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Premium bank cards vs. mid-tier bank cards: Which do you have to get?

Broadly talking, there are three kinds of bank cards: entry-level (usually with low or no annual charges), mid-tier bank cards (annual charges across the $100-$250 mark) and premium bank cards (annual charges of $400 or extra).

Quite a lot of focus is placed on the 2 ends of the spectrum, specializing in the most effective bank cards with no annual price or the most effective premium bank cards. We get common questions on whether or not premium bank cards are definitely worth the annual price — however there’s a lot much less give attention to the center floor.

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 bank cards from American Specific, Capital One and Chase. (We’ll exclude Citi as a result of whereas the Citi Premier® Card stays a preferred mid-tier journey card, its luxurious sibling Citi Status® Card is not out there to new candidates.)

The knowledge 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.

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American Specific mid-tier vs. premium playing cards

In its huge playing cards portfolio, American Specific provides The Platinum Card® from American Specific and two standard mid-tier playing cards: the American Specific® Gold Card and the American Specific® Inexperienced Card. This is how they’re comparable and completely different:

Amex Platinum Card Amex Gold Card Amex Inexperienced Card
Annual price $695 (see charges and charges). $250 (see charges and charges). $150 (see charges and charges).
Welcome provide Earn 100,000 bonus Membership Rewards factors after spending $6,000 on purchases inside the first six months of card membership. Earn 60,000 bonus Membership Rewards factors after spending $4,000 on purchases inside the first six months of card membership. Earn 40,000 bonus Membership Rewards factors after spending $2,000 on purchases inside the first six months of card membership.
Worth of welcome provide* $2,000. $1,200. $800.
Key advantages Entry to lounges, together with American Specific Centurion lounges, Delta Sky Membership lounges, Precedence Move Choose lounges, Escape Lounges — The Centurion Studio Associate, Airspace lounges, Plaza Premium lounges, Lufthansa lounges and different World Lounge Assortment companion lounges.

Over $1,500 in annual credit out there, together with as much as $200 in airline incidental credit, as much as $200 in pay as you go lodge credit, as much as $200 in Uber Money (which can be utilized with Uber Eats), reimbursement to your Clear membership price and reimbursement to your World Entry or TSA PreCheck utility price.

Quite a few journey protections and buying protections.

Enrollment is required prematurely for some advantages.

As much as $120 in annual eating credit.

As much as $120 in Uber Money annually (which can be utilized with Uber Eats).

A number of journey protections and buying protections, although at decrease profit quantities than the Platinum Card.

Enrollment is required prematurely for some advantages.

As much as $100 assertion credit score towards your annual Clear membership price.

As much as $100 LoungeBuddy annual assertion credit score.

A number of journey protections and buying protections, although at decrease profit quantities than the Platinum Card.

Enrollment is required prematurely for some advantages.

Incomes charges 5 factors per greenback on flights booked straight with airways and with Amex Journey (on as much as $500,000 of those purchases every calendar yr, then 1 level per greenback).

5 factors per greenback on pay as you go lodge bookings by way of Amex Journey.

1 level per greenback on different purchases.

4 factors per greenback at eating places worldwide (and on takeout and supply within the U.S.).

4 factors per greenback at U.S. supermarkets (on as much as $25,000 of those purchases in a calendar yr, then 1 level per greenback).

3 factors per greenback on flights booked straight with airways or AmexTravel.com.

1 level per greenback on different purchases.

3 factors per greenback at eating places worldwide (together with takeout and supply within the U.S.).

3 factors per greenback on journey and transit.

1 level per greenback on different purchases.

Credit score rating required 680 or above.^ 680 or above.^ 670 or above.^

* Primarily based on TPG’s valuations; valuations aren’t offered by the cardboard issuer.
^ Primarily based on TPG’s analysis and never offered by the cardboard issuer.

The knowledge 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.

See additionally: Bank card showdown: Amex Platinum vs. Amex Gold
See additionally: Bank card showdown: Amex Gold vs. Amex Inexperienced

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An argument for the Amex Platinum Card

Should you’re on the lookout for a card stacked with advantages and perks, you possibly can cease scrolling — you have discovered it within the Amex Platinum Card.

Cardmembers who reap the benefits of all of the annual perks and advantages on the Amex Platinum Card will understand that this card pays you to maintain it in your pockets annually. That is because of over $1,500 in annual credit out there on the cardboard. Nonetheless, these perks come at a price: a hefty annual price of $695.

WYATT SMITH/THE POINTS GUY

It is also among the finest playing cards for getting airfare or for paying the taxes and charges in your award flights. You may earn 5 miles per greenback on these purchases and also will take pleasure in journey and buy protections that go into impact when paying along with your card.

For extra particulars, learn our full evaluate of the Amex Platinum Card.

Official utility hyperlink: The Platinum Card from American Specific

An 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 finest playing cards to make use of at eating places, for meals supply and at supermarkets.

Furthermore, cardholders can rise up to $240 in annual credit for choose eating places and Uber rides or Uber Eats orders. Utilizing these $240 in credit largely covers the cardboard’s $250 annual price.

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Plus, Amex Gold cardmembers nonetheless earn a decent 3 factors per greenback on flights booked straight with airways or by way of Amex Journey. Primarily based on TPG’s valuations, that is a 6% return on spending.

For extra particulars, learn our full evaluate of the Amex Gold Card.

Official utility hyperlink: American Specific Gold Card

An argument for the Amex Inexperienced Card

The flexibility of the Amex Inexperienced Card is what so many individuals like about it.

Should you stack the $100 Clear credit score on this card with reductions out there through airline applications, your Clear membership may cost just some {dollars} a yr. Plus, utilizing the as much as $100 in LoungeBuddy credit will then greater than cowl the cardboard’s $150 annual price.

WYATT SMITH/THE POINTS GUY

Nonetheless, incomes classes on the Amex Inexperienced Card are also sturdy. Cardmembers earn 3 Membership Rewards factors per greenback on broadly-defined journey and commuting classes, plus 3 factors per greenback at eating places world wide and three factors per greenback on takeout and supply within the U.S.

Furthermore, candidates with a barely decrease credit score rating are likely to have higher odds of approval with this card than the Platinum Card or Gold Card.

For extra particulars, learn our full evaluate of the Amex Inexperienced Card.

Capital One mid-tier vs. premium playing cards

The Capital One premium bank card is the Capital One Enterprise X Rewards Credit score Automobiled; its mid-tier counterpart is the Capital One Enterprise Rewards Credit score Card.

Capital One Enterprise X card Capital One Enterprise card
Annual price $395. $95.
Signal-up bonus 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 sign-up bonus* $1,387.50. $1,387.50.
Key advantages As much as $300 in journey credit per yr for bookings made within the Capital One Journey portal.

10,000 bonus miles in your account anniversary annually.

Reimbursement to your TSA PreCheck or World Entry utility price as soon as each 4 years.

Entry to Precedence Move, Capital One and Plaza Premium lounges, together with visitor privileges.

Hertz President’s Circle elite standing.

Protections embrace misplaced baggage reimbursement, journey cancellation and interruption insurance coverage, major rental automotive insurance coverage and cellphone safety.

Reimbursement to your TSA PreCheck or World Entry utility price as soon as each 4 years.

Two complimentary passes annually to go to a Capital One or Plaza Premium lounge.

Protections embrace journey accident insurance coverage, secondary rental automotive insurance coverage and prolonged guarantee safety (if accredited for a Visa Signature card).

Incomes charges Earn 10 miles per greenback on Turo automotive leases (by way of Could 16, 2023) and inns and rental automobiles booked by way of Capital One Journey.

Earn 5 miles per greenback on flights booked by way of Capital One Journey.

Earn 2 miles per greenback on all different purchases.

Earn 5 miles per greenback on Turo automotive leases (by way of Could 16, 2023) and inns and rental automobiles booked by way of Capital One Journey.

Earn 2 miles per greenback on all different purchases.

Credit score rating required 700.^ 664.#

* Primarily based on TPG’s valuations; valuations aren’t offered by the cardboard issuer.
^ Primarily based on TPG’s analysis and never offered by the cardboard issuer.
# Primarily based on TPG’s analysis and never offered by the cardboard issuer.

See additionally: Bank card showdown: Capital One Enterprise vs. Capital One Enterprise X

An argument for the Enterprise X card

The Enterprise X card clearly provides extra advantages than its less-expensive counterpart. Should you’re on the lookout for perks like lounge entry, cellphone safety and reimbursement to your World Entry or TSA PreCheck utility price, this is a card that provides all of that and extra. Plus, the mix of the anniversary bonus miles and annual journey credit score are value greater than the price of the annual price, in response to TPG’s newest valuations.

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Incomes charges aren’t dangerous, however that you must e-book your journey by way of a portal to maximise these charges. That being stated, 5-10 miles per greenback on most journey bookings is certainly an important return on spending.

For extra particulars, learn our full evaluate of the Enterprise X card.

Official utility hyperlink: Capital One Enterprise X Rewards Credit score Card

An argument for the Enterprise card

The best argument for the Enterprise card towards the Enterprise X could also be the truth that they’ve the identical sign-up bonus proper now and earn the identical quantity on on a regular basis spending. Enterprise cardholders can nonetheless earn a beneficial welcome bonus and earn 2 miles per greenback on on a regular basis purchases.

WYATT SMITH/THE POINTS GUY

Whilst you will not get advantages like limitless lounge entry, you’ll get two lounge passes to make use of annually, reimbursement to your World Entry or TSA PreCheck utility price and save $300 on the annual price.

For extra particulars, learn our full evaluate of the Enterprise card.

Official utility hyperlink: Capital One Enterprise Rewards Credit score Card

Chase mid-tier vs. premium playing cards

The Chase premium bank card is the Chase Sapphire Reserve and its standard sibling is the Chase Sapphire Most popular Card.

Sapphire Reserve Sapphire Most popular
Annual price $550. $95.
Signal-up bonus Earn 80,000 bonus Final Rewards factors after spending $4,000 on purchases inside the first three months from account opening. Earn 60,000 bonus Final Rewards factors after spending $4,000 on purchases inside the first three months from account opening.
Worth of the sign-up bonus* $1,600. $1,200.
Key advantages Precedence Move Choose membership.

As much as $300 annual journey credit score.

Reimbursement for World Entry or TSA PreCheck utility price.

$5 per thirty days in DoorDash credit and a free DoorDash DashPass subscription by way of Dec. 31, 2024.

Visa infinite perks like major rental automotive insurance coverage, journey cancellation and delay protection, misplaced baggage reimbursement, a concierge service and entry to the Luxurious Lodge & Resort Assortment.

As much as $50 annual lodge credit score.

10% anniversary factors bonus based mostly in your spending through the earlier yr.

One yr of complimentary DashPass membership with DoorDash.

Many journey protections, comparable to major rental automotive protection, journey delay insurance coverage, journey cancellation insurance coverage, baggage delay insurance coverage, lost baggage reimbursement, buy safety and prolonged guarantee safety.

Incomes charges 10 factors per greenback on inns and automotive leases bought by way of the Chase journey portal.

10 factors per greenback on Lyft rides (by way of March 2025).

10 factors per greenback on eating purchases by way of Chase Final Rewards.

5 factors per greenback on flights bought by way of the Chase journey portal.

3 factors per greenback on all different journey (excluding the $300 journey credit score) and eating purchases worldwide.

1 level per greenback on all the pieces else.

5 factors per greenback on journey booked by way of the Chase journey portal.

5 factors per greenback on Lyft rides (by way of March 2025).

3 factors per greenback on eating, choose streaming companies and on-line grocery retailer purchases (excludes Goal, Walmart and wholesale golf equipment).

2 factors per greenback on all journey not booked by way of the Chase journey portal.

1 level per greenback on all the pieces else.

Factors redemption charges within the journey portal 1.5 cents apiece. 1.25 cents apiece.
Credit score rating required 700.^ 646.#

* Primarily based on TPG’s valuations; valuations aren’t offered by the cardboard issuer.
^ Primarily based on TPG’s analysis and never offered by the cardboard issuer.
# Primarily based on TPG’s analysis and never offered by the cardboard issuer.

See additionally: Chase Sapphire showdown: Sapphire Most popular vs. Sapphire Reserve

An argument for the Sapphire Reserve

Whereas the $550 annual price appears actually excessive at first, think about that you simply get $300 in journey credit that apply routinely to a broadly-defined idea of what counts as journey. Furthermore, perks like reimbursing your utility price for World Entry or TSA PreCheck and free meals and drinks in airport lounges can carry that annual price right down to little or no — or might make it successfully $0.

WYATT SMITH/THE POINTS GUY

The Sapphire Reserve additionally has a number of the greatest journey protections within the trade, making it an important card to make use of when paying for even a small a part of your journey so these protections will go into impact.

Add to that the cardboard’s sturdy incomes classes and an elevated redemption price of 1.5 cents per level when redeeming factors in Chase’s journey portal — nice for paying for flights whenever you discover a good worth or reserving inns that are not a part of a factors program.

For extra particulars, learn our full evaluate of the Sapphire Reserve.

OFFICIAL APPLICATION LINK: Chase Sapphire Reserve

An argument for the Sapphire Most popular

Sapphire Most popular cardholders nonetheless get a large number of journey protections to assist when one thing goes incorrect throughout a visit. On high of that, there is a $50 lodge credit score to make use of annually and a ten% factors bonus in your cardmember anniversary annually. This card’s potential worth right here cannot be understated.

And even if the Sapphire Most popular carries only a $95 annual price, it nonetheless has sturdy incomes classes. It earns nicely on eating, streaming companies and on-line grocery orders — classes the place many People spend recurrently.

For extra particulars, learn our full evaluate of the Sapphire Most popular.

OFFICIAL APPLICATION LINK: Chase Sapphire Most popular Card

Backside line

On this information, we in contrast the most effective premium bank cards and greatest mid-tier bank cards out there from the identical banks. This manner, you possibly can see how they’re comparable and the way their completely different whereas incomes the identical kinds of factors and being provided by the identical issuer.

On the one hand, seeing a ton of perks and advantages listed for a bank card might be attractive. However, individuals see the excessive annual charges on premium bank cards and query whether or not these annual charges are value it. After wanting by way of these comparisons, there ought to be one thing that works to your pockets, based mostly in your journey fashion, journey objectives and spending habits.

If certainly one of these playing cards caught your eye and you propose to use, ensure that to have a look at our information to bank card utility guidelines and restrictions to enhance your probabilities of being accredited.

For charges and charges of the Amex Platinum Card, click on right here.
For charges and charges of the Amex Gold Card, click on right here.
For charges and charges of the Amex Inexperienced Card, click on right here.

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