Quick Tips: This often-overlooked Amex Platinum benefit can help you get through security more quickly at certain international airports.

While airport security can often take a while, I usually manage to access a shorter line with my TSA PreCheck and Clear memberships. However, these programs only assist me during domestic travel, leaving me without a way to speed up my wait at international airports.

On a trip to Stockholm in 2022, I found out that there’s a way to expedite security overseas, courtesy of The Platinum Card® from American Express — and it doesn’t cost anything extra.

With the Amex Platinum, you can access fast-track security lanes when departing from select international airports.

I haven't yet found a comprehensive list of airports where Amex Platinum cardholders can access fast-track security lanes for free, but this benefit is typically mentioned on regional Amex websites. For instance, this Swedish page on Amex's website highlights that fast-track security is a perk for Platinum cardholders at several Nordic airports.

I also discovered several other international airports that provide Amex Platinum cardholders with access to a dedicated security line, including:

• Toronto Pearson Airport (YYZ) in Canada (available only for cardholders with Canadian-issued cards)
• Brussels Airport (BRU) in Belgium
• Vienna Airport (VIE) in Austria
• Selected Spanish airports (available only for cardholders with Spanish-issued cards)
• Various Italian airports, such as Rome Fiumicino Leonardo da Vinci Airport (FCO), Milan Linate Airport (LIN), Naples International Airport (NAP), Torino Airport (TRN), Milan Malpensa Airport (MXP) in Terminal 1, Palermo Airport (PMO), Milan Bergamo Airport (BGY), and Catania—Fontanarossa Airport (CTA)

Recently, I flew out of Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas Airport (MAD) and saw signs indicating that Amex Platinum cardholders could utilize fast-track security. I had access through my airline elite status, but my husband gained entry to the fast-track lane by showing his boarding pass and Amex Platinum card to the security officer. The officer did not inquire about where his card was issued or check the card for its issuing country, even though I later found out that the online terms specify that only Amex Platinum cardholders with cards issued in Spain can access fast-track lanes at this airport.

At certain airports, you may find that you can't access fast-track security unless your Amex Platinum was issued in the region or by a specific bank. This means you could be denied entry to some fast-track lines, even if signage indicates that Amex Platinum cardholders are welcome.

In a related instance, Ben Smithson, a senior writer at TPG, recently noticed a sign at Tbilisi International Airport (TBS) stating that select Visa cardholders could use the priority security lane. However, when I researched this benefit for this article, I discovered that it's only available until September 30 for Visa Platinum, Visa Signature, Visa Infinite, Visa Platinum Business, and Visa Signature Business cardholders with cards issued by Ukrainian banks. Ben didn't attempt to use the priority lane, so it's unclear if he would have been granted access without a Ukrainian-issued Visa card.

In conclusion

It's advisable to verify if your departure airport has a fast-track security lane and whether your Amex Platinum grants you access to avoid unnecessary delays in long security lines.

Not all airports provide fast-track security for Amex Platinum cardholders. However, as Amex continues to grow in select international markets, I anticipate more perks for Amex Platinum users while traveling abroad — though these may not always be available to cardholders with cards issued in different regions.