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 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
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.)
Chase Sapphire Reserve Card
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
Redeeming points for premium travel experiences is a key benefit of having a travel rewards card. United Polaris Lounge Chicago. Image Credit: Chris HassanThe 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.
| Card | Earnings |
| Amex Business Platinum card | - 5x points on flights and prepaid hotels booked through Amex Travel
- 2x points on cruises purchased through 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.
- 1 point per dollar spent on all other purchases
- Terms apply
|
| Chase Sapphire Reserve card | - 10x points Chase dining, hotels, and car rental booked through the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal
- 10x points on Lyft rides (through March 2025)
- 5x points on airfare booked through the Chase travel portal
- 3x points on travel and dining worldwide
- 1x point per dollar spent on all other purchases
|
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.
| Redemption Options | Amex Business Platinum Card | Chase Sapphire Reserve Card |
| Redeem for travel | | |
| Transfer points to travel partners | | |
| Redeem for statement credits | - Redeem for statement credits at the rate of 0.6 cents per point
| - Redeem via Pay Yourself Back at 1.5 cents per point when you redeem them for statement credits against existing purchases in select, rotating categories
- Redeem points at 1 cent each for statement credit or cash
|
| Other redemption options | - Gift cards, Amazon, Uber, and with other shopping partners
| - Gift cards, Amazon, Apple, and Chase Experiences
|
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
Lounge access can make your travel more comfortable. The Centurion Lounge PHX. Image Credit: James LarounisYou 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:
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.
Chase is also launching its own lounges in the near future, and both Chase Sapphire Reserve cardholders and those with a Priority Pass membership will be able to access them.
Statement Credits
Statement credits provide direct economic benefit by reimbursing you for specific purchases.
Here are the statement credits you can expect to see on our featured cards:
| Card | Statement Credits |
| Amex Business Platinum card | |
| Chase Sapphire Reserve card | - $300 statement credit for travel purchases per card anniversary year
- Up to $100 for Global Entry, Nexus, or TSA PreCheck fee
- Complimentary DoorDash DashPass membership (Activate by 12/31/2024)
- $5 monthly DoorDash credit
- $15 monthly Instacart credit
|
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
Both of our featured cards come with plenty of hotel program benefits you can use. The Langley, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Buckinghamshire. Image Credit: MarriottHotel 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.
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
- Ennismore 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.
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
The travel insurance that comes with your credit card may provide coverage in case of an emergency while traveling. Image Credit: M Cisneros via ReshotWhile 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:
| Benefit/Protection | Amex Business Platinum Card | Chase Sapphire Reserve Card |
| Car rental insurance | Secondary coverage with the option to purchase Premium Protection for 1 low fee that covers the entire rental period | Primary car rental insurance |
| Trip cancellation and trip interruption | $10,000 per trip, $20,000 maximum per eligible card each 12-month period | $10,000 per trip, $20,000 per incident, $40,000 per 12-month period |
| Trip delay reimbursement | Up to $500 per trip, maximum 2 claims per 12-month period | Up to $500 per trip for delays over 6 hours or overnight |
| Baggage insurance | Up to $2,000 per checked bag, $3,000 per carry-on bag for lost, damaged, or stolen baggage; no coverage for delayed baggage | Up to $3,000 per person, per trip for lost, damaged, or stolen baggage, and up to $500 for baggage delayed over 6 hours |
| Roadside assistance | Premium coverage that includes 4 service calls per year at no cost | Covers up to 4 service calls each year for a maximum of $50 per event |
| Emergency evacuation | Included with no stated limit via Global Assist Hotline | $100,000 emergency evacuation |
| Medical/dental coverage | None | $2,500 emergency medical/dental and up to $75 per day, up to 5 days, for related accommodations |
| Travel assistance services | Premium Global Assist Hotline | Travel and Emergency Services Assistance |
| Travel accident insurance | Up to $500,000 | Up to $1,000,000 |
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 — 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 card
- 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 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
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 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.
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