Best American Express Card for Travel Benefits in 2025

Travel is more rewarding when you’re backed by a card that works for you. American Express offers multiple travel-focused cards, but one stands above the rest in terms of global perks, lounge access, point earning, and travel protection: The Platinum Card® from American Express.

This article breaks down everything you need to know to choose the best American Express card for your travel needs—complete with product details, use-case examples, benefit explanations, and comparison charts.

Why The Platinum Card® from American Express is the Top Travel Card

The Platinum Card® from American Express is consistently ranked as the most comprehensive travel credit card for consumers who travel frequently, whether domestically or internationally. It offers exclusive lounge access, high reward rates, valuable statement credits, and elite hotel status benefits—all of which combine to more than justify its premium annual fee.

You’ll earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points on flights booked directly with airlines or through Amex Travel and on prepaid hotels booked on amextravel.com. This allows frequent travelers to accumulate points much faster than with typical travel cards. It also comes with a host of statement credits—including annual airline fee credit, Uber Cash, digital entertainment credits, hotel credit, and more.

The Best American Express Travel Cards: Comparison Table

Here’s a detailed comparison of the top AmEx travel cards:

Travel Benefits Breakdown: Technology + Lifestyle

Global Lounge Access with Centurion and Priority Pass

Unlike most travel cards that require a paid Priority Pass membership, The Platinum Card® includes access to 1,500+ lounges worldwide at no additional cost. This includes:

• The Centurion Lounge (exclusive to AmEx Platinum and Centurion holders)
• Priority Pass Select lounges
• Delta Sky Club access when flying Delta

This eliminates airport fatigue and creates a luxury pre-flight experience with free food, drinks, showers, and Wi-Fi. Lounge access alone could be worth $500+ annually if purchased separately.

Statement Credits That Offset the Annual Fee

The Platinum Card offers a series of annual and monthly credits that, when used consistently, neutralize or exceed the $695 annual fee:

• $200 Airline Fee Credit – Checked bags, seat upgrades
• $200 Hotel Credit – Fine Hotels + Resorts or The Hotel Collection
• $240 Digital Entertainment Credit – Peacock, Disney+, Hulu, Audible, etc.
• $200 Uber Cash – $15/month + $20 in December
• $100 Saks Fifth Avenue Credit – $50 twice a year

That totals $940+ in potential credits per year—all usable by typical travelers.

Elite Status with Hotels and Car Rentals

Cardholders get automatic Gold status with Hilton Honors and Marriott Bonvoy, which includes room upgrades, late checkout, and points bonuses.

Car rental benefits include preferred status with Hertz, Avis, and National—leading to faster service, free upgrades, and waived fees.

Travel Insurance and Protections

When you book travel using The Platinum Card®, you’re automatically covered with:

• Trip Delay Insurance – Reimbursement for delays of 6+ hours
• Trip Cancellation/Interruption – Up to $10,000 per trip
• Lost Baggage Coverage – Up to $3,000 per person
• Rental Car Damage Waiver – Secondary insurance

These protections are often stronger than separate travel insurance policies.

Real-World Examples: Best American Express Cards for Travel

1. The Platinum Card® from American Express

Ideal for: Frequent flyers, international travelers, and luxury vacationers.

Use case: Sophia, a digital entrepreneur, uses her Platinum Card for 10+ flights a year. She saves over $1,200 annually through Centurion lounge access, $200 hotel credit, free room upgrades, and $200 in Uber Cash. Her 5X point earnings help her fund future flights through Amex airline partners.

2. American Express® Gold Card

Ideal for: People who travel occasionally and eat out often.

Use case: David, a freelance consultant, doesn’t fly every month but spends heavily on dining and groceries. The 4X rewards in these categories help him earn fast points. He still benefits from travel insurance and earns 3X on occasional flights, all while paying a lower $325 fee.

3. The Business Platinum Card® from American Express

Ideal for: Business owners and executives.

Use case: Lisa runs a small tech agency. She uses the card for flights, client hotel stays, and large purchases. She earns 5X on travel and uses 35% points back on Pay With Points. Her team benefits from Centurion Lounges during overseas trips, and Dell credits support her office hardware needs.

4. American Express® Green Card

Ideal for: Millennials and casual travelers who want flexible points earning.

Use case: Jake travels 3–4 times a year. He earns 3X on travel and transit, including rideshare and subways. The $150 fee is manageable, and he values the carbon offset program for sustainable travel.

5. Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card

Ideal for: Hilton loyalists.

Use case: Maria stays exclusively at Hilton properties. She earns up to 14X on Hilton stays, gets free weekend nights, and Diamond status. For her, the $550 fee is offset by elite perks and waived resort fees.

Common Problems Solved with These Cards

• No Lounge Access While Traveling
  Solved: Platinum and Business Platinum provide free entry to premium lounges globally.
• Expensive Flight Add-Ons
  Solved: $200 Airline Fee Credit can be used for checked bags, seat selection, and change fees.
• Low Points Earning from Daily Spending
  Solved: Gold and Green cards offer 3–4X points on categories like groceries, dining, and transit.
• No Travel Insurance Coverage
  Solved: All cards above include travel protections (varies by card tier).

How to Apply for an American Express Travel Card

You can apply directly online through official links. Make sure you:

• Have good to excellent credit (670+)
• Understand your travel style and spending habits
• Can use the statement credits offered
• Know the welcome bonus terms (e.g., $6,000 in spending in 6 months)

Apply through official channels:

➡ Apply for The Platinum Card®
➡ Apply for AmEx® Gold Card
➡ Apply for Business Platinum®
➡ Apply for the Hilton Aspire Card

FAQs

Q1. Is the Platinum Card® worth it even with a $695 fee?
Yes, if you travel frequently and use most of the annual credits and lounge benefits, you can easily extract over $1,200 in annual value.

Q2. Can I get more than one American Express travel card?
Yes. Many users hold both the Platinum and Gold Cards to maximize category earnings and credits across lifestyle and travel.

Q3. Do Membership Rewards® points expire?
No. As long as your account remains open and in good standing, your points do not expire.

Final Thoughts

The best American Express card for travel benefits in 2025 remains the Platinum Card® from American Express, due to its unmatched combination of luxury, value, and practical protection. Whether you’re flying first class or staying at boutique hotels, AmEx provides a card tailored to your travel style.

For the most well-rounded travel rewards strategy, many users combine cards—using the Platinum for travel perks and the Gold for daily spending. Apply through the official links to get started on your elevated travel experience.