It appears virtually each airline, lodge chain and bank card issuer has launched its personal premium bank card, engaging prospects with luxurious journey perks paired with hefty annual charges. Many of those playing cards supply stable worth, particularly for those who’re loyal to the underlying model.
There are two long-standing titans of the premium card market: The Platinum Card® from American Specific and the Chase Sapphire Reserve®. The previous constructed the marketplace for premium rewards playing cards many years in the past, whereas the latter is chargeable for rising its mass attraction.
For the reason that Sapphire Reserve debuted in 2016, competitors between these two playing cards has been fierce. At present, we are going to study how they evaluate and whether or not you must contemplate including one (or each) to your pockets.
Associated: The very best journey bank cards
Amex Platinum vs. Sapphire Reserve comparability
| Card | Amex Platinum | Sapphire Reserve |
|---|---|---|
| Welcome supply | Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards factors after spending $8,000 on purchases inside the first six months of card membership. | Earn 60,000 Chase Final Rewards factors after spending $4,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening. |
| Annual charge | $695 (see charges and charges) | $550 |
| Incomes charges |
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| Notable advantages |
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*Enrollment is required.
Amex Platinum vs. Sapphire Reserve welcome supply
When contemplating a brand new card, particularly one with a $500-plus annual charge, most individuals first have a look at the welcome supply to see how a lot of that annual charge they’ll begin recouping instantly.
With its $695 annual charge (see charges and charges), the Amex Platinum affords new candidates 80,000 Membership Rewards factors after spending $8,000 on purchases within the first six months of card membership. Nevertheless, it is value checking to see for those who’re focused for the next supply of as much as 150,000 factors by the CardMatch device (supply topic to vary at any time).
TPG’s March 2025 valuations peg Membership Rewards factors at 2 cents every, making the preliminary welcome supply of 80,000 factors value $1,600 alone. Since Amex solely means that you can earn a welcome supply on every of its playing cards as soon as per lifetime, it may be tempting to carry off on making use of for the Amex Platinum in hopes that you could be be focused by CardMatch for the next bonus sooner or later sooner or later.
In the meantime, the Chase Sapphire Reserve is at the moment providing a sign-up bonus of 60,000 bonus factors after you spend $4,000 within the first three months from account opening.
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TPG’s March 2025 valuations peg Final Rewards factors at 2.05 cents every, making this bonus value $1,230. That is barely decrease than the Amex Platinum supply’s spending requirement, although.
Winner: The Amex Platinum takes the lead on this first class, particularly in case you are focused for an elevated supply by CardMatch.
Associated: The very best time to use for these standard playing cards primarily based on supply historical past
Amex Platinum vs. Sapphire Reserve advantages
The Chase Sapphire Reserve and Amex Platinum are two of probably the most precious rewards playing cards in the marketplace, however they’re additionally two of the costliest. You may pay a $550 annual charge with the Sapphire Reserve and a $695 annual charge with the Amex Platinum.
Let’s have a look beneath at the most well-liked and precious perks accessible (word that enrollment is required for choose advantages; phrases apply):
| Profit | Amex Platinum | Chase Sapphire Reserve |
|---|---|---|
| Annual assertion credit and accomplice advantages |
As much as $200 annual airline incidental charge assertion credit score As much as $200 annual pay as you go lodge assertion credit score As much as $200 annual Uber Money for eligible U.S. purchases (as much as $15 month-to-month, with a $20 bonus in December) As much as $199 annual Clear Plus membership assertion credit score As much as $100 Saks Fifth Avenue assertion credit score ($50 biannually) As much as $240 in digital leisure assertion credit at choose suppliers (as much as $20 month-to-month) As much as $155 Walmart+ assertion credit score yearly (as much as $12.95 plus relevant taxes on one membership charge; topic to auto-renewal; Plus Up Advantages are excluded)* As much as $300 in Equinox assertion credit score yearly As much as $300 in annual SoulCycle assertion credit score (should use the Platinum card to buy a full-priced bike, should be enrolled in Equinox+; a most restrict of 15 bikes may be bought) |
$300 annual journey credit score
Complimentary DoorDash DashPass membership by Dec. 31, 2027, plus a $5 month-to-month credit score
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| Lounge entry | Entry to the American Specific World Lounge Assortment, which incorporates Centurion Lounges, Precedence Move(enrollment is required), (excluding eating places), Delta Sky Golf equipment on same-day Delta flights***, Plaza Premium, Airspace and Escape lounges | Precedence Move Choose membership, Chase Sapphire Lounge by The Membership |
| Journey protections |
Secondary automobile rental protection* Journey cancellation/interruption insurance coverage** See our information to Amex journey protections for extra particulars. |
Main automobile rental insurance coverage Baggage delay insurance coverage Journey delay insurance coverage Journey cancellation/interruption insurance coverage Emergency medical and dental profit |
| Lodge elite standing | Gold standing with Marriott Bonvoy and Hilton Honors (enrollment is required) | None |
| Lodge perks | American Specific Fantastic Resorts + Resorts and The Lodge Assortment | The Edit by Chase Journey |
| World Entry/TSA PreCheck credit score | One credit score each 4 years for World Entry or each 4 1/2 years for TSA PreCheck | One credit score each 4 years for World Entry, TSA PreCheck or Nexus |
*Eligibility and profit stage varies by card. Not all automobile varieties or leases are lined, and geographic restrictions apply. Phrases, circumstances and limitations apply. Go to americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for particulars. Insurance policies are underwritten by AMEX Assurance Firm. Protection is obtainable by American Specific Journey Associated Providers Firm, Inc.
**Eligibility and profit stage varies by card. Phrases, circumstances and limitations apply. Go to americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for particulars. Insurance policies are underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance coverage Firm, an AIG Firm.
***Eligible Platinum Card Members will obtain 10 visits per eligible Platinum Card per yr to the Delta Sky Membership or to Seize and Go when touring on a same-day Delta-operated flight.
That is by far the trickiest a part of the comparability, with many various items to unpack. It is also the place your private preferences might sway you to 1 card or one other.
For starters, the Sapphire Reserve nonetheless has an edge over Amex relating to the $300 annual journey credit score. Not solely is it the next quantity than the up-to-$200 airline charge credit score that comes with the Amex Platinum, nevertheless it’s additionally a lot much less restrictive. It’s going to routinely apply to a broad vary of journey purchases. In distinction, the $200 Amex airline credit score solely applies to pick out charges akin to seat assignments or checked baggage — and also you’re restricted to a single airline you designate every year.
Concerning ride-hailing companies, some folks see the up-to-$200 in annual (U.S.) Uber Money (damaged into $15 a month, with a $20 bonus in December; enrollment required) that comes with the Amex Platinum card as a cashlike credit score. Nevertheless, not everybody makes use of a ride-hailing service or locations an Uber Eats order within the U.S. as soon as a month, which implies the 10 factors per greenback spent on Lyft rides with the Sapphire Reserve may be a extra precious choice.
On the flip facet, for those who reside in a smaller metropolis or by no means order meals, you may discover the DoorDash partnership with Chase ineffective.
The identical may be mentioned of sure perks on the Amex Platinum — together with assertion credit with Saks Fifth Avenue, Clear and choose digital leisure suppliers. When you already use these companies or retailers, it is like a refund in your pocket. If not, it’s possible you’ll discover they don’t seem to be an actual value-add relative to the annual charge. Enrollment is required for choose advantages.
In the meantime, the Amex Platinum is broadly thought-about probably the most complete card for airport lounge entry. With it, you will get a Precedence Move Choose membership in addition to entry to Amex’s vast assortment of Centurion Lounges and Delta Sky Golf equipment on same-day Delta flights (restricted to 10 annual visits, except you spend $75,000 or extra in your card in a calendar yr).
In the meantime, the Sapphire Reserve affords a Precedence Move membership and entry to the rising community of Chase lounges.
One other space the place Amex excels is by providing Gold standing with each Marriott and Hilton to Platinum cardholders. Additionally, you will obtain Hertz President’s Circle standing (enrollment required; phrases apply). Chase affords no equal profit.
Chase has traditionally been the chief in journey insurance coverage, with beneficiant phrases. Amex has partially closed the hole, including a collection of journey safety advantages to the Amex Platinum card (see right here for extra data).
Winner: Amex Platinum is the clear winner relating to perks and advantages, together with annual assertion credit, expanded airport lounge entry, journey protections, and elite standing with Marriott and Hilton.
Associated: Tips on how to resolve if a card’s annual charge is value paying
Incomes factors on the Amex Platinum vs. Sapphire Reserve
Lengthy after your bonus has been earned and spent, you will desire a card that will help you shortly rack up precious transferable factors.
The Amex Platinum earns:
- 5 factors per greenback spent on airfare bought straight with the airways or by the Amex Journey portal (on as much as $500,000 of airfare purchases per calendar yr, then 1 level per greenback)
- 5 factors per greenback spent on pay as you go inns booked with Amex Journey
- 1 level per greenback spent on all different purchases
The Chase Sapphire Reserve affords a broader vary of bonus classes, together with on a regular basis purchases like journey and eating and earns:
- 10 factors per greenback spent on inns and automobile leases bought by Chase Journey
- 10 factors per greenback spent on eating purchases by the Chase portal
- 10 factors per greenback spent on Lyft rides (by March 31, 2025)
- 10 factors per greenback spent on Peloton tools and accent purchases (by March 2025) of $150 or extra, with a most of fifty,000 factors
- 5 factors per greenback spent on flights bought by Chase Journey
- 3 factors per greenback spent on all different journey (excluding the $300 journey credit score) and eating purchases worldwide
- 1 level per greenback spent on all the things else
Whereas the Amex Platinum does pull forward on airfare booked straight with airways (with a terrific 10% return primarily based on TPG March 2025 valuations), the Chase Sapphire Reserve pulls forward for dozens of different journey bills, together with most inns, ride-hailing companies, parking charges, tolls and excursions. It additionally has an equally broad 3 factors per greenback spent on eating that the Platinum cannot match.
Winner: Chase Sapphire Reserve is one of the best for incomes because of its favorable on a regular basis bonus classes that enable you earn extra factors in the long run.
Associated: Finest reward playing cards for every bonus class
Redeeming factors on the Amex Platinum vs. Sapphire Reserve
With Chase Final Rewards and Amex Membership Rewards value a comparable 2.05 and a pair of.0 cents apiece in TPG’s March 2025 valuations, it is value trying on the totally different switch companions to resolve which of them finest fit your wants.
Let’s begin with the Chase Sapphire Reserve. Along with its 14 airline and lodge switch companions, Sapphire Reserve prospects get a 50% bonus when redeeming factors for journey straight by the Chase Journey portal. This offers you an absolute minimal redemption worth of 1.5 cents per level, which means you possibly can e-book a seat on any flight that is on the market, even when there is not award area accessible.
When you choose to make use of your Amex factors straight by American Specific Journey, you will not get practically the worth you do by Chase. Flight bookings are a flat 1 cent per level, whereas lodge reservations clock in at simply 0.7 cents apiece.
Winner: Chase Sapphire Reserve has the next straight-up redemption worth for journey.
Transferring factors on the Amex Platinum vs. Sapphire Reserve
You may typically get a higher worth by transferring your factors to the loyalty packages of airways and inns as an alternative. All Chase accomplice transfers are at a 1:1 ratio, and most of them are instantaneous. Final Rewards has an actual edge for lodge bookings due to its partnership with World of Hyatt, the place you possibly can e-book an award evening for as little as 3,500 factors per evening.
On the airline facet, standard redemption choices embrace United MileagePlus, Southwest Speedy Rewards, British Airways Government Membership, Virgin Atlantic Flying Membership and Air France-KLM Flying Blue — although the final three additionally accomplice with Amex Membership Rewards. The identical holds true for Air Canada Aeroplan — although for those who additionally maintain the Aeroplan® Credit score Card, you possibly can take pleasure in a 10% bonus on sure transfers from Chase Final Rewards to your Aeroplan account.
In the meantime, Amex Membership Rewards has a whopping 21 switch companions, however not all are value your consideration. Some have switch ratios beneath 1:1, have longer switch occasions (which implies you danger watching your award area disappear) or just haven’t got fairly priced redemption choices.
TPG bank cards author Chris Nelson prefers to switch to ANA Mileage Membership, Air Canada Aeroplan and Avianca LifeMiles, every providing enticing choices for reserving Star Alliance tickets.
Winner: Chase Sapphire Reserve comes out on high for redemption choices because it affords a 1:1 switch ratio for all its airline and lodge companions.
Ought to I get the Amex Platinum or Sapphire Reserve?
Between lodge elite standing and Centurion Lounge entry, the Amex Platinum is best fitted to these seeking to take pleasure in a extra luxurious journey life-style. When you ceaselessly buy airfare qualifying for five factors per greenback, this card deserves a spot in your pockets. However, the Sapphire Reserve affords a barely decrease annual charge, lounge entry and broader points-earning alternatives.
Backside line
The Sapphire Reserve is a premium card easy sufficient for newbies and execs alike. The $300 annual journey credit score is routinely utilized to a variety of purchases. Plus, you earn 3 factors per greenback spent on journey (excluding the $300 journey credit score) and eating and these classes are broad sufficient that you simply will not be scratching your head attempting to resolve for those who’re swiping the suitable card.
The Amex Platinum is best suited to these searching for a extra luxurious journey life-style who can benefit from all of the annual assertion credit.
To be taught extra, learn our full opinions of the Sapphire Reserve and Amex Platinum.
Apply right here: Amex Platinum
Apply right here: Chase Sapphire Reserve
For charges and charges of the Amex Platinum, click on right here.
