The American Express Platinum Card® is an excellent premium card that provides a wide range of travel and lifestyle benefits for a high $895 annual fee (see rates and fees).
Even with all the benefits it offers, the Amex Platinum isn’t for everybody. With multiple statement credits to track, some may think it takes too much effort to maximize.
If you’re debating whether to keep your Amex Platinum, consider switching to one of these seven rewards credit cards.
The best cards to replace your Amex Platinum
Each of the cards I’ve selected earns transferable rewards and provides its own suite of benefits, credits and perks for cardholders to enjoy.
Related: The best premium credit cards: A side-by-side comparison
American Express Gold Card
If you want to keep earning Membership Rewards points, the Amex Gold may be the right card for you.
THE POINTS GUY
Welcome offer: Find out your offer and see if you are eligible for as high as 100,000 bonus points after spending $8,000 on purchases in the first six months of card membership. Welcome offers vary, and you may not be eligible for an offer.
This offer is worth up to $2,000, per TPG’s May 2026 valuations.
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Earning rates:
- 5 points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels booked on amextravel.com or the Amex Travel App™
- 4 points per dollar spent at restaurants worldwide (on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1 point per dollar spent)
- 4 points per dollar spent at U.S. supermarkets (on the first $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1 point per dollar spent)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline, amextravel.com or the Amex Travel App
- 2 points per dollar spent on car rentals booked on amextravel.com or the Amex Travel App
- 2 points per dollar spent on cruises booked on amextravel.com
- 1 point per dollar spent on other eligible purchases
Annual fee: $325 (see rates and fees)
Why it can replace your Amex Platinum: The Amex Gold earns Membership Rewards points (the same rewards as the Amex Platinum) and provides a solid list of perks for a lower annual fee than its premium counterpart.
The Amex Gold’s statement credits could be potentially easier to maximize than the Amex Platinum‘s — especially if you spend more frequently on food. Standout benefits include:
- Up to $120 in Uber Cash per calendar year (up to $10 a month when you enroll with your Amex Gold and pay with any Amex card; U.S. rides and U.S. Uber Eats orders only)
- Up to $120 in dining statement credits with select merchants (up to $10 per month) per calendar year
- Up to $100 in statement credits with U.S. Resy restaurants (up to $50 in statement credits semiannually) per calendar year
- Up to $84 in monthly statement credits (up to $7 per month) per calendar year with U.S. Dunkin’ locations
- Enrollment is required for select benefits
Plus, cardmembers have access to the same The Hotel Collection* benefits as those with the Amex Platinum.
To learn more, read our full review of the American Express Gold Card.
*Eligible charges vary by property. Minimum two-night stay required.
Apply here: Amex Gold
Bilt Palladium Card
The Bilt Palladium is the premium travel card for Bilt members to earn valuable Bilt Points on everyday purchases.
THE POINTS GUY
Welcome offer: Earn 50,000 bonus points and Bilt Gold status (through the rest of the calendar year in which it was earned and the following calendar year, excluding rent or mortgage) after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first 90 days from account opening. Cardholders also receive $300 in Bilt Cash upon approval. Up to $100 of Bilt Cash earned rolls over each year.
According to TPG’s May 2026 valuations, this offer is worth $1,100 in points. If you combine these points with the $300 in Bilt Cash, you’ll receive up to $1,400 in value from the bonus.
Earning rates:
- 2 points per dollar spent on everyday spending†
- Up to 1.25 points per dollar spent on rent and mortgage payments*
- 4% Bilt Cash earned on everyday spending (if you opt to earn Bilt Cash; up to $100 of Bilt Cash rolls over each year)
*In order to unlock the full 1.25 points per dollar spent, you’ll need to opt in to Bilt 2.0’s tier-rewards system and spend 100% of your rent in non-housing purchases.
†Tax payments do not earn points.
Annual fee: $495 (see rates and fees)
Why it can replace your Amex Platinum: The Bilt Palladium rivals the Amex Platinum as a premium option in the Bilt ecosystem. It’s an excellent card for earning Bilt points, which TPG’s valuations place at a whopping 2.2 cents each.
Many of the annual benefits for cardholders are travel-oriented. A highlight is the card’s up to $400 in credits for hotel bookings made through the Bilt Travel portal. This perk is split biannually each calendar year, so you’ll receive $200 to use in the first six months of the year, and $200 to use in the last six months of the year.
Bilt could be a great choice for renters and homeowners, since you have the option to unlock points on your housing expenses.
To learn more, read our full review of the Bilt Palladium.
Apply here: Bilt Palladium Card
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
If simplicity and a lower annual fee are what you’re searching for, the Capital One Venture Rewards may be the choice for you.
THE POINTS GUY
Welcome offer: Earn 75,000 bonus miles after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.
This bonus is worth about $1,388, according to TPG’s May 2026 valuations.
Earning rates:
- 5 miles per dollar spent on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
- 2 miles per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases
Annual fee: $95
Why it can replace your Amex Platinum: The Venture Rewards is an excellent travel card if you want low-frills but solid earning on everyday purchases.
While the Amex Platinum packs a punch with benefits, the Venture Rewards keeps it simple, earning valuable miles that you can use to book travel and cover eligible travel purchases.You can transfer your rewards to one of Capital One’s 15-plus airline and hotel partners for maximum value.
To learn more, read our full review of the Capital One Venture Rewards.
Learn more: Capital One Venture Rewards
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
The Capital One Venture X is a worthy competitor in the luxury rewards card space thanks to its solid suite of benefits for a relatively low annual fee.
THE POINTS GUY
Welcome offer: Earn 75,000 bonus miles after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.
Per TPG’s valuations, this offer is worth about $1,388.
Earning rates:
- 10 miles per dollar spent on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
- 5 miles per dollar spent on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Travel
- 2 miles per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases
Annual fee: $395
Why it can replace your Amex Platinum: The Venture X is Capital One’s premium travel rewards card. It charges a much lower annual fee than the Amex Platinum in exchange for easy-to-earn rewards and select travel benefits.
The Venture X’s highlight perks are its $300 annual statement credit for select travel booked through Capital One Travel and 10,000 bonus miles on each account anniversary. These two benefits alone offset the card’s $395 annual fee, since TPG’s valuations deem 10,000 Capital One miles to be worth $185.
Like the Venture Rewards, the miles you earn from the Venture X can also be used to book travel and even cover eligible travel purchases, or you can transfer them to one of Capital One’s 15-plus airline and hotel partners.
To learn more, read our full review of the Capital One Venture X.
Learn more: Capital One Venture X
Chase Sapphire Preferred Card
For people who want to earn Ultimate Rewards points for a modest annual fee, there’s the Chase Sapphire Preferred.
THE POINTS GUY
Welcome offer: Earn 75,000 bonus points after spending $5,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.
This is worth $1,538, per TPG’s May 2026 valuations.
Earning rates:
- 5 points per dollar spent on travel booked through Chase Travel℠ (excluding the $50 hotel credit)
- 5 points per dollar spent on Lyft purchases (through Sept. 30, 2027)
- 5 points per dollar spent on Peloton equipment and accessory purchases of $150 or more (through Dec. 31, 2027, with a limit of 25,000 bonus points)
- 3 points per dollar spent on dining, select streaming services and online grocery store purchases (excluding Target, Walmart and wholesale clubs)
- 2 points per dollar spent on all other travel not booked through Chase Travel
- 1 point per dollar spent on everything else
Annual fee: $95
Why it can replace your Amex Platinum: While this card doesn’t include lounge access and other premium benefits like the Amex Platinum, it does come with a number of useful travel benefits.
These perks include primary rental car insurance, a $50 annual hotel statement credit on bookings made through Chase Travel and travel and shopping purchase protections. Additionally, you’ll receive a 10% points bonus on all purchases at the end of every year.
You can transfer points to Chase’s 14 airline and hotel partners or use them to book travel and cover purchases through statement credits.
To learn more, read our full review of the Chase Sapphire Preferred.
Apply here: Chase Sapphire Preferred Card
Chase Sapphire Reserve
Travelers love the Chase Sapphire Reserve because it offers a variety of benefits to cardholders.
THE POINTS GUY
Welcome offer: Earn 150,000 bonus points after spending $6,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.
This offer is worth $3,075, according to TPG’s valuations.
Earning rates:
- 10 points per dollar spent on Peloton equipment and accessory purchases (of at least $150; maximum of 50,000 points; through Dec. 31, 2027)
- 8 points per dollar spent on purchases made through Chase Travel (including The Edit)
- 5 points per dollar spent on Lyft rides (through Sept. 30, 2027)
- 4 points per dollar spent on flights and hotels booked directly
- 3 points per dollar spent on dining worldwide
- 1 point per dollar spent on everything else
Annual fee: $795
Why it can replace your Amex Platinum: The Sapphire Reserve is a direct competitor of the Amex Platinum in that it provides multiple statement credits.
With this card, you’ll receive an annual $300 travel credit, up to a $120 credit for Global Entry, TSA PreCheck or Nexus every four years, access to every Chase Sapphire Lounge, a Priority Pass membership, access to The Edit (Chase’s luxury hotel program), primary rental car coverage and travel and shopping purchase protections.
Note that you won’t earn points on travel until after the first $300 is spent on travel annually.
These points can be transferred to valuable loyalty program partners, including Air Canada Aeroplan and World of Hyatt.
To learn more, read our full review of the Chase Sapphire Reserve.
Apply here: Chase Sapphire Reserve
Citi Strata Premier Card
The Citi Strata Premier is a solid points earner that comes with a modest annual fee.
THE POINTS GUY
Welcome offer: Earn 60,000 bonus ThankYou points after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first three months of account opening.
This offer is worth $1,140, per TPG’s May 2026 valuations.
Earning rates:
- 10 points per dollar spent on hotels, car rentals and attractions booked through the Citi Travel portal
- 3 points per dollar spent on purchases in the following categories, with no caps or annual limits:
- Air travel
- Electric vehicle charging stations
- Gas stations
- Other hotels
- Supermarkets
- Restaurants (including takeout)
- 1 point per dollar spent on all other purchases
Annual fee: $95
Why it can replace your Amex Platinum: This card is a great choice if you value earning rates more than statement credits. While it serves a different purpose than the Amex Platinum, if you want to switch up your strategy, the Strata Premier is a great choice.
This card earns ThankYou points, which can be transferred at a 1:1 ratio to multiple transfer partners, including American Airlines AAdvantage.
Plus, every year, you’ll receive a $100 credit toward a single hotel stay of $500 or more (excluding taxes and fees) that’s booked through CitiTravel.com. This benefit alone covers the $95 annual fee.
To learn more, read our full review of the Citi Strata Premier.
Apply here: Citi Strata Premier
Bottom line
While the Amex Platinum still holds value for many cardmembers, others may feel inclined to replace the card with another on the market. Fortunately, there are several great alternatives to consider.
Each card comes with its own pros and cons, though in many cases, each offers similar (if not better) benefits as the Amex Platinum for a lower annual fee.
Regardless of where your loyalties lie, there’s a card that will suit your spending habits and travel goals.
Related: Is the Amex Platinum worth the annual fee?
For rates and fees of the Amex Platinum Card, click here.
For rates and fees of the Amex Gold Card, click here.
