American Express Platinum Travel Credit Card
American Express AmExWelcome Bonus: 3000
Lounge Access: Yes
Fuel Surcharge: Yes
| Minimum Income | 6 Lak |
|---|---|
| Credit Score | 700+ |
| Employment Type | Salaried Self-employed Business |
✅ Non-expiring Membership Rewards points
✅ 3X points on 50+ partner brands through Reward Multiplier
❌ No fee waiver option at any spending level
❌ Limited American Express acceptance vs Visa/Mastercard
The Amex Platinum Travel Card Works Only If You Hit These Milestones
Introduction
You’re booking a flight to Goa, and the total comes to ₹18,500. Most credit cards would give you a standard 1% back—maybe ₹185 in rewards. With the American Express Platinum Travel Credit Card, that same transaction earns you Membership Rewards points that, when combined with your annual spending milestones, could unlock thousands in travel vouchers.
But there’s a catch, and it’s a significant one.
This card rewards heavy spenders. If you’re putting less than ₹1.9 lakh annually on plastic, you’re essentially paying ₹5,000 plus GST (approximately ₹5,900) each year for basic lounge access and a modest reward rate. The real value unlocks only when you cross spending thresholds—₹1.9 lakh for one bonus, ₹4 lakh for another.
The American Express Platinum Travel Credit Card targets professionals, business owners, and self-employed individuals who naturally route significant monthly expenses through credit cards. If your annual card spending hovers around ₹15,000-₹20,000 per month across all categories, this card starts making financial sense. Below that threshold, you’re leaving money on the table.
Let’s examine whether those milestones are realistic and if the rewards justify the premium fee.
Key Benefits & Features
Reward Structure: Points That Don’t Expire (Finally)
The base earning rate is 1 Membership Rewards point for every ₹50 spent. That translates to a 2% return rate if you value each point at ₹1, which is conservative. On paper, this beats most mid-tier cards offering 0.5-1% cashback.
Here’s what matters more: since May 2022, these points don’t expire as long as your card remains active and in good standing. Earlier, American Express had expiration policies that frustrated cardholders who accumulated points slowly. That’s no longer an issue.
Category Exclusions Matter You earn zero points on fuel, insurance premiums, utility bill payments (electricity, water, gas), cash withdrawals, and EMI conversions at merchant terminals. For someone paying ₹10,000 monthly in utilities and insurance, that’s ₹1.2 lakh annually generating no rewards.
This exclusion significantly impacts the effective reward rate. If 20-25% of your annual spending falls into non-earning categories, you’re actually earning points on ₹3-3.2 lakh even if your total card spending is ₹4 lakh.
Reward Multiplier Program: 3X Points on Select Brands
Shop at 50+ partner brands including Apple, Nykaa, Tanishq, Flipkart, and MakeMyTrip through the Reward Multiplier portal, and you earn 3X points. That’s effectively a 6% return—genuinely competitive.
The limitation? You must shop through Amex’s dedicated portal, not directly on these websites. For habitual shoppers who’ve bookmarked their favorite e-commerce sites, this adds friction. But for planned purchases—a new MacBook, gold jewelry, a vacation package—the extra effort for triple points makes sense.
Milestone Benefits: Where the Real Value Hides
Welcome Gift (First Year Only) Spend ₹15,000 within 90 days of card activation and receive 10,000 Membership Rewards points. These points are worth approximately ₹3,000 when redeemed for travel through Amex’s Pay with Points feature.
Most cardholders will hit ₹15,000 within 90 days without trying. This partially offsets the ₹5,900 first-year fee.
Milestone 1: ₹1.9 Lakh Annual Spending Cross ₹1.9 lakh in spending within your card membership year, and you receive 15,000 bonus points. Redeemed for travel, this equals approximately ₹4,500 value. Combined with your regular earning (₹1.9 lakh ÷ 50 = 3,800 points worth roughly ₹1,100), you’re looking at about ₹5,600 in total rewards.
Subtract the ₹5,900 annual fee, and you’re barely breaking even at this level.
Milestone 2: ₹4 Lakh Annual Spending Hit ₹4 lakh annually and receive 25,000 bonus points plus a Taj hotel e-voucher worth ₹10,000. The points translate to about ₹7,500 in travel value. Add the ₹10,000 Taj voucher and your regular earning (₹4 lakh ÷ 50 = 8,000 points worth approximately ₹2,400), and you’re looking at roughly ₹19,900 in total value.
After subtracting the ₹5,900 annual fee, net benefit: approximately ₹14,000.
This is where the card finally justifies itself. But you need to actually use that Taj voucher. If it expires in your inbox, you’ve wasted ₹10,000 in value.
Airport Lounge Access: Limited but Functional
Domestic Lounges Eight complimentary visits annually to domestic airport lounges, capped at two visits per quarter. Access is through American Express’s own network of lounges in major cities.
At an estimated value of ₹750 per lounge visit, that’s ₹6,000 worth of access. For someone flying 8-10 times yearly on domestic routes, this benefit gets fully utilized.
Priority Pass Membership The card includes complimentary Priority Pass membership (worth US$99 annually). However—and this is crucial—lounge access through Priority Pass isn’t free. Each visit costs US$32 (approximately ₹2,700) for you or any accompanying guest.
So you’re getting the membership fee waived, but you still pay per visit. For international travelers, this is useful only if you’re getting Priority Pass lounge access reimbursed through work or if you genuinely value the convenience enough to pay the per-visit fee.
This isn’t the unlimited international lounge access some assume they’re getting.
Fuel and Dining Benefits
Fuel Surcharge Waiver Zero fuel surcharge at HPCL outlets for transactions below ₹5,000. For transactions ₹5,000 and above, a 1% convenience fee applies. Since most fuel fill-ups fall below ₹5,000, you’ll avoid the typical 1% fuel surcharge entirely at HPCL.
The catch: this works only at HPCL. If your nearest station is Indian Oil or Bharat Petroleum, this benefit doesn’t apply.
Dining Offers Up to 20% discounts at select restaurants through the American Express Selects Dining Programme. The restaurant list changes periodically, and availability varies by city.
These offers are decent but not unique—several competing cards offer similar or better dining benefits.
What’s Notably Missing
No comprehensive travel insurance. No purchase protection details in the standard documentation. No golf course access (reserved for Amex’s higher-tier Platinum Charge Card). No dedicated concierge service.
For a card with “Platinum” in its name and a ₹5,900 annual fee, the absence of basic travel insurance feels like an oversight.
Charges, Fees & Hidden Costs of Amex Platinum Travel Credit Card
| Fee Type | Amount | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Joining Fee | ₹5,000 + GST | Approximately ₹5,900 total after 18% GST |
| Annual Fee (Year 2 onwards) | ₹5,000 + GST | Same as joining fee; billed annually |
| Fee Waiver | Not Available | No spending-based fee waiver option |
| Interest Rate | 3.5% per month (42% p.a.) | Standard rate on outstanding balances |
| Default Interest Rate | 3.99% per month (47.88% p.a.) | If minimum payment missed 3 times in 12 months |
| Foreign Currency Markup | 3.5% | Applies to all international transactions |
| Cash Advance Fee | 3.5% (min ₹250) | Note: Cash withdrawals temporarily suspended in India |
| Late Payment Fee | ₹500 – ₹1,000 | 30% of minimum amount due (min ₹500, max ₹1,000) |
| Add-On Cards | First 4 free; ₹1,500 each thereafter | Same benefits as primary card |
| Over-Limit Fee | Not specified in standard docs | Varies based on credit limit and usage |
| Interest-Free Period | Up to 48 days | Standard for credit cards; not on cash advances |
Fee Reality Check
₹5,900 annually is mid-premium pricing. For context, HDFC Regalia charges ₹2,500 (often discounted to ₹1,000 for existing customers), and SBI Card PRIME is around ₹2,999.
The complete absence of a fee waiver option is unusual. Most cards in this fee bracket waive the annual fee if you spend ₹1-2 lakh yearly. American Express doesn’t budge—you pay ₹5,900 every year regardless of spending.
This makes the milestone benefits non-negotiable. You must cross at least ₹1.9 lakh annually just to recover your fee. Below that, you’re paying a premium for average returns.
The 3.5% foreign currency markup is standard but not competitive with premium cards offering 2-3% markup or forex-focused cards with nil markup.
Eligibility & Approval Reality of American Express Platinum Travel Credit Card
Applicants must be 18 years or above and resident Indians. American Express cards are issued only in select cities: Delhi/NCR, Mumbai, Bangalore, Chennai, Pune, Hyderabad, Jaipur, Kolkata, Indore, Coimbatore, Chandigarh/Tricity, Ahmedabad, Surat, Vadodara, Bhopal, Bhubaneswar, Ernakulam, Vijayawada, Lucknow, Ludhiana, Nagpur, Nasik, Trivandrum, Mysuru, Cuttack, and Vizag.
If you live outside these cities, you cannot apply.
Income Requirements (Indicative) American Express doesn’t publicly disclose hard income thresholds, but industry sources suggest a minimum annual personal income of ₹6 lakh for salaried individuals. Self-employed applicants may need to demonstrate at least 12 months of business operation.
Credit Score Expectations A credit score above 750 significantly improves approval chances. Applicants with scores in the 700-750 range might get approved but with conservative credit limits. Below 700, approval becomes unlikely unless you have an existing banking relationship with American Express.
Approval Tips
- Having an existing savings or current account with any Indian bank strengthens your application
- American Express has a reputation for starting with lower credit limits (₹50,000-₹1,50,000) for first-time cardholders, even for high-income applicants
- Mention any existing Amex cards in the U.S. or other countries—it can positively influence approval
Limitations & Drawbacks of Amex Platinum Travel Credit Card
Let’s address the card’s genuine shortcomings without sugarcoating.
1. The ₹4 Lakh Milestone Is Non-Negotiable for Real Value You need to spend ₹33,333 monthly on average to hit ₹4 lakh annually. For individuals, this requires routing rent (if your landlord accepts credit cards), all shopping, dining, travel, and business expenses through this card. Doable for business owners or high earners, but unrealistic for average salaried professionals earning ₹8-12 lakh annually.
2. Limited Acceptance Compared to Visa/Mastercard American Express has improved merchant acceptance in India, but it still lags behind Visa and Mastercard. Small retailers, neighborhood shops, and some online merchants don’t accept Amex. You’ll need a backup Visa/Mastercard for these situations.
3. Priority Pass Charges Dilute the Benefit The “complimentary” Priority Pass membership charging US$32 per visit feels misleading. You’re saving ₹8,000-9,000 on the membership fee but still paying ₹2,700 every time you actually use an international lounge. For budget-conscious travelers, this isn’t truly complimentary access.
4. Category Exclusions Reduce Effective Earning No points on fuel, utilities, and insurance means 20-30% of typical household spending generates zero rewards. If you’re paying ₹3,000 monthly in electricity, ₹2,000 for insurance premiums, and ₹5,000 for fuel, that’s ₹1.2 lakh annually earning nothing.
5. Taj Voucher Has Restrictions The ₹10,000 Taj voucher comes with blackout dates, minimum stay requirements, and is valid only at select Taj properties. If you can’t use it within the validity period or don’t stay at Taj hotels, you’ve lost ₹10,000 in value—which dramatically changes the card’s ROI.
6. No Spending-Based Fee Waiver Spending ₹3 lakh? ₹5 lakh? ₹10 lakh? Doesn’t matter—you’re paying ₹5,900 annually. This feels outdated when competitors routinely waive fees for loyal, high-spending customers.
Comparison American Express Platinum Travel Credit Card With Similar Cards
| Feature | Amex Platinum Travel | HDFC Regalia | Axis Privilege |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annual Fee | ₹5,900 (no waiver) | ₹2,500 (waivable on ₹3L spend) | ₹3,500 (waivable on ₹3L spend) |
| Base Reward Rate | 1 pt per ₹50 (2%) | 4 pts per ₹150 (~2.67%) | 1 pt per ₹100 (1%) |
| Welcome Benefit | 10,000 pts (₹3,000 value) | Varies by offer | 5,000 pts |
| Milestone Benefit | 25,000 pts + ₹10K voucher at ₹4L | 15,000 pts at ₹3L | 10,000 pts at ₹2.5L |
| Domestic Lounge Access | 8 visits/year | 12 visits/year | 12 visits/year |
| International Lounge Access | Priority Pass (paid visits) | 6 international/year (free) | Priority Pass (paid visits) |
| Foreign Currency Markup | 3.5% | 3.5% | 2% |
| Fuel Surcharge Waiver | HPCL only, 0% | 1% waiver, ₹250 cap/month | 1% waiver, all fuel stations |
| Card Network | American Express | Visa | Visa |
| Merchant Acceptance | Moderate | Excellent | Excellent |
Where Amex Platinum Travel Wins:
- Higher milestone bonus at ₹4 lakh (₹17,500 value vs. ₹6,000-7,500 for competitors)
- Non-expiring reward points
- Taj voucher (if you actually use it)
- Slightly better base reward rate
Where It Loses:
- No fee waiver option
- Limited lounge visits compared to Regalia’s 12 domestic + 6 international free visits
- Restricted American Express acceptance
- Priority Pass lounge visits aren’t actually free
- Higher annual fee without flexibility
HDFC Regalia emerges as the more practical choice for most users: lower fee, fee waiver option, better lounge access, and near-universal Visa acceptance. The Amex Platinum Travel makes sense only if you’re absolutely certain you’ll cross ₹4 lakh annually and will use the Taj voucher.
Pros & Cons American Express Platinum Travel Credit Card
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| ✅ Strong milestone rewards at ₹4L spending (₹17,500+ value) | ❌ Requires ₹4L annual spending to justify ₹5,900 fee |
| ✅ Non-expiring Membership Rewards points | ❌ No fee waiver option at any spending level |
| ✅ 3X points on 50+ partner brands through Reward Multiplier | ❌ Limited American Express acceptance vs Visa/Mastercard |
| ✅ Taj hotel voucher worth ₹10,000 at ₹4L milestone | ❌ Priority Pass charges US$32 per visit (not truly free) |
| ✅ Zero fuel surcharge at HPCL | ❌ No points on fuel, utilities, insurance (20-30% of typical spending) |
| ✅ 8 complimentary domestic lounge visits | ❌ Taj voucher has restrictions and may go unused |
| ✅ Decent base reward rate (2% if valued at ₹1/point) | ❌ No comprehensive travel insurance |
| ❌ Higher annual fee than competing cards | |
| ❌ Fuel benefit limited to HPCL only | |
| ❌ Available only in select cities |
Overall Assessment
The American Express Platinum Travel Credit Card operates on a simple principle: spend big, earn big. The math works beautifully at ₹4 lakh annual spending—you’re netting approximately ₹14,000 in value after fees, assuming you use the Taj voucher.
But here’s the uncomfortable truth: most credit card users in India don’t naturally spend ₹4 lakh annually on a single card. According to RBI data, average credit card spending per card per year hovers around ₹1.5-2 lakh. Reaching ₹4 lakh requires conscious effort—routing all possible expenses through this one card, which isn’t always practical given Amex’s acceptance limitations.
At ₹1.9 lakh spending, you’re barely breaking even. Below that, you’re actively losing money to the annual fee.
The card works for a specific profile: business owners who can route business expenses through personal cards, high-income professionals with significant discretionary spending, or existing heavy credit card users consolidating spending onto one card.
For everyone else, the lack of a fee waiver, limited lounge access, and acceptance constraints make competitor cards more sensible choices.
Decide Factor: Should You Apply?
Best For:
- Business owners or self-employed professionals who can route ₹4+ lakh annually through credit cards
- Frequent domestic travelers who’ll maximize the 8 annual lounge visits
- Those who regularly stay at Taj properties and will use the ₹10,000 voucher
- Shoppers who frequently purchase from Reward Multiplier partner brands (Apple, Nykaa, MakeMyTrip)
- Individuals seeking non-expiring reward points for long-term accumulation
- Residents of metro cities where Amex acceptance is better
Avoid If:
- Your annual credit card spending is below ₹2 lakh
- You need universal merchant acceptance (small retailers, neighborhood stores)
- You prefer fee waiver options and spending flexibility
- You want complimentary international lounge access without per-visit charges
- You rarely stay at Taj hotels or won’t use the voucher
- You live outside the 27 cities where Amex issues cards
- You want comprehensive travel insurance included
Works Best When Used Like This:
- Route all eligible business and personal expenses through this card to hit ₹4 lakh annually
- Use the Reward Multiplier portal for planned big-ticket purchases (electronics, jewelry, travel bookings)
- Keep a backup Visa/Mastercard for merchants that don’t accept Amex
- Plan at least one Taj hotel stay annually to use the ₹10,000 voucher before it expires
- Use domestic lounge access strategically—two visits per quarter during busy travel months
How to Apply for American Express Platinum Travel Credit Card
Step 1: Check Eligibility Ensure you reside in one of the 27 eligible cities and meet the income expectations (approximately ₹6 lakh annual personal income for salaried applicants).
Step 2: Gather Required Documents
- PAN Card (mandatory)
- Aadhaar Card or Passport (address proof)
- Latest 3 months’ salary slips (for salaried) OR last 2 years’ ITR (for self-employed)
- Recent bank statements (last 3 months)
- Photograph
Step 3: Apply Online
- Visit www.americanexpress.com/in
- Navigate to Credit Cards → Platinum Travel Credit Card
- Click “Apply Now”
- Fill in personal, employment, and income details
- Upload required documents
- Submit application
Step 4: Verification & Approval
- American Express may call for telephonic verification of employment and income
- Application processing typically takes 7-10 business days
- Physical verification of address may occur depending on the application
- If approved, card delivery takes 5-7 business days via courier
Typical Approval Timeline: Application to approval: 7-14 days Card delivery: 5-7 days post-approval Total time: 12-21 days approximately
Activation: Card must be activated within 37 days of approval, or it will be automatically cancelled. Activate via the Amex mobile app, online account, or customer service.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the American Express Platinum Travel a lifetime free credit card? No. The card charges ₹5,000 plus GST (total approximately ₹5,900) as both joining fee and annual renewal fee. There is no spending-based fee waiver available.
Are the Membership Rewards points worth it? Yes, if you redeem them for travel. When used for Pay with Points on Amex Travel Online, each point roughly equals ₹0.30. For other redemptions like vouchers, the value varies. The key advantage: points never expire as long as your card is active.
How does Priority Pass lounge access actually work? You get the Priority Pass membership (worth US$99 annually) free, but each lounge visit costs US$32 (approximately ₹2,700) for you or any guest. This isn’t complimentary lounge access—only the membership fee is waived.
Will I get the Taj voucher automatically at ₹4 lakh spending? The ₹10,000 Taj e-voucher is credited after you cross ₹4 lakh spending in a card membership year. Vouchers typically arrive within 4-6 weeks of hitting the milestone. Check terms for validity period and usage restrictions.
Can I use this card for international travel? Yes, it’s accepted wherever American Express is taken globally. However, a 3.5% foreign currency markup applies to all international transactions, making it less competitive than forex-specific cards. The Priority Pass membership is useful but remember you pay US$32 per lounge visit.
Is this card suitable for beginners? No. The ₹5,900 annual fee and requirement to spend ₹4 lakh to maximize value make this unsuitable for credit card beginners. Start with a lifetime-free card or entry-level reward card, build your credit score, and graduate to premium cards later.
Where is American Express accepted in India? Acceptance has improved significantly but still lags Visa/Mastercard. Most large retailers, restaurants, hotels, and online platforms accept Amex. However, small neighborhood stores, local merchants, and some online sellers don’t. Always keep a Visa or Mastercard backup.
Can I convert purchases to EMI? Yes. Purchases above ₹5,000 can be converted to EMI with tenures from 3-24 months at interest rates starting from 1.17% per month. EMI can be done through Amex SafeKey or post-purchase conversion. Note: You won’t earn Membership Rewards points on merchant-terminal EMI.
Final Verdict
The American Express Platinum Travel Credit Card is a performance vehicle designed for high spenders. Its milestone structure rewards those who can comfortably route ₹4 lakh or more annually through a single card. Hit that threshold, use the Taj voucher, and you’re looking at ₹14,000+ in net annual value—solid returns.
But the card shows no mercy to low spenders. Miss the ₹1.9 lakh milestone, and you’re paying ₹5,900 for modest returns. The complete absence of a fee waiver feels particularly unforgiving when competitors offer flexibility.
The Priority Pass “benefit” misleads casual readers. You’re not getting free international lounge access—you’re getting a membership whose per-visit charges (₹2,700) remain your responsibility. For frequent international travelers on corporate expense accounts, that’s fine. For everyone else, it’s less appealing than cards offering truly complimentary international lounge visits.
American Express’s acceptance limitations remain a practical hurdle. You’ll encounter merchants—both online and offline—who simply don’t take Amex. This isn’t a card you can rely on exclusively.
Bottom line: If you’re confident you’ll spend ₹4 lakh annually, will use the Taj voucher, and can live with Amex’s acceptance gaps, this card delivers strong value. For everyone else, HDFC Regalia or similar mid-premium Visa/Mastercard options offer better everyday utility with lower fees and greater acceptance.
Track your actual monthly credit card spending over the past 6 months. If it averages ₹33,000+ and you can shift that spending to Amex-accepted merchants, apply. If you’re averaging ₹15,000-20,000 monthly with no clear path to increase, this card will cost you more than it returns.
Other Credit Card to Consider
HDFC Bank UPI Rupay Credit Card
HDFC Tata New Infinity Credit Card
Disclaimer: Card features, fees, and benefits are subject to change at the issuer’s discretion. Always verify details on the official American Express website before applying.