The Platinum Card® from American Express has introduced a new benefit providing statement credits for an Uber One membership. This new feature complements the card's existing Uber Cash perk, creating a combined value proposition for cardholders who use the ride-sharing and food delivery service.
Key Takeaways
- American Express Platinum cardholders can now receive up to $120 in annual statement credits for an Uber One membership.
- This new benefit is designed to work alongside the card's existing perk of up to $200 in annual Uber Cash for U.S. rides and orders.
- Uber One provides members with benefits like waived delivery fees on eligible Uber Eats orders and discounts on Uber rides.
- The combination of these two benefits allows cardholders to stretch the value of their monthly Uber Cash credits further.
Understanding the New Uber One Statement Credit
American Express has updated its premium travel card, The Platinum Card®, to include a statement credit that effectively covers the cost of an Uber One membership. The benefit provides up to $120 in statement credits each calendar year when cardholders use their Platinum Card to pay for an auto-renewing Uber One subscription.
To utilize this benefit, cardholders simply need to pay for their monthly or annual Uber One membership with their enrolled Platinum Card. American Express then applies a statement credit to the account, offsetting the charge. No separate enrollment is required for this specific perk.
Benefit by the Numbers
- Maximum Annual Credit: $120
- Uber One Monthly Cost: $9.99
- Uber One Annual Cost: $96
The statement credit fully covers either the monthly or annual subscription fee for Uber One, ensuring no out-of-pocket cost for the membership itself.
What is Uber One? A Breakdown of the Service
Uber One is a subscription service offered by Uber that provides members with a range of discounts and perks across both its ride-hailing and food delivery platforms. It is designed for frequent users of Uber and Uber Eats.
The primary advantages of an Uber One membership include:
- $0 Delivery Fees: Members receive unlimited $0 delivery fees on eligible food, grocery, and other orders through Uber Eats, provided they meet the order minimum.
- Order Discounts: The service offers up to 10% off eligible orders on Uber Eats.
- Ride Benefits: Members can get 6% back in Uber One credits on eligible Uber rides.
- Exclusive Perks: Subscribers gain access to special offers, promotions, and priority service with top-rated drivers.
The service operates on an automatic renewal basis, either monthly or annually, until the user cancels their subscription. The new Amex Platinum benefit is structured to cover these recurring charges.
Background: The Evolution of Card Benefits
Premium credit cards like the Amex Platinum are increasingly competing by offering lifestyle credits and perks that provide tangible value beyond traditional points-earning. Benefits tied to services like Uber, Walmart+, and digital entertainment are designed to offset high annual fees and integrate the card into a holder's daily spending habits.
How the New Perk Combines with Existing Uber Benefits
The introduction of the Uber One credit is significant because of its interaction with a long-standing Amex Platinum benefit: the annual Uber Cash credit. This synergy enhances the value of both perks for the cardholder.
The Existing $200 Uber Cash Benefit
For several years, Platinum cardholders have received up to $200 in Uber Cash annually. This is distributed in monthly increments:
- $15 in Uber Cash is automatically added to the cardholder's linked Uber account each month from January through November.
- A $20 bonus is provided in December, for a total of $35 for that month.
This Uber Cash can be applied to Uber rides or Uber Eats orders within the United States. To receive it, the cardholder must add their Platinum Card as a payment method in their Uber account.
Creating Greater Value Together
The two benefits work in tandem to maximize savings. A cardholder can now use their monthly $15 Uber Cash credit on an Uber Eats order that, thanks to their complimentary Uber One membership, has no delivery fee and a potential 10% discount.
The combination effectively allows the cardholder's Uber Cash to go further. The funds that would have been spent on delivery fees can now be applied directly to the cost of food or a ride, increasing the purchasing power of the monthly credit.
For example, without Uber One, a $15 Uber Cash credit might be partially consumed by a $4.99 delivery fee. With the membership, the entire $15 can be applied to the subtotal of the order. This makes the original $200 Uber Cash benefit more valuable than it was before the introduction of the Uber One credit.
The Broader Context of Amex Platinum Benefits
The American Express Platinum Card carries a significant annual fee of $895. The issuer justifies this cost with a broad suite of statement credits and travel perks. The enhanced Uber benefits are part of a larger strategy to provide value that cardholders can use regularly, not just when traveling.
Other key benefits often include:
- Airline Fee Credits: Up to $200 for incidental fees with a selected airline.
- Hotel Credits: Credits for prepaid bookings through Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection.
- Digital Entertainment Credits: Monthly credits for eligible streaming and news services.
- Global Lounge Collection: Access to over 1,550 airport lounges worldwide.
- Retail Credits: Biannual credits at Saks Fifth Avenue and credits for services like CLEAR® Plus and Walmart+.
By adding the Uber One credit, American Express strengthens its offering for cardholders who live in areas serviced by Uber, turning a travel-focused card into one with more robust everyday utility. This strategic addition makes the card more appealing to a wider audience that values convenience and delivery services.
