The winner: The Platinum CardĀ® from American Express

Up to $4,500
In welcome offer value
- Biggest welcome offer on the market: Valued up to $4,500
- 10x points at US gas stations and US supermarkets on up to $15,000 combined in the first 6 months
However, starting January 1, 2021, your 5x points on flights with the Amex Platinum will be capped on up to $500,000 annually, reverting to 1x points after that.
The cardholder perks on the Chase Sapphire ReserveĀ® and The Platinum CardĀ® from American Express are both mighty valuable. And while itās worth considering the limited-time bonus categories added to each card when making a decision, these bonuses will presumably go away once the US economy returns to a state of normalcy. Between the two titans, youāll want to make your choice based on the cardās base features, your way of spending and which perks you think youāll use most.
If youāre not in the market for a top-tier luxury card though, keep comparing travel cards until you come across the one that you fall in love with. With so many unique credit cards out there, you should be able to find the perfect piece of plastic with the help of our head-to-head comparisons.
Consumers who value flexible earning capabilities more than pure earning power will find a lot to love with the Sapphire Reserve. The Chase Sapphire ReserveĀ® is also the final piece of the puzzle for the Chase trifecta earning strategy.
If you value utmost earning power and doing a little extra work to gain those points, the Amex Platinum Card is the card for you. This is also the card of choice if you love an unmatched smorgasbord of highly valuable perks.
Typically, the Chase Sapphire ReserveĀ® and The Platinum CardĀ® from American Express both have an annual of $550. However, Chase has recently lowered the annual fee for the Chase Sapphire ReserveĀ® down to $450 to help cardholders who might not be able to make up for the cardās cost through travel. Both Amex and Chase have also allowed you to earn each cardās travel credit on purchases besides travel as well, helping to make up for the cardās costs.
The Chase Sapphire ReserveĀ® ekes a win out over the Amex thanks to some temporary earning bonuses. In addition to standard earning bonuses, Chase cardholders currently earn 10x points on Lyft purchases through March 2022, 3x points on Instacart and gas station purchases, and 10x points on streaming services until September 30, 2020. While some of these bonuses end soon, Chase is likely to cycle them out for similar bonuses for the duration of the pandemic.
While Amex has also introduced measures to help cardholders maintain card value through the pandemic, you wonāt find these measures in the Platinumās rewards categories as of this writing.
Both The Platinum CardĀ® from American Express and Chase Sapphire ReserveĀ® are chock-full of features and benefits perfect for travelers. These include various statement credits, access to airline lounges, travel protections and more.
Amex has also incorporated some assistance for those traveling less due to the pandemic. Theyāre currently offering bonus statement credits on streaming and wireless phone services, up to $20 a month on each category through December 2020. Combine this with a few unique features available on The Platinum CardĀ® from American Express, such as gold elite status in Marriott Bonvoy and Hilton Honors, and access to the premier Centurion Lounge and Amex pulls ahead.
Here are our picks for the top airline cards on the market.
Build credit with this secured credit card.
Build credit with this secured credit card.
Billinero offers big prizes, but your money might be better off in a high-yield account.
Build your credit with this secured credit card.
A safety net for interrupted or canceled trips.
Earn cash back on your purchases and build your credit.
A no-annual-fee card with tools to protect your funds and build credit.
This metal card adjusts your limit based on your income.
Earn more rewards on select categories or get an extension of some travel perks.