American Express(US:AXP) The Verge·2025-09-27 15:01Product & Pricing Strategy - American Express raised the annual fee for its Platinum card to $895 [2] - The increased fee includes a "premium theme" that turns the app dark [2] - The dark mode theme is presented as a cardholder perk alongside benefits like restaurant points and rental car insurance [3] - The offering is compared to BMW charging $500 for slightly faster car performance, highlighting perceived overpricing [5] Customer Perception & Value - The value proposition of dark mode as a premium feature is questioned [1][2] - The offering is described as "ludicrous" and indicative of the credit card industry's excesses [5] - The aesthetic appeal of the dark mode app is acknowledged [3] - The new app features include welcome bonus progress tracking and account setup tasks in one dashboard [5]