Chase Freedom Unlimited vs Amex Platinum: Which Is Better In 2025?

American Express Platinum Card® Breakdown

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Why We Like It

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Here’s a closer look at why the American Express Platinum Card® (See Rates & Fees) stands out in our book.

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• It's the gold standard for premium travel cards, offering an unmatched suite of luxury benefits.
• Cardholders get access to an extensive network of airport lounges worldwide, including the highly-regarded Centurion Lounges.
• The card unlocks exclusive perks like automatic elite status with major hotel brands and special access to top-tier dining experiences.

Terms Apply.

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_{Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more. 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.}

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Pros

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• Extensive airport lounge access through the Global Lounge Collection, including the exclusive Centurion Lounges.
• A generous suite of annual statement credits that can offset costs for travel, digital entertainment, and retail purchases.
• Complimentary elite status with major hotel brands and access to exclusive dining experiences through Global Dining Access by Resy.

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Cons

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• A substantial annual fee that requires maximizing the card's benefits to justify the cost.
• Reward earnings are heavily focused on travel, with limited bonus categories for everyday spending.
• Many of the card’s statement credits and benefits require manual enrollment and have specific usage rules, adding a layer of complexity.

American Express Platinum Card® vs Chase Freedom Unlimited®

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Categories

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When deciding which is better Chase Freedom Unlimited or Amex Platinum, it's crucial to understand that these cards are designed for completely different types of spenders and goals.

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• Chase Freedom Unlimited® - This card is best for cash back seekers and everyday spenders who want to earn consistent rewards on all their purchases without tracking complex categories.
• The Platinum Card® from American Express - This premium card is built for frequent travelers who can take full advantage of its extensive luxury travel perks, including airport lounge access and hotel benefits.

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Redemption

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Chase Freedom Unlimited®: Rewards are flexible and can be redeemed for cash back, gift cards, or travel booked through the Chase portal. This makes it simple to get value from your points without a complex redemption strategy.

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The Platinum Card® from American Express: Points are best used for travel, offering maximum value when transferred to Amex's airline and hotel partners. Redeeming for non-travel options like statement credits generally provides a lower return.

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Travel Perks

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• Lounge Access: The Platinum Card® from American Express provides extensive airport lounge access through its Global Lounge Collection. The Chase Freedom Unlimited® does not offer this perk.
• Foreign Transaction Fees: The Amex Platinum has no foreign transaction fees, making it ideal for international travel. The Freedom Unlimited, however, does charge a fee on purchases made abroad.
• Travel Portals: While both cards offer travel booking portals, the Amex Platinum provides access to premium programs like Fine Hotels + Resorts and The Hotel Collection. Cardholders can also book travel through American Express Travel. The Freedom Unlimited allows travel bookings through the Chase Ultimate Rewards® portal.
• Elite Status & Credits: The Platinum Card® from American Express includes complimentary elite status with select hotel and car rental loyalty programs, plus various travel-related statement credits (Terms Apply). The Chase Freedom Unlimited® does not come with these types of premium travel benefits.

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Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos

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To make an informed decision, you can use a tool like Kudos to compare top-rated cards based on your personal spending habits.

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• Test Drive feature: The platform’s Test Drive feature allows you to simulate potential earnings from a new card using your actual spending data before you apply, helping you see the real value.
• Approval Odds: Get a detailed analysis of your approval chances based on your credit report.
• Welcome Offer Guarantee: If you find a better welcome offer within three months of approval, Kudos will match it.
• $100 Kudos Kickstart+: Unlock $100 in rewards by adding select approved cards to your Kudos Wallet.
• Kudos Boost: Earn extra rewards on top of your regular credit card points when shopping at participating stores.

Who Should Choose the Chase Freedom Unlimited®?

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The Chase Freedom Unlimited® card is an excellent choice for everyday spenders who want to earn consistent rewards without the hassle of tracking rotating bonus categories. It's also well-suited for those new to credit card rewards or anyone seeking valuable purchase and travel protections without paying an annual fee. Additionally, existing Chase customers can pair it with a premium card, like the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card, to maximize their rewards strategy by transferring points.

Who Should Choose the American Express Platinum Card®?

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The American Express® Platinum Card® is tailored for the frequent traveler who prioritizes luxury experiences and can maximize a suite of premium benefits. This cardholder typically takes full advantage of perks like extensive airport lounge access, elite status with hotel partners, and a variety of statement credits for travel, entertainment, and retail. Ultimately, the ideal user is someone whose spending and travel habits naturally align with the card's offerings, allowing them to easily extract enough value to justify its annual fee.

Alternatives to Consider

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The Chase Freedom Unlimited® and the American Express® Platinum Card® are heavyweights in the credit card world, but they aren't a perfect fit for every wallet. If our Chase Freedom Unlimited vs Amex Platinum comparison has you ready to explore other options, let's dive into a few worthy alternatives.

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Tips for Application Success

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Before You Apply

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• Check Your Credit Score. You will generally need good to excellent credit for a successful application.
• Plan Your Spending. Ensure you can naturally meet the spending requirement to earn the welcome offer.
• Understand the Benefits. Familiarize yourself with the card’s perks to see how they align with your lifestyle.

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Application Strategy

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• Consider card pairings.Some cards offer maximum value when paired with others from the same issuer.
• Know the issuer's rules.Be aware of issuer-specific policies, like limits on earning a welcome offer.
• Look for the best offer.Issuers may have multiple welcome offers available through different channels.

Our Methodology

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We evaluate nearly 3,000 credit cards across the U.S. market — far more than the ~150 cards commonly featured on sites that focus only on products tied to affiliate commissions. Our goal is to provide a comprehensive, unbiased view of the credit card landscape so you can make confident, data-driven decisions.

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Our editorial team combines deep industry experience with rigorous verification standards. While our experts surface the most relevant recommendations in our guides, you can also explore the full dataset yourself through our card explorer tool, which includes thousands of cards — more than 95% of which do not provide us with commissions.

Frequently Asked Questions

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Can I have both the Chase Freedom Unlimited® and the American Express® Platinum Card?

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Yes, many people hold both cards as they complement each other well. The Chase Freedom Unlimited® can be used for everyday spending to earn cash back, while the American Express® Platinum Card is reserved for travel and luxury perks.

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Which card is better for someone new to credit cards?

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For beginners, the Chase Freedom Unlimited® is generally the more straightforward and accessible option due to its lack of an annual fee and simple cash back rewards structure. The American Express® Platinum Card is a premium card best suited for experienced users who can maximize its extensive travel benefits.

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Is the annual fee on the American Express® Platinum Card worth it?

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Whether the high annual fee is worth it depends entirely on your lifestyle and spending habits. If you travel frequently and take full advantage of the card's numerous credits and benefits, you can easily offset the cost.

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