Still torn? Let's compare each card's different features for a more detailed perspective.
Amex Gold Card vs. Amex Platinum Card annual fee
Considering one annual fee is half as much as the other, you'd think the winner would be clear here. But the credits make the fight harder to call.
The American Express® Gold Card's credits mean you can get back most, but not all, of your annual fee. If you already use Uber (or, in my case, Uber Eats), then the monthly Uber Cash is super easy to use up organically. Similarly, if you already eat lunch out at least once a month, then a monthly GrubHub pickup order could be a simple way to get the most out of your other credit. Maximizing both is worth $240 in value each year (terms apply).
The Platinum Card® from American Express has a lot more ground to cover, but it also has many more credits. You don't even need to use them all. If you maximize the Uber, streaming, airline, and hotel credits, you'll get $840 in value (terms apply). That not only makes up for the annual fee, but puts more than $100 in your pocket. However, that's only the case if you can maximize them organically, which many folks may not be able to do.
For a specific subset of cardholders, The Platinum Card® from American Express has more profit potential. For the average cardholder, the American Express® Gold Card is probably going to be more affordable.
Winner: Amex Gold Card (by a nose)
Amex Gold Card vs. Amex Platinum Card welcome offer
American Express welcome offers can vary a lot based on the time, date, browser, region, your history with Amex…etc. Amex also has a "one bonus per card per lifetime" rule.
The base-level welcome offer you see with the American Express® Gold Card is for 60,000 points + earn up to $100 back when you spend $6,000 in the first 6 months (terms apply). The best offer I've ever personally seen was for 100,000 points when you spend $4,000 in the first 6 months.
The Platinum Card® from American Express is generally more impressive. The common welcome offer is for 80,000 Membership Rewards® Points Membership Rewards points for spending $8,000 in the first 6 months. However, some lucky folks can find offers for 150,000 points for spending $6,000 in the first 6 months (terms apply).
If you can get lucky with your welcome offer, The Platinum Card® from American Express takes this category.
Winner: Amex Platinum
Amex Gold Card vs. Amex Platinum Card intro APR
Neither the American Express® Gold Card nor The Platinum Card® from American Express have any kind of intro APR offer. Everyone loses.
Winner: Nobody
Amex Gold Card vs. Amex Platinum Card rewards
Both of these Amex cards earn Membership Rewards points, so it's all about which earns better rewards. At first glance, you see "5X" vs. "4X" and think, easy win. Nope! The Platinum Card® from American Express has very narrowly defined bonus categories that make them less valuable than you may first assume:
- 5X points on airfare purchased directly from the airline or through Amex Travel
- 5X points on hotels booked through Amex Travel
- 1X points on other purchases
- Terms apply
These categories exclude hotels booked anywhere except Amex Travel, even if you book with the hotel. It also excludes travel booked through third-party discount sites. Do I use this card to earn rewards on flights and FHR (Fine Hotels + Resorts) bookings? Sure. Do I use it for rewards on anything else? Nope.
In contrast, this is where the American Express® Gold Card shines (pun intended). You'll earn:
- 4X points on dining, including takeout and delivery (up to $50,000 per year)
- 4X points at U.S. grocery stores (on first $25,000 in grocery purchases per year)
- 3X points on flights purchased with the airline or through Amex Travel
- 1X points on other purchases
- Terms apply
With these 4X categories, you will find yourself pulling out this card all the time. Before I worked from home, I used it every day to buy lunch. I still use it multiple times a week at the grocery store and for pizza night.
Winner: Amex Gold