AmEx Gold vs Platinum: Compare Credit Cards

amex gold vs platinum

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Are you looking to compare AmEx Gold Vs Platinum to figure out which credit card is best?

At first glance, the two cards may look similar but in practice they are very different and target two different types of credit cardholders.

Although a hefty annual fee is part and parcel of each credit card and both reward travelers, the American Express Premier Rewards Gold Card rewards everyday spending better while The Platinum Card® from American Express is a better fit for frequent travelers.

So, which card is right for you, the Amex Gold or Platinum Card?

American Express Premier Rewards Gold vs Platinum Card

Day-to-day Spending

While both Amex Gold and Platinum Cards are great for travel, the Gold card is the better choice for daily purchases.

At restaurants, gas stations, and supermarkets in the United States, you will earn 2X points with the Amex Gold Card but just 1X Membership Rewards® Points with the Platinum Card.

Travel Points

On travel, the Platinum Card shines brightest but the Gold Card is no slouch.

Platinum Cardholders earn 5X points on flights booked directly with airlines or via American Express Travel while Gold Cardholders earn 3X points on flights booked directly with airlines.

Annual Cost & Travel Perks

The AmEx Gold Card is quite a bit cheaper, costing just $195 per year versus $550 annually for the Platinum Card.

For the extra cost, Platinum Cardholders enjoy an abundance of luxury benefits, like free concierge service to book restaurants, Centurion Lounge access, a fee credit for Global Entry and TSA Pre-screen, as well as free Boingo WiFi access.

Platinum Cardholders also receive a $200 airline fee credit versus a $100 credit for Gold Cardholders.

And other perks for Platinum Cardholders include Hilton Honors Gold Status and Starwood Preferred Gold Status.

For Gold Cardholders, the usual $195 annual charge is waived in year one, whereas the full $550 Platinum Card fee needs to be paid in the first year.

Entertainment Perks

Both cards provide access to entertainment events and preferred seating benefits when available but only the Platinum Card features concierge service and access to the global dining collection.

For a side-by-side comparison of the two Amex credit cards, we dive into the nitty gritty below…

Amex Platinum or Gold Card:
How They Stack Up

Amex Platinum CardAmEx Gold Card
Best For
  • Travel
  • Hotels
  • Lounges
  • No foreign transaction fees
  • Travel
  • Restaurants
  • Gas stations
  • Supermarkets
Annual Fee$550

$195
($0 1st year)

Sign-Up Bonus
(Membership Rewards®  Points)
60,000
(after $5,000 in purchases in 1st 3 months)
25,000
(after $2,000 in purchases in 1st 3 months)
Rewards
  • 5X Points on flights booked directly with airlines or AmEx Travel
  • 5X Points on eligible hotels books on AmExTravel.com
  • 1X Points on eligible purchases
  • 3X Points on flights booked directly with airlines
  • 2X Points on gas stations, supermarkets, and restaurants
  • 1X Points on other purchases
Transfer Points To Eligible ProgramsYESYES
Use Rewards For
  • Gift cards
  • Merchandise
  • Online purchases at AmEx Travel
  • Dining, shopping, and entertainment
  • Gift cards
  • Merchandise
  • Online purchases at AmEx Travel
  • Dining, shopping, and entertainment
Travel Perks
  • Centurion Lounge Access
  • Uber Rides with Platinum
  • Fee Credit for Global Entry and TSA Pre-screen
  • Complimentary Boingo WiFi Access
  • $200 Airline Credit Fee
  • Hilton Honors Gold Status Enrollment
  • Starwood Preferred Gold Status
  • Access to Eligible Global Lounges
  • No foreign transaction fees
  • Car rental privileges
  • Travel accident insurance
  • No foreign transaction fees
  • $100 Airline Fee Credit
  • Personalized travel service
  • Travel accident Insurance
  • Car rental loss and damage insurance
Shopping Perks
  • Purchase protection
  • Extended warranty
  • Return protection
  • Dispute resolution
  • Purchase protection
  • Extended warranty
  • Return protection
  • Dispute resolution
Entertainment Perks
  • Entertainment access
  • AmEx Preferred Seating
  • Concierge
  • Global dining collection
  • Entertainment access
  • AmEx Preferred Seating

Amex Gold vs Platinum Card:
Which Credit Card Is Best?

The AmEx Gold and Platinum Cards are both luxury credit cards designed to provide travel perks but the Platinum Card shines brightest for frequent travelers, who earn more Membership Rewards® Points on flights booked directly with airlines and via American Express Travel.

Platinum Cardholders also enjoy Starwood Preferred Gold status and Hilton Gold Status, as well as  complimentary concierge booking service, a $200 airline credit fee and credit towards Global Entry and TSA Pre-screen, complimentary airport WiFi from Boingo, plus access to partner lounges around the world.

With so much going for it, you might be wondering why choose the Amex Gold card? For everyday spending at restaurants, hotels, and supermarkets, the Gold card rewards cardholders with twice as many points.

It also has a lower annual fee of $195, which is waived in year one, compared to the $550 annual fee charged by the Platinum Card.

So, which credit card is best? In a nutshell, frequent travelers will do better with the Platinum Card while cardholders who want to earn benefits from day-to-day spending would do better with the Gold card.

Did we miss any perks that you enjoy with the Amex Gold or Platinum cards? Let us know, we would love to hear from you.

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