Amex Platinum annual fee jumps to $895 (from $695), a 29% increase
The Amex Platinum's annual fee rises to $895. It's effective immediately for new cardmembers and from Jan 2, 2026 for existing ones. Is the card still worth it?
The American Express Platinum's annual fee moves from $695 to $895, a 29% jump.
What changed
| Old | New | |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | $695 | $895 |
| New cardmembers | n/a | Effective immediately |
| Existing cardmembers | n/a | From Jan 2, 2026 |
Earn rates are unchanged; this is a straight fee increase (paired with a refreshed credit structure).
Who's hit
Every Platinum holder. But existing cardmembers get a runway until their fee posts on/after Jan 2, 2026, which is a window to front-load statement credits before the higher fee lands.
What to do
At $895, the Platinum only pays for itself if you actually use the credits and lounge access it's built around. Do the honest math: add up the credits you'll realistically redeem and compare against the fee. If the answer is shaky, Polo Match can surface a lower-fee travel card that fits how you actually spend.
Cards affected
Is your card still the best one to hold?
Devaluations change the math. Re-run Polo Match in 60 seconds and see the top 3 cards for your spending by real net annual value. Free, no bank login.
Re-check my cards →More updates
IDFC FIRST drops the forex markup on every credit card, then stops paying rewards on international spends from 26 Oct 2026
IDFC FIRST Bank now charges zero forex markup on all its credit cards, existing ones included, with no upgrade or spend condition. The trade: from 26 October 2026 most IDFC cards reportedly earn no reward points on international transactions, and Ashva's own page shows its international earn falling from 5X to 2X.
Amazon Pay and Kotak launch a business credit card: 5% back on Amazon Business for Prime members, sole proprietors only
The Amazon Pay Kotak Business Credit Card pays 5% cashback on eligible Amazon Business purchases and flight and hotel bookings for Prime members (3% otherwise), 2% on Amazon Pay bills and 1% elsewhere. The annual fee waiver counts only off-Amazon spend, and the top tier is capped at 5% of your monthly credit limit.
Wyndham Rewards adds a 45,000-point tier: top hotels get 50% pricier, cheapest get 33% cheaper (15 Sep 2026)
From 15 September 2026 Wyndham Rewards moves from three flat award tiers to four, adding a new 45,000-point top band for its most expensive hotels while dropping the entry tier to 5,000 points. Book the top properties before the switch.