American Express Platinum Travel vs Marriott Bonvoy HDFC Bank
A field-by-field comparison of fees, reward rates, accelerated categories, caps, exclusions, lounge access and forex markup, using each issuer's own published terms. Affiliate payout never decides the verdict.
Short answer
American Express Platinum Travel and Marriott Bonvoy HDFC Bank differ first on recurring cost: American Express Platinum Travel has an annual fee of ₹5,000 + GST against ₹3,000 + GST for Marriott Bonvoy HDFC Bank, so Marriott Bonvoy HDFC Bank is cheaper to hold. On rewards, American Express Platinum Travel earns 1 Membership Rewards point per ₹50 on eligible spend while Marriott Bonvoy HDFC Bank earns 2 Marriott Bonvoy Points per ₹150 on eligible purchases. Both publish the same 3.5% forex markup. Neither card wins outright: the better choice depends on which accelerated categories match your spend, the monthly caps, the exclusions and issuer approval fit.
Source: CardMasters issuer-evidence catalogue, release 2026-08-01. Confirm final terms with the issuer.
| Feature | American Express Platinum Travel | Marriott Bonvoy HDFC Bank |
|---|---|---|
| Issuer | American Express | HDFC Bank |
| Joining fee | ₹5,000 + GST | ₹3,000 + GST |
| Annual fee | ₹5,000 + GST | ₹3,000 + GST |
| Fee waiver | No waiver recorded | No waiver recorded |
| Base rewards | 1 Membership Rewards point per ₹50 on eligible spend | 2 Marriott Bonvoy Points per ₹150 on eligible purchases |
| Accelerated routes | None recorded | Marriott hotels · travel/dining/entertainment |
| Reward exclusions | fuel, insurance, utilities, cash advance, balance transfer, fees, emi | fuel, rent, wallet load, gift card, prepaid card load, voucher, cash advance, government, fees, outstanding balance |
| Forex markup | 3.5% | 3.5% |
| Domestic lounge | 8/yr for the Basic Cardmember, limited to 2/qtr at eligible Indian lounges | 12/yr (combined domestic + international terminals in India) |
| International lounge | Priority Pass membership included; cardmember and guest visits are chargeable | included in the 12 visits |
| Card networks | Amex | Diners Club |
| Best suited to | milestone spender, hotels | marriott loyalists, hotels, travel |
| Issuer evidence | Checked 2026-07-30 | Checked 2026-08-01 |
Frequently asked questions
Is the American Express Platinum Travel better than the Marriott Bonvoy HDFC Bank?
Neither is universally better. American Express Platinum Travel charges ₹5,000 + GST a year and earns 1 Membership Rewards point per ₹50 on eligible spend; Marriott Bonvoy HDFC Bank charges ₹3,000 + GST and earns 2 Marriott Bonvoy Points per ₹150 on eligible purchases. The better card is the one whose accelerated categories, caps and exclusions match your actual spending, after subtracting the annual fee and GST.
Which of the two has the lower annual fee, American Express Platinum Travel or Marriott Bonvoy HDFC Bank?
Marriott Bonvoy HDFC Bank has the lower recorded annual fee at ₹3,000 + GST. A spend-based waiver may reduce the effective cost of the other card, so check the waiver threshold before deciding.
Which is better for international spending, American Express Platinum Travel or Marriott Bonvoy HDFC Bank?
Both publish a 3.5% forex markup, so compare international reward eligibility and lounge access instead.
Can I hold both cards together?
Yes, provided each is approved on its own merits and you can pay both statements in full. Holding both makes sense only when their accelerated categories do not overlap; otherwise the second card adds an annual fee without adding rewards.