Amex^® Gold vs. Platinum: Which Card Is Right for You?

5 Min Read | Published: December 18, 2025

A person holding a wallet with credit cards.

This article contains general information and is not intended to provide information that is specific to American Express products and services. Similar products and services offered by different companies will have different features and you should always read about product details before acquiring any financial product.

Weighing Amex Gold vs. Platinum benefits? Compare each Card’s point-earning potential, travel perks, and lifestyle credits to see which fits best.

At-A-Glance

With the American Express^® Gold Card, you earn Membership Rewards^® points on everyday dining and grocery purchases, plus useful lifestyle credits and benefits.
The Platinum Card^® is about elevating your life—from exclusive lounge access and five-star hotels to dining, entertainment, and wellness credits that fit into your everyday.
Gold may be best for foodies and everyday spenders, while Platinum may be a better fit for frequent travelers and anyone who wants premium perks as part of their lifestyle.

The American Express Gold Card and Platinum Card are two of the most popular rewards cards out there, both earning valuable Membership Rewards points. Which Card works best for you depends on how you spend your time and money. If food is your passion, Gold might shine brighter. If travel is your thing, Platinum could feel like a better fit. Let’s break down the fees, points, and perks so you can see which card matches your lifestyle.

Amex Gold vs. Platinum Benefits

Explore some of the benefits—from Membership Rewards, perks, and travel—side by side to see which Card complements you most in each area.

Membership Rewards Points

Both Cards earn Membership Rewards points, but the way you earn them is a little different. Gold is built to maximize everyday spending, like groceries or dining, while Platinum gives you the biggest boost when you book travel. Comparing how each card rewards your usual purchases can help you figure out which one will stretch your spending further. Terms apply. ^1,2

	Restaurants	Flights	Hotels	U.S. Supermarkets	Other Eligbile Purchases
Membership Rewards Points
Gold	4X points at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50K in purchases	3X points on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.	2X points on prepaid hotels, and other eligible travel purchases, booked through AmexTravel.com.	4X points on up to $25,000 per year in purchases.	1X points on all other eligible purchases.
Platinum	1X points	5X points for flights booked directly with airlines or through American Express Travel^®, on up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year.	5X points on prepaid hotels booked on AmexTravel.com.	1X points	1X points. Terms and limitations apply.

Lifestyle Benefits

Beyond points, each Card comes with select credits and benefits that add even more value to your everyday life.³ The Gold Card immerses you in a foodie lifestyle with $120 in dining credits each year, that's up to $10 in monthly statement credits, when you use your Gold Card at participating partners (enrollment required).

Plus:

$84 in Dunkin’ credits each year, with up to $7 in monthly statement credits when you use your Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin’ locations. Enrollment required.
$100 in Resy credits each calendar year, with up to $50 available semi-annually when you use the Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. Enrollment required.
Amex Special Ticket Access could give you special ticket access, presales, exclusive merchandise, and other perks at select concerts, sports events, and shows while supplies last.

You can access over $3,500 in annual value when you make eligible purchases across travel, entertainment, and other benefits. Terms apply.

The Platinum Card has premium perks like travel upgrades and lifestyle benefits that elevate everyday experiences and big trips.⁵

$300 in lululemon credits each calendar year, with up to $75 in statement credits each quarter when you use your Platinum Card at U.S. lululemon retail stores (excluding outlets) or online at lululemon.com. Enrollment required.
$155 in Walmart+ credits each year, with up to $12.95 in monthly statement credits (plus applicable taxes, Plus Ups not eligible), after you pay for a monthly Walmart+ membership using your Platinum Card. Enrollment required, subject to auto-renewal.
$100 in Saks credits each year, with up to $50 in statement credits earned semi-annually for eligible purchases at Saks Fifth Avenue or saks.com. Enrollment required.
Up to $200 in Oura Ring statement credits each year when you use your Platinum Card to purchase an Oura Ring at oura.com. Enrollment required.
$300 in Equinox statement credits each year when you pay for an Equinox+ digital subscription or Equinox club membership with your Platinum Card. Enrollment required. Subject to auto-renewal.
$400 in Resy credits each year, with up to $100 back each quarter when you use your Platinum Card at eligible U.S. Resy restaurants. Enrollment required.
$300 in digital entertainment credits each year, with up to $25 in monthly statement credits for eligible purchases with participating partners. Enrollment required.
Global Dining Access by Resy could give you priority reservations, premium experiences, and exclusive access to in-demand restaurants through Resy.com or the Resy app.

Travel Benefits

Travel benefits can help you save money, make the process easier, and upgrade your journey. The Gold Card simplifies travel with useful hotel and flight perks. The Platinum Card goes further with lounge access, hotel elite status, credits for TSA PreCheck^® or Global Entry application fees, and other extras that frequent and luxury travelers will appreciate.

	Travel
Gold	$120 Uber Cash via up to $10 Uber Cash monthly on rides and orders in the U.S. when using your Gold Card for transactions. Card Member must add Card to Uber account to receive the benefit. $100 complimentary credit to use towards eligible charges, such as food and beverage, spa, or other on-property charges, when you book a prepaid stay of two nights or more at any property within The Hotel Collection through AmexTravel.com. Please note the credit use varies by property. Earn 3X Points on flights booked directly with airlines or on Amextravel.com Earn 2X Points on prepaid hotels and other eligible travel purchases booked through Amextravel.com
Platinum	$200 Uber Cash via up to $15 Uber Cash (plus a bonus $20 in December) monthly on rides and orders in the U.S. when using your Platinum Card for transactions. Card Member must add Card to Uber account to receive the benefit. $120 Uber One Credit via up to $120 in statement credits each calendar year after you purchase an auto-renewing Uber One membership with your Platinum Card. Terms apply. Up to $209 CLEAR^®+ Credit via statement credits per calendar year after you sign up and pay for a CLEAR+ Membership (subject to auto-renewal) with your eligible American Express Card 1,550+ lounges within the American Express Global Lounge Collection^®, including Centurion and Delta Sky Club lounges $200 Airline Fee Credit on one selected qualifying airline via up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year for baggage fees and other incidentals charged by the airline to your Platinum Card. American Express relies on airlines to submit the correct information on airline transactions to identify incidental fee purchases. If you do not see a credit for a qualifying incidental purchase on your eligible Card after 8 weeks, simply call the number on the back of your Card. Qualifying airlines are subject to change. See terms & conditions for more details. $600 hotel credit via up to $300 in statement credits semi-annually on select prepaid bookings through American Express Travel^® Fine Hotels + Resorts^® Hilton Honors^™ Gold Status to enjoy benefits at hotels and resorts within the Hilton Portfolio. As a Gold member, earn an 80% Bonus on all Base Points you earn on every stay getting you to free nights faster. Enrollment required. Complimentary Marriott Bonvoy^® Gold Elite Status (enrollment required) $120 Application Fee Credit for Global Entry or up to $85 for TSA PreCheck^® application fee via statement credits when using your Platinum Card. Apply for TSA PreCheck^® through a TSA official enrollment provider. One credit will be given in a 4 year period for Global Entry or in a 4 year period for TSA PreCheck^® for a 5-year plan only. Applicants approved for Global Entry will receive access to TSA PreCheck^® at no additional charge.

Travel

Gold

$120 Uber Cash via up to $10 Uber Cash monthly on rides and orders in the U.S. when using your Gold Card for transactions. Card Member must add Card to Uber account to receive the benefit.
$100 complimentary credit to use towards eligible charges, such as food and beverage, spa, or other on-property charges, when you book a prepaid stay of two nights or more at any property within The Hotel Collection through AmexTravel.com. Please note the credit use varies by property.
Earn 3X Points on flights booked directly with airlines or on Amextravel.com
Earn 2X Points on prepaid hotels and other eligible travel purchases booked through Amextravel.com

Platinum

$200 Uber Cash via up to $15 Uber Cash (plus a bonus $20 in December) monthly on rides and orders in the U.S. when using your Platinum Card for transactions. Card Member must add Card to Uber account to receive the benefit.
$120 Uber One Credit via up to $120 in statement credits each calendar year after you purchase an auto-renewing Uber One membership with your Platinum Card. Terms apply.
Up to $209 CLEAR^®+ Credit via statement credits per calendar year after you sign up and pay for a CLEAR+ Membership (subject to auto-renewal) with your eligible American Express Card
1,550+ lounges within the American Express Global Lounge Collection^®, including Centurion and Delta Sky Club lounges
$200 Airline Fee Credit on one selected qualifying airline via up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year for baggage fees and other incidentals charged by the airline to your Platinum Card. American Express relies on airlines to submit the correct information on airline transactions to identify incidental fee purchases. If you do not see a credit for a qualifying incidental purchase on your eligible Card after 8 weeks, simply call the number on the back of your Card. Qualifying airlines are subject to change. See terms & conditions for more details.
$600 hotel credit via up to $300 in statement credits semi-annually on select prepaid bookings through American Express Travel^®
Fine Hotels + Resorts^®
Hilton Honors^™ Gold Status to enjoy benefits at hotels and resorts within the Hilton Portfolio. As a Gold member, earn an 80% Bonus on all Base Points you earn on every stay getting you to free nights faster. Enrollment required.
Complimentary Marriott Bonvoy^® Gold Elite Status (enrollment required)
$120 Application Fee Credit for Global Entry or up to $85 for TSA PreCheck^® application fee via statement credits when using your Platinum Card. Apply for TSA PreCheck^® through a TSA official enrollment provider. One credit will be given in a 4 year period for Global Entry or in a 4 year period for TSA PreCheck^® for a 5-year plan only. Applicants approved for Global Entry will receive access to TSA PreCheck^® at no additional charge.

American Express Platinum Card vs. Gold Annual Fees

The Gold Card has a $325 annual fee, and its shopping, dining, and travel benefits can add up to over $500 in yearly statement credits.⁶ The Platinum’s annual fee is higher at $895, yet its mix of travel, shopping, dining, wellness, and entertainment perks can be worth more than $3,500 depending on how you use them.⁷ In both cases, the value you get from the benefits can easily outweigh the cost of the card.

Frequently Asked Questions

The right choice depends on your preferences and lifestyle. Frequent international travelers may find that Platinum travel benefits stretch further. Card Members who prefer maximizing daily spending power may see more value in the Gold Card’s point-earning potential.

Yes, if you’ve had your Gold Card for a year or longer, you frequently travel internationally, and you feel that Platinum offers more, it may be worth the upgrade. You may even be able to snag Membership Rewards points for doing so, especially if you’re offered an incentive to upgrade.⁸

Different financial institutions and consumers worldwide may define luxury credit cards differently, but the Gold Card isn’t typically considered a luxury card.⁹ Luxury cards usually offer robust travel rewards like Platinum’s shopping, dining, and travel credits, along with elite lounge access.¹⁰

You can, although it’s not necessary. However, if you’re hoping to earn rewards and increase your points, having both Cards at once may help you reach those goals.¹¹

The Takeaway

Choosing between Gold and Platinum isn’t really about the fees or the fine print. It’s about how you want your card to work for you. Do you want to fuel your daily routine, or to elevate the way you travel and spend time away? The takeaway: both options make life easier, a little more rewarding, and a lot more tailored to you.

^1,3 For more on Offer and Benefit Terms for the American Express^® Gold Card, click here.

^2,5 For more on Offer and Benefit Terms for the American Express^® Platinum Card, click here.

⁴ Purchase Protection is underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company. Subject to additional terms, conditions and exclusions. For full Terms and Conditions, see americanexpress.com/PPterms. If You have any questions about a specific item, please call Us at 1-800-228-6855, if international, collect at 1-303-273-6497.

⁶ For more on Rates and Fees for the American Express^® Gold Card, click here.

⁷ For more on Rates and Fees for the American Express^® Platinum Card, click here.

⁸ “How To Upgrade An Amex Gold Card To An Amex Platinum Card,” Forbes

^9,10 “Are elite credit cards worth it?,” Bankrate

¹¹ “Amex Gold vs. Platinum: Which card should you bring on your next trip?,” Yahoo!Finance

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Liv Gillespie is a Philadelphia-based writer with a double M.A. in English Linguistics & Literature and Secondary Education. Her work focuses on personal finance.

All Credit Intel content is written by freelance authors and commissioned and paid for by American Express.

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