Link: Learn more about the American Express Platinum Card®
The American Express Platinum Card® (review) has recently undergone a major refresh. With this, I’d argue that the card is more compelling than ever before. While I’d say that what’s most exciting is the new perks, it’s worth noting that the card also has a new design.
You can select your preferred design when you get approved, though existing cardmembers can also receive a card with the new design, so let’s talk about how that works.
In this post:
The Platinum Card® has three special card designs
As a standard, the Platinum Card® is a metal card, with a platinum(ish) design finish. It’s a pretty nice looking card, but there are actually three special design options beyond that. With the recent refresh, we’ve seen the introduction of a new mirror design, which is certainly a unique look for a card (this is for cards issued in the United States).
However, cardmembers also have access to two other special design options, which were introduced back in 2022.
There’s the abstract design, which was created in partnership with abstract artist Julie Mehretu…
…and then there’s the floral design, which was created in partnership with portrait painter Kehinde Wiley.
All of these designs are available to both new and existing cardmembers.
How to request a special Platinum Card® design
If you’re an existing Platinum Card® cardmember, requesting the new card design is easy, and it can be done through the Amex website or app.
If you want to do it on the website, just log into your Amex online account, and click on the “Account Services” tab, and then click on “Change Card Design,” in the “Manage This Card” section.
You can then decide which card design you’d like, as you can choose from the abstract, floral, or mirror design (or if you want to reject all those designs, you can also go with an 85% recycled plastic card).
You’ll then be asked to confirm your shipping address (and you can even modify it, if you’d like), and you’ll be given an estimate of how long it’ll take to be delivered.
The process of requesting a different card design through the app is largely similar. On the “Account” tab, click the “Replace Card” heading,
On the next page you’ll need to select the card you want to replace, and then on the page after that, click the “Continue To Replace Card” button.
You’ll then want to select the “Change Card Design” option.
Then you’ll be able to pick your card design, and it’ll confirm your address and shipping date.
As you can see, it’s all pretty easy…
To what extent does premium card design matter?
There’s obviously a lot of competition between the major card issuers, especially when it comes to premium credit cards. There are all kinds of ways that issuers try to differentiate themselves, and card design has increasingly become one of those areas.
Objectively, I think what Amex is doing here is really smart. These designs are unique, and will be conversation starters. What card issuer wouldn’t want their card to be a point of conversation? Furthermore, the demographic that Amex is going after with the Platinum Card® will largely like this, and it could cause some people to choose to put this card front of wallet.
The card isn’t actually terribly compelling in terms of its rewards structure for everyday spending, so if this causes some spending to shift, there’s quite some upside there.
Personally, my approach is a little different, and I’ll let Amex save whatever amount it takes to create a new card. Why? Well, for one, I’m an introvert who isn’t trying to show off, so a card being a conversation starter isn’t exactly a plus for me. 😉
Furthermore, I don’t actually use the Platinum Card® for many in-person purchases. The primary category in which I spend on the card is airfare, given the compelling return, and those purchases aren’t made in-person. For most in-person purchases, I use mobile payment.
So whether the card is as pretty as an Airelles hotel or as ugly as a Cybertruck, it has no impact on my spending decision. But again, I realize I’m probably in the minority on that.
Bottom line
The Platinum Card® has recently undergone a refresh. What’s most exciting is that the card has new perks that help nicely with justifying the annual fee. However, the card also has a new mirror design, for those who care about that. It’s easy to request this, whether you’re a new or existing cardmember, in case that’s something you value.
Are you requesting a Platinum Card® with the new mirror design? How important do you think card design is?
I prefer the plastic one. It's easier to deal with and dispose of when it expires.
In these times it may be better to be less flashy when using the card.
We dropped the Centurion. So thats a no for us.
Keep your mirrors. I still have, and use my "member since 67" greenie. Live in Europe and have no need for a $900 piece of plastic or mirror. But I do miss Karl Malden.
Does this request cause the card number, expiration, etc to change? If so that would be some extra work for me to update all the places that are set on recurring autopay with current card number (walmart+, uber one, ny times, etc) where forgetting to update somewhere will cause my backup payment option to be invoked losing the month's credit!
Got the new design, because why not. I don't often use the physical Amex plat card, but I keep it in my wallet as a backup card in case it's needed (as a backup or something, who knows, maybe my mom took Tylenol...). The main reason I like it is because it's lighter than the standard plat, which is an attractive feature to me.
I have the streamers like design on my current platinum card. To anyone who has recieved the new mirror design, do you think it's nicer than the design I currently have? I may request a new one if people recommend it. Otherwise, I love the different colors I have on my current card.
I have one and it's very pretty. So what's people's problem with this? First of all, if you've been in an airport lounge recently, too many people are in there anyhow, so I view it as a good thing if people give up the card as too expensive. Second of all it's NOT hard to make that money back, and more, using the perks every year, especially with the new upgrades and 400 a year...
I have one and it's very pretty. So what's people's problem with this? First of all, if you've been in an airport lounge recently, too many people are in there anyhow, so I view it as a good thing if people give up the card as too expensive. Second of all it's NOT hard to make that money back, and more, using the perks every year, especially with the new upgrades and 400 a year at Resy Restaurants, 300 at Lululemon (yes I can get gifts for people and honestly something free for myself once a quarter), then there's the digital services credit, the free Walmart+ membership (WITH Paramount+ I might add), the phone protection so I don't have to buy any, the 100 Saks credit I use for something, especially fragrances I'd buy anyhow, the 200 airline credit (hint buy a ticket then upgrade it), and the 600 a year hotel credit (going on a cruise? Stay at the Ritz the night before. Spend a weekend with someone for the other credit). How much money did I just mention, AND get airport lounge access.
If you think centurions are crowded now, it’s going to be even worse. Haven’t you heard..new plat gives lulu lemon coupons and THE CARD IS SHINY!!!
"...the demographic that Amex is going after with the Platinum Card will largely like this..." The demographic that usually has their platinum card on a mirror, so enjoy Amex cutting out the middle step there.
If updating to the mirror design, does the prior physical card still work or does it get deactivated?
Usually the old one will keep working, it's the same as if you claim a card is "damaged" and need a replacement. I've found this trick is helpful with other cards I want to have in multiple places without needing to carry them (like say, gas cards kept in my cars).
The old card works until you confirm the new card. The number is the same, but the CID and expiration date are different.
Does authorized users have access to those other card designs?
Yes.
Mirror design not offered as a replacement for my Schwab Platinum card. No problem; like others, I don't physically carry the card that often.
By far the dumbest reason I can think of to give a bank $1,095.00 a year (for a couple). If you're that insecure that you need something to make you appear rich and important, get a fake Rolex for fifty bucks and pocket the savings.
The thing people and blogs who love to talk about the "value" of this card need to remember is you start out deep in the hole. So working really...
By far the dumbest reason I can think of to give a bank $1,095.00 a year (for a couple). If you're that insecure that you need something to make you appear rich and important, get a fake Rolex for fifty bucks and pocket the savings.
The thing people and blogs who love to talk about the "value" of this card need to remember is you start out deep in the hole. So working really hard buying overpriced shite you wouldn't otherwise buy at Lululemon and Saks, or forcing yourself to find a FHR you can use, that is probably much more expensive than the hotel you'd otherwise chose and paying above rack rate so you can be forced to dine in the hotel restaurant eating overpriced generic food so you can get your credits before they expire, and finding ways to game the airline fee credits and hoping and praying that it will work --- is all an exhausting way to try to get back to the zero cost of not having the card in the first place.
Plus all those metal cards make my ass look big when I put them in my wallet.
@Larry
I want to spend the least time possible in airports and get to and from my destination.
An $18 Mediterranean buffet before or after a long trip would beat any lounge food that costs $895 annually. $900 would be too much. Mirror mirror on the wall.
This is a travel card. You are buying an airport lounge membership for a fee of $895 (or $1,090 for a couple - $5 savings off of what you thought!). If you do not value the lounge membership (or the assorted travel insurance benefits) this card is not for you. And there is no reason why Amex should provide you with airport lounges for free.
If you do value the lounge membership - good news!...
This is a travel card. You are buying an airport lounge membership for a fee of $895 (or $1,090 for a couple - $5 savings off of what you thought!). If you do not value the lounge membership (or the assorted travel insurance benefits) this card is not for you. And there is no reason why Amex should provide you with airport lounges for free.
If you do value the lounge membership - good news! Amex is offering you easy to use credits against the fee. You can get such things like a $200 airline credit (easy to use if you value the lounge membership because you, you know, travel). You can get a $300 digital entertainment credit (YouTube anyone?). You can get a $400 resy credit (10,000+ restaurants that use the Resy platform). That's $900 of easy to use credits that offsets the annual fee.
For many, many people, that's a pretty good deal with those credits alone. Even if you value those credits at $600 instead of $900 (time-value of money, etc.), you're then only paying $295 for a lounge membership. Especially when compared with the Chase credits, which are... hard to use!
But wait, there's more! A $300 LLL credit! Gift cards may technically be excluded, but... people are buying them and getting a credit! So, buy $300 in gift cards, and sell the $300 in gift cards at a discount for $195 or whatever - you've paid for the $195 AU fee!
And that's not counting the $600 FHR fee (could be useful if you, you know, travel! Plenty of international hotels that are with FHR that are ~$300 a night! And you get the FHR benefits which often includes $100 in free food/drinks!). Or the $100 saks credit! Or the national car rental executive status! Or lots of other credits, statuses and things!
Good news as well - you can request a plastic card, as Ben's article notes! So that metal card and your posterior need not meet.
I'm really struggling to see the problem here. If you travel a lot and you use the lounges, this is simply a no-brainer in terms of value. If you want a piece of metal or plastic to show off your "status", I agree that's silly.
If you have multiple Amex biz plats from the NLL offers, the different designs are also reflected in Apple Pay even if you never carry around the card.
For me at least, this makes it easier to track use of my airline, Dell and and Hilton credits.
No thanks. Plastic is lighter in your pocket.
Using the physical card once a quarter maybe at Resy restaurant or Lululemon store with new benefits?
I got my mirror one in the mail a few days ago. Already getting a lot of compliments and looks about it from people at restaurants and whatnot. lol. Gotta look rich. :D
Why do you need compliments on your credit card?
Why, ego, of course.
The only time another human sees my Platinum card is at Centurion lounge check in or for check in at a FHR/ THC that wants a physical card to insert in their reader.