Amex Platinum Card Gets Its Biggest Revamp Ever: What It Means for Travelers—Especially to Israel
American Express has officially rolled out its largest-ever refresh of the Platinum Card and Business Platinum Card, introducing a host of new perks and a record-setting $895 annual fee, a major jump from the previous $695 price tag. The Amex Platinum Card Revamp is now live for both new and existing cardholders, offering lifestyle, dining, wellness, and travel credits designed for high-spending consumers.
The New $895 Platinum Card: What’s Changed?
The $895 annual fee unlocks an impressive $3,500 in annual credits for the personal card (the AmEx Platinum business card offers some similar benefits but differs in numerous respects), more than double the previous value. The upgraded perks include:
- $600 Fine Hotels & Resorts (FHR)/Hotel Collection Credit – Earn up to $300 every six months for prepaid bookings through Amex Travel, unlocking premium hotel experiences.
- $400 Resy Dining Credit – Get $100 per quarter at Resy restaurants, with the added perk of Platinum Nights, exclusive tables at hot spots in select cities.
- $300 Lululemon Credit – Spend up to $75 per quarter at Lululemon stores or online.
- $120 Uber One Credit – Covers monthly Uber One memberships.
- $300 Digital Entertainment Credit – Now covers subscriptions to Disney+, Hulu, ESPN+, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Paramount+, Peacock, and YouTube.
- New $200 Oura Ring Credit – For health-conscious cardholders.
- Retained Benefits – Existing credits for Uber rides, airline incidental fees, Saks Fifth Avenue, Walmart+, CLEAR, Global Entry/TSA PreCheck, SoulCycle, and Equinox remain in place.
- A New Card Design – American Express has launched a limited-edition “mirror” design for the revamped Platinum Card, featuring a sleek, reflective finish. Cardholders can choose this striking new look, which underscores the status appeal of the Platinum and is available for six months or while supplies last.
You can use this tracker to gauge the value you are getting from the card and meet usage deadlines.
Personal Amex Platinum Card Comparison Old Vs. New
| Feature | Old Amex Platinum Card | New 2025 Amex Platinum Card | Added or Changed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annual Fee | $695 | $895 | Increased by $200 |
| Welcome Bonus | Up to 175,000 Membership Rewards® points | Up to 175,000 Membership Rewards® points | Unchanged |
| Points Earning | 5X airfare & hotels booked via Amex Travel, 1X on others | Same | Unchanged |
| Hotel Credit | $200 Fine Hotels & Resorts and Hotel Collection credit | $600 Fine Hotels & Resorts and Hotel Collection credit | Increased from $200 to $600 |
| Resy Dining Credit | None | $400 ($100 per quarter) | New quarterly dining credit |
| Lululemon Credit | None | $300 ($75 per quarter) | New quarterly credit |
| Uber Credit | $200 Uber savings | $200 Uber savings plus $120 Uber One credit | Added $120 Uber One credit |
| Digital Entertainment Credit | $300 annually covering select streaming and news services | $300 annually but expanded eligible services | Expanded eligible services |
| Saks Credit | $100 annually | $100 annually | Unchanged |
| Walmart+ Credit | $155 annually | $155 annually | Unchanged |
| Airport Lounge Access | Centurion, Delta SkyClub, Priority Pass | Same | No changes |
| Elite Hotel Status | Marriott Bonvoy Gold, Hilton Honors Gold | Same, with potential Leaders Club Sterling status | Added potential Leaders Club Sterling |
| Additional Credits | Global Entry/TSA PreCheck, CLEAR, SoulCycle, Equinox | Same | Unchanged |
| App Features | Standard Amex app | Updated app with enhanced benefits tracking | New app features |
| Card Design | Standard metal card | New limited-edition mirror design | New card design |
DansDeals’ Take On the Refresh
DansDeals calls it “the biggest investment ever in a Card refresh,” and for travelers who maximize even only some of the benefits, they can come out way ahead. As Dan and his brother note in their podcast discussing the Platinum Card refresh, after the brothers attended an invite-only event put on by Amex for influencers in the credit card space, the refresh is “refreshing” in the sense that while the fee went up, the additions are very generous and nothing was removed in terms of existing benefits. Read his full analysis in DansDeals’ Amex Platinum review. The Points Guy has similarly enthusiastic sentiments about the card refresh.
Additionally, the Amex app has been refreshed for easier benefit tracking and redemption, and there is a new AmEx travel-focused app, as highlighted in this Amex app update overview.
How Amex Platinum Powers Travel to Israel
Travelers to Israel will find the new Amex Platinum surprisingly versatile, both for booking award flights and for hotel stays.
Using Points for Flights to Israel
Membership Rewards points can be transferred to airline partners with direct or connecting service to Israel, including:
- Aeroplan (Air Canada) and ANA for excellent redemption rates on Star Alliance partners like United.
- Flying Blue (Air France/KLM) and Delta for flexible booking options.
- Virgin Atlantic can be leveraged for Delta redemptions as well.
For the latest strategies and transfer options, check out our guide to the best ways to get to Israel on points, miles, and credit cards.
Hotel Redemptions in Israel
Platinum cardholders can transfer points to programs like Hilton Honors, Marriott Bonvoy, and other select programs to book free nights at luxury properties, such as the Waldorf Astoria Jerusalem, Hilton Tel Aviv, or the Ritz-Carlton Herzliya.
Additionally, cardholders receive automatic Gold status with Hilton and Marriott, which includes complimentary breakfast, upgrades when available, and exclusive member rates. Read our complete guide to points hotels in Israel for more redemption ideas.
Airport & Lounge Access
The Platinum Card shines for lounge access and airport perks:
- Centurion Lounge access at select U.S. airports, perfect for pre-Israel departures.
- Delta SkyClub visits (10 per year), useful for Delta flights to Tel Aviv (see additional details here).
- Priority Pass Select membership for lounges in Europe and the U.S.
- While Ben Gurion Airport lounges aren’t included, Platinum perks cover most connecting airports.
Still Worth It? Compare Old vs. New
The $895 fee stings, but the credits can quickly add up for frequent travelers. If you want a side-by-side comparison of the previous $695 version (and discussion of “should you upgrade or stay put”), see prior deep-dive: Is the $695 Annual Fee American Express Platinum Card Worth It? A Comprehensive Guide for Travelers and Savvy Shoppers.
Maximize Your Bonuses and Get Expert Guidance
Before applying, review the top credit card sign-up bonuses and rankings for alternatives, or request a free credit card bonus consultation for personalized advice.
Final Thoughts
The new Amex Platinum Card is more expensive, but it’s also more powerful than ever for travel and lifestyle purchases, especially for those heading to Israel or seeking luxury experiences. Travelers who take full advantage of its credits, transfer points for airfare, and maximize hotel redemptions may find it a staple in their wallets even after the fee hike. For everyone else, it’s time to crunch the numbers and decide whether the suite of credits is truly worth the premium price.
