N※N

Forget the Sapphire Reserve -- Amex Platinum Is the Ultimate Travel Card in 2025

  //travel-leisure.news-articles.net/content/2025/ .. latinum-is-the-ultimate-travel-card-in-2025.html
  Published in Travel and Leisure on Monday, September 22nd 2025 at 10:17 GMT by The Motley Fool
          ^{🞛 This publication is a summary or evaluation of another publication 🞛 This publication contains editorial commentary or bias from the source}

The Ultimate Travel Card for 2025? American Express Platinum Outshines the Sapphire Reserve, According to “The Fool”

Published by the Motley Fool on September 2025, the article “Forget the Sapphire Reserve—Amex Platinum Is the Ultimate Travel Card in 2025” argues that American Express’s flagship travel card has eclipsed its main competitor, the Chase Sapphire Reserve, in both value and versatility. Below is a detailed recap of the article’s key points, comparisons, and the data that supports the headline claim.

1. A Fresh Look at the Card Landscape

The article opens by acknowledging the long‑standing rivalry between Amex Platinum and Chase Sapphire Reserve. While both cards target affluent travelers and offer generous travel credits, the author suggests that the Platinum’s newer features and a more favorable fee structure give it a clear edge in 2025.

Key Takeaway – The value of a travel card isn’t just measured in points per dollar; it’s the real‑world credits and benefits that translate into cash savings.

2. Cost & Fee Comparison

The article stresses that, while the Platinum’s fee is $145 higher, the net benefit of the airline and hotel credits alone equals $400 of the fee, and the extra Uber and dining credits push the total closer to $500 in savings. When combined with the higher points multiplier on flights and hotels, the overall value skews heavily in favor of Amex.

3. New “Ultimate Travel” Features of Amex Platinum

• $200 Airline Fee Credit – Covers incidental fees such as checked bags, seat upgrades, and in‑flight purchases. The article cites that the average American traveler spends roughly $50–$70 per flight on these fees, so a credit of $200 equates to nearly three flights saved per year.
• $200 Hotel Credit – Valid at select partner hotels (e.g., Marriott, Hilton, Hyatt). The credit can be used to offset costs like room rates, concierge services, and amenity packages.
• $100 Uber Credit – A quarterly $25 credit for Uber rides in select U.S. cities. The article notes that even a modest Uber user would save over $300 annually on rides.
• $100 Dining Credit – A quarterly $25 credit for restaurant reservations made through the “OpenTable” partner. The author points out that many frequent diners would enjoy a noticeable reduction in dining bills.

These credits represent direct cash savings, a stark contrast to the more abstract points‑on‑spending model used by Chase’s Sapphire Reserve.

4. Points System & Redemption Flexibility

While Sapphire Reserve’s 3x on travel points are redeemed through Chase’s “Ultimate Rewards” portal (with a 1.5x multiplier when transferring to airline partners), Amex’s Membership Rewards program offers:

• 5x points on flights & hotels booked directly with airlines or via Amex Travel.
• 3x points on flights booked via Amex Travel but not direct.
• 1x points on all other purchases.

The article emphasizes that the higher multiplier on flights means a traveler who spends $10,000 on airfare annually would earn 50,000 points with Amex versus 30,000 with Sapphire Reserve. Additionally, the Amex program offers a broader selection of airline partners for points transfers, including low‑cost carriers that are not available through Chase.

5. Lounge Access & Travel Perks

Both cards offer lounge access, but the article highlights:

• Amex Platinum – Priority Pass Select (more than 1,200 lounges worldwide), and complimentary access to Amex’s own lounges (e.g., The Centurion Lounge).
• Sapphire Reserve – Priority Pass Select, but no access to Amex‑owned lounges.

The article cites a comparison study where Platinum holders received an average of 2.5 extra lounge visits per month over a year.

6. Travel Insurance & Protection

Both cards provide excellent travel insurance, but Amex’s policy includes:

• Trip Interruption & Cancellation – Coverage up to $100,000.
• Baggage Insurance – Up to $5,000 per piece.
• Purchase Protection – Up to 90 days on eligible purchases.

The article notes that Sapphire Reserve offers similar protections but with slightly lower limits in some categories.

7. Concierge & Elite Status

• Amex Platinum – 24/7 concierge service for restaurant reservations, event tickets, and travel planning. The article quotes a user who used concierge to secure a last‑minute dinner reservation at a Michelin‑starred restaurant.
• Sapphire Reserve – Concierge service is more limited and mainly focuses on travel planning.

8. Who Should Consider Amex Platinum?

The article identifies three primary traveler archetypes that would benefit most from Amex Platinum in 2025:

1. Frequent Flyers – Those who travel at least 10–15 flights per year can take full advantage of the airline fee credit and high points multiplier.
2. Luxury Hotel Stays – Travelers who stay in premium hotels will find the hotel credit especially valuable.
3. Lifestyle Spenders – Frequent diners and Uber users can leverage the dining and rideshare credits.

It also acknowledges that the higher annual fee may be prohibitive for occasional travelers, and in such cases, Sapphire Reserve could still be a strong contender.

9. Final Verdict: Platinum Reigns Supreme

In closing, the article states that while the Sapphire Reserve remains a solid travel card for many, the ultimate travel card for 2025 is now the Amex Platinum. The combination of higher points on the most valuable categories, generous credits that offset travel costs, and a comprehensive suite of travel perks and insurance make Platinum the clear winner for the modern luxury traveler.

Links & Resources Followed in the Original Article

The article leverages these sources to substantiate claims about card benefits, fees, and real‑world savings.

Word Count: 1,058 words

This summary captures the essence of the Motley Fool’s argument that Amex Platinum has overtaken Chase Sapphire Reserve as the ultimate travel card for 2025.