As your business grows, you may find that you need to think seriously about a business credit card that can help you manage your business expenses as well as those of your employees. You may also want to secure a card that ensures you’ll be earning rewards on those expenses and has redemption options that can add value to your bottom line.
If your business involves travel, having a card that provides premium travel benefits and protections might also be a priority.
Additionally, if you’re considering a corporate card for your business operation, you’ll want to keep reading. Our objective is to compare The Business Platinum Card® from American Express to the Corporate Platinum Card® by American Express.
While both cards offer plenty of value for a business owner, they’re considerably different.
Join us as we look at the guidelines for applying, how each of these cards earns rewards, the redemption options you’ll have, and an overview of any benefits and protections that might add value to your business.
Amex Business Platinum Card vs. Amex Corporate Platinum Card — Overview
Before we dive into all the key details of the Amex Business Platinum card and the Amex Corporate Platinum card, let’s look at a high-level overview comparing our featured cards side-by-side.
| Benefit | Amex Business Platinum Card | Amex Corporate Platinum Card |
| Application Guidelines | - Good to Excellent recommended credit
- Qualifying credit history
- Own a business
| - Good to Excellent recommended credit
- Business revenue over $4 million per year
- Business address outside of the home
- 12 months or more in business
- Not a sole proprietor
|
| Earnings | - 5x Membership Rewards points per dollar spent for flights purchased directly from the airline or via Amex Travel and on prepaid hotels purchased via Amex Travel
- 2x points on cruises via Amex Travel
- 1.5x points on eligible purchases in key business categories, as well as on purchases of $5,000 or more everywhere else (cap applies)
- 1x points on all other purchases
| - 1x Membership Rewards points per dollar spent on all purchases
- 5% Uber Cash on Uber rides and U.S. Uber Eats purchases, terms apply
|
| Redemption Options | - Redeem points for flights via Amex Travel
- Transfer Membership Rewards to airline and hotel partners
- Bid for flight upgrades with points
- Gift cards, Amazon, prepaid hotels via Amex Travel
- Statement credits
| - Gift certificates and retail gift cards
- American Express gift cards
- Pay with Points for travel via Amex Travel
- Pay with Points at Ticketmaster
- Shop at Amazon
- Statement credits
|
| Travel Benefits and Protections | - American Express Global Lounge Collection access
- Up to $189 CLEAR statement credit
- Up to $200 airline fee statement credit
- Global Entry/TSA PreCheck fee reimbursement
- Hilton Honors Gold elite status upon enrollment
- Fine Hotels + Resorts program benefits
- International Airline Program
- Premium Global Assist Hotline
|
| Additional Travel Benefits and Protections | - No foreign transaction fees (rates & fees)
- Points rebate for flights using Pay With Points via Amex Travel
- Marriott Bonvoy Gold elite status upon enrollment
- The Hotel Collection benefits
- Car rental program benefits
| |
| Shopping Benefits and Protections | - Cell phone protection
- Up to $400 in statement credits each year for Dell Technology purchases
- Up to $120 wireless statement credit
- Up to $150 in statement credits for Adobe purchases each year
- Up to $360 in statement credits for Indeed purchases each year
| |
| Annual Fees and Authorized Users | - Annual Fee: $695
- $350 for each authorized user; $45 for each American Express® Gold Card, and no charge for each American Express® Green Card (rates & fees)
| - Annual Fee $550
- $75 each for American Express® Corporate Green cards
|
Business Credit Cards vs. Corporate Credit Cards
There are stark differences between a business credit card and a corporate credit card. We’ll talk about American Express-issued cards next, but first, let’s look at the general differences between these 2 types of cards:
- Liability for Debt — Typically a business credit card requires the primary cardholder to be personally responsibility for any charges made on the card. With a corporate card, the business entity is normally responsible.
- Eligibility — Any business, large or small, can apply for a business credit card, while corporate cards may accept only incorporated businesses. Additionally, minimum annual revenue requirements and even a minimum number of employees may be required for eligibility.
- Card Features — Both business and corporate cards allow you to manage employee spending with tracking and spending-limit capabilities. Both types of cards also typically offer rewards earning and redemption options.
- Application Process — You can apply online for a business card, but applying for a corporate card may require a consultation with a representative to work through the application process and to discuss available employee card options.
A corporate card may be the better choice if your business has an extraordinary amount of transactions, if spending limits need to be higher, or if you have 100 employees or more. Corporate cards may also feature a more enhanced card management system than a business card.
Bottom Line: Business credit cardholders are typically responsible for charges on the card, while the business is responsible for charges on a corporate card. Any business can normally qualify for a business card but a corporate card may require the business to be incorporated and have specific revenue/employee levels. Both types of cards offer management tools and can offer rewards on purchases.
Application Guidelines
Now let’s talk specifically about American Express issued business and corporate cards.
It’s recommended that you have Good to Excellent credit to qualify for the Amex Business Platinum card — generally a score of 700 or better. It is possible to be approved with a slightly lower credit score as other factors of your credit history are considered. When applying for the Amex Corporate Platinum card, your business credit score and history will determine your acceptance.
Anyone with the appropriate credit history and a business, even a small business, can apply for the Amex Business Platinum card. The Amex Corporate Platinum card requires a business to meet the following criteria:
- Revenue of over $4 million each year
- Business address other than a home address
- 12 months or more in business
- Not a sole proprietor
One major difference between the Amex Business Platinum card and the Amex Corporate Platinum card is that your personal information can be used to guarantee the debt on the Amex Business Platinum card while the business itself would guarantee the debt on the Amex Corporate Platinum card.
Additionally, both are charge cards and must be paid off in full each statement period.
Hot Tip: Select American Express Corporate cardmembers may qualify for an annual statement credit offer, up to $150, for select personal American Express cards.
The Value of a Welcome Offer
When you apply and are subsequently approved for the Amex Business Platinum card, you’ll have the opportunity to earn a welcome bonus after meeting minimum spending requirements during the period immediately following your card approval.
Hot Tip: Check to see if you’re eligible for a huge welcome offer of up to 150,000 points with the Amex Business Platinum! (The current public offer is 120,000.)
We value Membership Rewards points at approximately 2.2 cents each, which means a 100,000-point welcome offer would be worth up to $2,200.
Welcome bonuses and spending requirements change so be sure to check the most current offer before applying. Note that the Amex Corporate Platinum card does not feature a welcome offer.
Earning Potential
Earn bonus Membership Rewards points for flight purchases via Amex Travel and directly through the airlines. Image Credit: Oman AirIt’s a smart decision to earn rewards on purchases you’re making anyway, especially when you have a lot of business expenses.
Here’s how you’ll earn rewards on all of the purchases you make with either the Amex Business Platinum card or the Amex Corporate Platinum card:
| Earning Category | Amex Business Platinum Card | Amex Corporate Platinum Card |
| Travel | - 5x Membership Rewards points per dollar spent for flights purchased directly from the airlines or via Amex Travel
- 5x points on prepaid hotels via Amex Travel
- 2x points on cruises via Amex Travel
| - 1x Membership Rewards points per dollar spent
- 5% Uber Cash on Uber rides and U.S. Uber Eats purchases, must link card and Uber Cash accounts
|
| Additional Earnings | - 1.5x points on purchases of $5,000 or more, at electronic goods retailers, software, cloud purchases, U.S. shipping, U.S. construction materials/hardware suppliers (up to $2 million in purchases each calendar year)
- 1x points on all other purchases
| - 1x points on all other purchases
|
Bottom Line: The Amex Business Platinum card has the edge with a more robust earning structure than the Amex Corporate Platinum card.
Redemption Options
The primary cardholder on the Amex Business Platinum card and company-designated program administrators on the Amex Corporate Platinum card have several redemption options for Membership Rewards earned on the corresponding cards.
Amex Business Platinum Card
- Flights — Redeem points at 1 cent apiece for flights via Amex Travel
- Transfer to Travel Partners — Transfer points to airline and hotel partners to purchase award flights or free hotel nights.
- Flight Upgrades — Use points to bid for flight upgrades.
- Pay With Points Rebate — Redeem points via Amex Travel for business or first class flights on any airline or any class flights on your preselected airline and receive a 35% rebate in points.
- Additional Redemption Options — Redeem points for statement credits, to shop at Amazon and select retailers, for gift cards, or prepaid hotels via Amex Travel.
Amex Corporate Platinum Card
- Certificates and Gift Cards — Purchase gift certificates or retail gift cards with Membership Rewards points earned on the card.
- American Express Gift Cards — Membership Rewards points may be used to purchase American Express gift cards online.
- Use Pay With Points — Use points to book select travel via Amex Travel or for purchases at Ticketmaster.
- Shop With Points — Link your Amex Corporate Platinum card to your Amazon account and use points for your purchases. You can also redeem points to shop with select retailers such as Best Buy, but shopping with points is generally a poor value.
- Statement Credit — Membership Rewards points are worth 0.5 cents each towards a statement credit. For example, you can redeem 20,000 points for a statement credit of $100.
For the Amex Business Platinum card, the primary cardholder has redemption privileges. For the Amex Corporate Platinum card, the company will designate administrators who are granted redemption privileges in the Corporate Membership Rewards Program. A company may also choose to allow individual cardholders to accumulate Membership Rewards and have redemption privileges.
Bottom Line: The Amex Business Platinum card offers more flexibility and additional options at redemption time than the Amex Corporate Platinum card.
Travel Benefits and Protections
Travel benefits, like relaxing at the Centurion Lounge in London, can make your journey more comfortable. Image Credit: Daniel RossTravel benefits can save you money while protections can provide peace of mind knowing your back is covered should something go wrong during your travels.
Here are some of the key travel benefits and protections you can expect to receive on both the Amex Business Platinum card and the Amex Corporate Platinum card:
- American Express Global Lounge Collection — Receive complimentary unlimited access to over 1,400 airport lounges worldwide:
- $189 CLEAR Credit — Pay for this expedited airport security membership with your card and receive up to $189 in statement credits.
- Up to $200 Airline Fee Credit — Log in to your online card account and select your preferred airline. Use your card to make your purchase and receive a statement credit.
- Global Entry or TSA PreCheck Credit — Pay the application or renewal fee with your card and receive reimbursement for up to $100 as a statement credit.
- Hilton Honors Gold Status — Sign in to your Amex card account online and register for this complimentary elite status benefit.
- Fine Hotels & Resorts Benefits — Amex Business Platinum card benefits include room upgrades when available, daily breakfast for 2, noon check-in when available, 4 p.m. checkout, complimentary Wi-Fi, and an onsite amenity/experience (minimum value of $100). The Amex Corporate Platinum card offers the same benefits, however, the onsite amenity/experience value is based on prior year bookings. A minimum of a 2-night stay is required to receive benefits with either card.
- International Airline Program — Receive discounts of up to 20% on international fares with select airlines when using Amex Travel’s International Airline Program.
- Premium Global Assist Hotline — Enjoy 24/7 assistance with emergency transportation arrangements, medical referrals, translation services, and more. Cardholders are responsible for the actual services received.
- Roadside Assistance — Receive up to 4 service calls each calendar year that include services such as tire changing, lockout service, jump-starting, limited towing, and fuel delivery.
Additional Travel Benefits and Protections — Amex Business Platinum Card
In addition to the list of shopping benefits and protections you’ll find on both cards, the Amex Business Platinum offers these additional features:
- No Foreign Transaction Fees — Unlike the Amex Corporate Platinum card which charges 2.5%, the Amex Business Platinum card does not charge foreign transaction fees (rates and fees).
- Points Rebate via Amex Travel — Business and first class flights purchased using Pay With Points on any airline via Amex Travel will receive a rebate of 35% of the points used. Any flights purchased with points via Amex Travel on your preselected airline using points will also receive the rebate.
- Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite Status — Receive complimentary Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status as long as you have the card. Registration is required.
- The Hotel Collection Benefits — Use your card to book a stay for a minimum of 2 nights and receive an upgraded room, when available, and a $100 experience credit to use onsite for dining, spa, and resort activities.
- Car Rental Program Benefits — Receive elite-style benefits such as discounted pricing, a grace period for returning your rental car, car upgrades, and more with Avis, Hertz, and National.
Bottom Line: While the Amex Corporate Platinum card comes with several travel benefits and protections, the Amex Business Platinum card offers additional benefits/protections such as no foreign transaction fees, a points rebate when booking flights via Amex Travel, and hotel/car rental benefits.
Shopping Benefits and Protections
Save money and receive coverage for eligible items purchased with your card. Image Credit: DellShopping benefits can save you money while protections can save the day if an eligible item you purchase with your card becomes damaged.
Here are the shopping benefits and protections you can expect on both the Amex Business Platinum card and the Amex Corporate Platinum card:
- Cell Phone Protection — Pay for your monthly eligible cell phone service with your card and receive coverage for theft or damage, up to $800 per claim. There is a limit of 2 claims per eligible card account each 12-month period and there is a $50 deductible applied to each claim.
Amex Business Platinum Card
The Amex Business Platinum card offers these additional shopping benefits/protections:
- Dell Statement Credit — Receive up to $400 in annual statement credits for qualifying purchases at Dell Technologies, a limit of $200 from January through June, and another $200 from July through December.
- Wireless Services Statement Credit — Pay for your monthly wireless phone service with your card and receive up to $10 per month, $120 each year, as a statement credit.
- Adobe Statement Credit — Receive up to $150 each year in statement credits for qualifying Adobe purchases.
- Indeed Statement Credit — Purchases made directly with Indeed can qualify for up to $90 in statement credits each quarter, for a total of $360 in credits each calendar year.
Bottom Line: The Amex Corporate Platinum does not list any shopping benefits or protections in its benefit descriptions other than cell phone protection.
Annual Fees and Authorized Users
The Amex Business Platinum card charges an annual fee of $695 while the Amex Corporate Platinum card charges $550.
Adding employee cards is a key component to managing the expenses your business makes. Both cards provide card management tools and make it easy to add employee authorized users.
Adding an additional user to the Amex Business Platinum card will cost $350 each year for every additional cardmember. You can add Amex Gold cardmembers for $45 each annually and there is no charge to add Amex Green cardmembers. You can add up to 99 additional card users.
Each Amex Corporate Green card issued to an employee has an annual fee of $75.
Hot Tip: Authorized users on the Amex Business Platinum card receive full unlimited access to the Amex Global Lounge Collection plus a Global Entry/TSA PreCheck fee reimbursement.
Final Thoughts
If your business has grown to the point where you’re considering a corporate card, you may want to first consider a premium business card. You’ll need to weigh the personal liability issue of a business credit card versus a corporate card, determine which has a better rewards program for your spending mix, and whether the management tools meet the expense activity of your business.
The Amex Business Platinum card may be a better choice over the Amex Corporate Platinum card depending on your business structure.
Finally, let’s clarify that not all of the benefits for both cards have been included in this article, only key ones. Benefit and protection descriptions have also been abbreviated so you’ll want to access each card’s Guide to Benefits for full descriptions and the terms/conditions. Additionally, for the Amex Corporate Platinum card, some features, benefits, and fees are not publicly accessible but are disclosed and applied during the application process.
The information regarding the Corporate Platinum Card® by American Express was independently collected Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.
For the Global Assistant Hotline benefit of The Business Platinum Card® from American Express, cardmembers can rely on Global Assist Hotline 24 hours a day / 7 days a week for medical, legal, financial or other select emergency coordination and assistance services while traveling more than 100 miles away from your home. Plus, we may provide emergency medical transportation assistance and related services. Third-party service costs may be your responsibility. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. If approved and coordinated by Premium Global Assist Hotline, emergency medical transportation assistance may be provided at no cost. In any other circumstance, Card Members may be responsible for the costs charged by third-party service providers.
For the Cell Phone Protection benefit of The Business Platinum Card® from American Express, coverage for a stolen or damaged eligible cellular wireless telephone is subject to the terms, conditions, exclusions and limits of liability of this benefit. The maximum liability is $800, per claim, per Eligible Card Account. Each claim is subject to a $50 deductible. Coverage is limited to two (2) claims per Eligible Card Account per 12 month period. Eligibility and benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.
For rates and fees of The Business Platinum Card® from American Express, click here.
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