Amex Power Trio: Why These 3 Cards Deserve a Permanent Spot in My Wallet

American Express offers one of the strongest card portfolios among major issuers. With so many great cards to choose from, how do you decide which are the best?

I personally have 8 American Express cards open, but 3 of them consistently rise above the rest.

The key thing to remember is that rewards cards are not one-size-fits-all, and what works best for you might not work for someone else. With that in mind, here’s why these 3 cards have earned a long-term spot in my wallet, year after year.

1. Platinum Card^® from American Express

For many, the Amex Platinum card can be hard to justify given its $895 annual fee (rates & fees), but it is important to consider what value you’re getting in return for that annual fee payment. For me, it’s an absolute no-brainer.

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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.

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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 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

$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

Cons

• $895 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.
• 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.
• More Value! 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.
• More Value! $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.
• More Value! $300 Digital Entertainment Credit: Get up to $25 in statement credits each month after you pay for eligible purchases with the Platinum Card^® at participating partners. Enrollment required.
• More Value! $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.
• New! $400 Resy Credit + Platinum Nights by Resy: When you use the Platinum Card^® to pay at U.S. Resy restaurants and to make other eligible purchases through Resy, you can get up to $100 in statement credits each quarter with the $400 Resy Credit benefit. 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, enrollment required.
• More Value! $209 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. You can cover the cost of a CLEAR Plus Membership* with up to $209 in statement credits per calendar year after you pay for CLEAR Plus with the 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 upon arrival, when available, and guaranteed 4PM check-out.
• New! $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.
• $100 Saks Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits annually for purchases at Saks Fifth Avenue or saks.com on the Platinum Card^®. That’s up to $50 in statement credits from January through June and up to $50 in statement credits from July through December. No minimum purchase required. Enrollment required.
• 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

Annual Credits That Offset the Annual Fee

While any reasonable person would be right to pause at the annual fee, the card comes with a bevy of yearly credits that deliver real value. If you put in the work to make use of these credits, you can easily come out ahead on the card’s annual fee each year. Many of the credits require prior enrollment to use.

I won’t pretend like every annual credit offered on the card is highly valuable, but the benefits that matter to me include:

• Up to $200 in airline incidental credit (good toward expenses such as baggage and seat selection fees on your preselected airline)
• Up to $400 in Resy credit (up to $100 per quarter)
• Up to $200 in Uber Cash ($15 per month, plus an additional $20 in December) for use on U.S. Uber Eats orders and rides when you add your Amex Platinum card to your Uber account. You must pay for your purchase with an Amex card to use this benefit.
• Up to $120 in Uber One credit
• Up to $300 in digital entertainment credit (up to $25 per month)
• Up to $600 in prepaid hotel credit, with up to $300 between January and June and $300 between July and December, on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts or The Hotel Collection bookings (The Hotel Collection bookings require a minimum 2-night stay) through AmexTravel.com
• Up to $209 in CLEAR^® Plus credit

This amounts to over $2,000 in annual value from these credits that I receive in exchange for the $895 annual fee that I pay. Even if you, quite conservatively, cut the value of all of these credits alone in half, I’d still be coming out ahead each year without factoring in any of the other cards’ benefits I get value out of.

Remember that this doesn’t even factor in the up to $1,000 (or more) I can get in other credits with companies and services like Equinox, lululemon, Oura Ring, Saks Fifth Avenue, and Walmart+ upon enrollment.

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.

Airport Lounge Access

If you travel frequently, you definitely want to have airport lounge access. Not only does it provide a nice haven away from the chaos of the terminal, but you can relax and take advantage of complimentary food and beverages as you wait for your flight to board.

And the Amex Platinum card provides the best and most comprehensive airport lounge access of any card, bar none. With it, you receive access to:

• Amex Centurion Lounges (in the U.S. and international Amex Centurion lounges)
• Priority Pass Select Lounges (enrollment required)
• Escape Lounges – The Centurion Studio Partner
• Plaza Premium Lounges
• Aspire Lounges
• Select Virgin Clubhouses
• Select Lufthansa lounges (when flying with Lufthansa Group the same day)
• 10 visits to Delta Sky Clubs annually (when flying with Delta the same day)

This amounts to over 1,500 airport lounges worldwide, meaning that almost every major travel destination in the world offers a lounge you can access with your Amex Platinum card. For many airports, you even have multiple lounges to choose from.

Flight Rewards and Travel Protections

Similarly, if you travel frequently, you also want a card that is both rewarding for your flight expenses and helps keep you covered in the event of things going wrong during your travels. Fortunately, the Amex Platinum card offers both here by providing you with 5x points on flights purchased directly with the airline or with AmexTravel.com (on up to $500,000 in spending per year).

Plus, it offers some of the best travel protections of any travel rewards card, including:

• Baggage insurance: If your baggage is lost or damaged while in transit with the carrier, you’re covered for up to $2,000 toward checked baggage and $3,000 toward carry-on baggage.
• Rental car insurance: Receive secondary rental car insurance when you decline the auto company policy and pay with your card, which covers up to $75,000 toward accidental damage or theft of the vehicle.
• Trip cancellation and interruption insurance: Trips that are cancelled or cut short for a covered cause, like severe weather, you receive a reimbursement of up to $10,000 per trip and $20,000 per year toward nonrefundable travel expenses.
• Trip delay insurance: Get reimbursed for up to $500 per ticket in covered expenses if your flight is delayed by 6 hours or requires an overnight stay. This includes lodging and food.

2. Amex Gold Card

If the Amex Platinum card is my benefits card, the Amex Gold card is my points-earning card, ensuring I’m always racking up as many points as possible toward future award tickets.

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

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

Big Everyday Rewards

Dining out, both at home and during my travels, is easily one of my largest expenses month to month. With the Amex Gold card, I earn 4x points at restaurants worldwide on up to $50,000 in spending per calendar year. After that, I earn 1x.

As far as transferable rewards cards go, this is one of the best return rates you can get from dining out, especially if you make strategic use of Amex transfer partners to unlock even more travel value.

In addition to dining out, the Amex Gold card rewards me on my other largest expense, with 4x points at U.S. supermarkets on up to $25,000 in spending per calendar year, then 1x thereafter.

The 4x rewards on these purchase categories alone help me earn tens of thousands of Amex Membership Rewards points each year, and all of these rewards pool together with the rewards I earn from my Amex Platinum card.

Not to mention that there is no shortage of ways to redeem Amex points for huge value, including booking business and first class flights for a fraction of what they cost normally.

Annual Credits

The Amex Gold card also charges a sizeable annual fee of $325. However, it offers its own set of annual credits that, if maximized, allow you to come out ahead (prior enrollment is required for many of these benefits). These credits include:

• Up to $120 in annual dining credit: Get up to $10 monthly statement credit when you pay with the Amex Gold card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment is required.
• Up to $120 in annual Uber Cash: Get $10 monthly in Uber Cash for Uber Eats orders or Uber rides in the U.S. when you add your Amex Gold card to your Uber account. You must pay for your purchase with an Amex card to use this benefit.
• Up to $100 in Resy credit: Get up to $100 in Resy statement credits each calendar year (up to $50 semiannually) by using your card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases.
• Up to $84 Dunkin’ credit: Earn up to $7 in monthly Dunkin’ statement credits when using your card to pay for purchases at U.S. Dunkin’ locations.

Personally, I don’t get very much use out of the Dunkin’ credit, except on rare occasions. The other credits, however, are highly valuable to me given my spending patterns and habits. I always use them up to their full amounts, giving me up to $340 in value each and every year.

3. Hilton Aspire Card

Lastly, to round out my top 3 is the Hilton Aspire card, one of the best hotel credit cards on the market. It charges a $550 annual fee (rates & fees), but I get much more than that in value out of the card every year.

Complimentary Hilton Diamond Status

For starters, just for holding the card, I receive nearly top-tier Hilton Honors Diamond status, which comes with quite a few perks that can significantly boost the value of your Hilton stays, including:

• 100% bonus points on stays
• Complimentary room upgrades, including standard suites (upon availability)
• Complimentary breakfast
• Executive Lounge access
• Welcome amenities

Usually, you’d need to spend 60 nights a year in a Hilton hotel in order to achieve Diamond status, so this is a significant perk to receive just for holding the Hilton Aspire card.

Anniversary Free Night Certificate

Perhaps my favorite benefit of the Hilton Aspire card is its annual free night certificate, which can be used at nearly any Hilton hotel worldwide.

Given that Hilton has over 9,000 properties worldwide, not only does it make this certificate very usable, but you can also get tremendous value out of it if you redeem it at some of the most luxurious Hilton hotels around the world, like the Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi, the Waldorf Astoria Los Cabos Pedregal, the Mango House Seychelles, LXR Hotels & Resorts, and many more.

Better yet, you can earn up to 2 additional free night awards each year by spending $30,000 and $60,000 on purchases on your Hilton Aspire card in a calendar year.

Annual Credits

Are you sensing a pattern yet? Personally, I love it when credit cards with high annual fees offer enough value in recurring credits to offset the annual fee on its own, before factoring in the benefits and perks of other cards.

Luckily, the Hilton Aspire card delivers in that department with the following credits:

• Up to $400 in annual statement credits on purchases with participating Hilton Resorts (up to $200 in statement credits semiannually)
• Up to $200 back annually on eligible flight purchases (up to $50 in statement credits each quarter)
• Up to $100 in credit at Waldorf Astoria and Conrad properties (2 night minimum stay)
• Up to $209 in credit for annual CLEAR^® Plus membership (subject to auto-renewal)

If you’re traveling and staying at a Hilton hotel at least a few times per year, which you should be if you’re considering the Hilton Aspire card, then you should easily be able to make good use out of up to $400 in annual statement credits at participating Hilton Resorts and up to $200 back annually on flight purchases.

I know I do, and that pair of credits alone offsets the card’s annual fee for me and then some, making the remaining credits and the rest of the card benefits all surplus value. That makes the Hilton Aspire card quite valuable for my travels.

Final Thoughts

There you have it. If I could only carry 3 American Express cards, without a doubt, they would be the Amex Platinum card, the Amex Gold card, and the Hilton Aspire card.

Each fulfills its own role in a unique way, from premium perks and annual credits to earning points on what I spend the most on to elite treatment and complimentary hotel nights.

That said, what is best for me might not necessarily be what is best for you. Be sure to consider how often you travel, the type of rewards you’d like to earn, your spending habits, and what benefits you’d like your card to offer when deciding which American Express cards are right for you.

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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. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.

For the car rental loss and damage insurance 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. 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, 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. 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, 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. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.