Forget the Amex Platinum: My Favorite Travel Card Costs $800 Less
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The American Express Platinum Card® is a premium card for premium spenders. It's got thousands of dollars in fantastic annual perks -- but it also has a (gulp) $895 annual fee (see rates and fees) to match.
But what if you want valuable travel perks from a card that doesn't make you pay through the nose to get it?
If so, I've got a recommendation: the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card (see rates and fees), with a $95 annual fee and easy-to-use perks and earning rates. Here's why it's my favorite travel card out there today.
A great welcome offer and $50 hotel credit
The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is much less expensive than something like the Platinum Card®, but it's got a welcome offer that's plenty valuable in its own right. Right now, new Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card holders can earn 75,000 bonus points after spending $5,000 in the first 3 months.
That's a bonus worth at least $750 in Chase Travel℠ value, and potentially even more if you transfer points to Chase's travel partners.
If you earn that bonus, you've basically already covered the annual fee on the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card for seven years and change. Throw in a versatile $50 annual credit for hotels booked through Chase Travel, and you're easily looking at $800 in first-year value.
Make no mistake: The Platinum Card® also comes with a fantastic welcome offer, and thousands of dollars in annual perks. But for a budget-friendly alternative that's still plenty valuable, the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is worth a look.
2026 Award Winner
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= PoorGood/Excellent (670-850)
Intro APR
Purchases: N/A
Balance Transfers: N/A
Regular APR
19.49% - 27.74% Variable
Rewards Enjoy benefits such as 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases
5x on Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, 2x on all other travel
Annual Fee
$95
Welcome Offer Earn 75,000 bonus points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
75,000 bonus points
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This card easily justifies the (very reasonable) annual fee with benefits that deliver real value. Earn 75,000 bonus points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months, which we estimate is worth at least $750 in Chase Travel℠ value. Plus, enjoy bonus travel and dining rewards, a $50 annual hotel credit, and 10% anniversary points boost. With added travel protections like rental car insurance and trip reimbursement, we think this card is a game-changer for any traveler.
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- Big sign-up bonus
- Travel rewards
- Dining rewards
- Flexible travel points
- Consumer and travel protections
- Annual fee
- Limited-time perks
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- Earn 75,000 bonus points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
- Enjoy benefits such as 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases
- Earn up to $50 in statement credits each account anniversary year for hotel stays through Chase Travel℠
- 10% anniversary points boost - each account anniversary you'll earn bonus points equal to 10% of your total purchases made the previous year.
- Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Lost Luggage Insurance and more.
- Complimentary DashPass which unlocks $0 delivery fees & lower service fees for a min. of one year when you activate by 12/31/27. Plus, a $10 promo each month on non-restaurant orders.
- Member FDIC
Earning rates that improve on the Platinum Card®
Would you believe me if I told you the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card came with better earning rates and more bonus categories than the Platinum Card®?
It's true. With the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card, you'll get:
- 5X points on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠ (excluding hotels covered by the $50 hotel credit)
- 3X points on dining, select streaming services, and online groceries
- 2X points on all other travel purchases
- 1X points on all other purchases
Compare that to those on the American Express Platinum Card®, and there's a clear winner:
- 5X points on flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel® up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year
- 5X points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel®
- 1X points on other purchases
- Terms apply
There's a simple reason for that: For most people, the Platinum Card®'s biggest selling point is its annual perks, not its earning rates. So if you want a card that racks up rewards on everyday purchases like dining, groceries and more, the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is a better bet.
It's just one more reason the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card has been my go-to travel card recommendation for years.
Ready to start earning today? Read our full review of the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card to apply now.
Our Research Expert
Ryan Wilcox is a full-time Personal Finance Writer at Motley Fool Money, covering credit cards, bank accounts, investing, auto insurance, and other personal finance topics. Ryan has been writing about credit cards and savings since 2022. Before joining Motley Fool Money, he was a full-time writer at The Points Guy, where he focused on maximizing credit card rewards and travel strategies. He holds a bachelor’s degree in English and American History from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he also spent four years reporting for The Daily Tar Heel. With a background in both journalism and consumer finance, he brings a clear and thoughtful voice to money topics. Outside of work, Ryan is likely reading, writing, or updating his Letterboxd account.
For rates and fees for American Express Platinum Card®, click here