Amex Platinum Review 2026: Is It Worth the £650 Fee?

Amex Platinum is the UK's best-known premium travel card. The fee is high, but the bonus and credits can cover much of it in the first year. I've gone through the card's current benefits, mainly from Head for Points' 2026 review, to show what you get and whether it's worth it for you.

Key takeaways

• £650 a year. Representative 685.3% APR variable (includes the fee), purchase rate 29.1% variable on an assumed £1,200 limit. Credit is subject to status.
• Limited offer: 80,000 points + £150 Selfridges eGift card for £6,000 spend in three months, approved between 4 November 2026 and 12 January 2027 (Brit Brief). The standard offer is 50,000 points.
• £400 of dining credits a year: £200 in the UK and £200 abroad, each paid as two £100 halves.
• Unlimited Priority Pass with a guest for you and a supplementary cardholder, plus Centurion lounges.
• Gold status with Accor, Hilton, Marriott and Meliá, plus Radisson Premium.

What does Amex Platinum include?

A free supplementary card comes with its own Priority Pass, so a couple can each bring a guest.

How much is the welcome bonus worth?

The current offer is 80,000 points plus a £150 Selfridges eGift card. Head for Points values airline miles at around 0.75p to 1p each, so 86,000 points (including the 6,000 you'd earn on the qualifying spend) could be worth roughly £645 to £860 in flights, plus the gift card. That can cover the first year's fee on its own.

If someone you know has Platinum, a referral can be worth even more: Brit Brief reports 85,000 points plus the £150 Selfridges card for new customers referred by a Platinum member. Our own referral link is for Amex Gold (Representative 85.8% APR variable, credit subject to status), which is the better choice if you want a free first year rather than premium travel perks. See our Amex Gold review.

Is Amex Platinum worth £650?

It can be, if you'll use several perks. A simple way to work it out:

1. Dining credits: £400 if you'd eat at participating restaurants anyway. That takes the effective fee to £250.
2. Lounges: worth a lot if you travel as a couple, because you each get a guest.
3. Travel and car hire insurance: if you'd otherwise buy an annual policy, this can save a good chunk.
4. Hotel status: upgrades and late checkout if you stay with Hilton, Marriott or Accor.

The ongoing earn rate is modest, at 1 point per £1. Head for Points notes that many cardholders keep Platinum for the benefits and put their everyday spending on other cards.

Check what the points side is worth on your spending:

Take Action: List the perks you'd genuinely use and put a value on each. If they don't clearly beat £650, Gold or a no-fee card may suit you better.

Platinum's travel insurance and lounges

Platinum's travel insurance covers you and your family, but you must opt in when you apply, the age limit is 70, and pre-existing conditions need checking. Core medical cover is automatic, but some benefits require you to pay with your Amex. Car hire insurance doesn't require you to pay with the card.

Lounge access ends immediately if you close the card. From 1 January 2028, Amex says Priority Pass will be capped at 20 visits a year for the main cardholder and 10 for a supplementary cardholder, unless you spend £30,000 or more on the card during 2027. Check the current terms if lounges are your main reason for applying.

Amex Platinum vs Gold vs Revolut Ultra

Our Amex Gold vs Platinum and Revolut Ultra vs Amex Platinum comparisons go deeper.

Eligibility

You need a personal income of at least £35,000 and to be over 18. You won't get the bonus if you've held a personal Amex that earns Membership Rewards points in the previous 24 months. British Airways, Marriott and Nectar Amex cards don't count. Supplementary cardholders on someone else's account can still qualify. Credit is subject to status.

Things to watch out for

• It's a credit card. Interest at 29.1% variable applies if you don't pay in full.
• 2.99% on foreign spending. Carry a fee-free card abroad.
• Dining credits don't roll over. Each £100 half has to be used in its six-month window.
• Perks can change. Amex reviews benefits regularly.

FAQ

How much is the Amex Platinum card fee in the UK?

The Amex Platinum Card costs £650 a year in the UK. The Representative APR is 685.3% variable, including the fee, with a 29.1% variable purchase rate on an assumed £1,200 limit. Amex refunds the fee pro rata if you cancel part-way through a card year.

What is the current Amex Platinum welcome offer?

New customers approved between 4 November 2026 and 12 January 2027 can earn 80,000 Membership Rewards points plus a £150 Selfridges eGift card after spending £6,000 in the first three months. The standard offer is 50,000 points. Referrals from Platinum members can earn 85,000 points.

Does Amex Platinum include lounge access?

Yes. Amex Platinum includes unlimited Priority Pass access to more than 1,550 lounges for you and a supplementary cardholder, each with a free guest. It also gives access to Amex Centurion lounges, Eurostar lounges and Delta lounges when flying Delta.

What income do you need for Amex Platinum?

You need a minimum personal income of £35,000 to apply for Amex Platinum in the UK, and you must be over 18. Approval depends on your credit history and Amex's checks. Credit is subject to status.

Is Amex Platinum worth it for one year?

For many people, yes. The current 80,000-point bonus, £150 Selfridges card and £400 of dining credits can cover much or all of the £650 fee in year one. Head for Points suggests trying it for a year, then cancelling if the ongoing perks don't justify the fee.

The bottom line

Amex Platinum is worth it for frequent travellers, especially couples, who'll use the lounges, hotel status, insurance and dining credits. The current 80,000-point offer makes the first year particularly good value. If you don't travel much, Amex Gold gives you a taste of the points world for £0 in year one.

Want to start with the free option? Apply for Amex Gold with our referral link. Representative 85.8% APR variable. Credit is subject to status.