Fee raised January 2026
Is the Amex Platinum Worth
$895 in 2026?
Amex raised the Platinum fee from $695 to $895 in January 2026 -- a $200 jump. That changes the calculation for many existing cardholders. Here is an honest breakdown.
Opening: the honest answer
At $895, the Platinum is worth it for power users and frequent travellers. For casual users who were barely justifying $695, the new fee tips the balance firmly toward the Gold. The break-even now requires using 5+ credits annually. If you cannot honestly tick 5+ boxes from the list below, the Gold is likely the better choice.
Scenario A: Power User
Flies 15+ times/year, uses all credits
Credits Used
Net Result
If you extract value from all 7 credits and use Centurion Lounges regularly, the Platinum delivers $2,584 in value against $895. Net positive by $1,689. Worth it clearly.
Scenario B: Moderate User
Flies 6-10 times/year, uses 5-6 credits
Credits Used
Net Result
Using 5 credits plus moderate lounge access gets you to approximately $1,345 in value against $895. Net positive by $450 -- but heavily dependent on using lounge access. Debatable value.
Scenario C: Casual User
Flies 2-4 times/year, uses 3-4 credits
Credits Used
Net Result
Using 2 easy credits plus minimal lounge access yields approximately $590 in value against $895. Net cost: $305. Gold at $325 would be net positive for this profile. Switch to Gold.
Renewal Decision Checklist
If you answer "yes" to 5+ of these, the Platinum is likely worth keeping. If fewer than 5, consider downgrading to Gold.
I fly 10+ times per year and use airports with Centurion Lounges
I book at least 2 hotel stays per year at FHR-eligible properties
I actively use the Uber Cash credit every month ($200/yr)
I subscribe to streaming services covered by digital entertainment credit ($240/yr)
I use the airline incidental credit each year ($200/yr)
I use or would use Walmart+ membership ($155/yr)
I use or would use CLEAR at my home airport ($189/yr)
The hotel status (Marriott Gold, Hilton Gold) provides real value to me
I can use the Resy credit in my city (NYC, LA, Chicago, SF mainly)
I earn 5x on flights and the points value exceeds the fee difference vs Gold
Fewer than 5 "yes" answers? See the downgrade guide →
If You Decide to Keep It: Maximise First
If you are on the fence, try extracting full value before the next renewal date. Priority order for credits:
- 1.Uber Cash -- set up immediately, uses itself monthly ($200/yr)
- 2.Digital entertainment -- enrol all eligible subscriptions ($240/yr)
- 3.Airline incidental -- select your airline in January; use for bags/upgrades ($200/yr)
- 4.Walmart+ -- enrol if you shop at Walmart at all ($155/yr)
- 5.CLEAR -- one signup at your home airport ($189/yr)
- 6.FHR credit -- book one FHR stay in H1, one in H2 to capture both $300 credits
Not ready for a $325+ annual fee? See our low-interest card guide. Carrying a balance? Neither Gold nor Platinum is right for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Amex Platinum worth it at $895 in 2026?
It depends entirely on your usage. For power users who fly 15+ times per year and can use 8+ credits, the Platinum remains net positive -- potentially by $400-800 over the fee. For moderate users (6-10 flights, 6 credits), it roughly breaks even. For casual users (2-4 flights, 3-4 credits), the Gold at $325 is almost certainly better value at the new $895 price point. The $200 January 2026 fee increase has pushed borderline cases firmly into Gold territory.
Should I cancel my Amex Platinum because of the fee increase?
Before cancelling, call the retention line and ask about retention offers -- Amex frequently offers statement credits or bonus points to keep high-value customers. If you downgrade to Gold rather than cancelling outright, you preserve your Membership Rewards points and account history. Points are lost if you close all MR-earning accounts. A product change to Gold preserves everything while reducing your annual fee by $570.
What changed with the Amex Platinum in January 2026?
American Express raised the Platinum annual fee from $695 to $895 effective January 1, 2026. New benefits added to partially offset the increase include an expanded Resy dining credit (up to $400/year in select cities) and additional digital entertainment credits. However, independent analysis suggests the new credits do not fully offset the $200 increase for most cardholders, particularly those outside major metro areas where Resy coverage is limited.
How do I maximise my Amex Platinum to make it worth $895?
The credits you should prioritise first: Uber Cash ($200) -- easiest to use, loads monthly. Digital entertainment ($240) -- set it and forget it. Airline incidental ($200) -- select your primary airline in January. Walmart+ ($155) -- straightforward if you shop at Walmart. CLEAR ($189) -- one enrollment per year. These five credits alone total $984, covering the entire fee. Lounge access, hotel status, and 5x on flights then add pure upside.