Every January, I tell myself I’m going to be “better” about using my AMEX Platinum credits. And every December, I’m still somehow surprised by how fast the year disappears.
So this year, I decided to do the opposite of procrastinating: I knocked out $550 worth of statement credits in the first week—not by buying random things to “justify” the annual fee, but by using credits on purchases we were already going to make anyway.
The $50 Saks credit: I wanted it used, not “I get to it eventually.”
I made a Saks purchase right away, mainly to remove one more “I’ll do it later” credit from my mental checklist. And honestly? With bankruptcy chatter swirling around Saks’ parent company, I didn’t love the idea of waiting until mid-year and then wondering if the partnership or redemption process could get messy. (Not predicting anything—just eliminating a potential headache.)
In my case, I spent $106.45, and the $50 Saks credit posted immediately after.
The $300 Fine Hotels + Resorts credit: a one-night stay (that we were booking anyway)
Next: I booked a one-night Fine Hotels + Resorts stay through AMEX Travel to trigger the $300 Platinum Hotel Credit. The best part is that we were going to stay there anyway, so this wasn’t “manufactured spend” or extra out-of-pocket—just a credit applied to a real trip expense.
And it’s not just about the $300 credit. Booking through Fine Hotels + Resorts also means you typically get the on-property perks that come with the program—things like daily breakfast for two, a property credit (often around $100), potential room upgrade (when available), and late checkout. So even on a one-night stay, there’s a good chance you’re stacking “real” value on top of the statement credit.
This is also one of those benefits that’s widely misunderstood. People often think you must book two nights to make it work, but that’s only true for certain bookings. I broke down the confusion (and the simple rule) here: Demystifying The Most Misunderstood AMEX Platinum Card Benefit.
My one-night charge was $398.45, and the $300 credit posted right after.
The $200 airline fee credit: I used Delta and got it done early
Finally, I used the $200 airline fee credit (I selected Delta this year). I made a Delta purchase that coded the right way, and AMEX reimbursed $199.80 as an airline fee credit.
For anyone new to this benefit: it’s not a “free $200 flight.” It’s meant for incidental airline fees, and what triggers it can be… finicky. Examples that often work (depending on airline and how it’s processed) include things like:
- Checked bag fees
- Seat assignment fees
- Same-day change fees (where they still exist)
- Onboard purchases (sometimes)
- Day passes / lounge-related charges (sometimes)
If you want a practical walkthrough of what to try (and how not to get stuck in a December scramble), here are two guides I’ve posted:
- AMEX Airline Fee Credit: A Procrastinator’s Survival Guide
- How to Maximize Your American Express Air Travel Credit
What’s left: the monthly credits (and the “new” stuff)
Some of the other Platinum credits are monthly, so they’ll be used naturally throughout the year—things like Uber, Walmart+, and the digital entertainment/streaming credit.
And while I don’t typically go out of my way for Resy or Lululemon, I should be able to take advantage of those too—without doing anything dumb like spending money I wouldn’t have spent otherwise just to “use a credit.” (Note from Joe’s wife: I’ll be interested to see what he gets from Lululemon that he actually has, you know, use for LOLOL)
Final thought: the Platinum is a coupon book… but it can still be worth it
I’m not going to pretend the AMEX Platinum isn’t a coupon book. It is. You pay for the credits up front in the annual fee, then you “earn” the fee back by redeeming them.
But as long as you’re using the credits on things you’d already buy anyway—and you’re not chasing credits by spending extra—then I’m OK with the math.
I just don’t want too many cards like this in my wallet.
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1 comment
Delta never “finicky” if you use any size Delta Egift card for Amex credit.