American Express Platinum Card, offering cardmembers over $1,500 worth of travel, entertainment and dining statement credits. But nothing in life comes free — cardholders pay a $695 annual fee (see rates and fees).
For existing cardholders, keeping track of Amex’s coupon-book style of statement credits can be difficult or tedious. As an Amex Platinum card member, I try hard to stay up to date each month, using as much statement credit as I can. For others, the $695 annual fee (see Rates and Fees) may be hard to swallow — especially if you maxed out your welcome bonus and didn’t use all of the card’s benefits.
With that being said, let’s answer the overarching question: Which card should replace my Amex Platinum? If you’re considering swapping out your Amex Platinum card, here are six possible options that might work.
Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card
This Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card $650 annual fee (see Rates and Fees) and has some similarities with Amex Platinum.
First, let’s talk about lounge access. Beginning February 1, 2025, Delta Reserve cardholders will receive 15 complimentary annual visits to Delta Sky Clubs, including unlimited annual visits after spending $75,000 in a calendar year with the card. In addition, Primary and Premium Cardmembers receive Centurion Lounge and Sky Club access when departing same-day Delta flights. Cardmembers pay $50 per person per seat for Sky Club access when traveling on a Delta partner airline flight not marketed or operated by Delta.
Admittedly, the Delta Reserve doesn’t have the best award rate ever, but it’s not Platinum either. You’ll earn 3 SkyMiles per dollar on Delta purchases and 1 SkyMile per dollar on everything else.
Delta Reserve offers a simpler statement credit lineup that is easier to use than Amex Platinum. The card offers up to $240 in annual Receipt credit (up to $20 monthly), up to $120 in annual ride-hailing credit (up to $10 monthly), and up to $200 in annual Delta Stays credit. Registration is required for select benefits.
Related: Credit Card Showdown: Amex Platinum Vs. Delta Reserve
With Delta Reserve, you’ll get an annual companion certificate upon card renewal. This is good for round-trip tickets on First Class, Premium Select, Delta Comfort+ and Main Cabin Domestic, Caribbean or Central American. Cardmembers earn 1 MQD for every $10 they spend, with no limit on how many MQDs they can have through credit card spending. Additionally, you get an MQD boost of 2,500 MQD per year.
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Apply here: Delta SkyMiles Reserve
Chase Sapphire Reserve
This next choice is the most obvious. This Chase Sapphire Reserve® always goes hand in hand with Amex Platinum.
Because Amex Platinum has an annual fee of $695 (see Rates and Fees), that makes the Sapphire Reserve a more affordable option. If you’ve considered applying for the Sapphire Reserve but couldn’t justify paying two outrageous annual fees, maybe it’s time to cancel your Amex Platinum and go for the Sapphire Reserve.
Related: Amex Platinum vs Chase Sapphire Reserve: Which Card is Right for You?
For starters, the Reserve, with its approachable $300 annual travel credit, seems less gimmicky than the Platinum. This credit automatically posts to your statement for any travel-related expenses, whether it’s a flight, Uber ride, parking fee — the list goes on.
You won’t have access to Centurion lounges with Reserve, but Priority Pass will still cover more than 1,300 lounges worldwide, and Chase now has its own footprint of issuer-branded lounges.
The rewards rate is much better on Reserve, helping you earn more points on travel spend. You’ll earn 10 points per dollar spent on Lyft (through March 2025), 3 points per dollar spent on travel and dining, and 1 point per dollar spent on all other purchases. Those two bonus categories are far-reaching and include any charges for travel and dining codes.
With Sapphire Reserve, you’ll still get instant transfer partner capabilities at a 1:1 ratio across Chase’s 11 airline and three hotel programs. Some of TPG’s favorite programs include United MileagePlus, Air Canada Aeroplan, and World of Hyatt.
Related: Sweet Spots with Chase Ultimate Rewards
Apply at: Chase Sapphire Reserve
American Express Gold Card
If you don’t want to open a completely new card (counting a (hard pulls and can affect your credit score), you may want to consider downgrading American Express® Gold Card. You’ll still have the same access to the Membership Rewards program and redemption options without losing out on Amex entirely.
Related: Amex Platinum Vs. Amex Gold: Which is better?
The annual fee is more reasonable at $250 (see Rates and Fees) and virtually stacks up thanks to up to $240 in dining and Uber Cash statement credits you’ll enjoy with the card each year (registration required; up to $10 per eligible US Uber purchase per month and for select dining purchases).
The card also caters to foodies, as you’ll earn 4 points per dollar spent at US supermarkets (up to $25,000 per year) and restaurants, 3 points and 1 point per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or Amex Travel. Per dollar spent on everything else.
If you downgrade your card you won’t be able to take away the welcome offer, you have the option to close your Amex Platinum and open Amex Gold separately.
Apply here: Amex Gold
Chase Sapphire Preferred Card
This recommendation is among the most affordable options — the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card, with a $95 annual fee.
While you might not think Sapphire Preferred falls into the same wheelhouse as Amex Platinum, hear me out: It still gives you transferable points and, in this case, access to Chase’s 11 airline and three hotel programs. You can also redeem your points for 1.25 cents when booking travel through Chase Travel℠.
You’ll earn 5 points per dollar on all travel purchased through Chase Travel, 3 points per dollar on dining, 3 points per dollar on select streaming services, 3 points per dollar on online grocery purchases. (Except Target, Walmart and Wholesale Club), 2 points per dollar on all other travel and 1 point per dollar on everything else. Again, this is a better everyday card while still having access to great travel benefits (when you need them).
Apply at: Chase Sapphire Preferred
Citi Strata Premier℠ Card
If you don’t currently qualify for a Chase card, thank you Chase’s infamous 5/24 rule, The Citi Strata Premier℠ Card (see rates and fees) may be your next best bet.
Instead of annual fee increases, you’ll enjoy significant fee reductions with Strata Premier at a reasonable $95 per year. Citi Strata Premier’s standout benefits include better everyday rewards rates: 10 points per dollar on hotels, car rentals and attractions booked on CitiTravel.com, 3 points per dollar spent at restaurants, supermarkets, gas stations and EV charging stations, 3 points per dollar spent on air travel and hotels and 1 point per dollar spent on everything else.
Plus, you’ll get great access to a ton of transfer partners, many of which overlap with Amex. Citi partners with 19 airline programs, including attractive options such as Air France-KLM Flying Blue, Qatar Airways Privilege Club and Virgin Atlantic Flying Club. If you’re a hotel fanatic, you’ll also love the annual incentive of $100 off a single hotel stay of $500 or more when booked through CitiTravel.com or 1-833-737-1288.
You’ll also have access to several travel protections, including trip delay protection, trip cancellation and interruption protection (common carrier), lost or damaged baggage and MasterRental® coverage (car rentals).
Apply here: City Strata Premier
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
This Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card An excellent replacement for Amex Platinum, thanks to the many benefits and perks. With a low annual fee of $395 (see Rates and Fees), you’ll feel less of a sting compared to Amex Platinum.
The card offers a simple yet effective earning structure: 10 miles per dollar spent on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, 5 miles per dollar spent on flights booked through Capital One Travel and all other purchases. 2 miles per dollar spent on
This card offers a more straightforward and easy-to-use $300 annual travel credit for bookings through Capital One Travel. Cardholders also earn 10,000 bonus miles annually, Hertz President’s Circle status* and 5 miles per dollar spent on Capital One Entertainment purchases through December 31, 2025.
Where the card really shines are the lounge access benefits. Cardholders get access to the Priority Pass Lounge and Capital One Lounge with the ability to bring up to two guests for free. The icing on the cake is that Venture X allows you to add authorized users (see Rates and Fees) at no cost and they also get lounge access with the ability to bring up to two guests at no extra cost.
*Eligible cardholders will remain at the upgraded status level until December 31, 2024, accessible through the Capital One website or mobile app upon enrollment. Please note, enrollment will take place through the normal Hertz Gold Plus Rewards enrollment process (eg at Hertz.com). Cardholders will not be automatically detected as eligible for the Program and Cardholders will not be automatically upgraded to the applicable status tier. Additional terms apply.
Related: The Complete Guide to Capital One’s Airport Lounges
Apply here: Capital One Venture Ex
Bottom line
If you’re not using up all of your Amex Platinum statement credits and are less inclined to pay a hefty annual fee, you should have a backup card that will serve you well in the meantime. Thankfully, many cards can help you maximize your travel and everyday purchases without completely breaking the bank.
For Amex Platinum rates and fees, click here
For Amex Gold rates and fees, click here.
For Amex SkyMiles Reserve rates and fees, click here.