Amex Platinum vs. Chase Sapphire Reserve: Which Card Wins for Summer Travel?
KEY POINTS The Amex Platinum Card offers luxury perks like Centurion Lounge access and elite hotel status.The Chase Sapphire Reserve maximizes travel and dining purchases, with 3x to 10x total points in those categories.Both cards offer huge welcome bonuses for meeting minimum spend requirements. I'll never forget my first airport lounge experience. I was 26, on a work trip to Austin, when my boss waved me into the Delta Sky Club as his guest. I tried to act cool -- like I belonged there -- but inside, I was buzzing like a kid in a candy store. Free drinks, gourmet snacks, fancy bathrooms, lightning-fast wifi…it felt like a whole different world.After that trip I learned that getting into airport lounges isn't actually that hard. Holding the right credit card can get you access to more than 1,400 lounges worldwide -- no boss required.Today, two of the best cards for VIP travel perks (including lounge access) are The Platinum Card® from American Express (see rates and fees) and the Chase Sapphire Reserve® (see rates and fees). We'll break down the differences so you can determine which is best for you this year. (function(){function c(){var b=a.contentDocument||a.contentWindow.document;if(b){var d=b.createElement('script');d.innerHTML="window.__CF$cv$params={r:'93eaf654eba1f5f7',t:'MTc0NzA2Mzg3Ny4wMDAwMDA='};var a=document.createElement('script');a.nonce='';a.src='/cdn-cgi/challenge-platform/scripts/jsd/main.js';document.getElementsByTagName('head')[0].appendChild(a);";b.getElementsByTagName('head')[0].appendChild(d)}}if(document.body){var a=document.createElement('iframe');a.height=1;a.width=1;a.style.position='absolute';a.style.top=0;a.style.left=0;a.style.border='none';a.style.visibility='hidden';document.body.appendChild(a);if('loading'!==document.readyState)c();else if(window.addEventListener)document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded',c);else{var e=document.onreadystatechange||function(){};document.onreadystatechange=function(b){e(b);'loading'!==document.readyState&&(document.onreadystatechange=e,c())}}}})();Comparison at a glanceHere's a quick side-by-side comparison of these two awesome travel cards: Amex Platinum Card Chase Sapphire Reserve Welcome offer Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 on eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. Annual fee $695 $550 Standout perks -$200 in hotel credits-$200 in airline fee credits-$199 CLEAR® Plus credit-Hotel elite status with Hilton and Marriott-Walmart+ credit up to $12.95 each month-$200 in Uber cash ($15/month and $35 in December)-Terms apply; enrollment may be required -$300 annual travel credit-Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® or NEXUS Fee Credit-DashPass by DoorDash for 12 months (worth $120) when you activate by Dec. 31, 2027 Lounge access Centurion Lounges, Escape Lounges, Priority Pass lounges (enrollment required), Delta Sky Clubs (when flying Delta), Lufthansa Lounges, Plaza Premium Lounge Chase Sapphire Lounge by The Club, Priority Pass Select (enrollment required) Earning points -5X points on flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel, up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year-5X points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel-1X points on other purchases -10x total points on hotels and car rentals through Chase Travel℠ immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually-5x total points on air travel through Chase Travel℠ immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually-3x points on other travel and dining-1x points on all other purchases-Points are worth 50% more when redeemed for travel through Chase Both are killer cards, built for heavy travelers.While the Amex Platinum Card does have a slightly higher annual fee ($695, see rates and fees), it includes a much wider range of annual credits, as well as access to more airport lounges.I will say, though, that I'm a huge fan of Chase Ultimate Rewards points. In my eyes, the Chase Sapphire Reserve card has higher earning opportunities for everyday spending. With its slightly lower fee of $550, it may be a better fit for those who like to stretch their travel budget a bit further.What I love about the Amex Platinum CardIf you're looking for the full VIP experience, The Platinum Card® from American Express is tough to beat. The access to Centurion Lounges alone make those long layovers actually enjoyable. Terms apply. I've eaten full meals, drunk plenty of mimosas, and even showered once before a long-haul flight -- all thanks to the airport lounge perks included with my card membership.Hotel elite status is an underrated perk. Just by having the card, you can get room upgrades, early check-ins, and late checkouts at Hilton and Marriott properties. Terms apply; enrollment may be required.One low-key perk that I love is the $100 Saks Fifth Avenue credit. Terms apply. I use this to buy my wife fancy gifts each year (one for her birthday in July and one in December for Christmas!).If you're a frequent traveler who loves a first-class vibe, consider applying for The Platinum Card® from American Express here (see rates and fees).What I love about Chase Sapphire ReserveIf you want premium perks and serious bang for your buck, the Chase Sapphire Reserve® delivers the goods. First off, the $300 annual travel credit is almost effortless to use. (Plus, it makes up for over half the annual fee.)Point redemptions are where Chase Sapphire Reserve® truly crushes it. Your points are worth 50% more when you book through Chase Travel. That's up to $900 in travel value from a welcome offer of 60,000 bonus points (after spending $5,000 in the first 3 months).And you get 10x total points on hotels and car rentals through Chase Travel℠ immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually, 5x total points on air travel through Chase Travel℠ immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually, and 3x points on other travel and dining. It's easy to see how everyday spending can stack up points really fast.If you want a practical card without giving up great travel perks, apply for the Chase Sapphire Reserve® here (see rates and fees).Final verdict: Which card should you pick?If you're chasing luxury experiences -- and you'll actually use lounge access, hotel upgrades, and airline credits -- the Amex Platinum Card is your ticket to a VIP summer.If you want to maximize value per dollar and score easy rewards on everything from Uber rides to steak dinners, the Chase Sapphire Reserve® probably fits your style better.
May 12, 2025 | www.fool.com
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