American Express® Platinum vs Bilt Obsidian
Side-by-side comparison
| American Express® Platinum | Bilt Obsidian | |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | $895 | $95 |
| Welcome offer | 175,000 Membership Rewards® Points | $200 in Bilt Cash on account opening |
| Dining | 1x | 3x |
| Groceries | 1x | 3x |
| Gas | 1x | 1x |
| Travel | 5x | 2x |
| Streaming | 1x | 1x |
| Everything else | 1x | 1x |
| Est. yearly rewards* | $364 | $490 |
| Points type | Transfers to airlines & hotels | Transfers to airlines & hotels |
| Network | Amex | Mastercard |
*Estimated yearly rewards on typical household spending, every point valued at a flat 1 cent. Verified June 2026. See your own numbers in the calculator.
The verdict
On a typical year of household spending, the American Express® Platinum earns about $364 a year in rewards and the Bilt Obsidian about $490, valuing every point at a flat 1 cent. The American Express® Platinum charges $895, but carries about $1,229 in annual statement credits that offset it for anyone who uses them. The Bilt Obsidian charges $95, but carries about $300 in annual statement credits that offset it for anyone who uses them. Counting rewards, fees, and any credits, the Bilt Obsidian delivers more total value, about $462 a year more for a typical spender, mostly because it earns more where you spend most, on groceries and dining. Both earn transferable points rather than flat cash, so the deciding factor is whose transfer partners reach the airlines and hotels you would actually book. On the sign-up bonus, the American Express® Platinum currently has the larger welcome offer. A welcome bonus is a one-time event, so weigh it apart from the ongoing rewards.
Pick the American Express® Platinum if your spending leans toward travel. Pick the Bilt Obsidian if your spending leans toward dining, groceries.