Amex Gold Vs. Platinum: Which One Is Better For You?

Account Features	American Express® Gold Card	The Platinum Card® from American Express
Uber Cash	Up to $120 in Uber Cash each year for eligible U.S. Uber purchases. An Amex card must be selected as the payment method for your Uber or Uber Eats transaction to redeem the Uber Cash benefit.	Up to $200 in Uber Cash each year ($15 monthly, plus a bonus $20 in December) for eligible U.S. Uber purchases. An Amex card must be selected as the payment method for your Uber or Uber Eats transaction to redeem the Uber Cash benefit.
Digital Entertainment Credit	N/A	Up to $240 digital entertainment credit. Enrollment required.
Hotel Status	N/A	Hilton Honors™ Gold and Marriott Gold status. Enrollment required.
Airline Credit	N/A	Up to $200 airline incidental fee credit (for one selected qualifying airline). Enrollment required.
Dining Credit	Up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the Gold Card at participating partners, including The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Five Guys and more. Enrollment required.	N/A
Dunkin’ Credit	Up to $7 a month in credits for U.S. Dunkin’ purchases, for a total of $84 a year. Enrollment required.	N/A
Resy Credit	Up to $100 a year in Resy credits. Enrollment required.	N/A
Lifestyle Credits	N/A	Up to $300 Equinox statement credit and Soul Cycle At-Home bike credit. Enrollment required. Up to $100 statement credit annually at Saks Fifth Avenue ($50 semiannually). Enrollment required.

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These two heavy-metal hitters may both have American Express in their names, but both cards are designed for different spending patterns and cardholder needs. If you hold the American Express® Gold Card, you will likely maximize its value by using it as your primary card for groceries and dining.

Meanwhile, The Platinum Card® from American Express is ideal for frequent travelers who want an elevated experience. The card includes widespread airport lounge access, hotel status with two brands and lifestyle benefits like digital subscription rebates and monthly Uber Cash credits. The Amex Platinum earns 5X Membership Rewards on select travel spending but has no other bonus-earning categories.

Welcome Bonus

The Platinum Card® from American Express and American Express® Gold Card both regularly offer generous welcome bonuses to new card members. While The Platinum Card’s welcome bonus is often more generous, it’s important to note the amount you need to spend to earn it. Before applying for a card, be sure you have a plan to spend at least that much on your card within the required time frame.

For The Platinum Card® from American Express, you’ll earn 80,000 Membership Rewards Points after spending $8,000 on eligible purchases on the card in the first 6 months of card membership.

With the American Express® Gold Card, you can earn 60,000 Membership Rewards points after spending $6,000 on eligible purchases in the first 6 months of card membership.

Annual Fee

The Amex Platinum carries a hefty annual fee of $695, which is more than double the Amex Gold card’s annual fee of $325.

It should also be noted that the Amex Platinum charges $195 for each authorized user. Amex Gold members, meanwhile, can add up to five authorized users for free (after that, the annual fee for additional members is $35).

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4.5

Forbes Advisor created additional star ratings so that you can see the best card for specific needs. This card shines for this use, but overall the star ratings may differ when compared to other cards.

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Up to 4X Reward Rate

Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X; EarnRead More

Welcome Bonus

Earn 60,000 points

Annual Fee

$325

Regular APR

See Pay Over Time APR

Credit Score

Excellent/Good (700 - 749)

Editorial Review

Foodies and travelers can leverage the American Express® Gold Card to the hilt, earning up to 4x points. The annual fee may seem intimidating, but by using the included benefits and doing some spending, it’s easy to come out ahead.

Pros & Cons

• High rewards earnings possibilities
• Points transfer option to many partners
• Add up to five authorized users for no additional annual fee
• Can choose from regular or rose gold versions

• Most credits are doled out monthly and can be cumbersome to redeem
• Limited options to carry a balance
• High APR for pay over time feature*

Card Details

• Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 on eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.
• Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
• Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
• Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
• Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
• Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
• $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made at restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
• $84 Dunkin’ Credit: With the $84 Dunkin’ Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin’ locations.
• $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That’s up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
• $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
• Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
• No Foreign Transaction Fees.
• Annual Fee is $325.
• Apply with confidence. Know if you’re approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you’re approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
• Terms Apply.

Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 on eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.

Credit Score ranges are based on FICO® credit scoring. This is just one scoring method and a credit card issuer may use another method when considering your application. These are provided as guidelines only and approval is not guaranteed.

Earning Rewards

The Platinum Card’s most generous earnings are for flights and prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel. The card earns 5 Membership Rewards Points per dollar for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel on up to $500,000 per calendar year, 5 points per dollar on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel and 1 point per dollar on other eligible purchases.

If your spending is concentrated more on grocery stores and/or restaurants, the American Express® Gold Card is far more rewarding as it offers big bonuses for spending in both categories. With the Gold Card, you’ll earn 4 Membership Rewards® points per dollar at restaurants worldwide (on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1 point per dollar), 4 Membership Rewards® points per dollar at US supermarkets (on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1 point per dollar), 3 Membership Rewards® points per dollar on flights booked directly with airlines or on American Express Travel, 2 Membership Rewards® points per dollar on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on American Express Travel and 1 point per dollar on all other eligible purchases.

Travel Benefits

Travelers interested in elevating their experience at the airport should take full advantage of the lounge access privileges granted by The Platinum Card® from American Express. No other card will give you access to as many premium airport lounges as The Platinum Card® from American Express. Owning the card will grant you entry to the exclusive Centurion Lounge network.

With The Platinum Card® from American Express, you’ll also get access to Delta Sky Club lounges when flying on eligible Delta flights, Priority Pass Select lounges with enrollment and more. If you want your airport wait time to be more comfortable and there’s an airport lounge available of nearly any brand, this card has you covered.

Platinum cardholders have limited visits to Delta Sky Clubs of 10 visits per year to be used from February 1 until January 31 of the next calendar year. You can earn unlimited visits by spending at least $75,000 each calendar year.

Airport lounge access isn’t the end of the Platinum Card’s travel benefits. Platinum Card ownership comes with more extras than you can pack in your suitcase. You’ll also get:

• Up to $200 in airline incidental fee statement credits on a qualifying airline you choose each year (enrollment required)
• Statement credits of up to $199 per calendar year for a CLEAR® Plus membership
• A statement credit toward the application fees for TSA PreCheck® or Global Entry
• Up to $200 hotel credit and other money-saving perks and benefits at prepaid hotels in the Fine Hotels + Resorts Collection or The Hotel Collection (on stays of two consecutive nights or more) booked through Amex Travel
• Elite status with both Marriott Bonvoy and Hilton Honors hotel programs (after enrollment)

The Platinum Card® from American Express also comes with a raft of included protections and insurances that could add peace of mind when you’re on the go. One protection the Amex Platinum has that the American Express® Gold Card doesn’t is trip cancellation and interruption insurance¹ for eligible claims. If your trip is canceled or interrupted for a covered reason, you can receive up to $10,000 per trip and up to $20,000 per eligible card per consecutive 12-month period. The Platinum Card® from American Express also offers travel evacuation support² if you get sick or injured while traveling and need emergency medical treatment.

However, remember that The Platinum Card® from American Express isn’t the best in class for its included travel insurance. If you want benefits like baggage delay insurance or primary auto rental coverage, consider another card such as the Chase Sapphire Reserve®.

Lifestyle Credits

With a wide variety of benefits to fit every lifestyle, you’re sure to find some ways to upgrade your standing with what the Amex Platinum provides. Start with a $20 per month credit for eligible purchases or subscriptions with Disney+, ESPN+, Hulu, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal and Peacock after you enroll.

Next, add in up to $200 per year in Uber Cash for U.S. rides and food delivery—$15 per month and a bonus $20 in December after you add your eligible card to your Uber account (an Amex Card must be selected as the payment method for your transaction to redeem this benefit). Amex Platinum cardholders can also get up to $155 annually in Walmart+ statement credits of $12.95 per month, up to $100 in Saks Fifth Avenue statement credits annually (two $50 semiannual credits) and up to $300 in annual statement credits on select Equinox memberships or the Equinox+ digital fitness app when you pay with your card. Each of these benefits requires enrollment.

The Gold Card offers a handful of lifestyle credits, including up to $120 in Uber Cash annually for U.S. rides and food delivery (an Amex card must be added in Uber app and selected as the payment method) and an up to $10 monthly dining credit with enrollment when you dine at Grubhub, Goldbelly, The Cheesecake Factory, Wine.com or Five Guys. The card also comes with an up to $7 monthly credit to Dunkin’ for U.S. purchases for a total of $84 annually and up to $100 in Resy credits doled out as $50 semiannually (enrollment is required for each credit). Still, these credits are not as generous as the suite of credits offered with The Platinum Card.

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Rates & Fees / Terms Apply

4.7

Forbes Advisor created additional star ratings so that you can see the best card for specific needs. This card shines for this use, but overall the star ratings may differ when compared to other cards.

Apply Now

On American Express's Website

5X Reward Rate

Earn 5 Membership Rewards Points per dollar on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel and on flights booked directlyRead More

Welcome Bonus

Earn 80,000 points

Annual Fee

$695

Regular APR

See Pay Over Time APR

Credit Score

Good,Excellent (700 - 749)

Editorial Review

The Platinum Card is destined for frequent travelers who intend to fully leverage the rich set of luxury travel benefits and Platinum Concierge service. In the right hands, the classic status card’s staggering annual fee is well justified.

Pros & Cons

• High reward potential on flights and hotels booked through American Express Travel
• Multiple credits can help justify the fee
• Comprehensive airport lounge access
• Luxury travel benefits and elite status with Hilton and Marriott with enrollment

• Very high annual fee
• Maximizing the statement credits takes some work and could be impractical for many
• Reward rate outside of travel is subpar for a premium card

Card Details

• Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 on eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.
• Earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year and earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel.
• $200 Hotel Credit: Get up to $200 back in statement credits each year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection bookings through American Express Travel using your Platinum Card®. The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay.
• $240 Digital Entertainment Credit: Get up to $20 back in statement credits each month on eligible purchases made with your Platinum Card® on one or more of the following: Disney+, a Disney Bundle, ESPN+, Hulu, The New York Times, Peacock, and The Wall Street Journal. Enrollment required.
• With American Express Global Lounge Collection® you can enjoy access to over 1,400 airport lounges globally, including The Centurion® Lounge, Unlimited Delta Sky Club® Access when flying an eligible Delta flight, Escape Lounges, Lufthansa Lounges when flying Lufthansa Group, Plaza Premium, Priority Pass™ Select Lounges, & Additional Global Lounge Collection Partner Lounges subject to visit limitations. Lounges may have their own rules, like additional access rules and guest fees, and for Priority Pass Select, you need to enroll and there are unlimited airport lounge visits for Card Members. With Delta Sky Club Access, Card Members will receive 10 Visits to the Delta Sky Club to be used from February 1 until January 31 of the next calendar year and can unlock Unlimited Delta Sky Club Access by spending $75,000 in eligible purchases on their Card in a calendar year. To find a lounge, visit the membership section in the American Express® App or visit http://www.americanexpress.com/findalounge#/loungefinder.
• $155 Walmart+ Credit: Save on eligible delivery fees, shipping, and more with a Walmart+ membership. Use your Platinum Card® to pay for a monthly Walmart+ membership and get up to $12.95 plus applicable taxes back on one membership (excluding Plus Ups) each month.
• $200 Airline Fee Credit: Select one qualifying airline and then receive up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year when incidental fees are charged by the airline to your Platinum Card®.
• $200 Uber Cash: Platinum Card® Members can ride or dine in style with $15 in Uber Cash each month, plus a bonus $20 in December after adding their Card to their Uber account. Use your Uber Cash on rides and orders in the U.S. when you select an Amex Card for your transaction.
• $199 CLEAR® Plus Credit: CLEAR® Plus helps to get you to your gate faster at 50+ airports nationwide and get up to $199 back per calendar year on your Membership (subject to auto-renewal) when you use your Card. CLEARLanes are available at 100+ airports, stadiums, and entertainment venues.
• Receive either a $120 statement credit every 4 years for a Global Entry application fee or a statement credit up to $85 every 4.5 years for a TSA PreCheck® (through a TSA official enrollment provider) application fee, when charged to your Platinum Card®. Card Members approved for Global Entry will also receive access to TSA PreCheck at no additional cost.
• Shop Saks with Platinum: Get up to $100 in statement credits annually for purchases in Saks Fifth Avenue stores or at saks.com on your Platinum Card®. That’s up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
• Unlock access to exclusive reservations and special dining experiences with Global Dining Access by Resy when you add your Platinum Card® to your Resy profile.
• $695 annual fee.
• Apply with confidence. Know if you’re approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you’re approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
• Terms Apply.

Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 on eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.

Credit Score ranges are based on FICO® credit scoring. This is just one scoring method and a credit card issuer may use another method when considering your application. These are provided as guidelines only and approval is not guaranteed.

The Amex Gold is best for purchases at restaurants worldwide with its earn rate of 4X Membership Rewards points per dollar (up to a maximum of $50,000 in spending, then 1X). The $50,000 cap shouldn’t be a concern unless you usually spend around $1,000 weekly in restaurants. If you also regularly spend at U.S. supermarkets, the Gold Amex is a better choice for payment, as those purchases earn 4X points. Earning 4X at U.S. supermarkets is capped at $25,000 in spending yearly, then 1X.

The Amex Platinum does not offer a bonus for restaurant or supermarket purchases, so it should remain in your wallet when visiting those places. Instead, use it to purchase flights directly from airlines or with American Express Travel, as it will earn 5 Membership Rewards points per dollar spent, up to $500,000 spent on that category every calendar year, or prepaid hotel reservations booked through Amex Travel.

You Want To Avoid an Annual Fee

The Amex Platinum and the Amex Gold Cards charge annual fees that will cost you several hundred dollars annually. If you can’t stomach the thought of shelling out that much for a card, even with all the perks and extras, consider a card without an annual fee, like the Wells Fargo Autograph® Card (rates & fees). This card offers strong rewards across several categories, including travel, transit, dining, streaming and phone plans. You won’t have the potential credits that come with the Amex Platinum or Gold cards, but you also won’t have to worry about trying to maximize any benefits to get your money’s worth.

You Don’t Care About the Premium Perks

If you aren’t much of a traveler, the Amex Platinum’s premium perks likely won’t make that high annual fee worth it. Similarly, the Gold Card’s dining and Uber credits may not be helpful if you typically cook at home. Avid home cooks will likely find that the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express (Terms apply, see rates & fees) better suits their needs. For a modest $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95, the card earns 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year in purchases (then 1%), 6% cash back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions, 3% cash back at U.S. gas stations and on transit (including taxis/rideshare, parking, tolls, trains, buses and more) and 1% cash back on other eligible purchases. Cash back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit or at Amazon.com checkout.

You’d Rather Earn a Simple, Flat -Rate on All of Your Spending

Using the Amex Platinum and the Amex Gold requires more mental energy than a card that earns the same flat rate on every purchase. If you feel like it’s more hassle than it’s worth to remember which card to use when, consider a card like the Citi Double Cash® Card, which has no annual fee and earns 2% cash back on all purchases—1% when purchases are made and another 1% when they’re paid off, and earn 5% total cash back on hotel, car rentals and attractions booked on the Citi Travel℠ portal through 12/31/25.

The Platinum Card® from American Express and the American Express® Gold Card both carry appealing features for those who can take full advantage of them. However, no card is a perfect fit for everybody. Before applying for either one, consider your spending habits and preferences and ensure you can get enough value from the card to compensate for the annual fee.

To view rates and fees for The Platinum Card® from American Express please visit this page.
To view rates and fees for The American Express® Gold Card please visit this page.
To view rates and fees for The Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express please visit this page.
¹The 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. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.
²Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. If approved and coordinated by Premium Global Assist Hotline, emergency medical transportation assistance may be provided at no cost. In any other circumstance, Card Members may be responsible for the costs charged by third-party service providers.