I’m Thinking About Canceling My Amex Platinum… And Here’s Why

For years, American Express set the bar for airport lounges. Centurion Lounges were the gold standard—a spot to relax, grab a solid meal, and enjoy a well-made cocktail before a flight. If you traveled often, The Platinum Card® felt like a must-have.

But lately? I’m just not feeling it anymore.

The lounge game has changed, and Chase Sapphire Lounges are leading the charge—not just keeping up, but completely redefining what a premium airport lounge should be. Think restaurant-quality meals, unique local touches, and perks that actually make a difference, like spa treatments and even retro arcade rooms.

The Chase Sapphire Lounge at PHL: The Next Level

I just checked out the new Chase Sapphire Lounge in Philadelphia (PHL), and it’s a game-changer. They’ve introduced a full-blown German beer garden inside the lounge—yes, you can sip on craft brews and snack on Philly cheesesteak sliders before your flight. Meanwhile, over in Boston (BOS), they have a taproom featuring a rotating selection of local beers.

Chase isn’t just throwing together lounge spaces; they’re curating unique experiences that go way beyond the basics.

The Etihad Partnership: A Smart Power Move

Another bold move? Chase has partnered with Etihad Airways to take over some of their premium lounges, like the ones at New York-JFK and Washington-Dulles (IAD). These were once exclusive to Etihad’s first and business-class passengers, but now Chase Sapphire Reserve® cardholders have access. Instead of building from scratch, Chase leveraged existing luxury spaces and transformed them into Sapphire Lounges.

That’s how you scale quickly while maintaining a premium experience.

What Card Gets You In?

To access these lounges, you’ll need the Chase Sapphire Reserve®. It took Chase nearly nine years since launching this card to roll out its own lounge network, but now that they’ve arrived, they’re not messing around.

Meanwhile, What’s Happening with Amex?

While Amex is still expanding Centurion Lounges, the experience inside just isn’t what it used to be. Overcrowding, watered-down drink menus, and uninspired food have become common complaints. The exclusivity and excitement around Centurion Lounges seem to be fading.

And honestly? I never thought I’d say this, but my Amex Platinum might not be worth it anymore.

Chase Sapphire Reserve® is giving me better lounge access, a fresh experience, and a more premium travel lifestyle overall. If you’re paying high annual fees, the lounge experience has to match that price tag.

Capital One: The Silent Contender

Let’s not forget about Capital One, though. They may not have as many lounges, but their DFW lounge still has the best grab-and-go concept in the game. If you’re in a rush, nothing beats it. I’m really hoping to see a race between Capital One and Chase—because competition is what drives better perks for all of us.

So, am I overreacting? Would you cancel your Amex Platinum? Or is this just the beginning of an even bigger shift in the lounge wars? Let’s talk.