Two titans of premier travel rewards credit cards go head to head.
Our pick: The Platinum Card® from American Express
- Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® points after you use your new Card to make $5,000 in purchases in your first 3 months.
- Enjoy Uber VIP status and free rides in the U.S. up to $15 each month, plus a bonus $20 in December. That can be up to $200 in annual Uber savings.
- 5X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel.
- 5X Membership Rewards points on prepaid hotels booked on amextravel.com.
- Enjoy access to the Global Lounge Collection, the only credit card airport lounge access program that includes proprietary lounge locations around the world.
- Receive complimentary benefits with an average total value of $550 with Fine Hotels & Resorts. Learn More.
- $200 Airline Fee Credit, up to $200 per calendar year in baggage fees and more at one qualifying airline.
- Get up to $100 in statement credits annually for purchases at Saks Fifth Avenue on your Platinum Card®. Enrollment required.
- $550 annual fee.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees
But what you really need to factor in before weighing these two cards against each other is that The Platinum Card® from American Express is a charge card.
|
Citi Prestige® Card
|
The Platinum Card® from American Express
|
|---|---|
|
★★★★★ 3.4 / 5.0 |
★★★★★ 4.4 / 5.0 |
| None | 60,000 Membership Rewards® points after you use your new Card to make $5,000 in purchases in your first 3 months. |
|
Earn 3x points on air travel and hotels, 2x points on dining and entertainment and 1x points on all other purchases. |
Earn 5x points on flights booked with airlines directly or flights and hotels booked through American Express Travel. Earn 1x points on all other eligible purchases. |
|
17.49% to 25.49% variable |
Not a feature of a charge card |
| $450 | $550 |
|
APR: 17.49% to 25.49% variable Fee: $5 or 3% of the transaction, whichever is greater |
Not a feature of a charge card |
|
APR: 26.99% variable Fee: $10 or 5% of the transaction, whichever is greater |
Not a feature of a charge card |
| $35 | $38 |
| $0 | $175 |
| 23 days | None |
| $0.5 | $0 |
| 740 | 680 |
| Credit | Charge |
| Rates & Fees | Rates & Fees |
Which card should you choose?
Citi Prestige® Card
- 24/7 concierge service
- $100 credit for Global Entry
- Annual $250 air travel credit
The Citi Prestige® Card has a solid program that rewards everyday spending: Earn 3x points on air travel and hotels, 2x points on dining and entertainment and 1x points on all other purchases. The card also comes with an unmatched benefit called Citi Price Rewind — a price match feature that reimburses you for purchases if Citi can find a lower price elsewhere within 60 days. Hotel goers also get a complimentary fourth night hotel stay when booking through ThankYou.com. You'll also get two practical features with your card — purchase protection and travel protection.
The Platinum Card® from American Express
- $200 airline fee credit
- $100 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck
- $200 in credits for Uber each year
You can rack up 5x points with The Platinum Card® from American Express when you book flights and hotels directly with an airline or American Express Travel. To add to that, the card comes with a lavish welcome bonus of 60,000 points when you spend $5,000 in the first 3 months of card membership. Cardholders also have access to the American Express Global Lounge Collection — that's over 1,200 airport lounges worldwide. On top of everything else, you'll get complimentary Starwood Preferred Guest Gold status.
What’s next?
The Citi Prestige® Card and The Platinum Card® from American Express can give you that VIP feeling, but is that what you want? If you’re shaking your head yes, the next move is to apply for whichever card has features aligned with your spending and lifestyle.
If neither have you jumping for joy, there are plenty of other credit cards out there. Compare the features of some other rewards credit cards below to find the perfect piece of plastic.
