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 Bank of America Travel Rewards
Both are travel travel cards. The The Platinum Card from Amex comes from American Express at $895/yr; the Bank of America Travel Rewards from Bank of America 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 ($3,250 more in estimated value) than the Bank of America Travel Rewards's. Get the The Platinum Card from Amex first; revisit the Bank of America Travel Rewards after you've earned that bonus.
| Feature | The Platinum Card from Amex | Bank of America Travel Rewards |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | $895 | $0 |
| Sign-up bonus | 175,000 points | 25,000 points |
| Bonus value (est.) | $3,500 | $250 |
| Min spend to unlock bonus | $12,000 in 6 mo | $1,000 in 3 mo |
| Issuer | American Express | Bank of America |
| Card category | travel | travel |
| Best earning category (Flights) | 5x | 1x |
| Transfer partners | amex-mr | None |
| Headline benefits |
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Read the full review
The Platinum Card from Amex
$895/yr · 175,000 points
Read the full review
Bank of America Travel Rewards
$0/yr · 25,000 points
Editorial take: Bank of America Travel Rewards
The no-fee version of Premium Rewards. Only shines with BoA's Preferred Rewards boost, otherwise the Capital One VentureOne or Wells Fargo Autograph beat it.
Common questions
- Which card has the bigger sign-up bonus, The Platinum Card from Amex or Bank of America Travel Rewards?
- The The Platinum Card from Amex has the bigger bonus, 175,000 points, worth roughly $3,500, versus 25,000 points (~$250) on the Bank of America Travel Rewards.
- Is the The Platinum Card from Amex's $895 annual fee worth it compared to the Bank of America Travel Rewards?
- 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 Bank of America Travel Rewards at $0/yr trades some perks for a lower commitment.
- Can I have both the The Platinum Card from Amex and Bank of America Travel Rewards?
- Yes, since they're from different issuers (American Express and Bank of America) 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 Bank of America Travel Rewards 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. Bank of America Travel Rewards: $1,000 in 3 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.