Is the The Platinum Card from American Express worth the higher annual fee?

The The Platinum Card from American Express costs $895/yr vs $150/yr for the BMO Escape. The higher fee includes lounge access that can offset the cost for frequent travelers.

Which card earns more rewards, the The Platinum Card from American Express or BMO Escape?

Both cards earn 1X on everyday purchases. The difference is in bonus categories — check the earn rate comparison above for a full breakdown.

What benefits does the The Platinum Card from American Express have that the BMO Escape doesn't?

The The Platinum Card from American Express offers lounge access. The BMO Escape offers lounge access.

Should I get the The Platinum Card from American Express or the BMO Escape?

Choose the BMO Escape if you want lower fees and solid rewards. Pick the The Platinum Card from American Express if you spend enough to justify the $895/yr fee through its premium benefits and higher earn rates.

Is the The Platinum Card from American Express worth the higher annual fee?

The The Platinum Card from American Express costs $895/yr vs $150/yr for the BMO Escape. The higher fee includes lounge access that can offset the cost for frequent travelers.

Which card earns more rewards, the The Platinum Card from American Express or BMO Escape?

Both cards earn 1X on everyday purchases. The difference is in bonus categories — check the earn rate comparison above for a full breakdown.

What benefits does the The Platinum Card from American Express have that the BMO Escape doesn't?

The The Platinum Card from American Express offers lounge access. The BMO Escape offers lounge access.

Should I get the The Platinum Card from American Express or the BMO Escape?

Choose the BMO Escape if you want lower fees and solid rewards. Pick the The Platinum Card from American Express if you spend enough to justify the $895/yr fee through its premium benefits and higher earn rates.

Is the The Platinum Card from American Express worth the higher annual fee?

The The Platinum Card from American Express costs $895/yr vs $150/yr for the BMO Escape. The higher fee includes lounge access that can offset the cost for frequent travelers.

Which card earns more rewards, the The Platinum Card from American Express or BMO Escape?

Both cards earn 1X on everyday purchases. The difference is in bonus categories — check the earn rate comparison above for a full breakdown.

What benefits does the The Platinum Card from American Express have that the BMO Escape doesn't?

The The Platinum Card from American Express offers lounge access. The BMO Escape offers lounge access.

Should I get the The Platinum Card from American Express or the BMO Escape?

Choose the BMO Escape if you want lower fees and solid rewards. Pick the The Platinum Card from American Express if you spend enough to justify the $895/yr fee through its premium benefits and higher earn rates.

CardRewards

Editorial disclosure: CardRewards.ai is an independent comparison service. Our analysis is based on publicly available card data and is reviewed regularly by our editorial team. Card issuers do not influence our rankings or content. Last updated: May 2026.

The Platinum Card from American Express vs BMO Escape

The BMO Escape ($150/yr) is better for everyday value, while the The Platinum Card from American Express ($895/yr) is worth it for frequent travelers who can use its premium perks. Here's the full comparison.

No image

The Platinum Card from American Express

American Express

No image

BMO Escape

BMO

Fees & Welcome Offer

Annual Fee

$895

$150

Welcome Bonus

80,000 Flex point

45,000 points

Earn Rates

Category	The Platinum Card from American Express	BMO Escape
Flights	5X	4X
Dining	1X

Category-by-Category Winner

The BMO Escape wins in 8 of 9 categories. The The Platinum Card from American Express leads in 1.

Flights

The Platinum Card from American Express earns 5X vs 4X

Hotels

BMO Escape earns 3X vs 1X

Dining

BMO Escape earns 4X vs 1X

All Tours

BMO Escape earns 3X vs 1X

All Travel Agencies

BMO Escape earns 3X vs 1X

Cruises

BMO Escape earns 3X vs 1X

Car Rentals

BMO Escape earns 2X vs 1X

Ridesharing

BMO Escape earns 2X vs 1X

Taxi

BMO Escape earns 2X vs 1X

Is the Fee Difference Worth It?

The Bottom Line

The BMO Escape has a lower annual fee ($150 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.

Choose the BMO Escape if you want solid rewards with a lower cost of entry. Choose the The Platinum Card from American Express if you travel frequently and can maximize its premium benefits.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the The Platinum Card from American Express worth the higher annual fee?: The The Platinum Card from American Express costs $895/yr vs $150/yr for the BMO Escape. The higher fee includes lounge access that can offset the cost for frequent travelers.
Which card earns more rewards, the The Platinum Card from American Express or BMO Escape?: Both cards earn 1X on everyday purchases. The difference is in bonus categories — check the earn rate comparison above for a full breakdown.
What benefits does the The Platinum Card from American Express have that the BMO Escape doesn't?: The The Platinum Card from American Express offers lounge access. The BMO Escape offers lounge access.
Should I get the The Platinum Card from American Express or the BMO Escape?: Choose the BMO Escape if you want lower fees and solid rewards. Pick the The Platinum Card from American Express if you spend enough to justify the $895/yr fee through its premium benefits and higher earn rates.

Related Comparisons

Amex Gold vs Amex Platinum Amex Green vs Amex Platinum Amex Platinum vs Capital One Venture Amex Platinum vs Capital One Venture X

Explore More

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

BMO Escape — Full Review All BMO Cards

Browse all comparisons →Browse all card categories →

Official issuer pages: American Express cards · BMO cards

Editorial disclosure: The analysis on this page is based on publicly available card data and is updated regularly. CardRewards.ai is an independent comparison service. Card issuers do not influence our rankings or editorial content. Last updated: May 2026.

The Platinum Card from American Express vs BMO Escape

No image

The Platinum Card from American Express

American Express

No image

BMO Escape

BMO

Fees & Welcome Offer

Annual Fee

$895

$150

Welcome Bonus

80,000 Flex point

45,000 points

Earn Rates

Category	The Platinum Card from American Express	BMO Escape
Flights	5X	4X
Dining	1X

Category-by-Category Winner

The BMO Escape wins in 8 of 9 categories. The The Platinum Card from American Express leads in 1.

Flights

The Platinum Card from American Express earns 5X vs 4X

Hotels

BMO Escape earns 3X vs 1X

Dining

BMO Escape earns 4X vs 1X

All Tours

BMO Escape earns 3X vs 1X

All Travel Agencies

BMO Escape earns 3X vs 1X

Cruises

BMO Escape earns 3X vs 1X

Car Rentals

BMO Escape earns 2X vs 1X

Ridesharing

BMO Escape earns 2X vs 1X

Taxi

BMO Escape earns 2X vs 1X

Is the Fee Difference Worth It?

The Bottom Line

The BMO Escape has a lower annual fee ($150 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.

Choose the BMO Escape if you want solid rewards with a lower cost of entry. Choose the The Platinum Card from American Express if you travel frequently and can maximize its premium benefits.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the The Platinum Card from American Express worth the higher annual fee?: The The Platinum Card from American Express costs $895/yr vs $150/yr for the BMO Escape. The higher fee includes lounge access that can offset the cost for frequent travelers.
Which card earns more rewards, the The Platinum Card from American Express or BMO Escape?: Both cards earn 1X on everyday purchases. The difference is in bonus categories — check the earn rate comparison above for a full breakdown.
What benefits does the The Platinum Card from American Express have that the BMO Escape doesn't?: The The Platinum Card from American Express offers lounge access. The BMO Escape offers lounge access.
Should I get the The Platinum Card from American Express or the BMO Escape?: Choose the BMO Escape if you want lower fees and solid rewards. Pick the The Platinum Card from American Express if you spend enough to justify the $895/yr fee through its premium benefits and higher earn rates.

Related Comparisons

Amex Gold vs Amex Platinum Amex Green vs Amex Platinum Amex Platinum vs Capital One Venture Amex Platinum vs Capital One Venture X

Explore More

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

BMO Escape — Full Review All BMO Cards

Browse all comparisons →Browse all card categories →

Official issuer pages: American Express cards · BMO cards

The Platinum Card from American Express vs BMO Escape

No image

The Platinum Card from American Express

American Express

No image

BMO Escape

BMO

Fees & Welcome Offer

Annual Fee

$895

$150

Welcome Bonus

80,000 Flex point

45,000 points

Earn Rates

Category	The Platinum Card from American Express	BMO Escape
Flights	5X	4X
Dining	1X

Category-by-Category Winner

The BMO Escape wins in 8 of 9 categories. The The Platinum Card from American Express leads in 1.

Flights

The Platinum Card from American Express earns 5X vs 4X

Hotels

BMO Escape earns 3X vs 1X

Dining

BMO Escape earns 4X vs 1X

All Tours

BMO Escape earns 3X vs 1X

All Travel Agencies

BMO Escape earns 3X vs 1X

Cruises

BMO Escape earns 3X vs 1X

Car Rentals

BMO Escape earns 2X vs 1X

Ridesharing

BMO Escape earns 2X vs 1X

Taxi

BMO Escape earns 2X vs 1X

Is the Fee Difference Worth It?

The Bottom Line

The BMO Escape has a lower annual fee ($150 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.

Choose the BMO Escape if you want solid rewards with a lower cost of entry. Choose the The Platinum Card from American Express if you travel frequently and can maximize its premium benefits.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the The Platinum Card from American Express worth the higher annual fee?: The The Platinum Card from American Express costs $895/yr vs $150/yr for the BMO Escape. The higher fee includes lounge access that can offset the cost for frequent travelers.
Which card earns more rewards, the The Platinum Card from American Express or BMO Escape?: Both cards earn 1X on everyday purchases. The difference is in bonus categories — check the earn rate comparison above for a full breakdown.
What benefits does the The Platinum Card from American Express have that the BMO Escape doesn't?: The The Platinum Card from American Express offers lounge access. The BMO Escape offers lounge access.
Should I get the The Platinum Card from American Express or the BMO Escape?: Choose the BMO Escape if you want lower fees and solid rewards. Pick the The Platinum Card from American Express if you spend enough to justify the $895/yr fee through its premium benefits and higher earn rates.

Related Comparisons

Amex Gold vs Amex Platinum Amex Green vs Amex Platinum Amex Platinum vs Capital One Venture Amex Platinum vs Capital One Venture X

Explore More

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

BMO Escape — Full Review All BMO Cards

Browse all comparisons →Browse all card categories →

Official issuer pages: American Express cards · BMO cards

Benefits & Features

Network

AMEX

MASTERCARD

Key Benefits

✓Lounge access

✓Travel insurance

✓Global Entry credit

✓Lounge access

✓Global Entry credit

Pros & Cons

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 The Platinum Card from American Express costs $895/yr — that's $745 more than the BMO Escape ($150/yr). To justify that gap, you need to extract at least $745 in annual value from the card's higher earn rates and benefits.

The The Platinum Card from American Express offers lounge access, Global Entry/TSA PreCheck credit. Whether that justifies the fee depends on how often you use these benefits.

Bottom line: The $745 gap is significant. Choose the The Platinum Card from American Express only if you spend heavily on flights and hotels and will use its premium benefits regularly — otherwise the BMO Escape delivers strong value at a fraction of the cost.

What You Give Up

Choosing one card means missing out on these benefits from the other.

Choosing BMO Escape means losing:

-Travel insurance

Which Card Is Right for You?

Get the BMO Escape if you:

+Spend $300+/month on restaurants and dining out
+Want strong rewards without a large annual fee commitment

Benefits & Features

Network

AMEX

MASTERCARD

Key Benefits

✓Lounge access

✓Travel insurance

✓Global Entry credit

✓Lounge access

✓Global Entry credit

Pros & Cons

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 The Platinum Card from American Express offers lounge access, Global Entry/TSA PreCheck credit. Whether that justifies the fee depends on how often you use these benefits.

What You Give Up

Choosing one card means missing out on these benefits from the other.

Choosing BMO Escape means losing:

-Travel insurance

Which Card Is Right for You?

Get the BMO Escape if you:

+Spend $300+/month on restaurants and dining out
+Want strong rewards without a large annual fee commitment

Benefits & Features

Network

AMEX

MASTERCARD

Key Benefits

✓Lounge access

✓Travel insurance

✓Global Entry credit

✓Lounge access

✓Global Entry credit

Pros & Cons

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 The Platinum Card from American Express offers lounge access, Global Entry/TSA PreCheck credit. Whether that justifies the fee depends on how often you use these benefits.

What You Give Up

Choosing one card means missing out on these benefits from the other.

Choosing BMO Escape means losing:

-Travel insurance

Which Card Is Right for You?

Get the BMO Escape if you:

+Spend $300+/month on restaurants and dining out
+Want strong rewards without a large annual fee commitment