Amex India Credit Card Changes 2025-2026 — All Updates
Updated 21 March 2026
Bottom line: American Express India has rolled out sweeping changes since June 2025 — higher fees, trimmed lounge access, reward tweaks, and a full freeze on new applications. If you hold an Amex card (or wanted one), here’s every change that matters and what to do about it.
What Happened — The Timeline
Amex India hasn’t had a quiet year. Between mid-2025 and early 2026, cardholders have been hit with a series of changes that, taken together, represent the biggest shake-up in Amex India’s history. Let’s walk through it chronologically.
June 12, 2025 — The Big Revision
This was the date that changed the game. American Express revised terms across nearly its entire India portfolio. The key hits:
- Lounge access curtailed. Several cards lost complimentary international lounge visits or had them converted to paid access. The Platinum Card’s Priority Pass benefit saw tighter visit caps.
- Annual and concierge fees revised upward. Premium cards like the Platinum Charge and the Centurion saw fee bumps. The Platinum Card’s effective annual cost rose, factoring in reduced complimentary perks.
- Reward earn rates adjusted. Membership Rewards points on certain spend categories were quietly reduced. Insurance and government payments saw the sharpest cuts.
- Milestone benefits restructured. Spend-based milestone rewards (like bonus points at Rs 1.5 lakh or Rs 4 lakh annual spend) were either raised in threshold or reduced in payout.
Here’s how the June 2025 changes hit the most popular Amex India cards:
| Card | What Changed | Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Amex Platinum Charge | Lounge visit cap tightened, annual fee effectively higher with fewer included perks | High — premium users feel it most |
| Amex Gold Charge | Milestone thresholds raised, select dining perks trimmed | Medium — still decent value if spend is high |
| Amex SmartEarn | Reward rate on online spends slightly reduced | Low-Medium — entry card took a minor hit |
| Amex MRCC (Membership Rewards) | Points per Rs 50 unchanged but bonus categories narrowed | Low — still the accessible Amex entry point |
September 2025 — Application Freeze
This one caught everyone off guard. American Express temporarily stopped accepting all new credit card applications in India. No new Gold, no new Platinum, no new SmartEarn — nothing.
The official line was vague (“business review”), but the timing aligned with RBI’s increasing scrutiny on unsecured lending and co-branded card partnerships across the industry. Amex wasn’t the only issuer tightening up — HDFC Bank and Axis Bank also revised their card issuance criteria around the same period.
As of March 2026, new applications remain paused for most Amex India products. Existing cardholders can still use their cards, earn rewards, and access benefits — but if you don’t already have an Amex, you can’t get one right now.
April 2026 — New Income Tax Act Implications
The Income Tax Act 2025 (effective April 2026) brings all credit cards under tighter reporting. This isn’t Amex-specific, but it matters:
- High-value transaction reporting. Credit card spends above specified thresholds will be reported to the Income Tax department with greater granularity. The focus is on increasing transparency and catching mismatches between reported income and spending patterns.
- PAN linkage tightened. Your credit card account must be linked to a valid PAN. Credit card statements can now serve as address proof for PAN applications — a small convenience buried in the new rules.
- Tax payments via credit card face revised rules. If you’ve been paying advance tax or self-assessment tax via credit card to earn reward points, the new framework may change the economics of that strategy.
What This Means for Current Amex Holders
If you’re already holding an Amex card, here’s the practical advice:
Don’t Panic-Cancel
Amex cards still offer genuine value — particularly the Platinum for travel and the Gold for dining. The changes hurt at the margins, but the core proposition (strong travel perks, solid rewards on high spend, global acceptance at premium merchants) remains.
Re-Evaluate Your Annual Fee Math
With higher fees and fewer included perks, you need to redo the break-even calculation. If your Platinum’s annual fee is Rs 60,000+ and you’re no longer getting as many complimentary lounge visits or hotel nights, make sure your actual usage still justifies the cost.
Watch the Application Freeze
If Amex reopens applications, there may be revised products with different fee structures and benefits. Don’t assume the cards that come back will look the same as the ones that left.
Prepare for April 2026 Tax Rules
This applies to all your credit cards, not just Amex. Keep your PAN linked, be aware that high spends are reported, and don’t use credit card tax payments purely as a reward-point hack without understanding the new compliance framework.
How Amex India Compares Now
After all these changes, where does Amex stand against the competition?
| Feature | Amex Platinum | HDFC Infinia | Axis Magnus |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annual Fee | ~Rs 60,000+ | Rs 12,500 (waivable) | Rs 12,500 (waivable) |
| New Applications | Frozen | Open | Open |
| Lounge Access | Reduced caps | Unlimited domestic (fair use) | Unlimited domestic (fair use) |
| Reward Rate | 1 MR point/Rs 50 | 3.3 points/Rs 150 | 12 Edge Miles/Rs 200 |
| Best For | Travel + global perks | All-round premium | Travel redemptions |
The gap has narrowed. HDFC Infinia and Axis Magnus now offer comparable (sometimes better) value at lower effective costs, and crucially, you can actually apply for them.
Related Guides on CardTrail
- Best Travel Credit Cards in India — Updated rankings after all the 2025-2026 changes.
- Credit Card Comparison Tool — Side-by-side compare any two cards on fees, rewards, and perks.
- India Credit Card Rules & Regulations — RBI guidelines, tax reporting thresholds, and what the new Income Tax Act means for your cards.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is American Express still accepting new credit card applications in India?
No. As of March 2026, Amex India has paused new credit card applications across all products. There’s no confirmed date for when they’ll reopen. Existing cardholders are unaffected.
Did Amex India increase credit card fees in 2026?
Yes. From June 12, 2025, annual fees and concierge fees were revised upward on several cards, particularly premium products like the Platinum Charge. Some previously included perks became paid add-ons.
How do the April 2026 Income Tax Act changes affect my Amex card?
High-value credit card transactions will be reported to the IT department with greater detail. Your card must be PAN-linked, and the economics of paying taxes via credit card for reward points may change. This applies to all credit cards, not just Amex.
Should I cancel my Amex card after these changes?
Not necessarily. Evaluate whether your annual spend and usage patterns still justify the fee. If you travel frequently and use Amex’s global network, the card can still deliver value. But if you’re barely using the perks, the math may no longer work.
What are the best alternatives to Amex in India right now?
HDFC Infinia, Axis Magnus, and IDFC First Wealth are the strongest alternatives for premium users. For entry-level, HDFC Millennia and SBI SimplyCLICK offer solid rewards without the Amex premium.
Will Amex India launch new cards when applications reopen?
Unconfirmed, but likely. Industry speculation suggests Amex may restructure its India lineup with revised fee tiers and benefits before reopening. We’ll update this page when there’s concrete news.
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