Is *American Express in India really worth it? On one hand, you get premium rewards, airport lounge access, and customer service. But then, theres high annual fees and limited acceptance compared to Visa and Mastercard. Is it just an expensive status symbol? I’m really not been able to understand, can anyone put forth their views or knowledge, Id be glad
1 Like
Key benefits of Amex in India-
1.) Excellent Customer Support
2.) Reward Programs
3.) Status Symbol & Build Quality
4.) Dining & Lifestyle Offers
Drawbacks-
1.) High annual fees
2.) Not accepted at many offline merchants
It is worth it if You travel frequently, dine at premium places, or enjoy curated lifestyle benefits. Not worth it because of spend mostly offline or at merchants that don’t accept Amex.
When I first got an Amex Platinum in India, I was excited about lounge access, hotel discounts, and premium travel perks. But over time I realized a few things:
I wasn’t using some benefits because everyday places (fuel pumps, small shops) often didn’t accept Amex.
The fees and memberships are high, so unless I leveraged many premium perks (hotel elite status, travel, dining, etc.), the ROI dropped.
When Amex introduced “Reward Xcelerator” and enhanced the Platinum welcome & renewal benefits, I saw the value rise significantly. But still, it only makes sense if I know I’ll use those perks.
So, Amex is worth it—for the right person, with the right spending habits and priorities.
Benefits of Amex in India
Here are the strongest advantages:
1. Top-tier Travel & Lifestyle Perks
• The Amex Platinum Card gives you elite hotel memberships (Marriott Bonvoy Gold, Hilton Honors Gold, etc.).
• Global lounge access (1,300+ lounges worldwide) is also included.
• Welcome gifts and renewal benefits have been improved—e.g. Amex increased the Welcome Gift of the Platinum Card to around ₹60,000 value (Taj/Postcard Hotels/Luxe Gift Card)
2. Membership Rewards Program / Reward Xcelerator
• With “Reward Xcelerator,” Amex allows Platinum Charge cardmembers to earn much higher reward points (10x etc.) on premium brands.
• The reward points don’t expire. That gives flexibility.
3. Elite Memberships & Extra Lifestyle Benefits
• Amex now bundles new elite-tier memberships (e.g. Accor Plus Traveller, The Postcard Sunshine Club – Platinum, I Prefer Titanium) alongside existing ones.
• Also perks like complimentary digital subscriptions, global insurance cover, exclusive dining / partner offers etc.
Drawbacks & Things to Be Careful About
It’s not all perfect; some limits make Amex less “worth it” for many people.
1. High Annual / Membership Fees
The Platinum Consumer Card now has an annual fee of ₹66,000 + taxes. That’s very steep unless you truly make use of all or most of its premium benefits.
2. Limited Acceptance (Offline & Small Merchants)
Many smaller merchants, petrol pumps, etc., still don’t accept Amex. Even in cities, there are spots where payment fails. That means you often still need a Visa/Master/Maestro/Rupay backup.
3. High Mark-ups on Foreign Transactions
If you use the card abroad or for international sites, there is a foreign currency mark-up. That increases cost for those spends.
4. You Must Actually Use the Premium Perks
Many of the value comes from “premium” lifestyle/travel/hotel perks—elite status, lounge access, renewals, etc. If you don’t travel much or stay in luxury properties, the benefits might not outweigh the fee.
Which Amex Cards Give the Best Value
• Depending on how you spend, some Amex cards make more sense than others. Here are ones people often find good:
• Platinum Consumer / Platinum Charge / Platinum Travel: Best if you travel frequently, stay in high-end hotels, use lounges, want elite status, and want the full gamut of premium perks. With the refreshed version, the value (if maximized) can run high.
• SmartEarn Credit Card: A lower-fee Amex card with good rewards in certain categories (shopping, travel, etc.). If you want Amex without the super high fee, this is more reasonable.
• Gold Charge Card: For people who like the prestige of Amex, want decent rewards & privileges, and can pay full balance (charge card style). It fits those who want premium experience but not paying the Platinum fees everywhere.
Who It’s Best For (and Who Should Skip)
Amex is worth it if:
• You travel a lot (domestic/international) and will use lounge access, hotel elite statuses, etc.
• You spend heavily in categories where Amex offers accelerated rewards (premium brands, travel, etc.).
• You enjoy lifestyle perks (fine-dining, exclusive events) and will actually use them.
• You don’t mind paying a high fee but want high return/perks.
Maybe skip or hold off if:
• You mostly spend locally at small/offline shops or in places with poor Amex acceptance.
• You want lower membership fees, fewer frills; you care more about everyday cashback or acceptance than prestige.
• You rarely travel or stay in premium hotels, so many of the “premium” perks would go unused.
Verdict
In summary: Yes, American Express can be worth it in India—especially for frequent travellers and luxury/lifestyle spenders. But it’s not for everyone. For many, Amex works best as a supplementary card for premium spends while keeping a Visa/MasterCard backup for everyday/offline convenience. The return on investment depends heavily on how much you can use the “premium” side of what Amex offers.
If you like, I can compare Amex vs. some top Visa/Master/Maestro premium cards in India in terms of cost vs benefits (for someone with your spending pattern) so you can see side-by-side.
Here is official information on the Amex Platinum Card in India: