In 2019, American Express unveiled a new design for its Platinum® Charge Card and Platinum Business Charge Cards, offered to Australians for the very first time in metal – a perk previously reserved for Centurion®(AKA ‘Black Card’) holders.
It’s also worth noting that this particular card, which earns Ascent Premium points, allows holders to transfer points to over 10 major airline reward partners, including Qantas Frequent Flyer, Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer, Asia Miles, Etihad Guest, and more.3
With international travel well and truly back in full swing, there has never been a better time to explore everything the American Express Platinum Card has to offer.
The American Express Platinum Card arrives with a host of incredible perks and a $1,450 annual fee for personal Card Members. While this fee might put hairs on the back of your neck, the Amex Platinum metal card can be considered the king of earning. You’ll earn 2.25 points per $1 spent on all purchases, and 1 point per $1 spent with government bodies – a no-brainer at tax time. The ultimate perk? Receive 150,000 Bonus Membership Rewards® Points when you apply online by 6 May 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.1
American Express Platinum Card
Sprinkle on travel insurance and unlimited access for both primary and additional Card Members to The American Express Global Lounge Collection – which includes The Centurion® Lounges in both Sydney and Melbourne’s international terminals, as well as The Centurion® Lounges at hubs HKG, SFO, LAX – and you’ve got an extremely tasty offering. Terms, conditions and exclusions apply (such as maximum age limits, pre-existing medical conditions and cover limits).4,5
Of course, there’s a host of additional perks to help you justify the yearly spend on the American Express Platinum metal card including:
- Flexible spending power: Unless Amex tells you otherwise, your American Express Charge Card comes with flexible spending power, also known as no-pre-set spending limit. This means that the amount you can spend is dynamic and can adapt based on your transaction patterns, your businesses credit rating and other factors. The way you use your Card can help your spending power grow, particularly in the first few months. To help maximise your spending power, you can make regular transactions and don’t miss any payments.6
- $450 travel credit annually (must be charged at full value or more)6
- Enjoy up to $400 per calendar year when you dine from a curated collection of over 2,000 hand-selected restaurants both locally and abroad. That’s up to $200 to spend in Australia, and up to $200 to spend overseas in 20 countries. A separate one-time enrolment is required for each credit. Full terms and conditions below.2
- Pay with Points on Fine Hotels + Resorts and The Hotel Collection.8
- Access over 1,400 airport lounges in over 650 cities across 140 countries, including The Centurion® Lounge, Escape Lounges – The Centurion® Studio Partner, Priority PassRM Lounges and more Membership includes access to The Centurion® Lounge, Escape Lounges – The Centurion®Studio Partner, Priority PassTM Lounges, Plaza Premium Lounges, Delta Sky Club® Lounges (when flying Delta) and Virgin Australia Domestic Lounges (when flying Virgin Australia).4
- Complimentary status & memberships with a number of hotel loyalty programs including Accor Plus Membership (valued at $399 per year).10
- Stay informed with The Australian Premium subscription:11 The Australian Premium subscription gives you access to The Australian’s 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, as well as biannual virtual events featuring some of The Australian’s most experienced political and business journalists. 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.
- Receive a complimentary suite of benefits that offer an average total value of $7001 at over 1,300 extraordinary properties worldwide when you book with Fine Hotels + Resorts. Complimentary benefits include guaranteed 4 pm late check-out, room upgrades (subject to availability), daily breakfast for two, or a complimentary amenity valued at US$100, such as food and beverage credit or a massage for two.8
- Enrol and enjoy credit for your monthly or yearly Amazon Prime subscription up to the benefit limit of $84 per calendar year when you pay with your American Express® Platinum Card.11 Discover all the perks like fast and free shipping on millions of eligible items, access to exclusive Amazon Originals as well as popular movies and TV shows on Prime Video (now with limited ads), and over 100 million songs with Amazon Music Prime. Start shuffling. Benefit ends on 31 December 2025 and a one-time enrolment is required via Amex Offers either in your Online Account or Amex App. Available for the Primary Card Member only. Terms, conditions and exclusions apply. Please visit americanexpress.com.au/platinum-amazonprime to learn more. If you are new to Amazon Prime and wish to subscribe to a monthly or annual membership, please click here. If you are an existing Amazon Prime subscriber and wish to update your primary payment method to your Platinum Card, please click here.
American Express claims the benefits of the Card including the Travel Credit and Accor Plus Membership, cover the $1,450 fee.8
At the end of the day, this card is about maximising and utilising points, as well as taking advantage of the myriad perks the Amex Platinum has to offer.
American Express Platinum Card
Here are a few thought starters for great uses for your 150,000 Amex Membership Rewards points to get the creative juices following:
- East Coast Australia to Perth in Business Class one-way on the Qantas A330 for 41,500 Qantas points
- Sydney to Fiji in Business Class one-way on Fiji Airways’ new A350 for 41,500 Qantas points
- Sydney to Christchurch in First Class one-way with Emirates (booked through Qantas) for 64,500 points
1To be eligible for this card you must:
- Be over 18 years old
- Have no history of bad credit
- Have not applied for multiple credit cards recently
- Be an Australian resident
You could receive 150,000 Bonus Membership Rewards® Points when you apply online by 6 May 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 only1 For more information on the American Express Platinum Card, and to receive 150,000 Membership Rewards Bonus Points, head to the American Express website.
As an added bonus, the new Amex Experiences App gives Platinum Card Members access to information about their benefits, travel offers, events and recommended merchants all from the palm of their hand. Through the app, Platinum Card Members are notified when Amex pre-sales and event ticketing go live, can access information on their hotel and subscription benefits as well as view and book restaurants where their Dining Credit is available (Platinum Charge Card Members only). Available at Google Play and on the App Store.
If the $1,450 annual fee is a bit steep for you, check out the American Express Qantas Ultimate Card which currently offers a great sign-on bonus too at a more affordable annual cost.
Watch the Boss Hunting team put the Platinum Card to work in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, as part of our ongoing Platinum Card Challenge series.
American Express Platinum Card
Boss Hunting earns a referral bonus from American Express for anyone that’s approved through the links in this article. This commission helps keep Boss Hunting running, and we thank you for your support.
Terms and Conditions:
1. Bonus & Eligibility:
150,000 Bonus Membership Rewards® Points are only available to new American Express Card Members who apply online by 6 May 2025, are approved and spend $5,000 or more on eligible purchases on your new Card in the first 3 months from the Card approval date. Eligible purchases do not include Card fees and charges, for example annual fees, interest, late payment, cash advances, balance transfers, traveller’s cheques and foreign currency conversion. Please allow 8-10 weeks for the bonus points to be credited to your Account after the spend criteria has been met. If you previously held a David Jones American Express Card and have not held any other American Express Card(s) in the past 18 months, you will be eligible for the offer. All other Card Members who currently hold or who have previously held any Card product issued by American Express Australia Limited in the past 18 months are ineligible for this offer. The American Express Platinum Card has an annual fee of $1,450. This advertised offer is not applicable or valid in conjunction with any other advertised or promotional offer.
2. Platinum Global Dining Credit Terms and Conditions:
Maximum amount back is $200 on spend at participating local restaurants (Local Dining Credit) and AUD$200 on spend at participating abroad restaurants (Abroad Dining Credit) per redemption period: Each redemption period resets on 1 January until the offer end date of 31 December 2025. The redemption periods are: 1 January – 31 December 2025, 05 July – 31 December 2022, 1 January – 31 December 2023, 1 January – 31 December 2024. Spend can be in one or more transactions. You cannot carry any unused offer value from one redemption period into the next. Primary Card Member Only: The Benefit is only available to Primary American Express Australia Platinum Card Members using their Platinum Personal Charge Card. Transactions made with an Additional Card is not eligible for this Benefit. Save this Benefit First: A one-time enrolment is required. You must first save the Benefit to your Platinum Card before making your payment to qualify for the Benefit. Benefit limited to the Card to which the offer is saved and only spend on this Card counts towards the Benefit. If you use another card to make a payment at any time, you will not be eligible for the Benefit on that card. If you switch to a new Card product that is not eligible for this Benefit, enrolment will be removed from your Card Account. If a Card you hold is ineligible, you will not be able to see the Benefit, nor will you be able to save the Benefit to the Card. If you are no longer eligible for this Benefit due to a change in Account status, including but not limited to fraudulent flags, suspension or cancellation, it will be removed from your Account. Eligible Transactions: Benefit only available for dine-in services made in-person at a participating restaurant, full list can be found here. Participating restaurant list subject to change without notice, please check before you dine as you won’t be eligible to receive a credit if the restaurant isn’t on the list at the time of your transaction. Excluded Transactions: Benefit excludes purchases of gift cards and vouchers, transactions made towards deposits charged upfront by the venue, booking, cancellation, and no-show charges, takeaway or dine-at-home services. If you spend in a currency other than Australian Dollars a Currency Conversion Fee of 3% applies and this fee does not count towards the Benefit. For more information regarding charges made in foreign currencies refer to your Card Member Agreement. Direct Payments Only: If you pay using payment processors such as QR payment or restaurant in-app purchases, you may not be eligible for the Benefit. Please request to pay at the restaurant’s designated checkout register. Award of Credits: Credit(s) should appear on your billing statement within 30 days from the date of payment but may take longer. Credit(s) are not redeemable for cash or any other payment form. Credit may be reversed if your qualifying purchase is refunded or cancelled. Expiry or Withdrawal of Benefit: The Benefit will expire on 31 December 2025. American Express can withdraw the Benefit at any time by giving you 60 days’ notice. Your use of participating restaurants: Your purchase of goods and/or services from the participating brands is governed by their respective terms and conditions (including privacy policies). American Express is not responsible in any way for the goods and/or services of the participating brands. Inquiries or complaints related to the participating brands’ goods and/or services should be directed to their customer service. Our General Offer Terms: Our General Offer Terms also apply to the Benefit and contain important additional terms.
3. Partner Programs:
Subject to the Terms and Conditions of the Membership Rewards program available here. To transfer Membership Rewards points into an airline rewards or frequent guest partner program you must be a member of the partner program. Membership of the partner program is the Card Member’s responsibility and is subject to the Terms and Conditions of the applicable program. A joining fee may apply.
4. Lounge Access:
Terms and conditions apply. Includes the American Express Global Lounge Collection and Centurion Lounge Network. Also includes access to the Priority Pass™ program, which is subject to enrolment and the Priority Pass™ Conditions of Use available at prioritypass.com/en/conditions-of-use. Priority Pass™ membership is available to the Primary Platinum Card Member and one Additional Platinum Card Member only, as nominated by the Primary Platinum Card Member. For full Terms and Conditions and a list of available lounges, visit americanexpress.com.au/platinum lounges.
5. Travel Insurance:
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 Platinum 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 the American Express Platinum 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 Chub
6. Flexible Spending Power:
Unless Amex tell you otherwise, your American Express Charge Card comes with flexible spending power, also known as no pre-set spending limit. This means that the amount you can spend is dynamic and can adapt based on your transaction patterns, your personal credit rating and other factors. The way you use your Card can help your spending power grow, particularly in the first few months. To help maximise your spending power, you can make regular transactions and don’t miss any payments.
7. Travel Credit:
If your Card has a Travel Credit benefit, the Primary Card Member is eligible for an annual Travel Credit, subject to the full Travel Credit Terms and Conditions at amex.com.au/platinumtravelcreditterms. The Travel Credit can be redeemed through American Express Travel Online on a single eligible travel booking by selecting the Travel Credit when you checkout. To redeem the Travel Credit, the full value of the Travel Credit (or more) must be charged to the eligible Primary Card. Eligible travel includes flights, hotels and car hire when you prepay in advance. The Travel Credit can be used for 365 days from the benefit anniversary date and cannot be used past the expiration date. To check the expiration date of your Travel Credit if you have not already redeemed it, please visit americanexpress.com.au/travel; log in and click ‘Travel Credit’. If your booking is cancelled, and your Travel Credit has already been used and associated statement credit applied to your account, you will forfeit your annual Travel Credit benefit and American Express may reverse the statement credits issued. You need to be able to spend on the Card to access the Travel Credit benefit and it should be credited to your Card Account within 3 business days but may take up to 30 days. Your account must be in good standing and you must have paid the annual fee and minimum payment by the due date. If you cancel your Card, change your rewards program or Card type, you will no longer be eligible for the Travel Credit.
8. Fine Hotels and Resorts:
Average USD$550 value based on Fine Hotels + Resorts bookings in 2024 for stays of two nights. Actual value will vary based on property, room rate, upgrade availability and use of benefits. Certain room categories are not eligible for upgrade; call Platinum Travel for details. Special amenity and / or Experience Credit and Platinum benefits vary by property; call Platinum Travel for details. Experience credit[s] will be applied to eligible charges up to the amount of the Experience Credit. Advance reservations are recommended for certain Experience Credits. Valid only for new Fine Hotels + Resorts bookings made through Platinum Travel Service, Business Platinum Travel Service, Centurion Travel Service, or American Express Travel Online. Available for Australian Platinum Charge Card Members and Centurion® Members only, and excludes Platinum Credit Card Members such who are not also Australian Platinum Charge Card Members or Centurion Members. Payment must be made in full with an American Express Card in the Australian Platinum Card Member’s or Centurion® Member’s name. Primary Card Member may be able to use Membership Rewards® points and /or Travel Credit on the American Express Travel website or on request through Platinum Travel Service or Centurion Travel Service, as payment towards Fine Hotels + Resorts, if the selected hotel and room type provides you the option to prepay in advance. Platinum Card Member or Centurion Member must travel on itinerary booked to be eligible for benefits described. Noon check-in and room upgrade are based on availability and are provided at check-in. Benefit restrictions vary by Fine Hotels + Resorts property and cannot be redeemed for cash, and may not be combined with other offers unless indicated. Benefits and additional Fine Hotels + Resorts promotions are only applied at checkout and expire at checkout. Participating Fine Hotels + Resorts properties and benefits are subject to change. Limit one benefit package per room, per stay. Three room limit per Card Member, per stay. Back-to-back stays booked by a single Card Member, Card Members staying in the same room or Card Members traveling in the same party within a 24-hour period at the same property are considered one stay and are ineligible for additional Fine Hotels + Resorts benefits (“Prohibited Action”). American Express and the Property reserve the right to modify or revoke Fine Hotels + Resorts benefits at any time without notice if we or they determine, in our or their sole discretion, that you may have engaged in a Prohibited Action, or have engaged in abuse, misuse, or gaming in connection with your Fine Hotels + Resorts benefits.
- Benefits vary by property; call Platinum Travel Service or Centurion Travel Service for details.
- The type and value of the daily breakfast (for two) varies by property; breakfast will be valued at a minimum of US$60 per room per day.
- Complimentary In-Room Wi-Fi is provided. In the case where a Property includes cost of Wi-Fi in a mandatory resort fee, the Card Member will receive a daily credit from the Property in the standard amount that the Property charges for Wi-Fi. The credit will be issued on the Card Member’s final statement upon check-out
9. Complimentary Accor Plus Membership:
An annual Accor Plus membership is valued at AU$399, found at accorplus.com/au/benefits as at 1 August 2022. Enrolment is required to receive a complimentary Accor Plus membership. An Accor Plus membership is available only to the Primary Platinum Card Member. Membership privileges will only be granted on presentation of a valid membership card and a member must identify themselves as an Accor Plus member at time of booking. Accommodation bookings must be made through all.accor.com or accorplus.com. American Express reserves the right to instruct Accor Plus to cancel your membership if you cease to be a Platinum Card Member or your account is not in good standing. Complimentary membership is a continuing benefit of your American Express Platinum Card, however American Express reserves the right to discontinue the benefit, upon providing you with reasonable notice. Once enrolled, enrolment continues for at least 12 months. If you become ineligible for this benefit or if this benefit ends, the Accor Plus membership standard eligibility criteria will apply to you. Visit accorplus.com for full membership conditions, benefits and participating properties. Room allotment for Stay Plus complimentary night stays are limited each night per participating property and must be made by visiting and booking through all.accor.com or accorplus.com. Membership privileges are subject to exceptions listed at accorplus.com/au/benefits-exceptions.
10. Your use of Amazon Prime:
Your use of the Amazon Prime service (including your subscription) is governed solely by Amazon Prime’s terms and conditions (including privacy policies). American Express is not responsible in any way for Amazon or its services. Inquiries or complaints related to the Amazon Prime service should be directed to Amazon Customer Service. Amazon, Amazon Prime, Prime Video, Amazon Music and all related logos are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. and its affiliates. Our General Offer Terms: Our General Offer Terms also apply to the Amazon Prime benefit and contain important additional terms.
11. Australian Premium Subscription:
The Australian Premium Subscription benefit offer (‘Benefit’) is available to eligible American Express Australia Card Members (‘Card Members’). Once you have requested to enrol in The Australian Premium Subscription, American Express Australia Limited (‘American Express’) will determine your eligibility to enrol in the Benefit via the enrolment process. If eligible then American Express will share your enrolment information with Nationwide News Pty Ltd (‘News Corp’). News Corp may use this enrolment information in accordance with its privacy policy available here. The Benefit will provide eligible Card Members with; (a) a 12 month digital access to The Australian which provides premium content at theaustralian.com.au and via The Australian app; (b) eligibility to activate a digital subscription to the Wall Street Journal which will run concurrently with the subscription in (a) above; (c) a bespoke The Australian Premium e-newsletter sent every week and exclusive to subscribers of The Australian Premium subscription; and (d) access to The Australian Insiders’ Briefing virtual event held twice per calendar year. Eligible Card Members must activate the Benefit described in (a) above in order to be provided with the opportunity to activate or enjoy the other parts of the Benefit. Card Members are not required to pay for the Benefit. Subscriptions provided under the Benefit will be automatically renewed every 12 months provided American Express and News Corp continue their arrangements in relation to this Benefit. Under the Benefit, you are limited to one digital subscription per eligible Card Member; not to be used in conjunction with any other offer; subscription is for digital content only; physical newspapers are not included. In addition to these terms and conditions, your use of the Benefit is subject to News Corp’s full digital subscription terms and conditions available here. For avoidance of doubt, terms and conditions contained here will take precedent in the event of inconsistency. Eligible Card Members will be required to agree to News Corp’s terms and conditions and privacy policy to activate the Benefit. News Corp may cancel any digital subscription provided under the Benefit at any time if the Card Member subscriber is in breach of these terms and conditions or the News Corp terms and conditions for any part of the Benefit, if notified by American Express that a Card Member is no longer eligible for this subscription or if American Express and News Corp cease to have an agreement relating to the continued provision of the Benefit. The value of the Benefit is not redeemable for cash or any other payment form. American Express may end this Benefit at any time.
