One of the American Express Platinum Card's biggest travel perks is changing next year.
Starting January 1, 2027, Platinum Cardmembers will no longer automatically receive unlimited complimentary access to Plaza Premium and Priority Pass lounges.
Instead, Basic Platinum Cardmembers will receive 6 complimentary Plaza Premium visits and 6 Priority Pass visits per calendar year, for a total of 12.
But this isn't the end of the Platinum Card's broader lounge benefit. Access to other lounges in the American Express Global Lounge Collections, which includes more than 1,550 lounges across 140 countries, is not being capped by this change.
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How the new Amex Platinum lounge limits work
Starting January 1, Basic Platinum Cardmembers will receive:
- 6 Plaza Premium Lounge visits per year
- 6 Priority Pass Lounge visits per year
Eligible Supplementary Platinum Cardmembers get 2 visits with each program, or 4 total.
Supplementary Gold Cardmembers on Platinum accounts won't receive complimentary Plaza Premium or Priority Pass access.
A guest also counts as a visit, so if you use Priority Pass to enter a lounge with one guest, that would use two of your 6 Priority Pass visits. Once your complimentary visits are gone, you can still enter participating lounges by paying the applicable fee.
Spend $20,000 to keep unlimited lounge access
There is a way around this new limit.
If you spend $20,000 on eligible purchases in a calendar year, you'll keep your unlimited Plaza Premium and Priority Pass access. Amex began tracking spending in January 2026 to determine who qualifies for unlimited access in 2027.
If you don't hit $20,000 in spending in 2026, you can still qualify later. Once you reach $20,000 in eligible spending during a calendar year, unlimited access becomes available for the remainder of that year and the full calendar year that follows.
Spending by eligible Supplementary Cardmembers also counts toward the $20,000 threshold. Annual fees, interest, other fees, and cash-equivalent transactions don't count.
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FAQ
How many lounge visits will Amex Platinum cardholders get in 2027?
Starting January 1, 2027, Basic American Express Platinum Cardmembers receive 6 complimentary Plaza Premium visits and 6 Priority Pass visits each calendar year. That provides up to 12 complimentary visits across the two programs before paid access applies.
Can Amex Platinum cardholders still get unlimited lounge access?
Yes. Cardmembers who reach $20,000 in eligible annual spending can unlock unlimited Plaza Premium and Priority Pass access. Once activated, unlimited access lasts for the remainder of that calendar year and through the end of the following year.
Does the Amex Platinum lounge change affect all airport lounges?
No, the new visit limits specifically apply to Plaza Premium and Priority Pass lounges. Access to other lounges in its Global Lounge Collection remains unchanged, and eligible Platinum Cardmembers continue to receive complimentary Centurion Lounge access under the existing rules.
Do guest visits count toward the 6 complimentary lounge visits?
Yes. Complimentary visits can be used for accompanying guests, but each person entering counts as a visit. For example, if you enter a Priority Pass lounge with one guest, two visits will be deducted from your Priority Pass allowance.
How many visits do Supplementary Platinum Cardmembers receive?
Eligible Supplementary Platinum Cardmembers receive two complimentary Plaza Premium visits and two Priority Pass visits each calendar year. Supplementary Gold Cards attached to Platinum accounts aren't eligible for complimentary access through either program under the new rules starting January 1, 2027.
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