This article is sponsored by American Express. We may receive a commission if you apply for a card via a link in this article.
As someone who loves to travel, there are few things I look forward to more than checking into a luxury hotel, whether that’s for a staycation near home or a getaway further field. And I especially love it when I receive complimentary benefits, such as a room upgrade, dining credit or late checkout.
That’s why I always travel with my American Express® Platinum Card: it gives me access to many premium benefits I value at hotels and elsewhere which really enhance the experience.
The Platinum Card also provides many non-travel-related benefits that you can use at home, which I’ve covered in my card review here.
In this article, I’ll dig into the accommodation and travel-related perks in more detail, as they are among my favourites. In other in-depth articles, I’ve also covered the excellent rewards program and lifestyle benefits.
But first, it’s important to mention that the Platinum Card is targeted at higher income earners ($100,000+ p.a.) who enjoy elevated experiences and benefits. The annual fee is $1,450 and the card, being a charge card, must be paid in full each month.
It currently comes with a massive 250,000 Bonus Membership Rewards Points and a $500 credit for new Card Members who apply by 28 February 2022, are approved and spend $5,000 within the first 3 months. Those 250,000 points could be worth $1,250 in shopping or gift cards or 125,000 frequent flyer points with multiple airlines including Qantas.
Elite hotel status
The Platinum Card gives you elite status with major hotel groups, including:
- Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status – Marriott is the world’s largest hotel company with brands such as Ritz Carlton, W Hotels, Sheraton, Westin and Aloft
- Hilton Honors Gold status – in addition to Hilton hotels, you also enjoy perks with brands like Waldorf Astoria, Conrad, Curio Collection and Doubletree
- Radisson Rewards Gold status with Radisson Hotel Group.
Elite benefits vary from program to program and can include complimentary room upgrades at check-in, early and/or late checkout, complimentary internet access, and free breakfast.
Enjoy elite benefits at stylish hotels like W Brisbane
By way of example, when I put my Hilton Honors Gold status to the test during a trip to Tokyo, I scored over $1000 of benefits including an upgrade to a club room and free breakfast for two people. You can read about that experience here.
One of the great features of the Platinum Card is that you can get complimentary Additional Cards for up to four family members or friends. Each of them can also get elite hotel status in their own right.
Accor Plus membership
Platinum Card Members receive complimentary Accor Plus membership valued at $399 p.a., which grants access to the most expansive hotel, dining and lifestyle membership program in Asia Pacific. Accor’s hotel brands include Sofitel, Fairmont, Pullman, Novotel, MGallery, Sebel, Swissotel, Mercure, and more.
Accor Plus benefits include a complimentary night’s accommodation each year, discounted room rates, up to 50% off your dining bill at participating hotel restaurants, and Accor Elite Silver status (which comes with late checkout, when available).
I recently used my Accor Plus free night benefit to stay at the superb Pullman Bunker Bay Resort in Western Australia’s gorgeous Margaret River region. My partner and I also enjoyed 50% off our food bills at the hotel restaurant, which saved us hundreds during the three-night stay.
Of course, you don’t need to be travelling to take advantage of these benefits. When I lived in Melbourne, for example, I regularly dined at No35 restaurant at Sofitel Melbourne while enjoying stunning views across the city.
Save on dining at Accor restaurants like No35 at Sofitel Melbourne
Fine Hotels + Resorts program
Another great Platinum Card feature is access to Amex’s Fine Hotels + Resorts program, which provides complimentary benefits at over 1,000 five-star properties worldwide. These include well-known luxury brands as well as boutique properties.
Perks include complimentary daily breakfast for two people, noon check-in when available, guaranteed 4pm late checkout, room upgrades when available, complimentary wi-fi, a unique property benefit such as a US$100 dining credit, and more.
You can book up to two rooms and both will be eligible for these benefits. When I tried this out during a trip to Vienna, my family reserved two rooms and we scored over 600 Euros of benefits.
Hotel Collection
Separate to the Fine Hotels + Resorts program, Amex’s Hotel Collection includes more than 500 properties in over 30 countries, including brands like Hyatt and Hilton.
Every time you book at least a two-night stay, you receive a hotel credit worth up to US$100 to spend on dining, spa and resort activities, as well as a complimentary room upgrade at check-in when available.
Other travel benefits
The Platinum Card delivers a range of other benefits like:
- a $450 Travel Credit each year which can be used for flights, hotels, car hire or experiences when booking through Amex Travel Online
- points transfers to Qantas Frequent Flyer, Velocity Frequent Flyer, Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer and a number of other airline and hotel loyalty programs (read my article about the rewards program here)
- airport lounge access in Australia and overseas
- dining benefits at an array of stylish restaurants
- invites to specially curated experiences that are not open to the general public – from sporting to fashion and dining
- access to sought-after events like music, theatre and film, including via pre-sale tickets, and exclusive lounges at selected events
- travel insurance cover when you use your card to pay for your return trip
- Hertz Gold Plus Rewards and Avis Preferred memberships: enjoy savings on car rentals and complimentary upgrades when available
- save up to 20% on first and business class fares with some of the world’s leading airlines.
I get so much value from these Platinum Card benefits and have described them in more detail in my card review here.
Don’t forget – this card currently comes with a massive 250,000 Bonus Membership Rewards Points and a $500 credit for new Card Members who apply by 28 February 2022, are approved and spend $5,000 within the first 3 months. Don’t miss out on this epic deal.
To find out more about this card on Amex’s website, click here.
All benefits mentioned are subject to Terms, Conditions and Exclusions. To find out more, click here.
Cards are offered, issued, and administered by American Express Australia Limited ABN 92 108 952 085. American Express income and credit approval criteria applies. Subject to Terms and Conditions. All information, including fees and charges are correct as at 30 July 2021 and are subject to change. Applicants must be 18 years of age or over, and earn a minimum income of $100,000 per annum to apply for the American Express Platinum Card. They must be an Australian Citizen or permanent resident or hold a long term visa. Long term means 12 months or more and does not include a student visa.