Broadly talking, there are three kinds of bank cards: entry-level (typically with low or no annual charges), mid-tier ($100-$300 in annual charges) and premium ($400 or extra).
A lot of the eye goes to the 2 ends of the spectrum, specializing in the most effective bank cards with no annual charge or the most effective premium bank cards. Whereas we recurrently obtain questions on whether or not premium bank cards justify their annual charges, the center floor typically will get neglected
So, how precisely are mid-tier bank cards distinctive? What do they provide to justify their annual charges, and what do they lack when in comparison with their premium counterparts?
On this information, we’ll examine the preferred premium and mid-tier playing cards from American Categorical, Capital One and Chase. (We have excluded Citi as a result of whereas the Citi Strata Premier℠ Card (see charges and costs) is a well-liked mid-tier journey card, its luxurious sibling — the Citi Status® Card — is now not accessible to new candidates.)
The data for the Citi Status has been collected independently by The Factors Man. The cardboard particulars on this web page haven’t been reviewed or offered by the cardboard issuer.
American Categorical mid-tier vs. premium playing cards
In its huge card portfolio, American Categorical presents The Platinum Card® from American Categorical, the American Categorical® Gold Card and the American Categorical® Inexperienced Card. Here is how they’re comparable and completely different:
| Amex Platinum Card | Amex Gold Card | Amex Inexperienced Card | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annual charge | $695 (see charges and costs) | $325 (see charges and costs) | $150 |
| Welcome supply | Earn 80,000 bonus factors after spending $8,000 on purchases inside the first six months of card membership.
You could be focused for a better supply by means of the CardMatch device; not everybody will obtain the identical supply, and presents could change at any time. |
Earn 60,000 bonus factors after spending $6,000 on purchases inside the first six months of card membership. | Earn 40,000 bonus factors after spending $3,000 on purchases inside the first six months of card membership. |
| Worth of welcome supply* | $1,600 | $1,200 | $800 |
| Key advantages |
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| Incomes charges |
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| Credit score rating required | 670 or above^ | 670 or above^ | 670 or above^ |
* Based mostly on TPG’s Could 2025 valuations; valuations are usually not offered by the cardboard issuer.
**When touring on same-day Delta flights; eligible Platinum Card Members will obtain 10 Visits per Eligible Platinum Card per yr to the Delta Sky Membership or to Seize and Go when touring on a same-day Delta-operated flight
^ Based mostly on TPG’s analysis and never offered by the cardboard issuer.
The data for the Amex Inexperienced Card has been collected independently by The Factors Man. The cardboard particulars on this web page haven’t been reviewed or offered by the cardboard issuer.
Associated: Amex Platinum vs. Amex Gold and Amex Gold vs. Amex Inexperienced
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The argument for the Amex Platinum Card
If you happen to’re on the lookout for a card stacked with advantages and perks, you’ll be able to cease scrolling — you’ve got discovered it within the Amex Platinum.
Cardmembers who reap the benefits of all of the annual perks and advantages on the Amex Platinum will notice that this card is properly price its annual charge in the correct fingers.
It is also among the many greatest playing cards for getting airfare and paying the taxes and costs in your award flights. You will earn 5 factors per greenback on these purchases (as much as $500,000 per calendar yr, then 1 level per greenback) and in addition get pleasure from journey and buy protections that apply when paying along with your card (phrases apply).
Nonetheless, these perks come at a value: a hefty annual charge of $695. If you happen to can maximize the worth this card presents, that annual charge is definitely justified. But when not, you will seemingly choose considered one of Amex’s extra inexpensive choices.
To study extra, learn our full overview of the Amex Platinum Card.
Apply right here: The Platinum Card from American Categorical
The argument for the Amex Gold Card
For these on the lookout for a card that has higher incomes charges on widespread spending classes, the Amex Gold packs a punch. It is among the best playing cards to make use of at eating places, for meals supply within the U.S. and supermarkets.
With an annual charge of $325, this card falls someplace between the mid-tier and luxurious card classes and would not have a transparent competitor from different issuers. However regardless of the way you classify it, this card presents as much as $424 in annual worth for many who can maximize the month-to-month Uber Money profit and credit for choose eating retailers, simply offsetting the cardboard’s annual charge.
Plus, Amex Gold cardmembers nonetheless earn a decent 3 factors per greenback on flights booked instantly with airways or by means of amextravel.com. Based mostly on TPG’s Could 2025 valuations, that is a 6% return on spending.
To study extra, learn our full overview of the Amex Gold Card.
Apply right here: American Categorical Gold Card
The argument for the Amex Inexperienced Card
The flexibility of the Amex Inexperienced is what so many individuals like about it.
It comes with an as much as $199 Clear Plus assertion credit score each calendar yr to totally cowl the price of your Clear membership (topic to auto-renewal; enrollment required), which greater than justifies the annual charge alone.
Incomes classes on the Amex Inexperienced Card are additionally sturdy. Cardmembers earn 3 Membership Rewards factors per greenback on broadly outlined journey and commuting classes, plus 3 factors per greenback at eating places worldwide and three factors per greenback on takeout and supply within the U.S.
Be taught extra: Amex Inexperienced
Capital One mid-tier vs. premium playing cards
The Capital One premium bank card is the Capital One Enterprise X Rewards Credit score Card and its mid-tier counterpart is the Capital One Enterprise Rewards Credit score Card.
| Capital One Enterprise X | Capital One Enterprise Rewards | |
|---|---|---|
| Annual charge | $395 | $95 |
| Welcome supply | Earn 75,000 bonus miles after spending $4,000 on purchases inside the first three months from account opening. | Earn 75,000 bonus miles after spending $4,000 on purchases inside the first three months from account opening. |
| Worth of welcome supply* | $1,388 | $1,388 |
| Key advantages |
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| Incomes charges |
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| Credit score rating required | 740^ | 670^ |
* Based mostly on TPG’s Could 2025 valuations; valuations are usually not offered by the cardboard issuer.
^ Based mostly on TPG’s analysis and never offered by the cardboard issuer.
Associated: Capital One Enterprise vs. Capital One Enterprise X
The argument for the Enterprise X
The Enterprise X clearly presents extra advantages than its cheaper counterpart. If you happen to’re on the lookout for perks like lounge entry, cellphone safety and an annual journey credit score, it is a card that provides all of that — and extra.
In keeping with TPG’s Could 2025 valuations, the mixture of the anniversary bonus miles and annual journey credit score is price greater than the price of the annual charge.
The cardboard’s incomes charges aren’t unhealthy, however it is advisable to e-book your journey by means of a portal to maximise these charges. Even so, 5 to 10 miles per greenback on most journey bookings is unquestionably a terrific return on spending.
To study extra, learn our full overview of the Enterprise X card.
Be taught Extra: Capital One Enterprise X Rewards Credit score Card
The argument for the Enterprise Rewards
The perfect argument for Enterprise Rewards in opposition to Enterprise X is that its annual charge is $300 decrease.
When you will not get advantages like limitless lounge entry, you’re going to get reimbursement in your International Entry or TSA PreCheck utility charge — a stable perk for a a lot decrease annual charge.
To study extra, learn our full overview of the Enterprise Rewards card.
Be taught Extra: Capital One Enterprise Rewards Credit score Card
Chase mid-tier vs. premium playing cards
Chase’s premium bank card is the Chase Sapphire Reserve® (see charges and costs) and its standard sibling is the mid-tier Chase Sapphire Most well-liked® Card (see charges and costs).
| Sapphire Reserve | Sapphire Most well-liked | |
|---|---|---|
| Annual charge | $550 | $95 |
| Welcome supply | Earn 60,000 bonus factors after spending $5,000 on purchases inside the first three months from account opening. | Earn 60,000 bonus factors after spending $5,000 on purchases inside the first three months from account opening. |
| Worth of the welcome supply* | $1,230 | $1,230 |
| Key advantages |
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| Incomes charges |
§Elevated earnings on journey purchases will kick in after the annual journey credit score is acquired. |
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| Factors redemption charges in Chase Journey | 1.5 cents every | 1.25 cents every |
| Credit score rating required | 740^ | 670^ |
* Based mostly on TPG’s Could 2025 valuations; valuations are usually not offered by the cardboard issuer.
^ Based mostly on TPG’s analysis and never offered by the cardboard issuer.
Associated: Sapphire Most well-liked vs. Sapphire Reserve
The argument for the Sapphire Reserve
Whereas the Sapphire Reserve’s $550 annual charge appears excessive at first, think about that you just get $300 in journey credit that apply mechanically to a broadly outlined idea of what counts as journey.
Furthermore, perks like reimbursing your utility charge for International Entry or TSA PreCheck and complimentary meals and drinks in airport lounges can deliver that annual charge right down to little or no — or might make it successfully $0.
The Sapphire Reserve additionally has among the strongest journey protections within the trade, making it a terrific card to make use of when paying for even a small a part of your journey.
Plus, its 1.5-cent redemption charge by means of Chase Journey makes it ideally suited for flights or lodges outdoors loyalty applications.
To study extra, learn our full overview of the Sapphire Reserve.
Apply right here: Chase Sapphire Reserve
The argument for the Sapphire Most well-liked
Sapphire Most well-liked cardholders nonetheless get a large number of journey protections to assist when one thing goes flawed throughout a visit.
On prime of that, there is a $50 resort credit score to make use of every year and a ten% factors bonus in your cardmember anniversary every year. This card’s potential worth right here cannot be understated.
And even though the Sapphire Most well-liked carries only a $95 annual charge, it nonetheless has sturdy incomes classes. It earns extremely on eating, streaming companies and on-line grocery orders — classes the place many spend recurrently.
To study extra, learn our full overview of the Sapphire Most well-liked.
Apply right here: Chase Sapphire Most well-liked Card
Backside line
On this information, we in contrast the highest premium bank cards and mid-tier bank cards. This manner, you’ll be able to see how they’re comparable and the way they’re completely different whereas incomes whereas incomes comparable rewards from the identical issuer.
On the one hand, seeing a ton of perks and advantages connected to a bank card could be engaging. Alternatively, folks see the excessive annual charges on premium bank cards and query whether or not these annual charges are price it.
After trying by means of these comparisons, there needs to be one thing that works in your pockets based mostly in your journey model, journey targets and spending habits.
If considered one of these playing cards caught your eye and you intend to use, be certain to have a look at our information to bank card utility guidelines and restrictions to enhance your possibilities of being authorized.
Associated: How to decide on the most effective bank card for you
For Capital One merchandise listed on this web page, among the advantages could also be offered by Visa® or Mastercard® and will differ by product. See the respective Information to Advantages for particulars, as phrases and exclusions apply.
For charges and costs of the Amex Platinum Card, click on right here.
For charges and costs of the Amex Gold Card, click on right here.
