Head-to-head · 🇺🇸 United States
American Express Platinum vs Apple Card
Side-by-side comparison across fees, rewards, welcome bonuses, and eligibility.
US
Premium
American Express
American Express Platinum
AMERICAN
EXPRESS
EXPRESS
Wins 2 of 10
US
Goldman Sachs / Apple
Apple Card
Wins 2 of 10
Verdict
It's a true tie — neither dominates. Pick the one whose boost categories match where you actually spend.
Side-by-side
| Criterion | American Express Platinum | Apple Card |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | · $695 | No annual fee |
| Joining fee | = None | = None |
| Top reward rate | 5% (travel) | · 3% (shopping) |
| Base reward rate | = 1% | = 1% |
| Forex markup | = No FX fee | = No FX fee |
| Welcome bonus | = 80,000 Membership Rewards points after $8,000 in 6 months | = No welcome bonus — daily cashback model |
| Fee waiver threshold | = No waiver | = N/A (no fee) |
| Min income | = — | = — |
| Min credit score | · 720 | 660 |
| Editorial rating | 4.6/5 | · 4.4/5 |
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
Apple Card
- 3% Daily Cash on Apple purchases + select merchants (Uber, Walgreens, T-Mobile)
- 2% Daily Cash on all Apple Pay transactions
- 1% Daily Cash on physical-card purchases
- No annual fee, no foreign transaction fee, no late fees
- High-yield savings account at 4.4% APY
- Privacy-first: no purchase data sold
FAQ
›American Express Platinum vs Apple Card: which is better?
It's a true tie — pick the one whose boost categories match your spend. American Express Platinum wins on 2 criteria, Apple Card on 2.
›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, Apple Card 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. Apple Card: No welcome bonus — daily cashback model.