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* Suggested credit score ranges for credit cards are supplied by QuinStreet, not from the issuers, and are guidelines, not a guarantee of approval.
* Suggested credit score ranges for credit cards are supplied by QuinStreet, not from the issuers, and are guidelines, not a guarantee of approval.
The American Express Platinum Card® is one of the most famous credit cards out there, in no small part thanks to its hefty $895 annual fee. To help justify spending almost a thousand dollars per year to keep the metal card in your wallet, you can take advantage of several different statement credits, elite status perks, travel protections, and more.
One such credit is the airline incidental fee credit, which reimburses you up to $200 per year on incidentals charged by an airline of your choosing. Here’s everything you need to know about the Amex Platinum airline incidental fee credit, including how to maximize its value.
American Express is an Advertising Partner
The Platinum Card® from American Express
(4.33) Our Review
- You may be eligible for as high as 175,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $12,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you're approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you're approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Get more for your travels with 5X Membership Rewards® points on all flights and prepaid hotel bookings through American Express Travel®, including Fine Hotels + Resorts® and The Hotel Collection bookings. You earn 5X points on flights purchased directly from airlines or through American Express Travel® on up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year.
- With over 1,550 airport lounges – more than any other credit card company on the market* – enjoy the benefits of the Global Lounge Collection®, over $850 of annual value, with access to Centurion Lounges, 10 complimentary Delta Sky Club® visits when flying on an eligible Delta flight (subject to visit limitations), Priority Pass Select membership (enrollment required), and other select partner lounges.* As of 07/2025.
- $200 Uber Cash + $120 Uber One Credit: With the Platinum Card® you can receive $15 in Uber Cash each month plus a bonus $20 in December when you add your Platinum Card® to your Uber account to use on rides and orders in the U.S when you select an Amex Card for your transaction. Plus, when you use the Platinum Card® to pay for an auto-renewing Uber One membership, you can get up to $120 in statement credits each calendar year. Terms apply.
- $300 Digital Entertainment Credit: Experience the latest shows, news and recipes. Get up to $25 in statement credits each month when you use your Platinum Card® for eligible purchases on Disney+, a Disney+ bundle, ESPN streaming services, Hulu, The New York Times, Paramount+, Peacock, The Wall Street Journal, YouTube Premium, and YouTube TV when you purchase directly from one or more of the providers. Enrollment required.
- $600 Hotel Credit: Get up to $300 in statement credits semi-annually on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection* bookings through American Express Travel® using the Platinum Card®. *The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay.
- $400 Resy Credit + Platinum Nights by Resy: Get up to $100 in statement credits each quarter when you use the Platinum Card® to make eligible purchases with Resy, including dining purchases at U.S. Resy restaurants. Enrollment required. Plus, with Platinum Nights by Resy, you can get special access to reservations on select nights at participating in demand Resy restaurants with the Platinum Card®. Simply add your eligible Card to your Resy profile to book and discover Platinum Nights reservations near you.
- $209 CLEAR+ Credit: CLEAR+ helps get you to your gate faster by using your face to verify you are you at 55+ airports nationwide. You can cover the cost of a CLEAR+ Membership* with up to $209 in statement credits per calendar year after you pay for CLEAR+ with your Platinum Card®. *Excluding any applicable taxes and fees. Subject to auto-renewal.
- $200 Airline Fee Credit: Select one qualifying airline and then receive up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year when incidental fees, such as checked bags and in-flight refreshments, are charged by the airline to the Platinum Card® Account. American Express relies on airlines to submit the correct information on airline transactions to identify incidental fee purchases. If you do not see a credit for a qualifying incidental purchase on your eligible Card after 8 weeks, simply call the number on the back of your Card. Qualifying airlines are subject to change. See terms & conditions for more details.
- Start your vacation sooner, and keep it going longer. When you book Fine Hotels + Resorts® through American Express Travel®, enjoy noon check-in, when available, and guaranteed 4PM check-out.
- $300 lululemon Credit: Enjoy up to $75 in statement credits each quarter when you use the Platinum Card® for eligible purchases at U.S. lululemon retail stores (excluding outlets) and lululemon.com. That's up to $300 in statement credits each calendar year. Enrollment required.
- $155 Walmart+ Credit: Receive a statement credit* for one monthly Walmart+ membership (subject to auto-renewal) after you pay for Walmart+ each month with the Platinum Card®. *Up to $12.95 plus applicable local sales tax. Plus Ups not eligible.
- Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
- $895 annual fee.
- Terms Apply.
- You may be eligible for as high as 175,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $12,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you're approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you're approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Get more for your travels with 5X Membership Rewards® points on all flights and prepaid hotel bookings through American Express Travel®, including Fine Hotels + Resorts® and The Hotel Collection bookings. You earn 5X points on flights purchased directly from airlines or through American Express Travel® on up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year.
- With over 1,550 airport lounges – more than any other credit card company on the market* – enjoy the benefits of the Global Lounge Collection®, over $850 of annual value, with access to Centurion Lounges, 10 complimentary Delta Sky Club® visits when flying on an eligible Delta flight (subject to visit limitations), Priority Pass Select membership (enrollment required), and other select partner lounges.* As of 07/2025.
- $200 Uber Cash + $120 Uber One Credit: With the Platinum Card® you can receive $15 in Uber Cash each month plus a bonus $20 in December when you add your Platinum Card® to your Uber account to use on rides and orders in the U.S when you select an Amex Card for your transaction. Plus, when you use the Platinum Card® to pay for an auto-renewing Uber One membership, you can get up to $120 in statement credits each calendar year. Terms apply.
- $300 Digital Entertainment Credit: Experience the latest shows, news and recipes. Get up to $25 in statement credits each month when you use your Platinum Card® for eligible purchases on Disney+, a Disney+ bundle, ESPN streaming services, Hulu, The New York Times, Paramount+, Peacock, The Wall Street Journal, YouTube Premium, and YouTube TV when you purchase directly from one or more of the providers. Enrollment required.
- $600 Hotel Credit: Get up to $300 in statement credits semi-annually on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection* bookings through American Express Travel® using the Platinum Card®. *The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay.
- $400 Resy Credit + Platinum Nights by Resy: Get up to $100 in statement credits each quarter when you use the Platinum Card® to make eligible purchases with Resy, including dining purchases at U.S. Resy restaurants. Enrollment required. Plus, with Platinum Nights by Resy, you can get special access to reservations on select nights at participating in demand Resy restaurants with the Platinum Card®. Simply add your eligible Card to your Resy profile to book and discover Platinum Nights reservations near you.
- $209 CLEAR+ Credit: CLEAR+ helps get you to your gate faster by using your face to verify you are you at 55+ airports nationwide. You can cover the cost of a CLEAR+ Membership* with up to $209 in statement credits per calendar year after you pay for CLEAR+ with your Platinum Card®. *Excluding any applicable taxes and fees. Subject to auto-renewal.
- $200 Airline Fee Credit: Select one qualifying airline and then receive up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year when incidental fees, such as checked bags and in-flight refreshments, are charged by the airline to the Platinum Card® Account. American Express relies on airlines to submit the correct information on airline transactions to identify incidental fee purchases. If you do not see a credit for a qualifying incidental purchase on your eligible Card after 8 weeks, simply call the number on the back of your Card. Qualifying airlines are subject to change. See terms & conditions for more details.
- Start your vacation sooner, and keep it going longer. When you book Fine Hotels + Resorts® through American Express Travel®, enjoy noon check-in, when available, and guaranteed 4PM check-out.
- $300 lululemon Credit: Enjoy up to $75 in statement credits each quarter when you use the Platinum Card® for eligible purchases at U.S. lululemon retail stores (excluding outlets) and lululemon.com. That's up to $300 in statement credits each calendar year. Enrollment required.
- $155 Walmart+ Credit: Receive a statement credit* for one monthly Walmart+ membership (subject to auto-renewal) after you pay for Walmart+ each month with the Platinum Card®. *Up to $12.95 plus applicable local sales tax. Plus Ups not eligible.
- Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
- $895 annual fee.
- Terms Apply.
Pros
- 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).
Cons
- 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.
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5x
Airfare
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1x-5x
Hotels
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1x
All Other Eligible Purchases
What Is the Airline Incidental Fee Credit?
The airline incidental fee credit is one of the easiest credits for Amex Platinum cardholders to use. It reimburses you up to $200 per year on incidentals charged to your card by the airline of your choosing. Enrollment is required.
Unlike some other credits found on the Platinum Card, the airline credit operates on an annual basis. In other words, you have from January 1st to December 31st each year to use your credit. If you don’t use it, it will expire.
The benefit is that you can use the credit in one swoop. While other credits require you to make eligible purchases once a month or twice per year to fully maximize, you can utilize your airline fee credit without much forethought.
How To Choose Your Airline
Unfortunately, you can’t be reimbursed for incidentals charged by any airline you want. However, American Express offers a pretty comprehensive list of eligible airlines, including the majority of the most popular U.S. airlines. You shouldn’t have any trouble taking advantage of this credit as long as you fly at least once or twice per year.
Eligible airlines include the following:
- Alaska Airlines
- American Airlines
- Delta Air Lines
- Hawaiian Airlines
- JetBlue Airways
- Spirit Airlines
- Southwest Airlines
- United Airlines
If you’re a new cardholder, you can select your airline at any time. However, if you’re an existing cardholder, you have until January 31st each year to change your eligible airline. Although we’ve heard of American Express being somewhat flexible on this policy if you contact a representative, it’s better to be safe than sorry.
To select your airline, log in to your account and click “Rewards and Benefits.” Then, click “Benefits” and scroll until you see “$200 Airline Fee Credit.” If you haven’t already, you can enroll and select your airline. If you’ve already selected an airline, it’ll remind you which airline you chose in the upper right corner.
Now for the tricky part: which airline should you choose? Your reflex might be to choose your favorite airline. After all, if it’s the airline you’re most likely to fly with, it stands to reason that it’s the airline you’d be able to use the credit most easily. However, that’s not quite the case.
If you are a frequent flyer, you might earn elite status with your favorite airline. More often than not, one of the many perks of earning elite status is waived fees. When you’re a top-tier elite, you typically aren’t charged fees for changes, seat selections, a checked bag, or an overweight bag. If you aren’t charged any fees, then you have no way to use your credit.
Instead of choosing your favorite airline, choose the airline you anticipate charging you a fee at some point throughout the year. Obviously, you won’t choose an airline that you refuse to fly, but maybe select an airline you don’t have status with. That way, when you are charged a fee, you can use your statement credit from your Platinum Card to cover that purchase.
For instance, Spirit Airlines is known for being fee-heavy. If you fly United every month for work and have achieved Premier 1K status, it’s pretty unlikely that you will be charged any fees on your next trip. However, if you think you might book a flight on Spirit for a cheap trip to the Caribbean this summer, you can select Spirit as your qualifying airline, book a basic economy ticket, and use your airline fee credit to cover your baggage, seat selection, and priority boarding.
The caveat to this strategy is fees that can’t be waived, regardless of status. I have Gold Medallion status with Delta Air Lines, and I still chose Delta as my airline for my incidental fee credit. Why? I travel full-time with my cat. Although an overweight bag fee is waived for Gold Medallion members, pet flight fees are not. I used my 2025 airline fee credit for the $200 it cost to fly my cat from Wilmington, North Carolina, to Mexico City, Mexico.
Purchases That Do and Don’t Count for the Airline Credit
Not every single purchase made with an airline counts for the airline incidental fee credit.
Eligible purchases include things like checked bags, in-flight food and beverages, pet fees, airline lounge day passes, change fees, overweight bags, or seat assignments fees. However, it does not include things like a plane ticket, buying miles, gift cards, or upgrades, or taxes and fees for award tickets.
In most situations, you’ll receive your airline fee credit just a few days after making a qualifying purchase. However, it can technically take up to six to eight weeks.
Other Cards That Offer Airline Credits That We Love
There are a few other cards that offer a similar credit, and one other card that offers the exact same credit.
Business Platinum Card
Cardholders of the The Business Platinum Card from American Express receive the same $200 airline fee credit. However, the Business Platinum sweetens the deal — the airline you select for your incidental fee credit is the same airline used for the 35% Pay with Points bonus.
If you aren’t familiar, the 35% Pay with Points bonus enables Business Platinum Card holders to book a flight with their preferred airline through Amex Travel using points and get a 35% rebate of those points at the end of the year. We don’t normally recommend using points through a travel portal, as you can typically get a much better value by transferring to a travel partner. However, the 35% rebate can be a compelling option if booking direct isn’t feasible. It comes out to approximately 1.5 cents per point in value.
American Express is an Advertising Partner
The Business Platinum Card® from American Express
(4.5) Our Review
You may be eligible for as high as 300,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $20,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 3 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Find out your offer. Terms Apply.
- As High As 300,000 points. Find Out Your Offer. You may be eligible for as high as 300,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $20,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 3 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.
- The American Express Global Lounge Collection® can provide an escape at the airport. With complimentary access to more than 1,550 airport lounges across 140 countries and counting, you have more airport lounge options than any other credit card company on the market as of 07/2025.
- See how you can unlock over $4,000 in business and travel value annually after meeting qualifying spend thresholds on the Business Platinum Card. Terms apply.
- Get up to $300 in statement credits semi-annually for up to a total of $600 in statement credits per calendar year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection bookings through American Express Travel using the Business Platinum Card®. The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay.
- No Preset Spending Limit: The spending limit on the Business Platinum Card is flexible, so unlike a traditional credit card with a set limit, the amount you can spend adapts based on factors such as your purchase, payment and credit history.
- Make the Business Platinum Card® work even harder for you. Hilton for Business members get up to $200 back per calendar year when you make an eligible purchase at Hilton properties across the globe. Gift cards are not an eligible purchase. Benefit enrollment required.
- Fly like a pro with a $200 Airline Fee Credit. Select one qualifying airline to receive up to $200 back per year on baggage fees and other incidentals.
- Use the Business Platinum Card and get up to $209 back per calendar year on your CLEAR+ Membership (subject to auto-renewal).
- Maximize your time away with Fine Hotels + Resorts through Amex Travel™.
- Enroll and get up to $150 in statement credits on U.S purchases directly with Dell Technologies on the Business Platinum Card and an additional $1,000 statement credit after you spend $5,000 or more on that same Card per calendar year.
- Enroll and get up to $300 in statement credits per calendar year on U.S. purchases of ChatGPT Business* on the Business Platinum Card. *Subject to auto-renewal.
- Enroll and get a $250 statement credit after you spend $600 or more on U.S. purchases directly with Adobe per calendar year on the Business Platinum Card.
- Get up to $90 in statement credits quarterly for purchases with Indeed on the Business Platinum Card. That's up to $360 back per year. Enrollment required.
- Get up to $10 in statement credits per month for wireless telephone service purchases made directly with a wireless provider in the U.S. on the Business Platinum Card. That's up to $120 back per year. Enrollment required.
- 2X points on purchases at U.S. construction material & hardware suppliers, electronic goods retailers and software & cloud system providers, and shipping providers, as well as on each eligible purchase of $5,000 or more, up to $2 million of these purchases per calendar year. Purchases eligible for multiple additional point bonuses will only receive the highest eligible bonus.
- 5X points on flights and prepaid hotels on AmexTravel.com
- 1X points on other eligible purchases
- Terms Apply.
- As High As 300,000 points. Find Out Your Offer. You may be eligible for as high as 300,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $20,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 3 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.
- The American Express Global Lounge Collection® can provide an escape at the airport. With complimentary access to more than 1,550 airport lounges across 140 countries and counting, you have more airport lounge options than any other credit card company on the market as of 07/2025.
- See how you can unlock over $4,000 in business and travel value annually after meeting qualifying spend thresholds on the Business Platinum Card. Terms apply.
- Get up to $300 in statement credits semi-annually for up to a total of $600 in statement credits per calendar year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection bookings through American Express Travel using the Business Platinum Card®. The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay.
- No Preset Spending Limit: The spending limit on the Business Platinum Card is flexible, so unlike a traditional credit card with a set limit, the amount you can spend adapts based on factors such as your purchase, payment and credit history.
- Make the Business Platinum Card® work even harder for you. Hilton for Business members get up to $200 back per calendar year when you make an eligible purchase at Hilton properties across the globe. Gift cards are not an eligible purchase. Benefit enrollment required.
- Fly like a pro with a $200 Airline Fee Credit. Select one qualifying airline to receive up to $200 back per year on baggage fees and other incidentals.
- Use the Business Platinum Card and get up to $209 back per calendar year on your CLEAR+ Membership (subject to auto-renewal).
- Maximize your time away with Fine Hotels + Resorts through Amex Travel™.
- Enroll and get up to $150 in statement credits on U.S purchases directly with Dell Technologies on the Business Platinum Card and an additional $1,000 statement credit after you spend $5,000 or more on that same Card per calendar year.
- Enroll and get up to $300 in statement credits per calendar year on U.S. purchases of ChatGPT Business* on the Business Platinum Card. *Subject to auto-renewal.
- Enroll and get a $250 statement credit after you spend $600 or more on U.S. purchases directly with Adobe per calendar year on the Business Platinum Card.
- Get up to $90 in statement credits quarterly for purchases with Indeed on the Business Platinum Card. That's up to $360 back per year. Enrollment required.
- Get up to $10 in statement credits per month for wireless telephone service purchases made directly with a wireless provider in the U.S. on the Business Platinum Card. That's up to $120 back per year. Enrollment required.
- 2X points on purchases at U.S. construction material & hardware suppliers, electronic goods retailers and software & cloud system providers, and shipping providers, as well as on each eligible purchase of $5,000 or more, up to $2 million of these purchases per calendar year. Purchases eligible for multiple additional point bonuses will only receive the highest eligible bonus.
- 5X points on flights and prepaid hotels on AmexTravel.com
- 1X points on other eligible purchases
- Terms Apply.
Pros
- Robust 5x Membership Rewards® on flights and prepaid hotels at Amex Travel
- Access to over 1,550 worldwide airport lounges as part of the American Express Global Lounge Collection including Centurion Lounges, Priority Pass™ Select membership, and more.
- Unlock over $4,000 in business and travel value annually on the Business Platinum Card.
Cons
- High annual fee of $895
- While there are variety of generous statement credits, they are mostly specific to certain merchants: i.e. Dell, Adobe, Indeed, etc.
- Airline fee credit does not cover airfare, only incidentals like checked baggage fees or other incidentals.
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2x
Single Charges over $5,000
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2x
U.S. Electronic Goods Retailers / Software / Cloud System Providers
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2x
Shipping
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1x-5x
Airfare
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1x-5x
Hotels
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1x
All Other Eligible Purchases
Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card
The Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card comes with a $550 annual fee. In exchange, you get Hilton Diamond status, a $400 Hilton resort credit, a free night award, and a statement credit for a CLEAR+ membership. It also comes with a $200 airline statement credit that’s split into $50 quarterly credits. This can be used for more than just incidentals — you can put it towards a flight or taxes and fees on an award ticket.
American Express is an Advertising Partner
Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card
(4.38) Our Review
Earn 175,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points after you spend $6,000 in purchases on the Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership. Offer ends 7/29/26. Terms apply.
- Earn 175,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points after you spend $6,000 in purchases on the Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership. Offer ends 7/29/26.
- Enjoy an Annual Free Night Reward from Hilton Honors in your first year of Card Membership and every year upon Card renewal.
- Card Members can earn 14X Points on purchases made directly with hotels and resorts within the Hilton portfolio.
- Card Members can earn 7X Points on purchases of Flights booked directly with airlines or flights booked through American Express Travel, Car rentals purchased directly from select car rental companies, and purchases at U.S. Restaurants.
- Card Members can earn 3X Points on all other eligible purchases.
- $400 Hilton Resort Credit: Get up to $200 in statement credits semi-annually for eligible purchases made directly with participating Hilton Resorts on your Hilton Honors Aspire Card. That's up to $400 back annually.
- $200 Flight Credit: Get up to $50 in statement credits each quarter, for a total of up to $200 back each year, on flight purchases made directly with airlines or via AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App™ using your Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card.
- CLEAR+ helps get you to your gate faster by using your face to verify you are you at 55+ airports nationwide. Receive up to $209 per calendar year in statement credits, when you pay for a CLEAR+ Membership (subject to auto-renewal) with the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card.
- Earn a Free Night Reward from Hilton after you spend $30,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year. Plus, you can earn an additional Free Night Reward from Hilton after you spend an additional $30,000 (for a total of $60,000) in purchases on your Card in the same calendar year.
- $100 Property Credit: Receive up to a $100 credit for qualifying charges at Waldorf Astoria® Hotels & Resorts and Conrad® Hotels & Resorts properties when you book a 2 night minimum stay with your Card at HiltonHonorsAspireCard.com and select the Aspire Card Benefit rate option on the booking page, or call Hilton Honors at 855-292-5757 with the proper booking reference.
- Hilton Honors Aspire Card Members can enjoy complimentary National Car Rental® Emerald Club Executive® status, including perks like Executive Area Access (for full-size reservations and above) in the USA and Canada. Card Members must enroll in the National Car Rental Emerald Club Executive status through their American Express online account using their Card. Terms apply.
- Whenever you travel more than 100 miles from home, Premium Global Assist® Hotline§ is available for 24/7 emergency assistance and coordination services, including medical, legal, and financial referrals. Emergency medical transportation assistance may be provided at no cost only if approved and coordinated by Premium Global Assist Hotline. Card Members may be responsible for the costs charged by third-party service providers.
- Points don't expire while your Hilton Honors American Express Card is active and in good standing.
- $550 annual fee.
- Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
- Terms Apply.
- Earn 175,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points after you spend $6,000 in purchases on the Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership. Offer ends 7/29/26.
- Enjoy an Annual Free Night Reward from Hilton Honors in your first year of Card Membership and every year upon Card renewal.
- Card Members can earn 14X Points on purchases made directly with hotels and resorts within the Hilton portfolio.
- Card Members can earn 7X Points on purchases of Flights booked directly with airlines or flights booked through American Express Travel, Car rentals purchased directly from select car rental companies, and purchases at U.S. Restaurants.
- Card Members can earn 3X Points on all other eligible purchases.
- $400 Hilton Resort Credit: Get up to $200 in statement credits semi-annually for eligible purchases made directly with participating Hilton Resorts on your Hilton Honors Aspire Card. That's up to $400 back annually.
- $200 Flight Credit: Get up to $50 in statement credits each quarter, for a total of up to $200 back each year, on flight purchases made directly with airlines or via AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App™ using your Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card.
- CLEAR+ helps get you to your gate faster by using your face to verify you are you at 55+ airports nationwide. Receive up to $209 per calendar year in statement credits, when you pay for a CLEAR+ Membership (subject to auto-renewal) with the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card.
- Earn a Free Night Reward from Hilton after you spend $30,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year. Plus, you can earn an additional Free Night Reward from Hilton after you spend an additional $30,000 (for a total of $60,000) in purchases on your Card in the same calendar year.
- $100 Property Credit: Receive up to a $100 credit for qualifying charges at Waldorf Astoria® Hotels & Resorts and Conrad® Hotels & Resorts properties when you book a 2 night minimum stay with your Card at HiltonHonorsAspireCard.com and select the Aspire Card Benefit rate option on the booking page, or call Hilton Honors at 855-292-5757 with the proper booking reference.
- Hilton Honors Aspire Card Members can enjoy complimentary National Car Rental® Emerald Club Executive® status, including perks like Executive Area Access (for full-size reservations and above) in the USA and Canada. Card Members must enroll in the National Car Rental Emerald Club Executive status through their American Express online account using their Card. Terms apply.
- Whenever you travel more than 100 miles from home, Premium Global Assist® Hotline§ is available for 24/7 emergency assistance and coordination services, including medical, legal, and financial referrals. Emergency medical transportation assistance may be provided at no cost only if approved and coordinated by Premium Global Assist Hotline. Card Members may be responsible for the costs charged by third-party service providers.
- Points don't expire while your Hilton Honors American Express Card is active and in good standing.
- $550 annual fee.
- Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
- Terms Apply.
Pros
- Diamond Elite Status
- Up to $909 in annual statement credits (Terms apply)
- An annual Standard Free Night Reward with no cap on value
Cons
- Points earned are only good for booking Hilton family stays
- High annual fee (but not really, considering the value)
- We really can't think of a third!
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7x
Airfare
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7x
Dining Out / Food Delivery
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3x-7x
Car Rentals
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3x-14x
Hotels
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3x
All Other Eligible Purchases
Other Cards That Offer Airline Credits
Although these cards offer an airline credit, we don’t generally recommend them over the others. Bank of America cards don’t offer transfer partners, so it’s hard to get extra value from the program. Similarly, although Wells Fargo offers a small list of transfer partners, there are more lucrative cards available.
Wells Fargo Autograph Journey
The Wells Fargo Autograph Journey comes with a $50 annual statement credit with a $50 minimum airline purchase. Plus, it only charges $95 per year to hold, and you earn 4X points per $1 spent on airlines. Wells Fargo only has a few transfer partners, but the airline credit, earning potential, and low annual fee could make it worth keeping in your wallet.
Bank of America Cards
Two Bank of America travel cards offer an airline fee credit. The Bank of America Premium Rewards Elite Credit Card offers $300 each year in airline incidental statement credits, and is valid for things like seat upgrades, baggage fees, airline lounge fees, and in-flight services. This is $100 more than the credit offered by the Platinum Card.
The Bank of America Premium Rewards Credit Card offers a lower $100 airline incidental fee credit. However, it only charges a $95 annual fee, compared to the $550 annual fee charged by the Premium Rewards Elite card.
Bottom Line
The airline incidental fee credit is a great perk for American Express Platinum Card holders. While it might not be as shiny as the $300 Lululemon credit or the $600 annual hotel credit, it provides real value for frequent travelers. I love that I can be reimbursed for pet fees each year, as they can quickly add up when I move from country to country. Whether you use it for an overweight bag or seat selection, be sure to enroll in the benefit and select your airline as soon as possible.
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