There were talks among the credit card community about AMEX’s fee increase to stay competitive with the Chase Sapphire Reserve, which also raised its fee this year. People had lots of guesses. Some even wanted it to deter people they deemed “not worthy” of the card from taking up lounge space. But when I saw the true fee increase, I had my own thoughts: *Is the AMEX Platinum card worth it at $895? Do I keep it or downgrade to something else? I mean, that’s a flight, a weekend trip, or a really nice spa day.
I’ve had the card for a while now. I know its value. But this price hike made me reassess everything—and I’m breaking down the benefits I actually use (and love), the ones that completely miss the mark for my lifestyle, and whether I’m still swiping for another year.
Let’s Talk About That Fee Increase
The Platinum has always been positioned as a “luxury” card, but $895 feels steep, even for loyal cardholders like me who’ve been riding with AMEX for years. The increase is tied to AMEX’s push toward more lifestyle perks and staying competitive as travel habits shift post-pandemic. Everyone’s traveling differently now, and credit card companies are scrambling to keep up.
When I first heard the news, I definitely side-eyed it. That’s not pocket change. But before I called to cancel, I decided to look at the full picture: what am I actually using? What’s bringing real value to my life as a mom who works full-time, juggles two daughters, and still refuses to give up solo getaways and date nights out?
Let’s get into it.
What’s Worth the Splurge: The Benefits I Actually Use
Global Entry/TSA PreCheck Credit & CLEAR – The Sanity-Savers
Global Entry costs $120 and includes a TSA PreCheck membership. TSA PreCheck alone costs $85 for a first-time application. Both are valid for five years, so this benefit covers us whether we’re flying domestically or returning from international trips. On top of that, the AMEX Platinum gives you a CLEAR credit worth $209 per year.
Let’s do the math: That’s $329 in value just from these two travel conveniences alone.
Returning from an international trip with Global Entry means tired kids and tired parents don’t have to wait on those painfully long customs lines. We speed through U.S. Customs, grab our luggage (if we checked any), and get on our way home—quicker. CLEAR and TSA PreCheck? They let us skip the long security lines, which has come in clutch when my husband has us running late to the airport. Again.
$600 Hotel Credit – Luxury Stays That Actually Happen
This is where the card really earns its keep for me. The $600 semi-annual hotel credit through Fine Hotels & Resorts or The Hotel Collection is something I strategically plan around. Book at least two months in advance, consider off-peak travel, or stack credits by booking a stay for next year at the end of the current one; that’s how you maximize value.
We’ve used these credits for stays at the Four Seasons New Orleans, Four Seasons Las Vegas, and 1Hotel West Hollywood. Sometimes AMEX has additional cashback offers at other hotels. For our trip to Barbados, there was an offer to get $200 back at the Hilton. Plus, the AMEX Platinum provides upgrades to Hilton Honors Gold status, which means complimentary breakfast.
That credit has turned what would’ve been pricey weekends into elevated experiences that didn’t break the bank.
Related: Centurion Lounge Mexico City: Worth the Visit?
Lounge Access – My Personal “Travel Luxury” Moment
Let’s address the elephant in the room: lounge access has become a source of contention among cardholders. People argue that the lounges are too crowded because they claim AMEX gives out these cards to anyone with a pulse; it’s no longer “exclusive.” I’ve never experienced the lounges being overwhelmingly crowded. Honestly, I think some folks have an elitist attitude and don’t want to see certain groups of people in the lounges. But I digress.
The AMEX annual fee increase to $895 gave hope to these same people, who thought it would deter others from having the card and, therefore, losing lounge privileges.
For my family and me, lounge access is worth it. American Express Platinum cardholders get access to over 1,500 airport lounges worldwide through The Centurion Network, Delta Sky Club (with limited visits), Priority Pass Select, Lufthansa Lounges, and more. We use the lounge if we have a long layover or if there’s a flight delay. There’s food, drinks, and sometimes entertainment for kids; hello, Mexico City Centurion Lounge! This makes it worth it. Airport food is expensive and honestly not great.
In August, when our flight was delayed in Barbados, courtesy of Priority Pass, we chilled in the Airline Executive Lounge instead of sitting at the gate, hot and hungry. That alone made me grateful for this card.
$400 Resy Credit – Because I Like to Eat Well
I like to eat, and eat well! This Resy credit comes in clutch. You can secure hard-to-get reservations with Platinum Nights by Resy and Global Dining Access by Resy. Global Dining Access came in handy when I couldn’t get reservations to COQODAQ for my daughter’s birthday this past March, and more recently, when I wanted to try BONG, Hellbender, and Ikigai.
Here’s where it gets even better: my AMEX Gold offers $100 per year ($50 every six months), and if I split the bill between both cards, that’s $150 off at least twice per year!
When AMEX announced the new fee increase at the end of September—around the same time I had a dinner date with my friend at Ikigai—we both justified upgrading our pre-paid dinner by saying, “We have the $100 Resy credit to use before the reset on October 1st.” And we did. No regrets.
$300 Entertainment Credit – Family Subscriptions Covered
I love that AMEX expanded this list. It covers my Hulu subscription; I do miss Sirius XM being included, but Hulu works for my family.
Additionally, the Walmart+ membership is covered via the AMEX Platinum, and through Walmart+, I get complimentary Peacock+. Walmart gives you a choice between Peacock and Paramount, so that’s even more value stacked on top.
$300 Lululemon Credit – My Teen’s Favorite Perk
My 14-year-old knew about this benefit because she saw it all over her TikTok. I don’t personally shop at Lululemon because of past controversies with their brand, but my teen and her friends love it.
This is a good way to either buy a $75 gift card and save it for a birthday or Christmas present, or find lower-cost items like tanks and socks. I got her some basics, and she was thrilled. I’m hearing that Rakuten is offering 15% cashback on Lululemon for Black Friday, so I may save this quarter’s credit for that.
In addition to the Lululemon credit, there’s a $50 semi-annual Saks credit. People wanted this to increase because they have a hard time finding things to buy for $50, but AMEX didn’t budge. I typically use it to buy nice pajamas or beauty items; things that feel like a treat.
The Perks I Can Skip
$200 Oura Ring Credit – Not For Me
The Oura Ring has a partnership with the Department of Defense for military personnel, where Palantir’s software provides the security environment for specific, opt-in DoD programs. Oura states that personal consumer data is never shared with the government or Palantir and is protected by their privacy policy [insert side eye ]. But with this current administration, you never know. I have valid concerns that make me pass on this.
I currently have an Apple Watch that does what the Oura Ring does. I could buy one and gift it, but honestly? I’m not pressed about this credit.
Equinox Credit – Doesn’t Fit My Routine
You can get up to $300 in statement credits each calendar year on a digital subscription or club membership at Equinox. But I prefer to work out at home using the Peloton Fitness App. This perk sounds great on paper, but it doesn’t align with my habits or priorities.
Not everyone gets equal value from every perk—it’s all about your lifestyle and what you actually use.
So… Is It Still Worth It?
Here’s my honest verdict: For me, yes.
Let me break down the numbers:
- Global Entry/TSA PreCheck + CLEAR: $329
- Hotel Credit: $600
- Resy Credit: $400
- Entertainment Credit: $300
- Lululemon Credit: $300
- Saks Credit: $100
Total Value: $2,029
Annual Fee: $895
Net Value: $1,134
That’s a 127% return on investment. Even if I only used half of these benefits, I’d still come out ahead.
The card continues to align with how I travel, dine, and live. It’s not just about the math—it’s about experience and ease. The AMEX Platinum is essentially a “coupon card” that adds value to experiences I’m already investing in. I’m not buying things outside of what I normally do just to make the fee make sense.
That said, this card isn’t for everyone. If you don’t travel frequently, don’t dine out often, or can’t maximize at least a few of the credits, it might not be worth it. But if you’re someone who values convenience, elevated experiences, and can strategically use these perks? It’s a no-brainer.
The way I see it, if a card can simplify travel, make everyday indulgences feel rewarding, and still earn its keep, it’s worth holding onto, even at $895.
The Beauty in the Bump
There’s something beautiful about finding tools (yes, even credit cards) that work for your life instead of against it. The “bump” here was the fee increase, a moment of doubt when I questioned whether this was still serving me. But digging into what I actually use reminded me that luxury is about intention, not excess.
It’s about the lounge moment where I’m sipping champagne while my kids are entertained, and I’m not stressing over a delay. It’s about that dinner reservation I couldn’t get on my own. It’s about walking into a Four Seasons knowing breakfast is covered and my room might be upgraded. These aren’t just perks, they’re moments of ease in a life that’s constantly moving.
And that’s worth more than $895 to me.
What do you think—would you keep or cancel your AMEX Platinum after this fee hike? Which benefit do you actually use the most? Drop a comment below. I’d love to hear how you’re navigating premium credit cards in 2025.
