Amex Business Platinum: An In-Depth Guide for 2024
The American Express Business Platinum Card is one of the top-rated premium business cards on the market, especially for entrepreneurs, frequent travelers, and business professionals seeking value through rewards and luxury perks. Known for its extensive benefits, the Amex Business Platinum card can help your business save on travel, streamline expenses, and enjoy premium experiences.
This guide delves into every aspect of the Amex Business Platinum, from its rewards program to exclusive perks, and offers insights on maximizing the value of this card for your business.
1. Overview of the Amex Business Platinum Card
The Amex Business Platinum is designed for businesses that prioritize travel, corporate spending, and premium services. This card offers valuable rewards points, luxury travel benefits, and extensive business perks that are especially beneficial for frequent travelers and high spenders.
| Card Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Annual Fee | $695 |
| Welcome Offer | Up to 120,000 Membership Rewards points (terms apply) |
| Rewards Rate | Up to 5x on flights and prepaid hotels, 1.5x on select purchases |
| Foreign Transaction Fees | None |
| Additional Card Benefits | Airport lounge access, travel credits, concierge services, and more |
2. Key Benefits of the Amex Business Platinum Card
A. Generous Welcome Bonus
The Amex Business Platinum typically offers a substantial welcome bonus. At the time of writing, eligible cardholders can earn up to 120,000 Membership Rewards points, depending on spending requirements. This bonus alone can equate to significant travel or business savings, especially when redeemed through the American Express Travel portal or transferred to one of Amex’s airline or hotel partners.
B. High-Earning Rewards Structure
| Category | Points Earned |
|---|---|
| Flights and Prepaid Hotels | 5x points on flights and hotels booked via Amex Travel |
| Select Business Purchases | 1.5x points on eligible U.S. purchases over $5,000 per transaction (up to 1 million points) |
| All Other Purchases | 1x point per dollar |
With up to 5x points on travel and 1.5x on large business purchases, the Amex Business Platinum rewards structure is ideal for companies that have high travel and operational expenses.
C. Airport Lounge Access
The Amex Business Platinum card includes access to American Express’s Global Lounge Collection. Cardholders can relax at over 1,300 airport lounges, including:
- The Centurion Lounge – Amex’s premium lounge network
- Delta Sky Clubs – Access when flying Delta
- Priority Pass – 1,300+ lounges globally
D. $200 Airline Fee Credit
Each calendar year, cardholders can earn a $200 airline fee credit that can be applied toward incidental airline charges, such as checked baggage fees, in-flight refreshments, and seat selection charges. This credit is applicable to one qualifying airline, chosen each year.
E. $400 Dell Statement Credit
Cardholders receive an annual $400 Dell Technologies credit. This includes $200 during the first half of the year and another $200 during the second half, helping companies offset the cost of equipment or software needed for operations.
F. 35% Airline Bonus
For flights booked through Amex Travel using Membership Rewards points, cardholders can receive a 35% point rebate (up to 500,000 points per year). This perk significantly boosts the value of redeemed points.
G. Additional Credits
| Benefit | Value |
|---|---|
| CLEAR Membership | Up to $189 per year |
| Saks Fifth Avenue Credit | $100 annually |
| TSA PreCheck/Global Entry | Up to $100 every 4 years |
3. Rewards Redemption Options
The Amex Business Platinum offers flexibility in redeeming rewards points:
- Travel: Points can be redeemed through the Amex Travel portal or transferred to over 20 airline and hotel partners.
- Statement Credits: Cardholders can redeem points for statement credits, although this typically yields a lower value.
- Gift Cards and Merchandise: Points can also be used for gift cards, shopping, and merchandise.
For maximum value, redeem points for travel or transfer them to one of Amex’s travel partners, such as Delta, British Airways, or Marriott Bonvoy.
4. Is the Amex Business Platinum Right for Your Business?
Consider the following questions to decide if the Amex Business Platinum card aligns with your business needs:
| Question | Consideration |
|---|---|
| Does your business travel frequently? | Frequent travelers can benefit greatly from airport lounges and travel credits. |
| Do you have high annual spending? | The rewards structure favors businesses with significant yearly expenses. |
| Do you value premium services? | Access to Amex’s concierge and personalized customer service can be a major perk. |
| Will you take advantage of statement credits? | To maximize value, ensure you’ll use the credits for Dell, CLEAR, etc. |
5. Pros and Cons of the Amex Business Platinum Card
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Extensive travel benefits, including lounge access and TSA PreCheck/Global Entry reimbursement | High annual fee of $695 |
| High point-earning potential for travel and select purchases | Requires high spending to maximize |
| Valuable statement credits for travel, Dell, CLEAR, and more | Credits may not suit every business |
| Flexible redemption options for Membership Rewards points | Some benefits require enrollment |
6. Comparison to Other Premium Business Cards
| Card | Annual Fee | Rewards Rate | Notable Benefits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chase Ink Business | $95 (Ink Preferred) | 3x points on travel, shipping, social media ad purchases | No foreign transaction fees, travel and purchase protection |
| Capital One Spark | $150 | 2x miles on all purchases | Free employee cards, flexible miles transfer |
| Amex Business Gold | $295 | 4x points on two categories | Annual airline fee credit, lower fee than Platinum |
7. Tips for Maximizing Your Amex Business Platinum Card Benefits
- Plan Major Purchases to Earn More: Utilize the 1.5x points rate for transactions over $5,000.
- Choose a Qualifying Airline: Select a frequent airline each year to maximize the $200 airline fee credit.
- Use Points for Business Class Flights: Points redeemed for premium cabins yield higher value, especially with the 35% airline bonus.
- Take Advantage of Dell Credits: Consider planning tech upgrades semi-annually to maximize the $400 Dell credit.
- Enroll in Additional Perks: Some benefits require activation (e.g., the CLEAR and Saks Fifth Avenue credits).
8. Frequently Asked Questions About the Amex Business Platinum Card
Q: Is the Amex Business Platinum card worth the $695 annual fee?
A: For businesses that travel frequently and can leverage the credits and travel benefits, the annual fee can easily be offset by the rewards and credits provided.
Q: Can I use Membership Rewards points to cover the annual fee?
A: No, points cannot be directly used to pay the annual fee, though they can be redeemed for various purchases or travel expenses to offset costs.
Q: How do I qualify for the Amex Business Platinum welcome bonus?
A: New cardholders need to meet a minimum spending threshold within the first three months of card membership to qualify for the welcome bonus.
9. Conclusion: Is the Amex Business Platinum Card Right for You?
The Amex Business Platinum is an exceptional choice for businesses that prioritize travel perks, premium services, and rewards. While the $695 annual fee is significant, businesses that utilize the extensive travel benefits, statement credits, and rewards structure can find the value easily outweighs the cost.
If your business spends frequently on travel and high-ticket purchases, the Amex Business Platinum card can be a powerful tool to enhance your business’s spending strategy, gain premium travel experiences, and manage expenses more efficiently.
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