UpgradedPoints.com·2025-09-23 21:33Core Insights - The American Express Platinum Card® is a highly sought-after premium credit card offering extensive travel benefits and a recent revamp that includes multiple co-issued variants with banks like Morgan Stanley and Charles Schwab [1][2] Group 1: New Welcome Offer - The Amex Platinum Card for Morgan Stanley now features a welcome offer of 125,000 bonus points after spending $8,000 in the first 6 months, an increase from the previous standard offer of 80,000 points [2][4] - This limited-time offer is available until November 12, 2025, and is valued at approximately $2,750 based on a valuation of 2.2 cents per point [4] Group 2: Eligibility and Requirements - To qualify for the Amex Platinum Card for Morgan Stanley, applicants must have an eligible Morgan Stanley brokerage account [5] - Previous holders of any variant of the Amex Platinum card may not be eligible for the new welcome offer [5] Group 3: Card Benefits - The card has been updated with new benefits, including a $600 annual prepaid hotel credit, $300 in annual Lululemon credits, and elite status with Leading Hotels of the World [6] - The annual fee for all variants of the Amex Platinum card has increased to $895 [7] Group 4: Unique Features - The Morgan Stanley variant offers unique features such as a $695 annual engagement bonus for those with a Morgan Stanley Platinum CashPlus Account, which helps offset the card's annual fee [11] - Membership Rewards points can be redeemed at 1 cent per point to the Morgan Stanley Platinum CashPlus Account, although this is lower than the recommended travel redemption value [12] Group 5: Travel and Lifestyle Benefits - The card provides extensive travel benefits, including access to American Express Centurion Lounges, elite hotel status, travel protections, and participation in the International Airline Program and Fine Hotels & Resorts program [9] - Cardholders earn 5 points per $1 spent on airfare booked directly with airlines or through AmexTravel.com, and on prepaid hotels booked through AmexTravel.com, making it advantageous for travel bookings [10]