Amex Gold Card vs Amex Platinum Card
At our sample profile ($31,100/yr spend, only “easy” credits counted), the Amex Gold Card comes to $2,840 in the first year and $990 a year after that; the Amex Platinum Card comes to $3,096 and −$142. Annual fees are $325 and $895, against $424 and $2,724 a year in stated credits. Figures from the issuers’ pages, checked October 23, 2026; your spending will change the result.
| American Express® Gold Card | The Platinum Card® from American Express | |
|---|---|---|
| Issuer | American Express | American Express |
| Annual fee | $325 | $895 |
| Welcome bonus | As high as 100,000 points≈ $1,850after $8,000 in 6 months | As high as 175,000 points≈ $3,238after $12,000 in 6 months |
| Rewards currency | Amex Membership Rewards | Amex Membership Rewards |
| Value per point | ~1.85¢ each, median of 6 published valuations | ~1.85¢ each, median of 6 published valuations |
| Earning |
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| Fee vs stated credits | $325 vs $424stated credits a year (face value) | $895 vs $2,724stated credits a year (face value) |
| Yearly cost after year 1 | $325fee − $0 of “easy” credits (our default) | $865fee − $30 of “easy” credits (our default) |
| Year 2+ value* | $990 each year after the first, after the annual fee | −$142 each year after the first, after the annual fee |
| First-year value* | $2,840 | $3,096 |
| Credits & perks |
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| Perks (no $ unless the issuer states one) |
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| Source | Issuer page | Issuer page |
Face value isn’t real value: a credit only saves you money if you’d have spent it anyway. *Year 2+ and first-year values use our sample profile and default credit ticks. Add a third card · How we calculate
Amex Gold Card vs Amex Platinum Card: quick answers
Which has the bigger welcome bonus, Amex Gold Card vs Amex Platinum Card?
The Amex Platinum Card has the bigger headline bonus in dollars: As high as 100,000 points (≈$1,850) vs As high as 175,000 points (≈$3,238), at median published point values, checked October 23, 2026.
Which has the lower annual fee?
The Amex Gold Card: $325 vs $895 a year.
Which costs less after year 1, once credits are counted?
Yearly cost after year 1 (annual fee minus the easy credits we count by default): Amex Gold Card $325, Amex Platinum Card $865. Tick the credits you’d really use on each card page to get your own figure.