American Express Platinum Credit Card Review

Get ready to elevate your travel, lifestyle, and rewards game with the American Express Platinum Credit Card — this isn’t just another credit card, it’s your passport to premium experiences! From lounge access around the globe to luxury hotel perks, Amex Platinum is designed for those who want more: more comfort, more privilege, more reward, more wow. If you travel often or just appreciate finer things in life, this card is built to match your aspirations.

Imagine booking your first trip, then enjoying world‑class hotel benefits, comprehensive travel insurance, and dining treats just for being a cardmember. Throw in accelerated points on spend, special offers with restaurants and merchants, and exclusive access to VIP and lounge services — all wrapped up with top‑tier customer service. The Amex Platinum turns everyday purchases into extraordinary perks, because you deserve to be treated like gold.

American Express Platinum Benefits

1. Welcome Bonus Points: Kick off your membership with a strong boost: earn 30 000 bonus Membership Rewards points when you spend R10 000 in the first three months after activating your new card. That gives you momentum right from the start, helping you unlock flights, upgrades, or shopping treats more quickly. 
2. Accelerated Rewards Earn Rate: Every eligible spend gets you 1.5 points for every R5 spent. That means your regular shopping, travel, bills, and more are all contributing toward your reward balance at a faster rate than many standard cards. More rewards with less waiting! 
3. World-Class Travel Insurance: Travel with peace of mind: automatic worldwide travel insurance of up to R10 million for you, your partner, children, and supplementary cardmembers. This includes emergency medical cover, lost baggage insurance, and travel inconvenience insurance (e.g. delayed luggage or missed connections). For a frequent traveller, that level of protection is priceless. 
4. Elite Lounge Access: Relax in style: unlimited access to Bidvest Premier Club lounges locally, plus entry to The Centurion® Lounges and the Global Lounge Collection at over 1,200 lounges in 400 cities worldwide via Priority Pass. Whether you’re flying locally or overseas, your airport time becomes an advantage, not a hassle. 
5. Fine Hotels & Resorts / Hotel Collections Perks: When you book through Amex’s Fine Hotels & Resorts programme, you get hotel perks like late checkout, guaranteed room upgrades (when available), complimentary WiFi, and a unique amenity (often hotel credit) at over 1,000 top properties. It’s travel that feels luxurious in all the little (and big) ways. 
6. International Airline Programme Discounts: Through the card’s airline partners (e.g. Emirates, Qatar Airways), you gain access to special fares/discounts or benefits when flying. If you fly often or explore globally, this can add up to significant savings and comfort upgrades. 
7. Dining & Lifestyle Privileges: With “Amex for Foodies”, you get up to 20% off dining at premium local restaurants, special offers with Wine‑of‑the‑Month, and curated discounts from partner merchants. So beyond travel, your night‑outs, meals, and treats are more rewarding. 
8. Travel Assistance & Inconvenience Cover: Beyond medical cover, the card helps when trips go sideways: luggage delay, missed connections, etc. If your baggage is delayed, you can get funds for essentials; if your departure is missed, assistance for meals/reconnection. These safeguards reduce travel stress. 
9. Car Rental & Upgrade Benefits: Through partners like Avis, Hertz, etc., you can enjoy special discounts, class upgrades, priority service, etc. Renting cars during travel becomes smoother and more value‑packed. 

Who Can Apply

• You must be a South African citizen or resident (valid ID) or otherwise acceptable under the risk policy. 
• You must meet creditworthiness / affordability requirements: good credit record, ability to repay, etc. (Amex will evaluate income, existing debt, payment history) 
• The minimum spend required to unlock the welcome bonus: you must spend R10 000 in the first three months after activation. 
• Supply the usual documentation: identity, proof of address, proof of income / employment etc. 

How to Apply: Step‑by‑Step

1. Go to the American Express Platinum Credit Card page on the Amex South Africa website. 
2. Click “Apply Now” for the Platinum Credit Card (online application) via the link (which may be through Nedbank in SA) 
3. Fill in personal details: name, contact information, ID/passport number, address, employment/income information.
4. Provide required documentation: proof of identity, proof of residence, proof of income, etc.
5. Agree to credit / affordability checks. Amex will assess your credit profile.
6. Meet the spend requirement for welcome offer (R10 000 within first three months) to get bonus points. 
7. Once approved, activate your card (if needed) and begin using it to enjoy benefits.
8. Register for relevant programmes (e.g. Membership Rewards), set up supplementary cards if needed.

Frequently Asked Questions

• How many points do I earn per spend, and what types of purchases count?

You earn 1.5 Membership Rewards points for every R5 of eligible spend. Eligible spend generally includes local and international purchases, excludes non‑purchases such as finance charges, fees, interest, insurance premiums, etc. You also earn points on supplementary cardmember spend. 

• What insurance / protection comes with the card when traveling?

The Amex Platinum gives you worldwide travel insurance up to R10 million for you, your partner, children, and supplementary cardmembers. It also covers lost baggage (up to R20 000), travel inconvenience for missed connections or delays, delayed baggage essentials, and emergency medical cover. If you charge your international return travel tickets to the card, many of these covers become active. 

• What lounge access do I get, locally & internationally?

Quite extensive. Locally, you get unlimited complimentary access to Bidvest Premier Club airport lounges in South Africa. Internationally, you have access to The Centurion Lounge, and via the Global Lounge Collection / Priority Pass, more than 1,200 lounges in 400 cities worldwide. You also get VIP meet & greet / fast track services at select airports with discounts.