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

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^® 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 value in the categories that matter most to travelers, but we’ll also consider the additional benefits that sweeten the deal.

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 an Amex 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 simplify expense organization, you’ll, of course, 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.

Overview

Note that some benefits of the Amex Business Platinum card require enrollment through your American Express account.

Current Welcome Bonus Comparison

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 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

ELEVATED 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 in's and out's 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!

Learn More(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

Earn 150,000 Membership Rewards^® points after you spend $20,000 in eligible purchases on the Card within the first 3 months of Card Membership.

150,000 points

UP's Bonus Valuation*:

$3,300

Annual Fee

$695

APR

18.74% - 27.74% 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 cardapplication.

Good to Excellent (670-850)

Why We Like This Card

The Business Platinum Card^® from American Express is a premium travel rewards card tailored toward business owners who are frequent travelers with a high number of annual expenses.

When you factor in the large number of perks that the card offers like the best airport lounge access at over 1,400 lounges, along with tons of annual credits, it’s easy to see why this card can is a top option for frequent traveling business owners.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• 5x Membership Rewards points per $1 on flights and prepaid hotels at Amex Travel
• Access to over 1,400 worldwide airport lounges as part of the American Express Global Lounge Collection
• Get 50% more Membership Rewards points (1.5 points per $1) on eligible purchases in key business categories, as well as on purchases of $5,000 or more (cap applies)

Cons

• High annual fee of $695 (rates & fees)
• Airline fee credit does not cover airfare, only incidentals like checked bags

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

• Welcome Offer: Earn 150,000 Membership Rewards^® points after you spend $20,000 in eligible purchases on the Card within the first 3 months of Card Membership.
• 5X Membership Rewards^® points on flights and prepaid hotels on AmexTravel.com, and 1X points for each dollar you spend on eligible purchases.
• Earn 1.5X points (that’s an extra half point per dollar) on each eligible purchase at US construction material, hardware suppliers, electronic goods retailers, and software & cloud system providers, and shipping providers, as well as on purchases of $5,000 or more, on up to $2 million per Card Account per calendar year. Purchases eligible for multiple additional point bonuses will only receive the highest eligible bonus.
• Unlock over $1,000 in statement credits on select purchases, including tech, recruiting and wireless in the first year of membership with the Business Platinum Card^®. Enrollment required. See how you can unlock over $1,000 annually in credits on select purchases with the Business Platinum Card^®, here.
• $200 Airline Fee Credit: Select one qualifying airline and then receive up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year when incidental fees are charged by the airline to the Card.
• $199 CLEAR^® Plus Credit: Use your card and get up to $199 in statement credits per calendar year on your CLEAR^® Plus Membership (subject to auto-renewal) when you use the Business Platinum Card^®.
• The American Express Global Lounge Collection^® can provide an escape at the airport. With complimentary access to more than 1,400 airport lounges across 140 countries and counting, you have more airport lounge options than any other credit card issuer on the market as of 03/2023.
• $695 Annual Fee.
• Terms Apply.

Financial Snapshot

• APR: 18.74% - 27.74% 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 of up to 250k points with the Amex Business Platinum card. The current public offer is 150,000 points. (This targeted offer was independently researched and may not be available to all applicants.)

Chase Sapphire Reserve Card

Chase Sapphire Reserve^®

U.P. Rating 

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's 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.

A top player in the high-end premium travel credit card space that earns 3x points on travel and dining while offering top luxury perks.

Learn More(at Chase's secure site)

Chase Sapphire Reserve^®

A top player in the high-end premium travel credit card space that earns 3x points on travel and dining while offering top luxury perks.

Welcome Offer

Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

60,000 points

UP's Bonus Valuation*:

$1,200

Annual Fee

$550

APR

21.99% - 28.99% 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 cardapplication.

Excellent (740-850)

Why We Like This Card

If you’re looking for an all-around excellent travel rewards card, the Chase Sapphire Reserve^® is one of the best options out there.

The card combines elite travel benefits and perks like airport lounge access, with excellent point earning and redemption options.  Plus it offers top-notch travel insurance protections to keep you covered whether you’re at home or on the road.

Don’t forget the $300 annual travel credit which really helps to reduce the annual fee!

Pros & Cons

Pros

• 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase TravelSM immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually
• 10x points on Lyft purchases through March 31, 2025
• 10x points on Peloton equipment and accessory purchases over $250 through March 31, 2025

Cons

• $550 annual fee
• Does not offer any sort of hotel elite status

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

• Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
• $300 Annual Travel Credit as reimbursement for travel purchases charged to your card each account anniversary year.
• Earn 5x total points on flights and 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Travel℠ immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually. Earn 3x points on other travel and dining & 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases
• Get 50% more value when you redeem your points for travel through Chase Travel℠. For example, 60,000 points are worth $900 toward travel.
• Get complimentary access to DashPass which unlocks $0 delivery fees and lower service fees for a minimum of one year when you activate by December 31, 2027.
• 1:1 point transfer to leading airline and hotel loyalty programs
• Access to 1,300+ airport lounges worldwide after an easy, one-time enrollment in Priority Pass™ Select and up to $100 application fee credit every four years for Global Entry, NEXUS, or TSA PreCheck^®
• Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Lost Luggage Insurance and more.
• Member FDIC

Financial Snapshot

• APR: 21.99% - 28.99% Variable
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Rewards Center

Chase Ultimate Rewards

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

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 the Chase transfer 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 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 determine which points are more valuable, as value is based on your redemption preference.

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

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

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.

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 Pay Yourself Back to redeem points for purchases in qualifying categories at 1.5 cents per point.

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

Comparing Statement Credits

Statement credits provide direct value by reimbursing you for specific purchases.

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. 

Air Travel Advantages

Worldwide Airport Lounge Access

You won’t find broader lounge access benefits than what comes on the Amex Business Platinum card and on the consumer version, The Platinum Card^® from American Express.

The Chase Sapphire Reserve card 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 1,400 lounge properties worldwide and includes the following networks:

• Centurion Lounges (U.S. and abroad)
• Delta Sky Club (when flying Delta same-day)
• Escape Lounges – The Centurion Studio Partner
• Select Lufthansa Lounges (when flying on a Lufthansa Group ticket the same day)
• Plaza Premium Lounges
• Priority Pass Select (upon enrollment)
• Select Virgin Clubhouses

Chase Sapphire Reserve Card

The Chase Sapphire Reserve card comes with a Priority Pass Select membership that includes access to over 1,400 properties worldwide.

Chase has launched Chase Sapphire Lounge by The Club, with 1 open in Hong Kong and several U.S. lounges opening over the next few years. Both Chase Sapphire Reserve cardholders and those with a Priority Pass membership will be able to access this lounge network.

The Chase Sapphire Reserve card also gives cardholders and 2 guests access to Chase Sapphire Terrace locations. Currently, there’s only 1 location, at Austin–Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) in Texas.

Bottom Line: Both of our featured cards come with worldwide lounge access. The Amex Business Platinum card has a more expansive lounge network that includes the exclusive Centurion Lounges and Delta Sky Club access. 

Card Specific 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 eligible round-trip 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.

Hotel Program Perks

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 upon enrollment
• American Express Fine Hotels and Resorts benefits including:
  • 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 including:
  • Local amenity unique to the property, such as dinner, spa, 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:
  • Personalized VIP welcome
  • Complimentary breakfast
• Ennismore hotels benefits that include:
  • $30 hotel credit per room per stay
  • 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, the Amex Business Platinum card edges out the Chase Sapphire Reserve card with complimentary Hilton Honors and Marriott Bonvoy Gold elite status.

Car Rental Privileges

Amex Business Platinum Card

• National Emerald Club Executive status
• Avis Preferred American Express Benefits
• Hertz Gold Plus Rewards President’s Circle status

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 and National.

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. 

Notable 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, emergency medical and dental insurance, premium roadside assistance, and travel accident insurance. 

Shopping Showdown – 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 calendar 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 year

Purchase Protection

• Amex Business Platinum Card — Purchase protection includes 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 calendar year
• Chase Sapphire Reserve Card — Purchase protection includes theft, damage, and accidental parting for 120 days from the date of purchase, up to $10,000 per claim, $50,000 per calendar year

Return Protection

• Amex Business Platinum Card — If the merchant will not accept a 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

Which Is Best For You – 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 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 Amex Business Platinum card offers more lucrative transfer airline partners than the Chase Sapphire Reserve card.
• 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 use.
• 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 and dental coverage, and $1,000,000 travel accident insurance, the slight edge goes to the Chase Sapphire Reserve card.
• 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. Also, we have not included every benefit offered on each card, only the 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 card may work for you.

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

*No Preset Spending Limit on an American Express card means your spending limit is flexible. Unlike a traditional card with a set limit, the amount you can spend adapts based on factors such as your purchase, payment, and credit history.

For the secondary rental car coverage benefit of 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.

For the baggage insurance benefit of The Business Platinum Card^® from American Express, Baggage Insurance Plan coverage can be in effect for Covered Persons for eligible lost, damaged, or stolen Baggage during their travel on a Common Carrier Vehicle (e.g. plane, train, ship, or bus) when the Entire Fare for a ticket for the trip (one-way or round-trip) is charged to an Eligible Card. Coverage can be provided for up to $2,000 for checked Baggage and up to a combined maximum of $3,000 for checked and carry-on Baggage, in excess of coverage provided by the Common Carrier. The coverage is also subject to a $3,000 aggregate limit per Covered Trip. For New York State residents, there is a $2,000 per bag/suitcase limit for each Covered Person with a $10,000 aggregate maximum for all Covered Persons per Covered Trip. 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.

For the premium global assist benefit of The Business Platinum Card^® from American Express, you 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 purchase protection benefit of The Business Platinum Card^® from American Express, Purchase Protection is an embedded benefit of your Card Membership and requires no enrollment. It can help protect Covered Purchases made on your Eligible Card when they’re accidentally damaged, stolen, or lost, for up to 90 days from the Covered Purchase date. The coverage is limited up to $10,000 per occurrence, up to $50,000 per Card Member account per calendar year. Coverage Limits 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.

For the extended warranty benefit of  The Business Platinum Card^® from American Express, when an American Express^® Card Member charges a Covered Purchase to an Eligible Card, Extended Warranty§ can provide up to one extra year added to the Original Manufacturer’s Warranty. Applies to warranties of five (5) years or less. Coverage is up to the actual amount charged to your Card for the item up to a maximum of $10,000; not to exceed $50,000 per Card Member account per calendar year. 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.

For the trip cancellation and interruption insurance benefit of The Business Platinum Card^® from American Express, the maximum benefit amount for Trip Cancellation and Interruption Insurance is $10,000 per Covered Trip and $20,000 per Eligible Card per 12 consecutive 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 the trip delay insurance benefit of The Business Platinum Card^® from American Express, up to $500 per Covered Trip that is delayed for more than 6 hours; and 2 claims per Eligible Card per 12 consecutive 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 the Return Protection benefit of The Business Platinum Card^® from American Express, you may return eligible purchases to American Express if the seller won’t take them back up to 90 days from the date of purchase. American Express may refund the full purchase price excluding shipping and handling, up to $300 per item, up to a maximum of $1,000 per calendar year per Card account, if you purchased it entirely with your eligible American Express^® Card. Purchases must be made in the U.S. or its territories. Eligibility and benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply.