Amex Platinum Travel Devalued Again 2026: Milestone & Lounge Changes
American Express has devalued the Platinum Travel Credit Card again, just months after its earlier milestone revision in March. From 10 September 2026, the ₹1.9 lakh milestone will lose its 7,500 bonus MR points, while the ₹7 lakh milestone will no longer offer 22,500 bonus MR points. Instead, the ₹7 lakh milestone will offer a ₹20,000 Taj Experiences e-Gift Card. There is also a change to domestic lounge access.
From 1 October 2026, cardholders will need to spend ₹1 lakh in eligible transactions in the previous calendar quarter to get up to two complimentary domestic lounge visits in the following quarter.
Amex Platinum Travel Milestone Changes
Here’s how the milestone rewards will change:
Annual Spend | Earlier | From 10 September 2026 |
₹1.9 lakh | 7,500 bonus MR points | No bonus MR points |
₹4 lakh | 10,000 bonus MR points | 10,000 bonus MR points |
₹7 lakh | 22,500 bonus MR points and ₹10,000 Taj Experiences e-Gift Card | ₹20,000 Taj Experiences e-Gift Card |
Important: The transaction posting date matters for these milestone changes. Transactions posted by 9 September 2026 will follow the existing milestone benefits. Transactions posted from 10 September 2026 will follow the revised structure.
At ₹7 lakh, the 22,500 bonus MR points and existing ₹10,000 Taj Experiences e-Gift Card will be replaced by a ₹20,000 Taj Experiences e-Gift Card.
Domestic Lounge Access
From 1 October 2026, you’ll need to spend ₹1 lakh in eligible transactions in the previous calendar quarter to get up to 2 complimentary domestic lounge visits in the following quarter. So, ₹1 lakh spent between July and September 2026 qualifies you for up to 2 lounge visits between October and December 2026.
What Should You Do Now?
If you're already close to the ₹4 lakh or ₹7 lakh milestone, consider completing it before 10 September 2026 to lock in the existing benefits, keeping the transaction posting date in mind.
If you've already achieved your milestone, it's worth reassessing the card before putting more spends on it. Even after optimising Platinum Travel, the overall value may now be around 4.5–5% for many users, making it harder to justify compared with other options.
Should You Continue With Amex Platinum Travel?
The latest changes make the card's value increasingly dependent on how much you spend and how effectively you use its milestone benefits. If your renewal is coming up after Diwali, it may be worth waiting to see whether Amex offers a targeted spend or renewal offer. If you receive one, make the most of it and then decide whether continuing with Platinum Travel still makes sense for you.
What Can You Consider Instead?
If you mainly use the card for milestone rewards or lounge access, the IndusInd Bank Avios Visa Infinite Credit Card is worth considering. It offers 2 complimentary domestic lounge visits per calendar quarter and gives you Avios for travel redemptions.
Marriott Bonvoy can also be worth considering if you prefer hotel rewards. You can earn Marriott Bonvoy points for eligible spends and work towards the card's milestone benefits.
If these changes make you question whether Amex Platinum Travel is still the right card for your spending, SaveSage can help you compare your options. Use Scan & Save to check which card could give you better rewards for your next spend before you pay.
