Last Updated: July 16, 2025

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American Express^® Gold Card is an excellent card for earning rewards on travel and dining purchases. If you're searching for more benefits, such as access to airport lounges and hotel upgrades, The Platinum Card^® is ideal. So, which card should you get?

Choosing between the American Express® Gold and Platinum cards presents one of the most common dilemmas in the premium travel credit card space. Both cards offer exceptional value, but they serve distinctly different spending patterns and travel styles. With recent updates to both cards and upcoming changes on the horizon, understanding their current benefits and limitations is more important than ever.

Bottom Line Up Front: The Gold Card excels for dining and grocery spending with $424 in annual statement credits, while the Platinum Card dominates for frequent travelers who value lounge access and premium travel perks. Your choice depends on whether you prioritize everyday earning or luxury travel benefits.

2025 Annual Fees and Welcome Bonuses

American Express® Gold Card

• Annual Fee: $325 (increased from $250 in 2024)
• Welcome Bonus: Up to 100,000 Membership Rewards points after spending $6,000 in your first 6 months
• Bonus Value: Approximately $2,000 when transferred to airline partners

American Express® Platinum Card

• Annual Fee: $695 (expected to increase later in 2025)
• Welcome Bonus: Up to 175,000 Membership Rewards points after spending $8,000 in your first 6 months
• Bonus Value: Approximately $3,500 when transferred to airline partners

Welcome Bonus Winner: The Platinum Card offers 75,000 more points, but requires $2,000 more in spending. If you can naturally meet both spending requirements, the Platinum provides significantly more value upfront.

Earning Structures: Where Each Card Shines

American Express® Gold Card Earning Categories

The Gold Card focuses on everyday spending with exceptional earning rates in common categories:

4x Membership Rewards Points:

• Restaurants worldwide (up to $50,000 annually)
• US supermarket purchases (up to $25,000 annually)

3x Membership Rewards Points:

• Flights booked directly with airlines or through Amex Travel

1x Membership Rewards Points:

• All other eligible purchases

Annual Earning Potential: A family spending $2,000 monthly on dining and $800 monthly on groceries would earn 134,400 points annually just from bonus categories - worth approximately $2,688 when transferred to airline partners. For a detailed breakdown of the Gold Card's earning structure and benefits, read our comprehensive Amex Gold review.

American Express® Platinum Card Earning Categories

The Platinum Card targets travel-heavy spenders with higher earning rates on travel purchases:

5x Membership Rewards Points:

• Flights booked directly with airlines or through Amex Travel (up to $500,000 annually)
• Prepaid hotels booked through Amex Travel

1x Membership Rewards Points:

• All other eligible purchases

Annual Earning Potential: A frequent traveler spending $10,000 annually on flights would earn 50,000 points from travel purchases alone, worth approximately $1,000 when transferred to airline partners.

Earning Winner: The Gold Card wins for most people due to higher everyday spending in dining and groceries. Unless you're spending $20,000+ annually on flights, the Gold Card's earning structure typically generates more points.

Statement Credits and Benefits Breakdown

American Express® Gold Card Benefits ($424 Annual Value)

The Gold Card's strength lies in its generous statement credits that can eliminate the annual fee entirely:

Uber Cash Credit: $120 annually ($10 monthly)

• Applies to Uber rides and Uber Eats in the US
• Automatically credited when using your Gold Card

Dining Credit: $120 annually

• Varies by current promotions and eligible merchants
• Often includes popular restaurant chains and delivery services

Resy Credit: $100 annually ($50 twice yearly)

• Usable at Resy partner restaurants across the US
• Great for trying new dining experiences

Dunkin' Credit: $84 annually ($7 monthly)

• Automatic statement credits at US Dunkin' locations
• Enrollment required

Effective Annual Fee After Credits: -$99 (the card pays you to use it if all credits are maximized)

American Express® Platinum Card Benefits ($1,500+ Annual Value)

The Platinum Card offers premium travel and lifestyle benefits:

Uber Cash: $200 annually ($15 monthly + $20 December bonus)

• Higher value than Gold Card equivalent
• Same usage terms for rides and Uber Eats

Hotel Credits: $200 annually

• Applies to Fine Hotels + Resorts and The Hotel Collection bookings
• Requires minimum two-night stays through Amex Travel
• For alternative hotel booking options, consider Hotels.com for additional flexibility

CLEAR Plus Membership: $199 annually

• Expedited airport security screening
• Valuable for frequent travelers

Digital Entertainment Credit: $240 annually ($20 monthly)

• Covers streaming services, music subscriptions, and more
• One of the most flexible credits available

Airline Incidental Credit: $200 annually

• Covers fees like checked bags, seat upgrades, and in-flight purchases
• Must be designated to a specific airline annually

Saks Fifth Avenue Credit: $100 annually ($50 twice yearly)

• Statement credits for Saks purchases
• Useful for luxury shopping

Effective Annual Fee After Credits: $95 (when all credits are fully utilized)

Credits Winner: While the Platinum offers more total credit value, the Gold Card's credits are generally easier to use for everyday spending. The Platinum's credits require more planning and specific merchant usage.

Lounge Access: The Platinum's Crown Jewel

American Express® Gold Card

• Lounge Access: None included
• Airport Benefits: Limited to travel insurance and no foreign transaction fees

American Express® Platinum Card

• Centurion Lounges: Access to 30+ locations worldwide with premium amenities
• Delta Sky Clubs: Access when flying Delta (up to 10 visits annually or unlimited with $75,000 annual spending)
• Priority Pass Select: Access to 1,400+ lounges globally through Priority Pass
• Partner Lounges: Including Lufthansa, Plaza Premium, and Escape Lounges

Lounge Value: If you travel frequently and visit lounges 4+ times annually, this benefit alone justifies much of the Platinum's annual fee. Day passes typically cost $50-75 each.

Travel Winner: The Platinum Card dominates for travel benefits, especially lounge access. This is often the deciding factor for frequent travelers.

Travel Insurance and Protections

Both cards offer comprehensive travel insurance, but the Platinum provides enhanced coverage:

Shared Benefits

• Trip cancellation and interruption insurance
• Baggage delay and loss protection
• Car rental loss and damage insurance (consider AAA for additional roadside assistance coverage)
• No foreign transaction fees
• Travel accident insurance

Platinum Card Enhanced Coverage

• Higher coverage limits across most categories
• Global Entry/TSA PreCheck credit (up to $120 every 4 years) - apply through the official TSA website
• Concierge services for travel planning
• Fine Hotels + Resorts program benefits through American Express® Travel

For details on travel insurance coverage, see our guide on American Express® Gold Card travel insurance. For additional travel protection beyond what credit cards offer, consider travel insurance from specialized providers.

Who Should Choose the Gold Card

Ideal Gold Card Candidates

Heavy Dining Spenders: If you spend $1,000+ monthly on restaurants, the 4x earning rate quickly accumulates significant points. Combined with the dining credits, this makes every meal more rewarding.

Grocery-Focused Households: Families spending $500-2,000 monthly on supermarkets benefit enormously from the 4x earning rate. With the $25,000 annual cap, you can earn up to 100,000 points just from grocery shopping.

Credit Maximizers: Those who naturally use Uber, dine out regularly, and can utilize the Resy and Dunkin' credits without changing spending habits get exceptional value.

Mid-Tier Travel Spenders: People who travel 2-6 times annually but don't prioritize lounge access or premium hotel programs.

Points and Miles Beginners: The Gold Card offers an excellent introduction to the Membership Rewards ecosystem without the complexity of numerous travel credits. If you're new to travel rewards, start with our ultimate guide to getting free travel to understand the basics.

Sample Gold Card Value Calculation

Consider Sarah, a marketing professional who:

• Spends $800 monthly on dining ($9,600 annually)
• Spends $600 monthly on groceries ($7,200 annually)
• Uses Uber twice weekly
• Grabs coffee 3 times weekly
• Dines at Resy restaurants occasionally

Annual Points Earned: 67,200 points (worth ~$1,344 when transferred) Statement Credits Used: $400 of $424 available Effective Annual Fee: -$75 (the card pays her to use it) Total Annual Value: $1,419

Who Should Choose the Platinum Card

Ideal Platinum Card Candidates

Frequent Business Travelers: Those who fly 10+ times annually and can maximize lounge access, hotel benefits, and airline credits. Consider investing in quality travel luggage to enhance your travel experience.

Luxury Travel Enthusiasts: People who prefer premium accommodations and services, utilizing Fine Hotels + Resorts regularly.

High-Spend Travelers: Those spending $15,000+ annually on flights and hotels who benefit from the 5x earning rates.

Status Seekers: Travelers who value elite status benefits, concierge services, and exclusive experiences.

Credit Optimizers: People who can naturally utilize diverse credits like digital entertainment, Saks purchases, and CLEAR membership.

Sample Platinum Card Value Calculation

Consider Marcus, a sales director who:

• Flies 15 times annually ($12,000 in airfare)
• Stays in hotels 20 nights annually
• Uses lounges on every trip
• Has multiple streaming subscriptions
• Lives in a major city with Centurion Lounge access

Annual Points Earned: 60,000 points from flights (worth ~$1,200) Statement Credits Used: $600 of $939 availableLounge Value: $750 (15 visits × $50 average) Total Annual Value: $2,550 Effective Annual Fee: -$95 after credits

The Upcoming Platinum Card Refresh

American Express® has announced major updates coming to the Platinum Card later in 2025, including:

• Three new Centurion Lounges (Newark, Salt Lake City, Tokyo)
• Enhanced dining and entertainment benefits
• Likely annual fee increase (potentially to $795-995)

According to American Express®'s official announcement, these changes are designed to appeal to younger cardholders while maintaining the card's premium positioning.

Strategic Timing: If you're considering the Platinum Card, applying before the refresh allows you to lock in the current $695 annual fee while potentially gaining access to new benefits upon renewal.

For insights on timing your application, read our analysis of American Express® retention offers and learn how to use retention offers to get more points.

Head-to-Head Comparison Summary

Annual Fees: The Gold Card costs $325 annually while the Platinum Card requires $695, making the Gold Card $370 less expensive upfront.

Welcome Bonuses: The Platinum Card offers up to 175,000 points compared to the Gold Card's 100,000 points, providing 75,000 more points but requiring $2,000 additional spending to earn the bonus.

Earning Categories: The Gold Card excels with 4x points on dining and groceries, while the Platinum Card offers 5x points on flights and hotels booked through specific channels.

Statement Credits: The Gold Card provides $424 in annual credits focused on everyday spending, while the Platinum Card offers $939 in credits spanning travel, entertainment, and luxury purchases.

Lounge Access: The Gold Card includes no lounge access, while the Platinum Card provides extensive access to Centurion Lounges, Delta Sky Clubs, and Priority Pass Select locations.

Effective Value: After maximizing statement credits, the Gold Card essentially pays you $99 annually to use it, while the Platinum Card costs an effective $95 annually when all credits are utilized.

Making Your Decision: Key Questions to Ask

Choose the Gold Card If:

• You spend $500+ monthly on dining and groceries combined
• You travel fewer than 8 times annually
• You prefer simple, easy-to-use statement credits
• You want to start with a lower annual fee
• Lounge access isn't important to you

Choose the Platinum Card If:

• You fly 10+ times annually
• Airport lounge access is valuable to you
• You book luxury hotels regularly
• You can utilize diverse statement credits
• You want elite status benefits and concierge services

Consider Both If:

• You're a heavy spender who can benefit from both earning structures
• You want to maximize the American Express ecosystem
• You can justify both annual fees through regular usage

For more guidance on managing multiple premium cards, check out our article on maximizing business credit cards for travel rewards and our comprehensive credit card retention guide.

Alternative Considerations

If neither card seems perfect, consider these alternatives:

For Lower Annual Fees: The Chase Sapphire Preferred offers excellent travel benefits with a $95 annual fee. You can also explore flight deals through CheapOAir for budget-friendly travel options.

For Simplicity: Cards with flat earning rates might suit those who prefer uncomplicated rewards structures.

For Cash Back: If points optimization feels overwhelming, high-earning cash-back cards eliminate redemption complexity.

Final Recommendation

The American Express® Gold vs Platinum decision ultimately comes down to your spending patterns and travel frequency. The Gold Card excels for everyday spenders who dine out regularly and can maximize its generous statement credits. The Platinum Card dominates for frequent travelers who value lounge access and premium travel experiences.

Most Popular Choice: The Gold Card wins for the majority of cardholders due to its more accessible earning categories and easier-to-use benefits. Unless you're a frequent traveler who can justify lounge access and utilize the Platinum's diverse credits, the Gold Card typically provides better overall value.

Best Strategy: Start with the Gold Card to learn the Membership Rewards system, then consider adding or upgrading to the Platinum as your travel frequency increases. This approach allows you to grow with the American Express® ecosystem while maximizing benefits at each stage.

Both cards represent excellent options in the premium travel card space. The key is honestly evaluating your spending patterns and travel habits to choose the card that aligns with your lifestyle and maximizes your rewards potential.

For additional insights on American Express® cards, explore our comprehensive guides on American Express® transfer partners, Amex sign-up bonus strategies, and building a rock-solid credit profile to maximize your approval chances.