Amex Platinum vs. other credit cards
Published 4:46 PM EDT, Tue July 30, 2024
American Express
The top echelon of travel credit cards is a small group, and it includes The Platinum Card? from American Express (terms apply, see rates and fees). For a $695 annual fee, you’ll get credits for eligible spending, unbeatable airport lounge access, elite status with select hotel and rental car programs, and much more.
But other heavyweight cards can do a few tricks that the Amex Platinum can’t, and you’ll need to evaluate rewards, benefits and upscale perks to decide which premium card best matches your goals.
Amex Platinum vs. other rewards cards
| ? | The Platinum Card? from American Express | American Express? Gold Card | Chase Sapphire Reserve? | Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Annual fee
| $695 (see rates and fees)
| $325 (see rates and fees)
| $550
| $395
|
Rewards currency
| American Express Membership Rewards? points
| Amex Membership Rewards points
| Chase Ultimate Rewards?
| Capital One miles
|
Welcome offer
| 80,000 Membership Rewards? points after you spend $8,000 on purchases within the first six months of account opening
| 60,000 Membership Rewards? points after spending $6,000 on eligible purchases in the first six months of card membership. Plus, receive 20% back in statement credits on eligible restaurant purchases worldwide (up to $100 back) within the first six months of card membership (offer ends 11/6/24)
| 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening
| 75,000 bonus miles after spending $4,000 on purchases within the first three months of account opening
|
Standout rewards rate
| 5x on flights booked with airlines or through Amex Travel (up to $500,000 per year, then 1x)
| 4x at U.S. supermarkets (up to $25,000 per year, then 1x)
| 3x on most travel
| 2x miles on most purchases
|
Base rewards rate
| 1x
| 1x
| 1x
| 2x
|
Best for
| Luxury benefits
| Foodies
| Travel spending
| Travel overall
|
Amex Platinum vs. premium co-branded cards
| ? | The Platinum Card? from American Express | Delta SkyMiles? Reserve American Express Card | Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant? American Express? Card | United Club? Infinite Card |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Annual fee
| $695 (see rates and fees)
| $650 (see rates and fees)
| $650 (see rates and fees)
| $525
|
Rewards currency
| Amex Membership Rewards points
| |||
Welcome offer
| 80,000 Membership Rewards? points after you spend $8,000 on purchases within the first six months of account opening
| 100,000 miles after spending $6,000 on eligible purchases in the first six months of card membership
| 185,000 Marriott Bonvoy bonus points after spending $6,000 in purchases within the first six months of card membership
| 80,000 bonus miles after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening
|
Standout rewards rate
| 5x on flights booked with airlines or through Amex Travel (up to $500,000 per year, then 1x)
| 3x on eligible Delta purchases
| 6x on eligible Marriott Bonvoy spending
| 4x on United spending
|
Base rewards rate
| 1x
| 1x
| 2x
| 1x
|
We receive compensation from our partners for Featured Offer placements, which impacts how and where their offer is displayed.
Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards? Points after you spend $8,000 on purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.
Credit Score ranges are based on FICO? credit scoring. This is just one scoring method and a credit card issuer may use another method when considering your application. These are provided as guidelines only and approval is not guaranteed.
Amex Gold vs. Platinum
For a mid-range alternative to the Amex Platinum Card, consider the $325-annual-fee American Express? Gold Card (terms apply, see rates and fees).
Reward highlights
Compared to the Amex Platinum, the Amex Gold earns at a significantly better rate for some everyday expenses: 4x points at restaurants worldwide and on takeout and delivery in the U.S. (on up to $50,000 per year, then 1x starting Jan. 1, 2025), and 4x points at U.S. supermarkets on up to $25,000 spent per year (then 1x).
In contrast, the Amex Platinum earns 5x points on flights booked directly with the airline or through Amex Travel (on up to $500,000 in purchases per year) and on prepaid hotels booked through Amex Travel.
Statement credit highlights
The Amex Gold also comes with up to $10 a month to reimburse dining purchases with a handful of brands, including The Cheesecake Factory and Grubhub (enrollment required). You’ll also get $10 in monthly Uber Cash (not a statement credit), which you can use for rides in the U.S. or Uber Eats orders. You must add the Amex Gold to the Uber app to receive the Uber Cash benefit. These credits and others can outweigh the card’s $325 annual fee.
While the Amex Platinum doesn’t offer a specific statement credit for dining, it does come with $15 in Uber Cash each month (and $35 in December) for $200 per year that you can use for Uber or Uber Eats purchases.
You’ll also get Global Dining Access by Resy, which gives you special privileges at select restaurants, including access to certain tables — meaning you may have better luck getting in at a hard-to-reserve restaurant. The Amex Gold doesn’t offer this perk, but it does come with up to $100 per year to cover eligible spending at restaurants that participate in Resy.
American Express Gold vs. Platinum: Which should you get?
If you fly often, the Amex Platinum can be worth its annual fee. If you travel just once or twice per year, the Amex Gold will likely be a better value.
We receive compensation from our partners for Featured Offer placements, which impacts how and where their offer is displayed.
Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards? Points after you spend $6,000 on eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Plus, receive 20% back in statement credits on eligible purchases made at restaurants worldwide within the first 6 months of Card Membership, up to $100 back. Limited time offer. Offer ends 11/6/24.
Credit Score ranges are based on FICO? credit scoring. This is just one scoring method and a credit card issuer may use another method when considering your application. These are provided as guidelines only and approval is not guaranteed.
Chase Sapphire Reserve vs. Amex Platinum
The Sapphire Reserve is one of the top travel credit cards thanks to its generous perks and super-flexible rewards. Your choice here may come down to whether you prefer Chase Ultimate Rewards or Amex Membership Rewards.
Reward highlights
The Sapphire Reserve earns transferable Chase Ultimate Rewards points, which are comparable to Amex Membership Rewards points — but with a few different airline and hotel partners and better redemption values in some cases, such as for cash back. You can also redeem Ultimate Rewards points through Chase Travel? for airfare, hotel stays, rental cars, activities and cruises at a rate of 1.5 cents each.
Statement credit highlights
For a $550 annual fee, you’ll get up to $300 a year to reimburse travel purchases.
The Amex Platinum doesn’t offer such a broad travel credit, but it does come with a few stunners of its own. For example, you’ll get up to $200 in annual airline fee credits on an eligible airline you choose to offset purchases such as checked bag fees, seat changes and pet fees. You’ll also get up to $200 in annual statement credits to offset eligible prepaid hotel stays reserved via Amex Travel.
American Express Platinum vs. Chase Sapphire Reserve: Which should you get?
If you want free travel but can’t bother with transferring points to airline and hotel programs, choose the Sapphire Reserve for its ability to book flights, hotels and more through Chase Travel at a strong rate. Both cards offer strong airport lounge access, but Amex Platinum has a wider range of options. For its part, the Sapphire Reserve has an edge when it comes to travel insurance.
Venture X vs. Amex Platinum
Card holders can justify paying the $395 annual fee every year for the Venture X. Its more reasonable fee may be a selling point for card holders on the fence.
Reward highlights
The card earns Capital One miles, which are similar to American Express Membership Rewards points in that you can transfer them to airline and hotel partners for heavily discounted airfare and hotel stays.
Statement credit highlights
The Venture X offers $300 per year to offset travel booked through Capital One Travel. Both cards can cover your application fee for TSA PreCheck or Global Entry.
The Amex Platinum’s laundry list of annual statement credits isn’t as user-friendly overall, but the value proposition is considerably higher — if you make the effort to use them.
American Express Platinum vs. Capital One Venture X: Which should you get?
If you value simplicity, go for the Venture X. If you don’t mind a bit of inconvenience for much higher potential value, go for the Amex Platinum.
We receive compensation from our partners for Featured Offer placements, which impacts how and where their offer is displayed.
Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
Credit Score ranges are based on FICO? credit scoring. This is just one scoring method and a credit card issuer may use another method when considering your application. These are provided as guidelines only and approval is not guaranteed.
Delta Reserve vs. Amex Platinum
The Delta SkyMiles Reserve (terms apply, see rates and fees) is a hyper-premium airline credit card. The Amex Platinum can’t match the Delta-centric perks of the Delta SkyMiles Reserve, though it does confer Delta Sky Club airport lounge access when flying Delta.
Rewards highlights
The Amex Platinum can earn more rewards than the Delta SkyMiles Reserve on Delta tickets (5x points on eligible flights vs. 3x miles on Delta purchases). Because you can transfer Amex Membership Rewards points to Delta at a 1:1 ratio, the Amex Platinum is a superior option to pay for your Delta flights.
Statement credit highlights
The Delta SkyMiles Reserve’s perks include up to $240 in annual credit for Resy-participating restaurants, up to $120 in rideshare credit (enrollment required) and up to $200 in Delta Stays credit (which you can use to book prepaid accommodation through Delta.com). The Amex Platinum’s up to $200 in credits for eligible prepaid hotel stays rivals the Delta SkyMiles Reserve’s Delta Stays Credit, and its up to $200 in Uber Cash each year outdoes the rideshare credit. You won’t get a Resy credit, but you could get exclusive reservations with Global Dining Acces by Resy.
American Express Platinum vs. Delta Reserve: Which should you get?
Despite the Amex Platinum’s strong rewards and statement credits, the Delta SkyMiles Reserve is the easy choice if you fly Delta regularly thanks to perks such as a free checked bag and priority boarding on Delta flights, an annual Delta companion certificate, and Delta Sky Club airport lounge access when flying Delta. You’ll even get a head start toward Medallion? elite status.
We receive compensation from our partners for Featured Offer placements, which impacts how and where their offer is displayed.
Earn 100,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.
Credit Score ranges are based on FICO? credit scoring. This is just one scoring method and a credit card issuer may use another method when considering your application. These are provided as guidelines only and approval is not guaranteed.
Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant vs. Amex Platinum
You can upgrade your hotel stays with the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant (terms apply, see rates and fees).
Reward highlights
You’ll get Marriott Bonvoy Platinum elite status with the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant, which comes with 50% bonus points with Marriott, among other perks. You’ll also get a free night award worth up to 85,000 points each year after you renew your account (note that some hotels charge resort fees). In some cases, the free night award may single-handedly offset the $650 annual fee.
The Amex Platinum confers Marriott Bonvoy Gold elite status (enrollment required), which offers less fancy, but still valuable, Marriott benefits. You can also transfer the points you earn with the Amex Platinum to Marriott at a 1:1 ratio. However, the average value you’ll get per Marriott Bonvoy point is typically far lower than the value of Amex points.
Statement credit highlights
The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant also comes with helpful non-Marriott benefits, such as up to $25 in monthly credits toward restaurant purchases (up to a $300 value annually).
The Amex Platinum comes with more statement credits and partner perks overall, including up to $200 each year in Uber Cash, which you can use for Uber Eats purchases.
American Express Platinum vs. Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant: Which should you get?
Those who book a few luxury Marriott stays each year (but don’t stay enough to earn top-tier status) may find the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Card worth keeping. But the Amex Platinum offers superior potential annual value and all-around travel benefits, including better airport lounge access.
Hilton Aspire vs Amex Platinum
The Amex Hilton Aspire Card is jammed with valuable Hilton benefits in exchange for a $550 annual fee.
Reward highlights
The Amex Hilton Aspire Card comes with automatic top-tier Hilton Honors Diamond status — which awards 100% bonus points on Hilton spending, among other perks. Plus, you’ll get an annual free night reward for your card anniversary, and up to two more if you meet spending requirements.
The Amex Platinum Card grants Hilton Honors Gold status (enrollment required), providing benefits such as 80% bonus points on Hilton spending. Also, Amex points transfer to Hilton at a 1:2 ratio — so you can convert the rewards you earn into Hilton points if you so desire.
Statement credit highlights
With the Amex Hilton Aspire Card, you’ll get up to $50 per quarter in credits toward airfare booked directly with the airline or through Amex Travel (up to a $200 annual value), and up to $189 in CLEAR? Plus credits to help expedite your airport security experience. You can also receive up to $400 each year in Hilton resort credit (which you can use at most of Hilton’s resort properties).
The Amex Platinum’s up to $200 in annual airline incidental fee credits competes with the Amex Hilton Aspire Card’s quarterly airfare credits, and the card offers those same CLEAR? credits.
American Express Platinum vs. Hilton Aspire: Which should you get?
If you spend with Hilton regularly, or if you stay at Hilton resorts once or twice per year, the Amex Hilton Aspire Card is likely your best bet.
United Club Infinite Card vs Amex Platinum
The United Club Infinite comes with unique benefits for United flyers, including an elite status fast-track and two free checked bags for you and one companion on the same reservation. The star of the show (and the biggest justification for the card’s $525 annual fee) is its United Club airport lounge membership, which otherwise costs up to $650 per year.
Reward highlights
The Amex Platinum comes with a better rewards-earning rate on United airfare (as long as you book through Amex Travel or with United directly) than the United Club Infinite.
United MileagePlus isn’t a transfer partner with Amex Membership rewards, though, so you won’t be able to convert your points into miles.
Statement credit highlights
The Amex Platinum’s up to $200 in annual airline incidental credits can offset checked bag fees if you choose United as your eligible airline. Either card can cover your Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee.
United Club Infinite Card vs. American Express Platinum: Which should you get?
Those who routinely fly United will likely get more value from the United Club Infinite card’s free checked bags and United Club lounge membership than from the Amex Platinum Card, despite the latter card’s excellent airport lounge access.
We receive compensation from our partners for Featured Offer placements, which impacts how and where their offer is displayed.
Earn 80,000 bonus miles after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
Credit Score ranges are based on FICO? credit scoring. This is just one scoring method and a credit card issuer may use another method when considering your application. These are provided as guidelines only and approval is not guaranteed.
Should you get the Amex Platinum Card or a different premium credit card?
If you’re a frequent traveler who’s not loyal to a particular airline or hotel brand, the Amex Platinum is an excellent choice — as long as you’re willing to put in the effort to maximize its benefits.
The Venture X and Sapphire Reserve have lower annual fees than the Amex Platinum, and their benefits are more straightforward.
But if you fly a specific airline or stay at the same hotel chain often, a co-branded premium airline or hotel credit card such as the United Club? Infinite Card or Hilton Honors Aspire Card from American Express * The information for the Hilton Honors Aspire Card from American Express has been collected independently by CNN Underscored. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. could save you money with perks such as free checked bags, airport lounge access and elite status upgrades.
All information about Hilton Honors Aspire Card from American Express has been collected independently by CNN Underscored.
You’ll want to crunch the numbers on the cards you’re considering to see if paying a high annual fee is worth it for your travel and spending habits.
That said, holding more than one premium credit card can make sense in some cases. “I personally spend several thousands of dollars a year in annual fees and, by my own math, come out way ahead,” said Dave Grossman, CEO and founder at Your Best Credit Cards, a credit cards and travel rewards consulting firm. “Someone else might have the same mix of cards and not get enough value to justify the annual fees by half.”
The prospect of paying over $1,000 in annual fees between two cards won’t appeal to everyone, but frequent travelers can recoup that expense (and many more) from the slew of valuable benefits.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
The Amex Platinum Card can be worth it for frequent travelers and those whose lifestyles are complemented by the card’s many statement credits (such as for Walmart+ membership, eligible Saks Fifth Avenue spending and qualifying digital entertainment). Enrollment required.
You might consider getting the Amex Platinum and another premium card if you can organically receive more value from each card’s benefits than you’re paying in annual fees. Just note that many premium credit cards have overlapping benefits.
If you like what you see with the Amex Platinum Card, The Business Platinum Card? from American Express * The information for the The Business Platinum Card? from American Express has been collected independently by CNN Underscored. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. is a good fit for business owners who travel often (even those with a small operation or side gig can qualify). It comes with identical airport lounge access, airline credits and hotel elite status (enrollment required), but it also offers over $800 in business-adjacent credits after you enroll.
Several credit cards come with a handful of the premium benefits that you’ll find on the Amex Platinum — but for a more reasonable annual fee. For a $400 annual fee, the U.S. Bank Altitude? Reserve Visa Infinite? Card * The information for the U.S. Bank Altitude? Reserve Visa Infinite? Card has been collected independently by CNN Underscored. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. offers well-rounded premium benefits such as (less extensive) airport lounge access, up to $325 in travel and dining statement credits each year and access to the Visa Infinite Luxury Hotel Collection (similar to Amex Fine Hotels & Resorts with the Amex Platinum Card).
To view rates and fees for Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant? American Express? Card, please visit this page.
To view rates and fees for American Express? Gold Card, please visit this page.
To view rates and fees for The Platinum Card? from American Express, please visit this page.
To view rates and fees for Delta SkyMiles? Reserve American Express Card, please visit this page.
All information about Hilton Honors Aspire Card from American Express, The Business Platinum Card? from American Express and U.S. Bank Altitude? Reserve Visa Infinite? Card has been collected independently by CNN Underscored.
Editorial Disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airlines, hotel chain, or other commercial entity and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of such entities.
This content is for educational purposes only and is not intended and should not be understood to constitute financial, investment, insurance or legal advice. All individuals are encouraged to seek advice from a qualified financial professional before making any financial, insurance or investment decisions.
Note: While the offers mentioned above are accurate at the time of publication, they're subject to change at any time and may have changed or may no longer be available.
