What changed with American Express Platinum in 2024
American Express updated the Platinum Card in late 2023 and into 2024, with the most visible change being an increase in the annual fee from $695 to $799. The card also added new benefits: a $240 digital entertainment credit (covering streaming services, music, audiobooks, and online gaming), expanded Uber credits that now include Uber Eats orders, and increased airline fee credits that now cover seat selection and baggage fees in addition to checked bags.
The card's core travel protections and lounge access remain the same. You still get access to American Express Centurion Lounges, Delta Sky Clubs (if you're a Delta cardholder), and other airport lounges through the Platinum's partnerships. The points earning structure has not changed: 5X points on flights and prepaid hotels through American Express Travel, 1X points on everything else.
These updates mean the card now costs $104 more per year than it did before, but the new credits offset some of that increase if you actually use the streaming and Uber benefits. Whether the new pricing makes sense depends on your spending habits and how much you value the specific credits offered.
Key Takeaways
- The annual fee increased to $799, up from $695, effective for new cardholders and existing cardholders at their next renewal.
- American Express added a $240 digital entertainment credit for streaming, music, audiobooks, and gaming services.
- Uber credits expanded to include Uber Eats purchases, and airline fee credits now cover seat selection and baggage fees beyond just checked bags.
- The card's travel protections, lounge access, and points earning rates have not changed from previous versions.
- Whether the higher fee is worth it depends on whether you use the streaming credit, Uber credit, and airline benefits regularly.
The new $240 digital entertainment credit explained
The digital entertainment credit covers a broad range of services: streaming video (Netflix, Disney+, Hulu, etc.), music streaming (Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music), audiobook platforms (Audible, Apple Books), and online gaming subscriptions. The credit posts automatically each month when you charge these services to your Platinum Card, up to $20 per month ($240 per year).
The credit does not cover one-time purchases like buying a single movie or game, only recurring subscriptions. If you spend less than $20 in a month on these services, the unused credit does not roll over to the next month. You need to be actively subscribed to services that fall into these categories for the credit to have any value to you.
This credit is meant to offset part of the fee increase. If you already pay for two or three streaming services, you may already be hitting the $240 annual threshold, which means the credit essentially covers the difference between the old $695 fee and the new $799 fee.
Expanded Uber credits and how they work now
Previously, the Platinum Card offered $200 in annual Uber credits that covered Uber rides only. The updated card now offers $200 in Uber credits that cover both Uber rides and Uber Eats orders. The credit still posts as $15 per month, and unused monthly credits do not roll over.
You must use the credit through the Uber app and have the card linked to your Uber account for the credits to explore automatically. The credits work toward any Uber service — rides, Uber Eats, or a mix of both — so you have flexibility in how you use them. If you do not use Uber or Uber Eats, this credit has no value to you.
Combined with the $240 entertainment credit, these two benefits total $440 in annual credits, which reduces the net cost of the $799 fee to $359 if you use both credits fully. That is a meaningful offset, but only if your actual spending patterns match what these credits cover.
Airline fee credits: what is covered now
The Platinum Card includes a $200 annual airline fee credit. The update expanded what counts as an airline fee. Previously, the credit covered checked baggage fees, seat selection fees, and other incidental charges. The updated version now explicitly includes these items plus baggage fees charged by the airline itself.
The credit applies to fees charged by any airline, not just one carrier. You can use it across multiple airlines in a single year. The credit posts as a statement credit when you charge airline fees directly to your Platinum Card, so you need to pay the airline with this card for the credit to work.
Airline fees that do not count include the ticket price itself, taxes, and fuel surcharges. The credit is specifically for optional fees like checked bags, seat upgrades, and baggage handling. If you fly frequently and pay for seat selection or checked bags, this credit can save you $100 to $200 per year depending on your travel patterns.
How the fee increase affects different cardholders
Existing cardholders see the fee increase at their next annual renewal date. American Express sends a notice before the new fee posts, so you will know it is coming. New cardholders are charged the $799 fee from the start.
The fee increase matters most to cardholders who do not use the travel benefits or the new credits. If you carry the card primarily for points earning on everyday purchases, the higher fee reduces the value proposition. The card's 1X points on non-travel purchases does not change, so the math on everyday spending remains the same.
For cardholders who use the airline credits, lounge access, and now the entertainment and Uber credits, the fee increase is partially offset. The question is whether the credits you actually use add up to enough value to justify the higher annual cost.
Comparing Platinum to other premium travel cards
The Platinum Card competes with other premium cards like the Chase Sapphire Reserve ($550 annual fee) and the Citi Prestige ($495 annual fee). The Platinum's higher fee reflects its different benefit structure: it emphasizes airline credits and lounge access rather than cash-back rewards or transfer partners.
The Sapphire Reserve offers a $300 travel credit and $50 annual dining credit, plus 3X points on travel and dining. The Prestige offers a $250 airline credit and $100 annual dining credit. Each card targets different spending patterns and travel styles.
The Platinum is strongest for frequent flyers who value lounge access and can use the airline fee credits. It is less compelling for cardholders who want cash back or who do not travel frequently enough to justify the annual fee. Comparing these cards means looking at your own spending and deciding which credits and benefits you will actually use.
When the updates take effect for current cardholders
American Express began rolling out the new benefits and fee structure in late 2023, with full implementation through 2024. If you already hold a Platinum Card, the changes take effect at your next annual renewal date, not when ready.
You will receive a notice from American Express before your renewal date showing the new fee and the new benefits. This notice gives you time to decide whether to keep the card or close it before the new fee posts. If you close the card before the renewal date, you avoid the higher fee.
New cardholders approved after the update date receive the card with the $799 fee and all new benefits included from the start. There is no grace period or delayed implementation for new accounts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to pay the new $799 fee if I already have the card?
Yes, at your next annual renewal date. American Express sends a notice before the fee posts, giving you time to decide whether to keep or close the card. If you close it before the renewal date, you avoid the charge.
Can I use the $240 entertainment credit on any streaming service?
The credit covers streaming video, music, audiobooks, and online gaming subscriptions. It does not cover one-time purchases or services outside these categories. The credit posts automatically each month up to $20 when you charge may be able to access services to your Platinum Card.
Does the Uber credit work for both rides and Uber Eats?
Yes. The updated Platinum Card offers $200 in annual Uber credits that cover both Uber rides and Uber Eats orders. The credit posts as $15 per month and does not roll over if unused.
What airline fees does the $200 credit cover?
The credit covers checked baggage fees, seat selection fees, baggage handling fees, and other incidental airline charges. It does not cover the ticket price itself, taxes, or fuel surcharges. The credit applies to any airline and posts as a statement credit when you charge the fee to your Platinum Card.
Is the Platinum Card still worth it at $799 per year?
That depends on your spending. If you use the airline credits, lounge access, and the new entertainment and Uber credits, the benefits can offset much of the fee. If you do not travel frequently or do not use streaming and Uber services, the card may not be worth the cost.