Understanding Amex Platinum Additional Card Fee Hikes

The American Express Platinum additional card fee has been a topic of discussion lately, and for good reason. It's no secret that Amex has been increasing fees for its premium cardholders.

In 2022, Amex announced a $250 annual fee for the Platinum card, up from $200 the previous year. This change affects not only new applicants but also existing cardholders who renew their cards.

For those who already have an Amex Platinum card, it's essential to understand the fee hike and how it might impact their wallet.

The Amex Platinum Card has undergone some significant changes, and it's essential to understand what these updates mean for you. The fee structure for authorized users has been revised, and it's no longer a good deal.

Previously, the fee for up to three authorized users was $175, with an additional $175 per user beyond that limit. However, the update now charges a uniform fee of $195 for each authorized user.

The authorized user perk was a hidden gem, offering benefits like lounge access, a $100 hotel credit, and a statement credit for TSA PreCheck or Global Entry applications. These perks are no longer as accessible as they once were.

To give you a better idea of the cost, here's a breakdown of the new fee structure:

The sign-on bonus for the Amex Platinum Card has also seen an increase, with a new spending requirement of $8,000 in the first six months to unlock 80,000 Membership Rewards Points. This is a significant jump from the previous requirement of $6,000.

The fee increases for adding authorized users to an Amex Platinum card are significant. As of August 17, 2023, the cost for each authorized user has jumped from $175 to $195.

This change will impact new cardholders who add authorized users, with the total cost for up to three authorized users now being $585, up from $175. For cardholders with one authorized user, the increase is more modest, at $20.

The fee increase only affects new cardholders who add authorized users as of August 17, 2023. Existing cardholders won't be affected by the authorized user fee increase until after their next cardholder anniversary date.

Here's a breakdown of the fee increase:

The increase in authorized user fees is substantial, especially for cardholders with three or more authorized users. For a cardholder with three users, the fee increase is $410, a 230% increase from the previous fee structure.

The new fee structure will likely dissuade some cardholders from adding multiple authorized users, which could help reduce lounge overcrowding. However, it's worth noting that authorized users still receive many benefits, including lounge access and hotel status.

The impact of the Amex Platinum additional card fee increase will be felt by many users.

Current cardmembers will receive a 45-day notice before the effective date of the new fee for authorized users on their account.

Those with multiple authorized users will be hit the hardest, with the cost for three authorized users jumping from $175 to $585, a 230% increase.

Cardholders with only one authorized user will see a more manageable $20 increase in their total annual fee.

The new fee structure will likely cause many cardmembers to reconsider their Platinum card strategy.

Here's a breakdown of the previous and current fees for authorized users:

The increase in authorized user fees is a massive change, and it will likely reduce the number of people who use the lounge.

However, it may also help mitigate some of the crowds and lines that make for a less-than-stellar user experience in those spaces.

The Amex Platinum card has undergone some significant changes that affect authorized users. American Express has revised the fee structure for authorized users, increasing the fee from $175 to $195 per card.

This change means that cardholders with three authorized users will now pay $410 more in fees per year, a 230% increase. The new fee structure is effective immediately for new cardmembers and any new authorized users added to existing accounts.

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Cardholders with one authorized user will only see a modest $20 bump in fees, but those with multiple users will feel the pinch. For example, a cardholder with two authorized users will now pay $215 more in fees per year, and three users will pay $410 more.

Authorized users still receive some valuable perks, including access to the Global Lounge Collection, an application fee statement credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck, and car rental perks. However, they do not receive their own credits, such as the airline fee credit or Uber Cash.

Here's a breakdown of the new fees:

The changes are effective immediately for new cardmembers and any new authorized users added to existing accounts. Current cardmembers will receive a notice 45 days before the effective date of the new fee for authorized users on their account.