American Express Platinum Travel Credit Card Review

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American Express Platinum Travel Credit Card

Card Type
Travel and Rewards

Best Suited For
Travel Rewards

Joining Fee
Rs. 5000 + GST

Annual Fee
Rs. 5000 + GST

CARD DETAILS

The American Express Platinum Travel Credit Card is an excellent choice for those who can leverage its travel benefits, especially if they travel internationally often or stay at luxury hotels like the Taj. However, its value is maximized only by those who can meet the spending thresholds for additional rewards and perks. If you’re not a frequent traveler or can’t justify the annual fee through benefits, you might look at other cards offering similar luxuries with more flexible reward structures or lower fees.

PROS AND CONS

WHY WE LIKE IT

Here are compelling reasons why someone might want to get the American Express Platinum Travel Credit Card in India:

1. High Reward Rate for Travel:

3X Rewards on Amex Reward Multiplier: This feature allows you to earn three times the usual Membership Rewards Points (MRPs) on travel-related spending through their platform, making it highly lucrative for frequent travelers.

2. No Foreign Transaction Fee:

Save on International Purchases: With no forex markup, you save on every international transaction, whether you’re traveling or shopping online from international merchants.

3. Exclusive Travel Perks:

Lounge Access: 8 complimentary domestic lounge visits per year and a complimentary Priority Pass membership for international lounge access can significantly enhance your travel experience.

Taj Voucher: A ₹10,000 voucher for Taj hotels upon reaching ₹4 lakh in annual spend, offering luxury accommodations at a discount.

4. Attractive Milestone Bonuses:

15,000 MRPs at ₹1.9 Lakh: An extra boost to your points for a relatively achievable spend.

25,000 MRPs + Taj Voucher at ₹4 Lakh: If you can leverage this spending, the reward is substantial, especially for luxury travel enthusiasts.

5. Welcome Bonus:

10,000 MRPs: Easy to achieve by spending ₹15,000 within 90 days of card activation, providing an immediate boost to your rewards.

6. Flexibility in Rewards Redemption:

Versatile Redemption Options: Points can be used for flights, hotels, vouchers, or transferred to various airline and hotel loyalty programs, potentially increasing their value.

7. Dining Benefits:

Restaurant Discounts: Up to 20% off at select restaurants adds value if you dine out often, enhancing your lifestyle perks.

8. Premium Card Status:

Luxury and Prestige: Owning an American Express Platinum card carries a certain status, with the card often made from metal, emphasizing its premium nature.

9. Comprehensive Travel Insurance:

Peace of Mind: While specifics can vary, the card typically includes travel insurance benefits like air accident coverage, which can be an additional layer of security for travelers.

10. Customer Service:

High-Quality Support: American Express is known for its customer service, which can be particularly beneficial if you encounter issues while traveling or with card usage.

11. Strategic Spending Benefits:

Maximize High-Value Purchases: With a good strategy, you can use the card for high-value purchases where the rewards outweigh the annual fee or interest costs if managed well.

12. Synergy with Lifestyle:

If You Already Travel Luxuriously: If your lifestyle naturally aligns with luxury travel, dining, and shopping, this card complements those habits by offering rewards and benefits that enhance your experiences.

Considerations:

High Annual Fee: At ₹5,000 + GST without a waiver, the card’s value needs to be justified through its benefits.

Spending Thresholds: To get the most out of the card, you’ll need to reach certain spending levels, which might not suit everyone.

Acceptance: In some areas, Amex might not be as widely accepted as other card networks, though this is improving.

If your spending habits and lifestyle match the card’s rewards structure, the American Express Platinum Travel Credit Card could be a valuable addition to your wallet, offering significant savings and perks in travel and luxury experiences.

Card Details Pros and Cons Why We Like It

The American Express Platinum Travel Credit Card is an excellent choice for those who can leverage its travel benefits, especially if they travel internationally often or stay at luxury hotels like the Taj. However, its value is maximized only by those who can meet the spending thresholds for additional rewards and perks. If you’re not a frequent traveler or can’t justify the annual fee through benefits, you might look at other cards offering similar luxuries with more flexible reward structures or lower fees.

Here are compelling reasons why someone might want to get the American Express Platinum Travel Credit Card in India:

1. High Reward Rate for Travel:

3X Rewards on Amex Reward Multiplier: This feature allows you to earn three times the usual Membership Rewards Points (MRPs) on travel-related spending through their platform, making it highly lucrative for frequent travelers.

2. No Foreign Transaction Fee:

Save on International Purchases: With no forex markup, you save on every international transaction, whether you’re traveling or shopping online from international merchants.

3. Exclusive Travel Perks:

Lounge Access: 8 complimentary domestic lounge visits per year and a complimentary Priority Pass membership for international lounge access can significantly enhance your travel experience.

Taj Voucher: A ₹10,000 voucher for Taj hotels upon reaching ₹4 lakh in annual spend, offering luxury accommodations at a discount.

4. Attractive Milestone Bonuses:

15,000 MRPs at ₹1.9 Lakh: An extra boost to your points for a relatively achievable spend.

25,000 MRPs + Taj Voucher at ₹4 Lakh: If you can leverage this spending, the reward is substantial, especially for luxury travel enthusiasts.

5. Welcome Bonus:

10,000 MRPs: Easy to achieve by spending ₹15,000 within 90 days of card activation, providing an immediate boost to your rewards.

6. Flexibility in Rewards Redemption:

Versatile Redemption Options: Points can be used for flights, hotels, vouchers, or transferred to various airline and hotel loyalty programs, potentially increasing their value.

7. Dining Benefits:

Restaurant Discounts: Up to 20% off at select restaurants adds value if you dine out often, enhancing your lifestyle perks.

8. Premium Card Status:

Luxury and Prestige: Owning an American Express Platinum card carries a certain status, with the card often made from metal, emphasizing its premium nature.

9. Comprehensive Travel Insurance:

Peace of Mind: While specifics can vary, the card typically includes travel insurance benefits like air accident coverage, which can be an additional layer of security for travelers.

10. Customer Service:

High-Quality Support: American Express is known for its customer service, which can be particularly beneficial if you encounter issues while traveling or with card usage.

11. Strategic Spending Benefits:

Maximize High-Value Purchases: With a good strategy, you can use the card for high-value purchases where the rewards outweigh the annual fee or interest costs if managed well.

12. Synergy with Lifestyle:

If You Already Travel Luxuriously: If your lifestyle naturally aligns with luxury travel, dining, and shopping, this card complements those habits by offering rewards and benefits that enhance your experiences.

Considerations:

High Annual Fee: At ₹5,000 + GST without a waiver, the card’s value needs to be justified through its benefits.

Spending Thresholds: To get the most out of the card, you’ll need to reach certain spending levels, which might not suit everyone.

Acceptance: In some areas, Amex might not be as widely accepted as other card networks, though this is improving.

If your spending habits and lifestyle match the card’s rewards structure, the American Express Platinum Travel Credit Card could be a valuable addition to your wallet, offering significant savings and perks in travel and luxury experiences.

About This Credit Card

Card Eligibility

Joining and Annual Fee

First-year fee: Rs. 3,500 plus applicable taxes.
Second year onwards: Rs. 5,000 plus applicable taxes.

Fee Waiver

Rewards

Earn 1 Membership Rewards® Point for every Rs. 50 spent except for spend on Fuel, Insurance, Utilities, Cash Transactions and EMI conversion at the Point of Sale.

Welcome Benefits

Welcome Gift of 10,000 Membership Rewards points redeemable for a Flipkart voucher or Pay with Points option in Amex Travel Online worth Rs. 3,000. Effective from 22nd January 2021.

Milestone Bonus Earning

Spend Rs. 1.90 Lacs in a Cardmembership year and get a Flipkart voucher or Travel benefits on ATO worth Rs. 4,500. Effective from 22nd January 2021.
Spend Rs. 4 Lacs in a Cardmembership year and additionally get a Flipkart voucher or Travel benefits on ATO worth Rs. 7,500. Effective from 22nd January 2021.
Get a Taj Experiences E-Gift Card worth Rs. 10,000 from the Taj, SeleQtions and Vivanta Hotels.

Reward Redemption

Overall Reward Rate

Other Benefits

Enjoy 8 complimentary visits per year (limited to two complimentary visits per quarter) to airport lounges across India.

Positives

Negatives

Credofly Verdict

How To Apply

FAQs - Frequently Asked Questions