Is the Amex Platinum Membership Fee Worth It?

A Canadian traveller’s perspective on whether the perks outweigh the hefty $799 price tag

When people ask me about the American Express Platinum Card, the first thing they bring up is the annual fee: $799 CAD. That number alone makes many people hesitate, and rightfully so. It’s not pocket change. But here’s the real question: is it worth it? I have recently upgraded to this card after being a card member for decades.¹ My short answer is yes - and not just for the travel benefits (though those are excellent), but for the overall experience of being an Amex customer. For the long answer - keep reading.

To be clear, this is not a paid promotion post. From time to time I’ll review products and services, but only the ones I use and pay for myself.

Customer service that actually works

Let’s start with the basics. All credit card companies eventually deal with fraudulent transactions. Unfortunately nobody is immune to that. The difference is how they handle it. In my experience, Amex doesn’t make me jump through hoops. They credit me back immediately and sort out the details later. Visa and Mastercard, by comparison, tend to put me on hold: investigate first and reimburse later. The end result may be the same, but with Amex, I’m not left waiting and worrying. Even reaching a real person on the phone usually takes less time, which these days feels like a luxury in itself.

Travel perks that make a difference

For me, the real benefit of the Platinum card is travel. As a Canadian traveller, these benefits are my favourite:

• Annual travel credit: Every year you get a $200 credit to apply toward flights, hotels, or vacation packages booked through Amex Travel. It doesn’t erase the fee, but it does soften the blow.

• Annual dining credit: Every year, you also get a $200 credit to apply towards dinner at a curated list of restaurants.

• Global lounge access: No matter what class of ticket you’re flying, your Platinum card gets you into hundreds of airport lounges worldwide. For me, skipping the crowded gate area and relaxing with food, drinks, and WiFi makes a long travel day infinitely more pleasant.

• Fine Hotels + Resorts program: This is where Amex really shines. Their curated list of properties cuts through the noise you’ll find on sites like Expedia. Instead of sifting through hundreds of questionable options, Amex highlights the good ones. Book through them and you often get perks like free breakfast, room upgrades, or late checkout. I’ve found these extras alone can be worth several hundred dollars per trip.

• Travel concierge service: From hard-to-get dinner reservations to personalized travel planning, the Amex concierge has come through for me many times. It’s like having a knowledgeable assistant on speed dial who knows how to make things happen.

Between the travel and dining credits alone, you already get $400 back, which makes that membership fee look less intimidating. And there’s more to pick from: this list isn’t exhaustive, just a small selection of my favourites. I often take advantage of special discounts with local and online stores (which nicely supplements my FoundersCard perks).

Is it worth the $799 annual fee?

This is the question I hear most often, and the answer depends on how much you travel. If you’re someone who only flies once every year or two, it may be hard to justify. But if travel is a regular part of your life, the benefits quickly add up. For me, the lounge access alone makes the fee worth paying. Add in the travel credits, hotel perks, and customer service, and it becomes an easy decision.

The real question is not whether the membership fee is worth it, but whether you can earn back your membership fee every year with the perks available.

There’s also an intangible element: peace of mind. I know that if something goes wrong (with a booking, a charge, or even my trip itself) I can call Amex and they’ll help me solve it, no matter where in the world I am. That kind of reliability is rare, and I’ve come to value the peace of mind just as much as the more tangible perks.

Of course, credit card travel hacking isn’t for everyone. Not everyone qualifies for premium cards right away, and not everyone wants to put thousands of dollars of spending on a single card. That’s where my Travel Revolution program comes in. It goes beyond credit cards and shows you other ways to unlock premium travel experiences without always needing a Platinum card in your wallet.

VIP Exclusive: How to Earn $1,100 in Travel Credits with Amex Platinum

For my VIP readers, I’ll share a unique referral link that could earn you up to 110,000 Membership Rewards® points - worth about $1,100 in travel credits. This is a special offer that is not currently available publicly, and it’s subject to Amex approval. Details included below. And if the Platinum fee still feels too steep, don’t worry: that same link lets you explore other Amex cards with different benefits and lower annual fees.