If you live in Washington, DC and were already thinking about a premium travel card, both of the bonuses currently running are unusually large. Here's the quick math — and the local angle that decides which of the two is right for you.
175,000 Amex Platinum — for Washington, DC
175,000 Membership Rewards points after $8,000 in spend in 6 months. Public offer is 80k. So this is more than double. Worth $1,750 cashback, or up to $3,500+ transferred to Marriott Bonvoy.
The Washington, DC angle: Centurion Lounge IAD + diplomatic-density Hilton/Marriott portfolio on K Street. Resy credit at Le Diplomate, Rose's Luxury, Pineapple & Pearls. And the realistic redemption from Dupont Circle and Georgetown airport-side: DCA → Frankfurt business class on Lufthansa via UR transfers.
apply for the Amex Platinum — 175,000 MR points $895 annual fee · $8,000 spend in 6 months150,000 Chase Sapphire Reserve — the lower-fee alternative
150,000 Ultimate Rewards points after $5,000 in spend in 3 months. Worth $1,500 cashback or $2,250+ transferred to Hyatt, United, Southwest, or 14 other partners.
For Washington, DC dining-and-travel users specifically, the Reserve's $300 travel credit + 3x dining + 3x travel covers a meaningful chunk of routine spend. The annual fee ($550) is $345 less than the Platinum.
apply for the Sapphire Reserve — 150,000 UR points $550 annual fee · $5,000 spend in 3 months75,000 Chase Sapphire Preferred — the entry point
If you're new to premium travel cards or you've already exhausted your 5/24 Chase tolerance on lesser cards, the Preferred at $95 is the rational starter. 75,000 UR points after the same $5,000 spend — worth $750-$1,125.
apply for the Sapphire Preferred — 75,000 UR points $95 annual fee · same Chase landing pagewhich one for Washington, DC?
Pick the Amex Platinum if you fly internationally 2+ times a year, stay in hotels (not Airbnbs), and can hit $8k spend in 6 months. The 175,000-point bonus is the largest welcome offer of the three by absolute redemption value, and the Centurion Lounge access from Washington, DC's major airport is the single biggest soft-luxury upgrade in personal finance.
Pick the Sapphire Reserve if you spend more on dining-out and short domestic trips than on premium long-haul. The 3x category multiplier on dining + travel covers a wider share of Washington, DC resident spend than the Platinum's 5x-on-flights focus, and the $550 fee is meaningfully lighter.
Pick the Sapphire Preferred if you're under 5/24, want into Chase Ultimate Rewards, or this is your first travel card. $95/year is the easiest "yes" of the three.
local frequently-asked
Does the $200 Uber Cash on Platinum work for Lyft in Washington, DC? No — Uber only. If you Lyft more than Uber, the Sapphire Reserve's $300 travel credit reimburses Lyft.
Which lounges work at the Washington, DC airport? Centurion Lounge IAD + diplomatic-density Hilton/Marriott portfolio on K Street.
5/24 reminder for the Chase application: If you've opened 5+ cards from any bank in the past 24 months, Chase will likely deny. Apply for the Sapphire Preferred/Reserve before opening more.
This page contains affiliate referral links to American Express and Chase. If you apply through these links and are approved, we may earn a one-time bonus. The terms, welcome offer, and annual fee are exactly the same as if you applied directly. Full disclosure.