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 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.
Annual Fee
Welcome Bonus
| Category | The Platinum Card from American Express | BMO Escape |
|---|---|---|
| Flights | 5X | 4X |
| Dining | 1X |
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
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.
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 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.
Annual Fee
Welcome Bonus
| Category | The Platinum Card from American Express | BMO Escape |
|---|---|---|
| Flights | 5X | 4X |
| Dining | 1X |
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
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.
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 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.
Annual Fee
Welcome Bonus
| Category | The Platinum Card from American Express | BMO Escape |
|---|---|---|
| Flights | 5X | 4X |
| Dining | 1X |
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
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.
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.
| 4X |
| All Tours | 1X | 3X |
| All Travel Agencies | 1X | 3X |
| Cruises | 1X | 3X |
| Hotels | 1X | 3X |
| Car Rentals | 1X | 2X |
| Ridesharing | 1X | 2X |
| Taxi | 1X | 2X |
| Everything Else | 1X | 1X |
Network
Key Benefits
Pros
Cons
The The Platinum Card from American Express costs $895/yr โ 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 โ otherwise the BMO Escape delivers strong value at a fraction of the cost.
Choosing one card means missing out on these benefits from the other.
Choosing BMO Escape means losing:
Get the BMO Escape if you:
| 4X |
| All Tours | 1X | 3X |
| All Travel Agencies | 1X | 3X |
| Cruises | 1X | 3X |
| Hotels | 1X | 3X |
| Car Rentals | 1X | 2X |
| Ridesharing | 1X | 2X |
| Taxi | 1X | 2X |
| Everything Else | 1X | 1X |
Network
Key Benefits
Pros
Cons
The The Platinum Card from American Express costs $895/yr โ 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 โ otherwise the BMO Escape delivers strong value at a fraction of the cost.
Choosing one card means missing out on these benefits from the other.
Choosing BMO Escape means losing:
Get the BMO Escape if you:
| 4X |
| All Tours | 1X | 3X |
| All Travel Agencies | 1X | 3X |
| Cruises | 1X | 3X |
| Hotels | 1X | 3X |
| Car Rentals | 1X | 2X |
| Ridesharing | 1X | 2X |
| Taxi | 1X | 2X |
| Everything Else | 1X | 1X |
Network
Key Benefits
Pros
Cons
The The Platinum Card from American Express costs $895/yr โ 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 โ otherwise the BMO Escape delivers strong value at a fraction of the cost.
Choosing one card means missing out on these benefits from the other.
Choosing BMO Escape means losing:
Get the BMO Escape if you: