Amex Platinum vs. Chase Sapphire Reserve: Which Premium Card Wins in 2026?
Both cards carry a high fee and a pile of credits. They differ most on how much of that value is easy to use, and on which lounges you will walk into.
The Chase Sapphire Reserve ($795) offers a lower fee and credits that are easier to use for everyday life (travel, dining, StubHub, Apple, DoorDash, Lyft), plus a much faster welcome offer at $6,000 in 3 months. The Amex Platinum ($895) stacks more credits and the strongest lounge network, with 5x on flights and prepaid hotels, but only pays off if you fly often and use the credits. If you travel a lot and care about lounges, take the Platinum. If you want simpler value, take the Reserve.
Amex Platinum
- Up to 175,000 points after $12,000 in 6 months (offers vary)
- 5x on flights booked direct or via Amex Travel (up to $500,000) and prepaid hotels via Amex Travel
- Up to $600 Lodging Credit, $200 airline, $400 Resy, $300 digital, $300 lululemon, $200 Uber Cash and more
- Centurion Lounges, Priority Pass, Delta Sky Club visits
- Marriott and Hilton elite status; 5x on Airbnb through Amex Travel since Oct 22, 2026
Chase Sapphire Reserve
- 100,000 points after $6,000 in 3 months
- 8x on Chase Travel, 4x on flights and hotels booked direct, 3x on dining
- $300 travel credit, up to $500 for The Edit hotels, $300 dining, $300 StubHub
- Apple TV+ and Music, DoorDash, Lyft and Peloton perks
- Priority Pass and Chase Sapphire Lounges with two free guests
Side-by-side
| Amex Platinum | Chase Sapphire Reserve | |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | $895 | $795 |
| Welcome offer | Up to 175,000 / $12,000 / 6 months | 100,000 / $6,000 / 3 months |
| Travel earning | 5x flights and prepaid hotels via Amex Travel | 8x Chase Travel, 4x direct flights and hotels |
| Dining | 1x (Resy credit instead) | 3x plus $300 dining credit |
| Hotel credit | Up to $600 Lodging Credit (FHR, Hotel Collection, Airbnb Luxe) | $300 travel plus up to $500 at The Edit |
| Lounges | Centurion, Priority Pass, Delta Sky Club visits; limited guest access | Priority Pass, Chase Sapphire Lounges, two free guests |
| Everyday credits | Uber, digital, lululemon, Walmart+, CLEAR+, Oura | StubHub, Apple, DoorDash, Lyft, Peloton |
| Hotel status | Marriott Gold and Hilton Gold | None |
| Average redemption (AwardWallet users) | 2.04 cents per point | 2.07 cents per point |
Which credits are easiest to use
Chase’s credits (a flexible $300 travel credit, hotel, dining and entertainment) land on spending many people already do. Amex’s credits are larger on paper, but many are tied to specific merchants such as lululemon, Oura and Walmart+, or require enrollment and monthly activation. Only count credits you would spend anyway when deciding if either fee is worth it.
Lounges and guests
If lounges are a main reason you want a premium card, the Platinum network (Centurion, Priority Pass, partner lounges) is deeper, but Centurion guest access is restricted unless you spend $75,000 a year on the card. The Reserve lets you bring two guests into Priority Pass and Chase Sapphire Lounges, which matters for families.
Redemptions are close to a tie
AwardWallet users report an average value of about 2.04 cents per Amex point and 2.07 cents per Chase point, so neither currency has a big edge. The decision comes down to your travel pattern, credits and lounges.
Bottom line
- You fly often and use Centurion or Delta lounges
- You will use Resy, Uber, lululemon and hotel credits
- You want Marriott and Hilton status
- You want a lower fee and a faster welcome offer
- You spend on dining, StubHub, Apple or Lyft
- You travel with guests who need lounge access
Chase Sapphire guide →
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Platinum Airbnb 5x →