American Express Platinum Card^® vs. Chase Sapphire Preferred^® Card: Deciding Between Luxury and Practicality

Travel credit cards can help you offset the cost of your adventures, but to get the best possible value from your card, you need to choose one that makes sense for your wallet. The best rewards credit card for you will align with how you spend money and offer benefits that are important to you. Here's how the Chase Sapphire Preferred and Platinum Card® stack up.

Chase Sapphire Preferred vs. Platinum Card®

	Chase Sapphire Preferred	Platinum Card® from American Express
Star ratings	4.9 FinanceBuzz writers and editors score cards based on a number of objective features as well as our expert editorial assessment. Our partners do not influence how we rate products.	4.9 FinanceBuzz writers and editors score cards based on a number of objective features as well as our expert editorial assessment. Our partners do not influence how we rate products.
FinanceBuzz value calculation	Year one earnings: $1,674 Year two earnings: $789	Year one earnings: $4,210 Year two earnings: $2,460
Annual fee	$95	$895 (Terms apply)
Welcome bonus	Earn 75,000 bonus points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening	Earn as high as 175,000 Membership Rewards points after spending $8,000 on eligible purchases on your new card in the first 6 months (welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer; apply and find out your offer)
Redemption methods	Chase Ultimate Rewards points can be redeemed for travel, gift cards, experiences, or a statement credit. It's also possible to transfer to partner hotel and airline programs at a 1:1 rate. There is a 25% redemption bonus on travel booked through Chase Travel for all existing Sapphire Preferred cardholders on points earned through Oct. 26, 2025, until Oct. 26, 2027. Beginning June 23, 2025, new and existing Sapphire Preferred cardholders can get a Points Boost on certain redemptions in the Chase portal — 50% redemption bonus on hotel bookings with The Edit by Chase Travel and a 25%-75% redemption bonus on select flights booked through the portal.	Amex Membership Rewards points can be redeemed for statement credits, travel, gift cards, and purchases through the American Express portal. Rewards can also be transferred at a 1:1 ratio to a variety of airline and hotel programs.
Statement credits	Up to $50 in statement credits each account anniversary year for hotel stays booked through Chase Travel℠ Earn bonus points equal to 10% of your previous year's total card spend each account anniversary year Complimentary DoorDash DashPass membership for a minimum of 1 year (activate by 12/31/2027). Plus, a $10 promo each month on non-restaurant orders	Up to $600 hotel credit through Amex Travel Up to $200 Uber Cash each year Up to $120 Uber One Credit each year Up to $200 annual airline fee credit Up to $209 annual CLEAR Plus credit Up to $120 Global Entry every four years or up to $85 for TSA PreCheck every 4.5 years Up to $300 annual digital entertainment credit Up to $400 in annual Resy credits ($100 per quarter) Up to $300 annual lululemon credit Up to $200 Oura ring credit Up to $300 annually in statement credits for an Equinox digital or club membership Up to $100 Saks Fifth Avenue credit each year Up to $155 Walmart+ credit (up to $12.95 plus applicable local sales tax. Plus Ups not eligible.) Select benefits require enrollment
Travel perks	Auto rental collision damage waiver Trip cancellation/interruption insurance Baggage delay insurance Trip delay reimbursement	Access to American Express Global Lounge Collection Marriott Bonvoy® Gold Elite Status Hilton Honors™ Gold Status Car rental privileges with Avis, Hertz, and National Car rental loss and damage insurance 1 <p>Car Rental Loss and Damage Insurance can provide coverage up to $75,000 for theft of or damage to most rental vehicles when you use your eligible Card to reserve and pay for the entire eligible vehicle rental and decline the collision damage waiver or similar option offered by the Commercial Car Rental Company. This product provides secondary coverage and does not include liability coverage. Not all vehicle types or rentals are covered. Geographic restrictions apply. </p><p></p><ul><li>Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. </li><li>Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. </li><li>Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company. Car Rental Loss or Damage Coverage is offered through American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc.</li></ul><p></p> Trip cancellation/interruption insurance2 <p>The maximum benefit amount for Trip Cancellation and Interruption Insurance is $10,000 per Covered Trip and $20,000 per Eligible Card per 12 consecutive month period.</p><p></p><ul><li>Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. </li><li>Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. </li><li>Underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.</li></ul><p></p> Trip delay insurance3 <p>Up to $500 per Covered Trip that is delayed for more than 6 hours; and 2 claims per Eligible Card per 12 consecutive month period. </p><p></p><ul><li>Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. </li><li>Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. </li><li>Underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.</li></ul><p></p>
Foreign transaction fee	None	None
Credit needed	Excellent, Good	Excellent, Good
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When to go with the Chase Sapphire Preferred

You might be better off with the Chase Sapphire Preferred if:

• You prefer a low annual fee
• You can maximize the bonus earning categories
• You are looking for comprehensive travel protections

Annual fee

The difference in annual fees between these two cards couldn't be more significant. The Chase Sapphire Preferred charges an annual fee of $95, which you can help offset with up to $50 in annual hotel statement credits. Even without the hotel credit, this low annual fee is easily justifiable for most travelers.

The annual fee for the Platinum Card® is $895 and is one of the highest of any available card on the market today. It's also worth noting that this fee increased in September 2025 from $695, although several new statement credits accompanied the hike. It's possible to offset the annual fee with statement credits and perks, but not every Platinum Card® cardholder will use all of the annual credits. (However, there is significant value to be had if you do — over $2,700, according to our estimations.)

Bonus points on purchases

Although the Platinum Card® from American Express is a premium credit card, the earning potential is limited for the average traveler. It earns 5X points per dollar on flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel® (on up to $500,000 per calendar year, after that 1X) and prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel®. All other eligible purchases earn 1X point per dollar. Unless you spend a significant amount of money on flights and hotels, you won't be able to earn much with this card.

If you're looking to maximize the amount you earn per purchase, the Sapphire Preferred is the much better option. Cardholders earn 5X points per dollar on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠ (outside of the up to $50 in annual hotel statement credits), 3X points per dollar on dining, select streaming services, and online groceries, 2X points on other travel purchases, and 1X point per dollar on all other purchases. I'm a cardholder of the Sapphire Preferred, and it's one of my go-to cards when traveling because of its earning potential and the utility of Ultimate Rewards Points.

Travel protections

For a card with such a low annual fee, the Chase Sapphire Preferred still gives cardholders some fantastic travel and purchase protections.

• Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance: If your trip is canceled or interrupted by covered situations like sickness or severe weather, you can be reimbursed up to $10,000 per person and $20,000 per trip for your pre-paid, non-refundable travel expenses, including passenger fares, tours, and hotels.
• Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver: You can decline coverage at the counter and receive primary rental car coverage for most rental cars in the U.S. and abroad.
• Baggage Delay Insurance: Reimburses you up to $100 a day for five days for essential purchases like toiletries and clothing for baggage delays over 6 hours.
• Trip Delay Reimbursement: If your common carrier travel is delayed more than 12 hours or requires an overnight stay, you and your family are covered for unreimbursed expenses, like meals and lodging, up to $500 per ticket.
• Purchase Protection: Covers your new purchases for 120 days against damage or theft up to $500 per claim and $50,000 per account.
• Extended Warranty Protection: Extends the U.S. manufacturer's warranty period by an additional year on eligible warranties of three years or less.

Having such comprehensive coverage can help you feel more relaxed when traveling. Although I've luckily never had to make a claim on my Sapphire Preferred, I do enjoy knowing that the option is available if necessary.

When to go with the Platinum Card®

The Platinum Card® could be the better choice if:

• You can take full advantage of the statement credits
• You're looking for hotel and car rental status
• You want airport lounge access

Statement credits

The statement credits are undoubtedly where the majority of the value lies in the Platinum Card® from American Express. Here are the following credits you can utilize as a cardholder:

• Up to $600 hotel credit: Valid on prepaid Fine Hotels and Resorts or The Hotel Collection bookings through Amex Travel. This credit increased threefold following changes to the card in September, when it went from $200 to $600.
• Up to $200 Uber Cash each year: Valid for Uber Eats or Uber rides in the U.S., distributed as $15 per month, plus a bonus of $20 in December. You must use an Amex card as the payment method to redeem your Amex Uber Cash benefit
• Up to $120 Uber One Credit: Valid for Uber One delivery and rideshare subscription, which costs $9.99 per month or $96 per year.
• Up to $200 annual airline fee credit: Must select one qualifying airline to receive this benefit
• Up to $209 annual CLEAR Plus credit
• Up to $300 annual digital entertainment credit (previously $240): Distributed as up to $25 per month for eligible purchases at Disney+, a Disney+ Bundle, ESPN+, Hulu, The New York Times, Peacock, The Wall Street Journal, Paramount, or YouTube.
• Up to $400 Resy credit: Administered as up to $100 in statement credits each quarter. Cardholders also receive exclusive access to Platinum Nights by Resy, reservations only offered to Platinum Card® members.
• Up to $300 annually in statement credits for an Equinox digital or club membership
• Up to $155 Walmart+ credit: Up to $12.95 plus applicable local sales tax. Plus Ups not eligible.
• Up to $300 lululemon credit
• Up to $200 Oura ring credit
• Up to $100 Saks Fifth Avenue credit each year: Administered as a $50 credit in January through June and another $50 credit in July through December
• Trusted Traveler Program enrollment fee: Up to $120 for the Global Entry application every four years or up to $85 for TSA PreCheck every 4.5 years

If you can take advantage of each of these perks, it's clear that you'll more than cover your annual fee. However, if you don't shop at Walmart, take Uber rides, have a membership at Equinox, or shop at Saks Fifth Avenue, these statement credits are little more than an advertisement for these merchants.

Hotel perks

Platinum Card® from American Express cardholders receive automatic Hilton Honors Gold and Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status. Additionally, the Platinum Card® offers benefits through Fine Hotels & Resorts (FH&R) and The Hotel Collection (THC). FH&R provides daily complimentary breakfast for two, free WiFi, a unique amenity, and a room upgrade when available. THC offers a $100 resort credit and a room upgrade if one is available.

If hotel perks are important to you, the Platinum Card® remains on top. The Chase Sapphire Preferred offers up to $50 in statement credits each account anniversary year for hotel stays booked through Chase Travel, but its hotel benefits end there.

Lounge access

Another major perk of the Platinum Card® from American Express is that you can access more airport lounges than any other card. Through the American Express Global Lounge Collection, you can access The Centurion Lounge, Escape Lounges, Delta Sky Clubs, Select Lufthansa Lounges when flying Lufthansa, Plaza Premium Lounges, and the Priority Pass network. Select benefits require enrollment.

The Sapphire Preferred doesn't offer any lounge access, which is to be expected for a card with an annual fee below $100. However, if you can afford that high annual fee on the Platinum Card® and don't already have a card that gives you airport lounge access, you can instantly elevate your travel experience.

A closer look at the welcome bonuses

With the Chase Sapphire Preferred, you can earn 75,000 bonus points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

These points are worth 1.25 cents each when you use them to book travel through the Chase travel portal, but only if you were an existing Sapphire Preferred cardholder as of June 23, 2025, and only on points earned through Oct. 26, 2025. The 25% redemption bonus on these points will remain available to existing cardholders until Oct. 26, 2027.

Beginning June 23, 2025, new and existing Sapphire Preferred cardholders will be eligible for a Points Boost when making certain redemptions through Chase's portal. For hotels booked with The Edit by Chase Travel, Sapphire Preferred cardholders could get a 50% redemption bonus, or 1.5 cents of value out of each point.

Cardholders could get up to 1.75 cents of value per point when booking select flights via the portal. Beyond these redemption bonuses, Chase Ultimate Rewards points can also be transferred at a 1:1 ratio to more than a dozen airline and hotel partners.

With the Platinum Card®, new card members also get a fantastic welcome offer: Earn as high as 175,000 Membership Rewards points after spending $8,000 on eligible purchases on your new card in the first 6 months (welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer; apply and find out your offer). The value of these points varies greatly based on how you use them.

They are worth one cent each when booking or upgrading flights through American Express Travel, but other redemptions offer less value.

You likely aren't deciding between these two cards based on bonuses alone. Take a step back and look at the cards as a whole to see how they can fit into your larger points and miles strategy.

Making the case for both cards

The points you earn in both rewards programs are flexible and can be used in multiple ways. You can use them to book travel through your card's travel portal, transfer them to airline and hotel partners, or redeem them for statement credits, gift cards, and more.

Transferring points to airline and hotel transfer partners usually yields the most value for both the Platinum Card® from American Express and the Chase Sapphire Preferred. The Chase Sapphire Preferred offers three hotel partners and 11 airline transfer partners. The Platinum Card® also has three hotel partners, but it provides slightly more flexibility with its 17 airline transfer partners. Note that there is some overlap in airline and hotel transfer partners between the two cards, but you will get unique partners with each.

The earning potential and benefits between these two cards are very different, so there could easily be a situation where you'd want both cards in your wallet. If you can handle the combined annual fee, holding two of the most popular travel rewards cards on the market can be a solid choice. You don't have to worry about overlapping benefits between the two cards, so you could receive maximum value from each.

FAQs

Bottom line

Comparing such different cards is no easy feat. Frequent travelers might opt for the Platinum Card® because of its airport lounge access, automatic hotel elite status, and lucrative statement credits.

Still, budget-conscious travelers may want to choose the Chase Sapphire Preferred. The Sapphire Preferred offers a way to earn extra points while still receiving travel protections and keeping an annual fee low. No matter which card you choose, try to take full advantage of all the cardholder benefits to justify the annual fee.

Luxury Travel Benefits

American Express Platinum Card^®

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American Express Platinum Card^®

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See rates and fees | Terms Apply

Current Offer

Earn as high as 175,000 Membership Rewards points after spending $8,000 on eligible purchases on your new card in the first 6 months (welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer; apply and find out your offer)

Annual Fee

$895

Rewards Rate

5X points per dollar spent on eligible airfare (on up to $500,000 per calendar year, after that 1X) and eligible hotel purchases, and 1X points per dollar on all other eligible purchases

Benefits and Drawbacks

Benefits

• Enjoy hundreds of dollars in annual credits (enrollment required for select benefits)
• Gain access to exclusive airport lounges worldwide (enrollment required)
• Elevate your hotel stays with elite status perks (enrollment required)
• Earn valuable Membership Rewards points on flights and hotels
• Protect your trips with top-notch travel insurance

Drawbacks

• Comes with a hefty $895 annual fee
• Charges $195 for each authorized user
• Some credits are challenging to use

Card Details

• Earn as high as 175,000 Membership Rewards points after spending $8,000 on eligible purchases on your new card in the first 6 months (welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer; apply and find out your offer)
• 5X points per dollar spent on eligible airfare (on up to $500,000 per calendar year, after that 1X) and eligible hotel purchases, and 1X points per dollar on all other eligible purchases
• Terms apply

Great for Flexible Travel Rewards

Chase Sapphire Preferred^® Card

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FinanceBuzz writers and editors score cards based on a number of objective features as well as our expert editorial assessment. Our partners do not influence how we rate products.

Chase Sapphire Preferred^® Card

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Rates and fees

Current Offer

Earn 75,000 bonus points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

Annual Fee

$95

Rewards Rate

5X points on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠; 3X points on dining, select streaming services, and online groceries; 2X points on all other travel purchases, and 1X points on all other purchases

Benefits and Drawbacks

Benefits

• Generous welcome offer valued at up to $1,125 when redeemed via Chase Travel℠
• High rewards on dining and bookings via Chase Travel
• Up to 1.5x more value when redeeming points for travel through Chase Travel
• Up to $50 in statement credits each account anniversary year for hotel stays booked through Chase Travel
• Receive valuable travel protections like trip delay reimbursement and primary rental car insurance

Drawbacks

• Has a $95 annual fee
• Doesn’t offer airport lounge access or premium travel perks like Global Entry or TSA PreCheck credit
• Doesn't offer bonus points on gas or in-person groceries purchases

Card Details

• Earn 75,000 bonus points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
• Enjoy benefits such as 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases
• Earn up to $50 in statement credits each account anniversary year for hotel stays through Chase Travel℠
• 10% anniversary points boost - each account anniversary you'll earn bonus points equal to 10% of your total purchases made the previous year.
• Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Lost Luggage Insurance and more.
• Complimentary DashPass which unlocks $0 delivery fees & lower service fees for a min. of one year when you activate by 12/31/27. Plus, a $10 promo each month on non-restaurant orders.
• Member FDIC

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