Editorial take: American Express Gold Card
The ultimate foodie card, earning bonus points at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. Plus over $400 in easy-to-use statement credits make the annual fee a no-brainer.
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Side-by-side
American Express Gold Card vs The Platinum Card from American Express Exclusively for Charles Schwab
Both are travel travel cards. The American Express Gold Card comes from American Express at $325/yr; the The Platinum Card from American Express Exclusively for Charles Schwab from American Express at $695/yr. Below: side-by-side specs, an opinionated verdict, and the FAQs people actually ask before applying.
Bottom line
Both cards come from American Express and target travel spenders, so the choice usually comes down to whether you'll use the premium-tier benefits. The The Platinum Card from American Express Exclusively for Charles Schwab costs $370 more per year, only worth it if you'll actually use the upgraded perks.
| Feature | American Express Gold Card | The Platinum Card from American Express Exclusively for Charles Schwab |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | $325 | $695 |
| Sign-up bonus | 100,000 points | Up to 80,000 Membership Rewards points |
| Bonus value (est.) | $2,000 | $1,440 |
| Min spend to unlock bonus | $8,000 in 6 mo | $8,000 in 6 mo |
| Issuer | American Express | American Express |
| Card category | travel | travel |
| Best earning category (Prepaid_hotels_amex) | 5x | 1x |
| Transfer partners | amex-mr | amex-mr |
| Headline benefits |
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Read the full review
American Express Gold Card
$325/yr · 100,000 points
Read the full review
The Platinum Card from American Express Exclusively for Charles Schwab
$695/yr · Up to 80,000 Membership Rewards points
Editorial take: The Platinum Card from American Express Exclusively for Charles Schwab
The premium Platinum for Schwab brokerage customers. Same lounge access, FHR, and credit suite as the Personal Platinum, but the killer feature is Invest with Rewards at 1.1 cents per point cash-into-brokerage — the highest fixed-value MR redemption in the program. Best for cardholders who don't max out airline transfer partners.
Common questions
- Which card has the bigger sign-up bonus, American Express Gold Card or The Platinum Card from American Express Exclusively for Charles Schwab?
- The American Express Gold Card has the bigger bonus, 100,000 points, worth roughly $2,000, versus Up to 80,000 Membership Rewards points (~$1,440) on the The Platinum Card from American Express Exclusively for Charles Schwab.
- Is the American Express Gold Card's $325 annual fee worth it compared to the The Platinum Card from American Express Exclusively for Charles Schwab?
- At $325/yr, the American Express Gold Card is in the mid-fee tier. Compare its specific perks (lounge access, travel credits, primary rental insurance) to the The Platinum Card from American Express Exclusively for Charles Schwab's, pick the one whose perks you'll actually use.
- Can I have both the American Express Gold Card and The Platinum Card from American Express Exclusively for Charles Schwab?
- Yes, though both are issued by American Express so the same issuer-specific application rules apply (Chase 5/24 if applicable, Amex once-per-lifetime bonus, etc.). Many points enthusiasts hold both, they pair well when one earns flexible bank points and the other earns a different currency.
- Should I get the American Express Gold Card or the The Platinum Card from American Express Exclusively for Charles Schwab first?
- Get the one whose sign-up bonus you can hit comfortably without overspending. American Express Gold Card: $8,000 spend in 6 months. The Platinum Card from American Express Exclusively for Charles Schwab: $8,000 in 6 months. Pick the easier minimum spend if you're new to points; pick the larger bonus if you have planned big purchases coming up.
Card details on this page reflect the most recent data we've verified against the issuer's own site. Sign-up bonuses and fees can change at any time, confirm the current offer on the issuer's page before applying.