AmEx Gold vs. Platinum: Why the Platinum Is The Better Offer
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The card_name and the card_name are two popular rewards credit cards that earn points in the Amex Membership Rewards program. These rewards are known for their flexibility and overall value, as well as the fact they can be transferred to a range of Amex airline and hotel partners including British Airways, Delta SkyMiles, Hilton Honors, and Marriott Bonvoy.
That said, each card offers completely unique rewards rates and perks, along with different annual fees that reflect all you can get in return.
For example, the card_name requires a annual_fees annual fee and comes with the broadest airport lounge membership of all travel credit cards available today, a fee credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck membership, and more than $1,500 in statement credit offers that apply annually. By contrast, the card_name will set you back annual_fees annually, but it doesn't have meaningful travel perks and only comes with up to $240 in statement credit offers each year.
This guide details where each of these rewards credit cards shines and how they compare in the most important categories.
How the cards stack up
How do you decide between the card_name and the card_name? Since both cards earn the same types of rewards, you'll want to compare them based on their rewards rates (how many points you earn on different kinds of spending) and the cardholder benefits you receive.
| Welcome offer | bonus_miles_full | bonus_miles_full |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fees | annual_fees | annual_fees |
| Foreign transaction fees | foreign_transaction_fee | foreign_transaction_fee |
| Credit score needed | credit_score_needed | credit_score_needed |
Welcome bonus winner: card_name
Both AmEx cards come with valuable welcome bonuses that are worth more than $1,000, but the bonus on the card_name is worth slightly more: bonus_miles_full Considering points in the AmEx Membership Rewards program can be worth more than two cents each if transferred to partners for a premium travel redemption, that means this bonus can be worth more than $1,600.
In contrast, with the card_name, you can bonus_miles_full While this bonus is easier to earn due to the lower spending threshold required, it's just not as valuable.
Rewards winner: Tie
When it comes to a winner for rewards, which card offers the best rewards will depend on the categories you spend the most in—food or travel. If you spend a lot on groceries and dining out, for example, you may prefer the card_name since it earns 4x Membership Rewards® points at restaurants worldwide, 4x Membership Rewards® points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1x), 3x Membership Rewards® points on flights booked direct or with American Express Travel, 2x Membership Rewards® points on other eligible travel booked through American Express Travel, and 1x points on other purchases.
If you spend a lot on travel, the card_name is the clear winner. After all, cardholders earn 5x Membership Rewards® points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel (on up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year), 5x Membership Rewards® Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel, 2x Membership Rewards® points on other eligible travel booked through American Express Travel, and 1x Membership Rewards® points on other purchases.
Annual fee winner: card_name
When it comes to annual fees, the card_name is the clear winner at annual_fees per year. This annual fee can be a lot easier to handle for people who may not travel as much or just can't see themselves paying more than that to have a credit card each year.
Note that the annual_fees annual fee on the card_name is definitely high. However, this annual fee can be worth it based on the valuable benefits it offers (including $1,500+ in statement credits annually).
APR winner: Tie
The card_name and the card_name charge the same high variable APR if you carry a balance from one month to the next. Ultimately, this means they tie in this category.
This also means you won't want to carry long-term debt on either of these American Express credit cards. Your best bet is using them for rewards and perks and paying your balance in full each month.
Foreign transaction fee winner: Tie
Neither of these cards charge foreign transaction fees if you use them for purchases outside the United States, so they tie in this category as well.
Additional perks: card_name
The card_name is the winner when it comes to additional perks since it comes with $1,500 in annual statement credit offers for airline incidentals, hotel stays, digital entertainment, and more.
This card also comes with the broadest airport lounge membership available today, which includes access to Priority Pass airport lounges, American Express Centurion lounges, and even Delta Sky Clubs when you fly with Delta.
Which card earns the most?
If you mostly spend money on travel and you're willing to book your hotel stays through the American Express Travel portal, you'll probably earn more rewards with the card_name. If you're a big food spender, on the other hand, the card_name might leave you with more rewards at the end of the year.
The chart below shows how the rewards rates work for each card:
| Rewards details | card_name | card_name |
|---|---|---|
Rewards type | American Express Membership Rewards points | American Express Membership Rewards points |
Airfare purchased through AmexTravel.com or through airlines | 3x points | 5x points up to $500,000 of these purchases per year (then 1x points) |
Prepaid hotels booked through AmexTravel.com | 2x points | 5x points |
Other eligible travel purchases booked through AmexTravel.com | 2x points | 2x points |
Restaurants worldwide | 4x points | 1x points |
U.S. supermarket purchases | 4x points on up to $25,000 in purchases per year (then 1x points) | 1x points |
All other purchases | 1x points | 1x points |
Our recommendations
Why we recommend the card_name for frequent travelers
If you regularly book flights and hotels and spend plenty of time in airports each year, the card_name is the better deal. Not only will you earn more rewards with this card over time if you book a lot of travel, but you'll have benefits like a fee credit to cover Global Entry or TSA PreCheck membership, a fee credit for CLEAR Plus membership, and access to the most airport lounges you can through a credit card.
The many statement credits this card offers can also be valuable and help make up for the card's annual fee, but only if you use them.
The Platinum Card® from American Express
The Platinum Card® from American Express
Credit score needed
credit_score_needed
Annual fees
annual_fees
Welcome offer
bonus_miles
Why you would still opt for the card_name
If you don't need travel perks and you prefer to earn rewards on food spending, the card_name is a solid choice. This card's rewards rates are great for people who are constantly dining out and spending money on specialty foods at U.S. supermarkets. Cardholders also get to earn elevated rewards on eligible travel purchases, which can add up over time.
The card_name also comes with up to $240 in annual statement credit offers, but keep in mind that these credits are given out in monthly increments of $10. This can make them difficult to maximize over time.
American Express® Gold Card
American Express® Gold Card
Credit score needed
credit_score_needed
Annual fees
annual_fees
Welcome offer
bonus_miles
Should you get both?
If you can't decide between these two cards, you can also consider getting both. Doing so would pave the way for you to earn two welcome bonuses if you timed it right and were able to meet the minimum spending threshold on both cards. Beyond that, having both cards would help you maximize rewards on flights, prepaid hotels, U.S. supermarket purchases, and restaurants worldwide.
Having both cards would also grant you access to all the different statement credits each card offers, as well as travel benefits like airport lounge access. The best part? American Express lets you pool all your rewards points in one account for convenience.
TIME Stamp: Choose the best card for your spending style
The right card for you depends on the categories in which you spend the most and the perks you want and will use. While the card_name is the better offer overall, you may find that the card_name actually makes more sense for the way you normally spend.
You should also read our American Express Gold Card Review and American Express Platinum Card Review to learn more ways these cards could benefit you.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
Is it worth upgrading card_name to card_name?
You may be able to upgrade from the card_name to the card_name if Amex allows it. However, you'll miss out on earning the card's welcome bonus if you go this route, unless Amex sends you an offer to upgrade that includes a welcome bonus.
How many American Express cards can I have?
Some experts say you can have up to five open American Express credit cards at the same time. However, this is an unwritten, unpublished rule.
How does card_name travel insurance work?
Some American Express credit cards come with travel insurance benefits such as trip cancellation and interruption insurance, baggage insurance and trip delay insurance. For these benefits to apply, you must pay for travel with a common carrier with your card. Other terms, conditions and policy limitations apply.
The information presented here is created independently from the TIME editorial staff. To learn more, see our About page.
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