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© Copyright 2026 CardRewards. All Rights Reserved.

About

Blog
Contact

Product

Documentation

Legal

Terms of Service
Privacy Policy
Cookie Policy
Accessibility

Here you can add a description about your company or product

© Copyright 2026 CardRewards. All Rights Reserved.

About

Blog
Contact

Product

Documentation

Legal

Terms of Service
Privacy Policy
Cookie Policy
Accessibility

The Platinum Card from American Express vs Birch Lane Mastercard — Full Comparison (2026)

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The Platinum Card from American Express vs Birch Lane Mastercard

The Platinum Card from American Express vs Birch Lane Mastercard

A detailed side-by-side comparison to help you choose the right card for your spending.

The Platinum Card from American Express

American Express

Birch Lane Mastercard

Birch Lane Mastercard

Citi

Annual Fee

$895

$0

Welcome Bonus

80,000 Flex point

—

Base Earn Rate

1X

1X

Top Earn Categories

5X Hotels

5X Flights

1X Hotels

7X Wayfair Brands

3X Grocery Stores

2X Online Shopping

Network

AMEX

MASTERCARD

Key Benefits

✓Lounge access

✓Travel insurance

✓Global Entry credit

None

Pros

+Access to 9 lounge networks including exclusive Centurion Lounges with 2 guests free
+$200/year Uber credit plus complimentary Uber One membership ($168 value)
+$400/year Resy dining credit at select restaurants
+Automatic Marriott Gold and Hilton Gold status with room upgrades and breakfast
+5X points on flights booked direct or via Amex Travel

—

Cons

−$895 annual fee requires significant credit utilization to break even
−Many credits require specific merchants (Saks, Equinox, SoulCycle)
−Only 1X points on non-travel purchases limits everyday earning
−Secondary car rental coverage unless paying $24.95/rental for primary
−$195 authorized user fee after first 3 free cards

—

The Bottom Line

The Birch Lane Mastercard has a lower annual fee ($0 vs $895), making it the more accessible option.

The The Platinum Card from American Express justifies its higher fee with premium perks like lounge access.

Explore More

The Platinum Card from American Express — Full Review All American Express Cards

Birch Lane Mastercard — Full Review All Citi Cards

Browse all comparisons →Browse all card categories →

Home
/
Compare
/
The Platinum Card from American Express vs Birch Lane Mastercard

The Platinum Card from American Express vs Birch Lane Mastercard

A detailed side-by-side comparison to help you choose the right card for your spending.

The Platinum Card from American Express

American Express

Birch Lane Mastercard

Birch Lane Mastercard

Citi

Annual Fee

$895

$0

Welcome Bonus

80,000 Flex point

—

Base Earn Rate

1X

1X

Top Earn Categories

5X Hotels

5X Flights

1X Hotels

7X Wayfair Brands

3X Grocery Stores

2X Online Shopping

Network

AMEX

MASTERCARD

Key Benefits

✓Lounge access

✓Travel insurance

✓Global Entry credit

None

Pros

+Access to 9 lounge networks including exclusive Centurion Lounges with 2 guests free
+$200/year Uber credit plus complimentary Uber One membership ($168 value)
+$400/year Resy dining credit at select restaurants
+Automatic Marriott Gold and Hilton Gold status with room upgrades and breakfast
+5X points on flights booked direct or via Amex Travel

—

Cons

−$895 annual fee requires significant credit utilization to break even
−Many credits require specific merchants (Saks, Equinox, SoulCycle)
−Only 1X points on non-travel purchases limits everyday earning
−Secondary car rental coverage unless paying $24.95/rental for primary
−$195 authorized user fee after first 3 free cards

—

The Bottom Line

The Birch Lane Mastercard has a lower annual fee ($0 vs $895), making it the more accessible option.

The The Platinum Card from American Express justifies its higher fee with premium perks like lounge access.

Explore More

The Platinum Card from American Express — Full Review All American Express Cards

Birch Lane Mastercard — Full Review All Citi Cards

Browse all comparisons →Browse all card categories →

Home
/
Compare
/
The Platinum Card from American Express vs Birch Lane Mastercard

The Platinum Card from American Express vs Birch Lane Mastercard

A detailed side-by-side comparison to help you choose the right card for your spending.

The Platinum Card from American Express

American Express

Birch Lane Mastercard

Birch Lane Mastercard

Citi

Annual Fee

$895

$0

Welcome Bonus

80,000 Flex point

—

Base Earn Rate

1X

1X

Top Earn Categories

5X Hotels

5X Flights

1X Hotels

7X Wayfair Brands

3X Grocery Stores

2X Online Shopping

Network

AMEX

MASTERCARD

Key Benefits

✓Lounge access

✓Travel insurance

✓Global Entry credit

None

Pros

+Access to 9 lounge networks including exclusive Centurion Lounges with 2 guests free
+$200/year Uber credit plus complimentary Uber One membership ($168 value)
+$400/year Resy dining credit at select restaurants
+Automatic Marriott Gold and Hilton Gold status with room upgrades and breakfast
+5X points on flights booked direct or via Amex Travel

—

Cons

−$895 annual fee requires significant credit utilization to break even
−Many credits require specific merchants (Saks, Equinox, SoulCycle)
−Only 1X points on non-travel purchases limits everyday earning
−Secondary car rental coverage unless paying $24.95/rental for primary
−$195 authorized user fee after first 3 free cards

—

The Bottom Line

The Birch Lane Mastercard has a lower annual fee ($0 vs $895), making it the more accessible option.

The The Platinum Card from American Express justifies its higher fee with premium perks like lounge access.

Explore More

The Platinum Card from American Express — Full Review All American Express Cards

Birch Lane Mastercard — Full Review All Citi Cards

Browse all comparisons →Browse all card categories →