The offer mentioned below for the American Express Platinum Card® is no longer available. Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more.
A comprehensive overhaul of the American Express Platinum Card® has officially arrived, adding additional benefits along side the card's massive welcome offer: New Platinum cardholders may be eligible for as high as 175,000 Membership Rewards points after spending $12,000 in the first six months.
Notably, the annual fee is increasing from $695 to $895 (see rates and fees). However, the card is offering new statement credits and lifestyle perks, along with its excellent lounge access and hotel benefits. Plus, there is a refreshed card design and improvements to the app experience. Business owners may be intrigued by The Business Platinum Card® from American Express' similar refresh.
With these updates, the Amex Platinum Card offers thousands of dollars in annual value. Let's dive into all the Amex Platinum Card's details.
Annual fee increase
The new Amex Platinum Card annual fee is $895, up from $695 (see rates and fees). For current cardholders (those who opened cards before Sept. 18, 2025), the annual fee will increase at their next renewal date, on or after Jan. 2, 2026.
The $200 annual fee increase is substantial. For new applicants who can maximize benefits and leverage the welcome bonus, the value proposition remains strong. Current cardholders face a more difficult decision: whether the new benefits justify paying nearly 30% more annually.
If you weren't fully maximizing the card's benefits before, this increase may prompt reconsideration. If you can use the new credits and lifestyle perks, the additional value may justify the cost.
New Amex Platinum Card benefits
The revamp of the Amex Platinum Card comes with numerous new statement credits and lifestyle perks. You can take advantage of:
- Up to $600 in annual hotel credits ($300 semi-annually): Get up to $600 back in statement credits each year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection stays booked through American Express Travel using your Platinum Card®. The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay.
- Up to $400 Resy Credit annually: Up to $100 in statement credits each quarter for eligible purchases with Resy (enrollment required).
- Up to $300 annual Digital Entertainment Credit for streaming services: Get up to $25 in statement credits each month for eligible purchases, including: Paramount+, YouTube Premium, YouTube TV, Disney+, a Disney+ Bundle, ESPN+, Hulu, The New York Times, Peacock and The Wall Street Journal (enrollment required).
- Up to $300 lululemon Credit: Up to $75 back in statement credits each quarter for eligible purchases at retail lululemon stores (excluding outlets) or lululemon.com in the U.S. (enrollment required).
- $120 Uber One Membership Credit: Up to $120 in statement credits each calendar year after purchase of an auto-renewing Uber One membership in the U.S.
- $200 OURA Credit: Up to $200 back in statement credits each calendar year for an OURA Ring purchase through OURAring.com (enrollment required).
- Premium Hotel Status: You can enroll to receive complimentary Leaders Club Sterling Status from The Leading Hotels of the World®. This grants you upgrades (subject to availability), daily breakfast for two and other on-property benefits.
Amex Platinum Card benefits staying the same
You'll be able to take full advantage of these benefits:
- $200 annual airline fee credit: Receive up to $200 in statement credits annually for incidentals, such as checked bags, in-flight refreshments and other fees after you select an eligible airline (enrollment required).
- Up to $200 Uber credit: Receive $15 in Uber Cash each month, plus a bonus $20 in December after adding your card to your Uber account (terms apply; enrollment required).
- $300 Equinox Credit: Get up to $300 back in statement credits per calendar year on an Equinox membership, or an Equinox club membership (subject to auto-renewal; enrollment required).
- $155 Walmart+ Credit: Cover the cost of a $12.95 monthly Walmart+ membership with a statement credit after you pay for Walmart+ each month with your Platinum Card. The cost includes $12.95 plus applicable local sales tax. Plus Ups are excluded. Subject to auto-renewal. Enrollment required.
- Up to $120 for TSA PreCheck or Global Entry: Receive either a statement credit every 4 years after you apply for Global Entry ($120) or a statement credit after you apply for a five-year membership for TSA PreCheck® (up to $85 through a TSA PreCheck official enrollment provider) and pay the application fee with your Platinum Card. Card Members approved for Global Entry will also receive access to TSA PreCheck at no additional cost.
- $209 CLEAR+ Credit: Get up to $209 in statement credits per year for a CLEAR+ membership (subject to auto-renewal).
- Additional cardmember benefits: The card will continue to offer perks like Amex Offers, American Express Platinum Concierge, comprehensive protections and more.
Amex Platinum earning rates
The Amex Platinum Card will continue to earn rewards at these rates:
- 5X points for flights booked directly with the airline or through American Express Travel®, up to $500,000 per calendar year
- 5X points on prepaid hotels booked via American Express Travel®
- 1X points for all other eligible purchases
To earn the most rewards for your travel purchases, you have to book travel with American Express Travel® or directly with the airline. If you book airfare and hotels through third-party sites, such as Expedia or Booking.com, or directly with hotel chains, such as Hilton, you'll only earn 1X points.
Alternative premium travel cards to consider
The Amex Platinum card works best for frequent travelers who value premium experiences and can effectively use the card's statement credits. For those who won't maximize the benefits, the higher fee may make other premium cards more attractive.
Beyond the Amex Platinum Card, other top-tier travel cards on the market include those from Chase and Capital One.
If you're looking for a lower annual fee but still want premium benefits, the Chase Sapphire Reserve® (see rates and fees) comes with a $795 annual fee (recently increased from $550). The card offers similar lounge access through Priority Pass, along with statement credits for dining, entertainment and travel.
The Chase Sapphire Reserve® is a standout premium credit card with plenty of luxury perks and statement credits to justify its annual fee.
- Access over 1,300 airport lounges worldwide with a complimentary Priority PassTM Select membership, plus every Chase Sapphire Lounge® by The Club with two guests.
- Up to $300 in annual travel credit each account anniversary year
- You can transfer rewards to all of Chase's travel partners including World of Hyatt, Southwest Rapid Rewards and many more
- Top-tier travel and shopping protections
- High annual fee
- Requires a high credit score
Highlights
Highlights shown here are provided by the issuer and have not been reviewed by CNBC Select's editorial staff.
- Earn 150,000 bonus points after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
- Get $3,000 in annual value with Sapphire Reserve.
- Earn 8x points on all purchases through Chase TravelSM, including The EditSM and 4x points on flights and hotels booked direct. Plus, earn 3x points on dining worldwide & 1x points on all other purchases
- $300 annual travel credit as reimbursement for travel purchases charged to your card each account anniversary year.
- Access over 1,300 airport lounges worldwide with a complimentary Priority PassTM Select membership, plus every Chase Sapphire Lounge® by The Club with two guests. Plus, up to $120 towards Global Entry, NEXUS, or TSA PreCheck® every 4 years
- Get up to $150 in statement credits every six months for a maximum of $300 annually for dining at restaurants that are part of Sapphire Reserve Exclusive Tables.
- Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Coverage, Lost Luggage Insurance, no foreign transaction fees, and more.
- Get complimentary Apple TV+, the exclusive streaming home of Apple Originals. Plus Apple Music — all the music you love, across all your devices. Subscriptions run through 6/22/27 — a value of $288 annually
- Member FDIC
Balance transfer fee
Either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater
The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card comes with a $395 annual fee, which is significantly lower for a premium credit card. The Venture X offers some similar benefits with a $300 travel credit and participating Priority Pass lounge access, plus you'll earn at least 2X miles on all purchases.
The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card is a premium credit card with a myriad of benefits and a lower annual fee than other high-end cards with similar features.
- Annual $300 credit for bookings through Capital One Travel
- 10,000 bonus miles after every card anniversary
- Unlimited complimentary access to 1,300+ airport lounges, including Capital One Lounge and Landing locations
- Long list of valuable travel and shopping protections, including return protection, rental car coverage and trip delay reimbursement (Benefit(s) only available to accounts approved for the Visa Infinite card. Terms apply.)
- Limited bonus spending categories compared to other premium credit cards
- High annual fee
- High credit score requirement (excellent credit)
Highlights
- Earn 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel
- Receive a $300 annual credit for bookings through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options
- Get 10,000 bonus miles (equal to $100 towards travel) every year, starting on your first anniversary
- Earn unlimited 10X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel and 5X miles on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Travel
- Earn unlimited 2X miles on all other purchases
- Enjoy access to 1,300+ lounges worldwide, including Capital One Lounge and Landing locations and participating Priority Pass™ lounges, after enrollment
- Use your Venture X miles to easily cover travel expenses, including flights, hotels, rental cars and more—you can even transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs
- Enjoy a $100 experience credit and other premium benefits with every hotel and vacation rental booked from the Premier Collection
- Receive up to a $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®
- Top rated mobile app
Balance transfer fee
$0 at the Transfer APR, 4% of the amount of each transferred balance that posts to your account at a promotional APR that Capital One may offer to you
Foreign transaction fees
$0
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For rates and fees of the American Express Platinum Card®, click here.
