American Express offers a variety of credit cards that are easily categorized and recognized by card holders everywhere. Now, everyone should know that American Express’s marketing is flawless and odds are, even if you aren’t interested in the credit card world that you will still recognize the iconic and prestigious Platinum Credit Cards offered by American Express.
Now most of you that aren’t very involved in the credit card industry probably won’t notice the several Platinum cards offered through their multiple co-branded collaborations. Now, since American Express has integrated the one bonus per lifetime rule on all their personal cards, I thought that it’d be most efficient to BCS readers that a variety of Platinum card sign-up bonuses should be addressed and compared honestly.
Editor’s Note: YMMV may apply to each card.
Alternative Credit Card Bonuses:
| BONUS LINK | OFFER | REVIEW |
| Chase Business Complete Checking® | $300 or $500 Cash | Review |
| Chase Private Client | $3,000 Cash | Review |
| Chase Total Checking® | $300 Cash | Review |
| Chase College CheckingSM | $100 Cash | Review |
| J.P. Morgan Self-Directed Investing | Up To $700 Cash | Review |
| Chase Secure BankingSM | $100 Cash | Review |
American Express Platinum Card Features:
- Up to a $200 Airline Fee Credit Annually.
- To receive the statement credit, you need to select a qualifying airline.
- There are no foreign transaction fees with purchases made on your Platinum Card.
- Platinum Card Concierge is your personal resource to help secure a last minute restaurant reservation, or shop for a hard-to-find gift.
- Enroll to enjoy the benefits of complimentary prestige status (Status varies among cards)
- Get reservations with Platinum Card® Concierge to enjoy an exquisite dining experience with the #AmexPlatinum Dining Program.
- No interest charges because you pay your balance in full each month.
American Express Platinum Cards:
- Platinum Card From American Express.
- Mercedes Benz Platinum Card from American Express.
- The Platinum Card from American Express Exclusively for Morgan Stanley.
- The Platinum Card from American Express Exclusively for Goldman Sachs
- Platinum Card from American Express for Ameriprise Financial.
- American Express Platinum Card for Schwab
Editor’s Note: Each card will offer Platinum perks and benefits along with their specific Rewards Points Earning or additional perks.
Pros:
- No Foreign Transaction Fee
- Concierge Access
- Companion offers on business and first class tickets
- Countless complimentary travel benefits
Cons:
- Hefty annual fee of $450
- rewards on spending are borderline decent
| Sign up bonus | Spending bonus | Annual Fee | Additional Cardholders | Availability | |
| Platinum Card From American Express | 40,000 points after $3,000 in spend within three months | $3,000 in spend within three months | $450 | First three are $175, each additional is $175 | Everybody |
| Mercedes Benz | 75,000 points after $3,000 in purchases (limited time) | $1,000 certificate towards lease or purchase of Mercedes Benz after $5,000 in spend | $475 | First three are $175, each additional is $175 | Everybody |
| Morgan Stanley | 50,000 points after $1,000 in spend within three months | $500 after $100,000 or more in spend within a card member year | $450 | First one free, then $175 each per year | Must have MS account |
| Goldman Sachs | None | 40,000 points after $100,000 or more in spend within a card member year | $450 | $175 each per year | Must have GS account |
| Ameriprise Financial | None | 5,000 MR points after every $20,000 in spend (limit of 30,000 MR points) | $0 first year then $450 | $175 each, first three are waived in first year | AF account, rarely enforced |
| Charles Schwab | 40,000 points after $3,000 in spend within three months | $3,000 in spend within three months | $0 first year then $450 | First three are $175, each additional is $175 | Must have Charles Schwab account |
Conclusion:
American Express does offer a wide variety of personal platinum cards, each entitled to their own benefits as well as Platinum perks. Now, with an in-depth comparison between these cards; It’s hard to say for sure which card is superior to the other given that this is not the case. Now I would say that the Goldman Sachs is one of the weaker Platinum cards primarily because of the exclusivity that applies to it, but it does offer the most prestigious title out of all the other Platinum cards mentioned. Now the Goldman Sachs doesn’t currently have a sign-up bonus and it’s evident that sign-up bonuses fluctuate. I’ve seen a 100,000 MR points for some of the Platinums before so I recommend that you wait it out until American Express offers a generous bonus. Rewards Point Value fluctuates depending on the card. Find our complete list of Credit Card Promotions today!
