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 $695 fee stings, but if you use even half the credits, you come out ahead.
All credit cards
Side-by-side
The Platinum Card from Amex vs Bilt Mastercard
Both are travel travel cards. The The Platinum Card from Amex comes from American Express at $695/yr; the Bilt Mastercard from Bilt / Wells Fargo at $0/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 ($1,600 more in estimated value) than the Bilt Mastercard's. Get the The Platinum Card from Amex first; revisit the Bilt Mastercard after you've earned that bonus.
| Feature | The Platinum Card from Amex | Bilt Mastercard |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | $695 | $0 |
| Sign-up bonus | 80,000 points | No public offer |
| Bonus value (est.) | $1,600 | $0 |
| Min spend to unlock bonus | $8,000 in 6 mo | $0 in 0 mo |
| Issuer | American Express | Bilt / Wells Fargo |
| Card category | travel | travel |
| Best earning category (Flights) | 5x | 1x |
| Transfer partners | amex-mr | bilt |
| Headline benefits |
|
|
Read the full review
The Platinum Card from Amex
$695/yr · 80,000 points
Read the full review
Bilt Mastercard
$0/yr · No public offer
Editorial take: Bilt Mastercard
The only card that earns points on rent with no fees. Pair it with Rent Day on the 1st of each month for bonus earning, then transfer to top partners like Hyatt at 1:1. A must-have for renters.
Common questions
- Which card has the bigger sign-up bonus, The Platinum Card from Amex or Bilt Mastercard?
- The The Platinum Card from Amex has the bigger bonus — 80,000 points, worth roughly $1,600, versus No public offer (~$0) on the Bilt Mastercard.
- Is the The Platinum Card from Amex's $695 annual fee worth it compared to the Bilt Mastercard?
- Premium cards like the The Platinum Card from Amex ($695/yr) earn their fee through credits — travel, dining, lounge access, statement reimbursements. If you'd actively use $695+ of those credits, the math works. The Bilt Mastercard at $0/yr trades some perks for a lower commitment.
- Can I have both the The Platinum Card from Amex and Bilt Mastercard?
- Yes, since they're from different issuers (American Express and Bilt / Wells Fargo) 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 Bilt Mastercard first?
- Get the one whose sign-up bonus you can hit comfortably without overspending. The Platinum Card from Amex: $8,000 spend in 6 months. Bilt Mastercard: $0 in 0 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.