Introduction

The American Express Platinum Card has long been the flagship premium travel card in Canada. With unlimited lounge access, luxury hotel perks, and top-tier travel insurance, it’s been the go-to card for Canadians who want VIP treatment at hotels and in the air.

But big changes are coming.

American Express has confirmed that, starting January 1, 2027, unlimited lounge access will end for Platinum and Business Platinum cardmembers unless they meet a new annual spend requirement. That means one of the card’s most defining perks – the ability to walk into nearly any airport lounge, anytime – is about to be significantly reduced for many travellers.

At the same time, Amex U.S. has refreshed its Platinum Card with higher annual fees and new lifestyle credits. Naturally, Canadian cardholders are wondering:

Will the Amex Platinum Card in Canada see its own refresh – or are more cuts coming?

In this guide, we’ll break down what’s happening in the U.S., what the Canadian Platinum Card offers today, and what these upcoming lounge access changes mean for you. We’ll also look at whether it still makes sense to apply now or wait to see what American Express does next.

Read the Full Review: Is the Amex Platinum Card Worth it in Canada?

Apply Now for the Amex Platinum Card in Canada!

The U.S. Platinum Card Refresh: What Changed?

American Express announced major updates to the Platinum Card in the U.S., effective September 18, 2025. The changes are a mix of higher costs and more perks:

• Annual Fee Increase: $695 > $895 USD
• Hotel Credits: $600 per year (split into two $300 semiannual credits, usable at Fine Hotels + Resorts or The Hotel Collection)
• Dining & Lifestyle Credits:
  • $400 via Resy dining
  • $300 Lululemon credit
  • $200 Oura credit (a smart wearable ring that tracks your health)
• Design Refresh: New “mirror finish” metal card option (existing cardmembers can call Amex to request an upgrade)
• App Experience: Enhanced benefit tracking and reminders

Amex claims the updated U.S. Platinum now delivers over $3,500 USD in annual value – but only if you fully use all credits.

For many, the refresh positions Platinum as a lifestyle product, not just a travel card.

What the Amex Platinum Card in Canada Looks Like Today

Here’s what Canadian cardholders currently get with the Amex Platinum:

• Annual Fee: $799 CAD
• Welcome Bonus: 100,000 Membership Rewards points (after meeting spend requirements)
• Standard Referral Bonus: 15,000 points per approved referral, with a max of 225,000 annually.
• Lounge Access: Unlimited access to Centurion Lounges, Plaza Premium Lounges, and Priority Pass (including guests)
• Hotel Elite Status: Marriott Bonvoy Gold, Hilton Honors Gold
• Fine Hotels & Resorts: Complimentary breakfast, guaranteed 4pm late checkout, and on-property credits
• Annual $200 Travel Credit: Valid on Amex Travel bookings
• NEXUS Credit: $100 CAD statement credit every four years
• Amex Offers & Limited-Time Credits: From time to time, Platinum members in Canada receive targeted statement credits at premium retailers and hotels. Recent examples include:
  • Lululemon: Spend $100, get $50 back (up to 4x, max $200) valid through Sept 2026.
  • Raffles, Fairmont & Sofitel Hotels: Spend $500, get $100 back, valid through March 2026.
• Comprehensive Insurance:
  • Emergency Medical Insurance (Out of Province/Country): Up to $5,000,000
  • Trip Cancellation Insurance: Up to $1,500 per insured person and $3,000 per covered trip
  • Trip Interruption Insurance: Up to $1,500 per insured person, $6,000 per covered trip
  • Flight and Baggage Delay Insurance: Up to $1,000 combined
  • Lost or Stolen Baggage Insurance: Up to $1,000 per trip

The Canadian Platinum is already positioned as a travel-heavy luxury card. While it doesn’t currently include permanent lifestyle credits like those in the U.S., Canadian members have recently seen targeted Amex Offers for Lululemon and Fairmont/Raffles that hint at a similar direction.

Apply Now for the Amex Platinum Card in Canada!

Will Canada See a Platinum Refresh in 2025?

Why Amex could refresh in Canada

U.S. precedent

Big changes south of the border eventually make their way to Canada (though timing varies).

Fee pressure

At $799, Canada’s Platinum fee is lower than the U.S. equivalent post-refresh. An increase could be coming.

Competition From Other Canadian Cards

Premium Visa Infinite Privilege cards (TD Aeroplan Reserve, RBC Avion Visa Infinite Privilege) are stepping up with their own perks, and Amex won’t want to lag behind.

Why Amex might not refresh (yet)

Smaller market

Canada’s Platinum customer base is far smaller than the U.S.

Limited lifestyle partners 

Limited lifestyle partners – Credits like Resy don’t exist in Canada, and while we’ve seen targeted offers (e.g., Lululemon, Fairmont), Amex hasn’t rolled out permanent, structured lifestyle credits here yet.

Recent cuts

Canadian Platinum just saw its welcome bonus reduced from 180,000 points to 100,000 points in August, 2025. This devaluation could last into 2026.

Warning! Major Lounge Access Changes Coming in 2027!

American Express has quietly confirmed one of the biggest devaluations ever to the Platinum Card’s travel benefits. Beginning January 1, 2027, the days of unlimited lounge access are over – unless you meet a new annual spend requirement.

For details on how these 2027 visit limits impact real lounge access, see the complete Amex Platinum Lounge Access Guide.

Here’s what’s changing:

Plaza Premium Lounges

• Through 2026: Unlimited complimentary access continues for Platinum and Business Platinum cardmembers.
• Starting January 1, 2027:
  • Basic Platinum Cardmembers will receive 6 complimentary visits per calendar year.
  • Supplementary Platinum Cardmembers will receive 2 visits per year.
  • Supplementary Gold Cards lose access entirely.
  • Complimentary visits can be used for you or your guest. After that, each visit is charged at the standard entry rate.

New Unlimited Access Rule:
Spend $20,000 CAD in eligible purchases within a calendar year, and you’ll regain unlimited Plaza Premium access for the rest of that year and the entire following year. The threshold can be met collectively across all cards on the account, and Amex notes activation may take up to 12 weeks.

Priority Pass Lounges

• Through 2026: Unlimited access (after enrolment) remains unchanged.
• Starting January 1, 2027:
  • Basic Platinum Cardmembers: 6 visits per year.
  • Supplementary Platinum Cardmembers: 2 visits per year.
  • Supplementary Gold Cards: no access.
  • Complimentary visits can be used for guests; additional visits are charged at the prevailing rate.

Just like Plaza Premium, unlimited Priority Pass access returns once $20,000 CAD in eligible annual spend is reached, valid through December 31 of the following year.

Other Lounge Programs (Unchanged)

Access to Centurion Lounges, Escape Lounges – The Centurion Studio Partner, and Executive Lounges by Swissport remains complimentary with guest policies stay the same (two guests for most locations).

What This Means for Platinum Cardmembers

This is a major shift away from the all-inclusive travel experience that made the Platinum Card iconic. Cardmembers who don’t regularly spend $20K+ per year on their Platinum will see their lounge access slashed from unlimited to just six visits annually. Supplementary Platinum cards will drop to only two.

For frequent travellers, that’s a significant devaluation — especially when competing premium cards in Canada still include unlimited lounge privileges. For those who do meet the spend requirement, the benefit remains intact, but it’s now earned rather than automatic.

PointsWise Insight:
This move aligns with American Express’s push toward rewarding “engaged spenders,” but it also dilutes the guaranteed value that once justified the Platinum’s $799 annual fee. If you rely on lounge access as a core perk, plan ahead for 2027, or start tracking your spend early to ensure you don’t lose unlimited entry.

(Source: American Express Global Lounge Collection Terms & Conditions, October 2025)

Platinum Bonus History in Canada: PointsWise Insights

We track every welcome bonus across all Amex cards in Canada. Here’s what the data shows:

• The Amex Platinum welcome bonus has ranged from 100K–180K points in the past 5 years. Full welcome bonus history here.
• The 180K offer has appeared twice in the past two years – most recently in August 2025, and previously in October 2023.
• Standard offers typically sit in the 100K-120K range.
• Compared to other premium Amex cards, Platinum’s bonus has been more volatile, with wide swings between average and high offers.

PointsWise Welcome Bonus Insight: The current 100K offer is an average offer, given that 180K was available as recently as summer 2025.

What This Means for Canadian Cardholders

If you’re considering the Platinum Card right now, here’s the trade-off:

Apply Now:

• Lock in the $799 annual fee before a possible increase
• Guarantee today’s perks and insurance coverage
• Access lounges, hotel perks, and credits before any changes

Wait for Refresh:

• Possible richer lifestyle credits or new travel benefits
• But very likely a higher fee (think $899+ CAD)
• No guarantee the bonus will improve – it could stay flat or decline

Apply Now for the Amex Platinum Card in Canada!

Redemption Power: Why Membership Rewards Still Rule

Whether refreshed or not, the Platinum earns flexible Membership Rewards points, transferable to:

• Aeroplan (1:1)
• Avios (British Airways/Iberia) (1:1)
• Marriott Bonvoy (1:1.2)
• Hilton Honors (1:1)

This flexibility is why the Platinum remains one of the best cards in Canada for booking flights and hotels.

Redemption Examples

Vancouver-Toronto round-trip in economy: 

~25,000 Aeroplan points (worth $500+ cash value).

ANA business class Tokyo-Vancouver via Avios: 

~75,000 points.

7 nights at a Marriott hotel in Montreal: 

60,000 MR > ~72,000 Bonvoy points.

At 2-5¢ per point, these redemptions blow past the baseline 1¢ per point value.

Final Word: Should You Apply Now or Wait?

The U.S. refresh is a big deal – and it’s fair to assume Canadian Platinum cardholders may see changes in the near future. But until Amex Canada makes an announcement, everything is speculation.

Here’s my take:

• If you want guaranteed premium travel perks at today’s price, apply now.
• If you’re curious about lifestyle credits and can stomach a higher fee, waiting might pay off – but it’s a gamble.

Either way, the Amex Platinum remains the benchmark premium travel rewards card in Canada, and necessary for any serious points strategy.

Apply Now for the Amex Platinum Card in Canada!

Still Considering Your Next Card?

• Review: Is the Amex Platinum Card Worth It in Canada?
• Amex Platinum vs. Amex Cobalt: Which is Best for You?
• Amex Canada Welcome Bonus History Exposed (All Cards)