Broadly talking, there are three sorts of credit cards: entry-level (typically with low or no annual charges), mid-tier ($100-$300 in annual charges) and premium ($400 or extra).
Much of the eye goes to the 2 ends of the spectrum, specializing in the very best credit cards with no annual payment or the very best premium credit cards. While we usually obtain questions on whether or not premium credit cards justify their annual charges, the center floor typically will get neglected
So, how precisely are mid-tier credit cards distinctive? What do they provide to justify their annual charges, and what do they lack when in comparison with their premium counterparts?
In this information, we’ll examine the preferred premium and mid-tier cards from American Express, Capital One and Chase. (We’ve excluded Citi as a result of whereas the Citi Strata Premier℠ Card (see charges and costs) is a well-liked mid-tier journey card, its luxurious sibling — the Citi Prestige® Card — is now not accessible to new candidates.)
The info for the Citi Prestige has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card particulars on this web page haven’t been reviewed or offered by the cardboard issuer.
American Express mid-tier vs. premium cards
In its huge card portfolio, American Express presents The Platinum Card® from American Express, the American Express® Gold Card and the American Express® Green Card. Here’s how they’re comparable and completely different:
| Amex Platinum Card | Amex Gold Card | Amex Green Card | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annual payment | $695 (see charges and costs) | $325 (see charges and costs) | $150 |
| Welcome supply | Earn 80,000 bonus factors after spending $8,000 on purchases inside the first six months of card membership.
You could also be focused for a better supply via the CardMatch instrument; not everybody will obtain the identical supply, and presents could change at any time. |
Earn 60,000 bonus factors after spending $6,000 on purchases inside the first six months of card membership. | Earn 40,000 bonus factors after spending $3,000 on purchases inside the first six months of card membership. |
| Value of welcome supply* | $1,600 | $1,200 | $800 |
| Key advantages |
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| Earning charges |
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| Credit rating required | 670 or above^ | 670 or above^ | 670 or above^ |
* Based on TPG’s May 2025 valuations; valuations are usually not offered by the cardboard issuer.
**When touring on same-day Delta flights; eligible Platinum Card Members will obtain 10 Visits per Eligible Platinum Card per yr to the Delta Sky Club or to Grab and Go when touring on a same-day Delta-operated flight
^ Based on TPG’s analysis and never offered by the cardboard issuer.
The info for the Amex Green Card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card particulars on this web page haven’t been reviewed or offered by the cardboard issuer.
Related: Amex Platinum vs. Amex Gold and Amex Gold vs. Amex Green
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The argument for the Amex Platinum Card
If you are in search of a card stacked with advantages and perks, you’ll be able to cease scrolling — you have discovered it within the Amex Platinum.
Cardmembers who make the most of all of the annual perks and advantages on the Amex Platinum will understand that this card is nicely value its annual payment in the precise arms.
It’s additionally among the many finest cards for purchasing airfare and paying the taxes and costs in your award flights. You’ll earn 5 factors per greenback on these purchases (as much as $500,000 per calendar yr, then 1 level per greenback) and in addition take pleasure in journey and buy protections that apply when paying along with your card (phrases apply).
Still, these perks come at a price: a hefty annual payment of $695. If you’ll be able to maximize the worth this card presents, that annual payment is well justified. But if not, you will seemingly favor considered one of Amex’s extra reasonably priced choices.
To be taught extra, learn our full evaluate of the Amex Platinum Card.
Apply right here: The Platinum Card from American Express
The argument for the Amex Gold Card
For these in search of a card that has higher incomes charges on widespread spending classes, the Amex Gold packs a punch. It’s top-of-the-line cards to make use of at eating places, for meals supply within the U.S. and supermarkets.
With an annual payment of $325, this card falls someplace between the mid-tier and luxurious card classes and does not have a transparent competitor from different issuers. But regardless of the way you classify it, this card presents as much as $424 in annual worth for many who can maximize the month-to-month Uber Cash profit and credit for choose eating retailers, simply offsetting the cardboard’s annual payment.
Plus, Amex Gold cardmembers nonetheless earn a decent 3 factors per greenback on flights booked straight with airways or via amextravel.com. Based on TPG’s May 2025 valuations, that is a 6% return on spending.
To be taught extra, learn our full evaluate of the Amex Gold Card.
Apply right here: American Express Gold Card
The argument for the Amex Green Card
The versatility of the Amex Green is what so many individuals like about it.
It comes with an as much as $199 Clear Plus assertion credit each calendar yr to completely cowl the price of your Clear membership (topic to auto-renewal; enrollment required), which greater than justifies the annual payment alone.
Earning classes on the Amex Green Card are additionally sturdy. Cardmembers earn 3 Membership Rewards factors per greenback on broadly outlined journey and commuting classes, plus 3 factors per greenback at eating places worldwide and three factors per greenback on takeout and supply within the U.S.
Learn extra: Amex Green
Capital One mid-tier vs. premium cards
The Capital One premium credit card is the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card and its mid-tier counterpart is the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card.
| Capital One Venture X | Capital One Venture Rewards | |
|---|---|---|
| Annual payment | $395 | $95 |
| Welcome supply | 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. |
| Value of welcome supply* | $1,388 | $1,388 |
| Key advantages |
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| Earning charges |
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| Credit rating required | 740^ | 670^ |
* Based on TPG’s May 2025 valuations; valuations are usually not offered by the cardboard issuer.
^ Based on TPG’s analysis and never offered by the cardboard issuer.
Related: Capital One Venture vs. Capital One Venture X
The argument for the Venture X
The Venture X clearly presents extra advantages than its cheaper counterpart. If you are in search of perks like lounge entry, cellphone safety and an annual journey credit, this can be a card that provides all of that — and extra.
According to TPG’s May 2025 valuations, the mixture of the anniversary bonus miles and annual journey credit is value greater than the price of the annual payment.
The card’s incomes charges aren’t dangerous, however it’s worthwhile to guide your journey via a portal to maximise these charges. Even so, 5 to 10 miles per greenback on most journey bookings is certainly an amazing return on spending.
To be taught extra, learn our full evaluate of the Venture X card.
Learn More: Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
The argument for the Venture Rewards
The finest argument for Venture Rewards in opposition to Venture X is that its annual payment is $300 decrease.
While you will not get advantages like limitless lounge entry, you’re going to get reimbursement to your Global Entry or TSA PreCheck utility payment — a strong perk for a a lot decrease annual payment.
To be taught extra, learn our full evaluate of the Venture Rewards card.
Learn More: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
Chase mid-tier vs. premium cards
Chase’s premium credit card is the Chase Sapphire Reserve® (see charges and costs) and its widespread sibling is the mid-tier Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card (see charges and costs).
| Sapphire Reserve | Sapphire Preferred | |
|---|---|---|
| Annual payment | $550 | $95 |
| Welcome supply | Earn 60,000 bonus factors after spending $5,000 on purchases inside the first three months from account opening. | Earn 60,000 bonus factors after spending $5,000 on purchases inside the first three months from account opening. |
| Value of the welcome supply* | $1,230 | $1,230 |
| Key advantages |
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| Earning charges |
§Elevated earnings on journey purchases will kick in after the annual journey credit is obtained. |
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| Points redemption charges in Chase Travel | 1.5 cents every | 1.25 cents every |
| Credit rating required | 740^ | 670^ |
* Based on TPG’s May 2025 valuations; valuations are usually not offered by the cardboard issuer.
^ Based on TPG’s analysis and never offered by the cardboard issuer.
Related: Sapphire Preferred vs. Sapphire Reserve
The argument for the Sapphire Reserve
While the Sapphire Reserve’s $550 annual payment appears excessive at first, take into account that you simply get $300 in journey credit that apply robotically to a broadly outlined idea of what counts as journey.
Moreover, perks like reimbursing your utility payment for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck and complimentary meals and drinks in airport lounges can deliver that annual payment right down to little or no — or may make it successfully $0.
The Sapphire Reserve additionally has a few of the strongest journey protections within the business, making it an amazing card to make use of when paying for even a small a part of your journey.
Plus, its 1.5-cent redemption fee via Chase Travel makes it very best for flights or accommodations exterior loyalty packages.
To be taught extra, learn our full evaluate of the Sapphire Reserve.
Apply right here: Chase Sapphire Reserve
The argument for the Sapphire Preferred
Sapphire Preferred cardholders nonetheless get a large number of journey protections to assist when one thing goes incorrect throughout a visit.
On prime of that, there is a $50 resort credit 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 Preferred carries only a $95 annual payment, it nonetheless has sturdy incomes classes. It earns extremely on eating, streaming companies and on-line grocery orders — classes the place many spend usually.
To be taught extra, learn our full evaluate of the Sapphire Preferred.
Apply right here: Chase Sapphire Preferred Card
Bottom line
In this information, we in contrast the highest premium credit cards and mid-tier credit cards. This method, you’ll be able to see how they’re comparable and the way they’re completely different whereas incomes whereas incomes comparable rewards from the identical issuer.
On the one hand, seeing a ton of perks and advantages connected to a credit card will be engaging. On the opposite hand, folks see the excessive annual charges on premium credit cards and query whether or not these annual charges are value it.
After trying via these comparisons, there needs to be one thing that works to your pockets based mostly in your journey type, journey targets and spending habits.
If considered one of these cards caught your eye and you propose to use, make sure that to take a look at our information to credit card utility guidelines and restrictions to enhance your possibilities of being authorized.
Related: How to decide on the very best credit card for you
For Capital One merchandise listed on this web page, a few of the advantages could also be offered by Visa® or Mastercard® and will fluctuate by product. See the respective Guide to Benefits for particulars, as phrases and exclusions apply.
For charges and costs of the Amex Platinum Card, click on right here.
For charges and costs of the Amex Gold Card, click on right here.
