The Amex Platinum card polarizes opinions in our community. Some really love it while others call it the dreaded ‘coupon book’. I first picked up the Amex Platinum card back in the glory years when it still had the $450 annual fee. Over the last half a decade, we’ve only seen the annual fee go up, standing currently at $695.
Amex Platinum Card Rumors
According to the Frequent Miler, the Amex Platinum card is set undergo more changes. At the moment, we don’t know any specific details about what the changes could be. However, I’d love to see some changes that would make me keep the card for another year:
- Make the airline fee credit a generic airline credit that works with any airline
- Introduce a 35% points redemption benefit similar to the benefit on the Business Platinum card
- Introduce limited points transfer bonuses to their partners, exclusive to Platinum cardholders. It would make carrying the Platinum card or the Business Platinum card a point of difference compared to other Amex cards and would help justify the higher annual fee.
However, the skeptic in me feels that the new changes could be meh. We could see more ‘credits’ broken down into monthly or quarterly time frames. I’d love to be pleasantly surprised if these changes turn out to be a net positive. However, if you look at Amex’s recent track record, it doesn’t instill much confidence.
My favorite benefits
At the moment, I love these benefits with the Platinum card for the following reasons:
- $200 hotel credit: I book 3-4 stays each year using fine hotel and resorts. I’m easily able to earn hotel points and elite night credits with hotel chains since these bookings are counted as cash stays.
- $200 airline fee credit: I find this benefit easy to use each year. I’ve written a detailed post about how I use the benefit each year.
- Hilton Honors Gold status: I love this benefit as Hilton Honors Gold status gives me extra bonus points and complimentary breakfast at non US locations.
- Centurion lounge access: This benefit is fantastic as it gives me lounge access at multiple locations in the US and worldwide.
- Trip delay, cancellation and interruption insurance: I’ve had to use this benefit back in 2022 for a canceled trip. The process for getting my airfare refunded was pretty seamless.
The Pundit’s Mantra
Like with Amex’s product refreshes in the recent past, I have very little doubt that the annual fee will increase on the Platinum Card.
In my case, I just paid the annual fee at the start of the year. Depending on what the changes are, I have enough time to take a call in January 2026 when the next annual fee hits.
In this blog post, I’ve written why I’ve kept the Amex Platinum Card in my wallet and have renewed it over the last few years. However, if Amex makes drastic changes and the fee increase is substantial, I may reconsider when it comes time to renew again next year.
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The 200 dollar on fine hotels in my view is not great
The hotel night rate is in 500 dollar range and who in the world will book that expensive, except rich guys. In my view this shpukd be a credit towards stay and not on beverages etc. I never use this and gave my feedback at least 6 times. But do AMEX care..no
Other benefits are like coupons. I like lounge access, TSA . Travel with AMEX.yravel is a joke. Their rates are high and do not give many options. There is lit to improve
Well, the FHR hotel credit is for stays. You get an additional $100 experience credit in addition to the $200 credit you get each year
Also, I’d slightly disagree. Outside the US, FHR is amazing as the price ranges are a lot lower. So you’ll find hotels in the $200/night range which are still part of the FHR program.
My biggest concern is Congress talking about capping interest rates on credit cards
Thanks for the great info. I appreciate it!
I thought the $200 hotel credit was prepaid. How did you get the elite night credit?
Yes, that’s correct. the credit is valid for prepaid hotel bookings only. However, when you make a booking, there’s an option to enter your loyalty number. The hotels usually honor the FHR benefits and your loyalty program elite status. For example, during my most recent stay at the Ritz Carlton Langkawi, Malaysia, I booked via FHR. I was welcomed and given all the benefits that a Marriott Platinum guest gets, in addition to getting the benefits of FHR.
The Amex Platinum Card continues to spark debate, with its rising annual fee now at $695. While some praise its premium perks and travel benefits, others criticize it as overly complex, likening it to a “coupon book.” Having held the card since its $450 annual fee days, I’ve seen its evolution firsthand. The recent changes have left many wondering if further adjustments are on the horizon. Will Amex enhance its value proposition or risk alienating loyal users? As the card evolves, it’s clear that balancing premium offerings with cost will remain a key challenge for Amex.
Your headline states that the Platinum AmEx is going to have some changes, yet you have no Idea what those changes are. This article was a complete waste of time. I usually know better than to click on the typical Google click bait articles.
Also it would be much better if the airline credit worked like Chase’s travel credit. Let it apply towards purchase of a ticket and not just ancillary charges. I found out the hard way buying a Delta MC ticket and picking a domestic first or MC+ seat later repurchases the ticket and not count as a seat addon. I was used to flying Jetblue where picking an even more seat after buying a Blue ticket would trigger the credit.
As someone that is getting ready to apply for a Amex Platinum, would someone recommend it right now? Or should I wait to see what changes might occur or go elsewhere?
Simply put, I would wait. Also, figure out if you’re an experience based spender or more practically focused. The CSR is for practical spending, while the Plat is more luxury/experience focused. If the latter appeals to you, then the Plat might be worth it. However, I would still wait until the potential updates are released even if you decide that you want the card.
Apply for gold card first and research what is current max signing bonus. Later they will offer you a chance to upgrade to platinum and may give you another Amex point bonus which my friend received. 8f going for platinum get a referral from a friend for greater chance of one/lifetime signing bonus
@brent You can always get the card. If you get the card now and the annual fee increases, you’ll have at least one year with the lower annual fee and will still get the new benefits.
@jinkedk Indeed. A simple airfare credit like the one on the Hilton Aspire card would be perfect.