The Platinum Card® from American Express vs Chase Sapphire Reserve
The Platinum Card® from American Express leads 3 profiles (Grocery-heavy · Gas-heavy · Everyday spending). The other card leads or ties the rest, so where you actually spend decides this comparison.
Fees and perks at a glance
Annual fees: The Platinum Card® from American Express $895/yr · Chase Sapphire Reserve $795/yr. The $100 gap has to be earned back in credits or perks.
The Platinum Card® from American Express Credits: Prepaid lodging credit ($300 semi-annually) · Resy dining credit ($100 quarterly) · Digital entertainment credit ($25/month) and 11 more
Chase Sapphire Reserve Credits: DoorDash promo up to $35/mo · Lyft credit $10 · The Edit hotel credit $250/stay (up to $500/yr) and 7 more
The Platinum Card® from American Express Signup bonus: Up to 175,000 MR points after $12,000 spend in 6 months
Chase Sapphire Reserve Signup bonus: 100,000 UR points after $6,000 spend in 3 months
Earn comparison by category
| Category | The Platinum Card® from American Express | Chase Sapphire Reserve |
|---|---|---|
| Dining | 2.00%1x × 2¢ | 4.50%3x × 1.5¢ |
| Groceries | 2.00%1x × 2¢ | 1.50%1x × 1.5¢ |
| Gas / EV charging | 2.00%1x × 2¢ | 1.50%1x × 1.5¢ |
| Travel | 2.00%1x × 2¢ | 6.00%4x × 1.5¢ |
| Everything else | 2.00%1x × 2¢ | 1.50%1x × 1.5¢ |
| Flights via travel portals | 10.00%5x × 2¢ | 12.00%8x × 1.5¢ |
| Hotels via travel portals | 10.00%5x × 2¢ | 12.00%8x × 1.5¢ |
Verdict by spending profile
| Category | The Platinum Card® from American Express | Chase Sapphire Reserve |
|---|---|---|
| Dining-heavy | 2.00% | 4.50% |
| Grocery-heavy | 2.00% | 1.50% |
| Gas-heavy | 2.00% | 1.50% |
| Travel-heavy | 2.00% | 6.00% |
| Everyday spending | 2.00% | 1.50% |
How is this comparison computed?
Effective return = category earn rate × point value. Example: 4x × 2.0¢ = 8.00% back (estimate).
This page compares the two cards' catalog earn rates only. Signup bonus amounts change over time, so they are not in the table.
Every % here is an estimate: point values are catalog assumptions, and actual value depends on how you redeem.
This page compares two cards only. Inside DanHana, the same math re-ranks by the cards in your own wallet -- so your personal best may differ.
Frequently asked questions
The Platinum Card® from American Express vs Chase Sapphire Reserve: which one is better?
The Platinum Card® from American Express leads 3 profiles (Grocery-heavy · Gas-heavy · Everyday spending). The other card leads or ties the rest, so where you actually spend decides this comparison.
How do the annual fees compare?
Annual fees: The Platinum Card® from American Express $895/yr · Chase Sapphire Reserve $795/yr. The $100 gap has to be earned back in credits or perks. Catalog credits: The Platinum Card® from American Express has 14, Chase Sapphire Reserve has 10.
Where is the biggest gap?
Travel is where Chase Sapphire Reserve leads by the most: 2.00% vs 6.00% (1x × 2¢ vs 4x × 1.5¢).
Are these returns guaranteed?
No -- every figure here is an estimate. Point values are catalog assumptions (e.g. Membership Rewards 2.0¢, Ultimate Rewards 1.5¢, cash back 1.0¢), and your actual value depends on how you redeem. Bonus rates can have annual caps, and issuers change terms -- check the card's official terms before applying.
Sources
- DanHana data & verification method
- What is DanHana?
- Smart recommendations
- Chase Sapphire Reserve official page
Page updated: October 28, 2026