I almost never enrolled in my favorite Amex Platinum perk


by Sarah Silbert

Sarah has covered credit cards and award travel for over 10 years. She's contributed to The Points Guy, Fortune, and MoneyLion and was the Deputy Editor of personal finance coverage for Business Insider.


Hi, Reader. I love my Amex Platinum. From Centurion Lounge access to 5x points on flights to Resy credits, it has killer travel and dining perks — even if the $895 annual fee is a bit dizzying.

Despite traveling a bit less than I used to, I still find the card way too valuable to cancel. In fact, one of my favorite Amex Platinum benefits is something I use at home: an annual Equinox credit.

Here's why I love this perk so much and why I'm surprised more people aren't talking about it.

FROM OUR PARTNER AT ETHOS

Protecting what matters most just got simpler

You spent years building your retirement savings, investment accounts, and home equity. Help make sure the people you built it for are protected.

This may be one of the most important financial decisions you'll make this year. See how much coverage could cost without scheduling a medical exam or meeting with an agent.

*Online health questions required

​

How I stumbled across this statement credit

I used to work out with a personal trainer, which I highly recommend if that option is available to you. About a year ago, though, some life changes meant I needed to start cutting back on discretionary spending, and that meant no more one-on-one workout sessions.

While trying to figure out how to fill the new exercise void in my life, I remembered that my Amex Platinum card had a benefit I'd never even bothered to enroll in: up to $300 in statement credits each calendar year for an Equinox club membership or Equinox+ digital subscription.

This credit would cover a single month of membership at my local Equinox at most, but Platinum cardholders get a discounted annual Equinox+ app subscription for exactly $300, so I was able to get reimbursed for the entire purchase after charging it to my Platinum card. One catch: you have to enroll and buy through Amex's Equinox partner page, not the app store, or the credit won't trigger.

The app is better than I expected

I paid for an annual Equinox+ subscription and begrudgingly started browsing the app's workout library, expecting to be underwhelmed. But I was pleasantly surprised to see that there are hundreds of workout videos, across many categories: high-intensity interval training (HIIT), yoga, strength, stretching, and more.

There's a good variety of workout lengths, from 45-minute HIIT videos that kick my butt to 15- and 20-minute sessions that can still pack in a surprising amount of work.

It took me a few months to find my favorite instructors, but I now have a reliable list of favorite classes and instructors that I've starred in the app and always come back to.

  • For HIIT: David Reyes and Devin Buchanan
  • For yoga: Johan Montijano
  • For sculpted yoga: Nicole Uribarri

I like that the app tracks activity, both in terms of hours active and specific classes completed each month. It will show you how your activity level compares to the previous month, too, and you can connect wearables like Fitbit and Oura so it captures all your other workouts.

Another great thing about Equinox+ is that new workouts get added on a regular basis. I like variety when I exercise (read: I prefer not knowing what torturous move is coming up next), so I always try to find a video I haven't played yet.

Is reimbursement for a high-end fitness app the most important feature of Amex's premium travel card? No, probably not. But the quality of the videos is high enough to keep me logging workouts several times a week, and I'd value that even higher than the app's $300 annual subscription fee.

A calmer wind-down for hotel nights and red-eyes

Nello SuperCalm calming drink mix bag and single-serve packets
Nello Supercalm is a sugar-free drink mix with L-theanine, KSM-66 ashwagandha, and magnesium glycinate. Single-serve packets slip into your carry-on for an easier wind-down anywhere.
Get it at Amazon
​

Flight School

You can keep your shoes on in standard TSA lanes now. DHS dropped the shoes-off rule in July 2025, though secondary screening can still mean removing them.

Edited by

Sarah Silbert

Sarah is a travel and personal finance journalist who’s written for outlets including Business Insider, Forbes, and Fortune. She’s passionate about uncovering ways to travel better, save money, and enjoy more freedom.


Copyright (C) 2026 Tripsight, Inc. All rights reserved.​
600 1st Ave, Ste 330 PMB 92768, Seattle, WA 98104-2246
​
​
Update your preferences · Unsubscribe​


This Points Path Insider email may contain links through which we are compensated when you click on or are approved for offers, and we may receive compensation for sending traffic to partner sites. Points Path and Your Best Credit Cards may receive a commission from card issuers. This compensation may impact how and where links appear in this email. This email does not necessarily include all financial companies or all available financial offers. The editorial content in this email is not provided by any of the companies mentioned, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities. Opinions expressed here are the author's alone. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. All prices are accurate as of October 27, 2026, at 11pm ET.

Points Path Insider

Unlock the latest tips and tricks on how to travel better and fly further for less, delivered by the top experts in points & miles.

Read more from Points Path Insider
Palace Hotel Portorož facade with formal gardens and fountain

Read Online Score business class to Europe for 37,500 miles this winter by Jennifer Yellin Jen has spent more than 15 years immersed in the world of points and miles. Her work has been featured in The Points Guy, CNN Underscored, and Forbes, in addition to her own travel blog, Deals We Like. Hi, Reader. I'm pretty predictable when it comes to hotels. When I'm planning a trip, my first instinct is usually to look at the hotel chains I know best — usually Hyatt, followed by Marriott and Hilton....

A young female traveler stands on San Marco square in Venice, Italy.

Read Online Turn holiday shopping into travel points (and a $50 bonus) by Julian Kheel Julian is the Founder and CEO of Points Path. Hi Reader, it's Julian from Points Path. Before we dive into this week's travel news roundup, a quick heads-up that our Points Path Founders Club is closing to new members in less than 48 hours at the end of the day tomorrow, Monday, November 2nd. Membership includes all our Pro features, plus extra perks like an exclusive first look at new features as they...

Woman holding a credit card while shopping online on a laptop

Read Online The rewards math no booking site will do for you by Jennifer Yellin Jen has spent more than 15 years immersed in the world of points and miles. Her work has been featured in The Points Guy, CNN Underscored, and Forbes, in addition to her own travel blog, Deals We Like. Hi, Reader. November is here, which means one thing — lots of shopping deals will be coming your way over the next month or two. And while purchasing an item on sale is always great, it's even better if you can take...