Looking for a platinum-grade card that rewards you with piles of points, and plenty of perks? For a limited time, receive 150,000 bonus Membership Rewards Points with the American Express Platinum Card.
The 150,000 Bonus Membership Rewards Points are awarded when you apply online by 14 January 2025, are approved, and spend $5,000 on eligible purchases on your new American Express® Platinum Card within the first 3 months. T&Cs apply. New American Express Card Members only.
You’ll also enjoy a $450 Travel Credit each membership year, up to $400 Global Dining Credit each year, elite status with leading hotel chains, and comprehensive travel insurance.
If that wasn’t enough, there’s also a complimentary membership to Accor Plus (worth $399, and including one complimentary hotel night each year). Plus, enjoy digital access to The Australian with a Premium subscription.
Read on to discover the key Card benefits or visit the American Express website for more information and a secure, mobile-friendly application form here.
Why we love the Amex Platinum Card
Packed with generous travel, lifestyle and money-saving inclusions, the American Express Platinum Card delivers both substance and style.
You’ll enjoy benefits unmatched by any other publicly available card in Australia. And, if you love shiny things, you’ll appreciate that the American Express Platinum Card now comes in metal, too – in our opinion, it’s the best-looking card out there!
Throw in the generous bonus of 150,000 Amex Membership Rewards Points plus the highest every day earn rate of any publicly available direct-issued American Express Australia card, and a stylish holiday is closer than you think.
There’s a $1,450 annual fee to hold the American Express Platinum Card each year. However, if you meet the eligibility criteria, there is tremendous potential to extract value from the included benefits, easily offsetting the annual fee.
Pocket 150,000 Membership Rewards Points
First and foremost, there’s a huge bonus of 150,000 American Express Membership Rewards Points for new American Express Platinum cardholders. The points are equivalent to $750 in gift cards or 75,000 frequent flyer points across multiple airline programs.
The American Express Platinum Card earns points into the American Express Membership Rewards (Amex MR) program, allowing you to transfer out to a range of leading airline and hotel loyalty schemes.
It’s a valuable program highly prized by savvy points collectors for its flexibility. Rather than being locked into one frequent flyer scheme, Amex MR allows you to earn points now and decide what to do with them later.
You may also be able to use Membership Rewards Points [and the Travel Credit] on the American Express Travel website as payment towards Fine Hotels + Resorts if the selected hotel and room type provides you the option to prepay.
Enjoy unlimited Virgin Australia Lounge access
Primary cardholders can enjoy unlimited access to Virgin Australia domestic lounges. You can also bring in a guest travelling with you. Note that you must travel with Virgin Australia to gain access to the Lounge.
Get two complimentary Priority Pass memberships
Whether you travel for business or leisure, airport lounge access is a handy perk that will allow you to relax in comfort before your flight. The American Express Platinum Card delivers premium benefits here, with a complimentary Priority Pass membership for the primary Card Member and one nominated additional cardholder.
Each Priority Pass member can also invite one accompanying guest into the lounge at no additional cost (this is valued at US$32 per person, per visit).
Priority Pass operates many Airport Lounges around the world and boasts an extensive footprint in Australia. A Priority Pass membership also unlocks many lounges overseas.
Purchasing a prestige Priority Pass membership would normally set you back $429 USD per person (or $858 USD for the two memberships available to each American Express Platinum Card Member). So, simply by using this benefit, you can extract significant value from your card.
Plus, access other worldwide lounges
In addition, the American Express Platinum Card unlocks unlimited access to a range of other highly regarded Airport Lounges. These include:
- American Express branded Lounges, and The Centurion® Lounge at Sydney International Airport and Melbourne International Airport. There is also the ability to utilize premium international Amex Centurion Lounges internationally at airports including Hong Kong and San Francisco.
- Plaza Premium Lounges, and
- Delta Sky Club Lounges when travelling on Delta.
Entry requirements and guest allowances may vary.
Note: cardholders must present their physical eligible card to gain entry to the lounge
Get a $450 Travel Credit each year
American Express Platinum Card Members receive a $450 Travel Credit each year. This flexible credit can be used to book flights, accommodation or car rental with American Express Travel.
You can use it for yourself or someone else and it can be booked either online with Amex Travel or over the phone – it’s up to you.
You will need to use your annual $450 Travel Credit on a single travel booking of $450 or more on your eligible Card, made through American Express Travel Online. Your booking will be charged in full to your American Express Platinum Card and American Express will then credit $450 to your Account within 3 business days but may take up to 30 days. You will still receive your $450 Travel Credit each year, and your Travel Credit anniversary will remain the same.
Enjoy up to $400 Global Dining Credit
Enjoy up to $400 per calendar year when you dine from a curated collection of over 2,000 restaurants in 20 countries. That’s up to $200 to spend at participating restaurants in Australia and up to $200 to spend at participating restaurants overseas.
In Australia, there are over 100 restaurants to choose from across seven states and territories. Local eateries include Bentley, Quay, Vue de Monde, Africola and Cutler and Co.
Internationally, the Global Dining Credit can be used at many flagship restaurants, all of which are fit for the bucket list. Think L’Atelier Saint-Germain de Joël Robuchon, La Dame de Pic, Raffles Singapore, and even the possibility of sipping bellinis at Harry’s Bar at the Cipriani, Venice.
A separate one-time enrolment is required for each credit. The Benefit will expire on 31 December 2025.
Obtain complimentary Accor Plus membership (worth $399)
Accor Plus is a popular membership scheme that offers a free night’s stay at selected hotels and up to 50% savings at a participating property when you dine out. Members also receive a fast track to elite Accor Live Limitless Silver membership status.
The listed benefits can be used at over 800 participating Accor properties in the Asia Pacific. There are several participating hotels in Australia, including some five-star properties.
Even if you only stay or dine at Accor properties infrequently, an Accor Plus membership can provide you with significant savings. The free night, while subject to availability, can be worth over $400 alone. You’ll get maximum value by using it for a stay at a high-end brand such as a Sofitel, MGallery, or Pullman.
Unlock elite status with leading hotels
Obtaining elite tier status with a hotel loyalty scheme usually requires many stays and a significant spend outlay.
However, the American Express Platinum Card provides instant, fast-tracked elite membership for primary and additional cardholders across multiple programs, including:
- Hilton Honors Gold Status: Hilton operates over 500 properties worldwide
- Marriot Bonvoy™ Gold Elite Status: Over 6,500 properties come under the Marriott umbrella
- Radisson Rewards Premium Status
The benefits on offer vary between programs but may include room upgrades, early and/or late checkout (subject to availability), breakfast (at selected Hilton properties) welcome amenities and free internet access.
These perks can add significant value for money when you travel.
Access American Express Fine Hotels + Resorts benefits
Receive a complimentary suite of benefits at over 1,300 extraordinary properties worldwide when you book with Fine Hotels + Resorts.
Complimentary benefits offered through the program include:
- daily breakfast for two people
- room upgrades when available
- noon-check in when available and guaranteed 4 pm late check-out, and
- a special amenity at each property (this is often a $100 USD room credit that can be used towards eligible spend at the property).
Participating properties can be found in many locations within Australia.
Amex states that the complimentary benefits on offer here average a total value of more than $800 AUD for one two-night stay, so there is significant value to be obtained here.
Stay informed with The Australian Premium subscription
American Express Platinum Card members and additional card members can stay informed with The Australian Premium subscription.
Get access to news coverage and analysis from here and around the world across all your devices as well as access to The Wall Street Journal. In addition, you will have access to exclusive member-only features including a weekly curated eNewsletter featuring a selection of the best reads from The Australian and global news partners including The Economist and Harvard Business Review.
The complimentary digital subscription to The Australian Premium is available to American Express® Platinum, Platinum Business, Corporate Platinum, and Qantas Corporate Platinum Card Members, including Additional and Employee Card Members.
Earn stacks of points on your everyday spend
The American Express Platinum Card offers a flat 2.25 points per $1 for all spend, except with government bodies where you’ll earn 1 point per $1. That’s the highest everyday earn rate of any publicly available direct-issued American Express Card available in Australia.
Better still, there’s no cap on how many points you can earn each month or year.
And with American Express widely accepted at merchants across Australia, there’s no shortage of places you can use your Card.
Points Transfer Rates
The American Express Platinum Card unlocks transfers to a range of airline and hotel rewards programs at the following rates:
| Airline partner | Redemption rate |
|---|---|
| Velocity Frequent Flyer | 2 Membership Rewards points = 1 Velocity Point |
| Qantas Frequent Flyer | 2 Membership Rewards points = 1 Qantas Point |
| Qatar Airways Privilege Club | 2 Membership Rewards points = 1 Avios |
| Cathay Pacific Asia Miles | 2 Membership Rewards points = 1 Asia Mile |
| Etihad Guest | 2 Membership Rewards points = 1 Etihad Guest Mile |
| Hawaiian Airlines | 2 Membership Rewards points = 1 Hawaiian Mile |
| Malaysia Airlines | 2 Membership Rewards points = 1 Enrich Mile |
| Thai Royal Orchid Plus | 2 Membership Rewards points = 1 Royal Orchid Plus Mile |
| Virgin Atlantic Flying Club | 2 Membership Rewards points = 1 Virgin Point |
| Singapore KrisFlyer | 3 Membership Rewards points = 1 KrisFlyer Mile |
| Emirates Skywards | 3 Membership Rewards points = 1 Skywards Mile |
| Air New Zealand | 200 Membership Rewards points = 1 Airpoints Dollar |
| Hotel partner | Redemption rate |
|---|---|
| Marriott Bonvoy | 3 Membership Rewards points = 2 Marriott Points |
| Hilton Honors | 2 Membership Rewards points = 1 Honors Point |
American Express Platinum Card Insurances
The Amex Platinum Card offers a suite of complimentary insurances. Depending on your circumstances, one or more of these products could come in handy when you’re shopping at home, or perhaps travelling overseas.
The complimentary insurances that you can access through the Card include:
- Domestic and International Travel insurance (this includes points redemption bookings redeemed via your card)
- Loss Damage Waiver cover
- Medical emergency expenses cover, including repatriation
- Personal Liability cover
- Card Purchase Cover
Cardholders also get access to Smartphone Screen Cover, which provides $500 towards front screen repairs if you accidentally break your smartphone screen, with a 10% claim excess (a claim limitation of twice per year).
Before deciding to take up any of these insurance products, and to find out more information about coverage requirements, you should refer to the card PDS and terms & conditions on the Amex website.
Other American Express Platinum benefits
The American Express Platinum Card unlocks plenty of other benefits designed to offer additional value. There are too many to cover here in full, but they include:
- International Airline Program: Save up to 20% on First and Business Class fares with some of the world’s leading airlines such as Qantas Airways, Virgin Australia and more.
- Up to four additional cards for family members at no charge. The points earned are credited to your account and additional cardholders will be able to access many of the exclusive perks we’ve covered above).
- Amex Experiences App: Get access to a 24/7 Premium Concierge service in your pocket, where you can access information on Platinum benefits, travel offers, events and recommended merchants.
American Express Platinum Card annual fee and eligibility
The American Express Platinum Card comes with an annual fee of $1450.
To apply for the Card, you’ll need to be 18 years or older, and have no history of bad debt or payment default. New American Express Card Members only.
You must be an Australian citizen or permanent resident or hold a long-term visa. Long-term means 12 months or more and does not include a student visa.
To be eligible for the bonus points, you must not currently hold or have held a card issued directly by American Express Australia in the last 18 months.
Note that you are eligible if you’ve held an Amex card issued by a bank (i.e. ANZ, Westpac, CommBank, or NAB), if you hold an Amex corporate card or if you are an additional card member on someone else’s primary account.
American Express Platinum Card: Verdict
With a sizeable annual fee, the American Express Platinum Card isn’t going to be for everyone.
However, there is tremendous potential to maximise value from the included benefits if you can make use of them – enough to help you easily offset the cost of holding the card.
Ready to apply?
Receive 150,000 Bonus Membership Rewards Points when you apply online by 14 January 2025, are approved, and spend $5,000 on eligible purchases on your new American Express® Platinum Card within the first 3 months. T&Cs apply. New American Express Card Members only
The secure, mobile-friendly application form should take less than 10 minutes to complete and Amex will give you a response in approximately 5-10 working days.