The Platinum Card® from American Express vs Chase Sapphire Reserve®
Side by side on the numbers that decide it. The Money 8020 Score already weighs these. This page is the receipts.
Money 8020 pick AE The Platinum Card® from American Express American Express 89/100 | JC Chase Sapphire Reserve® JPMorgan Chase 89/100 | |
|---|---|---|
| Tier | Essential | Essential |
| Rewards rate | 1x-5x | 1x-8x |
| Bonus | Not shown on issuer's public page | 100,000 bonus points |
| Regular APR | — | 19.74%-28.24% |
| Annual fee | $895 | $795 |
| Best for | People shopping for a travel card | Frequent travelers who will use a $300 travel credit and lounges |
| View profile | View profile |
As of October 3, 2026, The Platinum Card® from American Express costs $895 a year and Chase Sapphire Reserve® costs $795. Amex Platinum earns 5X on flights and prepaid Amex Travel hotels and lists more statement credits. Sapphire Reserve earns 8x through Chase Travel, 4x on flights and hotels booked direct and 3x on dining, and Chase publishes a 100,000-point offer. Which card suits a person depends on where they book, spend and fly; neither is better for everyone. Terms can change; this is not financial advice.
Amex Platinum vs Chase Sapphire Reserve comes down to $895 versus $795 a year, as of October 3, 2026, and two different ways of earning. The Platinum Card® from American Express earns 5X on flights and prepaid Amex Travel hotels and lists more statement credits. Chase Sapphire Reserve® earns 8x through Chase Travel, 4x booking direct and 3x on dining.
Terms as of October 3, 2026. We checked every fee, earn rate, credit and protection on this page against the issuers’ own card pages on October 3, 2026. Card terms, credits and offers can change at any time, and approval is up to the issuer. This comparison is general information, not financial advice. Some links on Money 8020 are affiliate or partner links; see our advertiser and affiliate disclosure.
Amex Platinum vs Chase Sapphire Reserve: how do the fees compare?
As of October 3, 2026, Amex Platinum’s annual fee is $895 for the Basic Card and Chase Sapphire Reserve’s is $795, so Sapphire Reserve costs $100 less each year. Both charge $195 for each additional or authorized user card. Both issuers say there are no foreign transaction fees.
| Fee or term (as of Oct 3, 2026) | The Platinum Card® from American Express | Chase Sapphire Reserve® |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | $895 (Basic Card) | $795 |
| Additional / authorized user cards | $195 each (Additional Platinum Card); no annual fee for Companion Platinum Cards | $195 each |
| Foreign transaction fees | None | None |
| Purchase APR | Not confirmed today (see note) | 19.74% to 28.24% variable |
| Spending limit structure | No Preset Spending Limit (Amex may assign a limit in some cases) | Not stated on the card page |
| Welcome offer shown on issuer page | Not shown publicly on Oct 3, 2026 | 100,000 points after $6,000 in purchases in the first 3 months |
Sources: American Express Platinum Card page and Chase Sapphire Reserve page, checked October 3, 2026.
APR note. Chase publishes a variable APR range on the card page. Amex lists Pay Over Time terms in its rates and fees document, which we could not load on October 3, 2026, so we leave the Amex APR out rather than repeat an older figure. Carrying a balance on either card would add interest costs that can quickly outweigh rewards.
How do Amex Platinum and Chase Sapphire Reserve earn rates compare?
As of October 3, 2026, Amex Platinum earns 5X Membership Rewards points on flights booked directly with airlines or Amex Travel (up to $500,000 a year) and on prepaid Amex Travel hotels, and 1X elsewhere. Chase Sapphire Reserve earns 8x on Chase Travel, 4x on flights and hotels booked direct, 3x on dining and 1x elsewhere.
| Spending category (as of Oct 3, 2026) | Amex Platinum | Chase Sapphire Reserve |
|---|---|---|
| Flights booked directly with the airline | 5X (up to $500,000 a year on 5X flights) | 4x |
| Flights through the issuer’s travel portal | 5X via Amex Travel (same cap) | 8x via Chase Travel |
| Hotels booked direct | 1X | 4x |
| Prepaid hotels through the issuer’s portal | 5X via Amex Travel | 8x via Chase Travel (including The Edit) |
| Dining | 1X | 3x worldwide |
| Everything else | 1X | 1x |
| Rewards currency | Membership Rewards points | Chase Ultimate Rewards points |
Sources: issuer card pages, checked October 3, 2026.
Redemption. Amex says Membership Rewards points can be transferred to 20 airline and hotel partners, or used with Pay with Points on Amex Travel. Chase says Ultimate Rewards points are worth $0.01 each through Chase Travel, with “Points Boost” offers worth up to 2x on select hotels and flights, and can be transferred to airline and hotel partners. Ultimate Rewards points don’t expire while the account is open. Point values vary by redemption, so we don’t assign a single cents-per-point figure to either card.
What statement credits come with each card?
Amex lists more individual statement credits, including up to $600 a year for prepaid hotel bookings, $200 in Uber Cash, a $200 airline fee credit and up to $400 at Resy restaurants. Chase lists a $300 annual travel credit that applies broadly to travel, plus credits for The Edit hotels, dining, StubHub and others, as of October 3, 2026.
| Credit (as of Oct 3, 2026) | Amex Platinum | Chase Sapphire Reserve |
|---|---|---|
| General travel | Up to $200 a year in airline incidental fees (one selected airline) | Up to $300 each account anniversary year for travel purchases |
| Hotels | Up to $600 a year ($300 semi-annually) on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts or The Hotel Collection | Up to $500 a year with The Edit ($250 per prepaid booking, two-night minimum); up to $250 on select Chase Travel hotels through 12/31/26 |
| Dining | Up to $400 a year at U.S. Resy restaurants ($100 per quarter, enrollment required) | Up to $300 a year at Sapphire Exclusive Tables on OpenTable ($150 semi-annually) |
| Rideshare and delivery | $200 Uber Cash ($15 a month plus $20 in December); up to $120 a year for Uber One | Up to $10 a month in Lyft credits through 9/30/2027; DashPass membership plus up to $25 a month in DoorDash promos through 12/31/2027 |
| Entertainment and subscriptions | Up to $300 a year in digital entertainment ($25 a month, enrollment required); up to $155 a year for Walmart+ | Apple TV and Apple Music through 6/22/2027; up to $300 a year at StubHub and viagogo through 12/31/2027 (activation required) |
| Fitness and wellness | Up to $300 a year for Equinox; up to $300 a year at lululemon; up to $200 a year for an Oura Ring | Up to $10 a month on Peloton memberships through 12/31/2027 |
| Airport security programs | Up to $219 a year for CLEAR+; Global Entry ($120 every 4 years) or TSA PreCheck (up to $85) | Global Entry, TSA PreCheck or NEXUS (up to $120 every 4 years) |
Sources: issuer card pages, checked October 3, 2026. Many credits need enrollment or activation and have category, merchant or timing rules.
A credit only offsets the annual fee if you would have spent that money anyway, at those merchants, on the issuer’s schedule. Amex says the Platinum Card offers “$3,500+ in annual value,” and Chase says Sapphire Reserve offers “$3,000 in annual value through travel and lifestyle benefits.” Both figures are issuer claims based on full use of every benefit. Several Chase credits also carry end dates in 2026 or 2027.
Which card has better lounge access and travel perks?
Both cards include airport lounge access and Priority Pass. Amex says its Global Lounge Collection covers over 1,550 lounges, including Centurion Lounges and 10 Delta Sky Club visits on eligible Delta flights. Chase says Sapphire Reserve covers Chase Sapphire Lounges and 1,300+ Priority Pass lounges, with up to two guests, as of October 3, 2026.
| Travel perk (as of Oct 3, 2026) | Amex Platinum | Chase Sapphire Reserve |
|---|---|---|
| Lounge network | Global Lounge Collection: 1,550+ lounges (Amex figure as of 01/2026) | Chase Sapphire Lounge Network: Sapphire Lounges by The Club plus 1,300+ Priority Pass lounges |
| Signature lounges | Centurion Lounges | Chase Sapphire Lounges by The Club |
| Other lounge access | 10 Delta Sky Club visits when flying eligible Delta flights; Priority Pass (enrollment required) | Select Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounges and Cafés with an eligible boarding pass |
| Hotel status | Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite; Hilton Honors Gold (enrollment); Leaders Club Sterling | IHG One Rewards Platinum Elite through 12/31/2027 |
| Hotel booking program | Fine Hotels + Resorts and The Hotel Collection | The Edit by Chase Travel |
| Higher-spend perks | Not listed | After $75,000 in a calendar year: World of Hyatt Explorist, IHG Diamond Elite, Southwest A-List, a $500 Southwest Chase Travel credit and a $250 Shops at Chase credit |
Sources: issuer card pages, checked October 3, 2026. Guest policies and lounge rules are set by each issuer and lounge operator and can change.
How do the travel and purchase protections compare?
The two cards’ biggest coverage difference is rental cars. Chase says Sapphire Reserve’s rental car coverage is primary, up to $75,000 for theft and collision on most rentals (secondary for New York residents in the U.S.). Amex says Platinum’s rental coverage is secondary and excludes liability, as of October 3, 2026.
| Protection (as of Oct 3, 2026) | Amex Platinum | Chase Sapphire Reserve |
|---|---|---|
| Rental car damage | Secondary; not available in Australia, Italy, New Zealand; no liability coverage | Primary, up to $75,000 theft and collision (secondary in the U.S. for New York residents) |
| Trip cancellation / interruption | Up to $10,000 per trip and $20,000 per card per 12 months | Up to $10,000 per covered traveler and $20,000 per trip |
| Trip delay | After 6+ hours: up to $500 per trip, max 2 claims per 12 months | After 6+ hours or overnight: up to $500 per covered traveler |
| Lost or delayed baggage | Not listed on the card page | Lost luggage up to $3,000 per traveler; baggage delay $100 a day for up to 5 days |
| Purchase protection | 90 days, up to $10,000 per purchase and $50,000 a year | 120 days, up to $10,000 per item |
| Return protection | 90 days, up to $300 per item and $1,000 a year | 90 days, up to $500 per item and $1,000 per 12 months |
| Cell phone protection | Up to $800 per claim, 2 claims per 12 months, $50 deductible | Not listed on the card page |
| Extended warranty | Up to 1 extra year on warranties of 5 years or less | Not listed on the card page |
Sources: issuer card pages, checked October 3, 2026. Coverage comes from third-party insurers with exclusions and claim rules; read each card’s Guide to Benefits or policy terms before relying on it.
Who might each card suit, and who might neither suit?
Based on published terms, Amex Platinum tends to suit people who book many flights directly with airlines and would use credits at Uber, Resy, prepaid Amex Travel hotels and the listed retail partners. Sapphire Reserve tends to suit people who spend heavily on dining, book through Chase Travel or want primary rental car coverage.
Factors that point toward Amex Platinum, based on the issuers’ terms:
- A large share of spending on flights booked directly with airlines (5X versus 4x), up to the $500,000 annual cap.
- Regular use of Uber, Resy restaurants, Equinox, lululemon or Walmart+, where Amex credits apply.
- Frequent Delta flights where Sky Club visits are useful, or a preference for Centurion Lounges.
Factors that point toward Chase Sapphire Reserve:
- Meaningful dining spend (3x worldwide versus 1X).
- A preference for a broad $300 travel credit over merchant-specific credits.
- Renting cars often and wanting primary coverage, and a lower annual fee ($795 versus $895).
Factors that suggest neither card:
- Carrying a balance month to month. Interest charges would likely exceed rewards. See how credit scores work for how card use affects your credit.
- Not traveling enough to use lounges, hotel credits or travel protections.
- Not wanting to track monthly, quarterly and semi-annual credits with enrollment steps.
For other travel cards we track, see our travel card rankings and the profiles for Amex Platinum and Chase Sapphire Reserve. Money 8020 doesn’t know your finances, so this section describes the products, not a recommendation. This is not financial advice.
How we verified this page
- Amex Platinum: Annual fees, earn rates, credits, lounge access, protections and the foreign transaction fee come from americanexpress.com’s Platinum Card page, loaded on October 3, 2026 at about 3:23 pm ET.
- Chase Sapphire Reserve: Annual fee, authorized user fee, variable APR, welcome offer, earn rates, credits, lounge access and protections come from Chase’s Sapphire Reserve card page, loaded on October 3, 2026.
- Left out because we couldn’t confirm them today: the Amex Platinum welcome offer (not shown on the public page; Amex offers vary by applicant), the Amex Pay Over Time APR and other Amex rates-and-fees items (late, cash advance), the Chase late and cash advance fees, and any cents-per-point valuations. Money 8020’s May 2026 product records listed a different Chase APR and bonus and an Amex bonus of “up to 175,000 points”; we didn’t reuse them, and those records have since been updated to the issuers’ current figures.
Key takeaways
- Annual fees as of October 3, 2026: Amex Platinum $895, Chase Sapphire Reserve $795. Each charges $195 per additional or authorized user card.
- Amex Platinum earns 5X on flights (booked direct or via Amex Travel, up to $500,000 a year) and on prepaid Amex Travel hotels; 1X elsewhere, including dining.
- Sapphire Reserve earns 8x through Chase Travel, 4x on flights and hotels booked direct, 3x on dining and 1x elsewhere.
- Amex lists more merchant-specific credits; Chase’s $300 travel credit is broader, and Chase publishes a 100,000-point offer after $6,000 in 3 months.
- Sapphire Reserve’s rental car coverage is primary; Amex Platinum’s is secondary.
- Chase lists a 19.74% to 28.24% variable APR. Terms and offers can change; confirm on each issuer’s site before applying.
Sources
- American Express, “The Platinum Card®” card page (fees, earn rates, credits, lounges, protections). https://www.americanexpress.com/us/credit-cards/card/platinum/ (accessed October 3, 2026)
- Chase, “Chase Sapphire Reserve® Credit Card” card page (fee, APR, offer, earn rates, credits, lounges, protections). https://creditcards.chase.com/rewards-credit-cards/sapphire/reserve (accessed October 3, 2026)
Card terms, credits, APRs and offers can change at any time and may differ when you apply. Approval and your APR are decided by the issuer. Money 8020 isn’t a lender or card issuer. This content is for general information only and is not financial advice. Money 8020 may earn a commission from some links on this site; see our disclosures.
Want a deeper fee-versus-credits walkthrough for Platinum alone? See Amex Platinum annual fee: is it worth it?, based on Amex’s own page as of October 16, 2026.
Weighing other options too? See Chase Sapphire Reserve alternatives, six cards checked on issuer pages October 18, 2026.
The Platinum Card® from American Express vs Chase Sapphire Reserve®: FAQ
Which is better, Amex Platinum or Chase Sapphire Reserve?
Neither is better for everyone. As of October 3, 2026, Amex Platinum costs $895 a year and Sapphire Reserve $795. Amex Platinum leans on 5X flights and a long list of credits. Sapphire Reserve earns 8x through Chase Travel and 3x on dining. The better fit depends on your spending. This is not financial advice.
What is the annual fee for each card?
As of October 3, 2026, The Platinum Card from American Express has an $895 annual fee for the Basic Card, and each Additional Platinum Card costs $195. Chase Sapphire Reserve has a $795 annual fee and charges $195 for each authorized user. Fees can change; confirm on each issuer's site before applying.
Which card earns more points on dining?
Chase Sapphire Reserve earns 3x points on dining worldwide, per Chase on October 3, 2026. Amex Platinum earns 1X on dining because its bonus categories are flights and prepaid hotels. Amex Platinum offers a separate Resy credit of up to $100 per quarter at eligible U.S. Resy restaurants, with enrollment required.
Do both cards have no foreign transaction fees?
Yes. Both issuers state that their card charges no foreign transaction fees, per their card pages on October 3, 2026. Other costs, such as interest on balances carried, cash advance fees or ATM operator fees, are set out in each card's pricing terms.
Which card has better airport lounge access?
Amex says the Platinum Card's Global Lounge Collection covers over 1,550 lounges, including Centurion Lounges, 10 Delta Sky Club visits when flying on eligible Delta flights and Priority Pass after enrollment. Chase says Sapphire Reserve includes Chase Sapphire Lounges and 1,300+ Priority Pass lounges, with up to two guests.
What is the Chase Sapphire Reserve APR?
Chase lists a 19.74% to 28.24% variable APR for Sapphire Reserve as of October 3, 2026. The rate you get within that range is set by Chase when you apply. We could not confirm the Amex Platinum Pay Over Time APR on the issuer's public page today, so it is left out here. Rates can change.
Does Amex Platinum have a welcome offer right now?
American Express did not show a fixed welcome offer on its public Platinum Card page when we checked on October 3, 2026, so we don't list one. Amex offers can vary by applicant and channel. Chase showed 100,000 bonus points after $6,000 in purchases in the first 3 months for Sapphire Reserve.