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Key takeaways
- The Business Platinum Card® from American Express offers exceptional travel rewards and benefits, ideal for frequent travelers.
- The card provides valuable statement credits and comprehensive purchase protections, adding significant value for businesses.
- Its high annual fee and travel-focused perks make it best suited for businesses that can fully utilize its premium features.
The Business Platinum Card® from American Express
The Business Platinum Card® from American Express offers premium travel rewards and perks. It’s a good card for big and small business expenses.
The Business Platinum Card® from American Express is a popular business card for good reason. It offers a number of valuable benefits and perks for small business owners who travel frequently. Earn lucrative rewards for travel spending and other purchases, get access to exclusive airport lounges, and enjoy statement credits for select business purchases.
It’s a clear choice for business travelers in search of luxury perks. The question is, are all the benefits worth the high annual fee? It all depends on how you use the card and redeem the rewards.
Jump to:
- Quick Facts
- Why get the Business Platinum Card® from American Express?
- The Business Platinum Card® from American Express rewards
- What benefits does the Business Platinum Card® from American Express offer?
- Pros and cons of the Business Platinum Card® from American Express
- Is the Business Platinum Card® from American Express right for you?
- Bottom line
Quick Facts
- Earn 200,000 Membership Rewards® points when you spend $20,000 in eligible purchases with the Card within the first three months of membership.
- 5X Membership Rewards® points on flights and prepaid hotels through American Express Travel.
- 1.5X Membership Rewards® points on eligible purchases at U.S. construction material and hardware suppliers, U.S. electronic goods retailers and software and cloud system providers, U.S. shipping providers, and on purchases of $5,000 or more on up to $2 million per card account per calendar year.
- 1X Membership Rewards® points on other purchases. Terms and limitations apply.
- Access the American Express Global Lounge Collection.
- Earn over $1,000 in statement credits on select purchases. Enrollment required.
- $200 Airline Fee Credit: Select a qualifying airline and earn up to $200 in annual statement credits for incidental fees charged to your Card by that airline. Terms apply.
- $199 CLEAR® Plus Credit: Get up to $199 in annual statement credits for your CLEAR® Plus Membership (subject to auto-renewal) when you use your Business Platinum Card®. Terms apply.
- $695 Annual Fee
- Terms Apply. See Rate and Fees
Why get the Business Platinum Card® from American Express?
The Business Platinum Card from American Express is tailored for business owners who seek premium travel benefits. With this card, you can access a suite of perks that elevate your business operations and travel experiences.
For frequent travelers, the card offers exceptional rewards, including 5X Membership Rewards points on flights and prepaid hotels booked through Amex Travel. You’ll also enjoy complimentary access to over 1,400 airport lounges worldwide, making business travel more comfortable and productive. The card offers complimentary Gold status with Hilton Honors and Gold Elite status with Marriott Bonvoy. Additionally, you get elite car rental status with multiple programs, including Avis and Hertz. Enrollment is required to access certain perks.
In addition to travel benefits, the card provides credits for select business services and offers purchase protection and extended warranty coverage on major business purchases.
The Business Platinum Card® from American Express rewards
Welcome offer
American Express’ Business Platinum Card offers a generous welcome offer. New applicants can earn 200,000 points after spending $20,000 in the first three months. The exact points and spending requirements can vary, so it’s essential to check the current offer when applying.
Earning rewards
With the Amex Business Platinum Card, you earn Membership Rewards points on eligible purchases.
Earn 1.5X points on up to $2 million per card account in eligible purchases in the U.S. during a calendar year in the following categories:
The card offers 5X points on flights and prepaid hotels booked through Amex Travel, including Amex Fine Hotels + Resorts.
Other purchases earn 1X points. Terms and limitations apply. See Rate and Fees
This reward structure is designed to maximize points on the spending categories that matter most to your business.
Redeeming rewards
Membership Rewards® points are flexible, meaning cardholders have an array of redemption options. You can transfer points to other loyalty programs, including Amex’s 21 hotel and airline partners. You can also use them for statement credits, gift cards, or merchandise at select retailers.
An easy redemption option is to utilize American Express Travel’s Pay with Points feature. You receive a 35% rebate when you use points to purchase a first or business-class flight on any airline or an economy ticket on a selected airline. The 35% rebate is capped at 1 million points per calendar year, and you need the full number of points in your account at the time of booking.
The versatility of redemption options ensures you can tailor your rewards to suit your business needs.
Rewards potential
The Amex Business Platinum Card’s rewards potential is significant, especially for businesses that frequently travel or make large purchases. You can accumulate points rapidly by strategically using the card for airfare, hotels, and large business expenses. When coupled with the welcome offer, the rewards potential of this card can provide substantial value, effectively offsetting the annual fee and contributing to your business’s bottom line.
What benefits does the Business Platinum Card® from American Express offer?
Statement credits
The American Express Business Platinum Card offers various statement credits that can help offset the card’s annual fee.
Statement credit | Annual amount | How it works |
Dell Technologies | Up to $400 | Earn up to $400 in statement credits each year for U.S. purchases until 12/31/24. Enrollment is required. |
Indeed | Up to $360 | Get up to $360 in statement credits per year until 12/31/24. |
Adobe | Up to $150 | Earn up to $150 in statement credits for qualifying auto-renewing annual business subscription purchases by 12/3/24. Enrollment is required. |
Wireless Telephone Service | Up to $120 | Receive up to $120 in statement credits each year for wireless telephone service purchases made directly with your provider. Enrollment is required. |
CLEAR Plus | Up to $199 | Get up to $199 in statement credits per calendar year to cover the cost of a CLEAR Plus membership when you pay with your Card, excluding applicable taxes and fees. |
Airline Fee | Up to $200 | Choose one qualifying airline and earn up to $200 in annual statement credits for incidental fees, such as baggage fees, charged by that airline. |
Enrollment is required for select benefits. Terms and conditions apply.
These statement credits can add up to significant savings, allowing you to reinvest more into your business while enjoying premium services.
Travel benefits and protections
The Amex Business Platinum Card shines in its travel benefits, offering extensive protections and privileges for frequent travelers.
Earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points on flights and prepaid hotels booked through AmexTravel.com. Terms apply.
With the American Express Global Lounge Collection, you can access over 1,400 airport lounges in over 500 airports worldwide, including Centurion® Lounge and Priority Pass™ networks. Enrollment is required.
Enroll in Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite Status and receive 25% points on your stay, plus room upgrades, and a 2 p.m. late checkout, subject to availability. Enrollment is required. Terms apply.
Take advantage of Hilton Honors™ Gold Status to get room upgrades when available, complimentary breakfast and beverage credit at participating hotels, and more. Enrollment is required. Terms apply.
Access the Amex Fine Hotels + Resorts program and receive perks valued at $55012 when you book through American Express Travel. Terms apply.
Perks include:
Trip Delay Insurance13 offers financial reimbursement of up to $500 for reasonable expenses (meals, lodging, personal items) when your qualifying trip is delayed by over 6 hours. Terms apply.
Trip Cancellation and Interruption Insurance14 provides reimbursement for eligible prepaid expenses when your trip, purchased with your card, is canceled or interrupted due to covered reasons like severe weather or injury. Terms apply.
The Baggage Insurance Plan15 provides coverage if your luggage is lost, damaged, or stolen, up to $3,000 for checked and carry-on bags, provided you purchase your full fare using your card. Terms apply.
Car Rental Loss and Damage Insurance16 is provided when you pay in full with your card and decline the rental agency’s coverage. It protects against theft or damage to your rental car but does not cover other vehicles or injuries. Terms apply.
Get Elite Car Rental Status with Avis, Hertz, and National, including complimentary upgrades when available. Terms apply.
Enrollment is required for select benefits.
Shopping benefits and protections
The card offers a range of shopping benefits and protections that safeguard your purchases. These protections ensure your business investments are secure, providing added value and security.
Earn 1.5X Membership Rewards® points on eligible purchases up to $2 million per calendar year.
Earn 1X Membership Rewards® points on other purchases. Terms and limitations apply.
Get up to $1,600 in cell phone protection17 for damaged, lost, or stolen cell phones. Amex allows up to 2 claims per 12-month period, up to $800 per claim, with a $50 deductible. To be eligible, your phone bill from the previous month should be paid using your Amex Business Platinum Card. Terms and conditions apply.
Extended Warranty18 allows for one additional year of warranty on items purchased with your card with a manufacturer’s five-year or less warranty. Terms and conditions apply.
Purchase Protection19 offers coverage up to $10,000 on eligible purchases in the event of theft, loss, or damage. Terms apply.
No foreign transaction fees mean you can shop at international merchants or use your card abroad without incurring additional fees. See Rate and Fees.
The Pay Over Time feature lets you carry a balance- subject to interest – on qualifying purchases.
Pros and cons of the Business Platinum Card® from American Express
Pros:
- Generous welcome offer: New cardholders can earn a high-value welcome offer.
- Excellent travel rewards: 5X points on flights and prepaid hotels through Amex Travel.
- Extensive travel benefits: Access over 1,400 airport lounges and various travel credits. Enrollment required.
- Automatic elite status: Enroll and get elite status at select hotels and car rental services.
- Comprehensive protections: Includes purchase protection, extended warranty, and travel insurance.
- No preset spending limit: Your spending limit is flexible and changes based on your purchase, payment, and credit history.
- Valuable statement credits: Annual credits for airline fees, select business services, and more.
Cons:
- High annual fee: The card comes with a substantial annual fee.
- Limited rewards categories: Membership Reward points are mostly tied to travel-related purchases.
- Complex rewards program: Maximizing points and benefits requires careful management.
- Overwhelming for small businesses: The card’s benefits may exceed the needs of smaller or less travel-intensive businesses.
- Redemption limitations: Some redemption options offer less value for points.
Is the Business Platinum Card® from American Express right for you?
The Amex Business Platinum Card is an excellent choice for business owners who frequently travel and can take full advantage of its extensive travel benefits and rewards program. If your business involves regular flights, hotel stays, and large purchases, the card’s 5X points on travel booked through Amex Travel and the array of statement credits can make it well worth the annual fee.
However, the card’s high annual fee and focus on travel-related perks may not be suitable for every business. If your business expenses are not concentrated in the card’s rewards categories, you don’t travel much, or if you prefer cash-back or simpler rewards structures, you might find more value in a different business card. Ultimately, the Amex Business Platinum Card is best suited for businesses that will maximize its rewards and benefits.
Frequently asked questions
1. What credit score is required for the Business Platinum Card® from American Express?
To qualify, you typically need a good to excellent credit score, which generally means a FICO score of 690 or higher. While a strong credit history and financial profile are important, American Express also considers other factors when evaluating applications.
2. How much does the Business Platinum Card® from American Express cost per year?
The American Express Business Platinum Card has an annual fee of $695. This fee is relatively high, but the card comes with a wide range of premium benefits, including travel perks, statement credits, and rewards opportunities that can offset the cost for businesses that frequently utilize these features.
3. What perks are offered by the Business Platinum Card® from American Express?
The card has numerous perks, including access to over 1,400 airport lounges worldwide, 5X Membership Rewards® points on flights and prepaid hotels booked through Amex Travel, and up to $200 in annual airline fee credits.
4. Do you have to pay your bill in full every month with the Business Platinum Card® from American Express?
You must pay your bill in full each month unless you sign up for the Pay Over Time feature. This feature allows you to carry an interest-accruing balance up to a certain limit. Purchases over $100 are automatically classified as Pay Over Time (once you activate the feature), while purchases less than $100 or over your Pay Over Time limit become Pay In Full.
5. How do you qualify for the Business Platinum Card® from American Express?
To qualify, you must have good to excellent credit and an eligible business. Eligible businesses include freelancers, sole proprietors, and gig workers who can demonstrate business-related expenses. American Express will evaluate your business’s revenue, expenses, and overall financial health. While there’s no strict income requirement, demonstrating the ability to afford the card’s annual fee is crucial for approval.
6. Does the Business Platinum Card® from American Express have a credit limit?
The Amex Business Platinum Card does not have a traditional credit limit. Instead, it operates with no preset spending limit, which means your spending limit can adjust based on factors like your payment, purchase, and credit history. This flexibility allows for higher spending when needed. It’s important to manage your account responsibly – pay on time and don’t over charge – to avoid unexpected declines.
Bottom line
The Amex Business Platinum Card is an excellent choice for businesses that travel a lot and want to enjoy luxury perks. The travel benefits – airport lounge access, travelers insurance, and more – are hard to beat and can outweigh the card’s high cost. However, the card’s lofty annual fee and focus on travel rewards mean it’s not the right fit for every business. If you’re not going to take advantage of the perks, there are better business cards on the market for you. For companies that frequently travel, the Amex Business Platinum Card can be a powerful tool.
For rates and fees of the Business Platinum Card® from American Express, please visit this page.
Editorial Note: Any opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any card issuer.
MoneyFor has partnered with CardRatings for our coverage of credit card products. MoneyFor and CardRatings may receive a commission from card issuers.