Premium
The Platinum Card® from American Express
Annual Fee$895
5× MR on flights
5× MR on prepaid hotels (Amex Travel)
Global lounge access
- Hotel Credit: up to $600/yr on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts / The Hotel Collection via Amex Travel (THC 2-night min.).
- Dining via Resy: up to $400/yr (quarterly).
- lululemon: up to $300/yr (quarterly).
- Uber One membership credit: up to $120/yr.
- Digital entertainment: up to $300/yr (expanded partners).
- ŌURA Ring: up to $200/yr.
- Airline fee credit: up to $200/yr on one selected airline.
- Airport lounges: Centurion, Priority Pass (enrollment required), partner lounges; Delta Sky Club access when flying Delta (subject to program rules).
- Global Entry / TSA PreCheck®: statement credit (per program cycle).
- Plus: Saks $100/yr (split), CLEAR+ up to $209/yr, Equinox up to $300/yr, Walmart+ monthly credit, travel protections, premium hotel status (e.g., LHW Leaders Club Sterling), “Platinum Nights by Resy.”
Enrollment/terms apply; some credits are quarterly or semi-annual. Offers and partners may change.
American Express® Gold Card
Annual Fee$325
4× dining worldwide
4× U.S. supermarkets
3× flights
- $120 Dining Credit: up to $10/month at select partners (enrollment required).
- $120 in Uber Cash: U.S. rides and eats (add card to Uber; terms apply).
- Great everyday earn: 4× at restaurants worldwide; 4× at U.S. supermarkets (cap applies); 3× on flights.
Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card
Annual FeeOften $0 intro, then $150 (check offer)
Free checked bag
Priority boarding
TakeOff 15 (award discount)
- First checked bag free for you + companions on the same reservation (Delta-operated, terms apply).
- Priority boarding (Zone 5).
- TakeOff 15: save 15% when booking Delta award flights with miles (excludes partners/taxes & fees).
- Earn miles on Delta, dining, groceries; plus rotating card-specific statement credits (see your offer page).
Quick Comparison
| Feature | Platinum | Gold | Delta Gold |
|---|
| Annual Fee |
$895 |
$325 |
Offer-dependent (commonly $0 intro, then $150) |
| Best For |
Frequent travelers using lounges + credits |
Dining & groceries power users |
Delta flyers (2–3+ trips/yr) |
| Key Earn |
5× flights; 5× prepaid hotels (Amex Travel) |
4× dining ww; 4× U.S. supermarkets; 3× flights |
Delta/dining/groceries multipliers (varies by offer) |
| Marquee Perks |
$600 hotel; $400 Resy; $300 lululemon; $300 entertainment; $200 airline fee; lounges; Global Entry/TSA PreCheck; Saks/CLEAR+/Equinox |
$120 Dining Credit; $120 Uber Cash |
Free checked bag; Priority boarding; TakeOff 15 |
| Who Should Skip |
Rare travelers not using credits |
Those who seldom dine out or buy groceries |
Non-Delta flyers |
Terms/enrollment apply. Exact benefits and fees can vary and may change. Always verify on the application page you see after clicking the referral link.
Referral Transparency
If you apply and are approved using our referral link, we may receive a referral bonus. This helps keep this guide free. We appreciate your support! Your welcome offer is determined by American Express and may vary; you’ll see your exact offer on the application page.
FAQs
What’s the highest Amex referral welcome offer I might see?
It varies by applicant and timing. Some users see offers as high as 175,000 Membership Rewards® points after meeting spend requirements. You’ll see the offer tailored to you on the application page.
Is Amex Platinum worth the $895 fee?
If you use a good portion of the credits (hotel, dining via Resy, lululemon, entertainment, Uber One, CLEAR+, Saks, airline fee credit) plus lounge access and 5× on flights/hotels, the value can exceed the fee. If not, Amex Gold or Delta Gold may fit better.
Do benefits change?
Yes. Partners and credit amounts may change. Always review the latest terms on the application page.