Amex Platinum Travel Devalued: Milestone Points Cut, Lounge Access Conditional From 1 October 2026
Updated 11 September 2026 · By Amit Kumar Bansal
American Express has quietly rewritten the benefits on its Platinum Travel Credit Card page. The ₹1.9 lakh milestone is gone, the ₹7 lakh milestone has lost its 22,500 points, and from 1 October 2026 the domestic lounge visits need a spend target. The annual fee stays at ₹5,000 + GST.
What’s Changing
| Benefit | Earlier | Now |
|---|---|---|
| ₹1.9 lakh spend | 7,500 points | Removed |
| ₹4 lakh spend | 10,000 points | 10,000 points |
| ₹7 lakh spend | 22,500 points + ₹10,000 Taj voucher | ₹20,000 Taj voucher, no points |
| Domestic lounge | 8 visits a year, no condition | 2 a quarter, only after ₹70,000 spend in Jul–Sep 2026, then ₹1 lakh every quarter |
What This Means for You
A ₹7 lakh spender loses 30,000 points and gains ₹10,000 of Taj credit. A ₹2 lakh spender simply loses 7,500 points. Lounge users must now put ₹4 lakh a year on the card to keep all 8 visits. If you hold the card, cross ₹70,000 before 30 September 2026 to protect your October–December visits. Amex has not said whether members mid-year keep the old milestones; confirm with Amex before planning a big spend.
Alternatives we have reviewed: SBI Card Miles Elite and HDFC Diners Club Black.
Figures as shown on the Amex India page on 11 September 2026. Confirm on the issuer’s site before applying.
