Chase Sapphire Preferred 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 breakdown of why we think the American Express Platinum Card® (See Rates & Fees) is a standout choice for travelers seeking premium perks.

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• It offers extensive access to airport lounges worldwide, elevating the travel experience for cardholders.
• A generous suite of statement credits for travel, entertainment, and shopping helps unlock significant value throughout the year.
• Cardmembers receive automatic elite status with popular hotel loyalty programs and access to exclusive dining reservations.

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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• Unrivaled access to a global network of airport lounges, including the exclusive Centurion Lounges.
• A valuable collection of statement credits for hotels, airline fees, digital entertainment, and more.
• Complimentary elite status at partner hotels and exclusive access to reservations at top-tier restaurants.

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Cons

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• A significant annual fee requires strategic use of the card's benefits to justify the cost.
• Earning accelerated rewards is largely limited to travel purchases, with lower rates on most other spending categories.
• Maximizing the card's value can be complex, as many statement credits and perks from American Express require manual enrollment and have specific terms.

American Express Platinum Card® vs Chase Sapphire Preferred®

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Categories

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Deciding which is better, Chase Sapphire Preferred or Amex Platinum, comes down to your travel style and spending habits. Each card caters to a different type of traveler, offering distinct benefits and reward structures.

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• Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card: This card is categorized for entry-level travel, making it an ideal choice for frequent travelers who want strong rewards and protections without a premium annual fee.
• American Express Platinum Card®: Best for frequent travelers, this premium card is designed for those who value luxury perks, exclusive benefits, and extensive airport lounge access.

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Redemption

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Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card: Points earned with this card offer great flexibility, redeemable for cash back, gift cards, or travel. You can get more value by booking travel through the Chase portal or by transferring points to airline and hotel partners.

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American Express Platinum Card®: Membership Rewards points are geared toward travel, offering the most value when transferred to Amex's extensive network of airline and hotel partners. While you can redeem points for statement credits or gift cards, travel redemptions typically provide a superior return.

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Travel Perks

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• Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card: This card's travel ecosystem is centered on the Chase Ultimate Rewards® portal, where points are worth more when redeemed for travel. It also includes a valuable set of travel protections and does not charge foreign transaction fees, though it lacks airport lounge access.
• American Express Platinum Card®: The ecosystem for this card is built for luxury travel. Key features include extensive airport lounge access via the Global Lounge Collection®, complimentary elite status with hotel and car rental partners, and access to the Fine Hotels + Resorts® program for special benefits on stays. It also has no foreign transaction fees. Terms Apply.

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Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos

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To find the best card for your spending habits, a tool like Kudos can help you compare thousands of top-rated cards.

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• Test Drive Feature: The platform’s Test Drive feature simulates your potential earnings with a new card using your real transaction history, offering a clear projection of annual rewards before you apply.
• Approval Odds Analysis: Receive a detailed, data-driven analysis of your approval likelihood for different cards based on your credit report.
• Welcome Offer Guarantee: If you find a better public welcome offer for a card you got through Kudos within three months, the platform will match it.
• Rewards & Incentives: Earn extra rewards like Kudos Boost on top of your card rewards and unlock a $100 Kudos Kickstart+ by adding select approved cards to your wallet.
• Smart Checkout: The Kudos browser extension can autofill the best card at checkout, ensuring you maximize rewards on every purchase.

Who Should Choose the Chase Sapphire Preferred®?

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The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is an excellent choice for frequent travelers looking for a valuable, yet accessible, entry-level travel rewards card. It's best suited for individuals who regularly spend on dining and travel and want to maximize their rewards through a flexible points program. With a reasonable annual fee, robust travel protections, and no foreign transaction fees, this card is ideal for those who travel often but don't necessarily need the ultra-premium perks of a more expensive card.

Who Should Choose the American Express Platinum Card®?

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The American Express Platinum Card® is tailored for the frequent traveler who values luxury experiences and can maximize a suite of premium benefits. This cardholder typically takes full advantage of perks like extensive airport lounge access, complimentary hotel elite status, and various annual statement credits for travel, entertainment, and retail. Ultimately, it's best suited for someone organized enough to track and utilize its many perks, ensuring the benefits far outweigh the substantial annual fee.

Alternatives to Consider

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The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card vs. The Platinum Card® from American Express is a classic travel card showdown, but what if neither one is the right choice for you? Fortunately, the world of travel rewards cards is vast, and several other options might offer more compelling value for your wallet.

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Tips for Application Success

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Before You Apply

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• Check your credit score - Most premium rewards cards require a good to excellent credit history for approval.
• Plan your spending - Make sure you can naturally meet the minimum spend to earn the welcome offer without forcing purchases.
• Know the issuer's rules - Be aware of application restrictions like Chase's 5/24 rule or Amex's welcome offer eligibility.

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Application Strategy

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• Use a trusted application channel - Apply directly or through a secure platform to access the best available offers.
• Check issuer-specific rules - Be mindful of guidelines like the Chase 5/24 rule, which can affect approval.
• Confirm Welcome Offer eligibility - Some issuers, like American Express, may limit these offers to once per lifetime for each card.

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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Which card is better for beginners in travel rewards?

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For those new to travel rewards, the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is often the better starting point due to its significantly lower annual fee and straightforward rewards structure. It provides a strong foundation without the high commitment of a premium card.

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Can I have both the Chase Sapphire Preferred and the Amex Platinum card?

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Yes, many savvy travelers hold both cards as they serve different purposes and have largely non-overlapping benefits and airline transfer partners. The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is great for dining and general travel, while The Platinum Card® from American Express excels in luxury travel perks and lounge access.

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Is the high annual fee on the Amex Platinum card worth it?

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The value of The Platinum Card® from American Express depends entirely on your ability to maximize its extensive list of statement credits and travel benefits. If you can take full advantage of perks like lounge access and various annual credits, the fee can easily be justified.

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