Discover the new Amex Platinum card benefits for U.S. cardholders: updated credits, lounge access, and the new Amex Platinum card annual fee — a complete 2025 breakdown.
American Express just unveiled its biggest refresh of the Platinum line in years — adding a slate of lifestyle and travel credits while raising the Amex Platinum card annual fee. If you live in the U.S. and are considering whether to keep, cancel, or apply for the card, this guide walks you through every significant update, so you can make an informed decision with numbers, timing, and real-world redemption tips.
Short summary: Amex increased the annual fee on The Platinum Card from $695 to $895, while adding new credits and expanding existing ones (hotel, dining, digital entertainment, retail credits and more). Amex says the total annual value of perks exceeds $3,500 — but whether you “get your money back” depends on how you use those credits.
What changed
Key changes in the refresh (high-level):
- Annual fee increase: from $695 → $895 (consumer & business versions). Amex says the higher fee reflects richer perks.
- Bigger hotel credit: now up to $600 annually (split into semiannual $300 windows) when you book through Amex Travel’s Fine Hotels & Resorts or The Hotel Collection.
- New $400 Resy dining credit (up to $100 per quarter) for eligible Resy purchases at U.S. restaurants — enrollment required.
- $300 Lululemon credit (up to $75/quarter) and $200 Oura Ring credit added.
- Uber One credit up to $120/year (plus existing Uber Cash benefits remain).
- Digital entertainment credit increased to $300/year (eligible services expanded to include Paramount+, YouTube Premium/TV, etc.).
- Design refresh: limited-edition high-gloss mirror finish available for a short period.
These items represent the biggest package of incremental credits Amex has added at once — and they are the principal reason behind the higher Amex Platinum card annual fee.
When the changes take effect (dates U.S. readers must note)
- Amex is rolling out benefits immediately for new cardmembers; many new credits are already live for enrollment. Existing cardmembers can enroll and use most benefits now, but the higher annual fee for existing accounts is phased in at renewal:
- Business Card Renewals: Fee Change Effective December 2, 2025.
- Consumer card renewals: fee change effective January 2, 2026 (so if your renewal date is after that, you’ll see the $895 charge).
If you’re already a member, check your renewal date — that determines whether your next annual billing will reflect the new price.
The new Amex Platinum card benefits explained (how to use them, and where value hides)
Below, I break down each major benefit, how to maximize it, and practical caveats for U.S. users.
1) $600 Hotel credit (big travel uplift)
- What it is: Up to $600/year in statement credits on prepaid bookings made through American Express Travel for Fine Hotels + Resorts or The Hotel Collection. Credits are delivered as up to $300 per six-month period (Jan–Jun, Jul–Dec).
- How to maximize: Book one prepaid stay of ~$300 every six months at a qualifying property (Fine Hotels typically include breakfast + potential upgrades). Make sure the booking is prepaid and through Amex Travel to trigger the credit.
- Caveats: The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay for some benefits; credits apply only to eligible prepaid rates and may exclude third-party charges. Read the terms before booking.
2) $400 Resy dining credit (makes dining out cheaper)
- What it is: $400/year (up to $100 per quarter) in statement credits when you charge eligible Resy restaurant spending to your Platinum Card. Enrollment required.
- Maximize: Reserve and pay via Resy for dinners at participating restaurants. Splitting checks or alcohol may affect eligible purchase amounts — keep receipts and track quarterly resets.
3) $300 digital entertainment credit
- What it is: Up to $300/year, previously $240/year, now increased and expanded to include YouTube Premium/TV, Paramount+, plus Disney+, Hulu, Peacock, WSJ, NYT, ESPN+, and others. Up to $25/mo; enrollment required.
- Maximize: Use this for streaming services you already pay for — it’s straightforward value if you subscribe to services on the eligible list.
4) $300 Lululemon credit & $200 Oura Ring credit
- What they are: $300/year in Lululemon credits (up to $75/quarter) and $200/year toward an Oura Ring purchase. Enrollment required. These pivot the card slightly toward wellness and lifestyle spenders.
5) $120 Uber One credit + existing Uber Cash
- What it is: $120/year statement credit when you buy or maintain an Uber One membership with the Platinum Card. The longstanding Uber Cash benefit ($15/mo + $20 in December = up to $200/year) still applies — both can stack when used correctly.
6) Airport lounges, travel basics, and existing perks (unchanged core)
- Core travel features like Centurion Lounge access, Priority Pass/Delta Sky Club access options, elite hotel perks, and the overall Membership Rewards earning structure remain intact. The refresh expanded lounge investments (new Centurion locations announced) and added hotel partnership perks. If you have already used lounge access or hotel elite benefits, you won’t lose that upside.
7) Welcome offers and card design
- Amex is promoting larger welcome bonuses for new applicants (reports show elevated offers, e.g., up to 175,000 MR points on the personal card and larger offers on business versions — offers vary and are time-sensitive). The card will also be sold in a limited mirror-finish design for a short time.
Does the math justify the Amex Platinum card annual fee?
Amex claims the refresh adds $3,500+ of annual perks value. That headline is based on stacking every available credit plus estimated travel perks. But the real question for you is whether you will use enough of the credits.
Example quick math (illustrative, not exhaustive):
- Hotel credits: $600
- Resy dining: $400
- Digital entertainment: $300
- Lululemon: $300
- Uber One: $120
- Oura: $200
Subtotal of these new/expanded credits = $1,920. Add legacy perks (Uber Cash $200, Saks/Equinox credits, lounge value, elite hotel benefits) and you approach the $3k–$3.5k figure depending on personal usage and travel patterns.
But if you don’t travel, rarely dine out at Resy restaurants, or don’t buy from Lululemon/Oura, the credits won’t help you. Premium card value is personal — the Amex Platinum card annual fee only makes sense if your lifestyle aligns with the perks.
Who should consider keeping or applying for the card
Good fit if:
- You travel frequently and value lounge access and hotel elite treatment.
- You dine out often at Resy restaurants or subscribe to many digital services.
- You spend on lifestyle brands (Lululemon, Oura) or use Uber frequently.
- You can realistically capture most of the semiannual hotel credits and monthly credits.
Not a great fit if:
- You rarely travel and won’t use hotel/lounges.
- You don’t foresee using the quarterly Resy or Lululemon credits.
- You want a lower annual fee card — there are mid-tier alternatives with lower fees and solid travel rewards.
Practical tips for U.S. cardholders to extract maximum value
- Enroll immediately in each benefit via your Amex benefits dashboard — credits typically require enrollment.
- Track quarter/semiannual windows. Resy resets quarterly; hotel credit is semiannual. Put calendar reminders so credits don’t expire unused.
- Stack Uber credits smartly. Use Uber Cash for monthly rides and the Uber One credit for membership cost. Ensure your Platinum Card is chosen as the payment method.
- Book prepaid Amex Travel Fine Hotels for $300 semiannual credit opportunity. Verify the property qualifies.
- Compare alternatives. If you use only a subset of these perks, cards like Chase Sapphire Reserve (or revamped competitors) may be a better value for travel points or simpler perks. Industry reviews compare the cards side by side.
Q: How much is the Amex Platinum card annual fee now?
A: $895 per year (consumer & business cards raised from $695). Effective dates vary by account renewal — see earlier section.
Q: Are the new credits automatic?
A: Many credits require enrollment in the Amex benefits portal; they are not applied automatically. Check the Benefits Dashboard to enroll.
Q: Did Amex remove any core travel perks?
A: No — core lounge and hotel elite perks remain; Amex expanded and added benefits rather than removing the flagship travel features.
Q: Should I cancel before renewal if I don’t want the higher fee?
A: Consider canceling before your renewal date if you won’t use the new benefits. But first, calculate the credits you’ll use before that renewal hits — you might offset next year’s fee even if you don’t plan heavy travel.
Is the new Amex Platinum card’s benefits package worth $895?
For frequent travelers and lifestyle spenders in the U.S., the refresh increases practical value: the hotel credit and Resy credit alone move the needle for people who will use them. If you can regularly capture the hotel credit and the suite of lifestyle credits, you’ll likely net positive value even with the higher Amex Platinum card annual fee.
However, for someone who rarely uses premium travel perks or the specific retail/dining partners, the jump to $895 may not be justifiable. The card’s economics point to a targeted audience: affluent travelers who deliberately use credits as part of their spending mix. That’s the market Amex is doubling down on.