American Express is Offering Some Nice Sign-Up Bonuses and Perks on the Gold and Platinum Cards
American Express is offering some nice sign-up bonuses and perks on the Gold and Platinum cards that some may want to give a look.
Keep in mind American Express’ one-sign-up-bonus-per-applicant-lifetime rule, though. If you’ve applied for either card and received the sign-up bonus, you won’t be eligible for these increased bonuses or sign-up perks.
If you’re eligible, here are the details.
American Express Platinum Card
Sign-up bonus:
75,000 Membership Rewards points after spending $5,000 in the first 6 months from card approval.
Extra sign-up benefits:
Get up to $300 back for restaurant spend via a 20% statement credit for restaurant purchases worldwide for the first 12 months.
Earn 10 Membership Rewards points per dollar on eligible purchases at gas stations and U.S. supermarkets on up to $15,000 in purchases in the first 6 months.
Regular Platinum Card Benefits:
- Earn 5x points on flights purchases directly from the airlines or via American Express Travel.
- Earn 5x points on prepaid hotels booked on amextravel.com
- Earn 1 point on all other purchases.
Earn up to $40 per month in statement credits through December 31, 2020, on select streaming services ($20) and wireless phone charges ($20) made directly with the provider.
Up to a $200 airline fee credit anually
Up to $200 in statement credit for Uber and Uber Eats charges ($15 per month, $20 in December)
Up to $100 in Saks credits anually ($50/6 months)
Up to $225 in credits to Variis by Equinox
Global lounge collection access
Marriott and Hilton Gold status
And more.
Annual Fee:
$550
While the Amex Platinum card has a hefty annual fee, as you can see, if you take full advantage of all the statement credits offered – and especially so with the $300 restaurant credits – this card can be a money-maker.
And that’s not even considering all the travel benefits it offers.
The American Express Platinum Card has always been considered a card to have for the benefits it offers rather than a points earning card.
With the increased sign-up bonus and benefits, it can be argued that it’s both…at least for the first six months of cardmembership.
If you can stomach the initial $550 outlay for the annual fee, this is a pretty good sign-up promotion. And especially so if travel comes back anywhere close to normal sometime next year.
American Express Gold Card
Sign-up bonus:
60,000 Membership Rewards points after spending $4,000 in the first 6 months from card approval.
Extra sign-up benefits:
Get up to $250 back for restaurant spend via a 20% statement credit for restaurant purchases worldwide for the first 12 months.
Regular Gold Card benefits:
- Earn 4x Membership Rewards points per dollar at restaurants worldwide.
- Earn 4x Membership Rewards points per dollar at U.S. supermarkets up to $25,000 in spend.
- Earn 3x Membership Rewards points per dollar on flights booked directly with an airline or via amextravel.com.
- Earn 1 Membership Rewards point on all other purchases.
Up to $120 in dining credits ($10 per month) at Grubhub, Seamless, The Cheesecake Factory, Ruth’s Chris Steak House, Boxed, and participating Shake Shack locations.
Up to $100 in airline fee credits (ends 2021).
$10 per month Uber/Uber Eats credits (to begin sometime early 2021).
Annual Fee:
$250
As with the Platinum Card, if the credits associated with the Gold Card – especially the $250 dining credit sign-up bonus – are maxed out, you’re making money on this card the first year.
And if earning Membership Rewards points is a priority for you, this is one of the better earners should you dine out and purchase groceries in any sizable amount.
The 60,000 Membership Rewards points sign-up bonus is the highest that’s been offered for the Gold Card, making this a really good deal.
You can read more and apply for either card at the link below.
American Express Gold and Platinum Card Application Link
What do you think? Are these increased sign-up offers worth taking advantage of?
