Amex Platinum or Chase Sapphire Reserve: an $895 card against a $795 one
The two premium cards compared on earning, credits, lounges and insurance, and which one has the edge.
The American Express Platinum Card costs $895 a year and the Chase Sapphire Reserve $795. Both list thousands of dollars in credits; how much of that is real depends on which credits match habits already in place.
| Amex Platinum | Sapphire Reserve | |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | $895 | $795 |
| Welcome offer | As high as 175,000 points after $12,000 in 6 months (offers vary) | 100,000 points after $6,000 in 3 months |
| Flights | 5x booked directly or via Amex Travel (first $500,000 a year) | 4x booked directly, 8x via Chase Travel |
| Hotels | 5x prepaid via Amex Travel | 4x booked directly, 8x via Chase Travel |
| Dining | 1x | 3x |
| Credits, face value | 11 credits, $2,994 a year | 9 credits; Chase puts the total above $3,000 |
| Lounges | Centurion, Priority Pass, Escape, Plaza Premium, 10 Delta Sky Club visits a year when flying Delta | Sapphire Lounges (two guests), Priority Pass Select, select Air Canada lounges |
| Car rental cover | Secondary, up to $75,000 | Primary, up to $75,000 |
| Trip delay | $500 after 6 hours | $500 after 6 hours |
| Point value (TPG) | 2.0¢ | 2.05¢ |
The Platinum: lounges and airfare
The Platinum leans on lounge access and flights: Centurion Lounges, Priority Pass, Delta Sky Club visits when flying Delta, and 5x on flights booked directly. Its eleven credits add up to $2,994 on paper; only the ones that match existing habits count.
The Reserve: simpler value
The Reserve leans on simpler value: 3x on dining, 4x on flights and hotels booked directly, a $300 travel credit that applies itself, and primary car rental cover.
The Atelier Take
Both pay for themselves only if the credits match existing habits. For frequent flyers, the edge goes to the Platinum; for diners who fly less, the Reserve.
Every credit and its catch in the Platinum review and the Sapphire Reserve review, or compare them in the card compare tool.
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