American Express Gold Card vs. The Platinum Card from American Express: Which Is Best?

With the American Express Gold Card, you’ll earn four points per dollar at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per year in purchases, then one point per dollar thereafter) and one point per dollar on all other eligible purchases. With the American Express Gold Card introductory bonus, you can earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $4,000 on eligible purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership. Terms apply.

Based on how the average American consumer spends*:

Annual rewards value: $428
First-year value: $778
Total two-year value: $1206

The Platinum Card from American Express earns 5X Membership Rewards® Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year and earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel, so the best way to maximize your benefits is to use it for travel expenses. If you want to earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® points introductory bonus, you should plan to spend after you spend $6,000 on purchases on the Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Terms apply.

Based on how the average American consumer spends*:

First-year rewards value: $512
First-year value: $1,262
Total two-year value: $1,486

Best two-year value: The Platinum Card from American Express

*Rewards value is based on data from the 2017 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Consumer Expenditure Survey, rounded to the nearest $100 for annual expenditures. That amounts to $500 for flights, $500 for hotels, $3,400 for dining, $4,400 for groceries, $2,000 for gas, $3,000 for entertainment, $1,800 for apparel and services, $800 for personal care products and services, and $2,000 for all other expenditures, earned and redeemed at the best typical value.

The Platinum Card from American Express has an annual fee of $695.
(See Rates & Fees)

Lowest fees: American Express Gold Card

See Pay Over Time APR for the The Platinum Card from American Express.
(See Rates & Fees)

Most valuable benefits: The Platinum Card from American Express

American Express Gold Card offers high rewards rates on restaurant and U.S. supermarket purchases. Plus, cardholders can transfer points to airline and hotel partners.

The Platinum Card from American Express offers a suite of luxury travel perks, including fee credits, airport lounge access, elite hotel status and more. You also have the ability to transfer points to several airline and hotel partners.

For rates and fees of the American Express Gold Card, please click here
For rates and fees of The Platinum Card from American Express, please click here