How To Upgrade Your Amex Gold Card to the Amex Platinum Card [2026]

The American Express^® Gold Card and Platinum Card^® from American Express are heavy hitters in the world of points and miles, with many award travel enthusiasts carrying either or both of the cards in their wallets. But if you prefer to use only 1 card, you might wonder which Membership Rewards card is better for you.

This post compares the benefits of both cards to help you determine which is best for you. It also answers whether you should consider upgrading and how you can upgrade your Amex card.

Amex Gold Card vs. Amex Platinum Card

Make no mistake, the Amex Gold card and Amex Platinum card are fantastic but very different travel rewards cards. Here is a breakdown of each card’s top benefits.

Amex Gold Card Benefits

NEW OFFER

Terms Apply / Rates & Fees

American Express^® Gold 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 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 Offer

You 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

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

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

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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

The Amex Gold card has strong earnings at supermarkets and restaurants, offering various ways to earn and redeem rewards and plenty of travel benefits, all without a premium annual fee.

Our favorite benefits include:

• 4 points per $1 at restaurants worldwide (up to $50,000 in annual spend, then 1x after that)
• 4 points per $1 at U.S. supermarkets, up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1x thereafter
• 3 points per $1 on flights purchased directly with airlines or at AmexTravel.com
• Access to the American Express Hotel Collection
• Up to $120 in annual dining credit in $10 monthly statement credits when you pay with the Amex Gold card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment is required.
• Up to $100 in annual Resy credits ($50 semiannually), redeemable at any U.S. Resy restaurant and other eligible Resy purchases. Enrollment is required through your Amex account.
• Up to $84 in annual statement credits ($7 per month), redeemable at U.S. Dunkin’ locations. Enrollment is required.

The Amex Gold card aims to help keep you covered by offering travel insurance benefits including baggage insurance, trip delay insurance, car rental loss and damage insurance, purchase protection, and extended warranty protection.

Bottom Line: Spend a lot of money on dining and at U.S. supermarkets? The Amex Gold card will help you rack up Amex Membership Rewards points faster than any other card. 

Amex Platinum Card Benefits

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 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.

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 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, 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 1,550 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
• Annual and monthly statement credits upon enrollment (airline credit, Uber Cash and Uber One, Resy, Saks Fifth Avenue credit, lululemon credit, streaming credit, prepaid hotel credit on eligible stays, Walmart+ credit, CLEAR+ credit, and Equinox credit)
• TSA PreCheck or Global Entry credit
• Access to American Express Fine Hotels and Resorts and Amex International Airline Program
• Access to Amex transfer partners
• No foreign transaction fees (rates and fees)

 

Cons

• $895 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 $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 complimentary Delta Sky Club^® visits when flying on an eligible Delta flight (subject to visit limitations), Priority Pass Select membership (enrollment required), and other select partner lounges.* As of 07/2025.
• $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 make eligible purchases with Resy, including dining purchases at U.S. Resy restaurants. Enrollment required. Plus, with Platinum Nights by Resy, you can get special access to reservations on select nights at participating in demand Resy restaurants with the Platinum Card^®. Simply add your eligible Card to your Resy profile to book and discover Platinum Nights reservations near you.
• $209 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 $209 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 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: Receive a statement credit* for one monthly Walmart+ membership (subject to auto-renewal) after you pay for Walmart+ each month with the Platinum Card^®.* Up to $12.95 plus applicable local sales tax. Plus Ups not eligible.
• 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

 

The premium Amex Platinum card has $2,000 or more in statement credits, considerable 5x points travel earnings, and access to thousands of airport lounges worldwide.

Here are our favorite earnings and benefits that the card features (some may require enrollment):

• 5 points per $1 spent on flights purchased directly with the airline or with AmexTravel.com (on up to $500,000 per calendar year) and on prepaid hotels booked with AmexTravel.com
• Up to $200 in airline incidental credit
• $200 in annual Uber Cash
• Up to $120 in Uber One credit
• Up to $400 in Resy credit (up to $100 per quarter)
• Up to $300 in lululemon credit (up to $75 per quarter)
• Up to $300 in digital entertainment credit (up to $25 per month)
• Up to $600 in prepaid hotel credit
• Access to over 1,550 airport lounges, including Amex Centurion lounges, Priority Pass lounges upon enrollment, Plaza Premium Lounges, Escape Lounges, and 10 visits to Delta Sky Clubs (when flying Delta the same day) with the ability to unlock unlimited visits through spend
• Complimentary Hilton Honors Gold, Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite, and Leaders Club Sterling status
• Access to American Express Fine Hotels + Resorts and the Amex International Airline Program
• Avis, Hertz, and National rental car elite status
• And much more

The Amex Platinum card also enhances protection by offering travel insurance benefits such as car rental loss and damage insurance, trip delay insurance, and trip cancellation and interruption insurance, plus purchase benefits like return protection, purchase protection, and extended warranty.

Bottom Line: The Amex Platinum card offers some of the best travel and lifestyle benefits of any rewards card on the market.

Benefits Comparison

Here is a head-to-head comparison of the Amex Gold card and Amex Platinum card to help you determine which card fits you better. Some benefits will require enrollment.

As you can see, the strength of the Amex Gold card is that it has a much lower annual fee than the Amex Platinum card and is significantly better at earning points if you regularly spend money on dining and groceries.

On the other hand, the main appeal of the Amex Platinum card is that it is absolutely loaded with fantastic benefits like access to 6 different airport lounge networks, hotel elite status, a variety of annual credits, and many more perks that frequent travelers are sure to love (some may require enrollment). Furthermore, eligible Amex Platinum military members aren’t charged the annual fee.

Bottom Line: Are the added benefits of the Amex Platinum card worth the additional annual fee? Well, that is for you to decide, and if you need extra help doing so, we’ve got you covered in our ultimate guide to the Amex Platinum card versus Amex Gold card.

How To Upgrade Your Amex Gold Card

Requesting an upgrade with your Amex Gold card is straightforward, and you have 2 options.

The first is to call the customer service number on the back of your Amex Gold card and tell the representative that you’d like to upgrade to the Amex Platinum card. Your second option is to use the chat feature on the American Express website, though be advised that they might still ask you to call the customer service line to finalize the upgrade.

Who Should Upgrade Their Card?

We’ve outlined the benefits of each card and explained how to ask for an upgrade, but should you actually do it? Here are a few tips to help you make that decision.

 1. You’ve Had the Amex Gold Card for More Than a Year

The Credit CARD Act of 2009 means credit issuers cannot increase the annual fee of a cardmember if their account is less than 1 year old. So if you haven’t had your Amex Gold card open for at least a year, you’re not eligible to upgrade it to the Amex Platinum card.

2. You’ve Previously Earned a Welcome Bonus Offer for the Amex Platinum Card

Traditionally, when you upgrade to a new card, you are not eligible for the public welcome bonus offer that the card currently offers. So, if you’ve never received a welcome offer for the Amex Platinum card before, you’d be much better off applying for the card outright, as the welcome offer bonus is often worth more than $1,300 in travel, based on our valuations.

If you’ve already received a welcome offer on the Amex Platinum card, you wouldn’t forfeit any points should you upgrade your Amex Gold card.

3. You’ve Been Extended an Upgrade Offer

Occasionally, American Express sends cardmembers an offer to upgrade their card and receive a bonus for doing so. We’ve seen offers as high as 60,000 Membership Rewards points (valued at $1,320) to upgrade from the Amex Gold card to the Amex Platinum card. If you’ve received such an offer, that would be a great reason to upgrade.

Hot Tip: You’re still eligible for upgrade offers even if you have already received a welcome offer for the Amex Platinum card. However, if you accept an upgrade offer and you’ve never had a welcome offer for the Amex Platinum card, you’ll no longer be eligible to receive one should you decide to apply for the card outright.

4. The Amex Platinum Card Is a Better Fit for You

If you’ve weighed the benefits of each card and decided that the Amex Platinum card is a better fit for you, then it might make more sense to ask for an upgrade. But make sure you don’t leave any Membership Rewards points on the table if you do so.

5. You Don’t Want To Add a Hard Pull to Your Credit

When you ask for an upgrade on an Amex card, American Express does not perform a hard pull, meaning you will not receive a new inquiry on your credit report and it will not impact your 5/24 status. That’s important if you’re trying to stay eligible for certain Chase cards.

Final Thoughts

While the process of upgrading your Amex Gold card to the Amex Platinum card is easy, deciding whether or not it makes sense to do so is a lot more situational. On one hand, upgrading might offer you a nice bonus without adding an inquiry to your credit score. On the other hand, you might be forgoing the large boost of Membership Rewards points you could have received from the welcome offer by applying for the card outright.

Either way, you should do whatever makes the most sense for you. You might even decide that it is worth holding both the Amex Gold card and Amex Platinum card to take advantage of the points-earning and luxury travel benefits of both cards!