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The Business Platinum Card® from American Express overview

The Business Platinum Card® from American Express is one of the best business rewards cards around thanks to its current elevated welcome bonus and the sheer number of value-added perks it offers cardmembers. While it requires some work to take full advantage of them, the effort can pay off with savings of hundreds or even thousands of dollars per year.Card rating*: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
* Card rating is based on the opinion of TPG’s editors and is not influenced by the card issuer.

With premium cards becoming the norm these days, many people are getting more comfortable with paying annual fees of over $400 The Business Platinum Card from American Express has an annual fee of $695 but its statement credits and benefits go above and beyond that.

The card is currently offering a lucrative introductory bonus of 150,000 Membership Rewards points after you spend $15,000 on eligible purchases in the first 3 months of card membership. It is the highest offer ever seen on this card and is worth a whopping $3,000. More than five years have passed since the last time a 150,000-point bonus was available to the public, so it's a good time to apply for the card.

Between a high minimum spending requirement and a handful of business focused perks, this card certainly won't be suitable for every small business, especially ones that don't log major travel expenses or ones with primary spending areas more in line with the bonus categories offered by other business cards There are many reasons to apply for the Amex Business Platinum.

The factors to consider are the Amex Business Platinum.

If you spend $15,000 on eligible purchases in the first three months of your card membership, you'll earn 150,000 Membership Reward points.

Who is this card for?

The Amex Business Platinum can be used by small-business owners who charge thousands of dollars in monthly business expenses to their cards, are frequent travelers, and can take advantage of all the card has to offer.

Benefits and earning rates can be more than enough to justify the annual fee for these types of cards. It is possible to qualify for a business card.

One of the best perks is access to the issuer's growing network of lounges. The Platinum Card from American Express and the Amex Business Platinum can be used in the airport lounges. If you travel frequently for work, this benefit could make the card worth it.

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The Points Guy did not collect the information for the card. The card issuer did not review or provide the card details on this page.

Amex offers access to hundreds of locations, beyond its own Centurion Lounge network. Photo by Zach Honig.

ZACH HONIG/THE POINTS GUY

There is a guide to lounge access with the Amex Platinum.

Welcome offer

The MembershipRewards points this card earns are worth 2 cents each. If you can meet the spending requirement within the first three months, you will earn points that can be used for travel.

Prepaying as many expenses as you can afford during your first three months will help you earn your welcome offer.

If this type of spending is out of your league, another business card with a lower bonus threshold, a smaller annual fee and more targeted earning categories would be a better fit for you.

Benefits and perks

Amex has a lot of statement credits that can help offset the shock of a high annual fee. All of them are required to enroll for certain benefits.

Statement credit Annual amount  How it works
DellUp to $400.Annual statement credit on all U.S. Dell purchases, up to $200 semiannually.
IndeedUp to $360.Annual statement credit on all Indeed hiring and recruiting products and services to post open positions and find talent, up to $90 per quarter.
AdobeUp to $150.Annual statement credit on select purchases, including Adobe Creative Cloud and Acrobat Pro DC.
Wireless telephone servicesUp to $120.Annual statement credits for purchases made directly from any U.S. wireless telephone provider, up to $10 per month.
ClearUp to $189.Statement credit toward an annual Clear membership for expedited airport security.
Airline feeUp to $200.Annual airline fee credit of up to $200 on charges by the airline you select per calendar year.
Global Entry or TSA PreCheckUp to $100.Statement credits for Global Entry ($100) or TSA PreCheck ($85) every four years (4.5 years for PreCheck).

The Amex Business Platinum has a lot of statement credits, but it also has other perks.

The American Express Global Lounge Collection was named the best card perk of the year by the editors. Delta Sky Clubs are available when you have a same-day flight on that airline, as well as Priority Pass lounge access. For certain benefits, you must enroll.

The SkyTeam Lounge at YVR is an excellent Priority Pass lounge.

KATIE GENTER/THE POINTS GUY

As for benefits that come in handy once you reach your destination, this card allows you to register for complimentary Gold status withHiltonHonors and Gold Elite status with MarriottBonvoy, both of which provide better earnings and benefits during stays with these two brands.

Booking stays through Amex's Fine Hotels + Resorts program will give you elite perks at other hotels. Noon check-in, 4 p.m. checkout, a room upgrade, and daily breakfast for two are included in the portal cardmember benefits.

If you use your card to book a pre-paid online stay through Fine Hotels + Resorts, you will earn 5 points for every dollar you spend, and you will get elite benefits during your stay. When you book a stay of two nights or longer with Amex, you will receive an up-to-$100 on-site credit at select hotels.

BRIAN KELLY/THE POINTS GUY

Business purchases can be made with the Amex Business Platinum Card. Business owners can save time and money if something happens to an item they buy with extended warranty protection.

This applies to the duration of the warranty. Not to exceed $50,000 per card member account per calendar year, coverage is up to the actual amount charged to your card.

The card's purchase protection covers accidental damage or theft for up to 90 days after purchase, up to $10,000 per covered purchase and $50,000 per card member account per year, so it's a great choice for expensive items.

The card has a number of notable perks.

  • Cellphone protection, for a maximum of $800 per claim with a limit of two approved claims per 12-month period. Note that a $50 deductible will apply.
  • Access to the Cruise Privileges Program and the International Airline Program. Coverage for a stolen or damaged eligible cellphone is subject to the terms, conditions, exclusions and limits of liability of this benefit.**
  • Upgrade with Points to request an airline ticket upgrade on select airlines.
  • A 35% rebate when you use Pay with Points to cover a first- or business-class ticket on any airline or an economy ticket on one airline of your choice (up to 1 million points back per calendar year).
  • Premium Private Jet Program: Access to a 20% discount on Wheels Up Connect and a 40% discount on Wheels Up Core memberships. Plus, a $500 or $2,000 credit added to your Wheels Up account to use toward an initial flight within the first year, depending on your selected Wheels Up membership.
  • Global Dining Access by Resy for exclusive reservations at some of the world’s top restaurants, access to premium events and other perks like priority notifications and VIP status.

Eligibility and benefits vary by card. There are terms and conditions that apply. The benefits guide can be found at american express.com. It was written by the AMEX Assurance Company.

Eligibility and benefits vary by card. There are terms and conditions that apply. The benefits guide can be found at american express.com. It was written by New Hampshire Insurance Company.

Earning

Cardholders will be able to earn 1.5 points per dollar on up to $2 million in eligible purchases in the U.S.

  • Electronic goods retailers.
  • Software.
  • Cloud service providers.
  • Construction materials and hardware supplies.
  • Shipping providers.
  • Purchases of $5,000 or more.

American Express Travel gives cardmembers 5 points per dollar on airfare and hotels. The 10% return is the same as on the Platinum Card. You can get 5 points per dollar on airfare booked directly with airlines with the Amex Platinum Card.

Everything you need to know about membership rewards.

Redeeming

You can use your points on merchant gift cards or to cover charges on your bill. We don't recommend using your points this way because they devalue them to 1 cent per point or less.

One of the best ways to redeem points is to transfer them to a partner. A little sleuthing can help increase the value of your points above the valuation.

Many sweet spots can be unlocked with Amex Membership rewards points, whether you want to fly on Oneworld, Star Alliance or Sky Team airlines, or stay at a Marriott property.

ZACH GRIFF/THE POINTS GUY

Do you want to redeem the easiest option? If you redeem your points through American Express Travel Pay with Points, they are worth 1.54 cents per point toward first- and business-class flights on any airline, as well as economy-class flights on your selected airline. The cap is 1 million points per year.

Transfer bonuses are run regularly by Amex.

Is the Amex Business Platinum a good fit for your business?

One of the best welcome bonuses on the market is offered by the Amex Business Platinum Card. Any business that can spend $15,000 should seriously consider this card. Only certain types of customers will be able to take full advantage of this card.

It is easy to qualify for this card, but it is only for established businesses. The last thing you would want to do is jeopardize your company's finances in the pursuit of travel rewards is a smaller and newer company.

If your business is too small to get the full value out of the Business Platinum Card, you may want to look at other options. The American Express Business Gold Card has the same redemption options as the Business Platinum but at a lower annual fee.

One of the bonus categories is airfare purchased directly from airlines. You can earn 4 points per dollar on the two categories you spend the most on each month and 1 point per dollar after that.

ERIC HELGAS/THE POINTS GUY

The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express is a great way to keep your out-of-pocket costs low if you like the American Express Membership rewards program. This no-annual-fee credit card will give you 2 Membership rewards points for every dollar you spend, with no bonus categories to worry about.

You will earn 2 points for every dollar you spend, no matter how much you spend. The simplicity of a no-annual-fee credit card will allow you to focus on growing your business.

Bottom line

The Amex Business Platinum Card is an excellent choice for business travelers with expenses in the new bonus categories. It isn't worth the money for all business owners, but its travel perks are hard to beat.

If you spend $15,000 on eligible purchases in the first three months of your card membership, you'll earn 150,000 Membership Reward points.

The additional reporting was done by Ryan Wilcox.

Click here if you want to know the rates and fees of the Amex Business Platinum. Click here if you want to know the rates and fees of the Amex Business Gold. Click here if you want to know the rates and fees of the Blue Business Plus.