From ca 2003 to 2015 I never paid a fee - called them every year and every year they waived it with a 20-40k€ p.a usage . In 2014 they introduced a strict no-fee-waived policy and so when my next fee became due in 2015 I downgraded to Green. So I get no 4 free Priority Pass lounge visits With OWE, *G and ST E+ status it doesn't really hurt me. If I end up on Jetstar, Norwegian, &c the AY Plat Diners' gives unlimited free lounge visits.

Does anyone else remember the downward slide of AMEX MR earnings? I started with a HHonours Amex, IIRC 1 mk (!) = 1HH point. When they stopped the HH card was the first time they waived the yearly fee, as the earnings via MR were worse. And got worse and worse, now 1€=1MR=1 HH (six-fold downgrade!), regardless where you spend it, Gold card or Green card.

According to AMEX on FB, the Gold card is targeted for frequent travellers, who fly several times a year (!)