Amex Gold vs Platinum: where should we start?
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For young professionals juggling rent, groceries, rideshares, and the occasional getaway, choosing between the Amex Gold and Amex Platinum can feel like picking a superpower. Both are premium Membership Rewards® cards, but they shine in different moments of your week: everyday eats vs. elevated travel.
The Gold is a points machine on food and U.S. supermarkets; the Platinum unlocks airport lounges, hotel perks, and a buffet of lifestyle credits. The right pick depends on where your dollars go—and which benefits you’ll actually use, not just admire on a landing page.
Ready to make a confident, no-regrets choice? Let’s cut through fluff with a crisp, side-by-side breakdown tailored to the 25–35 crowd—so you keep more value and waste less time. If that’s what you want, keep going and act on the insights that fit your life.
Snapshot: Key Differences at a Glance
- Annual fees (U.S.): Gold: $325; Platinum: $895.
- Earning sweet spots:
- Gold: 4X at restaurants worldwide; 4X at U.S. supermarkets (caps apply); 3X on flights.
- Platinum: 5X on flights (direct/Amex Travel, up to cap) and prepaid hotels via AmexTravel.com.
- Lounges (Platinum): Access to the Global Lounge Collection® (Centurion, Priority Pass Select with enrollment, select partners).
- Hotel perks (Platinum): Fine Hotels + Resorts benefits and elevated credits via Amex Travel (enrollment/terms).
- Best fit: Gold for daily spenders who travel 1–2x/year; Platinum for frequent flyers who’ll redeem a stack of travel/lifestyle credits.
Who Each Card Is For
Choose Amex Gold if you:
- Spend big on restaurants and U.S. supermarkets (meal prep, delivery, brunches).
- Fly occasionally and want decent earn on airfare without living in airports.
- Prefer a lower annual fee with easy-to-use credits and transparent earn categories.
Choose Amex Platinum if you:
- Fly 3+ trips/year and value lounges, priority vibes, and hotel perks.
- Can consistently use multiple credits (rides/food delivery, entertainment, CLEAR®, hotels, etc.).
- Want the “elevated” experience: more comfort en route, better stays, concierge help.
FAQ
What is the difference between Amex Platinum and Gold?
Platinum is travel-centric (lounges, hotel perks, many lifestyle credits, strong airfare/hotel earn). Gold is everyday-spend-centric (high multipliers on dining and U.S. supermarkets, simpler credits). Frequent flyers tend to favor Platinum; most daily spenders see faster value with Gold.
Is upgrading from Amex Gold to Platinum worth it?
Yes—if you fly often, use lounges, and will actually redeem multiple Platinum credits. If you travel rarely or dislike managing credits, stick with Gold.
What are the drawbacks of Amex Gold?
No lounge access, fewer travel perks, and its value leans on dining/grocery spend and using credits. If you don’t spend much in those categories, payoff slows.
Is Amex Gold or platinum better for everyday use?
Amex Gold. Its 4X-style multipliers on restaurants and U.S. supermarkets typically beat Platinum for daily purchases.
Does gold Amex mean your rich?
No. It’s a rewards product, not a status indicator. Approval depends on creditworthiness and other factors, not a specific “rich” threshold.
Is Amex Gold free if you have platinum?
No. They’re separate products with separate annual fees. Note: Additional cards on a Platinum account aren’t the same as holding the Amex Gold card.
Is Amex Platinum hard to get approved for?
It generally requires strong credit, solid payment history, and sufficient income relative to obligations. There’s no published minimum; decisions are holistic.
Can I get into Amex lounge with a gold card?
No. Lounge access (Centurion, Priority Pass with enrollment, etc.) is a Platinum perk, not a Gold benefit.
Should I get Amex Gold before platinum?
Often, yes. Start with Gold if most spending is dining and groceries; add/upgrade to Platinum when your travel frequency and lounge/hotel use justify it.
How much income to get Amex Gold?
Amex doesn’t publish an income requirement. Approval considers credit history, existing obligations, and overall profile.
How much are 60,000 Amex points worth?
Roughly $360–$1,200+. Low end as statement credit (~0.6¢/pt), around ~1.0¢ via many flight redemptions, and potentially 1.5–2.0¢+ with high-value airline/hotel transfers.
What is the average credit limit for Amex Gold?
There isn’t a fixed “average.” Gold often functions with a flexible spending capacity (no preset spending limit) plus a Pay Over Time limit that varies by profile.
Can I switch my Amex Platinum to Gold?
Usually yes via a product change (downgrade) request with Amex. Annual fees, benefits, and welcome-offer eligibility differ; confirm details before switching.
How much do you need to spend on Amex Gold to make it worth it?
Rule of thumb: if you value points at ~1.5¢, every $1 in 4X categories returns ~6¢. Covering the annual fee typically means roughly ~$350–$450/month in dining + U.S. supermarkets, less if you fully use credits.
What is the best Amex card to get?
Depends on your habits. Everyday spenders: Gold. Frequent flyers craving lounges/hotel perks: Platinum. Cash-back fans who don’t want annual fees might prefer non-MR options.
What is the hardest credit card to get?
Among Amex cards, the invite-only Centurion is the toughest. Generally, invite-only or ultra-premium cards across issuers are the most difficult.
What is the average income for Amex Platinum?
No published figure. Approvals typically go to applicants with excellent credit and strong overall profiles rather than a specific income number.
Who should get Amex Gold?
Young professionals and households that spend heavily on restaurants and U.S. supermarkets and want straightforward, high earn on everyday purchases with simpler credits.