Yes, American Express generally allows cardholders to "upgrade" their Gold Card to a Platinum Card, but the process is more of a product change than a simple upgrade. To be eligible, your Gold account must typically be in good standing and have been open for at least one year. You can often find an "Upgrade Offer" in your online account or the Amex app, which may include a bonus of Membership Rewards points for spending a certain amount after the switch. However, there is a significant catch: the American Express "once per lifetime" rule for welcome bonuses. If you upgrade your Gold to a Platinum, you may forfeit the ability to earn a much larger "Sign-Up Bonus" (SUB) that you would get by applying for the Platinum Card as a brand-new, separate account. Most financial experts recommend applying for the Platinum Card independently to secure the full bonus, and then deciding whether to close or "downgrade" the Gold Card later. Before making the switch, you should carefully compare the annual fees; the Gold Card's fee is significantly lower than the Platinum's, and the two cards have very different "multipliers"—the Gold is better for dining and groceries, while the Platinum is optimized for travel and luxury perks.