Amex Platinum Card vs. Amex Classic Green Card [Detailed Comparison]

Key Takeaways

• The Platinum Card^® from American Express earns 5x points on flights booked directly with airlines or through AmexTravel.com (up to $500,000 per year, then 1x) and 5x points on prepaid hotels booked through AmexTravel.com.
• The American Express^® Classic Green Card is also designed for travel enthusiasts, earning 3x points on dining worldwide, travel, and transit.
• The Amex Platinum card far exceeds the Amex Classic Green card in travel and lifestyle perks, offering lounge access, statement credits, and hotel and car rental elite status upon enrollment, but does carry a higher annual fee (rates & fees).

The Platinum Card^® from American Express and the American Express^® Classic Green Card are 2 of American Express’ most well-known cards and offer easy ways to earn points.

While both of these cards share some attractive benefits, such as no preset spending limit* (to reduce the risk of getting declined for purchases) and no foreign transaction fees (to help you minimize costs when traveling abroad), there are massive differences in the rest of their features. In this guide, we’ll compare and contrast the benefits of the Amex Platinum card with the Amex Classic Green card to see which one’s right for you. 

Update:

The American Express^® Classic Green Card is not available for new applicants. However, those with the Platinum Card^® from American Express may be able to downgrade to it.

The information regarding the American Express^® Classic Green Card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided or reviewed by the issuer.

Overview

If you don’t have enough time for a deep dive into of each card’s features and benefits, check out the table below that compares both cards at a high level.

Note that some benefits for both cards require enrollment through your American Express account, so be sure to get the most out of your card.

The Value of a Welcome Offer

One of the best reasons to apply for a new card is an enticing welcome bonus offer. Indeed, even if you’re totally onboard with a card’s benefits, rewards, and features, applying at the right time can ultimately mean the difference between a large or small windfall of points.

Welcome bonus offers are awarded to new cardmembers after completing a minimum spending requirement within the first few months after you are approved.

We recommend you only apply for a card if you can comfortably meet the spending requirements and earn that awesome welcome bonus offer.

BEST OFFER

Terms Apply / Rates & Fees

Platinum Card^® from American Express

U.P. Rating 

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the ins and outs of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

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

Apply Now(at Amex's secure site)

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Know if you're approved with no credit score impact

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

Platinum Card^® from American Express

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

Welcome Offer

You may be eligible for as high as 175,000 Membership Rewards^® points after you spend $12,000 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.

As High as 175,000 Points. Find Out Your Offer.

UP's Offer Valuation*:

Up to $3,850

Annual Fee

$895

APR

See Pay Over Time APR

Credit Recommended

Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO^® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.

Good to Excellent

Why We Like This Card

When it comes to cards that offer top-notch benefits, the Platinum Card^® from American Express is a top choice.

The card offers premium perks like best-in-class airport lounge access, hotel elite status, and several annual card credits. The Amex Platinum card is easily worth the annual fee for frequent travelers who use the lounges and travel credits, and hard to justify for those who won’t.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• The best airport lounge access out of any card (by far): Get access to over 1,550 worldwide lounges, including Amex Centurion Lounges, Priority Pass lounges (enrollment required), Plaza Premium Lounges, and many more!
• 5 points per $1 spent on flights purchased directly with the airline or with AmexTravel.com (up to $500,000 per year)
• 5 points per $1 spent on prepaid hotels booked with AmexTravel.com

Cons

• $895 annual fee (rates & 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 $12,000 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.
• Get more for your travels with 5X Membership Rewards^® points on all flights and prepaid hotel bookings through American Express Travel^®, including Fine Hotels + Resorts^® and The Hotel Collection bookings. You earn 5X points on flights purchased directly from airlines or through American Express Travel^® on up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year.
• With over 1,550 airport lounges - more than any other credit card company on the market* - enjoy the benefits of the Global Lounge Collection, over $850 of annual value, with access to Centurion Lounges, 10 Delta Sky Club visits (subject to visit limitations) when flying on an eligible Delta flight, Priority Pass™ membership (enrollment required), and other select partner lounges. *As of 01/2026
• $200 Uber Cash + $120 Uber One Credit: With the Platinum Card^® you can receive $15 in Uber Cash each month plus a bonus $20 in December when you add your Platinum Card^® to your Uber account to use on rides and orders in the U.S when you select an Amex Card for your transaction. Plus, when you use the Platinum Card^® to pay for an auto-renewing Uber One membership, you can get up to $120 in statement credits each calendar year. Terms apply.
• $300 Digital Entertainment Credit: Experience the latest shows, news and recipes. Get up to $25 in statement credits each month when you use your Platinum Card^® for eligible purchases on Disney+, a Disney+ bundle, ESPN streaming services, Hulu, The New York Times, Paramount+, Peacock, The Wall Street Journal, YouTube Premium, and YouTube TV when you purchase directly from one or more of the providers. Enrollment required.
• $600 Hotel Credit: Get up to $300 in statement credits semi-annually on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts^® or The Hotel Collection* bookings through American Express Travel^® using the Platinum Card^®. *The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay.
• $400 Resy Credit + Platinum Nights™ by Resy: Get up to $100 in statement credits each quarter when you use the Platinum Card^® to pay for eligible purchases with Resy, including dining purchases at over 10,000 qualifying U.S. Resy restaurants. Enrollment required. As a Platinum Card^® Member you have special access to reservations on select nights at participating sought after Resy restaurants in select cities through Platinum Nights™ by Resy. Simply add your Platinum Card^® to your Resy profile to book your reservation.
• $219 CLEAR+ Credit: CLEAR+ helps get you to your gate faster by using your face to verify you are you at 55+ airports nationwide. You can cover the cost of a CLEAR+ Membership* with up to $219 in statement credits per calendar year after you pay for CLEAR+ with your Platinum Card^®. *Excluding any applicable taxes and fees. Subject to auto-renewal.
• $200 Airline Fee Credit: Select one qualifying airline and then receive up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year when incidental fees, such as checked bags and in-flight refreshments, are charged by the airline to the 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.
• Start your vacation sooner and keep it going longer. When you book Fine Hotels + Resorts^® through American Express Travel^®, enjoy noon check-in, when available, and guaranteed 4pm late check-out.
• $300 lululemon Credit: Enjoy up to $75 in statement credits each quarter when you use the Platinum Card^® for eligible purchases at U.S. lululemon retail stores (excluding outlets) and lululemon.com. That’s up to $300 in statement credits each calendar year. Enrollment required.
• $155 Walmart+ Credit: Get up to a $12.95* statement credit back each month after you pay for a monthly Walmart+ membership (subject to auto-renewal) with your Platinum Card^®. *Up to $12.95 plus applicable taxes on one membership fee.
• Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
• $895 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.

American Express^® Classic Green Card

U.P. Rating 

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the ins and outs of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

This card can provide a great way to accumulate Membership Rewards points on eligible travel, transit, and at restaurants.

All information about American Express^® Classic Green Card has been collected independently by Upgraded Points.

American Express^® Classic Green Card

This card can provide a great way to accumulate Membership Rewards points on eligible travel, transit, and at restaurants.

Welcome Offer

No welcome offer is available.

None

UP's Offer Valuation*:

Up to $0

Annual Fee

$150

APR

See Pay Over Time APR

Credit Recommended

Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO^® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.

Good to Excellent (670-850)

Why We Like This Card

Update: The American Express^® Classic Green Card is no longer available for new applicants, but is available via product change. 
The Amex Classic Green card is an excellent all-around travel rewards card, earning 3x Membership Rewards points on eligible travel and transit purchases, as well as at restaurants, with access to American Express transfer partners and a reasonable annual fee.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• 3x points at restaurants worldwide, on all eligible travel purchases, and on transit purchases
• Up to $219 per calendar year in statement credits after you pay for a CLEAR+ membership with the card
• Access to American Express transfer partners

Cons

• $150 annual fee
• No elite benefits like airport lounge access or hotel elite status

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

• Earn 3X Membership Rewards^® points on travel, including airfare, hotels, cruises, tours, car rentals, campgrounds, and vacation rentals.
• Earn 3X Membership Rewards^® Points on transit purchases, including trains, taxicabs, rideshare services, ferries, tolls, parking, buses, and subways.
• Earn 3X Membership Rewards^® points on eligible purchases at restaurants worldwide, including takeout and delivery in the US.
• $219 CLEAR+ Credit: Receive up to $219 per calendar year in statement credits when you pay for your CLEAR+ membership (subject to auto-renewal) with the American Express^® Classic Green Card.
• Payment Flexibility: When it comes to paying your bill, you have options. You can always pay in full. You also have the flexibility to carry a balance with interest or use Plan It^® to split up large purchases into monthly payments with a fixed fee, up to your Pay Over Time Limit. You may be able to keep spending beyond your limit – you’ll just need to pay for any new purchases in full when your bill is due.
• Trip Delay Insurance: If a round-trip is paid for entirely with your Eligible Card and a covered reason delays your trip more than 12 hours, Trip Delay Insurance can help reimburse certain additional expenses purchased on the same Eligible Card, up to $300 per trip, maximum 2 claims per eligible account per 12 consecutive month period. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Coverage is provided by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.
• No Foreign Transaction Fees: No matter where you’re traveling, when you use your American Express ^® Classic Green Card there are no foreign transaction fees.
• $150 annual fee.
• Terms Apply.

Financial Snapshot

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

Rewards Center

American Express Membership Rewards

The general consensus is that the minimum your welcome offer would be worth is 1 cent per point. That’s because you can redeem Amex Membership Rewards points for flights through AmexTravel.com at a fixed value of 1 cent apiece.

However, you can transfer your points to Amex’s transfer partners and potentially receive far more value. On average, we think Amex points are worth about 2.2 cents each. So the offers above are worth up to $3,850 for the Amex Platinum, and $0 for the Amex Classic Green.

Earning Potential Comparison

The Amex Platinum card only outperforms the Amex Classic Green card on airfare purchased directly with the airline or through AmexTravel.com, as well as prepaid hotels purchased through AmexTravel.com.

So if you book lots of flights and hotels, the Amex Platinum card might be the best bet for you. Just remember that going through AmexTravel.com ensures you get rewarded as much as possible — but if you plan on doing a lot of your travel bookings outside of AmexTravel.com, the Amex Classic Green card might end up earning you more points in the long run.

If you frequently eat out, the Amex Classic Green card could be a great addition to your wallet since it earns 3x points on restaurants worldwide. However, if you take advantage of the $400 Resy credit for the Amex Platinum card, you might save a lot of money on dining.

Bottom Line:

If you’re interested in maximizing your rewards on travel purchases, the Amex Platinum card offers industry-leading returns as long as you book travel through the AmexTravel.com portal.

Redemption Options

Both the Amex Platinum card and Amex Classic Green card earn coveted Membership Rewards points, which allow for a wide variety of redemption options.

Both cards have the ability to transfer points to airlines and hotels, including Delta SkyMiles, Marriott Bonvoy, British Airways, Air Canada Aeroplan, Hilton Honors, and more.

However, there are a few subtle distinctions in how much value you can get from specific redemptions through each of these cards.

On the other hand, if you plan on using airline and hotel partners only, the Amex Classic Green card should suffice. 

It’s important to call out that in our opinion, the most lucrative way to use Amex points,is to transfer them to hotel and airline partners.

For example, if you want to book a flight from New York (JFK) to Paris (CDG) on Air France business class, you can redeem as few as 55,000 Amex points for a one-way ticket by transferring them to Air France-KLM Flying Blue, as opposed to paying hundreds of thousands of points to book the same flight through AmexTravel.com. 

Hot Tip:

If you want to know more ways to maximize the value of your Amex points, read our in-depth guide on the best ways to use your Membership Rewards points for luxury travel.

How Do Statement Credits Compare?

The Amex Platinum card is an amazing card for benefits, and some of its statement credits return money directly to your wallet. Here’s what you can expect to get in statement credits with the Amex Platinum card in comparison with the Amex Classic Green card:

When you maximize all of these benefits, you can easily offset the annual fee on the Amex Platinum card multiple times. Don’t forget to enroll for the ones that require enrollment.

Airport Lounge Access

One of the most valuable benefits of a travel card is access to airport lounges — so much so that we’ve devoted an entire section to discussing this.

Amex Platinum Card

The Amex Platinum card is probably the single best card available for airport lounge access. With it, you can access over 1,550 airport lounges around the world through the Global Lounge Collection.

This includes:

• Centurion Lounges (in the U.S. as well as internationally)
• 10 visits to a Delta Sky Club (when flying Delta the same day) with the ability to unlock unlimited visits through spend
• Escape Lounges — The Centurion Studio Partner
• Select Lufthansa Lounges (when traveling on a same-day Lufthansa Group ticket)
• Plaza Premium Lounges
• Priority Pass™ membership (enrollment required)
• Select Virgin Clubhouses

Amex Classic Green Card

Unfortunately, the Amex Classic Green card doesn’t offer any lounge access.

Hotel Program Benefits

Another area where the Amex Platinum card clearly outshines the Amex Classic Green card is the benefits at hotels and rental car companies.

In this section, we’ll walk you through all of these benefits from A to Z.

Elite Status: Marriott Bonvoy, Leaders Club, and Hilton Honors

The Amex Platinum card offers automatic elite status upon enrollment with Marriott Bonvoy (Gold Elite), Leaders Club (Sterling status), and Hilton Honors (Gold).

These benefits allow you to enjoy perks like quicker accrual of hotel points, room upgrades, late checkout, and even continental breakfast (with Hilton Honors Gold only).

Fine Hotels + Resorts and The Hotel Collection

In addition, you will have the ability to book stays at properties that are a part of Fine Hotels + Resorts and The Hotel Collection.

Here are the benefits you get when booking a Fine Hotels + Resorts stay:

• Room upgrade (subject to availability)
• Complimentary breakfast for 2 guests per room daily
• Early check-in (subject to availability)
• Guaranteed 4 p.m. late checkout
• A special amenity, valued at a minimum of $100, once per stay
• Free Wi-Fi

And when you book a stay at The Hotel Collection, you will receive a room upgrade (when available) and a $100 property credit once per stay. Note that The Hotel Collection requires a minimum booking of 2 nights.

The Amex Classic Green card doesn’t offer any hotel benefits.

Rental Car Program Benefits

When you’re on the road and renting a car, the Amex Platinum card offers you elite status upon enrollment with multiple car rental programs, including:

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

With these status levels, you can enjoy perks like complimentary upgrades to more premium vehicles, guaranteed reservations, bonus points earning, and more.

The Amex Classic Green card doesn’t partner with any rental car companies for status or privileges.

Travel Insurance and Protection Comparison

Another key area where the Amex Platinum card offers tremendous value over the Amex Classic Green card is travel protection.

Access to the Platinum Card Concierge

One of the most useful features of the Amex Platinum card is the ability to access Platinum Card Concierge service, which can help you make restaurant reservations in foreign countries, get connected to reputable tour providers, arrange to send flowers or gifts to loved ones, and so much more.

All you need to do is call the number on the back of your card and ask to be connected to a Platinum Card Concierge.

The Amex Classic Green card doesn’t offer access to the Platinum Card Concierge.

Car Rental Loss and Damage Insurance

Both the Amex Platinum card and Amex Classic Green card offer secondary rental car insurance with the ability to purchase primary rental car insurance, starting from $12.25 to $24.95 per rental.

The key difference here is that the Amex Platinum card offers up to $75,000 in coverage, while the Amex Classic Green card offers up to $50,000 in coverage.

Trip Interruption and Cancellation Insurance

The Amex Platinum card is one of the few cards that offers trip interruption and cancellation insurance — if your trip is disrupted for covered reasons, you can get reimbursed for up to $10,000 per trip and up to $20,000 every rolling 12 months.

The Amex Classic Green card doesn’t offer trip interruption or cancellation coverage.

Trip Delay Reimbursement

If your trip is delayed for covered reasons, you may file a claim for reimbursement of certain expenses incurred during your delay — the Amex Platinum card gets you up to $500 per trip if your covered delay is 6 or more hours.

The Amex Classic Green card doesn’t offer trip delay reimbursement.

Concierge and Travel Assistance

When you hold the Amex Platinum card, you have access to Premium Global Assist — meanwhile, the Amex Classic Green card provides access to Global Assist.

Both Global Assist and Premium Global Assist include:

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

Premium Global Assist also includes emergency medical evacuation services for the cardholder and covered family members, as well as repatriation of mortal remains, unaccompanied minors/visitors to bedside, and travel assistance post-evacuation.

Baggage Insurance

Your Amex Platinum card covers you with baggage insurance if your bags are lost, damaged, or stolen. Coverage comes with a maximum of $2,000 for checked baggage and $3,000 for checked and carry-on baggage.

Meanwhile, the Amex Classic Green card’s baggage insurance plan covers up to $1,250 for carry-on baggage and up to $500 for checked baggage.

Baggage insurance for both cards comes with a lot of fine print, so make sure to read the terms and conditions here.

Comparing Shopping Benefits

Purchase Protection

Both the Amex Platinum card and the Amex Classic Green card offer purchase protection, which can come in handy. The Amex Platinum card’s purchase protection covers accidental damage, theft, and loss, while the Amex Classic Green card only covers accidental damage and theft.

In the case of the Amex Platinum card, you be reimbursed up to $10,000 per covered purchase and up to $50,000 in total reimbursements per calendar year if the occurrence happens 90 days or sooner after the date of purchase.

The Amex Classic Green card also covers incidents that occur up to 90 days after purchase, but you can only get up to $1,000 per item in reimbursements and up to $50,000 per calendar year in reimbursements.

Extended Warranty

The Amex Platinum card entitles you to extended warranty protection, which covers up to 2 additional years in addition to the manufacturer’s warranty of up to 5 years, for eligible purchased items. This coverage is limited to $10,000 per occurrence and up to $50,000 per calendar year.

The Amex Classic Green card covers you for up to 1 additional year in addition to the original manufacturer’s warranty of up to 5 years. The coverage amount is also limited to $10,000 per occurrence and up to $50,000 per calendar year.

Return Protection

If you make a purchase, aren’t satisfied with it, and attempt to return your purchase with the original merchant, only to get denied a return, the Amex Platinum card could help you get coverage for this rare event.

Currently, the Amex Platinum card’s return protection policy includes up to $300 per item and up to $1,000 per calendar year in return protection coverage.

The Amex Classic Green card doesn’t carry any return protection.

Cell Phone Protection

If you’re prone to damaging or getting your phone stolen, the Amex Platinum card comes with complimentary cell phone protection, which kicks in as long as you charge your monthly cellular bill to the Amex Platinum card.

Currently, the Amex Platinum card allows you to get up to $800 in reimbursements per claim with a $50 deductible per claim and up to 2 approved claims every rolling 12 months.

Therefore, you can get up to $1,500 in cell phone protection reimbursements every year!

The Amex Classic Green card doesn’t offer this benefit.

No Preset Spending Limit

Another feature we love about these 2 cards is no preset spending limit*, which means both cards don’t have a traditional credit limit or credit ceiling.

Instead, based on your spending habits and other information about your ability to pay your balances, Amex may adjust your spending limit from month to month. This can reduce the likelihood that your purchase will get declined at the register.

No Foreign Transaction Fees

Both the Amex Platinum card and Amex Classic Green card have no foreign transaction fees.

Amex Offers

Amex Offers is one of the best ways you can get additional rewards or savings at specific merchants. You can take advantage of amazing offers like earning +5 bonus points per dollar or 20% back on specific purchases, such as Marriott bookings or eating out at restaurants.

Both the Amex Platinum card and Amex Classic Green card enjoy access to Amex Offers upon enrollment.

Annual Fees and Adding Additional Users

Annual Fees

The Amex Platinum card is an ultra-premium travel rewards card with a ton of benefits, so it only makes sense that it has an ultra-premium price tag to go along with it.

Specifically, the Amex Platinum card has a $895 annual fee, while the Amex Classic Green card has a $150 annual fee.

Adding Additional Users

Both of these cards allow you to add additional cards for friends and family.

With the Amex Platinum card, you can add additional Platinum cardholders for $195 per card. These cards will still confer travel benefits to additional users, like lounge access and the ability to book stays at Fine Hotels + Resorts and The Hotel Collection.

If you want to add additional users without an additional annual fee, you can add companion Platinum cards, though these won’t come with the same travel benefits as the primary Amex Platinum card.

With the Amex Classic Green card, there is no additional charge per authorized user.

As always, the primary cardholder is liable for all charges made by authorized users.

Final Thoughts

The Amex Platinum card and Amex Classic Green card share a surprising number of similarities. Both of them offer the ability to earn Membership Rewards points, which can be transferred to airline and hotel partners for luxury travel.

In addition, both of these cards have no preset spending limit*, no foreign transaction fees, and other benefits like purchase protection and extended warranty.

However, the Amex Platinum card blows away the Amex Classic Green card when it comes to travel and lifestyle benefits thanks to its lounge access perks, numerous statement credits, automatic hotel elite status, and even rental car privileges!

If you’re looking for a high-end card with robust travel benefits, the Amex Platinum card will suit you best. But if you just want a card that earns Membership Rewards points without requiring you to pony up for a large annual fee, the Amex Classic Green card can serve you well.

American Express offers cards across every price point, from no-annual-fee options to cards with premium travel benefits.