Credit score needed for the American Express Platinum card

The Platinum Card® from American Express, also known as the Amex Platinum, is one of today’s best travel cards — and even if you aren’t a frequent flyer, you can still take advantage of Platinum card benefits like credits for Uber Cash, Equinox, Saks Fifth Avenue, The New York Times and more.

You should, however, be aware of a few things before you apply for the Amex Platinum credit card. First, it has a $695 annual fee. The Amex Platinum is a premium card that offers top-level benefits to cardholders, including an annual $200 airline fee credit — but be prepared to pay one of the highest annual fees in the industry before you can access these elevated perks.

Second, you’re going to need a good credit score. Our research indicates that American Express is more likely to approve you for the Amex Platinum card if you have good or excellent credit.

What credit score is needed for Amex Platinum?

Under the FICO credit scoring model, anyone with a score of 670 to 739 has good credit, anyone with a score of 740 to 799 has very good credit and anyone with an 800 or higher has exceptional credit.

If you haven’t yet built a good credit history, you might want to hold off on your Amex Platinum application.

What if my application is denied?

If you don’t have the credit score you needfor the Platinum card, you have options. Start by asking yourself what you can do to improve your credit score — for  example, do you need to use a balance transfer card to consolidate and pay off existing card debt?

You might consider applying for a different American Express credit card, especially if you want to start earning Membership Rewards points while you build your credit score.

Adding a new credit card to your wallet can improve your credit score by increasing the amount of credit available to you — but the application itself could drop your credit score by a few points since Amex will perform a hard inquiry on your credit report.

If you’re thinking about applying for the Amex Platinum — or any other credit card — it’s a good idea to use a service like CardMatch to find out if you prequalify. Using CardMatch won’t hurt your credit, and you might even be eligible for special introductory offers.

How can I improve my credit score to get this card? (H3)

If you want build the credit score required for the American Express Platinum card, here are some tips to help you:

• Make on-time payments every time. Payment history makes up 35 percent of your FICO credit score.
• Pay off your credit card balances. The amount of money you owe makes up 30 percent of your FICO credit score — and the lower you can get your credit utilization ratio, the higher your credit score can go.
• Check your credit report for errors. Many people don’t realize that incorrect information on their credit report can have a negative effect on their credit score.

If you want to build good credit, the best thing you can do is to use your current credit cards responsibly. Make on-time payments, don’t take out debts you can’t pay off and don’t apply for too much new credit within a short period of time. Those kinds of positive credit habits will make you a better candidate for a range of premium credit cards like the Amex Platinum.

Bottom line

We recommend having good or excellent credit before you apply for the Amex Platinum card. That means your FICO credit score should be between 670 and 850. If your credit isn’t there yet, try boosting your credit score before you apply.

Once you’re approved for the Amex Platinum, be sure to take advantage of every benefit this luxury travel credit card offers. You’ll discover how far your American Express Platinum card can take you once you begin using your Membership Rewards points and credits.