American Express Platinum vs Discover It Miles
Side-by-side comparison across fees, rewards, welcome bonuses, and eligibility.
EXPRESS
Discover It Miles wins 3-2. No-fee flat travel earn — first-year doubled effectively makes it 3x. American Express Platinum is still the right call if heavy travelers wanting centurion lounge access + status credits..
Side-by-side
| Criterion | American Express Platinum | Discover It Miles |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | · $695 | No annual fee |
| Joining fee | = None | = None |
| Top reward rate | 5% (travel) | · 1.5% (general) |
| Base reward rate | · 1% | 1.5% |
| Forex markup | = No FX fee | = No FX fee |
| Welcome bonus | = 80,000 Membership Rewards points after $8,000 in 6 months | = Discover doubles all miles earned in your first year (Mile Match) |
| Fee waiver threshold | = No waiver | = N/A (no fee) |
| Min income | = — | = — |
| Min credit score | · 720 | 670 |
| 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
Discover It Miles
- 1.5x miles on every purchase
- Discover Mile Match: doubles all miles earned in year 1
- Redeem against any travel purchase
- No annual fee, no foreign transaction fees
- Free FICO score
FAQ
›American Express Platinum vs Discover It Miles: which is better?
Discover It Miles 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, Discover It Miles 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. Discover It Miles: Discover doubles all miles earned in your first year (Mile Match).