American Express Premier Rewards Gold and Platinum Review

• Tweet

• Tweet

Do you ever wonder why credit card companies offer different versions of the same credit card? And what’s the difference between gold and platinum anyway… prestige and bragging rights? Not really. No one cares about the credit card in your wallet unless it is the American Express Centurion Card, and then people only care because they are superficial or they think you’re silly for spending several grand in annual fees. But I digress… The short answer is the difference between the green, gold, and platinum cards is service and benefits.

American Express® Premier Rewards Gold and Platinum Card® Benefits

The main benefit of these cards is the service and perks they provide. There are many common features among them, and some that are exclusive to a particular card, such as the Gold Card events or the concierge service available only to The Platinum Card® from American Express cardholders.

Membership Rewards program. These cards all come with free membership to the Membership Rewards program for no additional fee, so you can use your rewards card to make purchases, book travel, or redeem them for gift cards or other perks. Cardholders earn one point per dollar spent on all purchases, and the rewards can be redeemed for gift cards, items, or transferred to airline or hotel miles. There is no limit to the amount of points that can be earned, and points never expire.

Here are just some of the perks you expect with the American Express® Premier Rewards Gold Card and The Platinum Card® from American Express.

Card Feature
Fraud Protection	X	X	X
Purchase Protection	X	X	X
Extended Warranties	X	X	X
Auto Rental Insurance	X	X	X
Use points for airline/hotel miles	X	X	X
Identity Theft Assistance	-	X	X
Access to Gold Card Events	-	X	X
Complimentary Airport Club Access	-	-	X
Concierge Service	-	-	X
Travel Accident Insurance	$100k	$100k	$500k
Business Version	Yes	Yes	Yes
Sign-up Bonus – redeem points for:	-	$250 Gift Card	$250 Gift Card
Apply	Apply	Apply	Apply

Sign-Up Bonuses for these American Express Cards

These American Express Cards each come with a sign up bonus.

• American Express® Premier Rewards Gold Card. – 25K points, redeemable for select gift cards valued at $250, when you spend $2,000 in your first three months of card membership.
• The Platinum Card® from American Express – 25K points, redeemable for select gift cards valued at $250, when you spend $2,000 in your first three months of card membership.

American Express® Premier Rewards Gold Card Details

• Membership Rewards® bonus: 25K points, redeemable for select gift cards valued at $250, when you spend $2,000 in your first three months of card membership.
• Membership Rewards® points multiply fast! Earn 3X points on airfare, 2X points on gas and groceries, 1X points on everything else.
• Exclusive access to Gold Card Destinations and events – Enjoy special travel packages and amenities at hotels worldwide, as well as select concerts, shows, major sporting events, and more, nationwide.
• Introductory annual fee of $0 for the first year, then $175.
• Get a decision in as little as 60 seconds.

Click to Apply for the American Express® Premier Rewards Gold Card

The Platinum Card® from American Express Details

• 25,000 Membership Rewards® points when you spend $2,000 during your first three months of Card membership.
• Global Travel Benefits: Access over 600 lounges worldwide with Priority Pass(TM) Select, no foreign transaction fees, skip U.S. customs lines with Global Entry.
• Enroll and select an airline to receive up to $200 annually in statement credits for incidental fees such as checked bags, in%u2013flight refreshments, and change fees.*
• Receive a companion ticket for discounted travel when you purchase a qualifying First- or Business-Class international ticket. Additional charges/taxes apply.
• 24/7 Platinum Card® Concierge service for assistance with reservations, travel, gifts, and more
• Fine Hotels & Resorts Program: exclusive upgrades and amenities at over 700 boutique, resort, and luxury hotels worldwide
• Use Membership Rewards Pay with Points for part or all of your travel and get 20% of those points back every time.

Click to Apply for The Platinum Card® from American Express

Fees

These American Express cards offer generous benefits, but they come at a price. Each of these cards carries an annual fee (waived for the first year for the Gold Card). Annual fees are never fun, but they are typically easy to negotiate and often earn the card holder rewards points upon renewal. The renewal fee for the Gold Card is $125, starting in your second year. The Platinum Card has an annual fee of $450.

Who Should Use These American Express Cards

These three cards are charge cards not credit credit cards, which means the bill must be paid in full each month. The target audience for these cards is a person who regularly spends a lot of money each month, has the ability to pay the bill in full, and wants to take advantage of the excellent benefits and services – particularly those of the Gold and Platinum Cards. The higher annual fees make the Gold and Platinum Cards a better deal for those who will take advantage of the many services and discounts and plan to spend several thousand dollars a month with their card.

“Disclaimer: This content is not provided or commissioned by American Express. Opinions expressed here are author’s alone, not those of American Express, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by American Express. This site may be compensated through American Express Affiliate Program.”

Related Articles:

• PenFed Travel Rewards American Express® Card Review
• American Express Charge Card Flip Video Camera Holiday Giveaway
• Blue Sky from American Express Review and $100 Cash Bonus
• Best Airline Rewards Credit Cards
• Starwood Preferred Guest® Credit Card from American Express 25,000 Bonus Points