An Advisor's View: Which AMEX Card is Best for Points?
- Cliff Woolard
- Mar 18
- 3 min read
Why Not Two AMEX Cards for Maximum Points?
The "Amex Double" is a popular strategy for a reason, but most people shouldn't start by getting both. As a travel advisor, I often tell my clients to choose their "entry point" based on their current lifestyle—are you a foodie who travels, or a traveler who happens to eat? In March 2026, the gap between these cards has widened. The Platinum is now a high-end "luxury concierge" in your pocket, while the Gold has become the ultimate "points-earning engine" for your daily life.
⚔️ Side-by-Side: The 2026 AMEX Card Comparison
Feature | ||
Annual Fee | $895 | $325 |
Welcome Offer | 175,000 Points (after $12k spend / 6 mo) | 100,000 Points (after $6k spend / 6 mo) |
Top Earning Category | 5x on Flights & Prepaid Hotels | 4x on Dining & U.S. Supermarkets |
Lounge Access | Centurion, Delta, Priority Pass | None |
Elite Status | Hilton & Marriott Gold | None |
Best For... | The Frequent International Traveler | The "Everyday" High Earner |
🍽️ The Amex Gold: For the "Points-First" Strategy
If your goal is to rack up as many points as possible to fund your next trip to Germany, the Gold card is actually the faster horse.
The "Foodie" Bonus: You earn 4x points at restaurants (up to $50k/year) and U.S. supermarkets (up to $25k/year). If you spend $1,000 a month on groceries and dining, that’s 48,000 points a year just for eating.
The Credits: The $325 fee is largely offset by $120 in Uber Cash, $120 in Dining Credits (Grubhub, etc.), and the new $84 Dunkin' Credit. If you use these naturally, the "effective cost" of the card is under $100.
✈️ The Amex Platinum: For the "Experience-First" Strategy
The Platinum card isn't designed for your grocery run—it’s designed for the airport and the hotel.
The "VIP" Treatment: This card is about comfort. You get into the Centurion Lounge while everyone else is at the crowded gate. You get 4 PM late checkout at a luxury hotel in Munich so you don't have to lug your bags around before a night flight.
The Credits: With the $895 fee, you have to be more strategic. But with the $600 Hotel Credit, $400 Resy Credit, and $200 Airline Credit, you can actually "profit" from the card if you were already going to spend that money on travel and dining.
Which one should you choose?
Choose the Platinum if...
You have a big international trip planned (like your upcoming European journey!). The 175,000-point welcome offer is enough to book a Business Class seat on its own, and the lounge access will make those long layovers in Frankfurt or Zurich much more bearable.
Current Spend Goal: $12,000 in 6 months.
Choose the Gold if...
You want to build a "nest egg" of points for future travel without changing your daily habits. It’s the better "everyday" card and has a much more manageable spending requirement for the welcome bonus.
Current Spend Goal: $6,000 in 6 months.
Advisor’s "Pro Tip"
Many of my clients actually hold both. They use the Gold for all food and groceries to maximize points, and keep the Platinum strictly for booking travel and lounge access. In 2026, this is the most efficient way to ensure you're never earning just "1x" on any purchase.
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