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Chase Sapphire Reserve vs Amex Platinum

Quick answer

Both cards are elite travel cards with hefty annual fees, but they target slightly different travelers. Amex Platinum wins on lounge access and luxury perks; Chase Sapphire Reserve wins on simplicity, dining rewards, and flexible point redemption.

Our pick
Chase Sapphire Reserve
The everyday luxury card that actually rewards dining and travel
4.3★
VS
Amex Platinum
The status-symbol card dripping in luxury lounge access
4.2★
Annual Fee
$550
$695
Travel Credit (annual)
$300 (broad travel)
$200 (airline fees only)
Dining Rewards
3x points
4x points at select Amex restaurants
General Travel Rewards
3x points (all travel)
5x on flights booked direct/Amex Travel
Lounge Access
Priority Pass Select (1,300+ lounges)
Centurion, Priority Pass, Delta, Escape, Lufthansa (1,400+ lounges)
Transfer Partners
14 airline & hotel partners
20+ airline & hotel partners
Point Redemption Bonus
1.5 cents/point via Chase Travel portal
1 cent/point via Amex Travel (varies)
Hotel Status
Complimentary DoorDash DashPass, Lyft Pink
Marriott Gold, Hilton Gold
Global Entry / TSA Pre✓ Credit
$100 every 4 years
$100 every 4.5 years
Authorized User Fee
$75/user
$195/user (but full lounge access)
Cell Phone Protection
No
No
Effective Annual Fee (after credits)
~$250 (easy $300 credit)
~$100-200 (requires using many credits)

Chase Sapphire Reserve

Ease of Use★★★★½
Rewards Rate★★★★½
Lounge Access★★★½☆
Perks & Benefits★★★★☆
Point Flexibility★★★★★
Travel Credits & Value★★★★½

Amex Platinum

Ease of Use★★★☆☆
Rewards Rate★★★½☆
Lounge Access★★★★★
Perks & Benefits★★★★★
Point Flexibility★★★★½
Travel Credits & Value★★★★☆

Worth knowing

The Amex Platinum card was made of actual metal before it was cool — rivals spent years making plastic cards heavier just to mimic that satisfying 'clunk' sound at checkout.

If you want

You want simple, high-value rewards on dining and travel without babysitting a dozen credits

Chase's $300 broad travel credit and 1.5x portal redemption make value effortless to capture.

→ Pick Chase Sapphire Reserve
If you want

You fly frequently and want elite lounge access at every turn

Amex Platinum's Centurion + Priority Pass + Delta lounge combo is unmatched for frequent flyers.

→ Pick Amex Platinum
If you want

You want hotel elite status without a co-branded hotel card

Complimentary Marriott Gold and Hilton Gold status is a genuine perk most road warriors will feel daily.

→ Pick Amex Platinum
If you want

You want maximum flexibility when redeeming points for flights

Chase's 1.5 cents/point portal rate plus 14 transfer partners makes it easier to get strong value without being a points guru.

→ Pick Chase Sapphire Reserve
Chase Sapphire ReserveVSCapital One Venture X
premium travel credit cards
Amex PlatinumVSCapital One Venture X
premium travel credit cards
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