Editorial 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 MGM Rewards Iconic World Elite MastercardĀ® ($249/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 | MGM Rewards Iconic World Elite MastercardĀ® |
|---|---|---|
| Mgm Grand | 1X | 6X |
| Flights | 5X |
The MGM Rewards Iconic World Elite MastercardĀ® wins in 4 of 5 categories. The The Platinum Card from American Express leads in 1.
Flights
The Platinum Card from American Express earns 5X vs 1X
Hotels
MGM Rewards Iconic World Elite MastercardĀ® earns 2X vs 1X
Mgm Grand
MGM Rewards Iconic World Elite MastercardĀ® earns 6X vs 1X
Gas Stations
MGM Rewards Iconic World Elite MastercardĀ® earns 2X vs 1X
Grocery Stores
MGM Rewards Iconic World Elite MastercardĀ® earns 2X vs 1X
The The Platinum Card from American Express costs $895/yr ā that's $646 more than the MGM Rewards Iconic World Elite MastercardĀ® ($249/yr). To justify that gap, you need to extract at least $646 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 $646 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 MGM Rewards Iconic World Elite MastercardĀ® delivers strong value at a fraction of the cost.
Choosing one card means missing out on these benefits from the other.
The MGM Rewards Iconic World Elite MastercardĀ® has a lower annual fee ($249 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.
Choose the MGM Rewards Iconic World Elite 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 MGM Rewards Iconic World Elite MastercardĀ® ($249/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 | MGM Rewards Iconic World Elite MastercardĀ® |
|---|---|---|
| Mgm Grand | 1X | 6X |
| Flights | 5X |
The MGM Rewards Iconic World Elite MastercardĀ® wins in 4 of 5 categories. The The Platinum Card from American Express leads in 1.
Flights
The Platinum Card from American Express earns 5X vs 1X
Hotels
MGM Rewards Iconic World Elite MastercardĀ® earns 2X vs 1X
Mgm Grand
MGM Rewards Iconic World Elite MastercardĀ® earns 6X vs 1X
Gas Stations
MGM Rewards Iconic World Elite MastercardĀ® earns 2X vs 1X
Grocery Stores
MGM Rewards Iconic World Elite MastercardĀ® earns 2X vs 1X
The The Platinum Card from American Express costs $895/yr ā that's $646 more than the MGM Rewards Iconic World Elite MastercardĀ® ($249/yr). To justify that gap, you need to extract at least $646 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 $646 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 MGM Rewards Iconic World Elite MastercardĀ® delivers strong value at a fraction of the cost.
Choosing one card means missing out on these benefits from the other.
The MGM Rewards Iconic World Elite MastercardĀ® has a lower annual fee ($249 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.
Choose the MGM Rewards Iconic World Elite 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 MGM Rewards Iconic World Elite MastercardĀ® ($249/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 | MGM Rewards Iconic World Elite MastercardĀ® |
|---|---|---|
| Mgm Grand | 1X | 6X |
| Flights | 5X |
The MGM Rewards Iconic World Elite MastercardĀ® wins in 4 of 5 categories. The The Platinum Card from American Express leads in 1.
Flights
The Platinum Card from American Express earns 5X vs 1X
Hotels
MGM Rewards Iconic World Elite MastercardĀ® earns 2X vs 1X
Mgm Grand
MGM Rewards Iconic World Elite MastercardĀ® earns 6X vs 1X
Gas Stations
MGM Rewards Iconic World Elite MastercardĀ® earns 2X vs 1X
Grocery Stores
MGM Rewards Iconic World Elite MastercardĀ® earns 2X vs 1X
The The Platinum Card from American Express costs $895/yr ā that's $646 more than the MGM Rewards Iconic World Elite MastercardĀ® ($249/yr). To justify that gap, you need to extract at least $646 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 $646 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 MGM Rewards Iconic World Elite MastercardĀ® delivers strong value at a fraction of the cost.
Choosing one card means missing out on these benefits from the other.
The MGM Rewards Iconic World Elite MastercardĀ® has a lower annual fee ($249 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.
Choose the MGM Rewards Iconic World Elite 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.
| 1X |
| Gas Stations | 1X | 2X |
| Grocery Stores | 1X | 2X |
| Hotels | 1X | 2X |
| Everything Else | 1X | 1X |
Network
Key Benefits
Pros
Cons
Choosing MGM Rewards Iconic World Elite MastercardĀ® means losing:
Get the MGM Rewards Iconic World Elite MastercardĀ® if you:
| 1X |
| Gas Stations | 1X | 2X |
| Grocery Stores | 1X | 2X |
| Hotels | 1X | 2X |
| Everything Else | 1X | 1X |
Network
Key Benefits
Pros
Cons
Choosing MGM Rewards Iconic World Elite MastercardĀ® means losing:
Get the MGM Rewards Iconic World Elite MastercardĀ® if you:
| 1X |
| Gas Stations | 1X | 2X |
| Grocery Stores | 1X | 2X |
| Hotels | 1X | 2X |
| Everything Else | 1X | 1X |
Network
Key Benefits
Pros
Cons
Choosing MGM Rewards Iconic World Elite MastercardĀ® means losing:
Get the MGM Rewards Iconic World Elite MastercardĀ® if you: