American Express Platinum vs Chase Sapphire Reserve: two of the best travel rewards cards for 2024

16.12.2023 - 17:57 / lonelyplanet.com / Chase Sapphire-Reserve / Sapphire Reserve / Chase Sapphire Reserve

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With the right travel credit card, you'll go further faster and with plenty of more perks. Of the premium travel rewards cards, The Platinum Card® from American Express* and the Chase Sapphire Reserve® are two of the best on the market. These cards are among the most popular as well, offering members the chance to earn points toward complimentary flights, hotel stays, rental cars and several other redemptions.

While both cards include a robust amount of statement credits for members to use whether or not they’re traveling, you’ll need to take a closer look to determine which perks will be the most applicable to your current needs and travel preferences. 

If you prefer specific airport lounges or travel with certain airlines or hotel brands over others, pay attention to the ones each card is associated with — and the spending categories each one lets you earn bonus points for — so you can make the most of all those benefits and points-earning possibilities.

Here’s everything you need to know if you’re considering applying for The Platinum Card® from American Express or the Chase Sapphire Reserve® and how they stack up against each other. 

The best credit cards with no international fees

Whether you’re just starting your points and miles journey or have been a rewards enthusiast for years, a lucrative welcome bonus is a nice way to boost your current balance. Just pay attention to your finances and ensure you’ll be able to hit the minimum spending requirement responsibly (ideally, by paying off your balance in full each month to avoid extra fees).

Amex Platinum: New cardholders can earn 80,000 bonus Membership Rewards points after spending $8,000 within the first six months of opening their account. Those points are worth $1,600 in travel when redeemed for flights, hotels, rental cars and cruises through AmexTravel.com.

Chase Sapphire Reserve: New applicants can earn 60,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards points after spending $4,000 within the first three months of opening their account. That translates to $900 worth of travel when points are redeemed via the Chase travel portal.

Verdict: While each welcome bonus offers an incredible amount of points to help you get started on your rewards-earning