American Express Gold Rewards Card® vs The Platinum Card®
Which one is better? Both cards worked out on the same spending: rewards, welcome bonus, fees and perks, line by line.
Welcome bonus
Each offer as the issuer words it. The numbers below show whether your spending reaches it.
The offer
The offer
- Earn up to 60,000 Membership Rewards® points
- New American Express® Gold Rewards Cardmembers, earn 5,000 Membership Rewards® points for each monthly billing period in which you spend $1,000 in net purchases on your Card
- Earn up to 100,000 Membership Rewards® points - that’s up to $1,000 towards a weekend away
- New Platinum® Cardmembers, earn 70,000 Welcome Bonus points after you charge $10,000 in net purchases to your Card in your first 3 months of Cardmembership
- Plus, earn 30,000 points when you make a purchase between 15 and 17 months of Cardmembership
What each card is worth
Rewards, the welcome bonus and any Finly rebate in, the annual fee and FX fees out, all on your spending.
Worked out on a typical $2,000 a month of spending. Enter yours to see your own numbers.
$1,427
First-year value
-$126
$287
Every year after
-$276
Amex Gold is worth $1,552 more to you in year one.
It stays ahead after that, by $562 a year.
How the first year adds up
Annual rewards
$536.71
28,248 points a year
Welcome bonus
+ $1,140
first year only
Annual fee
− $250
First-year value
$1,426.71
Annual rewards
$523.26
27,540 points a year
Welcome bonus
+ $0
not reached at this spending
Annual fee
− $799
Finly rebate
paid by FinlyWealth
First-year value
-$125.74
Where each card earns
A year of your spending at each card's own reward rates, most first.
2xGas, Groceries, Pharmacy
9,804 pts
$186.28
2xTravel
2,400 pts
$45.6
1xAll other purchases
16,044 pts
$304.84
2xFood and drinks
8,400 pts
$159.6
2xTravel
2,400 pts
$45.6
1xAll other purchases
16,740 pts
$318.06
Fees, rates and eligibility
What each card costs to hold and to use abroad, and who it's for.
Annual fee
Additional cards
Interest rates
Interest rates
Purchase:
21.99%1
Cash Advance:
21.99%1
1 Subject to approval. The preferred rate for purchases is 21.99% and funds advances is 21.99%. If you have Missed Payments, the applicable rates for your account will be 25.99% and/or 29.99%. See the information box included with the application for the definition of Missed Payment and which rates apply to charges on your account and other details.
Purchase:
21.99% - 30%2
Cash Advance:
N/A2
2 This Charge Card requires full payment of the Due in Full balance each month, with a 30% interest rate on late payments. The Flexible Payment Option balance has a 21.99% interest rate, which increases to 25.99% after two missed payments and 29.99% after three or more within 12 months. A 21-day interest-free grace period applies to new transactions if the full balance is paid by the due date.
Recommended credit score
Recommended credit score
Income required
Income required
Min Personal Income:
N/A
Min Household Income:
N/A
Min Personal Income:
N/A
Min Household Income:
N/A
How each card earns
The earn rates and caps, as each issuer sets them.
- 2x points per $1 spent on gas, groceries and drugstore purchases
- 2x points per $1 spent on travel (eligible flights, hotels, tours and more)
- 1x point per $1 spent on all other eligible purchases
- 2x points per $1 spent on eligible dining & food delivery purchases (restaurant, fast food, coffee shop, food delivery)
- 2x points per $1 spent on eligible travel purchases (flights, hotels, tours and more)
- 1x point per $1 spent for all other purchases
Points and how we value them
Points become dollars at each card's best redemption. Here's the value we used, and every other way to spend them.
Loyalty program
Loyalty program
We count each point at 1.9¢ a point, what it's worth redeemed for Transfer to Airline Partners, its best value. Every dollar figure above uses that value.
We count each point at 1.9¢ a point, what it's worth redeemed for Transfer to Airline Partners, its best value. Every dollar figure above uses that value.
Point redemption options
Point redemption options
Most Optimal
Transfer to Airline Partners
1.9¢ / point
Fixed Point Travel Program
1.16¢ / point
Transfer to Hotel Partners
1.08¢ / point.svg)
Flexible Points Travel Program
1¢ / point
Statement Credits (Cash)
1¢ / point
Gift Cards
0.91¢ / point
Amazon.ca
0.7¢ / point
Merchandise
0.63¢ / point
Most Optimal
Transfer to Airline Partners
1.9¢ / pointFixed Point Travel Program
1.16¢ / pointTransfer to Hotel Partners
1.08¢ / pointFlexible Points Travel Program
1¢ / pointStatement Credits (Cash)
1¢ / pointGift Cards
0.91¢ / pointAmazon.ca
0.7¢ / pointMerchandise
0.63¢ / point
Insurance and perks
What both cards include comes first in each list.
Insurance
Insurance
Lost or Stolen Baggage
$500
Baggage Delay
$500.svg)
Car Rental Damage & Theft
yes
Common Carrier Travel Accident Insurance
$500,000
Extended Warranty
Up to 1 year
Purchase Protection
90 days
Hotel Burglary Insurance
$500
Travel Medical Insurance (64 & under)
15 days
Trip Cancellation
$1,500 per person, $3,000 combined
Trip Interruption
$1,500 per person, $6,000 combinedFlight Delay
$500
Lost or Stolen Baggage
$1,000Baggage Delay
$1,000Car Rental Damage & Theft
YesCommon Carrier Travel Accident Insurance
$500,000Extended Warranty
1 yearPurchase Protection
120 daysHotel Burglary Insurance
$1000Travel Medical Insurance (64 & under)
15 daysTrip Cancellation
$2,500Trip Interruption
$2,500Flight Delay
$1,000
Perks
Perks
American Express® Experiences
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Status lift
Hertz Gold Plus Rewards® loyalty program
Extra points
Earn 2 points on Amex Travel Online purchases and extra points on American Express offers.svg)
Travel Credit
$100
Nexus Program Rebate
$50 statement credit every 4 yearsComplimentary Hotel Benefits
Hotels booked American Express Travel
Airport Lounge - Priority Pass
Pass only. No Complimentary visits!Airport Lounge - Plaza Premium
4 Free complimentary visits
American Express® Experiences
Status lift
Upgrade to Hilton Honors Gold StatusStatus lift
Upgrade to Marriott BonvoyTM Gold Elite statusExtra points
Earn 2 points on Amex Travel Online purchases and extra points on American Express offersTravel Credit
$200Nexus Program Rebate
$100 statement credit every 4 yearsComplimentary Hotel Benefits
Enjoy complimentary benefits that offer an average value of $550 USD at over 1,600 extraordinary properties worldwide when you book Fine Hotels + Resorts
Trip and legal Assistance
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Concierge Services
Dining Credit
$200 at Select RestaurantsAirport Lounge - American Express Global Lounge
Take full advantage of The American Express Global Lounge CollectionTM which unlocks access to over 1,400 airport lounges worldwide. This includes The Centurion® Lounge network, Plaza Premium Lounges, and hundreds of other domestic and international lounges designed to enhance your travel experience. Terms and Conditions apply
Priority Travel
At Toronto Pearson Airport get Priority Security lane, Complimentary valet and 15% discount at the Express Park and daily park
Our take
Why we like it
Why we like it
The American Express® Gold Rewards Card is an excellent choice for travelers seeking an entry-level card that offers a strong balance of generous travel benefits without excessive costs. With a relatively low annual fee, this card provides flexibility and a range of perks that make it stand out among other options. It’s ideal for those who want to maximize their travel rewards without being tied to a specific airline or compromising on the benefits offered.
If you're a frequent traveler, the Platinum card is an excellent choice. It's highly recommended for its extensive travel benefits, including unlimited lounge access for you and a guest at the American Express Lounge collection, making it the best card for lounge access in Canada. The card also offers unique perks not commonly found with other Canadian cards, such as status upgrades at Marriott Bonvoy and Hilton, dining and travel credits, concierge service, airport benefits, Nexus application reimbursement, and more. These benefits can more than offset the annual fee. However, if you don't travel often or are mainly looking for a card that maximizes rewards, this card may not be the best option for you.
Pros
Pros
- Flexible rewards
- Travel perks
- Comprehensive insurance
- Multiple redemption options
- Instant decision. No credit impact.
- Most premium perks
- Dining and travel credits
- Unlimited airport lounge access
- Multiple redemption options
- Comprehensive coverage
- Luxurious metal card
- Instant decision. No credit impact.
Cons
Cons
- High annual fee
- Foreign transaction fees
- Limited senior travel insurance
- Limited acceptance
- High annual fee
- Limited acceptance
- Benefit limitations
American Express Gold Rewards Card® vs The Platinum Card®: When to go for one over the other
Annual Fees and Requirements
The American Express Gold Rewards Card has a lower annual fee compared to the American Express Platinum Card, making it a more budget-friendly option for individuals who want to enjoy travel benefits and rewards without the high cost. The Platinum Card, on the other hand, comes with a much higher fee, making it suitable for those who frequently travel and can fully take advantage of its luxurious perks. Neither card has a specific income requirement, so both are accessible based on your creditworthiness, but the Platinum Card’s higher fee is best for those seeking premium travel experiences.
Rewards Comparison
The rewards offered by the American Express Gold Rewards Card and the Platinum Card are very similar, as both cards allow users to earn Membership Rewards points. However, the key difference lies in their bonus categories. The Gold Rewards Card gives bonus points on gas and groceries, making it an excellent choice for individuals who spend heavily on these categories. The Platinum Card, on the other hand, focuses its bonus points on dining, appealing more to those who dine out frequently. Ultimately, the difference in bonus categories will make one card more appealing over the other depending on your spending habits.
Benefits and Insurance Comparison
The benefits and insurance offered by these cards differ significantly. The Gold Rewards Card provides a balanced selection of travel benefits, including four complimentary lounge passes annually and a $100 travel credit, along with essential insurance like travel medical, trip cancellation, and interruption coverage. This makes it a strong choice for users who want good travel perks without a premium price.
The Platinum Card has the same exact insurance offered by Gold but comes with many additional benefits and perks and is designed for those who prioritize luxury travel experiences. It provides unlimited access to over 1,300 airport lounges globally, automatic hotel status upgrades with Marriott and Hilton, and additional perks like $300 in travel and dining credits. If your focus is on premium perks, the Platinum Card stands out, while the Gold Rewards Card offers solid benefits at a lower cost.
Conclusion
Given that the rewards structures of the American Express Gold Rewards Card and Platinum Card are so similar, the decision largely hinges on whether the extra cost of the Platinum Card is worth its additional benefits. If you prioritize everyday spending categories like gas and groceries and prefer a lower annual fee, the Gold Rewards Card is likely the better fit. However, if you believe the extensive travel perks, including unlimited lounge access, hotel upgrades, and additional insurance, are worth the higher cost, then the Platinum Card provides superior value for frequent travelers who enjoy luxury benefits.
More comparisons
Other cards we've put each of these up against.
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Legal
*Terms and conditions apply.
Subject to approval. The preferred rate for purchases is 21.99% and funds advances is 21.99%. If you have Missed Payments, the applicable rates for your account will be 25.99% and/or 29.99%. See the information box included with the application for the definition of Missed Payment and which rates apply to charges on your account and other details.
American Express is not responsible for maintaining or monitoring the accuracy of information on this website. If you apply and get approved for an American Express Card, (I/we) may receive compensation from American Express, which can be in the form of monetary payment.
*Terms and conditions apply.
This Charge Card requires full payment of the Due in Full balance each month, with a 30% interest rate on late payments. The Flexible Payment Option balance has a 21.99% interest rate, which increases to 25.99% after two missed payments and 29.99% after three or more within 12 months. A 21-day interest-free grace period applies to new transactions if the full balance is paid by the due date.
American Express is not responsible for maintaining or monitoring the accuracy of information on this website. If you apply and get approved for an American Express Card, (I/we) may receive compensation from American Express, which can be in the form of monetary payment.
