American Express is enhancing the value of its top-tier cards, particularly the Platinum Card® and the Business Platinum Card®, through newly introduced credits. The Platinum Card® has recently been updated to offer up to $75 in quarterly credits for purchases made at U.S. Lululemon retail stores (excluding outlets) and online, alongside a potential $100 in credits at U.S. Resy-affiliated restaurants each quarter, with prior enrollment required.
Although the Business Platinum Card® did not gain additional quarterly credits, it continues to provide significant existing benefits. New cardmembers for both cards can take advantage of lucrative welcome bonuses — up to 175,000 bonus points for the Platinum Card after spending $8,000 in the first six months, and an unprecedented 200,000 bonus points for the Business Platinum Card after spending $20,000 within the initial three months.
Prospective cardholders can now apply for the Platinum Card online, receiving an instant card number for immediate online purchases and digital wallet integration while waiting for the physical card, which may take up to seven business days. This feature allows new members to immediately explore and enroll in the new statement credits before the end of September.
For those acquiring the Platinum Card, the combination of the new Lululemon and Resy credits, along with up to $120 annually ($9.99 monthly) for an Uber One membership, means they could garner up to $185 in value through these new benefits, effectively mitigating a recent $200 increase in the card’s annual fee. It is essential for both new and existing cardholders to activate these credits in their account to ensure eligibility when making purchases.
For Lululemon purchases, it is recommended to utilize the Rakuten shopping portal or explore deals in the secondhand and “We Made Too Much” sections, with both online and in-store spending eligible for credit. In terms of dining out, cardholders can seek out Resy-affiliated restaurants, with no reservation necessary to qualify for the credit. Notably, to avoid complications in receiving credits, users should be mindful of payment methods and ensure that they tap to pay or ask staff to manually input their card details if needed.
Similarly, a new Platinum Card member stands to benefit from an additional $52.95 in monthly credits. This includes up to $25 for digital entertainment services like Disney+ Bundle and Hulu, $15 in Uber Cash applicable to rides and Uber Eats, and $12.95 towards a Walmart+ membership.
For Business Platinum Card members, although no new credits have been added, existing benefits such as up to $10 monthly for U.S. wireless telephone services and quarterly credits of $50 for Hilton purchases still provide valuable opportunities. Ensuring that these credits are activated is critical to receiving their benefits.
However, there are important considerations regarding contactless payments, as not all transactions may yield the expected credits due to processing discrepancies. Past experiences have shown that if credits do not appear within the expected timeframe, reaching out to American Express through their support channels can often resolve the issue.
In conclusion, by making timely applications and strategically utilizing benefits, both current and prospective cardholders of the Amex Platinum and Business Platinum can maximize up to $238 in monthly and quarterly statement credits before the end of September. It is advised to stay vigilant regarding account activity to ensure that all credits are applied correctly.
