Head-to-head · 🇺🇸 United States
Discover it Cash Back vs American Express Platinum
Side-by-side comparison across fees, rewards, welcome bonuses, and eligibility.
US
Discover
Discover it Cash Back
Discover
Wins 2 of 10
US
Premium
American Express
American Express Platinum
AMERICAN
EXPRESS
EXPRESS
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 | Discover it Cash Back | American Express Platinum |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | No annual fee | · $695 |
| Joining fee | = None | = None |
| Top reward rate | = 5% (shopping) | = 5% (travel) |
| Base reward rate | = 1% | = 1% |
| Forex markup | · 1% | No FX fee |
| Welcome bonus | = Cashback Match — Discover doubles your first-year cashback automatically | = 80,000 Membership Rewards points after $8,000 in 6 months |
| Fee waiver threshold | = N/A (no fee) | = No waiver |
| Min income | = — | = — |
| Min credit score | 670 | · 720 |
| Editorial rating | · 4.5/5 | 4.6/5 |
Benefits compared
Discover it Cash Back
- 5% cashback on rotating quarterly categories (Amazon, gas, restaurants, grocery)
- 1% cashback on everything else
- Cashback Match: Discover matches all cash back earned in your first year
- No annual fee
- Free FICO score on every statement
- No foreign transaction fees
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
FAQ
›Discover it Cash Back vs American Express Platinum: which is better?
It's a true tie — pick the one whose boost categories match your spend. Discover it Cash Back wins on 2 criteria, American Express Platinum on 2.
›Can I get both?
Yes — if your credit profile supports it, holding both is the optimal play. Use Discover it Cash Back for its best categories, American Express Platinum for its best categories. Just watch the combined annual fees against your spend.
›Which one has the better welcome bonus?
Discover it Cash Back: Cashback Match — Discover doubles your first-year cashback automatically. American Express Platinum: 80,000 Membership Rewards points after $8,000 in 6 months.