CardRewardsEditorial disclosure: CardRewards.ai is an independent comparison service. Our analysis is based on publicly available card data and is reviewed regularly by our editorial team. Card issuers do not influence our rankings or content. Last updated: June 2026.
The Icelandair MastercardĀ® ($0/yr) is better for everyday value, while the The Platinum Card from American Express ($895/yr) is worth it for frequent travelers who can use its premium perks. Here's the full comparison.
American Express
First National Bank of Omaha
Annual Fee
Welcome Bonus
| Category | The Platinum Card from American Express | Icelandair MastercardĀ® |
|---|---|---|
| Flights | 5X | 0.5X |
| Icelandair | 1X |
The The Platinum Card from American Express wins in 3 of 4 categories. The Icelandair MastercardĀ® leads in 1.
Flights
The Platinum Card from American Express earns 5X vs 0.5X
Hotels
The Platinum Card from American Express earns 1X vs 0.5X
Icelandair
Icelandair MastercardĀ® earns 2X vs 1X
Everyday purchases
The Platinum Card from American Express earns 1X on all other spending vs 0.5X
The The Platinum Card from American Express costs $895/yr ā that's $895 more than the Icelandair MastercardĀ® (no annual fee). To justify that gap, you need to extract at least $895 in annual value from the card's higher earn rates and benefits.
The The Platinum Card from American Express offers lounge access, Global Entry/TSA PreCheck credit. Whether that justifies the fee depends on how often you use these benefits.
Bottom line: The $895 gap is significant. Choose the The Platinum Card from American Express only if you spend heavily on flights and hotels and will use its premium benefits regularly ā otherwise the Icelandair MastercardĀ® delivers strong value at a fraction of the cost.
Choosing one card means missing out on these benefits from the other.
Choosing Icelandair MastercardĀ® means losing:
The Icelandair MastercardĀ® has a lower annual fee ($0 vs $895), making it the more accessible option.
The The Platinum Card from American Express justifies its higher fee with premium perks like lounge access.
For everyday spending, the The Platinum Card from American Express earns more with its 1X base rate.
Choose the Icelandair MastercardĀ® if you want solid rewards with a lower cost of entry. Choose the The Platinum Card from American Express if you travel frequently and can maximize its premium benefits.
Editorial disclosure: The analysis on this page is based on publicly available card data and is updated regularly. CardRewards.ai is an independent comparison service. Card issuers do not influence our rankings or editorial content. Last updated: June 2026.
The Icelandair MastercardĀ® ($0/yr) is better for everyday value, while the The Platinum Card from American Express ($895/yr) is worth it for frequent travelers who can use its premium perks. Here's the full comparison.
American Express
First National Bank of Omaha
Annual Fee
Welcome Bonus
| Category | The Platinum Card from American Express | Icelandair MastercardĀ® |
|---|---|---|
| Flights | 5X | 0.5X |
| Icelandair | 1X |
The The Platinum Card from American Express wins in 3 of 4 categories. The Icelandair MastercardĀ® leads in 1.
Flights
The Platinum Card from American Express earns 5X vs 0.5X
Hotels
The Platinum Card from American Express earns 1X vs 0.5X
Icelandair
Icelandair MastercardĀ® earns 2X vs 1X
Everyday purchases
The Platinum Card from American Express earns 1X on all other spending vs 0.5X
The The Platinum Card from American Express costs $895/yr ā that's $895 more than the Icelandair MastercardĀ® (no annual fee). To justify that gap, you need to extract at least $895 in annual value from the card's higher earn rates and benefits.
The The Platinum Card from American Express offers lounge access, Global Entry/TSA PreCheck credit. Whether that justifies the fee depends on how often you use these benefits.
Bottom line: The $895 gap is significant. Choose the The Platinum Card from American Express only if you spend heavily on flights and hotels and will use its premium benefits regularly ā otherwise the Icelandair MastercardĀ® delivers strong value at a fraction of the cost.
Choosing one card means missing out on these benefits from the other.
Choosing Icelandair MastercardĀ® means losing:
The Icelandair MastercardĀ® has a lower annual fee ($0 vs $895), making it the more accessible option.
The The Platinum Card from American Express justifies its higher fee with premium perks like lounge access.
For everyday spending, the The Platinum Card from American Express earns more with its 1X base rate.
Choose the Icelandair MastercardĀ® if you want solid rewards with a lower cost of entry. Choose the The Platinum Card from American Express if you travel frequently and can maximize its premium benefits.
Editorial disclosure: The analysis on this page is based on publicly available card data and is updated regularly. CardRewards.ai is an independent comparison service. Card issuers do not influence our rankings or editorial content. Last updated: June 2026.
The Icelandair MastercardĀ® ($0/yr) is better for everyday value, while the The Platinum Card from American Express ($895/yr) is worth it for frequent travelers who can use its premium perks. Here's the full comparison.
American Express
First National Bank of Omaha
Annual Fee
Welcome Bonus
| Category | The Platinum Card from American Express | Icelandair MastercardĀ® |
|---|---|---|
| Flights | 5X | 0.5X |
| Icelandair | 1X |
The The Platinum Card from American Express wins in 3 of 4 categories. The Icelandair MastercardĀ® leads in 1.
Flights
The Platinum Card from American Express earns 5X vs 0.5X
Hotels
The Platinum Card from American Express earns 1X vs 0.5X
Icelandair
Icelandair MastercardĀ® earns 2X vs 1X
Everyday purchases
The Platinum Card from American Express earns 1X on all other spending vs 0.5X
The The Platinum Card from American Express costs $895/yr ā that's $895 more than the Icelandair MastercardĀ® (no annual fee). To justify that gap, you need to extract at least $895 in annual value from the card's higher earn rates and benefits.
The The Platinum Card from American Express offers lounge access, Global Entry/TSA PreCheck credit. Whether that justifies the fee depends on how often you use these benefits.
Bottom line: The $895 gap is significant. Choose the The Platinum Card from American Express only if you spend heavily on flights and hotels and will use its premium benefits regularly ā otherwise the Icelandair MastercardĀ® delivers strong value at a fraction of the cost.
Choosing one card means missing out on these benefits from the other.
Choosing Icelandair MastercardĀ® means losing:
The Icelandair MastercardĀ® has a lower annual fee ($0 vs $895), making it the more accessible option.
The The Platinum Card from American Express justifies its higher fee with premium perks like lounge access.
For everyday spending, the The Platinum Card from American Express earns more with its 1X base rate.
Choose the Icelandair MastercardĀ® if you want solid rewards with a lower cost of entry. Choose the The Platinum Card from American Express if you travel frequently and can maximize its premium benefits.
Editorial disclosure: The analysis on this page is based on publicly available card data and is updated regularly. CardRewards.ai is an independent comparison service. Card issuers do not influence our rankings or editorial content. Last updated: June 2026.
| 2X |
| Hotels | 1X | 0.5X |
| Everything Else | 1X | 0.5X |
Network
Key Benefits
Pros
Cons
Get the The Platinum Card from American Express if you:
Get the Icelandair MastercardĀ® if you:
| 2X |
| Hotels | 1X | 0.5X |
| Everything Else | 1X | 0.5X |
Network
Key Benefits
Pros
Cons
Get the The Platinum Card from American Express if you:
Get the Icelandair MastercardĀ® if you:
| 2X |
| Hotels | 1X | 0.5X |
| Everything Else | 1X | 0.5X |
Network
Key Benefits
Pros
Cons
Get the The Platinum Card from American Express if you:
Get the Icelandair MastercardĀ® if you: