Why Active-Duty Service Members Should Get the American Express Platinum Military Card

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Active duty service members can take advantage of many credit card benefits and perks the offers. The Servicemembers Civil Relief Act provides qualifying active military members financial protections and benefits. Moreover, some credit card issuers like American Express offer active duty service members additional perks.

Here’s a look at some of the benefits that the American Express Platinum Card extends to those considered active military.

Membership Rewards Points

The American Express Platinum Card gives active military members access to its Membership Rewards program. This allows them to earn five times the points for every dollar spent on flights and hotels booked through American Express’ travel portal. They can also earn one point for every dollar spent on eligible purchases.

Points rack up quickly and can be used on shopping, dining and entertainment purchases. They can also be used to book travel.

How American Express Platinum Card Military Card Members Earn Points

Like an average Card Member, American Express Platinum Military Card Members also earn five times the points on up to $500,000 annually on flights they book with American Express Travel or directly with airlines. When Card Members book and pre-pay hotel stays on AmexTravel.com, they also earn five times the points. On all other purchases, military Card Members earn a point for every dollar spent.

Entertainment, Dining and Shopping Rewards

Annual credit and cash rewards can make the American Express Platinum Card appealing to active duty military service members. Here’s a closer look at some of these benefits.

$240 Digital Entertainment Credit

American Express Platinum Card Members receive up to $20 per month in statement credit — that’s $240 annually — for making eligible purchases through SiriusXM, Audible, The New York Times or Peacock entertainment. American Express® Card Members must enroll to receive this credit.

$155 Walmart+ Credit

Walmart+ is a subscription membership that costs $98 a year, or $12.95 a month. Members can buy just about everything Walmart sells online or in-store. Card Members can use their card to pay for their monthly Walmart+ membership and redeem the full monthly cost back as a statement credit.

$200 Uber Cash

American Express Platinum military Card Members who ride Uber and order food through Uber Eats can get $15 in Uber Cash each month in addition to a $20 bonus every December. This benefit only applies to Uber rides and food orders for Basic Uber card members in the United States, though. 

$300 With Equinox

The military is known for physical fitness. Active duty service members with an American Express Platinum Card can receive up to $300 in cash back savings each year if they use the Equinox+ digital fitness app or work out as a member at eligible Equinox clubs.

$100 at Saks

With the American Express Platinum Card, military Card Members can get up to $100 annually in statement credits, up to $50 twice a year, for purchases at Saks Fifth Avenue stores. They must enroll to take advantage of this perk.

$189 With CLEAR

Getting through security quickly at airports isn’t very easy. But American Express Platinum military Card Members can breeze through using the CLEAR app. CLEAR is a touchless program that uses biometrics to securely verify a person’s identity. American Express Platinum gives Card Members up to $189 back annually when they use their card to pay for CLEAR membership.

Exclusive Dining With Resy

Military service members who enjoy dining out can use their American Express Platinum Card to discover and access exclusive tables at restaurants and events when they add their card to their Resy profile.

Travel Rewards and Credits

Amex’s Platinum card has been lauded for all the travel perks it offers. Here are a few.

$200 Hotel Credit

Platinum Card Members can get $200 back in credits on their statement annually when they prepay a 2-night minimum stay through The Hotel Collection booking page with American Express or with Fine Hotels and Resort.

TSA Global Entry or PreCheck Credit

American Express Platinum Card Members can receive either a $100 statement credit for TSA’s Global Entry or up to $85 on a five-year TSA PreCheck plan from any Authorized TSA PreCheck Enrollment Provider.

$200 Airline Fee Credit

When incidental travel fees are charged to American Express Platinum Card military members, they can earn up to $200 in statement credits annually. Qualifying purchases include fees for checked bags as well as in-flight snacks and beverages.

Additional Member Services

Platinum military Card Members can add a no annual fee American Express Gold Card to their Platinum account and earn Membership Rewards points on any eligible purchases made on the Gold card by additional Card members.

American Express Platinum Military Application

Applying for the American Express Platinum card is simple and applicants can receive an approval decision in under a minute. Applicants can select their card design before entering all of the required personal information. Upon approval, applicants can opt to receive a one-time text message to their mobile phone with a link to download the American Express App.

No American Express Platinum Annual Fee for Military Members

Under the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act and the Military Lending Act, active duty military members may be eligible to not pay their American Express Platinum annual membership fee of .

SCRA protects active duty service members, and in many cases their spouses, by reducing some of their financial obligations while serving. In addition to no annual fee, these members may have their interest rate reduced up to 6%. State laws may apply and the service member must have acquired the American Express Platinum Card before being placed on active duty. They may request SCRA relief up to 180 days after leaving active duty service.

Similarly, the MLA protects active duty service members and their dependents in consumer credit matters, extending a military APR that’s capped at 36%. No enrollment in MLA is required and a military member’s American Express Platinum Card is eligible on the date they open the account.

All information about the American Express Platinum Card has been collected independently by GOBankingrates. American Express Platinum Card is not available through GOBankingRates.

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