Amex Business Platinum Card vs. Amex Platinum Card [Detailed Comparison]

Key Takeaways

• The Business Platinum Card^® from American Express earns 2x points in key U.S. business categories (up to $2 million per year) and 5x points on flights and prepaid hotels booked at AmexTravel.com. It also features travel benefits and business-focused credits.
• The Platinum Card^® from American Express earns 5x points on flights (up to $500,000 per year) and prepaid hotels booked through AmexTravel.com. It also has travel benefits and statement credits.
• Both cards offer unique benefits while sharing many valuable perks, making them top choices for a personal or business card.

Premium credit cards are what American Express does best. Whether it’s due to its rewards program, American Express Membership Rewards, or the remarkable perks you get from its cards, Amex has cemented itself as one of the top credit card leaders globally.

The Amex Platinum card has been a household name and customer favorite for decades; in fact, it is likely Amex’s most famous card. The business version of this card — the Amex Business Platinum card — offers some of the same perks and a few unique benefits. Unlike typical credit cards, these cards allow you to carry a balance for certain charges, but not all.

Here’s a comparison of these 2 juggernauts in the premium card realm. You’ll find in-depth information about the aspects that make each card unique to help you decide between the cards.

Overview

First, let’s compare the overall value of each card’s benefits side-by-side.

The Amex Platinum card is a consumer card while the Amex Business Platinum card is an Amex business card. As such, the Amex Platinum card simply requires an application, while you’ll need an established business to open the Amex Business Platinum card. We’ll discuss this in more detail later.

*Some of the benefits mentioned above require enrollment.

Welcome Offer Comparison

The welcome offer is just a single piece of the equation, albeit a large one. The welcome offer will inevitably contribute to a card’s long-term value, but it’s also crucial to pick the card that will best fit your needs beyond the first year.

Since both the Amex Platinum card and the Amex Business Platinum card earn the same type of points, the value of the welcome offer will depend on the number of points you get from the welcome offer. Our valuation of Amex Membership Rewards points is 2.2 cents each, so you can use that to assist you in calculating the value of a welcome offer.

Amex Platinum Card

BEST LOUNGE CARD

Terms Apply / Rates & Fees

Platinum Card^® from American Express

U.P. Rating 

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the ins and outs of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

The Amex Platinum card reigns supreme for luxury travel, offering the best airport lounge access plus generous statement credits, and elite status.

Apply Now(at Amex's secure site)

Apply With Confidence

Know if you're approved with no credit score impact

If you're approved and accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.

Platinum Card^® from American Express

The Amex Platinum card reigns supreme for luxury travel, offering the best airport lounge access plus generous statement credits, and elite status.

Welcome Offer

You may be eligible for as high as 175,000 Membership Rewards^® points after you spend $12,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary, and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount — all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.

As High as 175,000 Points. Find Out Your Offer.

UP's Offer Valuation*:

Up to $3,850

Annual Fee

$895

APR

See Pay Over Time APR

Credit Recommended

Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO^® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.

Good to Excellent

Why We Like This Card

When it comes to cards that offer top-notch benefits, the Platinum Card^® from American Express is a top choice.

The card offers premium perks like best-in-class airport lounge access, hotel elite status, and several annual card credits. The Amex Platinum card is easily worth the annual fee for frequent travelers who use the lounges and travel credits, and hard to justify for those who won’t.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• The best airport lounge access out of any card (by far): Get access to over 1,550 worldwide lounges, including Amex Centurion Lounges, Priority Pass lounges (enrollment required), Plaza Premium Lounges, and many more!
• 5 points per $1 spent on flights purchased directly with the airline or with AmexTravel.com (up to $500,000 per year)
• 5 points per $1 spent on prepaid hotels booked with AmexTravel.com

Cons

• $895 annual fee (rates & fees)
• Airline credit does not cover airfare (only incidentals like checked bags).

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

• You may be eligible for as high as 175,000 Membership Rewards^® points after you spend $12,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
• Get more for your travels with 5X Membership Rewards^® points on all flights and prepaid hotel bookings through American Express Travel^®, including Fine Hotels + Resorts^® and The Hotel Collection bookings. You earn 5X points on flights purchased directly from airlines or through American Express Travel^® on up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year.
• With over 1,550 airport lounges - more than any other credit card company on the market* - enjoy the benefits of the Global Lounge Collection, over $850 of annual value, with access to Centurion Lounges, 10 Delta Sky Club visits (subject to visit limitations) when flying on an eligible Delta flight, Priority Pass™ membership (enrollment required), and other select partner lounges. *As of 01/2026
• $200 Uber Cash + $120 Uber One Credit: With the Platinum Card^® you can receive $15 in Uber Cash each month plus a bonus $20 in December when you add your Platinum Card^® to your Uber account to use on rides and orders in the U.S when you select an Amex Card for your transaction. Plus, when you use the Platinum Card^® to pay for an auto-renewing Uber One membership, you can get up to $120 in statement credits each calendar year. Terms apply.
• $300 Digital Entertainment Credit: Experience the latest shows, news and recipes. Get up to $25 in statement credits each month when you use your Platinum Card^® for eligible purchases on Disney+, a Disney+ bundle, ESPN streaming services, Hulu, The New York Times, Paramount+, Peacock, The Wall Street Journal, YouTube Premium, and YouTube TV when you purchase directly from one or more of the providers. Enrollment required.
• $600 Hotel Credit: Get up to $300 in statement credits semi-annually on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts^® or The Hotel Collection* bookings through American Express Travel^® using the Platinum Card^®. *The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay.
• $400 Resy Credit + Platinum Nights™ by Resy: Get up to $100 in statement credits each quarter when you use the Platinum Card^® to pay for eligible purchases with Resy, including dining purchases at over 10,000 qualifying U.S. Resy restaurants. Enrollment required. As a Platinum Card^® Member you have special access to reservations on select nights at participating sought after Resy restaurants in select cities through Platinum Nights™ by Resy. Simply add your Platinum Card^® to your Resy profile to book your reservation.
• $219 CLEAR+ Credit: CLEAR+ helps get you to your gate faster by using your face to verify you are you at 55+ airports nationwide. You can cover the cost of a CLEAR+ Membership* with up to $219 in statement credits per calendar year after you pay for CLEAR+ with your Platinum Card^®. *Excluding any applicable taxes and fees. Subject to auto-renewal.
• $200 Airline Fee Credit: Select one qualifying airline and then receive up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year when incidental fees, such as checked bags and in-flight refreshments, are charged by the airline to the Platinum Card^® Account. American Express relies on airlines to submit the correct information on airline transactions to identify incidental fee purchases. If you do not see a credit for a qualifying incidental purchase on your eligible Card after 8 weeks, simply call the number on the back of your Card. Qualifying airlines are subject to change. See terms & conditions for more details.
• Start your vacation sooner and keep it going longer. When you book Fine Hotels + Resorts^® through American Express Travel^®, enjoy noon check-in, when available, and guaranteed 4pm late check-out.
• $300 lululemon Credit: Enjoy up to $75 in statement credits each quarter when you use the Platinum Card^® for eligible purchases at U.S. lululemon retail stores (excluding outlets) and lululemon.com. That’s up to $300 in statement credits each calendar year. Enrollment required.
• $155 Walmart+ Credit: Get up to a $12.95* statement credit back each month after you pay for a monthly Walmart+ membership (subject to auto-renewal) with your Platinum Card^®. *Up to $12.95 plus applicable taxes on one membership fee.
• Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
• $895 annual fee.
• Terms Apply.

Financial Snapshot

• APR: See Pay Over Time APR
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Rewards Center

American Express Membership Rewards

Hot Tip: Apply and find out if you’re eligible for a welcome bonus offer of as high as 175,000 points with the Amex Platinum. Welcome offers may vary, and you may not be eligible for an offer.

Amex Business Platinum Card

NEW OFFER

Terms Apply / Rates & Fees

The Business Platinum Card^® from American Express

U.P. Rating 

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the ins and outs of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

This card is ideal for business travelers who enjoy luxury travel and are looking for a card loaded with benefits!

Apply Now(at Amex's secure site)

The Business Platinum Card^® from American Express

This card is ideal for business travelers who enjoy luxury travel and are looking for a card loaded with benefits!

Welcome Offer

As High As 300,000 points. Find Out Your Offer. You may be eligible for as high as 300,000 Membership Rewards^® Points after spending $20,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 3 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.

As High As 300,000 Points. Find Out Your Offer.

UP's Offer Valuation*:

Up to $6,600

Annual Fee

$895

APR

17.74% - 28.49% Variable

Credit Recommended

Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO^® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.

Good to Excellent

Why We Like This Card

The Amex Business Platinum Card is a premium travel rewards card tailored for business owners who are frequent travelers with high annual expenses.

When you factor in the large number of perks that the card offers, like the best airport lounge access at over 1,550 lounges and numerous annual credits, it’s easy to see why this card is a top option for frequent traveling business owners.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Earn 5x Membership Rewards points per $1 on eligible travel purchases like flights, prepaid hotels, and prepaid short-term rentals booked through AmexTravel.com
• Access to over 1,550 worldwide airport lounges as part of the American Express Global Lounge Collection
• Earn 2x Membership Rewards points on eligible purchases in key business categories, as well as on purchases of $5,000 or more (on up to $2 million per calendar year)

Cons

• High annual fee of $895 (rates & fees)
• Airline fee credit does not cover airfare, only incidentals like checked bags

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

• As High As 300,000 points. Find Out Your Offer. You may be eligible for as high as 300,000 Membership Rewards^® Points after spending $20,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 3 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Learn more.
• The American Express Global Lounge Collection^® can provide an escape at the airport. With complimentary access to more than 1,550 airport lounges across 140 countries and counting, you have more airport lounge options than any other credit card company on the market as of 01/2026.
• See how you can unlock over $4,000 in business and travel value annually after meeting qualifying spend thresholds on the Business Platinum Card. Terms apply.
• Get up to $300 in statement credits semi-annually for up to a total of $600 in statement credits per calendar year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts^® or The Hotel Collection bookings through American Express Travel using the Business Platinum Card^®. The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay.
• No Preset Spending Limit: The spending limit on the Business Platinum Card is flexible, so unlike a traditional credit card with a set limit, the amount you can spend adapts based on factors such as your purchase, payment and credit history.
• Make the Business Platinum Card^® work even harder for you. Hilton for Business members get up to $200 back per calendar year when you make an eligible purchase at Hilton properties across the globe. Gift cards are not an eligible purchase. Benefit enrollment required.
• Fly like a pro with a $200 Airline Fee Credit. Select one qualifying airline to receive up to $200 back per year on baggage fees and other incidentals.
• Use the Business Platinum Card and get up to $219 back per calendar year on your CLEAR+ Membership (subject to auto-renewal).
• Maximize your time away with Fine Hotels + Resorts through Amex Travel™.
• Enroll and get up to $150 in statement credits on U.S purchases directly with Dell Technologies on the Business Platinum Card and an additional $1,000 statement credit after you spend $5,000 or more on that same Card per calendar year.
• Enroll and get up to $300 in statement credits per calendar year on U.S. purchases of ChatGPT Business* on the Business Platinum Card. *Subject to auto-renewal.
• Enroll and get a $250 statement credit after you spend $600 or more on U.S. purchases directly with Adobe per calendar year on the Business Platinum Card.
• Get up to $90 in statement credits quarterly for purchases with Indeed on the Business Platinum Card. That’s up to $360 back per year. Enrollment required.
• Get up to $10 in statement credits per month for wireless telephone service purchases made directly with a wireless provider in the U.S. on the Business Platinum Card. That’s up to $120 back per year. Enrollment required.
• 2X points on purchases at U.S. construction material & hardware suppliers, electronic goods retailers and software & cloud system providers, and shipping providers, as well as on each eligible purchase of $5,000 or more, up to $2 million of these purchases per calendar year. Purchases eligible for multiple additional point bonuses will only receive the highest eligible bonus.
• 5X points on flights and prepaid hotels on AmexTravel.com
• 1X points on other eligible purchases
• Terms Apply.

Financial Snapshot

• APR: 17.74% - 28.49% Variable
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Rewards Center

American Express Membership Rewards

Hot Tip: Check to see if you’re eligible for a welcome bonus offer as high as 300,000 points with the Amex Business Platinum card. Find out your offer. Terms Apply.

Earning Potential

Bonus Spending Categories

When spending with the Amex Platinum card and Amex Business Platinum card, you’ll find that the earning power of the 2 cards is slightly different:

• Amex Platinum card: 5x points on flights booked directly through the airline and AmexTravel.com, up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year; 5x points on prepaid hotels booked through AmexTravel.com
• Amex Business Platinum card: 5x points on flights and prepaid hotels booked at AmexTravel.com

However, the Amex Business Platinum card earns 2x on eligible purchases in key U.S. business categories and on purchases of $5,000 or more everywhere else (up to $2 million in purchases per calendar year).

These key business categories include eligible purchases at:

• U.S. construction material and hardware suppliers
• U.S. electronic goods retailers
• U.S. software and cloud system providers
• U.S. shipping providers

Bottom Line: The Amex Platinum card earns points more flexibly than the Amex Business Platinum card due to the addition of 5x points on flights booked directly through airlines. 

Redeeming Options

There are tons of great ways to redeem Membership Rewards points, utilizing one of Amex’s transfer partners to ensure great value for your redemption. The numerous airline and hotel partners make redeeming Amex Membership Rewards points easy. Plus, they offer attractive transfer ratios from time to time and other ways to spend your points.

Furthermore, if you hold the Amex Business Platinum card, you can get a 35% points rebate when using Membership Rewards to pay with points for flights booked through AmexTravel.com on your airline of choice, up to 1,000,000 points back per calendar year.

The other redemption options include statement credits, gift cards, Amazon, Uber, Ticketmaster, and shopping partners. Unfortunately, the value of these points is limited, typically less than 1 cent per point.

Bottom Line:

Although there are many ways to use your Amex points, redeeming Amex Membership Rewards points by transferring them to travel partners for international first or business class flights will almost always yield the biggest return.

Statement Credits

One of the best ways to offset a hefty annual fee, like those on the Amex Platinum or the Amex Business Platinum card, is to take advantage of various statement credits over the course of a calendar year.

Let’s start with the benefits that both cards offer.

$200 Airline Fee Credit

Both cards offer an airline fee credit of up to $200 each calendar year that can be used for incidental fees such as checked bags and inflight purchases.

Remember that per Amex’s terms and conditions, “airline tickets, mileage points purchases or mileage points transfer fees, gift cards, upgrades, duty-free purchases, or award tickets” are not considered incidental fees.

This fee credit requires enrollment, and you must select your airline before usage. Furthermore, you can only change your airline choice once per year in January.

TSA PreCheck or Global Entry Application Fee Credit

When you hold either the Amex Platinum card or the Amex Business Platinum card, you will receive a statement credit for the application fee of either:

• TSA PreCheck ($85) every 4.5 years
• Global Entry (up to $120) every 4 years

It is recommended that you apply for Global Entry, as this includes TSA PreCheck. Global Entry allows you to clear immigration upon arrival in the U.S. much quicker than usual. You won’t need to wait in processing lines and fill out mountains of paperwork every time you return to the U.S.

Hot Tip: For more options, check out our detailed post about the best credit cards for complimentary TSA PreCheck and Global Entry.

Annual CLEAR+ Credit

Those who hold either the Amex Platinum card or the Amex Business Platinum card can receive an annual credit of up to $219 on a CLEAR+ membership.

Up to $600 Prepaid Hotel Credit

Both the Amex Platinum card and the Amex Business Platinum card come with a $600 hotel credit for Amex Fine Hotels + Resorts (1 night minimum) or The Hotel Collection (2 night minimum) properties booked through AmexTravel.com. You’ll get up to $300 back from January to June and up to $300 back from July to December.

Amex Platinum Card

Up to $300 lululemon Credit

Every quarter (January to March, April to June, July to September, and October to November), you’ll get up to $75 in statement credits for lululemon.

Up to $200 Yearly Uber Cash

Another benefit of the Amex Platinum card is the yearly $200 in Uber Cash. Every month from January to November, you’ll receive $15 in Uber Cash for U.S. rides plus a bonus of $20 ($35 total) in December for a total of up to $200 in annual Uber savings.

One of the best ways to use Uber Cash is on Uber Eats, so be sure to take advantage of that, too. That’s essentially a free meal every month and 2 meals in December.

Up to $300 Annual Equinox Credit

Amex Platinum cardholders will receive a $300 annual credit for an Equinox membership.

Up to $300 Digital Entertainment Credit

Amex Platinum cardholders can enjoy up to $25 statement credit each month towards select streaming services. Note, like other benefits, enrollment is required for this benefit.

Up to $155 Annual Walmart+ Credit

A Walmart+ membership includes benefits such as free shipping and discounted gas prices. Those who’ve got the Amex Platinum card will get up to a $12.95 monthly credit towards the membership.

Even better, Walmart+ now includes a free subscription to Paramount+ Essential (separate registration required) at no extra cost, so this Amex Platinum card perk is even more valuable than before.

Up to $200 Oura Ring Credit

Get up to $200 back in a statement credit for purchasing an Oura Ring. The credit applies to the Oura Ring product only, not to a subscription.

Up to $400 Resy Credit

When you use your Amex Platinum card at a Resy restaurant, you’ll be eligible for a statement credit of up to $100 each quarter.

Amex Business Platinum Card

Up to $1,150 Yearly Dell Credit

Amex Business Platinum cardholders receive up to $150 in statement credits annually for U.S. Dell purchases. There’s an opportunity to earn an additional $1,000 in statement credits by spending $5,000 or more at Dell within a year. Terms apply, and enrollment is required.

To qualify for the credit, purchases must be made “directly with Dell or at dell.com in the U.S. and U.S. territories,” and items must be shipped to the U.S.

The official terms and conditions state that statement credits take 2 to 4 weeks to post.

Up to $200 Hilton Statement Credit

Once you enroll, you’ll receive up to $200 in Hilton statement credits per calendar year — up to $50 per quarter. Purchases must be made directly with a property in the Hilton portfolio on your Amex Business Platinum card, and a Hilton for Business membership is required.

$250 Adobe Credit

Amex Business Platinum cardholders will receive a $250 yearly credit after spending $600 or more for U.S. purchases directly with Adobe per calendar year. Enrollment required.

Up to $360 Indeed Credit

If you have the Amex Business Platinum card, you can also receive up to $360 Indeed credit, which is up to $90 per quarter. This credit can be used to grow your team and business.

Up to $120 Wireless Credit

You can get up to $10 back every month in the form of a wireless telephone service credit, so go ahead and put your phone bills on your Amex Business Platinum card.

Up to $300 ChatGPT Business Credit

Enroll and use your card for purchases in the U.S. of ChatGPT Business and get up to $300 back in statement credits each calendar year. (ChatGPT Business plans are subject to auto-renewal.)

AmexTravel.com Flight Statement Credit

After spending $250,000 in a calendar year, Amex Business Platinum cardholders will receive up to $1,200 in statement credits for flights booked online through AmexTravel.com the following calendar year.

American Express One AP Statement Credit

After spending at least $250,000 in a calendar year, you’ll get up to $2,400 in statement credits for Amex One AP monthly purchases the following calendar year.

Air Travel Advantages

Perhaps the single most valuable benefit of these 2 cards is the airport lounge access. If you hold either of the cards, you can access over 1,550 lounges:

• Centurion Lounges (both in the U.S. and abroad)
• 10 visits to Delta Sky Clubs (when flying Delta) with the ability to unlock unlimited visits through spend
• Escape Lounges – The Centurion Studio Partner
• Select Lufthansa Lounges (when flying Lufthansa same-day)
• Plaza Premium Lounges
• Priority Pass™ Lounges, upon enrollment (Priority Pass memberships from U.S.-issued American Express cards no longer include restaurants/”non-lounge airport experiences”)
• Select Virgin Clubhouses

The Amex Platinum card and the Amex Business Platinum card arguably have the best lounge access of any credit card. With access to the Centurion Lounge, you can expect to enjoy a hot food buffet, shower suites, premium alcohol, and utmost luxury that rivals most business class lounges in the world.

Hotel Program Privileges

Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite Status

With both the Amex Platinum card and the Amex Business Platinum card, upon enrollment, you will enjoy elevated elite status without meeting any stay requirements. Specifically, you’ll receive Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status.

Among other perks, you’ll receive the following at Marriott properties:

• All Silver benefits
  • Dedicated elite reservation line
  • Ultimate reservation guarantee
  • Free Wi-Fi
  • Exclusive member rates
• 25% bonus points on stays
• Enhanced room upgrades
• Priority 2 p.m. late checkout
• Complimentary enhanced in-room internet access

Hot Tip: Sound interesting? Explore more information about the Marriott Bonvoy loyalty program.

Hilton Honors Gold Status

Hilton Honors Gold status is arguably the best mid-tier status in hotel loyalty. The Amex Platinum card and Amex Business Platinum card both provide complimentary Hilton Honors Gold status just by holding the card and enrolling in the benefit.

Here’s what to expect from Hilton Honors Gold status:

• All Silver benefits
  • Guaranteed member discounts
  • No resort fees on reward stays
  • Digital key/check-in and choose your room
  • Standard in-room and lobby Wi-Fi
  • Second guest stays free
  • Late checkout
  • Free transfer of points and points pooling
  • Fifth standard reward night free
  • 2 bottles of water
  • Elite tier rollover nights
• Space-available room upgrades
• Complimentary breakfast at all hotels
• Unlimited milestone bonuses
• 80% bonus points towards a free night

The Amex Business Platinum card also offers up to $200 in Hilton statement credits per year — up to $50 per quarter. Enrollment is required.

Leading Hotels of the World Sterling Status

Cardholders can enroll in Sterling status with Leading Hotels of the World which comes with benefits like free continental breakfast for 2, early check-in and late checkout considerations, and 5 prearrival upgrades.

The Fine Hotels + Resorts Program

American Express has partnerships with various hotels, and many of these hotels collectively comprise the Fine Hotels + Resorts program, which is unique to Amex.

The reason why this is a huge benefit for Amex Platinum card or Amex Business Platinum cardholders is that you’ll receive complimentary benefits when booking through Fine Hotels + Resorts, such as:

• Room upgrade upon arrival (subject to availability)
• Daily breakfast for 2
• Guaranteed 4 p.m. late checkout
• Noon check-in (subject to availability)
• Complimentary Wi-Fi
• Unique property amenity valued at $100 (i.e. food and beverage credit, one-way private sedan transfer, or spa credit)

Often, the Fine Hotels + Resorts rate is just as competitive as the cheapest publicly available rate, so you might be able to enjoy all of these benefits at an amazing price. With this awesome benefit, you’ll find yourself traveling luxuriously in no time just by holding the Amex Platinum card or Amex Business Platinum card.

The Hotel Collection

American Express has yet another group of partner hotels, The Hotel Collection, which is a tier below the Fine Hotels + Resorts.

With stays booked within The Hotel Collection of at least 2 nights, you will receive benefits like:

• A space-available room upgrade at check-in
• $100 credit for qualifying dining, spa, and resort activities

In addition to the Amex Platinum card and the Amex Business Platinum card, you can unlock The Hotel Collection by holding the American Express^® Gold Card, American Express^® Business Gold Card, or Centurion^® Card from American Express.

Remember that you must pay for your reservations with your American Express card, and the cardholder must be traveling on the booked itinerary to receive benefits.

Hot Tip: For more information, check out our in-depth guide on comparing Amex’s The Hotel Collection and Fine Hotels + Resorts.

Car Rental Program Perks

In addition to hotel elite status, having either the Amex Platinum card or Amex Business Platinum card will give you complimentary elite status and benefits as follows:

• Avis Preferred Plus Status
  • Special codes that upgrade or discount rentals
  • Skip the line, which allows you to go straight to your car
  • Bonus Avis Preferred points with each rental
• Hertz President’s Club Status
  • Special discounted rates at select locations
  • 4-hour grace period on U.S. rentals before an extra day is charged
  • 10% bonus on Hertz Gold Plus Rewards
  • A complimentary 1-car class upgrade
• National Emerald Club Executive Status 
  • Bypass the counter
  • Guaranteed upgrades
  • No second-driver fee
  • Reward choices and 1 free rental day after 7 rental credits
  • E-receipts
  • Choose full-size cars from the Executive area at the mid-sized reserved rate

Cruise Benefits

Cardholders of either card receive cruise benefits if they book trips of at least 5 nights via AmexTravel.com or an eligible provider and pay with their card.

You can receive a $100 to $300 credit as follows:

• $300 credit for all staterooms on AmaWaterways, Azamara, Crystal, Oceania, Regent, Seabourn, Silversea, Uniworld, and Windstar
• $300 credit for all Queen Victoria/Queen Elizabeth oceanview staterooms category FA or higher and all Queen Mary oceanview staterooms category EF or higher on Cunard
• $100 credit for inside/outside staterooms, $200 credit for balcony, verandah, and mini-suite staterooms, and $300 credit for suites on Celebrity Cruises, Holland America, Norwegian Cruise Line, Princess Cruises, and Royal Caribbean International

These credits mandate double occupancy and may not be available to cardholders from outside the U.S.

Hot Tip: You’ll also earn 2x points on cruises booked at AmexTravel.com. You can only earn 2x points if the entire cruise is paid for through AmexTravel.com.

Travel Insurance Comparison

There are a variety of travel benefits that come complimentary with both cards:

• Secondary rental car coverage can cover fees and charges that primary rental car coverage doesn’t.
• You have the ability to purchase primary rental car coverage to cover damages due to theft, collision, and more. 
• Baggage insurance will reimburse you for lost luggage in transit, subject to exclusions and rules.
• Premium Global Assist provides you with travel logistics support, such as lost passport replacement assistance, translation services, missing luggage assistance, emergency legal and medical referrals, and more.
• Purchase protection protects against damaged or stolen purchases for 90 days.
• Extended warranty prolongs the normal warranty in addition to the standard warranty on new items by 1 year.
• Trip cancellation and interruption insurance provide you with reimbursement of non-refundable travel expenses of up to $10,000 per trip with a maximum of $20,000 per eligible account for each consecutive 12-month period; you must book a round-trip flight entirely with your card and the flight should be canceled for a “covered reason,” including sudden illness/injury to you or an eligible traveler, call to jury, terrorist action, or inclement weather.
• Trip delay insurance provides you with reimbursement of unexpected expenses such as meals, lodging, and personal-use items up to $500 per trip if your trip is delayed by more than 6 hours due to a covered reason; this insurance also covers you if you purchase round-trip flights entirely with your card, pay for award ticket taxes and fees, or use Pay With Points for your ticket.

Platinum Card Concierge

Amex’s Platinum Card Concierge is a hugely valuable perk. From sold-out concert tickets to Michelin-starred dining, you’ll want to have the Platinum Card Concierge on your side to make reservations and bookings.

For example, visiting Japan is a must. However, sampling Michelin-starred food in Japan can be difficult. Since many restaurants do not take reservations directly from travelers, you can dispatch the Platinum Card Concierge to help.

These professionals are located worldwide and can handle the toughest requests. Remember, however, that these requests aren’t guaranteed, but the success rate is phenomenal.

Also, if you are in the market for holding work/corporate events, you can leverage the expertise of the Platinum Card Concierge to coordinate your team bonding activities.

Fees and Additional Users

No Foreign Transaction Fees

You will not be charged any foreign transaction fees for international purchases. For the Amex Platinum card, see rates & fees; for the Amex Business Platinum card, see rates & fees.

Adding Additional Users

With the Amex Platinum card, you can add authorized users for $195 per Additional Platinum card. The card allow offers the ability to add Companion cards for $0 (rates & fees).

The Amex Business Platinum card charges $400 per Employee Card or $0 per Expense Card (rates & fees).

Bottom Line: Overall, the Amex Platinum card offers a more affordable way to add additional cardholders than the Amex Business Platinum card. 

FX International Payments Fee Waiver

If approved by American Express, certain businesses are eligible to receive transaction fee waivers for payments using foreign currency wire transfers. These businesses must have an Amex Business Platinum card, and there may be minimum transaction sizes for certain currencies.

Final Thoughts

There is a lot to love about the Amex Platinum card and the Amex Business Platinum card. Each card possesses unique benefits, and both cards also share many perks. If you are looking for a personal or business card that offers a laundry list of useful, value-adding perks, look no further than these 2 cards.

For the secondary rental car coverage benefit of the Platinum Card^® from American Express and The Business Platinum Card^® from American Express, Car Rental Loss and Damage Insurance can provide coverage up to $75,000 for theft of or damage to most rental vehicles when you use your eligible Card to reserve and pay for the entire eligible vehicle rental and decline the collision damage waiver or similar option offered by the Commercial Car Rental Company. This product provides secondary coverage and does not include liability coverage. Not all vehicle types or rentals are covered. Geographic restrictions apply. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company. Car Rental Loss or Damage Coverage is offered through American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc.