American Express is making another round of changes to benefits for the American Express Platinum Card®—and this time, it’s a mix of added flexibility and some paper cuts. One change adds value, while the others are small and somehow still noticeably painful.

This latest round of updates expands flight discounts, including eligible domestic economy fares. But it also cuts ties with Lufthansa lounges and removes the Saks Fifth Avenue credit entirely.

In other words, Amex giveth and Amex taketh away.

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New Flight Discounts, With a Catch

On the “giveth” side, Amex is rolling out Platinum Member Airfares, a refreshed version of its long-standing International Airline Program.

The biggest change is the program’s scope. Now, instead of being limited to discounted international business- and first-class tickets, Platinum Member Airfares include domestic economy fares, too.

The program covers more than 30 airlines and allows eligible cardholders to book discounted fares for up to eight travelers on the same reservation. That’s a solid expansion, especially for families or group trips.

Fares still need to be booked through Amex Travel, and pricing won’t always beat what you’ll find when booking directly. You can earn miles on eligible fares—just make sure to compare prices before booking.

Lufthansa Lounge Access Is Going Away

On the “taketh away” side, Amex is getting rid of Lufthansa lounge access entirely, effective October 1, 2026.

This perk gave Platinum cardholders access to select Lufthansa lounges when flying on a same-day Lufthansa Group flight, even in economy. For frequent international travelers, especially those passing through Europe, this was a valuable benefit in the Amex portfolio.

And soon it’ll be gone.

Saks Credit Is on the Way Out

Amex is also removing the Saks Fifth Avenue credit card, which is scheduled to end on July 1, 2026.

This benefit provided a twice-yearly statement credit for purchases at Saks. While its real-world value varied with how cardholders used it, it remained a core part of the Platinum Card’s mix of lifestyle perks.

A Familiar Trade-Off

These updates are a mixed bag. On one end, the new Platinum Member Airfares program adds some flexibility, particularly with the inclusion of certain domestic economy flights and the ability to book for multiple travelers. But the value will still depend heavily on pricing through Amex Travel.

At the same time, the loss of Lufthansa lounge access and the removal of the Saks credit represent more tangible cuts to existing benefits.

Whether this set of changes is a win depends on how you use the card. If you’re booking flights through Amex Travel and can take advantage of the new discounts, there may be some added value. If you relied on Lufthansa lounge access or the existing Saks credit, this update may sting.