Is the Amex Platinum worth the $895 annual fee?

For frequent travelers who use the card's credits (hotel, dining, Uber, entertainment) and visit airport lounges regularly, the Amex Platinum can deliver well over $895 in annual value. However, if you travel infrequently or won't use most credits, the fee may not be justified.

What are the best benefits of the Amex Platinum card in 2026?

The top benefits include $600 in hotel credits (FHR/Hotel Collection), $400 Resy dining credit, $300 digital entertainment credit, $200 Uber Cash, Centurion and Priority Pass lounge access, 5x points on flights and prepaid hotels, and complimentary Hilton Gold and Marriott Gold status.

How many Membership Rewards points do you earn with the Amex Platinum?

The Amex Platinum earns 5x Membership Rewards points on flights booked directly with airlines or through Amex Travel, 5x on prepaid hotels through Amex Travel, and 1x on all other purchases.

Is the Amex Platinum worth it if you don't travel much?

It's harder to justify if you don't travel much. You can still get value from the Uber Cash ($200/yr), Resy dining credit ($400/yr), digital entertainment credit ($300/yr), and other lifestyle perks, but frequent travelers will get the most out of the card.

What is the Amex Platinum annual fee for 2026?

The American Express Platinum Card has a $895 annual fee as of 2026. While this is one of the highest annual fees among consumer credit cards, the card offers over $1,500 in statement credits and travel perks that can offset the cost.

Is the Amex Platinum Worth It? (2026 Calculator)

1

Your Monthly Spending

Flights (booked direct or Amex Travel) $500

$0$5,000/mo

Earns 5x Membership Rewards points

Hotels (Amex Travel prepaid) $200

$0$5,000/mo

Earns 5x Membership Rewards points

Everything else $2,000

$0$15,000/mo

Earns 1x Membership Rewards point

2

Which Benefits Will You Use?

Toggle the benefits you would realistically use each year.

Hotel Credits (FHR / Hotel Collection)

Up to $600/yr ($300 semi-annually)

$600

Resy Dining Credit

Up to $100/quarter at 10,000+ Resy restaurants

$400

Digital Entertainment Credit

Up to $300/yr (Paramount+, YouTube Premium/TV)

$300

Uber Cash

$15/month + $20 in December = $200/yr

$200

CLEAR+ Credit

Up to $209/yr for CLEAR+ membership

$209

Equinox Credit

Up to $300/yr for Equinox membership

$300

Lululemon Credit

Up to $75/quarter = $300/yr

$300

Oura Ring Credit

Up to $200/yr for Oura Ring subscription

$200

Global Entry / TSA PreCheck

$120 every 4 years ($30/yr value)

$30

Centurion + Priority Pass Lounge Access

1,550+ lounges worldwide

visits/yr x $40

Hilton Gold + Marriott Gold Status

Free breakfast, room upgrades (estimated annual value)

$200

Your Personalized Results

Value vs. $895 fee 0%

Total Annual Value

$0

Annual Fee

$895

Net Value

$0

Benefit	Annual Value
Total Value	$0
Annual Fee	-$895
Net Value	$0

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Is the Amex Platinum Card Worth It in 2026?

The American Express Platinum Card is one of the most premium consumer credit cards available, carrying a $895 annual fee. With over $1,500 in potential statement credits and some of the best travel perks in the industry, the Platinum card can be an exceptional value for the right cardholder -- but it is not for everyone.

Who Gets the Most Value from the Amex Platinum?

The card is best suited for frequent travelers who fly multiple times per year, regularly use airport lounges, and stay at hotels. The 5x points on flights and prepaid hotels through Amex Travel make it one of the strongest earning cards in those categories. Centurion Lounge access alone can be worth hundreds of dollars for frequent flyers.

Key Credits That Offset the Annual Fee

In 2026, the Platinum card offers a stacking combination of credits that can more than cover the $895 fee:

$600 hotel credit split across two semi-annual periods for Fine Hotels + Resorts and The Hotel Collection bookings
$400 Resy dining credit at over 10,000 participating restaurants, applied quarterly
$300 digital entertainment credit covering streaming services like YouTube Premium and Paramount+
$200 Uber Cash distributed monthly, perfect for rides and Uber Eats

That is $1,500 in credits alone, before factoring in lounge access, hotel status, or points earned from spending.

When the Amex Platinum Is NOT Worth It

If you rarely travel, do not use Uber, eat at home most nights, and would not use the hotel or entertainment credits, you will struggle to recoup the $895 fee. In that case, a lower-fee card like the Amex Gold ($325/yr) or a no-annual-fee cashback card may be a better fit. Use the calculator above to see where you stand based on your actual spending.

Amex Platinum vs. Chase Sapphire Reserve

The Amex Platinum ($895/yr) and Chase Sapphire Reserve ($795/yr) are the two leading premium travel cards. The Platinum excels in lounge access and airline perks, while the Reserve offers stronger dining rewards (3x vs. 1x) and a simpler credit structure. Your choice depends on whether you prioritize airport luxury or everyday dining earn rates.

Last updated: February 2026. Data is approximate and may not reflect the most current card terms. Check the issuer's website for the latest details. Point values estimated at 2.0 cents per Membership Rewards point.