My American Express Platinum Upgrade Offer: Why I Chose Not to Upgrade

Hi, I'm Paul Basco, the owner of GettingACreditCard.com. I've been involved in credit card affiliate marketing since December 2001, and for more than 20 years I've been writing about, reviewing and maintaining credit card information on this site.

I've worked with and written about hundreds of credit cards over the years, but my own credit card use has remained surprisingly simple. I've been an American Express Card Member since 2011, and the American Express^® Gold Card has been the one credit card I've consistently used for years.

Recently, American Express sent me another offer to upgrade my American Express^® Gold Card to the American Express Platinum Card^®. I've received similar offers many times, and I've always declined them. After looking at this latest offer, I decided not to upgrade again.

That isn't because I think the American Express Platinum Card^® is a bad card. It has an impressive collection of benefits. The problem is that I'm simply not a frequent traveler, so many of those benefits don't fit the way I actually use a credit card.

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Why I've Stayed With the American Express^® Gold Card Since 2011

The American Express^® Gold Card has become my everyday credit card. I don't have a wallet full of cards that I rotate between. Other than my bank debit card, it's essentially the only credit card I use.

I use it for groceries, restaurants, gas and just about everything else I can. There are some places that don't accept American Express, but that has never really been an issue for me. When American Express is accepted, I generally use my Gold Card.

I've also always preferred to pay my credit card bill in full every month. I don't carry a balance or incur interest charges on my purchases. American Express offers Pay Over Time, but I've never signed up for it because I prefer to pay the entire bill each month.

After using the Card for this many years, I know what works for me. I haven't had a reason to change.

The Gold Card Fits the Way I Spend Money

The reason the American Express^® Gold Card has worked so well for me is that its rewards fit my everyday spending.

I buy a lot of groceries, and my wife and I enjoy dining out. I also buy gas and make plenty of everyday purchases. The Gold Card currently offers 4X Membership Rewards^® points per dollar at restaurants worldwide, subject to the applicable annual spending limit, and 4X points at U.S. supermarkets, also subject to the applicable annual spending limit.

Those are useful rewards for me because they apply to things I'm already buying.

I don't need to constantly change cards to maximize every possible rewards category. I prefer having one Card that I know, trust and use regularly.

If your spending is similar to mine, you can learn more about the American Express^® Gold Card and check the current offer.

Why I Don't Need the American Express Platinum Card

The American Express Platinum Card^® is much more focused on travel and premium travel benefits than the Gold Card.

The Platinum Card^® offers 5X Membership Rewards^® points on eligible flights and prepaid hotel bookings through American Express Travel^®, along with access to the Global Lounge Collection and benefits involving hotels, airline fees, CLEAR+, Uber, digital entertainment, Resy and other services.

For someone who travels frequently and can take advantage of those benefits, I understand why the Platinum Card^® can be attractive.

If you're a frequent flyer or traveler and think you would get more value from the Platinum Card^® benefits, you can learn more about the American Express Platinum Card^® and check the current offer.

I'm just not that person.

I don't fly frequently enough for airport lounge access to be a major benefit. I don't regularly stay in hotels, and I wouldn't naturally use many of the travel-related benefits that come with the Platinum Card^®.

There's also a substantial difference in the annual fees. The American Express^® Gold Card currently has a $325 annual fee, while the American Express Platinum Card^® has an $895 annual fee.

That's a $570 difference every year. I'm not saying the Platinum Card^® isn't worth that fee for someone who uses its benefits. But I wouldn't use enough of them to get the same value from the Card that a frequent traveler might.

That's really the deciding factor for me. I don't want to pay more for a collection of benefits that I won't naturally use when the Card I already have fits my everyday spending so well.

I'm Not Saying the Platinum Card Is a Bad Card

I want to make that distinction because I write about credit cards professionally. The fact that I don't want to upgrade doesn't mean I think the Platinum Card^® is a poor choice for everyone.

If you travel frequently, use airport lounges, stay in hotels and can take advantage of the Platinum Card^® credits and other benefits, your situation could be completely different from mine.

The Platinum Card^® is simply designed around a type of spending and lifestyle that doesn't describe me.

Why I'm Keeping My Gold Card

After receiving another American Express Platinum Card^® upgrade offer, I looked at what I would actually gain by making the switch.

For me, the answer wasn't enough to justify changing Cards.

I've been an American Express Card Member since 2011. I've used my American Express^® Gold Card for groceries, restaurants, gas and everyday purchases for years. I pay my balance in full every month, and I've been very happy with the way the Card works for me.

After more than 20 years in the credit card business, I know that a Card doesn't have to offer the most benefits to be the right Card for someone. What matters is whether those benefits fit the way you actually spend your money.

For me, the Gold Card does.

My American Express Platinum Upgrade Offer: Final Thoughts

I've received American Express Platinum Card^® upgrade offers many times over the years, and this latest offer didn't change my mind.

I'm not a frequent traveler. I don't need airport lounge access, hotel benefits and other travel-focused perks nearly as much as someone who spends a lot of time on the road. Instead, I spend a lot of money on groceries, dining, gas and everyday purchases.

The American Express^® Gold Card has been my credit card since 2011, and it continues to fit my life. I use it, I pay it off every month and I have no reason to change something that has worked for me for so many years.

The Platinum Card^® may be a great choice for someone who can take full advantage of its benefits. For me, however, the American Express^® Gold Card remains the better fit.

So when American Express offered me another opportunity to upgrade, I decided to stay with the Card I've been using for the past 15 years.

American Express Platinum Card^®

• You may be eligible for as high as 175,000 Membership Rewards^® points after you spend $12,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
• Get more for your travels with 5X Membership Rewards^® points on all flights and prepaid hotel bookings through American Express Travel^®, including Fine Hotels + Resorts^® and The Hotel Collection bookings. You earn 5X points on flights purchased directly from airlines or through American Express Travel^® on up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year.
• With over 1,550 airport lounges - more than any other credit card company on the market* - enjoy the benefits of the Global Lounge Collection, over $850 of annual value, with access to Centurion Lounges, 10 Delta Sky Club visits (subject to visit limitations) when flying on an eligible Delta flight, Priority Pass™ membership (enrollment required), and other select partner lounges. *As of 01/2026
• $200 Uber Cash + $120 Uber One Credit: With the Platinum Card^® you can receive $15 in Uber Cash each month plus a bonus $20 in December when you add your Platinum Card^® to your Uber account to use on rides and orders in the U.S when you select an Amex Card for your transaction. Plus, when you use the Platinum Card^® to pay for an auto-renewing Uber One membership, you can get up to $120 in statement credits each calendar year. Terms apply.
• $300 Digital Entertainment Credit: Experience the latest shows, news and recipes. Get up to $25 in statement credits each month when you use your Platinum Card^® for eligible purchases on Disney+, a Disney+ bundle, ESPN streaming services, Hulu, The New York Times, Paramount+, Peacock, The Wall Street Journal, YouTube Premium, and YouTube TV when you purchase directly from one or more of the providers. Enrollment required.
• $600 Hotel Credit: Get up to $300 in statement credits semi-annually on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts^® or The Hotel Collection* bookings through American Express Travel^® using the Platinum Card^®. *The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay.
• $400 Resy Credit + Platinum Nights^™ by Resy: Get up to $100 in statement credits each quarter when you use the Platinum Card^® to pay for eligible purchases with Resy, including dining purchases at over 10,000 qualifying U.S. Resy restaurants. Enrollment required. As a Platinum Card^® Member you have special access to reservations on select nights at participating sought after Resy restaurants in select cities through Platinum Nights^™ by Resy. Simply add your Platinum Card^® to your Resy profile to book your reservation.
• $219 CLEAR+ Credit: CLEAR+ helps get you to your gate faster by using your face to verify you are you at 55+ airports nationwide. You can cover the cost of a CLEAR+ Membership* with up to $219 in statement credits per calendar year after you pay for CLEAR+ with your Platinum Card^®. *Excluding any applicable taxes and fees. Subject to auto-renewal.
• $200 Airline Fee Credit: Select one qualifying airline and then receive up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year when incidental fees, such as checked bags and in-flight refreshments, are charged by the airline to the Platinum Card^® Account. American Express relies on airlines to submit the correct information on airline transactions to identify incidental fee purchases. If you do not see a credit for a qualifying incidental purchase on your eligible Card after 8 weeks, simply call the number on the back of your Card. Qualifying airlines are subject to change. See terms & conditions for more details.
• Start your vacation sooner and keep it going longer. When you book Fine Hotels + Resorts^® through American Express Travel®, enjoy noon check-in, when available, and guaranteed 4PM late check-out.
• $300 lululemon Credit: Enjoy up to $75 in statement credits each quarter when you use the Platinum Card^® for eligible purchases at U.S. lululemon retail stores (excluding outlets) and lululemon.com. That’s up to $300 in statement credits each calendar year. Enrollment required.
• $155 Walmart+ Credit: Get up to a $12.95* statement credit back each month after you pay for a monthly Walmart+ membership (subject to auto-renewal) with your Platinum Card^®. *Up to $12.95 plus applicable taxes on one membership fee.
• Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
• $895 annual fee.
• Terms Apply.
• CLICK HERE TO APPLY ONLINE

Rates & Fees

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• Intro
  (Purchases)
• N/A

• Intro
  (Transfers)
• N/A

• Regular
  APR
• See Pay Over Time APR

• Annual
  Fee
• $895

• Credit Recommended
• Excellent, Good