Is the American Express® Gold Card or The Platinum Card® from American Express better?

It depends on your spending. The Gold Card has a net annual cost of $-99 after credits, while the Platinum Card costs $-2169.4 net. Compare their earning rates and benefits to see which matches your spending habits.

What is the annual fee difference between the Gold Card and Platinum Card?

The Gold Card has a $325 annual fee and the Platinum Card has a $895 annual fee. However, both cards offer statement credits that reduce the effective cost.

Can I have both the Gold Card and Platinum Card?

Both cards are issued by American Express, so you can hold both simultaneously. Having both lets you maximize earning rates across different spending categories.

Side-by-side comparison

Gold Card vs Platinum Card

American Express

Gold Card

$325/yr

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American Express

Platinum Card

$895/yr

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Basics

Annual fee

$325/yr

$895/yr

Rewards type

Amex Membership Rewards

Annual credits

$424/yr

$3064.4/yr

Net cost (fee − credits)

$-99/yr

$-2169.4/yr

Earning rates

All other spending

1x pts

Dining

4x pts

—

Groceries

4x pts

—

Flights

3x pts

5x pts

Hotels

2x pts

5x pts

Credits & Benefits

Up to $120 Dining Credit

$120/yr

—

Up to $100 Resy Credit

$50/yr

—

Up to $84 Dunkin' Credit

$84/yr

—

Up to $120 Uber Cash

$120/yr

—

Up to $200 Airline Fee Credit

—

$200/yr

Up to $200 Uber Cash

—

$180/yr

Up to $120 Uber One Credit

—

$120/yr

Up to $155 Walmart+ Credit

—

$155.4/yr

Up to $100 Saks Credit

—

$50/yr

Up to $300 Equinox Credit

—

$300/yr

Up to $300 Digital Entertainment Credit

—

$300/yr

Up to $600 Hotel Credit

—

$300/yr

Up to $209 CLEAR Plus Credit

—

$209/yr

Up to $400 Resy Credit

—

$400/yr

Up to $300 Lululemon Credit

—

$300/yr

Up to $200 Oura Ring Credit

—

$200/yr

Perks & Features

Centurion Lounge Access

—

✓

Priority Pass Select Membership

—

✓

Global Entry / TSA PreCheck Credit

—

✓

Which card should you pick?

After accounting for credits and benefits, the Platinum Card has a lower net annual cost ($-2169.4/yr vs $-99/yr for the Gold Card), making it the more cost-effective choice if you use the credits.

The Gold Card stands out with 4x pts on dining, while the Platinum Card leads with 5x pts on flights. Pick the card that matches where you spend the most each month.

The Platinum Card also offers more perks including Centurion Lounge Access and Priority Pass Select Membership.

Full Gold Card review →Full Platinum Card review →

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Which card should you pick?

After accounting for credits and benefits, the Platinum Card has a lower net annual cost ($-2169.4/yr vs $-99/yr for the Gold Card), making it the more cost-effective choice if you use the credits.

The Gold Card stands out with 4x pts on dining, while the Platinum Card leads with 5x pts on flights. Pick the card that matches where you spend the most each month.

The Platinum Card also offers more perks including Centurion Lounge Access and Priority Pass Select Membership.