6 Reasons Why the Platinum Card Should be on Every Frequent Traveller’s Radar

There are dozens of credit cards on the market that are aimed at travellers, so how do you know which one is the right fit for you? The answer: it depends. From your spending habits to the type of travel experiences you enjoy the most, there are a myriad of factors that can affect your choice of plastic and it’s important to look at the details of each credit card to see which one suits your needs the most.

If you’re a frequent flyer who likes to travel in style and spends big on restaurants, one credit card we would recommend is the Platinum Card from American Express. It comes with an annual fee of $799, but considering the premium benefits and lucrative sign-up bonus it offers, it can deliver considerably more in value for the right cardholders.

Here are six reasons why the Platinum Card should be on every frequent traveller’s radar.

1. Up to 100,000 points sign up bonus

The Platinum Card comes with a massive sign up bonus: earn 100,000 Welcome Bonus points after you charge $10,000 in net purchases to your Card in your first 3 months of Cardmembership. Offer ends Jan 28, 2025

Enjoy flexible ways to use your points such as statement credits for any eligible purchase charged to your Card, new travel purchases booked on American Express Travel Online through the Flexible Points Travel Program, and eligible flights through the Fixed Points Travel Program.

2. Great rewards earn rates

With an earnings rate of 2 points for every $1 in card purchases on eligible dining and food delivery in Canada, 2 points for every $1 in card purchases on eligible travel, and 1 point for every $1 in all other card purchases, you can rack up points on the Platinum Card fast. For example, let’s say you spend $10,000 on travel in a year, $400 on restaurants a month, and $1,000 a month on other purchases each month, you would earn 39,200 points by the end of the year. It should also be noted that throughout the year, American Express hosts special promotions that offer the ability to earn even more points at select retailers.

3. $200 in annual travel credit and $200 in annual dining credit

When you apply for the Platinum Card, you instantly receive a $200 travel credit and a $200 dining credit. These credits are an annual benefit that’s awarded on the anniversary of your card membership. You can redeem your credit when booking travel through American Express Travel or when dining out at a curated list of Canada's top restaurants. 

4. Lounge access and premium airport benefits

A few credit cards now offer airport lounge access, but the Platinum Card is the only consumer credit card that gives you free unlimited entries. You’ll get access to over 1,400 Priority Pass lounges as well as the American Express Centurion lounges. Best of all, your credit card also allows you to bring in one guest to select lounges for free. For reference, a yearly Priority Pass standard membership would cost you $99 USD with an additional $32 USD per visit. That means after just four entries, you would have saved the equivalent of around $300 CAD.

Cardholders will also receive access to premium benefits when departing from or landing at Toronto Pearson Airport, including security bypass, discounted parking and valet car services.

5. Hotel status upgrades

As a Platinum Cardmember, you instantly get or enroll in the following hotel status upgrades: Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status, Hilton Gold status, Radisson Gold status, and Shangri-La Hotels Golden Circle Jade status. These upgrades offer benefits such as member discounts, additional points earned, room upgrades, free breakfast, early and late checkouts, and more. To normally qualify for these status upgrades, you would typically have to stay anywhere 20 to 40 nights per hotel.

6. Comprehensive travel insurance

If you’re flying abroad, you need travel insurance. Fortunately, you’re covered with the Platinum Card and its comprehensive travel insurance package. Cardholders under the age of 65 are covered for 15 consecutive days of travel, per trip. The card’s travel emergency medical insurance covers you up to $5,000,000 while trip cancellation and interruption insurance covers up to $2,500 per person up to a maximum of $5,000 and $6,000 respectively. Other travel insurance benefits you get includes flight delay, baggage delay, lost or stolen baggage, car rental theft or damage, hotel and motel burglary, and travel accident.

The Platinum Card Benefits – At A Glance