Dedicated comparison page

The Platinum Card from American Express vs Discover it Cash Back

The Platinum Card from American Express vs Discover it Cash Back on Luminxo. Compare annual fees, rewards, welcome offers, credit requirements, and who each card is best for.

Lowest annual feeDiscover it Cash BackNo annual fee
Highest reward rateThe Platinum Card from American Express5.0%
Lowest starting credit rangeDiscover it Cash Back670+

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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Discover it Cash Back

by Discover

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Discover it Cash Back is a cashback card from Discover with no annual fee, cashback match - all cash back earned in first year is doubled, 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 Dining
  • Cashback Match - all cash back earned in first year is doubled
  • No foreign transaction fee
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Side-by-Side Facts

MetricThe Platinum Card from American ExpressDiscover it Cash Back
Annual Fee$895None
Reward Rate5.0%5.0%
Signup BonusUp to 175,000 Membership Rewards points after $12,000 in 6 monthsCashback Match - all cash back earned in first year is doubled
Foreign Transaction FeeNoneNone
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 Dining (up to $1500/quarter) (rotating quarterly), 5% on Gas (up to $1500/quarter) (rotating quarterly) and 5% on Groceries (up to $1500/quarter) (rotating quarterly), plus 1% 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

Discover it Cash Back

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

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

Pros

  • Cashback Match - all cash back earned in first year is doubled
  • No annual fee to offset rewards
  • Earns 5% on Dining
  • Earns 5% on Gas

Tradeoffs

  • Base rewards on non-bonus spending are relatively modest

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the main difference between The Platinum Card from American Express and Discover it Cash Back?

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?

Discover it Cash Back has the lowest published starting credit range in this comparison at 670.

Which card has the lowest annual fee?

Discover it Cash Back has the lowest annual fee in this comparison at no annual fee.