{"id":256782,"date":"2026-08-10T13:00:16","date_gmt":"2026-08-10T13:00:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/entertainment.runfyers.com\/index.php\/2026\/08\/10\/how-my-amex-platinum-got-me-1200-in-value-in-7-months-the-points-guy\/"},"modified":"2026-08-10T13:00:16","modified_gmt":"2026-08-10T13:00:16","slug":"how-my-amex-platinum-got-me-1200-in-value-in-7-months-the-points-guy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/entertainment.runfyers.com\/index.php\/2026\/08\/10\/how-my-amex-platinum-got-me-1200-in-value-in-7-months-the-points-guy\/","title":{"rendered":"How my Amex Platinum got me $1,200 in value in 7 months – The Points Guy"},"content":{"rendered":"


\n<\/p>\n

\n

When I tell people that I pay $895 per year (see rates and fees<\/a><\/span>) for my American Express Platinum Card\u00ae<\/a><\/span>, I’m usually met with confusion at how I could possibly justify that price tag<\/a><\/span>.<\/p>\n

I love being able to respond by saying that I actually profit off of this card in terms of value each year \u2014 something that’s ringing true once again in 2026. We’ve still got several months left in this year, and I’ve already earned over $1,200 in value from my Amex Platinum.<\/p>\n

And no, none of that value comes from a welcome bonus<\/a><\/span>, since I’ve had this card for almost two years.<\/p>\n

Here’s how I’m making an $895-per-year card pay for itself \u2014 and then some.<\/p>\n

How I earned $1,283 in value from my Amex Platinum in 7 months<\/h2>\n

The Amex Platinum<\/a><\/span> offers a wide range of statement credits to help offset its high annual fee. While the quantity of statement credits is a turn-off for some, I actually find most of them very easy to use.<\/p>\n

Lifestyle statement credits<\/h3>\n

So far, I’ve been able to take advantage of the following lifestyle perks on my Amex Platinum:<\/p>\n

\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Benefit<\/strong><\/th>\nHow I’ve used this benefit so far<\/strong><\/th>\nValue I’ve received so far<\/strong><\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
\n
\n

This perk covers my Walmart+ membership each month, giving me free grocery delivery on orders of $35 or more.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

$90<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n
\n

I most recently used my statement credit to purchase a pair of running shorts.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

$143<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n
\n

This statement credit covers most of my Disney Bundle subscription, letting me enjoy Hulu, Disney+ and HBO Max for roughly $8 out of pocket each month.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

$175<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n
\n

I most recently used my statement credit to treat my parents to dinner at Mother’s Bistro in Portland, Oregon, for a combined Mother’s Day\/Father’s Day gift, knocking my bill down to just $50 for three people.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

$200<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n

*Enrollment required<\/em><\/p>\n

\n
<\/div>
The Park Hyatt New York, part of Amex’s FHR program. SUMMER HULL\/THE POINTS GUY<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Travel statement credits<\/h3>\n

In addition to the benefits I’ve already mentioned, I’ve earned even more value out of these perks:<\/p>\n

\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Benefit<\/strong><\/th>\nHow I’ve used this benefit so far<\/strong><\/th>\nValue I’ve received so far<\/strong><\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
\n
\n

I use my Uber One membership to save on Uber Eats delivery fees and get discounted rides, and my Platinum fully covers the cost of my monthly membership.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

$70<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n
\n

I use my Uber Cash on rides and Uber Eats orders in the U.S.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

$105<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n
\n

When I flew Delta with two friends to and from Mexico, I used my statement credit to cover my baggage fees and their Delta Sky Club guest passes.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

$200<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n\n

I used my statement credit for a one-night stay at the Royal Palms Resort and Spa in Phoenix, knocking my total down to $134.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

$300<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n

\u2020Note that your Amex Platinum must be added as a payment method, and you must pay with an Amex card to use your Uber Cash.<\/em><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/picture>\n
\n

Reward your inbox with the TPG Daily newsletter<\/p>\n

Join over 700,000 readers for breaking news, in-depth guides and exclusive deals from TPG\u2019s experts<\/p>\n

\n
\n
\n

By signing up, you will receive newsletters and promotional content and agree to our Terms of Use<\/a> and acknowledge the data practices in our Privacy Policy<\/a>. You may unsubscribe at any time.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/form>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

\u2021Hotel Collection bookings require a minimum two-night stay.<\/em><\/p>\n

How much value do I have left to earn from my Platinum?<\/h2>\n

As you can see, I haven’t maximized most of the statement credits on my Amex Platinum<\/a><\/span>. In fact, the only statement credit I’ve fully used is my up to $200 per calendar year airline incidentals statement credit.<\/p>\n

I plan on using my two remaining up to $100 quarterly U.S. Resy statement credits to take my parents out to dinner when they visit in September and when I travel to Phoenix later in the year. I’ll likely use the second up to $300 hotel statement credit to book another night at the Royal Palms Resort and Spa, though I haven’t committed to it yet.<\/p>\n

\n
\"\"<\/div>
HOLBOX\/FACEBOOK<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Provided I maximize all the statement credits I’ve partially used so far, I could add just shy of $1,000 in value over the rest of 2026 \u2014 bringing my total for the year to $2,268. After subtracting the card’s $895 annual fee, my projected year-end value comes to $1,373.<\/p>\n

Statement credits account for the vast majority of the value I’ve received, but they’re only part of why I continue renewing the card.<\/p>\n

Related: Is the Amex Platinum worth the annual fee?<\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Extra perks that I’ve used that are hard to put a cash value on<\/h2>\n

The Amex Platinum<\/a><\/span> comes with several other major benefits that offer real value, but that are hard to put a proper dollar amount on since they aren’t tied to purchases or statement credits.<\/p>\n

The Amex Platinum provides the broadest lounge access of any consumer credit card<\/a><\/span> on the market. Eligible cardmembers can get into Amex’s Centurion Lounges<\/a><\/span>, Delta Sky Clubs<\/a><\/span> (when flying on a same-day Delta itinerary; excluding basic economy; 10 visits to Delta Sky Clubs each calendar year), Plaza Premium lounges<\/a><\/span>, Escape lounges and more.<\/p>\n

While other issuers, like Capital One<\/a><\/span> and Chase<\/a><\/span>, have their own lounges, Amex’s Centurion network is much larger.<\/p>\n

\n
\"tiled<\/div>
The Centurion Lounge in Salt Lake City. ZACH GRIFF\/THE POINTS GUY<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Being able to eat in a lounge saves me a lot of money. I also thoroughly enjoy the more comfortable seating compared to what you’ll find at airport gates and (generally) quieter atmosphere.<\/p>\n

I also enjoy earning valuable Membership Rewards points<\/a><\/span> on my airline purchases booked directly. Cardmembers earn 5 points per dollar spent on the first $500,000 of these purchases each calendar year, then 1 point per dollar spent. (I’m definitely not spending half a million on airfare, so that part isn’t a worry).<\/p>\n

Who is the Amex Platinum the best fit for?<\/h2>\n

Even though it’s been very easy for me to get outsize value from my Amex Platinum, that won’t be the case for everyone<\/a><\/span>. If you fall under one or more of the following categories, you’ll likely have a hard time getting a lot of value out of this card:<\/p>\n