Each year, the TPG Awards honor excellence in credit cards, loyalty programs and travel. Please click Here To read more about our winner selection process and methodology for the 2024 TPG Awards.
Despite newcomers to the premium credit card arena competing for your business, American Express’s top-tier consumer card continues to shine.
The Platinum Card® from American Express has captured all three of the data-driven luxury card honors at the 2024 TPG Awards, claiming the titles of Best Card for Lounge Access, Best Credit Card Lounge Network, and Best Luxury Hotel Collection — and it’s no surprise. It doesn’t matter.
Let’s take a look at how the Amex Platinum remains in first place among luxury travel rewards cards, along with how competitors are catching up.
best lounge access
Amex Platinum is synonymous with lounge access. In fact, it was largely responsible for launching Issuer-branded airport lounge trend,
American Express Centurion Lounge Can be found at 15 US airports and 11 other airports around the world, with more in the pipeline. Compare Amex’s footprint with its competitors, e.g. Capital One Lounge And Chase Sapphire LoungeAnd you’ll immediately notice that their presence pales in comparison to American Express.
As well as the Centurion Lounge, card members get access to Delta Sky Club Lounge* (when flying on Delta) and Select Priority Pass LoungeEnrollment is required. Other lounges around the world that Card Members can access include:
- airfield lounge
- Escape Lounge
- Plaza Premium Lounge
- Lufthansa Select Lounge
- Other Global Lounge Collection Partner Lounges
*Effective February 1, 2025, eligible Platinum Card members will receive 10 visits to Delta Sky Club or Grab & Go per eligible Platinum Card per year, when traveling on a same-day, Delta-operated flight.
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This extensive footprint played a major role in the card winning two data-driven lounge awards. To determine the best card for lounge access, we analyzed the entire network of lounges available to cardholders, which comprises 75% of the final score. Then, we explored access policies for the remaining 25% – including guest and authorized user privileges. Amex Platinum came out on top with a score of 8.79 out of 10.
We took a similar approach to determine the winner of the Best Card-Exclusive Lounge Network award. Once again, the network made up 75% of the final score, and the remaining 25% was divided equally between the access policies and features offered to cardholders. Amex Platinum again took the top spot with a score of 7.2 out of 10.
However, there’s a lot to like about the other two issuers’ offerings, as each garnered respect for their premium options.
Capital One began opening its own lounges in 2021, and its top-tier individual travel rewards card, Capital One Venturehas been named best premium travel cards At this year’s TPG Awards.
The issuer currently has three lounges open in the US, and two more in the pipeline. In November, it also premiered a new lounge concept called Capital One Landing Ronald Reagan at Washington National Airport (DCA).
Chase is also racing to compete with Amex and Capital One, opening eight lounges since it first landed hong kong In 2022. In fact, Chase’s lounge at LaGuardia Airport (LGA), New York CityIt won Best New Lounge at this year’s TPG Awards, which began in January. Recently added to the network Includes locations in Phoenix and San Diego.
Amex Platinum Card members can access the Centurion Lounge at no charge. However, the ability to bring guests without charge is contingent on spending at least $75,000 per calendar year.
Capital One is more generous in this area, as Venture Chase’s guest policies are also less restrictive than Amex’s.
You can read our full methodology for determining all the winners of the 2024 TPG Awards this page,
High earning rates on air fares
amex platinum Was one of the first cards to offer a surprisingly high 5 points per dollar spent on airfare when booking directly with an airline or through amextravel.com (on airfare purchases up to $500,000 per calendar year , then 1 point per dollar). This high earning rate on airfare is extremely valuable, considering that Amex lets you earn bonus points when you book directly with an airline.
Venture Chase Sapphire Reserve® 5 points per dollar spent on flights are also awarded, but only at the time of booking Capital One Travel Or Chase Travel℠there are Several reasons to avoid booking through travel portalsLike punitive cancellation charges, poor customer service, and refund issues.
When it comes to luxury travel, earning 5 points per dollar spent on flights can help you quickly rack up points and then use them for premium cabin redemptions.
Statement credits and perks galore
Amex offers platinum Profit over $1,500 For card members, that’s more than enough to offset its $695 annual fee (see). Rates and Fees,
The card statement provides a comprehensive list of credits, including:
- Up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year when airline contingency is charged by an eligible airline
- Up to $200 in statement credits each year for prepaid American Express Fine Hotels + Resorts or Hotel Collection bookings made through American Express Travel when you pay with the Platinum Card (a minimum two-night stay is required for The Hotel Collection)
- Up to $200 in Uber Cash annually for rides with Uber and orders on Uber Eats in the US when Amex Platinum is added to your Uber account (enrolment required) ($15 per month, plus a $20 bonus in December)
there are many ways Maximize and get maximum value With your Amex Platinum Card, including taking targeted benefits amex offer For opportunities to earn cashback or bonus points on purchases at select merchants. Recently, I earned 20,000 Membership Rewards points after spending $1,000 on Air France and KLM tickets with my Amex Platinum card, which was like getting a 40% kickback on my purchases.
The Amex Platinum Card takes it up a notch by giving members complimentary Gold status with both Marriott Bonvoy And Hilton HonorsBenefits include bonus points on stays, room upgrades, and late checkout. Enrollment required
But it was Fine Hotels + Resorts that led the card to win the data-driven award for Best Luxury Hotel Collection this year. For this recognition, we gave equal weight to the program’s global footprint (50%) and the benefits it offers to cardholders (50%). Amex FHR came in first place with a score of 9.3 out of 10 – thanks to its huge portfolio of properties, the aforementioned $200 statement credit, and the late checkout guarantee.
However, here again, we’ve seen some notable competition from Chase and Capital One. Edited by Chase Travel Available to Sapphire Reserve cardholders, featuring similar facilities (And now confirmed ability to earn hotel rewards and enjoy loyalty benefits at select properties). Meanwhile, Venture Capital One Premier CollectionA curated set of hotels around the world that offer cardholders various amenities at the property.
Hopefully, we’ll continue to see investment in these programs as Amex, Capital One, and Chase compete to capture luxury travelers.
Read more: Comparison of luxury hotel programs from credit card issuers: Amex, Capital One, Chase, and Citi
Valuable Transfer Partners
amex platinum is an impressive combination 21 airline and hotel transfer partners Card members can use it to book luxury travel experiences such as premium cabin redemptions and top-tier hotel stays.
According to TPG December 2024 ValuationAmex points are worth 2 cents, which comes pretty close Built Rewards And chase the ultimate rewards The points, each worth a little more than 2.05 cents.
Amex remains on top thanks to Frequent offer of transfer bonuses To select partners. Over the past decade, Amex has been the issuer offering the highest transfer bonuses every year.
However, its competitors have some unique transfer partners that Amex does not, such as Chase’s partnership with World of Hyatt and the ability of Capital One customers to transfer points Turkish Miles and Smiles,
ground level
Major credit card issuers continue to refresh their top-tier cards to help cardholders improve their travel experiences.
The Amex Platinum set the standard for luxury travel years ago with its expansive lounge access policies, high earning rates on airfare, valuable transfer partners, and attractive statement credits – and the card still holds the title of king in this area.
But with many competitors moving forward, the time has come for Amex Platinum to once again stay ahead and innovate to elevate luxury travel. Given that it was last refreshed in 2021, we expect the card’s benefits to be refreshed again soon. However, it is still a top choice for travelers seeking luxury.
Connected: Amex Platinum Card review: High annual fee with lots of perks
Click for Amex Platinum Card rates and fees Here,
