Dedicated comparison page

The Platinum Card from American Express vs Chase Freedom Unlimited

The Platinum Card from American Express vs Chase Freedom Unlimited on Luminxo. Compare annual fees, rewards, welcome offers, credit requirements, and who each card is best for.

Lowest annual feeChase Freedom UnlimitedNo annual fee
Highest reward rateThe Platinum Card from American Express5.0%
Lowest starting credit rangeChase Freedom Unlimited670+

Quick Take

The Platinum Card from American Express

by American Express

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The Platinum Card from American Express is a travel card from American Express with a $895 annual fee, up to 175,000 membership rewards points after $12,000 in 6 months, and good to excellent credit.

Best for: People focused on travel rewards who can justify a $895 annual fee and who typically have good to excellent credit.

  • 5% on Flights
  • Up to 175,000 Membership Rewards points after $12,000 in 6 months
  • No foreign transaction fee
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Chase Freedom Unlimited

by Chase

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Chase Freedom Unlimited is a cashback card from Chase with no annual fee, $200 bonus after $500 in 3 months, and fair to good credit.

Best for: People focused on cashback rewards who want to avoid an annual fee and who typically have fair to good credit.

  • 5% on Travel
  • $200 bonus after $500 in 3 months
  • Foreign transaction fee: 3%
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Side-by-Side Facts

MetricThe Platinum Card from American ExpressChase Freedom Unlimited
Annual Fee$895None
Reward Rate5.0%5.0%
Signup BonusUp to 175,000 Membership Rewards points after $12,000 in 6 months$200 bonus after $500 in 3 months
Foreign Transaction FeeNone3.0%
Recommended CreditGood to excellent creditFair to good credit
Rewards SummaryEarn elevated rewards with 5% on Flights, 5% on Hotels (portal) and 1% on Travel, plus 1% on other purchases.Earn elevated rewards with 5% on Travel, 3% on Dining and 3% on Drugstores, plus 1.5% on other purchases.

Who Should Pick Which Card?

The Platinum Card from American Express

Its strongest earning category is Flights at 5%, backed by 1% on general spending. It also avoids foreign transaction fees.

Best for: People focused on travel rewards who can justify a $895 annual fee and who typically have good to excellent credit.

Pros

  • Up to 175,000 Membership Rewards points after $12,000 in 6 months
  • Potentially worthwhile if you use the card enough to cover the $895 annual fee
  • Earns 5% on Flights
  • Earns 5% on Hotels (portal)

Tradeoffs

  • Annual fee of $895 means you need ongoing value from the card
  • Typically requires good to excellent credit
  • Signup bonus requires $12000 in spending within 6 months
  • Base rewards on non-bonus spending are relatively modest

Chase Freedom Unlimited

Its strongest earning category is Travel at 5%, backed by 1.5% on general spending.

Best for: People focused on cashback rewards who want to avoid an annual fee and who typically have fair to good credit.

Pros

  • $200 bonus after $500 in 3 months
  • No annual fee to offset rewards
  • Earns 5% on Travel
  • Earns 3% on Dining

Tradeoffs

  • Foreign transaction fee of 3% can hurt value abroad

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the main difference between The Platinum Card from American Express and Chase Freedom Unlimited?

The biggest tradeoffs are annual fee, reward concentration, and the level of credit usually needed to qualify. This page compares those inputs directly so you can choose the card that fits your spending and tolerance for annual fees.

Which card is easier to qualify for?

Chase Freedom Unlimited has the lowest published starting credit range in this comparison at 670.

Which card has the lowest annual fee?

Chase Freedom Unlimited has the lowest annual fee in this comparison at no annual fee.