The Ultimate Comparison – Points, Perks & Real-World Value
🏆 Quick Verdict: Who Should Get Which?
| Card | Best For | Annual Fee | Net Value (After Credits) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amex Gold | Foodies, frequent diners | £160 | £240+ (with £120 dining credit) |
| Amex Platinum | Luxury travelers, frequent flyers | £650 | £1,000+ (with £300 travel credit + lounge access) |
💡 Key Insight: Gold beats Platinum if you spend <£30k/year. Platinum wins for high spenders & travelers.
🔍 Head-to-Head Comparison (2024 Updates)
1. Signup Bonuses
| Amex Gold | Amex Platinum | |
|---|---|---|
| Current Offer | 30,000 MR points (£3k spend/3mo) | 60,000 MR points (£6k spend/6mo) |
| Best Redemption | £300 in flights (Avios/Virgin) | £900 in business class flights |
| Expires | 30 Sept 2024 | Limited-time |
Winner: Platinum (2x points, but higher spend requirement).
2. Rewards & Points
| Spending Category | Amex Gold (Points/£) | Amex Platinum (Points/£) |
|---|---|---|
| Dining (UK & worldwide) | 4x (best in UK) | 1x |
| Flights (direct booking) | 3x | 2x (but 4x via Amex Travel) |
| Travel (hotels, trains) | 2x | 2x |
| Everyday spending | 1x | 1x |
Winner: Gold for dining, Platinum for Amex Travel bookings.
3. Travel Benefits
| Perk | Amex Gold | Amex Platinum |
|---|---|---|
| Lounge Access | ❌ No | ✅ £35+ lounges (Priority Pass, Centurion) |
| Travel Insurance | Basic (no cancellation) | Premium (inc. flight delay/cancellation) |
| Hotel Status | ❌ No | ✅ Marriott Gold, Hilton Gold |
| Airport Fast Track | ❌ No | ✅ Free at Heathrow/Global |
Winner: Platinum (worth £500+/year if you travel 3+ times).
4. Lifestyle Credits (2024 Changes)
| Credit | Amex Gold | Amex Platinum |
|---|---|---|
| Dining | £120 (£10/month at Deliveroo, PizzaExpress) | ❌ No |
| Travel | ❌ No | £300/year (Amex Travel) |
| Entertainment | ❌ No | £150/year (Harvey Nichols, Dining) |
| Uber | ❌ No | £100/year (£15/month + £40 Dec) |
Winner: Gold for foodies, Platinum for luxury perks.
💰 “Does the Fee Pay for Itself?” (Real 2024 Math)
Amex Gold (£160 Fee)
-
£120 Dining Credit → Net £40 cost
-
30K Points = £300 in flights → £260 profit
Amex Platinum (£650 Fee)
-
£300 Travel Credit + £150 Harvey Nichols + £100 Uber = £550 → Net £100 cost
-
60K Points = £900 in flights → £800 profit
Breakdown:
-
Gold pays for itself with £500/month dining spend.
-
Platinum pays for itself with 2 international trips/year.
🚨 3 Hidden Downsides (Nobody Talks About)
-
Amex Gold: No lounge access (unlike US version).
-
Amex Platinum: £650 fee is NOT waived Year 1 (unlike US).
-
Both Cards: Income verification (Amex checks HMRC for £30k+ earnings).
❓ FAQ: Which Card Should YOU Choose?
Pick Amex Gold If You:
✔ Spend £500+/month on dining
✔ Want easy-to-use credits (Deliveroo)
✔ Don’t travel enough to justify £650 fee
Pick Amex Platinum If You:
✔ Fly 3+ times/year (lounges save £25/visit)
✔ Stay in Marriott/Hilton hotels (free upgrades)
✔ Can meet £6k spend in 6 months