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The Platinum Card from Amex vs The Platinum Card from American Express Exclusively for Charles Schwab

Both are travel travel cards. The The Platinum Card from Amex comes from American Express at $895/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 Amex costs $200 more per year, only worth it if you'll actually use the upgraded perks.

FeatureThe Platinum Card from AmexThe Platinum Card from American Express Exclusively for Charles Schwab
Annual fee$895$695
Sign-up bonus175,000 pointsUp to 80,000 Membership Rewards points
Bonus value (est.)$3,500$1,440
Min spend to unlock bonus$12,000 in 6 mo$8,000 in 6 mo
IssuerAmerican ExpressAmerican Express
Card categorytraveltravel
Best earning category (Flights)5x1x
Transfer partnersamex-mramex-mr
Headline benefits
  • Centurion Lounge access
  • $200 airline fee credit
  • $200 hotel credit
  • $200 Uber Cash
  • 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 Amex
$895/yr · 175,000 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 Amex

The granddaddy of premium cards with Centurion Lounge access, hotel elite status, and a mountain of credits. The $895 fee stings, but if you use even half the credits, you come out ahead.

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, The Platinum Card from Amex or The Platinum Card from American Express Exclusively for Charles Schwab?
The The Platinum Card from Amex has the bigger bonus, 175,000 points, worth roughly $3,500, versus Up to 80,000 Membership Rewards points (~$1,440) on the The Platinum Card from American Express Exclusively for Charles Schwab.
Is the The Platinum Card from Amex's $895 annual fee worth it compared to the The Platinum Card from American Express Exclusively for Charles Schwab?
Premium cards like the The Platinum Card from Amex ($895/yr) earn their fee through credits, travel, dining, lounge access, statement reimbursements. If you'd actively use $895+ of those credits, the math works. The The Platinum Card from American Express Exclusively for Charles Schwab at $695/yr trades some perks for a lower commitment.
Can I have both the The Platinum Card from Amex 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 The Platinum Card from Amex 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. The Platinum Card from Amex: $12,000 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.