Amex changes who gets into the lounge on 1 October. Check the second card on your Platinum account.
From 1 October 2026, an Amex Platinum account gets less lounge access.
If you've put a partner or a staff member on a second card, this one is for you.
What changes on 1 October
Three things change for Platinum Personal and Platinum Business cards.
Complimentary guests at Plaza Premium lounges drop from two to one. Corporate Platinum cards keep two.
Only the primary cardholder keeps complimentary Priority Pass. Additional and Employee cardholders lose it.
Lufthansa lounge access through the Global Lounge Collection ends for Platinum cardholders.
Amex also changed its Centurion Lounge access rules on 8 July. From the same date, Platinum Business travel insurance needs the trip booked as a return on the card, according to Point Hacks.
Why now
Amex has not said why. Sources guess at crowding, especially in the Centurion Lounges and some Plaza Premium lounges in Asia.
That is a guess, and I'd rather not add to it.
It isn't only Amex
Qantas tightened lounge access from 1 July. Complimentary lounge passes can only be passed on if the other person is travelling with you.
Qantas Club, Gold and Platinum members also lost lounge access before international Jetstar flights, except on Qantas codeshares. Platinum One members kept it.
Two different programs. Both took something back in the same year.
What it means for a business owner
Who holds the second card on your account? A partner, a business partner, a team member? They are the ones who lose Priority Pass on Thursday.
Do you keep a card mainly for the lounge? If you do, what does that card look like without it?
Check the lounge terms on every card you carry. This is general information, and terms can change.
The Mental Model
A perk you don't control can change on a Thursday.
Value the card without it.
Anything left over is a bonus.
If this changes how you think about lounge access, you can follow Turn Left For Less on YouTube, TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn for ongoing insights into premium travel strategy, or check out us here.
Value the card on what it does for your business first. Let the lounge access be the bonus, never the reason.
Please note: Turn Left For Less is not a financial adviser and holds no AFSL or ACL, so this is points strategy, not personal financial, legal or insurance advice. Any bonus points, offers or program changes mentioned are an incentive only and say nothing about whether a product, card or policy actually suits you, so always do your own due diligence, or speak to your points coach or adviser, before switching, signing up or making any changes. If you're on a legacy, grandfathered, or otherwise sensitive arrangement, don't change it just for points. What you'd lose can easily outweigh the offer. And never chase points for their own sake. Only act when it's something you'd do anyway, run the numbers on the product or decision first, and let the points be the bonus, never the reason.
