If you already hold one of American Express’ premium cards or are considering applying, now is the moment to optimize the credits these cards provide.
The American Express Platinum Card® recently received a significant update, featuring credits of up to $75 for purchases made at U.S. Lululemon retail stores (excluding outlets) and online each quarter, along with up to $100 at U.S. Resy-affiliated restaurants per quarter (enrollment required).
Similarly, the Business Platinum Card® from American Express saw a refresh, although it did not include new quarterly credits. It’s still crucial to ensure you’re maximizing existing benefits.
Both cards are currently offering substantial welcome bonuses for new cardmembers, who can apply and start using their cards online immediately, gaining access to these advantages right from the start.
Here’s why applying now can help you capture extra value before the year wraps up.
New cardmember? Get an instant card number
Good news: If you decide to get the Amex Platinum, you can apply online and receive an instant card number to use for online purchases and to add to digital wallets like Apple Pay, while waiting for your physical card to arrive.
Upon application, you’ll discover your offer and may qualify for as many as 175,000 bonus points after spending $8,000 within the first six months. Keep in mind that welcome offers vary, and eligibility issues may arise.
Once approved, you can quickly enroll in the statement credits to maximize value before the year concludes.
New Amex Business Platinum Card members can now earn the highest publicly available bonus for this card: 200,000 bonus points after spending $20,000 on eligible purchases within the first three months.
Reward your inbox with the TPG Daily newsletter.
Join over 700,000 readers who receive breaking news, in-depth guides, and exclusive deals from TPG’s experts.
By signing up, you will receive newsletters and promotional content and agree to our Terms of Use while acknowledging the data practices in our Privacy Policy. You may unsubscribe at any time.
Just like consumer Amex Platinum cardholders, Business Platinum cardmembers can access an instant card number upon approval, allowing them to immediately maximize their monthly and quarterly credits.
Advice for Platinum Card members
With up to $75 in quarterly Lululemon credits, up to $100 quarterly Resy credits, and an annual $120 for an Uber One membership (subject to auto-renewal), Platinum Card members can realize up to $185 in value from their card before the year ends.
This nearly covers the $200 rise in the annual fee, which now stands at $895 (see rates and fees), due to the refresh.
It is critical for both new and existing cardmembers to activate their Lululemon, Resy, and Uber One benefits in their Amex account prior to making purchases so these perks trigger accurately. New cardmembers should also enroll in any additional benefits that are relevant, including three other monthly statement credits.
Then spend at least:
- Up to $75 at U.S. Lululemon retail stores (excluding outlets) and online: My recommendation is to stack with the Rakuten shopping portal and check for deals in the secondhand and “We Made Too Much” sale sections. Both online and in-store purchases qualify for this credit.
- Up to $100 at a U.S. Resy restaurant: Search for a participating restaurant in your vicinity; no reservation is needed to receive the credit. Before dining, ensure you can pay with tap-to-pay functionality or ask staff to enter your card number manually. A quirk may occasionally prevent the statement credit from processing, which I’ll outline later.
Finally, enroll in an Uber One membership and have the monthly $9.99 fee (or $96 annually) covered with your Platinum Card.
Additional value for new Platinum Card members
Applying for your new Platinum Card now enables you to access an extra $52.95 in monthly credits this year. After enrollment, you can utilize:
- Up to $25 for digital entertainment services: Eligible services include the Disney+ Bundle, Hulu, and YouTube TV, among others.
- Up to $15 in Uber Cash: This credit applies to Uber rides and Uber Eats orders in the U.S. Uber Cash will only be added to one Uber account when the Amex Platinum is set as the payment option and redeemed with any Amex card.
- Up to $12.95 for a Walmart+ membership: This applies when purchasing a single membership (subject to auto-renewal; Plus Ups excluded).
Set your instant Platinum Card number as the payment method for each service. Once you receive your physical card, verify that the four-digit CVV matches the front, and the expiration date on the back also matches. If they differ, update that information.
Advice for Business Platinum Card members
The only statement credits added or enhanced with the Amex Business Platinum refresh are annual and semiannual (every six months). The annual fee has also risen to $895 (see rates and fees).
Nonetheless, this serves as a reminder for both new and existing cardmembers to claim $150 in value from obtainable statement credits before the end of the year (enrollment required).
- Up to a $10 monthly statement credit for U.S. wireless telephone services: Utilize this statement credit for your cellphone bill payment, as it also offers cellphone protection when paying with this card.
- Up to a $50 quarterly statement credit on eligible Hilton purchases: First, ensure you’ve enrolled in Hilton for Business (at no cost). Use your card for room rates and incidental charges at a Hilton property. Data indicates you can also earn this statement credit when dining or buying a gift from a store within Hilton, even without staying at the hotel.
- Up to a $90 quarterly Indeed statement credit: This applies for online purchases made with Indeed.
Again, activating these perks is necessary for transactions to validate the benefits.
A note on the semi-annual hotel statement credit
Both the Platinum and Business Platinum Cards present an annual hotel statement credit of up to $600 per calendar year.
You can receive up to $300 semiannually when booking prepaid American Express Fine Hotels + Resorts or The Hotel Collection stays through American Express Travel® with your eligible Platinum Card. (The Hotel Collection mandates a two-night minimum stay).
Don’t let this up to $300 benefit slip away by not using it before year-end. If you don’t have travel plans immediately, use the current statement credit (for the second half of 2025) to book an experience in 2026. You only need to reserve a prepaid stay before the year’s end—completion of the stay isn’t necessary until 2025.
TPG credit cards writer Augusta Stone intends to apply her credit toward a last-minute weekend getaway to Chicago, while TPG credit cards editor Olivia Mittak used her statement credit to cover most of a two-night stay in New York City before heading off to Germany this Thanksgiving.
An important note on contactless payments
Most Amex statement credits include a condition like:
“The transaction may not be eligible if the merchant uses a third-party to process or submit the transaction to American Express (e.g., using mobile or wireless card readers).”
This can be frustrating, as statement credits might not always record as Amex expects.
I’ve experienced this issue while using the biannual up to $50 Resy credits at U.S. Resy restaurants on my American Express® Gold Card; neither was processed within the expected eight to ten weeks following the transaction date.
However, after a ten-week wait, I successfully received the credits by contacting an agent through the online chat on my Amex account and requesting that they apply the statement credits manually. Monitor your account, and if your credits don’t appear within ten weeks, reach out for assistance.
Bottom line
By being strategic with timing, those with either the Amex Platinum or Business Platinum can make the most of their statement credits before the year closes.
New cardmembers should apply promptly, document their instant card number, and promptly add it to their digital wallet.
Ensure you enroll in benefits to trigger the statement credits from eligible purchases. Always keep an eye on your account for updates regarding the credits, and if needed, use the online chat to request manual application.
