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

The The Platinum Card from American Express costs $895/yr vs $99/yr for the Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Credit Card. 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 Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Credit Card?

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 Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Credit Card doesn't?

The The Platinum Card from American Express offers lounge access. The Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Credit Card focuses more on earn rates than premium perks.

Should I get the The Platinum Card from American Express or the Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Credit Card?

Choose the Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Credit Card 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 $99/yr for the Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Credit Card. 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 Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Credit Card?

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 Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Credit Card doesn't?

The The Platinum Card from American Express offers lounge access. The Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Credit Card focuses more on earn rates than premium perks.

Should I get the The Platinum Card from American Express or the Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Credit Card?

Choose the Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Credit Card 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 $99/yr for the Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Credit Card. 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 Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Credit Card?

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 Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Credit Card doesn't?

The The Platinum Card from American Express offers lounge access. The Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Credit Card focuses more on earn rates than premium perks.

Should I get the The Platinum Card from American Express or the Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Credit Card?

Choose the Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Credit Card 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.

The Platinum Card from American Express vs Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Credit Card

The Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Credit Card ($99/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

Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Credit Card

Chase

Fees & Welcome Offer

Annual Fee

$895

$99

Welcome Bonus

80,000 Flex point

50,000 Airline

Earn Rates

Category	The Platinum Card from American Express	Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Credit Card
Flights	5X	1X
Gas Stations

Category-by-Category Winner

The Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Credit Card wins in 3 of 4 categories. The The Platinum Card from American Express leads in 1.

Flights

The Platinum Card from American Express earns 5X vs 1X

Southwest Purchases

Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Credit Card earns 2X vs 1X

Gas Stations

Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Credit Card earns 2X vs 1X

Grocery Stores

Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Credit Card earns 2X vs 1X

Is the Fee Difference Worth It?

The The Platinum Card from American Express costs $895/yr — that's $796 more than the Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Credit Card ($99/yr). To justify that gap, you need to extract at least $796 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 $796 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 Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Credit Card 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 Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Credit Card means losing:

Airport lounge access

The Bottom Line

The Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Credit Card has a lower annual fee ($99 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 Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Credit Card 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 $99/yr for the Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Credit Card. 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 Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Credit Card?: 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 Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Credit Card doesn't?: The The Platinum Card from American Express offers lounge access. The Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Credit Card focuses more on earn rates than premium perks.
Should I get the The Platinum Card from American Express or the Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Credit Card?: Choose the Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Credit Card 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

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

Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Credit Card — Full Review All Chase Cards

Browse all comparisons →Browse all card categories →

Official issuer pages: American Express cards · Chase 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 Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Credit Card

No image

The Platinum Card from American Express

American Express

Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Credit Card

Chase

Fees & Welcome Offer

Annual Fee

$895

$99

Welcome Bonus

80,000 Flex point

50,000 Airline

Earn Rates

Category	The Platinum Card from American Express	Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Credit Card
Flights	5X	1X
Gas Stations

Category-by-Category Winner

The Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Credit Card wins in 3 of 4 categories. The The Platinum Card from American Express leads in 1.

Flights

The Platinum Card from American Express earns 5X vs 1X

Southwest Purchases

Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Credit Card earns 2X vs 1X

Gas Stations

Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Credit Card earns 2X vs 1X

Grocery Stores

Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Credit Card earns 2X vs 1X

Is the Fee Difference Worth It?

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 Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Credit Card means losing:

Airport lounge access

The Bottom Line

The Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Credit Card has a lower annual fee ($99 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.

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 $99/yr for the Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Credit Card. 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 Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Credit Card?: 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 Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Credit Card doesn't?: The The Platinum Card from American Express offers lounge access. The Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Credit Card focuses more on earn rates than premium perks.
Should I get the The Platinum Card from American Express or the Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Credit Card?: Choose the Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Credit Card 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

Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Credit Card — Full Review All Chase Cards

Browse all comparisons →Browse all card categories →

Official issuer pages: American Express cards · Chase cards

The Platinum Card from American Express vs Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Credit Card

No image

The Platinum Card from American Express

American Express

Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Credit Card

Chase

Fees & Welcome Offer

Annual Fee

$895

$99

Welcome Bonus

80,000 Flex point

50,000 Airline

Earn Rates

Category	The Platinum Card from American Express	Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Credit Card
Flights	5X	1X
Gas Stations

Category-by-Category Winner

The Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Credit Card wins in 3 of 4 categories. The The Platinum Card from American Express leads in 1.

Flights

The Platinum Card from American Express earns 5X vs 1X

Southwest Purchases

Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Credit Card earns 2X vs 1X

Gas Stations

Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Credit Card earns 2X vs 1X

Grocery Stores

Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Credit Card earns 2X vs 1X

Is the Fee Difference Worth It?

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 Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Credit Card means losing:

Airport lounge access

The Bottom Line

The Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Credit Card has a lower annual fee ($99 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.

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 $99/yr for the Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Credit Card. 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 Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Credit Card?: 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 Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Credit Card doesn't?: The The Platinum Card from American Express offers lounge access. The Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Credit Card focuses more on earn rates than premium perks.
Should I get the The Platinum Card from American Express or the Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Credit Card?: Choose the Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Credit Card 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

Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Credit Card — Full Review All Chase Cards

Browse all comparisons →Browse all card categories →

Official issuer pages: American Express cards · Chase cards

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

+Lowest annual fee ($99) among Southwest cards while still earning 10,000 Companion Pass qualifying points annually
+3,000 anniversary bonus points help offset annual fee
+2x points on gas and groceries (first $5K combined) adds everyday earning value
+Free first checked bag for cardholder and up to 8 passengers on same reservation
+10% anniversary promo code for Southwest flights

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

−Only standard seat selection (Premier/Priority get preferred seats, Priority gets Extra Legroom)
−Lower 3,000 anniversary points vs 6,000 (Premier) or 7,500 (Priority)
−No tier qualifying points toward A-List status
−Only 1x points on non-category purchases limits everyday earning
−$5,000 combined cap on 2x gas/grocery earning restricts bonus potential

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

+Lowest annual fee ($99) among Southwest cards while still earning 10,000 Companion Pass qualifying points annually
+3,000 anniversary bonus points help offset annual fee
+2x points on gas and groceries (first $5K combined) adds everyday earning value
+Free first checked bag for cardholder and up to 8 passengers on same reservation
+10% anniversary promo code for Southwest flights

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

−Only standard seat selection (Premier/Priority get preferred seats, Priority gets Extra Legroom)
−Lower 3,000 anniversary points vs 6,000 (Premier) or 7,500 (Priority)
−No tier qualifying points toward A-List status
−Only 1x points on non-category purchases limits everyday earning
−$5,000 combined cap on 2x gas/grocery earning restricts bonus potential

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

+Lowest annual fee ($99) among Southwest cards while still earning 10,000 Companion Pass qualifying points annually
+3,000 anniversary bonus points help offset annual fee
+2x points on gas and groceries (first $5K combined) adds everyday earning value
+Free first checked bag for cardholder and up to 8 passengers on same reservation
+10% anniversary promo code for Southwest flights

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

−Only standard seat selection (Premier/Priority get preferred seats, Priority gets Extra Legroom)
−Lower 3,000 anniversary points vs 6,000 (Premier) or 7,500 (Priority)
−No tier qualifying points toward A-List status
−Only 1x points on non-category purchases limits everyday earning
−$5,000 combined cap on 2x gas/grocery earning restricts bonus potential

The Platinum Card from American Express vs Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Credit Card

The Platinum Card from American Express

Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Credit Card

Fees & Welcome Offer

Earn Rates

Category-by-Category Winner

Is the Fee Difference Worth It?

What You Give Up

The Bottom Line

Frequently Asked Questions

Related Comparisons

Explore More

The Platinum Card from American Express vs Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Credit Card

The Platinum Card from American Express

Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Credit Card

Fees & Welcome Offer

Earn Rates

Category-by-Category Winner

Is the Fee Difference Worth It?

What You Give Up

The Bottom Line

Frequently Asked Questions

Related Comparisons

Explore More

The Platinum Card from American Express vs Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Credit Card

The Platinum Card from American Express

Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Credit Card

Fees & Welcome Offer

Earn Rates

Category-by-Category Winner

Is the Fee Difference Worth It?

What You Give Up

The Bottom Line

Frequently Asked Questions

Related Comparisons

Explore More

Benefits & Features

Pros & Cons

Which Card Is Right for You?

Benefits & Features

Pros & Cons

Which Card Is Right for You?

Benefits & Features

Pros & Cons

Which Card Is Right for You?