Why the AMEX Platinum is the Best Credit Card for Military Members

It’s no secret that the American Express Platinum Card boasts some pretty luxurious perks for its members. But it can also come with the requirement to have a decent credit score and has quite a price tag. At $695, the annual fee just to have this card can be too much for some.

But, if you’re an active-duty member of the military, you’re in luck. It’s free!

Below, we’ll cover why the American Express Platinum Card is the best credit card to have if you’re in the military.

The base fee is waived

Military service members are covered under what’s known as the Military Lending Act, or MLA. The MLA allows for service members to have this card and the fee be waived. So, you can have all the perks without the payment.

Some have estimated the sum total of the AMEX Platinum’s perks to be valued at around $1400, if you take advantage of them all. Normally, the $695 fee would drop this down to about $705 in total value you’d realize if you were able to take full advantage. But either the fee waived, you end up realizing the full $1400 in value.

That’s a pretty big savings!

You have access to over 1,000 lounges at airports around the world

Arguably one of the best perks to come with the card is the access to well over 1,000 lounges at airports worldwide. If you’re in the military and you travel frequently, or even just during a PCS, you can access these lounges often by just presenting your AMEX card.

In some other circumstances, such as with United Club, you’d need to be flying United to access it.

But another benefit regarding lounges is a free membership to Priority Pass Select, which opens the doors to more lounges. You have to apply once you get the AMEX Platinum card, but the membership is free.

If you’re wondering if your family can enter lounges with you, like in the case of PCS travel, it is possible. Cardholders can bring up to two guests with them into many lounges, to Include the American Express Centurion Lounge.

If you add your spouse as an authorized user on your account, they’ll receive their own card, the fee for which is also waived.

With each of you presenting a card and bringing two guests, that means a family of six could gain access to the lounge for free. Plus, any children under the age of two are free as well.

DISCLAIMER - American Express will soon change their policy on guest admission to the Centurion Lounge. Soon, cardholders will need to meet a minimum annual spending requirement of $75,000 on their AMEX Platinum Card to be eligible to bring in guests for free.

But that shouldn’t stop you from taking full advantage of this perk while it’s still there. Besides, you’ll still be able to get in free yourself when traveling alone.

You receive automatic upgraded status with select car rental companies

While traveling on active duty, sometimes a rental car can come in handy.

And you won’t always be allotted one with your travel orders.

But if you feel the need to get one yourself, you can always do so. And having the ability to receive complementary upgrades with select car rental companies just for having the AMEX Platinum card can make your car rental efforts a breeze.

I recently took leave to visit family in Texas for a week.

I had my wife and kids with me so I definitely needed a rental car while I was there. I applied through the AMEX app for the National Car Rental upgrade to Executive Status and was able to complete the signup in just minutes.

Having complimentary Executive Status with National allowed me to pay for a midsize vehicle but receive a full size.

Not only that, but when I got to National at IAH in Houston, I just gave them my name and they told me to pick any vehicle in the Executive area.

I found a Jeep Grand Cherokee with enough room to fit all five of us plus luggage and the keys were already in the vehicle.

I just got in and drove off. It was that easy.

Imagine the relief that sort of ease can bring while traveling on military orders.

No foreign transaction fees

If you’re traveling in the military, there’s a decent chance you’re headed overseas. If so, no need to worry.

The AMEX Platinum card has no foreign transaction fees for all those purchases you’ll be making, and there is no need to inform American Express that you’ll be traveling. They pride themselves on having a sophisticated enough fraud algorithm to determine if purchases are being made by you or someone else.

So, head overseas, use your card, and everything will be just fine. More than you can say for the majority of other credit cards.

Up to $100 application fee credit for Global Entry every four years or for TSA PreCheck every 4.5 years.

Again, if you’re traveling overseas in the military, having Global Entry can be a life saver after getting off a 10-hour flight.

With your AMEX Platinum card, the fee to enroll in the Global Entry program is reimbursed once every four years and includes TSA PreCheck.

If you don’t need Global Entry, you can always just apply for TSA PreCheck itself and still be reimbursed these application fees once every 4.5 years.

You’ll earn points on all purchases, including those covered by your per diem

If you’re getting per diem, that’s free money for your travels.

It’s money you’re already allotted but if you spend it via your Platinum card, you’ll also earn points on all those purchases. This includes food and other necessary expenditures for the entirety of your temporary assignment.

You get $200 in Uber credits that could come in handy when there are no taxis available

Earlier, we talked about the advantages of the Platinum card when it comes to car rental statuses.

But if you’re not allotted a car rental on your travels, and don’t want to pay for one out-of-pocket, the Uber credit might come in quite handy.

For being an AMEX Platinum cardholder, you’re given $200 in free Uber credits per calendar year. They’re broken up into monthly credits of $15 for January through November, and $35 in December.

If you need a ride, jump on Uber and get one for free.

Conclusion

At the end of the day, not everyone will have the credit history needed to obtain this card. But if you control your finances and are careful, you can definitely achieve it.

And when you do, you’ll be able to benefit from the card’s numerous perks for free.

You work hard, let the American Express Platinum card deliver some perks and comfort while you serve.

*The opinions expressed in this article are my personal opinions and do not represent those of the Department of the Navy, Department of Defense, or any other military organization.