American Express Rolls Out Sweeping Platinum Card Changes
🆕 American Express has unveiled major updates to its Platinum card, hiking the annual fee to $895 while adding a host of new upgrade benefits. This positions the card even more solidly among luxury options, promising over $3,500 in annual value for users who make the most of the expanded perks. Existing U.S. consumer cardholders will see the new fee at their next renewal on or after January 2, 2026. New applicants get the updated pricing right away, along with fresh benefits in dining, travel, wellness, retail, and digital memberships.
What Changed and Why It Matters
The big shift is a $200 increase in the Amex annual fee, from $695 to $895—a 29% jump aimed at funding an expanded lineup of lifestyle and travel perks. American Express claims these can deliver more than $3,500 in yearly value for active users. Core elements like Centurion Lounge access, 5x points on flights booked via Amex Travel or directly with airlines, and essential travel protections stay the same. New statement credits help offset the higher cost for big spenders.
New Benefits at a Glance
American Express introduced standout credits: a $400 annual Resy dining credit, $300 in lululemon credits, $200 toward an Oura Ring, and a hotel credit boosted to $600 per year, split semiannually for bookings through Fine Hotels + Resorts or The Hotel Collection via Amex Travel (enrollment required). Plus, Uber One membership credits up to $120 join the existing up to $200 in annual Uber Cash. Digital entertainment credits now hit $300, with broader options including YouTube Premium and YouTube TV alongside previous services—activation needed.
What Stayed the Same
American Express kept all legacy Platinum perks intact, including 5x Membership Rewards on flights booked directly with airlines or through Amex Travel (and prepaid hotels via Amex Travel), access to the Global Lounge Collection, up to $200 airline fee credits, CLEAR Plus credits, and elite status with Hilton and Marriott. These form the card’s travel foundation, now complemented by new credits that widen appeal for those blending trips with dining, wellness, and subscriptions.
Effective Dates and Who Pays What
For U.S. consumer and business versions, the $895 fee kicks in immediately for new applicants. Existing accounts switch at renewal: January 2, 2026, for consumer cards and December 2, 2025, for business ones, following the issuer’s schedule. Enhancements start now, letting current members activate new credits before the fee hits—making that first renewal choice easier to weigh.
How to Maximize the New Amex Platinum Card Benefits
Cardholders who enroll early and track quarterly or semiannual credits can easily beat the Amex annual fee. Stack the $600 hotel credit with $400 Resy dining, $300 lululemon, $200 Oura, and $120 Uber One—on top of Uber Cash and airline fee credits. Frequent flyers get even more from 5x points on flights and Centurion Lounges, especially pairing with Fine Hotels + Resorts perks like daily breakfast, 4 p.m. late checkout (when available), and $100+ property credits at over 400 luxury spots.
Case Study: Turning a Higher Fee into Outsized Value
Picture a frequent traveler booking two upscale weekend stays via Fine Hotels + Resorts each half-year. The $300 semiannual hotel credits cover $600 in charges, while snagging extras like breakfast for two and credits worth over $100 per stay. Toss in $400 Resy for quarterly meals, $120 Uber One to skip delivery fees and amp rides, plus $200 Uber Cash, and you’ve offset the fee before hitting lululemon, Oura, lounges, or 5x flight rewards.
Who Should Consider an Amex Platinum Upgrade Now
If you route flights and prepaid hotels through Amex Travel or airlines, eat out often, and prize lounge access, hotel status, and a credit routine, the new Amex Platinum benefits shine despite the hike. Those skipping quarterly/semiannual credits or traveling rarely might not justify it—better to eye lower-fee cards with straightforward rewards.
Competitive Landscape Among Luxury Credit Cards
This update intensifies the luxury card showdown, with American Express topping Chase Sapphire Reserve’s $795 fee and countering recent tweaks from JPMorgan and Citi. Amex says the bundle now offers the best mainstream perks, targeting affluent millennials and Gen Z fueling more of its spend than before.
Key Takeaways for Potential Applicants
Weighing an Amex Platinum upgrade? Sketch your 12-month use of dining, hotel, rideshare, wellness, and retail credits against the $895 fee. Factor in the welcome bonus and flight/hotel earning power. If you clear the cost handily and travel enough for lounges and Fine Hotels + Resorts, it’s a clear win post-hike.
Activation and Enrollment Reminders
Many new Amex Platinum benefits need app or site activation before spending; credits reset quarterly or semiannually, so set alerts to grab full value. Double-check merchant fits and booking paths—credits tie to direct buys or Amex Travel.
Final Word on the American Express Platinum Card Changes
These American Express Platinum updates elevate perks with deeper hotel, dining, and lifestyle credits, but they call for smart habits to top the steeper Amex annual fee. For folks okay with setups and savvy bookings, the upgrade packs real experiential punch across lounges, stays, meals, and streams all year.
What are the biggest new Amex Platinum card benefits in 2025?
The refresh brings a $400 Resy dining credit, $300 in lululemon credits, $200 toward an Oura Ring, and a $600 annual hotel credit (split semiannually via Amex Travel), atop existing travel and lounge perks.
Did the Amex annual fee increase with the American Express Platinum card changes?
Yes, it rose $200 to $895—immediate for new applicants, and at renewal for existing U.S. consumer accounts on or after January 2, 2026 (earlier for business).
Are core Platinum card perks like 5x flights and Centurion Lounge access still included after the Amex Platinum upgrade?
Absolutely—American Express kept 5x points on direct or Amex Travel flights, Global Lounge access, and airline fee credits, while adding fresh lifestyle options.
How can cardholders offset the higher Amex annual fee with the new Amex Platinum card benefits?
Max out the $600 hotel credit, $400 Resy, $120 Uber One, $200 Uber Cash, $300 digital entertainment, plus lululemon and Oura to exceed the fee for heavy users—layer on Fine Hotels + Resorts bonuses.
Who should consider the American Express Platinum changes versus other luxury credit cards?
Frequent travelers and lifestyle pros who hit credits, lounges, and Fine Hotels + Resorts will love it; casual users might stick to lower-fee premium or mid-tier picks.