American Express Platinum

Annual Fee: $695

Earn 100-125,000 Membership Rewards points after you spend $8,000 on eligible purchases with your new card within the first 6 months.

Our thoughts: The Platinum Card is one of the most popular premium cards in the points and miles world. Though it has one of the highest annual fees, it is packed with rebates and perks that if utilized, can give you more value than $695. We love the $200 airline fee credits, $200 annual hotel credit, monthly digital entertainment credit, lounge access, and 5x points on flights.

How to earn points:

5x Membership Rewards for flights booked directly with airlines

5x Points on prepaid hotels booked through amextravel.com

1x Unlimited on all other purchases.

Notable Notable rebates and perks:

$100 Global Entry/TSA PreCheck credit every 4 years

Priority Pass and Centurion Lounge access

$200 Airline Fee credit

$155 Walmart+ Credit

$200 Hotel credit on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts bookings on amextravel.com

$200 Uber cash ($15 added monthly to your Uber account)

$189 Clear Plus Credit

$240 Digital Entertainment Credit ($20 in statement credits each month for select providers)

$100 Saks Fifth Avenue Credit ($50 statement credit semi-annually)