The Platinum Card® from American Express
The Platinum Card® from American Express
Earn 5 Membership Rewards Points per dollar on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel and on flights booked directly with airlines or AMEX travel. The airline benefit is limited to the first $500K in purchases per calendar year. Earn 1 point for every $1 spent on other eligible purchases.
Welcome Bonus
Earn 80,000 points
Annual Fee
$695
Credit Score
Excellent/Good
Regular APR
See Pay Over Time APR
American Express® Gold Card
American Express® Gold Card
Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points at restaurants, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S.; Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points at US supermarkets on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases; Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com; Earn 1X points on other eligible purchases
Welcome Bonus
Earn 60,000 points
Annual Fee
$250
Credit Score
Excellent/Good
Regular APR
See Pay Over Time APR
Few cards come with as many perks and benefits as The Platinum Card® from American Express (Terms apply. See rates & fees) and the American Express® Gold Card (Terms apply. See rates & fees). Both offer strong earning potential, solid welcome bonuses and a bevy of perks that, for the right person, can easily outweigh their annual cost of ownership.
Plus, both cards earn Membership Rewards points, a highly flexible rewards currency prized among points and miles enthusiasts for their 1:1 transfers ratio to over 15 travel partners.
That’s all well and good, but how do you decide which one is right for you?
American Express Gold vs. American Express Platinum Overview
First, despite the product names that might lead you to believe that The American Express Platinum is just the upgraded version of the American Express Gold Card, these are very different products targeted toward consumers with different spending patterns and needs.
The American Express Gold Card has few travel benefits but earns 4 Membership Rewards® points per dollar at restaurants, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S., 4 Membership Rewards® points per dollar at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1 point per dollar), 3 Membership Rewards® points per dollar on flights booked directly with airlines or through American Express travel and 1 point per dollar on other eligible purchases. If you hold the Gold Card, you’re likely to maximize its value by using it as your primary card for groceries and dining.
However, The Platinum Card is meant for frequent travelers who want an elevated experience. The card includes airport lounge access, hotel status with two brands and lifestyle credits with cash rebates on purchases, from digital subscriptions to Uber. The Platinum Card earns 5 Membership Rewards per dollar on select travel spending but is otherwise light on earnings in bonus categories.
Welcome Bonus
The Platinum Card from American Express and American Express Gold Card offer generous welcome bonuses to new cardmembers. While The Platinum Card’s welcome bonus is often more generous, it’s important to note the amount you need to spend to earn the bonus. Before signing up for a card, be sure you have a plan to spend at least that much on your card within the required timeframe.
For The Platinum Card, earn 80,000 Membership Rewards Points after spending $8,000 on purchases on the card in the first 6 months of card membership
With the Gold Card, you can earn 60,000 Membership Rewards points after spending $6,000 on purchases in the first 6 months of card membership
Winner: The Platinum Card
Annual Fee
The Amex Platinum carries a hefty annual fee of $695 which is far higher than the Amex Gold’s annual fee of $250.
It should also be noted that the Amex Platinum charges $195 for each authorized user. Amex Gold members, meanwhile, can add up to five authorized users for free (after that, the annual fee for additional members is $35).
Winner: The American Express Gold Card
Earning Rewards
The Platinum Card’s most generous earnings are for flights and hotels booked with American Express Travel. The card earns 5 Membership Rewards Points per dollar for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel on up to $500,000 per calendar year, 5 points per dollar on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel and 1 point per dollar on other eligible purchases.
If you spend more at the grocery store or restaurants, the American Express Gold Card is rewarding as it offers big rewards in both categories. With the Gold Card, you’ll earn 4 Membership Rewards® points per dollar at restaurants, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S., 4 Membership Rewards® points per dollar at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1 point per dollar), 3 Membership Rewards® points per dollar on flights booked directly with airlines or through American Express travel and 1 point per dollar on other eligible purchases.
Winner: The American Express Gold Card will be more lucrative for most people.
Travel Benefits
Travelers interested in elevating their experience at the airport should take full advantage of the lounge access privileges granted by The Platinum Card from American Express. No other card will give you access to as many premium airport lounges as The Platinum Card. Owning the card will grant you entry to the exclusive Centurion Lounge network. These lounges are reserved just for cardholders of the Platinum, The Business Platinum Card® from American Express (terms apply) and the even more exclusive invitation-only Centurion® Card from American Express*.
With The Platinum Card, you’ll also get access to Delta Sky Club lounges when flying same-day on Delta flights, Priority Pass Select lounges with enrollment. If you want your airport hang time to be more comfortable and there’s an airport lounge of nearly any brand, this card has you covered.
Beginning February 1, 2025, Platinum cardholders will no longer have unlimited visits to Delta Sky Clubs. Instead, the limit will be 10 visits per year. You can earn unlimited visits by spending at least $75,000 before December 31, 2024.
Airport lounge access isn’t the end of the Platinum Card’s travel benefits. Platinum Card ownership comes with more extras than you can pack in your suitcase. You’ll also get:
- Up to $200 in airline incidental fee statement credits on a qualifying airline you choose each year (enrollment required)
- Statement credits of up to $189 per calendar year for CLEAR® Plus membership
- A statement credit of up to $85 for TSA PreCheck or up to $100 for Global Entry
- Money-saving perks and benefits at hotels booked in The Hotel Collection with American Express Travel or the Fine Hotels + Resorts Collection
- Elite status with both Marriott Bonvoy and Hilton Honors hotel programs (after enrollment)
The Platinum Card also comes with a raft of included protections and insurances that could give you peace of mind when you’re on the go. One protection The Platinum Card has that the Gold Card doesn’t is trip cancellation and interruption insurance¹ for eligible claims. If your trip is canceled or interrupted for a covered reason, you can receive up to $10,000 per trip and up to $20,000 per eligible card per consecutive 12-month period. The Platinum Card also comes with travel evacuation support². This can give you peace of mind if you miss a connecting flight or get injured, among other reasons.
However, remember that The Platinum Card from American Express isn’t the best in class for its included travel insurance. The Amex Platinum has trip interruption and cancellation coverage, but if you want benefits like lost luggage reimbursement and access to emergency evacuation and transportation services, the Chase Sapphire Reserve® offers overall more comprehensive coverage.
Winner: The Platinum Card
Lifestyle Credits
With a wide variety of benefits to fit every lifestyle, you’re sure to find some ways to upgrade your life with what The Platinum Card provides. Start with a $20 per month credit for purchases or subscriptions with Disney+, ESPN+, Hulu, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal and Peacock after you enroll.
Add in up to $200 per year in Uber Cash for U.S. rides and food delivery ($15 per month and $20 extra in December after you add your eligible card to your Uber account), up to $155 annually in monthly Walmart+ statement credits, up to $100 in Saks Fifth Avenue statement credits annually (two $50 credits, one January to June and the second from July to December) and up to $300 in annual statement credits on select Equinox memberships or the Equinox+ digital fitness app when you pay with your card. Each of these benefits requires enrollment.
The Gold Card offers a handful of lifestyle credits, including up to $120 in Uber Cash annually and a $10 monthly dining credit with enrollment when you dine at Grubhub (including Seamless), Goldbelly, The Cheesecake Factory, Wine.com, Milk Bar and select Shake Shack locations, but these credits are not as generous as the suite of credits offered with The Platinum Card.
Winner: The Platinum Card
Consider Neither The Amex Platinum Nor the Amex Gold Card For
Avoiding an Annual Fee
The Amex Platinum and the Amex Gold Cards charge annual fees that will cost you several hundred dollars annually. If you can’t stomach the thought of shelling out that much for a card, even with all the perks and extras, consider a card like the Amex EveryDay® Credit Card* which carries no annual fee and earns 2 Membership Rewards points per dollar at US supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year in purchases (then 1X), 2 points per dollar when using the card to book trips through American Express Travel and 1 point for every eligible dollar on everything else. Plus, use the card 20 or more times on purchases in a billing period and earn 20% extra points on those purchases.
Skipping the Perks
If you aren’t much of a traveler, the high-end perks with a premium travel card like the Amex Platinum likely won’t make that high annual fee worth it. Similarly, the Gold Card’s dining and Uber credits may not be useful if you earn 4 points per dollar by buying groceries to cook at home.
Earning a Simple, Flat Rate on All of Your Spending
Using the Amex Platinum and the Amex Gold requires more mental energy than a card that earns the same flat rate on every purchase. If you feel like it’s more hassle than it’s worth to remember which card to use when, consider a card like the Citi Double Cash® Card which has no annual fee and earns 2% cash back on all purchases—1% when purchases are made and another 1% when they’re paid off.
Bottom Line
The Platinum Card® from American Express and American Express® Gold Card both carry appealing features for those who can take full advantage of them. However, no card is a perfect fit for everybody. Before applying for either one, consider your spending habits and preferences and ensure you can get enough value out of the card to make up for the annual fee.
To view rates and fees for the The Platinum Card® from American Express please visit this page.
To view rates and fees for the American Express® Gold Card please visit this page.
To view rates and fees for The Business Platinum Card® from American Express please visit this page .
¹The maximum benefit amount for Trip Cancellation and Interruption Insurance is $10,000 per Covered Trip and $20,000 per Eligible Card per 12 consecutive month period. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.
²Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. If approved and coordinated by Premium Global Assist Hotline, emergency medical transportation assistance may be provided at no cost. In any other circumstance, Card Members may be responsible for the costs charged by third-party service providers.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is Amex Gold easier to get than Platinum?
Both the Amex Gold and The Platinum card are premium products offered to consumers with very good to excellent credit.
Is Amex Gold or Amex Platinum better?
The Amex Gold and Amex Platinum are different products, meant for different consumers. If you travel frequently and want access to airline lounges, luxury travel experiences, hotel status and travel insurance protections, go for The Platinum. If you spend more at grocery stores or restaurants, the Gold will be more rewarding.
Is it worth upgrading Amex Gold to Platinum?
American Express periodically offers lucrative upgrade offers to Gold cardholders who want to step up to The Platinum Card. Before upgrading, be sure to understand how what you earn on your spending will change and that your annual fee will increase significantly.
How many American Express cards can I have?
Many people find that having more than one American Express card can give them additional opportunities to earn rewards or enjoy the benefits of different card products. It’s been circulated among points and miles maximizers that four or five Amex Cards are the maximum you can hold at any one time and applying for any more above that will result in a denial of your application.