Choices
The American Express Platinum and the Chase Sapphire Reserve: These two cards are the power couple of the premium credit card world. Deciding which one is right for you can be tricky; so why not choose both?
I’m Not Crazy
While applying for not one, but two premium metal credit cards with a combined $1,000 annual fee may seem absurd to you, I’m here to provide you with the alternate narrative and tell you why we’ve decided to hold both cards in our wallet in 2018. Read on, and I will explain how $25/month will unlock a plethora of travel benefits for you and your loved ones this year.
Sign Up Bonuses
With the sign up bonuses offered by both cards, the rewards more than compensate you for the annual fees you incur in that first year. At the laziest redemption level, using points to purchase travel through the respective travel portals, you earn $1,350 from sign up bonuses in exchange for the $1,000 in annual fees; a $350 profit if you plan to travel this year.
Annual Fees vs. Credits
The American Express Platinum card carries a $550 annual fee, while offering $200 back in Uber credits and $200 back in airline incidentals. The Chase Sapphire Reserve card carries a $450 annual fee, while offering $300 back in travel credits. If you assume you will spend money with Uber or Uber Eats, the airlines and by traveling anyway, then each card only costs you $150.
Takeaway
For the two cards, it will cost you just $300/year, or $25/month, while affording you these benefits all year long:
| What is the perk? | How will I use it? | Where did I earn it? |
| $200 worth of airline incidental reimbursements | Lounge passes, in-flight food and beverage, baggage fees and seat upgrades |  |
| $200 worth of Uber / Uber Eats reimbursements |
Whether you need a ride, or want dinner delivered to you, you can use these credits to accomplish that | |
| $300 worth of travel reimbursement | The most generous of benefits: Travel includes airfare, hotels, taxis, etc. |  |
| Priority Pass Membership with up to two guests | Great for Alaska Air and The Club Lounges | |
| Priority Pass Membership with unlimited guests | The Club Lounges…now with more friends! | |
| Centurion Airport Lounge Access | My favorite lounge in Las Vegas | |
| Sky Club Airport Lounge Access when flying Delta | My favorite lounge in Seattle | |
| Primary Rental Car Insurance | This can be better than your own auto policy with the $75K coverage including Loss of Use | |
| 10% back on airfare purchases | 5X Points valued at $0.02 each | |
| 6.6% back on dining (restaurant, bar) purchases | 3X Points valued at $0.022 each | |
| 6.6% back on travel (hotel, taxi) purchases | 3X Points valued at $0.022 each | |
| Boingo Wifi Membership | Unlimited access to over a million WiFi hotspots | |
| SPG Gold Status | Room upgrades and more with Sheraton, Westin and other SPG Hotel Brands | |
| Marriott Gold Status | Marriott honors SPG status so add them to your list of elite partners | |
| Hilton Gold Status | In case that wasn’t enough, you’ll also be covered at Hilton properties too | |
| Trip Cancellation Insurance | Up to $10,000 per trip | |
| Baggage Delay Credit | $100/day per bag | |
| Trip Delay Credit | Up to $500 per ticket | |
| Price Protection | Up to $500 per item | |
Referral Links
Well, what do you think? If you decide to apply for one or both cards, please use my referral link below to net me some bonus points in addition to the ones you’ll receive!
Click here to apply for the American Express Platinum Card and earn 60,000 points!
