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If you’ve ever been on the cusp of missing—or have missed—a flight, you know how frustrating long airport lines can be.
The Platinum Card® from American Express (Terms apply, see rates & fees) allows cardholders to redeem the cost of a CLEAR® Plus membership with enrollment, which moves travelers to the front of the line, saving them time, money and stress.
CLEAR the Area
CLEAR® Plus expedites the airport security experience by verifying identities without requiring a passport or ID. Instead, users create profiles using biometrics, including facial recognition matched to their travel documents.
It’s a faster, more efficient method to process crowds of people eager to reach their gate.
The Platinum Card® from American Express offers cardholders up to $209 in statement credits per calendar year toward a CLEAR® Plus membership.
CLEAR® Plus members get access to over 150 CLEAR lanes at 59 airports nationwide and can add family members under 18 at no additional cost. At airports with CLEAR eGates, members are verified instantly and may proceed directly to bag screening, without the need to wait at a TSA podium.
How To Enroll
American Express Platinum cardholders must enroll through CLEAR to claim their membership benefits.
Once registered, Amex Platinum cardholders can add up to three adults to their CLEAR account at a discounted rate of $125 per person, per year. Plus, kids age 17 and under can join you in CLEAR® Plus for free.
Keep in mind that users can receive up to $209 in statement credits per calendar year, but the CLEAR® Plus membership is subject to auto-renewal after the year is up.
Further Airport Perks and a Bonus
The Amex Platinum Card currently boasts a personalized offer as high as 175,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $8,000 on eligible purchases on the card in the first 6 months of card membership (approval required, welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer).
While the card carries a high annual fee of $895, its large travel category reward multipliers may make it a worthwhile pick for frequent fliers and commuters.
Once you meet the welcome offer spending requirement, the generous bonus can offset months of travel expenses. When working toward the spending requirement, you’ll also be earning the following rewards on your purchases, adding more to your Membership Rewards stash: 5 Membership Rewards® Points per dollar for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel® on up to $500,000 per calendar year, 5 points per dollar on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel® and 1 point per dollar on other eligible purchases.
Beyond rewards and on top of the reimbursement for CLEAR® Plus, the Platinum includes a built-in application fee credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®. New American Express customers can receive either a $120 statement credit every four years for Global Entry or a credit of up to $85 every 4.5 years for TSA PreCheck.
Global Entry grants travelers expedited customs clearance upon arrival in the U.S., as well as expedited processing at land borders. We recommend applying for Global Entry, as it includes TSA PreCheck and its benefits.
TSA PreCheck offers quicker screening at select airports through dedicated TSA PreCheck lanes.
You can apply for Trusted Traveler Programs like Global Entry and TSA PreCheck online and use your Amex Platinum to pay the application fee to receive the statement credit.
Last but not least, the Amex Platinum also offers an annual $200 airline fee credit for incidental fees, such as checked bags and in-flight refreshments and more, with one qualifying airline.
Keep in mind: Cardholders must select their airline of choice and can only change their selection once per year in January. The credit does not apply to airline tickets, mileage point purchases or transfers gift cards, upgrades, duty–free purchases or award tickets.
Bottom Line
Despite its $895 annual fee, The Platinum Card® from American Express cardholders can find outsized value in its perks for frequent flyers.
An annual statement credit toward CLEAR® Plus, a $200 airline incidental fee credit each year and an application fee credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck (whenever membership needs to be renewed) help offset the cost of carrying this metal.
If you can meet the spending requirement without making unnecessary purchases or carrying a balance, the welcome bonus can deliver immense value to use toward an award flight or hotel booking. Free travel and a seamless airport experience? That’s what we’re talking about.
To view rates and fees for The Platinum Card® from American Express please visit this page.
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