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The Platinum Card from American Express Exclusively for Charles Schwab vs BECU Low Rate Credit Card

Both are well-respected travel cards. The The Platinum Card from American Express Exclusively for Charles Schwab comes from American Express at $695/yr; the BECU Low Rate Credit Card from BECU at $0/yr. Below: side-by-side specs, an opinionated verdict, and the FAQs people actually ask before applying.

Bottom line

For most people the The Platinum Card from American Express Exclusively for Charles Schwab is the stronger pick today, the sign-up bonus is meaningfully larger ($1,440 more in estimated value) than the BECU Low Rate Credit Card's. Get the The Platinum Card from American Express Exclusively for Charles Schwab first; revisit the BECU Low Rate Credit Card after you've earned that bonus.

FeatureThe Platinum Card from American Express Exclusively for Charles SchwabBECU Low Rate Credit Card
Annual fee$695$0
Sign-up bonusUp to 80,000 Membership Rewards pointsNo welcome bonus
Bonus value (est.)$1,440$0
Min spend to unlock bonus$8,000 in 6 mo$0 in 0 mo
IssuerAmerican ExpressBECU
Card categorytravellow-interest
Best earning category (Flights_direct_or_amextravel)5x1x
Transfer partnersamex-mrNone
Headline benefits
  • Invest with Rewards 1.1c/pt into Schwab
  • Centurion + Priority Pass + Delta Sky Club
  • 5X flights, 5X prepaid hotels
  • $1,500+ in annual credits
    Read the full review
    The Platinum Card from American Express Exclusively for Charles Schwab
    $695/yr · Up to 80,000 Membership Rewards points
    Read the full review
    BECU Low Rate Credit Card
    $0/yr · No welcome bonus

    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.

    Editorial take: BECU Low Rate Credit Card

    Common questions

    Which card has the bigger sign-up bonus, The Platinum Card from American Express Exclusively for Charles Schwab or BECU Low Rate Credit Card?
    The The Platinum Card from American Express Exclusively for Charles Schwab has the bigger bonus, Up to 80,000 Membership Rewards points, worth roughly $1,440, versus No welcome bonus (~$0) on the BECU Low Rate Credit Card.
    Is the The Platinum Card from American Express Exclusively for Charles Schwab's $695 annual fee worth it compared to the BECU Low Rate Credit Card?
    Premium cards like the The Platinum Card from American Express Exclusively for Charles Schwab ($695/yr) earn their fee through credits, travel, dining, lounge access, statement reimbursements. If you'd actively use $695+ of those credits, the math works. The BECU Low Rate Credit Card at $0/yr trades some perks for a lower commitment.
    Can I have both the The Platinum Card from American Express Exclusively for Charles Schwab and BECU Low Rate Credit Card?
    Yes, since they're from different issuers (American Express and BECU) the application rules don't conflict. 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 The Platinum Card from American Express Exclusively for Charles Schwab or the BECU Low Rate Credit Card first?
    Get the one whose sign-up bonus you can hit comfortably without overspending. The Platinum Card from American Express Exclusively for Charles Schwab: $8,000 spend in 6 months. BECU Low Rate Credit Card: $0 in 0 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.