Chase Sapphire Reserve 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 detailed look at why the American Express Platinum Card® (See Rates & Fees) is a perennial favorite for luxury travel.

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• It provides unparalleled airport lounge access and premium travel perks for frequent flyers.
• Cardholders receive elite status at major hotel chains and access to exclusive benefits at luxury properties worldwide.
• A suite of annual statement credits and targeted offers can provide significant value across travel, dining, and entertainment spending.

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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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• Unmatched access to a global network of airport lounges, including exclusive Centurion Lounges.
• A generous collection of annual statement credits for travel, entertainment, and retail purchases.
• Accelerated rewards on travel spending and complimentary elite status with major hotel loyalty programs.

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Cons

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• A significant annual fee that requires maximizing the card’s benefits to justify the cost.
• Many of the statement credits and perks require manual enrollment and careful tracking, adding a layer of complexity.
• The card offers limited bonus rewards on everyday spending categories outside of travel.

American Express Platinum Card® vs Chase Sapphire Reserve®

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Categories

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Deciding which is better, Chase Sapphire Reserve or Amex Platinum, depends entirely on your spending habits and travel style. Both cards are titans in the premium travel space, but they cater to slightly different types of travelers.

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• Chase Sapphire Reserve® is designed for frequent travelers who can take full advantage of its premium travel benefits, especially those who value comprehensive travel protections and enhanced rewards on travel and dining.
• American Express Platinum Card® is also geared toward frequent travelers, but with a strong emphasis on luxury perks and experiences like extensive airport lounge access and elite hotel status.

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Redemption

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Chase Sapphire Reserve®: Points offer enhanced value when redeemed for travel through the Chase Ultimate Rewards® portal. Cardholders also have the flexibility to transfer points to a variety of airline and hotel partners, often at a one-to-one ratio.

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American Express Platinum Card®: Membership Rewards® points are best utilized by transferring them to Amex's extensive list of airline and hotel partners, which is ideal for securing luxury travel experiences. Points can also be redeemed for statement credits, gift cards, and merchandise.

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Travel Perks

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• Lounge Access: While the Chase Sapphire Reserve® includes a Priority Pass Select membership for access to a large network of lounges, the American Express Platinum Card® provides more extensive entry via its Global Lounge Collection®, which features the exclusive Centurion Lounges and access to Delta Sky Clubs when flying with the airline.
• Annual Credits: The Chase Sapphire Reserve® offers a flexible annual travel credit that automatically reimburses a wide range of travel expenses; this credit must be fully used before you begin earning points on travel purchases for the year. The American Express Platinum Card® provides a suite of annual statement credits geared toward specific spending, such as airline fees, prepaid hotel bookings, and Uber rides.
• Hotel & Car Rental Status: A key differentiator is that the American Express Platinum Card® grants automatic elite status with both Marriott Bonvoy and Hilton Honors. The Chase Sapphire Reserve® does not offer automatic hotel status but provides access to its own Luxury Hotel & Resort Collection for special benefits on bookings. Both cards feature partnerships with major car rental agencies.
• Booking Portals: Cardholders of the Chase Sapphire Reserve® get an increased value for their points when booking travel through the Chase Ultimate Rewards® portal. Similarly, the American Express Platinum Card® has its own travel portal, which includes the premium Fine Hotels + Resorts® program offering elite-like perks on stays.
• Foreign Transaction Fees: Both cards are ideal for international travel, as neither charges a foreign transaction fee on purchases made abroad.
• Trusted Traveler Programs: To expedite your journey through airport security, both cards offer a statement credit that covers the application fee for either TSA PreCheck® or Global Entry.

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Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos

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If you're still on the fence, a tool like Kudos can help you compare thousands of top-rated credit cards to see which one truly fits your wallet.

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• Test drive credit cards using your real spending data to see personalized earnings projections before you apply.
• Receive an analysis of your approval odds based on your credit report.
• Get a welcome offer guarantee, where Kudos will match a better offer if one is found within three months of your approval.
• Compare nearly 3,000 credit cards, including many from issuers that don't offer commissions, for an unbiased view.
• Stack rewards by earning extra rewards through Kudos on top of what your credit card offers.

Who Should Choose the Chase Sapphire Reserve®?

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The Chase Sapphire Reserve® is designed for frequent travelers who can maximize its premium benefits to offset the $795 annual fee. This cardholder typically dines out often, values airport lounge access through Priority Pass™ Select, and seeks comprehensive travel protections like trip cancellation insurance. Ideal candidates have an excellent credit score and will make full use of the up to $300 Annual Travel Credit; points are not earned on travel until after the first $300 is spent annually on travel purchases, as this spending goes toward the credit.

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 and can maximize its extensive benefits (Terms Apply). This persona regularly takes advantage of perks like comprehensive airport lounge access, hotel elite status with Marriott Bonvoy and Hilton Honors, and exclusive dining reservations. They are also adept at offsetting the card's annual fee by naturally using the various statement credits for travel, entertainment, and retail.

Alternatives to Consider

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If this Chase Sapphire Reserve vs. Amex Platinum comparison makes it clear that neither card is the right fit for you, there are several other excellent travel cards to consider. These alternatives often provide premium perks that might better align with your spending habits and travel style.

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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 travel cards require a good to excellent credit history for approval.
• Plan your spending: Ensure you can naturally meet the minimum spend requirement to earn the welcome offer.
• Review the benefits: Understand which perks require manual enrollment to maximize your card's value from day one.

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Application Strategy

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• Know the issuer’s rules: Be aware of specific application restrictions, like those from Chase, that could affect your approval.
• Look for soft-pull applications: Some issuers may allow you to view your offer and credit limit before a hard inquiry appears on your report.
• Don’t settle for a standard bonus: Welcome offers can fluctuate, so it pays to be patient and apply when an elevated offer is available.

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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What are the annual fees for these cards?

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The annual fees for premium travel cards are significant and can change. The Chase Sapphire Reserve® has a $795 annual fee, and you should check the American Express website for the most current fee information on the American Express® Platinum Card before applying.

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How do the travel credits differ?

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The Chase Sapphire Reserve® has a flexible $300 Annual Travel Credit, though points are not earned on the first $300 in annual travel spending that satisfies the credit. The American Express® Platinum Card offers multiple, specific credits for things like airline fees and Uber, which may require enrollment. Terms apply.

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Do both cards offer airport lounge access?

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Yes, both cards provide robust airport lounge access through different programs. The Chase Sapphire Reserve® includes a Priority Pass Select membership, while the American Express® Platinum Card features the Global Lounge Collection, which includes the exclusive Centurion Lounges.

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