Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express vs. The Platinum Card from American Express
On the criteria below, The Platinum Card from American Express wins 3 of 5. The verdict depends on which criteria matter to you.
Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express
Amex
The Platinum Card from American Express
Amex
The Platinum Card from American Express wins 3 of 5 criteria here, making it the stronger all-rounder.
Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express wins on annual fee and earning ceiling; The Platinum Card from American Express wins on first-year math, lounge access, and foreign transactions.
Pick the The Platinum Card from American Express if year-one math is your priority; take the Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express if you want a cheaper card to keep long-term.
Who wins what
2 vs 3- First-year math The Platinum Card from American Express
The Platinum Card from American Express wins on bonus value minus annual fee.
- Annual fee Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express
Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express is $800 cheaper to keep.
- Earning ceiling Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express
Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express earns more on its best category (6× vs 5×).
- Lounge access The Platinum Card from American Express
The Platinum Card from American Express includes lounge access; the other doesn't.
- Foreign transactions The Platinum Card from American Express
The Platinum Card from American Express has a lower (or zero) foreign transaction fee.
By the numbers
- Annual fee
- $95
- $895
- Welcome offer (typical value)
- $300
- $2,800
- First-year net
- +$205
- +$1,905
- Peak earning rate
- 6×
- 5×
- Top categories
- U.S. Supermarkets, Streaming, Transit
- Flights, Prepaid Hotels
- Lounge access
- No
- centurion, delta-sky-club, priority-pass
- Travel insurance
- Yes
- Yes
- Elite status
- No
- Yes
- Foreign transaction fee
- 2.70%
- None
- Reward currency
- Cashback
- American Express Membership Rewards
Welcome-offer dollar values use each program's typical-tier valuation from our signup bonus calculator. See the methodology page for sourcing details.