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The Amex Business Platinum reigns supreme in the world of premium travel perks, impressive rewards, and versatile redemption choices. Yet, the $695 annual price tag can make you pause and question—is it truly worth it?
Before you decide, read my review to understand all of this business card’s intricacies: the points, perks, and possible drawbacks.
This article will include:
- A breakdown of the Amex Business Platinum card’s points and perks.
- All the Amex Business Platinum benefits and drawbacks.
- How it stacks up against other business cards.
Read more:
Our Verdict
4.4
Amex Business Platinum Credit Card: On FIRE Score
| Annual Fee | annual_fees | 3/5 |
| APR | reg_apr,reg_apr_type | 5/5 |
| Intro Offer | bonus_miles_full | 5/5 |
| Maximum Rewards | 5x points on flights and prepaid hotels. | 5/5 |
| Everyday Rewards | 1x points on other eligible purchases. | 4/5 |
| On FIRE Score | 4.4/5 |
What Is the American Express Business Platinum Credit Card?
The American Express Business Platinum Credit Card is jam-packed with travel perks—offering access to worldwide airport lounges and generous points for travel bookings.
The card earns 5x Membership Rewards® Points on flights and prepaid hotels, 1.5x on business purchases and eligible purchases over $5,000, and 1x on all other purchases.
And you’ll start earning points straight away—the card comes with a tempting sign-up bonus of 150,000 points, as long as you can splurge $20,000 in the first three months.
Despite the generous rewards, the hefty annual_fees annual fee can make you do a double-take. It’s one of the steepest fees among corporate cards and a major setback for small businesses. You’ll want to make sure you can get the most out of this card to justify the yearly cost.
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How Does Amex Platinum Business Credit Card Work?
The Amex Business Platinum is technically a charge card, so there’s no preset credit limit, and you have to pay off your balance every month. But for some breathing room, Amex has a “Pay Over Time” option. It’s simple—you can either pay later with interest or pay your balances in full each month.
A standout feature of the Amex Business Platinum is its impressive collection of travel perks. I’ve delved into plenty of top-tier credit cards, and this one truly sets itself apart with both the value and top-notch benefits.
You can enjoy an annual $200 airline fee credit and credits for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck. You can also access over 1,400 lounges globally and save on CLEAR® membership with up to $189 in statement credits.
And it doesn’t end at the airport. You’ll get complimentary Hilton and Marriott Bonvoy Gold statuses and perks worth around $600 at Fine Hotels and Resorts®. You can also access premium car rental perks like upgrades, discounts, and priority service at no extra cost.
Expect to receive 24/7 concierge services that can hook you up with various services, like snagging event tickets, booking reservations, and arranging last-minute birthday gifts. All you need to do is foot the bill for whatever the team buys on your behalf.
But business isn’t all jet-setting and fancy dinners. That’s why Amex throws in a bunch of expense management tools to help things run smoothly—
- Employee cards: Add up to 99 Employee Cards to your account without any extra annual fees and earn Membership Rewards points on their purchases.
- Account management: Give trusted individuals access to oversee your Business Card account while you’re off vacationing.
- Access to QuickBooks: Simplify expense tracking with automatic categorization of card transactions synced with your QuickBooks categories.
- Year-end summary: Get a detailed year-end summary of charges for a thorough review of your annual expenditure.
- Account alerts: Set up alerts to stay on top of payments, spot unusual spending, and monitor Employee Cards.
- Online statements: Easily access and manage your purchase history, create reports, and manage expenses efficiently.
Vendor Pay by Bill.com: Use Vendor Pay by Bill.com to pay bills using your card. With the basic plan, there’s no monthly fee for the first user—and for six months, the second user is also fee-free. After six months, the second user pays a $15 monthly fee.
American Express Business Platinum Credit Card: Fees
| Details | Metric |
| Annual fee | annual_fees |
| Regular APR | reg_apr,reg_apr_type |
| Penalty APR | 29.99% |
| Foreign transaction fee | foreign_transaction_fee |
| Returned payment fee | $39 or 2.99% of any past due Pay in Full amount, whichever is greater. |
| Late fee | late_payment_fee |
American Express Business Platinum Card: Pros and Cons
Pros
- Generous maximum rewards.
- Range of travel benefits.
- Welcome bonus of 150,000 Membership Rewards Points.
- Over $1,000 in business value.
- Extended warranty and purchase protection.
- Automatic Hilton Gold and Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status.
Cons
- High $695 annual fee.
- Good to excellent credit is required.
- Complex points system.
Why I like it
Generous maximum rewards
The Amex Business Platinum points system revolves around business and travel—great news for international jet-setters.
Here’s what you can expect—
- 5x Membership Rewards Points: You’ll get 5x points on flights and prepaid hotels. That covers scheduled flights and prepaid flight and hotel packages at AmexTravel.com.
- 1.5x Membership Rewards Points: Earn 1.5x points per dollar on business purchases, including US construction material, hardware suppliers, electronic goods retailers, software & cloud providers, and US shipping providers. You’ll also get 1.5x points on other purchases over $5,000—up to a whopping $2 million of eligible purchases per year.
- 1x Membership Rewards Points: You’ll get 1x points for all other eligible purchases.
Your points are worth 0.5—2 cents each, depending on how you redeem them. Redemption options include flights, hotels, statement credits, gift cards, deposits, and airline transfers.
Check out the best cash back credit cards for more rewards.
Range of travel benefits
If you want to offset that annual fee and really take advantage of this card, this is a great place to start.
Here’s a summary of the top travel perks—
- $200 airline credit: Pick an airline to snag up to $200 in statement credits each year for things like checked bags or in-flight snacks when you use your Business Platinum.
- Credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck: Once every four years, you can get a statement credit for Global Entry ($100) or every 4.5 years for TSA PreCheck® (up to $85). Plus, every additional card can also get a statement credit for these memberships every 4 or 4.5 years.
- The American Express Global Lounge Collection®: Access over 1,400 lounges in 140+ countries. This can save you hundreds a year as the average cost to enter airport lounges usually ranges from $25—$60 per person.
- $189 CLEAR Plus credit: When you use your card to pay for a CLEAR Plus membership, you’ll get statement credits of up to $189 per year, covering the membership cost.
- Hilton and Marriott Bonvoy Gold status: Enjoy room upgrades, premium Wi-Fi, late checkout, and other hotel benefits at not just one—but two hotel chains.
- Fine Hotels and Resorts® Program: Unwind with Fine Hotels + Resorts® booked through American Express Travel. Get a bunch of perks worth an average of $600, including daily breakfast for two, 4 pm check-out, and more.
- Car rental privileges: Get premium status on various car rental programs without spending a dime. Once you sign up, you’ll score upgrades (when there’s availability), discounts, and priority service for your next rental.
Check out top travel cards with cash back.
High-earning welcome bonus
The Business Platinum offers a sign-up bonus of 150,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $20,000 in three months.
This is the highest points-based welcome bonus compared to other Amex Business cards—with card_name offering 70,000 points and card_name providing 15,000 points in three months.
Over $1,000 in business value
Even if you never step foot on a plane, the card’s business benefits alone outweigh the annual cost.
Take a look—
- Dell Technologies: Enroll and receive up to $400 in statement credits annually for US Dell purchases, giving you a chance to get back up to $200 every six months.
- Indeed: Expand your business by signing up and receiving up to $360 in statement credits yearly (up to $90 back each quarter) for your Indeed purchases.
- Adobe: Get those creative juices flowing and receive up to $150 in statement credits annually for eligible prepaid business plans with Adobe on Creative Cloud for teams or Acrobat Pro DC with e-sign for teams.
- Wireless credit: Sign up and receive up to $120 in statement credits yearly for wireless telephone service purchases made directly with a US wireless provider—translating to a potential $10 back each month.
Extended warranty and purchase protection
For those hefty tech purchases, there’s added assurance with purchase protection. The coverage spans 90 days from the purchase date, covering theft or accidental damage. It caps at $10,000 per item and up to $50,000 per account per calendar year.
Here’s an overview of the extended warranty protection—
| Extended warranty time period | Original Manufacturer Warranty time period | Per item | Per year |
| Up to 1 additional year | On original manufacturer’s warranties of 5 years or less | Up to $10,000 per covered purchase | Up to $50,000 per card |
Automatic Hilton Gold and Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status
The automatic Hilton and Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status can be a game-changer for frequent business travelers.
Here are some perks that come with the golden ticket—
- Free night reward stays.
- Potential room upgrades.
- Spa discounts.
- Premium WiFi.
- Late check-in.
Why you may want a different card
High annual_fees annual fee
The obvious drawback is the annual_fees annual fee—even if your business is thriving, it’s a high price to pay just for using a card. While the benefits are impressive, they won’t outweigh this fee if you don’t leverage the travel perks or spend enough to earn the welcome bonus.
For premium perks at a slightly lower cost, consider the card_name, with an annual fee of $550. This card lets you earn 10x points on hotels and car rentals, plus 5x points on flights.
Good to excellent credit required
To be eligible for the Amex Business Platinum, you’ll need a good to excellent credit score—typically 670 or above. To boost your chances even more, you should aim for a score of at least 700.
If you’re still building or repairing your credit, this might be an entry barrier. But keep in mind that this is a standard requirement for most premium credit cards.
Complex points system
The Business Platinum Card offers tons of redemption options, transfer partners, and rewards. If you’re a newbie to the points game, these otherwise flexible options can get overwhelming.
Still interested? Keep reading—I’ve listed some useful tips on this down below.
However, if you prefer to keep things simple, check out the card_name—which offers a straightforward 1.5% cash back on all business purchases. And if you want to stay within the Amex family, card_name offers 2% cash back on all everyday eligible business purchases.
Amex Platinum Business Credit Card: Additional Things to Know
Our Verdict
4.4
How to get an Amex Business Platinum Card?
Start by assessing your eligibility. A solid credit score in the good to excellent range is a key factor—aim for 670 or above. Next up, gather your business details—having your business information handy will streamline the application process.
When you’re ready to apply, head to the American Express website or give them a call. Here’s the information you’ll need for the application—
- Legal business name
- Business address and phone number
- Industry type and company structure
- Years in business and number of employees
- Business revenue and tax ID
- Personal details
If Amex gives you the green light, your shiny new card should arrive within seven to ten days (or even less if it’s shipped via UPS Next Day Air).
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How do the Amex Business Platinum Card rewards work?
Amex isn’t known for having the most simple points system. Not only do you have to figure out how much your points are worth, but also the most valuable redemption offers. So, I’ll be breaking down the whole thing for you.
With the Amex Business Platinum, you’ll earn:
- 5x points on flights and prepaid hotels.
- 1.5x points on eligible business purchases and purchases over $5,000.
- 1x points on other eligible purchases.
You’ll also get 3.5 extra points for every 10 points you redeem for a First or Business class flight on any airline or flights using Membership Rewards Pay with Points through American Express Travel.
Each point is worth 0.5—2 cents each, with some redemption options being more valuable than others. So, what can you redeem your points for?
| Redemption option | Membership Reward Points (MRP) Value | Description |
| Book flights | 1 MRP = 0.01 cents
10,000 MRP = $100 |
Find flights or cruises through American Express Travel. |
| Deposits | 1 MRP = 0.008 cents10,000 MRP = $80 | If you have a Business Platinum Card linked to your Business Checking Account, the rate is 1000 points for $10, up to 1,000,000 points yearly. |
| Reserve prepaid hotels and cars | 1 MRP = 0.007 cents
10,000 MRP = $70 |
Book through American Express Travel to use your points on hotels and car rental services. |
| Pay with Points at Checkout | 1 MRP = 0.007 cents
10,000 MRP = $70 |
Use your points at popular brands, such as Amazon, Best Buy, Dell.com, and Grubhub. |
| Statement credits | 1 MRP = 0.006 cents
10,000 MRP = $60 |
You can redeem your points for statement credits for prepaid hotels, Indeed, Adobe, and more. |
| Gift cards | 1 MRP = 0.007 cents10,000 MRP = $70 | The minimum value for 10,000 MRP is $70, but some can reach $100. Gift cards cover a range of categories, such as lodging, travel, dining, and retail. |
| Online shopping | 1 MRP = 0.005 cents 10,000 MRP = $50 | You can shop through the Membership Rewards platform for a range of products. However, this doesn’t offer the best value for money as you can find cheaper prices at other popular retailers. |
One of the most popular redemption options is transferring your points to airlines. Most transfer rates stand at a 1:1 ratio—so 1,000 MRPs are worth 1,000 miles or airline points.
Here are all the Amex partner airlines:
- Aer Lingus: 1,000 points = 1,000 Avios
- Aero Mexico: 1,000 points = 1,600 AeroMexico Rewards Points
- Aeroplan: 1,000 points = 1,000 Aeroplan Points
- Air France KLM: 1,000 points = 1,000 Flying Blue Miles
- ANA Mileage Club: 1,000 points = 1,000 ANA Mileage Club Miles
- Avianca LifeMiles: 1,000 points = 1,000 LifeMiles
- British Airways Executive Club = 1,000 points = 1,000 Avios
- Cathay Pacific: 1,000 points = 1,000 Asia Miles
- Delta Air Lines: 1,000 points = 1,000 miles
- Emirates Skywards: 1,000 points = 1,000 Skyward Miles
- Etihad Guest: 1,000 points = 1,000 Etihad Guest Miles
- HawaiianMiles: 1,000 points = 1,000 HawaiianMiles
- Iberia Plus: 1,000 points = 1,000 Avios
- JetBlue TrueBlue: 250 points = 200 TrueBlue points
- Qantas Frequent Flyer: 500 points = 500 Qantas points
- Qatar Airways Privilege Club: 1,000 points = 1,000 Avios
- Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer: 1,000 points = 1,000 KrisFlyer Miles
- Virgin Atlantic Flying Club: 1,000 points = 1,000 Virgin Points
And the hotels:
- Choice Privileges: 1,000 points = 1,0000 Choice Privileges
- Hilton Honors: 1,000 points = 2,000 Hilton Honors Points
- Marriott Bonvoy: 1,000 points = 1,000 Marriott Bonvoy Points
Check out the Amex rewards calculator to see how much your points are worth.
Amex Platinum Business vs. Personal: What’s the difference?
Both the business and personal Platinum versions bring a lot to the table. Firstly, the rewards and benefits between the two cards are pretty similar. Both offer luxurious perks like airport lounge access, travel credits, and generous rewards programs.
The obvious difference is the way they cater to spending habits. The Amex Business Platinum card gears its rewards toward travel business-related expenses, like electronics and hardware. You’ll also get plenty of statement credits toward business boosters like Dell and Indeed.
On the flip side, the personal version focuses exclusively on travel and everyday purchases. The card offers $240 in digital entertainment credit, $300 with Equinox, $200 hotel credit, and $200 in Uber Cash.
Here’s an overview of Amex Platinum vs. Business Platinum—
| Details | card_name | card_name |
| On FIRE score | 4.4/5 | 3.8/5 |
| Annual fee | annual_fees | annual_fees |
| APR | reg_apr,reg_apr_type | reg_apr,reg_apr_type |
| Welcome bonus | bonus_miles_full | bonus_miles_full |
| Rewards | 5x points on flights.
5x points on prepaid hotels. 1.5x points on eligible purchases over $5,000. 1x points on all other eligible purchases. |
5x points on flights.
5x points on prepaid hotels. 1x points on other purchases. |
| See Rates and Fees | See Rates and Fees |
How to Maximize Points With the Amex Business Platinum Card?
Start with the sign-up offer. The Amex Business Platinum offers 150,000 points after spending $20,000 in your first three months. That bonus alone is worth $1,200 for flights and $840 for hotels when you book through Amex Travel. So, plan your spending strategically to hit that bonus without overspending.
Partner transfer programs are another ace up your sleeve. American Express has a lineup of airline and hotel transfer partners, where you can move your points. Most stand at a 1:1 ratio, but some offer a little more bang for your buck.
For example, Hilton Honors has a 1:2 transfer ratio, and AeroMexico lets you transfer 1,000 points for 1,600 AeroMexico points. The only airline that falls below the 1:1 ratio is JetBlue TrueBlue, with 250 points for only 200 TrueBlue points.
Transferring your flights will get you the best value for your points. But if you choose to redeem for branded gift cards, note that most are valued at 0.007 cents per point, but some go up to 0.01 cents.
These include:
- Fairmont Hotels and Resorts
- Hard Rock Cafe
- Longhorn Steakhouse
- Olive Garden
- Adidas
- Bath and Body Works
- Coach
- Pottery Barn
- Saks Off 5th
- The Home Depot
And finally, enroll in everything. Amex Business Platinum offers credits on a range of services and retailers, such as Dell, Adobe, and Indeed. If you enroll with Dell, you get $400 in statement credits a year, and $360 a year from Indeed—these two alone offset the annual fee.
Find out how to use your Amex points to boost your Prime Day Amazon purchases.
Best Cards to Pair With the Amex Platinum Business Card
Pairing cards with the Amex Business Platinum can help amp up your rewards game—you can cover different spending categories and beef up your overall benefits.
The card_name makes a solid partner, offering 4x points on restaurants and groceries, 3x on flights, and 1x on all other purchases. It’s a great card to use for everyday rewards while using your Business Platinum for travel and business purchases.
And if you want to steer away from Amex, consider the card_name or the card_name cards. They offer straightforward cash back or miles on every purchase, providing a no-fuss approach to rewards that can be a nice break from the complex Amex points system.
Alternatives to the Amex Business Platinum Credit Card
If you’re not sold on the Amex Business Platinum, here are some corporate card alternatives—
Interested in a personal card? Learn more about Chase Sapphire Preferred vs. Sapphire Reserve.
Amex Platinum Business Credit Card: Useful Links
- Apply for Amex Business Platinum here.
- Find out more on the Amex Platinum Business website.
- Amex Business Platinum customer service and phone number.
- Learn more on the Amex FAQ page.
- Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s website.
American Express Business Platinum Card Customer Reviews
Here are some firsthand accounts for more insight into the Amex Business Platinum—
“We use the Platinum for travel, construction materials, and transactions over $5,000. We used the global entry credit on each card for 2 of us and got $200 to spend at Dell twice a year. Surprisingly, Dell sells lots of good electronics, and you can stack deals through Dell and Rakuten to get even more for your buck.”
“I love the high-quality customer service, their website, and their Spend Manager app. I also love the prestige of the card and that it’s made from metal. However, the points system is insanely complex and difficult to use. When speaking with the department that helps you to cash in the points, you quickly learn that they are not helpful or considerate—the polar opposite of the Customer Care department.”
Is Amex Business Platinum Worth It?
Think about your business expenses. Do you travel often for work? The Business Platinum’s travel perks are top-notch—airport lounge access, credits for airlines and hotels, and hotel gold statuses. If you’re always on the go, those perks could save you a bundle and make your trips much more comfortable.
But if you won’t make use of these benefits, the Business Platinum isn’t for you. In a scenario where your business spending doesn’t align with the card’s welcome bonus and perks, or if you don’t travel much, the $695 annual fee probably won’t be worth it in the long run.
Take a look at your spending, travel habits, and the card’s perks. Crunch the numbers to see if the value you’d get from the benefits outweighs the annual fee.
It’s a pretty powerful card, but it’s all about whether those perks match how you run your business and spend your money.
If you’re ready to jump on the business bandwagon,
Apply for the Amex Business Platinum here.
FAQ
Does Amex Business Platinum get Uber credit?
No, the Amex Business Platinum does not offer Uber credit, but you can earn Uber Cash on business rides and orders with Uber Eats.
Corporate Platinum Card Members can earn 5% Uber Cash by enrolling on the Uber or Uber Eats app and adding their American Express Corporate Card as a payment method. From there, a window will appear where you select “Start earning Uber Cash”.
How much income do you need for the Amex Platinum business?
Cardholders report that American Express typically looks for a minimum income of $50,000 per year for the Amex Platinum Business card. While there are no official salary requirements, Amex has to know that you can pay the annual fees and any other charges.
But it’s not solely about the income figure; they also consider your overall financial situation, credit history, and ability to manage credit responsibly.
Our Methodology
Our credit card reviews aim to provide a comprehensive assessment of both quantitative and qualitative factors. The quantitative analysis focuses on the financial costs and benefits associated with each card, including interest rates, fees, rewards programs, cash back offers, and other monetary perks. However, we also consider qualitative aspects that impact the everyday use and value of the card. These include the simplicity of the application process, the structure of the rewards program, the likelihood of utilizing certain card features, and the suitability of the card for frequent or infrequent use. Our On FIRE rating system allows for quick comparisons between cards within a particular category. When choosing a new credit card, consumers should weigh the quantitative dollar amounts along with qualitative ease-of-use factors to select the best overall option for their needs.
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