The UK’s flagship premium travel card earns transferable Membership Rewards (1:1 to Avios) and piles on lounge access, insurance and hotel status. But at £695 a year, is it the right card for an Avios collector? Here is our take for 2026.
Do not buy the Amex Platinum for its Avios earn rate — at 1 point per £1 it is no faster than a free card. You buy it for the travel experience: unlimited lounges, strong travel insurance and instant hotel status. If you travel often enough to use those, the points you earn are a bonus on top.
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| Annual fee | £695 a year |
| Earn rate | 1 Membership Rewards point per £1 (1:1 to Avios) |
| Network | American Express |
| Lounge access | Unlimited Priority Pass + Amex Centurion lounges |
| Travel insurance | Comprehensive, included |
| Hotel status | Complimentary elite tiers with hotel partners |
| Foreign transaction fee | 2.99% |
Fees, statement credits and welcome bonuses change — confirm the current terms on American Express’s own site. This is general information, not financial advice.
The Platinum earns the same transferable points as the Preferred Rewards Gold at a much higher fee. The gap is perks, not Avios — so only step up if you will use the lounges and insurance.
Pros
Cons
For an Avios collector, the Amex Platinum is a lifestyle card, not an earning engine. If you fly often enough to lean on the lounges, insurance and hotel status, it is a superb travel companion and the Avios are a welcome extra. If you mainly want Avios, the Preferred Rewards Gold earns the same points for a fraction of the fee, and a co-branded BA Amex adds the companion voucher the Platinum lacks.
The co-branded BA Amex cards earn Avios directly and unlock the companion voucher.
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The AviosArcana Editorial Team
We decode the British Airways loyalty programme in plain English, cross-checking every figure against published card terms. We are not a lender and this is general information, not financial advice.