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 British Airways Visa Signature
Both are travel travel cards. The The Platinum Card from Amex comes from American Express at $895/yr; the British Airways Visa Signature from Chase at $95/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 ($2,450 more in estimated value) than the British Airways Visa Signature's. Get the The Platinum Card from Amex first; revisit the British Airways Visa Signature after you've earned that bonus.
| Feature | The Platinum Card from Amex | British Airways Visa Signature |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | $895 | $95 |
| Sign-up bonus | 175,000 points | 75,000 Bonus Avios |
| Bonus value (est.) | $3,500 | $1,050 |
| Min spend to unlock bonus | $12,000 in 6 mo | $5,000 in 3 mo |
| Issuer | American Express | Chase |
| 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
British Airways Visa Signature
$95/yr · 75,000 Bonus Avios
Editorial take: British Airways Visa Signature
Avios shine on short-haul AA flights (7,500 miles each way under 1,150 miles). The Travel Together ticket is amazing but requires $30k spend per year, only worth it if you already hit that.
Common questions
- Which card has the bigger sign-up bonus, The Platinum Card from Amex or British Airways Visa Signature?
- The The Platinum Card from Amex has the bigger bonus, 175,000 points, worth roughly $3,500, versus 75,000 Bonus Avios (~$1,050) on the British Airways Visa Signature.
- Is the The Platinum Card from Amex's $895 annual fee worth it compared to the British Airways Visa Signature?
- 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 British Airways Visa Signature at $95/yr trades some perks for a lower commitment.
- Can I have both the The Platinum Card from Amex and British Airways Visa Signature?
- Yes, since they're from different issuers (American Express and Chase) 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 British Airways Visa Signature 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. British Airways Visa Signature: $5,000 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.