Choosing between the The Platinum Card from American Express ($695/yr) and the Discover it Cash Back (no annual fee) comes down to where you spend most. Both cards can deliver real value — let’s break it down, then run your numbers to find the winner.
Strongest in travel at 5% via portal. 5X on flights and prepaid hotels through Amex Travel. Global Lounge Collection access.
Perfect if: You maximize portal bookings and want premium perks to offset the fee.
Apply Now5% on rotating quarterly categories (up to $1,500/quarter), 1% on everything else. Cashback Match doubles all cash back in first year.
Perfect if: You want solid rewards without paying an annual fee.
Apply Now| Feature | The Platinum Card from American Express | Discover it Cash Back |
|---|---|---|
| Annual Fee | $695 | $0 |
| Sign-Up Bonus | 80,000 points after $8,000 spend in 6 months | None |
| Foreign Transaction Fee | 0% | 0% |
| Base Reward Rate | <strong>1.0%</strong> | <strong>1.0%</strong> |
| Travel Rewards | <strong>5%</strong> | 1% |
| Key Benefits | 5X on flights and prepaid hotels through Amex Travel. Global Lounge Collection access. | 5% on rotating quarterly categories (up to $1,500/quarter), 1% on everything else. Cashback Match doubles all cash back in first year. |
The Platinum Card from American Express pulls ahead for travel spending.
The $695/year fee difference means The Platinum Card from American Express needs to earn at least that much more in rewards to justify its cost.
Not sure which fits your life? Enter your spending below and we’ll do the math.
Enter your typical monthly spending and we’ll show you exactly which card earns more — including fees and bonuses.