Amex Platinum’s 2025 Overhaul: Sky-High Fees, Lounges, and Millennial Magnetism
In June 2025, American Express announced its most ambitious refresh yet for its flagship U.S. Consumer and Business Platinum Cards, set to roll out later this year. Billed as the “largest card refresh ever,” the overhaul aims to redefine luxury credit card offerings with enhanced travel, dining, and lifestyle perks, a sleek new card design, and a clear appeal to Millennials and Gen Z, who represent 35% of Amex’s U.S. consumer spending. But with whispers of a potential annual fee hike—possibly to $895 or even $995—the revamp has sparked both excitement and skepticism among cardholders. Here’s a deep dive into what’s coming, what it means for travelers, and whether the Platinum Card can maintain its allure in an increasingly competitive market.
A New Era for Lounge Access
American Express has long set the gold standard for airport lounge access, boasting the largest network among credit card issuers with over 1,550 lounges across 500 airports worldwide. The 2025 overhaul doubles down on this strength, with three new Centurion Lounges slated to open in Newark (NJ), Salt Lake City (UT), and Tokyo (Japan), bringing the total to 32. These additions aim to address overcrowding concerns that have plagued popular locations like JFK and LAX, where waitlists have become a common frustration for Platinum cardholders.
However, the refresh comes with a bittersweet twist for Delta loyalists. As of February 1, 2025, Platinum Card holders face a cap of 10 Delta Sky Club visits per year (up from an initially proposed six), while Delta SkyMiles Reserve cardholders get 15. Unlimited access is still possible but requires a hefty $75,000 in annual spending—a threshold that’s out of reach for most. Once the visit limit is exhausted, cardholders can pay $50 per visit ($25 for Grab and Go locations), a change Delta says is necessary to combat overcrowding. Posts on X reflect mixed sentiment, with some users praising the lounge expansions but others lamenting, “The $695 fee was already a stretch—now this feels like a loyalty tax.”
The Platinum Card retains its edge with unlimited access to Amex’s Centurion Lounges, Priority Pass Select (enrollment required), Lufthansa Lounges (when flying Lufthansa Group), and other partners like Escape and Plaza Premium. For those spending $75,000 annually, complimentary guest access for up to two people at Centurion Lounges sweetens the deal, valid through January 31, 2027, if earned in 2025. Yet, as one X user quipped, “New lounges are great, but who has time to jump through these hoops?” The expanded network is a clear win, but the tightened Delta access has left frequent flyers recalculating the card’s value.
Dining and Lifestyle: Courting Millennials and Gen Z
The overhaul leans heavily into dining, a key draw for younger cardholders. Amex’s acquisition of Tock, adding 7,000 restaurants and venues to its Resy platform, bolsters the Global Dining Access program. Platinum cardholders will enjoy enhanced reservation priority at sought-after restaurants, exclusive dining experiences, and a premium Resy profile. Speculation on X suggests a potential Resy-specific credit, possibly quarterly or semi-annual, to offset the annual fee, though details remain under wraps.
Beyond dining, the refresh targets Millennial and Gen Z lifestyles with curated experiences, from music festivals to sporting events. The card’s physical redesign—described as “modern and tactile”—aims to appeal to younger aesthetics, with rumors of a sleeker, possibly eco-conscious material. Current statement credits, like $100 annually at Saks Fifth Avenue and $240 for digital entertainment (e.g., Disney+, Hulu), are expected to evolve, with some predicting a shift away from Saks toward retailers like PayPal or Walmart to align with younger spending habits. However, as one X post noted, “A shiny new card won’t mean much if the fees outpace the perks.”
Business Platinum: Tools for Growth
The Business Platinum Card gets its own glow-up, with new tools for cash flow management, virtual cards, and flexible spending limits tailored to entrepreneurs. Enhanced rewards on business expenses, such as software and shipping, aim to make the card a powerhouse for small-business owners. The addition of travel and dining perks mirrors the consumer card, ensuring business travelers don’t miss out on lounge access or Resy benefits. With a limited-time offer of 150,000 Membership Rewards points after spending $20,000 in three months, plus a $500 flight credit, the Business Platinum is positioned as a growth partner for 2025.
The Fee Conundrum
The Platinum Card’s $695 annual fee is already among the highest in the premium card market, and speculation abounds that the refresh could push it to $895 or $995. Current credits—$200 for airlines, $200 Uber, $300 Equinox, $199 CLEAR Plus, and $12.95 monthly Walmart+—can offset the cost for disciplined users, but the potential increase raises the stakes. The welcome bonus of 80,000 Membership Rewards points after spending $8,000 in six months remains a draw, valued at roughly $800 for travel redemptions. Yet, as one X user vented, “If the fee hits $900, I’m downgrading to Gold unless the new perks are game-changers.”
The card’s rewards structure—5X points on flights and prepaid hotels booked through Amex Travel (up to $500,000 annually), 2X on other Amex Travel bookings, and 1X elsewhere—remains unchanged for now. Elite status with Hilton Honors and Marriott Bonvoy, plus perks like room upgrades and late checkout through Fine Hotels + Resorts, continue to add value for frequent travelers. But for those who don’t maximize credits or travel often, the fee hike could tip the scales toward competitors like Chase Sapphire Reserve or Capital One Venture X.
A High-Stakes Bet on Premium Appeal
American Express’s 2025 overhaul is a bold play to keep the Platinum Card as the pinnacle of luxury travel cards. The expanded lounge network, dining enhancements, and Millennial-focused redesign signal a commitment to evolving consumer needs. Yet, the tightened Delta Sky Club access and potential fee increase have sparked debate about whether the card’s value proposition holds up. For frequent travelers who can leverage lounges, credits, and dining perks, the refresh could solidify the Platinum’s status. For others, the “coupon book” model—requiring meticulous credit usage to justify the fee—may feel like a burden.
As the full details emerge later in 2025, cardholders will need to weigh the enhanced perks against the cost. The Platinum Card’s magnetism lies in its ability to deliver exclusive experiences, but in a crowded market, Amex must prove it’s worth the price of admission.
Last Updated on: Tuesday, June 17, 2025 5:25 pm by Sai Karthik Munnuru | Published by: Sai Karthik Munnuru on Tuesday, June 17, 2025 5:25 pm | News Categories: Business Max News, Trending
About The Author
