The Business Platinum® Card from American Express

The Amex Business Platinum 150k point bonus is an expired offer. The Amex Business Platinum bonus is now 50,000 points for spending $10,000 in your first three months. Plus, you get another 25,000 points for spending a second $10,000 in the same time frame. All told, that’s 75,000 points for spending $20,000 in three months. That works out to about 3.75% cash back because Amex points are worth around 1 cent each.

Initial bonuses are just a one-time thing though, and they can obviously change. So it’s worth looking at the whole rewards package to see if Business Platinum is right for you.

Here’s what you get instead of the Amex Business Platinum 150k offer:

• 50,000 points for spending $10,000 in the first three months after opening your account
• 25,000 points for spending another $10,000 in the first three months
• 5 points per dollar spent on hotels and flights booked through amextravel.com
• 1.5 points per dollar on purchases of $5,000 or more, up to a million points a year
• 1 point per dollar on all other purchases
• 35% of your points back when you use them to pay for First or Business class flights, up to 500,000 points a year.

The Amex Business Platinum 150k point offer is no longer available, but you can get up to 75,000 bonus points to start with instead. And you can redeem those points for flights, hotels, gift cards, taxis, Ubers, and cash back, at a value of one cent each.

There has been an Amex Business Platinum metal card since March 30, 2017. So if you’re opening a new American Express Business Platinum account, you’ll automatically be issued a metal card. But if you already have a plastic card from before the switch, you can still switch to metal. There’s no fee for ordering an Amex Business Platinum metal card, and it should arrive within 3 business days.

Here’s how to get an Amex Business Platinum metal card online:

1. Log in to your Amex Business Platinum Account.
2. Go to “Card Management” and select “Order Replacement Card.”
3. “Request Metal Card” will be one of your options.

Here’s how to get an Amex Business Platinum metal card by phone:

1. Call customer service at 1-800-492-4344
2. When the automated system asks what you would like to do, say “order a new metal card.”
3. When prompted, enter your account number. From there, the automated system will guide you through the replacement process.

You should get your new metal card within three business days. Till then, you can keep using your current plastic card.

By the way, a new metal Business Platinum card isn’t the only change Amex announced in March 2017. Other new features include 5 points per dollar on hotels booked with Amex Travel, access to more airport lounges, and complimentary cards for up to 99 authorized users. Those extra cards are Amex Business Green cards, though, not Platinum. So the perks aren’t as good.

There is no Amex Business Platinum 100k point bonus. Amex Business Platinum currently offers an initial bonus of 75,000 points for spending $20,000 within three months of opening your account. But at one time, there were 100,000 point initial bonus offers for both the personal and business Platinum cards. They’re expired now though. And the Amex Business Platinum 100k bonus was a targeted offer, which means you only would’ve seen it if Amex selected you.

Here’s what you’ll get instead of an Amex Business Platinum 100k bonus:

• 50,000 points for spending $10,000 in your first three months.
• 25,000 points for spending a second $10,000 in your first three months.
• The points will be credited to your account 8-12 weeks after you meet the spending threshold.
• Your account can’t be canceled or past due when Amex posts your points, or you won’t get your bonus.
• You can only get one initial bonus per card, but additional card members can help meet the spending requirements.

You can’t get the Amex Business Platinum 100k point bonus because it doesn’t exist. But the 75,000 bonus is pretty close. To get the entire bonus, you have to spend $20,000 on purchases in three months. And the bonus is only worth it if that’s a natural fit for your business’ spending patterns.

Amex Platinum Business vs. Personal will generally be a win for Amex Platinum Business, assuming you’re a small business owner. The personal Amex Platinum card’s strengths are that anyone can get it, and an initial bonus just as big as the business version’s (75,000 bonus points) for $15,000 fewer dollars. But Amex Business Platinum is better for most small business owners’ needs. At $450, Amex Business Platinum’s annual fee beats the $550 personal card fee. Plus the Amex Business Platinum card lets you add up to 99 authorized users at no extra cost. Amex Platinum Personal only lets you add 5 free additional card members.

Those are the major differences. But for a complete picture, you’ll want to look at the card details side by side. I’ll lay it out for you below.

Here’s the Amex Platinum business vs. personal comparison:

• Annual fee: Business Wins – $550 for Amex Platinum. $450 for Amex Business Platinum.
• Additional card fee: Business Wins – Amex Platinum charges $175 for up to 3 additional cards Platinum cards. After that, it’s $175 for each card. You can add up to 5 Gold cards for free. Amex Business Platinum gives 99 additional cards for free.
• Initial bonus: Personal Wins – Amex Platinum gives you 75,000 points for spending $5,000 in the first three months. Amex Business Platinum gives you 50,000 points for spending $10,000 in the first three months. And you get 25,000 more for spending another $10,000.
• Amex Travel rewards earning: Tie – Amex Platinum and Amex Business Platinum both give you 5x points on eligible flights and hotels booked through Amex travel.
• Regular rewards earning: Tie – Both the personal and business Platinum cards give you 1 point per dollar for all purchases.
• Large purchase bonus: Business Wins – Amex Business Platinum gives you 1.5 points per dollar on eligible purchases of $5,000 or more, up to 1 million points per year. Amex Platinum does not.
• Redemption bonus: Business Wins – With Amex Business Platinum, you get 35% of your points back when you use them to pay for first / business class flights on amextravel.com. You can get up to 500,000 points per year back. Amex Platinum does not offer this bonus.
• Uber credit: Personal Wins – Amex Platinum gives you $200 in Uber rides per year. Amex Business Platinum does not.
• Airport lounge access: Tie – Both cards get you free or discounted access to over 1,000 airport lounges around the world.
• Airline fee credit: Tie – Amex Platinum and Amex Platinum Business both offer $200 per year towards airline fees.
• Global Entry/TSA Pre credit: Tie – Both the personal and business Platinum cards will cover the cost of renewing your membership in either program.

Amex Business Platinum wins the Amex Platinum business vs. personal contest. That’s especially true for business owners who need to add several employees to their account. The only reason you might choose Amex Platinum is if you plan on using the full $200 Amex Platinum Uber credit and don’t travel enough to get more than $100 out of the Business Platinum redemption bonus. But if that’s the case, you might not want to choose a card geared towards travel in the first place.

There are several different ways to earn Amex Business Platinum points. You can spend $10,000 in the first three months for 50,000 bonus points, or $20,000 for 75,000 points. You’ll get 5 points per dollar for flights and hotels, and 1.5 points per $1 for any purchase of $5,000 or more. Plus, when you use points to play for flights, you’ll get 35% of them back.

Your points will show up in your account somewhere between 6-12 weeks after you earn them, depending on the type of bonus. I’ll walk you through the specifics below.

Here’s how you earn Amex Business Platinum Points:

• You get 50,000 points for spending $10,000 in the first three months your account is open. You also get 25,000 more points for spending another $10,000 within that period. You’ll get your points 8-12 weeks after you meet the spending requirements.
• You earn 5 points per $1 on flights and eligible hotels booked at amextravel.com. They’ll post to your account 10-12 weeks after you make such a purchase.
• You get 1.5 points per $1 on purchases of $5,000 or more. You can earn up to a million points per year this way. They’ll be credited to your account 8-12 weeks after you make this type of purchase.
• You get 1 point per $1 on all other purchases. They’ll appear in your account 8-12 weeks after you make a charge.
• You get a 35% rebate on points used to pay for first class or business class flights on amextravel.com. You can earn up to 500,000 points a year with this bonus. They’ll show up in your account 6-10 weeks after you book a flight.

If you don’t make your minimum payment on time, you forfeit your points for that month. You can get those points back, but you have to pay a $35 fee. Since Amex points are worth up to one cent each, paying the fee is only worth it if you have 3,500 points or more.

The American Express Business Platinum travel benefits start with 5 points per dollar on flights and hotels at the Amex travel site. You also get a 35% points bonus when you use points to pay for flights. Plus, you get access to airport lounges around the globe.

Those are the some of the most notable benefits, but since American Express Business Platinum was built for frequent travelers, there are several more.

Here are the top 10 American Express Business Platinum travel perks:

1. Points earning: You get 5 points per dollar on flights and eligible hotels booked through amextravel.com. And you get 75,000 points for spending $20,000 in your first three months.
2. 35% airline bonus: When you use you points to book first class or business class flights at amextravel.com, you get 35% of them back. The limit is 500,000 points refunded per year.
3. Airport lounges: Amex Business Platinum card members get free entry to 1,000+ airport lounges all over the world.
4. Travel accident insurance: You are insured up to $3.5 million for death or serious injury aboard planes, ships, trains, and taxis when you book your reservation with Amex Business Platinum. Your spouse, dependent children, and additional card members are included. They just have to be on your reservation.
5. Rental car insurance: You’re covered for theft or damage (up to the value of the car), as long as you pay with your Amex Business Platinum card and decline the rental company’s insurance.
6. Baggage insurance: You’re covered up to $3,000 per person per trip if your baggage gets lost, stolen, or damaged. Your spouse and any dependent children on your reservation are also covered.
7. $200 airline fee credit: Amex will reimburse you up to $200 a year for charges like baggage fees and in-flight food and drink. This benefit can only be applied to one airline per year.
8. TSA Pre-check or Global Entry credit: If you’re accepted, Amex will cover your membership in TSA Pre ($85) or Global Entry ($100).
9. Hotel perks: You can get free upgrades, late checkouts, and other benefits when use your Business Platinum card to book a stay in one of the 900+ Amex partner hotels.
10. No foreign transaction fees: You won’t pay any extra fees when you make purchases in another country.

American Express Business Platinum travel benefits offer you peace of mind and comfort while traveling. And they pay you extra for booking if you do it right. So the card’s a contender if you spend a lot of time in airport lounges, the friendly skies and hotels.

When it comes to Amex Business Gold vs. Platinum, the biggest difference is between their annual fees: Amex Business Platinum costs $450 a year, and Amex Business Gold has a $175 fee that’s waived the first year. That’s a $450 advantage for Amex Business Gold the first year and $275 every year after. However, the Platinum Card offers some extra perks, including a $200 annual airline fee credit and 3x points on flights and hotels at the Amex travel site. Plus, you get 35% of your points back when you redeem them for Amex travel. 

Here’s what to consider with Amex Business Platinum vs. Gold:

• Annual fee: $450 for Amex Business Platinum, $175 for Amex Business Gold.
• Initial bonus: Platinum offers 50,000 points for spending $10,000 in your first three months, and an extra 25,000 points for spending another $10,000 within the same timeframe. With Gold, you get 50,000 points for spending $5,000 in the first three months.
• Bonus category rewards earning: Platinum gives you 5 points per $1 spent on flights and prepaid hotels booked on the Amex travel site. With Gold, you get 2-3 points per $1 spent in 5 bonus categories. Specifically, you’ll earn 3 points per $1 in a category of your choosing, up to $100,000 spent each year. And you’ll get 2 points per $1 on your first $100,000 spent in each of the other 4 categories.  
  Gold’s 5 bonus categories are: flights booked directly with the airline; advertising; gas station spending; shipping; and computer hardware, software, and cloud computing.
• Big purchase bonus: Platinum offers 1.5 points per $1 spent on eligible purchases of $5,000 or more, up to 1 million points per year. Gold does not offer extra points for large purchases.
• Everyday rewards earning: Both cards offer 1 point per $1 spent on all purchases outside the bonus categories.
• Redemption bonus: Platinum refunds 35% of your points when you redeem them for flights on the Amex Travel site. You only get this benefit with one airline, and you can only pick your airline once a year, in January. Gold does not offer this perk.
• $200 airline fee credit: Platinum offers up to $200 in statement credits for incidental airline fees, like baggage charges. You can only get credits with one airline, and you can only change that airline every January. By the way, you have to pick the same airline for this and the 35% redemption bonus. Gold does not offer this type of credit.
• Global Entry or TSA Pre-Check credit: If you apply for one of the two airport security pre-screening programs, Amex Business Platinum will reimburse the application fee every four years. You’ll get an $85 statement credit for TSA Pre-Check or a $100 credit for Global Entry (you can’t get both). Gold doesn’t have this perk.
• Airport lounge access: Platinum gives you access to over 1,000 lounges in 120 countries through membership in the Amex Global Lounge Collection. Gold does not.

In Amex Business Platinum vs. Gold, the $275 per year difference between their fees makes for a compelling argument in favor of the Gold Card. But if you’re a frequent traveler who will take full advantage of the Platinum card’s airline statement credit and lounge access, it might be the card for you.

The American Express Business Platinum foreign transaction fee is $0. That’s because The Amex Business Platinum Card was made with travel in mind. You get 5x points when you book flights and hotels on Amex Travel, and a 35% bonus if you use your points to pay for them. Plus, you get to hang out in over 1,000 different airport lounges for free.

But just because Amex Business Platinum has no foreign transaction fee doesn’t mean you won’t have to pay any fees. Who could forget about the huge $450 annual fee? There’s also a $38 fee for late or returned payments and a $300 annual fee for additional Platinum cards. You can get up to 99 Green cards for authorized users for free though.

Here’s how the American Express Business Platinum foreign transaction fee compares:

• American Express Business Platinum foreign transaction fee: $0
• American Express Business Gold foreign transaction fee: 0$
• Capital One Spark Miles for Business foreign transaction fee: $0
• Chase Ink Business Preferred foreign transaction fee: $0
• Bank of America Business Advantage Cash Rewards foreign transaction fee: 3%

You won’t pay an American Express Business Platinum foreign transaction fee if you use your card to buy something abroad, or from an internationally based merchant. But you will pay a hefty $450 fee every year. Amex Business Platinum is only worth the price for people who travel enough to take full advantage of the rewards, and who value perks like airport lounge access.

Amex Business Platinum lounge access lets you visit over 1,000 airport lounges in 120 cities around the world, for free. You just need to show your Platinum card, a valid ID, and a boarding pass for a flight that day, in most cases. All of the Amex partner lounges allow you to bring at least one guest or immediate family members for free.

Here’s where you can go with Amex Business Platinum lounge access:

• The Centurion Lounge: You need a Platinum card, a boarding pass for same-day travel, and a government-issued ID. You get 2 free guests.
• International American Express Lounges: Access requires a Platinum Card, government-issued ID, and same-day boarding pass. You get 1 free guest.
• Delta Sky Club: Present your Platinum Card, an ID, and a same-day Delta boarding pass. You can purchase up to 2 guest passes for $29 a person. Your spouse and dependent children under 21 can get in for free.
• Escape Lounge US: You need your Platinum Card, a government-issued ID, and a same-day boarding pass. You can bring 2 free guests
• Priority Pass Select: To get access to Priority Pass lounges, you need to enroll in Priority Pass online. You’ll get your Priority Pass card in 10-14 business days. Present your Priority Pass card and a same-day boarding pass. You can bring 2 free guests, and more for $27 each.
• Airspace: You’ll need to show your Platinum Card and an ID. You can bring your spouse and any children under 21 for free, or up to two guests.
• Plaza Premium Airport Lounges: Present your Platinum Card and an ID. You can bring two guests with you for free.

Amex Business Platinum access means you can sit in a comfy chair, have a drink, and sometimes even take a shower while you wait for your flight to leave. Different lounges have different amenities, but you can find out the details on the Amex website, along with hours and locations.