How We Use the AmEx Platinum Card + Rakuten to Turn Holiday Spending Into Travel for the New Year

Why We Got the AmEx Platinum Card

As two military-spouse couples who have a love for travel, flexibility, and occasional splurge-worthy stays — carrying The Platinum Card® from American Express is more than a “nice-to-have.” It’s actually become a key part of our travel and lifestyle strategy. While this card may not have been on our radar for far too long, we need to note that the annual fee is waived for military service members under the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA) or Military Lending Act (MLA). If you are good with maintaining low to non-existent carry over balances on your credit cards and you are a military service member (or family of one), then this is something you may want to look into. We hesitated getting this card - hence why we took so long to finally do it - but honestly it’s been so good and the benefits alone make it worth it for us.

Here’s what the updated 2025 version offers — and why it works for us:

• Annual Fee: $895 — yes, on paper it’s steep, and it’s been increased, sadly. But for frequent travelers, it can be more of an investment than a cost. We’re going to breakdown why we think that below, so keep reading.

• Estimated Annual Value: AmEx itself estimates the card provides over $3,500 in benefits annually, mainly through statement credits, travel upgrades, and lifestyle perks. You DO have to research what all they offer, and how you can best utilize these credits/perks. They don’t just come to you, so make sure you’re maximizing your informational research. The below works for US, but there truly is quite a bit more than that, and we still need to get our max benefits too!

What We Actually Use (and Why It Matters)

Below we’ve listed just a few of the “attractive” perks that our families have come to use over the years. Please know that there are a LOT of additional perks that we have not mentioned! So while the below is typically what we use and get the most value out of, there are other perks that make this even more valuable.

$600 Hotel Credit (prepaid stays at Fine Hotels + Resorts or The Hotel Collection — $300 twice per year)
Great for staycations, weekend getaways between duties, or family travel — it can substantially offset or even cover a hotel stay.
$400 Dining Credit via Resy (up to $100 per quarter at 10,000+ U.S. restaurants)
Perfect for celebratory dinners, date-nights, or post-travel dinners — especially during holiday season or while traveling.
-Not going to lie — this one is new to us. We haven’t taken advantage of it yet, as I’m pretty sure it’s relatively new in general, but we are going to take advantage this month! For those slightly upscaled dining reservations, this is definitely a great use of a perk.
Uber / Rideshare & Transport Credits(Uber One + Uber Cash)
Handy for airport rides, base moves, or exploring a new duty station without renting a car.
Digital Entertainment / Lifestyle Credits (streaming services, wellness, lifestyle retail, etc.)
Helps offset “home base” costs — meaning more cash stays free for travel or experiences.
We use this to offset the cost of Disney+ — because, all things Disney, right?! It covers about 90% of the streaming package we have — as we also have Hulu and ESPN (this is all according to Shelby’s husband!)
Elite Hotel Status & Perks (upgrades, late checkout, breakfast, etc.)
When we travel — whether for a vacation or a base relocation — this gives us a little upgrade without paying luxury prices.

One of the best examples of the “Elite Hotel Status & Perks” happened to us just this summer! While our family does travel quite often, this was a first: being greeting VERY cordially by two different hotel managers and being upgraded in one of those hotels. Additionally, one of the hotels gave a VERY nice free breakfast for two (along with a dinner coupon, which we weren’t able to make use of) and truly … it was two of the most extravagant greetings and care we’ve ever been given on our travels. We honestly only knew that it was because of the American Express Platinum because a letter that we received by the manager expressed gratitude for our travels and use of the card! It was crazy. We invited my daughter’s friend to travel with us, and I swear she thought our family was WAY bougier than we actually are — this had literally NEVER happened before to such an extreme extent…let alone happening twice in as many days.

Expedited Security: CLEAR + TSA PreCheck / Global Entry Perks

One of the hidden gems of carrying the AmEx Platinum Card is the travel-security upgrades — via CLEAR Plus and TSA PreCheck / Global Entry.

With Platinum, you can get a statement credit for the cost of CLEAR Plus (up to roughly $209/year) — which covers the membership fee for CLEAR.
What is CLEAR? CLEAR speeds up airport security by using biometric verification (fingerprint / eye scan) so you bypass the standard security line and move to a much faster lane — a huge time-saver if you’re flying frequently.

If you prefer traditional hallway screening, AmEx also offers a statement credit toward the application fee for TSA PreCheck (or Global Entry, which includes TSA PreCheck) — typically covering the ~$78–$120 fee every few years.

For travelers like us — often flying for military moves, leave trips, or spontaneous getaways — the expedited security lines cut a lot of stress and hassle. Plus, add a college aged kid or two to the mix, and travel just becomes our new norm.

Bonus: you can combine CLEAR with TSA PreCheck (if eligible), for maximum speed through airport security.

Airport Lounge Access

Another major perk of the AmEx Platinum — and one we personally use often — is access to the American Express Global Lounge Collection, which includes Centurion Lounges, Priority Pass lounges (enrollment required), and Delta Sky Clubs when flying Delta the same day.

What you get:
Comfortable seating, high-speed WiFi, complimentary food + drinks (sometimes full meals), dedicated workspaces, and a calm place to unwind before flights. Check the guest rules — usually there is a charge for children/guests.

D.C. Area Note:

• DCA (Reagan National) currently has a Centurion Lounge.

• IAD (Dulles) does not yet have a Centurion Lounge, though AmEx has been expanding its network nationwide.

Lounge access is one of those perks that doesn’t sound major until you’re in the middle of holiday travel chaos — and suddenly having a quiet place to sit, snack, and recharge feels priceless.

Bottom line: When used intentionally — especially if you travel, dine out, or use ride shares even occasionally — the annual fee can quickly pay for itself. For us, the flexibility and perks make it feel less like a fee and more like a travel investment.

Don’t Miss the Sign-On Bonus

One of the smartest tricks: timing your application right.

Because of a 2025 refresh, sign-up bonuses for the AmEx Platinum Card are especially attractive — sometimes (and currently) up to 175,000+ Membership Rewards® points, depending on the current offer and spending requirement.

For someone who travels even a couple times a year, that bonus alone can fund flights or a round-trip — making the card’s value skyrocket from day one.

If you want to apply now, you can use our referral link — which may surface exclusive or enhanced offers:
👉 AmEx Platinum Referral Link

🔄 How We Stack Rakuten + AmEx Platinum for Maximum Points

What is Rakuten: A free cash-back platform that partners with thousands of retailers.

Our Strategy:

1. Use Rakuten for holiday shopping, gifts, travel gear, and everyday purchases.

2. In Rakuten’s “payout settings,” choose Membership Rewards® points (instead of cash) — $1 cash-back = 100 AmEx points.

3. Let Rakuten’s quarterly payout send points straight into our AmEx account.

4. Stack those points with the ones we earn directly on the Platinum Card (flights, hotel bookings, etc.).

That means — when done intentionally — normal spending becomes “travel fuel.”

Our Rakuten referral link (if you want to join too):
👉 Rakuten Referral – SHELBY30017

For those of you who live locally and use Giant — we’ve only had to “link” our AmEx and “activate” it once — and thank goodness! It racks up our points without us even having to think about it or remembering to hit that activate button, even for filling up on gas. Usually, when we shop online (Laura Geller, Shutterfly, Mpix, PetSmart, HoneyBook and others - legitimately you can visit hundreds of other partner stores) the “Activate” button appears and we click it; but just to be sure, keep Rakuten on your browser and you can see if you can find the store on the site to activate it when shopping. While we are out and about, we typically have to remember to go and “Activate” so that the points count. That said, we have been pleasantly surprised when points show up because of places like Taco Bueno or other smaller businesses we don’t generally think of for points in this way.

The key really is to be intentional — when you pull that card out to use it, be sure to check to see if Rakuten is a partner for where you are. Maybe put a purple Sharpie dot on the front (note to Shelby to DO this)! Before you know it, you’ll have hundreds, if not thousands of points saved, just for shopping as you normally do. And look for deals! Sometimes, stores you frequent (online or in store) may have 2% cash back normally, but during the holidays or just random times, that could be up to 10% or even 12% for a limited time.

Holiday Shopping Meets Travel Strategy

With the holidays here — between gifts, travel to see family, winter getaways and college kids flying home — this combo becomes especially powerful. Kids coming home and you’re purchasing the plane tickets — no problem. Head over to Expedia and get your cash back. Or, you can also go through American Express. Truly, tons of deals if you’re on the lookout.

We’ve already started shopping locally (we love to support small businesses), but for bigger purchases or gifts we’re doing online — always through Rakuten. If you go to the Outlet Malls, there are quite a few stores that will give in store purchase points! Adidas is one of our favorites (two athletic kiddos) — so we usually get some points that way.

If you’re entertaining family this year, and maybe the house is a little full, consider using that credit to gift a day or two of a hotel stay, so the house isn’t too overwhelmed. The American Express Platinum Card is fantastic for hotel bookings, flights, dining, and transportation — be sure you’re taking full advantage of what is offered.

If you do it just right, it might even feel good to know that your holiday spending isn’t just another expense — it’s part of building your next adventure.

Final Thoughts: Use It With Intention — Let the Card & Rakuten Pay for Itself

We don’t carry the Platinum Card for the flex (although to be honest, we do get some looks and maybe once a month someone comments on how heavy it is!). We carry it because it works — especially when used strategically.

Between:

• The 2025 sign-on bonus (right now, up to 175,000 points)

• $600 hotel credit

• $400 dining credit ($100 x 4 quarters)

• Uber & transport credits

• Everyday lifestyle perks

• And Rakuten stacking for purchases...

We’re able to turn holidays, shopping, and everyday life into future travel.

If you travel — even occasionally — this combination could be a game-changer. We hope that this has been informative and will be the game-changer YOU need to increase your travel in 2026 and the years to come.

Disclaimers

Affiliate Disclosure:
Shutter & Compass, LLC participates in affiliate and referral partnerships. Some of the links above are referral or affiliate links. If you choose to sign up or apply through these links, we may earn a small commission or bonus, at no additional cost to you. These commissions help support our travel content and keep the blog running.

Accuracy Disclaimer:
The information above is current as of November 29, 2025. Benefits, credits, annual fees, sign-on bonuses, and APRs can change. Always refer directly to the official websites for the most up-to-date details before applying or making decisions.