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6 Benefits of the Amex Business Platinum Card I’ve Used for the First Time This Year

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Juan Ruiz

Juan Ruiz

Compliance Editor & Content Contributor

Countries Visited: 40U.S. States Visited: 27

Juan has been involved in credit cards, loyalty, travel, and personal finance for more than 10 years. He has worked for several outlets including The Points Guy and Forbes and was previously Editor-in...
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Edited by: Nick Ellis

Nick Ellis

Editor & Content Contributor

Countries Visited: 35U.S. States Visited: 25

Nick’s passion for points began as a hobby and became a career. He worked for over 5 years at The Points Guy and has contributed to Business Insider and CNN. He has 14 credit cards and continues to le...
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& Keri Stooksbury

Keri Stooksbury

Editor-in-Chief

Countries Visited: 41U.S. States Visited: 28

With years of experience in corporate marketing and as the Executive Director of the American Chamber of Commerce in Qatar, Keri is now Editor-in-Chief at UP, overseeing daily content operations and r...
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6 Benefits of the Amex Business Platinum Card I’ve Used for the First Time This Year

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The Business Platinum Card® from American Express is widely regarded as the most benefit-laden business card in the industry. Cardmembers enjoy a wide range of attractive perks and benefits, including airport lounge access, hotel elite status, and a variety of statement credits. These features make it easy to see the value of the card, despite its high annual fee.

Being a cardmember myself, I have utilized numerous perks to maximize the value of my card. However, I’ve recently realized that I’ve missed out on significant value until this year.

This year, I took advantage of several of my Amex Business Platinum card’s lesser-known and underutilized benefits. Let’s analyze the benefits of the Amex Business Platinum card I used for the first time this year.

American Express Business Platinum Card Overview

If you’ve been considering applying for the Amex Business Platinum card, here’s a quick overview of the card:

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The Business Platinum Card® from American ExpressTerms 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!
Earn 120,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $15,000 on eligible purchases with your Card within the first 3 months of Card Membership.
120,000 points
$2,640
$695
19.49% - 27.49% 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 (670-850)

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.

Hot Tip: Check to see if you’re eligible for a huge welcome bonus offer of up to 170,000 points with the Amex Business Platinum. The current public offer is 120,000 points. (This targeted offer was independently researched and may not be available to all applicants.)

Pros

  • 5x Membership Rewards points per $1 on flights and prepaid hotels at Amex Travel
  • Up to $200 annual airline fee credit on your selected qualifying airline
  • Statement credits on select purchases with your card
  • 35% airline bonus when using Pay With Points (up to 1,000,000 bonus points per calendar year)
  • Access to over 1,400 worldwide airport lounges as part of the American Express Global Lounge Collection
  • Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee credit
  • 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)
  • Access to Amex’s Fine Hotels & Resorts program

Cons

  • High annual fee of $695 (rates and fees)
  • Airline fee credit does not cover airfare, only incidentals like checked bags
  • Welcome Offer: Earn 120,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $15,000 on eligible purchases with your 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 everywhere else, on up to $2 million of these purchases per calendar year.
  • Unlock over $1,000 in annual statement credits on a curation of business purchases, including select purchases made with Dell Technologies, Indeed, Adobe, and U.S. wireless service providers.
  • $200 Airline Fee Credit: Get up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year for incidental fees charged by your one selected, qualifying airline to your Card.
  • $189 CLEAR® Plus Credit: Use your card and get up to $189 in statement credits per calendar year on your CLEAR® Plus Membership (subject to auto-renewal) when you use your 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: 19.49% - 27.49% Variable
  • Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Card Categories

Rewards Center

American Express Membership Rewards

Hot Tip: Check to see if you’re eligible for a huge welcome bonus offer of up to 170,000 points with the Amex Business Platinum. The current public offer is 120,000 points. (This targeted offer was independently researched and may not be available to all applicants.)

1. Making an Amex Fine Hotels + Resorts Reservation

I seldom pay cash for hotel stays. My free nights are paid for with hotel points that I transfer from American Express Membership Rewards and Chase Ultimate Rewards.

However, there are instances where it’s more logical to forego using points and instead pay in cash for hotel accommodations. For instance, booking rooms via the Amex Fine Hotels + Resorts (FHR) program can make sense if you want to stay at a luxury property or a non-chain boutique hotel where you might not have elite status.

Fine Hotels + Resorts is available only to cardholders of The Platinum Card® from American Express, the Amex Business Platinum card, or the Centurion® Card from American Express.

When you book an FHR stay through Amex, you’ll receive all of the following valuable benefits:

  • Room upgrade upon arrival, when available
  • Daily breakfast for 2 people
  • Noon check-in, when available
  • Guaranteed 4 p.m. late checkout
  • Complimentary Wi-Fi
  • Unique property amenity, such as a spa or food and beverage credit valued at a minimum of $100
Booking a hotel stay through Amex’s Fine Hotels + Resorts comes with additional perks, including daily breakfast for 2, complimentary room upgrades upon availability, and more on-site benefits. Image Credit: American Express

I decided to use the Amex FHR benefit from my Amex Business Platinum card and get a room at the JW Marriott Miami Turnberry Resort & Spa in Miami for my twin daughters’ birthday.

The JW Marriott Miami Turnberry Resort & Spa is part of Amex’s FHR program. Image Credit: Juan Ruiz

With the Amex FHR rate, we got breakfast for 2, a room that was more conveniently situated within the resort, a $100 on-site credit, and late checkout at 4 p.m. — and the room rate was actually cheaper than booking directly with Marriott.

Hot Tip:

Our guide comparing Amex’s The Hotel Collection and Fine Hotels + Resorts dives deep into each program and examines how they both could save you money.

2. Paying Taxes To Earn 1.5x Points

I pay quite a bit in taxes each year as a self-employed writer, and if I’m not working toward achieving minimum spending requirements to earn another card’s welcome bonus, I choose to charge a part of my tax bill to my Amex Business Platinum card.

On purchases of $5,000 or more, Amex Business Platinum cardmembers earn 1.5 points per dollar. Because my tax bill is usually much higher than $5,000, I max out my credit limit on The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card, which earns me 2x Membership Rewards points on all purchases throughout the year (up to $50,000; 1x thereafter), and then put the remainder of my tax bill on the Amex Business Platinum card.

I always pay my card bills in full, which helps me accumulate a significant number of points without incurring interest charges. When using a credit card to pay taxes, a minimum fee of 1.85% will be charged on the purchase.

You can use a credit card to pay your taxes and pay a fee of as little as 1.85%. Just make sure the rewards you earn outweigh the amount you’ll pay in fees. Image Credit: IRS

However, I value Amex Membership Rewards points at 2.2 cents per point and sometimes even higher when redeemed for travel, so paying the fee seems justified to me.

Charging one’s tax bill and paying a fee to do so isn’t for everyone, but the substantial travel rewards I earn make it worthwhile for me.

» Related: The 9 Best Credit Cards for Paying Taxes in 2023 [And When It Makes Sense]

3. Booking a Table at the Centurion New York, an Exclusive Members-Only Club Dining Experience

Access to Amex’s network of Centurion Lounges is one of the most prized benefits for Amex Business Platinum cardholders.

Centurion Lounges are accessible for those who have the Amex Business Platinum card and the Amex Platinum card at airports in the U.S. and worldwide. Image Credit: Carissa Rawson

These lounges are available for cardholders of the Amex Business Platinum card, the Amex Platinum card, or the Centurion card to enjoy a variety of amenities, such as regionally-inspired food, a premium bar, a and a dedicated family area.

But Centurion New York in the heart of Midtown Manhattan is thought to be the most exclusive lounge space for select Amex cardholders to go.

Centurion New York was specifically designed to cater to Amex’s most affluent clients, providing them with an exceptional dining and lounge experience. Image Credit: Juan Ruiz

Gaining access to this uber-exclusive club is notoriously challenging, even for eligible cardmembers. As soon as this private space opened in March 2023, I knew I had to make a visit one day.

While the club is reserved only for those who have the Centurion card (also known as “the Black card”), fortunately, Amex Business Platinum cardholders can make reservations for lunch or dinner on the 55th floor. The menu is by Chef Daniel Boulud, the chef-owner of 2-Michelin-starred restaurant DANIEL, so you know you’re in for an amazing meal.

If you’re fortunate enough to secure a reservation, you’ll be absolutely amazed by the breathtaking views surrounding you. Image Credit: Juan Ruiz

After many failed attempts through Resy and persistent calling, I was finally able to get a dinner reservation. Thanks to my Amex Business Platinum card, I was fortunate to be able to partake in the incredible culinary experience.

4. Monthly Wireless Credit

Every year, Amex Business Platinum cardmembers get up to $120 in statement credits for wireless telephone service purchases made directly from a wireless provider in the U.S. This comes in the form of $10 monthly credits that can be applied toward paying off a portion of your monthly cell phone bill.

Amex Business Platinum cardmembers can save $10 per month on their wireless bill. Image Credit: Petryshak via Shutterstock

I use my Amex Business Platinum card to make a $10 monthly contribution toward my T-Mobile account, which essentially saves me $120 a year on my cellphone bill.

Despite the fact that this benefit was launched during the start of the COVID-19 epidemic, I’ve regrettably just now gotten around to being conscientious about leveraging the $10 savings each month by manually paying off my mobile phone bill with this card.

5. Purchase Protection on an Ottoman

The Amex Business Platinum card not only offers business owners valuable rewards and robust travel benefits, but it also includes a purchase protection benefit that’s often overlooked.

If your item is accidentally damaged, stolen, or lost within 90 days of purchase, American Express will reimburse you for the full purchase price.

I bought an expensive ottoman for my home office earlier this year, and within a week, my toddler daughter had spit up all over it. While I made the mistake of buying a white ottoman in the first place, considering that I have 3 children, I wisely placed the purchase on my Amex Business Platinum card so that I would be protected if anything went wrong with my new piece of furniture.

This is the ottoman I had to replace within a week of purchasing. Image Credit: Juan Ruiz

I went ahead and filed a claim for purchase protection with Amex, and 2 weeks later I received an email stating that my claim was approved. Within a few days, Amex refunded me the cost of the ottoman, and I ultimately purchased a replacement.

» Related: The 9+ Best Credit Cards for Purchase Protection [2023]

6. U.S. Open Centurion Lounge Access

The U.S. Open is the most important tennis tournament in the U.S., and it’s usually recognized as one of the most enjoyable sporting events to witness in person, regardless of whether you’re a serious tennis fan or a casual spectator.

The U.S. Open is the most important tennis tournament in the U.S. Image Credit: Juan Ruiz

Having an Amex Platinum card or an Amex Business Platinum card grants you access to the Centurion Lounge at the U.S. Open, as well as other perks at this major tennis tournament. As the lounge is extremely popular among U.S. Open attendees, reservations are required and must be made through Resy.

Advance reservations are required to enter the Centurion Lounge at the U.S. Open, and you must show your Amex Business Platinum card or Amex Platinum card. Image Credit: Juan Ruiz

As an Amex Platinum cardholder, I had previously visited the U.S. Open and enjoyed the Centurion Lounge on-site, but I had since closed my consumer card. Thankfully, I still have access to the coveted lounge thanks to my Amex Business Platinum card.

The U.S. Open’s Centurion Lounge is the ideal place to spend some time out of the sun. Image Credit: Juan Ruiz

I was able to escape the oppressive summer heat of New York City while indulging in some delectable snacks and hand-crafted beverages.

» Related: UP Takes the U.S. Open: Exclusive Benefits for Cardholders and Tennis Fans

Final Thoughts

The Amex Business Platinum card comes with a slew of perks, including access to thousands of airport lounges worldwide, a $200 airline incidental credit, and a generous welcome offer, in addition to several other annual statement credits.

I’ve held the Amex Business Platinum card for several years, but I have to admit that I’ve only recently started to fully use and explore all of the perks and benefits it offers. My goal is to extract as much value as possible from the card and enjoy its robust benefits for years to come.

For the purchase protection benefit of the Amex Business Platinum card, 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. Visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.

The information regarding the Centurion® Card from American Express was independently collected by Upgraded Points and was not provided nor reviewed by the issuer. 

For rates and fees of The Business Platinum Card® from American Express, click here.
For rates and fees of The Platinum Card® from American Express, click here.

Featured Image Credit: Upgraded Points

Frequently Asked Questions

Do Amex Business Platinum cards have an assigned credit limit?

There is no set credit limit for the Amex Business Platinum card. This does not, however, imply that you have limitless purchasing power. The amount you can spend adapts based on factors such as your purchase, payment, and credit history. If you’re ever unsure if a large purchase will be approved, just use the Check Spending Power tool in your online account or mobile app.

Can I carry a balance with my Amex Business Platinum card?

No, all charges must be paid before the payment due date. However, you can elect to pay off select charges of $100 or more over time with American Express’ Pay Over Time feature. Once enrolled, you can select purchases to pay over time on the American Express dashboard, which will be subject to interest charges.

Not all American Express cardholders are eligible for Pay Over Time — you can check your eligibility on this website. American Express occasionally offers targeted 10,000-point bonuses when enrolling, so keep an eye on the mail for one of these offers.

Is the Amex Business Platinum card worth the annual fee?

The Amex Business Platinum card features a ton of great perks, including unmatched airport lounge access, elite status with hotels (upon enrollment), travel and consumer insurance benefits, and statement credit offers to offset eligible purchases with select small business vendors like Dell, Indeed, Adobe, and U.S. wireless telephone providers.

However, that doesn’t mean the card is for everyone. Make sure to assess how often you’ll use these benefits so you can get a clear picture of whether you’ll use the benefits enough to offset the annual fee of $695 (see rates and fees).

What airport lounges can I access with the Amex Business Platinum card?

The Amex Business Platinum card gives you access to the following airport lounges:

The amenities available, requirements for entry, and number of guests you can bring into a lounge will vary.

About Juan Ruiz

Juan has been involved in credit cards, loyalty, travel, and personal finance for more than 10 years. He has worked for several outlets including The Points Guy and Forbes and was previously Editor-in-Chief at Money Under 30.

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