American Express, or AMEX, platinum cards offer member rewards including frequent flyer miles, travel insurance and fraud protection. As of the publication date, the annual membership fee for the AMEX platinum card was $450.00. However, it is possible to find ways to waive the annual fee on an AMEX platinum card before completing an application.
Step 1
Search for special promotions that are open to new AMEX applicants. AMEX periodically has offers waiving the annual fee for a new member's first year. Look for AMEX platinum card offers on the Internet, or talk to AMEX representatives at airports who are taking applications in person.
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Step 2
Check for offers that are available only to existing members. AMEX platinum card applications sent with statements offer no annual fees. Also, customers receiving e-statements can access offers online waiving the annual fee on an AMEX platinum card if a specific amount of money is spent in a billing cycle.
Step 3
Call AMEX member services and ask about applying for the AMEX platinum card. When the representative mentions the annual fee, find out if they would be willing to waive the fee for the first year. The representative can sometimes find a supervisor willing to approve the request.
Tip
Being a good customer by paying off balances on time will increase your chances of receiving an offer to apply for an AMEX platinum card without paying the annual fee.
Warning
There is no guarantee that American Express will approve a request to waive the platinum card annual fee.
- Cash Money Life: American Express Green, Gold, and Platinum Review
- American Express: Platinum Card
- CreditCard.com: 1 in 4 cards have annual fees, but do you have to pay?; Jeremy M. Simon; September 2010
- ABC News: The Most Rewarding Credit Cards? It Depends; Tim Winship; May 2011
- American Express Customer Service: Contact American Express