Is the Amex Platinum still worth it for travelers who mostly fly domestic routes?

If most of your trips are within the United States, the American Express Platinum can still be a solid play for lounge perks, but the value you capture will depend on how you use the domestic‑focused lounges and whether you meet the spend threshold for unlimited access.

Domestic lounge access you get with the Platinum

• Delta Sky Club visits – When you fly on Delta (or a partner airline) in a non‑basic‑economy cabin, your same‑day boarding pass and the Platinum card let you walk into a Sky Club  Boarding Area . If you don’t hit the $75,000 annual spend, you’re limited to 10 complimentary visits per year  Boarding Area .
• Centurion Lounges in U.S. airports – The Global Lounge Collection includes the Centurion lounges, which are located at major domestic hubs (e.g., New York‑JFK, Los Angeles, Chicago). These lounges are part of the “over 1,400 lounges worldwide” network the card offers  Boarding Area .
• Priority Pass‑affiliated lounges – Through the Global Lounge Collection you also get access to many U.S. Priority Pass lounges, adding extra options beyond the Amex‑branded spaces  Boarding Area .

Things that can limit the benefit for domestic travelers

• Visit caps without high spend – The 10‑visit limit on Delta Sky Clubs can run out quickly if you travel frequently, and guest access usually costs extra unless the guest also holds a Platinum  Boarding Area .
• Crowding and wait‑times – Even domestic lounges have become busier, which can dilute the “elite” feel and may require you to arrive early to secure a spot  Miles to Memories Your Mileage May Vary .
• Overlap with other premium cards – Cards like the Chase Sapphire Reserve or Capital One Venture X also grant Priority Pass or airline‑specific lounge entry at lower annual fees, so if you already have one of those, the incremental value of the Platinum’s domestic lounge access shrinks  Miles to Memories Your Mileage May Vary .

How to make the most of it on U.S. trips

1. Plan your Delta Sky Club usage – Reserve your 10 free visits for longer or higher‑cost domestic flights where the lounge credit offsets the fee.
2. Leverage Centurion lounges – Use them at major hubs where they’re available; they often have better amenities than many airport lounges.
3. Combine with Priority Pass – If you have a Priority Pass membership through another card, the Platinum’s added access can fill gaps on routes where Delta or Centurion lounges aren’t present.

In short, the Platinum’s lounge network still offers useful domestic perks, especially if you can maximize the limited Sky Club visits and take advantage of U.S. Centurion locations. However, the benefit is less compelling if you already have other premium cards that provide similar lounge access or if you can’t meet the spend threshold for unlimited visits.