If you’ve been weighing which American Express card deserves a spot in your wallet, then join the club. The American Express® Gold Card and The Platinum Card® from American Express are two of the most popular rewards cards out there, but they’re built for different lifestyles.
And with the Amex Platinum’s newest refresh (hello, new credits 👋), the choice feels more complicated than it used to. Let’s break it all down side by side so you can figure out which card makes the most sense for you.
How These Cards Compare
Think of the Amex Gold as the card that works well in your daily life. If you’re constantly dining out, grabbing delivery, or stocking up at the grocery store, you’ll load up on rewards very naturally. It’s simple to use, less expensive, and still earns flexible Membership Rewards points.
‼️ Don’t Miss: Our ultimate guide to American Express Global Dining Access by Resy.
The Amex Platinum, on the other hand, is for frequent travelers and premium perks fans. With Centurion Lounge access, elite hotel benefits, and lifestyle credits ranging from Uber One to lululemon, it’s made for people who want to live and travel in style (boujee, boujee style) as long as you’re willing to manage multiple credits to offset that annual fee.
Welcome Offers and Value Potential
Both cards regularly come with generous welcome offers, though the required spending can differ a little.
Amex Gold: You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact.
Amex Platinum: You may be eligible for as high as 175,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
The Amex Gold is easier to hit for beginners or casual spenders, while the Amex Platinum’s higher requirement makes sense if you already know you’ll funnel large expenses through that card.
Annual Fees, Credits, and Perks
The Amex Platinum’s refresh brings a higher annual fee but also a long list of credits.
Feature | Amex Platinum (2025 refresh) | |
Annual Fee | $325 (rates & fees) | $895 (rates and fees) Note: For existing cardholders, the new fee doesn’t kick in until renewals on or after Jan. 2, 2026. |
Dining Credits | Up to $120 annually (up to $10 in statement credits monthly at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys, enrollment required), $84 Dunkin' Credit (up to $7/monthly, enrollment required), and $100 Resy Credit (up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually, enrollment required) | Up to $400 Resy credit (up to $100 quarterly, enrollment required), Global Dining Access, and Platinum Nights by Resy exclusive events |
Travel Credits | $120 Uber Cash annually ($10/mo, enrollment required) | Up to $120 Uber One membership credits ($10/mo, enrollment required), up to $600 hotel credits ($300 semi-annually, prepaid FHR or Hotel Collection, 2-night min), $200 airline incidental credit (enrollment required, terms apply) |
Lifestyle Credits | N/A | $300 digital entertainment credit ($25/month at select services like Disney+, Hulu, ESPN+, Peacock, NYT, WSJ, YouTube, enrollment required), $300 lululemon credit ($75 quarterly), $200 Oura Ring (hardware only) |
The Amex Gold is definitely looking out for my fellow foodies, while the Amex Platinum gives you a wider range of credits, but again… you’ll need to keep track to get full value.
👀 Already have the Amex Platinum? Here’s a laundry list of everything you need to set up in order to squeeze the most value from this card.
Earning and Redeeming Points
This is where the Amex Gold really gets good for everyday spending.
4x per $1 for purchases at restaurants worldwide (up to $50,000 per year, then 1x after that) and at U.S. supermarkets (up to $25,000 per year, then 1x after that)
3x per $1 on flights booked directly with airlines or American Express Travel®
2x per $1 on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on American Express Travel
1x per $1 on everyday purchases
5x per $1 on up to $500,000 per calendar year on flights booked directly with airlines or through American Express Travel® (up to $500,000)
5x per $1 on eligible prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel®, including The Hotel Collection
1x per $1 on other purchases, terms and limitations apply
The Amex Gold is the better earner for everyday stuff. The Amex Platinum is better if you’re booking a ton of airfare and hotels. Both cards earn Membership Rewards, which means access to about 20 airline and hotel partners. That flexibility is solid either way, but the Amex Platinum’s premium perks (like Platinum Nights by Resy and extra hotel benefits) make it feel a little more elevated.
Lounge Access and Travel Benefits
Ok sooo, this one isn’t even close. The Amex Platinum dominates when it comes to lounge access, with entry to Centurion Lounges, Delta Sky Clubs (10 visits per year when flying Delta), and Priority Pass (enrollment required). It also comes with hotel perks like upgrades, late checkout, and credits through Fine Hotels + Resorts, plus new Leaders Club Sterling Status at The Leading Hotels of the World.
The Amex Gold? No lounge access. Womp, womp. But hey, we’re still eating good.
If you’re someone who wants a glass of champagne and a hot meal before every flight, then the Amex Platinum is the clear choice.
Which Card Is Right for You?
Choose the Amex Gold if: You want a card that earns great points on everyday purchases. If you love eating out, worship Uber Eats, or just want a simpler card with easy credits, this one pays for itself pretty quickly.
Go with the Amex Platinum if: You’re traveling often and want every premium perk possible. From lounges to luxury hotels to lifestyle credits, this is the ultimate card for those who want to maximize benefits, as long as you’re comfortable with the $895 fee (rates and fees).
Bottom Line
At the end of the day, the Amex Gold and Amex Platinum aren’t really competitors… they’re more “complementary.” One is made to maximize your everyday life, while the other is made to elevate your travel (and luxury) experiences.
The right pick comes down to your lifestyle. If you want simplicity with groceries and dining, go Amex Gold. If you want access to every door Amex has to offer, literally and figuratively, go with the Amex Platinum.
