American Express Platinum vs Amex Blue Cash Preferred
Side-by-side comparison across fees, rewards, welcome bonuses, and eligibility.
EXPRESS
EXPRESS
Amex Blue Cash Preferred wins 3-2. Suburban families with kids — best US-supermarket card. American Express Platinum is still the right call if heavy travelers wanting centurion lounge access + status credits..
Side-by-side
| Criterion | American Express Platinum | Amex Blue Cash Preferred |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | · $695 | $95 |
| Joining fee | = None | = None |
| Top reward rate | · 5% (travel) | 6% (shopping) |
| Base reward rate | = 1% | = 1% |
| Forex markup | No FX fee | · 2.7% |
| Welcome bonus | = 80,000 Membership Rewards points after $8,000 in 6 months | = $250 statement credit after $3,000 in 6 months |
| Fee waiver threshold | = No waiver | = No waiver |
| Min income | = — | = — |
| Min credit score | · 720 | 700 |
| Editorial rating | 4.6/5 | · 4.5/5 |
Benefits compared
American Express Platinum
- 5x points on flights booked direct or via amextravel
- Centurion Lounge + Priority Pass + Delta SkyClub access
- $200 annual airline fee credit + $200 Uber Cash
- $200 hotel credit + $189 CLEAR credit
- Marriott Bonvoy Gold + Hilton Honors Gold status
- No foreign transaction fees
Amex Blue Cash Preferred
- 6% cashback on US supermarkets (up to $6K/year, then 1%)
- 6% on streaming subscriptions
- 3% on US gas stations + transit
- 1% on everything else
- 0% intro APR for 12 months
FAQ
›American Express Platinum vs Amex Blue Cash Preferred: which is better?
Amex Blue Cash Preferred wins on more dimensions (3 vs 2). But the right answer depends on your specific spending pattern — see the calculator below.
›Can I get both?
Yes — if your credit profile supports it, holding both is the optimal play. Use American Express Platinum for its best categories, Amex Blue Cash Preferred for its best categories. Just watch the combined annual fees against your spend.
›Which one has the better welcome bonus?
American Express Platinum: 80,000 Membership Rewards points after $8,000 in 6 months. Amex Blue Cash Preferred: $250 statement credit after $3,000 in 6 months.