Amex Platinum Rental Car Benefits: What You Need To Know

I’ve been using my Amex Platinum card for car rentals lately, and the perks have genuinely surprised me. Beyond the flashy airport lounges everyone talks about, these rental benefits can actually offset that eye-watering annual fee if you travel frequently.

Through loyalty status upgrades, you’ll bypass those endless rental counter lines and score nice perks like member discounts and free additional drivers. The card includes secondary insurance coverage automatically, with an option to upgrade to primary coverage for a flat fee (which can be more economical than the rental counter’s inflated daily rates).

Both personal and business versions of the Platinum card carry the same hefty annual fee. While some might question whether any credit card is worth such a premium, the rental benefits alone can make a significant dent in justifying the cost.

Car Rental Benefits Breakdown

The secondary insurance coverage comes standard with the card. Important caveat though - you’ll need to file with your personal insurance first if something happens. This always struck me as a half-measure, but it’s better than nothing.

For theft or damage coverage to apply, you must pay for the entire rental with your Amex card and decline the rental company’s coverage options. Be aware that certain vehicles aren’t covered - cargo vans, antique cars, and interestingly, personal vehicles rented through rideshare platforms.

If you want primary coverage (which I strongly recommend), you’ll pay a flat fee of $12.25-$24.95 for the entire rental period up to 42 days. Compared to the $15-30 per day that rental companies charge, this can represent serious savings on longer trips. Still, other premium travel cards include primary coverage for free, which makes me question Amex’s approach here.

Status Upgrades That Actually Matter

The complimentary elite status with Avis, Hertz, and National is where the real value lies. I’ve tested all three, and found tangible benefits with each:

With Avis Preferred Plus, you’ll get up to 25% off rentals, vehicle upgrades when available, and expedited service. Complete two qualifying rentals and you’ll earn a free weekend rental.

Hertz President’s Circle status is particularly valuable. The 20% discount is nice, but the 4-hour grace period on returns has saved me from fees multiple times. The guaranteed upgrades and free additional driver perks are consistently honored in my experience.

National’s Emerald Club Executive status lets you choose any full-size or above vehicle while paying the midsize rate. This means you can select the exact car you want from their Executive aisle and drive away without waiting in line - a genuine time-saver at busy airports.

Activating Your Benefits

The card doesn’t automatically enroll you in these programs - you need to take action. Pay for rentals with your Platinum card, decline the rental company’s insurance, and be sure to enroll in the loyalty programs using the Amex benefits portal.

Each rental company provides a special code to use when booking to ensure you receive the discounts and status benefits. I’ve found that booking directly through the rental companies’ websites (not third-party sites) ensures these benefits are properly applied.

Is It Worth It?

For frequent travelers who regularly rent cars, these benefits can significantly enhance the value proposition of the Platinum card. The status upgrades alone can save hundreds annually through discounts and time saved bypassing rental counters.

However, I question why Amex charges for primary coverage when competitors include it for free. And if you rarely rent vehicles, these benefits won’t move the needle much against that substantial annual fee.

The real question isn’t whether these benefits are good - they are - but whether your travel patterns will allow you to extract enough value from them to justify keeping the card in your wallet.