Comparing Amex Platinum and Chase Sapphire
This article offers a comprehensive comparison of the American Express Platinum and Chase Sapphire credit cards, helping consumers choose the card that aligns with their financial needs and preferences.
The American Express Platinum Card and the Chase Sapphire Reserve Card are two of the most premium credit cards available, known for their excellent rewards, travel benefits, and exclusive perks. Here's a comparison of these two cards to help you choose the one that aligns with your financial goals and lifestyle:
American Express Platinum Card:
Annual Fee: The American Express Platinum Card has a higher annual fee compared to the Chase Sapphire Reserve.
Membership Rewards Points: Cardholders earn Membership Rewards points, which can be redeemed for travel, gift cards, merchandise, or transferred to various airline and hotel loyalty programs.
Travel Benefits:
- Access to Amex Centurion Lounges, Delta Sky Clubs, Priority Pass lounges, and more.
- Up to $200 annual airline fee credit.
- Up to $200 in Uber credits annually.
- Global Entry/TSA PreCheck fee credit.
Hotel Status: Cardholders get complimentary Gold status with Hilton Honors and Marriott Bonvoy programs.
Fine Hotels & Resorts Program: Access to exclusive benefits at participating luxury hotels.
Concierge Services: Dedicated concierge to assist with travel and dining reservations.
Metal Card: The card is made of metal, offering a premium feel.
Chase Sapphire Reserve:
Annual Fee: While the annual fee is still relatively high, it's lower than that of the American Express Platinum Card.
Ultimate Rewards Points: Cardholders earn Chase Ultimate Rewards points, which are versatile and can be transferred to several airline and hotel loyalty programs or used for cash back and travel through the Chase travel portal.
Travel Benefits:
- Priority Pass Select membership with unlimited lounge access.
- $300 annual travel credit, which is automatically applied to various travel-related expenses.
- Global Entry/TSA PreCheck fee credit.
Transfer Partners: Chase has a strong lineup of airline and hotel transfer partners, including United, Southwest, Hyatt, and more.
DoorDash Benefits: Complimentary DashPass subscription with DoorDash.
Redemption Value: Points redeemed for travel through the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal are worth 50% more, making them potentially more valuable.
Visa Infinite Benefits: The Chase Sapphire Reserve is a Visa Infinite card, offering additional benefits like trip cancellation/interruption insurance.
In summary, both the American Express Platinum Card and the Chase Sapphire Reserve offer exceptional travel benefits and rewards. Your choice between the two may depend on your travel and spending habits:
If you frequently fly with airlines that partner with Amex and value airport lounge access, the Amex Platinum Card may be the better choice.
If you prefer a card with a lower annual fee, strong transfer partners, and value the 50% travel redemption bonus, the Chase Sapphire Reserve could be more appealing.
Ultimately, your choice should align with your travel preferences and the specific benefits that matter most to you. Consider your spending patterns, travel habits, and the unique perks of each card before making a decision.
A side-by-side comparison of the Amex Platinum and Chase Sapphire credit cards..
The Amex Platinum and Chase Sapphire Reserve credit cards are two of the most popular premium travel rewards credit cards on the market. Both cards offer a variety of valuable benefits, but there are also some key differences between the two.
Here is a side-by-side comparison of the Amex Platinum and Chase Sapphire Reserve credit cards:
| Feature | Amex Platinum | Chase Sapphire Reserve |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | $695 | $550 |
| Sign-up bonus | 100,000 Membership Rewards points after you spend $6,000 on purchases on the Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. | 60,000 points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. |
| Rewards | 5 points per $1 at airfare booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com on up to $500,000 per calendar year, then 1 point per $1, 5 points per $1 on eligible travel booked directly with hotels as part of Fine Hotels & Resorts (FHR) or The Hotel Collection (THC) on up to $500,000 per calendar year, then 1 point per $1, 1 point per $1 on eligible purchases at U.S. supermarkets on up to $15,000 per calendar year, then 1 point per $1, 1 point per $1 on eligible transit and commuting in the U.S., on up to $5,000 per calendar year, then 1 point per $1, 1 point per $1 on all other eligible purchases. | 3 points per $1 on travel and dining worldwide, and 1 point per $1 on all other purchases. |
| Travel credits | $200 airline fee credit, $200 annual Uber Cash, $100 statement credit for Saks Fifth Avenue, $100 Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® application fee credit. | $300 annual travel credit, $100 Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® application fee credit. |
| Lounge access | Centurion Lounge access, Delta Sky Club access when flying Delta, Priority Pass Select membership, access to over 1,300 airport lounges worldwide. | Priority Pass Select membership, access to over 1,300 airport lounges worldwide. |
| Hotel status | Hilton Honors Gold status, Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status. | World of Hyatt Discoverist status, IHG Rewards Club Platinum Elite status. |
Overall, the Amex Platinum and Chase Sapphire Reserve credit cards are both excellent premium travel rewards credit cards. The Amex Platinum offers more travel credits and lounge access, but it also has a higher annual fee. The Chase Sapphire Reserve offers a lower annual fee and a more flexible rewards program.
Which card is right for you depends on your individual needs and spending habits. If you travel frequently and value lounge access, the Amex Platinum may be the better choice for you. If you are looking for a more affordable premium travel rewards credit card with a flexible rewards program, the Chase Sapphire Reserve may be the better choice for you.