Chase Sapphire Reserve^® vs. The Platinum Card^® from American Express: Chase Is Better For Most

Both the Chase Sapphire Reserve^® and The Platinum Card^® from American Express give cardholders luxury benefits in exchange for hefty annual fees. Here’s how they stack up.

	Chase Sapphire Reserve 5.0 FinanceBuzz writers and editors score cards based on a number of objective features as well as our expert editorial assessment. Our partners do not influence how we rate products.	Amex Platinum 5.0 FinanceBuzz writers and editors score cards based on a number of objective features as well as our expert editorial assessment. Our partners do not influence how we rate products.
FinanceBuzz value calculation1 <p class="">These values are based on the <a href="https://financebuzz.com/financebuzz-credit-card-valuation">FinanceBuzz Credit Card Rewards Valuation Model</a>, which takes a look at rewards earned via spending, the welcome offer, and the annual fee. We used a valuation of 1 cent/point unless otherwise stated above. These are estimated values - your actual earnings will depend on how much you spend and in what categories.<br></p>	Year one: $2,023 Year two: $1,123	Year one: $2,280 Year two: $1,480
Annual Fee	$550	$695
Welcome offer	Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening	Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards points after spending $8,000 on eligible purchases on your new card in the first 6 months
Earning rate	5X points on flights and 10X points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Travel℠ immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually; 3X points on other travel and dining & 1X points per dollar on all other purchases	5X points per dollar spent on eligible airfare (on up to $500,000 per calendar year, after that 1X) and eligible hotel purchases, and 1X points per dollar on all other eligible purchases
Statement credits	$300 annual travel credit Application fee reimbursement for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck	Up to $200 annually in hotel credits Up to $240 annually in digital entertainment credits Up to $155 annually in Walmart+ credits Up to $200 annually in Uber Cash Up to $200 annually in airline fee credits Up to $100 annually in Saks Fifth Avenue credits Up to $199 annually in a CLEAR® Plus membership credits Application fee reimbursement for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck Up to $300 annually in statement credits for an Equinox digital or club membership
Travel benefits	Access to Priority Pass Lounges and Chase Sapphire Lounge by The Club 50% more value when booking travel through Chase Travel VIP amenities with Avis, Hertz, National, and Audi on Demand	Access to The Global Lounge Selection Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status Hilton Honors Gold status Car rental privileges with Avis, Hertz, and National Enrollment required for select benefits
Foreign transaction fee	None	None
Credit needed	Excellent	Excellent, Good
	Apply now or Learn more in our review	Learn how to apply or Learn more in our review

When to go with the Chase Sapphire Reserve

The Chase Sapphire Reserve might be the better option if:

• You want to maximize your earning potential
• You want a lower annual fee
• You prefer Chase transfer partners

Higher earning potential

One of my main qualms with The Platinum Card is its earning potential. Cardholders earn 5X points on flights booked directly with airlines or on Amextravel.com (on up to $500,000 per calendar year, after that 1X) and prepaid hotels booked on Amextravel.com. You earn 1X on all other eligible purchases. Unless you spend significant money on hotels and flights each year, your earning potential leaves a lot to be desired.

On the other hand, the Sapphire Reserve offers a tiered earning structure. Cardholders earn 5X points on flights and 10X points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Travel℠ immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually; 3X points on other travel and dining & 1X points per dollar on all other purchases. If you frequently travel or go out to eat, the Sapphire Reserve is the better option.

Lower annual fee

Although the Chase Sapphire Reserve’s annual fee of $550 is still a good chunk of money, The Platinum Card charges a whopping $695 per year to be a cardholder. If you want to save on annual fees, the Sapphire Reserve is the clear winner.

Chase transfer partners

Both cards allow you to transfer your points to various hotel and airline transfer partners. Although American Express has 21 transfer partners compared to Chase’s 14, you might still prefer Chase’s roundup. Chase has four unique transfer partners from American Express: Southwest, United, IHG, and World of Hyatt. If you fly with those airlines or stay at those hotels, you’ll likely want to go with the Sapphire Reserve.

Apply now | Learn more about the Chase Sapphire Reserve in our review

When to go with The Platinum Card by American Express

You might be better off with The Platinum Card by American Express if:

• You can maximize the statement credits
• You want elite status with hotels and car rentals
• You prefer American Express transfer partners

Statement credits

Although both cards provide statement credits, The Platinum Card wins by a long shot—as long as you know how to redeem them. Here are the statement credits you can take advantage of as a Platinum Card holder:

• Up to $200 annually in hotel credits
• Up to $240 annually in digital entertainment credits
• Up to $155 annually in Walmart+ credits
• Up to $200 annually in Uber Cash (Terms apply)
• Up to $200 annually in airline fee credits
• Up to $100 annually in Saks Fifth Avenue credits
• Up to $199 annually in a CLEAR® Plus membership credits
• Up to $85 for TSA PreCheck or up to $120 for Global Entry application fees
• Up to $300 annually in statement credits for an Equinox digital or club membership

In total, you’re completely covering your annual fee and then some if you maximize each and every credit. However, it takes a lot of planning and effort to do so. Many of the credits are doled out monthly, so you aren’t getting that credit back if you miss a month. Most require enrollment and can be challenging to use. For instance, while the airline incidental fee credit is great, you have to select one airline to which this credit applies. If you select Delta Air Lines and then pay for a checked bag later in the year on American, you won’t be reimbursed.

Similarly, these credits might be for merchants where you don’t typically shop. So, if you don’t shop at Walmart and Saks Fifth Avenue, subscribe to a digital entertainment service, or go to Equinox, you won’t use a considerable percentage of your cardholder benefits. This is the primary reason why I haven’t applied for The Platinum Card.

In contrast, the Chase Sapphire Reserve offers only a flexible $300 annual travel credit and a reimbursement of up to $100 for the Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee. If you will utilize each statement credit provided by The Platinum Card, it’s the clear winner. However, don’t let a coupon book worth of statement credits persuade you to get a card that doesn’t match your spending habits.

Luxury perks

As one of the most luxurious cards on the market, The Platinum Card is also the better choice for anyone looking for luxury perks. Cardholders receive automatic Gold Elite status with Marriott Bonvoy, Gold Status with Hilton Honors, and car rental privileges with Avis, Hertz, and National. The Sapphire Reserve doesn’t offer any elite status with hotels but does offer VIP amenities with Avis, Hertz, National, and Audi on Demand.

Both cards offer airport lounge access through Priority Pass, but The Platinum Card allows cardholders to access the Centurion Lounge and several other lounge networks, giving you much more flexibility when you go to the airport.

American Express transfer partners

As I mentioned above, American Express has several transfer partners that Chase cardholders don’t have access to, including:

• Hilton
• Choice Privileges
• Aeromexico
• ANA
• Avianca
• Cathay Pacific
• Delta
• Etihad
• Hawaiian
• Qantas
• Qatar

If you wish to transfer your points to any of these airlines or hotels, you’re better off with The Platinum Card.

Learn how to apply | Learn more about the Amex Platinum in our review

A closer look at the welcome bonuses

New cardholders of the Sapphire Reserve can earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. If you redeem for travel purchases through Chase Travel, that’s worth $900.

New cardholders of The Platinum Card can earn 80,000 membership rewards points after spending $8,000 on eligible purchases on your new card in the first 6 months.

With both cards, you can get outsized value from your points by transferring to a hotel or airline transfer partner. So, you’ll likely want as many points as possible to maximize transfer opportunities.

FAQs

Bottom line

The Chase Sapphire Reserve is the better choice for a larger group of people. The annual travel credit is extremely easy to use, and getting basic access to a large number of airport lounges is advantageous to any traveler. However, if you think you can utilize each statement credit offered by The Amex Platinum Card, it would be worthwhile to apply. As with any financial decision, weigh the benefits against your spending habits and financial and travel goals before applying.

Luxury Travel Benefits

The Platinum Card^® from American Express

5.0

FinanceBuzz writers and editors score cards based on a number of objective features as well as our expert editorial assessment. Our partners do not influence how we rate products.

The Platinum Card^® from American Express

Learn How to Apply

See rates and fees | Terms Apply

Current Offer

Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards points after spending $8,000 on eligible purchases on your new card in the first 6 months

Annual Fee

$695

Rewards Rate

5X points per dollar spent on eligible airfare (on up to $500,000 per calendar year, after that 1X) and eligible hotel purchases, and 1X points per dollar on all other eligible purchases

Benefits and Drawbacks

Benefits

• Enjoy hundreds of dollars in annual credits (enrollment required for select benefits)
• Gain access to exclusive airport lounges worldwide (enrollment required)
• Elevate your hotel stays with elite status perks (enrollment required)
• Earn valuable Membership Rewards points on flights and hotels
• Protect your trips with top-notch travel insurance

Drawbacks

• Comes with a hefty $695 annual fee
• Charges $175 for each authorized user
• Some credits are challenging to use

Card Details

• Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards points after spending $8,000 on eligible purchases on your new card in the first 6 months
• 5X points per dollar spent on eligible airfare (on up to $500,000 per calendar year, after that 1X) and eligible hotel purchases, and 1X points per dollar on all other eligible purchases
• Terms apply

Premium Travel Benefits

Chase Sapphire Reserve^®

5.0

FinanceBuzz writers and editors score cards based on a number of objective features as well as our expert editorial assessment. Our partners do not influence how we rate products.

Chase Sapphire Reserve^®

Apply Now

Current Offer

Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening

Annual Fee

$550

Rewards Rate

5X points on flights and 10X points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Travel℠ immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually; 3X points on other travel and dining & 1X points per dollar on all other purchases

Benefits and Drawbacks

Benefits

• Up to $300 in annual travel credits
• Great rewards on travel purchases and dining
• Complimentary Priority Pass Select membership
• Comprehensive travel protections, including trip delay and cancellation insurance
• 50% point redemption bonus when booking through Chase Travel

Drawbacks

• $550 annual fee
• High spending requirement for the welcome offer
• $75 annual fee for each authorized user

Card Details

• Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
• $300 Annual Travel Credit as reimbursement for travel purchases charged to your card each account anniversary year.
• Earn 5x total points on flights and 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Travel℠ immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually. Earn 3x points on other travel and dining & 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases
• Get 50% more value when you redeem your points for travel through Chase Travel℠. For example, 60,000 points are worth $900 toward travel.
• 1:1 point transfer to leading airline and hotel loyalty programs
• Access to 1,300+ airport lounges worldwide after an easy, one-time enrollment in Priority Pass™ Select and up to $120 application fee credit every four years for Global Entry, NEXUS, or TSA PreCheck®
• Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Coverage, Lost Luggage Insurance and more.
• Member FDIC