American Express is tightening the reins on lounge access perks on its Australian Platinum cards, amidst other changes. Affecting the Amex Platinum Card and the Amex Platinum Business Card, Priority Pass memberships and guesting allowances are on the chopping block.
Spending overseas? Amex is also upping the international transaction fee. The changes are set to take place at various times throughout the year, so here’s what you need to know.
Platinum cards lose additional Priority Pass membership
Currently, both the main Platinum Card Member and one Additional or Employee Card Member each have their own unlimited Priority Pass membership, which grants them access to many lounges worldwide.
But from 1 October 2026, only the main Card Member will have access. Any existing Additional or Employee Card Members will lose access completely from that date.
An Amex spokesperson said that lounge access is one of their Card Members’ favourite benefits.
“We remain committed to offering eligible Card Members a comfortable space to relax and recharge while travelling,” they said.
Amex trims number of guests allowed in lounges
Perhaps to target overcrowding and standardise the benefits with overseas Amex cards, both Platinum and Platinum Business Card Members will see their free guest allowances cut from two to one
From 8 July 2026, this rule will kick in for the Amex Centurion Lounge. Also changing: only guests travelling on the same flight as you can enter. If you’re in transit, access is now restricted to five hours before departure (previously, there was no limit on the length of transits).
From 1 October 2026, the Plaza Premium Lounge free guest allowance drops to one guest. However, there’s no restriction for that guest to also be travelling on the same flight as you.
Other changes to Amex’s Platinum cards
It’s not good news if you regularly spend overseas or with international merchants. The Foreign Currency Conversion Fee will increase from 3% to 3.5%, effective 4 May 2026 for Consumer and Small Business cards, and 29 June 2026 for Corporate Cards.
The higher fee brings Amex in line with some other card issuers, such as MyCard. However, many other banks still charge 3% for international transactions, so it’ll be interesting to see whether they hold out or follow suit.
A spokesperson for American Express said the fee has not been changed in 15 years.
“We regularly review our pricing to ensure we can continue to invest in secure, reliable and payment services for our Card Members. This adjustment reflects the cost of delivering international payment services and supports the ongoing value we provide,” they said.
Another minor change is to the eligibility requirements of the Amex Platinum Business card. Currently, trips do not have to be booked on the card to be covered by the insurance. From 8 July 2026, this changes and all trips must be booked as a return trip on the card to activate the cover.
Summing up: why is Amex making changes?
While Amex hasn’t revealed why it’s making these changes to the benefits, we can hazard a few guesses.
The lounge access changes are likely to combat overcrowding in the Centurion Lounges, which is especially common in the US. Some Plaza Premium lounges across Asia can also get quite busy. At least a guest allowance will still be included after the changes, as US-issued Amex Platinum cards only allow complimentary guests after you spend $75k or more on the card.
One possible angle is the impending RBA changes, which may lower interchange fees across the board. While Amex is not directly affected by these regulations, it will likely need to reduce its merchant fees to stay competitive, which may result in a loss of perks and an increase in consumer fees.
It would be extremly helpful to the reader if you mention exactly which market and currency you’re talking about in your articles. The internet draws an international audience which doesn’t necessarily mean they’re based in same country as the one you’re assuming we’re in. Most of the information you’re lambasting Amex for isn’t applicable in the UK market for example so please be absolutely clear to save your readership who are cast far and wide to be completely understood.
the website is pointshacks.com.AU
It’s literally an Australian site.
Glad to have departed Amex. Continuing to maximize Amex profits is not a priority to me. Let the posers keep chasing silly credits.
Totally agree!
Amex is going downhill! They keep chipping away at what they drew customers to. Even their business products are not great. They don’t mind you spending on their credit cards and you paying high membership fees only for them to take away perks.
Is this an April Fool’s joke?
Would be nice to do a comparison / alternative card available or on par with the AMEX charge card for those considering to switch. For now i still think the personal plat charge card provides the max benefits.
Losing the priority pass for complimentary card member is a big loss unless sticking to the AMEX and Plaza premium lounges. My wife use it when traveling domestic / not travelling with Virgin.
Don’t know which country you’re in but definitely is for AUS cardholders. Shows on the statement. Check your facts first bro before making such statements. Or am I replying to an AI comment?!
What is this inaccurate crap? Amex platinum cards have no foreign currency conversion fees. Must be more AI slop.
They do have fees for Australian issued cards. 3% going up to 3.5%. If you used the card and pay in Euro, it is then converted to USD and then to AUD. Not the best card to use whilst overseas.