Analysis
These two cards are tough to compare head-to-head because they're built for different types of spenders & travelers. The right pick comes down to how you spend your money and which perks you'll actually use.
When the American Express Platinum Card® Wins
The American Express Platinum Card® Card is built around one thing: making travel feel premium. Its Centurion Lounge network is generally solid and has the undisputed largest footprint in the U.S., and Priority Pass comes included on top of that. You also get complimentary Hilton Honors Gold and Marriott Bonvoy Gold status (enrollment required for both), which quietly adds real value for anyone booking hotels regularly. If you're in airports more than twice a month, the lounge access alone starts carrying the card.
Despite the enormous annual fee, the Platinum also comes with thousands of dollars worth in credits + earns a best in class 5x on flights purchased directly with airlines (up to $500,000 per calendar year).
When the Bilt Palladium Card Wins
For renters and homeowners, the Bilt Palladium Card Card is doing something no Amex product does: rewarding your biggest fixed cost through the Bilt Rewards program. The Palladium overall is one of the best cards out there for general spending purposes.
The Bilt Cash ecosystem gives you dollar-for-dollar credit redemptions toward fitness classes, Lyft rides, hotel stays, and dining, which layers on top of the points structure. Use the Bilt Cash redemption calculator to see how much value you can get from different redemption options. The $400 annual hotel travel credit and included Priority Pass mean lounge access is covered too. The Palladium's lounge experience isn't Centurion-level, but for most travelers, it's more than sufficient.
Which card is better overall?
The honest answer is that neither card is objectively better since they serve entirely different use cases. One rewards how you live, and the other rewards how you fly. If you're savvy, we actually think having both is a fantastic pairing.
Palladium used for everyday spend.
Platinum used for travel/flight purchases.
FAQs
Which card has better lounge access?
The American Express Platinum Card® wins without a doubt here. It gives you access to over 1,550 airport lounges worldwide, including Centurion Lounges, Priority Pass Select (with two free guests), and Delta Sky Clubs when flying Delta (up to 10 visits per year, subject to recent changes). Centurion Lounges in particular are a genuine upgrade over most airport experiences.
The Bilt Palladium Card includes only includes a Priority Pass membership, which isn't anything too special nowadays.
How do the hotel credits compare between Bilt Palladium Card and American Express Platinum Card®?
The Platinum offers up to $600 annually (up to $300 semi-annually) for Fine Hotels + Resorts or The Hotel Collection bookings, with The Hotel Collection requiring a two-night minimum.
The Palladium gives up to $400 annually ($200 semi-annually) for two-night-or-more bookings through the Bilt Travel Portal, and Palladium cardholders can stack their monthly Bilt Cash hotel credit with the semiannual hotel credit in a single booking.
The big difference is in the types of hotels you can book. Amex requires you to book fancy hotels, whereas you can book any ole 2 night minimum hotel with Bilt.
Can Bilt Palladium Card cardholders stack hotel credits with Bilt Cash?
Yes. Bilt Palladium Card cardholders can stack their Bilt Cash hotel credit with the semiannual hotel credit in a single booking. Bilt Cash hotel credits are capped at $100 per month for Gold and Platinum status members, with a two-night minimum required through the Bilt Travel Portal.
Which card offers better transfer partners?
Both programs are strong, but Bilt overall is better. While Amex transfers to 19 reward program partners, Bilt offers unique partners like Alaska Airlines + high value partners like Japan Airlines and Hyatt.
Bilt Palladium Card Card vs American Express Platinum Card® - which is better for everyday spending?
The Palladium absolutely wins if you want to maximize everyday purchases, because Option 2 (Flexible Bitl Cash) lets you earn 4% back in Bilt Cash on non-housing spend, which you can convert into points or credits.
The American Express Platinum Card® doesn't offer high everyday earning rates outside of 5x on flights booked directly with airlines or through Amex Travel. It's a terrible card for everyday spend.
What's the actual cost difference between these two cards?
The Bilt Palladium Card has a $495 annual fee, while the American Express Platinum Card® costs $895 per year (nearly double). The American Express Platinum Card® offsets its higher fee with more travel credits and lounge access, but whether the Amex Platinum annual fee is worth it depends on how often you travel and use those perks.
