American Express is revamping its flagship Platinum Card. Here is what you need to know about the most recent Amex Platinum changes. The annual fee is climbing from $695 to $895, marking the biggest jump in years. To balance the cost, Amex has introduced a new set of statement credits tied to restaurants, fitness, shopping, and hotels.
This is the Platinum’s first increase since 2021, when the fee rose from $550 to $695 and a stack of lifestyle credits was added. The formula is the same this time: more perks, higher price.
What’s New
The latest update adds fresh lifestyle credits and expands some existing ones. These are designed to appeal to cardholders who dine out, shop for fitness gear, or subscribe to streaming services. Here’s a list of Amex Platinum changes.
| Credit | Before | Now |
|---|---|---|
| Lululemon | — | $75 every quarter at U.S. stores and online (excluding outlets) |
| Oura Ring | — | $200 each year, hardware only |
| Resy restaurants | — | $100 every quarter at U.S. restaurants on Resy |
| Uber One | — | $120 each year (auto-renewal required) |
| Hotel credit | $200 once a year | $300 every six months |
| Digital entertainment | $20 monthly | $25 monthly; adds Paramount+, YouTube Premium, YouTube TV |
| Clear Plus | $199 each year | $209 each year, matching July price increase |
Most of these require enrollment before use. Many also follow quarterly or biannual timelines, so make sure you are keeping track.
What Stays the Same
Most of the card’s familiar perks remain untouched by this round of changes. These continue to provide consistent value for travelers and shoppers, though many require enrollment before use.
| Credit | Value |
|---|---|
| Airline incidental fees | $200 per year, one chosen airline |
| Equinox | $300 per year on gym or app memberships (auto-renewal required) |
| Global Entry/TSA PreCheck | $120 (Global Entry, every 4 years) or $85 (TSA PreCheck, every 4½ years) |
| Saks Fifth Avenue | $100 per year |
| Uber Cash | $200 per year on rides or Eats in the U.S. |
| Walmart+ | $155 per year, auto-renewal required |
Airport lounge access and hotel elite status (Hilton Gold and Marriott Gold) are also unchanged.
How Easy Are the New Credits to Use?
Some perks will fit easily into everyday spending. The Resy dining credit works at a wide list of restaurants. The Lululemon credit can be used online or in-store, which makes redemption simple.
Others demand more planning. The hotel credit is larger than before but must be used through Amex Travel, where rates are typically higher than booking direct. The Oura Ring credit is useful if you want the device, but it’s more of a one-time benefit.
Who Benefits Most
The Platinum card continues to be strongest for frequent travelers. Lounge access, Global Entry, and hotel perks alone can offset part of the fee. The new lifestyle credits push the card toward a different type of user: someone who dines out, shops at Lululemon, or takes advantage of Uber One.
If you keep track of the credits and plan around them, the total value can surpass the $895 fee. If you let them expire, the card quickly feels overpriced.
Maximization Tips
- Enroll right away. Most credits don’t apply until you activate them in your Amex account.
- Time hotel stays. Book one stay between January–June and another between July–December to capture the $300 credit twice.
- Stack dining credits. The Resy credit resets every quarter. Mark your calendar to avoid missing one.
- Use Lululemon online. If you don’t shop in-store, the credit works online and can cover sale items.
- Apply Uber One credit. Pay with your Platinum and the $120 credit covers the full cost of an annual membership.
- Match streaming costs. Switch your billing for YouTube Premium, Paramount+, or YouTube TV to the Platinum to use the entertainment credit.
Bottom Line
The recent Amex Platinum changes has shifted the card from a pure travel companion to something closer to a lifestyle subscription. Some people might even call it a coupon book. At $895 a year, it can still deliver more value than it costs, but only if you’re the kind of person who keeps track of every credit. For anyone who doesn’t want to manage that, the new price may feel like too much.
