Amex Platinum Travel is not accepting direct applications. But there is a workaround.
This card sits comfortably in India's top 5 travel cards. And for good reason. It gives you milestone-based rewards that can push your effective return rate well beyond 5% if you hit the spending thresholds.
Let me break down exactly why this card matters and how you can actually get it in 2026.
The reward structure that makes it special
The base earn rate is 1 Membership Rewards point per Rs 50 spent. That sounds underwhelming at 2% when valued at Rs 1 per point.
But the magic is in the milestones.
Spend Rs 15,000 within 90 days and you get 10,000 welcome points. Hit Rs 1.9 lakh in a membership year and you earn 15,000 bonus points plus 3,400 regular points. Cross Rs 4 lakh and you add another 25,000 points plus a Taj voucher worth Rs 10,000.
At the Rs 4 lakh spend level, you are looking at approximately 48,000 total points plus the Taj voucher. That works out to roughly Rs 22,000 in value on Rs 4 lakh spend. That is 5.5% effective return rate.
If you use the Reward Multiplier portal to buy vouchers at 3x points, the math gets even better. Strategic spenders have reported returns approaching 10-16% on their total annual spend.
The lounge access situation
You get 8 complimentary domestic lounge visits per year. The catch is these are limited to 2 visits per quarter. Plan your travel accordingly or you will run out.
The Priority Pass membership is complimentary. The $99 annual fee is waived. But here is what Amex does not advertise loudly. You still pay per visit. The current rate is around $35 per visit at Priority Pass lounges.
This is different from cards like HDFC Infinia or Diners Club Black that offer unlimited free visits. Factor this into your calculations if international lounge access matters to you.
The April 2025 changes you need to know
Amex announced some devaluations effective April 2025. Flipkart is no longer a redemption option on the Platinum Travel Collection. The Taj voucher value dropped from previous levels.
But they also added new redemption partners. Postcard Hotels and Air India are now in the mix. Air India redemptions through Amex points transfer at 1:1 to Flying Returns.
This gives you access to Star Alliance award availability through Air India. Not the best award availability in the market, but it opens doors for aspirational redemptions that were not previously possible.
So how do you actually get this card?
Direct applications have been closed since March 2025 when Amex paused new card issuances to integrate new systems into their domestic platform. They resumed accepting applications in September 2025, but only for Platinum Charge and Platinum Reserve.
The Platinum Travel card remains unavailable for direct applications.
Step 1: Apply for Amex Platinum Reserve
This is your entry point. The Platinum Reserve has a joining fee of Rs 11,800 plus GST. Go through a referral link if possible. Even if the upgrade does not work, you walk away with welcome points that partially offset the fee.
Step 2: Activate immediately but do not transact
The moment you receive Platinum Reserve, activate it. But here is the critical part. Do not make any transactions yet. This matters for avoiding double fee payment.
Step 3: Request the upgrade
Visit the Amex upgrade portal and log in. Request your upgrade to Platinum Travel.
If you get the upgrade before making a single transaction on Platinum Reserve, you only pay the Platinum Travel joining fee. Not both. This is the loophole that saves you money.
Already have Smart Earn or MRCC?
The same upgrade path works from these entry-level Amex cards. Many people have used Smart Earn as their gateway to Amex Platinum Travel.
The MRCC (Membership Rewards Credit Card) is actually a solid card in its own right. You can earn 2000 MR bonus points monthly on Rs 20,000 spend, giving you approximately 6% annual return on spends. Some people keep it alongside Platinum Travel instead of upgrading.
The complete milestone breakdown
Let me lay out the full year of benefits when you spend Rs 4 lakh:
- Welcome gift (first year only): 10,000 points on Rs 15,000 spend within 90 days
- First milestone: 15,000 points + 3,400 regular points at Rs 1.9 lakh
- Second milestone: 25,000 points + Taj voucher (Rs 10,000) at Rs 4 lakh
- Base points: Approximately 8,000 points on the remaining spend
Total: 48,400+ points plus Rs 10,000 Taj voucher
At Rs 0.30 per point (conservative valuation for Pay with Points), that is Rs 14,520 in point value plus Rs 10,000 voucher. Nearly Rs 25,000 value on Rs 4 lakh spend.
Transfer partners worth knowing
Amex Membership Rewards transfer to:
- Marriott Bonvoy at 1:1 ratio
- Flying Returns (Air India) at 1:1 ratio
- Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer at select ratios
The Marriott transfer is particularly interesting. You can combine transferred points with the HDFC Marriott Bonvoy card's free night certificates for multi-night stays.
The fee situation
- Joining fee: Rs 5,000 plus 18% GST (Rs 5,900 total)
- Annual fee from second year: Same Rs 5,900
There is no annual fee waiver based on spending. You pay the fee regardless. The milestone benefits are designed to offset the fee several times over if you hit the spend thresholds.
Who should not get this card
If your annual spend is below Rs 1.9 lakh, the math does not work. You will earn base points only and the 2% effective return does not justify the Rs 5,900 annual fee.
If you primarily want international lounge access, cards like HDFC Regalia Gold or Diners Club Black offer better value. Paying per visit at Priority Pass lounges adds up quickly.
If you want a simple cashback card without milestone tracking, look elsewhere. This card rewards strategic spenders who can hit the thresholds.
Who should absolutely get this card
If your annual spend is Rs 4 lakh or more, the milestone benefits make this card extremely rewarding. The Taj voucher alone is worth Rs 10,000.
If you stay at Taj properties regularly, this card makes obvious sense. The 25% off on Taj, SeleQtions, Gateway and Vivanta hotels through Amex offers adds significant value.
If you want to build a points stash for aspirational travel, the transfer partners open interesting possibilities.
This method is working right now
Multiple data points from the credit card community confirm the upgrade path from Platinum Reserve to Platinum Travel is active. But Amex could close this loophole any day.
If you have been waiting to get this card, now is the time to move.
If you want to compare this with other premium options, check out our travel card category to find what fits your spending pattern.
FAQs
Is Amex Platinum Travel card available for new applications in 2026?
No. Direct applications for Amex Platinum Travel remain closed as of January 2026. The only way to get this card is by upgrading from an existing Amex card like Platinum Reserve or MRCC.
What is the annual fee for Amex Platinum Travel card?
The annual fee is Rs 5,000 plus GST (Rs 5,900 total). There is no joining fee if you upgrade from another Amex card. The fee is not waived based on spending.
How many lounge visits do you get with Amex Platinum Travel?
You get 8 complimentary domestic lounge visits per year, limited to 2 per quarter. International lounge access via Priority Pass requires paying approximately $35 per visit despite the membership being complimentary.
Can I transfer Amex points to airlines in India?
Yes. Amex Platinum Travel points transfer 1:1 to Air India Flying Returns and Marriott Bonvoy. You can also transfer to Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer and other international programs at varying ratios.
Is Amex Platinum Travel better than HDFC Infinia?
For most users, HDFC Infinia is better due to unlimited free lounge access, stable SmartBuy portal, and more transfer partners. Amex Platinum Travel wins only if you spend heavily at Taj properties or need the specific milestone structure.
