The Platinum Card® from American Express stands out for both its high annual fee and the bevy of benefits it offers to help you justify the cost. Now, thanks to several card changes that went into effect on Sept. 18, it’s both more expensive and more loaded with credits to consider.
Read on for a guide to the new offerings and our tips on how to make them work for you.
Key takeaway: Despite the higher $895 annual fee, we think the updated Platinum Card® from American Express offers enough extra value to maintain its appeal for anyone who liked the card prior to these changes. While not all of the boosted credits will appeal to all cardholders, the valuable new restaurant credits are more flexible than they appear at first glance. Plus, no key benefits were removed or made less valuable.
New annual fee takes effect in 2026
It’s understandable if the new $895 fee on the Platinum Card® from American Express gives you pause. The good news is you’ll have time to assess how to maximize the value of your card’s new benefits before you start paying the higher fee.
While all of the new benefits of the card are now active, you won’t pay the new annual fee until your next renewal date after Jan. 2, 2026. Depending on your anniversary date, that could give you several months to consider all the new benefits.
No cuts to key benefits
The best news about the new Platinum Card® from American Express might not be what’s been added, but what’s not changing. If you’ve come to love many of the benefits on your card, you can rest easy that none of the card’s top benefits have been taken away. In fact, you might find that many of your favorite benefits are even better.
That includes the card-defining Global Lounge Collection, which now boasts more than 1,500 airport lounges worldwide.
Boosted hotel credits: Up to $600 annually
Your card offers up to $600 annually (or up to $300 every six months) in statement credits for Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection bookings made via American Express Travel®. That’s three times the previous annual total for credits for these bookings. The boost to these credits carries the most potential value of any of the card’s new benefits, so it’s worth considering how you might make use of them.
Keep in mind that these credits come with some restrictions. Not all hotel bookings available via American Express Travel are part of these hotel collections, and those that are might not be the best choice for your travel plans. Also, as with many of the card’s statement credits, you can’t carry over any value you don’t use within the six months the credit is available.
A final note — the $300 credit for the second half of 2025 started on Sept. 18, so you’ll still get the full value even if you used the card’s previously available credit earlier in the year.
New restaurant credits: Up to $400 annually
The Platinum Card® from American Express now offers a total of up to $400 in statement credits (distributed as up to $100 every quarter) on purchases at U.S. restaurants available for reservation through Resy. You don’t have to book a reservation through Resy for your purchase to qualify, or even have a reservation at all — you just have to use your card at an eligible restaurant.
Enrollment is required to activate your credit, and the credits don’t carry over from quarter to quarter.
If you have Resy-affiliated restaurants in your area, you might be able to use the credit just by eating at some of your favorite spots. Even if you don’t frequent eligible restaurants, you can keep the credit in mind when looking for restaurants while traveling in the U.S.
Boosted digital entertainment credit: Up to $300 annually
One of the most useful credits on the Platinum Card® from American Express just got better. You’ll now get up to $25 in statement credits every month (or up to $300 annually) on eligible digital entertainment purchases. That’s an extra $5 per month on what was previously offered.
Participating digital entertainment subscriptions include Disney+, ESPN+, Hulu, The New York Times and YouTube TV and more. You’ll need to enroll for this benefit via your Amex account to receive the credit.
New Uber One membership credit: $120 annually
If you regularly take advantage of the Uber Cash credits on your card, you’ll probably find value in the new Uber One membership statement credits. When you use your card to purchase an auto-renewing membership (annual or monthly), you’ll get up to $120 in statement credits annually.
Uber One offers $0 delivery fees on qualifying Uber Eats orders, credits on rides and orders, and various other offers and savings opportunities. The monthly cost is $9.99, so your credit will cover the full amount.
New credits: Lululemon and Oura Ring
You’ll also get statement credits for purchases with Lululemon and Oura Ring.
For Lululemon, you’ll get up to $75 in quarterly statement credits for eligible purchases at Lululemon retail stores (not including outlets) and lululemon.com when you enroll to receive the benefit. If you’re a fan of the brand, or have even just been curious to try it, these credits could come in handy.
For Oura Ring, you’ll get up to $200 in statement credits annually when you enroll to receive this benefit through Amex and purchase an Oura Ring — which tracks dozens of health and wellness metrics while you wear it — at ouraring.com.
While we see straightforward potential value in the Lululemon credit, you might want to do some more homework before taking advantage of the Oura Ring credit. The currently available Oura Ring 4 starts at $349, and Oura also requires a monthly membership for the full suite of metrics. Plus, even if you decide the Oura Ring is right for you, it might be a one-time purchase, unless you lose yours or decide to buy one as a gift.
New mirror design available to all
No matter your thoughts on these new and improved benefits, you’ll still be able to upgrade the look of your Platinum Card® from American Express. If you want to change your card to the new mirror-design version, you can order a replacement via your account.