How does having a Priority Pass membership affect the value of the Amex Platinum card for lounge access?
20% Boarding Area
20% Miles to Memories
20% Running with Miles
40% Other
If you already have a Priority Pass membership, the American Express Platinum still gives you extra lounge options, but the incremental value depends on how much you’ll use the non‑Priority Pass locations and whether you need the additional perks that come with the card.
What the Platinum adds beyond Priority Pass
- Centurion lounges – Exclusive Amex‑branded lounges (e.g., in Las Vegas, Dallas/Ft. Worth, New York, San Francisco, Miami) that aren’t part of the Priority Pass network and are often rated among the best domestic lounges Running with Miles Running with Miles .
- Delta Sky Club access – Free entry when you fly Delta (or a partner) in a qualifying cabin, plus up to 10 complimentary visits per year for cardholders who don’t meet the $75 K spend threshold Live from a Lounge .
- Escape, Airspace, and other partner lounges – The Global Lounge Collection also includes Escape lounges, Airspace lounges, and Plaza Premium lounges, giving you venues that Priority Pass may not cover Running with Miles .
- Additional credits – Airline fee credits, Global Entry/TSA PreCheck credits, and other travel‑related statement credits can offset the annual fee, even if you don’t need the lounge benefit Boarding Area .
When the extra value may be limited
- Redundant lounge access – If you already enjoy a full Priority Pass membership, many of the same lounges are already available to you, so the Centurion and Delta Sky Club perks become the primary differentiators Miles to Memories Traveling for Miles Point Me to the Plane .
- Guest‑access costs – Priority Pass members often pay extra for guests, and the Platinum’s guest policies can be pricey (e.g., $29 per person for Delta lounges) Miles to Memories .
- Overlap with other premium cards – Holding other cards that also provide Priority Pass (e.g., Chase Sapphire Reserve, Citi Prestige) can make the Platinum’s lounge benefit feel less unique Traveling for Miles Point Me to the Plane .
How to decide if the Platinum is still worth it
- Count the non‑Priority Pass lounges you’ll actually use – If you travel through airports that have Centurion or Delta Sky Club locations you value, the Platinum adds meaningful options.
- Factor in the extra credits – Airline fee credits and travel‑related statement credits can easily cover a large portion of the $895 annual fee, making the lounge perk a bonus rather than the sole justification Boarding Area .
- Consider your existing card stack – If you already have a card that gives you Priority Pass plus comparable airline‑specific lounges, the incremental benefit of the Platinum may be marginal Traveling for Miles Point Me to the Plane .
In short, having Priority Pass reduces the uniqueness of the Amex Platinum’s lounge benefit, but the card still offers exclusive Centurion lounges, Delta Sky Club access, and a suite of travel credits that can make it worthwhile for frequent domestic travelers who can take advantage of those additional venues.
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