American Express Platinum vs Chase Sapphire Reserve
A side-by-side breakdown of fees, welcome offers, earning rates and travel perks — so you can see which card is worth it for how you actually spend.
| Annual fee | $895 | $795 |
|---|---|---|
| Welcome offer | Up to 175,000 Membership Rewards points after spending $12,000 in the first 6 months | 150,000 bonus points after spending $6,000 in the first 3 months — the highest ever offered |
| Rewards rate | 5X on flights booked directly with airlines or Amex Travel, 5X on prepaid hotels booked with Amex Travel | 8X on travel booked through Chase Travel, 4X on flights and hotels booked directly, 3X on dining worldwide |
| Best for |
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| Key benefits |
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| Card network | American Express | Visa Infinite |
| Foreign transaction fee | None | None |
| Recommended credit | Good to Excellent (670–850) | Excellent (740–850) |
American Express Platinum
- Unrivaled lounge access — Centurion, Priority Pass, Delta Sky Club, and 1,550+ total lounges globally
- $600 hotel credit (up from $200 in prior version) covers 2+ hotel nights annually
- Multiple elite statuses: Marriott Bonvoy Gold, Hilton Honors Gold, Leaders Club Sterling, car rental status
- 5x on direct airfare is the best rate for flights among premium travel cards
- 175,000-point welcome bonus is among the highest ever offered on any card (~$3,500 TPG value)
- $895 annual fee requires full engagement with multiple niche credits (lululemon, Equinox, Oura Ring) to break even
- Only 1x on all non-flight/hotel purchases — poor for everyday spending without a companion card
- $200 airline credit covers incidentals only, not airfare — a well-known limitation
- Centurion Lounge crowding remains a persistent issue despite expansion efforts
Chase Sapphire Reserve
- $300 annual travel credit is the most flexible in the premium card space — flights, hotels, transit, car rentals
- Best-in-class lounge access: Priority Pass Select (2 guests free) + Chase Sapphire Lounges + Air Canada Maple Leaf
- 150,000-point welcome bonus — the highest ever offered, worth ~$3,000 at TPG valuations
- Comprehensive travel insurance including primary rental car coverage
- $500 The Edit hotel credit and $300 Exclusive Tables dining credit add significant new value
- $795 annual fee requires actively using 6+ separate credit categories to justify
- Points now worth 1.0 cpp through Chase Travel (reduced from 1.5 cpp)
- Authorized user fee jumped from $75 to $195 — a major cost increase for couples
- Several credits tied to niche categories (Exclusive Tables, StubHub, The Edit) not universally useful
Common questions
Is the American Express Platinum or Chase Sapphire Reserve better?
American Express Platinum suits luxury travel, while Chase Sapphire Reserve is stronger for premium travel. The American Express Platinum carries a $895 annual fee versus $795 for the Chase Sapphire Reserve, so the right pick depends on how much of each card's credits you'll actually use.
What is the annual fee on each card?
The American Express Platinum has a $895 annual fee. The Chase Sapphire Reserve has a $795 annual fee. Weigh that against each card's annual credits — a higher fee often nets out lower once you use the travel and dining credits.