Platinum Card vs Chase Sapphire Reserve
Fees, rewards and real yearly value, side by side. Updated October 29, 2026.
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
Chase Sapphire Reserve
Estimated value every year on typical spending
−$57/ year
Every year, after the annual fee. Year one adds a $1,000 welcome bonus: $943
The short answer
- On typical spending, the Chase Sapphire Reserve comes out ahead: about −$57 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 Platinum Card earns more on travel.
- The Chase Sapphire Reserve earns more on groceries, dining, everything else.
- The Chase Sapphire Reserve costs $100 less a year to hold.
Side by side
| Platinum Card | Chase Sapphire Reserve | |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | $895 | $795 |
| Rewards | 5X points on flights and hotels booked directly with airlines or through American Express Travel | 8x points on all purchases through Chase Travel; 4x points on flights and hotels booked direct; 3x points on dining worldwide; 1x point on all other purchases |
| Welcome bonus | 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. | Earn 100,000 points after you spend $6,000 in purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. |
| Credits counted | $390/yr | $330/yr |
| Intro APR | Not listed | Not listed |
| Regular APR | 19.74% to 28.74% variable | 19.74% to 28.24% variable |
| Foreign transaction fee | None | None |
| Credit needed | Excellent | Not specified |
Yearly rewards by category
| Category (monthly spend) | Platinum Card | Chase Sapphire Reserve |
|---|---|---|
| groceries ($500) | $48 | $60 |
| dining ($400) | $38 | $144 |
| gas ($200) | $19 | $24 |
| travel ($300) | $144 | $36 |
| everything else ($1,200) | $115 | $144 |
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 Platinum Card or the Chase Sapphire Reserve?
On typical spending the Chase Sapphire Reserve is worth more: about −$57 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 Chase Sapphire Reserve ($795 a year, against $895).
Which is better for groceries?
The Chase Sapphire Reserve. On $500 a month of groceries it earns about $60 a year, against $48 with the American Express Platinum Card.
Which is better for dining?
The Chase Sapphire Reserve. On $400 a month of dining it earns about $144 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 $36 with the Chase Sapphire Reserve.
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.