Check with CardMatch to see if you’re targeted for a 175,000-point offer on the Platinum Card® from American Express. These offers are subject to change at any time.
Getting 80,000 to 100,000 points from a single credit card is nearly impossible to beat. But we'll do you one better: How about 175,000 points?
After making some painful tweaks to the flagship The Platinum Card® from American Express and dropping the standard bonus down to just 80,000 points, more and more customers are still being targeted for a much better offer: 175,000 points via CardMatch after spending $8,000 in the first six months.
That's the biggest offer we've ever seen on the Platinum Card – and considering it's nearly double the standard 80,000 bonus you'd get applying directly through Amex for the same spending requirement, it's a big deal. You may also be able to get a 175,000-point welcome offer bonus via personal referral links or searching for the card in an incognito browser, it's worth checking via CardMatch, too.
It may be hard for many travelers to justify the Platinum Card's $695 annual fee (see rates & fees). But for new applicants, earning 175,000 points right off the bat – not to mention a full year of unlimited Delta Sky Club access, among countless other Amex Platinum benefits – makes it far easier to stomach so long as you can responsibly meet the spending requirements.
Not everyone will be targeted for this massive welcome offer, but no hard credit pull is necessary to see if you qualify. Just enter your details at CardMatch and see what comes up! Your credit score will not be impacted to see what offers are available.
The Private Amex Platinum Card Offer Using CardMatch
New to American Express cards? That seems to be your best bet to qualify for this 175,000-point offer through CardMatch. That said, Amex has been a bit more liberal in targeting more users with excellent credit scores in recent years, regardless of your history with American Express.
That said, the Amex Platinum 175,000-point offer won't be available for all users. Some may be targeted for lower offers like 125,000 or the standard offer of 80,000 points, while others may not see anything for the Platinum Card through CardMatch at all.
Not getting a bigger offer through CardMatch? You can get a 100,000-point bonus (plus earn a whopping 10x points per dollar spent on the first $25,000 spent at restaurants in six months) by applying for the Platinum Card through Resy! Otherwise, check for personal referral links or simply search for the Platinum Card in an incognito browser to see if you can get a bigger bonus.
We saw the welcome bonus on the Amex Platinum Card inch up as travelers began to emerge from the pandemic. For years it was 60,000 points … but then it shot up to 75,000 points and again to 100,000 points after spending $5,000 within the first six months. Now, the standard bonus has settled at 80,000 points after spending $8,000 in six months.
But this new targeted CardMatch offer of 175,000 points is now available – and that easily takes the cake if you can get it.
No matter how many points you can get, just remember: Credit cards are serious business. All the points in the world aren't worth it if it means you'd dig yourself into debt. You should only open a new credit card and spend the money to earn a big bonus if you can afford to pay off every dime, in full.
Premium travel perks are the true value of the Platinum Card. That includes unrivaled lounge access, instant hotel status, and more than $800 in travel credits split between Uber, airlines, hotels, CLEAR® Plus, and more. But you can easily get $1,500 toward travel from this bonus – and likely several times more than that. Check out some of the best ways to use your bonus from the Amex Platinum card.
If you've never heard of CardMatch, it's run by Creditcards.com to help prospective cardholders find targeted credit card offers. Every person will likely have different offers presented to them based on what cards they hold in their wallet. The best part is there is no hard credit pull to see what you're targeted for.
Advantages of the Amex Platinum Card
The American Express Platinum Card has long been a favorite of the Thrifty Traveler team and travelers across the globe.
Besides this incredible 175,000-point welcome offer, it gets you in the door to more airport lounges worldwide than any other credit card. That includes Delta Sky Clubs, 1,200-plus Priority Pass Lounges, Escape Lounges (Centurion Studios) – including the one at Minneapolis-St. Paul (MSP) – and the exclusive Amex Centurion Lounges, which are popping up at a growing list of airports around the U.S. and the world.
It gets better with annual credits that can help offset the otherwise steep $695 annual fee. That includes up to $200 a year for Uber rides (split up into monthly installments), up to $200 for airline fees each year, up to a $200 hotel credit, up to a $240 digital entertainment credit, up to $199 annually for a CLEAR® Plus membership, and more.
You also earn 5x points per dollar when purchasing airfare directly through airlines or through Amex Travel, the best return you'll find.
Even if you aren't targeted for the 175,000 offer, there is a chance you could be targeted for a 75,000 point offer on the American Express® Gold Card. And that offer is worth considering, too, as we think it's one of the best travel rewards credit cards.
Read more: Amex Gold vs Platinum Card: Which Version is Best for You?
Platinum Card from American Express Card Benefits
Welcome Offer Bonus: bonus_miles_full But see if you're targeted via CardMatch.
A $199 Credit for CLEAR® Plus: Platinum cardholders now get a $199 annual credit for the privately run security program. It will cover the entire cost of CLEAR Plus, as memberships start at $199 a year. Just pay for your membership with your Platinum Card and the credit should kick in automatically.
$240 Digital Entertainment Credit: Cardholders will receive up to $240 in annual statement credits for select entertainment services, with monthly installments of $20. But this new benefit is incredibly restrictive: It currently only applies to purchases or subscriptions with Disney+, The Disney Bundle, ESPN+, Hulu, Peacock, The Wall Street Journal, and the New York Times.
$200 Annual Uber Cash: Each year you hold the Platinum Card, you will receive $200 Uber Cash toward Uber rides and Uber Eats orders. You will be issued $15 each month, and $35 in the month of December ($200 total). You’ll also get a complimentary Uber Eats Pass membership.
$200 Airline Incidental Fee Credit: Each year you hold the Platinum Card, you also receive a $200 credit to use with one selected airline. The credit is intended to be used for things like checked bags, change or cancelation fees, seat assignments, lounge access, and more.
$200 Hotel Credit: Get a $200 annual statement credit for prepaid hotel bookings through the Amex Travel booking portal. This new credit only applies to Fine Hotels + Resorts® or Hotel Collection properties, which includes some great resorts and hotels around the globe. Notably, stays at Hotel Collection properties require a minimum stay of two consecutive nights.
Earn 5x Points per Dollar Spent on Airfare: Spent directly with any airline or through the American Express travel portal at amextravel.com – capped at $500,000 spent in this category in a calendar year. It’s the best card for booking airfare.
The Best Lounge Access Offered From Any Credit Card: Get complimentary lounge access to the Amex Centurion Lounges, Delta Sky Clubs (when flying Delta), Priority Pass Lounges, and other Lounge networks like the Escape lounge. Starting Feb. 1, 2025, Delta Sky Club visits will be capped at six times annually for Platinum cardholders.
$100 Application Fee Credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck: If you apply for either Global Entry or TSA PreCheck and pay with the Platinum Card, the application cost will be reimbursed (up to $120 for Global Entry and $85 for TSA PreCheck). You can use this credit once every four years for Global Entry, and four and a half years for TSA PreCheck. Membership in either program is good for five years.
$100 Annual Credit for Saks Fifth Avenue: Each year of card membership, you will receive two $50 credits to be used at Saks Fifth Avenue stores. One $50 credit will be available from January through June, with another available from July through December. Read our post on 7 ways to use your Saks Fifth Avenue credit.
$155 Walmart+ Credit: Get up to a $12.95 monthly Walmart+ membership with a statement credit after you pay for Walmart+ each month.
Hilton Honors & Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite Status: Just for holding the Platinum Card you will receive complimentary Marriott Bonvoy and Hilton Honors Gold Elite status without having to meet any stay requirements. We think Hilton Honors Gold Elite status is the best mid-tier hotel program, getting you and a guest free breakfast during your international travels or a daily on-property credit in the U.S.
Trip Delay & Cancellation Coverage: If you pay for your round-trip flight with the Platinum Card – or put the taxes and fees from an award flight on it – you will be eligible for trip cancellation and trip delay coverage. Read more about Amex’s travel coverage here.
Annual Fee: $695 and it is not waived for the first year of card membership (see rates & fees).
Ways to Maximize Your Membership Rewards Points
There is no shortage of ways to use a stash of 175,000 American Express Membership Rewards points. Below, we'll highlight a couple of our favorites.
Fly to Europe and Back in Business Class for 100,000 Points
Japan’s All Nippon Airways (ANA) is one of the best airlines in the world and it’s got an underrated mileage program, too. In fact, it might just be one of the best ways to book business class flights … to Europe for just 100,000 miles roundtrip.
Yes, you read that right. Using miles from a Japanese airline to fly business class to Europe is one of the best workarounds in points and miles, as you can do it for roughly half the miles that other airlines charge. Consider this: United would charge 154,000 miles or more for these exact same transatlantic flights.
You’re not flying ANA itself, but merely using its miles to book other partner Star Alliance airlines like United, Air Canada, or SAS that fly nonstop across the pond. And Amex Membership Rewards points transfer 1:1 to ANA miles. That means one Amex point is equal to one ANA mile. Membership Rewards is currently the only credit card points currency that transfers to ANA.
It’s an incredible deal, but booking with ANA Mileage Club miles isn’t always straightforward – especially if you’re unfamiliar with its rules and quirks. Check out our full booking guide below for everything you need to know.
Read more: How to Fly Business Class to Europe for 100K Points Roundtrip
Book the World's Best Business Class: Qatar's Qsuites
Last year, Qatar Airways announced it would ditch its little-known Qmiles frequent flyer mile program and instead adopt Avios – under the same umbrella as partner airlines British Airways and Iberia. That move raised the question: Would you be able to transfer Avios from British Airways over to Qatar, as is the case between BA and Iberia? Would it change British Airways’ own award rates for Qatar redemptions? And what about taxes and fees? British Airways is known for sky-high cash costs on award tickets.
The answer to all of the above is a resounding yes – and it’s a massive win for travelers who want to fly Qsuites.
British Airways’ Executive Club added the ability to instantly combine Avios between BA and Qatar and opening an incredibly lucrative option to book Qatar using credit card points like American Express Membership Rewards points. But there’s more news: At the same time, British Airways adjusted its own award pricing for Qatar redemptions … with far lower award pricing and lower taxes and fees, too!
Using British Airways or Qatar Avios, you can currently book flights from New York City (JFK) or even Los Angeles (LAX) to Doha (DOH) in Qsuites business class for just 70,000 Avios and $101 in taxes.
British Airways has ditched its normal distance-based award pricing – where the longer the flight, the more miles it costs – for these partner bookings to match what Qatar itself charges. It’s a flat 70,000 Avios for a one-way in Qsuites from the U.S. to Doha. On some other routes with connections onward to the Middle East or the Maldives, British Airways is charging a bit more because it prices out on a per-segment basis.
It's easily one of the best ways to book Qatar Qsuites with points & miles, which continually wins awards for being the world's best business class.
Read our full review of Qatar Airways Qsuites!
Bottom Line
If it makes financial sense for you, this is a great opportunity to earn a boatload of points to fund your future travels. This Amex Platinum increased offer is one of the biggest and best bonus offers we've seen, period.
And even with the recently increased annual fee of $695, you won't have to try hard to come out way ahead in your first year of card membership, thanks in large part to this 175,000-point offer after spending $8,000 in the first six months.
Check CardMatch's offers right away as they could pull this offer at any time. This is among the best offers you'll see on any travel rewards credit card, so don't sleep on it.
Card Match doesn’t work. I went on there yesterday to see if I was eligible for the AmEx Platinum 150k point sign up bonus and it said I only qualified for the standard 80k sign up offer. Today I received the targeted packet in the mail and signed up for the 150k offer.
The current resy offer is only 100k. I was able to pull up a 150k offer first try without even using incognito. Thus, no need to use card match.
If you don’t get the 150k offer then search and apply for the Resy Platinum offer which is 125k plus 10% on dining purchases.
Interesting, I wasn’t even offered one AMEX option. I have an 800 score with high income. Guess I’m not one of the targeted ones.
I got the 125,000 point offer, as it will be my first Amex and was approved on the spot. My card will arrive in two days. Perfect timing, as I am starting to make travel plans in 2021 and this card will help me maximize those trips. Thanks for the information.
Great to hear, Chris! It’s a fantastic offer.
No hard credit pull, but apparently they need access to your credit file. My credit is frozen with all 3 bureaus, so no offers for me!
I never seem to get this offer as a match despite having impeccable credit? Any idea why?
There is no way to know for sure how Amex is targeting people for the offer. If you have American Express cards already, it appears that may have something to do with not being targeted.
That could be it. I have three other Amex cards.