Summary (tl;dr)

American Express has introduced "Platinum Member Airfares," an expanded travel program for its Platinum and Business Platinum cardholders, offering discounts on select domestic economy flights in addition to international premium cabins, while also announcing the discontinuation of Lufthansa lounge access.

Essential Background

The American Express Platinum Card® and Business Platinum Card® are well-known for their premium travel benefits, including extensive lounge access, hotel perks, and previously, programs like the International Airline Program and Recommended Flights that offered discounts on airfares. Cardholders often leverage these benefits to enhance their travel experiences and save on costs, making changes to these perks a significant point of interest.

The Full Story

American Express officially launched its new "Platinum Member Airfares" program on April 10, 2026, which consolidates and replaces the former International Airline Program and Recommended Flights. This expanded program now offers eligible Platinum and Business Platinum cardholders access to discounts on select domestic economy fares with participating airlines, a significant addition to the existing savings on international premium economy, business, and first-class tickets. Cardmembers can expect an average saving of 10%, or about $100 per ticket, on eligible international fares across more than 30 airlines when booking through Amex Travel™. Simultaneously, American Express announced that cardholders will lose access to Lufthansa lounges as of October 1, 2026, marking a change in the Global Lounge Collection benefits.

Why It Matters

This development is significant for American Express Platinum and Business Platinum cardholders as it broadens the scope of potential flight savings to include domestic economy travel, which can be a valuable benefit for a wider range of trips. The program allows cardholders to save on fares for themselves and up to seven companions on the same reservation, while also continuing to earn 5x Membership Rewards® points on flights booked directly with airlines or through Amex Travel, alongside their chosen airline loyalty miles. However, the discontinuation of Lufthansa lounge access represents a reduction in a previously offered premium perk, which may impact cardholders who frequently utilized those lounges, particularly for travel to and from Europe. Travelers will need to assess these changes to optimize their card benefits for future travel plans.

Geographic Location

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