Everything We Know About the $200 Amex Travel Appreciation Credit
On May 1, 2020, American Express launched a "Stay at Home Essentials Card Refresh" for multiple American Express Cards. The Platinum Card from American Express, by far, received the most lucrative increase in value, with a temporary $320 in statement credits on select streaming services and U.S. wireless telephone services from May through December of 2020. If you missed this update or need more information on the credits, make sure you read our comprehensive article on the refresh! Now let's dive into this $200 Amex Travel Appreciation Credit news!
Nearly a week after launching the "Stay at Home Essentials Card Refresh," American Express sent out an email titled "Important News about your Platinum Card." The email outlined the new streaming and cell phone service credits pictured above and below:
Additionally, this email also touched on the monthly Uber statement credits, which American Express encourages cardholders to use for Uber Eats, and accentuates safer "contactless delivery" options. American Express also made sure to plug the Saks Fifth Avenue credit in case you are itching for some online shopping.
At the very bottom of the email, we found some unexpected, exciting news about yet another statement credit for Platinum Cardholders. In appreciation for renewing your Platinum Card, you will receive a $200 statement credit for purchases made using the American Express Travel Portal: AmexTravel.com. The email stated that this $200 Amex Travel statement credit was valid for eligible purchases made through 12/31/2021! It's great to see American Express is giving us a huge window to use these generous credits since flexibility is super important during these unprecedented times.
Since there was absolutely no official information about this $200 Amex Travel credit put out by American Express, I got on the Amex Chat with a customer service representative named Aaron. Aaron provided some valuable information regarding this credit. First, he confirmed it was only for the personal Platinum Card, sorry Business Platinum cardholders! Next, the credit is available beginning August 2020 and runs through December 31, 2021. I inquired with some Instagram followers, friends, and clients who hold the Platinum Card, and no one else had received it yet. The curious part of this credit is: what exactly makes someone eligible for the $200 Amex Travel Appreciation Credit? Aaron couldn't answer this, so I called our trusty Platinum Concierge to see if I could find out. I spoke to Monica, who advised that this appreciation credit is a marketing promotion for select Platinum cardmembers, which is what we had suspected based on our acquaintance's lack of emails about it. She did note that only Platinum cardholders renewing membership between April 1, 2020 and December 31, 2020, were eligible. Monica confirmed that this credit was not available to be redeemed until August 2020. She stated that this email was just a notification, and there will be full terms to follow sometime in the future, which made sense due to the lack of information about it. She also said that more targeted appreciation credit emails will be going out until August. So even if you did not get an email yet, keep checking!
Come September 2020, I will have to decide whether to renew my Platinum Card. In September 2019, when I last renewed, I was offered a $200 statement credit after spending $3,000, which I obviously took advantage of. On top of the retention offer, I am also getting the $200 Amex Travel Appreciation Credit. Then add the annual $200 Uber credit, the $200 airline credit (keep in mind the $200 Amex Travel credit is in addition to this $200 airline credit), the $100 Saks Fifth Avenue credits, plus the brand new $320 streaming and wireless cell phone credit. That is a total of $1,220 in statement credits for 2020, not even including purchase protection statement credits or Amex Offers I've utilized. After seeing all the value the Platinum Card is providing, there is no doubt the $550 annual fee is justified, and I will happily keep it in my wallet another year! Overall, I am excited to utilize Amex Travel since The Platinum Card earns 5X Membership Rewards on eligible prepaid hotels and flights booked through the portal and has access to the Fine Hotels and Resorts Collection! Keep in mind that the Amex Travel Portal can be used to book flights, hotels, rental vehicles and even cruises.
Did you receive this $200 Amex Travel Appreciation Credit yet? Let us know by leaving a comment below, DM us on Instagram, or message us on Facebook! If you are interested in taking advantage of any of the benefits mentioned above, we'd recommend reading our deep-dive review on The Platinum Card.
If you're already interested in adding one of the cards mentioned above, found this article helpful and want to support Points Passport, please feel free to learn more about the cards with our partners at CreditCards.com by using the link below. Simply click the link and scroll down to the card that interests you the most!