Should you close your American Express Platinum Travel Credit Card or not? This is the question on the minds of many cardholders ever since the recent devaluation of the card.
Earlier, the highest spend milestone was set at ₹4 lakh, which unlocked the maximum reward points along with a Taj voucher. This milestone has now been increased to ₹7 lakh. This single change, from a ₹4 lakh to a ₹7 lakh spending requirement, has significantly impacted cardholders.
Many users who could comfortably reach the ₹4 lakh milestone may now find it difficult to spend ₹7 lakh in a card year. Additionally, several cardholders who have recently paid the ₹5,900 annual fee feel disappointed, as the main milestone benefit they signed up for is no longer as rewarding.
Devaluations are tough on everyone, but unfortunately, they have now become a common trend across most card issuers in the country.
If you hold an American Express Platinum Travel Credit Card and are planning to close it soon, wait, this article is for you. There are still several options worth exploring with this card. Instead of making a quick decision, it’s better to evaluate all available options carefully before proceeding.
For Those Who Have Already Completed the ₹4 Lakh Milestone
Putting rumours aside, it has been observed, based on multiple cardholder interactions with customer care, that anyone who completes the ₹4 lakh milestone before 9 March 2026 may still be eligible for an additional milestone benefit at ₹7 lakh.
We also personally contacted American Express customer support, and were informed that this additional milestone should be applicable. If this holds true, cardholders will get an extra opportunity to earn 22,500 MR Points by spending an additional ₹3 lakh, which can be quite rewarding.
However, cardholders will not be eligible for the Taj voucher again, as it is limited to once per cardmember year.
Just Paid Your Annual Fee? Enquire About a Waiver
If you’ve recently paid your annual fee, you can contact customer support to request a fee reversal or waiver. Many cardholders have successfully received an annual fee waiver after reaching out, so it’s definitely worth trying.
Downgrade to MRCC
Cardholders can also contact American Express customer care to request a downgrade from the Platinum Travel Credit Card. This option has worked for several users, some of whom have also received a pro-rated refund of their annual charges.
However, eligibility for a downgrade varies from one card account to another, so not everyone may qualify. Still, this option is often better than exiting the American Express ecosystem altogether.
Bottom Line
From fee waivers to the possibility of earning rewards through the revised milestone structure, there is still meaningful value left in the American Express Platinum Travel Credit Card. Instead of rushing to cancel, cardholders should take a step back and review all available options.
While it’s true that there are a few options to explore for those who have already paid the fees, keeping the card may still not make sense for everyone.
Not all cardholders will be able to get their charges waived, as this depends on individual card accounts. In such cases, the last remaining option may be to close what was once a very rewarding credit card.