Gold vs Platinum Amex Differences
American Express offers both Gold and Platinum cards with varying benefits. Explore the key differences between these two card options and what they provide to cardholders.
American Express offers different levels of credit cards, including Gold and Platinum cards. The differences between the two types of cards can be significant, primarily in terms of benefits, annual fees, and eligibility requirements. Here are the key differences between Gold and Platinum Amex cards:
1. Annual Fee:
Gold Card: The Gold Card typically has a lower annual fee compared to the Platinum Card.
Platinum Card: The Platinum Card comes with a higher annual fee. It is considered a premium card and offers a more extensive range of benefits.
2. Rewards and Earning Potential:
Gold Card: The Gold Card primarily focuses on earning rewards on everyday spending. Cardholders can earn points on purchases like dining, groceries, and travel. It also offers various statement credits for dining and airline fees.
Platinum Card: The Platinum Card offers a broader range of rewards and perks. Cardholders earn points on travel-related purchases, receive extensive travel benefits, and get access to exclusive airport lounges. The Platinum Card also provides rewards on dining, but it's more comprehensive in terms of travel and lifestyle-related benefits.
3. Travel Benefits:
Gold Card: While the Gold Card provides some travel benefits, such as baggage insurance and car rental insurance, they are not as extensive as those offered by the Platinum Card.
Platinum Card: The Platinum Card is well-known for its premium travel perks, including access to the American Express Global Lounge Collection (which includes Centurion Lounges and Priority Pass lounges), airline fee credits, TSA PreCheck/Global Entry fee credits, Fine Hotels & Resorts access, and more.
4. Hotel and Car Rental Benefits:
Gold Card: The Gold Card offers access to the Hotel Collection, which includes benefits like room upgrades and hotel credits.
Platinum Card: The Platinum Card provides access to additional hotel and car rental programs, such as Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status and Hertz Gold Plus Rewards, which offer room upgrades, car rental benefits, and more.
5. Eligibility and Credit Requirements:
Gold Card: The Gold Card is typically easier to qualify for, with a good to excellent credit score often being sufficient.
Platinum Card: The Platinum Card is more exclusive and may require a higher credit score and a higher income to be eligible.
6. Global Entry or TSA PreCheck Credit:
Gold Card: The Gold Card may provide a credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck, but it's usually a smaller amount compared to what the Platinum Card offers.
Platinum Card: The Platinum Card provides a more substantial credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck, which can cover the entire application fee.
It's important to carefully review the specific terms and benefits associated with both the Gold and Platinum Amex cards, as they may change over time, and the value of the card will depend on your individual spending habits, travel needs, and lifestyle preferences.
Understand the distinctions between American Express Gold and Platinum cards, and the benefits they offer to cardholders..
The American Express Gold and Platinum cards are two of the most popular premium credit cards on the market. Both cards offer a variety of valuable benefits, but they have different target audiences and annual fees.
American Express Gold Card
The American Express Gold Card is a great option for cardholders who want to earn rewards on dining, travel, and groceries. The card offers the following benefits:
- 4 points per dollar at restaurants worldwide (including takeout and delivery)
- 4 points per dollar at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1 point per dollar)
- 3 points per dollar on flights booked directly with airlines or on Amextravel.com
- 1 point per dollar on all other eligible purchases
- $120 Uber Cash each year
- $100 statement credit for eligible purchases at Saks Fifth Avenue each year
- $100 airline fee credit each calendar year
- $25 statement credit for eligible streaming subscriptions each month
- No foreign transaction fees
- Global Lounge Collection access
Annual fee: $250
American Express Platinum Card
The American Express Platinum Card is a more comprehensive travel rewards card that offers a wider range of benefits, including:
- 5 points per dollar on flights booked directly with airlines or on Amextravel.com (on up to $500,000 per calendar year in purchases, upon enrollment)
- 5 points per dollar on prepaid hotels booked on Amextravel.com
- 1 point per dollar on all other eligible purchases
- $200 airline fee credit each calendar year
- $200 Uber Cash each year
- $200 annual statement credit for eligible purchases at Saks Fifth Avenue
- $100 statement credit for eligible purchases at Global Dining Collection restaurants each year
- $100 statement credit for eligible purchases at SoulCycle each year
- $300 annual statement credit for eligible Equinox memberships
- $100 statement credit for eligible CLEAR memberships
- $240 annual statement credit for eligible digital entertainment subscriptions
- $155 annual statement credit for Walmart+
- Priority Pass Select membership
- Delta Sky Club access when flying Delta
- Centurion Lounge access
- International Airline Program (IAP) access
- Fine Hotels & Resorts benefits
- No foreign transaction fees
Annual fee: $695
Which card is right for you?
The best way to decide which card is right for you is to consider your spending habits and travel needs. If you are looking for a card that offers high rewards on dining, travel, and groceries, the American Express Gold Card is a great option. If you are looking for a more comprehensive travel rewards card with a wider range of benefits, the American Express Platinum Card is a better choice.
Here is a table that summarizes the key differences between the two cards:
| Feature | American Express Gold Card | American Express Platinum Card |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | $250 | $695 |
| Rewards | 4 points per dollar at restaurants worldwide, 4 points per dollar at U.S. supermarkets, 3 points per dollar on flights booked directly with airlines or on Amextravel.com, 1 point per dollar on all other eligible purchases | 5 points per dollar on flights booked directly with airlines or on Amextravel.com (on up to $500,000 per calendar year in purchases, upon enrollment), 5 points per dollar on prepaid hotels booked on Amextravel.com, 1 point per dollar on all other eligible purchases |
| Travel benefits | Global Lounge Collection access, airline fee credit, Uber Cash | Priority Pass Select membership, Delta Sky Club access when flying Delta, Centurion Lounge access, International Airline Program (IAP) access, Fine Hotels & Resorts benefits |
| Other benefits | $120 Uber Cash each year, $100 statement credit for eligible purchases at Saks Fifth Avenue each year, $100 airline fee credit each calendar year, $25 statement credit for eligible streaming subscriptions each month | $200 airline fee credit each calendar year, $200 Uber Cash each year, $200 annual statement credit for eligible purchases at Saks Fifth Avenue, $100 statement credit for eligible purchases at Global Dining Collection restaurants each year, $100 statement credit for eligible purchases at SoulCycle each year, $300 annual statement credit for eligible Equinox memberships, $100 statement credit for eligible CLEAR memberships, $240 annual statement credit for eligible digital entertainment subscriptions, $1 |