll compare the protections head-to-head for the types of insurance provided by both cards. You can find the guide to benefits for both cards as follows:

• Chase Sapphire Reserve benefits guide
• Amex Platinum benefits guide

And to learn more about both cards, check out our Chase Sapphire Reserve credit card review and Amex Platinum card review .

Related: Amex Platinum vs. Chase Sapphire Reserve: Which card is right for you?

Trip delay insurance

Trip delay insurance may provide reimbursement for reasonable expenses during a delay when traveling on a common carrier. Here's a comparison of the Chase Sapphire Reserve 's and Amex Platinum Card 's trip delay insurance.

*Eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for details. Policies are underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.

As you may gather from the above table, the primary differences in trip delay coverage are:

• The Amex Platinum requires round-trip travel, which you must buy with your card (in whole or combination with other eligible methods).
• The Amex Platinum doesn't cover overnight delays that are less than six hours.
• The Amex Platinum caps your claims to two per 12-month period.
• The Amex Platinum covers traveling companions as long as you pay for their round-trip common carrier fares with your card.
• The Chase Sapphire Reserve explicitly covers delays due to strikes, while the Amex Platinum explicitly covers delays due to lost or stolen passports or travel documents.

Related: Chase paid for my $1,100-per-night hotel room thanks to built-in trip delay coverage

Trip cancellation/interruption insurance

Trip cancellation and interruption insurance may provide reimbursement for nonrefundable, prepaid trip expenses when you must cancel or alter a trip due to a covered situation. In some cases, you may be covered for additional expenses. Here's a comparison of the Chase Sapphire Reserve 's and Amex Platinum Card 's trip cancellation and interruption insurance:

* Eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for details. Policies are underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.

As you can see in the above table and the related benefits guides, the primary differences in trip cancellation and trip interruption coverage are:

• The Amex Platinum requires round-trip travel , paid with your card (in whole or in combination with other eligible methods). Only travel expenses put on the card used for round-trip common carrier travel will be covered.
• The Amex Platinum may cover the cost to return home or rejoin the trip if your trip is interrupted.
• The Chase Sapphire Reserve may reimburse redeposit fees imposed by a rewards program if your trip is canceled or interrupted, as well as change fees and car positioning fees if your trip is interrupted.
• The Chase Sapphire Reserve covers more types of losses, including if your accommodation at your destination is made uninhabitable or your host at your destination dies or is hospitalized.
• The Amex Platinum excludes losses related to mental or emotional disorders unless hospitalized. The Amex Platinum also excludes losses that occur when you're intoxicated. The Chase Sapphire Reserve excludes any loss for any trip booked while on a waiting list for specified medical treatment.

Check out American Express' trip cancellation and interruption insurance coronavirus frequently asked questions if you're wondering whether the Amex Platinum's insurance will cover coronavirus -related cancellations or interruptions.

Related: Be careful: Avoiding outbreaks isn't covered by most travel insurance

Auto rental collision damage waiver

The collision damage waiver offered by both cards can cover your rental car if you're in an accident or if it's stolen or damaged. Here's a comparison of the Chase Sapphire Reserve 's and Amex Platinum Card 's rental car insurance.

^ Eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Not all vehicle types or rentals are covered, and geographic restrictions apply. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for details. Policies are underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company. Coverage is offered through American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc.

As you can see in the above table and the related guide to benefits, the primary differences in car rental collision damage protection are:

• The Chase Sapphire Reserve covers more types of vehicles.
• The Chase Sapphire Reserve provides primary coverage.
• The Chase Sapphire Reserve doesn't have country exclusions.
• The Amex Platinum offers coverage to spouses when payment is made with an eligible card.
• While the Amex Platinum coverage specifically mentions peer-to-peer rentals, it's unlikely your Sapphire Reserve would cover Turo rentals .

If you'd prefer to get primary coverage for rental cars when using American Express cards , you can enroll in American Express' Premium Car Rental protection .

Related: 11 common rental car mistakes — and how to avoid them

Emergency evacuation and transportation insurance

The emergency evacuation and transportation insurance provided by these cards can arrange and pay for necessary emergency medical transport and evacuation under eligible circumstances. Here's a comparison of the Chase Sapphire Reserve 's and Amex Platinum Card 's emergency evacuation and transportation insurance.

# Eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for details. If approved and coordinated by Premium Global Assist Hotline, emergency medical transportation assistance may be provided at no cost. In any other circumstance, cardmembers are responsible for the costs charged by third-party service providers.

As you can see in the above table and the related guide to benefits, the primary differences in the emergency medical evaluation benefit are:

• You're covered by the Amex Platinum even if you use another card to purchase your common carrier fare, whereas you must at least partially pay with the Chase Sapphire Reserve or associated rewards to be covered.
• The Chase Sapphire Reserve has stricter requirements for trip length.
• Both cards offer additional benefits that can bring a family member to your side or return now-unaccompanied minors home.

Related: A Medjet medical transport membership is different than travel insurance. Here's why you need both

Lost luggage reimbursement

The lost luggage benefit offered by both cards may reimburse you if your baggage is lost, damaged or stolen during a trip. Here's a comparison of the lost luggage reimbursement provided by the Chase Sapphire Reserve and Amex Platinum Card .

† Eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for details. Policies are underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.

As you can see in the above table and the related guide to benefits, the primary differences in lost luggage reimbursement are:

• The Amex Platinum explicitly notes that losses due to confiscation by TSA aren't excluded.
• The Chase Sapphire Reserve covers a broader selection of family members when you pay for their ticket using your card.
• The cards exclude different types of items and types of loss.

Related: Everything you need to know about Amex's baggage insurance plan

When should I use the Chase Sapphire Reserve vs. the Amex Platinum?

The Platinum Card from American Express earns 5 Amex Membership Rewards points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel (on up to $500,000 of these purchases per calendar year, then 1 point per dollar) for an approximate 10% return based on TPG's valuations . The Chase Sapphire Reserve earns 10 Chase Ultimate Rewards points per dollar on hotels and rental cars purchased through the Chase Travel portal , 5 points per dollar on flights booked through this portal, 10 points per dollar on Lyft rides through March 2025 and 3 points per dollar on all other travel (bonus points earning comes into effect after exhausting the $300 annual travel credit ).

The Sapphire Reserve has an annual fee of $550 while the Amex Platinum Card has a $695 annual fee (see rates and fees ).

Related: Amex Membership Rewards vs. Chase Ultimate Rewards: Which is the best?

Despite the earning gap (which can sway one way or the other, depending on how you book your flights), you may want to use the Chase Sapphire Reserve when booking some common carrier travel. I recommend checking out the guide to both cards' benefits and considering which card is best for your travel expenses. To help, here are some reasons to consider each card.

Reasons to use the Chase Sapphire Reserve

• Offers a baggage delay benefit , an emergency medical and dental benefit, and roadside assistance up to $50 up to four times a year.
• Only a portion of your travel expenses must be charged to your card to unlock most benefits (whereas the Amex Platinum generally only provides benefits when you charge the entire common carrier fare to your card).
• No requirement for round-trip travel.
• Provides trip delay benefits if you're delayed overnight for less than six hours.
• Provides primary car rental coverage.
• Offers travel accident insurance (although the Amex Platinum provides some travel accident insurance on car rentals).
• Includes strikes as an eligible reason for trip delay insurance.
• May reimburse redeposit fees imposed by a rewards program under trip cancellation/interruption insurance .

OFFICIAL APPLICATION LINK: Chase Sapphire Reserve

Reasons to use the Amex Platinum

• Provides an emergency medical evacuation benefit to cardmembers regardless of whether you charged any trip expenses to the card.
• Covers traveling companions for trip delay insurance and trip cancellation/interruption insurance when you purchase their round-trip fare with your card.
• May reimburse additional transportation expenses to rejoin the common carrier covered trip or return to the place of origin; also may cover the purchase of tickets for a new departure, under trip interruption insurance.
• Includes lost or stolen passports or travel documents as an eligible reason for trip delay insurance.
• Has a higher cap on high-value items for lost, damaged or stolen baggage.
• Some readers have found the claim process to be more straightforward and simple.

OFFICIAL APPLICATION LINK: The Platinum Card from American Express

Bottom line

Some travelers who have both cards put their flights on the Amex Platinum to earn 5 points per dollar and put other travel expenses on the Chase Sapphire Reserve to earn 3 points per dollar and activate their trip cancellation and interruption protections.

You might want to keep the Amex Platinum primarily for Centurion Lounge access , hotel elite status and access to Amex Fine Hotels & Resorts , as well as nearly $1,500 in annual credits available to cardmembers.

However, you might want to avoid booking flights with the Amex Platinum because of the round-trip requirement and the lack of baggage delay protection . Instead, you'd prefer to use the Chase Sapphire Reserve for common carrier fares and other travel expenses .

Additional reporting by Ryan Smith.

For rates and fees of the Amex Platinum card, click here .

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American Express Travel Insurance Coverage Review – Is It Worth It?

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Why Purchase Travel Insurance

Travel insurance and the covid-19 virus, package policy options, custom select coverage options, pricing by age, cancellations and changes, to other travel insurance companies, to credit card travel insurance, travelinsurance.com, insuremytrip, squaremouth, final thoughts.

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We frequently discuss the travel insurance coverages that are offered complimentary on most credit cards . We do so because these benefits, especially the long list of travel insurance coverages on premium cards, can save you money, offer peace of mind during your travels, and provide help if something goes wrong.

These complimentary coverages are useful and can offer more than adequate coverage for most trips. However, if you’re investing in an expensive trip or 1 that involves multiple travel providers, purchasing a comprehensive travel insurance policy is a prudent move. You’d also want a travel insurance policy if your trip has a complicated itinerary or if you’re anxious about the possibility of having to cancel any portion of the journey.

Additionally, it’s imperative that if you’re worried about having medical coverage while traveling, you’d want to purchase a travel insurance policy that provides medical coverage.

Fortunately, travel insurance is widely available, reasonably affordable, and simple to secure. There are several reputable travel insurance companies , highly-rated by financial rating organizations such as AM Best , that offer nearly endless options from which to choose.

American Express Travel Insurance , underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company, is one of those highly-respected, highly-rated, established companies offering comprehensive travel insurance solutions.

Join us while we check out the types of policies the company offers, any limitations of which to be aware, and additional options for protecting your next trip appropriately.

Travel insurance can help you avoid losing the investment you made when booking your trip, reimburse you for covered expenses should your trip be disrupted due to a covered event, or pay for emergency medical services.

Policies are designed to cover disruption due to the reasons listed in the policy you purchased. These reasons consist of events that are unforeseen and unexpected.

Here are a few situations where travel insurance could cover your loss:

• You or a covered family member become ill and you must cancel your trip. Trip insurance can cover prepaid non-reimbursable expenses.
• You are injured in an accident during your trip and need to be evacuated to a hospital by air ambulance.
• You become ill during your trip and must return home versus continuing on your journey.
• Your flight is delayed or canceled and you must stay at a hotel and incur expenses for lodging and incidentals.

Whether you should purchase travel insurance or not is a personal decision. If losing your trip investment or having to pay for extra expenses if the trip is disrupted makes you uncomfortable or would present a financial burden, then you should purchase a comprehensive travel insurance policy.

If worrying about having to cancel your trip or having it disrupted during your journey is an issue, purchasing a travel insurance policy will definitely deliver some peace of mind, both prior to and during your trip.

For more tips on buying travel insurance in general, you’ll find valuable information in our guide to buying the best travel insurance .

Bottom Line: The longer, more expensive, and more complicated your trip, the greater the need for a comprehensive travel insurance policy.

When you purchase travel insurance and your trip is canceled, you expect to have coverage. However, not all cancellations are covered — only those specifically listed in your policy.

Once COVID-19 was declared a pandemic, it became a known event and therefore is not covered on travel insurance policies. While it’s reasonable to want to cancel your trip due to fear of COVID-19, canceling a trip due to the fear of any illness is not a covered reason on any travel insurance policy.

There is also no coverage for canceling a trip due to a U.S. State Department announcement warning of COVID-19 in a particular area.

In order to have coverage for voluntary trip cancellations, you would need to purchase “Cancel for Any Reason Insurance” (CFAR) . CFAR is not a stand-alone insurance policy — it is an add-on coverage you select when you purchase a travel insurance policy or coverage you may be able to add to a travel insurance policy after purchase, within an initially specified timeframe.

CFAR insurance is expensive, does not cover the entire cost of your trip, and not all companies sell the coverage, including American Express Travel Insurance.

Additionally, there is a small window of time when you are able to purchase the coverage, including during your initial purchase or up to 10 to 21 days after the purchase, depending on the company.

While American Express Travel Insurance does not cover trip cancellation due to fear of contracting COVID-19, there may be coverage in certain circumstances. For example, if you become sick with the virus and have to cancel your trip as a result, you may have coverage under trip cancellation insurance.

Additionally, if you become ill with the virus during your travels, you may have coverage under Travel Medical Protection. Terms and conditions apply.

Bottom Line: Travel insurance does not cover canceled trips due to fear of getting COVID-19 or a government declaration that a specific destination is unsafe. Cancel for Any Reason Insurance must be purchased to cover these voluntary cancellations. 

American Express Travel Insurance Options

American Express offers you 2 options when it comes to purchasing travel insurance. You can select a package policy that includes several types of coverages in 1 plan or you can build your own travel insurance plan and select just the coverages that are important to you.

Coverage is worldwide except for where it would violate U.S. trade or economic sanctions. All permanent U.S. residents are eligible to purchase travel insurance with American Express.

American Express Travel Insurance offers 4 levels of travel insurance package policy plans — a Basic Plan, Silver Plan, Gold Plan, and Platinum Plan. Each has its own levels of coverage and associated premium cost.

Let’s take a look at the package policy offerings and pricing. We chose a week-long trip for a 40-year old that cost $3,000. Prices ranged from $59 to $208 to cover the entire trip.

With package policies, you can expect to find the following coverages. The limits of coverage differ based on the policy plan you select.

• Trip Cancellation/Interruption — Receive reimbursement for prepaid non-refundable expenses due to cancellation for covered reasons and additional costs if your trip is disrupted, also for covered reasons.
• Global Medical Protection — Receive worldwide emergency medical and dental coverage for the first 60 days of your trip and access to emergency evacuation/repatriation services.
• Travel Accident Protection — Receive coverage for accidental death/dismemberment from the time you leave on your trip until the time you arrive home.
• Global Baggage Protection — Coverage varies from $250 to $2,500 for lost luggage depending on the level selected. Baggage delay coverage starts from 3- to over 24-hour delays, depending on the policy plan selected.
• Global Trip Delay — Receive up to $300 per day, $1,000 per trip, depending on the level of coverage selected. Coverage is valid for delayed/canceled flights or involuntary-denied boarding.
• 24-Hour Travel Assistance — Have global access to planning and emergency assistance before and during your trip.

Bottom Line: American Express Travel Insurance offers 4 different levels of package policies, each comprising a collection of coverages most travelers look for. The plan you select and the level of coverage limits chosen determine the amount of the premium cost. 

If some of the coverages in the package plan are not important to you, you can select only the coverage(s) you want and pay accordingly. Perhaps, for example, you have a need for just medical coverage while traveling abroad. You have the option to select just that coverage.

This example shows the levels of coverage available and the associated premium costs. The Gold Plan selected offers up to $100,000 in emergency medical, up to $750 in emergency dental, and up to $100,000 in emergency evacuation/repatriation. The price of this plan would be $32 for the entire trip.

Bottom Line: Having the option to select only the coverages you want allows you to save money by not paying for coverages you don’t need. This is a key benefit of purchasing travel insurance through American Express Travel Insurance. Few travel insurance companies offer the option to purchase stand-alone travel medical coverage. 

Additional Information — American Express Travel Insurance

Like most travel insurance companies, American Express Travel Insurance prices its products within age brackets. The price for coverage is the same for everyone in that specific age bracket.

Based on dozens of quotes obtained, pricing brackets were determined to be as follows:

• Age 17 to 40
• Age 41 to 65
• Age 66 to 70
• Age 70 to 80
• Age 81 or over

Knowing this upfront can help you determine if you’re at the beginning of the highest price bracket or the end. For example, if you are 40 years old, you’re going to pay less than a 41-year-old in the next pricing bracket but the same as a 17-year-old.

If you’re a senior and want to learn more about purchasing travel insurance in your 60s, 70s, and beyond , the tips in our article will help guide you in the right direction.

Bottom Line: Knowing a travel insurance company’s age pricing brackets can help you determine which company offers you the best value for your money.

Here is some information you should know about cancellations and changes to an American Express Travel Insurance policy.

• You can change or modify your policy prior to your trip.
• You can request a full refund within 14 days after receiving your policy documents. Some restrictions vary by state.
• If you have purchased American Express Travel Insurance and your trip was canceled due to COVID-19, you may qualify for a policy refund . Contact AMEX Assurance Company for details at [email protected]. Terms apply.
• Once your trip is completed, you cannot request a refund.

Hot Tip: Due to the overall decrease in travel, many travel insurance companies now allow you to cancel your travel insurance and receive a full refund or extend your policy without extra charges. 

How Does American Express Travel Insurance Compare

When comparing other package policies to American Express Travel Insurance, the company’s premiums came up higher overall for this specific trip and traveler (1-week trip, 40-year-old, total value $3,000).

The first policy above with Assistance USA for $77, for example, has coverages similar to the Silver Amex plan which has a premium of $133. The coverage on the $102 Assistance USA plan above compares more with the Amex Gold plan at $157.

Prices will vary considerably based on the types of coverages selected, age, and limits of each coverage. We used policy comparison websites and found similar but not identical policies. With so many different coverage options, it’s difficult to compare apples to apples.

This is a very limited comparison — your results will be different based on your specific details. The most important factors to consider are that you’re purchasing from a highly-rated company, the coverages are a match for your needs, and the premium is one with which you’re comfortable paying.

The travel insurance coverages that comes complimentary on your credit card can serve to provide coverage for some trips. For example, if you book a domestic round-trip flight, a hotel, and a rental car, you may have sufficient coverages on your credit card to cover that trip.

Credit card travel insurance coverage, however, is not a replacement for a comprehensive travel insurance policy , for these reasons:

• Most credit card travel insurance coverage is secondary and in excess of other coverage you might have. You’ll normally be working with 2 (or more) entities to get your claim resolved.
• Credit card travel insurance is administered by a third party, not by the issuing financial institution, thus making the claims process potentially redundant and complicated.
• You generally won’t find medical coverage on a credit card. The Platinum Card ® from American Express and the Chase Sapphire Reserve ® offer emergency medical evacuation and there is a small medical benefit on the Chase Sapphire Reserve card.
• Coverage limits are set on credit card travel insurance. Travel insurance policies can offer higher limit options.
• Credit card travel insurances have requirements such as purchasing the trip with the associated credit card.
• Additional coverages can be added to travel insurance policies such as CFAR insurance, a preexisting conditions waiver, and other benefits not available with credit cards.

Bottom Line: While the travel insurance coverages that come with credit cards may be sufficient to cover a simple trip where there is no large investment at stake, these coverages are by no means a replacement for a comprehensive travel insurance policy. 

The Value of Travel Insurance Comparison Sites

Because travel insurance is widely available and quite competitive, you may find drastic differences in the price you’ll pay between companies and policy offerings. Selecting a company is not difficult as there are dozens of reputable, highly financially-rated, established companies, but comparing policies is essential for getting the best value for your money.

One way to easily compare pricing and coverages is to utilize a travel insurance comparison site to narrow down the appropriate options for your situation.

Here are some of the most popular, easy-to-use comparison sites that only feature highly financially-rated travel insurance companies.

• Coverage is available instantly
• The comparison tool is easy to use
• The company has a “best price guarantee”
• Calls are handled by licensed agents
• The website contains educational information for understanding travel insurance coverages and policies
• Features nearly 2 dozen companies
• Compare 90 different policies from over 20 different companies
• Customer service receives high accolades
• Over 86,000 reviews

Bottom Line: Utilizing a travel insurance comparison website can help you quickly narrow your choices to policies that fit your needs and your budget. 

There is no doubt that American Express is a financially-stable, established, and well-respected travel insurance company.

One of the company’s strengths is that it offers the consumer the ability to purchase needed coverages separately , such as medical insurance for an international trip. The premiums for such coverage are also very competitively priced. This could be a huge plus if you are not interested in duplicating credit card travel insurance coverages or in having just secondary or excess coverage.

One downside, especially in today’s environment, is that American Express Travel Insurance does not sell CFAR insurance. If this is important to you, you should attempt to find the coverage elsewhere by using comparison sites.

Another downside that may or may not be important is that American Express Travel Insurance does not sell annual or multi-trip policies. You must purchase a new policy for each individual trip.

Also, like several other travel insurance companies, high-risk adventurous activities may not be covered with American Express Travel Insurance. You might look to a company specializing in insuring these activities such as World Nomads .

If you want to make sure you’re purchasing from an established company and have specific coverages you’re more interested in than others, American Express Travel Insurance is a solid decision . For package travel insurance policies, you might be able to realize modest savings by shopping around, but you won’t go wrong with the company selection of choosing American Express Travel Insurance.

All information and content provided by Upgraded Points is intended as general information and for educational purposes only, and should not be interpreted as medical advice or legal advice. For more information, see our  Medical & Legal Disclaimers .

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Is american express travel insurance worth it.

Yes, overall. American Express Travel Insurance is backed by AMEX Assurance Company which is highly-rated, established, and reputable.

The company offers competitive travel insurance package policies but also allows the traveler to build their own policies with only the coverages they deem necessary. This option can save the traveler money.

If you’re looking for medical coverage for an international trip, for example, purchasing with an established company at a reasonable price makes American Express Travel Insurance a worthy choice.

Do I have to have an American Express credit card to purchase American Express travel insurance?

No, you do not need to be an American Express cardholder to purchase a travel insurance policy from American Express Travel Insurance.

Does travel insurance cover COVID-19?

Travel insurance does not cover canceling your trip due to fear of getting sick. It also does not cover canceling your trip due to a government shutdown due to COVID-19, or a surge in cases in a particular area.

You may have coverage if you become ill due to COVID-19 and need to cancel your trip, depending on the terms of your policy.

You may also have coverage if you become ill due to COVID-19 during your travels.

Is credit card travel insurance any good?

The travel insurance coverages that come with your credit card can be sufficient to cover simple trips. If you’re booking a trip that has a complicated itinerary, involves several travel providers, or is more than a week in length, you might consider a comprehensive travel insurance policy.

In addition, if your trip is an expensive one, even if it’s simple and short, it would be prudent to cover your investment with a travel insurance policy.

Finally, credit cards do not come with medical insurance coverage. If you need this coverage while traveling, you’ll want to purchase a separate policy.

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Christine ran her own business developing and managing insurance and financial services. This stoked a passion for points and miles and she now has over 2 dozen credit cards and creates in-depth, detailed content for UP.

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MORE FROM VAULT

Amex Platinum Card Benefits: Lounge Access, Travel Insurance and Much More

Contributor

Aaron is a freelance contributor to Newsweek. He has been credit card and travel rewards enthusiast since applying for his first credit card the day he turned 18. An avid deal-hunter, he leveraged his penchant for collecting credit card rewards and stacking coupons and rebates to build a resale business that helped pay his way through engineering school at Iowa State University. After finishing a Master of Business Administration at the University of Michigan, Aaron used points and miles to travel for six months across five continents, including a month traveling overland through Russia, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan and China on the Trans-Siberian Railway Network.

He has written thousands of articles about credit cards, banking, travel rewards, and personal finance for other notable publications, including The Wall Street Journal, TIME, Forbes, The Points Guy, Bankrate.com, Rolling Stone, and Robb Report. He enjoys helping others optimize their wallets, build financial security, and fulfill their travel dreams.

Aaron is based in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Claire Dickey

Senior Editor

Claire is a senior editor at Newsweek focused on credit cards, loans and banking. Her top priority is providing unbiased, in-depth personal finance content to ensure readers are well-equipped with knowledge when making financial decisions. 

Prior to Newsweek, Claire spent five years at Bankrate as a lead credit cards editor. You can find her jogging through Austin, TX, or playing tourist in her free time.

Updated February 2, 2024 at 1:58 pm

Our research is designed to provide you with a comprehensive understanding of personal finance services and products that best suit your needs. To help you in the decision-making process, our expert contributors compare common preferences and potential pain points, such as affordability, accessibility, and credibility.

There’s a reason that most travelers know “ The Platinum Card” means The Platinum Card® from American Express. Amex Platinum Card benefits for travel are second to none. The card offers a comprehensive suite of travel insurance protections that cover trip delays, cancellations, interruptions and mishaps like fender benders in a rental car, but the card also offers plenty of benefits to enhance your travel experience.

Amex Platinum perks include airport lounge access, a status upgrade in hotel loyalty programs and car rental privileges. You can also receive amenities, credits and upgrades when you book hotels through Fine Hotels + Resorts and The Hotel Collection or cruises when you cruise with the card’s Cruise Privileges Program.

As if that’s not enough, when you make certain purchases with select partners, you can enjoy a long list of statement credits and other promotional offers. Here’s our guide to all the benefits offered by the American Express Platinum Card .

Vault’s Viewpoint

• The Amex Platinum Card offers one of the most comprehensive lounge access programs available on a premium credit card .
• Having the Platinum Card will get you complimentary, upgraded status with Hilton and Marriott, plus Hertz, Avis and National.
• When you book travel with the card, you’ll be covered by trip delay insurance*, a baggage insurance plan*, trip cancellation and interruption insurance* and more.

Consumer Insurance Benefits

Consumer insurance benefits like extended warranty and purchase protection cover the things you buy. Here’s what the Amex Platinum Card offers.

Cell phone Protection*

Cell phone protection can cover the cost to repair or replace your cellphone if your phone is damaged or stolen and you charge your monthly cellphone bill to your card. Amex cell phone protection covers most types of non-cosmetic damage to your cell phone, including cracked screens, even if a cracked screen does not affect the functionality of your phone. Although theft of your phone is covered, you’ll still need to keep track of your phone—the cell phone protection coverage you receive from Amex won’t cover phones that are lost or mysteriously disappear.

While cell phone protection will cover the cost to repair or replace many phones, you might want to purchase additional protection if you carry the latest and greatest, top-of-the-line phone. Coverage is limited to $800 per claim and two claims per 12-month period. A $50 deductible applies to all claims.

Extended Warranty*

When you use your Platinum card to purchase items with warranties, you can get additional warranty coverage on items that have an original manufacturer’s warranty of five years or less. Amex extended warranty matches the terms and duration of your original manufacturer’s warranty, up to an additional year. With the Platinum card, you can receive up to $10,000 for the repair or replacement of an eligible item and up to $50,000 in total reimbursements per eligible card, per calendar year. While there’s no need to activate this benefit or register your purchases, it’s a good idea to save your original receipts—you’ll be required to provide it if you need to make a claim.

Purchase Protection*

If something you’ve purchased with your Platinum card is damaged, stolen or lost within 90 days of purchase, you can seek up to $10,000 per covered purchase (up to $50,000 per calendar year) for the repair or replacement of your item with Amex purchase protection. While purchase protection covers most cases of damage, theft and loss, there is a lower $500 per item limit for damage due to natural disasters. Other exclusions apply, so check the card’s terms to be sure your items are covered.

Return Protection*

If you purchase an item with your card and the merchant won’t take it back for a refund within 90 days, you might be able to get a refund with Amex return protection. The return protection benefit of your Platinum card covers up to $300 per item and up to $1,000 per calendar year. Some expensive items like watches and jewelry are excluded, as are consumables and living items like plants and pets. See the card’s benefit guide for details on specific exclusions.

Travel Insurance Benefits

Booking your travel with your American Express Platinum card activates several travel insurance benefits that can cover a variety of travel disruptions, from rental car damage to canceled flights.

Car Rental Loss and Damage Insurance*

When you reserve and pay for a rental car with your American Express Platinum card, you’ll be covered under the card’s car rental loss and damage insurance benefit. This benefit protects you against damage to or theft of a rental car, up to $75,000 per rental agreement for eligible renters in a covered territory. Rental vehicles are covered for rentals up to 30 consecutive days. Amex rental car coverage is secondary, meaning that you will be required to make a claim against your personal auto insurance before this benefit will pay for damage to your rental car.

Two important exclusions apply to Amex credit card car rental coverage: It doesn’t cover personal liability or injury to anyone, and it excludes vehicle-sharing services. Be sure to have other insurance that covers you in case you are injured in a car accident or if you damage someone else’s car or property. When renting from a car-sharing service like Turo, it can be a good idea to purchase additional insurance—your Amex auto rental coverage won’t cover person-to-person rentals.

Trip Cancellation and Interruption Insurance*

When your travel plans are canceled or interrupted for a covered reason, such as bodily injury, weather or jury duty, trip cancellation and interruption insurance can cover the prepaid travel expenses that you would forfeit due to your trip interruption. Additionally, trip interruption insurance can reimburse you for additional transportation expenses that you might incur to return home or rejoin your trip.

Trip cancellation and interruption insurance are both subject to a $10,000 per covered trip maximum and a $20,000 annual maximum each 12 consecutive month period.

Trip Delay Insurance*

Trip delay insurance can cover your expenses such as a hotel stay, meals, toiletries, personal use items and medication if your travel by common carrier is delayed more than six hours. Trip delay insurance can even cover your expenses in cases when an airline typically won’t, such as when your flight is canceled or delayed due to weather.

While many other cards’ trip delay insurance coverage is provided per passenger, the Platinum card’s trip delay insurance covers up to $500 per covered trip , and only up to two claims per rolling 12-month period. Amex trip delay insurance also requires you to book your entire round-trip travel with the card.

Baggage Insurance Plan*

The Platinum card offers protection for your carry-on and checked baggage when traveling on a common carrier, while you are in an airport (or other common carrier terminal) and even while you’re in transit to the terminal. To be eligible for Amex baggage insurance, you must book your travel using your card.

If your bags are lost or stolen, you can receive up to $2,000 for checked baggage or up to $3,000 for a combination of checked and carry-on baggage (up to $3,000 per covered person total per trip). Your reimbursement will only cover repair or replacement in excess of any amount provided to you by the common carrier. Also note that additional limits apply to expensive and high-risk items like electronics and jewelry. Some irreplaceable and cash-like items are not covered.

Travel Benefits and Lounge Access

Many cardmembers hold the Amex Platinum card for its airport lounge access program, which provides the most comprehensive lounge access program available on a travel credit card . But the Amex Platinum card comes with many other benefits that can enhance your travel experience.

American Express Global Lounge Collection

When people think of the airline lounges included with the Platinum Card, they usually think of American Express’s flagship lounge, The Centurion Lounge, Delta Sky Clubs and Priority Pass. But the Amex global lounge collection is more extensive than most realize. Here are the lounges that you can access with your Platinum Card:

• The Centurion Lounge
• Escape Lounges
• Delta Sky Club (when traveling on a same-day Delta-operated flight)
• Lufthansa Lounges (must present a same-day Lufthansa Group airline boarding pass)
• Plaza Premium Lounge
• Priority Pass (required enrollment)
• Additional Global Lounge Collection partner lounges

Each lounge access program has its own rules about when you can enter a lounge and bring a guest. For example, you can bring two guests into the Escape Lounge, but complimentary guest access to The Centurion Lounge can be earned by spending $75,000 on your Platinum Card in a calendar year. Be sure to check updated entry requirements for any lounges you plan to use when you book your trip.

Cruise Privileges Program

If cruising is your preferred method of vacationing, booking your cruise through the Cruise Privileges Program can get you a few extra perks from your Platinum card. The American Express Platinum card offers benefits including an onboard credit, an amenity and bonus rewards when booking through the Cruise Privileges Program.

Car Rental Privileges

American Express offers Platinum cardholders elevated status and special rental car rates with their choice and enrollment of select car rental programs. Status with car rental programs can get you upgrades and other perks. Here’s what Amex offers in partnership with each of its car rental partners:

• Avis offers Platinum cardmembers up to a 25% discount on published rental rates with a code, complimentary status and a free weekend offer with two qualifying paid rentals.
• Hertz gives cardmembers complimentary Hertz President’s Circle status, up to a four-hour grace period on rental returns and discounts up to 20% off of published rates.
• National Emerald Club members can receive a free rental day each year after six qualifying rentals, plus complimentary status in the program.

Marriott and Hilton Hotel Elite Status

You and your additional cardholders are eligible to receive Hilton Honors Gold status and Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status with enrollment just for having the Amex Platinum Card. Marriott Gold status gives you 25% more points on your purchases at Marriott properties, late checkout privileges, a welcome point bonus and space-available room upgrades. Hilton Gold members receive 80% more bonus points on stays, space-available room upgrades and a food and beverage credit or continental breakfast at participating hotels.

Statement Credits and Partner Offerings

The Platinum Card offers over $1,500 in total Platinum value, including statement credits and partner offerings that can cover a variety of charges with Amex partner merchants. Here are the credits offered by the Amex Platinum.

Up to $200 in Uber Cash

When you add your Platinum card to your Uber account, you’ll get $15 each month in Uber Cash to use on rideshare and orders with Uber Eats within the United States. Plus, you’ll get a bonus of $20 in December, for a total of up to $200 in credits each year. You’ll want to use your credits each month—the monthly credits expire at the end of each month if they are not used.

Up to a $189 CLEAR® Plus Credit

Use your card to pay for an annual CLEAR® membership and receive up to $189 in credits each calendar year toward your CLEAR® Plus membership fees. The normal price of a CLEAR® membership is $189, but if you get a discount on CLEAR membership through frequent flyer elite status or some other means, your membership might not use the full value of your credit. One way of maximizing the Amex Platinum CLEAR® Plus credit is to add an additional member to your account if you’re receiving a discounted membership. Subject to auto-renewal.

Up to $200 in Amex Fine Hotels + Resorts and The Hotel Collection Credits

Book a prepaid hotel stay with Amex Fine Hotels + Resorts or a two-night or longer stay with The Hotel Collection using your Amex Platinum card and receive up to $200 in statement credits each year. Participating hotels are a curated selection of luxury hotels around the world and bookings through Fine Hotel + Resorts include breakfast for two. The Hotel Collection bookings include a complimentary experience credit of up to $100 per stay (varies by property).

Up to $200 in Airline Fee Credits

You can get up to $200 in statement credits toward airline fees for things like seat upgrades, flight changes and checked baggage with your preferred airline when you enroll in this benefit and charge your airline incidental fees to your card. When you enroll, you must select a qualifying airline from a list which includes all major U.S. airlines: Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Hawaiian Airlines, JetBlue Airways, Spirit Airlines, Southwest Airlines and United Airlines. You can change your airline selection once a year in January.

Up to $240 in Digital Entertainment Credits

The Platinum Card offers up to $20 each month back in digital entertainment credits for purchases (up to $240 back in statement credits per year) on Disney+, a Disney Bundle, ESPN+, Hulu, The New York Times, Peacock, and The Wall Street Journal. You must enroll in the benefit and make eligible charges on your card to receive the benefit.

Up to $300 in Equinox Credits

If you pay for an eligible U.S. Equinox membership or a standalone Equinox+ subscription using your card, you can receive up to $300 in statement credits each year. To receive this benefit, you must enroll and validate your card on the Equinox website. See the benefits section of the Amex account management portal or the Platinum Card benefit terms and conditions for details.

Up to $100 in Saks Fifth Avenue Credits

Enroll in this benefit and take your card shopping to Saks Fifth Avenue or saks.com and receive up to $50 semi-annually in statement credits (up to $100 annually). You can earn up to $50 in statement credits from January to June and another $50 from July to December each year. Some purchases, such as gift card purchases and purchases from outlet stores like Saks Off 5TH Avenue, do not qualify for this credit.

Up to $155 in Walmart+ Monthly Membership Credits

When you enroll in a monthly Walmart+ membership and charge your monthly membership fee to your Platinum card, you’ll be reimbursed with a $12.95 statement credit (plus applicable taxes). Only a monthly Walmart+ membership is eligible for a credit. While purchasing an annual Walmart+ membership for $98 might seem like the more economical option, you won’t receive the monthly credits if you purchase an annual membership. Subject to auto-renewal.

Up to $100 in Global Entry or TSA PreCheck Credits

Enrolling in a trusted traveler program like Global Entry or TSA PreCheck can save you time at the airport and at border crossings. When you charge your enrollment fee to your eligible Platinum card, you’ll get a statement credit for your enrollment fee, up to $85 in credits for TSA PreCheck or up to $100 in credits for Global Entry. You can receive one credit every four years for Global Entry or one credit every 4.5 years for TSA PreCheck. Other programs like NEXUS, SENTRI, FAST, and Privium don’t qualify for the credit, even if they include Global Entry or TSA PreCheck as part of membership. Additionally, only one trusted traveler membership fee charge qualifies for the credit—you can’t get a credit for both programs.

Other Benefits

In addition to travel perks, insurance benefits and statement credits, Amex offers a few other perks of note. Here are the details.

American Express Concierge

While the complimentary American Express Concierge service does not offer the service it once did, it can still help with finding event tickets, making dinner reservations, booking travel and shipping requests. Any purchases made by the Amex Concierge on your behalf will be billed directly to your Amex Platinum card.

ShopRunner Membership

ShopRunner membership gives you two-day shipping on eligible purchases and free returns at a large number of specialty online retailers. You must enroll to take advantage of your free ShopRunner membership.

Maximizing Amex Platinum Credits

For many cardmembers, maximizing the Amex Platinum statement credits provides the most opportunity for increasing the card’s value. Here are a few tips on maximizing the American Express Platinum card benefits.

• Use your Uber credit for Uber Eats. Even if you don’t use Uber to get around every month, you can still get plenty of value from the card’s up to $240 in annual Uber Cash. If you’re not planning on taking a ride with Uber, order takeout or delivery from Uber Eats—your monthly $15 in Uber Cash will apply to your eligible purchase.
• Stay with Amex Fine Hotels + Resorts and The Hotel Collection for a weekend getaway. Amex Fine Hotels and Resorts and The Hotel Collection offer plenty of very expensive properties, but not every hotel offered in the program is premium priced. Many cities offer affordable hotels through this program, and the up to $200 in statement credits each year can go a long way toward covering your hotel stay.
• Don’t forget digital entertainment credits. Do you subscribe to Disney+, The Wall Street Journal or The New York Times? If you do, there are statement credits waiting for you that could cover the cost of these purchases you make anyway. Consider changing your annual subscription to a monthly subscription to take advantage of these credits.
• Walmart+ can replace Amazon. If you subscribe to Amazon Prime, take a look at Walmart+ and the up to $155 Walmart+ credits. Walmart offers a wide selection of general merchandise, but it excels at household consumables. Walmart fulfills many of its online orders locally from its stores. In many cases, you can get household staples cheaper and faster from Walmart than from Amazon.

*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

Is it worth getting the amex platinum.

With its annual fee of $695, you’re going to want to make sure that you’re getting enough value from the Platinum Card to justify paying the annual fee. You’re likely to get the most value from the card’s lounge access program and statement credits. Consider your travel patterns and if the many merchant and statement credits match up with your existing spending.

Is the American Express® Gold Card or Platinum Better?

The American Express® Gold Card and the Amex Platinum are two different products that have two very different value propositions. The Platinum card is better for you if you want luxury travel perks like airport lounge access and statement credits, but the Gold Card is better if you want to earn points at restaurants worldwide, U.S. supermarkets and when booking flights.

Do You Have To Pay Off the Amex Platinum Every Month?

The Amex Platinum Card is a pay-in-full card. Unless you are enrolled in Pay Over Time to carry a balance with interest ( see rates and fees ) on eligible purchases, you are required to pay off your balance every month by your due date.

Related Articles

• Best American Express Credit Cards
• How To Choose a Credit Card
• The Platinum Card from American Express Review

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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The Platinum Card® from American Express Travel Credits and Benefits

August 26, 2021

10xTravel is part of an affiliate sales network and receives compensation for sending traffic to partner sites, such as CreditCards.com. This compensation may impact how and where links appear on this site. This site does not include all financial companies or all available financial offers. 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.

Note: Some of the offers mentioned below may have changed or may no longer be available. The content on this page is accurate as of the posting date; however, some of our partner offers may have expired. You can view current offers here .

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Premium travel cards come with a long list of benefits and credits, many of which having been added in the last few years as issuers overhaul their card products or offered up as limited-time benefits to retain cardholders during the Covid-19 pandemic. Keeping all the benefits straight and pouring over the details can feel time-consuming and overwhelming. When it comes to benefits, and travel benefits in particular, few cards offer as many as The Platinum Card® from American Express.

Here’s an overview of some of the Platinum Card’s best travel-related benefits that anyone currently holding or thinking of applying for the card should keep top of mind.

Details of The Platinum Card® from American Express

The Platinum Card® from American Express is a premium card with many fantastic travel benefits. It also comes with a hefty annual fee of $695 (Rates and Fees), which is why it is so important to understand the benefits to receive full value from the card.

Overview of American Express Platinum Travel Credits and Benefits

There are a lot of top travel benefits of The Platinum Card® from American Express including the following:

Hotel Credit

• CLEAR ® Plus Credit
• Up to $200 in airline fee credits
• Lounge access

Premium Private Jet Access

• Amex Fine Hotels and Resorts
• Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite Status

Hilton Honors Gold Status

• Trip Delay and Cancellation Insurance
• Car Rental Collision Damage Waiver

Baggage Insurance

American Express Platinum Travel Credits

Platinum cardmembers can take advantage of a long list of credits, including three major annual travel credits not to be missed.

With the July 2021 overhaul of Platinum card benefits came the rollout of an annual statement credit on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection bookings with American Express Travel with a two night minimum up to $200.

Pre-registration for this hotel credit is not required. The credit will apply as a statement credit after you make your booking. .

It can take some poking around, but there are some good hotel options to be found that can be almost completely offset by the $200 credit.

Clear ® Credit

Effective July 1, 2021, The Platinum Card® from American Express rolled out an annual Clear ® credit of $189. The Clear ® credit does not require pre-registration on the Amex website and resets on the calendar year.

Clear ® is a program that uses biometrics to verify a passenger’s identity, allowing them to skip to the front of the security line. Many airports have Clear ® lines for those with TSA Precheck and those without. In addition to airports, Clear ® also allows for expedited entry into some entertainment venues and stadiums. You can see a complete list of participating airports and venues here .

The standard rate for Clear ® is $189 a year with the ability to add up to 3 adult family members per year at a discounted rate of $50. Children under the age of 18 can go through the Clear ® line for free with a Clear ® member. Clear ® also offers discounted rates for United and Delta frequent flyers.

Anyone with a (free) United Mileage Plus or Delta SkyMiles account can subscribe to clear for $119 per year. Delta Platinum/Gold/Silver Medallion Members, United Premier Platinum/Gold/Silver and co-branded credit card holders for either program can subscribe to Clear ® for $109 per year. Clear ® membership is free to Delta Diamond Medallion® Members and United Premier® 1K® members. These discounts mean that most households should be able to cover at least two people with the available credit.

Airline Fee Credit

The Platinum Card® from American Express includes an annual $200 Airline Fee Credit which resets based on the calendar year. In order to trigger the credit, you must first register and select an airline in the Benefits section of your Platinum card’s account on the American Express website.

Only US-based carriers are eligible for the credit, including the following airlines

• Alaska Airlines
• American Airlines
• Delta Airlines
• Frontier Airlines
• Hawaiian Airlines
• JetBlue Airways
• Spirit Airlines
• Southwest Airlines
• United Airlines

The credit works for charges like checked baggage, seat selection, lounge access and food and beverage charges in flight or in lounges. Per American Express’s terms, “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 credit triggers until the $200 limit is reached. The credit is a great way to save on luggage fees and seat selections. It can be especially useful on carriers like Spirit and Frontier which operate on a low cost carrier model.

One of the driving reasons many individuals hold The Platinum Card® from American Express is its range of offerings of airport lounge access.

American Express Platinum Travel Benefits

Some of the travel benefits, like lounge access, will be very familiar to most readers, while to others these may be a bit more of a mystery.

Lounge Access

One of the driving reasons many individuals hold The Platinum Card® from American Express is its range of offerings of airport lounge access. The American Express Global Lounge Collection® offers more lounge access than any other card program out there. Lounges include The Centurion® Network which includes Centurion Lounges and Escape Lounges – The Centurion® Studio Partner, Airspace lounges, Plaza Premium lounges, Lufthansa Lounges, Delta SkyClub® and a Priority Pass™ Select membership. Below is detail on each program and the card’s rules around access:

Platinum Card® Members receive discounts on Wheels Up Memberships. Members receive a 20% discount on the Wheels Up Connect and a 40% discount on Wheels Up Core Members initiation fees, plus a $500 or $2000 credit added to their Wheels Up account to use towards their initial flight within the first year.

Amex Platinum Fine Hotels and Resorts

The American Express Fine Hotels and Resorts program allows card members to book select properties around the world and enjoy exclusive benefits during their stays.

The benefits include:

• Daily breakfast for two
• $100 Experience Credit (check specific hotel for more details)
• Guaranteed 4pm check-out
• 12pm check-in, when available
• Room upgrade, when available
• Complimentary Wi-Fi

In addition to the standard benefits, Fine Hotels and Resorts also offer additional benefits at some properties including third or fourth night free and increased experience credits.

Marriott Bonvoy Gold Status

Platinum Members are eligible to receive Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status .  Account-holders need to activate the benefit via the Benefits section of their Platinum account on the American Express website.

Gold Elite benefits include:

• A 25% bonus on hotel stays
• Eligibility for an enhanced room upgrade
• Welcome gift of points
• Complimentary In-Room Internet Access
• 2pm late checkout

Gold status does not include elite night credits, so to qualify for status above Gold, a guest would need to complete all the qualifying requirements for status, not just the requirements after achieving Gold.

Platinum Members are eligible to receive Hilton Honors Gold status . Account-holders need to activate the benefit via the Benefits section of their Platinum account on the American Express website.

Hilton Gold Status benefits include:

• Room upgrades, based on availability
• Free continental breakfast
• 80% bonus on base stay points
• Fifth night free on stays booked 100% on points

American Express Platinum Travel Insurance

The Platinum products come with insurance coverage that will be useful to many travelers. The most recent addition of Trip Delay and Trip Interruption Insurance in January 2020, was especially notable. With the Platinum cards earning 5X Membership Rewards per dollar on the first $500,000 spent annually on airfare booked directly with the airlines or through Amex Travel, this makes the Platinum card a wise pick for booking flights.

Trip Delay Insurance

Trip Delay insurance provides protection to travelers whose travel is delayed by at least six hours for a covered reason. Cardholders may file up to two claims in a consecutive 12 month period up to $500 per claim for reasonable reimbursable expenses including lodging, meals, toiletries, medications and other personal items.

The coverage is valid if the roundtrip (defined as roundtrip, one-way, or combinations of roundtrip or one-way tickets) are booked with the Platinum card. Travel booked in combination with points, vouchers, coupons, certificates or discounts where a portion of the booking is paid with the Platinum card are also covered.

Eligible reasons for trip delay include inclement weather, terrorist action or hijacking, a common carrier’s equipment failure, or lost or stolen passports or travel documents. The claim process must be started within 60 days of the covered loss.

Trip Cancelation and Interruption Insurance

The Trip Cancelation and Interruption Insurance provides $10,000 in coverage per trip up to $20,000 per 12 consecutive months. The coverage is secondary to any other coverage a traveler may have.

Covered reasons include the following:

• Injury or sickness of the traveler, traveling companion or family member of the traveler or traveling companion;
• inclement weather;
• Change in military orders for the traveler or spouse of traveler;
• Terrorist action or hijacking;
• A call to jury duty or court subpoena which cannot be postponed or waived;
• The traveler or traveling companion’s home is uninhabitable; or
• Quarantine imposed by a physician for health reasons.

There are also some situations that may leave you ineligible for coverage including pre-existing conditions, injuries that occurred while under the influence of drugs or alcohol, declared or undeclared war, and the financial insolvency of the travel agent, tour operator or travel supplier.

As with the interruption insurance, travel must be round trip (defined as roundtrip, one-way, or combinations of roundtrip or one-way tickets) and can include award tickets, vouchers and gift certificates as long as a portion of the booking was made on the Platinum card.

Rental Car Insurance

The Platinum cards include secondary car rental insurance. This means that a cardholder must first file a claim with other insurance coverage before being eligible to use the secondary coverage. As with all credit card insurance, the coverage covers car loss or damage but not liability, damage to other vehicles or to people in other vehicles. In order for the insurance to be in effect, the entire car rental must be charged on the card.

The plan covers up to $5,000 in medical treatment for the cardmember, authorized driver or passengers for an accident that occurs in the rental car, accidental death and dismemberment as a direct result of an accident that occurs in the rental car, loss of personal property ($1,000 per person, up to $2,000 per accident), and theft or damage to the vehicle up to $75,000.

Residents of certain states have different coverage and certain locations and types of vehicles are not covered. Check out the Car Rental Loss and Insurance Plan documents for full details.

American Express Platinum’s baggage insurance covers the damage or loss of carry-on or checked luggage. In order for the coverage to be in effect, the common carrier travel must have been paid for in full with the Platinum card or booked via American Express Travel with Membership Rewards points. Bookings with vouchers, gift certificates or mileage redemptions are not covered. Covered individuals are the Card Member, Card Member’s Spouse or Domestic Partner, Dependent Children under the age of 23 and dependent children over 23 with handicaps incurred before the age of 23 that make them dependent on their parents.

Carry-on Baggage is covered up to $3,000 per person and $2,000 per checked bag with a per person maximum of $3,000. Additionally, there is a $1,000 per person limit on high risk items like jewelry, computers and electronics, items made from silver, gold, platinum, sporting equipment and furs. Residents of New York State have slightly different coverage which is $2,000 per bag for each covered person, with an aggregate maximum of $10,000 for all covered persons. It is important to note that this benefit does not cover baggage delay.

Final Thoughts

Membership has its privileges and as you can see, The Platinum Card® from American Express comes with many that will benefit travelers. While benefits should not be the only factor in selecting cards, receiving the full benefits goes a long way in maximizing a card’s overall value. Through its travel statement credits and insurance protections, the The Platinum Card® from American Express may actually save you money.

New to the world of points and miles? The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is the best card to start with.

With a bonus of 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months of account opening. , 5x points on travel booked through the Chase Travel Portal and 3x points on restaurants, streaming services, and online groceries (excluding Target, Walmart, and wholesale clubs), this card truly cannot be beat for getting started!

Editors 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.

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

bonus points

after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months of account opening.

Chase Sapphire Reserve®

Chase Ultimate Rewards® Points

after you spend $4,000 in 3 months

Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

Venture Miles

after you spend $4,000 in purchases in the first 3 months.

American Express® Gold Card

Membership Rewards® Points

after you spend $6,000 on eligible purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months. Terms apply.

Malory Speir

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On This Page

• Key takeaways
• Delta Reserve vs. Amex Platinum Welcome bonus
• Delta Reserve vs. Amex Platinum Rewards
• Delta Reserve vs. Amex Platinum Travel perks
• Delta Reserve vs. Amex Platinum Other card benefits
• Delta Reserve vs. Amex Platinum Rates and fees
• Delta Reserve vs. Amex Platinum Eligibility

Should I get the Delta SkyMiles Reserve or Amex Platinum card?

Faq: delta reserve vs. amex platinum.

Delta Reserve vs. Amex Platinum: Platinum Comes Out Ahead

• When comparing The Platinum Card® from American Express vs. Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card , the Platinum Card comes out on top, as it comes with more benefits than the Reserve.
• Both Delta SkyMiles Reserve and Amex Platinum give you access to Delta Sky Clubs, but they have different limits on the number of visits you can make during each program year.
• The Delta SkyMiles Reserve Card has an annual fee of $650 ( see rates and fees ).
• If you get the Platinum Card® from American Express, you’ll pay an annual fee of $695 ( see rates and fees ).

When comparing the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card to The Platinum Card® from American Express, it’s clear that the Amex Platinum offers more benefits. With extra bonus points on flights and hotels, plus credits for travel and entertainment, the Amex Platinum stands out as a versatile and rewarding choice. On the other hand, the Delta SkyMiles Reserve focuses on Delta purchases and may be better for you if you’re a loyal Delta customer.

Let’s explore the differences between these two American Express cards to help you choose the right one for your needs.

When comparing the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card vs. The Platinum Card® from American Express , the Platinum card is the clear winner . 

It card gives you extra bonus points on eligible flights and prepaid hotels, plus credits designed to defray the cost of travel and entertainment. In contrast, the Delta SkyMiles Reserve only gives you 3 miles per dollar spent on Delta-operated flights.

Here’s a quick overview of how these American Express cards compare. We’ll explore each of these categories in more detail below.

Delta Reserve vs. Amex Platinum: An overview

Why should I get the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card?

You should get the Amex Delta Reserve card if you’re a loyal Delta customer who wants to earn 3 miles per dollar spent on all Delta purchases. This airline card also comes with a free annual companion certificate, making it one of the best travel credit cards on the market. If you use the companion pass to purchase a first-class ticket, you can easily earn more in benefits than you spend on the annual fee.

Why should I get The Platinum Card® from American Express?

You should get the Amex Platinum card if you’re not loyal to a specific airline. Instead of earning 3 miles per dollar on Delta flights, you’ll earn 5 Membership Rewards Points® on all eligible flights booked directly with airlines or via American Express Travel.

Additionally, the Amex Platinum card gives you 5X points on all eligible prepaid hotels, plus statement credits for airline fees, digital entertainment and Walmart+.

Delta Reserve vs. Amex Platinum: Welcome bonus

Each card comes with a generous welcome bonus, but which one is better depends on how much you plan to spend.

If you’re interested in the Delta SkyMiles Reserve, American Express is offering a welcome bonus of 60,000 miles if you spend $5,000 within your first six months of membership.

The Amex Platinum has a welcome offer of 80,000 bonus points if you spend $8,000 within six months of opening your account.

Delta Reserve vs. Amex Platinum: Rewards

When we compared the Delta Reserve card vs. Amex Platinum, we discovered that the Amex Platinum card is better for earning and redeeming awards because it comes with fewer restrictions.

Which is better for earning rewards?

Amex Platinum is the clear winner when it comes to earning rewards. 

Instead of earning miles, you earn Membership Rewards Points at the following rates:

• 5 points per dollar spent on all eligible flights booked directly with airlines or via American Express Travel
• 5 points per dollar spent on all eligible prepaid hotels booked via American Express Travel
• 1 point per dollar spent on all other categories

With the Delta Reserve, you only earn 3 miles per dollar spent on eligible Delta purchases. Otherwise, you earn 1 mile per dollar spent on all other categories.

Which is better for redeeming rewards?

The Amex Platinum is also better for redeeming rewards, as you earn points instead of miles. 

You can redeem these points in the following ways:

• Transfer them to airline or hotel loyalty partners.
• Use them to cover your eligible charges.
• Purchase gift cards.
• Deposit them into your checking account.
• Make reservations with American Express Travel.
• Pay with points at checkout (participating merchants only).

Once you earn miles with the Delta SkyMiles Reserve, you have several redemption options:

• Book a trip through Delta Vacations.
• Book Award Travel.
• Use them to purchase seat upgrades, buy premium drinks in the Delta Sky Club or cover certain Delta fees.
• Purchase a Delta Sky Club membership (only available to Medallion members).
• Book hotels and vacation rentals through Delta Stays.
• Place bids on SkyMiles Experiences.
• Purchase magazine subscriptions.
• Transfer them to someone else.
• Donate the miles to your favorite charity.

The SkyMiles Reserve gives you more redemption options, but most of them are specific to Delta purchases. Therefore, the Amex Platinum gives you more flexibility .

Delta Reserve vs. Amex Platinum: Travel perks

This category has no clear winner, as both cards come with generous travel perks. The right card for you depends on your travel habits.

Airport lounge access

Delta Reserve cardholders get complimentary access to the Delta Sky Club when traveling on a same day Delta flight. Starting February 1, 2025 , access will be limited to 15 days of Sky Club usage per program year (February 1 to January 31). However, you can earn unlimited access if you spend $75,000 per calendar year on your Delta SkyMiles Reserve card.

If you get the Amex Platinum, you’ll receive 10 days of usage per year as a standard benefit, but you can earn unlimited access by spending at least $75,000 per calendar year. To access the Sky Club, you must be traveling on a same-day flight operated by Delta.

Amex Platinum members also have access to Escape Lounges and lounges in the American Express Global Collection®, while Delta Reserve members have access to Escape Lounges and Centurion® Lounges.

In this category, both cards are evenly matched. If you prefer to book with Delta, the Reserve has a slight edge since it gives you five additional days of complimentary Sky Club access each year.

Travel insurance

Both cards come with comprehensive American Express travel insurance benefits. For example, American Express offers coverage for trip cancellations , trip interruptions, lost/damaged baggage and trip delays.

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.

TSA PreCheck/Global Entry

The Delta SkyMiles Reserve and Amex Platinum cards both come with a statement credit for TSA Pre-Check or Global Entry . The TSA PreCheck is worth $85 and the Global Entry credit is for $100. You can use the Global Entry credit every four years or the TSA PreCheck credit every four and a half years.

In-flight benefits

The Delta Reserve entitles you to 20% back on eligible in-flight purchases, such as snacks, beverages and prepurchased meals. You get this benefit in the form of a statement credit. 

With the Amex Platinum, you have the opportunity to earn up to $200 in statement credits per year for incidental airline fees charged to your card. To use this benefit, you must choose a qualifying airline ahead of time.

For this category, the Delta Reserve is better if you always book your flights with Delta. The Amex Platinum is better if you’d rather use another airline.

Annual companion pass

When comparing the Delta SkyMiles Reserve vs. Amex Platinum, the Reserve card comes with a significant benefit that the Amex Platinum doesn’t have: the annual companion pass. Every time your card renews, you’ll receive a companion certificate, which entitles you to one free flight for a travel companion.

The companion certificate is only good for certain fare codes, but you can use it to book a seat in Main Cabin, Comfort+® or First Class. Note that you must choose a destination in the United States, Central America or the Caribbean.

Priority boarding

If you get the Delta Reserve, you’ll be able to board with the Main Cabin 1 group on all Delta-operated flights. The Amex Platinum doesn’t give you access to priority boarding, so the Reserve is the clear winner here.

Checked bags

As a Delta Reserve member, you can check your first bag for free if you book a Delta flight with your eligible card. You don’t get free checked bags with the Amex Platinum.

Hotel credit

In addition to giving you 5 points per dollar spent on eligible hotel stays, the Amex Platinum comes with an annual hotel credit worth up to $200 per calendar year. To earn the credit, simply book a prepaid hotel stay with The Hotel Collection® or Fine Hotels and Resorts®. You must book through American Express travel and use your Platinum Card to cover the charge. (Note: The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay)

Delta Reserve vs. Amex Platinum: Other card benefits

When comparing the Amex Platinum vs. Delta Reserve, we also looked at non-travel card benefits. Based on our research, the Amex Platinum is one of the best credit cards on the market, as it gives you multiple ways to earn bonus points and statement credits.

Here’s what you get with each card:

Ridesharing credits:

The Amex Platinum entitles you to $15 per month in Uber Cash. plus a bonus $20 in December (up to $200 per year). If you get the Delta Reserve, you’ll have the opportunity to earn up to $10 in statement credits each month ($120 per year) for Curb, Revel, Alto, Lyft and Uber rides.

Amex Offers:

Both cards give you access to Amex Offers, which give you statement credits and other bonuses when you add offers to your account and redeem them before they expire.

Purchase Protection:

The Delta Reserve and Amex Platinum protect eligible purchases for 90 days from the original purchase date. This benefit reimburses you up to $10,000 per occurrence ($50,000 per calendar year) for lost, stolen or accidentally damaged items.

Warranty protection:

Both cards also come with warranty protection. This benefit gives you an extra year of warranty coverage on eligible items. Note that you can only use this benefit on items that have an original manufacturer’s warranty of no more than five years. You must use your Delta Reserve or Amex Platinum to pay for the purchase.

Digital entertainment:

If you get the Amex Platinum, you have the opportunity to earn up to $20 per month ($240 per year) in statement credits on Peacock, The Wall Street Journal, Disney+, Hulu, ESPN+, SiriusXM and The New York Times purchases (Enrollment required). The Delta Reserve card doesn’t have a digital entertainment benefit.

Walmart+ credit:

If you use your Amex Platinum to pay for a monthly Walmart+ membership, you’ll earn a monthly statement credit to cover the cost. This benefit is worth approximately $155 per year. The Delta Reserve card doesn’t have a Walmart+ benefit.

Equinox credit:

If you use your Amex Platinum to pay for an Equinox club membership or an Equinox+ subscription, you’ll earn up to $300 per year in statement credit (Enrollment required). The Delta Reserve doesn’t come with an Equinox benefit.

Delta Reserve vs. Amex Platinum: Rates and fees

Since they’re both American Express cards , the Delta Reserve and Amex Platinum have comparable rates and fees. Once the annual fee for the Delta Reserve increases on May 1, 2024, the Amex Platinum will only cost $45 more per year. 

Both cards have the same cash advance fees, cash advance APR and foreign transaction fees ($0). The Amex Platinum has a slight edge in terms of authorized user fees, and it also has a slightly lower cap on regular APR.

Delta Reserve vs. Amex Platinum: Eligibility

Both cards are reserved for consumers with good to excellent credit scores . Therefore, one isn’t any harder to get than the other, provided you meet the minimum income and credit requirements.

The Delta Reserve is a good fit for consumers who fly Delta regularly and want to maximize their Delta-related benefits.

The Amex Platinum is a better fit for people who aren’t loyal to Delta and would rather focus on earning points and statement credits based on their typical spending habits. If you get the Amex Platinum, you can easily earn back the fee by using the full Equinox, Walmart+, Uber and digital entertainment credits each year.

Featured offers

Delta skymiles reserve american express card®, the platinum card® from american express, is the delta skymiles reserve card better than platinum.

It depends on your needs. The Delta SkyMiles Reserve is the better choice if you want to maximize your Delta travel benefits. If you use multiple airlines, the Amex Platinum is probably a better fit. Although it has a higher annual fee, the Platinum Card gives you 5X points on all eligible flights and prepaid hotel stays.

When should I use Amex Platinum over Delta Reserve?

You should use the Amex Platinum instead of the Delta Reserve if you don’t spend enough on Delta purchases to justify the annual fee for the Reserve card.

Does Amex Platinum give you Delta lounge access?

Yes, Amex Platinum members qualify for unlimited Sky Club Access through January 31, 2025. Starting on February 1, 2025, you’ll receive 10 visits per year as a standard benefit. You can earn unlimited access if you spend $75,000 or more on your Amex Platinum each calendar year.

Is Delta Reserve or Amex Platinum harder to get?

The Delta Reserve and Amex Platinum are for consumers with good to excellent credit scores, so your chances of approval are about the same for both.

Leigh Morgan is a seasoned personal finance contributor with over 15 years of experience writing on a diverse range of professional legal and financial topics. She specializes in subjects like navigating the complexities of insurance, savings, zero-based budgeting and emergency fund development.

In the last 5 years, she’s authored over 300 articles for credit unions, digital banks, and financial professionals. Morgan is also the author of “77 Tips for Preventing Elder Financial Abuse,” a book focused on helping caregivers protect the elderly from financial scams.

In addition to her writing skills, she brings real-world financial acumen thanks to her previous experience managing rental properties as part of a $34 million real estate portfolio.

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American Express Platinum Review: Luxury Isn’t Cheap

What’s on This Page

The bottom line, pros and cons, detailed review, compare to other cards, benefits and perks, drawbacks and considerations, how to decide if it's right for you.

The rewards are solid and the perks are outstanding, but the annual fee can't be ignored.

Rewards rate

Bonus offer

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. Terms Apply.

Ongoing APR

APR: See Pay Over Time APR

Cash Advance APR: 29.99%, Variable

Balance transfer fee

Foreign transaction fee

• 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.

Bonus categories

Transfer partners

Luxury perks

Lounge membership

Automatic elite status

Has annual fee

Complicated rewards

Requires good/excellent credit

Even within the ranks of "premium" cards — which we can roughly define as those with annual fees of $250 or more — some cards are more premium than others. Many of them exist primarily to give regular folks a little taste of the high-end lifestyle. Others, however, are designed to make that high-end lifestyle tastier for people who are already living it.

The Platinum Card® from American Express is most definitely the latter.

The card's $695 annual fee, which increased from $550 in 2021, is among the highest in the industry. But that fee unlocks an extensive portfolio of benefits focused on travel, entertainment, dining, retail and wellness. It's not about saving money. It's about getting more for the money you spend. If you spend a lot and expect a lot, then the original luxury card may be for you.

The Platinum Card® from American Express : Basics

To view rates and fees of The Platinum Card® from American Express , see this page .

Card type: Travel and premium .

Annual fee: $695 .

Bonus offer: 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. Terms Apply.

5 Membership Rewards points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel, on up to $500,000 spent per year.

5 points per dollar on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel.

1 point per dollar on all other purchases.

Terms apply.

Membership Rewards points are worth a baseline value of about 0.5 cents to 1 cent each, depending on how you redeem them. Travel and gift card redemptions are generally the most valuable.

Points are also transferable to and can be worth even more if redeemed strategically after being transferred to other travel loyalty programs. Travelers can often get outsized value for their points by taking advantage of the transfer options, and NerdWallet values Membership Rewards as much as 2 cents each when redeemed this way.

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 .

Interest rate: See terms.

This card has an unusual payment structure due to its history as a charge card . Unlike traditional credit cards, charge cards don't let you carry a balance and require instead that pay your bill in full every month. However, this card offers two different features — " Plan It® " and " Pay Over Time " — that allow it to function more like a traditional card. 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. Purchases that aren't covered by Plan It® or Pay Over Time must be paid in full.

Foreign transaction fees: None.

Additional benefits:

More than $1,500 in annual statement credits toward eligible purchases.

Access to airport lounges through the American Express Global Lounge Collection.

Cell phone protection.

» MORE: Benefits of The Platinum Card® from American Express

With most travel cards, the rewards you earn for your spending are the signature feature. Not with The Platinum Card® from American Express . To be sure, the welcome offer for new cardholders is lucrative, but even earning 5X points on eligible flights and hotel stays, you'll have to book an awful lot of travel before you earn back that fat annual fee. The bulk of this card's value lies instead in its annual statement credits for specific purchases, along with automatic upgrades, premium services, exclusive access and other "soft" benefits.

Automatic credits

$200 a year for airline incidental fees. This is reimbursement for things like checked-bag fees or in-flight refreshments, but not airfare or upgrades. It applies to a single airline you choose when you enroll; you can change airlines once a year.

$200 a year for hotel bookings. This credit applies to prepaid bookings through American Express Travel at the more than 1,700 hotels that are The Hotel Collection (two-night minimum stay required) or Fine Hotels + Resorts properties.

$200 a year for Uber. These credits are issued on a monthly basis — $15 each month and $35 in December — good for rides or eats orders in the U.S. They don't roll over; if you don't use them in the month they're issued, you lose them. You also get Uber VIP status, if you live in a city where that matters.

$300 a year for Equinox gym memberships. You can use this credit on Equinox memberships and the on-demand fitness app Equinox+.

$100 a year at Saks Fifth Avenue. When you enroll you get $50 worth of credit for in-store or online purchases from January through June, and another $50 for purchases from July through December.

Fee credit for TSA Precheck or Global Entry.

$189 a year for Clear. Speed through airport security and get into stadiums more quickly with a credit that’s enough to cover Clear’s annual cost.

$240 a year for digital entertainment. Get up to $20 per month toward eligible subscriptions for Peacock, Disney+, The Disney Bundle, ESPN+, Hulu, the Wall Street Journal and The New York Times. Enrollment required.

If you're an Equinox+ member and you use The Platinum Card® from American Express to purchase a SoulCycle at-home bike, you'll receive a $300 statement credit.

Airport lounge access

The Platinum Card® from American Express offers unmatched access to airport lounges worldwide — more than 1,300 and counting. They include:

The issuer's own Centurion Lounges and International American Express lounges.

Delta Sky Clubs , when flying Delta.

Priority Pass Select lounges (enrollment required).

Lounges in the Plaza Premium , Escape and Airspace networks.

» MORE: Credit cards that offer lounge access

Hotel benefits

Marriott. You can enroll to upgrade to Gold Elite status in Marriott's Bonvoy rewards program without meeting any stay requirements.

Hilton. You get automatic Gold status in the Hilton Honors loyalty program when you enroll.

The Hotel Collection. Book a stay of at least two nights at one of these properties ( search for locations here ), and you'll get an automatic upgrade, if available, and a $100 credit for dining, spa, resort or other activities at the hotel.

Fine Hotels & Resorts. Book a stay at one of these ultra-high-end places ( search for locations here ) and get upgrades and amenities that the issuer says are worth an average of $550 per stay. They include automatic room upgrades, if available, early check-in, late checkout, complimentary breakfast, free Wi-Fi and amenities unique to each property.

Other goodies

Cell phone protection. This increasingly popular benefit joins the card’s already robust return and purchase protections, along with extended warranties. Coverage goes up to $800 per claim, or $1,600 (two claims) per 12-month period. Each approved claim carries a $50 deductible. Terms apply.

Concierge service. Cardholders get 24-hour access to concierge services by phone.

Global Dining Access by Resy. Special access to reservations and events, like chef meet-and-greets at high-end restaurants, when you add your card to your Resy profile.

By Invitation Only. This program offers members-only VIP experiences at events such as Wimbledon and the Kentucky Derby. It's important to note that your card only gives you the ability to buy tickets for these experiences — it doesn't get you in for free.

Preferred Seating. Your card may let you jump the line to buy tickets for select sports or cultural events.

» MORE: American Express credit cards mobile app review

If "getting your money's worth" from a card means that every dollar you spend has to make its way back to your pocket in the form of spending rewards, credits or discounts, you'll probably find plenty of reasons to pass on The Platinum Card® from American Express . The most obvious potential deal-breakers for some are:

That annual fee

In a world where many travel cards charge less than $100 a year for excellent rewards and benefits, and even other premium cards charge much less, a $695 annual fee could push anyone off the fence into "no" territory on this card. That's especially true considering that so many of the benefits on The Platinum Card® from American Express aren't easily quantifiable. How much is late checkout worth to you? Or a spa package and breakfast? How about an exclusive opportunity to spend $8,900 for VIP seating at the Grand Prix de Monaco?

Limited rewards earning

Certain travel spending excepted, you won't earn more than 1 point per dollar with The Platinum Card® from American Express . Other cards concentrate more of their value in spending rewards. The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card , for example, gives you 2 miles per dollar spent on purchases. Miles can be redeemed for any travel purchase at a value of 1 cent apiece. You also get a $300 travel credit on purchases made through Capital One Travel, a solid sign-up bonus, and reimbursement for the TSA PreCheck or Global Entry application fee — all for an annual fee of $395 .

Limited-use credits

The $200 annual credit for airline fees and incidentals was a great deal at one time, but the competition has improved on it. The $300 travel credit on the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card is much more flexible. And even more flexible, the Chase Sapphire Reserve® offers $300 a year in credit for any travel expense — not just incidental fees and not just through a travel portal.

And while the full list of annual statement credits are, combined, worth more than the annual fee, you actually need to use them to get any benefit. That might not be easy to do if you don’t live in a city with Equinox gyms or an airport served by CLEAR. The credits aren’t going to save you much if you’re enticed to spend more on luxuries just to use the credits once.

Platinum vs. Sapphire Reserve

The most prominent competitor of The Platinum Card® from American Express among premium travel cards is the Chase Sapphire Reserve® . You can read our comparison of the two cards here . You can also see how this card matches up against other travel card alternatives by checking out our list of the best credit cards .

» MORE: NerdWallet’s best metal credit cards

If you're an occasional traveler who flies coach and stays at the Holiday Inn, The Platinum Card® from American Express isn't going to magically get you into first class and the presidential suite at the Ritz-Carlton at no extra charge.

For many, the usability of the card's many annual credits may make it or break it. If you can maximize the credits, they can more than make up for the card's steep annual fee. But if you won't be able to make use of many of the annual credits that come with the card, it may not make sense for you.

If you're a frequent-to-constant traveler who doesn't mind spending money for quality and would love to be rewarded for doing so, then it might be a perfect fit for your wallet.

To view rates and fees of The Platinum Card® from American Express , see this page . To view rates and fees of the American Express® Gold Card , see this page .

Looking For Something Else?

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.

Frequently asked questions

The Platinum Card® from American Express earns 5 Membership Rewards points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel (on up to $500,000 spent per year); 5 points per dollar on prepaid hotel purchases booked through amextravel.com; 2 points per dollar on other travel expenses booked through amextravel.com; and 1 point per dollar on all other spending. Terms apply. Keep in mind that the spending rewards provide only a portion of this card's overall value. To get the most value for your hefty annual fee, you'll want to make use of the card's extensive list of perks .

The Platinum Card® from American Express offers some lucrative perks and benefits. These include access to more than 1,300 airport lounges worldwide; an annual $200 airline fee credit; VIP status and credits with Uber; elite status in the Marriott Bonvoy and Hilton Honors hotel loyalty programs; concierge service; reimbursement for TSA PreCheck or Global Entry application fees; and more. More about the card's benefits.

The card has a $695 annual fee.

The Platinum Card® from American Express requires good to excellent credit to qualify. This is typically defined as a credit score of 690 or better. Issuers will usually also consider your current debts, income, and other pertinent information.

Cardholders have access to more than 1,300 airport lounges worldwide, including American Express Centurion Lounges, International American Express lounges, Delta Sky Clubs (when flying Delta), Priority Pass Select lounges and lounges in the Plaza Premium, Escape and Airspace networks.

The Platinum Card® from American Express was introduced as a charge card , meaning your balance was due in full every month. However, cardholders can now carry a balance on certain purchases with American Express's Pay Over Time feature, which allows the card to function more like a traditional credit card.

The American Express® Gold Card may be the better choice if you're primarily interested in earning rewards on everyday spending. The Platinum Card® from American Express is geared toward travelers who want VIP perks. Gold has a significantly lower annual fee, too: $250 , compared with $695 for Platinum. See our comparison article for more details.

About the author

Earn Delta SkyMiles Worth Up to $1,800 on AMEX Card

Delta SkyMiles and American Express offer 150,000 miles on a business credit card.

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This article only reviews the Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express credit card.   We may get compensation if you visit partner links on our site. We may not cover every available offer. 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. Our relationship with advertisers may impact how an offer is presented on our website. However, our selection of products is made independently of our relationship to advertisers.

Deciding which travel credit card to choose? The Delta and American Express cobranded Platinum business credit card just got a new welcome offer that could get you thousands of SkyMiles. The card is designed for businesses large enough to meet the spending threshold for the intro offer: $20,000 in the first three months of card ownership.

Why Delta SkyMiles?

Hitching your rewards wagon to just one airline can be a risk if the quality of service erodes over time. According to a report by airline analytics company Cirium , Delta was the most on-time North American airline in 2021, 2022 and 2023 , demonstrating quality management over time. And you can redeem miles through many other domestic and international partner carriers.

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According to The Points Guy , Delta SkyMiles are worth 1.2 cents per mile .

Overview: Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card

Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card

This business card comes with a big intro offer and up to 5% back as SkyMiles on qualified purchases.

New cardholders can earn a total of 150,000 miles, worth $1,800 , after spending $20,000 in purchases on their new Card in the first three months. Plus, earn up to 1.5 SkyMiles back on select business purchases up to $2 million.

The card does not charge a foreign transaction fee, making it a good choice for both domestic and international travel.

See rates and fees .

• Intro offer: Earn 150,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $20,000 in eligible purchases on the Card within the first 3 months of Card Membership.
• Earn Five Membership Rewards® points on flights and prepaid hotels on AmexTravel.com.
• Earn 1.5 points (that’s an extra half point per dollar) on each eligible purchase at US construction material, hardware suppliers, electronic goods retailers, and software & cloud system providers, and shipping providers, as well as on purchases of $5,000 or more everywhere else, on up to $2 million of these purchases per calendar year for total potential annual rewards up to $30,000.
• Get one point for each dollar you spend on all other eligible purchases.
• Statement credits: Unlock over $1,000 in statement credits on select purchases, including tech, recruiting and wireless in the first year of membership with the Business Platinum Card®. Enrollment required. 
• $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 the Card.
• $189 CLEAR® Plus Credit: Use your card and get up to $189 in statement credits per calendar year on your CLEAR® Plus Membership (subject to auto-renewal) when you use the Business Platinum Card® . 
• Lounge Access : The American Express Global Lounge Collection® can provide an escape at the airport. With complimentary access to more than 1,400 airport lounges across 140 countries and counting, you have more airport lounge options than any other credit card issuer on the market as of 03/2023.
• $695 Annual Fee.
• Terms Apply.
• See Rates & Fees

If you don't think you can meet the $20,000 spending threshold required by this business card but still want Delta SkyMiles, then a personal credit card bonus might be the way to go. If so, compare three different intro offers on personal Delta and American Express cobranded credit cards in our article, Earn Delta SkyMiles Worth up to $720 .

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As an independent publication dedicated to helping you make the most of your money, the article above is our view and is not the opinion of any entity mentioned such as a card issuer, hotel, airline, etc. Similarly, the content has not been reviewed or endorsed by any of those entities. 

Ellen writes and edits personal finance stories, especially on credit cards and related products. She also covers the nexus between sustainability and personal finance. She was a manager and sustainability analyst at Calvert Investments for 15 years, focusing on climate change and consumer staples. She served on the sustainability councils of several Fortune 500 companies and led corporate engagements. Before joining Calvert, Ellen was a program officer for Winrock International, managing loans to alternative energy projects in Latin America. She earned a master’s from the U.C. Berkeley in international relations and Latin America. 

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American Express

Card insurance.

Experience the powerful backing of American Express with complimentary insurance.

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Your Card insurance explained

Your American Express ® Card may include complimentary domestic and international Travel Insurance, as well as retail insurances like Card Refund and Purchase Cover, and/or Smartphone Screen Cover.

Terms, conditions and exclusions apply (such as maximum age limits, pre-existing medical conditions and cover limits). Use the dropdown menu below for more information.

You should review your Card Insurance T&Cs in the ‘ Insurance with your Card ’ section below, to understand when you are covered.

If you have Travel Insurance included on your Card - You, any Additional Card Members, your/their spouse and dependent children (aged 25 years or younger) are eligible for domestic or international Travel Insurance. You will need to use your eligible American Express Card or Membership Rewards Points to:

Domestic Travel Insurance:

• Pay $500 or more on accommodation, or,
• Pay the full amount of your outbound ticket for a flight, cruise, bus or train to your destination.

International Travel Insurance:

• Pay the full amount of your outbound ticket for a flight or cruise leaving Australia.

Other important things to know (both domestic and international insurance):

• You must be aged 79 years or younger at the time of the qualifying travel purchase to be eligible for insurance cover.
• Cover only applies to Australian residents
• There is no cover for one-way trips where you have no plans to return to your home or work in Australia.

Other Terms, conditions and exclusions apply (such as maximum age limits, exclusions for pre-existing medical conditions and cover limits).

You should review your Card Insurance T&Cs in the ‘ Insurance with your Card ’ section below, to understand when you are covered and what you are covered for.

If you have Travel Insurance included with your Card, see below for information about coverage when travelling in relation to COVID-19:

Domestic Travel

Cover may be provided:

• If you need to amend or cancel your trip because you or your travelling companion, close relative or a person you’re visiting for the main purpose of your trip are diagnosed with COVID-19.

Cover is not provided for:

• Cancellation or trip changes due to border closures or travel advisory warnings related to COVID-19; or
• Medical expenses related to COVID-19.

International Travel

• If you need to amend or cancel your trip as a result of border closures or upgraded travel advisory warnings related to COVID-19 that occur after you have booked your trip.
• For medical expenses you incur if you’re diagnosed with COVID-19 during your trip.

Cover is not provided if:

• The country you’re travelling to is subject to a Government 'Do Not Travel' warning or if borders are closed before your trip starts – even if you have an exemption to travel from the Australian government. However, if you need to amend or cancel your trip due to such a situation, the costs of cancellation and amendment are covered if the warning or border closure occurred after you booked and met the eligibility criteria.

Benefit Exclusions

Claims arising from or caused by COVID-19 will not be paid if:

• You're travelling against a treating doctor's advice.
• You travel after the Australian government has issued a ‘Do Not Travel’ warning or despite borders being closed, even if you have received an exemption from the Australian government to travel.
• You receive a refund, credit note or voucher for the amounts you’re claiming (for example, if an airline or hotel provide you with a credit refund). Please refer to 'Important things to Know About This Policy’ section within your Card Insurance T&Cs.

Retail Item Cover

If your Card has retail insurances - your eligible items are covered when you purchase them using your American Express ® Card and/or Membership Rewards ® Points.

Cover only applies to Australian residents. Other Terms, conditions and exclusions apply (such as cover limits, waiting periods and excesses).

Get your Confirmation of Insurance Benefit Letter

If you are a Card Member who has a Card with Complimentary Travel Insurance and need written confirmation that your American Express ® Card includes insurance benefits for border entry purposes, CHUBB Insurance can provide a letter confirming the travel insurance benefit on your Card.

IMPORTANT : This letter is not confirmation that you or anyone else is covered by the policy. To be eligible for cover, you must meet all the eligibility requirements of the policy.

As with all insurance policies - cover is subject to terms, conditions and exclusions (such as maximum age limits, pre-existing medical conditions and cover limits). For more information on eligibility, see the ‘ Your Card Insurance Explained ’ section above.

It is important that you read your Card Insurance Terms and Conditions before you travel, to determine if you and your travel plans are covered. You can find the Insurance Terms and Conditions in the ‘ Insurance with your Card ’ section below.

Once you have read the above, click here to access the tool

If you hold an American Express ® Platinum Rewards Credit Card or an American Express Velocity Gold Card, please call CHUBB Insurance on 1800 236 023 to get your Confirmation of Insurance Benefits Letter.

Please note that the email with your Confirmation of Insurance Benefit Letter could take up to 15 minutes to be received.

In the event of a medical emergency

Should the unexpected occur whilst you’re travelling make sure you contact Chubb Assistance soon as practicable on +612 9335 3492. Chubb Assistance will ensure you receive fast and effective treatment from a doctor who speaks your language. Your claim may be affected should you not contact us as soon as practicable.

Lodge your claim via the Chubb Claim Centre for American Express.

Advise all claims to Chubb within 30 days of a claim event or as soon as reasonably practicable. You must submit all supporting documentation e.g. Medical reports, police reports, declarations, receipts or other such evidence Chubb may request to assist Chubb in the prompt resolution of your claim.

For all other concerns, call the Chubb Claim Centre on +61 2 9335 3492

Insurance included with your Card

Please click on your Card below to view your insurance.

The American Express ® Platinum Card

The American Express ® Gold Card

The American Express ® Rewards Advantage Card

The American Express ® Green Card

The American Express Explorer ® Credit Card

The American Express ® Platinum Reserve Credit Card

The American Express ® Platinum Edge Credit Card

The American Express Cashback ® Credit Card

The American Express ® Essential Credit Card

The American Express ® Platinum Rewards Credit Card

The American Express ® Platinum MoneyBack Credit Card

The American Express ® Gold Credit Card

The Qantas American Express Discovery Card

The Qantas American Express Premium Card

The Qantas American Express Ultimate Card

The American Express Velocity Escape Card

The American Express Velocity Gold Card

The American Express Velocity Platinum Card

The David Jones American Express Card

The David Jones American Express Platinum Card

The American Express Elevate Card

The American Express Elevate Premium Card

Terms and Conditions

The insurance on American Express Cards is subject to terms, conditions and exclusions (such as maximum age limits, pre-existing medical conditions and cover limits). You must use your American Express Card to pay for your trip in order to be covered under the travel insurance and pay for eligible items for those items to be covered under the retail insurance benefits. It is important you read your American Express Card Insurance Terms and Conditions and consider whether the insurance is right for you. We do not provide advice about the insurance or whether it is appropriate for your objectives, financial situation or needs. This insurance is underwritten by Chubb Insurance Australia Limited (ABN 23 001 642 020, AFSL No. 239687) under a group policy of insurance held by American Express Australia Limited (ABN 92 108 952 085, AFSL No. 291313). Access to this insurance is provided solely by reason of the statutory operation of section 48 of the Insurance Contracts Act 1984 (Cth). Card Members are not a party to the group policy, do not have an agreement with Chubb and cannot vary or cancel the cover. American Express is not the insurer, does not guarantee or hold the rights under the group policy on trust for Card Members and does not act on behalf of Chubb or as its agent. American Express is not an Authorised Representative (under the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth)) of Chubb.

American Express Australia Limited (ABN 92 108 952 085). AFSL No. 291313.

® Registered Trademark of American Express Company

Small Business Cards

The American Express ® Platinum Business Card

The American Express ® Gold Business Card

The American Express ® Business Card

American Express ® Business Explorer Credit Card

The American Express ® Qantas Business Rewards Card

The Qantas American Express ® Business Credit Card

The American Express Velocity Business Card

The American Express ® Platinum Business Credit Card

The American Express Corporate Platinum Card

The American Express 

Corporate Gold Card

The American Express

Corporate Card

American Express ®  Qantas Corporate Platinum Card

American Express ® Qantas Corporate Gold Card

The American Express ® Qantas Corporate Card

The American Express Corporate Meeting Card

The American Express Business Travel Account

For American Express® Westpac Altitude Black and American Express® Westpac Altitude Platinum Cards, The American Express® Westpac Altitude Card insurance is subject to terms, conditions and exclusions (such as maximum age limits, pre-existing medical conditions and cover limits) - see the full terms and conditions available here. You must use your American Express Westpac Altitude Card to prepay $500 of travel costs in order to be covered under the overseas travel insurance. AWP Australia Pty Ltd ABN 52 097 227 177, AFSL 245631 (trading as Allianz Global Assistance) under a binder from the underwriter, Allianz Australia Insurance Limited ABN 15 000 122 850, AFSL 234708, has issued an insurance group policy to Westpac Banking Corporation ABN 33 007 457 141 AFSL and Australian credit licence 233714 (Westpac). This site does not take into account your objectives or financial situation.