Amex Platinum Card vs. Apple Card [Detailed Comparison]

There is an endless collection of rewards-earning cards at your disposal. A key objective to keep in mind during your search for the perfect card is earning well on the purchases you spend the most on. Beyond that, redemption options and benefits you’ll be able to use are also key factors.

Today’s card comparison features 2 cards that earn rewards differently, serve dissimilar goals at redemption time, and also vary widely in the benefits offered.

The Platinum Card^® from American Express and Apple Card, while very different products, do serve to illustrate the importance of selecting a card that most closely fits your objectives. Our comparison also illustrates that, in some cases, 2 cards may be better than 1.

Here’s how the cards compare.

Overview

Before we review the features and benefits of the Amex Platinum card and Apple Card, a quick snapshot of how the cards compare overall can be helpful.

Here’s how the cards compare side-by-side:

The Value of a Welcome Offer

Most rewards cards offer the opportunity to earn a welcome bonus by meeting minimum spending requirements in the period immediately following card approval.

The Amex Platinum card comes with a generous welcome offer that can be worth hundreds, even thousands, of dollars when redeemed for travel. The Apple Card does not come with a welcome offer.

Here are the most recent snapshots of the 2 cards that include any current welcome offers available:

BEST LOUNGE ACCESS

Terms Apply / Rates & Fees

The Platinum Card^® from American Express

U.P. Rating 

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's 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.

Learn More(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 Offer

Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards^® Points after you spend $8,000 on eligible purchases on the Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.

80,000 points

UP's Bonus Valuation*:

$1,760

Annual Fee

$695

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 cardapplication.

Good to Excellent (670-850)

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, 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

• Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards^® Points after you spend $8,000 on eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.
• 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.
• The American Express Global Lounge Collection^® can provide an escape at the airport. With complimentary access to more than 1,400 airport lounges across 140 countries and counting, you have more airport lounge options than any other credit card issuer on the market. As of 03/2023.
• $155 Walmart+ Credit: Save on eligible delivery fees, shipping, and more with a Walmart+ membership. Use your Platinum Card^® to pay for a monthly Walmart+ membership and get up to $12.95 plus applicable taxes back on one membership (excluding Plus Ups) each month.
• $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^®.
• $200 Uber Cash: Platinum Card^® Members can get out and about and explore their local area with $15 in Uber Cash for US rides each month, plus a bonus $20 in December. That can be up to $200 in annual Uber savings. Simply download the Uber app and add your Platinum Card^® to your Uber account to get started. Available to Basic Card Member only. Effective 11/8/2024, an Amex Card must be selected as the payment method for your Uber or Uber Eats transaction to redeem the Amex Uber Cash benefit.
• $199 CLEAR^® Plus Credit: CLEAR^® Plus helps to get you to your gate faster at 50+ airports nationwide and get up to $199 back per calendar year on your Membership (subject to auto-renewal) when you use your Card. CLEARLanes are available at 100+ airports, stadiums, and entertainment venues.
• 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.
• Unlock access to exclusive reservations and special dining experiences with Global Dining Access by Resy when you add your Platinum Card^® to your Resy profile.
• $695 annual fee.¤
• Terms Apply.

Financial Snapshot

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

Rewards Center

American Express Membership Rewards

Apple Card

U.P. Rating 

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's 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 Apple Card is a great card option for those who are a fan of Apple products and Apple Pay.

Apple Card

The Apple Card is a great card option for those who are a fan of Apple products and Apple Pay.

Welcome Offer

No welcome offer available.

No offer available

Annual Fee

$0

APR

19.24% to 29.49% Variable

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 cardapplication.

Good to Excellent (670-850)

Why We Like This Card

The information regarding the Apple Card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer. 

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The largest company in the world now offers customers its own credit card, the Apple Card. Apple has long been adored by tech enthusiasts and consumers alike thanks to its sleek and innovative products. Now, those who can’t get enough of its products can earn rewards when they shop with Apple, or use Apple Pay, thanks to the Apple Card.

But is the card only suitable for the most ardent of Apple supporters? Or is it a card others should consider adding to their wallet as well?

Pros & Cons

Pros

• 3% back* on Apple Pay purchases made directly with Apple
• 3% back* on Apple Pay purchases made with partners (Uber/Uber Eats, Nike, Panera, T-Mobile, Ace Hardware, Walgreens, and Exxon and Mobil gas stations)
• 2% back* on all other purchases made via Apple Pay
• 1% back* on all purchases made with your physical Apple card
• No annual fee, foreign transaction fees, or late fees
• Interest-fee payments for iPhone, Mac, iPad, and more
• Flexible redemption offers

* For this program, rewards come in the form of Apple Cash, not true cash-back.

Cons

• Not particularly rewarding on purchases where you cannot use Apple Pay
• You need an Apple device in order to use Apple Pay, so it is not a good fit for those outside of the Apple ecosystem

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

• 3% cash back on Apple purchases
• 3% cash back on Panera Bread, Exxon/Mobil, Walgreens, Nike, Ace Hardware, and Uber and Uber Eats purchases when you use Apple Pay
• 3% cash back when using Apple Pay at T-Mobile stores
• 2% cash back on all other Apple Pay purchases
• 1% cash back on your other purchases with the physical card

Financial Snapshot

• APR: 19.24% to 29.49% Variable
• Foreign Transaction Fees: $0

Earning Potential

A rewards-earning card adds the most value when its bonus-earning categories match your highest purchases. The Amex Platinum card and Apple Card each earn bonus rewards in different categories.

The Amex Platinum card earns flexible Membership Rewards points, while the Apple Card earns cash-back in the form of Daily Cash rewards. We’ll discuss your options for redeeming rewards, up next.

First, let’s look at how you’ll earn rewards on each of our featured cards:

Amex Platinum Card

The Amex Platinum card shines with earnings on flight purchases directly with the airlines or via AmexTravel.com. Prepaid hotels via AmexTravel.com also receive bonus earnings. Other than those purchases, the card will earn 1x points.

Apple Card

The Apple Card earns well on anything Apple and with partner merchants including Uber/Uber Eats, Nike, Panera, T-Mobile, Walgreens, ACE Hardware, Exxon/Mobil, and more. If you need to purchase with a merchant that doesn’t accept Apple Pay, you’ll receive just 1% back in Apple Cash by using your physical Apple Card.

Redemption Options

When it’s time to redeem the rewards you’ve earned, it’s important to receive goods or services for which you find value. Both the Amex Platinum card and Apple Card deliver good value — just in different ways.

Here are the options you’ll have at redemption time for Membership Rewards points earned on the Amex Platinum card and the Daily Cash earned on the Apple Card.

Amex Platinum Card

Membership Rewards points earned on the Amex Platinum card are better suited, and most valuable, for travel redemptions. We value Membership Rewards points at 2.2 cents each, having the best potential value when transferring to airline or hotel partners.

For example, you could transfer Membership Reward points to Virgin Atlantic Flying Club and book Air France or KLM for an off-peak business class flight to Europe for just 48,000 miles.

Apple Card

Apple Cash Daily Cash rewards, earned from purchases made on the Apple Card, work just like cash. Plus, the rewards show up quickly in your account — hence the term “daily” cash.

You can transfer Daily Cash into your Apple Cash wallet, redeem it for a statement credit, for Apple products/services, for person-to-person transfers from Apple Cash, or transfer to a bank account.

Perhaps you’re looking for a new MacBook. You could transfer Daily Cash rewards to Apple Cash and apply that amount to your purchase. The Apple Card also allows you to finance any remaining balance with no interest! Terms apply.

Travel Protections and Benefits

Travel protections are complimentary benefits that can provide economic relief should something happen during your travels.

To save money on select travel-related purchases or to make your travel more comfortable, you’ll want to take advantage of any travel benefits that come with a card.

The Amex Platinum card doesn’t charge foreign transaction fees (rates & fees), and neither does the Apple Card, which makes these 2 cards great travel companions.

While the Apple Card does not come with any additional travel protections or benefits, the Amex Platinum card comes with several more.

Amex Platinum Card

Here is a list of travel protections and benefits you’ll find on the Amex Platinum card:

• Secondary car rental insurance with access to Premium Protection
• Trip cancellation, trip interruption, and trip delay insurance
• Baggage insurance
• Premium Global Assist helpline that includes emergency transportation and evacuation coverage
• Worldwide lounge access to over 1,400 lounge properties
• $200 airline incidentals fee reimbursement
• Global Entry or TSA PreCheck fee reimbursement
• Annual CLEAR Plus fee reimbursement
• Hilton Honors and Marriott Bonvoy hotel program Gold Elite status (enrollment required)
• $200 annual prepaid hotel statement credit
• Fine Hotels + Resorts and The Hotel Collection elite-style benefits
• Hertz Presidents Circle, National Executive, and Avis Preferred Plus status and benefits (enrollment required)
• 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. Effective 11/8/2024, an Amex Card must be selected as the payment method for your Uber or Uber Eats transaction to redeem the Amex Uber Cash benefit.
• Platinum Concierge Services can assist with travel arrangements, dining reservations, event tickets, shopping, and more.

Please note that we have abbreviated benefit descriptions and not included all of the applicable terms and conditions that may apply. The card’s Guide to Benefits will be the source for full information.

For more details on each of the travel insurance benefits on the Amex Platinum card, this article goes in-depth.

Shopping Protections and Benefits

Shopping protections can provide economic relief if something should go wrong with an eligible purchase you made with your card.

You may be able to save money on specific purchases when you utilize a card’s shopping benefits.

Here are the shopping protections and benefits you’ll find on the Apple Card and the Amex Platinum card:

Amex Platinum Card

• Purchase protection, extended warranty, return protection
• Cell phone protection, up to $800 per claim, 2 claims per 12-month period, $50 deductible per claim
• Up to $100 annually in Saks Fifth Avenue statement credits; up to $50 January through June, up to $50 July through December (enrollment required)
• Up to $240 each year in digital entertainment credits (up to $20 monthly, enrollment required)
• Up to $300 Equinox credit (enrollment required)
• Up to $155 Walmart+ credit
• Amex Offers

Apple Card

• Interest-Free Financing for Select Apple Products — If you want the latest iPhone, Apple Watch, AirPods, or Macbook, you can upgrade and pay for those products interest-free with this benefit.

Annual Fees and Authorized Users

The cost of being a card member is an important consideration. Fees can add up and erode the value of earning rewards. For this reason, it’s important to consider fees when selecting a card.

The Amex Platinum card charges a fee of $695. Authorized Amex Platinum card users can be added for a fee of $195 each. Additional basic Gold card users can be added without a fee.

Authorized users, when added to the Amex Platinum card, receive several benefits, including worldwide lounge access. Added Gold card members do not. Purchases made by all authorized users help the primary cardholder earn rewards faster.

The Apple Card does not charge an annual fee, nor does it charge a fee to share your Apple Card account with additional users.

Final Thoughts

If you’re not an Apple product user or live in an area with merchants that accept Apple Pay, the Apple Card is not for you. Additionally, the Apple Card will not be a match if you’re looking for a travel rewards card. If you have an Apple device, purchase Apple products/services, and like to have the newest Apple devices, the card could be an appropriate choice.

The Amex Platinum card is arguably the best premium travel rewards card. With a generous welcome offer, unmatched worldwide lounge access, cell phone protection, travel insurance benefits, and flexible redemption options, the card delivers a lot of value. If you can use these benefits, the higher annual fee could be offset by thousands of dollars worth of potential value.

If you’re an avid traveler and an Apple enthusiast, you might consider both cards.

For the car rental loss and damage insurance benefit of The Platinum Card^® from American Express, eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Please 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 benefit of The Platinum Card^® from American Express, eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.

For the trip delay insurance benefit of The Platinum Card^® from American Express, eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Please 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, eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Please 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 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. Please 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 purchase protection benefit of The Platinum Card^® from American Express, eligibility and benefit level varies by Card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.

For the extended warranty benefit of The Platinum Card^® from American Express, eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.

For the return protection benefit of The Platinum Card^® from American Express, eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details.

For the cell phone protection benefit of The Platinum Card^® from American Express, coverage for a stolen or damaged eligible cellular wireless telephone is subject to the terms, conditions, exclusions and limits of liability of this benefit. The maximum liability is $800, per claim, per eligible card account. Each claim is subject to a $50 deductible. Coverage is limited to two (2) claims per eligible card account per 12 month period. Eligibility and benefit level varies by Card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.