American Express Platinum Travel Credit Card vs RBL Platinum Maxima Plus Card: Which is Better in 2026?
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In short: RBL Platinum Maxima Plus has the lower annual fee (₹2,500 vs ₹5,000); Amex Platinum Travel includes 8 airport lounge visits a year + Priority Pass, RBL Platinum Maxima Plus 2 airport lounge visits a quarter; both charge a 3.5% forex markup.
| Key facts | Amex Platinum Travel | RBL Platinum Maxima Plus |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | ₹5,000 | ₹2,500 |
| Joining fee | ₹5,000 | Not listed |
| Top reward rate | 3X reward points on Flipkart, Myntra, Makemytrip and 17 more | 5X Reward Points on Dining |
| Base rewards | 1 Membership Rewards Point For Every ₹50 | 2 Reward Points per ₹100 |
| Lounge access | 8 airport lounge visits a year + Priority Pass | 2 airport lounge visits a quarter |
| Forex markup | 3.5% | 3.5% |
From issuer benefit data, checked 24 Oct 2026. Milestones, welcome benefits and caps are in the full table below.
Rbl Platinum Maxima Plus Card lists a lower headline annual fee in our data (around ₹2,500 apart), before waivers. Rbl Platinum Maxima Plus Card shows a stronger headline earn rate in the first reward band we surface. American Express Platinum Travel Credit Card edges ahead on lounge-related benefits in the comparison table below. Always confirm current fees and offers on the issuer’s site before you apply.
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| Feature | American Express Platinum Travel Credit Card | Rbl Platinum Maxima Plus Card |
|---|---|---|
| Bank | American Express | RBL Bank |
| Network | American Express | MasterCard |
| Joining fee | Joining Fee of Rs.5000 | — |
| Annual / renewal fee | Renewal Fee of Rs. 5000 | Annual Fee of Rs.2500 |
| Top reward rate | 3X reward points on Flipkart, Myntra, Makemytrip and 17 more | 5X Reward Points on Dining |
| Base rate (other spends) | Earn 1 Membership Rewards Point For Every Rs.50 | Earn 2 Reward Points per Rs.100 |
| Lounge — domestic | 8 Complimentary Airport Lounge Access Per Year | 2 Complimentary Airport Lounge Access Per Quarter |
| Lounge — international | Complimentary Priority Pass Membership Worth US $99 | — |
| Welcome benefit | Welcome Gift of 10000 Membership Rewards Points | Welcome Benefit - 10000 Reward Points |
| Milestone benefit | Earn 15000 Membership Rewards points on Spend of Rs.1.90 Lakhs; Earn 25000 Membership Rewards points on Spend of Rs.4 Lakhs | Earn 10000 Bonus Reward Points on Spend of Rs.3.5 Lakhs; Earn 10000 Bonus Reward Points on Spend of Rs.5 Lakhs |
| Foreign currency markup | 3.50% - Foreign Currency Transactions | 3.5% - Foreign Currency Transactions |
Which is better for rewards?
Rbl Platinum Maxima Plus Card shows a higher headline earn signal in the reward summaries we index (5X Reward Points on Dining vs 3X reward points on Flipkart, Myntra, Makemytrip and 17 more). If you optimise for points or cashback on daily spend, start with that card’s reward bands — then model redemptions you actually use.
Which is better for travel?
American Express Platinum Travel Credit Card has richer lounge-related fields in our current benefits extract (domestic: 8 Complimentary Airport Lounge Access Per Year; international: Complimentary Priority Pass Membership Worth US $99). Frequent flyers should still confirm guest access, visit limits and participating airports with the issuer.
Which has lower effective cost?
Rbl Platinum Maxima Plus Card appears cheaper on headline renewal fee in our data before waivers. If you are fee-sensitive, also read the waiver rules in the table — a higher sticker fee can still be net-negative cost if you naturally clear spend thresholds.
Who should pick American Express Platinum Travel Credit Card?
Consider American Express Platinum Travel Credit Card if you already bank with American Express, and the fee, waiver and earn rows above line up with how you spend each month. Use CardChat on that card for deeper, personalised follow-ups.
Who should pick Rbl Platinum Maxima Plus Card?
Consider Rbl Platinum Maxima Plus Card if you already bank with RBL Bank, and the fee, waiver and earn rows above line up with how you spend each month. Use CardChat on that card for deeper, personalised follow-ups.
Frequently Asked Questions
From the lounge fields in our benefit data: American Express Platinum Travel Credit Card — domestic: 8 Complimentary Airport Lounge Access Per Year; international: Complimentary Priority Pass Membership Worth US $99. Rbl Platinum Maxima Plus Card — domestic: 2 Complimentary Airport Lounge Access Per Quarter; international: —. Guest rules, networks and visit caps change — confirm on the American Express and RBL Bank websites before you travel.
From the renewal-fee lines we index, the headline amounts are about ₹2,500 vs ₹5,000 per year before taxes and waivers. Campaigns and customer-specific pricing differ — use the comparison table and the American Express and RBL Bank websites for the final number.
On the first reward band we surface, Rbl Platinum Maxima Plus Card shows a stronger headline earn (5X Reward Points on Dining vs 3X reward points on Flipkart, Myntra, Makemytrip and 17 more). Category bonuses, caps and redemption value decide real-world returns — map this to where you actually spend.
Our benefit feed did not include waiver text for both cards in this comparison. Use the “Annual fee waiver” row in the table and the American Express and RBL Bank websites for spend-based waiver conditions.
American Express Platinum Travel Credit Card: 3.50% - Foreign Currency Transactions Rbl Platinum Maxima Plus Card: 3.5% - Foreign Currency Transactions Lower published foreign-currency markup is usually better for overseas and foreign-currency online spend; confirm the live rate and exclusions on the American Express and RBL Bank websites.
American Express Platinum Travel Credit Card: Welcome Gift of 10000 Membership Rewards Points Rbl Platinum Maxima Plus Card: Welcome Benefit - 10000 Reward Points Welcome campaigns are time-bound — verify eligibility and fulfilment on the American Express and RBL Bank websites.