American Express Platinum Reserve Credit Card

About Amex Platinum Reserve Credit Card

Are you looking for a credit card that matches your premium lifestyle without the ultra-high fees of a metal card? The Amex Platinum Reserve Credit Card is designed to bridge that gap, offering a suite of luxury benefits for the modern Indian professional.

This card offers a unique value proposition where you can get ₹12,000 worth of vouchers every year just by meeting monthly spending targets. If you spend ₹50,000 in a month, you receive a ₹1,000 voucher. It is a straightforward way to offset your annual costs while enjoying high-end travel and dining perks.

Built for professionals and business owners earning ₹6 lakh or more annually, this card works best for those who value lounge access and premium dining memberships like EazyDiner Prime. Unlike basic cashback cards, this card focuses on the experience of spending as much as the rewards themselves.

What sets it apart:

• Generous Lounge Access: You get 12 domestic and 2 international lounge visits per year, which is significantly higher than most cards in this price bracket.
• Consistent Monthly Wins: Earn ₹1,000 in vouchers every single month when you hit the ₹50,000 spend milestone.
• Premium Dining: Access to EazyDiner Prime and exclusive benefits at Taj and Accor hotels.

Quick check: To qualify for this card, you need a minimum personal annual income of ₹6 lakhs and a credit score (CRIF) of 720 or above. You must be between 18 and 60 years old if you are salaried, or up to 65 if you are self-employed.

Let's break down why this card might deserve a spot in your wallet:

Key Benefits and Features of the Amex Platinum Reserve Credit Card

The Amex Platinum Reserve is packed with features that cater to travel, dining, and shopping. Here is a detailed look at how you can maximize this card.

Welcome Benefits to Kickstart Your Journey

When you join the American Express family with this card, you are greeted with a substantial bonus. You get 11,000 Bonus Membership Rewards points. To qualify, you simply need to spend ₹30,000 within the first 90 days of receiving your card and pay the first-year joining fee. With a redemption value of ₹0.25 per point, these 11,000 points are worth approximately ₹2,750 when used for vouchers or travel bookings.

Rewards Structure and the Multiplier Effect

The card offers a steady reward rate for every purchase you make. You earn 1 Membership Rewards point for every ₹50 spent on eligible transactions. While the base rate is focused on consistency, you can accelerate your earnings through the Amex Reward Multiplier platform. This allows you to earn 2x, 3x, or even 5x points when shopping with partner brands like Flipkart, Myntra, or Apple through the Amex portal.

Note that certain categories do not earn points. These include fuel, rent payments, insurance, and utility bill payments. It is best to use this card for shopping, dining, and travel to ensure every rupee spent counts toward your rewards balance.

Monthly Milestone Vouchers

One of the strongest features of the Amex Platinum Reserve is the monthly milestone program. If you spend ₹50,000 in a calendar month, you get ₹1,000 worth of vouchers. You can choose from popular brands such as Tata CLiQ Luxury, BookMyShow, Shoppers Stop, BigBasket, PVR, or MakeMyTrip. If you hit this target every month, you end up with ₹12,000 in vouchers annually, which more than covers the annual fee of the card.

Travel and Airport Lounge Privileges

For frequent flyers, this card offers a robust lounge program. You receive 12 complimentary domestic lounge visits per year, capped at 3 visits per quarter. This is perfect for domestic business trips or family vacations. Additionally, you receive a complimentary Priority Pass membership worth $99. This membership gives you access to over 1,400 international lounges. You also get 2 complimentary international lounge visits every year via this Priority Pass.

Dining and Lifestyle Perks

If you enjoy eating out, the Amex Platinum Reserve provides excellent value through its dining partners. You get a complimentary EazyDiner Prime membership, which offers guaranteed discounts of 25% to 50% at premium restaurants. Furthermore, you can take advantage of exclusive dining privileges at Taj, SeleQtions, and Vivanta hotels, as well as Accor hotel dining offers.

Fees, Charges, and Eligibility Criteria

Understanding the cost of ownership is vital. The Amex Platinum Reserve comes with a joining fee of ₹10,000 and an annual fee of ₹10,000. However, the bank provides a clear path to make the card free of cost. The annual maintenance fee is waived if your total spends exceed ₹1,90,000 in the preceding 12 months. Given that the monthly milestone requires a ₹50,000 spend, most active users will easily cross this waiver threshold within four months.

The eligibility requirements are straightforward but firm. You must be at least 18 years old. Salaried individuals can apply up to age 60, while self-employed individuals have an upper age limit of 65. A personal annual income of ₹6 lakhs is mandatory, and you should maintain a healthy credit history with a CRIF score of at least 720.

Fuel Benefits

While fuel spends do not earn reward points, the card does offer a fuel convenience fee waiver at HPCL outlets. For transactions below ₹5,000, the convenience fee is 0%. For transactions above ₹5,000, a 1% fee applies. This helps reduce the extra cost usually associated with using a credit card at petrol pumps.

How to Apply for the Amex Platinum Reserve Credit Card

The application process for American Express is known for being digital and efficient. Follow these steps to get your card:

1. Visit the official American Express India website and navigate to the Platinum Reserve Credit Card page.
2. Ensure you meet the minimum income requirement of ₹6 lakhs per annum and have a credit score above 720.
3. Click on the "Apply Now" button and fill in your personal details, including your name, contact information, and PAN.
4. Provide your professional details, such as your employer's name or business information, and your annual income.
5. Submit the application to initiate the instant decisioning process. If pre-approved, you will be asked to complete a Video KYC (Know Your Customer) process.
6. Keep your original PAN card and Aadhaar handy for the Video KYC call.
7. Once the verification is successful, the card is dispatched within 5 to 7 business days.

Note: To activate the card and become eligible for the 11,000 bonus points, you must make a minimum transaction of at least ₹100 within the first 30 days of receiving the card.

Credit Limit: What to Expect

American Express determines credit limits based on your income, credit score, and existing banking relationship. For a card with a ₹6 LPA income requirement, starting limits generally range between ₹1,00,000 and ₹3,50,000. Applicants with a credit score above 750 or a prior relationship with American Express often receive higher initial limits to support their spending patterns.

You can request a limit increase after six months of disciplined usage. Amex often proactively offers limit enhancements to users who consistently pay their bills in full and stay within their assigned credit utilization limits.

Comparison Table: Amex Platinum Reserve vs. Competitors

To help you decide, here is how the Amex Platinum Reserve compares to other popular premium cards in India.

The Amex Platinum Reserve has a higher fee than the Regalia Gold or SBI ELITE, but it offers the most consistent monthly rewards through its ₹1,000 voucher program. If you are a disciplined spender who can hit the ₹50,000 monthly target, the Amex card provides better tangible returns than its competitors. However, for those who want a lower entry cost, the HDFC Regalia Gold remains a strong alternative.

Documents Required for Amex Platinum Reserve Application

You'll need to submit the following documents when applying:

For Salaried Applicants

• Identity Proof: PAN Card (mandatory), Aadhaar Card, Passport, Voter ID, or Driving License
• Address Proof: Aadhaar Card, Passport, Utility Bills (not older than 2 months), Rent Agreement, or Property Tax Receipt
• Income Proof: Latest 3 months' salary slips and 6 months' bank statements
• Employment Proof: Office ID card or employment letter

For Self-Employed Applicants

• Identity Proof: PAN Card (mandatory), Aadhaar Card, Passport, Voter ID, or Driving License
• Address Proof: Aadhaar Card, Passport, Utility Bills (not older than 2 months), or Property Documents
• Income Proof: Latest 2 years' ITR with computation of income, 6 months' bank statements, and CA-certified financials
• Business Proof: Business registration certificate, GST registration, or Shop Act License

Note: All documents must be self-attested. The bank may request additional documents during verification to confirm your income or business stability.

Who Should Get This Card?

Should you get this card? Here is who benefits most from the Amex Platinum Reserve:

The Urban Professional: You are a professional earning ₹8 to ₹10 lakhs annually. You spend around ₹50,000 to ₹60,000 every month on a mix of dining, groceries, and online shopping. By using this card, you earn ₹12,000 in vouchers every year, effectively making the card pay for itself while you enjoy the prestige of the Amex brand.

The Weekend Traveler: You take domestic flights once a month for work or leisure. The 12 domestic lounge visits (3 per quarter) ensure that you always have a comfortable place to wait at the airport. Since you easily spend over ₹1.9 lakhs a year, the ₹10,000 annual fee is waived, giving you premium travel perks for free.

The Fine Diner: You enjoy eating out at high-end restaurants and staying at Taj properties. The EazyDiner Prime membership and Taj restaurant privileges offer direct savings that can total thousands of rupees annually, far exceeding the value of basic cashback points.

You might want to skip this card if:

• Your monthly spends are inconsistent and often fall below ₹50,000, as you will miss the milestone vouchers.
• You prefer direct cashback over reward points and brand-specific vouchers.
• You do a lot of spending on fuel, rent, or utilities, which are excluded from the rewards program.

BankKaro Expert Review

Based on the card's features, the Amex Platinum Reserve excels at rewarding consistent, mid-to-high level spenders. Most people get intimidated by the ₹10,000 fee, but when you look closely, the math works in your favor. If you spend ₹50,000 a month, you get ₹12,000 in vouchers plus the fee waiver. That is a massive win.

The biggest limitation is the base reward rate. 1 point per ₹50 spent translates to a 0.5% return, which is quite low for a premium card. To make this card truly profitable, you must use the Reward Multiplier portal for your online shopping. This is where you can bump that return up to 2% or 5%.

Another minor drawback is the quarterly capping on domestic lounges. If you travel heavily in one month and not at all in another, you might feel restricted by the "3 visits per quarter" rule. However, for most travelers, 12 visits a year is more than enough.

Our verdict: Choose this card if you want a lifestyle card that offers a mix of dining, lounge access, and easy-to-reach milestones. It is one of the most accessible "premium" cards from American Express that offers a clear path to zero effective cost.

Terms and Conditions

Before applying, keep these specific terms in mind:

• The bank may offer a different card variant based on your eligibility. Please carefully read the features of the card offered before submitting your application.
• A minimum transaction of ₹100 within 30 days is required to activate the card; otherwise, you won't be eligible for the welcome rewards.
• Interest rates on revolving credit are 3.5% per month (42% per annum), and late payment fees apply based on the total outstanding statement balance.