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Christine ran her own business developing and managing insurance and financial services. This stoked a passion for points and miles and she now has over 2 dozen credit cards and creates in-depth, deta...
Nick’s passion for points began as a hobby and became a career. He worked for over 5 years at The Points Guy and has contributed to Business Insider and CNN. He has 14 credit cards and continues to le...
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Most frequent travelers appreciate the value of a premium travel rewards credit card. Having the ability to relax in an airport lounge, receiving an upgraded hotel room, and earning travel rewards make the value of having such a card clear.
Two of the best premium travel rewards credit cards available are The Platinum Card® from American Express and the Chase Sapphire Reserve®. Both cards are loaded with travel benefits and earn flexible points that, when redeemed for travel, deliver good value.
If you do some research, you’ll likely find that one of these cards is a better fit for your travel preferences and spending patterns. Both cards are equally impressive premium travel rewards cards, so how do you decide?
Let’s take a look at both cards, comparing benefits and earning power. These comparisons will help paint a clearer picture of which card may be a better fit for you.
Chase Sapphire Reserve Card vs. Amex Platinum Card — Overview
While welcome bonuses are only 1 element in the cards’ offerings, looking at the long-term value, in addition to the welcome bonus, allows you to pick a card that’s going to work best for you beyond the first year.
Lounge Access
Enjoy complimentary Priority Pass lounge access with the Amex Platinum card or the Chase Sapphire Reserve card. Image Credit: Priority Pass
One of the benefits of a premium travel rewards credit card is complimentary airport lounge access to lounges worldwide.
Without this benefit, it’s not unheard of to see rates of $50 per person for a day pass or $700 for an annual membership. Given that paid access to these lounges can be expensive, the value of complimentary lounge access can be quite substantial.
Both cards provide complimentary access for the cardholder to all of the card’s associated lounges. Additionally, both cards also allow 2 additional guests, at no charge, to most lounges.
The Priority Pass lounge network consists of over 1,300 locations worldwide. However, a drawback is that Priority Pass can limit access for guests, and even for cardholders, at certain peak times.
When it comes to complimentary lounge access, the Amex Platinum card not only offers access to more than 1,300 lounges worldwide with Priority Pass but to 7 additional lounge networks, including the prestigious Centurion Lounges, bringing the total number of accessible lounges to over 1,400.
Bottom Line: With access to over 1,400 airport lounges worldwide across several lounge networks, including the exclusive Centurion Lounges, the Amex Platinum card provides greater lounge access benefits than the Chase Sapphire Reserve card.
Hotel and Rental Car Program Elite Benefits
Enjoy upgraded rooms, with a view, (when available) with Marriott Bonvoy elite status at properties like the Sheraton Fallsview Hotel. Image Credit: Marriott
Hotel Program Elite Status
If you frequently stay at hotels, you know the value of an upgraded hotel room, late checkout, complimentary breakfast, and many of the other perks that come with having hotel elite status. Having complimentary hotel elite status as a credit card benefit can significantly boost your experience if you stay often at the participating hotels.
In addition to elite status with Hilton Honors or Marriott Bonvoy, the Amex Platinum card also offers special benefits with American Express Fine Hotels and Resorts that include:
Room upgrades
Daily breakfast for 2 guests
Early check-in and late checkout (when available)
Complimentary Wi-Fi
A unique property amenity (such as a spa, or food and beverage credit) worth a minimum of $100
Additional hotel benefits are available when booking a least a 2-night stay at The Hotel Collection:
Up to $100 room credit to spend on dining, spa, and resort activities
Upgraded room (when available)
Chase Sapphire Reserve Card
Chase partners with the Luxury Hotel and Resort Collection to offer these benefits when booking directly through the Luxury Hotel and Resort Collection at one of over 900 properties worldwide.
Breakfast for 2
Early check-in and late checkout (when available)
Upgraded room when available
Complimentary Wi-Fi
Property amenity
Chase Sapphire Reserve cardholders receive similar benefits at Relais & Chateaux and Ennismore properties as well.
Bottom Line: The Amex Platinum card comes out ahead by offering complimentary elite status with hotel and rental car partners. Cardholders receive Hilton Honors Gold status and Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status. Rental car benefits and elite status are similar on both credit cards.
Earning Power
Earn rewards on every travel purchase with a premium travel rewards credit card like the Chase Sapphire Reserve card or the Amex Platinum card. Image Credit: Swiss International Air Lines
The Amex Platinum card clearly excels in providing airport lounge access and hotel program elite status. However, the Amex Platinum card is challenged in earning power by the Chase Sapphire Reserve card given you can earn more points in more ways with the Chase Sapphire Reserve card.
Earning Category
Amex Platinum Card
Chase Sapphire Reserve Card
Flights and Flight/Hotel Packages
5x points when purchased through Amex Travel or for flights purchased directly with the airlines (up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year)
5x points on flights when you purchase travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards
3x points on all other travel
Hotels
5x on prepaid hotels booked through Amex Travel
2x on all other hotels booked through Amex Travel
1x on all other hotel purchases
10x points on hotels when you purchase travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards
3x points on all other travel
Dining and Restaurants
1x on all non-bonused purchases
10x points on Chase Dining purchases through Chase Ultimate Rewards
3x points on all other dining
Rental Cars
1x on all non-bonused purchases
10x points on car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards
3x points on all other travel
All Other Travel Expenses
2x on qualifying travel booked through Amex Travel
1x on all other purchases
10x points on Lyft rides through March 31, 2025
3x points on all other travel
All Other Purchases
1x on all non-bonused purchases
1x on all non-bonused purchases
The first difference that stands out is that you can only earn big on the Amex Platinum card if you purchase flights directly through an airline or if you purchase flights and prepaid hotels through Amex Travel.
With the Chase Sapphire Reserve card, you’re going to earn 3 points per dollar spent on all travel regardless of how you purchase.
Here’s a sample annual spending scenario:
$5,000 in flights purchased from an airline
$3,000 in non-prepaid hotels purchased directly through a hotel’s website
$2,000 in dining
$2,000 in other travel expenses
Based on this spending mix, you will have earned 32,000 Membership Rewards points with the Amex Platinum card and 36,000 Ultimate Rewards points with the Chase Sapphire Reserve card. This calculation is based on the assumption that flights were qualifying purchases earning 5x points per dollar with the Amex Platinum card.
If all hotel purchases were qualifying bookings (prepaid hotel purchases made through Amex Travel), you would earn 44,000 Membership Rewards points versus 36,000 Ultimate Rewards points.
A downside to note when booking hotels through Amex Travel is that hotel elite status benefits typically do not apply.
With the Chase Sapphire Reserve card, however, you’ll have the flexibility to make travel purchases from any provider. Plus, the broad definition of travel puts more of your purchases into the 3x bonus earning category. For example, purchases such as train tickets, car rentals, parking, tolls, ferries, and much more are included in the travel definition for the Chase Sapphire Reserve card.
Both cards offer the option to earn rewards points on affiliated Amex and Chase no-annual-fee cards, then transfer and redeem with travel partners for potentially greater redemption value.
Bottom Line: While both cards have good earning potential, the Chase Sapphire Reserve card has the edge as more categories earn 3 points per dollar spent. Only prepaid hotels and flights purchased from Amex Travel and flights purchased from the airline receive elevated 5x earnings on the Amex Platinum card.
Redeeming Points
You’ll have several options for redeeming your rewards with either card. Image Credit: American Express
Fortunately, both cards offer good value when redeeming for travel, transferring points to travel partners, and offering additional redemption choices.
Redemption Option
Amex Platinum Card
Chase Sapphire Reserve Card
Redeem for Travel
Redeem for up to 1 cent per point on Amex Travel
Redeem for 1.5 cents per point on Ultimate Rewards travel portal or Pay Yourself Back when you redeem them for statement credits against existing purchases in select, rotating categories
Transfer Points to Travel Partners
20 Amex travel partners, most with a 1:1 transfer ratio; a small fee applies for U.S. airline transfer partners
Statement credits, gift cards, Amazon, Uber, Ticketmaster, redeem with shopping partners
Statement credits, gift cards, Amazon, Apple, Chase Experiences
The Chase Sapphire Reserve card’s redemption rate of 1.5 cents per point results in great value when redeeming for inexpensive flights via the Ultimate Rewards travel portal, for Pay Yourself Back qualifying purchases, and also when transferring to select airline partners for premium flights.
With 17 airline transfer partners, there are more options for premium-cabin award redemptions with the Amex Platinum card versus the 11 airline transfer partners with the Chase Sapphire Reserve card.
When we look at hotel redemptions, transferring Ultimate Rewards points earned on the Chase Sapphire Reserve card to hotel partner World of Hyatt shines as a sweet spot. Free nights at Hyatt start at 3,500 World of Hyatt points, and with a 1:1 transfer ratio, you would need just 3,500 Ultimate Rewards points for a free Hyatt hotel night.
Bottom Line: With the wide variety of airline transfer partners, Membership Rewards points edge out Ultimate Rewards points for premium flight award redemptions. However, Ultimate Rewards can result in good value for inexpensive fares via Chase’s Ultimate Rewards travel portal.
Annual Fees and Adding Additional Users
While the Amex Platinum card’s annual fee is higher at $695, you can add authorized users at $195 per card (rates and fees). The Chase Sapphire Reserve card has an annual fee of $550, and authorized users can be added for $75 each.
Regardless of which card you select, if you can utilize the offered benefits, you’ll receive value far beyond the cost of either annual fee.
Statement and Shopping Credits
Statement credits can help offset a card’s annual fee. Image Credit: Northfoto via Shutterstock
One of the card benefits that can directly offset the cost of a credit card’s annual fee is the credits you receive after making specific purchases.
Complimentary Instacart+ membership (activate by July 31, 2024), plus up to $15 per month in Instacart statement credits after activating your Instacart+ membership
If you spend money on checked baggage and other airline incidental fees, use streaming services, or shop at Saks, you’ll find value with the Amex Platinum card.
The Chase Sapphire Reserve card’s up to $300 travel credit, however, is much easier to utilize because airline tickets, hotels, taxis, and more are considered travel purchases.
Bottom Line: When we compare statement/shopping credits, the Amex Platinum card offers more total value. However, you must use all of the benefits to maximize the value. The $300 credit on travel purchases offered by the Chase Sapphire Reserve card may be much easier to utilize given Chase’s definition of travel is quite broad.
Rideshare Benefits
Amex Platinum Card
The Amex Platinum card includes up to $200 Uber Cash, split up into up to $15 increments each month (except December which gets up to $35 in credit). This is added to your Uber account as Uber Cash and can be used towards any Uber ride or Uber Eats delivery in the U.S.
Likewise, you’re automatically enrolled in Uber VIP (available only in select cities) when you add your Amex Platinum card to your Uber account. This gives you access to exclusive discounts and UberX VIP and Uber Black VIP rides. When you select this option, you’re only paired with the highest-rated drivers in your city at no additional cost.
These benefits only apply to the card’s primary cardholder and not any authorized users.
Chase Sapphire Reserve Card
Lyft purchases earn 10 points per dollar spent (through March 31, 2025) when they’re charged to your Chase Sapphire Reserve card — this means that a $10 ride would earn 100 Ultimate Rewards points!
Cardholders also receive complimentary Lyft Pink All Access for 2 years as well as 50% off the price of membership for the third year.
Primary car rental coverage provides peace of mind when renting a vehicle. Image Credit: Garsya via Shutterstock
It’s nice to experience luxury travel benefits, but occasionally, things do go wrong. When they do, you may turn to your premium travel rewards credit card for coverage and assistance.
4 service calls per year, maximum benefit, $50 each call
Emergency Medical and Dental
None
$2,500 medical/dental coverage ($50 deductible per day), $75 per day for prescribed hotel needed due to covered loss for up to 5 days
Trip Cancellation/Interruption
Up to $10,000 per trip, and a maximum limit of $20,000 per card per 12-month period
Up to $10,000 per trip per person, $20,000 per incident
Trip Delay
Up to $500 for trip delays of more than 6 hours
Up to $500 for trip delays of more than 6 hours
Baggage Delay
None
Up to $100 per day for up to 5 days for delays of more than 6 hours
Lost, Stolen, or Damaged Luggage
Up to $3,000 for carry-on, $2,000 for checked
Up to $3,000 per person per trip checked or carry-on
Emergency Transportation/Evacuation
Included, no stated limit
$100,000
Bottom Line: The Chase Sapphire Reserve card is known for its comprehensive travel benefits, including primary rental car insurance and limited medical/dental coverage. The Amex Platinum card offers cardholders travel insurance benefits like complimentary emergency transportation and evacuation with no stated limit but does not offer roadside assistance or baggage delay.
Shopping Protections
When comparing shopping protections and benefits, both cards offer similar coverage:
Purchase Protection — Qualifying items are covered on both cards for damage up to 90 days from purchase date, up to $10,000, maximum of $50,000 per year
Extended Warranty — Both cards offer an additional year of manufacturer’s warranty protection; the Amex Platinum card offers an additional year on warranties of 5 years or less, whereas the Chase Sapphire Reserve card offers an additional year on warranties 3 years or less
Return Protection — Coverage provided on both cards for up to 90 days from the purchase date; $300 per item on the Amex Platinum card and $500 per item on the Chase Sapphire Reserve card
Bottom Line: While one does not select a premium travel rewards credit card based solely on shopping-related protections, it is good to know that both cards offer similar shopping coverage.
Food Delivery Benefits
Amex Platinum Card
As previously mentioned, the Amex Platinum card receives up to $200 in Uber Cash that can be used towards any Uber Eats delivery or Uber ride in the U.S.
Chase Sapphire Reserve Card
The card offers a free DoorDash DashPass subscription so long as it’s activated by December 31, 2024. This subscription is usually $9.99 monthly and includes free delivery and discounted service fees on select DoorDash orders over $12. There’s also a $5 monthly DoorDash credit available.
Additional Benefits Offered by Both Cards
You will find the following benefits offered on both the Amex Platinum card and the Chase Sapphire Reserve card:
No Foreign Transaction Fees — Neither card charges a foreign transaction fee
Member Concierge Services — Each card has its own concierge service to assist with travel planning, booking event/dining reservations, and arranging VIP access to special events
Final Thoughts
Both cards are designed for the frequent traveler, but which card is best for you depends on which benefits you deem most important.
The Chase Sapphire Reserve card focuses more on overall earnings, significant redemption values, and travel-related protections and insurance.
The Amex Platinum card has strengths that center on luxury travel benefits with elevated earnings narrowed to specific travel purchases. The card provides valuable no-stated-limit emergency transportation or evacuation benefits that can provide peace of mind when traveling.
Both cards offer the flexible option of transferring points to travel partners for the potential of even greater value for your points. There is no clear winner or loser here as both cards offer tremendous value for the right frequent traveler. The card that fits your spending patterns and benefit preferences and has protections/insurance you can use will be the best choice.
For the Trip Cancellation and Interruption Insurance benefit of The Platinum Card® from American Express, 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. 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.
For the Car Rental Loss & Damage Insurance benefit of The Platinum Card® from American Express, 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. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company. Car Rental Loss or Damage Coverage is offered through American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc.
For the Baggage Insurance Plan benefit of The Platinum Card® from American Express, Baggage Insurance Plan coverage can be in effect for Covered Persons for eligible lost, damaged, or stolen Baggage during their travel on a Common Carrier Vehicle (e.g. plane, train, ship, or bus) when the Entire Fare for a ticket for the trip (one-way or round-trip) is charged to an Eligible Card. Coverage can be provided for up to $2,000 for checked Baggage and up to a combined maximum of $3,000 for checked and carry-on Baggage, in excess of coverage provided by the Common Carrier. The coverage is also subject to a $3,000 aggregate limit per Covered Trip. For New York State residents, there is a $2,000 per bag/suitcase limit for each Covered Person with a $10,000 aggregate maximum for all Covered Persons per Covered Trip. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.
For the Trip Delay Insurance benefit of The Platinum Card® from American Express, 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. 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.
For the Premium Global Assist Hotline benefit of The Platinum Card® from American Express, you can rely on Global Assist Hotline 24 hours a day / 7 days a week for medical, legal, financial or other select emergency coordination and assistance services while traveling more than 100 miles away from your home. Plus, we may provide emergency medical transportation assistance and related services. Third-party service costs may be your responsibility. Eligibility 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.
For the Purchase Protection benefit of The Platinum Card® from American Express, Purchase Protection is an embedded benefit of your Card Membership and requires no enrollment. It can help protect Covered Purchases made on your Eligible Card when they’re accidentally damaged, stolen, or lost, for up to 90 days from the Covered Purchase date. The coverage is limited up to $10,000 per occurrence, up to $50,000 per Card Member account per calendar year. Coverage Limits Apply. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.
For the Extended Warranty benefit of The Platinum Card® from American Express, when an American Express® Card Member charges a Covered Purchase to an Eligible Card, Extended Warranty§ can provide up to one extra year added to the Original Manufacturer’s Warranty. Applies to warranties of five (5) years or less. Coverage is up to the actual amount charged to your Card for the item up to a maximum of $10,000; not to exceed $50,000 per Card Member account per calendar year. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.
For the Return Protection benefit of The Platinum Card® from American Express, with Return Protection, you may return eligible purchases to American Express if the seller won’t take them back up to 90 days from the date of purchase. American Express may refund the full purchase price excluding shipping and handling, up to $300 per item, up to a maximum of $1,000 per calendar year per Card account, if you purchased it entirely with your eligible American Express® Card. Purchases must be made in the U.S. or its territories. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details.
For rates and fees of The Platinum Card® from American Express, click here.
Featured Image Credit: Upgraded Points
Frequently Asked Questions
The best card for you will depend on your spending mix and your travel benefit preferences.
If you enjoy luxury travel benefits and spend a lot on flights and prepaid hotels you will realize the most value with the Amex Platinum card.
If you spend more on overall travel in general, in addition to hotels and flights, you may earn more rewards overall with the Chase Sapphire Reserve card. This is because travel, such as tours, cruises, train travel, taxis, and more are included in the broad travel definition of the Chase Sapphire Reserve card. Dining purchases also receive 3x earnings.
The Chase Sapphire Reserve card also offers lounge access (but to a drastically lesser extent than the Amex Platinum card) and a very strong collection of travel protections and insurance.
Each card offers tremendous value for the right frequent traveler.
The value of your rewards points, when redeemed for travel, will depend on how the points are redeemed.
One option is to transfer your points to airline or hotel programs; both programs allow you to do this.
Value will vary based on the airline or hotel program. American Express has more transfer partners but Chase has partners like World of Hyatt that also provide excellent redemption value.
Membership Rewards points can be redeemed for up to 1 cent per point towards travel with Amex Travel and Chase Ultimate Rewards points can be redeemed at 1.5 cents per point for travel through the Chase Ultimate Rewards travel portal.
Chase Ultimate Rewards can be worth more when redeemed through the Ultimate Rewards travel portal. Membership Rewards may be worth more when redeemed with the right airline transfer partner.
The Amex Platinum card offers access to more properties and to higher-end lounges than the Chase Sapphire Reserve card.
The Amex Platinum card’s complimentary lounge access is valid for several lounge networks including Centurion Lounges, Priority Pass lounges, Delta Sky Clubs, Plaza Premium Lounges, and more.
The Chase Sapphire Reserve card offers lounge access to Priority Pass lounges and Chase Sapphire Lounges by The Club only.
The Chase Sapphire Reserve card provides primary car rental coverage while the Amex Platinum card offers secondary coverage.
Secondary coverage means that you must first file a claim with your own auto insurance before coverage kicks in.
Additional terms and conditions apply but the Chase Sapphire Reserve card offers better coverage.
Christine ran her own business developing and managing insurance and financial services. This stoked a passion for points and miles and she now has over 2 dozen credit cards and creates in-depth, detailed content for UP.
Disclaimer: Any comments listed below are not from the bank advertiser, nor have they been reviewed or approved by them. No responsibility will be taken by the bank advertiser for these comments.
23 comments
Andrew
July 09, 2019
A small correction: the free WiFi is only available on the Amex BUSINESS Platinum card.
Hi Andrew. I think you may be referring to complimentary Gogo Inflight Internet passes which are available only on the American Express Business Platinum Card. The Platinum Card has a complimentary Boingo Wi-Fi Preferred plan that comes with the card, although this benefit is being discontinued for existing members December 31, 2019 and no longer available for new members.
W
July 22, 2019
Have both American Express Platinum and Chase Sapphire Preferred. Chase just offered a 9.9% APR on my one year anniversary. Still unsure which to drop.
Hi Al. Great suggestion and feedback. We update our articles on a regular basis so when we update this one, perhaps we can add a side-by-side comparison of all features and benefits versus the tables in individual sections. Thank you for reading and for your input.
Curious
May 28, 2021
Isn’t the Amex Platinum’s purchase protection limited to 90 days, not 120 days?
Thanks, Curious. Amex did reduce the time period from 120 days to 90 days in 2020.
Tony
September 20, 2019
My company uses American Express Global Business to book all our flights. Does this count for the Platinum AMEX when they say ‘5 Membership Rewards points per $1 when purchased through Amex Travel or for flights purchased directly with the airlines’?
Hi Tony. American Express Global Business is a separate entity from Amex Travel. For this reason, there is probably a separate corporate earning agreement.
David Johnson
September 20, 2019
I have the Amex Platinum already and am looking for an additional card with trip interruption, delay and baggage delay coverage that doesn’t cost as much as Sapphire Reserve. Any other cards to consider?
The Chase Sapphire Preferred with a $95 annual fee. The AMEX Platinum as of 01/01/20 offers trip cancellation/interruption and trip delay insurance.
Joey Hirsch
October 01, 2019
Hello Christine
Great site. I have the Chase Card now…I exclusively fly American Airlines as they offer the best routes / planes to my destinations. Because of that, I previously had the Citi Bank Prestige CC because it allowed me access to the American lounges. Then, they cancelled that benefit. So, I need lounge access and Priority Pass doesn’t work for me as it’s always in international terminals. I mostly fly Though CLT, and second would be ORD. Which card do you recommend and would the Platinum card benefit me as I’m never on Delta Airline’s which I believe that I need to be to access that lounge? Will a lounge that I can use with the platinum card ever come to ORD or CLT?
Thanks for your help and advice!
I’m also Diamond with Hilton and I typically like to use 1 card for all purchases. I always book hotels, cars and airlines directly though American, Enterprise / Avis and Hilton, never though Kayak or a third party. I also use that same one card for fuel, meals and personal purchases and pay the card off each month.
Thanks again…..
-Joe
Hi Joey and thanks for reading. As you mentioned, unless you’re flying internationally and using terminal 5 at ORD, you’re limited to AA, DL, and UA lounges. You could sign up for AA Business Extras program and use those points to purchase Admiral’s Club lounge day passes at 300 points each. If you fly American often, you can easily earn enough “Biz Extra” points to cover AA lounge access. It is unlikely that one card will work to maximize earnings on all of your spending categories and desired benefits. I have combined the Reserve with the Hilton Honors Aspire card and the Amex Gold card to cover most of mine, for example. I don’t know if you’ve seen these articles but they may offer some additional information: Best Credit Cards for American Airlines Flyers: /credit-cards/best-credit-cards-for-american-airlines-flyers/ Best Travel Rewards Cards: /credit-cards/travel-rewards-credit-cards/
and AA Business Extra program: https://www.businessextra.com/account-summary.htm
Kuldeep Kumar
December 02, 2019
Hi, if I have a Chase Sapphire Reserve card (mentioned in the article) with Priority Pass lounge access, can I also access the lounge for free if I’m traveling domestic only (no international ticket).
Thanks!
Andrew Kunesh
December 02, 2019
Hey Kuldeep, you can access Priority Pass lounges with a domestic or international ticket unless otherwise noted. Just note that some airports restrict international and domestic passengers to separate terminals — contact the lounge in question if you’re unsure of if you can access the terminal where the lounge is located. Thanks for reading!
Morgan Cunningham
January 06, 2020
Small amendment on the Priority Pass benefits for Amex Platinum- I have noticed many lounges closing access to Amex cardholders but still allowing CSR customers. Additionally, Amex can’t be used at Priority Pass restaurants but Chase can.
Timothy X
May 04, 2020
For National Car Rental, is the status for both cards actually Executive Elite? Or is it only Executive status?
Both cards offer Executive status, not Executive Elite. I’ve updated the post now so thank you for pointing that out!
Frank
October 23, 2022
The review of the Emergency/Evacuation is very simplistic. I would like to know which is better. You don’t mention that for the Chase card you must use it to pay for the trip, while for AMEX you just need to have the card. Isn’t that so?
Besides that, I am sure there are many other differences.
![Chase Sapphire Reserve Card vs. Amex Platinum Card [Detailed Comparison]](https://upgradedpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Chase-Sapphire-Resrve-Amex-Platinum-Upgraded-Points-LLC-28-Large.jpg?auto=webp&disable=upscale&width=1420&height=650&fit=crop)
23 comments
Andrew
July 09, 2019
A small correction: the free WiFi is only available on the Amex BUSINESS Platinum card.
Christine Krzyszton
July 09, 2019
Hi Andrew. I think you may be referring to complimentary Gogo Inflight Internet passes which are available only on the American Express Business Platinum Card. The Platinum Card has a complimentary Boingo Wi-Fi Preferred plan that comes with the card, although this benefit is being discontinued for existing members December 31, 2019 and no longer available for new members.
W
July 22, 2019
Have both American Express Platinum and Chase Sapphire Preferred. Chase just offered a 9.9% APR on my one year anniversary. Still unsure which to drop.
Stephen Au
July 22, 2019
Hey W,
This is a personal decision. We are not financial advisors or any bank, so we can’t help in this regard.
Al
September 12, 2019
Can you compare both cards side by side in a table/graph. Would be super useful !
Thanks
Christine Krzyszton
September 13, 2019
Hi Al. Great suggestion and feedback. We update our articles on a regular basis so when we update this one, perhaps we can add a side-by-side comparison of all features and benefits versus the tables in individual sections. Thank you for reading and for your input.
Curious
May 28, 2021
Isn’t the Amex Platinum’s purchase protection limited to 90 days, not 120 days?
Jarrod West
May 28, 2021
That is correct and thank you for pointing that out – I’ve just updated the post!
Christine Krzyszton
May 28, 2021
Thanks, Curious. Amex did reduce the time period from 120 days to 90 days in 2020.
Tony
September 20, 2019
My company uses American Express Global Business to book all our flights. Does this count for the Platinum AMEX when they say ‘5 Membership Rewards points per $1 when purchased through Amex Travel or for flights purchased directly with the airlines’?
Christine Krzyszton
September 20, 2019
Hi Tony. American Express Global Business is a separate entity from Amex Travel. For this reason, there is probably a separate corporate earning agreement.
David Johnson
September 20, 2019
I have the Amex Platinum already and am looking for an additional card with trip interruption, delay and baggage delay coverage that doesn’t cost as much as Sapphire Reserve. Any other cards to consider?
Christine Krzyszton
September 21, 2019
Hi David. We’ve recently put together a list of cards that carry trip cancellation, interruption, and delay. Thanks for reading. /best-credit-cards-trip-cancellation-interruption/
Richard
January 13, 2020
The Chase Sapphire Preferred with a $95 annual fee. The AMEX Platinum as of 01/01/20 offers trip cancellation/interruption and trip delay insurance.
Joey Hirsch
October 01, 2019
Hello Christine
Great site. I have the Chase Card now…I exclusively fly American Airlines as they offer the best routes / planes to my destinations. Because of that, I previously had the Citi Bank Prestige CC because it allowed me access to the American lounges. Then, they cancelled that benefit. So, I need lounge access and Priority Pass doesn’t work for me as it’s always in international terminals. I mostly fly Though CLT, and second would be ORD. Which card do you recommend and would the Platinum card benefit me as I’m never on Delta Airline’s which I believe that I need to be to access that lounge? Will a lounge that I can use with the platinum card ever come to ORD or CLT?
Thanks for your help and advice!
I’m also Diamond with Hilton and I typically like to use 1 card for all purchases. I always book hotels, cars and airlines directly though American, Enterprise / Avis and Hilton, never though Kayak or a third party. I also use that same one card for fuel, meals and personal purchases and pay the card off each month.
Thanks again…..
-Joe
Christine Krzyszton
October 02, 2019
Hi Joey and thanks for reading. As you mentioned, unless you’re flying internationally and using terminal 5 at ORD, you’re limited to AA, DL, and UA lounges. You could sign up for AA Business Extras program and use those points to purchase Admiral’s Club lounge day passes at 300 points each. If you fly American often, you can easily earn enough “Biz Extra” points to cover AA lounge access. It is unlikely that one card will work to maximize earnings on all of your spending categories and desired benefits. I have combined the Reserve with the Hilton Honors Aspire card and the Amex Gold card to cover most of mine, for example. I don’t know if you’ve seen these articles but they may offer some additional information: Best Credit Cards for American Airlines Flyers: /credit-cards/best-credit-cards-for-american-airlines-flyers/ Best Travel Rewards Cards: /credit-cards/travel-rewards-credit-cards/
and AA Business Extra program: https://www.businessextra.com/account-summary.htm
Kuldeep Kumar
December 02, 2019
Hi, if I have a Chase Sapphire Reserve card (mentioned in the article) with Priority Pass lounge access, can I also access the lounge for free if I’m traveling domestic only (no international ticket).
Thanks!
Andrew Kunesh
December 02, 2019
Hey Kuldeep, you can access Priority Pass lounges with a domestic or international ticket unless otherwise noted. Just note that some airports restrict international and domestic passengers to separate terminals — contact the lounge in question if you’re unsure of if you can access the terminal where the lounge is located. Thanks for reading!
Morgan Cunningham
January 06, 2020
Small amendment on the Priority Pass benefits for Amex Platinum- I have noticed many lounges closing access to Amex cardholders but still allowing CSR customers. Additionally, Amex can’t be used at Priority Pass restaurants but Chase can.
Timothy X
May 04, 2020
For National Car Rental, is the status for both cards actually Executive Elite? Or is it only Executive status?
Jarrod West
May 04, 2020
Hi Timothy,
Both cards offer Executive status, not Executive Elite. I’ve updated the post now so thank you for pointing that out!
Frank
October 23, 2022
The review of the Emergency/Evacuation is very simplistic. I would like to know which is better. You don’t mention that for the Chase card you must use it to pay for the trip, while for AMEX you just need to have the card. Isn’t that so?
Besides that, I am sure there are many other differences.
Care to delve into this more deeply?
Christine Krzyszton
October 24, 2022
Hi Frank. The coverage is just mentioned for comparison purposes, not as a review. You can research more on this coverage via the Amex Platinum card description of coverage: https://www.americanexpress.com/content/dam/amex/us/credit-cards/features-benefits/policies/pdf/PGA_Benefit_Guide_Rev_09-17.pdf and in the Chase Sapphire Reserve Guide to Benefits (link expires, use Google to find current guide). Also, in these 2 articles, we dig deeper into the travel insurance benefits of each card: /credit-cards/reviews/american-express-platinum-card/travel-insurance-benefits/ and /credit-cards/reviews/chase-sapphire-reserve/travel-insurance-benefits/
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