American Express Platinum Benefits for Military Servicemembers and Veterans

The Platinum Card® from American Express has long been considered one of the most premium credit cards on the market. In September 2025, the card underwent one of its most significant refreshes ever — adding new lifestyle, travel, and wellness credits that push its total potential value to more than $3,500 per year.

For active-duty servicemembers, the card is a slam dunk thanks to SCRA and MLA fee relief. For veterans and others not eligible for military protections, the question is simple: can the annual_fees annual fee be justified? As we’ll show below, the answer for many is yes.

Let’s break down the card’s benefits, protections, and the most practical ways military families can maximize its value.

Looking to get started right away?  View the simple application process here to take advantage of the Amex Platinum card’s benefits today, or continue reading our review below.

Understanding Military Protections: SCRA and MLA Relief

Before diving into the card’s many benefits, it’s essential to understand the protections that military members can access under the SCRA and MLA. These federal laws were designed to ease financial pressures on military members during active-duty service.

Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA) Overview

The Servicemembers Civil Relief Act provides protections to active-duty military members regarding pre-existing financial obligations, including credit cards.

If you opened your Amex Platinum account before joining active duty, you might be eligible for protections that include a cap on interest rates (no more than 6%) and relief from certain fees, including late fees and penalties.

However, the exact benefits vary based on individual circumstances, and military members must apply for SCRA protections to receive these benefits.

How to Apply for SCRA Relief

• Log into your American Express account online and submit a request for SCRA relief.
• You will need to provide supporting documentation, such as your active-duty orders or a letter from your commanding officer.
• Once processed, Amex typically applies SCRA protections within two billing cycles, and eligible fees will be credited back.

Military Lending Act (MLA) Overview

The Military Lending Act provides more comprehensive protections for accounts opened while on active duty, offering relief for various credit card fees, including annual fees.

Importantly, when military members open a new Amex Platinum account while serving, the MLA automatically applies these protections.

Unlike the SCRA, no application is required—Amex determines eligibility based on data from the Department of War (previously known as the Department of Defense).

MLA Relief in Action

• Military members who open a Platinum Card while on active duty will automatically benefit from protections that limit fees and other financial obligations.
• This relief is typically processed automatically, but it’s still a good idea to ensure your active-duty status is correctly listed in the Department of War’s database.

Key Takeaway: Both the SCRA and MLA ensure that military members enjoy significant financial protections while holding the Amex Platinum Card. The protections may reduce or eliminate fees and interest, providing financial peace of mind during active service.

The simplest way to check if you will receive MLA or SCRA protections on your account is to check the MLA Database or SCRA Database.

The MLA and SCRA database are the same databases that the credit card companies check to determine if you qualify for MLA or SCRA benefits.

If you are not listed as eligible in these databases, you will not receive MLA and SCRA benefits applied to your account.

Breaking Down the annual_fees Annual Fee: Offsets Made Easy

For veterans or others who don’t qualify for SCRA/MLA protections, the annual fee is significant. But here’s how it can be offset with easy-to-use benefits most households already value:

• $600 Hotel Credit ($300 every 6 months via Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection).
  • If you stay at a hotel even twice a year, this is an easy offset.
• $300 Digital Entertainment Credit ($25 per month).
  • Covers streaming services like Disney+, Hulu, ESPN+, Peacock, or WSJ. Most households already spend here.
• $155 Walmart+ Credit.
  • Walmart+ includes free grocery delivery and also comes bundled with Paramount+ or Peacock streaming — stacking additional value.
  • Overall, Walmart+ is an underrated benefit that can provide serious everyday value with gas savings ($0.10 per gallon at several stations), Burger King savings, free online pet care, auto savings at Walmart Auto Care Centers, early access to online deals for Black Friday, and more.

That’s $1,055 in straightforward, easy-to-use value, more than covering the annual_fees annual fee before you even consider the card’s travel, dining, and wellness extras.

Everything else becomes icing on the cake:

• $200 Airline Fee Credit
• $200 Uber Cash + $120 Uber One Membership
• $400 Resy Dining Credit + Platinum Nights access
• $300 lululemon Credit
• $200 Oura Ring Credit
• $300 Equinox Credit
• $100 Saks Credit
• Expanded Global Lounge Collection

For anyone who can use even a handful of these, the case for keeping the Platinum is much stronger than before.

Why We Love The Amex Platinum for Military Service Members

The Amex Platinum is well-known for its premium travel and lifestyle benefits. When paired with military-specific protections, it becomes a highly valuable tool for military personnel.

• SCRA/MLA protections make the high annual fee manageable. For most servicemembers, this means you get a $3,500+ value card at little to no effective cost.
• Travel perks are uniquely aligned with military life. PCS moves, deployments, training, and family visits all become easier when lounges, hotel status, and travel credits are available.
• Lifestyle credits support resilience and quality of life. Perks like lululemon credits, Oura Ring, and Equinox aren’t just “luxury”—they directly support physical readiness and recovery.

Simply put: for active-duty, the Platinum Card is an automatic yes. The bigger decision point is for veterans and retirees, who must weigh the $895 fee against their ability to use the benefits.

Expanded Travel, Lifestyle, and Wellness Benefits (2025 Refresh)

The 2025 refresh gave the Platinum Card more depth than ever before. Instead of just offering luxury perks, the updates lean into practical, everyday value that military families can actually use—whether you’re on orders, managing a PCS, or simply looking to stretch your benefits at home. Here’s a closer look at the new and enhanced perks, and why they matter for servicemembers.

Travel

One of the standout features of the Amex Platinum is its extensive airport lounge access. Military members who frequently PCS (Permanent Change of Station) or travel for deployments can benefit greatly from the card’s Global Lounge Collection.

• Global Lounge Collection (expanded): Military travel often comes with unpredictable schedules, layovers, and last-minute changes. Access to lounges in the Global Lounge Collection—now expanded to more Centurion, Delta Sky Club, and Priority Pass locations—transforms that experience. Instead of waiting in crowded airport terminals, servicemembers and families can access meals, Wi-Fi, and quiet rest areas valued at around $850 annually. For PCS moves, this can make the difference between an exhausting travel day with kids and a manageable journey.
• $600 Hotel Credit: The increase to $600 per year, split into two $300 credits every six months, makes this benefit easier to use than ever. Families can apply the first $300 credit to summer travel or PCS-related hotel stays, and the second to winter holiday trips. Because it applies to bookings through Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection, the credit comes with extras like free breakfast, late checkout, or room upgrades—perks that can be especially valuable when you’re living out of a suitcase during a PCS transition.
• Hotel Status: The Platinum automatically provides Gold Status with Marriott Bonvoy and Hilton Honors, as well as the new Leaders Club Sterling Status with The Leading Hotels of the World. While “Gold” may sound modest, it typically includes benefits like late checkout, free breakfast (at Hilton properties), and better rooms—all without extra cost. For military families frequently booking temporary lodging or hotels near bases, these perks save money and improve comfort on the road.
• TSA PreCheck or Global Entry: Every four years, the Platinum reimburses your application fee for TSA PreCheck or Global Entry. PreCheck cuts security wait times to minutes, while Global Entry speeds up customs when returning from deployments or overseas assignments. For servicemembers who fly even a few times a year, this benefit quickly becomes essential.

Transportation & Mobility

• $200 Uber Cash + $120 Uber One Membership: Each year, Platinum members receive up to $200 in Uber Cash, deposited monthly as $15 with an extra $20 in December. Paired with the new $120 Uber One membership, which offers free delivery on Uber Eats and discounted rides, this package can provide up to $320 in annual value. For military families, this is particularly useful in urban duty stations where owning a second car might not be practical, or for spouses managing transportation needs during deployments. The food delivery benefits also help busy households stay flexible during PCS moves or training cycles.
• CLEAR Plus Credit ($209): CLEAR uses biometric scans to verify identity, helping travelers skip long ID check lines at airports. When combined with TSA PreCheck, it creates the fastest security experience available. For servicemembers who travel frequently—whether for TDY assignments, PCS moves, or leave trips—this benefit saves time and reduces stress at the airport.

Dining & Entertainment

• $400 Resy Dining Credit (new): Issued in $100 increments each quarter, the Resy credit can offset meals at restaurants nationwide. It’s easy to use for special occasions, from celebrating a promotion to marking a homecoming dinner after deployment. For families stationed near major cities, it can even be applied at popular local spots, turning dining out into a more affordable luxury.
• Platinum Nights by Resy: This program provides access to curated, often exclusive dining experiences. While not every servicemember will take advantage, those stationed in larger metro areas may find this an exciting way to explore high-end restaurants or culinary events. It’s a benefit that goes beyond dining credits by creating memorable experiences, especially when reconnecting with family after long separations.
• $300 Digital Entertainment Credit: Now expanded to include more providers, this credit covers up to $25 per month on streaming and news subscriptions. For families, this can easily offset the cost of Disney+, Hulu, ESPN+, Paramount+, or even news services like The Wall Street Journal. During deployments, streaming services become a lifeline for spouses and children at home, making this one of the most practical everyday benefits of the Platinum Card.

Lifestyle & Wellness

• $300 lululemon Credit (new): This annual credit can be used to purchase apparel and gear for PT, fitness training, or family workouts. Military servicemembers can use it to upgrade running shoes, cold-weather gear, or yoga equipment, while spouses might use it for their own fitness needs. Because it’s a popular retailer with a wide product range, this credit is easy to maximize.
• $200 Oura Ring Credit (new): The Oura Ring is a wellness tool that tracks sleep, recovery, and stress levels. For servicemembers who balance irregular schedules, PT requirements, and family responsibilities, the ability to monitor rest and recovery is invaluable. It’s a benefit that emphasizes personal resilience, something the military community understands deeply.
• $300 Equinox Credit: The Equinox credit can be applied to gym memberships or Equinox’s digital fitness platform. While Equinox locations are concentrated in larger cities, the digital offerings make this credit useful anywhere. For military families who may not have consistent access to base gyms or want supplemental training programs, it provides flexibility.
• $155 Walmart+ Credit: Walmart+ covers grocery delivery, shipping, and fuel discounts, and now includes streaming through Paramount+ or Peacock. This credit helps military families save time and money on essentials, particularly during deployments or PCS moves when routines are disrupted. For families living near a Walmart—which is true of many duty stations—this is one of the most valuable everyday benefits of the Platinum.
• $100 Saks Fifth Avenue Credit: Split into two $50 credits each year, this benefit gives military families a chance to enjoy luxury shopping without the guilt. It’s perfect for purchasing gifts during the holidays or treating yourself to something special. Even if you don’t normally shop at Saks, it’s an easy way to add value without extra spending.

Rewards and Points Earning Potential

In addition to these perks, card_name offers excellent rewards-earning potential, particularly for those who travel frequently.

Earning Membership Rewards Points

• Welcome Offer: bonus_miles_full
• Points Earning:
  • 5X points on flights booked directly with airlines or Amex Travel.
  • 5X points on prepaid hotels booked through Amex Travel.
  • 1X on all other purchases.
• Redemption Options:
  • Transfer to 20+ airline and hotel partners.
  • Book flights, hotel stays, or even premium cabins for PCS travel.

For servicemembers and their families who book travel for vacations, PCS moves, or even deployments, the 5X points on flights and hotels can quickly add up. These points can be redeemed for future travel, transferred to airline or hotel partners, or used for other purchases.

Redeeming Membership Rewards Points

Membership Rewards points can be redeemed in several ways, but the most valuable redemptions are typically for travel through American Express Travel® or transfers to airline and hotel partners.

Transfer Partners:

• American Express has transfer partnerships with over 20 airlines and hotel chains, including Delta SkyMiles, Hilton Honors, Marriott Bonvoy, and British Airways.
• Transferring points to these partners often results in higher value per point, especially when booking premium flights or luxury hotel stays.

Transferring points to airlines can help you upgrade to first-class tickets for long flights or book free hotel stays during family vacations, making travel more affordable.

Comparing The Amex Platinum to Other Military Credit Cards

How does card_name compare to other top military-friendly credit cards? Here’s a breakdown of key features:

Feature	Amex Platinum	USAA Eagle Navigator	Navy Federal Flagship Rewards	Chase Sapphire Reserve
Annual Fee (before relief)	annual_fees	$95	$49	annual_fees
Welcome Bonus	bonus_miles	50,000 points after $3,000 spend	40,000 points after $4,000 spend	bonus_miles
Rewards Rate	5x on flights & hotels, 1x on other	2x on all purchases	3x on travel, 2x on other	3x on travel, 1x on other
Lounge Access	Global Lounge Collection	None	None	Priority Pass Select
Foreign Transaction Fees	None	None	None	None

The Platinum stands alone in the sheer amount of credits and travel perks. For military servicemembers with fee relief, the value is unmatched. For veterans, it comes down to whether you can consistently use at least $900 worth of credits each year — which is easier now than ever.

Final Take: Should Military Members and Veterans Get the Platinum?

card_name provides military members with an unparalleled combination of premium travel rewards and essential military protections under the SCRA and MLA. Whether you’re traveling for duty or leisure, the card’s benefits—including lounge access, hotel elite status, and annual travel credits—make it a powerful tool for servicemembers and their families.

• For Active-Duty Servicemembers: The Amex Platinum is a no-brainer. SCRA/MLA relief makes it effectively free while delivering thousands in value.
• For Veterans & Others Without Fee Relief: The new 2025 refresh makes the Platinum easier to justify. Between the $600 hotel credit, $300 entertainment credit, and $155 Walmart+ credit, the annual fee can be offset almost automatically. The rest of the benefits become added value.

Bottom Line: The Platinum Card® from American Express just became even more powerful for the military community. Whether you’re looking for comfort on PCS orders, savings for your family at home, or unique lifestyle perks, the Platinum is a card that continues to deliver year after year.

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