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Amex Platinum vs Chase Sapphire Reserve
Offers last updated October 26, 2026. Disclosure: We may earn a referral bonus if you apply through links on this page; it never changes our analysis. Terms apply. Not financial advice.
Both are premium cards whose fees are designed to be offset by credits. The Platinum leans on a long list of specific credits, Centurion Lounges and hotel status. The Reserve pairs a broad, easy-to-use travel credit with stronger everyday earning on dining. The right one is whichever credit list matches what you already buy.
| Feature | The Platinum Card® from Amex | Chase Sapphire Reserve® |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | $895 | $795 |
| Welcome offer | Earn as high as 175,000 MR® points after $12,000 spend in 6 months | Earn 100,000 bonus points after $6,000 spend in 3 months |
| Minimum spend | $12,000 in 6 months | $6,000 in 3 months |
| Est. first-year value* | +$2,530 | +$1,005 |
| Bonus earning | 5x travel | 8x travel · 3x dining |
| Key perks | Centurion Lounge Access · $200 Airline Fee Credit · $600 Hotel Credit · Global Entry/TSA PreCheck · Fine Hotels & Resorts | Priority Pass Lounge Access · $300 Travel Credit · Global Entry/TSA PreCheck · No Foreign Transaction Fees · Primary Rental Car Coverage |
| Transfer partners | Delta, JetBlue, Air Canada, British Airways, Aer Lingus, Iberia, Air France/KLM, Virgin Atlantic, ANA, Singapore Airlines, Cathay Pacific, Qantas, Qatar Airways, Emirates, Avianca, Aeromexico, Hilton, Marriott, Choice, Leading Hotels of the World | United, Southwest, JetBlue, Air Canada, British Airways, Aer Lingus, Iberia, Air France/KLM, Singapore Airlines, Virgin Atlantic, Hyatt, IHG, Marriott, Wyndham |
| Typical credit needed | Excellent | Excellent |
*Estimated welcome-bonus value plus dollar-denominated credits, minus the annual fee. Point values are estimates; your results depend on how you redeem.
Pick the Amex Platinum if…
- You fly through airports with Centurion Lounges and value premium lounge access.
- You book hotels through Amex Fine Hotels & Resorts or would use the hotel credit.
- You’ll put airfare on the card — it earns 5x on flights booked directly with airlines or through Amex Travel.
Terms apply. See Rates & Fees for the The Platinum Card® from Amex. You'll be taken to American Express's official site to apply.
Pick the Sapphire Reserve if…
- You want your biggest credit to be flexible — the $300 travel credit covers a broad range of travel.
- You spend a lot at restaurants; the Reserve earns bonus points on dining, the Platinum doesn’t.
- You prefer Chase partners like Hyatt and United.
Terms apply. You'll be taken to Chase's official site to apply.
Everyday earning
The Platinum is a travel-booking card: it earns 1x on dining and everyday purchases. The Reserve earns 3x on dining and elevated rates on travel booked through Chase. If this will be the card in your wallet for most purchases, the Reserve usually earns more; if it will be the card you book flights on, the Platinum competes.
Credits: breadth vs depth
The Platinum’s headline credit value is larger, but it is spread across many specific merchants and benefits, each with its own rules. The Reserve’s main credit is simpler to capture. Add up only the credits you would have spent the money on anyway — that net figure is the real fee.
Lounges
Platinum cardholders get Centurion Lounge access plus other lounge networks; Reserve cardholders get Priority Pass. Which is better depends almost entirely on which airports you fly through most.
Still not sure? Let your trips decide.
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