Best lounge access: Platinum Card from American Express review
Review in brief: Top 3 reasons to consider the card
- Access all Delta, American, and US Airways airline club lounges with up to 2 guests or your immediate family.
- Access over 600 Priority Pass affiliated lounges worldwide. There’s a lounge at most major airports for international travel worldwide.
- $200 annual fee credit toward purchases with any airline of your choosing, hepling offset the $450 annual fee of the card.
More lounge access than any other card
As long as United / Continental 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 SkyClubs, and US Airways clubs worldwide. In addition, you have access to the global Priority Pass network of lounges — over 600 in all – 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 in lounge access.
If you’re a United / Continental flyer, the Presidential Plus credit card from Chase is the only that will give you access to their lounges.
Card features
- Click here for our complete, detailed guide to Platinum Card benefits
- Earn 25,000 Membership Rewards® bonus points when you spend $1,000 in 3 months. Redeemable for one round-trip domestic airline ticket or $250 in gift cards.
- No Pre-set Spending Limit
- 24-hour access to Concierge service for the finest experiences in dining, entertainment, and luxury
- Fine Hotels & Resorts Program — exclusive amenities at boutique, resort, and luxury hotels around the world
- By Invitation Only® Events — access to exclusive, once-in-a-lifetime events
- Complimentary Airport Club Access to all American Airlines, Delta, US Airways clubs
- Free Gold status with Starwood Preferred Guest hotels (without the card requires 10 stays or 25 nights per year)
- New: Priority Pass Select airport club access for 600 more lounges worldwide, in addition to standard lounge access
- The Membership Rewards First® program – Enjoy exclusive access to rewards and experiences featuring luxury retail, lifestyle, and world-class travel
- New: National Car Rental Executive status — offering guaranteed car upgrades when you rent
- New: 4 hour grace period on Hertz car rental returns
- New: $200 annual credit toward airline bag, meal, change, lounge, and other fees
- New: 20% point credit when you use ‘Pay with Points’ to pay for part or all of their travel including airlines, hotels, cruises and vacation packages.
- New: No foreign purchase transaction fees — these were often as high as 3%
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. Priority Pass lounges charge about $27 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 are 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 $1000 on it within 3 months, you will receive 25,000 Membership Rewards bonus points. That is enough for a free domestic roundtrip ticket when transfered to airline partners like Delta and Continental 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. You can even take advantage of special things like a 68,000 point roundtrip business class ticket to Europe if you’re clever. 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 former Northwest World Clubs. Access to Continental Presidents Clubs ended after September, 2011. However, 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
Disclaimer: This content is not provided or commissioned by American Express. Opinions expressed here are author’s alone, not those of American Express, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by American Express. This site may be compensated through American Express Affiliate Program.
A word of warning for those of you that are excited about the option to transfer point to Aeroplan/Air Canada. I have been a long time card user and just transfered the advertized 60,000 Amex Rewards point to Aeroplan. No where did it suggest that the taxes/fees that Aeroplan charges are any different than what Delta or other airlines charge. Unfortunately, the fee for the flight a $1200 flight to be paid with 60,000 miles was $643!! Normally fees with Delta through their miles programs are around $100 for this flight (a flight to Argentina from Boston). And now, I am stuck and can’t get the miles back. Working with American Express, but about to give up and stop using my Amex. Unfortunate, because I am a very active user and feel it is a good value.
@Andrew – You raise a good point that deserves some more attention. The Aeroplan change is recent. British Airways and Virgin Atlantic are known for doing this fuel surcharge as well. Delta does it on tickets that originate outside the U.S. So far the U.S. carriers like United have avoided this on itineraries that start in the U.S.
Is there an American Express Lounge in the Houston, TX airport? I have a platinum card-
Thank you!
I have the platinum card and so far all of my flights are US Airways so it’s been great. US Airways don’t require a boarding pass anyways. I was in MN for a week and was early so I decided to go to the Delta lounge at MSP. They denied me because they required you be on a delta flight, even if you had a platinum card.
This was really inconvienent.
@Health IT – Yes…it is a trade off vs a regular membership…you need to have a ticket on Delta or American to use their respective lounges. It was that way when Continental was in the network as well. Interestingly, the official policy as you’ve experienced is that US Airways doesn’t require a ticket for entry.
i had an amex gold and sooner, i will be having my platinum. i fly frequently to asian countries thru etihad. i would like to know the airports who have american express’ lounges. do i have to pay the priority pass?
thanks in advance for your response.
@Carolina- For the French card it should be the same lounges as those with the Priority Pass card. You can see a list of those lounges here http://www.prioritypass.com/
Is this the case with any Amex Platinum Card? I have a Costco Amex Platinum that doesn’t cost anywhere near $450 a year.
@John – Unfortunately, no. The lounge benefit only applies to the Platinum ‘charge’ card (the one pictured on this page) which requires you to pay the bill in full each month. It is confusing when American Express has so many cards labeled ‘Platinum’ but only one confers the lounge benefit. Basically most of the big annual fee covers the lounge costs.
What if I fly standby on delta because my father is an employee? Would I be able to get into Delta’s lounge? And what about any other Lounges included in the membership?
@Ian- You should have no problem — as long as you have a Delta boarding document that gets you past security. For the other airlines — American requires you to be flying with them that day to get in, US Airways does not. For the ‘Priority Pass’ lounges it doesn’t matter which airline you are flying.
I think someone didn’t do their homework. American Express Platinum Cardmember can still use Continental Airlines Presidents Club lounge with the Priority Pass in most of the Airport Atlanta/ Dallas/Houston, because most of their lounge are Continental Airlines Presidents Club. Read your Priority Pass Booklet
@Ernest – We wish that were the case. There are two types of Priority Pass. One is the regular standalone you purchase directly through Priority Pass. That one still has access.
The other is Priority Pass “Select” which is used for credit card benefits like with the Platinum Amex. It has a gold stripe on the left.
That one is no longer valid at the Continental or United lounges. There have been signs at the lounges pointing this out recently.
I’m returning on Alitalia from Rome (Terminal 3) to Toronto.
Is there a Lounge that my Amex Platinum Card will get me into?
Please let me know.
Thanks!
@Scott — Yes, there are two Priority Pass affiliated lounges in Rome’s Terminal 3 — the Le Anfore and I Mosaici lounges.
http://www.prioritypass.com/select/select/index.cfm
Make sure you request your separate, free Priority Pass card — your Amex card itself won’t get you in unless you’re carrying that Priority Pass card.
Time to update this page. Delta Crown Room is now Sky Club. Nwa is no more. Co is no longer a partner. Also might want to clarify the additional card fee. The fee is $175 for extra card #1, then $0 for card #2 and #3, and $175 for 4 and onward. All extra caress get lounge access and they also get the $100 global entry credit. The entire account family shares the $200 misc airline fee credit however.
Ha- You’d be surprised how many people still call it the Crown Room (at least during a recent trip through Atlanta) — or in the case of Minneapolis the ‘World Perks Club’ (which was never the name). Thanks for the info on the additional card fees.
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I will drop Amex for sure, but I can’t help but feel this is part of the downgrading of Continental with United especially since United was never part of the program. Having American and Continental part of the Platinum benifits was the primary reason for me to have the card and the $200 is not good enough for me. I hope both Contiental and Amex feel the pain of lots of angry and unhappy memebers.
Another step in the wrong direction.
Kevin
I’m very unhappy about the fact that as of September 30 2011 I won’t be able to use my American Express Platinum Card to access the Presidents Club. I’m a Continental Airlines Frequent Flyer and it would not be possible for me to go over to other terminals to access other airport lounges.
I’m considering dropping my American Express Platinum membership.
I hope that some accomodation could be granted to Continental Airlines frequent flyers and American
Express Platinum members before people start dropping their memberships.
We agree — if Continental is your primary airline and you want lounge access the Platinum Card is much less useful. We’ll see if Continental relents but it probably won’t until September since people won’t make their card decisions until then.
However Amex has made a concession — you can get a $200 credit toward fees such as lounge access, change fees, or baggage fees on the airline of your choice each year. That includes Continental.
Buying a club membership from Continentsl costs over $300 so you’re not fully made whole but it does help and you keep lounge access to Delta, American, and US Air.
Otherwise if you only fly CO stick with the Chase card…