The Business Platinum Card^® from American Express Review

The Business Platinum Card^® from American Express delivers premium travel benefits including extensive lounge access (access is limited to eligible card members) and valuable hotel elite status. This premium business card excels at making travel more luxurious, though you'll need to use multiple statement credits and travel perks to maximize its value.

This credit card review will cover everything you need to know about this card to determine if you should add this card or a different card to your wallet. Let's dive right in.

Welcome Bonus of Amex Business Platinum

The Business Platinum Amex currently offers the following welcome bonus:

You may be eligible for as high as 300,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $20,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 3 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.

As with other American Express cards, this bonus isn’t available if you currently have or have previously had this specific card – this is part of Amex’s “once in a lifetime” rule. While you can still be approved for the card if you’ve had it before, you won’t be eligible for the welcome bonus.

Earning Points with Amex Business Platinum

The Business Platinum American Express earns Membership Rewards points at the following rates: 

• 5 points per dollar flights and prepaid hotels booked at AmexTravel.com;
• 2 points per dollar for purchases up to $2 million in spending per calendar year in these categories:
  • U.S. electronic goods retailers;
  • U.S. software providers;
  • U.S. cloud service providers;
  • U.S. construction materials and hardware suppliers;
  • U.S. shipping providers; and
  • Eligible purchases of $5,000 or more, regardless of the category.
• 1 point per dollar on all other eligible purchases.

Purchases eligible for multiple additional point bonuses will only receive the highest eligible bonus.

This card isn’t ideal for everyday business spending, as most purchases only earn 1x points. The 5x travel category is restrictive since you must book through Amex Travel, limiting your flexibility.

While the 2x bonus categories can be valuable for certain businesses making large purchases, other cards offer better rewards on common business expenses like office supplies, internet/phone, and advertising.

The card’s strength lies more in its benefits and perks rather than its earning potential.

Annual Fee of Amex Business Platinum

The Business Platinum American Express has a $895 annual fee (rates & fees), which you can offset with over $2,000 in annual statement credits, airport lounge access, elite status, and travel and purchase protections.

For authorized users, there’s a $400 fee per card and while they receive lounge access perks and most hotel benefits, they don’t get access to the additional statement credits.

Card Benefits of Amex Business Platinum

The Business Platinum American Express offers the following benefits, which can be subject to enrollment for eligible Card Members: 

Lounge Access: Eligible Card members get access to the extensive American Express Global Lounge Collection, including Centurion Lounges, Priority Pass lounges, Lufthansa lounges (when flying Lufthansa, SWISS, or Austrian) and Delta Sky Clubs when flying Delta. Platinum members receive 10 Delta Sky Club visits annually per eligible card (unless you spend $75,000 in a calendar year) when traveling on same-day Delta flights.

Airline Fee Credit: Select one qualifying airline and then receive up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year when incidental fees are charged by the airline to your card.

Hotel Credit: Get up to $300 in statement credits semi-annually, for up to a total of $600 in statement credits per calendar year, on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection bookings through American Express Travel using the Business Platinum Card®. You can maximize this credit by booking a $300 prepaid stay in each half of the year. The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay; Fine Hotels + Resorts® bookings have no minimum-night requirement.

ChatGPT Business Credit: Power your workflow with AI — enroll and get up to $300 in statement credits per calendar year on U.S. purchases of ChatGPT Business (subject to auto-renewal) on the Business Platinum Card.

Hilton Credit: Hilton for Business members can get up to $200 back per calendar year when they make an eligible purchase at Hilton properties across the globe using the Business Platinum Card®. Gift cards are not an eligible purchase. Benefit enrollment required.

Dell Credit: Enrolled cardmembers can get up to $150 in statement credits on U.S. purchases made directly with Dell each calendar year, plus an additional $1,000 in statement credits after spending $5,000 or more on Dell purchase each calendar year.

Wireless Credit: Get up to $120 in statement credits per year (up to $10 per month) for wireless telephone service purchases made directly with a wireless provider in the U.S. on your Business Platinum card.

CLEAR+ Credit: You can cover the cost of a CLEAR+ Membership with up to $219 in statement credits per calendar year after you pay for CLEAR+ with this card.

Adobe Credit: Enrolled cardmembers can get a $250 statement credit after they spend $600 or more on U.S. purchases made directly with Adobe each calendar year.

Indeed Credit: You can receive up to $360 in statement credits per year for purchases with Indeed in the form of a $90 credit per quarter.

Global Entry/TSA PreCheck: Receive either a statement credit of up to $120 every 4 years for a Global Entry application fee or a statement credit of up to $85 every 4.5 years for a TSA PreCheck® (through a TSA official enrollment provider) application fee, when charged to your Business Platinum Card.

Marriott Elite Status: Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status offers benefits such as a 25% points bonus available for qualifying rates, welcome amenity, late checkout, enhanced room upgrades, and enhanced internet.

Hilton Elite Status: Hilton Honors Gold elite status gets you perks such as an 80% points bonus, space available room upgrades, a food & beverage credit or breakfast, two complimentary bottles of water, and more.

Hertz Elite Status: Hertz President’s Circle elite status, which offers benefits such as the ability to choose your car at Hertz Ultimate Choice locations when you book an intermediate car or higher, complimentary upgrades, a 50% points bonus, and a free additional driver.

Leaders Club Sterling: You’ll receive Leading Hotels of the World’s premium Sterling status, which normally requires substantial annual spending at participating luxury properties. This status grants you five pre-arrival upgrade opportunities each year at these exclusive hotels.

National Elite Status: National Emerald Club Executive elite status offers benefits such as the ability to choose your car in the Executive Area, Guaranteed Upgrades, and faster free car rental days (6 credits).

Avis Elite Status: Avis Preferred Plus elite status offers benefits such as free one-car class upgrade, expedited service, and a 25% points bonus.

Extra Benefits: Spend $250,000 annually and you’ll earn up to $3,600 in statement credits: $1,200 for American Express Travel flights and $2,400 for American Express One AP monthly fees.

Pros and Cons of Business Platinum Amex

Here are the advantages and disadvantages of this card:

Pros:

Exceptional Lounge Access: Access to Centurion Lounges, Delta Sky Clubs, Priority Pass lounges, Escape Lounges, and select Lufthansa lounges makes this one of the most comprehensive lounge access benefits available on any card.

Elite Status Benefits: Complimentary Hilton Gold, Marriott Gold, Hertz President’s Circle, and National Executive status provide valuable perks across multiple travel brands.

Travel Protections: Strong coverage including cell phone protection, purchase protection, extended warranty, and various travel insurance benefits helps protect your business purchases and travel.

Statement Credits: Over $2,000 in potential annual credits across multiple categories can help offset the annual fee.

Cons:

High Annual Fee: The $895 annual fee is one of the highest among premium cards, making it a significant investment for small businesses.

Limited Bonus Categories: Outside of Amex Travel bookings at 5x and select business categories at 2x, the earning rates are not particularly compelling for everyday business spending.

Authorized User Cost: At $400 per authorized user, adding employee cards is expensive compared to other business cards.

Restrictive Credits: Many of the statement credits are tied to specific merchants or have quarterly/semi-annual caps, requiring careful tracking and planning to maximize their value.

Is the Business Platinum Worth It?

The Business Platinum American Express delivers exceptional value through premium travel benefits and substantial annual credits, which can help offset its steep annual fee.

You’ll earn a strong welcome bonus worth thousands in travel value, plus 5x points on flights and prepaid hotels booked through Amex Travel.

While the card’s everyday earning rates aren’t competitive, premium perks like Centurion Lounge access, Delta Sky Club entry, and hotel elite status make it ideal for frequent business travelers. The card’s valuable credits, including airline fee reimbursement, CLEAR+ membership, and several business-focused services can provide substantial savings when maximized.

For business owners who regularly book premium travel, the card can easily justify its cost, though those seeking primarily strong earning rates might want to consider alternatives like the American Express^® Business Gold Card.

Learn How to Apply: The Business Platinum Card^® from American Express.