High earners in the UAE often want one card that covers daily spending, travel, and protection in a single package. The American Express Platinum Credit Card UAE targets that space, combining Membership Rewards points, focused cashback, lounge access, and strong insurance on a relatively high-income base.
According to American Express Middle East, this Platinum Credit Card requires a minimum monthly income of AED 21,250 and charges an annual fee of AED 700 (AED 735 inclusive of VAT).
A separate, more exclusive product called The Platinum Card sits above the credit card and targets much higher incomes, but the focus here stays on the revolving American Express Platinum Credit Card UAE that most salaried professionals consider first.
Key Facts About The American Express Platinum Credit Card UAE
Serious consideration starts with the core numbers, because this is a premium product priced for relatively high earners.
The card sits in the mid-to-upper tier of the UAE market, with a full benefits package aimed at frequent spenders who clear balances on time. Important structural features influence whether the card fits your budget and usage style.
American Express Platinum Credit Card UAE Minimum Income Needed
The American Express Platinum Credit Card UAE sets the minimum monthly income at AED 21,250 for salaried applicants, and American Express typically expects at least AED 255,000 in annual income for employed applicants and AED 275,000 for self-employed applicants when eligibility is checked offline or through partners.
Applicants must be at least 21 years old, live in the UAE, and hold a valid Emirates ID, local address, and UAE IBAN.
Annual Membership Fee
The annual membership fee is AED 700 plus 5% VAT, for a total of AED 735.
The card typically offers 0 percent interest on purchases for 6 months, plus 20,000 Membership Rewards welcome points, then moves to a fixed monthly interest rate of 3.25 percent, which translates to 39 percent annually if balances are carried.
Supplementary Cards
Supplementary cards matter for families and shared budgets, and up to two supplementary cards are typically free, with additional cards charged per year.
All spending on these supplementary cards feeds into the same rewards balance, which helps accelerate point accumulation if multiple people put daily expenses on the account.
Rewards, Dining Cashback, and Grocery Credits
Rewards structure on this Platinum credit card leans heavily on Membership Rewards points plus targeted cashback on food and groceries. These elements drive most of the recurring value if the card is used smartly across a household or a frequent traveler profile.
Membership Rewards Points
Membership Rewards points sit at the center of the American Express Membership Rewards UAE ecosystem. Cardholders earn 2 points for every AED 4 spent on most transactions, which equals 0.5 points per dirham.
Points are redeemable with 14 airline partners, several hotel programmes, and a wide catalog of merchandise across fashion, electronics, and more, or can offset eligible transactions through “Select & Pay with Points.”
Certain spend categories, such as government services, telecom, education, and real estate, may earn reduced points compared to standard retail spending, based on current Membership Rewards terms.
Dining Cashback and Grocery Credit
Dining-focused benefits complement the points structure and suit residents who eat out or order in regularly.
American Express currently offers 10 percent cash back on eligible dining spend, capped at approximately AED 50 per calendar month and AED 600 per year, credited as a statement credit when the minimum dining spend threshold is met.
Transactions typically include local and overseas restaurants where the merchant category code sits under dining or restaurant.
Grocery Support
Grocery support arrives through an annual statement credit of up to AED 900 on supermarket and grocery store spending, whether in-store or online.
Internal thresholds apply, and cardholders usually need to meet a minimum total monthly spend that includes a defined amount of grocery spend for the credit to trigger.
Structure like this makes careful planning important, because shifting recurring bills and food budgets onto the card can help hit those monthly triggers without unnecessary purchases.
Travel, Lounge Access, and Insurance Benefits
Travel perks often separate premium credit cards from basic cashback products. The American Express Platinum Credit Card UAE focuses on airport lounge access, comprehensive travel accident cover, and retail protection to reduce friction when trips or big-ticket purchases go wrong. Frequent travelers, expatriates, and region hoppers benefit most here.
Airport Lounge Access
Airport lounge access is delivered through Priority Pass membership tied to the card.
American Express states that Platinum Credit Cardholders receive complimentary Global Airport Lounge access with Priority Pass for up to 12 visits per membership year, including guests, while one supplementary cardholder receives up to eight visits with guests.
Coverage spans more than 1,300 lounges worldwide, allowing occasional travelers to skip crowded gates and access basic refreshments, Wi-Fi, and seating. American Express Platinum lounge access in the UAE, therefore, feels particularly helpful on long-haul trips or regional connections.
Travel Insurance and Protection
Insurance on the credit card is meaningful when used correctly.
Travel Accident Insurance can cover up to AED 1,800,000 in case of certain covered incidents during trips purchased on the card, while Retail Protection Insurance can protect eligible purchases against theft or accidental damage up to AED 5,400 per incident and AED 180,000 per year. Fraud protection policies and dispute handling processes also help when merchants fail to deliver goods or services as promised.
Policy wording matters, and coverage limits or conditions can change, so reading the latest insurance certificates before relying on these features for major travel or large purchases remains essential.
Digital Features and Everyday Convenience
Digital management sits alongside travel perks. The Amex MENA app allows cardholders to track spending, check rewards, view statements, and lock or unlock the card instantly.
Plan It instalment plans can split larger purchases into fixed monthly payments over three to twelve months, charging a clear interest rate rather than hidden fees.
Everyday use also benefits from virtual card numbers, online spending controls, and compatibility with major digital wallets, which together help keep the American Express UAE Platinum product aligned with current payment habits.
Fees, Rates, and Eligibility Criteria
Strong benefits only make sense when the underlying cost structure matches financial habits. This card targets disciplined spenders who pay on time and rarely revolve big balances, because interest charges are high once promotional windows end.
Income, Age, and Residency Requirements
Eligibility for the American Express Platinum Credit Card UAE starts at age 21 and requires UAE residency with a valid Emirates ID and local IBAN.
American Express Platinum minimum salary in the UAE currently stands at AED 21,250 per month for salaried applicants, while partnered channels often show minimum annual incomes of AED 255,000 for employees and AED 275,000 for self-employed professionals.
American Express Platinum eligibility requirements also include standard credit checks and verification of employment or business income.
Annual Fee, FeeBack, and Welcome Offers
American Express Platinum annual fee in the UAE sits at AED 700 plus VAT, creating a total of AED 735 charged each membership year.
FeeBack can offset that cost, because spending at least AED 10,000 on purchases within the first three months typically triggers a credit of the full annual fee back to the account.
Limited-time promotions often attach 20,000 Membership Rewards welcome points to new accounts that meet early spend targets, though exact thresholds can change with campaign cycles.
Interest Rate, Charges, and Cost Control
Interest on the card works in two phases. Promotional periods can start with 0 percent interest for six months on purchases, then the card moves to a fixed monthly rate of 3.25 percent, equal to a 39 percent annual interest rate when balances remain unpaid.
Standard credit card charges also apply, including late payment fees, overlimit fees, and foreign currency conversion fees on non-AED transactions.
Keeping the American Express Platinum Credit Card UAE profitable generally means treating it as a charge-style product: settle statements in full, avoid cash withdrawals, and use Plan It selectively for big-ticket items that genuinely need instalments.
How To Apply Online For The American Express Platinum Credit Card in the UAE
Online channels make the process relatively quick when income and documents already line up.
Application flows on the Amex MENA site, or app, collect basic personal and financial data, and then the team completes KYC checks in the background. A clear understanding of the steps helps reduce back-and-forth and speeds up approval.
- Check that income, age, and residency meet the published criteria, including the American Express Platinum minimum salary in the UAE of AED 21,250 for salaried residents.
- Prepare documents such as Emirates ID, passport, residency visa, recent salary certificate, and the latest three to six months of bank statements.
- Visit the official UAE site or use the Amex MENA app, select the American Express Platinum Credit Card, and start the Amex Platinum Credit Card online application form.
- Enter personal details, employment information, income figures, and banking details accurately, then upload or submit the requested documents for verification.
- Wait for American Express to review the application, respond promptly to any follow-up requests, and activate the card through the app or call center once approval arrives.
Most applicants then set spending alerts, configure digital wallets, and request supplementary cards to extend spending power across a household while keeping everything under one account.
Quick Comparison: Platinum Credit Card Versus The Platinum Card
Many high earners compare the revolving Platinum Credit Card to the Platinum Card charge product issued in the UAE. The Platinum Card carries a significantly higher annual fee and income requirement but adds hotel elite status, larger travel credits, and more expansive lounge networks.
The American Express Platinum Credit Card UAE focuses more on everyday cashback, a lower fee, and revolving credit.
| Feature | Platinum Credit Card (Credit) | The Platinum Card (Charge) |
| Minimum Income (Employed) | AED 21,250 per month | About AED 31,500 per month |
| Annual Fee (Incl. VAT) | AED 735 | AED 3,255 |
| Rewards Earning Rate | 2 MR points per AED 4 | 1 MR point per AED 4 (points never expire) |
| Key Travel Extras | Priority Pass lounges, travel accident insurance | Wider lounge network, annual travel credit, hotel programmes |
| Spending Structure | Credit limit with interest if revolving | No pre-set spending limit, full balance due monthly |
Amex Platinum travel benefits in the UAE will favor The Platinum Card for heavy travelers who maximise hotel status and travel credits, while the credit card suits those who prefer lower fixed fees and still want lounge access plus cashback.
Conclusion: Is The Amex Platinum Credit Card Right For You
Suitability for this card rests on spending patterns, income stability, and travel frequency. Regular dining out, consistent grocery spending, and a few international or regional trips each year make it easier to squeeze full value from the dining cashback, grocery credits, and airport lounge visits.
Financial discipline matters even more. Cardholders who comfortably pay the full statement each month, or who use Plan It sparingly for planned purchases, will usually find the American Express Platinum UAE benefits stack up well.
Applicants weighing both Platinum products might view the credit card as a more accessible entry point, reserving The Platinum Card for later if income rises and travel patterns justify the higher fee and richer international benefits.
Disclaimer
This site provides general information on credit cards and payment products, not financial, legal, or tax advice; always verify rates, fees, and terms with the issuing bank before applying.
