For active-duty military personnel who qualify for waived annual fees under the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA) and Military Lending Act (MLA), both the Chase Sapphire Reserve (CSR) and American Express Platinum (Amex Platinum) offer luxury benefits for free. But which card is better?
Both cards provide airport lounge access, travel protections, and generous rewards, but they cater to different types of users. Below is a detailed breakdown to help you decide which one suits you best.
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- Chase Sapphire
Rewards & Earning Rates
American Express Platinum
- 5X points on flights booked directly with airlines or through Amex Travel
- 5X points on prepaid hotels booked through Amex Travel
- 1X points on all other purchases
- Best for frequent fliers who want to maximize points on airfare
Chase Sapphire Reserve
- 10X points on hotels and car rentals booked through Chase Travel
- 10X points on Chase Dining purchases
- 5X points on flights booked through Chase Travel
- 3X points on all other travel and dining purchases
- 1X points on everything else
- Best for flexibility in travel and dining rewards
🔹 Winner: Chase Sapphire Reserve for everyday spending and dining, but Amex Platinum is better for flights.
Travel Perks & Credits
American Express Platinum
- Access to Centurion Lounges, Delta Sky Clubs (when flying Delta), and Priority Pass lounges
- $200 airline fee credit (for baggage fees, seat selection, and other incidentals)
- $200 Uber Cash annually ($15 per month, plus $35 in December)
- $240 Digital Entertainment Credit (Disney+, Hulu, The New York Times, etc.)
- $189 CLEAR® membership credit for expedited airport security
- Fine Hotels & Resorts perks like free breakfast, late checkout, and room upgrades
Chase Sapphire Reserve
- Priority Pass lounge membership (no Centurion or Delta lounges)
- $300 annual travel credit (applies to any travel purchase)
- Global Entry or TSA PreCheck credit ($100 every four years)
- Luxury hotel perks through the Luxury Hotel & Resort Collection
- Better trip delay, cancellation, and lost baggage insurance than Amex
🔹 Winner: Amex Platinum for luxury perks and lounge access, but Chase Sapphire Reserve for better travel credits and insurance.
Point Redemption & Transfer Partners
American Express Platinum
- Best for booking flights through Amex Travel (35% points rebate for business/first-class flights)
- Transfer partners: Delta, British Airways, Emirates, Hilton, Marriott, and more
- Best for loyal airline/hotel users who maximize transfer partners
Chase Sapphire Reserve
- Best for flexible redemptions through Chase Ultimate Rewards
- Transfer partners: United, Southwest, Hyatt, Marriott, and more
- Best for those who prefer simple, flexible rewards
🔹 Winner: Tie—Amex has more airline transfer partners, while Chase has better hotel options and simpler redemptions.
Travel & Purchase Protections
American Express Platinum
- Trip cancellation and interruption insurance (up to $10,000 per trip)
- Baggage insurance (up to $3,000 per trip)
- Purchase protection (90 days, up to $10,000 per item)
Chase Sapphire Reserve
- Best-in-class travel protections:
- Trip delay reimbursement ($500 per ticket if delayed more than 6 hours)
- Primary rental car insurance (Amex only provides secondary)
- Trip cancellation/interruption coverage (up to $10,000 per person)
- Lost baggage coverage (up to $3,000 per person)
- Emergency medical and evacuation insurance
🔹 Winner: Chase Sapphire Reserve—better rental car insurance, stronger trip delay/lost baggage protection.
Which Card is Better for Military Members?
| Feature | Amex Platinum | Chase Sapphire Reserve |
|---|---|---|
| Annual Fee (Military) | $0 | $0 |
| Best for Flights | ✅ Yes | ❌ No |
| Best for Dining & Everyday Travel | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
| Airport Lounge Access | ✅ Centurion, Delta, & Priority Pass | ✅ Priority Pass Only |
| Annual Travel Credit | $200 airline fees | $300 on all travel |
| Best Travel Protections | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
| Best for Simple Rewards | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
Final Verdict:
- Choose American Express Platinum if:
- You fly often and want premium lounge access
- You book first/business-class flights and maximize travel credits
- You value luxury perks like hotel elite status and CLEAR credits
- Choose Chase Sapphire Reserve if:
- You travel and dine frequently (better points earning for restaurants and general travel)
- You want better trip protections and rental car insurance
- You prefer flexible, simple redemptions through Chase Ultimate Rewards
If you can, get both—they complement each other well. Amex Platinum for luxury perks and flights, Chase Sapphire Reserve for everyday travel and protection.
Since both cards have $0 annual fees for military members, there’s no downside to having both in your wallet.
