Definitive Review Finance

American Express: Are the High Annual Fees Worth It?

Breaking down Amex's Platinum and Gold cards to see if average consumers actually get enough value out of the hefty fees.

J
James Rivera
Senior Analyst
Fact Checked
9.1
Overall Score
★★★★★
Excellent
American Express logo

American Express Analysis

Verified Brand Partner Since 2026

The Strengths

  • Best-in-class customer service
  • Incredible travel protections
  • Lounge access

The Drawbacks

  • High annual fees
  • Not as widely accepted abroad as Visa

Overview

Breaking down Amex's Platinum and Gold cards to see if average consumers actually get enough value out of the hefty fees.

Our Testing Process

Our editorial team spent extensive time researching and testing this brand across multiple product lines and use cases.

Pros

  • Best-in-class customer service
  • Incredible travel protections
  • Lounge access

Cons

  • High annual fees
  • Not as widely accepted abroad as Visa

Final Verdict

For frequent travelers, unmatched. For the casual spender, look elsewhere.

The Expert Verdict

For frequent travelers, unmatched. For the casual spender, look elsewhere.

9.1
Market Index Score
Verified Performance Rating