American Express has rolled out a major overhaul to its Platinum Card travel benefits, unveiling the new Platinum Member Airfares program that promises expanded discounts on flights—while simultaneously announcing the end of a long-standing but lesser-known luxury: direct access to Lufthansa airport lounges. The changes, which affect both the personal Platinum Card and the Business Platinum Card, have sparked a swirl of reactions among frequent travelers, with many weighing the improved airfare savings against the loss of premium lounge access in Europe.
According to American Express, the Platinum Member Airfares initiative is designed to replace the previous International Airline Program and Recommended Flights, bringing a more streamlined and robust experience for eligible cardholders booking through AmexTravel.com. The company touts this as a significant upgrade, offering savings on more than 30 major airlines worldwide. Participating carriers include prominent members of the Star Alliance, SkyTeam, and Oneworld networks—think Air Canada, Singapore Airlines, Turkish Airlines, Air France, Delta, KLM, Alaska Airlines, British Airways, Japan Airlines, and Qatar Airways, among others, as reported by The Points Guy and upgradedpoints.com.
What’s new about this program? For starters, the discounts—previously limited to international premium cabins like business and first class—now extend to select domestic economy fares with participating airlines. This means that even travelers who aren’t splurging on lie-flat seats can now enjoy savings. American Express claims that Platinum and Business Platinum cardmembers can save an average of 10%, or about $100 per ticket, on eligible international fares in premium economy, business, and first class. For domestic travelers, select economy tickets are now eligible for discounts as well, broadening the appeal of the program.
The savings don’t stop at just one ticket. The program allows cardholders to extend discounts to up to seven additional travelers on the same reservation—making it a boon for families and groups booking together. To access these deals, cardmembers simply need to book through AmexTravel.com and filter their search results by the "Platinum Member Airfares" option. If no discounted fares appear, it’s likely because the airline doesn’t operate the desired route or there’s no availability for the selected dates.
But there’s more to the revamped benefits than just lower fares. Platinum and Business Platinum cardholders continue to earn a generous 5 Membership Rewards points per dollar spent on flight purchases (up to $500,000 in purchases per calendar year), whether they book directly with the airline or through American Express Travel. After reaching the $500,000 threshold, the earnings rate drops to 1 point per dollar. On top of that, cardholders still accrue miles in their chosen airline loyalty program for the same ticket—a double-dip opportunity that’s hard to beat in the world of travel rewards.
For those looking to use points rather than cash, the new program allows flights to be booked using Membership Rewards points, with a minimum redemption of 5,000 points at a rate of 1 cent per point. Business Platinum cardmembers enjoy an extra perk: a 35% Pay With Points rebate benefit with their selected airline, up to 1 million points per year, making it even easier to stretch rewards further.
These enhancements position the Platinum and Business Platinum cards as top contenders for travelers who frequently book flights—especially those who can take advantage of the group discounts and the ability to earn both Membership Rewards and airline miles. As noted by upgradedpoints.com, "The Amex Platinum card and the Amex Business Platinum card have long been regarded as the best cards for booking flights thanks to their generous rewards earnings, and now, Platinum Member Airfares aims to deliver even more value for travelers."
However, not all the news is rosy. In a move that’s left some cardmembers disappointed, American Express has announced it will end its lounge agreement with Lufthansa effective October 1, 2026. This arrangement has allowed Platinum and Business Platinum cardholders to access Lufthansa Business Lounges when flying economy on any Lufthansa Group carrier, and the more exclusive Lufthansa Senator Lounges when flying in business class. As The Points Guy points out, "Cardmembers who value Lufthansa Group lounge access as part of their travel routine to, from and around Europe have until the end of September to use the perk and should factor this into their planning for any fall travel (or beyond)."
For those holding the ultra-premium Centurion Card from American Express, access to Lufthansa First Class Lounges at Frankfurt and Munich airports remains available for now—though the renowned Lufthansa First Class Terminal has always been excluded from this agreement. After October 1, 2026, however, even Centurion Card holders will lose direct access to these lounges, unless the lounge participates in the Priority Pass network. In that case, indirect access may still be possible through the card’s complimentary Priority Pass Select membership, but enrollment is required and availability is not guaranteed.
This change marks a notable devaluation for Europe-bound travelers who have come to rely on the comfort and amenities of Lufthansa’s lounges as part of their journey. For many, the ability to relax, freshen up, and enjoy complimentary food and drinks before a long-haul flight is a key part of the premium travel experience. The loss of this benefit will require some to rethink their travel routines or seek alternative lounge options.
Industry experts and travel bloggers have weighed in on the changes, with some praising the expanded airfare discounts and others lamenting the loss of lounge access. As One Mile at a Time put it, "This update presents a mix of improved savings for some travel and a reduction in premium lounge access for others." While the new Platinum Member Airfares platform is widely seen as a genuine improvement for those seeking to save on flights, the end of the Lufthansa lounge partnership is viewed as a setback for those who value luxury and convenience at the airport.
For cardmembers who frequently travel to, from, or within Europe—and for whom lounge access is a must—the message is clear: take advantage of the Lufthansa lounge benefit before it disappears at the end of September 2026. For everyone else, the expanded discounts and rewards offered by the new Platinum Member Airfares program may well tip the scales in favor of continued loyalty to American Express.
In a world where travel perks can shift overnight, these changes serve as a reminder that even the most prestigious credit card benefits are subject to revision. For now, Amex Platinum and Business Platinum cardholders have more ways to save on flights—and a little over a year left to enjoy Lufthansa’s lounges before the doors close for good.