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Normally you’d need to be a dedicated patron of a specific hotel or car rental loyalty program to achieve their coveted elite status levels and reap the corresponding benefits. There are a lot of reasons to do so, of course, including room upgrades and bonus earnings with hotel programs and VIP check-in and checkout, even vehicle upgrades, from the rental car companies.
But there is another way to enjoy the benefits of elite status without the hassle of counting stays or car rentals when you carry a credit card that comes with complimentary elite status.
The Platinum Card® from American Express, with its collection of premium travel benefits, has a known reputation for being one of the best metal credit cards and one of the best travel rewards cards out there. And included in its long list of benefits is complimentary hotel and car rental program elite status.
We’ll expand on this specific perk as knowing and utilizing the benefits you have on your card can simplify your life, provide economic benefit, and make your travel more comfortable.
Stay with us as we provide you with all you need to know about the Amex Platinum card’s hotel and rental car program elite status benefits.
Before we discuss the valuable hotel and car rental program elite benefits you can expect from the Amex Platinum card, here’s an important overview of the card’s core benefits and a link you can use to access a list of any pertinent fees and interest rates, plus a breakdown of any terms and conditions that apply.
The Amex Platinum comes with complimentary Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status which would normally require 25 nights stayed at Marriott properties within a calendar year.
What will Gold Elite status get you? Here’s a summary of everything you can expect to receive.
Free premium Wi-Fi
Enhanced room upgrades when available
Receive the fifth consecutive award night fee
2 p.m. late checkout
25% additional bonus points
No blackout dates
A dedicated reservation line
Reservation guarantee
Up to 500 welcome bonus points each stay
Access to PointSavers discounted award nights
Use a combo of points and cash to pay for your reservation
Use points for on-site expenses
Member-only room rates and no blackout dates
To learn more about Marriott Bonvoy elite status, how to achieve it, and the benefits of each level, you’re sure to be an expert after digesting all the information in our comprehensive overview.
Cardmembers also receive complimentary Hilton Honors Gold status. Normally you must have completed 20 stays or 40 total nights within a calendar year to reach this level. You could also achieve Gold status by earning 75,000 Hilton Honors base points in a calendar year.
Here are benefits you can expect with complimentary Gold Elite Status:
Room upgrades to executive level when available
Complimentary breakfast
Late checkout
Free Wi-Fi
Waived resort fees on award stays
Fifth standard award night free
2 free bottles of water
80% additional bonus points
Elite rollover nights
Milestone bonuses
Hot Tip: Please note that hotel elite status does not happen automatically. When you receive your card, you must register to start receiving benefits. We don’t want you to miss out on any benefits of the Amex Platinum card so we’ve put together this checklist of everything you should do when you receive your new Amex Platinum.
Additional Hotel Program Benefits
While technically not complimentary elite status, you can’t dismiss the elite-style benefits cardmembers do enjoy at these unique hotel property collections worldwide.
American Express Fine Hotels & Resorts
Your hotel experience will be positively enhanced when using your Amex Platinum card to stay at Fine Hotel & Resorts properties.
Room upgrades, based on availability
Breakfast for 2 each day of your stay
Early check-in, late checkout
Complimentary Wi-Fi
A special amenity unique to the property location with a value of at least $100
$100 room credit that can be used for on-site amenities such as dining, spa, etc.
5x earnings when booking prepaid hotel nights through Amex Travel
Bottom Line: The Amex Platinum card comes with complimentary Gold level elite status with both Marriott Bonvoy and Hilton Honors loyalty programs. Cardmembers enjoy additional benefits including a $200 credit for prepaid stays at American Express Fine Hotels & Resorts and on 2-night stays at The Hotel Collection properties.
Car Rental Program Elite Status
Enjoy elite-level car rental program benefits that come complimentary with your card. Image Credit: National Car Rental
Using your Amex Platinum card to reserve and pay for your rental car reservation can result in vehicle upgrades, discounted rates, VIP pick up and return, and other perks that make your rental car experience better.
Let’s look at some of the benefits provided for cardholders by 3 of the major rental car companies.
Hertz Gold Plus Rewards offers several base benefits and is free for anyone to join. However, when signing up via the Platinum Hertz Gold Plus Rewards site and adding code #211762 to your profile, you’ll unlock several complimentary Amex Platinum card benefits.
Be sure to reserve and pay for your Hertz rental car with your card, then expect to enjoy this combination of benefits via Hertz Gold Plus Rewards and the Amex Platinum card:
Complimentary Hertz President’s Circle status
Bypass the counter and go straight to your rental car
Complimentary 1-class car upgrade when available
Free additional driver — spouse or domestic partner
Receive special savings or best available rates
Rent luxury cars from the Hertz Prestige Collection and receive special discounted weekend rates
10% Hertz Gold Plus Rewards bonus earnings
4-hour grace period for returns
Terms and conditions apply
Avis Preferred Plus
While anyone can enroll in the Avis Preferred car rental program, linking your Amex Platinum card will allow you to save your preferences, your personal information, and your preferred payment options, which can facilitate making your future rental reservations easier.
Using your Amex Platinum card as an Avis Preferred member, you can expect to receive these benefits:
Complimentary Avis Preferred Plus Status
Go right to your car with worldwide expedited service
Discounts on published rates, up to 25% (use code #7569000)
1-car upgrade when available (use code #UUNA007)
Use the Avis app to select your car, extend your rental, or make changes
Earn Avis Preferred Points for every dollar you spend
Hot Tip: In addition to several rental car program perks, the Amex Platinum card comes with secondary car rental insurance. Cardholders also have access to Premium Car Rental Protection for 1 low fee that covers the entire rental period up to 42 days. Prices range from $12.25 to $24.95 for the entire period depending on location and level of coverage selected. Learn more about Amex Platinum’s car rental insurance and benefits.
Additional Benefits of the Amex Platinum Card
Enjoy access to some of the best airport lounges in the world with your Amex Platinum card. American Express Centurion Lounge Hong Kong. Image Credit: Greg Stone
While the complimentary hotel and rental program elite statuses are great, those are just a few of the premium travel benefits that come with the Amex Platinum card.
You’ll also enjoy these additional value-added perks that can add comfort to your travels, provide value-added redemption options, and even save you money.
Worldwide Airline Lounge Access
The Amex Platinum card is a rock star and second to none when it comes to providing worldwide airline lounge access. Relax, grab a drink, and savor a bite to eat at any of these lounge network properties:
Most lounges (not including Centurion Lounges) allow the cardmember to bring 2 additional guests. Authorized users on the card also enjoy lounge network privileges.
5x earnings on flights booked directly with the airline and through Amex Travel
Transfer Membership Rewards points to Amex travel partners for potentially greater value
Statement Credits
Statement credits are important because they provide economic value that can offset the cost of an annual fee. You can expect to receive statement credits for the following purchases made with your card:
If you’re a business owner, you may want to consider the Amex Business Platinum card instead of the personal Amex Platinum card. You’ll find the same hotel and rental car program elite status perks and additional benefits that cater directly to the business owner who travels.
Our article offers a complete comparison of the 2 cards and some insight as to which card would be a better match for your situation.
Final Thoughts
Selecting a credit card based solely on its hotel and rental car program elite status offerings is probably not a prudent idea. It is prudent, however, to understand all of the benefits that come with your card and how they can be utilized to offset the annual expense of having a premium travel rewards card.
If you’re spending a lot on flights, value worldwide lounge access, and can take advantage of statement credits for specific purchases, you’ll find tremendous value with the Amex Platinum card.
Receiving complimentary hotel and rental car program elite status and additional benefits are just icing on the cake of other premium travel benefits that come with the card.
For rates and fees of The Platinum Card® from American Express, click here. For rates and fees of The Business Platinum Card® from American Express, click here.
Featured Image Credit: Upgraded Points
Frequently Asked Questions
The Amex Platinum card comes with Gold Elite status in both the Marriott Bonvoy rewards program and the Hilton Honors program.
In order to receive status benefits, however, you must first register. Login to your Amex Platinum card online account and select the “Benefits” option to sync your card to your Marriott Bonvoy and Hilton Honors rewards accounts.
Your corresponding hotel loyalty program account will be updated to reflect the new elite status level.
Yes, authorized users added to the Amex Platinum card receive complimentary Marriott Bonvoy and Hilton Honors Gold Elite status.
To request the status, call the number on the back of your card and provide the authorized user’s Marriott Bonvoy and/or Hilton Honors loyalty program number(s) to the representative.
The Amex Platinum card comes with secondary rental car insurance that requires you to file a claim with your own insurance (or other insurance that applies) before the card coverage kicks in.
The card does, however, offer a unique option to purchase premium (primary) protection for 1 low fee that covers the entire rental period. The cost of this coverage ranges from $12.25 to $24.95 and provides protection for the length of the rental contract or up to a maximum of 42 days.
You must sign up for the premium protection prior to renting, reserve and pay for your rental car with your Amex Platinum card, decline the rental car company’s CDW or LDW coverage, and the premium protection will be valid for the rental term.
Terms apply.
Yes. You can expect discounted rates, vehicle upgrades, VIP pick-up and drop-off, and more depending on the rental car company.
You will receive complimentary National Car Rental Emerald Club Executive status with your card, as well as Amex Platinum perks with Hertz Gold Plus Rewards and Avis Preferred.
To activate the benefits, log in to your Amex Platinum card account online and select the “Benefits” option. Use the provided links to access each individual car rental program’s applicable benefits.
Christine ran her own business developing and managing insurance and financial services. This stoked a passion for points and miles and she now has over 2 dozen credit cards and creates in-depth, detailed content for UP.
Disclaimer: Any comments listed below are not from the bank advertiser, nor have they been reviewed or approved by them. No responsibility will be taken by the bank advertiser for these comments.
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