New benefits, more value: Why I’m more excited than ever to be an Amex Platinum card member

A few years ago, I decided it was finally time to add a premium lifestyle card to my wallet. After adding the American Express Platinum® CardI knew I had made the right decision.

The Platinum Card has provided unmatched value from day one, making my life as a wife, mother, and frequent traveler easier at home and on the road.

Amex just renewed its Platinum card, adding several new benefits and increasing the value of many existing ones. You haven’t lost any of the benefits you already loved and now it’s even more valuable than ever. When fully utilized, these benefits can unlock more than $3,500 in annual value. And I’ll show you how.

Along with these changes, Amex increased the annual fee from $695 to $895 (effective immediately for new cardholders and effective January 2, 2026 for existing cardholders; see rates and fees).

It’s been just over two months since the Platinum Card introduced these new benefits and I wasted no time taking advantage of them. Here’s how I’m already maxing out the upgraded Amex Platinum card. Terms apply.

Travel benefits I already use (and love)

I travel a lot, for work and pleasure, so I had the opportunity to put the upgraded Platinum card to the test right away.

I just returned from a visit to Universal Orlando Resort with my husband and children. We vacation there several times a year, so I immediately knew where I wanted to stay.

Loews Portofino Bay Hotel is one of more than 1,800 properties worldwide participating in the Amex Fine Hotels + Resorts program.

When you book Fine Hotels + Resorts properties through American Express Travel, you can receive a suite of benefits with an average total value of $550*. You get benefits like a room upgrade at check-in (when available; certain room categories are not eligible for an upgrade), a $100 credit to use toward eligible hotel charges (which vary by property), complimentary breakfast for two, guaranteed 4 pm check-out, and noon check-in when available.

*Average value based on Fine Hotels + Resorts bookings in 2024 for two-night stays. Actual value will vary depending on property, room rate, availability of an upgrade, and use of benefits.

When we checked in, we were upgraded to a water view room and a welcome gift of fruit, chocolate, and bottled water awaited us. We’re combining the $100 credit to use on eligible charges with the complimentary breakfast benefit to grab a buffet breakfast at one of the hotel’s restaurants to fuel up before a busy day on roller coasters.

And, when we decided at the last minute to spend an extra day at the parks, we used the late checkout benefit to rush onto the attractions in the morning instead of rushing out of our room. We were able to play all morning and pack up when we were ready for an afternoon break.

Between the upgraded room and the complimentary breakfast, our vacation was even more relaxing and special.

Thanks to up to $300 in statement credits semi-annually (up to $600 total in statement credits per calendar year) on Fine Hotels + Resorts or The Hotel Collection prepaid reservations through American Express Travel using your Platinum Card (The Hotel Collection requires a two-night minimum stay), my future visits to Universal Orlando will be just as memorable.

When I visited Orlando at the end of the month with my husband, we decided not to rent a car for our short stay. Rather, I used my $200 Uber Cash benefit to help cover the short trip from our hotel to Universal. With the Platinum Card, I receive $15 in Uber Cash each month (plus a $20 bonus in December) when I add my Platinum Card to my Uber account to use on rides and orders in the US when I select an Amex card for my transaction.

Now that Amex has added a $120 annual Uber One statement credit for an auto-renewing Uber One membership, I get 6% back in Uber One credits on eligible rides, which I can apply to future Uber rides.

I also recently visited Zion National Park with my family and, thanks to my Platinum card, we breezed through the airport using Clear Plus. With my Platinum Card, I can receive up to $209 in statement credits per calendar year when I sign up for and pay for a Clear Plus membership (subject to automatic renewal) with my eligible Amex card.

Waiting in line is one of my kids’ least favorite activities, and skipping the standard airport security line meant more time to stock up on snacks before our flight.

Now that bags no longer fly free on Southwest Airlines, we’re using the $200 airline fee credit to cover our checked baggage fees. Each year, I select a qualifying airline and receive up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year for incidental charges like checked bags and in-flight refreshments when the airline charges them to my Platinum Card.**

Sure, we could have each brought a carry-on bag to the airport, but checking two larger bags meant one less thing to worry about. And knowing that I would be reimbursed via statement credit made it even better.

Unfortunately, our flight home was delayed three hours. But getting stuck at the airport isn’t so bad when you have access to more than 1,500 lounges thanks to Amex’s Global Lounge Collection. My card unlocks over $850 in annual value, with access to Centurion Lounges, 10 complimentary visits to Delta Sky Club when you fly on an eligible Delta Air Lines flight, Priority Pass Select membership (registration required), and other select partner lounges.

**American Express relies on airlines to submit correct airline transaction information to identify purchases with incidental charges. If you don’t see a credit for a qualifying incidental purchase on your eligible card after eight weeks, simply call the number on the back of your card. Qualified airlines are subject to change. See terms and conditions for more details.

We headed straight to the Centurion Lounge and enjoyed complimentary dinner, drinks (for the adults), and lots of chocolate chip cookies (for the kids) in a quiet, relaxed atmosphere.

But there’s so much more to this card’s comprehensive lifestyle benefits.

How to use new and expanded lifestyle benefits

The Platinum Card’s new and existing dining, entertainment, shopping and wellness benefits have proven invaluable at home and during my frequent travels.

Thousands of Resy restaurants (more than 10,000 in the US as of March 2025) are eligible for the Platinum Card’s Resy credit benefit of up to $400. I earn up to $100 in statement credits each quarter when I use my enrolled Platinum Card to make eligible Resy purchases, including meals, making it easy to enjoy meals at home or on the go. Since there are only a handful of eligible restaurants in my area, I prefer to use this credit to discover new places to dine when I travel.

And you don’t even need to make a reservation to receive the credit; You just need to dine at an eligible restaurant and use your Platinum Card to pay the bill.

For this quarter I used the Resy credit on our family trip to Universal Orlando. A quick search on the Resy website showed me that several Universal Hotel restaurants participate in the Resy program. On the day of our arrival, we had a relaxing family dinner at the Trattoria del Porto at the Loews Portofino Bay Hotel.

I use the $300 digital entertainment credit to cover my family’s Disney+ subscription. We can watch family programming at home and I can download my kids’ favorite shows on their tablets to keep them busy during long flights.

With this benefit, you earn up to $25 in statement credits each month when you use the Platinum Card for eligible purchases on Disney+, a Disney+ bundle, ESPN+ streaming services, Hulu, The New York Times, Paramount+, Peacock, The Wall Street Journal, YouTube Premium, and YouTube TV when you buy directly from one or more of the providers (enrollment required).

I was excited to use the new lululemon credit of up to $300 because I always need comfortable and functional gear year-round. This benefit includes up to $75 in statement credits each quarter when I use my Platinum Card for eligible purchases at lululemon U.S. retail stores (excluding points of sale) and lululemon.com (enrollment required)..

I found the perfect pair of shorts for spending the day walking through a theme park with my kids and a new water bottle to stay hydrated on the plane.

In addition to those benefits, I use the Walmart+ Monthly Credit benefit to earn up to $12.95 in statement credit each month, plus applicable taxes, when I pay for a monthly Walmart+ membership (subject to automatic renewal; Plus Ups excluded) with my enrolled Platinum card. I use this benefit for our weekly shopping at home and to have snacks, drinks, and other necessities delivered to our hotel when we travel.

The Platinum Card also lets me earn up to $100 a year toward purchases at Saks Fifth Avenue or saks.com (up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually) when I pay with my card on file.

In a nutshell

It’s always been easy to get value from my Platinum card, but it’s easier than ever with the recent update. I can still use all of the card’s existing benefits, along with a long list of new and expanded benefits that are useful at home and when I travel.

It’s not just about the monetary value of the card’s long list of benefits; It’s the peace of mind that comes from being a cardholder and knowing that I have access to benefits that help me get through the airport quickly, enjoy the benefits of a luxury hotel, and much more. Whether you’re shopping for groceries or booking a hotel stay, I know the American Express Platinum Card has me covered.

For terms of benefits, fees and charges for the American Express Platinum Card, click here.