Are you the type of traveler who always has an eye on getting ahead of the herd?

Do you cringe when you see that long line for security? And once past security, do you scope out a comfortable place to sit that won’t make you feel like you’re in a bus terminal?

I’m always on the lookout for an easier way to travel and I have found a way to make it a little more bearable… especially with the kids!

The American Express Platinum Card. Don’t leave home without it. It’s not just for business travelers anymore. I’ve reaped the benefits of my platinum card since becoming a father and it’s a must-have for a Traveling Dad.

When I became an AMEX Platinum cardholder a few years ago, I didn’t have kids. My goal was to improve my business travel experience. Once my twin boys came around, however, having this little silver card in my wallet made traveling with kids much easier, both domestically and internationally.

Amex Platinum has many benefits:

• Access to airport lounges (my favorite perk) such as the new Amex Centurion Lounge and Delta Sky Lounge. You also get Priority Pass access to lounges worldwide.
• Concierges service, where you get help with booking your travel and can score tickets exclusive to concerts and events.
• Annual $100 airline credit with an airline of your choice.
• Reimbursement for the TSA Pre✓™ enrollment fee (skip security lines withTSA Pre✓™)
• And more…

I’ve utilized the concierges service to get tickets to sold out events such as the US Open tennis tournament.

Recently, I was faced with the daunting task of booking a flight for the family to Turks & Caicos.

One call to the AMEX concierges was all it took.

They gave me the options and booked the entire trip using my miles while I sat in my recliner watching the game.

Centurion Lounge in Miami International Airport. Image Source: American Express

“We look at the American Express Platinum card in a holistic way. Our goal is to help the cardholder with the complete travel experience, to navigate travel roadblocks,” said Melanie Bucks, Director, Public Affairs at American Express. “Presenting your card allows the cardholder access to our Centurion Lounges, including children and a companion.”

A new Centurion Lounge recently opened in Miami, complete with a separate kids room with Wii and games. The room is completely soundproof, too, so travelers in the rest of the lounge don’t give you snooty looks when your kid decides to throw a tantrum because he runs out of orange juice.

I’ve only been to the Centurion Lounge in Dallas and the food was exquisite (not to mention complimentary). It wasn’t like your typical lounge where you’re lucky to get a free apple and bottled water. The Centurion meal was authentic Mexican food. The entire experience felt like I had slipped into a nice restaurant “with chef-inspired food and top shelf liquor,” as Amex accurately put it.

I love the reduced stress of the lounges and for this reason alone the card is worth its weight in gold.

The annual fee to be an Amex Platinum cardholder is $450 per year.