The Platinum Card from American Express vs. Sam's Club Mastercard
On the criteria below, The Platinum Card from American Express wins 3 of 5. The verdict depends on which criteria matter to you.
The Platinum Card from American Express
Amex
Sam's Club Mastercard
Synchrony
The Platinum Card from American Express wins 3 of 5 criteria here, making it the stronger all-rounder.
The Platinum Card from American Express wins on first-year math, lounge access, and travel insurance; Sam's Club Mastercard wins on annual fee.
Pick the The Platinum Card from American Express if year-one math is your priority; take the Sam's Club Mastercard if you want a cheaper card to keep long-term.
Who wins what
3 vs 1 (1 tie)- First-year math The Platinum Card from American Express
The Platinum Card from American Express wins on bonus value minus annual fee.
- Annual fee Sam's Club Mastercard
Sam's Club Mastercard is $895 cheaper to keep.
- Earning ceiling Tie
Same peak earning rate.
- Lounge access The Platinum Card from American Express
The Platinum Card from American Express includes lounge access; the other doesn't.
- Travel insurance The Platinum Card from American Express
The Platinum Card from American Express carries built-in travel insurance.
By the numbers
- Annual fee
- $895
- Free
- Welcome offer (typical value)
- $2,800
- $30
- First-year net
- +$1,905
- +$30
- Peak earning rate
- 5×
- 5×
- Top categories
- Flights, Prepaid Hotels
- Gas Ev Charging, Dining, Sams Club Purchases
- Lounge access
- centurion, delta-sky-club, priority-pass
- No
- Travel insurance
- Yes
- No
- Elite status
- Yes
- No
- Foreign transaction fee
- None
- None
- Reward currency
- American Express Membership Rewards
- Sam's Cash
Welcome-offer dollar values use each program's typical-tier valuation from our signup bonus calculator. See the methodology page for sourcing details.