When it comes to booking flights, savvy travelers know that the right credit card can save hundreds of dollars, unlock exclusive perks, and make the journey smoother from start to finish. Two of the most premium travel cards in the market—American Express Platinum (Amex Platinum) and Chase Sapphire Reserve (CSR)—are often compared head-to-head. Both offer excellent travel benefits, but which one is better for booking flights?
Let’s break down the Amex Platinum vs. CSR debate and help you decide which card gives you the best value when booking airline tickets.
1. Point Earning Potential
Amex Platinum
- Earns 5x Membership Rewards® Points on flights booked directly with airlines or through AmexTravel.com.
- Points can be redeemed through Amex’s travel portal or transferred to 20+ airline partners.
- Great for those who fly frequently and want to maximize points from airfare purchases.
Chase Sapphire Reserve (CSR)
- Earns 3x Ultimate Rewards® Points on all travel purchases, including flights, hotels, and more.
- Points can be redeemed for 1.5x value through Chase Travel or transferred to airline partners like United, Southwest, and Air France.
- Best for those who want a flexible travel card that earns across categories.
Verdict: If you’re strictly looking at flights, the Amex Platinum’s 5x rate outshines CSR’s 3x. However, CSR’s broader travel earning makes it more versatile if you spend heavily on hotels and other travel-related expenses.
2. Redemption Value
Amex Platinum
- Membership Rewards points can be transferred to 20+ airline partners like Delta, Emirates, and British Airways.
- Booking through AmexTravel.com offers 1 cent per point for flights.
- No special bonus for using points directly unless through airline transfer partners.
CSR
- Ultimate Rewards points are worth 1.5 cents per point when redeemed through Chase Travel.
- Also allows 1:1 transfer to airline partners like JetBlue, United, and Singapore Airlines.
- More value for flexible travelers who redeem points through Chase’s portal.
Verdict: CSR wins on direct redemption value, especially for those who want to book flights easily without worrying about transferring points or searching for award availability.
3. Travel Protection Benefits
Amex Platinum
- Offers trip cancellation/interruption insurance (up to $10,000 per trip).
- No trip delay reimbursement unless you booked a round-trip.
- No baggage delay insurance.
- Secondary rental car insurance.
CSR
- Offers trip cancellation and trip interruption coverage (up to $10,000 per trip).
- Includes trip delay insurance (after 6 hours) and baggage delay coverage.
- Primary rental car insurance included.
Verdict: CSR clearly wins on travel protections, offering more comprehensive coverage, especially for delays, lost baggage, and rental cars.
4. Airport and Airline Perks
Amex Platinum
- Best-in-class airport lounge access including Centurion Lounges, Priority Pass, Delta Sky Club, and more.
- Up to $200 airline fee credit (for incidentals like seat selection, checked bags).
- TSA PreCheck/Global Entry credit every 4 years.
CSR
- Priority Pass Select membership for airport lounges.
- $100 credit for Global Entry/TSA PreCheck.
- No airline fee credits.
Verdict: For frequent flyers and lounge lovers, Amex Platinum dominates with its premium lounge access and annual airline credit.
5. Annual Fees and Flexibility
- Amex Platinum: $695 annual fee
- CSR: $550 annual fee
While both are premium cards, CSR’s lower fee and broader travel category bonuses make it more accessible for many users.
Final Verdict: Which One Should You Use to Book Flights?
Choose Amex Platinum if:
- You frequently fly and want to maximize points (5x) on airfare.
- You value premium airport lounge access.
- You often transfer points to airline partners for luxury international travel.
Choose CSR if:
- You want more flexible redemption (1.5x through Chase Travel).
- You need robust travel protections like trip delay or baggage insurance.
- You value overall travel rewards across flights, hotels, and dining.
Conclusion:
For frequent flyers and luxury travelers, the Amex Platinum is ideal for its 5x earnings and elite perks. However, the Chase Sapphire Reserve is the better all-around card for flexibility, travel protections, and redemption value. Depending on how you travel, one may give you significantly more value—so choose the one that aligns with your travel lifestyle.
