The Amex products do seem more specific than the Chase products, with no one-size-fits-all card. For me, the $550 Platinum annual fee is more than paid for. The Gold card doesn't work for my household though because I'd rather just get 3% on restaurants and all travel (used except for flights on my Plat) from the $0-AF Costco card. My wife had been looking at the business Plat for her business but that refresh is a definite no-go for her.
Funny though, I don't use my Plat day-to-day, I earn MRs with my $0 AF Everyday card (1.2 pts/$ with the bonus)
No, but buying Amazon giftcards at a supermarket with the Gold card earns 4 points per dollar, and you can load those cards to your Amazon account.
Great point, but I will remind folks that if you use a gift card at Amazon you lose out on various credit card perks like price adjustments or extended warranty.