Amex Gold Rewards Card vs Amex Platinum Card (Canada)
Two cards, one Standard Score rubric. The Amex Platinum Card (Canada) scores higher overall at 7.8/10, but the right pick depends on which components match your spending.
The verdict
ExcellentThe Membership Rewards upgrade question turns entirely on how much you travel. The Gold Rewards costs $250, earns 2x on travel, gas, groceries, and drugstores, and hands back a $100 travel credit with four lounge passes; the Platinum more than triples the fee to $799 but answers with unlimited Centurion and Priority Pass access, a $200 credit, and hotel status. Both pool the same MR balance. Take the Gold unless you travel enough to use unlimited lounge access several times a year, where the Platinum's perks finally clear the fee.
See offer · current Amex Platinum Card (Canada) offer, direct from the issuer
Rewards math assumes you pay your balance in full every month — interest charges quickly exceed any rewards value.
| Amex Gold Rewards Card | Amex Platinum Card (Canada) | |
|---|---|---|
| Standard Score | 7.5/10 · Excellent | 7.8/10 · Excellent |
| Annual fee | $250 | $799 |
| Welcome bonus | Up to 60,000 MR points (5,000/month on $1K monthly spend for 12 months); the widely promoted 90,000 is a referral-only offer | Up to 100,000 MR points (70,000 on $10K/3 mo + 30,000 on a purchase in months 15-17) |
| Est. bonus value | ≈ $1,140 | ≈ $1,900 |
| First-year net value | ≈ $1,040 | ≈ $1,330 |
| Earn rates |
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| Points currency | Amex Membership Rewards | Amex Membership Rewards |
| No FX fees | No | No |
| Lounge access | Yes | Yes |
Where the Amex Gold Rewards Card wins
- Low friction: scores 6.0/10 on this component
Where the Amex Platinum Card (Canada) wins
- First-year value: scores 8.5/10 on this component
- Strategic fit: scores 8.0/10 on this component
Read the full reviews: Amex Gold Rewards Card and Amex Platinum Card (Canada), or see how both rank in Best Travel Credit Cards in Canada.
What the points are worth in dollars: Amex Membership Rewards Value. Each has a calculator for your balance.