American Express Platinum Card's Major Lounge Access Shake-Up for Authorized Users

Big news for American Express Platinum Card holders and their authorized users! A significant shift is on the horizon that could alter your travel lounge strategy. American Express has announced a major change: the popular complimentary Priority Pass Select membership, a staple for many elite travelers, will no longer be available to authorized users of the Platinum Card, effective November 1, 2024.

This upcoming alteration means that while the primary Platinum Card member will retain their coveted Priority Pass Select access, any supplementary cardholders added to the account will lose this specific perk.

For many, adding an authorized user to their Platinum Card was a strategic move to extend premium lounge benefits to family members or close travel companions. This announcement undoubtedly requires a reevaluation of that strategy for those who frequently relied on Priority Pass lounges via their authorized users.

It’s crucial to understand the specifics of this change.

The official cutoff date is November 1, 2024. Until then, authorized users can continue to enjoy their Priority Pass Select membership as usual. After this date, their Priority Pass benefits will cease. This affects all existing and future authorized users on the American Express Platinum Card account.

However, it’s not all bad news for authorized users.

While Priority Pass is being phased out for them, they will still maintain access to several other prestigious lounge networks. This includes the exclusive Centurion Lounges, a hallmark of the Amex Platinum experience, as well as Delta Sky Club lounges when flying Delta, and Plaza Premium Lounges. These remain substantial perks, especially given the high quality and increasing global presence of these lounge options.

The American Express Platinum Card is renowned for its extensive list of premium travel benefits, albeit at a steep annual fee—currently $695 (see rates and fees).

Beyond lounge access, cardholders enjoy a plethora of perks such as substantial annual travel credits (including for hotels, airlines, and Uber Cash), elite status with hotel programs like Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite and Hilton Honors Gold, and various other lifestyle and shopping benefits. The authorized user fee, currently $195 for each additional card, has often been justified by the added lounge access and other travel advantages it provides.

For those who primarily added authorized users specifically for their Priority Pass benefits, this change will sting the most.

It underscores the dynamic nature of premium credit card rewards programs and the importance of regularly reviewing the value proposition of your cards. While the Platinum Card continues to offer a compelling suite of benefits for the primary cardholder and still strong lounge access for authorized users through other networks, the removal of Priority Pass Select is a notable reduction in a widely valued perk.

Cardholders should consider how this change impacts their travel habits and the value they derive from their authorized user cards.

It might be a prompt to explore other credit card options for family members or to adjust travel plans to utilize the remaining Amex-affiliated lounge options. Ultimately, American Express continues to refine its offerings, and staying informed is key to maximizing your card's potential.