Best Amex Travel Card 2026: My Honest Recommendation

The honest truth first

Honestly? Most people should not get the Amex Platinum. A high annual fee for a single credit card sounds absurd. That’s exactly what I thought too. I looked at the card for a long time, shook my head, and put it away.

Then I counted how many times I was actually at an airport last year: 13. And suddenly the math looked very different.

If you rarely travel, don’t even read on — scroll down to the Payback card, it costs nothing and is the more honest choice for you. But if you’re one of those people who’s constantly on the move, this might be the most useful page you read this week.

Why it paid off for me

The lounges. Thirteen airport visits — that’s 13 times I didn’t buy overpriced water but instead ate, worked, and freshened up in peace before flying. That alone justified the fee for me.

The dining credit. Sounds like small change, but it wasn’t. When family was visiting, I treated everyone and part of it ran through the credit. And with my wife in Vienna we treated ourselves to great coffee houses — Café Landtmann, for one. The kind of moments you’d otherwise think twice about.

The shopping credit. My wife and I used it to give each other gifts that wouldn’t otherwise have fit the budget. It feels like the card gives something back instead of only costing you.

Hotel status and points. This was the moment I understood how the game works. Through status with a partner like Hilton plus a discounted points promotion, I booked a trip so that four paid nights became five — the fifth night was essentially free.

And now, honestly: what I never used

So you’ll trust me — not everything was gold. I never used the Sixt car-rental perk. Not once. If someone tells you every perk is a win, do the math yourself. Add up the credits you actually redeem in a year — not the ones in the brochure.

If that total beats the fee, the Platinum is made for you. If not, you’d be happier with a smaller card — and I’m saying that even though I’d rather you clicked.

Which Amex fits you?

Not everyone needs premium. Here’s how I rank the four cards:

My verdict

The Platinum isn’t a card for everyone — it’s a card for people who travel the way I do. If you recognize yourself in those 13 airport visits, the evenings with family, and that fifth hotel night, get it through my link below. If not, take the free Payback — honestly.

Either way: if this helped and you sign up through one of my links, you directly support me and my wife on the next trips I write about here. Thank you for that.