Amex Platinum vs Gold
A comprehensive comparison to help you choose the right card for your lifestyle
| Feature | Platinum | Gold |
|---|---|---|
| Annual Fee | $895 | $325 |
| Best For | Frequent travelers, lounge access enthusiasts | Foodies, daily spenders, moderate travelers |
| Dining Rewards | 1X points | 4X points worldwide |
| Grocery Rewards | 1X points | 4X points (up to $25k/year) |
| Flight Rewards | 5X on flights booked via Amex Travel | 3X on flights booked directly |
| Hotel Rewards | 5X on prepaid hotels via Amex Travel | 1X points |
| Lounge Access | Yes - Centurion, Priority Pass, Delta Sky Club | No |
| Hotel Status | Marriott Gold, Hilton Gold, FHR access | None |
| Annual Credits | $1,800+ potential value | $204 (Uber + Dunkin') |
| Uber Credit | $200/year ($15/month + $20 Dec) | $120/year ($10/month) |
| Dining Credit | None | $84 Dunkin' ($7/month) |
| Shopping Credits | Saks, lululemon, Oura, and more | None |
| Ideal Annual Spend | $20k+ with heavy travel focus | $15k+ with dining/grocery focus |
Which Card for Your Profile?
The Frequent Traveler
8+ trips per year, values lounge access, books premium hotels, international travel
Recommended: Platinum
Lounge access alone provides $320-640 value, plus hotel benefits and 5X earning on travel spending make Platinum the clear winner.
The City Foodie
$1,000+/month on dining and groceries, occasional travel (1-3 trips/year)
Recommended: Gold
With 4X on dining and groceries, Gold earns significantly more points on daily spending. The lower fee is easier to justify without heavy travel.
The Balanced User
Moderate dining/grocery spend, 4-6 trips/year, values flexibility
Recommended: Gold (or both cards)
Gold provides better everyday earning. Consider adding Platinum later if lounge access becomes more valuable.
Can You Have Both?
Yes! Many cardholders have both Platinum and Gold to maximize earnings across all categories:
- •Use Platinum for flights and hotels (5X) plus all the premium benefits
- •Use Gold for dining and groceries (4X) for everyday spending
- •Combined annual fees: $1,220, but potential value exceeds $2,000+ for active users
Get a personalized recommendation based on YOUR spending
Our quiz analyzes your specific habits to recommend the best card(s) for you.
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