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 Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus
Both are travel travel cards. The The Platinum Card from Amex comes from American Express at $895/yr; the Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus from Chase at $99/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 Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus's. Get the The Platinum Card from Amex first; revisit the Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus after you've earned that bonus.
| Feature | The Platinum Card from Amex | Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | $895 | $99 |
| Sign-up bonus | 175,000 points | 50,000 bonus points |
| Bonus value (est.) | $3,500 | - |
| Min spend to unlock bonus | $12,000 in 6 mo | $1,000 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
Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus
$99/yr · 50,000 bonus points
Editorial take: Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus
The entry-level Southwest card after the 2025 refresh raised the fee to $99. Worth it primarily if you're chasing the Companion Pass; the Priority card delivers more value if you fly Southwest 2+ times per year.
Common questions
- Which card has the bigger sign-up bonus, The Platinum Card from Amex or Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus?
- The The Platinum Card from Amex has a public bonus (175,000 points, worth roughly $3,500), while the Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus doesn't advertise one right now.
- Is the The Platinum Card from Amex's $895 annual fee worth it compared to the Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus?
- 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 Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus at $99/yr trades some perks for a lower commitment.
- Can I have both the The Platinum Card from Amex and Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus?
- 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 Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus 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. Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus: $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.