Which is the best American Express card?

The best American Express card will be the one that fits your spending style, your benefit priorities, and your tolerance for paying an annual fee. The Amex Platinum Card is designed for the frequent traveler who favors premium travel rewards like lounge access, elite benefits, and elevated earnings on travel purchases. The Amex Gold card is more of an everyday rewards-earning card for the traveler. U.S. supermarket and dining purchases earn the most but certain travel purchases also receive elevated earnings. Both cards are excellent choices but the best card for you will match your priorities.

How do Membership Rewards points work?

Membership Rewards points are earned by spending on an American Express card that is affiliated with the Membership Rewards program. Membership Rewards Points are valuable because they can be redeemed for travel or transferred to airline/hotel partner loyalty programs and used for award flights. Not every American Express card earns these valuable points, however, the 2 cards featured in this article both do. There are many additional redemption options including retail shopping, gift cards, and statement credits, but most result in a value of less than 1 cent per point and are not normally a good use of your points.

Is the Amex Platinum card worth the annual fee?

If you’ll use the premium travel benefits that come with the Amex Platinum card, it is worth it. While the annual fee may seem steep, complimentary worldwide lounge access alone can deliver value that far exceeds the cost of that fee. The additional value of statement credits, elite status benefits, and travel protections makes the card a good choice for those travelers who will utilize the benefits.

How does an authorized user work?

When you add an authorized user to your card, that person can make charges on the card. They also have access to some of the benefits that come with the card. The additional user will receive their own card, but the primary cardholder is responsible for any charges made on the card. Adding an authorized user can make sense when you want a household member to receive benefits such as lounge access and other perks. The additional rewards earned from an authorized user’s purchases can also be a plus.

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Amex Platinum Card vs. Amex Gold Card [Detailed Comparison of Benefits & Perks]

Updated: April 27, 2025, 10:52am CDT

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Table of Contents

Key Takeaways
Overview
Welcome Offer Comparison
Earning Points Analysis
Redeeming Points
Statement Credits
Airport Lounge Access Advantages
Hotel Program Privileges
Rental Car Program Perks
Travel Insurance Comparison
Shopping Benefits Analysis
Annual Fees and Adding Additional Users
Final Thoughts

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Key Takeaways

The Platinum Card^® from American Express provides 5x points on flights and hotels booked through AmexTravel.com, along with travel benefits and statement credits.
The American Express^® Gold Card focuses on dining and groceries, earning 4x points at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets and 1x points on everything else.
The Amex Platinum card is best for frequent travelers who value premium benefits, while the Amex Gold card suits those who spend heavily on dining and groceries but still travel regularly.

Making the choice to have an American Express card in your wallet is an easy decision, especially when the card earns flexible Membership Rewards points and comes with a long list of benefits.

Deciding which American Express card is the best for your situation could be a bit more difficult.

When comparing the American Express^® Gold Card and The Platinum Card^® from American Express, both are excellent American Express metal credit cards. However, each card has unique benefits, and 1 card may be a better fit for you than the other. Plus, unlike typical credit cards, these cards allow you to carry a balance for certain charges, but not all.

There are several questions you can ask yourself when you’re considering applying for any travel rewards card:

Will I use most of the benefits that come with the card?
Am I comfortable paying the annual fee?
Does the card deliver enough value to offset the cost of the annual fee?
Do the bonus spending categories on the card match up with my spending habits?

With these questions in mind, you can review the benefits that come with each card and a clear winner that matches your purpose will surface.

Here’s an overview of what each card has to offer so you can determine which of these popular American Express cards is a match for you.

Overview

Before we dive into all the key details of the Amex Platinum card and the Amex Gold card, let’s look at a high-level overview comparing our featured cards side-by-side.

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Benefit	Amex Platinum Card	Amex Gold Card
Welcome Offer	Apply and find out if you're eligible for as high as 175,000 points after spending $8,000 in eligible purchases in the first 6 months. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.	Apply and find out if you're eligible for as high as 100,000 points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases in the first 6 months. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.
Earnings	5x points per dollar spent on flights purchased directly with the airlines or through AmexTravel.com (up to $500,000 per calendar year) and prepaid hotels booked through AmexTravel.com 1x points on all other purchases	4x points per dollar spent at U.S. supermarkets (limit of $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1x) and restaurants worldwide (limit of $50,000 in spending per calendar year, then 1x) 3x points on airfare purchased directly from the airline or on AmexTravel.com 1x points on all other purchases
Top Redemption Options	Transfer to airline/hotel partners Redeem for AmexTravel.com bookings Gift cards, statement credits, retail shopping, event tickets
Top Travel Benefits	Access to over 1,400 airport lounges worldwide, including Centurion Lounges, Plaza Premium Lounges, 10 visits a year to Delta Sky Clubs (when traveling same-day with Delta, plus the ability to unlock unlimited visits), and Priority Pass (enrollment required) Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite, Hilton Honors Gold, National Emerald Club Executive, Avis Preferred, and Hertz President’s Circle elite status, upon enrollment Elite-style benefits and access to Fine Hotels & Resorts and The Hotel Collection Access to Platinum Concierge	Access to The Hotel Collection
Other Statement Credits and Benefits	Annual statement credits: up to $200 in airline incidental credits, up to $200 in prepaid hotel credits, up to $199 in CLEAR Plus credit, up to $240 in digital entertainment credits, up to $200 Uber Cash, and more (enrollment required) Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee credit Amex Offers, enrollment required	Up to $120 in Uber Cash ($10/month) for Uber Eats orders or Uber rides in the U.S. when adding your Gold card to the app Up to $120 in credits at select dining ($10/month), up to $100 in Resy credit, up to $84 in Dunkin’ credit, enrollment required Amex Offers, enrollment required
Annual Fees and Authorized Users	$695 annual fee Add authorized users for $195 per card (rates & fees) No authorized user fee basic Gold cards (not the same as the Amex Gold card) (rates & fees)	$325 annual fee No authorized user fee for up to 5 cards, then $35 annually per additional card (rates & fees)

Welcome Offer Comparison

While welcome bonuses vary, these initial bonus offerings can be a key factor in selecting a rewards credit card.

Welcome bonuses are awarded after you’ve completed a minimum spending requirement in the first 3 months after card approval. For this reason, one of the first points to consider when selecting a card is whether you can comfortably meet the spending requirements and earn the bonus rewards.

NEW OFFER

Terms Apply / Rates & Fees

The Platinum Card^® from American Express

U.P. Rating

The Amex Platinum reigns supreme for luxury travel, offering the best airport lounge access plus generous statement credits, and complimentary elite status.

Apply Now(at Amex's secure site)

Apply With Confidence

Know if you're approved with no credit score impact

If you're approved and accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.

The Platinum Card^® from American Express

The Amex Platinum reigns supreme for luxury travel, offering the best airport lounge access plus generous statement credits, and complimentary elite status.

Welcome OfferYou may be eligible for as high as 175,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $8,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.
As High As 175,000 Points. Find Out Your Offer.

UP's Offer Valuation*:
Up to $3,850

Annual Fee

$695

APR

See Pay Over Time APR

Credit Recommended

Good to Excellent

Why We Like This Card

When it comes to cards that offer top-notch benefits, you’d be hard-pressed to find a better card out there than The Platinum Card^® from American Express.

Make no mistake — the Amex Platinum card is a premium card with a premium price tag. With amazing benefits like best-in-class airport lounge access, hotel elite status, and tremendous value in annual statement credits, it can easily prove to be one of the most lucrative cards in your wallet year after year.

Pros & Cons

Pros

The best airport lounge access out of any card (by far) — enjoy access to over 1,400 worldwide lounges, including the luxurious Amex Centurion Lounges, Priority Pass lounges (enrollment required), Plaza Premium Lounges, and many more!
5x points per dollar spent on flights purchased directly with the airline or with AmexTravel.com (up to $500,000 per year)
5x points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels booked with AmexTravel.com

Cons

$695 annual fee (rates and fees)
Airline credit does not cover airfare (only incidentals like checked bags)

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

You may be eligible for as high as 175,000 Membership Rewards^® Points after you spend $8,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
Earn 5X Membership Rewards^® Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel^® up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year and earn 5X Membership Rewards^® Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel^®.
$200 Hotel Credit: Get up to $200 back in statement credits each year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts^® or The Hotel Collection bookings through American Express Travel using your Platinum Card^®. The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay.
$240 Digital Entertainment Credit: Get up to $20 back in statement credits each month on eligible purchases made with your Platinum Card^® on one or more of the following: Disney+, a Disney+ bundle, ESPN+, Hulu, The New York Times, Peacock, and The Wall Street Journal. Enrollment required.
Enjoy the benefits of the Global Lounge Collection, with over $500 of annual value if you visit Centurion Lounges and each of our partner lounges including Delta Sky Club^® lounges when flying an eligible Delta flight (subject to visit limitations) , select Lufthansa lounges when flying Lufthansa, Plaza Premium lounges and Escape Lounges, and enroll in Priority Pass Select. See terms.
A Walmart+ membership can get you free shipping with no order minimum on eligible items shipped by Walmart. Use your Platinum Card^® to pay for a monthly Walmart+ membership (subject to auto-renewal) and receive one statement credit for up to $12.95 (plus applicable taxes. Plus Ups not eligible) each month. Free Shipping excludes most Marketplace items, freight & certain location surcharges. Paramount+ Essential plan only, separate registration required.
$200 Airline Fee Credit: Select one qualifying airline and then receive up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year when incidental fees are charged by the airline to your Platinum Card^® Account. American Express relies on airlines to submit the correct information on airline transactions to identify incidental fee purchases. If you do not see a credit for a qualifying incidental purchase on your eligible Card after 8 weeks, simply call the number on the back of your Card. Qualifying airlines are subject to change. See terms & conditions for more details.
$200 Uber Cash: Platinum Card^® Members can ride or dine in style with $15 in Uber Cash each month, plus a bonus $20 in December after adding their Card to their Uber account. Use your Uber Cash on rides and orders in the U.S. when you select an Amex Card for your transaction.
$199 CLEAR^® Plus Credit: CLEAR^® Plus helps get you to your gate faster by using unique facial attributes to verify you are you at 50+ airports nationwide. Receive up to $199 in statement credits per calendar year after you pay for your CLEAR Plus Membership (subject to auto-renewal) with the Platinum Card^®.
Receive either a $120 statement credit every 4 years for a Global Entry application fee or a statement credit up to $85 every 4.5 years for a TSA PreCheck^® (through a TSA official enrollment provider) application fee, when charged to your Platinum Card^®. Card Members approved for Global Entry will also receive access to TSA PreCheck at no additional cost.
Shop Saks with Platinum: Get up to $100 in statement credits annually for purchases in Saks Fifth Avenue stores or at saks.com on your Platinum Card^®. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
Use Global Dining Access by Resy to access premium dining experiences. Receive Priority Notify and unlock insider access to some of the world's most sought-after restaurants with Global Dining Access by Resy. Download the Resy iOS app or log into Resy.com and add your Platinum Card^® to your Resy profile to take advantage of your special benefits and discover restaurants near you.
$695 annual fee.
Terms Apply.

Financial Snapshot

APR: See Pay Over Time APR
Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Rewards Center

American Express Membership Rewards

Hot Tip: Apply and find out if you’re eligible for a welcome bonus offer of as high as 175,000 points with the Amex Platinum. Welcome offers may vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.

NEW OFFER

Terms Apply / Rates & Fees

American Express^® Gold Card

U.P. Rating

This is the best card for food lovers who dine out at restaurants (worldwide), order take-out and want big rewards at U.S. supermarkets!

Apply Now(at Amex's secure site)

Apply With Confidence

Know if you're approved with no credit score impact

If you're approved and accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.

American Express^® Gold Card

This is the best card for food lovers who dine out at restaurants (worldwide), order take-out and want big rewards at U.S. supermarkets!

Welcome OfferYou may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.
As High As 100,000 Points. Find Out Your Offer.

UP's Offer Valuation*:
Up to   $2,200

Annual Fee

$325

APR

See Pay Over Time APR

Credit Recommended

Good to Excellent

Why We Like This Card

The American Express^® Gold Card is a game-changer.

With this card, you can earn 4x Membership Rewards points at restaurants, up to $50,000 per calendar year, and you’ll also earn 4x Membership Rewards points at U.S. supermarkets on up to $25,000 per calendar year, then 1x.

There isn’t another card on the market that offers a 1-2 punch like this. Of course, there are several other benefits of the Gold Card as well, including extra monthly dining rewards and more.

Pros & Cons

Pros

4x points per dollar at restaurants worldwide, up to $50,000 per calendar year; then 1x thereafter
4x points per dollar at U.S. supermarkets, up to $25,000 per calendar year; then 1x thereafter
3x points per dollar on flights purchased directly from airlines or at AmexTravel.com

Cons

$325 annual fee (rates and fees)
No lounge access

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards^® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
Earn 4X Membership Rewards^® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
Earn 4X Membership Rewards^® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
Earn 3X Membership Rewards^® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
Earn 2X Membership Rewards^® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
Earn 1X Membership Rewards^® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
$120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards^® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
$84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express^® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
$100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express^® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
$120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express^® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
No Foreign Transaction Fees.
Annual Fee is $325.
Terms Apply.

Financial Snapshot

APR: See Pay Over Time APR
Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Rewards Center

American Express Membership Rewards

Hot Tip: Apply and find out if you’re eligible for a welcome bonus offer as high as 100,000 points with the Amex Gold card. Welcome offers may vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.

In this comparison, the welcome bonuses are offered in the form of Membership Rewards points that can be redeemed for 1 cent each for flights when redeemed through Amex’s travel portal. For example, a 50,000-point welcome bonus offer would be worth $500 in travel.

It may be compelling to select the card with the highest welcome bonus (such as the Amex Platinum offer of 100,000-150-000 point targeted welcome bonus), but remember that you may be able to earn multiple points in bonus categories or find other benefits that offer good value to you with the Amex Gold card. It’s prudent to look at the entire package before selecting a card based solely on the size of the welcome offer.

Earning Points Analysis

Amex Gold Amex Platinum Pool Background Upgraded Points LLC 2 — To maximize earnings, select a card that rewards your largest annual expenses. Image Credit: Upgraded Points

How a credit card earns rewards is one of the most important factors in selecting a card that will serve you well over the long term. Welcome offers are awarded only in the first year of card ownership, so beyond that period of time, you’ll want a card that closely aligns with your spending profile in order to continue earning plenty of rewards.

Earning rewards is important as their value can far exceed the cost of any annual fee you would have to pay for a card.

Here’s a look at the potential for earning Membership Rewards points with each card:

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Bonus Earning Category	Amex Platinum Card	Amex Gold Card
Flights purchased directly from airlines or from AmexTravel.com	5 points per dollar	3 points per dollar
Prepaid hotels purchased from AmexTravel.com	5 points per dollar	2 points per dollar
Other travel not purchased from AmexTravel.com	1 point per dollar	1 point per dollar
Restaurant purchases	1 point per dollar	4 points per dollar (capped at $50,000 per calendar year; 1x thereafter)
U.S. supermarkets	1 point per dollar	4 points per dollar (capped at $25,000 per calendar year; 1x thereafter)
All other purchases	1 point per dollar	1 point per dollar

If you’re in the process of deciding between these 2 cards, how bonus category earnings align with your spending habits should be a part of your decision. If you purchase a lot of flights directly through an airline and AmexTravel.com, you’re going to find that the Amex Platinum card fits that spending profile.

If you dine out frequently, spend a lot on groceries, but still purchase flights and use AmexTravel.com, chances are that you’ll earn more with the Amex Gold card.

Focusing just on earning power here, and not considering the whole card package, there’s probably a clear winner that matches your greatest annual expenses.

Bottom Line: Earnings are highest for flights and prepaid hotel purchases through AmexTravel.com with the Amex Platinum card, while restaurant and U.S. supermarket purchases offer the highest earnings using the Amex Gold card.

Redeeming Points

Since both the Amex Platinum card and the Amex Gold card earn Membership Rewards points, you’ll find the same redemption options with either card:

Redeem points for flights with AmexTravel.com (1 cent per point)
Transfer points to airline partners
Pay for New York City taxis
Donate your miles to charity
Transfer points to hotel partners
Redeem for gift cards

In addition, you have the option to redeem your points in other ways for less than 1 cent per point. These redemptions are not recommended since you’re not getting the most value from your points:

Shop with popular retailers like Amazon
Redeem for a statement credit
Shop at the online Amex shopping mall portal

Hot Tip: One of the best uses of your points can be to transfer your points to the Amex airline partners. With numerous airline partners, you’ll have access to award flights on British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Delta Air Lines, Etihad Airways, and many more.

Adding an additional authorized user to your card can expand your earning potential and allow the additional card user to utilize some of the benefits that the primary cardholder has.

An Amex Platinum authorized user can enjoy the same lounge access as the primary cardholder. An additional user on the Amex Gold card can use the card for everyday purchases such as U.S. supermarkets and restaurants, which earns you points quickly.

Please keep in mind that the primary cardholder is responsible for charges made by authorized users.

Hot Tip: A primary reason to add authorized users to your Amex Platinum card is that they receive the same complimentary worldwide lounge access to the American Express Global Lounge Collection, including the ability to bring guests.

Statement Credits

Uber Lyft Ride Share App Selection Upgraded Points LLC 2 — Uber Cash is a benefit of both cards (enrollment required). Image Credit: Upgraded Points

Annual statement and shopping credits, if you can utilize them, offer value that can offset the cost of an annual fee. Enrollment is required for some credits.

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Statement and Shopping Credits	Amex Platinum Card	Amex Gold Card
Dining credits	$0	Up to $120
Resy credits	$0	Up to $100 ($50 semi-annually)
Dunkin’ credits	$0	Up to $84 ($7 a month)
Uber Cash	Up to $200 Uber Cash per calendar year, $15 monthly from January to November and $35 in December. Add the card to your Uber account. Uber Cash can be used for Uber rides and Uber Eats in the U.S.*	Up to $120 Uber Cash ($10 per month) for Uber Eats orders or Uber rides in the U.S. when adding your Gold card to the app*
Airline fee credits	Up to $200	$0
Global Entry or TSA PreCheck credit	Up to $120	$0
Saks Fifth Avenue shopping credits	Up to $100	$0
CLEAR Plus credit	Up to $199	$0
Equinox credit	Up to $300	$0
Prepaid hotel credit on eligible stays	Up to $200	$0
Walmart+ credit	Up to $155	$0
Digital entertainment credit	Up to $240	$0
SoulCycle credit	Up to $300	$0

** An Amex Card must be selected as the payment method for your Uber or Uber Eats transaction to redeem the Amex Uber Cash benefit.

Credits for spending at a specific retailer or bonus category can directly impact your net out-of-pocket expense for the annual fee. While the Amex Platinum card offers over $1,500 in credits per year, the Amex Gold card comes with up to $304 in credits.

Airport Lounge Access Advantages

Amex Platinum Card

If you travel frequently, you’ll find the access to over 1,400 lounges in the American Express Global Lounge Collection an impressive perk. The Global Lounge Collection includes lounges in the following networks:

Centurion Lounges (U.S. and abroad)
Delta Sky Clubs (when traveling with Delta)
Escape Lounges — The Centurion Studio Partner
Plaza Premium Lounges
Priority Pass Select (upon enrollment)
Select Lufthansa Lounges (when traveling with Lufthansa)
Select Virgin Clubhouses

Complimentary worldwide lounge access is a very desirable travel perk. The level of access offered by the Amex Platinum card has become the gold standard among premium travel rewards cards.

Amex Gold Card

The Amex Gold card does not offer any complimentary airport lounge access.

Bottom Line: If you value worldwide lounge access, the Amex Platinum card is a clear winner as the Amex Gold card does not offer any form of airport lounge access.

Hotel Program Privileges

Aruba Marriott Resort main pool — Enjoy elite hotel benefits with your Amex Platinum card. Aruba Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino. Image Credit: Katie Seemann

Everyone enjoys hotel benefits such as an upgraded room or late checkout. Here’s a look at the hotel benefits each card has to offer:

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American Express Credit Card	Hotel Program Elite Status and Benefits
Amex Platinum Card	Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status upon enrollment Hilton Honors Gold status upon enrollment Fine Hotels & Resorts benefits The Hotel Collection benefits
Amex Gold Card	The Hotel Collection Benefits

The Amex Platinum card includes hotel elite status with 2 popular hotel loyalty programs. Cardholders receive Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status and Hilton Honors Gold status. Elite members receive benefits such as upgraded rooms, elevated bonus point earnings, late checkout, and more.

Cardholders also have access to the Fine Hotels & Resorts collection of properties to offer amenities such as room upgrades, complimentary breakfast, late checkout, early check-in, complimentary Wi-Fi, and a special welcome gift.

Book a 2-night stay at any The Hotel Collection property with either card and receive a room upgrade, when available, and up to $100 in credits for qualifying purchases made at the hotel. Amex Platinum card members earn 5x Membership Rewards points and Amex Gold card members earn 2x points for prepaid bookings.

While benefits at The Hotel Collection are only valid once per stay, you can book up to 3 rooms and each room will receive the $100 credit and upgraded room, when available.

Bottom Line: The Amex Platinum card does a nice job of providing complimentary hotel elite status and benefits at Fine Hotels & Resorts and The Hotel Collection. The Amex Gold card hotel benefits are limited to The Hotel Collection properties.

Rental Car Program Perks

The Amex Platinum card offers benefit privileges, and even elite status, with 3 different car rental programs:

National Emerald Club Executive Elite status
Avis Preferred
Hertz President’s Circle status

The Amex Gold card does not partner with any car rental programs.

Concierge and Travel Assistance

Both cards offer travel assistance, help with restaurant reservations, gift purchasing, or access to special events with a dedicated phone line available 24/7.

The Amex Platinum card comes with a premium Platinum Concierge service.

The Global Assist Hotline and the baggage insurance plans that come with the Amex Platinum card and the Amex Gold card have different levels of coverage with each card.

Global Assist Hotline

Assistance when things go wrong while traveling is available 24/7. You’ll need to make just 1 phone call to the Global Assistance Hotline to take advantage of this service. This service is offered with each card and coverage is valid when traveling more than 100 miles from home.

Benefits include:

Translation services
Lost passport replacement services
Missing luggage assistance
Emergency legal and medical referrals
Emergency transportation assistance
Credit card cancellation assistance
Urgent message relay to family and friends
Emergency cash wire transfer that can be charged to your card
Embassy and consulate referral

While both cards come with the Global Assist Hotline benefit, the Amex Platinum card comes with a premium version of the plan.

The Premium Global Assistance Hotline that comes with the Amex Platinum card includes emergency medical evacuation services for the cardholder and covered family members.

Medical evacuation assistance services are provided with both cards, however, the coverage that comes with the Amex Gold card provides assistance with arranging these services only. The cardholder would be responsible for the cost of the actual evacuation transportation services, whereas the Amex Platinum card coverage provides emergency transportation at no cost.

Bottom Line:

The Amex Platinum card comes with a premium version of the Global Assist Hotline. The advantage of the Premium Global Assist Hotline is that emergency medical transportation and evacuation coverage is provided at no cost to the cardholder. The Amex Gold card does not have coverage that includes the cost of the actual medical evacuation services provided.

Travel Insurance Comparison

There are several additional valuable travel benefits and protections that come with both the Amex Platinum card and the Amex Gold card.

Car Rental Loss and Damage Insurance

Reserve and pay for your rental car in full with your card in order to activate coverage. You must also decline the car rental agency’s collision damage waiver coverage. Damage, theft, and loss of use are covered for the rental car, up to $75,000.

Coverage is secondary to other auto insurance and valid worldwide with the exception of Australia, New Zealand, and countries on the Office of Foreign Assets Control sanctioned list. Certain vehicles are excluded and there are terms and conditions that apply.

Both cards also have access to premium car rental protection for 1 low fee that covers the entire rental period, not a daily fee like the rental agencies charge.

Trip Interruption, Trip Cancellation, and Trip Delay Coverage

You’ll find valuable trip disruption benefits on both cards if your trip needs to be canceled or you experience a trip interruption, for covered reasons, during your travels. Card limits of coverage vary slightly for trip delay coverage.

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Benefit	Amex Platinum Card	Amex Gold Card
Trip Interruption, Trip Cancellation	$10,000 per trip maximum of $20,000 per account per 12-month period	N/A
Trip Delay	Up to $500 per trip when the delay is 6 or more hours	Up to $300 per trip when the delay is 12 or more hours

Baggage Insurance Plan

Having your bag lost, stolen, or damaged can put a damper on your trip. The baggage insurance plans that come with both cards can help save the day.

With the Amex Gold card, you could receive up to $1,250 per covered person per trip or $500 per person for checked bags if your luggage is lost, damaged, or stolen. With the Amex Platinum card, coverage is provided for up to $3,000 per person for carry-on bags and up to $2,000 for checked bags.

You must pay for the entire common carrier ticket with your card. Coverage is provided in excess of other insurance and important terms and conditions apply.

Shopping Benefits Analysis

Purchase Protection

Both cards offer the same purchase protection coverage. An eligible item you have purchased with your card is covered for theft or damage for up to 120 days from the date of purchase.

Coverage limits are $10,000 per occurrence, $50,000 maximum per year.

Extended Warranty

Both cards offer identical extended warranty protection that offers up to an additional year, in addition to the manufacturer’s warranty of less than 5 years, for eligible purchased items.

The coverage is limited to $10,000 per occurrence and $50,000 per year.

Amex Offers

You can save hundreds of dollars each year or earn additional Membership Rewards points per dollar spent with the Amex Offers that are available with either card.

Delta Amex Offer 092924 — Amex Offers. Image Credit: American Express

Amex Offers can be accessed when you log into your online American Express card account. Just select the offers you’re interested in and add them to your card by clicking on Add to Card. Once you’ve completed the described purchase, you will receive a statement credit or bonus Membership Rewards points.

This is not an exhaustive list of all the benefits that come with the Amex Platinum card and Amex Gold card, but this article has highlighted the major benefits for comparison purposes.

Annual Fees and Adding Additional Users

Annual Fees

The Amex Platinum card is a premium travel rewards card with a long list of travel benefits. Its high annual fee reflects the inclusion of all those premium benefits.

The Amex Gold card is not quite as premium and it lacks some of those high-end travel perks. Its annual fee is appropriately less because of this, but the card still offers strong earning power.

For an in-depth review of each card along with more information about annual fees and other financial information, click the review links below:

Adding Additional Users

Both cards allow you to add additional authorized users, although each card charges a different amount for doing so:

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American Express Card	Authorized User Information
Amex Platinum Card	Add additional cardholders for $195 per card No-annual-fee basic Gold cards for authorized users (not the same as the Amex Gold card) For rates and fees of the Amex Platinum card, click here
Amex Gold Card	Add up to 5 additional card members for no additional charge The sixth and any additional cards are $35 each For rates and fees of the Amex Gold card, click here

Final Thoughts

You can’t go wrong with either of these fine American Express cards if you’ll use the benefits offered with the card you select.

The downside of each card, of course, is its annual fee. Fortunately in both cases, with welcome offers, statement credits, premium travel perks, or accelerated earnings on everyday purchases, it’s possible to derive value that could completely negate the annual fee.

So, which of these cards is the better card? The cards are really designed for 2 separate types of consumers. If you’re traveling frequently, value premium travel benefits, enjoy elite status perks, and spend a lot of money on travel, it’s quite obvious the Amex Platinum card is a strong match.

If you spend a lot on groceries, dine out frequently, but still travel throughout the year, the Amex Gold card could work well for you.

It’s possible that both cards in combination could be a fit as their earnings and benefits complement each other well. If you can maximize the benefit offerings on each card enough to diminish any net expense for the annual fee, it’s possible this card combo could make sense.

If you already have the Amex Gold card and are looking to upgrade Amex Gold to Platinum we would recommend reading our article to find out more.

Finally, please be aware that we abbreviate benefit descriptions and the list of benefits is not all-encompassing. Before applying for any card, be sure to review associated pricing, fees, and benefit descriptions.

For the car rental collision damage coverage benefit of The Platinum Card^® from American Express, car rental loss and damage insurance can provide coverage up to $75,000 for theft of or damage to most rental vehicles when you use your eligible card to reserve and pay for the entire eligible vehicle rental and decline the collision damage waiver or similar option offered by the commercial car rental company. This product provides secondary coverage and does not include liability coverage. Not all vehicle types or rentals are covered. Geographic restrictions apply. Eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company. Car rental loss or damage coverage is offered through American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc.

For the trip cancellation and interruption insurance coverage benefit of The Platinum Card^® from American Express, the maximum benefit amount for trip cancellation and interruption insurance is $10,000 per covered trip and $20,000 per eligible card per 12 consecutive month period. Eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.

For the trip delay insurance benefits of The Platinum Card^® from American Express, up to $500 per covered trip that is delayed for more than 6 hours; and 2 claims per eligible card per 12 consecutive month period. Eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.

For the baggage insurance plan benefit of The Platinum Card^® from American Express, baggage insurance plan coverage can be in effect for covered persons for eligible lost, damaged, or stolen baggage during their travel on a common carrier vehicle (e.g. plane, train, ship, or bus) when the entire fare for a ticket for the trip (one-way or round-trip) is charged to an eligible card. Coverage can be provided for up to $2,000 for checked baggage and up to a combined maximum of $3,000 for checked and carry-on baggage, in excess of coverage provided by the common carrier. The coverage is also subject to a $3,000 aggregate limit per covered trip. For New York State residents, there is a $2,000 per bag/suitcase limit for each covered person with a $10,000 aggregate maximum for all covered persons per covered trip. Eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.

For the extended warranty benefit of The Platinum Card^® from American Express, when an American Express^® card member charges a covered purchase to an eligible card, extended warranty can provide up to one extra year added to the original manufacturer’s warranty. Applies to warranties of five (5) years or less. Coverage is up to the actual amount charged to your card for the item up to a maximum of $10,000; not to exceed $50,000 per card member account per calendar year. Eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.

For the purchase protection benefit of The Platinum Card^® from American Express, purchase protection is an embedded benefit of your card membership and requires no enrollment. It can help protect covered purchases made on your eligible card when they’re accidentally damaged, stolen, or lost, for up to 90 days from the covered purchase date. The coverage is limited up to $10,000 per occurrence, up to $50,000 per card member account per calendar year. Coverage limits apply. Eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.

For the Premium Global Assist Hotline benefit of The Platinum Card^® from American Express, you can rely on the Global Assist Hotline 24 hours a day / 7 days a week for medical, legal, financial or other select emergency coordination and assistance services while traveling more than 100 miles away from your home. Plus, we may provide emergency medical transportation assistance and related services. Third-party service costs may be your responsibility. Eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. If approved and coordinated by Premium Global Assist Hotline, emergency medical transportation assistance may be provided at no cost. In any other circumstance, Card members may be responsible for the costs charged by third-party service providers.

For the car rental collision damage coverage benefit of the American Express^® Gold Card, car rental loss and damage insurance can provide coverage up to $50,000 for theft of or damage to most rental vehicles when you use your eligible card to reserve and pay for the entire eligible vehicle rental and decline the collision damage waiver or similar option offered by the commercial car rental company. This product provides secondary coverage and does not include liability coverage. Not all vehicle types or rentals are covered. Geographic restrictions apply. Eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company. Car rental loss or damage coverage is offered through American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc.

For the trip delay insurance benefits of the American Express^® Gold Card, up to $300 per covered trip that is delayed for more than 12 hours; and 2 claims per eligible card per 12 consecutive month period. Eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.

For the baggage insurance plan benefit of the American Express^® Gold Card, baggage insurance plan coverage can be in effect for covered persons for eligible lost, damaged, or stolen baggage during their travel on a common carrier vehicle (e.g. plane, train, ship, or bus) when the entire fare for a ticket for the trip (one-way or round-trip) is charged to an eligible account. Coverage can be provided for up to $1,250 for carry-on baggage and up to $500 for checked baggage, in excess of coverage provided by the common carrier (e.g. plane, train, ship, or bus). For New York State residents, there is a $10,000 aggregate maximum limit for all covered persons per covered trip. Eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.

For the extended warranty benefit of the American Express^® Gold Card, when an American Express^® card member charges a covered purchase to an eligible card, extended warranty can provide up to one extra year added to the original manufacturer’s warranty. Applies to warranties of five (5) years or less. Coverage is up to the actual amount charged to your card for the item up to a maximum of $10,000; not to exceed $50,000 per card member account per calendar year. Eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.

For the purchase protection benefit of the American Express^® Gold Card, purchase protection is an embedded benefit of your card membership and requires no enrollment. It can help protect covered purchases made on your eligible card when they’re accidentally damaged, stolen, or lost, for up to 90 days from the covered purchase date. The coverage is limited up to $10,000 per occurrence, up to $50,000 per card member account per calendar year. Coverage limits apply. Eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.

For the Global Assist Hotline benefit of the American Express^® Gold Card, you can rely on Global Assist Hotline 24 hours a day / 7 days a week for medical, legal, financial or other select emergency coordination and assistance services while traveling more than 100 miles away from your home. Third-party service costs may be your responsibility. Eligibility and benefit level varies by card. terms, conditions and limitations apply. Visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Card Members are responsible for the costs charged by third-party service providers.