Amex Platinum Card Refresh: $895 Annual Fee, New Benefits (September 2025)
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American Express has unveiled its most significant overhaul of the Platinum Card since 2021, increasing the annual fee from $695 to $895 while introducing several valuable new benefits. The refresh, which took effect on September 18, 2025, brings substantial enhancements to the card’s already extensive portfolio of credits and perks, potentially offering even more value despite the higher fee.
While the $200 fee increase might initially seem steep, the new benefits—including tripled hotel credits and substantial new dining, shopping, and lifestyle perks—could make this refresh a net positive for cardholders who can maximize these offerings. Let’s break down all the changes and assess whether the refreshed Platinum Card is worth the higher price tag.
Amex Platinum: Before and After Comparison
Here’s a comprehensive comparison of the Amex Platinum Card benefits before and after the September 2025 refresh:
| Feature | Before (Pre-September 2025) | Now (Post-Refresh) |
|---|---|---|
| Annual Fee | $695 | $895 (+$200) |
| Hotel Credit | $200 annually | $600 annually ($300 semi-annually) |
| Digital Entertainment Credit | $240 annually ($20/month) | $300 annually ($25/month) |
| Eligible Streaming Services | Disney+, Disney+ bundle, ESPN+, Hulu, The New York Times, Peacock, The Wall Street Journal | All previous services plus Paramount+, YouTube Premium, YouTube TV |
| Resy Dining Credit | Not offered | $400 annually ($100/quarter) |
| Lululemon Credit | Not offered | $300 annually ($75/quarter) |
| Oura Ring Credit | Not offered | $200 annually |
| Uber One Credit | Not offered | $120 annually |
| CLEAR Plus Credit | $189 | $209 (+$20) |
| Hotel Elite Status | Hilton Honors Gold, Marriott Bonvoy Gold | Hilton Honors Gold, Marriott Bonvoy Gold, Leaders Club Sterling |
| Uber Cash | $200 annually ($15/month + $20 in December) | Unchanged |
| Airline Fee Credit | $200 annually | Unchanged |
| Saks Fifth Avenue Credit | $100 annually ($50 semi-annually) | Unchanged |
| Equinox Credit | $300 annually | Unchanged |
| Walmart+ Credit | $155 annually | Unchanged |
| Global Entry/TSA PreCheck | Up to $100 every 4-4.5 years | Unchanged |
| Lounge Access | Centurion, Priority Pass, Delta Sky Club (when flying Delta), etc. | Unchanged |
| Points Earning | 5X on flights (up to $500K/year) and prepaid hotels via Amex Travel; 1X on everything else | Unchanged |
| Card Design Options | Standard metal design | Standard metal, new mirror finish, or plastic |
| Total Annual Credits Value | ~$1,584 | ~$3,084 (+$1,500) |
As the table shows, the refresh adds approximately $1,500 in potential annual value through new and enhanced credits, significantly outweighing the $200 annual fee increase for cardholders who can maximize these benefits.
Annual Fee Increase and Implementation Timeline
The Platinum Card’s annual fee has increased from $695 to $895, representing a $200 (29%) jump. This makes it the most expensive mainstream premium credit card, surpassing the recently refreshed Chase Sapphire Reserve ($795).
The fee increase implementation follows this timeline:
- New applicants: $895 annual fee applies immediately
- Existing personal Platinum cardmembers: Higher fee applies at first renewal on or after January 2, 2026
- Existing business Platinum cardmembers: Higher fee applies at first renewal on or after December 2, 2025
This creates a valuable opportunity for existing cardholders to enjoy all the new benefits immediately while still paying the lower annual fee until their next renewal date. For many, this means 12+ months of enhanced benefits at the old fee.
New and Enhanced Benefits
The refreshed Platinum Card introduces several new credits and enhances some existing ones. Here’s a comprehensive breakdown:
Hotel Credit: Increased from $200 to $600 Annually
The hotel credit has been substantially enhanced:
- Before: Up to $200 annually for prepaid Fine Hotels & Resorts or The Hotel Collection bookings
- Now: Up to $600 annually, structured as $300 semi-annually (January-June and July-December)
- Requirements: Still limited to prepaid bookings through Amex Travel for Fine Hotels & Resorts (minimum 1 night) or The Hotel Collection (minimum 2 nights)
- Immediate availability: Existing cardholders can use the $300 credit for July-December 2025 immediately, even if they already used the previous $200 credit earlier this year
New $400 Resy Dining Credit
A completely new benefit leveraging Amex’s 2019 acquisition of Resy:
- Amount: Up to $400 annually, structured as $100 per quarter
- Eligible purchases: Dining at over 10,000 U.S. restaurants on the Resy platform
- Usage flexibility: No reservation required through Resy—simply pay with your Platinum Card at any Resy-affiliated restaurant
- Enrollment: Required
New $300 Lululemon Credit
A new shopping credit for the popular athletic apparel brand:
- Amount: Up to $300 annually, structured as $75 per quarter
- Eligible purchases: In-store or online at lululemon.com in the U.S. (excludes outlet locations)
- Optimization tip: Can be stacked with Rakuten cashback and “We Made Too Much” sale sections
- Enrollment: Required
Digital Entertainment Credit: Increased from $240 to $300
An enhancement to the existing streaming service credit:
- Before: Up to $20 per month ($240 annually)
- Now: Up to $25 per month ($300 annually)
- New eligible services added: Paramount+, YouTube Premium, and YouTube TV
- Existing eligible services: Disney+, Disney+ bundle, ESPN+, Hulu, The New York Times, Peacock, and The Wall Street Journal
- Enrollment: Required
New $200 Oura Ring Credit
A health and wellness credit for the popular smart ring:
- Amount: Up to $200 annually
- Eligible purchases: Oura Ring hardware purchased through ouraring.com
- Note: Does not cover the Oura membership subscription
- Enrollment: Required
New $120 Uber One Credit
A supplement to the existing Uber Cash benefit:
- Amount: Up to $120 annually
- Coverage: Auto-renewing Uber One membership ($9.99/month or $96/year)
- Requirement: Must be charged to the Platinum Card
- Note: This is separate from and in addition to the existing $200 annual Uber Cash benefit
New Hotel Elite Status: Leaders Club Sterling
A new hotel status benefit from The Leading Hotels of the World:
- Status level: Leaders Club Sterling (normally requires $5,000 annual spending)
- Key benefits: Five pre-arrival room upgrades per year, continental breakfast, early/late checkout when available
- Additional perk: Sixt Platinum car rental status
- Enrollment: Required
CLEAR Plus Credit: Increased from $189 to $209
A minor adjustment to match CLEAR’s recent price increase:
- Before: Up to $189 annually
- Now: Up to $209 annually
- Requirement: Auto-renewal subscription charged to the Platinum Card
New Limited-Edition Mirror Card Design
Alongside the refresh, Amex has introduced a new limited-edition mirrored card design. Existing cardmembers can request this design by ordering a replacement card through their online account. Interestingly, Amex is also offering a plastic version of the Platinum Card again for those who prefer a lighter alternative to the metal card.
Unchanged Benefits
All existing Platinum Card benefits remain unchanged, including:
- Lounge access: Centurion Lounges, Delta Sky Clubs (when flying Delta), Priority Pass Select, Plaza Premium, Escape, and more
- Airline fee credit: Up to $200 annually with one selected airline
- Saks Fifth Avenue credit: Up to $100 annually ($50 semi-annually)
- Equinox credit: Up to $300 annually for gym memberships
- Walmart+ membership: Up to $155 annually for subscription
- Hotel status: Hilton Honors Gold and Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite (enrollment required)
- Global Entry/TSA PreCheck: Up to $100 credit every 4-4.5 years
Earning Structure Remains the Same
There are no changes to the card’s rewards earning structure:
- 5X Membership Rewards points on flights booked directly with airlines or through Amex Travel (up to $500,000 per calendar year)
- 5X points on prepaid hotels booked through Amex Travel
- 1X points on all other purchases
Maximizing the New Benefits
For existing cardholders, here’s a strategic approach to maximize value from the refreshed Platinum Card:
- Enroll in all new benefits immediately through your Amex account
- Use Q3 credits before September 30: $75 Lululemon credit and $100 Resy credit will expire at the end of this month
- Plan two hotel stays: One using the $300 credit for the second half of 2025, even if you already used your $200 credit earlier this year
- Update streaming subscriptions: Adjust your billing to take advantage of the increased $25/month entertainment credit
- Sign up for Uber One: The $120 credit fully covers the $96 annual membership with some leftover
- Activate Leaders Club Sterling status: First sign up for the free Leaders Club membership, then enroll for the Sterling tier
Is the Refreshed Platinum Card Worth It?
With the annual fee now at $895, the value proposition of the Platinum Card depends heavily on your ability to maximize its extensive credits and benefits. Here’s a breakdown of the potential annual value from the refreshed card:
| Benefit | Annual Value | Ease of Use |
|---|---|---|
| Hotel Credit | $600 | Medium (requires specific bookings) |
| Resy Dining Credit | $400 | High (many eligible restaurants) |
| Digital Entertainment Credit | $300 | High (popular streaming services) |
| Lululemon Credit | $300 | Medium (quarterly use required) |
| Airline Fee Credit | $200 | Medium (limited to one airline) |
| Uber Cash | $200 | High (rides and Uber Eats) |
| Oura Ring Credit | $200 | Low (one-time hardware purchase) |
| CLEAR Plus Credit | $209 | High (for frequent travelers) |
| Uber One Credit | $120 | High (subscription coverage) |
| Saks Fifth Avenue Credit | $100 | Medium (semi-annual use) |
| Walmart+ Membership | $155 | High (subscription coverage) |
| Equinox Credit | $300 | Low (limited gym locations) |
| Total Potential Value | $3,084 |
The card makes sense for those who:
- Travel frequently enough to use lounge access, hotel elite status, and expedited security benefits
- Dine out regularly at restaurants that use the Resy platform
- Shop at Lululemon or want an Oura Ring
- Stay at luxury hotels at least twice per year
- Can manage multiple credits with different redemption periods (monthly, quarterly, semi-annually)
However, the card may not be worth it if you:
- Travel infrequently
- Find it difficult to keep track of and maximize multiple credits
- Are primarily looking for a card with strong earning rates on everyday spending
- Cannot use the lifestyle credits (Lululemon, Equinox, etc.)
Bottom Line
The refreshed Amex Platinum Card has evolved further into a high-maintenance lifestyle card with an impressive array of credits and benefits. While the $895 annual fee represents a significant investment, the potential value from the new and enhanced benefits can far exceed this cost for cardholders who can maximize them.
For existing cardholders, the opportunity to enjoy all new benefits immediately while paying the higher annual fee only upon renewal creates an excellent window to test these perks and determine if the refreshed card aligns with your spending habits and lifestyle.
The most universally valuable new benefits appear to be the tripled hotel credit ($600) and the new Resy dining credit ($400), which together could easily justify the $200 annual fee increase for many users. However, the continued proliferation of credits with different redemption periods adds complexity that some cardholders may find burdensome.
Ultimately, the refreshed Platinum Card remains a premium product for those who value luxury travel perks and are willing to put in the effort to maximize its extensive benefits portfolio. For the right user, it can deliver exceptional value despite—or perhaps because of—its higher annual fee.
- Annual fee
- $895
- Our valuationMilesopedia first-year estimate First-year valueWelcome bonus$3,325Total$3,325Rewards on your spending are not included. The calculator that adds them from your own profile is on the card's page.
- $3,325
- Welcome offerAfter $12,000 in eligible purchases within the first 6 months of Card Membership. The exact welcome offer varies and may be less than 175,000 points; you may not be eligible for an offer. Amex discloses the offer after application and before you accept the Card.
- Up to 175,000 points
Apply Now
on American Express's website
Frequently Asked Questions
When will I be charged the higher $895 annual fee if I’m an existing cardholder?
If you’re an existing personal Platinum Card member, you won’t be charged the higher $895 annual fee until your first renewal date on or after January 2, 2026. For Business Platinum cardholders, the higher fee applies at the first renewal on or after December 2, 2025. This means if your card renews in November 2025, you won’t see the $895 fee until November 2026, but you’ll get all the new benefits immediately.
Can I use the new $300 hotel credit for July-December 2025 if I already used my $200 hotel credit earlier this year?
Yes, you can. The new hotel credit structure gives you $300 semi-annually (January-June and July-December), replacing the previous $200 annual credit. Even if you already used your $200 credit earlier in 2025, you can still use the new $300 credit for the second half of 2025 immediately. This effectively gives existing cardholders $500 in hotel credits for 2025 ($200 from the old benefit plus $300 from the new semi-annual structure).
Do I need to make Resy reservations to use the new $100 quarterly dining credit?
No, you don’t need to make reservations through Resy to use the credit. You simply need to pay with your Platinum Card at any of the 10,000+ U.S. restaurants that use the Resy platform. The credit will automatically apply to eligible purchases, making it one of the more flexible and easy-to-use benefits in the refreshed card portfolio. Remember to enroll in this benefit through your Amex account before making purchases.
How do I get the new mirror-finish Platinum Card design?
Existing cardholders can request the new limited-edition mirror-finish Platinum Card by ordering a replacement card through their online Amex account. Navigate to the “Account Services” section and select “Replace a Card.” This will not change your card number or affect any automatic payments. Amex is also offering a plastic version of the Platinum Card again for those who prefer a lighter alternative to the metal card.
What is Leaders Club Sterling status and what benefits does it provide?
Leaders Club Sterling is the top tier of The Leading Hotels of the World’s loyalty program, normally requiring $5,000 in annual spending to qualify. Key benefits include five pre-arrival room upgrades per year (subject to availability), continental breakfast for two daily, early check-in and late check-out when available, and welcome amenities. To activate this benefit, you first need to sign up for the free Leaders Club membership and then enroll for Sterling status through your Amex benefits portal.
Has anything been removed or reduced with this Platinum Card refresh?
No, nothing has been removed or reduced with this refresh. All existing benefits remain intact, and several have been enhanced or added. The only negative change is the $200 increase in the annual fee, from $695 to $895. The earning structure also remains unchanged, with the card still earning 5X points on flights booked directly with airlines or through Amex Travel (up to $500,000 annually) and on prepaid hotels booked through Amex Travel, and 1X points on all other purchases.
