Oct. 25, 2026 • 12 min read Jump to section Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Copy URL Email The cards we feature here are from partners who compensate us when you are approved through our site, and this may impact how or where these products appear. We don’t cover all available credit cards, but our analysis, reviews, and opinions are entirely from our editorial team. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information. Let me start with a confession: I currently have 28 open, active credit cards.
Yes, I know that's a lot, but I don't actually use many of them regularly. In fact, the vast majority are what I consider "perk cards" — ones that are worth keeping open but don't get swiped often.
However, there are two cards in my wallet that offer an incredible combination of rewards and benefits: the American Express Platinum Card® and the American Express® Gold Card .
I recently sat down to tally up the total value I get from this power couple, since both are coming up for renewal before the end of the year. And even I was shocked at the final dollar figure.
Here's how I got more than $4,500 in value in 12 months on these two cards alone — and why now might be a great time to add one of them to your own wallet.
Related: 4 reasons to hold both the American Express Gold and Platinum
Here's how I calculated the value I received. For starters, I considered each card's quantifiable statement credits and divided them into three categories:
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Then I calculated the value based solely on the top bullet for Oct. 1, 2025, through Sept. 30, 2026.
From there, I looked at the number of American Express Membership Rewards points I earned over 12 months. I valued those points using TPG's October 2026 valuations , which pegged Amex points at 2 cents apiece.
Finally, I added all the numbers together:
All told, that's an estimated total value of $4,645.04 in just 12 months.
In fact, the statement credits I used on each card alone exceed the respective annual fees — $895 for the Amex Platinum (see rates and fees ) and $325 for the Amex Gold (see rates and fees ).
Another way to look at it: After subtracting the cards' combined $1,220 in annual fees, I "profited" $3,425.04 by strategically using the published benefits and earning rates on these cards in just one year — all on purchases I was already making.
Related: American Express Gold vs. American Express Platinum: Which card shines brighter?
Here's a closer look at how this actually worked on each card. Below are two charts that highlight the statement credits and targeted offers I used over the last 12 months, along with notes on how I approached each one.
In no particular order, here's how I maximized the benefits on my Amex Platinum. Enrollment is required for select benefits.
Digital entertainment credit Up to $300 in statement credits each calendar year (up to $25 per month) for eligible subscriptions to select digital entertainment providers $300 Used for monthly New York T…