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.
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Side-by-side
The Platinum Card from Amex vs Bilt Mastercard (legacy, Wells Fargo)
Both are travel travel cards. The The Platinum Card from Amex comes from American Express at $895/yr; the Bilt Mastercard (legacy, Wells Fargo) from Bilt / Wells Fargo 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 Amex is the stronger pick today, the sign-up bonus is meaningfully larger ($3,500 more in estimated value) than the Bilt Mastercard (legacy, Wells Fargo)'s. Get the The Platinum Card from Amex first; revisit the Bilt Mastercard (legacy, Wells Fargo) after you've earned that bonus.
| Feature | The Platinum Card from Amex | Bilt Mastercard (legacy, Wells Fargo) |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | $895 | $0 |
| Sign-up bonus | 175,000 points | Closed to new applicants |
| Bonus value (est.) | $3,500 | $0 |
| Min spend to unlock bonus | $12,000 in 6 mo | $0 in 0 mo |
| Issuer | American Express | Bilt / Wells Fargo |
| Card category | travel | travel |
| Best earning category (Flights) | 5x | 1x |
| Transfer partners | amex-mr | bilt |
| Headline benefits |
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Read the full review
The Platinum Card from Amex
$895/yr · 175,000 points
Read the full review
Bilt Mastercard (legacy, Wells Fargo)
$0/yr · Closed to new applicants
Editorial take: Bilt Mastercard (legacy, Wells Fargo)
Closed to new applicants. Bilt launched its 2.0 portfolio (Blue / Obsidian / Palladium) on February 7, 2026 with Cardless as the new issuer. Existing Wells Fargo Bilt Mastercard holders are being migrated; new applicants should apply for one of the Bilt 2.0 tiers via biltrewards.com.
Common questions
- Which card has the bigger sign-up bonus, The Platinum Card from Amex or Bilt Mastercard (legacy, Wells Fargo)?
- The The Platinum Card from Amex has the bigger bonus, 175,000 points, worth roughly $3,500, versus Closed to new applicants (~$0) on the Bilt Mastercard (legacy, Wells Fargo).
- Is the The Platinum Card from Amex's $895 annual fee worth it compared to the Bilt Mastercard (legacy, Wells Fargo)?
- 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 Bilt Mastercard (legacy, Wells Fargo) at $0/yr trades some perks for a lower commitment.
- Can I have both the The Platinum Card from Amex and Bilt Mastercard (legacy, Wells Fargo)?
- Yes, since they're from different issuers (American Express and Bilt / Wells Fargo) 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 Amex or the Bilt Mastercard (legacy, Wells Fargo) 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. Bilt Mastercard (legacy, Wells Fargo): $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.