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?
In this article
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
Card figures on CardPolo come from our catalog, each with an issuer source and a verified date where we have checked it. Spot something out of date? Tell us at [email protected].
Is your card still the best one to hold?
Changes like this move the math. Re-run Polo Match in 60 seconds and see the top 3 cards for your spending by net annual value, fee included. Free, no bank login.
Re-check my cardsMore updates
Best Western Rewards becomes WorldHotels Rewards on 5 Jan 2027, with three membership tiers instead of five
BWH Hotels is folding Best Western Rewards and WorldHotels Rewards into one program, WorldHotels Rewards, from 5 January 2027. Points keep their value and still do not expire; the tier rules arrive on 16 November 2026.
Chase Freedom Flex drops its foreign transaction fee and loses cell phone protection
Chase's no-annual-fee Freedom Flex no longer charges a foreign transaction fee, per Chase's own card page. The same change, dated 20 September 2026 by AwardWallet, removed the card's cell phone protection. The refreshed card is now live with new card art.
Navy Federal launches the Flagship Premier Visa Signature: 4x travel, 3x dining, $95 fee
Navy Federal Credit Union's new Flagship Premier Visa Signature earns 4x points on travel and 3x on dining, carries a $95 annual fee and a $100 annual airline credit, and opens with 50,000 bonus points after $4,000 spend in 90 days. Existing Flagship Rewards cardholders were told a $95 fee applies from 2 November 2026.