Chase Sapphire Reserve Got a Lot Better — But I’m Staying Loyal to My Amex Platinum

The Chase Sapphire Reserve^® is looking more competitive than it has in years, thanks to access to the new Sapphire Lounges, improved earning rates, and more than $1,500 in statement credits on travel and lifestyle spending.

That said, all these upgrades come at a cost. The annual fee recently jumped from $550 to a whopping $795.

Even as someone who’s been loyal to The Platinum Card^® from American Express for years, I had to ask myself whether it was time to make a switch. But after digging into the details of the refreshed Chase Sapphire Reserve card and weighing how I actually travel, the answer became clear.

Here’s why I’m sticking with the Amex Platinum card.

1. Amex Owns the Lounge Game

Chase continues to expand its network of Sapphire Lounges — a step in the right direction. But for me, the lounge access on the Amex Platinum card still stands in a league of its own.

With access to the Centurion Lounge network, Escape Lounges, Priority Pass lounges upon enrollment (though not the restaurants), select Airspace lounges and Lufthansa lounges when flying same-day with Lufthansa, and 10 annual visits to the Delta Sky Clubs when I’m flying same-day with Delta, the Amex Platinum card gives me access to an incredible range of premium lounges.

Whether grabbing preflight ceviche and cocktails at the Miami Centurion Lounge or enjoying quick bites and free Wi-Fi at an Escape Lounge during a domestic layover, these lounges have become part of my regular travel routine.

Chase is making progress, no doubt — but when it comes to lounge quality and variety, Amex is still the clear leader.

2. Benefits Are More Valuable

Now that the Chase Sapphire Reserve card’s annual fee is officially $795, the Amex Platinum card is no longer the most expensive luxury travel card.

The Amex Platinum card’s $695 annual fee (rates & fees) is hefty, but for me, the credits more than make up for it — and then some.

There’s the up to $200 airline fee credit that covers upgrades, bag fees, and inflight purchases. The up to $200 Uber Cash is super easy to use every month, and I use it to order lunch at my home office twice a week via Uber Eats. Additionally, the $199 CLEAR Plus credit speeds up airport security, and the up to $240 digital entertainment credit offsets the Disney+ Bundle subscription I pay for each month. Enrollment is required for some of these benefits.

Don’t get me wrong: I’m not a fan of the coupon-book approach many premium cards take these days. Breaking up credits into monthly, quarterly, or semiannual chunks that feel more like chores than perks.

At the end of the day, the variety of statement credits of the Amex Platinum card still better fits my lifestyle, especially now that the Chase Sapphire Reserve card is moving in the same direction with more fragmented perks. Simply put, Amex makes it easier for me to use and enjoy these benefits year after year.

3. Amex Offers Outshine Chase Offers

Amex Offers are easily one of my favorite perks of the Amex Platinum card (enrollment required). The variety is unmatched, from everyday brands to luxury retailers, and it’s clear Amex invests heavily in these merchant partnerships.

Chase Offers have improved and now include compelling options, especially for travel and everyday spending. But in my experience, Amex Offers still takes the lead.

I consistently find high-value, relevant deals that align with how I spend, often on brands I already use. For my lifestyle, Amex just delivers more, both in variety and overall value.

4. Access to Luxury Hotel Perks

One of the Amex Platinum card perks I consistently get real value from is the Fine Hotels + Resorts and the Hotel Collection programs. Available to both Amex Platinum card and The Business Platinum Card^® from American Express cardholders, this benefit adds a layer of luxury and convenience to my travels — especially when I’m not staying at a major chain.

Over the years, I’ve booked several stays through the FHR program to enjoy complimentary breakfast for 2, room upgrades, $100 property credits, early check-in when available, and, most importantly, guaranteed 4 p.m. late checkout.

In some cases, I’ve walked away with over $500 in added value on just a 1-night stay. The perk is seamless and one that I look forward to redeeming annually.

Chase has recently introduced The Edit, a similar hotel collection for Chase Sapphire Reserve cardholders. It comes with a solid $500 annual credit split into 2 $250 biannual credits, but it requires a 2-night minimum stay.

While that’s a compelling addition, the biggest difference I’ve noticed is in the late checkout benefit. With The Edit, it’s based on availability, whereas Amex offers a guaranteed 4 p.m. checkout, which makes a huge difference for a relaxed travel day — especially since I travel often with my wife and 3 young daughters.

5. Amex Points Are More Valuable to Me

While I still greatly value earning Chase Ultimate Rewards points — especially for World of Hyatt transfers, which continue to offer exceptional hotel value — I find Amex Membership Rewards are far more useful when booking flights, especially for my family’s travel.

Amex’s wide range of transfer partners across all 3 major airline alliances means I can build award redemptions through:

• Star Alliance (ANA, Air Canada, Singapore, Avianca)
• SkyTeam (Air France-KLM, Delta)
• Oneworld (British Airways, Iberia, Qatar)

Amex also runs frequent transfer bonuses, stretching my points 20% to 40% further. Over the years, I’ve found that Amex generally offers more frequent and varied airline transfer bonuses than Chase.

Last but not least, add in 5x points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com or directly with the airline (up to $500,000 per year) and 5x points on prepaid hotels booked through AmexTravel.com, and I rack up valuable rewards quickly — especially since I book travel for my family of 5 often.

6. Spending Power When I Need It Most

One feature of the Amex Platinum card that’s incredibly underrated is that it has no preset spending limit. This means your spending limit is flexible, and unlike a traditional card with a set limit, the amount you can spend adapts based on factors such as your purchase, payment, and credit history.

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The Platinum Card^® from American Express

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

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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

You 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.

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Up to $3,850

Annual Fee

$695

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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

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)

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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.

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For someone like me, who occasionally pays large tax bills or makes hefty home improvement purchases, this flexibility matters. I don’t have to worry about whether my card will be declined due to a fixed limit — and that peace of mind is worth a lot.

By contrast, the Chase Sapphire Reserve card functions like a traditional credit card, with a defined limit. That works for many, but for those of us who need that extra breathing room, Amex makes it easier to trust the large purchase will go through.

Final Thoughts

There’s a lot going on in the premium card world right now. The Chase Sapphire Reserve card is undeniably better than it used to be — albeit at a higher price.

But for me, the Amex Platinum card still comes out on top. It aligns with the way I travel by unlocking access to better lounges and has stronger airline transfer partners. After years of reliable service, from travel protections to flexible spending, Amex has earned my trust.