American Express Platinum Card Annual Fee Skyrockets to $895: Is It Worth the Cost in 2025?
American Express has recently announced a significant increase in the Amex Platinum Card annual fee, raising it from $695 to $895. The move, effective January 2, 2026, for consumer cardholders, comes alongside a suite of enhanced benefits designed to provide more value for cardholders who can fully utilize the perks. As the American Express Platinum Card benefits continue to expand, potential applicants and existing users are assessing whether the higher cost justifies the lifestyle and travel advantages it offers.
Understanding the New Amex Platinum Card Annual Fee
The updated Amex Platinum Card annual fee reflects American Express’s strategy to offer premium services and exclusive perks for high-spending consumers. Cardholders who opened accounts before September 18, 2025, will see the new fee applied at their next renewal date on or after January 2, 2026. For business cardholders, the adjustment starts from December 2, 2025.
Fee Comparison Table
| Card Type | Previous Annual Fee | New Annual Fee | Effective Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Consumer Card | $695 | $895 | January 2, 2026 |
| Business Card | $695 | $895 | December 2, 2025 |
Enhanced Benefits Justifying the Fee Increase
American Express emphasizes that the new fee is offset by over $3,500 in potential annual value through credits and perks. The Amex Platinum Card benefits now cover a wide range of travel, dining, and lifestyle categories.
Key Benefits Breakdown
| Benefit | Annual Value | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Hotel Credit | $600 | $300 semi-annually on Fine Hotels + Resorts or The Hotel Collection |
| Resy Credit | $400 | $100 per quarter for dining at U.S. Resy restaurants |
| Digital Entertainment Credit | $300 | $25 per month on streaming services like Disney+, ESPN+, Hulu, YouTube |
| Uber Cash | $200 | $15 monthly for Uber rides and Uber Eats, plus $20 December bonus |
| Uber One Credit | $120 | Statement credit for annual auto-renewing Uber One membership |
| Lululemon Credit | $300 | Annual statement credit for purchases at Lululemon |
| Oura Ring Credit | $200 | Annual statement credit for Oura Ring purchases |
| CLEAR Credit | $200 | Annual statement credit for CLEAR membership |
Additional perks include expanded airport lounge access, elite hotel status, and exclusive dining reservations through Global Dining Access by Resy. Frequent travelers may find these benefits especially valuable, making the Amex Platinum Card annual fee more manageable relative to its offerings.
By evaluating these aspects, cardholders can optimize the usage of statement credits, lounge access, and hotel benefits to surpass the cost of the Amex Platinum Card annual fee.
Is the Higher Fee Worth It?
While the $895 Amex Platinum Card annual fee is substantial, it can be justified for those who frequently travel, dine at premium restaurants, or subscribe to multiple streaming services. The combination of credits, elite status, and lifestyle perks may provide significant value when fully leveraged. For users who can maximize each benefit, the American Express Platinum Card continues to be a premier choice in luxury credit cards.
