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Within the exclusive realm of high-end travel cards, two stand out for providing substantial opportunities for rewards and an abundance of travel perks, albeit at exorbitant costs. These are the Chase Sapphire Reserve®, which has an annual fee of $550, and the American Express Platinum Card®, which has an annual fee of $695 (terms apply).
These are cards for people willing to pay a lot because they expect a lot. Both cards have numerous advantages that make it difficult to compare them, including robust welcome bonuses, substantial travel rewards, and more. But they have differences, both big and small.
In a head-to-head match, the card from which you personally can derive the greatest value will be the superior one.
The Platinum Card® from American Express offers many perks for traveling in style. Because of this, we believe it’s best suited to a particular kind of traveler—those who value things like better hotel elite status and airport lounge options, for example, or those who are just American Express fans. But since the card’s value is partially dependent on specialized retail offers, it’s unlikely that most users will take advantage of them all.
If you book through Chase, the Chase Sapphire Reserve® is fantastic for travel with extremely high point earning and redemption values. It also has wider appeal because of its higher rewards for restaurant spending. It comes with a big annual travel credit that is easy to use for even casual travelers.
That’s why, overall, the Chase card is probably the better choice for most people. Comparison at a glance Chase Sapphire Reserve®.
Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. Thats $900 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.
After spending $8,000 on purchases with your new card during the first six months of your card membership, you will receive 80,000 Membership Rewards® Points. Terms Apply. Terms apply. Rewards.
The American Express Platinum Card has long been a symbol of luxury travel, boasting an array of perks and benefits that cater to the discerning jet-setter However, with its hefty annual fee of $695, many travelers are left wondering if there’s a more budget-friendly alternative that can still deliver exceptional travel experiences Enter the Chase Sapphire Reserve, a premium travel card that packs a punch in both rewards and value, all for a more palatable annual fee of $550.
In light of this, what precisely sets the Chase Sapphire Reserve apart from the Platinum behemoth? Let’s examine the specifics and draw comparisons between these two titans of travel.
Rewards Showdown: Earning Points Like a Pro
Both cards offer generous rewards programs, but the Chase Sapphire Reserve emerges as the clear winner in this category. Here’s a breakdown of their point-earning prowess:
Chase Sapphire Reserve:
- 10x points: Hotel stays, car rentals, and dining purchased through Chase.
- 5x points: Flights purchased through Chase.
- 3x points: Travel and dining worldwide.
- 1x point: All other purchases.
The Platinum Card from American Express:
- 5x points: Flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel.
- 5x points: Prepaid hotels booked through American Express Travel.
- 2x points: Other travel booked through AmEx.
- 1x point: All other purchases.
As you can see, the Chase Sapphire Reserve offers a wider range of bonus categories, including the lucrative 10x points on hotel stays and car rentals booked through Chase. This means you can rack up points much faster and accumulate a significant travel fund in no time.
Redemption Revelation: Stretching Your Points Further
Points are great, but their true value lies in how you redeem them. Here’s where the Chase Sapphire Reserve shines again:
- 1.5 cents per point: When redeemed for travel booked through Chase.
- 1 cent per point: When redeemed for most other travel expenses.
- 1 cent per point: When redeemed for cash back or transferred to partner programs.
The Platinum Card, on the other hand, offers a redemption value of 1 cent per point for most travel expenses and transfers to partners. This means that for every dollar you spend, you’ll get 1.5 cents worth of travel with the Chase Sapphire Reserve, compared to just 1 cent with the Platinum Card.
Annual Fee Face-Off: Value Versus Cost
One important thing to think about when selecting a premium travel card is the annual fee. Although the annual fee for the Chase Sapphire Reserve is $550 instead of $695 like that of the Platinum Card, it is still a significant investment. But the $300 annual travel credit that the Chase Sapphire Reserve offers can be used for a variety of travel-related costs, bringing the annual cost down to $250. The $200 airline and $200 hotel credits that the Platinum Card offers are more limited and might not be as accessible to everyone.
Travel Perks: Unveiling the Hidden Gems
Both cards offer a plethora of travel perks, but the Chase Sapphire Reserve takes the lead in this category as well. Here’s a glimpse of what each card offers:
Chase Sapphire Reserve:
- Priority Pass Select membership: Access to over 1,300 airport lounges worldwide.
- Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee credit: Up to $100 every four years.
- Travel insurance: Trip cancellation/interruption, baggage delay, and more.
- No foreign transaction fees.
The Platinum Card from American Express:
- Priority Pass Select membership: Access to over 1,300 airport lounges worldwide.
- Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee credit: Up to $100 every four years.
- Airport lounge access: American Express Centurion Lounges, Delta Sky Clubs, and Airspace Lounges.
- Travel insurance: Trip cancellation/interruption, baggage delay, and more.
- No foreign transaction fees.
While both cards offer similar travel insurance and no foreign transaction fees, the Chase Sapphire Reserve’s complimentary Priority Pass Select membership and Global Entry/TSA PreCheck credit provide more value for the average traveler. Additionally, the Platinum Card’s airport lounge access is limited to American Express Centurion Lounges, which are fewer in number compared to Priority Pass lounges.
The Verdict: A Clear Winner Emerges
After a thorough analysis, the Chase Sapphire Reserve emerges as the clear winner in this head-to-head comparison. With its superior rewards program, valuable redemption options, and a more accessible annual fee, the Chase Sapphire Reserve offers exceptional value for frequent travelers who seek to maximize their travel experiences.
But wait, there’s more!
If you’re still on the fence, here are some additional factors to consider:
- Transfer partners: Both cards offer transfer partners to various airlines and hotel programs. Compare the programs to see which one aligns better with your travel preferences.
- Card ecosystem: If you’re already using other cards within the Chase Ultimate Rewards program or the American Express Membership Rewards program, consider how the new card would complement your existing setup.
- Personal preferences: Ultimately, the best card for you depends on your individual spending habits and travel style. Consider which card’s benefits align best with your needs and aspirations.
So, ditch the Platinum and embrace the Chase Sapphire Reserve. It’s your ticket to unlocking a world of travel possibilities, without breaking the bank.
Restaurant rewards
Outside of travel, the Chase Sapphire Reserve® comes out on top due to its triple points for dining out, which is a helpful bonus category even if you’re not traveling. Furthermore, when you use Chase Dining to make prepaid restaurant reservations, order takeout, or participate in virtual cooking events, you will receive 10 points for every dollar spent on Chase Dining purchases.
The Platinum Card® from American Express has no bonus rewards for restaurants.
Redemption value
In this comparison of rewards rates, points aren’t necessarily equal with these cards.
Points with the Chase Sapphire Reserve® are worth 1. For those who use a premium travel card, the redemption option is reasonable at 5 cents each when using Chase for travel.
Thus, if you use your points to book travel on the Chase booking website, you can think about using those bonus reward rates to get even more. When you use the card to book a hotel stay or rental car through Chase Travel, for instance, the 10x point earning becomes 15x when those points are redeemed for additional travel. The 3x on restaurants is worth 4. 5x for travel.
Points on The Platinum Card® from American Express are typically worth one cent each, but you can transfer points to partners with both cards to potentially get even more value. More on partners below. Interestingly, your Membership Rewards points will only be worth zero if you use AmEx Travel to redeem them for the majority of hotel stays. 7 cent a piece. Thats less than half the value of the 1. 5 cents you could get with Chase.
Furthermore, Chase offers a program called Pay It Forward, wherein points can be redeemed for statement credits against previous purchases in specific rotating categories or the annual membership fee, increasing their value by 100%. However, that redemption option is scheduled to end March 31, 2022. The deadline for using points for select charitable organizations is later, Dec. 31, 2022.
Amex Platinum vs Chase Sapphire Reserve: Best Travel Card?! 2024
FAQ
Which card is above platinum?
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Card Category
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Tier Level
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Classic
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Basic
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Platinum
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Intermediate
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Signature
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Above Intermediate
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Infinite
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Ultimate
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What is the difference between gold and Platinum Rewards cards?
Platinum cardholders usually earn more rewards points per $1 spent than gold cardholders. As an example, a standard rewards card may offer 1 point per $1, while the gold version offers up to 4 points per $1 and the platinum offers up to 5 points per $1.
Are gold and Platinum credit cards better?
Both are often premium options designed for travel enthusiasts. But there are exceptions. In general, there isn’t an objective “best” card between a gold and platinum credit card. The better card is the one that brings you all the bells and whistles you need for the price you’re willing to pay.
How many points can you earn with a platinum credit card?
As an example, a standard rewards card may offer 1 point per $1, while the gold version offers up to 4 points per $1 and the platinum offers up to 5 points per $1. If a reward credit card limits the number of points you can earn per statement or year, then a platinum card will have one of the highest caps.
What is the difference between Amex gold & platinum?
The most popular gold and platinum duo are the two American Express cards. Both cards differ in some areas — the Amex Gold Card mostly rewards your dining and supermarket purchases, while the Amex Platinum Card rewards your flights and prepaid hotels booked via Amex Travel — but both are considered premium options.