Which is better, FoundersCard or Amex Platinum?

Amex Platinum is better than FoundersCard across the board. FoundersCard is a membership card designed for entrepreneurs and small business owners. It offers discounts on travel and business services along with networking opportunities. It is neither a credit card nor a charge card, however, which means it cannot be used to make purchases. To earn discounts, members can either enter an e-mailed promo code on a sponsor’s website or present the card at a participating venue.

Fundamental differences aside, Amex Platinum offers better value than FoundersCard. Although Amex Platinum has a $550 annual fee, perks such as $200 annual credits for both Uber rides and airline fees, free airport lounge access, and an initial bonus of 75,000 points can go a long way toward offsetting the cost of the card. Elite status in the Hilton Honors and Marriott Bonvoy loyalty programs helps, too.

FoundersCard provides airfare discounts up to 10% on select airlines, along with special rates on hotels, rental cars, shipping, wireless data plans and more. But it also comes with a $595 annual price tag, plus a $95 initiation fee. So unless you’re a small business owner who travels frequently, you’re not likely to earn enough in discounts for the card to pay for itself. But if there is a case to be made for FoundersCard, it’s that because it’s not a credit card, you won’t need a certain credit score to qualify.