CNN Underscored reviews financial products based on their overall value. We may receive a commission through our affiliate partners if you apply and are approved for a product, but our reporting is always independent and objective. Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more.
The Platinum Card? from American Express ($695 annual fee, see rates and fees) is considered one of the best travel cards on the market. It comes with hundreds of dollars in various travel credits, generous travel rewards earnings, top-tier airport lounge access, automatic elite status with various travel programs and more.
One of the card’s most overlooked features is up to $100 in annual Saks Fifth Avenue credits. Enrollment is required for select benefits. The benefit is split up into two $50 credits that are each valid at different times of the year.
You’ll receive $50 in Saks statement credits between Jan. 1 and June 30 and another $50 in statement credits between July 1 and Dec. 31. To activate this benefit, you need to enroll through your online Amex account.
No minimum purchase is required to receive these statement credits. You could make a purchase of $50 (or less) every six months and have no out-of-pocket cost once the credit is applied to your Amex Platinum account.
With July fast approaching, it’s time to make a plan to use your credit before the benefit resets. Here are a few travel-friendly items that you can redeem your Amex Platinum’s Saks credit for, including sunscreen, swim trunks and more.
Sunscreen is essential for any beach trip or extended period in the sun. If some time outdoors is in your summer travel plans, use your Amex Platinum's Saks credit to stock up on Supergoop! Unseen Sunscreen. It goes on clear and is made with red algae to help fortify skin, frankincense to visibly smooth skin and meadowfoam seed oil complex to nourish skin.
Anyone who wears glasses knows the struggle of traveling with multiple pairs. You need to bring the included protective case with you so your glasses aren't crushed in your backpack or suitcase, but this is a pain with multiple pairs. Instead, buy this travel eyewear box and protect three pairs of glasses at once. You can use it to store chargers or other small gadgets, too.
If you want to make your house feel like a five-star hotel, it's hard to beat the indulgence and luxurious comfort of the Matouk Milagro Towels Collection. Available in more than a dozen colors, these towels are made from long-staple zero-twist cotton yarns, offering a thick, plush feel that's surprisingly lightweight to provide exceptional softness and absorbency.
If you're looking to elevate your sock game, Ralph Lauren has you covered with its Varsity Polo low-cut socks. This multi-color pack features six pairs of low-cut socks adorned with letterman-inspired logos. They're made from 98% polyester and 2% spandex for a comfortable, snug fit.
When you're packing light, there's nothing better than dual-purpose clothing like these swim shorts from Polo Ralph Lauren. They work just as well as shorts as they do swim trunks, with a classic Polo design and variety of unique colors. And since they have three pockets, you can bring your keys, phone and wallet with you to the pool.
This exclusive Saks short-sleeve T-shirt is made from 100% cotton. It has a stylish striped pattern in a versatile oyster color. Designed with a classic crewneck and pullover style, it’s a timeless and comfortable addition to your travel wardrobe.
If packing cubes aren’t an integral part of your packing process, explain yourself. Packing cubes go beyond simple organization; they turn your luggage into Mary Poppins’ bottomless bag. It’s incredible how much you can fit into a modestly sized bag with packing cubes like the Thule Compression Packing Cube Bag. It’s got two compartments (which is particularly handy when you’ve got dirty clothes), and it features a secondary zipper that collapses your clothes to make them as compact as possible.
A garment packing folder can help you compress your shirts and jackets like a packing cube. It can also be a huge help for properly folding your clothes; inside, there is a rectangular plastic board that serves as a folding template. Just place it on your shirts and fold around the plastic for a perfect, wrinkle-free fold. It’s a must for frequent travelers who are on the road for more than a few days at a time.
This is a perfect charger for travelers: It’s small, it charges anything that’s wireless charging-compatible and it comes with its own travel pouch. And because it’s magnetic, it’ll stick to your phone when you pick it up without pausing the charge. Plus, it’s covered in designer-quality Belgian linen, making it look premium.
Corkcicle offers many types of travel tumblers (including a really neat, kid-friendly one with a spill-proof lid). This 16-ounce option is triple-insulated stainless steel with a shatterproof sliding lid. Bring it with you to the airport, fill it up at the water fountain and you won’t have to spend $7 on a single-use water bottle again.
Cable management is a big deal when you’re always on the go. Tumi’s Alpha Electronic Cord Pouch is armored with ballistic nylon to help keep your cords safe (and your shiny laptop safe from your cords) during your commute. It fits into most laptop bags, so it’s a good complement to your current daily driver.
This one slightly exceeds the $50 semi-annual credit, but it’s such an underrated travel accessory, we had to include it. This nylon cylinder is a “bathroom tumbler,” which can hold things like your toothbrush, lotions, and other small instruments that can be easy to lose (or you simply don’t want to lay it on the bathroom counter). It can be folded into various sizes, and it comes with a handy drawstring when it’s time to pack up.
Do you love being awakened on red-eye flights by the abrupt illumination of the cabin? If so, the Gingerlily Silk Eye Mask is not for you. It’s a blackout mask made of mulberry silk, with silk floss padding on the interior to create the softest sensation possible. If you’re unacquainted with mulberry silk, just know that it’s the best quality silk you can get.
The Amex Platinum Saks credit is a benefit offered to American Express Platinum cardholders. It provides up to $100 in statement credits annually for purchases at Saks Fifth Avenue.
Cardholders receive up to $100 in statement credits each year, split into two $50 credits. One $50 credit is available from January through June, and the second $50 credit is available from July through December.
To enroll, log into your American Express account. Follow the prompts to activate the Saks Fifth Avenue credit.
There’s no minimum purchase required. You can use the credit for any qualifying purchase amount, even if it is less than $50.
Any unused credit does not carry over to the next period. You must use each $50 credit within its respective six-month period.
In our experience, receiving your statement credit after your purchase generally takes just a few days. However, American Express’ website notes it could take up to eight weeks to get the credit.
The credit is only valid for purchases made at Saks Fifth Avenue stores within the United States and online at saks.com.
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