The honest US verdict first
The Amex Platinum just jumped to $895 — and the internet is full of people defending a fee they don’t come close to earning back. So I’ll say it plainly: most Americans reading this should not pay $895 for a credit card. The Platinum is a phenomenal card if you live in airports and burn its credits; for everyone else it’s an expensive flex. Here’s the full US lineup, ranked by who it actually fits.
The US Amex lineup compared
| Card | Annual fee (US) | Rewards | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Platinum | $895 | Membership Rewards | Frequent flyers (lounges, status) |
| Gold | $325 | Membership Rewards | Dining & groceries |
| Green | $150 | Membership Rewards | Lighter travel-points card |
| Blue Cash Everyday | $0 | Cash back | No-fee everyday spend |
Fees and credits change — confirm current terms on the application page.
Platinum — for frequent flyers
The American Express Global Lounge Collection (Centurion Lounges, Priority Pass, Delta Sky Club when flying Delta), Hilton and Marriott Gold status, and a thick stack of annual statement credits. The 2026 refresh piled on more credits and raised the fee to $895 — great if you’ll redeem them, painful if you won’t. See the Amex Platinum review .
Gold — the points workhorse
At $325, the Gold earns rich Membership Rewards on dining and US supermarkets, plus dining credits. For anyone who spends heavily on food and everyday life, it quietly out-values the Platinum. Read the Amex Gold review .
Green & no-fee — the lighter options
The Green ($150) is a slimmer travel-points card. And if you’d rather pay nothing, a no-fee cash-back Amex like Blue Cash Everyday earns straightforward cash back — no Membership Rewards, but no fee either.
The one-question test
Count last year’s airport visits. Double digits → Platinum. You spend big on dining/groceries → Gold. You want points but lighter → Green. You want zero fee → a cash-back Amex. Torn between the top two? Amex Platinum vs Gold .
Pair it with a no-fee FX card
Even in the US, Amex isn’t universal, and abroad it’s accepted less than Visa/Mastercard. Pair any Amex with a no-fee multi-currency card — see Revolut’s USD plans and the full Amex vs Revolut breakdown.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Amex card is best in the USA?
Platinum for frequent flyers, Gold for dining/groceries, Green for a lighter travel-points card, and a no-fee cash-back Amex if you don’t want a fee.
Is the $895 Platinum fee worth it in 2026?
Only if you use the lounges and statement credits. The refresh added credits but raised the fee, so redeem them or pick the Gold.
Is there a no-annual-fee Amex?
Yes — no-fee cash-back cards like Blue Cash Everyday. They earn cash back, not Membership Rewards.
Verdict
In the US it’s simple: frequent flyer → Platinum; food-and-everyday spender → Gold; fee-averse → a no-fee cash-back Amex. Compare the current offers below.