The Battle of the Best Travel Credit Cards: Amex vs. Chase
Choosing the best travel credit card is like picking your favorite pizza topping—everyone’s got an opinion, and no one’s wrong. Well, almost no one. We’re putting two heavyweights in the ring: American Express (Amex) and Chase. Let’s see who’s got the right stuff to make your travel dreams come true.
Amex: The Fancy Pants of Travel Cards
If Amex were a person, it would be that impeccably dressed individual sipping a martini in a first-class lounge, casually mentioning their latest trip to Monaco. The Platinum Card® from American Express is the poster child for luxury, offering perks that make you feel like royalty.
Why Amex?
Membership Rewards® Points: Accumulate points faster than your luggage gets lost. With 5X points on flights booked directly with airlines or through Amex Travel, and 5X points on prepaid hotels booked through Amex Travel, you’ll be jet-setting in no time.
Lounge Access: Amex is the undisputed king of airport lounges. With the Global Lounge Collection, you’ll have access to over 1,300 airport lounges in 140 countries, including the swanky Centurion Lounges. These lounges offer gourmet snacks, premium drinks, and a chance to rub elbows with other fancy travelers.
Annual Travel Credit: Receive up to $200 in airline fee credits annually, which can cover those pesky checked bag fees or in-flight snacks.
Chase: The Everyman’s Champion
If Chase were a person, it would be that savvy traveler with a knack for finding the best deals, never overpaying for anything, and always knowing the best local spots. The Chase Sapphire Reserve® is the go-to card for those who want premium benefits without the black-tie requirements.
Why Chase?
Ultimate Rewards® Points: Earn 3X points on travel immediately after earning your $300 travel credit, and on dining at restaurants, from fast food to fine dining, and 1X point on all other purchases. These points are like a Swiss Army knife—they can be used for travel, transferred to partner airlines and hotels, or even cashed out.
Lounge Access: With a Priority Pass™ Select membership, you’ll have access to over 1,300 lounges worldwide. While not as posh as Amex’s Centurion Lounges, Priority Pass lounges are a haven of free snacks, drinks, and Wi-Fi.
$300 Annual Travel Credit: Automatically applied to travel purchases such as airfare and hotels, this credit effectively reduces the card’s hefty annual fee and covers a wide range of travel expenses.
The Lounge Showdown
When it comes to lounges, it’s a battle of the titans.
Amex Centurion Lounges: Known for their chic decor, top-shelf cocktails, and chef-curated menus, these lounges make you wish your layover were longer. They’re the Ritz-Carlton of airport lounges.
Chase Priority Pass Lounges: These lounges are more like the Marriott—reliable, comfortable, and with enough variety to suit every taste. While they might not have the same level of opulence as Centurion Lounges, they get the job done and are often less crowded.
And the Winner Is…
It’s a tough call. If you crave luxury, pampering, and a card that screams “I’ve arrived,” go with the Amex Platinum. But if you’re a practical traveler who loves flexibility, great rewards, and solid lounge access, the Chase Sapphire Reserve is your best bet.
Both cards are excellent choices, offering perks that can turn even the most mundane trip into an adventure. So, choose your champion and start collecting those points. And remember, the real winner is you—because with these cards, every journey is first-class.
