Amex Gold instead of Platinum for Daily Driver in an MR Setup

[mkhan1093]

Hi all,

This is really just more of a question I have based on observations than it is about seeking any advice. One thing I've noticed is that people who travel a lot and earn MR points as part of their credit card strategy usually have both the Platinum and Gold cards and use them for their respective categories: airfare on Platinum, dining and groceries on Gold. But often these people also tend to use the Gold as their daily driver and put their non-category 1x spend on the Gold. If the Platinum earns 1x on non-category spend as well, then why isn't the Platinum considered a daily driver by at least some folks out there? They're both charge cards and they contribute to the same pool of points, with arguably better protections. So why the preference for the Gold card?

Thanks! Looking forward to hearing people's perspectives

[iheartwings]

This is conjecture, but it may be that people actually carry their Gold card in order to use it at said dining places and grocery stores? 

My AmEx platinum sits in the SD until I travel (or need to buy a plane ticket). 

[Anonymous]

My Amex Gold is my daily driver, but only for Groceries and Dining. Which I do a lot of. The Platinum is just airfare and lounge access. I throw non category spend on my NFCU Flagship for 2% base CB or other CB card if it fit their bonus categories for higher % CB. 

[Anonymous]

I personally really dislike the annual fees on the Amex charge cards.  

Getting really, really hard to justify based upon continuing to build account history.   

Given that backdating ended not so many years ago, your credit report could show a very old Amex open date even if you had a multi-decade gap in being a card holder.

[K-in-Boston]

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@iheartwings wrote:

This is conjecture, but it may be that people actually carry their Gold card in order to use it at said dining places and grocery stores? 

My AmEx platinum sits in the SD until I travel (or need to buy a plane ticket). 

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I would subscribe to this theory as well.  I carry both but never swipe Platinum unless there is an Amex Offer.  And I never make 1x purchases on either unless there is an Amex Offer.  I do need to show it at Centurion Lounge and it's the card I know would give me virtually unlimited buying power in case of an emergency so it's always there just in case.  You could say I never leave home without it.

[simplynoir]

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@K-in-Boston wrote:

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@iheartwings wrote:

This is conjecture, but it may be that people actually carry their Gold card in order to use it at said dining places and grocery stores? 

My AmEx platinum sits in the SD until I travel (or need to buy a plane ticket). 

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I would subscribe to this theory as well.  I carry both but never swipe Platinum unless there is an Amex Offer.  And I never make 1x purchases on either unless there is an Amex Offer.  I do need to show it at Centurion Lounge and it's the card I know would give me virtually unlimited buying power in case of an emergency so it's always there just in case.  You could say I never leave home without it.

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This is why it never leaves my wallet and I tell my two younger sisters and fiancee this reason as well. If for anything else their global assist would be valuable if they ever got into any trouble when traveling i.e. lost wallet, passport, etc

[iheartwings]

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@K-in-Boston wrote:

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@iheartwings wrote:

This is conjecture, but it may be that people actually carry their Gold card in order to use it at said dining places and grocery stores? 

My AmEx platinum sits in the SD until I travel (or need to buy a plane ticket). 

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I would subscribe to this theory as well.  I carry both but never swipe Platinum unless there is an Amex Offer.  And I never make 1x purchases on either unless there is an Amex Offer.  I do need to show it at Centurion Lounge and it's the card I know would give me virtually unlimited buying power in case of an emergency so it's always there just in case.  You could say I never leave home without it.

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Would Gold not do the same since they are both charge cards? (Or is this a history thing - i.e., your Platinum history supports unlimited buying power?)

I leave home without mine all the time; however, I never leave the country without it.

[K-in-Boston]

They have similar history and age and would likely have the same spending power, but Platinum as simplynoir alluded to has some additional protections and benefits that are rarely used, but are there if needed.  Plus if for some reason I had my wallet but not my phone, the Platinum CS number isn't on the back of my Gold Card.  LOL

[wasCB14]

I carry Schwab Platinum in my wallet and keep it visible (front row in one of several slots with stacked cards). I find it easier to just keep it within easy access, rather than SD it and hope I remember to add it in time, or bury it in my wallet and go digging each time I need to get into an airport lounge.

Other prime spots go to Driver ID, health insurance card, Costco Visa, BofA Premium, and BBP.

[wasCB14]

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@Anonymous wrote:

I personally really dislike the annual fees on the Amex charge cards.  

Getting really, really hard to justify based upon continuing to build account history.   

Given that backdating ended not so many years ago, your credit report could show a very old Amex open date even if you had a multi-decade gap in being a card holder.

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I think the target demographic is customers who can afford to not care about micromanaging things like AAoA, utilization and scores.