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: bonus_miles_full
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 Amex earns Membership Rewards points at the following rates: 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 Amex has a $895 annual fee (rates & fees), which you can offset with over $1,400 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: You’ll receive up to $600 in hotel credits annually through this semi-annual benefit, which provides $300 every six months for prepaid Fine Hotels & Resorts and Hotel Collection bookings through American Express Travel. You can maximize this credit by booking a $300 hotel stay twice per year, with Hotel Collection requiring a minimum two-night stay while Fine Hotels & Resorts bookings need just one night.
Hilton Credit: Enroll your Business Platinum Card through American Express and get up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year (up to $50 per quarter) for eligible purchases made directly with a property in the Hilton portfolio on the Business Platinum Card.
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® Plus Credit: You can cover the cost of a CLEAR Plus Membership with up to $209 in statement credits per calendar year after you pay for CLEAR Plus 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 $120 statement credit every 4 years for a Global Entry application fee or a statement credit up to $85 every 4.5 years for a TSA PreCheck® (through a TSA official enrollment provider) application fee, when charged to your Platinum Card®. Card Members approved for Global Entry will also receive access to TSA PreCheck at no additional cost.
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 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 $1,400 in potential annual credits across multiple categories like Dell, airline fees, CLEAR, wireless service, Indeed, and Adobe 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.
Alternatives to Business Platinum Amex
Now that you know about this credit card’s various benefits and pros and cons, it’s time to see its alternatives.
American Express® Business Gold Card
The American Express® Business Gold Card (review) offers tailored rewards, earning 4x points in your top two spending categories each billing cycle from a list of six options (capped at $150,000 in combined purchases each calendar year). With up to $395 in annual statement credits and valuable redemption options through Membership Rewards transfer partners, this card can be a powerful earning tool for many businesses. Welcome Bonus: Earn 100,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $15,000 on eligible purchases with the Business Gold Card within the first 3 months of Card Membership. Earning Points: 4x points in your top two categories each billing cycle up to $150,000 in combined purchases at 4x points (then 1x points) in the following purchase categories: US gas stations, US restaurants, US advertising in select media, transit and rideshare, monthly US wireless telephone services charges made directly with wireless service provider, U.S. purchases made from electronic goods retailers and software & cloud system providers; 3x points on flights and prepaid hotels booked via AmexTravel.com; and 1x points on all other eligible purchases. Card Benefits: Up to $20 monthly credit upon enrollment when you use your card for eligible U.S. purchases at FedEx, Grubhub, and Office Supply Stores, Walmart+ credit, no present spending limit, trip delay insurance, baggage insurance plan, secondary rental car insurance, purchase protection, and extended warranty. Transfer Partners: Aer Lingus, AeroMexico, Air Canada Aeroplan, ANA, Avianca LifeMiles, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Choice Privileges, Delta, Emirates, Etihad, Air France – KLM Flying Blue, Hawaiian Airlines, Hilton, Iberia, JetBlue, Marriott, Qantas, Qatar Airways, Singapore KrisFlyer, and Virgin Atlantic.
American Express Platinum Card®
American Express Platinum Card® (review) offers the most comprehensive airport lounge network available, giving you access to premium Centurion Lounges plus thousands of other lounges worldwide. You can easily offset the card’s large annual fee through generous credits for Uber, hotels, digital entertainment, Resy dining, and lifestyle brands like lululemon. Earning Points: 5x on flights booked directly with airlines or through American Express Travel®, on up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year; 5x points on on prepaid hotels booked on AmexTravel.com; 1x points on all other purchases. Card Benefits: Transfer Partners: Aer Lingus, AeroMexico, Air Canada Aeroplan, ANA, Avianca LifeMiles, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Choice Privileges, Delta, Emirates, Etihad, Air France – KLM Flying Blue, Hawaiian Airlines, Hilton, Iberia, JetBlue, Marriott, Qantas, Qatar Airways, Singapore KrisFlyer, and Virgin Atlantic.
Capital One Venture X Business
The Capital One Venture X Business (review) offers premium travel benefits including unlimited lounge access and a $300 travel credit. This premium business card stands out with its simple rewards structure of at least 2x miles on all purchases, making it perfect for businesses looking to maximize travel rewards without complexity. Welcome Bonus: bonus_miles_full Earning Miles: 10x miles on hotels and rental cars and 5x miles on flights and vacation rentals through Capital One Business Travel; 2x miles on all other eligible purchases. Card Benefits: $300 annual travel credit for Capital One Business Travel, 10,000 miles each account anniversary, airport lounge access upon enrollment (Priority Pass and Capital One Lounges), Global Entry / TSA PreCheck credit, no foreign transaction fees, travel insurance (trip cancellation, baggage delay, lost luggage, and primary rental car), purchase protection, and extended warranty. Transfer Partners: Accor (2 to 1), Aeromexico, Air Canada Aeroplan, Air France-KLM Flying Blue, Avianca LifeMiles, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Choice Privileges, Emirates, Etihad, Finnair, I Prefer Hotels (1 to 2), Japan Airlines(2 to 1.5), JetBlue (5 to 3), Qantas, Qatar, Singapore KrisFlyer, TAP Air Portugal, Turkish Airlines, Virgin Red, and Wyndham Rewards.
Is the Business Platinum Worth It?
The Business Platinum Amex 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 Plus 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.
