AmEx bets on ultra-premium Platinum to drive high-spender growth
American Express is shifting marketing dollars to its refreshed Platinum card with an $895 annual fee to attract high-spending customers, part of a broader strategy aligned with a K-shaped economy where the wealthy spend more while others pull back. The company reported 4Q results that missed consensus partly due to Platinum refresh costs, with new card accounts at 2.9 million at year-end (the lowest in five quarters). Luxury categories showed solid growth (luxury retailers +15%, business/class airfare +9%, luxury hotel +12%), while overall earnings per share came in at $3.53, a penny below expectations; shares fell about 3.5%.
