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When it comes to premium travel rewards credit cards, the competition in the market is on par with the Olympics. Every bank under the sun has its own version of a premium card product. The annual fees are high and so are the stakes — many high-end cards offer enough travel perks to offset the fees.
In this round of head-to-head battles, we’ve got two heavyweight champs: the Chase Sapphire Reserve® and The Platinum Card® from American Express.
Both of these card giants lead the industry by offering several travel credits and benefits to serious travelers. So, let’s see how the Amex Platinum vs. Chase Sapphire Reserve stack up against each other and how much value you can expect to receive from each card.
Quick Comparison: Chase Sapphire Reserve vs. Amex Platinum
Before diving into the details of the American Express Platinum vs. Chase Sapphire Reserve, here’s an overview of what both cards have to offer.
The Platinum Card® from American Express
80,000
Membership Rewards® Points
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.
Annual Fee:
$695
| Card Feature | The Platinum Card® from American Express | Chase Sapphire Reserve® |
|---|---|---|
| Typical welcome offer | Earn 80,000 to 150,000 Membership Rewards points after spending about $8,000 within the first six months of card membership | Earn 60,000 to 80,000 Ultimate Rewards points after usually spending $4,000 within the first three months of card membership |
| Annual fee | $695 (see rates and fees) | $550 |
| Bonus spending categories | • 5X points on flights purchased directly from airlines or through American Express Travel® on up to $500,000 per calendar year (1X points thereafter) • 5X points on prepaid hotels on Amex Travel | • 10X points on car rentals and hotels booked through Chase Travel℠ (applies after the first $300 is spent on annual travel purchases) • 5X points on flights booked via Chase Travel℠ (applies after the first $300 is spent on annual travel purchases) • 3X points on eligible delivery service purchases, takeout and dining out • 3X points on travel purchases (applies after the first $300 is spent on annual travel purchases) • 1X points in all other categories |
| Statement credit perks | • Up to $200 in statement credits annually on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection bookings through Amex Travel (a minimum stay of two nights is required for The Hotel Collection) • Up to $200 in statement credits annually toward incidental fees with one qualifying airline • Up to $200 in Uber Cash credits annually with Uber Eats and rides in the United States, issued in monthly $15 credits, with a bonus of $20 in December* • $199 annual statement credit toward CLEAR® Plus membership • Receive either a $120 statement credit every four years for a Global Entry application fee or a statement credit up to $85 every 4.5 years for a TSA PreCheck® application fee (when applying through a TSA official enrollment provider), in each case when charged to your eligible American Express card • Receive a $100 statement credit toward eligible charges with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com with The Hotel Collection (eligible charges vary by property) • Up to $240 in statement credits annually, issued in $20 monthly credits, for eligible purchases with Disney+, a Disney Bundle, ESPN+, Hulu, The New York Times, Peacock and The Wall Street Journal • Up to $155 in statement credits annually, issued in monthly $12.95 credits, toward a Walmart+ membership • Up to $100 in statement credits annually, issued in biannual $50 credits, toward eligible purchases with Saks Fifth Avenue or saks.com | • $120 statement credit for TSA PreCheck® or Global Entry membership every four years • Annual $300 statement credit toward travel purchases |
| Cardholder perks | • Complimentary access to the American Express Global Lounge Collection • Complimentary benefits when booking Fine Hotels + Resorts through Amex Travel • Complimentary Marriott Bonvoy® Gold Elite Status • Complimentary Hilton Honors™ Gold Status • Complimentary Avis Preferred®, Hertz Gold Plus Rewards® and National Car Rental® Emerald Club status • No foreign transaction fees • 21 hotel and airline transfer partners | • Complimentary Priority Pass Select™ membership (worth $469 per year) • Complimentary Access to Chase Sapphire Lounges by The Club • Complimentary DashPass membership for both DoorDash and Caviar (worth $120), unlocking $0 delivery fees and lower service fees on eligible orders for a minimum of one year when activated by Dec. 31, 2027. DoorDash members will also receive $25 in monthly savings with a $5 monthly credit automatically credited to your DoorDash account and up to $20 per month to use on non-restaurant DoorDash orders, via two $10 promos • Complimentary property benefits when you book through The Edit℠ • No foreign transaction fees • Points are worth 1.5 cents apiece when redeemed for travel through Chase Travel℠ • 14 airline and hotel transfer partners |
| Travel protection perks | • Trip cancellation and interruption insurance¹ • Baggage insurance plan¹ • Car rental loss and damage waiver¹ • Trip delay insurance¹ | • Trip cancellation and interruption insurance • Lost baggage reimbursement • Baggage delay reimbursement • Emergency medical and dental benefit • Emergency evacuation and transportation coverage • Trip delay insurance • Auto rental collision damage waiver • Travel accident insurance |
* To receive this benefit you must have downloaded the latest version of the Uber App and your eligible Amex Card must be a method of payment on your Uber account. The Amex Benefit may only be used in the United States
Uncover the Perks of the Chase Sapphire Reserve
The Chase Sapphire Reserve includes robust travel perks and protections combined with a lucrative welcome offer and strong bonus spending categories. Let’s dive into what it has to offer.
Welcome Offer
The Chase Sapphire Reserve has a typical welcome offer of 60,000 to 80,000 Ultimate Rewards points after spending $4,000 within the first three months of card membership.
You can get a value of at least $900 to $1,200 if you redeem the welcome offer through Chase Travel℠.
Hitting $4,000 in spending across three months should be manageable for the average American household. Even if your spending is lower than the average household expenditure in the United States, there are ways you can get creative and hit the minimum spending requirement without needlessly overspending.
Bonus Spending Categories
The Chase Sapphire Reserve offers a wide range of bonus spending categories, covering you for a wide range of purchases. These include:
- 10X points on car rentals and hotels booked through Chase Travel℠ (applies after the first $300 is spent on annual travel purchases)
- 5X points on flights booked via Chase Travel℠ (applies after the first $300 is spent on annual travel purchases)
- 3X points on eligible delivery service purchases, takeout and dining out
- 3X points on travel purchases (applies after the first $300 is spent on annual travel purchases)
- 1X points in all other categories
When booking flights through Amex or Chase Travel℠, you’ll earn the same number of points with both cards.
However, you can earn double the amount of points on prepaid hotel bookings with the Chase Sapphire Reserve compared to the Amex Platinum. A $500 hotel stay booked through Chase Travel℠ would earn you 5,000 Ultimate Rewards points, compared to just 2,500 Amex Membership Rewards points if booked through Amex Travel.
Not to mention, Chase Sapphire Reserve cardholders can redeem their points for 1.5 cents apiece through Chase Travel℠, making 5,000 Ultimate Rewards points worth $75.
Similarly, you’ll be able to earn 3X points on everyday purchases such as travel as well as on eligible delivery service purchases. You can also earn up to 10X points on partner services purchases, including Lyft and Peloton (through March 31, 2025).
Cardholder Perks
$300 Travel Credit
Chase Sapphire Reserve cardholders can enjoy a whopping $300 annual statement credit toward all travel purchases.
Unlike other card issuers with travel statement credits, you’re not restricted to purchasing travel through the card issuer’s portal exclusively. Instead, you can apply this credit to all purchases that fall inside of Chase’s travel category. And luckily, Chase has a generous definition of travel, including all of the following merchants:
| Airlines | Limousines |
| Buses | Motels |
| Campgrounds | Operators of passenger trains |
| Car rental agencies | Parking lots and garages |
| Cruise lines | Taxis |
| Discount travel sites | Timeshares |
| Ferries | Toll bridges and highways |
| Hotels | Travel agencies |
The statement credit will automatically be applied to your account. That also means you don’t need to worry about using it on a monthly or biannual basis — instead, the credit will automatically apply every time an eligible purchase is made.
$120 Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® Statement Credit
Chase Sapphire Reserve cardholders can receive a statement credit of up to $120 every four years toward a Global Entry or TSA PreCheck membership application fee.
In this way, you’ll be able to speed through TSA lines and enjoy expedited immigration when entering the U.S.
Complimentary Priority Pass Select™ Membership
The Chase Sapphire Reserve offers a complimentary Priority Pass Select™ membership, enabling you to bring up to two guests with you into any of its more than 1,500 lounges worldwide.
This perk alone has a value of $469 per year and can make air travel a whole lot more luxurious.
Complimentary Access to Chase Sapphire Lounges by The Club
On top of access to Priority Pass lounges, you’ll enjoy complimentary access for you and up to two guests to Chase Sapphire Lounges by The Club.
Currently, there are four Chase Sapphire Lounges — one in Boston, one in Hong Kong and two in New York — with four more to come in Phoenix, Las Vegas, Philadelphia and San Diego.
Discover the Luxuries of the Amex Platinum
The Amex Platinum Card offers the pinnacle of luxury travel perks. Let’s look at what you can expect to enjoy as an Amex Platinum cardholder.
Welcome Offer
The Amex Platinum Card comes with a typical welcome offer of 80,000 to 150,000 Membership Rewards points after spending about $8,000 within the first six months of card membership.
That makes the offer worth at least $800 to $1,500 depending on how you redeem it.
With a period of six months to hit the minimum spending threshold, the average American household should have no problem reaching $8,000 in spending.
The Platinum Card® from American Express
80,000
Membership Rewards® Points
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.
Annual Fee:
$695
Bonus Spending Categories
Although you’ll earn 5X Membership Rewards points on airfare booked directly with airlines or via Amex Travel (on up to $500,000 per calendar year, then 1X points thereafter) and on prepaid hotels booked via Amex Travel, the list of bonus categories ends here.
All other purchases earn 1X point per dollar spent.
For a card with such a high annual fee (see rates and fees), the earning rates could be significantly better.
Cardholder Perks
$200 Hotel Statement Credit
American Express Platinum cardholders can receive up to $200 in statement credits annually on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection bookings that are made through American Express Travel.
For bookings with The Hotel Collection, a minimum stay of two nights is required to be eligible for the statement credit to apply.
$200 Airline Credit
Amex Platinum cardholders can receive up to $200 in statement credits annually toward incidental fees with one qualifying airline. Qualifying airlines include:
- Alaska Airlines
- American Airlines
- Delta Air Lines
- Hawaiian Airlines
- JetBlue Airways
- Spirit Airlines
- Southwest Airlines
- United Airlines
You need to select your qualifying airline at the beginning of each calendar year in January, for the statement credit to then apply.
Taking advantage of this credit is easy as long as you choose an airline with whom you’ll fly often enough. You can put the credit toward in-flight food and beverage purchases, seat assignment fees, checked baggage fees and more.
$200 Uber Cash Credits
Amex Platinum cardholders can also enjoy up to $200 in Uber Cash credits annually.
You must have the latest version of the Uber App already downloaded and set your Amex card as a method of payment on your Uber account. You’ll then automatically receive $15 in Uber Cash credits every month, with a $20 bonus in December.
You can then use these credits for Uber Eats and Rides in the United States.
Just keep in mind that the monthly credit expires at the end of each calendar month, meaning it won’t rollover to the next month if unused. To maximize the full $200 credit, you’ll need to use Uber at least monthly.
$199 CLEAR® Plus Membership Statement Credit
With a CLEAR Plus membership, you’ll enjoy expedited identity verification processing at 58 airports nationwide. Additionally, you’ll be able to skip the TSA lines and head to a dedicated CLEAR Plus kiosk, verifying your identity through fingerprint and iris scanning technology.
When they pay using their Platinum Card, cardholders can get an annual $199 statement credit toward the CLEAR Plus membership fee.
$120 Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® Statement Credit
In addition to an annual CLEAR Plus membership statement credit, Amex Platinum cardholders can receive either a $120 statement credit every four years for a Global Entry application fee or a statement credit up to $85 every 4.5 years for a TSA PreCheck® application fee.
To be eligible, you’ll need to apply through an official enrollment provider and pay the fee using your eligible American Express card.
That means you can speed through immigration when entering the U.S. and enjoy expedited security processing when flying domestically, leaving you more time to enjoy the airport lounge or get to your hotel.
Complimentary Access to The American Express Global Lounge Collection
The American Express Platinum card offers the most comprehensive airport lounge access perks of any travel rewards card.
You’ll have full access to The American Express Global Lounge Collection, the greatest collection of lounge networks.
These perks include:
- The Centurion® Lounge
- Escape Lounges – The Centurion® Studio Partner
- Delta Sky Club®
- Lufthansa Lounges
- Plaza Premium
- Priority Pass™ Select
For some lounge networks, such as Priority Pass Select, you’ll need to enroll with the network to access their lounges. With airline lounges like Delta Sky Club and Lufthansa Lounges, you’ll typically need to display a same-day boarding pass with the respective airline or certain eligible partner airlines.
Keep in mind that from Feb. 1, 2025, Amex Platinum cardholders will receive 10 visits per year to Delta Sky Clubs or to Grab and Go when traveling on a same-day Delta-operated flight. To receive unlimited visits, card members will need to charge a total of $75,000 to their card within the previous calendar year.
$100 Statement Credit with The Hotel Collection
As an Amex Platinum cardholder, you’ll receive a $100 statement credit toward eligible charges with every booking with The Hotel Collection of two nights or more through Amex Travel.
Not to mention, you’ll also be eligible for many other benefits including noon check-in, late checkout and room upgrades, subject to availability.
$240 Digital Entertainment Statement Credit
Amex Platinum cardholders can receive up to $240 in statement credits annually, issued in $20 monthly credits, for eligible purchases with Disney+, a Disney Bundle, ESPN+, Hulu, The New York Times, Peacock and The Wall Street Journal.
$155 Walmart+ Membership Statement Credit
Fans of Walmart will benefit from up to $155 in statement credits annually, issued in monthly $12.95 credits, toward a Walmart+ membership.
Walmart+ membership offers premium benefits including:
- Early access to promotions and events
- Free delivery from your store
- Free shipping with no order minimum
- Mobile Scan & Go in store
- Savings on fuel
- Video streaming with Paramount+
$100 Saks Fifth Avenue Statement Credit
If you shop with Saks, you can receive up to $100 in statement credits annually, toward eligible purchases with Saks Fifth Avenue or saks.com as an Amex Platinum cardholder.
Keep in mind that the credit is issued biannually in $50 increments, so you’ll need to spend at least $50 within the first six months and another $50 within the second six months of the year to maximize the $100 credit.
Exclusive Benefits with Fine Hotels + Resorts
When you book a stay with Fine Hotels + Resorts through Amex Travel, you’ll enjoy a range of complimentary benefits. These can include:
- Noon check-in
- Late checkout
- Daily breakfast
- Room upgrades
- $100 property credit
Complimentary Marriott Bonvoy® Gold Elite Status
Amex Platinum cardholders are eligible for complimentary Marriott Bonvoy® Gold Elite Status.
To earn Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite Status, you’d typically need to stay at least 25 nights per year at qualifying Marriott Bonvoy properties, making this perk significantly valuable.
Gold Elite members enjoy the following perks when staying with Marriott:
- 25% points bonus on stays
- 2 p.m. late checkout
- Guaranteed welcome gift (bonus points)
- Enhanced room upgrades subject to availability
Even if you’re only an occasional guest at Marriott properties, this card perk could help up the luxury of your stays.
Complimentary Hilton Honors™ Gold Status
Not only do Amex Platinum cardholders enjoy complimentary Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status, but they also receive complimentary Hiltons Honors Gold status™.
Typically, you’d need either 40 nights, 20 stays or 75,000 Base Points to receive Hilton Honors Gold status. As an American Express Platinum cardholder, you’ll enjoy Gold status without having to put any work into it.
In addition to the benefits of Hilton Honors Silver status, you’ll receive the following perks as a Gold member:
- 80% Bonus Points on stays
- Space-available room upgrades
- Daily Food and Beverage Credit (U.S. hotels only) or Continental Breakfast (non-U.S. hotels) Milestone Bonuses
This is another valuable perk if you stay at least semi-frequently with properties in the Hilton portfolio.
Complimentary Status with Avis, Hertz and National Car Rental
Amex Platinum cardholders receive the following complimentary status perks with Avis, Hertz and National Car Rental:
- Avis Preferred®
- Hertz Gold Plus Rewards®
- National Car Rental® Emerald Club
If you ever rent a car with any of these companies, these perks can give you some premium benefits to make the experience more luxurious.
No Foreign Transaction Fees
Lastly, just like the Chase Sapphire Reserve card, the American Express Platinum Card is free of foreign transaction fees, meaning that you can continue spending and earning points while abroad.
Rewards Program Showdown: Chase Sapphire Reserve vs. Amex Platinum – Who Comes Out on Top?
Chase Ultimate Rewards and American Express Membership Rewards are some of the best credit card rewards programs out there. With the Chase Sapphire Reserve or American Express Platinum, you’ll get access to the best of what each program has to offer.
Nevertheless, there are some significant differences between the two programs, and you should be aware of them before deciding how they will fit into your credit card strategy.
Amex Travel vs. Chase Travel Portal
Ultimate Rewards points earned with the Chase Sapphire Reserve card are worth 1.5 cents apiece when redeemed through Chase Travel℠. That’s 50% more value than you can get compared to points earned with the Amex Platinum Card.
Although the welcome offer that comes with the Chase Sapphire Reserve® is slightly lower than the offer on The Platinum Card, it’s often worth more in the end. For instance, 80,000 Ultimate Rewards points redeemed through Chase Travel℠ would have the same value as 120,000 Amex Membership Rewards points redeemed through the Amex Travel portal.
In contrast, Membership Rewards points redeemed through the Amex Travel portal provide mediocre value unless you also have The Business Platinum Card® from American Express or possibly the American Express® Business Gold Card. These cards provide a 35% and 25% point rebate, respectively, when you use Pay with Points to book a flight with your selected airline of choice. That means you can pool your points together from other Membership Rewards-earning cards — such as the Amex Platinum — and redeem them for a value of ~1.33 to ~1.54 cents apiece.
However, assuming you don’t have either of these business cards, the best you can hope for is a value of 1 cent per point when you book flights or hotels that participate in the Fine Hotels & Resorts program. That value drops to 0.7 cents per point when you book prepaid hotels, vacation packages or cruise sailings via the portal.
Amex Transfer Partners
Portal bookings aren’t the only, and certainly not the best, way to redeem flexible points, such as Membership Rewards points from American Express and Ultimate Rewards points from Chase.
In fact, if you’re looking to fly in business or first class or stay at a chain hotel, transferring points to partner programs can increase their value above 1.5 cents.
Amex has 20 airline and hotel partners, including the following programs.
| Airline Rewards Program | Transfer Ratio |
|---|---|
| Aer Lingus AerClub | 1,000:1,000 |
| Aeroméxico Club Premier | 1,000:1,600 |
| Air Canada Aeroplan | 1,000:1,000 |
| Air France/KLM Flying Blue | 1,000:1,000 |
| ANA Mileage Club | 1,000:1,000 |
| Avianca LifeMiles | 1,000:1,000 |
| British Airways Executive Club | 1,000:1,000 |
| Cathay Pacific Asia Miles | 1,000:1,000 |
| Delta SkyMiles | 1,000:1,000 |
| Emirates Skywards | 1,000:1,000 |
| Etihad Guest | 1,000:1,000 |
| Hawaiian Airlines HawaiianMiles | 1,000:1,000 |
| Iberia Plus | 1,000:1,000 |
| JetBlue TrueBlue | 250:250 |
| Qantas Frequent Flyer | 500:500 |
| Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer | 1,000:1,000 |
| Virgin Atlantic Flying Club | 1,000:1,000 |
| Hotel Rewards Program | Transfer Ratio |
|---|---|
| Choice Privileges | 1,000:1,000 |
| Hilton Honors | 1,000:2,000 |
| Marriott Bonvoy | 1,000:1,000 |
The Membership Rewards program presents opportunities to book premium flight experiences for those looking to put in the work. Because the partner list contains so many niche programs, it likely won’t be useful for everyone.
Having said that, learning how these loyalty programs work will help you uncover tremendous value.
Many love transferring Membership Rewards points to ANA Mileage Club for its round-the-world awards and to Virgin Atlantic Flying Club to book ANA first class.
Sometimes loyalty programs will even throw in bonus miles for converting Amex points into airline miles or hotel points, which is a huge benefit to travelers who love stretching their rewards even further. Seeing transfer bonuses of 25% to 40% is common.
That said, remember that Amex charges $0.0006 per point, with a maximum fee of $99, for point transfers to domestic U.S. airlines — namely, Delta, JetBlue and Hawaiian. This surcharge is levied by American Express to offset the cost of federal excise tax. That means a 50,000-point transfer to Delta would cost you $30.
Chase Transfer Partners
Chase offers a lower number of transfer partners compared to Amex — 14 compared to 20. However, with programs such as United MileagePlus, Southwest Rapid Rewards and World of Hyatt on the list, Chase arguably offers a more user-friendly experience when it comes to transferring points to partners.
These programs are not only more familiar to a U.S.-based traveler, but they also present lots of value. For example, you can get tons of value out of Rapid Rewards points if you have the Southwest Companion Pass while the World of Hyatt is considered to be the most lucrative hotel program by many.
You’ll also avoid any surcharges while transferring your Chase Ultimate Rewards points to domestic U.S. airlines, unlike when transferring Amex Membership Rewards points.
Here’s an overview of Chase transfer partners.
| Airline Rewards Program | Transfer Ratio |
|---|---|
| Aer Lingus AerClub | 1,000:1,000 |
| Air Canada Aeroplan | 1,000:1,000 |
| Air France/KLM Flying Blue | 1,000:1,000 |
| British Airways Executive Club | 1,000:1,000 |
| Emirates Skywards | 1,000:1,000 |
| Iberia Plus | 1,000:1,000 |
| JetBlue TrueBlue | 1,000:1,000 |
| Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer | 1,000:1,000 |
| Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards | 1,000:1,000 |
| United MileagePlus | 1,000:1,000 |
| Virgin Atlantic Flying Club | 1,000:1,000 |
| Hotel Rewards Program | Transfer Ratio |
|---|---|
| IHG Rewards Club | 1,000:1,000 |
| Marriott Bonvoy | 1,000:1,000 |
| World of Hyatt | 1,000:1,000 |
Travel Protections and Insurance Face-Off: Which Card Has Your Back?
Both the Chase Sapphire Reserve and Platinum Card from American Express are heavyweights when it comes to travel protection perks.
However, the Chase Sapphire Reserve has the edge when it comes to insuring your adventures, with a wider array of travel protections on offer.
Here’s a side-by-side comparison of the travel protections offered by the American Express Platinum vs. Chase Sapphire Reserve.
| Insurance Perk | The Platinum Card from American Express | Chase Sapphire Reserve |
|---|---|---|
| Trip cancellation and interruption insurance | Coverage of up to $10,000 per trip and up to $20,000 per consecutive 12-month period | Coverage of up to $10,000 per trip and up to $20,000 per consecutive |
| Trip delay insurance | Coverage of up to $500 per trip for delays of six hours or more with a maximum of two claims per consecutive 12-month period | Coverage of up to $500 per trip for delays of six hours or more |
| Baggage delay insurance | N/A | Coverage of up to $100 per day for a maximum of five days when your baggage is delayed by six hours or more |
| Lost baggage reimbursement | Coverage of up to $2,000 for checked baggage and up to a combined maximum of $3,000 for checked and carry-on baggage. A $3,000 aggregate limit per trip applies. For New York State residents, a $2,000 per bag/suitcase limit for each covered person with a $10,000 aggregate maximum for all covered persons per covered trip applies | Coverage of up to $3,000 per covered person per trip for checked and carry-on baggage each. Both include a sub-limit of up to $500 for jewelry and watches and a sub-limit of up to $500 for cameras and other electronic equipment per covered person per trip |
| Car rental insurance | Secondary coverage of up to $75,000 for theft or collision damage. Coverage of up to $5,000 per passenger for medical expenses incurred as a direct result of the accident. Accidental death or dismemberment benefits of up to $200,000 for the card member and $20,000 for each eligible passenger. Loss or damage of personal property of a card member or their passengers can be covered for up to $1,000 per person and up to $2,000 for all occupants. Excludes car rentals in Australia, New Zealand and Italy. | Primary coverage of up to $75,000 for theft or collision damage. |
| Travel accident insurance | N/A | Coverage of up to $1,000,000 for common carrier travel accident insurance and up to $100,000 for 24-hour travel insurance |
| Emergency dental and medical benefit | N/A | Coverage of up to $2,500 per trip with a $50 deductible. Up to $75 per day for a maximum of five days toward the cost of a hotel room for your recovery (if deemed necessary by a qualified physician) |
| Emergency evacuation and transportation insurance | No coverage limit for emergency evacuation and transportation as long as it is coordinated through the Premium Global Assist Hotline | Coverage of up to $100,000 |
The True Cost: Fees and Charges Compared
The Amex Platinum costs $695 in annual fees while the Chase Sapphire Reserve costs $550 per year, making the Platinum Card $145 more expensive to hold.
However, in either case, the welcome offer on both cards can offset the annual fee by more than double in the first year of card membership. The true cost of holding each card depends on how you leverage each card’s perks.
For instance, the Amex Platinum card has more than $1,500 worth of statement credit and cardholder perks. That means you could offset the $695 annual fee by almost threefold if you maximized the card’s perks.
Likewise, the Chase Sapphire Reserve has more than $1,000 worth of cardholder perks, enabling you to offset the $550 annual fee by at least double.
So when it comes to the true cost of holding each card, both equal out in their capacity to have their annual fees offset through card perk maximization.
Finding Your Perfect Match
Ultimately, both cards share similarities such as a TSA PreCheck/Global Entry statement credit, robust travel protections, strong earnings on travel purchases through each card issuer’s portal and complimentary airport lounge access.
However, depending on your spending habits and travel goals, one card will be better suited to you than the other.
Generally speaking, you should go for the Amex Platinum if:
- You want elite status with Hilton, Marriott and a range of car rental companies
- You want access to Amex’s list of 20 transfer partners
- You want to take advantage of the Platinum Card’s $1,500 worth of statement credits and perks
- You want access to The American Express Global Lounge Collection
- You’d prefer to earn Amex Membership Rewards points and pool your points across other Amex cards
Alternatively, you should go for the Chase Sapphire Reserve if:
- You want competitive earnings on a range of bonus spending categories from travel to everyday purchases
- You want to prioritize domestic U.S. airlines as transfer partners
- You want to pay a lower annual fee while still having access to luxury travel perks
- You’d prefer to earn Ultimate Rewards and pool your points across other Chase cards
Although most people would balk at paying high card fees, it’s not unusual for some avid adventurers in the points and miles game to hold both. It comes down to how you’ll utilize the benefits of each card.
Do you value airport lounge access and hotel status? Do you book a lot of paid flights? Do you use Uber? If the answer is yes, then you might find more value in the Amex Platinum.
Do you enjoy opportunities to earn bonus rewards on travel and dining? Are you under 5/24? Have you run into trouble using your American Express card abroad? In this case, the Chase Sapphire Reserve might be a better fit.
Alternatively, if you’re looking for an Amex card with stronger bonus spending categories and a limited selection of luxury perks, you could consider the American Express® Gold Card. Check out our review of the Chase Sapphire Reserve vs Amex Gold.
Final Verdict: Which Card Will Elevate Your Travel Experience?
There’s a reason both the Amex Platinum Card and the Chase Sapphire Reserve get compared a lot. They’re in the same weight class when it comes to luxury travel rewards cards.
And while holding both cards isn’t unheard of for people in this hobby, you can’t go wrong by choosing either card.
If you want the best of the best when it comes to luxury travel perks, the Amex Platinum is probably the better option. If you prioritize strong earning rates instead, robust travel protection perks and domestic airline transfer partners, the Chase Sapphire Reserve is likely the better option.
¹ 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.
New to the world of points and miles? The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is the best card to start with.
With a bonus of 60,000 bonus points after $4,000 in purchases in your first 3 months from account opening. , 5x points on travel booked through the Chase Travel Portal and 3x points on restaurants, streaming services, and online groceries (excluding Target, Walmart, and wholesale clubs), this card truly cannot be beat for getting started!
after you spend $4,000 in 3 months
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.
Editors Note: Opinions expressed here are author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
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Editors Note: Opinions expressed here are author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
bonus cash back
after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening
Bonus Miles
once you spend $4,000 in the first 3 months on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening
bonus points
after $4,000 in purchases in your first 3 months from account opening.
Membership Rewards® Points
after you spend $6,000 on eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.
