<div id="readability-page-1"><div><div><p>American Express has long had a reputation as a top-notch credit card provider for jet-setting travellers with a taste for the finer things in life.</p><p>On top of giving a means for you to spend with all the protections that credit cards offer, Amex cards also offer a range of additional benefits including concierge services, spending rewards and even Deliveroo discounts.</p><p>Cardholders may also be able to get exclusive access to on-demand entertainment events and extra benefits when they travel.</p><p>American Express has a range of different credit cards available to individuals, but two of the most popular are Amex Gold and Amex Platinum.</p><p>Here, Telegraph Money explains their differences for anyone stuck choosing between the two.</p></div></div><div><div><h2>What is Amex Gold?</h2><p>The American Express Preferred Rewards Gold credit card is all about the perks. For every £1 you spend, you get one membership reward point, rising to two points for every £1 spent directly with airlines and three points for spending with American Express Travel.</p><p>As an additional welcome bonus, new members can currently get 28,000 reward points when they sign up if they spend £3,000 in three months. </p><p>All Amex Gold card holders can also get four free Priority Pass airport lounge visits which can be used at airports across the world.</p><p>There’s also access to the Amex Lounge at The O2 London, and exclusive experiences, with previous events including a behind-the-scenes tour of the Tottenham Hotspur stadium and a cocktail-making masterclass.</p><p>Gold card holders don’t have to travel to make the most of benefits either, with two £5 credits a month when you order food with Deliveroo.</p><p>The annual fee for the Amex Gold is currently £195, but it is waived during the first year, and it has a representative APR of 86.3pc.</p><h2>What is Amex Platinum?</h2><p>The Platinum Card ramps the lifestyle benefits up a gear, with a variety of personal, lifestyle and travel perks.</p><p>New members get 50,000 membership reward points if they spend £6,000 in the first three months which, it says, is enough for a trip to Europe or £250 worth of gift cards. </p><p>Members earn one point for every £1 they spend on the card, or two for every £1 spent at Amex Travel.</p><p>There is also complimentary access to airport lounges across the world and worldwide travel insurance for members and their families, along with rental car and hotel benefits.</p><p>The Global Dining Statement Credit gives up to £200 in “statement credits” to spend in partner restaurants in the UK plus a further £200 credit for dining overseas.</p><p>Luxury shoppers will also appreciate the extra 10pc savings with a downloaded eVIP pass, along with other perks, to use across The Bicester Collection shopping locations.</p><p>Hotel benefits, meanwhile, include free room upgrades (when available) and late check-outs.</p><p>The catch is that the Amex Platinum comes with a hefty £650 annual fee, and a representative APR of 688.5pc.</p></div></div><div><div><h2>How do I decide between Amex Gold and Amex Platinum?</h2><p>The key to working out whether you should get Amex Gold or Amex Platinum is to look at the benefits and think about how much you will use each of them.</p><p>To make the most of rewards you will also need to spend large sums regularly. While it’s fine to put as much of your spending as you can on the card, you don’t want to then fall into the trap of spending just to get rewards.</p><p>For the majority of people a Gold card will provide a good introduction to the benefits of Amex – including some travel benefits such as 24/7 global assist (which can be helpful if you have an emergency overseas) and a limited number of airport lounge passes. </p><p>For the Platinum option to stack up you will need to really unpick the details to justify the £650 annual fee. For example, look at the partner hotels and restaurants you’ll need to use to get maximum benefits from the perks and think about whether they are the sort of places you’d go. </p><p>While it might look good in your wallet, it’s only likely to offer value for money if you’re a big spender, travel regularly and in style.</p><p>With either option, it’s essential you pay your outstanding balance off every month, otherwise interest charges will quickly erode the value of your perks. </p></div></div><div><div><h2>Ames Gold vs Platinum FAQs</h2><h2>Is Amex Gold easier to get than Platinum?</h2><p>There’s no published information to suggest that it’s harder to qualify for an Amex Platinum over Amex Gold. However, American Express does state that to get either card, you need to be over 18, have a permanent UK address and have no record of bad debts – meaning you will need to have a good credit score.</p><p>Before you apply for either, it’s a good idea to use Amex’s online eligibility checker to find out if you will qualify before you make a formal application – this won’t leave a mark on your credit record, whereas a “hard credit check” that follows a full application could affect your score.</p><h2>Is it worth upgrading from Amex Gold to Amex Platinum?</h2><p>If you already have an Amex Gold card, you might be tempted to upgrade to Platinum. Amex will tempt you with the offer of extra member reward points when you do. Frequent flyers might also appreciate the value of unlimited lounge access at airports and enhanced travel rewards.</p><p>However, Platinum costs £455 more a year than Gold, so you’ll want to be confident that you will make the most of the benefits. It’s important not to get swayed by benefits you might not in reality use.</p><h2>How can I use member reward points?</h2><p>You can use member reward points to pay for shopping with Amazon.co.uk and PayPal, or buy a selection of gift crds. Alternatively you can spend your reward points on hotels or flights. </p><p>You can even donate your points to charity if you wish through a partnership with JustGiving.</p><h2>Do Amex Gold or Platinum pay cashback?</h2><p>Amex does offer cashback rewards – but not on its Gold or Platinum cards.</p><p>If you would like a cashback benefit, it’s worth looking at its Cashback and Everyday Cashback credit cards.</p><h2>Can I get air miles with American Express Gold or Platinum?</h2><p>Neither Amex Gold or Platinum offer Avios points.</p><p>If you want to focus your rewards on flights, the British Airways American Express credit card pays one Avios point for every £1 spent on everyday purchases. There’s no annual fee and if you spend £12,000 over the year you can also earn a companion voucher.</p></div></div></div>

<p>American Express offers two popular credit cards: Amex Gold and Amex Platinum. Amex Gold provides perks like 28,000 welcome points, four free airport lounge visits, and a £195 annual fee (waived first year). Amex Platinum offers 50,000 welcome points, extensive travel benefits, and a £650 annual fee. Choosing between them depends on how often you will use the benefits and your spending habits. Both cards require responsible spending to maximize rewards and avoid interest charges.</p>

Amex Gold vs Platinum: Which benefits work for you?