You are standing at a crossroads in the travel hacking hobby, and the signposts are confusing. On one side, you have the Chase ecosystem—celebrated for its simplicity, low fees, and the unbeatable value of World of Hyatt. On the other, the American Express ecosystem—a high-fee, high-reward powerhouse that unlocks the world’s most luxurious First Class cabins if you know how to navigate its complex rules.
As a veteran travel strategist who views credit card points as a currency market to be arbitraged, I don’t believe in “loyalty” to a bank. I believe in math. And the math in 2025 has shifted.
With Chase maintaining its strict “5/24” approval rule and Amex aggressively rolling out “Family Language” restrictions that block sign-up bonuses, the question isn’t just “which is better?”—it’s “which one do you need right now?” This guide analyzes the earning rates, redemption math, and approval algorithms to help you choose the right ecosystem for your travel goals.
The Core Philosophy: “Keeper” vs. “Coupon Book”
The fundamental difference between these two giants lies in how they expect you to interact with their cards. Chase rewards simplicity; Amex rewards active management.
Chase: The “Set It and Forget It” Engine
The Chase ecosystem is built for efficiency. A setup like the “Chase Trifecta” (Sapphire Preferred, Freedom Flex, Freedom Unlimited) costs as little as $95 a year in total annual fees. Earning is straightforward: you get 3x on dining, 5x on rotating categories, and a solid baseline on everything else.
Redemption is equally user-friendly. If you don’t want to learn complex transfer partners, you can simply redeem points for 1.25 cents each through the portal. If you do transfer, Hyatt is instant and easy.
Amex: The “High Maintenance” Ferrari
Amex cards are expensive. The Platinum Card now runs $895, and the Gold Card has climbed to $325. To justify these fees, Amex gives you a massive “coupon book” of credits—$400 for Resy restaurants, $200 for Uber, $120 for Uber One, and various retail credits.
If you are the type of person who uses a spreadsheet to track your finances, you can come out ahead. For example, Is Hilton Honors Gold Worth It? That benefit alone, included with the Platinum card, can save you hundreds on breakfast globally. But if you forget to use the monthly credits, you are simply prepaying for perks you didn’t ask for.
💳 Editor’s Note on Valuation: The math changes drastically if you catch a high welcome offer. Currently, there are referrals for the Amex Gold offering 100,000 points. Valued at 10.9 cents (per the ANA example below), that bonus alone is worth ~$10,000 in travel—offsetting the annual fee for decades.
Transfer Partners: The “Kingmaker” Comparison
Points are useless until redeemed. The strength of an ecosystem depends entirely on its Transfer Partners. In 2025, both banks have unique strengths.
| Feature | Chase Ultimate Rewards | Amex Membership Rewards |
|---|---|---|
| Star Alliance | United, Air Canada Aeroplan, Singapore | Air Canada Aeroplan, ANA, Avianca LifeMiles, Singapore |
| Oneworld | British Airways, Iberia | British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Qantas, Iberia |
| SkyTeam | Air France/KLM, Virgin Atlantic | Delta, Air France/KLM, Virgin Atlantic |
| Hotels | World of Hyatt (The Winner), Marriott, IHG | Hilton, Marriott, Choice |
| Unique Strength | High-value Hotel Redemptions | Access to niche carriers like ANA & Etihad |
Chase’s Ace: World of Hyatt
Hyatt is the single biggest reason to choose Chase. While Hilton and Marriott points are often worth 0.4–0.6 cents, Hyatt points are consistently worth 2.0 cents or more.
The Math: A night at the Park Hyatt Kyoto can cost $1,500. You can book that same room for 40,000 Chase points transferred to Hyatt.
Calculation: $1,500 / 40,000 points = 3.75 cents per point.
No other hotel partnership comes close to this value.
Amex’s Ace: International Business Class
Amex shines when you want to fly across the ocean in a lie-flat seat. They have partners that Chase lacks, specifically ANA (All Nippon Airways) and Avianca LifeMiles (a key way to book Star Alliance flights cheaply).
The Math: You can transfer Amex points to Virgin Atlantic to book an ANA First Class suite (“The Suite”) to Japan. The cash price is often verified at $12,000+ on Google Flights.
The cost in points is roughly 85,000–110,000 points (depending on the route and recent partner chart changes).
Calculation: $12,000 / 110,000 points = 10.9 cents per point.
However, be warned: Amex is volatile. For instance, Amex Devalues Cathay Pacific Transfer: 1:1 to 5:4 Rate. This means you now need more points to book the same flight on Cathay, a reminder that you should never hoard points without a plan.
Earning Rates: The Trifecta Battle
How fast can you earn these points? Let’s compare the “Trifecta” setups—using three cards from the same bank to maximize every dollar spent.
The Chase Trifecta ($95 Effective Fee)
- Chase Sapphire Preferred ($95): 2x Travel, 3x Dining, 3x Online Grocery.
- Chase Freedom Flex ($0): 5x on rotating quarterly categories (e.g., Amazon, Gas, Grocery) up to $1,500.
- Chase Freedom Unlimited ($0): 1.5x on everything else (the “Catch-All”).
Verdict: This is the best setup for the average spender. The 1.5x floor on the Freedom Unlimited ensures you never earn just “1 point” per dollar. However, the lack of a permanent grocery multiplier is a weakness.
The Amex Duo/Trifecta ($325+ Effective Fee)
- Amex Gold ($325): TARGET: 100K OFFER
4x Dining, 4x U.S. Supermarkets (up to $25k/year). - Amex Blue Business Plus ($0): 2x on everything (up to $50k/year).
- Amex Platinum ($895): 5x on Flights (plus $1,500+ in potential credits for Hotels, Resy, and Uber).
Verdict: Amex dominates for foodies. If you spend $1,000 a month on groceries and dining, the Amex Gold earns 48,000 points a year versus Chase’s 36,000. Over time, that gap widens significantly. The Blue Business Plus is also the best “catch-all” card on the market, earning 2x on everything with no annual fee.
The Hidden Rules: 5/24 vs. Family Language
This is the most technical but most important section of this guide. You cannot simply apply for cards in any order you want.
Chase 5/24: The Gatekeeper
Chase has an unwritten rule: If you have opened 5 or more personal credit cards (from any bank) in the last 24 months, you will be automatically rejected for almost all Chase cards.
This is why you must start with Chase. If you rush out and get 5 Amex cards first, you are locked out of the Chase ecosystem for two years. Smart travelers fill their first 4 slots with Chase cards (Sapphire, Freedom, Ink Business) before touching Amex.
Amex Family Language: The New Trap
In 2025, Amex introduced strict hierarchy rules. You can no longer get the Gold card bonus if you have ever had the Platinum card.
The Correct Strategy: You must climb the ladder.
1. Apply for the Amex Green (get bonus).
2. Upgrade or Apply for the Amex Gold (aim for the 100k offer).
3. Finally, Apply for the Amex Platinum (get bonus).
Doing this in reverse order could cost you 60,000 to 90,000 points in lost bonuses.
Pro Tip: Watch Out for Fees
When transferring Amex points to a US-based airline like Delta, you pay a federal excise tax offset fee ($0.0006 per point). It sounds small, but on a 100k transfer, that’s $60. Chase does not charge this. Read our guide on how to Stop Paying Amex Transfer Fees by using strategic partner bookings instead.
Conclusion: The Verdict
So, who wins the “Amex vs. Chase” battle in 2025?
Winner for Beginners: Chase. The low fees, the simplicity of the 5/24 rule, and the sheer value of Hyatt make it the logical starting point. Earning 3x on dining and 5x on rotating categories with a $95 fee is unmatched efficiency.
Winner for Big Spenders & Experts: Amex. If you can stomach the annual fees and manage the monthly credits, the earning potential on the Gold card (4x Food) and the Blue Business Plus Credit Card (2x Everywhere) is mathematically superior. Plus, access to ANA and other exotic partners allows for redemptions that Chase simply cannot offer.
My advice? Don’t choose. Prioritize. Get your Chase cards while you are under 5/24. Once you have secured that ecosystem, move to Amex and start climbing the ladder from Green to Platinum. That is how you win the game.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I transfer Chase points to Amex (or vice versa)?
No, you cannot transfer points between banks. However, you can transfer both currencies to shared airline partners. For example, both Chase and Amex transfer to Air Canada Aeroplan, Flying Blue (Air France/KLM), and British Airways. This is a great way to combine miles across programs to book a single ticket.
Is the Amex Platinum worth the $895 fee in 2025?
It depends strictly on your usage of the credits. The card now offers a massive $600 hotel credit (split into $300 every 6 months), a $400 Resy dining credit, and $200 in Uber cash. If you travel twice a year and eat out often, you can easily recoup over $1,000 in value. If you don’t, you are paying nearly $900 just for lounge access.
Does Chase have better travel insurance than Amex?
Generally, yes. The Chase Sapphire Preferred and Reserve offer “Primary” rental car insurance, meaning you don’t have to file a claim with your personal insurance first. Most Amex cards offer “Secondary” coverage unless you pay extra for their Premium Car Rental Protection. Chase also tends to have more generous Trip Delay reimbursement rules (kicking in at 6 or 12 hours depending on the card).
What is the “Chase Trifecta” vs the “Amex Trifecta”?
The Chase Trifecta typically consists of the Sapphire Preferred/Reserve, Freedom Flex, and Freedom Unlimited. It focuses on maximizing travel, rotating categories, and general spend. The Amex Trifecta usually includes the Platinum (for flights/perks), Gold (for food), and Blue Business Plus (for everything else). The Amex setup earns more points per dollar but costs significantly more in annual fees.
