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The 4 Best Cards To Pair With the Amex Platinum Card [2024]

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The 4 Best Cards To Pair With the Amex Platinum Card [2024]

Table of Contents

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When it comes to luxury, ultra-premium credit cards, no card stands out like The Platinum Card® from American Express. If you travel frequently and want to do it in style, the Amex Platinum card may be worth carrying in your wallet.

The Amex Platinum card comes with a fantastic welcome offer, great bonuses on travel purchases, and offers some of the best purchase and travel protections of any card in the market. The Amex Platinum card also earns American Express Membership Rewards points, which we consider to be among the most valuable points currencies available.

However, with all the premium benefits comes an exorbitant annual fee of $695 (rates & fees). While that may be hard to stomach for many, the card does come with numerous statement credits that help offset the hefty annual fee.

Let’s take a look at the many benefits and occasional drawbacks of the Amex Platinum card and some of the best cards to pair with it to maximize your rewards.

Amex Platinum Card Snapshot

BEST LOUNGE ACCESS
The Platinum Card® from American ExpressTerms Apply / Rates & Fees
The 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.

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

Learn More(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.

The Platinum Card® from American Express
The Amex Platinum reigns supreme for luxury travel, offering the best airport lounge access plus generous statement credits, and complimentary elite status.
Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 on eligible purchases on the Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.
80,000 points
$1,760
$695
See Pay Over Time APR
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)

When it comes to cards that offer top-notch benefits, you’d be hard-pressed to find a better card out there than The Platinum Card® from American Express.

Make no mistake — the Amex Platinum card is a premium card with a premium price tag. With amazing benefits like best-in-class airport lounge access, hotel elite status, and tremendous value in annual statement credits, it can easily prove to be one of the most lucrative cards in your wallet year after year.

Pros
  • The best airport lounge access out of any card (by far) — enjoy access to over 1,400 worldwide lounges, including the luxurious Amex Centurion Lounges, Priority Pass lounges, Plaza Premium Lounges, and many more!
  • 5x points per dollar spent on flights purchased directly with the airline or with AmexTravel.com (up to $500,000 per year)
  • 5x points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels booked with AmexTravel.com
Cons
  • $695 annual fee (rates and fees)
  • Airline credit does not cover airfare (only incidentals like checked bags)
Read Full Review
  • Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 on eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Apply and select your preferred metal Card design: classic Platinum, Platinum x Kehinde Wiley, or Platinum x Julie Mehretu.
  • Earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year and earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel.
  • $200 Hotel Credit: Get up to $200 back in statement credits each year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection bookings with American Express Travel when you pay with your Platinum Card®. The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay.
  • $240 Digital Entertainment Credit: Get up to $20 back in statement credits each month on eligible purchases made with your Platinum Card® on one or more of the following: Disney+, a Disney Bundle, ESPN+, Hulu, The New York Times, Peacock, and The Wall Street Journal. Enrollment required.
  • 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.
  • $155 Walmart+ Credit: Save on eligible delivery fees, shipping, and more with a Walmart+ membership. Use your Platinum Card® to pay for a monthly Walmart+ membership and get up to $12.95 plus applicable taxes back on one membership (excluding Plus Ups) each month.
  • $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 your Platinum Card®.
  • $200 Uber Cash: Enjoy Uber VIP status and up to $200 in Uber savings on rides or eats orders in the US annually. Uber Cash and Uber VIP status is available to Basic Card Member only. Terms Apply.
  • $189 CLEAR® Plus Credit: CLEAR® Plus helps to get you to your gate faster at 50+ airports nationwide and get up to $189 back per calendar year on your Membership (subject to auto-renewal) when you use your Card. CLEARLanes are available at 100+ airports, stadiums, and entertainment venues.
  • Receive either a $100 statement credit every 4 years for a Global Entry application fee or a statement credit up to $85 every 4.5 year period for TSA PreCheck® application fee for a 5-year plan only (through a TSA PreCheck® official enrollment provider), when charged to your Platinum Card®. Card Members approved for Global Entry will also receive access to TSA PreCheck at no additional cost.
  • Shop Saks with Platinum: Get up to $100 in statement credits annually for purchases in Saks Fifth Avenue stores or at saks.com on your Platinum Card®. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
  • Unlock access to exclusive reservations and special dining experiences with Global Dining Access by Resy when you add your Platinum Card® to your Resy profile.
  • $695 annual fee.
  • Terms Apply.
Financial Snapshot
  • APR: See Pay Over Time APR
  • Foreign Transaction Fees: None
Rewards Center

American Express Membership Rewards

Benefits of the Amex Platinum card

Once considered the premium travel card, The Amex Platinum card offers tons of top-notch benefits and lifestyle perks that its competitors don’t. Although the card has undergone significant changes over the years, it is still considered one of the best travel cards available.

As for earning rewards, the Amex Platinum card earns 5x Membership Rewards points for flights booked directly with airlines or with AmexTravel.com — up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year (then 1x). If you purchase a lot of airfare, it may be worth carrying the Amex Platinum card for that reason alone. It also earns 5x Membership Rewards points on prepaid hotels booked with AmexTravel.com.

For those looking for exclusive experiences when traveling, the Amex Platinum card has the most comprehensive airport lounge access out of any card and also offers hotel and rental car elite status (upon enrollment).

Lastly, the Amex Platinum card also includes purchase protection, return protection, and extended warranty, along with car rental loss and damage insurance and trip cancellation and interruption insurance.

All these benefits of the Amex Platinum card come at a cost: that substantial annual fee. However, to help offset the annual fee, the Amex Platinum card comes with plenty of credits (with enrollment), including credits for prepaid hotels, digital entertainment, Walmart+, airline fees, Uber Cash, Equinox, CLEAR Plus, Global Entry or TSA PreCheck, and Saks Fifth Avenue.

Bottom Line:

The Amex Platinum card offers a ton of value despite an incredibly high annual fee. If you can take advantage of the various statement credits, the Amex Platinum card is worth having in your wallet.

Where the Amex Platinum Card Is Weakest

When it comes to credit cards, no one card has everything to offer and that includes the Amex Platinum card. Although the Amex Platinum card offers a ton of value, the card is not all that great for everyday spending.

The Amex Platinum card severely lacks bonus categories. The card earns a low 1x points on many everyday spending categories, including restaurants, supermarkets, and gas.

If you spend a lot on airfare, it may be worth having the Amex Platinum card in your wallet. However, if airfare is not where you spend the most money, the card becomes a lot less useful, as it earns 1x on nearly everything else.

This is reason enough to carry another card in your wallet.

The 3 Best Personal Cards To Pair With the Amex Platinum Card

Amex Gold Amex Platinum Card Upgraded Points LLC Large
Image Credit: Upgraded Points

When it comes to pairing credit cards, you want to maximize the rewards you earn. This is best done by having a credit card that has higher rewards earning potential for specific categories. When you know what your largest spending categories are, it becomes quite easier to determine which cards to pair.

Let’s say you spend a lot on airfare and going out to eat with your friends and family. Many cards may offer higher earnings potential for one of those categories but not for the other. When it comes to this situation, carrying 2 different credit cards can help you maximize your spending.

Now that we’ve covered the numerous benefits of the Amex Platinum card and where the card is weakest, let’s take a look at some of the best cards you can pair with the Amex Platinum card to maximize your spending.

American Express® Gold Card

BEST FOR DINING
American Express® Gold CardTerms Apply / Rates & Fees
American Express® Gold Card
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 is the best card for food lovers who dine out at restaurants (worldwide), order take-out and want big rewards at U.S. supermarkets!

Learn More(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.

American Express® Gold Card
This is the best card for food lovers who dine out at restaurants (worldwide), order take-out and want big rewards at U.S. supermarkets!
Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 on eligible purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months.
60,000 points
$1,320
$250
See Pay Over Time APR
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)

The American Express® Gold Card is a game-changer.

With this card, you can earn 4x Membership Rewards points at restaurants and you’ll also earn 4x Membership Rewards points at U.S. supermarkets on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1x.

There isn’t another card on the market that offers a 1-2 punch like this. Of course, there are several other benefits of the Gold Card as well, including extra monthly dining rewards and more.

Pros
  • 4x points per dollar at restaurants, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S.
  • 4x points per dollar at U.S. supermarkets, up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases; and 1x thereafter
  • 3x points per dollar on flights purchased directly from airlines or at AmexTravel.com
Cons
Read Full Review
  • Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $6,000 on eligible purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® Points at Restaurants, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S., and earn 4X Membership Rewards® points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1X).
  • Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com.
  • $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and each month automatically get $10 in Uber Cash for Uber Eats orders or Uber rides in the U.S., totaling up to $120 per year.
  • $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings and earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, Milk Bar and select Shake Shack locations. Enrollment required.
  • Get a $100 experience credit with a minimum two-night stay when you book The Hotel Collection through American Express Travel. Experience credit varies by property.
  • Choose the color that suits your style. Gold or Rose Gold.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • Annual Fee is $250.
  • Terms Apply.
Financial Snapshot
  • APR: See Pay Over Time APR
  • Foreign Transaction Fees: None
Rewards Center

American Express Membership Rewards

When it comes to the best cards for everyday spending, arguably no card is more valuable than the Amex Gold card. This card consistently ranks as one of Upgraded Points’ top rewards credit cards.

When it comes to earning valuable Membership Rewards points, no card even comes close to some common spending categories.

With the Amex Gold card, you can earn 4x points at restaurants, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S., and U.S. supermarkets on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases (it then drops to 1x). This elevated earnings potential is fantastic, as both restaurants and supermarkets are common spending categories.

The Amex Gold card does have a $250 annual fee (rates & fees). However, the card comes with a few different statement credits each year that effectively offset its annual fee. These include:

  • Up to $120 in Annual Dining Credits: These are broken into monthly statement credits of up to $10 when you use your Amex Gold card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, Milk Bar, and select Shake Shack locations (enrollment required).
  • Up to $120 in Annual Uber Cash: This is issued as $10 monthly credits in Uber Cash for Uber Eats orders or Uber rides in the U.S. when you add your Amex Gold card to your Uber account.
  • A $100 experience credit with a 2-night minimum stay when you book The Hotel Collection through AmexTravel.com. The experience credit varies by property.

Why This Card Pairs Well With the Amex Platinum Card

Unlike the Amex Platinum card, the Amex Gold card serves as both a travel rewards card and an everyday spending card. The higher earning rates on certain day-to-day spending categories make this card a no-brainer.

Carrying both the Amex Platinum card and the Amex Gold card is a great way to earn American Express Membership Rewards points by maximizing your spend. According to our valuations, Amex Membership Rewards are the most valuable points available from a credit card loyalty program.

For travel purchases, you could use the Amex Platinum card to earn 5x points for all flights purchased directly with an airline or AmexTravel.com (up to $500,000 per year, then 1x) and for all prepaid hotels booked with AmexTravel.com.

You could then use the Amex Gold card for all purchases at restaurants and U.S. supermarkets, as the card earns 4x points on those categories for up to $25,000 per calendar year (then 1x). It is worth noting that the Amex Gold card has no foreign transaction fees and you will still earn 4x points when spending at restaurants abroad (rates & fees).

Pairing these 2 cards together is a great way to maximize your earning potential.

Hot Tip:

The combination of the Amex Platinum card and Amex Gold card is a great way to maximize your Membership Rewards earnings. Check out our comparison of the Amex Platinum card vs. the Amex Gold card for more details.

American Express® Green Card

American Express® Green Card
American Express® Green Card
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 can provide a great way to accumulate Membership Rewards points on eligible travel, transit, and at restaurants.

All information about American Express® Green Card has been collected independently by Upgraded Points.

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.

American Express® Green Card
This card can provide a great way to accumulate Membership Rewards points on eligible travel, transit, and at restaurants.
Earn 40,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $3,000 in eligible purchases on your American Express® Green Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership.
40,000 points
$880
$150
See Pay Over Time APR
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)

The American Express® Green Card is an excellent all-around travel rewards card thanks to earning 3x Membership Rewards® points on eligible travel and transit purchases and at restaurants, access to American Express transfer partners, and a reasonable annual fee.

Pros
  • 3x points per $1 spent at restaurants worldwide, on all eligible travel purchases, and transit purchases
  • Up to $189 per calendar year in statement credits after you pay for a CLEAR® Plus membership with the Card.
  • Up to $100 in statement credits annually when you purchase airport lounge access through LoungeBuddy with the Card.
Cons
  • $150 annual fee
  • No elite benefits like airport lounge access or hotel elite status
Read Full Review
  • Earn 40,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $3,000 in eligible purchases on your American Express® Green Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership.
  • Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on travel including airfare, hotels, cruises, tours, car rentals, campgrounds, and vacation rentals.
  • Earn 3X Membership Rewards® Points on transit purchases including trains, taxicabs, rideshare services, ferries, tolls, parking, buses, and subways.
  • Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on eligible purchases at restaurants worldwide, including takeout and delivery in the US.
  • $189 CLEAR Plus Credit: Receive up to $189 per calendar year in statement credits when you pay for your CLEAR Plus membership (subject to auto-renewal) with the American Express® Green Card.
  • $100 LoungeBuddy: No airport lounge membership? No problem! Purchase lounge access through the LoungeBuddy app using the American Express® Green Card and receive up to $100 in statement credits annually.
  • Payment Flexibility: When it comes to paying your bill, you have options. You can always pay in full. You also have the flexibility to carry a balance with interest or use Plan It® to split up large purchases into monthly payments with a fixed fee, up to your Pay Over Time Limit. You may be able to keep spending beyond your limit – you’ll just need to pay for any new purchases in full when your bill is due.
  • Trip Delay Insurance: If a round-trip is paid for entirely with your Eligible Card and a covered reason delays your trip more than 12 hours, Trip Delay Insurance can help reimburse certain additional expenses purchased on the same Eligible Card, up to $300 per trip, maximum 2 claims per eligible account per 12 consecutive month period. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Coverage is provided by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees: No matter where you’re traveling, when you use your American Express® Green Card there are no foreign transaction fees.
  • $150 annual fee.
  • Terms Apply.
Financial Snapshot
  • APR: See Pay Over Time APR
  • Foreign Transaction Fees: None
Rewards Center

American Express Membership Rewards

If the Amex Gold card’s $250 annual fee seems too high to add to the Amex Platinum card’s $695 annual fee, there is another option, especially for those who eat out but also commute often.

The Amex Green card is a great all-around Membership Rewards-earning credit card that offers great earning potential. The Amex Green card earns 3x points at restaurants worldwide (including takeout and delivery in the U.S.), on all eligible travel purchases, and on transit purchases.

Travel purchases include airfare, hotels, cruises, tours, car rentals, campgrounds, and vacation rentals. Transit purchases include trains, taxicabs, ride-share services, ferries, tolls, parking, buses, and subways.

The Amex Green card also comes with credits that help offset its $150 annual fee. These credits include:

Why This Card Pairs Well With the Amex Platinum Card

The Amex Green card is another great card to pair with the Amex Platinum Card, thanks to its higher earning potential on some common spending categories. Although the Amex Platinum card is a more premium credit card, the Amex Green card has a very broad definition of travel. Per American Express, travel includes airfare, hotels, cruises, tours, car rentals, and more.

While we would recommend using the Amex Platinum card for booking flights directly with an airline or through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Green card could be used to cover everything else in the travel category, including car rentals and non-prepaid hotels. If you plan on doing a lot of your travel bookings outside of AmexTravel.com, you’re better off spending on a card like the Amex Green card.

The Amex Green card is especially great for those who prefer booking hotels directly, whether for elite benefits or hotel spending requirements for status, as the card earns 3x points compared to the Amex Platinum card’s earning of just 1x points on hotels (hotels that are not prepaid and booked through AmexTravel.com).

If you eat out a lot, the Amex Green card would also be worth carrying, as it earns 3x points at restaurants worldwide, compared to just 1x points on the Amex Platinum card.

Bottom Line:

The Amex Green card has a broad definition of travel that lets you earn 3x Membership Rewards points, higher than an ultra-premium travel card like the Amex Platinum card. Our head-to-head comparison of the Amex Platinum card vs. the Amex Green card further illustrates when you might use one card over the other.

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit CardTerms Apply / Rates & Fees
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
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.

Get 2x miles plus some of the most flexible redemptions offered by a travel credit card!

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
Get 2x miles plus some of the most flexible redemptions offered by a travel credit card!
Enjoy a one-time bonus of 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel.
75,000 miles
$1,350
$95
19.99% - 29.99% (Variable)
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 Credit (670-850)

The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card is one of the most popular rewards cards on the market. It’s perfect for anyone in search of a great welcome offer, high rewards rates, and flexible redemption options.

Frequent travelers with excellent credit may benefit from this credit card that offers a lot of bells and whistles. And it offers easy-to-understand rewards earning and redemption.

Pros
  • 5x miles per $1 on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
  • 2x miles per $1 on all other purchases
  • Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee credit
Cons
Read Full Review
  • Enjoy a one-time bonus of 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel
  • Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day
  • Earn 5X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options
  • Miles won't expire for the life of the account and there's no limit to how many you can earn
  • Receive up to a $100 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®
  • Use your miles to get reimbursed for any travel purchase—or redeem by booking a trip through Capital One Travel
  • Enrich every hotel stay from the Lifestyle Collection with a suite of cardholder benefits, like a $50 experience credit, room upgrades, and more
  • Transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs
Financial Snapshot
  • APR: 19.99% - 29.99% (Variable)
  • Foreign Transaction Fees: None
Rewards Center

Capital One Miles

Although the Amex Platinum card generally pairs best with other Membership Rewards-earning cards, let’s also take a look at a great card offered by a competing issuer. Since the Amex Platinum card is not a good option as an everyday credit card, you should ideally pair it with something better for everyday spending.

The Capital One Venture card is a popular option for an all-around card. With the Capital One Venture card, you can earn an unlimited 2x miles on every purchase. This makes it a simple option for earning a bit more on everyday spending. You can also earn 5x miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel. This provides an alternative to AmexTravel.com when it comes to booking hotels.

In addition, the Capital One Venture card also features other benefits, including purchase protection and insurance, including rental cars and travel insurance. The card also comes with a Global Entry/TSA PreCheck application credit of up to $100 every 4 years.

Similar to Amex Membership Rewards, when you earn Capital One miles, you have access to Capital One’s airline and hotel partners. The Capital One Venture card has an annual fee of $95 (rates & fees) and does not charge any foreign transaction fees (rates & fees).

Why This Card Pairs Well With the Amex Platinum Card

Unlike the Amex Platinum card, the Capital One Venture card is an excellent card for everyday spending for a low annual fee.

With this credit card combination, you could use the Amex Platinum card for all flights and prepaid hotels with AmexTravel.com and then use the Capital One Venture card for all other purchases. You could also use the Capital One Venture card for hotels booked through Capital One Travel, as you would also earn 5x miles. It would be best to compare rates between the 2 travel portals.

» Related: Amex Platinum Card vs. Capital One Venture Card [Detailed Comparison]

Although you wouldn’t be earning American Express Membership Rewards points with it, carrying the Capital One Venture card in your wallet allows you to earn Capital One miles. Better yet, both American Express and Capital One have common transfer partners, including Air Canada Aeroplan and British Airways Executive Club. This allows you to pool points together, earning them more quickly for award travel.

Hot Tip:

Check out our guide on the best ways to redeem Capital One miles for max value.

The Best Business Card To Pair With the Amex Platinum Card

Now that we have looked at some of the best personal cards to pair with the Amex Platinum card, we thought it would be worth mentioning a business credit card for small business owners.

The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express

The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American ExpressTerms Apply / Rates & Fees
The Blue Business® Plus Credit 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.

Earn Membership Rewards for your business spending the easy way: get 2x points for the first $50,000 in purchases per year.

Learn More(at Amex's secure site)
The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express
Earn Membership Rewards for your business spending the easy way: get 2x points for the first $50,000 in purchases per year.
Earn 15,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $3,000 in eligible purchases on the Card within your first 3 months of Card Membership.
15,000 points
$330
No annual fee
18.49% - 26.49% Variable,0% on purchases for 12 months from date of account opening
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 (670-840)

As a business owner, getting a credit card that maximizes each dollar you spend does not have to be complicated or expensive. Especially when you opt for The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express.

With the Amex Blue Business Plus card, you’ll earn 2x Membership Rewards points on everyday business purchases throughout the year (up to $50,000; 1x thereafter) and receive purchase protections and no-additional-charge employee cards all for no annual fee (see rates and fees).

The simple and straightforward earning structure makes it a great fit for those looking to earn flexible rewards, without having to fixate on which purchases earn the most points.

Let’s take look at all that the Amex Blue Business Plus card has to offer.

Pros
  • 2x Membership Rewards points per $1 on everyday business purchases (up to $50,000; 1x thereafter)
  • Purchase protection and extended warranty protection
  • No annual fee and employee cards at no additional cost
Cons
  • No unique bonus categories and 2x earnings are capped at $50,000 in annual spend
  • No elite travel benefits like lounge access or elite status
Read Full Review
  • Earn 15,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $3,000 in eligible purchases on the Card within your first 3 months of Card Membership.
  • 0.0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months from the date of account opening, then a variable rate, 18.49% - 26.49%, based on your creditworthiness and other factors at account opening. APR will not exceed 29.99%
  • Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on everyday business purchases such as office supplies or client dinners. 2X applies to the first $50,000 in purchases per year, 1 point per dollar thereafter.
  • You’ve got the power to use your Card beyond its credit limit* with Expanded Buying Power.
  • *The amount you can spend above your credit limit is not unlimited. It adjusts with your use of the Card, your payment history, credit record, financial resources known to us, and other factors.
  • No Annual Fee
  • Terms Apply
Financial Snapshot
  • APR: 18.49% - 26.49% Variable,0% on purchases for 12 months from date of account opening
  • Foreign Transaction Fees: 2.7% of each transaction after conversion to US dollars.
Rewards Center

American Express Membership Rewards

The Amex Blue Business Plus card is arguably the single best card for small business owners looking for a simplified earning structure for business spending.

The card earns 2x Membership Rewards points on everyday business purchases up to $50,000 per year. After you reach that threshold, the card earns 1x points. The 2x points are a great way to earn Membership Rewards points on spending that generally does not have any bonus.

In addition to the simplified earnings, the Amex Blue Business Plus card also offers other perks. For example, the Amex Blue Business Plus card allows you to add employee cards for no additional fee (rates & fees), which is a welcome addition for businesses with multiple employees.

The Amex Blue Business Plus card also comes with purchase protection, extended warranty protection, and car rental insurance.

The card provides all this value with a $0 annual fee (rates & fees).

Why This Card Pairs Well With the Amex Platinum Card

The Amex Blue Business Plus card pairs nicely with the Amex Platinum card for 1 main reason. Although the card does not offer any bonus categories, the 2x Membership Rewards points earned on everyday purchases are already better than what the Amex Platinum card offers in many everyday spending categories.

To make the most of this combination, you could use the Amex Platinum card for all your airfare purchases directly with the airline or through AmexTravel.com and all prepaid hotels booked through AmexTravel.com to earn 5x points.

You could then use the Amex Blue Business Plus card for all other business expenses to earn 2x points. With this combination of cards, you earn at least 2x Membership Rewards points for all your business spending, up to $50,000 per year.

It is worth noting that the Amex Blue Business Plus card charges foreign transaction fees (rates & fees). For purchases abroad, the Amex Platinum card is a better choice.

Hot Tip:

The straightforward earning structure makes the Amex Blue Business Plus card one of the best cards available with no annual fee.

Card Comparison

Comparing Cards by Bonus Category Earnings

Now that we have looked at some cards to pair with the Amex Platinum card, let’s review the earning rates on common spending categories and see which card is best to use.

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 Amex Platinum Card Amex Gold Card Amex Green Card Capital One Venture CardAmex Blue Business Plus Card
Flights5x points (directly or with AmexTravel.com, up to $500,000 per calendar year)3x points (directly or with AmexTravel.com)3x points2x miles2x points on all spend (up to $50,000 total spend per calendar year)
Hotels 5x points (prepaid and booked through AmexTravel.com)1x points3x points5x miles (when booked through Capital One Travel)2x points on all spend (up to $50,000 total spend per calendar year)
Restaurants1x points4x points3x points2x miles2x points on all spend (up to $50,000 total spend per calendar year)
Supermarkets1x points4x points (U.S. only; up to $25,000 per year)1x points2x miles2x points on all spend (up to $50,000 total spend per calendar year)
Car Rentals1x points1x points3x points5x miles (when booked through Capital One Travel)2x points on all spend (up to $50,000 total spend per calendar year)
Transit1x points1x points3x points2x miles2x points on all spend (up to $50,000 total spend per calendar year)
Everything Else1x points1x points1x points2x miles2x points on all spend (up to $50,000 total spend per calendar year)

Comparing Cards by Welcome Offer and Annual Fee

One of the best reasons to apply for a new credit card is a generous welcome bonus, as you can earn thousands of extra points and miles by meeting a minimum spending requirement.

Now that we have covered what cards are best for everyday spending categories, let’s also take a look at the current welcome offers and annual fees for each card discussed in this article.

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 Welcome OfferAnnual Fee
Amex Platinum CardEarn 80,000 points after spending $8,000 on purchases in the first 6 months.$695
Amex Gold CardEarn 60,000 points when you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 6 months.$250
Amex Green CardEarn 40,000 points after spending $3,000 within the first 6 months.$150
Capital One Venture CardEarn 75,000 miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months.

$95 (rates & fees)

Amex Blue Business Plus CardEarn 15,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $3,000 in eligible purchases on the Card within your first 3 months of Card Membership.$0

Final Thoughts

Pairing the right credit cards is the best way to speed up your rewards-earning potential by maximizing a specific card for a specific bonus category. Because credit cards offer different benefits and earning potential, it makes sense to carry more than 1 card.

No single credit card is best for everyone, and that includes an ultra-premium credit card like the Amex Platinum card. Although it has so much to offer in terms of luxury travel perks and lifestyle benefits, the card is severely lacking in everyday spending categories.

Pairing the Amex Platinum card with any of the cards mentioned in this article is a great way to maximize your travel rewards. It’s important to know what your highest spending categories are, as that simplifies deciding which card to pair with your current card.

For Capital One products listed on this page, some of the above benefits are provided by Visa® or Mastercard® and may vary by product. See the respective Guide to Benefits for details, as terms and exclusions apply.

For the purchase protection benefit of The Platinum Card® from American Express, 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 return protection benefit of The Platinum Card® from American Express, eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details.

For the extended warranty benefit of The Platinum Card® from American Express, 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 car rental loss and damage insurance benefit of The Platinum Card® from American Express, 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 trip cancellation and interruption insurance benefit of The Platinum Card® from American Express, 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 purchase protection benefit of The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express, 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 Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express, 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 car rental loss and damage insurance benefit of The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express, 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.

The information regarding the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.
The information regarding the American Express® Green Card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.

For rates and fees of The Platinum Card® from American Express, click here.
For rates and fees of the American Express® Gold Card, click here.
For rates and fees of The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express, click here.

Featured Image Credit: Upgraded Points

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the annual fee of the Amex Platinum card?

The Amex Platinum card comes with a $695 annual fee. However, the card also comes with numerous statement credits that help offset the annual fee. These include up to $200 in airline incidental credits, up to $200 in Uber Cash credit, and up to $200 in prepaid hotel credit on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts or The Hotel Collection bookings, among others.

Does the Amex Gold card have foreign transaction fees?

The Amex Gold does not charge foreign transaction fees, making it an excellent choice for certain purchases abroad.

Is the Amex Gold card worth having?

The Amex Gold card is a fantastic card worth considering and should be the go-to card if you eat out a lot and shop at U.S. supermarkets.

What is the annual fee on the Amex Green card?

The Amex Green card has a $150 annual fee.

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About Ehsan Haque

Ehsan is an avid traveler who has traveled to 100 countries, diligently using points and miles to fund his journeys. Currently, he holds 32 active credit cards and earns over a million points and miles annually, primarily using them for luxury hotels and long-haul premium cabins.

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