Amex Business Platinum Card vs. Chase Sapphire Reserve Card [Detailed Comparison]

BY 

Christine Krzyszton

- UPDATED: February 13, 2021

1. Credit Cards  / 
2. Strategies & Guides

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When it comes to premium travel rewards cards, there’s just a short list of cards that stand out from the others. The Business Platinum Card® from American Express and the Chase Sapphire Reserve® Card are 2 cards that are frequently mentioned in this category.

A premium rewards card can deliver elevated earnings on your purchases, provide travel benefits that make your trip more comfortable, and offer redemption options that maximize your hard-earned rewards. Both of the cards we’re comparing today accomplish all of this and more.

If you’re considering a new premium rewards card and looked at either, or both, of these cards, you know there’s value to be found.

That potential value is the reason we’ve chosen these 2 popular cards for our comparison. Our article today will look at how each of these cards provides that value in the categories that matter most to travelers, but we’ll also include the alternate benefits being offered during this period of diminished travel activity.

Having all the information you need to select the right rewards card for your situation is important, so let’s get started.

Business Card vs. Personal Card

Let’s quickly address the elephant in the room and acknowledge that the Amex Business Platinum card is obviously a business card and the Chase Sapphire Reserve card is a personal consumer card.

If you need a business credit card to keep business and personal purchases separated and to simplify expense organization, of course you’ll want to consider a business card.

If your expenses will be more of a personal nature, then a personal travel rewards card, cash-back card, or a card that earns on everyday purchases would be more appropriate.

If however, you’re ready to select just 1 card and it could be either of our featured cards, our comparison will help you immensely with your decision.

The Value of a Welcome Bonus

Welcome bonuses are normally earned on cards when you meet specific spending requirements within 3 months after you are approved for the card. These bonuses can be substantial and serve to jump-start the funding of your rewards account.

These welcome bonuses do fluctuate, so you’ll always want to thoroughly review the most current offer before applying for any card.

Here’s a snapshot of the welcome bonuses on our featured cards:

Amex Business Platinum Card

Credit Card

Key Benefits & Info

New Welcome Offer The Business Platinum Card® from American Express Apply Now (at Amex's secure site)

New Welcome Offer: Earn 75,000 85,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $15,000 on eligible purchases with the Business Platinum Card plus earn 5x points on eligible purchases in 5 select business categories, up to 80,000 bonus points per category, all within the first 3 months of Card Membership. These bonus categories include eligible U.S. purchases on shipping, wireless telephone services, advertising in select media, office supplies and gas stations. Terms Apply. Get 5X Membership Rewards® points on flights and prepaid hotels on amextravel.com. Access more than 1,300 airport lounges across 140 countries and counting, including the amazing Centurion lounges. $200 Airline Fee Credit. Get up to $200 in statement credits annually by getting up to $100 semi-annually for U.S. purchases with Dell Annual Fee: $595 Bonus Valuation*: $1,870 Terms Apply. For rates and fees of the Amex Business Platinum card, click here. Must Reads: For more info on the Amex Business Platinum, see our insights on its benefits, top card FAQ's and the 24 best airport lounges you can access. Go here for our full review. This is one of several business credit cards from Amex. *This bonus value is an estimated valuation calculated by UP and not the card issuer.

Chase Sapphire Reserve Card

Credit Card

Key Benefits & Info

Chase Sapphire Reserve® Apply Now (at Chase's secure site)

Earn 50,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. UP's Bonus Valuation*: $1,000 $300 Annual Travel Credit as reimbursement for travel purchases charged to your card each account anniversary year. From 6/1/20 through 6/30/21, gas station & grocery store purchases will also count towards earning your Travel Credit 3X points on travel immediately after earning your $300 travel credit. 3X points on dining at restaurants. Annual Fee: $550 annual fee Must Reads: For more on the Chase Sapphire Reserve, see our thoughts on its benefits, global airport lounge access, and travel insurance protection. Take a look here for our full review. *This bonus value is an estimated valuation calculated by UP and not the card issuer.

Membership Rewards points can typically be redeemed for 1 cent each, however, with the Amex Business Platinum card, you may receive significantly more potential value when transferring points to travel partners or redeeming for travel via Amex Travel.

Ultimate Rewards points can be redeemed for 1.5 cents each for travel via the Chase travel portal and also have the potential for greater value when transferred to Chase’s airline and hotel partners.

Bottom Line: The Amex Business Platinum card comes with a welcome bonus that can exceed the value of the Chase Sapphire Reserve card bonus. However, the value of the welcome bonus you earn will be based on how points are redeemed. Also, welcome bonuses and point values can vary, so be sure to check current offers and values before applying. 

Membership Rewards Points vs. Ultimate Rewards Points

The Amex Business Platinum card earns Membership Rewards points while the Chase Sapphire Reserve card earns Ultimate Rewards points.

It’s difficult to make a determination as to which points are more valuable as value is based on your own personal redemption preference.

You can have confidence, however, that regardless of which card you select, the rewards you earn will be some of the most valuable rewards available.

Let’s look at how the 2 compare when it comes to earning potential and redemption options.

Comparing Earning Potential

Selecting a card that matches your spending profile is a key element to maximizing earnings. Let’s look at how our featured cards earn rewards on the purchases you make.

Comparing Redemption Options

While the associated rewards programs have differences, there are similarities when it comes to redeeming your points for good value.

Here’s how the cards stack up when you’re ready to redeem your rewards.

The best value for your points in either program is to redeem for travel, but Chase offers another, potentially desirable offer, to redeem points for specific everyday purchases at 1.5 cents per point. This available option, however, is currently temporary.

Bottom Line: You’ll realize the maximum potential redemption value with either Membership Rewards points or Ultimate Rewards points is by redeeming for travel via the associated proprietary travel portals or by transferring rewards points to airline/hotel partners. When we look at redeeming points for statement credits or cash, however, the Chase Sapphire Reserve card is superior.  

Worldwide Airport Lounge Access

You won’t find broader lounge access benefits than that which comes on the Amex Business Platinum card and also on the consumer version of The Platinum Card® from American Express.

The Chase Sapphire Reserve card, however, steps up with its own worldwide lounge access benefit. Its benefit, although not matching that of Amex, still offers access to plenty of lounge properties.

Let’s take a look at the options offered by both cards.

Amex Business Platinum Card

The Amex Business Platinum card offers access to over 1,300 lounge properties worldwide and includes the following networks:

• Airspace
• American Express International Lounges
• Centurion Lounges
• Delta Sky Club
• Escape Lounges
• Plaza Premium
• Priority Pass Select

Chase Sapphire Reserve Card

The Chase Sapphire Reserve card comes with Priority Pass Select membership that includes access to over 1,300 properties worldwide.

Bottom Line: Both of our featured cards come with worldwide lounge access. The Amex Business Platinum card, however, has a more expansive lounge network that includes the exclusive Centurion Lounges and Delta Sky Club access. Take a peek at some of the Amex Business Platinum card’s best lounge locations here.

Statement Credits

Statement credits provide direct economic benefit by reimbursing you for specific purchases. While many statement credit benefits are ongoing, new temporary statement credit options have been added in 2021 that reward spending in categories other than travel.

Here are the statement credits you can expect to see on our featured cards:

Bottom Line: While the Amex Business Platinum card exceeds the Chase Sapphire Reserve card in the number of potential statement credits, the Chase $300 travel credit may be easier to utilize. The better card for statement credits will ultimately be the one that has the most offers you can actually utilize. 

Hotel, Airline, and Car Rental Benefits

Hotel Program Benefits

Amex Business Platinum Card

With special benefits at 2 unique hotel collections and complimentary hotel elite status in 2 popular programs, the Amex Business Platinum card delivers value cardholders can use at thousands of properties.

• Hilton Honors and Marriott Bonvoy Gold elite status as long as you hold the card
• American Express Fine Hotels and Resorts benefits that include:
  • Room upgrades when available
  • Daily breakfast for 2
  • Early check-in/late checkout
  • Free Wi-Fi
  • Unique local amenity worth $100 or more
• The Hotel Collection benefits for 2-night stays or longer
  • $100 per room credit to use onsite
  • Upgraded room when available

Chase Sapphire Reserve Card

Although the Chase Sapphire Reserve card does not offer hotel program elite status, the card does come with elite-style benefits with several worldwide hotel programs.

• Luxury Hotel and Resort Collection benefits that include:
  • Local amenity unique to the property, such as dinner, spa, or resort credit, etc.
  • Early check-in/late checkout when available
  • Upgraded room if available
  • Daily breakfast for 2
  • Free Wi-Fi
• Relais & Châteaux hotel benefits:
  • VIP welcome amenity
  • Complimentary breakfast
• sbe Hotels benefits that include:
  • $30 hotel credit
  • Fourth-night free
  • Complimentary Wi-Fi
  • Upgraded room when available
  • Free breakfast for 2 or a complimentary beverage
  • Late checkout

Bottom Line: Although both cards offer plenty of benefits at various boutique hotel collections, with complimentary Hilton Honors and Marriott Bonvoy Gold elite status, the Amex Business Platinum card edges out the Chase Sapphire Preferred card when we compare hotel program benefits. 

Airline Benefits

Amex Business Platinum Card

There are few airline-related perks offered on our featured cards, but the Amex Business Platinum card does offer these associated benefits:

• International Airline Program — Enjoy discounted international airfare when purchasing business or first class airline tickets
• Upgrade With Points — Upgrade your airline seating using Membership Rewards points
• Delta Sky Club Access — Access for cardholders when flying same-day on Delta flights

Chase Sapphire Reserve Card

The Chase Sapphire Reserve card does not offer any airline-related benefits.

Car Rental Program Benefits

Amex Business Platinum Card

• National Emerald Club Executive status
• Avis Preferred American Express Benefits
• Hertz Gold Rewards Benefits

Chase Sapphire Reserve Card

Cardholders receive several car rental program discounts and enhanced benefits such as car upgrades with partner car rental companies including Avis, Dollar, Hertz, and Silvercar. And, although not a specific rental car program benefit, the card also offers complimentary Lyft Pink membership.

Bottom Line: The Amex Business Platinum card comes out ahead of the Chase Sapphire Reserve card when comparing hotel, airline, and rental car program benefits. 

Travel Insurance and Protection Benefits

While the travel insurance that comes with your credit card doesn’t replace the need to consider purchasing travel insurance, you will find coverage that can be sufficient for trips that don’t involve a large non-refundable investment.

Here’s how our featured cards compare with the travel insurance coverages offered:

Bottom Line: While both cards do a good job of providing travel insurance benefits and protections, the edge goes to the Chase Sapphire Reserve card with primary car rental insurance, baggage delay, and emergency medical/dental. However, if either roadside assistance or having no limit on emergency evacuations is a priority for you, the Amex card does well in those areas compared to the Chase card. 

Shopping Benefits and Protections

Extended Warranty

• Amex Business Platinum Card — Adds 1 year to manufacturer’s warranties of 5 years or less; maximum of $1,000 per eligible item, up to $50,000 per year
• Chase Sapphire Reserve Card — Extends the manufacturer’s warranty of 3 years or less for eligible products purchased with the card for 1 additional year; maximum $10,000 per claim, $50,000 per account

Purchase Protection

• Amex Business Platinum Card — coverage for theft, damage, or loss on eligible purchases for 90 days from the purchase date; maximum $10,000 per purchase and $50,000 per card
• Chase Sapphire Reserve Card — theft, damage, and accidental parting for 120 days from the date of purchase, up to $10,000 per claim, $50,000 per account

Return Protection

• Amex Business Platinum Card — if the merchant will not accept the return within the first 90 days of an eligible item being purchased with your card, you could receive up to $300 per item, up to $1,000 per year
• Chase Sapphire Reserve Card — returns not accepted by the merchant within 90 days of purchase could qualify for up to $500 per item, up to $1,000 maximum per year for eligible items

Shopping Offers

In addition to shopping benefits and protections, both Amex and Chase offer statement credits and elevated earnings offers via Amex and Chase Offers.

• Amex Offers — sign in to your online Amex card account, scroll down the page, and you’ll find up to 100 Amex offers that can save you money or provide elevated earnings
• Chase Offers — although not normally as lucrative as Amex Offers, Chase offers also earn cash-back on specific purchases

Additional Users

Adding authorized users to your card can help you accelerate earning rewards quickly. Let’s look at the options for adding additional users to our featured cards.

• Amex Business Platinum Card — you can add up to 3 additional users for a flat $175 fee each year; any additional users after that can be added at the rate of $175 each
• Chase Sapphire Reserve Card — each additional user will cost $75 each year

Authorized users on either card receive worldwide lounge access. Charges made by added users will earn rewards and count toward statement credits for the primary cardholder’s account.

Amex Business Platinum Card vs. Chase Sapphire Reserve Card — Summary

While both cards offer premium benefits, respectable earning opportunities, and redemption options, one of these cards may be a better fit for your situation over the other.

Here’s our take on which card might have the edge in each category.

• Best for Earning Points— The Chase Sapphire Reserve card appears to be the winner when it comes to earning rewards as it offers more ways to earn. However, if you spend a lot on flights and make large non-bonus category purchases of $5,000 or more, you may do better with the Amex Business Platinum card.
• Best for Redemption Options — While both cards offer the potential for excellent value when redeeming points for travel, the Chase Sapphire Reserve card offers the additional option of redeeming points for cash-back at 1 cent per point and a temporary option to redeem toward specific everyday purchases for 1.5 cents per point.
• Best for Statement Credits — The Amex Business Platinum card offers more statement credits than the Chase Sapphire Reserve card but the $300 travel credit on the Chase card may be easier to earn.
• Best for Worldwide Lounge Access — The Amex Business Platinum card offers greater lounge access options with access to Centurion Lounges and the Delta Sky Club in addition to Priority Pass options also offered by the Chase Sapphire Reserve card.
• Best for Travel Insurance and Protections —With primary car rental coverage, better baggage insurance, ancillary medical/dental coverage, and $1,000,000 travel accident insurance, the slight edge goes to the Chase Sapphire Reserve card. The Amex card, however, offers excellent evacuation insurance and complimentary roadside assistance.
• Best for Shopping Benefits — Both cards offer similar shopping benefits and protections.

Keep in mind that this summary is just an overview — the actual value you receive will vary based on your priorities. The better card will be the one that fits your situation. Also, we have not included every benefit offered on each card, only core benefits that provide the most value.

Final Thoughts

Both of our featured cards offer excellent earning and redemption options, worldwide lounge access, and plenty of travel and shopping benefits.

The best card for you will be the one that best matches your spending and redemption goals and offers benefits that will deliver value.

If you’re a business traveler who travels internationally, the Amex Business Platinum card could provide plenty of value. If your travel is more of a personal nature but you still want premium travel benefits, the Chase Sapphire Reserve may work for you.

In the end, you won’t go wrong with either of these premium card options.

For rates and fees of The Business Platinum Card® from American Express, click here.