Key facts
The Amex Platinum is perhaps the most luxurious travel credit card out there. While the annual fee on the card may raise an eyebrow or two, we’ll go over how to maximize the card’s many travel and lifestyle benefits.
Min. Credit Score for Approval:
Good *Ongoing APR:
See Pay Over Time APRForeign Transaction Fee:
0%The Amex Platinum has numerous statement credits, access to airport lounges, hotel elite status, and other perks, ensuring cardmembers can still get considerable value from a high annual fee. Far from just a status symbol, this is a must-have card for those looking to up their travel game.
We have seen past bonuses from Chase and American Express of up to 70%, so while 35% seems like a large bonus, it’s in the midrange of historical bonuses. (See historical transfer bonuses to Marriott Bonvoy).
This is almost never a good transfer unless you are topping off for an award you are ready to book. Keep in mind that we value a Membership Rewards point at almost 3X the value of a Marriott Bonvoy point.
However, there are always exceptions and you might find a 5 night stay (5th night free) where the transfer makes sense so do the math – but you likely do not want to transfer speculatively unless you are a Bonvoy pro and believe you will exceed value you can get via other Amex partners.
This offer runs through the end of 2024, so no rush to decide.
I’m just going to come straight out and tell you not to do this unless you are an unbelievably experienced Avianca Lifemiles user and know exactly what you need more miles for. They also have transfer bonuses all the time, almost always more than 15%.
The transfer bonus is paltry at 15%, the Lifemiles program just did a major unannounced devaluation, and they are no longer the only option for avoiding surcharges on Star Alliance flights (hello Aeroplan).
Also see: Downsides of LifeMiles program.
This bonus is targeted by account. You may be offered 10% or 15% (or possibly no transfer bonus).
Cathay Pacific Asia Miles are very useful in the right circumstances. They used to “hard expire” regardless of activity, but no longer as you can reset expiration with activity every 18 months.
Best for booking Cathay Pacific metal long haul premium flights which may only be made available to its own members. Also great for booking long haul in a premium cabin with a short connection in a lower class of service which prices the entire trip lower than just the primary premium long haul segment. You can now book AA flights online as well.
I personally love Asia Miles for booking flights to Asia (either to or transiting Japan) as the booking window for Asia Miles is 360 days out which aligns with JAL’s giving you two chances to snag a First or Business Class seat right at the booking window.
Reward multipliers
You’ll earn a generous 5X points on flights booked directly with the airlines or through the Amex Travel portal (on up to $500,000 of airfare purchases per calendar year). Plus, you’ll earn 5X prepaid hotels booked with Amex Travel. You’ll probably want to avoid using the card for other categories though, as you’ll just earn 1X on all other eligible purchases.
Earns bonus points for spend in the following bonus categories:
Earn 5x Membership Rewards points on airfare (booked directly with the airline or via AmexTravel.com and on prepaid hotels when booked via AmexTravel.com), up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year.
Estimated Rewards Value: 8.5%
Only when booked via AmexTravel.com; Otherwise, hotels will earn 1X points per dollar spent
Estimated Rewards Value: 8.5%
Estimated Rewards Value: 1.7%
Key features
Unique Card Benefits
Amex Fine Hotels + Resorts
Platinum cardholders get access to Amex Fine Hotels + Resorts (FHR), an elite status-like program providing hotel benefits like complimentary breakfast for two, noon check-in when available, a guaranteed 4:00 p.m. late checkout, free Wi-Fi, room upgrades when available and a benefit specific to each hotel worth at least $100. Each calendar year, cardholders get up to $200 back in statement credits with Amex FHR.
Global Dining Access by Resy
Platinum cardholders get Global Dining Access by Resy, a benefit designed to allow members to eat out at sought-after restaurants around the world. This includes exclusive reservations through the Resy app and priority notifications for reservation slots at over 9,000 restaurants.
American Express International Airline Program
With the American Express International Airline Program (IAP), Platinum cardholders have access to exclusive first class, business class, and premium economy fares with participating carriers. You’ll need to be logged in to your American Express Platinum card account and book through the Amex Travel portal.
Uber VIP Status
Uber VIP is an elite-like program for Amex Platinum cardmembers. Riders can utilize highly-rated drivers and receive superior service and better vehicles.
Airport Lounge Access
The Platinum card comes with access to the Global Lounge Collection, American Express’s network of over 1,400 lounges at select airports across 140 countries, the largest of any issuer. This includes Amex’s proprietary Centurion Lounges and Centurion Studio partner locations (formerly Escape Lounges).
All primary American Express Platinum cardholders, as well as authorized users, get complimentary access to Centurion Lounge within three hours of a departing flight (or during layovers). In addition, cardholders receive a Priority Pass membership, access to Airspace lounges, Plaza Premium lounges and Delta Sky Clubs (when traveling on same-day Delta flights).
Note that only Priority Pass, Airspace Lounges, and Plaza Premium lounges allow for you and up to 2 guests. Centurion Lounges are for you only, unless you either pay a $50 per visit fee per guest or spend $75,000 on your Platinum card in the previous calendar year. Delta SkyClubs require a per guest fee of $50.
Annual Statement Credits
Platinum card members receive a suite of at least 10 statement credits — four are yearly, four are monthly, one is biannual and one is every 4.5 years. Let’s go over a quick rundown of what these benefits entail:
- $200 Uber Cash: Platinum Card® Members can get out and about and explore their local area with $15 in Uber Cash for US rides each month, plus a bonus $20 in December. That can be up to $200 in annual Uber savings. Simply download the Uber app and add your Platinum Card® to your Uber account to get started. Available to Basic Card Member only. Effective 11/8/2024, an Amex Card must be selected as the payment method for your Uber or Uber Eats transaction to redeem the Amex Uber Cash benefit. Terms Apply.
- Up to $100 in annual Saks Fifth Avenue shopping credits per year ($50 January-June and $50 July-December) as statement credits (Enrollment required)
- Up to $200 in annual airline fee credits (as statement credits) for your chosen airline (Enrollment required)
- $240 Digital Entertainment Credit: Get up to $20 back in statement credits each month on eligible purchases made with your Platinum Card® on one or more of the following: Disney+, a Disney Bundle, ESPN+, Hulu, The New York Times, Peacock, and The Wall Street Journal. (Enrollment Required)
- Up to $200 Hotel Credit as statement credits each year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection bookings with a two night minimum stay with American Express Travel . (Enrollment Required)
- $199 CLEAR® Plus Credit: Get up to $199 back per year on your membership (subject to auto-renewal) when you use your Platinum Card® (Enrollment Required)
- $300 Equinox Credit: Receive up to $300 back per calendar year in statement credits for purchases at Equinox. Valid for Equinox All Access, Destination, or E by Equinox membership fees, or for Equinox+. (Enrollment required)
- $300 statement credit when you purchase a SoulCycle At-Home Bike, up to 15x per calendar year. An Equinox+ membership is required to purchase a SoulCycle at-home bike and access SoulCycle content. Must charge full price of bike in one transaction. Shipping available in the contiguous U.S. only. (Enrollment required)
- $155 Walmart+ Credit: The cost of a $12.95 monthly Walmart+ membership is covered with a statement credit after you pay for Walmart+ each month with your Platinum Card. Cost includes $12.95 plus applicable local sales tax. (Plus Ups are excluded.)
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(All above offers require enrollment after you receive the card.)
Even though there is a ton of potential overall value for the card, to really maximize the perks, keep track of all of your credits — and put them to use at the appropriate time. Of course, in some cases, it won’t make sense to use a Platinum card benefit if you weren’t going to be spending on that item or service already anyway.
Grants Hotel Status
Those with the American Express Platinum card get complimentary access to Hilton Honors Gold and Marriott Bonvoy Gold elite statuses. After enrolling for these perks, you’ll enjoy status without needing to meet usual stay or spend requirements.
Benefits may include additional points on paid stays, room upgrades, late checkout, and with Hilton, breakfast or a daily food and beverage credit.
Grants Car Rental Status
With the American Express Platinum card, you’ll get some great perks if you rent cars with any frequency.
This includes Hertz Gold Plus Rewards Rewards President’s Circle, Avis Preferred Plus and National Emerald Club Executive Elite elite statuses. At many rental locations, you’ll be able to get to choose from a wide selection of cars on the lot, be eligible for upgrades, and more.
Enrollment required. Terms Apply.
Earns Transferable Points
American Express Platinum cardholders earn valuable Membership Rewards points. There are a number of ways to redeem Membership Rewards points, including directly through Amex Travel, statement credits, gift cards, donations to charity, etc.
However, transferring your points to the right airline or hotel program is usually the best way to maximize your Membership Rewards points‘ value. Point transfers are instant to a majority of the 18 airline and three hotel partners. Here is the full list of transfer partners and their respective transfer ratio:
American Express Membership Rewards Transfer Partners | ||
---|---|---|
Transfer Ratio | Approximate Transfer Time * | |
Aeromexico | 1:1.6 (1,000 Amex = 1,600 Aeromexico) | ~4-7 days |
Aer Lingus | 1:1 | Instant |
Air Canada Aeroplan | 1:1 | Instant |
Air France Flying Blue | 1:1 | Instant |
ANA | 1 : 1 (transfers only from Amex and Marriott) | ~2-3 days |
Avianca | 1:1 | Instant |
British Airways Avios | 1:1 | Instant |
Cathay Pacific Asia Miles | 1:1 | ~1-2 days |
Delta | 1:1 (subject to excise tax) | Instant |
Emirates | 1:1 | Instant |
Etihad Guest | 1:1 | Instant |
Hawaiian Airlines | 1:1 (transfers only from Amex and Marriott; subject to excise tax) | Instant |
Iberia Avios | 1:1 | ~1-2 days |
JetBlue TrueBlue | 250 : 200 (subject to excise tax) | Instant |
Qantas | 1:1 | Instant |
Qatar Airways Avios | 1:1 | Instant |
Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer | 1:1 | ~ 1-2 days |
Virgin Atlantic | 1:1 | Instant |
Choice Hotels | 1:1 | Instant |
Hilton | 1:2 (frequent transfer bonuses - look for a better ratio if considering) | Instant |
Marriott | 1:1 | Instant |
Note: For each conversion of points into the Frequent Flyer program of a U.S. airline, a fee of $0.0006 per point, with a maximum fee of $99, will be charged to your Card account.
Global Entry / TSA PreCheck Reimbursement
Up to $120 in statement credits for either TSA PreCheck or Global Entry once every 4 to 4.5 years.
Terms apply.
Trip Protections
Trip Interruption / Cancellation
If you end up needing to cancel or interrupt your trip because of a covered reason, you may be eligible for reimbursement. The maximum benefit amount for Trip Cancellation and Interruption Insurance is $10,000 per Covered Trip and $20,000 per Eligible Card per 12 consecutive month period.
Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.
Trip Delay Insurance
Trip delayed and not just a little?
You’ll be covered for up to $500 per Covered Trip that is delayed for more than 6 hours; and 2 claims per Eligible Card per 12 consecutive month period.
- Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply.
- Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details.
Underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.
Baggage Insurance
Baggage Insurance Plan coverage can be in effect for Covered Persons for eligible lost, damaged, or stolen Baggage during their travel on a Common Carrier Vehicle (e.g. plane, train, ship, or bus) when the Entire Fare for a ticket for the trip (one-way or round-trip) is charged to an Eligible Card. Coverage can be provided for up to $2,000 for checked Baggage and up to a combined maximum of $3,000 for checked and carry-on Baggage, in excess of coverage provided by the Common Carrier.
The coverage is also subject to a $3,000 aggregate limit per Covered Trip. For New York State residents, there is a $2,000 per bag/suitcase limit for each Covered Person with a $10,000 aggregate maximum for all Covered Persons per Covered Trip.
Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.
Secondary Car Rental CDW Waiver
Car Rental Loss and Damage Insurance can provide coverage up to $75,000 for theft of or damage to most rental vehicles when you use your eligible Card to reserve and pay for the entire eligible vehicle rental and decline the collision damage waiver or similar option offered by the Commercial Car Rental Company. This product provides secondary coverage and does not include liability coverage. Not all vehicle types or rentals are covered. Geographic restrictions apply.
Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details.
Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company. Car Rental Loss or Damage Coverage is offered through American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc.
Extended Warranty
When an American Express Card Member charges a Covered Purchase to an Eligible Card, Extended Warranty can provide up to one extra year added to the Original Manufacturer’s Warranty.
Applies to warranties of five (5) years or less. Coverage is up to the actual amount charged to your Card for the item up to a maximum of $10,000; not to exceed $50,000 per Card Member account per calendar year.
Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card.
Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply.
Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.
Purchase Protection
Purchase Protection is an embedded benefit of your Card Membership and requires no enrollment. It can help protect Covered Purchases made on your Eligible Card when they’re accidentally damaged, stolen, or lost, for up to 90 days from the Covered Purchase date.
The coverage is limited up to $10,000 per occurrence, up to $50,000 per Card Member account per calendar year. Coverage Limits Apply.
Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.
Return Protection
With Return Protection, you may return eligible purchases to American Express if the seller won’t take them back up to 90 days from the date of purchase. American Express may refund the full purchase price excluding shipping and handling, up to $300 per item, up to a maximum of $1,000 per calendar year per Card account, if you purchased it entirely with your eligible American Express Card. Purchases must be made in the U.S. or its territories.
Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply.
Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details.
Cell Phone Protection
Coverage for a Stolen or damaged Eligible Cellular Wireless Telephone is subject to the terms, conditions, exclusions and limits of liability of this benefit. The maximum liability is $800, per claim, per Eligible Card Account. Each claim is subject to a $50 deductible. Coverage is limited to two (2) claims per Eligible Card Account per 12 month period.
Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card.
Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.
Has No Preset Spending Limit
No Preset Spending Limit means your spending limit is flexible. Unlike a traditional card with a set limit, the amount you can spend adapts based on factors such as your purchase, payment, and credit history. Keep in mind you must still pay your bill in full each month or be subject to fees.
Concierge Services
American Express offers a travel and lifestyle concierge service, providing personalized assistance to select premium cardholders. This is only available over the phone, by calling the number on the back of your Platinum card.
Metal Card
The American Express Platinum card is metal and weights approximately 18.5 grams.
No Foreign Transaction Fees
There are never any additional fees for using your Card abroad.
Earn more rewards by combining credit cards
Pros & cons
- A wide array of travel and lifestyle credits and exclusive access that can enhance your life.
- There is no better card for the breadth and variety of airport lounge access worldwide. Plus, the Centurion Lounge network is the largest amongst credit card issuers.
- One of the best cards to earn points on airfare: 5 points per dollar on airfare purchased directly with airlines or through the Amex Travel portal (on up to $500,000 of airfare purchases per calendar year).
- High annual fee that will require a bit of work to fully maximize.
- Besides airfare and select hotels, it's not the best card to use for other purchases as it only earns 1X on categories outside of flights booked directly with the airlines (5X) or through the Amex Travel portal (5X on up to $500,000 of airfare purchases per calendar year) and 5X points for prepaid hotels booked with Amex Travel.
- Car rental insurance is only secondary, not primary as it is with premium cards from Chase and Capital One.
Our review
In many ways, the American Express Platinum card is the crème de la crème of premium travel rewards credit cards. There are not only a laundry list of embedded perks — from hotel and rental car elite statuses to complimentary access to airport lounges through the Global Lounge Collection — but this card also can provide serious value in the form of statement credits with partner merchants. You can see the full list of benefits above.
Truth be told, it may require some work to fully maximize the card’s many perks but it shouldn’t be difficult to recoup at least some, if not all, of the card’s $695 annual fee (Rates and Fees).
An overhaul of the Platinum in 2021 showed Amex wanted to expand this card well beyond travel. While it’s unlikely the Platinum will ever fully shed its decades-long roots in the travel sphere, Amex also hopes to play a role at the top of your wallet whether you are at home or away.
Of course, on the travel front, the card still earns 5X on airfare purchased directly with the airlines or through the Amex Travel portal (on up to $500,000 of airfare purchases per calendar year), 5X on prepaid hotels, provides the most access to lounges of any card issuer, and has built-in travel protections and elite-status perks. This is on top of all the other relatively-recent lifestyle benefit additions — from Uber credits, Equinox credits, preferred restaurant reservations with Resy, and much, much more.
A few notes you need to know:
Amex now has language restricting you from getting the bonus on this Card if you have or have had this card OR have had this Card, the Platinum Card® from American Express Exclusively for Charles Schwab, the Platinum Card® from American Express Exclusively for Morgan Stanley or previous versions of these Cards.
Additional Platinum cards are $195 each.
If you want an Authorized User card with none of the benefits, that is still available as the “Companion Platinum Card.” They will simply be able to make charges that post to your account.
Bottom Line:
While the Platinum is a solid choice for most cardholders looking to level up their travel experience, consider other options from both Chase and Capital One including the $550-per-year Chase Sapphire Reserve and $395-per-year Capital One Venture X credit card.
Rates and Fees for the The Platinum Card® from American Express
Frequently asked questions
Does The Platinum Card® from American Express have an annual fee?
Yes, there is a $695 annual fee (Rates and Fees).
Does The Platinum Card® from American Express get you into airport lounges?
Yes, card members get access to the American Express Global Lounge Collection. This includes over 1,400 lounges at select airports across 140 countries, the largest of any issuer. This includes Amex’s proprietary Centurion Lounges and Centurion Studio partner locations (formerly Escape Lounges). The American Express app will show you all available lounges at a nearby airport.
All primary American Express Platinum cardholders, as well as authorized users, get complimentary access to Centurion Lounge within three hours of a departing flight (or during layovers). In addition, cardholders receive a Priority Pass membership, access to Airspace lounges, Plaza Premium lounges and Delta Sky Clubs (when traveling on same-day Delta flights).
Is it hard to get The Platinum Card® from American Express?
While the American Express Platinum card is a premium product, it should not be any harder to get than most other high-end cards. You’ll need a decent income and a good to excellent credit score of at least 700 or higher.
Is it worth getting The Platinum Card® from American Express?
Depending on your lifestyle and travel habits, it can be well worth getting the The Platinum Card® from American Express. You could easily offset the fee with the statement credits alone, but this card also offers boosted rewards on airfare as well as elite status and lounge access to Centurion Lounges and the Global Lounge Collection.
How do I earn points with The Platinum Card® from American Express?
You’ll earn a generous 5X Membership Rewards points on flights booked directly with the airlines or through the Amex Travel portal (on up to $500,000 of airfare purchases per calendar year). Plus, you’ll earn 5X prepaid hotels booked with Amex Travel. You’ll probably want to avoid using the American Express Platinum for other categories though, as you’ll just earn 1X.
Is there a better credit card than The Platinum Card® from American Express?
It all depends on your individual preferences. Use our interactive card explorer to see if there is a card that has features and benefits that more closely align with what you want in a credit card.
Does The Platinum Card® from American Express charge foreign transaction fees?
No, The Platinum Card® from American Express does not charge foreign transaction fees (Rates and Fees).
Does The Platinum Card® from American Express have car rental coverage?
Yes, American Express Platinum card members have access to Car Rental Loss and Damage Insurance which can provide coverage up to $75,000 for theft of or damage to most rental vehicles when you use your eligible Card to reserve and pay for the entire eligible vehicle rental and decline the collision damage waiver or similar option offered by the Commercial Car Rental Company. This product provides secondary coverage and does not include liability coverage. Not all vehicle types or rentals are covered. Geographic restrictions apply.
Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details.
Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company. Car Rental Loss or Damage Coverage is offered through American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc.
Does The Platinum Card® from American Express come with Elite Status?
Yes, American Express Platinum card members get hotel and car rental elite statuses.
For hotels, you’ll get Hilton Honors Gold and Marriott Bonvoy Gold elite statuses. For rental cars, you’ll get Hertz Gold Plus Rewards Rewards President’s Circle, Avis Preferred Plus and National Emerald Club Executive Elite elite statuses.
Does The Platinum Card® from American Express offer extended warranty?
Yes, The Platinum Card® from American Express offers extended warranty.
When an American Express Card Member charges a Covered Purchase to an Eligible Card, Extended Warranty can provide up to one extra year added to the Original Manufacturer’s Warranty. Applies to warranties of five (5) years or less. Coverage is up to the actual amount charged to your Card for the item up to a maximum of $10,000; not to exceed $50,000 per Card Member account per calendar year.
Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.
Does The Platinum Card® from American Express offer purchase protection?
Yes, The Platinum Card® from American Express offers purchase protection.
Purchase Protection is an embedded benefit of your Card Membership and requires no enrollment. It can help protect Covered Purchases made on your Eligible Card when they’re accidentally damaged, stolen, or lost, for up to 90 days from the Covered Purchase date. The coverage is limited up to $10,000 per occurrence, up to $50,000 per Card Member account per calendar year. Coverage Limits Apply.
Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.
Does The Platinum Card® from American Express offer trip protections?
Yes, The Platinum Card® from American Express offers trip protections in the form of trip delay insurance and trip cancellation and interruption insurance.
With trip delay insurance, if your trip ends up being delayed, you may be covered up to $500 per Covered Trip that is delayed for more than 6 hours; and 2 claims per Eligible Card per 12 consecutive month period.
With trip cancellation and interruption insurance, if you end up needing to cancel or interrupt your trip because of a covered reason, you may be eligible for reimbursement. The maximum benefit amount for Trip Cancellation and Interruption Insurance is $10,000 per Covered Trip and $20,000 per Eligible Card per 12 consecutive month period.
Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.
How does The Platinum Card® from American Express compare to the Capital One Venture X rewards credit card?
How does The Platinum Card® from American Express compare to the Chase Sapphire Reserve credit card?
What credit score do I need to get The Platinum Card® from American Express?
For the best odds of being approved for the American Express Platinum card, you need to have a good or excellent credit score. This means you should have a credit score of at least 700.
What can I do with the points earned for spending on The Platinum Card® from American Express?
With American Express Membership Rewards points, there are a number of ways to redeem including directly through Amex Travel, transferring your Membership Rewards points to the a number of excellent airline or hotel program, statement credits, gift cards, donations to charity, and more.
Does The Platinum Card® from American Express have Cell Phone Protection?
Yes, the card comes with cell phone protection.
Coverage for a Stolen or damaged Eligible Cellular Wireless Telephone is subject to the terms, conditions, exclusions and limits of liability of this benefit. The maximum liability is $800, per claim, per Eligible Card Account. Each claim is subject to a $50 deductible. Coverage is limited to two (2) claims per Eligible Card Account per 12 month period.
Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.
Is the The Platinum Card® from American Express made out of metal?
Yes, the card is made of metal and weighs approximately 18.5 grams.