2013-09-06

Review in brief: Top 3 reasons to consider the card

Access all Delta, American, and US Airways lounges with up to 2 guests or your immediate family.

Access over 600 Priority Pass Select affiliated lounges worldwide. There’s a lounge at most major airports for international travel worldwide (note: no access to United Airlines clubs in the network).

$200 annual fee credit toward purchases with any airline of your choosing, helping offset the $450 annual fee of the card.

More lounge access than any other card

As long as United isn’t your airline of choice, there is no better complete value for lounge access as a U.S. based traveler.

The lounge network includes all American Airlines Admirals Clubs, Delta Sky Clubs, and US Airways Clubs worldwide. In addition, you have access to the global Priority Pass network of lounges — over 600 in all (excluding United Airlines clubs)– with a presence at nearly every major airport in the world. This combined with the US airlines’ access makes The Platinum Card© unmatched by any other for lounge access.

If you’re a United flyer, the United MileagePlus® Club Card from Chase is the only credit card that will give you access to their lounges.

Card features

Click here for our complete, detailed guide to Platinum Card® benefits

Earn 25K Membership Rewards® points after you spend $2,000 during your first three months of Card membership

Premium travel benefits: access over 600 lounges worldwide when you enroll in Priority Pass™ Select, no foreign transaction fees

Receive up to $200 annually in a statement credit with the airline of your choice to use towards baggage fees, flight-change fees, in-flight food and beverage purchases and more.

Entertainment benefits: get Advance Tickets before the public and access once in a lifetime events with By Invitation Only®

24/7 Platinum Card® Concierge service for assistance with reservations, travel, gifts, and more.

Terms and restrictions apply.

Other benefits

Complimentary access to all American Airlines, Delta, US Airways airport lounges

Free Gold status with Starwood Preferred Guest® hotels (without the card requires 10 stays or 25 nights per year)

The Membership Rewards First® program – Enjoy exclusive access to rewards and experiences featuring luxury retail, lifestyle, and world-class travel

Receive a companion ticket for discounted travel when you purchase a qualifying First- or Business-Class international ticket. Additional taxes/charges apply.

National Car Rental Executive status — offering guaranteed car upgrades when you rent

4 hour grace period on Hertz car rental returns

Annual fee:

Basic Card: $450

Additional Cards: $175 for up to 3 additional Platinum Cards (first additional $175, #s 2 and 3 free) and $175 for each Platinum Additional Card after the first 3. Additional cards each enjoy $100 Global Entry credit and standalone lounge access, but must share the $200 annual airline fee rebate.

Click here to apply for the Card and learn more at American Express.

How lounge access works

Simply present your Platinum Card® at the lounge check-in, along with your boarding pass for travel that day on the host airline. You will be granted complimentary access for yourself and 2 traveling companions, or your spouse and children under 21 years of age. You will not be charged a separate fee (guest privileges valid at all American, Delta, and US Airways Clubs, while Priority Pass lounges charge about $30 for guests besides yourself) . US Airways Clubs and Priority Pass affiliated lounged don’t require a boarding pass for entry — so you can fly any airline and use their clubs.

Why does this work? American Express pays the host airline a fee each time a Platinum Card® member uses the lounge facilities. You only pay your annual membership fee, and Amex receives the benefit of your credit card business.

The ‘catch’ is that in order to use the club, you must be traveling on the club’s host airline that day. So, for example, if you are traveling on Delta Airlines you wouldn’t be eligible to use the American Airlines Admirals Club that day. However, you can certainly enter the Delta SkyClub. US Airways is an exception, which allows entry without a boarding pass, as do all of the lounges in the Priority Pass network.

Click here to apply for the Card and learn more at American Express.

More than lounge access for the same price

The $450 annual fee of The Platinum Card® is identical to the fee you would pay to join just one of the standalone lounge networks, but with the added benefits of access to four complete networks and the credit card’s other added benefits.

Unlike a standalone airport club membership, this is the time tested Platinum Card® from American Express, with exclusive annual benefits including:

Automatic Gold status with Starwood Hotels for preferred room choices and 4pm checkout (normally requires 25 nights of stays each year)

Executive status with National Car Rental — giving you a guaranteed upgrade every time you rent

Dining Reservations Program. The finest restaurants in the U.S. set aside seats for reservations made through Amex Platinum’s concierge, giving you easier access for tough to get tables, even at the last minute.

Fine Hotels and Resorts Program. When staying at luxury properties, get access to upgrades and amenities like complimentary breakfast and spa credit with late check-out privileges.

Click here to apply for the Card and learn more at American Express.

Special  introductory bonus

When you are approved for the card and spend $2,000 on it within 3 months, you will receive 25,000 Membership Rewards bonus points. That is enough for an entry level domestic roundtrip ticket when transferred to airline partners like Delta Airlines.

Click here to apply for the Card and learn more at American Express.

Transfer points 1:1 into many airline programs

Every dollar you spend on The Platinum Card® earns you one Membership Rewards point. Points can be used to transfer into several top airline programs, most at one to one with no dilution, and with instant or next business day point transfers in most cases. This is invaluable in helping you get the best deal for your points and topping off accounts you might already have. In addition, you can redeem your points for thousands of items and amenities. No other points program offers more opportunities for redemption.

Click here to apply for the Card and learn more at American Express.



What can I expect inside the airline club?

1. A place to work or relax

The primary benefit of airline lounges is a relatively quiet place to wait for your flight and recharge your laptop or mobile telephone. They are not spa-like luxury centers, but most clubs are practical and offer both comfortable social seating areas as well as more private workstations. There is also a place to comfortable store your luggage. Delta SkyClubs offer complimentary wifi access.

2. Extra help and peace of mind with reservations

Agents, or ‘angels’ as some members call them, will help you if your travel plans change or delays force you to alter flights. You can rest assured you will be able to get help without the exceptionally long lines you see in terminal counters.

3.Complimentary beverages

Lounges offer free soft drinks, complimentary house beer and wine (well drinks complimentary at Delta SkyClubs), and paid premium drinks.

Click here to apply for the Card and learn more at American Express.

What are the club locations?

The Platinum Card® includes access to all American Airlines Admirals Clubs, Delta Air Lines SkyClubs, and US Airways Clubs. In addition to the list below, you will have access to over 600 Priority Pass affiliated lounges worldwide.

Click here to apply for the Card and learn more at American Express.

Airline

City

Club Location

Conference Room?

American Airlines

Atlanta

North Terminal, Concourse T. After Security on the left, across from Gate T10

Yes

Austin

Mezzanine Level. After Security, across from Gate 13

Yes

Bogota

Past Immigration, below Departure Gate 7* (only departing passengers)

No

Boston

Upper Level, Terminal B. After Security, near Gate B36

Yes

Buenos Aires

International building, on the second level of Hall A. After Security/Passport Control, adjacent to Gate 9

No

Caracus

After Security and Passport Control, between Gates 24 & 25 (only departing passengers)

No

Chicago

Terminal 3, Concourse G. After Security, across from Gate G8

No

Terminal 3, after Security, in the crosswalk between Gates H6 and K6

Yes

Dallas

Terminal A, after Security, across from Gate 24

Yes

Terminal B, after Security, between Gates 5 & 6

Yes

Terminal C, after Security, between Gates 19 & 20

Yes

Terminal D, after Security, fourth level, across from Gate 23

Yes

Denver

Concourse A, North end of the A Gates Bridge from Jeppesen Terminal.

Yes

Frankfurt

Gallerie level in Departure Hall B/C, next to walking bridge to the Sheraton Hotel. Before Security/Passport Control

Yes

American Airlines

Honolulu

Airside, EWA Concourse, level 3 above Gate 26

No

Kansas City

Terminal C, located after Security, adjacent to Gate 79

No

London - Heathrow

Terminal 3, on the Departure level. After security, exit Duty Free Lounge by Gate 12B, on the right side (only departing passengers)

No

Los Angeles

Terminal 4, across from Gate 40

Yes

Mexico City

International Departures. Concourse H. After Security, take the elevator to the second floor (only departing passengers)

No

Miami

Main Terminal. Concourse A, after Security, above Gate A7

Yes

Main Terminal. Concourse D, after Security, above Gate D34

Yes

Nashville

Concourse C, after Security, Mezzanine Level, across from Gate 12.

No

New York City - JFK

Terminal 8, Concourse B, before Security, above the international ticket lobby

Yes

Terminal 9, remote Concourse C, third floor after Security, across from Gate 42

Yes

New York City - La Guardia

Concourse D, across from Gate D3, after Security

Yes

New York City - Newark Liberty

Terminal A, after Security, toward Gates 30 through 39

Yes

American Airlines

Orange County

Mezzanine level, after Security, adjacent to Gate 8

Yes

Panama City

Concourse B in front of Gates 32 and 33

N/A

Paris

Terminal 2A, after Passport Control to the round satellite by Gate A37-39, taking the escalator down

No

Philadelphia

Terminal A-East, before Security checkpoint

Yes

Raleigh-Durham

Terminal 2, after security, across from Gates C1 & C3.

Yes

Rio de Janeiro

Blue Sector restricted area, Mezzanine level, after Security

Yes

San Diego

Terminal 2, above Gate 23 inside Security on the left

Yes

San Francisco

Terminal 3, Pier E, after Security across from Gate 62

Yes

San Juan

Terminal D across from Gate 12

Yes

Sao Paulo

Terminal 2, after Passport Control on the Mezzanine Level of Wing D, near Gate 16

No

American Airlines

Santiago

International Building, inside Security on the left and across from Gate 19

No

Santo Domingo

Inside Security checkpoint, second level, prior to departures

Yes

St Louis

Between concourses C and D, after Security near Gate C1

Yes

Tokyo

Terminal 2, after Immigration and Passport Control, located near Gate 71

No

Toronto

Terminal 3, Concourse B, adjacent to Gate B10

No

Washington DC - Dulles

Terminal D, across from Gate D26

Yes

Washington DC - Reagan

Terminal B, near Gate 28

Yes

Delta (and formerly Northwest)

Atlanta, GA

Concourse A in center on 2nd level

Yes

Concourse A near Gate A17

Concourse B near Gate B10

Concourse B near Gate B25

Yes

Concourse C near Gate C37

Yes

Concourse T near Gate T6

Concourse E across from Gate E14

Concourse E across from Gate E15

Boston, MA

Satellite between Gates 17 & 18

Chicago, IL (O'Hare – ORD)

Terminal 2 - Concourse E across from Gate E4

Delta (and formerly Northwest)

Cincinnati, OH

Near Gate B14

Yes

Dallas, TX

Near Gate 10

Yes

Detroit, MI

Concourse C, at gate level near the entrance to Concourse C

Concourse A, 2nd level at Express Tram North Station across from Gate A68

Concourse A, 2nd level at Express Tram South Station across from Gate A18

Terminal, gate level at the link, across from Gate A38

Ft. Lauderdale, FL

Next to the Gate Information Center

Honolulu, HI

Across from Gate 13

Indianapolis, IN

Concourse A inside security

Jacksonville, FL

Concourse A - Gate 2

Los Angeles, CA

Terminal 5 mezzanine level between Gates 53 & 55

Yes

Manila, Philippines

West Wing, Departure Level, after Immigration, above Gate 15

Memphis, TN

Adjacent to the B Security Checkpoint in the B/C Connector

Delta (and formerly Northwest)

Miami, FL

South terminal. Airside. In the H and J connector (left of H concourse security).

Milwaukee, WI

Concourse E, next to Gate 60

Minneapolis/St. Paul, MN

F/G Concourse - Entrance located at the beginning of the concourse

Concourse C, next to Gate C12

Nashville, TN

Adjacent to Gate B3

New Orleans, LA

Concourse D,Gate 4

New York, NY (JFK)

Terminal 3 - 4th floor across from Gate 6

Terminal 2 (Mezzanine Level)

Terminal 3 - West adjacent Gate 12

Terminal 3 - South (Duty Free Shop area)

New York, NY (LGA)

Concourse level, inside security before Gate 2

Yes

Behind Northwest Airline's ticket counter adjacent to security checkpoint

Newark, NJ

Terminal B between the main & satellite buildings

Orlando, FL

Airside - Center Atrium area

Philadelphia, PA

Terminal D, to the right of the Earl of Sandwich

Delta (and formerly Northwest)

Portland, OR

Concourse D between gates D5 and D7

Raleigh-Durham

Terminal 2, 2nd level, across from gate C3

Salt Lake City, UT

Between Concourses C&D, next to the gift shop

Yes

San Diego, CA

Terminal 2 next to Gate 37

San Francisco, CA

Mezzanine level at the ticket counter

International terminal, beyond Security Checkpoint A

Santiago, Chile

Between gates 17 and 18, 2nd floor

Sao Paulo, Brazil

2nd floor, above security clearance area and Duty Free

Seattle/Tacoma, WA

Between Gates S8 and S9

Tampa, FL

Concourse E Gate 67

Tokyo, Japan (Business)

1. Terminal 1, #1 Satellite 4F

2. Terminal 1, #2 Satellite 4F

Delta (and formerly Northwest)

Washington, DC (National-DCA)

Concourse B, above Gate 15

West Palm Beach, FL

Concourse C, opposite Gate 4

US Airways

Boston

Terminal B, upper level past security, serves Gates 4-13

Yes

Buffalo

Next to gate 6, just past security, on the right.

Yes

Charlotte

Concourse B

No

Through security, between gates 3 and 5

Concourse C

Yes

Intersection of C and D concourses (Business Center)

Greensboro

US Airways Concourse across from Gate 45

Yes

Hartford/Springfield

US Airways Concourse, adjacent to gate 30

Yes

Los Angeles

Terminal 1, adjacent to Gate 2

Yes

New York City - La Guardia

US Airways Terminal, directly across from food court.

Airspace Lounges

Baltimore, MD

Concourse D

Yes

US Airways

Philadelphia

B/C Concourse

Yes

Third floor, between B and C Concourses

Concourse F

Yes

Terminal F, level 2 over the food court

* Does not include Envoy Lounge in Philadelphia

Phoenix

Concourse A

Yes

Terminal 4, above gates A7 and A9

Concourse A

No

Between gates A19 and A21

Concourse B

Yes

Above gates B5 and B7

Pittsburgh

Main lobby past security, Mezzanine level

Yes

Raleigh-Durham

Terminal A, across from Gate 21

Yes

Tampa

Airside F, adjacent to US Airways Gate 85

Yes

Washington DC - Reagan

Just inside security check point -

Yes

Concourse C

 

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