Let me start with a confession: I currently have 28 open, active credit cards.
(Pause for reaction.)
Yes, I know that’s a lot, but I don’t actually use many of them regularly. In fact, the vast majority are what I consider “perk cards” — ones that are worth keeping open but don’t get swiped often.
However, there are two cards in my wallet that offer an incredible combination of rewards and benefits: the American Express Platinum Card® and the American Express® Gold Card.
I recently sat down to tally up the total value I get from this power couple, since both are coming up for renewal before the end of the year. And even I was shocked at the final dollar figure.
Here’s how I got more than $4,500 in value in 12 months on these two cards alone — and why now might be a great time to add one of them to your own wallet.
Related: 4 reasons to hold both the American Express Gold and Platinum
Value of Amex Platinum and Amex Gold
Here’s how I calculated the value I received. For starters, I considered each card’s quantifiable statement credits and divided them into three categories:
- Purchases I would’ve made anyway
- Nice to use, but not necessary
- Benefits that don’t fit my spending habits
Then I calculated the value based solely on the top bullet for Oct. 1, 2025, through Sept. 30, 2026.
From there, I looked at the number of American Express Membership Rewards points I earned over 12 months. I valued those points using TPG’s October 2026 valuations, which pegged Amex points at 2 cents apiece.
Finally, I added all the numbers together:
- Amex Platinum: 61,514 points and $1,610 in statement credits
- Amex Gold: 66,328 points and $478.20 in statement credits
All told, that’s an estimated total value of $4,645.04 in just 12 months.
In fact, the statement credits I used on each card alone exceed the respective annual fees — $895 for the Amex Platinum (see rates and fees) and $325 for the Amex Gold (see rates and fees).
Another way to look at it: After subtracting the cards’ combined $1,220 in annual fees, I “profited” $3,425.04 by strategically using the published benefits and earning rates on these cards in just one year — all on purchases I was already making.
Related: American Express Gold vs. American Express Platinum: Which card shines brighter?
How I maximized benefits on these cards
Here’s a closer look at how this actually worked on each card. Below are two charts that highlight the statement credits and targeted offers I used over the last 12 months, along with notes on how I approached each one.
Amex Platinum credits
In no particular order, here’s how I maximized the benefits on my Amex Platinum. Enrollment is required for select benefits.
| Benefit | Details | My 12-month value | Additional notes |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Digital entertainment credit |
Up to $300 in statement credits each calendar year (up to $25 per month) for eligible subscriptions to select digital entertainment providers |
$300 |
Used for monthly New York Times and Hulu/Disney/ESPN bundle |
|
Resy credit |
Up to $400 each calendar year (up to $100 quarterly) in statement credits at eligible U.S. Resy restaurants* |
$400 |
I dine out regularly and love visiting Resy restaurants; this has recently expanded to include select Tock venues. |
|
Airline fee credit |
Up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year toward eligible incidental fees on one selected U.S. airline |
$50 |
I’ve only used $50 in 2026, and my 2025 credits were exhausted before Oct. 1. |
|
Lodging credit |
Up to$600 in statement creditseach calendar year (allotted as up to $300 biannually) on eligible prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts, The Hotel Collection or Airbnb Luxe properties for bookings made through American Express Travel® or the Amex Travel App™
The Hotel Collection and Airbnb Luxe require a two-night minimum; FHR will implement the same policy as of Jan. 1, 2027 |
$600 |
Used for a Mother’s Day stay at the Eau Resort & Spa Palm Beach and a March 2027 stay in Singapore |
|
Uber Cash |
Up to $200 in Uber Cash per calendar year (split into monthly up to $15 credits plus an up to $20 bonus in December) valid for rides or Uber Eats orders in the U.S.** |
$200 |
Easy to use on trips or for food delivery |
|
Amex Offers |
Targeted offers for select merchants through the Amex website or Amex app |
$60 |
I saved $15 on flowers for a friend’s birthday in February and $45 on Total Wine purchases in Q4 2025 |
*Simply pay with your Amex Platinum at an eligible U.S. Resy restaurant; no reservation is required
**Uber Cash will only be deposited into one Uber account when you add the Amex Platinum as a payment method and redeem with any Amex card.
Amex Gold credits
Amex Gold has fewer quantifiable perks than the Platinum Card, but here’s how I was able to utilize these perks. Enrollment is required for select benefits.
| Benefit | Details | My 12-month value | Additional notes |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Dining credit |
Up to $120 in annual dining statement credits (up to $10 per month) valid at select merchants |
$100 |
I am a frequent Five Guys customer, though I did miss two months of this perk. |
|
Dunkin’ credit |
Up to $84 in annual Dunkin’ statement credits (up to $7 each month) at U.S. locations |
$84 |
My daughter loves Dunkin’ and who am I to turn her down? |
|
Resy credit |
Up to $100 each calendar year (up to $50 biannually) in statement credits at eligible U.S. Resy restaurants^ |
$100 |
I regularly dine at participating Resy restaurants, so I was able to use both semiannual credits. |
|
Uber Cash |
Up to $120 in Uber Cash per calendar year (split into monthly up to $10 credits) valid for rides or Uber Eats orders in the U.S.^^ |
$120 |
I regularly use Uber and Uber Eats, whether at home or on the road. |
|
Amex Offers |
Targeted offers for select merchants through the Amex website or Amex app |
$4.20 |
Sunscreen purchase at CVS |
^Simply pay with your Amex Gold at an eligible U.S. Resy restaurant; no reservation is required
^^Uber Cash will only be deposited into one Uber account when you add the Amex Gold as a payment method and redeem with any Amex card.
In every single one of these cases, I was already going to make these purchases. By leveraging these card benefits, I saved more than $2,000 over 12 months.
Just remember that enrollment is required for select benefits, and targeted Amex Offers generally need to be added to your card before making an eligible purchase.
Earning points on the Amex Platinum and Amex Gold
But it wasn’t just the benefits on these cards that drove value for me. I also frequently use them to earn bonus points on the following purchases:
- Amex Platinum:
- 5 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or through Amex Travel (on up to $500,000 in purchases each calendar year; then 1 point per dollar)
- 5 points per dollar spent on prepaid lodging booked through Amex Travel
- Amex Gold:
- 4 points per dollar spent at restaurants worldwide, including eligible takeout and delivery services (up to $50,000 per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar)
- 4 points per dollar spent at U.S. supermarkets (up to $25,000 per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar)
Beyond that, I had a handful of opportunities to earn even more Amex points via targeted offers (in addition to the cash offers detailed above). And I also earned 1 point per dollar spent on many of the purchases that triggered the above statement credits.
Over the 12-month period, I took home 127,842 points — worth $2,556.84 based on TPG’s valuations.
Related: How to redeem American Express Membership Rewards points for maximum value
What I didn’t include
More than $4,500 in value seems like a lot, especially compared to the out-of-pocket costs of these cards. However, there are a few things I didn’t include that added even more value.
First, I excluded benefits that I used but wouldn’t otherwise have paid for.
For example, I’m not a big Lululemon shopper, but I do make sure to shop at U.S. stores (excluding outlets) once a quarter to utilize the up to $300 in annual statement credits (up to $75 per quarter; enrollment required).
I also wouldn’t pay for Walmart+ out of pocket, but I have enrolled and activated the monthly membership and charge it to my Platinum Card to receive up to $155 in statement credits each year (up to $12.95 plus applicable taxes each month; subject to auto-renewal, Plus Ups excluded).
Also, I didn’t include the American Express Global Lounge Collection. Sure, it’s nice to have access to Amex Centurion Lounges and get 10 annual visits to Delta Sky Clubs each year when flying on an eligible Delta-operated flight (excluding basic economy). However, I view those as icing on my rewards cake rather than part of the real value I get each year.
Finally, I ignored my Rakuten earnings.
I frequently use the Rakuten shopping portal when making online purchases and opt to earn Membership Rewards points instead of cash back. Over the last 12 months, I earned another 74,194 Amex points this way.
While you don’t have to have one (or both) of these cards to earn Amex points via Rakuten, they are the only eligible ones in my wallet. Or, you could also opt to earn Bilt Points instead.
(If you’re not currently a Rakuten member, sign up here and earn a one-time bonus of $50 after spending at least $50 at eligible retailers within 90 days.)
Related: Best credit cards for lounge access
Current offers — and why to apply now
Both the Amex Platinum and Amex Gold offer solid welcome bonuses, though they are targeted to individual applicants:
- Amex Platinum: New cardmembers can find out their offer and may be eligible for as high as 175,000 bonus points after spending $12,000 on purchases in the first six months of card membership. Welcome offers vary, and you may not be eligible for an offer.
- Amex Gold: New cardmembers can find out their offer and see if they are eligible for as high as 100,000 bonus points after spending $8,000 on purchases within the first six months of card membership. Welcome offers vary, and you may not be eligible for an offer.
Even if you don’t get the highest offer, now could be a great time to apply.
That’s because many of the benefits on these cards will reset on Jan. 1, 2027, giving you a couple of months to earn them and then have new ones next year. A few examples:
- The Amex Platinum’s up to $200 airline fee credit is based on the calendar year. If you’re approved before year-end and enroll in the benefit, you may be able to use up to $200 in eligible credits through Dec. 31, with another annual allotment available beginning Jan. 1, 2027.
- The Resy credits on both cards will reset in January. If you get the Platinum Card, you can enroll and get up to $100 in statement credits on eligible U.S. Resy purchases this quarter and then another $100 each quarter in 2027. The Amex Gold is similar; you can enroll and get up to $50 in statement credits before the end of the year and have another $50 to use from Jan. to June and $50 more from July to Dec.
- Uber Cash: The Amex Platinum offers up to $15 in Uber Cash monthly, plus an additional up to $20 in December, for eligible U.S. Uber rides and Uber Eats orders.
Of course, opening a card solely to use a few credits before year-end may not make sense if you wouldn’t otherwise use its benefits or can’t meet the welcome-offer spending requirement.
Just note that, if you don’t have either one, you may want to start with the Amex Gold. That’s because American Express’ application restrictions may prevent you from earning a welcome offer on the Gold Card if you currently hold (or previously held) a Platinum Card.
Related: The best time to apply for these popular American Express cards based on offer history
Bottom line
I’ve held the Amex Platinum and Amex Gold cards for many years, but I had never sat down and calculated the actual value I’m getting from them. As it turns out, that number was more than $4,500 in the last 12 months alone before accounting for the cards’ annual fees.
With several benefits resetting at the beginning of 2027, now could be a perfect time to add one of these cards to your wallet if you’re targeted for a valuable welcome offer.
To learn more, read our Amex Platinum review and Amex Gold review.
Apply here: Amex Platinum
Apply here: Amex Gold
For rates and fees of the Amex Platinum, click here.
For rates and fees of the Amex Gold, click here.
