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The Guide to AmEx Platinum Travel Insurance

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Table of Contents

When does the AmEx Platinum travel insurance kick in?

Amex platinum travel insurance benefits and limits, how to make an amex travel insurance claim, what if the card’s insurance benefits are insufficient, the platinum card® from american express travel insurance, recapped.

Travel insurance can provide peace of mind when you’re away from home, especially when you’ve spent significant money on your vacation. Although you can choose to buy a separate travel insurance policy, not everyone wants or needs to do so.

Many travel credit cards offer complimentary insurance for a variety of occurrences. The Platinum Card® from American Express offers travel insurance with a suite of benefits for eligible travelers, including coverage for trip interruption, rental car damage and lost luggage.

Let’s take a look at travel insurance on The Platinum Card® from American Express , its limits and the benefits it provides.

» Learn more: What is travel insurance?

So, does The Platinum Card® from American Express have travel insurance? The short answer to this is yes, but you’ll need to meet specific requirements for it to apply.

To get coverage from your card, you’ll need to use it to pay for your trip in its entirety. This is true whether you’re looking to utilize the trip insurance or the rental car insurance — you must pay for the full cost with The Platinum Card® from American Express .

Be aware of coverage limitations if you’re traveling using points or miles. While it’s possible to receive benefits when using your card to pay the taxes and fees on a reward redemption, coverage may not always apply.

You may still be covered for trip interruption, delay, and cancellation insurance when using points or frequent flyer miles.

However, rental car and baggage insurance only apply when you’ve used your card to pay for the full cost of whatever you’re buying — no points allowed. The exception is if you redeem American Express Membership Rewards to pay for some or all of the booking.

» Learn more: How does credit card travel insurance work?

We’ve included a breakdown of all the insurance benefits and other travel protections provided by The Platinum Card® from American Express .

Trip cancellation protection

The trip cancellation insurance you’ll receive will pay for any nonrefundable losses you incur due to a covered event.

Given the current climate, you may also be wondering: does The Platinum Card® from American Express travel insurance cover COVID? It can, depending on the reason you need to cancel. Covered events include quarantine imposed by a physician or illness for you, your family members or a traveling companion.

Other eligible events include a change in military orders, inclement weather or jury duty.

If you need to cancel your trip, AmEx will provide up to $10,000 per trip and a maximum of $20,000 every 12 months. Terms apply.

» Learn more: The guide to American Express travel insurance

Trip interruption coverage

As with trip cancellation protection, trip interruption insurance will reimburse you for nonrefundable losses by a covered event.

If your trip is interrupted, American Express will cover you for prepaid land, air and sea travel bookings you’ve missed. They’ll also pay for the cost of an economy-class ticket on the most direct route to rejoin your covered trip (or take you home).

The maximum benefit you’ll receive is $10,000 per trip and up to $20,000 every 12 months. Terms apply.

Trip delay insurance

As it sounds, trip delay insurance will reimburse you for expenses incurred when your trip doesn’t go as scheduled. In the case of The Platinum Card® from American Express , coverage kicks in after you’ve been delayed by at least six hours for a covered reason.

Covered purchases may include food, toiletries, lodging, medication and other personal use items. You’ll be reimbursed for up to $500 on a covered trip and can make two claims within a 12-month period. Terms apply.

Rental car insurance

The Platinum Card® from American Express provides secondary rental car insurance . This means it’ll kick in after other claims — like those made to your personal insurance — have been paid. To activate coverage, you’ll need to decline the insurance offered by the rental car company.

AmEx will provide up to $75,000 due to damage or theft of the rental vehicle, but be aware that the policy doesn’t provide liability insurance.

It’ll also give you up to $1,000 per person (max of $2,000) for personal property lost in the incident and up to $5,000 for accidental injury. Finally, you’ll receive up to $300,000 for accidental death or dismemberment, though the rates will vary depending on the severity of your injuries.

This rental car insurance is valid worldwide with a few notable exceptions, including Australia, Italy and New Zealand. Terms apply.

» Learn more: Credit cards that provide travel insurance

Baggage coverage

Cardholders and their families are eligible for baggage insurance provided they’ve paid for the fare using The Platinum Card® from American Express . This benefit is only for lost baggage; delayed luggage is not protected.

Coverage limits vary depending on whether you’ve checked your bag or carried it on:

Checked bags: Up to $2,000 per person.

Carry-on: Up to $3,000 per person.

Note also that checked baggage is only covered when you’re actually traveling with a common carrier. Meanwhile, carry-on luggage is also covered when traveling to and from or waiting at the terminal.

There are also specific limits for high-risk items such as jewelry and electronic equipment. For these items, you’ll receive a maximum of $1,000 per person per trip. Terms apply.

» Learn more: Baggage insurance explained

Premium Global Assist

What else does The Platinum Card® from American Express travel insurance cover? Although this last benefit isn’t technically a type of travel insurance, it’s worth including as it can offer help while you travel.

AmEx’s Premium Global Assist hotline is a 24/7 service that can assist you in various ways, such as helping you get a new passport, finding translation services and even arranging for emergency medical evacuation.

Although using Premium Global Assist is free, the services that you may end up using are not necessarily covered by AmEx.

There are exceptions to this — if you need repatriation of mortal remains, emergency medical evacuation or if a child under 16 is left without care, AmEx will provide aid at no additional cost. Terms apply.

To file a claim, you’ll need to contact your benefit administrator. The phone number and timeframe will vary according to the type of insurance you’re using:

Trip cancellation, interruption or delay insurance: Within 60 days, call 844-933-0648.

Baggage insurance: Within 30 days, call 800-228-6855 or online .

Rental car insurance: Within 30 days, call 800-338-1670 or online .

» Learn more: The guide to AmEx Platinum rental car benefits

If The Platinum Card® from American Express travel insurance doesn’t seem like it’ll be enough for your trip, or if its coverage doesn’t include features that you’d like to have, consider purchasing a separate travel insurance policy before you travel.

Several companies allow you to compare various policies for any vacation and modify inclusions as you shop.

» Learn more: How much is travel insurance?

The travel insurance offered by The Platinum Card® from American Express includes some pretty generous benefits for travelers, especially since it’s complimentary (the $695 annual fee notwithstanding). Terms apply.

If you want to take advantage of this insurance, pay for your trip using your AmEx card and double-check any other stated requirements before heading out to ensure coverage.

How to maximize your rewards

You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are some of the best travel credit cards of 2024 :

Flexibility, point transfers and a large bonus: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

No annual fee: Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card

Flat-rate travel rewards: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Bonus travel rewards and high-end perks: Chase Sapphire Reserve®

Luxury perks: The Platinum Card® from American Express

Business travelers: Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

On a similar note...

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

Christine Krzyszton

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Table of Contents

Why purchase travel insurance, travel insurance and the covid-19 virus, american express travel insurance options, additional information — american express travel insurance, how does american express travel insurance compare, the value of travel insurance comparison sites, final thoughts.

We may be compensated when you click on product links, such as credit cards, from one or more of our advertising partners. Terms apply to the offers below. See our  Advertising Policy for more about our partners, how we make money, and our rating methodology. Opinions and recommendations are ours alone.

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 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.

Package Policy Options

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. 

Custom Select Coverage Options

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. 

Pricing By Age

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.

Cancellations and Changes

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. 

To Other Travel Insurance Companies

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.

To Credit Card Travel Insurance

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. 

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.

TravelInsurance.com

• Coverage is available instantly
• The comparison tool is easy to use
• The company has a “best price guarantee”

InsureMyTrip

• Calls are handled by licensed agents
• The website contains educational information for understanding travel insurance coverages and policies
• Features nearly 2 dozen companies

SquareMouth

• 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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About Christine Krzyszton

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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Key takeaways

• The Business Platinum Card® from American Express offers thousands of dollars in statement credits and reimbursements per year, making it an ideal choice for frequent travelers.
• Card members get access to more than one thousand airport lounges around the globe with Priority Pass Select membership and access to the Centurion Lounge network.
• The Amex Business Platinum card may not be worth it if you don't travel often or redeem your rewards for something other than travel.

The Business Platinum Card® from American Express , also known as the Amex Business Platinum, has a long-standing reputation for being popular among small and large businesses alike. In recent years, the card has become even more useful for small business owners.

If you’ve ever wondered if getting the Amex Business Platinum Card is right for your small business, it’s helpful to know about the perks and benefits that make this card ideal for small business owners. Essentially, the rewards structure is ideal for frequent business travelers and offers multiple perks and credits geared toward for small business owners.

Here’s what you should know about this business credit card to help you decide if it could work for you.

When is the American Express Business Platinum card worth it?

Small business owners who travel frequently will get the most value out of the Business Platinum card. From generous rewards and credits to lounge access and elite hotel status upgrades, Amex helps travelers offset the annual fee and enjoy the best travel perks. Here’s a look at the top features that can help you decide when the Amex Business Platinum is worth it.

Welcome offer

The Amex Business Platinum currently comes with a generous welcome offer of 120,000 Membership Rewards points after spending $15,000 on eligible purchases with your card within the first three months of account opening. You can get a larger welcome offer if you use a referral link from a friend or family member who already has an American Express card .

Redeem your points for qualifying first or business class flights with any airline or with any class flights with a pre-selected airline booked through American Express Travel and you’ll receive 35 percent of your points back for a future redemption (up to 1 million points back per year). That effectively boosts the value of your welcome offer from 1 cent per point to 1.35 cents per point. As a result, your 120,000-point welcome offer could be worth up to $1,620 in airfare bookings.

Earning rewards

The first thing to note here is that the rewards earning opportunities are highly favorable toward travel, especially when booked through AmexTravel.com. So, if your business model relies heavily on travel, you stand to rack up plenty of rewards for your travel spending. What’s more, you’ll also get better redemption ratios for your points when redeeming them for airfare through Amex.

You should also take special note of the boosted earnings (1.5X) for purchases over $5,000, which could occur fairly often for small business owners. Additionally, ​​you’ll get 1.5X points on up to $2 million spent in select categories per year, including those with U.S. construction material and hardware suppliers, at U.S. electronic goods retailers and software and cloud system providers, and at U.S. shipping providers.

Small business owners can also earn more points by referring friends and family members to open an American Express account. When this happens, you can earn a referral bonus, and the person who’s approved for an Amex account could also receive a larger welcome offer.

Redeeming rewards

As always, you get the most out of your Amex rewards when redeeming for travel accommodations, including flights, hotels and cruises. You can book through American Express Travel or Amex travel transfer partners to get at least a 1 cent per point value out of your points. (And don’t forget that you get a 35 percent bonus for qualifying airfare purchases through Amex Travel up to an annual cap).

Other redemption options include getting statement credits, paying with points at checkout with different retailers, gift cards and more. However, you could get less value when redeeming rewards in these ways.

Credits and reimbursements

If you can take advantage of all the credits the Amex Business Platinum offers, you can get up to $2,519 in value from the card in your first year alone. Here’s a quick rundown of the card credits:

• Up to $600 in perks for booking with a Fine Hotels and Resorts program property through Amex Travel
• Up to $400 in statement credits for Dell purchases (up to $200 semi-annually)
• Up to $360 in statement credits on Indeed hiring and recruiting products and services (up to $90 per quarter)
• Up to $300 in onboard credits on participating cruise lines with select room bookings through the Cruise Privileges Program (per new cruise booking)
• Up to $100 experience/amenity credit for qualifying stays The Hotel Collection properties
• Up to $200 in statement credits annually for qualifying airline fees, such as baggage fees, with a pre-selected airline
• Up to a $189 statement credit each year on the annual cost of a CLEAR airport security membership when using your card
• Up to $150 in annual statement credit on select Adobe purchases, including the Adobe Creative Cloud and Acrobat Pro DC
• Up to $120 in statement credits for direct purchases from any U.S. wireless telephone provider (up to $10 per month)
• Up to a $100 statement credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fees (every four years for Global Entry and every 4.5 years for TSA Precheck)
• Enrollment required for some benefits. Terms apply

Make sure you read the fine print and understand exactly how you can take advantage of these credits, otherwise you’ll be leaving a ton of value on the table. Plus, missing out on using them means you may not justify the annual cost of card ownership, which is a hefty $695.

Card perks and benefits

Of course, you can’t talk about the Amex Business Platinum without talking about additional card benefits, like airport lounge access and travel and purchase protection.

Amex has been increasing its presence in the airport lounge space. As a result, the issuer now offers Amex Business Platinum card members access to over 1,400 airport lounges across 140 countries at more than 500 airports with Priority Pass Select membership. Additionally, you get access to Amex’s luxury Centurion Lounges , Delta Sky Club lounges (when you fly Delta), Escape lounges, Airspace lounges and more.

Travel protections include:

• Trip cancellation and interruption insurance
• Trip delay insurance
• Baggage insurance
• Car rental loss damage insurance (secondary coverage)

Purchase protections include:

• Extended warranty coverage
• Purchase protection
• Return protection
• Cellphone protection (terms apply)

When is the Amex Business Platinum card not worth it?

There’s a lot to love about the Amex Business Platinum card . But it won’t be the right card for everyone. Before taking on a premium credit card with a $695 annual fee, make sure you can squeeze as much value out of the card as possible. Otherwise, it could just be a debt trap that makes it harder for you to successfully manage your business. Here are a few common reasons why the Amex Business Platinum card may not be worth it.

If you don’t travel

Small business owners that don’t travel won’t earn rewards in Amex’s highest bonus category. If that’s the case and you want a business credit card to maximize your rewards, a flat-rate business credit card that charges no annual fee (or low annual fee) and earns 1.5 points on all purchases is a solid alternative.

If you don’t redeem your rewards for travel

The card also may not be worth it if you don’t redeem your rewards for travel . American Express offers great value when redeeming rewards through American Express Travel or transferring your points to Amex airline and hotel partners. But Amex Membership Rewards points are only worth 0.6 cents for statement credits (100 points = 60 cents).

If you’re an occasional traveler on a budget and want to use your business credit card rewards to reduce your balance, you may be better off with a different business credit card. With some cards, including Chase business credit cards , points are worth 1 cent each (100 points = $1) when redeeming for statement credits.

If you don’t take advantage of as many benefits as possible

The Amex Business Platinum card offers thousands of dollars in annual credits and reimbursements. But many of the credits are either travel related or niche credits that won’t appeal to every business owner.

For example, most business owners will have an easy time earning the $120 wireless credit because you can choose any wireless provider in the U.S. But if you want a $400 credit for upgrading your computers and other tech, you’re limited to one company: Dell. And if you want to use an online job site to help with hiring, you have to use Indeed if you want the $360 in annual statement credits.

Before applying, you’ll need to look carefully at the available credits to see if there are enough that actually fit your business and can help offset the annual fee.

The bottom line

For the right business, the Amex Business Platinum can provide recurring value in the form of rewards and credits. In the end, you’ll have to decide if your business spending is a good match for the rewards and credits the Amex Business Platinum offers. If it is, then you’ll likely be very pleased with your choice for a small business credit card.

10 things to do when you get the Amex Business Platinum Card

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Credit cards

Here’s how to avoid my embarrassing rookie Chase Sapphire Preferred travel redemption mistake

Natasha Etzel

Allie Johnson

“Verified by an expert” means that this article has been thoroughly reviewed and evaluated for accuracy.

Robin Saks Frankel

Published 5:09 a.m. UTC May 30, 2024

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subjug, Getty Images

As a credit card and personal finance writer, I’m a big fan of using rewards credit cards. But my knowledge took time to build, and my understanding has evolved over the years. 

I first started using travel rewards credit cards in 2015, and at that time, I was still learning the ins and outs of credit card reward programs. I’ve made my fair share of mistakes while learning. Let me share one redemption mistake I made so you can avoid my error. 

our partner

Blueprint receives compensation from our partners for featured offers, which impacts how and where the placement is displayed.

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

Welcome bonus.

Earn 75,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That’s over $900 when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.

Regular APR

Credit score.

Credit Score ranges are based on FICO® credit scoring. This is just one scoring method and a credit card issuer may use another method when considering your application. These are provided as guidelines only and approval is not guaranteed.

Editor’s take

• Flexible points that can be transferred to 14 travel partners or redeemed through Chase Travel℠ at 1.25 cents each.
• $50 annual statement credit toward Chase Travel hotel bookings.
• Valuable travel protections.
• $95 annual fee.
• Category bonuses are limited and not competitive against other travel cards.
• Transfer partner list is limited compared to programs like Amex Membership ® Rewards and Citi ThankYou ® .

Card details

• Earn 75,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That’s over $900 when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.
• Enjoy benefits such as 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases, $50 Annual Chase Travel Hotel Credit, plus more.
• Get 25% more value when you redeem for airfare, hotels, car rentals and cruises through Chase Travel℠. For example, 75,000 points are worth $937.50 toward travel.
• Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Lost Luggage Insurance and more.
• Get complimentary access to DashPass which unlocks $0 delivery fees and lower service fees for a minimum of one year when you activate by December 31, 2024.
• Member FDIC

Different redemptions are worth different amounts

The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is popular among frequent travelers — and for good reason. It has an affordable $95 annual fee and earns plentiful rewards in bonus categories such as dining and travel, while also rewarding you nicely for other everyday spending. 

Is the Chase Sapphire Preferred’s annual fee worth it? Here’s how to make the most out of that $95 price tag

Another big benefit is the flexibility of Chase Ultimate Rewards® . You can redeem them in many ways, including statement credits, travel bookings through the Chase Travel℠ portal and transfers to partner airline and hotel loyalty programs. 

The value you get from your rewards varies depending on the redemption method you choose, which is why it’s best to consider how you can maximize your rewards before you redeem them. I didn’t do this many years ago, and it’s not a mistake I’d repeat. 

I missed out on hundreds of dollars worth of value from my rewards

Once I collected a sizable stash of Chase Ultimate Rewards points (a little over 85,000), I chose the most straightforward redemption option: a statement credit to my credit card account. I cringe thinking about it now — you’ll soon understand why. 

A statement credit redemption is similar to getting cash back, but the earnings are applied to your credit card statement, reducing the amount you owe on your bill. That wasn’t the best use of my rewards because it didn’t offer maximum value.

When you redeem your points for statement credit to the Sapphire Preferred, each point is worth one cent. When redeeming 85,000 points, I received $850 as a statement credit. At the time, it felt like a win because it helped offset previous travel purchases I had made with my card. 

That’s not a terrible redemption, but it’s not the best — especially with this travel rewards credit card . I could have stretched my points further if I had used them differently. I’ll share two examples with far better value so you can avoid my mistake. 

The card gives a 25% boost when booking through the Chase Travel portal 

A notable benefit of the Sapphire Preferred Card is you can get 25% more value from your points when booking travel through the Chase Travel portal . This means each point is worth 1.25 cents when used this way. It also means my 85,000 points could have been worth $1,062.50 in travel booked through the issuer, an additional $212.50 in value.

You can book hotels, flights, and rental cars through Chase Travel. The site works similarly to other travel booking websites and apps. In addition to being shown the cost in cash, you’ll see how many points each booking would require if you want to pay with rewards.

Travel partner bookings can be worth even more

Chase has multiple airline and hotel transfer loyalty partners, which means Sapphire Preferred Card users can transfer their points to one of Chase’s travel partners to book flights and hotel stays. This can provide outsized value compared to other redemption methods. 

Here’s an example. To fly from Seattle to Singapore using my points to book an award flight I could transfer my points to Singapore Airlines’ frequent flyer program, KrisFlyer. 

Here is an example of an option I could book this way in December 2024.

When you book award flights, you’re still responsible for paying taxes and fees. This round trip itinerary would cost 84,000 miles (or 84,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards as Chase transfers to airline miles at a 1:1 ratio), plus $71.80 in taxes and fees. 

I looked up flights to determine the cost of this itinerary without miles. I chose the same flights and the cheapest available economy tickets. The cash price for the same trip was $1,795.70.

Considering I’d need to pay $71.80 to cover the taxes and fees for the above award flight ticket, I’d value the award redemption at $1,723.90 at a value of roughly 2 cents per point.

That’s much better than redeeming 85,000 Chase points for an $850 statement credit or even booking travel worth $1,062.50 through Chase Travel. I’d get more than double the value. 

You can see why it pays to carefully review all options before redeeming your rewards. 

Look for ways to maximize your credit card rewards

For some, redeeming rewards earned from their Sapphire Preferred Card for statement credit may be the best option. You should always make a redemption choice that suits your needs and goals. 

But if you’re open to other redemptions, consider how to maximize the value of your rewards. Strategizing can allow you to stretch your points further. You worked hard to earn your Chase points , so taking extra time to determine the best way to redeem your Chase points can add additional value. 

Some of the best travel rewards cards require solid credit. Here’s what you need to know about what credit score is needed for the Chase Sapphire Preferred

Blueprint is an independent publisher and comparison service, not an investment advisor. The information provided is for educational purposes only and we encourage you to seek personalized advice from qualified professionals regarding specific financial decisions. Past performance is not indicative of future results.

Blueprint has an advertiser disclosure policy . The opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the Blueprint editorial staff alone. Blueprint adheres to strict editorial integrity standards. The information is accurate as of the publish date, but always check the provider’s website for the most current information.

Natasha has been a freelance writer since 2015. She specializes in credit card and credit card rewards content. When not busy writing, she's either dreaming up her next credit card rewards redemption or traveling the globe. Natasha hopes to encourage more people to experience the world around them while making smart financial choices.

Allie is a journalist with a passion for money tips and advice. She's been writing about personal finance since the Great Recession for online publications such as Bankrate, CreditCards.com, MyWalletJoy and ValuePenguin. She's also written personal finance content for Discover, First Horizon Bank, The Hartford, Travelers and Synovus.

Robin Saks Frankel is a credit cards lead editor at USA TODAY Blueprint. Previously, she was a credit cards and personal finance deputy editor for Forbes Advisor. She has also covered credit cards and related content for other national web publications including NerdWallet, Bankrate and HerMoney. She's been featured as a personal finance expert in outlets including CNBC, Business Insider, CBS Marketplace, NASDAQ's Trade Talks and has appeared on or contributed to The New York Times, Fox News, CBS Radio, ABC Radio, NPR, International Business Times and NBC, ABC and CBS TV affiliates nationwide. She holds an M.S. in Business and Economics Journalism from Boston University. Follow her on Twitter at @robinsaks.

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14 Best Travel Credit Cards of May 2024

Best travel cards main takeaways.

• Money has evaluated hundreds of credit cards, comparing their fees, benefits, welcome offers, travel insurance policies and more.
• The top credit cards for travel offer high rewards on travel purchases, which can be redeemed for airfare, hotel nights, cash back, statement credits or more.
• Our picks feature the best travel cards for every budget and include no-annual-fee, low-annual-fee, premium and business cards.

Why Trust Us?

Our editorial team has spent well over a thousand hours analyzing, evaluating and comparing the top credit card offers in the market. We carefully vet each card’s fine print in order to understand their features, limitations and potential benefits for consumers. We review cards independently, ensuring our content is accurate and guided by editorial integrity. Read our full methodology to learn more.

• 46 travel credit cards evaluated
• 10+ data points used, including ongoing fees, reward programs and welcome offers
• 100+ sources reviewed

Money.com has partnered with CardRatings.com for our coverage of credit card products. Money and CardRatings may receive a commission from card issuers. This site does not include all card companies or all available card offers. O ur top picks are listed strictly in alphabetical order.

Our Top Picks for Best Travel Credit Cards

Best no-annual-fee travel credit cards.

• Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card – Best no-annual-fee travel card for flat rate rewards
• Bilt Mastercard® – Best no-annual-fee travel card for paying rent
• Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card – Best no-annual-fee card for travel partners
• Chase Freedom Unlimited® – Best no-annual-fee travel card for domestic travel
• Discover it® Miles – Best no-annual-fee travel card for simple rewards
• Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card – Best no-annual-fee travel card for everyday spending

Best low-fee-annual-fee travel credit cards

• Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card – Best travel card for flat-rate rewards
• Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card – Best travel card for flexible rewards

Best premium travel credit cards

• American Express® Gold Card – Best travel card for dining
• Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card – Best low-cost premium travel card
• Chase Sapphire Reserve® – Best premium travel credit card
• The Platinum Card® from American Express – Best travel card for lounge access

Best business travel credit cards

• The Business Platinum Card® from American Express – Best business travel card

Best airline travel credit cards

• United℠ Explorer Card: Best airline credit card

Best Travel Credit Cards Reviews

Our top picks are listed in alphabetical order.

Best No-Annual-Fee Travel Credit Cards

• No annual fee
• No foreign transaction fees
• Earns 1.5x points on all purchases
• No bonus category for travel
• Few benefits compared to other cards
• Limited redemption options

Why we chose it: The Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card is an easy-to-use card best suited for travel reward beginners or those who are already Bank of America customers.

Some cardholders can earn up to 75% more points if they are Bank of America Preferred Rewards members — that’s up to 2.62 points for every dollar spent.

However, the card doesn’t offer hotel and airline point transfer partners, travel insurance or extended warranty and purchase protection. Additionally, you can only redeem your points as statement credit to cover travel and dining purchases.

All information about Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card has been collected independently by Money.com

• No annual or foreign currency conversion fee (Click herehttps://www.wellsfargo.com/credit-cards/bilt/terms/">here; for rates and fees)
• Use it to pay your rent and earn rewards without incurring any processing fees
• You can earn double points on all purchase categories (except rent payments) on the first of every month (up to 10,000 points)
• Earn 2x points on travel (when booked directly through an airline, hotels, car rental agencies and cruise lines)
• No welcome bonus or introductory APR period
• Points redeemed for statement credits are worth 0.55 cents each
• You must make at least five transactions in a statement period to earn points
• Rent payments can only be made to one rental property per month

Why we chose it: The Bilt Mastercard® lets you earn travel rewards on rent payments without incurring any processing fees — unlike most credit cards that typically charge around 2.5% to 2.9% per rent payment.

You can use the card to pay rent without worrying about surcharges. Once you get approved for the card, all you have to do is set up an account through the Bilt app or website and use your assigned routing and account number to pay rent through your usual payment portal. You can also use your card even if your landlord only accepts checks, and Bilt will send a check on your behalf.

Additionally, Bilt doubles the card’s rewards rates on the first of every month, which means you can earn 6x points on dining, 4x points on travel and 2x points on other purchases (up to 10,000 points per month). However, this bonus doesn’t apply to rent rewards.

On the downside, the Bilt Mastercard® doesn’t offer a welcome bonus, and points redeemed for statement credits are only worth 0.55 cents each.

• Can transfer your miles to 16 travel partners
• Earns 5x miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
• Doesn't earn bonus points on airfare
• No domestic travel partners

Why we chose it: The Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card is a great option if you’re looking for a no-annual fee travel credit card with a simple rewards structure.

You can use your miles to book travel through the Capital One Travel portal or as a statement credit to cover travel purchases made from airlines, hotels, rail lines, car rental agencies and more.

You can also transfer your points to one of Capital One’s 16 travel partners, which include international airlines such as Avianca and British Airways. This option is notable since travel credit cards with no annual fee don’t typically offer the option to transfer your reward to airline and hotel partners.

However, the card’s list of bonus categories is limited compared to some other no-annual-fee credit cards, and Capital One doesn’t offer bonus points on airfare booked through Capital One Travel.

• Includes trip cancellation/interruption and car rental insurance
• Features a high flat cash back rate combined and popular bonus categories
• 3% foreign transaction fee

Why we chose it: The Chase Freedom Unlimited® is the best credit card for traveling domestically. It offers a 1.5% flat cash back rate on most purchases plus it has several appealing bonus categories, including travel and dining.

This card charges a 3% foreign transaction fee, that is, on any transactions made in currency other than US dollars. However, if you mostly travel within the U.S., this card is an excellent option.

For one, you’ll earn an additional 1.5% on each of the card’s bonus categories during the first year of card membership (or up to the first $20,000 spent).

Also, although using this card abroad is not recommended, you can still use it to book international trips while you’re home, and you’ll earn 5% cash back if you book it through Chase Travel℠.

You can redeem your rewards for cash back, travel, gift cards and even transfer them to other cards that earn Chase Ultimate Rewards® points. It’s also worth noting that this card is one of the few no-annual-fee credit cards with rental car coverage and trip cancellation and interruption insurance.

• No annual or foreign transaction fees
• Discover matches the total miles you earned at the end of the first year
• Earns 1.5x miles on all purchases
• See your FICO score on the Discover mobile app, online and on statements
• Few benefits compared to other travel cards
• Doesn't include extended warranty or purchase protection

Why we chose it: The Discover it® Miles Credit Card is a no-frills card ideal for travelers who don’t want to keep track of bonus categories, earning caps or redemption values.

The card earns a flat 1.5x miles on all eligible purchases without any annual caps. You can redeem your miles for statement credits and account deposits at a rate of 1 cent per mile. You can also use your rewards through Amazon and PayPal checkout with the same value.

Also, the card’s welcome bonus is easily one of the best in the market: Discover matches every mile you’ve earned at the end of your first membership year — without any spending requirements.

However, while the Discover it® Miles Credit Card is a great starter travel card, its lack of bonus categories could hinder your reward-earning potential in the long run. Additionally, Discover cards aren’t as widely accepted internationally as Visa Signature and World Mastercard, for example.

All information about the Discover it® Miles Credit Card has been collected independently by Money.com.

• Earn 3x points on restaurants, travel, gas stations, select streaming services and cell phone plans
• Includes cell phone protection plan
• No airline or hotel transfer partners
• Doesn't include travel insurance
• Netflix and HBO are not eligible for streaming bonus

Why we chose it: The Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card is the best travel reward card for everyday spending, offering high rewards on several popular spending categories, including travel, dining, gas, streaming services and cell phone plans.

Its travel bonus category is particularly noteworthy because you can earn points regardless of where you make your reservations, whether it’s directly with an airline or through a third-party travel site like Booking.com. (Most travel credit cards limit travel rewards to bookings made exclusively through the card issuer’s travel portal.)

The card also includes rental car insurance and a cell phone protection plan when you use it to pay your monthly bill.

All information about the Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card has been collected independently by Money.com.

Best Low-Annual-Fee Travel Credit Cards

• Earn 2x miles per dollar on most purchases
• Up to $100 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck(R)
• Includes travel accident and car rental insurance
• Fewer bonus categories than other cards with a similar annual fee ($95)
• Doesn't offer travel rewards for flights
• Car rental insurance is secondary

Why we chose it: The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card is the best credit card for travel miles if you want to earn a high reward rate and not worry about bonus categories.

The Capital One Venture Rewards is ideal for those who want to get the most out of their spending without worrying about tracking bonus categories and spending caps.

You can redeem your miles on the Capital One travel portal and as statement credits to cover travel purchases at a value of one cent per mile. Additionally, you may transfer your miles to more than 15 airline and hotel partners.

However, keep in mind that Capital One doesn’t have domestic travel partners, which can be a drawback if you mainly travel within the U.S.

• Points are worth 25% more when redeemed for travel purchases through Chase TravelSM
• Receive a point bonus each account anniversary
• Includes primary rental car insurance
• Earn 3x per $1 on dining, including eligible delivery and takeout meals, select streaming services and grocery purchases
• $95 annual fee
• Doesn't offer a Global Entry/TSA PreCheck(R) application fee credit

Why we chose this card: The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is the best travel credit card for frequent travelers who want to earn valuable rewards while paying a low annual fee.

The card features six reward categories that offer outstanding rewards on flights, hotels, restaurants and more. You can redeem your points for statement credits, account deposits, gift cards and more. But you can get the most bang for your buck by redeeming them for travel purchases through the Chase Travel℠ portal, which increases your point’s usual one-cent value by 25%.

You can redeem your points for statement credits, account deposits, gift cards and more. But you can get the most bang for your buck by redeeming them for travel purchases through Chase Travel℠, which increases your point’s usual one-cent value by 25%.

You can also transfer your points to one of Chase’s 14 travel partners at a 1:1 ratio (one Chase point equals one hotel point or airline mile). These include popular airlines and hotels like JetBlue, Southwest, United, Marriott and Hyatt.

Best Premium Travel Credit Cards

• Earns 4x points on restaurants worldwide, takeout and food delivery within the U.S.
• Up to $120 in annual dining credits, issued as a $10 statement credit per month for select restaurants (enrollment required)
• Up to $120 as Uber Cash annually ($10 per month) for food delivery orders and rides in the U.S. after you add the American Express(R) Gold Card to your Uber account
• Earn 4x points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year, then 1x)
• High annual fee ($250)
• Includes few travel perks and insurance policies compared to similarly priced cards

Terms apply. Please click here for applicable rates and fees.

Why we chose it: The American Express® Gold Card is ideal for foodies, offering a high reward rate at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets, takeout and food delivery. (Terms apply.)

The American Express® Gold Card also offers statement credits worth up to $240 combined — almost enough to offset the card’s $250 annual fee. These include:

• Up to $120 every year in dining credits ($10 per month) for select restaurants and food delivery services. The list includes Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, Milk Bar and Shake Shack (Enrollment required)
• Automatically get $10 monthly in Uber Cash to use on Uber Eats or Uber rides in the U.S. (after you add the American Express® Gold Card to your account)
• $100 credit for dining, spa services and other activities when you book a two-night minimum stay at a hotel from The Hotel Collection through American Express Travel
• Terms apply

However, note that the American Express® Gold Card offers fewer travel perks than some other premium cards — for instance, it doesn’t offer trip cancellation and interruption insurance or TSA PreCheck® or CLEAR® Plus fee credits.

• 10,000 bonus miles every year
• Statement credit of up to $300 for bookings made through Capital One Travel
• Up to a $100 credit on Global Entry or TSA PreCheck(R)
• Skip the line and get car upgrades when renting a car with Hertz
• High annual fee ($395)
• Fewer bonus categories than other premium cards
• No domestic airline transfer partners

Why we chose it: The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card is the best credit card for travel miles if you want to earn a high reward rate and not worry about bonus categories.

The Capital One Venture X also includes noteworthy perks such as:

• 10,000 bonus miles every year (starting on your first anniversary)
• $300 annual credit for bookings through Capital One Travel
• Up to a $100 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®
• Access for you and two guests to 1,300+ lounges worldwide with Priority Pass™ Select and Plaza Premium Group
• Authorized users at no extra cost (many cards have an annual fee of $75 or more for each additional user)

All in all, the Venture X is a solid option that can easily compete with other premium travel cards, especially considering its more affordable annual fee.

• Up to $300 in statement credits each anniversary year to cover travel purchases
• Transfer your points to 14 travel partners (including United, Southwest, JetBlue and Marriott)
• Points worth 50% more when redeemed for travel expenses through Chase TravelSM
• Comprehensive travel insurance coverage, including emergency dental insurance
• High annual fee ($550)
• Doesn't include a cell phone protection plan

Why we chose it: The Chase Sapphire Reserve® is the best credit card for travelers looking for a high reward rate on travel and additional benefits like comprehensive travel insurance and airport lounge access worldwide.

Your points are worth 50% more when you redeem them for travel through the Chase Travel℠ portal. This means each point is worth 1.5 cents per point instead of one cent, like most travel cards. Also, the Chase Sapphire Reserve® provides several high-end benefits such as:

• $300 annual travel credit to cover travel-related purchases like airfare, hotels, car rentals, rideshares, buses, trains, tolls and/or parking
• Access for you and two guests to 1,300+ airport lounges worldwide (after a one-time enrollment in Priority Pass™ Select)
• Statement credit of up to $100 every four years for Global Entry, TSA PreCheck® or Nexus

The Sapphire Reserve does have a $550 annual fee. But if you take advantage of the $300 annual credit and other perks, the benefits can definitely outweigh its cost.

• Access to the widest network of airport lounges of any card
• Complimentary elite status in the Marriott and Hilton hotel loyalty programs
• Hundreds of dollars in annual statement credits for travel, dining and more
• High annual fee ($695)
• Doesn't include baggage delay, travel accident and primary rental car insurance
• Limited bonus categories

Terms apply. Click here for rates and fees.

Why we chose this card: The Platinum Card® from American Express offers a list of premium benefits that no other travel card offers, including the widest network of airport lounges and room upgrades at Hilton and Marriott hotels. (Terms apply.)

The Platinum Card® from American Express features an impressive list of high-end travel benefits, including:

• Complimentary access to over 1,400 airport lounges, including Priority Pass, Delta SkyClub and Amex’s own Centurion lounges (enrollment required)
• Gold status in the Marriott and Hilton loyalty programs, which makes you eligible for room upgrades, free breakfast and late checkouts (enrollment required)
• $200 back each year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection bookings made through American Express Travel and paid with your Platinum Card® (Hotel Collection bookings require a minimum two-night stay)
• Up to $200 per year when incidental fees, such as checked bags, are charged by the airline to your Platinum Card® (with one selected qualifying airline)
• Complimentary premium status in Avis Preferred®, Hertz Gold Plus Rewards®, and/or National Car Rental® Emerald Club (must enroll through your Amex online account using your card)

The Platinum Card® from American Express does have a hefty $695 annual fee. However, for people who travel often and will take advantage of its annual credits and travel perks, it might almost pay for itself.

Best Business Travel Credit Cards

• 5X points on flights and prepaid hotels booked through AmexTravel.com
• Around $1,000 in yearly statement credits for select business purchases
• Access to a wide network of airport lounges (terms apply)
• Around $600 in perks in Fine Hotels + Resorts(R) locations booked through American Express Travel (for stays of two nights)
• Secondary rental car coverage**

Why we chose it: The Business Platinum Card® from American Express features an extensive list of benefits that make it an ideal travel and business credit card.

With this card, you can access over 1,400 airport lounges worldwide, comprehensive travel insurance and extra amenities at hundreds of hotels, like daily breakfast and free internet access. Additionally, you get a $200 credit to cover baggage fees, in-flight refreshments and more and up to $100 for Global Entry or $85 for TSA PreCheck® every four or 4.5 years respectively. (Terms apply.) (Enrollment required.)

The card also offers several yearly statement credits for business-related purchases that include up to $400 per year ($200 between January and June and $200 between July and December) for U.S. purchases with Dell.

The Business Platinum Card® from American Express does have one of the steepest annual fees ($695) among travel credit cards, but its extensive list of benefits makes it a no-brainer for business owners who travel frequently.

Best Airline Travel Credit Cards

• Free first checked bag for you and a companion
• Up to $100 as a statement credit for Global Entry, TSA PreCheck(R) or NEXUS every 4 year
• 25% back as a statement credit on food, beverages and Wi-Fi on board United-operated flights
• Complimentary priority boarding for you and companions traveling on the same reservation
• $95 annual fee (after the first year)
• No intro APR period
• Rewards are only valuable when used with United

Why we chose it: The card_name has a low annual fee and gives you valuable benefits that make up for it, such as priority boarding for everyone on the reservation and a free checked bag for you and one companion.

Other perks the card includes are:

• Two one-time passes for United Club℠ airport lounges each account anniversary year
• 25% back as a statement credit on in-flight purchases like food, beverages and Wi-Fi
• Up to $100 every four years to cover the cost of TSA PreCheck®, Global Entry or NEXUS
• Comprehensive travel insurance (auto rental collision damage waiver, baggage delay insurance, lost luggage reimbursement, trip cancellation/interruption insurance and trip delay reimbursement)

The United℠ Explorer Card earns miles on United purchases, including tickets, inflight food, beverages, Wi-Fi and more. You also earn rewards at restaurants and select hotel stays.

You can use your miles to book flights on United Airlines or its partners, including Avianca, Lufthansa and Air Canada. You can also redeem them for seat upgrades, inflight Wi-Fi passes and more — although United miles are usually more valuable when used for airfare.

Travel Credit Cards Guide

The best credit cards for travel do more than offer high reward rates on flights and hotel stays. They also provide rewards for everyday spending and perks such as travel insurance , airport lounge access and annual statement credits.

Here’s a rundown of how these cards work:

What is a travel credit card?

Travel credit cards offer benefits and rewards geared towards individuals who travel frequently or want to earn travel benefits.

They provide high rewards for travel-related expenses such as flights, hotels, rental cars and dining. You can then use these rewards (in the form of points or miles) to book travel reservations. Some cards also let you transfer your rewards to hotel and airline partners or redeem them for statement credits, cash back, gift cards and more.

On top of the rewards, these cards often feature several travel-related perks, such as no foreign transaction fees, hotel discounts, travel insurance, free checked bags and airport lounge access.

How do travel credit cards work?

Travel credit cards give you a certain number of points or miles per dollar on eligible purchases. They often offer around 5x points or more for airfare, hotel rooms, rental cars and more. Some cards may also count parking, bus fares, taxis, tolls and ferries as travel purchases.

Besides travel, you’ll typically get bonus points in additional spending categories. For example, some cards may offer 3x points per dollar on dining, groceries, drugstores or streaming services. All other eligible purchases usually get at least one point (1x) per dollar.

You can then redeem your points for flights, hotels, car rentals, cruises and more. Card issuers also usually let you redeem your points for non-travel options like statement credits, cash back or gift cards.

How to use credit card points for travel

Travel credit cards have rewards programs through which you can earn points (or miles). Well-known point programs include Chase Ultimate Rewards®, American Express Membership Rewards® and Citi ThankYou® Rewards.

To redeem your points, go to your travel card’s rewards program portal. The process may differ across credit card issuers, but you’ll usually be able to access it through your online account on the issuer’s website or app.

Points are usually worth one cent each. However, some issuers increase their value if you redeem them for travel. For example, Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card points are worth 1.25 cents when used to book flights through the Chase Travel℠ portal.

Points may also be worth less than a cent, depending on how you redeem them. For example, some cards allow you to use your points at Amazon checkout. While this might sound convenient, this option may bring down the value of points to around 0.8 cents.

Some cards also allow you to transfer your rewards to select airline and hotel partners. Typically, you can transfer rewards to these loyalty programs on a 1:1 ratio, meaning that 1,000 credit card points are worth 1,000 loyalty program points.

Difference between points and miles

You’ll earn points or miles depending on which travel credit card you have. For example, Chase travel credit cards earn points, while Capital One travel cards earn miles. Miles and points typically have similar value (around one cent each) and redemption options.

However, keep in mind that several cards that earn miles are tied to a specific airline — like the United℠ Explorer Card. In this case, you can only use your rewards for purchases with the issuing airline such as flights, seat upgrades, inflight dining and more.

Pros and cons of travel credit cards

• Some cards offer up to 10x points per dollar on travel purchases.
• Many have additional bonus categories for dining, grocery shopping and more.
• They may include travel benefits like priority boarding, airport lounge access and late hotel checkouts.
• Points or miles can also be redeemed for cash back, statement credits, gift cards and more.
• Highest reward rates are usually limited to purchases made through the card issuer's travel portal.
• They might not offer high rewards on spending outside of the travel category.
• Some of the best ones can have steep annual fees and require good to excellent credit
• Redeeming points or miles for anything other than travel can reduce their value to less than one cent per dollar.

Types of travel credit cards

Here’s a rundown of the differences between the three main types of travel credit cards:

Airline credit cards

Airline credit cards are ideal for people who regularly fly with the same airline. These cards earn miles you can redeem for flights, seat upgrades, inflight dining, airport lounge access and other travel-related purchases but typically only with the issuing airline.

Some of the best airline travel credit cards include benefits like free checked bags, priority boarding and discounts on in-flight purchases.

Hotel credit cards

With hotel credit cards, you can only redeem your points for stays, discounts and other benefits with one particular hotel chain.

For example, the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card earns points for Hilton’s loyalty program, which you can redeem for free nights in the company’s properties, including Hilton Garden Inn and Waldorf Astoria hotels.

Hotel credit cards may also offer complimentary breakfast, room upgrades, late checkouts and bonus points for purchases made during your stay.

General travel credit card

General travel credit cards are more flexible than airline or hotel cards. They aren’t affiliated with a single airline or hotel chain, so their points can be used to book flights, hotel stays, rental cars and more from different companies.

These cards may also offer useful perks for frequent travelers, like airport lounge access. They can also cover the cost of a Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® membership, which allows you to skip the long lines at airport security or customs.

How to choose a travel credit card

Picking the best travel rewards credit card boils down to how often you travel, which cardmember perks you’d benefit the most from and the categories you spend the most on.

Here are some factors to keep in mind when choosing the best card for you:

• Do you travel often? A travel rewards credit card offers high reward rates on travel spending, and you’ll get the most bang for your buck when you use their points on flights, hotels and car rentals. If you don’t take trips often but want to pile up rewards, a cash-back credit card might be a better fit.
• Assess your everyday spending. Many travel cards have additional bonus categories other than travel, like dining, supermarkets, streaming services and drugstores. Consider your day-to-day spending habits and pick a card with bonus categories that fit your lifestyle.
• Consider the card’s annual fees. No-annual-fee travel cards usually have few travel benefits. The best travel credit cards charge annual fees of at least $90 and can go as high as $700. However, these are often best for those that travel enough to take advantage of their benefits.
• General travel card vs co-branded cards. General travel cards have more flexible redemption options. On the other hand, co-branded cards are often tied to a specific airline or hotel, which can limit your options. Still, they do provide valuable perks like free checked bags, in-flight discounts and hotel upgrades.
• Compare extra travel perks. Some cards offer extras like annual statement credits for flights and hotels or upgrades when renting cars. Take the time to compare each card’s roster of add-ons and pick one that will best suit your travel plans.
• Compare insurance policies. The best credit card travel benefits include insurance policies that cover travel accidents, rental cars, trip cancellations and more. These policies can vary widely based on the issuer and the card’s annual-fee tier.
• Beware foreign transaction fees. Most travel credit cards don’t charge foreign transaction fees. Some cash-back cards may offer outstanding rewards for travel purchases but charge around 3% fees on purchases outside the U.S.
• Look beyond welcome offers. A 60,000-point welcome bonus can be enticing. However, it shouldn’t be your deciding factor, especially if you’ll end up paying a high annual fee without getting your money’s worth.

How get the most out of your travel credit card

To get the most out of your travel credit card, you need to use it as often and strategically as possible. This way, you can earn points or miles with each purchase, which you can then redeem for free or discounted flights, hotels and more.

Use your travel card to pay most of your purchases and bills and then pay your card off in full each month. This will help you earn points while avoiding interest charges and high credit card debt , which can impact your credit score.

Here are some other tips to maximize your rewards and benefits:

• Consider adding an authorized user to your account. They’ll earn points with every purchase they make, and those will get added to your overall total. However, make sure to pick someone who will use the card responsibly since you’ll be legally liable if they ever fail to pay their monthly bills.
• Redeem your rewards for travel through the card issuer’s website. This redemption option usually offers the highest value compared to gift cards or merchandise, for example.
• If your card offers travel protections (like travel accident or luggage insurance), use it to pay for your passenger fares. This way, you could be reimbursed in the event of an accident or lost luggage, for example.
• Use your airline or hotel card to sign up for the company’s frequent flyer or frequent guest loyalty program. You’ll often earn extra points or miles when you’re a member and use your co-branded card to pay for flights, hotel stays and more.
• If you can transfer points from other credit cards to your travel card, take advantage of this feature. This way, you can accumulate extra points for travel booking and sometimes even increase their value.

Best Travel Credit Cards FAQs

What is the best travel credit card, what is the best credit card for international travel, how to travel for free with credit cards, what is the best credit card for travel miles, what is a welcome bonus on a credit card, how we chose the best travel credit cards.

We ranked the best credit cards for travel based on their annual fees, benefits, reward rates and redemption flexibility.

Fees: We compared interest rates and foreign, cash advance and balance transfer fees for more than 50 credit cards. We also considered their annual fee, looking for those that offered the most for the money.

Ongoing benefits: Intro APR and bonus offers are attractive, but they can only get you so far. We focused on cards with year-round benefits such as travel insurance or cell phone protection plans.

Reward rates: We preferred cards that allow you to earn extra points from travel expenses, as well as those that provide significant bonus rewards in popular spending categories, like dining, supermarkets or streaming services.

Redemption flexibility: Our picks don’t limit your redemption options to just travel. Some let you use your points for Amazon purchases, for example. We also preferred issuers that allowed cardholders to transfer their points to airline and hotel partners.

Summary of Money’s Best Travel Credit Cards of May 2024

• Discover it® Miles Credit Card – Best no-annual-fee travel card for simple rewards

Money.com has partnered with CardRatings for our coverage of credit card products. Money.com and CardRatings may receive a commission from card issuers.

For Capital One products listed on this page, some of the above benefits are provided by Visa® or Mastercard® and may vary by product. See the respective Guide to Benefits for details, as terms and exclusions apply.

To see rates and fees for the American Express® Gold Card, visit this link . Terms apply.

To see rates and fees for The Platinum Card® from American Express, visit this link . Terms apply.

To see rates and fees for The Business Platinum Card® from American Express, visit this link . Terms apply.

* Insurance disclosures for American Express Cards on this page:

Trip Delay Insurance: Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.

Trip Cancellation and Interruption Insurance: Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.

Baggage Insurance Plan: 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.

Global Assist Hotline: Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Card Members are responsible for the costs charged by third-party service providers.

Extended Warranty, Purchase Protection, 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.

Car Rental Loss & Damage Insurance: 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. Car Rental Loss or Damage Coverage is offered through American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc.

** Car Rental Loss and Damage Insurance can provide coverage up to $75,000 for theft of or damage to most rental vehicles when you use your eligible Card to reserve and pay for the entire eligible vehicle rental and decline the collision damage waiver or similar option offered by the Commercial Car Rental Company. This product provides secondary coverage and does not include liability coverage. Not all vehicle types or rentals are covered. Geographic restrictions apply. 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. Car Rental Loss or Damage Coverage is offered through American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc.

*** Car Rental Loss and Damage Insurance can provide coverage up to $50,000 for theft of or damage to most rental vehicles when you use your eligible Card to reserve and pay for the entire eligible vehicle rental and decline the collision damage waiver or similar option offered by the Commercial Car Rental Company. This product provides secondary coverage and does not include liability coverage. Not all vehicle types or rentals are covered. Geographic restrictions apply. 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. Car Rental Loss or Damage Coverage is offered through American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc.

© Copyright 2024 Money Group, LLC . All Rights Reserved.

This article originally appeared on Money.com and may contain affiliate links for which Money receives compensation. Opinions expressed in this article are the author's alone, not those of a third-party entity, and have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed. Offers may be subject to change without notice. For more information, read Money’s full disclaimer .

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The Platinum Card ®

Milelion Exclusive Offer

For new to American Express Card Members

✔ Receive 5,000 Membership Rewards ®  points  with annual fee payment and min. spending of S$5,000 within 90 calendar days of Card approval.

Valid from 30 May 24 to 13 June 24.

T&Cs apply.

Welcome Offers

✔ Receive  127,500 Membership Rewards ® points  with annual fee payment and min. spending of S$6,000 within 60 calendar days of Card approval.

✔ Earn  7,500 Membership Rewards ® points  based on the S$6,000 spent above (based on 2 Membership Rewards ® points for every S$1.60 spent).

For existing Card Members 

✔ Receive  80,000 Membership Rewards ®  points  with annual fee payment and min. spending of S$6,000 within 60 calendar days of Card approval.

✔ Earn  7,500 Membership Rewards ®  points based on the S$6,000 spent above (based on 2 Membership Rewards ®  points for every S$1.60 spent).

Valid from 30 May 24 to 13 June 24.

T&Cs apply

Card Member Agreement and Benefit Terms and Conditions.

All enquiries about the promotion are to be directed to American Expresss.

Annual Fee, Card Type & Eligibility

Annual Fee: S$1,744 (incl. of 9% GST)

Card Type: Charge Card

Eligibility: Card application is subjected to customers meeting the regulatory minimum income requirement and internal assessment.

Featured Platinum Benefits

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Travel in style

Be spoiled for choice with unlimited access to our growing network of over 1,400 lounges across 650 cities for you, one Supplementary Card Member and one guest each.

Platinum Perks

Complimentary hotel stay and membership gifts worth more than S$800 upon sign-up and renewal.

Savour epicurean delights​

From Michelin-starred hot spots to hidden gems, embark on a gastronomic journey and discover new favourites with S$400 Global Dining Credit every year with qualifying spend.​

Make every moment of your journey count

Savour your stay just a little longer with guaranteed 4pm late check-out at over 1,300 Fine Hotels + Resorts properties.

Step into a luxury of quiet and space

Take time off and reconnect with yourself with S$400 Lifestyle Credit every year to use at our curated lifestyle partners.

Roam the rare sights

Go off the beaten path with S$200 Airline Credit every year when you make qualifying spends.

Explore new stories

Stream your favourite movie or news content with up to S$17 monthly, on us.

Transform your trips into spectacular memories

Upgrade to higher tier status on hotel loyalty programmes.

Platinum Travel

Travel Benefits

(worth S$2,247 * )

S$200 Airline Credit

Jet away to your next travel destination with S$200 to use every year when you make qualifying spends with Singapore Airlines or Scoot.

Enrolment is required.

International Airline Program

Enjoy  preferential fares  on flight tickets with participating airlines through American Express Travel Online:

• Singapore Airlines
• Qatar Airways
• Etihad Airways

Bonus Membership Rewards ®  Points with Singapore Airlines and Scoot

Go far and wide with your Platinum Card. Earn  5 Membership Rewards points  with every full S$1.60 spent with Singapore Airlines or Scoot (equates to 1.95 miles per S$1).

The earn rate of 1.95 miles per S$1 is based on the conversion rate of 400 Membership Rewards points = 250 miles.

The American Express Global Lounge Collection ®

Chill out, tuck in and upgrade your travel experience. Enjoy  complimentary lounge access  to over 1,400 airport lounges across 650 cities in 140 countries for you, your Supplementary Card Member and one guest each.

Participating lounges include:

• The Centurion ® Lounge
• International American Express Lounges
• Delta SkyClub ® Lounges
• Plaza Premium Airport Lounges
• Priority Pass™ Lounges (enrolment required)

Guest access policies may vary internationally by location and are subject to change.

Fine Hotels + Resorts

Create new memories with exceptional value. Explore over 1,300 properties worldwide and bask in  benefits worth up to S$800 . Perks include daily breakfast for two, US$100 experience credit (varies by property), guaranteed 4pm check-out and more.

Participating properties include hospitality brands such as:

• Relais & Châteaux
• The Ritz-Carlton

The Hotels Collection

Elevate your getaways at over 700 design-forward properties worldwide. With every stay, look forward to signature benefits including  US$100 experience credit (varies by property)   for qualifying activities like dining or spa treatments and room upgrade, when available.

To receive The Hotel Collection benefits, a min. of two-night stay is required. Certain room categories are not eligible for upgrade.

Hotel Elite Tier Status

Gain instant status with complimentary upgraded membership tiers of our preferred hotel partners’ loyalty programmes, with no minimum stay required:

• Marriott Bonvoy™ Gold Elite Status
• Pan Pacific DISCOVERY Platinum Status
• Hilton Honors Elite Gold Status
• Radisson Rewards Premium Status

Car Elite Tier Status

Make every car ride memorable with our preferred partners’ loyalty programmes to enjoy special benefits such as savings, upgrades and priority service:

• Avis President's Club
• Hertz Gold Plus Rewards ® Five Star

Discover full benefits and its Terms & Conditions at go.amex/myplatinum. Terms & Conditions apply for all mentioned privileges.

* This is the indicative amount of the potential savings and value for The Platinum Card ®  in January 2024 based on the assumptions set out in <go.amex/sgplatinumcard>. The actual amount of savings and value may differ depending on an individual’s actual spending and utilization of The Platinum Card ® . Please note that this indicative amount (as well as the assumptions for such potential savings and value) may be updated from time to time without prior notice. For the avoidance of doubt, this indicative amount does not: (i) amount to a guarantee or undertaking by American Express and/or (ii) constitute part of the Card Member Agreement for The Platinum Card ® .

Platinum Lifestyle

Lifestyle Benefits

(worth S$2,414 * )

Pamper yourself with a  complimentary hotel stay and membership gifts worth more than S$800 upon sign-up or renewal. Participating hotel properties include The Fullerton Hotel Singapore and The St. Regis Singapore.

Explore full list of participating properties at go.amex/platstay.

S$400 Global Dining Credit

With S$400 to use every year at some of the finest restaurants locally and around the world, it’s time to discover your new favourite. Discover our curated collection of over 1,400 restaurants in 20 countries.

Love Dining by Platinum

Explore a world of dining with up to 50% savings off your food bill  at our handpicked selection of Love Dining by Platinum restaurants at some of the finest destinations in Singapore.

Indulge in a little something on the house in the form of complimentary glass of premium pour or complimentary waiver of corkage whenever you dine at a curated Love Dining Experience restaurant to make your experience more memorable.

Chillax by Platinum

Enjoy the finer things in life with  a complimentary drink  on us with purchase at some of the most contemporary bars in Singapore, from bespoke cocktails to fine whisky.

S$400 Lifestyle Credit

Take time off and reconnect with yourself over a glass of wine or a day at the spa with S$400 to use when you make a qualifying spend. Our curated lifestyle partners include:

• The Ultimate
• Grand Cru Wine Concierge

S$204 Entertainment Credit

From streaming to reading and live events, get up to S$17 per month (S$204 per year) to spend at over 10 entertainment brands, with your favourite people, on us.

S$150 Fashion Credit

Get a wardrobe refresh at NET-A-PORTER and MR PORTER, with a new Platinum S$150 Fashion Credit . Receive up to S$75 in statement credits, per 6-month redemption period.

Lifestyle Elite Tier Status

Experience an elevated lifestyle as you get on a fast-track for lifestyle loyalty programmes such as Comoclub C5 and Marina Bay Sands’ Sands LifeStyle Prestige memberships .

Parking Privileges at Great World

Have a fuss-free shopping journey with  complimentary parking  at Great World from Fridays to Sundays.

Awaken your senses and pamper yourself with a luxurious spa day. Enjoy  up to 30% off and other privileges  at participating spa partners such as Adeva Spa, Spa Rael, The Ultimate and The Spa by The Ultimate.

Platinum Access

Access Benefits

(worth S$3,002 * )

Tower Club Singapore

Take work to greater heights. Craft your network and bring your vision to life with  complimentary access  to the Members-only Tower Club Singapore, including its restaurants – Atlantic, Ba Xian and Straits Bar.

Regional Golf Programme

Celebrate your wins with a round of golf at over 40 regional greens, with  complimentary green fees  on us whenever you bring paying companion(s).

Enhanced Golf Programme

Enjoy  special benefits  at local golf clubs at City Golfer and Warren Golf & Country Club.

Membership Rewards ®

(worth S$1,000 * )

Membership Rewards Programme

Earn  2 Membership Rewards points  for every S$1.60 spent. Points do not expire and there is no limit to the points you can earn. The more you spend on your American Express Card, the higher your points balance to redeem from a wide range of rewards. 

10Xcelerator by Membership Rewards

Boost your points-earning potential and earn a total of  20 Membership Rewards points  (equivalent to 12.5 miles) for every full S$1.60 spent up to a maximum spend of S$16,000 at Platinum 10Xcelerator Partners.

For all spend in excess of S$16,000, you continue to enjoy a total of  10 Membership Rewards points  (equivalent to 6.25 miles) for every full S$1.60 charged to your Card.

Pay with Points

Free up your cash anytime, anywhere using your Membership Rewards points to cover your recent purchases with a statement credit. 

Membership Rewards Catalogue

Redeem for  eVouchers  across dining, retail and grocery partners from our Membership Rewards catalogue and receive it within 24 hours to use it instantly.

Amex Apple Rewards Store

Upgrade to the latest Apple gadgets and choose to offset your purchase in full or partially with points and enjoy  20% more value  at Amex Apple Rewards Store.

Platinum Service

The Card for peace of mind

Travel Insurance

Stay protected with  comprehensive travel insurance  for you, your immediate family, your supplementary Card members and their immediate family when you book travel with your Platinum Card.

Purchase Protection

Enjoy peace of mind against  accidental theft or damage, returns or extended warranty  for items purchased on your Platinum Card.

Global Assistance

Should you need emergency assistance while travelling, we can provide immediate personal advice over the phone:

• Travel Emergency Assistance  - Should the unforeseen happen during your travel, you will have access to emergency services such as worldwide medical and legal assistance.
• Home Assist  - For urgent situations around the house, we will arrange an emergency callout to assess and fix any problem.
• Roadside Assist  - With Roadside Assist, we offer around-the-clock help whenever you are on the road.

Annual Fee of S$1,744 (incl. of 9% GST).

Card application is subjected to customers meeting the regulatory minimum income requirement and internal assessment.

The American Express ® Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer Ascend Credit Card

✔ Receive  27,800 KrisFlyer miles  with annual fee payment and min. spending of S$1,000 within 30 calendar days of Card approval. ✔ Earn  1,200 KrisFlyer miles  based on the S$1,000 spent above (based on 1.2 KrisFlyer miles per S$1 spent locally).

✔ Receive 17,800 KrisFlyer miles  with annual fee payment and min. spending of S$1,000 within 30 calendar days of Card approval. ✔ Earn  1,200 KrisFlyer miles  based on the S$1,000 spent above (based on 1.2 KrisFlyer miles per S$1 spent locally).

All enquiries about the promotion are to be directed to American Express.

• Welcome Bonus: 5,000 KrisFlyer miles upon first transaction on Card (for first-time American Express Singapore Airlines Credit Card applicants).
• Earn 3.2 KrisFlyer miles  for every S$1 spent on Grab Singapore transactions, up to S$200 spend in each calendar month.
• Enjoy  complimentary one night stay  at participating Hilton properties each year.
• Enjoy  four complimentary lounge access passes  to any participating SATS Premier and Plaza Premium Lounge each year.
• Enjoy accelerated upgrade to  KrisFlyer Elite Gold membership tier  with min. spending of S$15,000 on eligible purchases made on  singaporeair.com within 12 months of Card approval.
• Enjoy  Double KrisFlyer Miles Accrual Voucher  (capped at 5,000 bonus KrisFlyer miles) with min. spending of S$15,000 on eligible purchases made on singaporeair.com from 1 July 2023 to 30 June 2024.

Annual Fee of S$343.35 (incl. of 9% GST).

Card Member Agreement and Benefit Terms and Conditions .

The American Express ® Platinum Credit Card

✔ Receive 2,500 Membership Rewards ®  points  with annual fee payment and min. spending of S$1,000 within 30 calendar days of Card approval.

✔ Receive  S$200 Statement Credits  with annual fee payment and min. spending of S$1,000 within 30 calendar days of Card approval.

✔ Earn 1,250 Membership Rewards ®  points  based on the S$1,000 spent above (based on 2 Membership Rewards ®  points for every S$1.60 spent).

• Own your style in your favourite brands or step up to the foodie life with up to  S$200 Lifestyle Credit.
• Enjoy up to 50% savings on dining at 5-star hotels & restaurants.
• Enjoy a complimentary drink with purchase of at least one item from the merchant’s menu at over a dozen fashionable bars in Singapore.
• Skip the S$15,000 qualification spend and enjoy a complimentary  12-month C4 tier Comoclub membership.

Card applicaton is subjected to customers meeting the regulatory minimum income requirement and internal assessment.

Platinum Dining

Enjoy up to 50% off  on your food bill and S$200 Lifestyle Credit to use at our specially curated selection of 5-star hotels and restaurants.

T&Cs apply. Discover full benefits and its Terms & Conditions at go.amex/lovedining.

How it works

*35% savings when dining with two (2) friends and 15% savings when dining alone apply to Singapore Marriott Tang Plaza Hotel, The St. Regis Singapore and W Singapore – Sentosa Cove only. 33% savings when dining with two (2) guests and 10% savings apply when dining alone at Fairmont Singapore and Swissôtel The Stamford.

Lifestyle Credits

Own your style in your favourite brands or step up to the foodie life with up to  S$200 Lifestyle Credit .

Spend S$100 or more in a single transaction with participating partners and get back S$100 in statement credits each time. Valid for 2 redemptions a year, once per defined calendar period (January to June, July to December).

T&Cs apply. Discover full benefits and its Terms & Conditions at go.amex/sgplatcclifestyle.

Enjoy 1-for-1 first drink or a complimentary drink with purchase at some of the most bespoke bars in Singapore which include Anti:Dote, The Auld Alliance, Tipsy Flamingo and many more.

T&Cs apply. Discover full benefits and its Terms & Conditions at go.amex/chillax.

Skip the S$15,000 qualification spend and enjoy a complimentary 12-month C4 tier Comoclub membership .

Earn 4 Comocredits per S$1 spent across the COMO Group and its partners spanning fashion, dining, travel, wellness and more. Plus, gain access to:

• curated experiences
• limited-edition items
• invitation-only events

T&Cs apply. Discover full benefits and its Terms & Conditions at go.amex/sgplatgcomoclub.

Platinum Wellness

Pamper yourself at your favourite spa with up to  25% off  all à la carte spa services. Spa partners include The Ultimate, Spa Rael and Adeva Spa.

T&Cs apply. Discover full benefits and its Terms & Conditions at go.amex/platinumspa.

Platinum Golf

Enjoy  complimentary green fees  and privileged access to over 40 golf clubs in Singapore, Cambodia, Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand and Vietnam.

Enjoy  special benefits  at CityGolfer and Warren Golf & Country Club.

T&Cs apply. Discover full benefits and its Terms & Conditions at go.amex/golfcc and go.amex/enhancedgolfcc.

Platinum Rewards

You'll be sure to find something perfect for yourself or someone special.

How You Earn

10 MEMBERSHIP REWARDS POINTS at Platinum 10Xcelerator Partners

2 MEMBERSHIP REWARDS POINTS on all other purchases

Boost your points-earning potential to 10 Membership Rewards points  for every full S$1.60 spent at over 50 participating partners.

Your points never expire + there is no limit to the points you can earn.

T&Cs apply. Discover full benefits and its Terms & Conditions at go.amex/10xceleratorsg.

How To Redeem

Free up your cash using your Membership Rewards points to pay or part-pay for all your eligible purchases.

Pay with Points+

Enjoy  1,000 Membership Rewards points = S$6 off  for purchases at over 80 participating partners.

Enjoy  1,000 Membership Rewards points = S$4.80 off  for all other purchases.

T&Cs apply. Discover full benefits and its Terms & Conditions at go.amex/sgpwp.

Shop with Points

Level up your online shopping with Points.

From the everyday to the extraordinary, shop with points online and pay for almost anything instantly when you check out via Amex SafeKey ® with eligible partners and enjoy  S$5 off per 1,000 points  redeemed.

T&Cs apply. Discover full benefits and its Terms & Conditions at go.amex/sgshopwithpoints.

Travel with Points

Use your points to travel around the globe.

Book your next trip with  Amex Travel Online  and pay your flights, hotels, car-rental or package with points. Plus get access to exclusive travel benefits and offers.

You can also choose to  redeem flights or hotel stays  with our Airline and Hotel transfer partners.

T&Cs apply. Discover full benefits and its Terms & Conditions at go.amex/sgtravelwithpoints.

Redeem with Points

Gifts for your loved ones or reward yourself with eVouchers.

Redeem your points for  eVouchers  from as low as 2,200 points and take your pick from a variety of merchants across dining, groceries, lifestyle from our rewards redemption catelogue.

Receive your eVouchers  within 24 hours  of redemption to use it for your spend at your chosen merchant.

T&Cs apply. Discover full benefits and its Terms & Conditions at go.amex/sgevoucher.

Shop Apple with Points

Upgrade your gadgets at Amex Apple Rewards Store.

Shop for the latest Apple products with points and enjoy  20% more value  when you offset your purchase with points, now at  S$6 per 1,000 points  redeemed.

T&Cs apply. Discover full benefits and its Terms & Conditions at go.amex/sgapplerewards.

Peace of Mind

Platinum Financial Benefits

Take a load off your mind with our range of financial services, including Travel Accident Insurance , Fraud Protection and American Express Global Assist TM .

No Worries Guarantee

With 90-days return guarantee , even if the store does not accept, you can return almost any purchase made in Singapore for a refund up to S$800 per item. 90-days purchase protection automatically insures your purchases against accidental damage or theft, up to S$10,000 per incidence of theft of damage.

T&Cs apply. Discover full benefits and its Terms & Conditions at go.amex/platinumwithyou.

Ink Business Preferred vs. Amex Business Platinum: Practicality vs. luxury

Though the Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card and The Business Platinum Card® from American Express are both TPG favorites for small businesses, they are very different.

For all intents and purposes, the Amex Business Platinum is more of a membership card for business travelers who can take advantage of its perks and benefits. The Ink Business Preferred, on the other hand, is geared toward those looking to maximize earnings on a wider range of business expenses.

There's definitely value to be had from adding both cards to your wallet. However, those looking for just one card should prioritize applying for the one better suited to their specific spending habits and preferences.

Let's look at the details and benefits of each to see which you should add to your wallet.

Ink Business Preferred vs. Amex Business Platinum welcome offer

These are the bonuses new applicants can earn on these cards:

With the Ink Business Preferred , you'll get 100,000 Ultimate Rewards points after spending $8,000 on eligible purchases in the first three months from account opening.

Meanwhile, with the Amex Business Platinum , you'll get 150,000 Membership Rewards points after spending $20,000 on eligible purchases in the first three months of card membership.

Amex and Chase points are worth 2 cents and 2.05 cents apiece, respectively, according to TPG's valuations , meaning the Ink Business Preferred offer is worth about $2,050 and the Amex Business Platinum offer is worth $3,000.

Winner: Amex Business Platinum. Its current bonus is worth nearly $1,000 more than that of the Ink Business Preferred.

Ink Business Preferred vs. Amex Business Platinum benefits

Here are all the benefits you'll enjoy on these two cards:

*Eligibility and benefit levels vary 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 levels vary by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for details. Policies are underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company. ^Eligibility and benefit levels vary by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for details. ^^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.

Both the personal and business versions of the Amex Platinum have arguably the best perks of any travel card on the market. Between access to thousands of lounges worldwide, elite status with two top hotel brands and business tools to help you manage your business expenses come tax season, the Amex Business Platinum is an excellent value-add to any business traveler's wallet.

One thing that the Ink Business Preferred offers is primary rental car insurance coverage. Meanwhile, the Amex Business Platinum only offers secondary coverage*. This means you must file a claim with your primary insurance provider before Amex covers any other costs. While this perk isn't necessary if you rarely drive rental cars, domestic business travelers who rent frequently should consider choosing the card with superior rental car coverage.

At the end of the day, the Amex Business Platinum takes the cake regarding valuable benefits — especially if you're traveling a lot throughout the year for work. While the annual fee is significantly higher, utilizing most of the Amex benefits will easily offset that cost. If you maximize the annual airline fee credit and Dell statement credit, your out-of-pocket cost for the card is already only $195 each year. Spending $3,900 annually through Amex Travel would accrue enough points to make up for the rest of the annual fee.

Winner: The Amex Business Platinum is hard to beat when it comes to travel perks and benefits.

Earning points on the Ink Business Preferred vs. Amex Business Platinum

While the Amex Business Platinum has a higher multiplier, the Ink Business Preferred has a much more attractive rewards structure for business expenses.

The Amex Business Platinum only earns 5 points per dollar spent on travel booked through Amex, so it's not the card to use for most of your spending. In contrast, the Ink Business Preferred offers a slightly lower 3 points per dollar spent on a wider range of categories, including travel. Plus, Chase defines travel broadly , including booking directly with airlines and hotels, trips booked through the Ultimate Rewards program and ride-hailing services.

While the Amex categories are very limited, if you're spending $90,000 or more on hotels and airfare each year (or $7,500 a month) for your business, you'll end up out-earning the Ink Business Preferred's bonus category potential.

Winner: For most business owners, the Ink Business Preferred offers a better rewards structure.

Redeeming points on the Ink Business Preferred vs. Amex Business Platinum

You can redeem your Chase points at a fixed rate of 1.25 cents apiece for travel purchases like flights, hotels and rental cars that you book through Chase Travel℠ . Or, if you have the Chase Sapphire Reserve® , you could transfer your points to that card and redeem them at a fixed rate of 1.5 cents apiece toward travel.

Even though you'll get less than TPG's 2.05-cent valuation of Ultimate Rewards points with this redemption option, it's still a valuable way to use your points.

With the Amex Business Platinum, you can also redeem your points for merchant gift cards or to cover charges on your bill. However, these options significantly devalue your rewards to 1 cent per point or less, so we don't recommend using your points this way.

Winner : Tie. Both cards offer decent redemption options but are much more valuable if you leverage their transfer partners.

Transferring points on the Ink Business Preferred vs. Amex Business Platinum

Both cards are part of valuable rewards programs that offer a lot of redemption flexibility. Both offer an incentive for booking award travel through their portals and have a solid list of transfer partners. However, I would say that you can get more value out of the Amex Membership Rewards program because of two primary features: a superior transfer partner program and a Pay with Points rebate.

Chase and Amex each have solid lists of transfer partners that include airlines and hotels, but Amex soars above the rest with 21 partners to choose from, including Delta, Emirates, Hilton and Marriott. Amex also frequently runs transfer bonus promotions. Chase, in comparison, has only 14 transfer partners and seldom offers transfer bonuses.

Of course, if Chase offers certain partners that are more attractive to you personally — like if you're a loyal United flyer like TPG writer Ryan Wilcox rather than a Delta fan — that may be a reason to put Chase's program over Amex. However, objectively speaking, Amex has a more beneficial program for most users.

If you hold the Amex Business Platinum, you get better value on redemptions almost every time.

Winner: The Amex Business Platinum can't be beaten with its transfer partner program and Pay with Points rebate.

Should I get the Ink Business Preferred or Amex Business Platinum?

The Ink Business Preferred and Amex Business Platinum are very different cards that serve different purposes. One is built for earning, while the other is built for upgrading your travel experience. If you're deciding between the two, you'll want to decide what benefits mean more to you and which card will better complement your spending habits and lifestyle.

Bottom line

Given their differences, it's worth examining both cards closely before deciding which to apply for and use. For many people, it might make sense to hold both cards.

In either case, you'll want to ensure you understand the credit card application rules and restrictions before applying.

For more information on these cards, read our full reviews of the Ink Business Preferred and Amex Business Platinum .

Apply here: Ink Business Preferred Credit Card Apply here: The Business Platinum Card from American Express

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