Travelers who spend often with airlines, U.S. supermarkets and restaurants should consider these two travel credit cards. MoneyGeek compared differences between the American Express Gold Card and The Platinum Card from American Express to help you find the best card for your needs.
American Express Gold Card vs. American Express The Platinum Card: Which Is Best for You?


Both American Express cards reward cardholders generously and have no foreign transaction fees. With the American Express Gold Card, you can earn four points for each dollar spent at U.S. supermarkets and restaurants. Meanwhile, the Platinum Card offers a $200 airline fee credit each year and 5x points when you book a flight through American Express Travel or directly with the airline.
Comparison Overview: American Express Gold Card vs. American Express The Platinum Card
- American Express Gold CardAmerican Express The Platinum Card
- Has Annual Fee
- Has Balance Transfer Offer
- Has APR Offer
- Cash Back Rewards
- Travel Rewards
American Express Gold Card At a Glance
The American Express Gold Card has a welcome offer of 60,000 Membership Rewards points when you spend $4,000 on eligible purchases within your first six months of card membership. You also get a $120 dining credit and $120 for Uber each year. When you use your card to book flights through American Express or with the airlines directly, you get three reward points for each dollar.
- American Express Gold Card
Best rewards card for frequent fliers and diners
- Good-ExcellentCredit Needed
- $250Annual Fee
- 1–4 Points per $1Rewards Rate
- 4xRewards Rate on Groceries
- 3xRewards Rate on Air Travel
American Express The Platinum Card At a Glance
With the Platinum Card, you can earn 100,000 bonus reward points once you spend $6,000 on purchases within the first six months. You also receive $200 in airline fee credit each year.
- American Express The Platinum Card
A great rewards card for air travel with premium benefits
- Good-ExcellentCredit Needed
- $695Annual Fee
- 1–5 Points per $1*Rewards Rate
- 5xRewards Rate on Air Travel
- 1xRewards Rate on Gas
Comparison Summary
In the table below, MoneyGeek listed differences between the American Express Gold Card vs. The Platinum Card so you can choose which travel credit card suits your situation best.
- Card DetailComparison Summary
Travel Coverage and Purchase Protection
The American Express Gold Card offers baggage insurance, car rental and loss insurance in eligible territories and purchase protection.
The Platinum Card provides purchase protection and insurance for your car rental, loss and baggage. On top of that, you also get complimentary travel insurance coverage.
Winner: The Platinum Card
Welcome Bonus
You can earn 60,000 Membership Rewards points once you spend $4,000 on qualified purchases within your first six months with the American Express Gold Card.
With The Platinum Card, you can earn 100,000 Membership Reward points when you spend $6,000 on purchases within the first six months.
Winner: The Platinum Card
Rewards
The American Express Gold Card offers 4x Membership Rewards per dollar on specific worldwide restaurants and U.S. supermarkets. You also get $120 Uber Cash and $120 dining credit annually.
With The Platinum Card, you get automatic Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite Status and Hilton Honors Gold Status, premium car rental status for various car rental programs and airport lounge access.
Winner: The Platinum Card
Annual Fee
The American Express Gold Card has a $250 annual fee.
The Platinum Card annual fee is $695.
Winner: American Express Gold Card
Which Card Should You Get?
The best travel credit card for you will depend on what you need. MoneyGeek listed important details that may fit what you’re looking for.
Who Should Consider the American Express Gold Card?
Individuals who fly and dine frequently should consider the Gold Card since it has outstanding rewards points for dining, airlines and supermarkets. Unlike other cards, you can transfer your reward points to other airline and hotel loyalty programs to maximize your free travel, and even have a maximum of five authorized users with no additional annual fee.
Cardholders can earn four points for each dollar spent at U.S. supermarkets and three points per dollar if you use this card to book flights through American Express or directly with the airline.
The card can have up to five authorized users, which helps you earn points much quicker.
The card has no foreign transaction fees on purchases made outside the U.S.
≫ More: Read Our Full Review
Who Should Consider the American Express The Platinum Card?
The Platinum Card from American Express is a great option for frequent travelers that want luxury benefits and generous rewards. Cardholders get complimentary travel insurance, no foreign transaction fees, access to the American Express Global Lounge Collection, concierge services and more.
You can transfer points to partner airlines through their frequent flier programs.
You get complimentary Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite Status and Hilton Honors Gold Status.
You can earn 5x points directly on airline purchases and prepaid hotels and flights booked through American Express Travel, up to $500,000 per year.
Both of these cards are solid options for consumers that spend generously, and want significant rewards. However, the divider between the two cards is the lifestyle of the cardholder. If you are a regular traveler, meaning more than once a quarter, you may find the Platinum Card worth it. If you travel a few times per year and enjoy eating out, the Gold Card will get the job done. While The Platinum Card is packed with benefits, the $695 annual fee is a steep ask. So if you decide the Platinum Card is your best choice, be sure to have a plan to utilize the benefits.
Other Helpful Decision-Making FAQs
MoneyGeek listed frequently asked questions about the American Express Gold Card vs. The Platinum Card to better show the differences between both travel credit cards.
Still Not Sure About These Cards? Consider These Options
If you aren’t fully convinced by the generous benefits and features of the American Express Gold Card and The Platinum Card, you might want to check the other travel credit cards.
Capital One Quicksilver Rewards
American Express Marriott Bonvoy Business Card
Capital One Quicksilver Student Rewards
American Express Delta SkyMiles Gold Card
Bank of America Premium Rewards Card
Chase Ink Business Preferred
Mastercard Titanium Card
Disney Premier Visa Card
Chase Ink Business Unlimited
Chase Sapphire Reserve
Chase Marriott Bonvoy Bold
American Express Delta SkyMiles Platinum Business Card
Chase British Airways Visa Signature
U.S. Bank Altitude Connect Visa Signature Card
American Express Delta SkyMiles Platinum Card
Credit One Bank Platinum Rewards Visa
Chase Southwest Rapid Rewards Performance Business
Jasper Mastercard
American Express Delta SkyMiles Reserve Business Card
Chase Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus
American Express Delta SkyMiles Reserve Card
Capital One Spark Cash Plus
Chase Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier
Capital One Spark Miles
Upgrade Bitcoin Rewards Visa
Capital One Spark Cash Select
Credit One Bank Platinum Visa
Capital One Spark Cash Select - Good Credit
Learn more about credit cards in general
sources
- American Express. "Important Information Regarding Rates, Fees, and Other Cost Information." Accessed January 7, 2022.
- American Express. "Welcome to Membership Rewards!." Accessed January 7, 2022.
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