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.
- 2x points on food & drinks
- 2x points on travel
- 1x points on everything else
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. Canada hasn’t seen the same overhaul, but we have now received a significant new travel benefit.
In July 2026, American Express and Accor announced a new global partnership that includes Canada. Membership Rewards transfers to ALL Accor are already live, and Canadian Platinum Cardmembers are expected to become eligible for complimentary ALL Accor Gold status later in 2026.
That gives the Platinum Card another hotel loyalty partner alongside Marriott Bonvoy and Hilton Honors, even as the 2027 lounge access changes reduce some of its value for travellers who don’t meet the new annual spend requirement.
In this guide, we’ll break down the latest Canadian Platinum changes, what the Card offers today, and what the upcoming lounge access rules mean for you.
Read the Full Review: Is the Amex Platinum Card Worth it in Canada?
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- 2x points on food & drinks
- 2x points on travel
- 1x points on everything else
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 semi-annual 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/year
- Welcome Bonus: 100,000 Amex 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 Elite and Hilton Honors Gold, with ALL Accor Gold status expected to become available to eligible Canadian Platinum Cardmembers later in 2026.
- 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!
- 2x points on food & drinks
- 2x points on travel
- 1x points on everything else
New for 2026: Amex Membership Rewards Transfers to ALL Accor
American Express added ALL Accor as a Membership Rewards transfer partner in Canada in 2026, opening up another way to use Amex points for hotel stays.
The current Canadian transfer rate is: 1,000 Membership Rewards points = 500 ALL Accor Reward points.
Transfers require a minimum of 1,000 Membership Rewards points and can then be made in increments of 100 points.
ALL Accor includes more than 45 hotel brands around the world, including some particularly relevant names for Canadian travellers such as Fairmont, Raffles, Sofitel, Novotel and ibis.
This is different from Marriott Bonvoy and Hilton Honors because ALL Reward points have a relatively straightforward redemption structure. ALL currently values 2,000 Reward points at €40 (appx $64 CAD) towards eligible stays and experiences.
That means 4,000 Amex Membership Rewards points would convert to 2,000 ALL Reward points, which can provide appx $64 CAD in value.
Learn more: Get the break down of the transfer rate, points value and upcoming status benefit in the Amex-to-Accor transfer guide.
Amex Platinum Cardmembers Are Getting ALL Accor Gold Status
The more interesting part of the new partnership for Platinum Cardmembers is complimentary hotel elite status.
American Express and Accor have confirmed that eligible Canadian Platinum Cardmembers will be able to receive ALL Accor Gold status as part of the new partnership.
The benefit is scheduled to roll out in Canada in 2026, but Amex has not yet announced a specific Canadian activation date.
ALL Accor Gold normally requires 30 eligible nights or 7,000 Status points.
Gold status includes benefits such as:
- A 48% bonus on Reward points earned during eligible stays
- Room upgrades when available
- Early check-in or late check-out, subject to availability
- Guaranteed room availability under eligible conditions
- Welcome amenities at participating properties
- Premium Wi-Fi
This could be particularly useful for Canadians staying at Accor brands such as Fairmont, Raffles and Sofitel.
One important distinction: ALL Accor Gold is not the same thing as booking a Fairmont Gold room. Fairmont Gold is the hotel brand’s separate room and lounge experience, while ALL Accor Gold is elite status within the broader Accor loyalty program.
Is the Amex Platinum Card in Canada Being Refreshed?
The Canadian Platinum Card still hasn’t received the same large-scale lifestyle refresh introduced in the U.S., but the new ALL Accor partnership shows that Amex is continuing to add travel benefits in Canada.
Adding another Membership Rewards transfer partner and upcoming complimentary ALL Accor Gold status is a meaningful improvement, particularly for travellers who stay at Fairmont and other Accor properties.
That said, these additions arrive alongside the major lounge access restrictions taking effect January 1, 2027, so the overall value proposition is becoming more nuanced rather than simply better or worse.
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.
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/year 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)
- 2x points on food & drinks
- 2x points on travel
- 1x points on everything else
Platinum Bonus History in Canada: PointsWise Insights
The Amex Platinum welcome bonus changes over time, so it is worth comparing the current offer against its historical range before applying.
At PointsWise, we track Canadian Amex welcome bonus history to help put today’s offer into context. This is especially useful for a premium card like the Platinum Card, where the welcome bonus can have a major impact on first-year value.
For the full chart, historical offer data, and current offer details, read our Amex Platinum Card review.
PointsWise Welcome Bonus Insight: Check the current Platinum offer against its bonus history before applying. A stronger offer can make the card much more compelling.
What This Means for Canadian Cardholders
The Platinum Card’s value proposition is changing in two directions at once.
On the positive side, Membership Rewards can now transfer directly to ALL Accor, and Platinum Cardmembers are expected to gain ALL Accor Gold status later in 2026. That strengthens the Card’s hotel benefits and gives Canadians another option for using Membership Rewards points.
On the negative side, unlimited Plaza Premium and Priority Pass lounge access will require $20,000 in eligible annual spending beginning in 2027. Cardmembers who don’t reach that threshold will receive a limited number of complimentary visits instead.
For travellers who regularly stay with Fairmont, Raffles, Sofitel or other Accor brands, the new partnership adds genuine value. For travellers who primarily keep the Platinum Card for unlimited airport lounge access, the 2027 changes remain a significant devaluation.
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Redemption Power: Why Membership Rewards Still Rule
Whether refreshed or not, the Platinum earns flexible Membership Rewards points, transferable to:
- Aeroplan: 1:1
- British Airways Club Avios: 1:1
- Marriott Bonvoy: 1:1.2
- Hilton Honors: 1:1
- ALL Accor: 1,000 Membership Rewards points = 500 ALL Reward points
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: Is the Amex Platinum Card Getting Better or Worse?
The answer is now a bit of both.
The upcoming lounge changes are a real devaluation for Platinum Cardmembers who won’t spend $20,000 per year on the Card. Six annual Plaza Premium and Priority Pass visits are very different from the unlimited access Platinum Cardmembers have historically received.
At the same time, the new Accor partnership is one of the more interesting additions to Membership Rewards in years. Canadians can now transfer Amex points directly to ALL Accor, and eligible Platinum Cardmembers are expected to receive ALL Accor Gold status later in 2026.
For travellers who regularly stay at Fairmont or other Accor hotels, that improves the Card’s hotel proposition considerably.
Whether the Platinum Card makes sense for you ultimately depends on which benefits you actually use. Compare the current welcome bonus against its historical range, consider how much value you’ll get from the hotel and travel benefits, and factor in how the 2027 lounge changes will affect your travel habits.
Apply Now for the Amex Platinum Card in Canada!
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