American Express Gold Card vs Platinum Card
Fees, rewards and real yearly value, side by side. Updated October 29, 2026.
American Express Gold Card
Estimated value every year on typical spending
$332/ year
Every year, after the annual fee. Year one adds a $800 welcome bonus: $1,132
Platinum Card
Estimated value every year on typical spending
−$140/ year
Every year, after the annual fee. Year one adds a $1,400 welcome bonus: $1,260
The short answer
- On typical spending, the American Express Gold Card comes out ahead: about $332 a year after its fee, against −$140 for the American Express Platinum Card.
- In the first year the welcome bonus flips it: the American Express Platinum Card is worth about $1,260 in year one.
- The American Express Gold Card earns more on groceries, dining.
- The American Express Platinum Card earns more on travel.
- The American Express Gold Card costs $570 less a year to hold.
Side by side
| American Express Gold Card | Platinum Card | |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | $325 | $895 |
| Rewards | 4X points at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets; 5X points on prepaid hotels booked through AmexTravel.com; 3X points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com or directly with airlines | 5X points on flights and hotels booked directly with airlines or through American Express Travel |
| Welcome bonus | 100,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $8,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership. | AS HIGH AS 175,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $12,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership. |
| Credits counted | $148/yr | $390/yr |
| Intro APR | Not listed | Not listed |
| Regular APR | 19.74% to 28.74% variable | 19.74% to 28.74% variable |
| Foreign transaction fee | None | None |
| Credit needed | Good/Excellent | Excellent |
Yearly rewards by category
| Category (monthly spend) | American Express Gold Card | Platinum Card |
|---|---|---|
| groceries ($500) | $192 | $48 |
| dining ($400) | $154 | $38 |
| gas ($200) | $19 | $19 |
| travel ($300) | $29 | $144 |
| everything else ($1,200) | $115 | $115 |
Yearly value is rewards plus credits you'd realistically use, minus the annual fee, on $2,600/month: $500 groceries, $400 dining, $200 gas, $300 travel, $1,200 everything else. Points use conservative cash values; store-only rewards count at half. How we rank · Use your own spending
Questions people ask
Which is better, the American Express Gold Card or the American Express Platinum Card?
On typical spending the American Express Gold Card is worth more: about $332 a year after its fee, against −$140 for the American Express Platinum Card. Which is better for you depends on where you spend most; see the category answers below.
Which has the lower annual fee?
The American Express Gold Card ($325 a year, against $895).
Which is better for groceries?
The American Express Gold Card. On $500 a month of groceries it earns about $192 a year, against $48 with the American Express Platinum Card.
Which is better for dining?
The American Express Gold Card. On $400 a month of dining it earns about $154 a year, against $38 with the American Express Platinum Card.
Which is better for travel?
The American Express Platinum Card. On $300 a month of travel it earns about $144 a year, against $29 with the American Express Gold Card.
Put any two cards head to head.
Pick any cards, including ones you already hold, and compare them on your own spending.
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Card details are collected from issuer websites and were last refreshed October 29, 2026. Terms change often; confirm them with the issuer before you apply.