Choosing between the The Platinum Card from American Express ($695/yr) and the U.S. Bank Business Altitude Power World Elite Mastercard (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 NowStrongest in travel at 6%. 2x on all, 2.5x on mobile up to $5k/quarter, 6x on prepaid travel. Earns a solid 2.0% on everything else.
Perfect if: You want solid rewards without paying an annual fee.
Apply Now| Feature | The Platinum Card from American Express | U.S. Bank Business Altitude Power World Elite Mastercard |
|---|---|---|
| Annual Fee | $695 | $0 |
| Sign-Up Bonus | 80,000 points after $8,000 spend in 6 months | 75,000 points after $10,000 spend in 120 days |
| Foreign Transaction Fee | 0% | 0% |
| Base Reward Rate | 1.0% | <strong>2.0%</strong> |
| Travel Rewards | 5% | <strong>6%</strong> |
| Key Benefits | 5X on flights and prepaid hotels through Amex Travel. Global Lounge Collection access. | 2x on all, 2.5x on mobile up to $5k/quarter, 6x on prepaid travel. |
U.S. Bank Business Altitude Power World Elite Mastercard wins on travel, dining, groceries, gas.
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.