How and When To Use the Amex Business Platinum Card 35% Pay With Points Rebate

The 35% airline bonus, also called the Pay With Points rebate, is unique to The Business Platinum Card^® from American Express. This perk gives cardholders a 35% rebate on points used for flights on their selected airline.

The selected airline must match the cardholder’s chosen airline for the $200 airline incidental credit, and it can be changed once a year in January.

Quick Overview: Amex Business Platinum 35% Airline Bonus

The 35% airline bonus on the Amex Business Platinum card, also called the Pay With Points rebate, gives cardholders a 35% rebate of Membership Rewards points used to book eligible flights through AmexTravel.com, up to 1 million points back per calendar year (Source: American Express). As of September 18, 2025, the bonus applies only to flights on the cardmember’s selected qualifying airline, in any fare class. Prior to that date, it included any flight on the selected airline plus first and business class flights on any airline.

The selected airline must match the airline chosen for the card’s $200 airline fee credit and can be changed once per year in January. Codeshare flights marketed and sold by the selected airline qualify, even when operated by an alliance partner. Flights must cost a minimum of 5,000 points to qualify, and flights booked as part of a travel package do not qualify for the 35% airline bonus benefit.

The rebate usually posts within 48 hours of the charge, but it could take up to 12 weeks.

Hot Tip:

The 35% airline bonus raises the value of Amex Membership Rewards points to about 1.54 cents each on eligible flights, versus 1 cent through standard Pay With Points prices.

What Changed in 2025?

The Amex Business Platinum card’s 35% airline bonus benefit changed on September 18, 2025 (Source: American Express). Prior to that, a cardholder could get the 35% points rebate on any flight on their selected airline, as well as on first or business class flights on any airline.

Now, the bonus only applies to flights on the selected airline in any fare class.

What Is Pay With Points?

Pay With Points is a feature that allows Amex cardholders to use Membership Rewards points through AmexTravel.com at a rate of 0.7 to 1 cent per point.

Those with an Amex Business Platinum card are eligible to get a 35% points rebate when using points to pay for flights on their selected airline, with a maximum of 1 million points back per calendar year (Source: American Express). Since this is a rebate and not a discount, you need to have the points up front to pay for the flight. For new cardholders, the Amex Business Platinum welcome bonus is usually the quickest way to build that balance.

After the 35% points rebate, the value of the redeemed points is about 1.54 cents each.

Which Cards Offer Pay With Points?

The Pay With Points program is limited to just 2 American Express business cards:

• Amex Business Platinum Card: The Amex Business Platinum card offers a 35% rebate (up to 1 million points per year).
• Business Centurion^® Card from American Express*: This invitation-only card offers a 50% rebate on redeemed points (up to 3 million points per year).

*All information about the Business Centurion^® Card from American Express has been collected independently by Upgraded Points.

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

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Terms Apply / Rates & Fees

The Business Platinum Card^® from American Express

U.P. Rating 

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

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

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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

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

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

UP's Offer Valuation*:

Up to $6,600

Annual Fee

$895

APR

17.99% - 28.74% 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 card application.

Good to Excellent

Why We Like This Card

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

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

Pros & Cons

Pros

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

Cons

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

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Card Highlights

• As High As 300,000 points. Find Out Your Offer. You may be eligible for as high as 300,000 Membership Rewards^® Points after spending $20,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 3 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Learn more.
• The American Express Global Lounge Collection^® can provide an escape at the airport. With complimentary access to more than 1,550 airport lounges across 140 countries and counting, you have more airport lounge options than any other credit card company on the market as of 01/2026.
• See how you can unlock over $4,000 in business and travel value annually after meeting qualifying spend thresholds on the Business Platinum Card. Terms apply.
• Get up to $300 in statement credits semi-annually for up to a total of $600 in statement credits per calendar year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts^® or The Hotel Collection bookings through American Express Travel^® using the Business Platinum Card^®. The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay. Effective January 1, 2027, Fine Hotels + Resorts^® bookings will require a minimum two-night stay to be eligible for the $600 Hotel Credit.
• No Preset Spending Limit: The spending limit on the Business Platinum Card is flexible, so unlike a traditional credit card with a set limit, the amount you can spend adapts based on factors such as your purchase, payment and credit history.
• Make the Business Platinum Card^® work even harder for you. Hilton for Business members get up to $200 back per calendar year when you make an eligible purchase at Hilton properties across the globe. Gift cards are not an eligible purchase. Benefit enrollment required.
• Fly like a pro with a $200 Airline Fee Credit. Select one qualifying airline to receive up to $200 back per year on baggage fees and other incidentals.
• Use the Business Platinum Card and get up to $219 back per calendar year on your CLEAR+ Membership (subject to auto-renewal).
• Maximize your time away with Fine Hotels + Resorts through Amex Travel™.
• Enroll and get up to $150 in statement credits on U.S purchases directly with Dell Technologies on the Business Platinum Card and an additional $1,000 statement credit after you spend $5,000 or more on that same Card per calendar year.
• Enroll and get up to $300 in statement credits per calendar year on U.S. purchases of ChatGPT Business* on the Business Platinum Card. *Subject to auto-renewal.
• Enroll and get a $250 statement credit after you spend $600 or more on U.S. purchases directly with Adobe per calendar year on the Business Platinum Card.
• Get up to $90 in statement credits quarterly for purchases with Indeed on the Business Platinum Card. That’s up to $360 back per year. Enrollment required.
• Get up to $10 in statement credits per month for wireless telephone service purchases made directly with a wireless provider in the U.S. on the Business Platinum Card. That’s up to $120 back per year. Enrollment required. Effective February 17, 2027, select merchants only. See terms.
• 2X points on purchases at U.S. construction material & hardware suppliers, electronic goods retailers and software & cloud system providers, and shipping providers¹, as well as on each eligible purchase of $5,000 or more, up to $2 million of these purchases per Card account per calendar year. Purchases eligible for multiple additional point bonuses will only receive the highest eligible bonus. ¹Effective February 17, 2027, select merchants only. See terms.
• 5X points on flights and prepaid hotels on AmexTravel.com
• NEW: With the Business Platinum Card^® , you receive a complimentary American Express^® ZO Membership from Tishman Speyer. Enjoy access to premium ZO Clubhouses and Lounges in select U.S. cities. Plus, get 4 complimentary day passes per month at U.S. Studio spaces and up to $500 in statement credits each calendar year when you use the Business Platinum Card^® for event space bookings and/or a Dining Club membership.
• 1X points on other eligible purchases
• Apply to know if you’re approved with no personal or business credit score impact. If you are approved and choose to accept the Card, your personal and business credit scores may be impacted
• Terms Apply.

Financial Snapshot

• APR: 17.99% - 28.74% Variable
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Rewards Center

American Express Membership Rewards

Which Airlines Qualify for the Pay With Points Rebate?

With your Amex Business Platinum card, your rebate is limited to the airline you’ve chosen for your airline fee credit. Here are the airlines American Express allows you to choose:

You can change your airline selection every January so long as you have not redeemed any of the credit yet. If you don’t change it, you’re automatically linked to the airline you chose the previous year. If you haven’t chosen an airline yet, you can select one at any time.

That said, many cardholders report that they are able to change their selected airline beyond January if they haven’t used any of their credit yet. To do so, you can call the number on the back of your Amex Business Platinum card or use the chat feature on the American Express website.

Which Codeshare Flights Qualify?

The Amex Business Platinum card’s 35% points rebate is based on the airline that markets and sells the flight, not necessarily the airline that operates the flight. That means codeshare flights ticketed by the selected airline count for the rebate.

For example, a British Airways flight that was booked through American Airlines would earn the 35% rebate as long as American was the selected airline. If you want to use this rebate for codeshare partners, pay attention to the airline alliance — choose American Airlines for Oneworld, Delta for SkyTeam, or United for Star Alliance.

Bottom Line:

There are 6 domestic airlines that qualify for the Amex 35% Pay With Points rebate: American, Alaska, Delta, JetBlue, Southwest, and United. Any flights sold by your selected airline (including codeshare flights on partner airlines) qualify for the 35% rebate. However, flights booked as part of a travel package don’t qualify.

How Do You Use Pay With Points?

To use Pay With Points, log in to your American Express account and click on the Menu button in the top left corner. Go to Travel and then select Book a trip or Platinum Member Airfares to search for flights.

Search for your preferred flight as you normally would and select which fare you want. You’ll see the cost displayed in cash and Membership Rewards points.

Then enter the passenger information and select seats. On the final payment step, you can pay with your card, pay with points, or pay with both.

Even if you only pay for part of your flight with points, you still receive the rebate on the points you’ve redeemed as long as the flight is eligible. Afterward, complete your booking and American Express then sends you an email to confirm all of your flight details.

Remember that you need to have all the required points up front. For example, if the cash cost of the flight were $697.94, you’d need to redeem 69,794 points up front. Then you’d receive a 35% rebate of 24,428 points back into your Amex Membership Rewards account within 48 hours (though it could take up to 12 weeks), for a net cost of 45,366 points for the flight.

Hot Tip: Amex sometimes offers lower prices on first, business, and premium economy class tickets as part of its Platinum Member Airfares program, which means you could end up using fewer points to pay. Some of the cards that provide access to Platinum Member Airfares are the Platinum Card^® from American Express, Amex Business Platinum, and the American Express Platinum Card^® for Schwab.

When Should You Use Pay With Points?

It’s best to redeem Amex points through Amex transfer partners to get maximum value. However, there are times it makes sense to use with Pay With Points.

When To Use Pay With Points: Cheap Cash Flights

Using Pay With Points can be helpful when you can find cheap cash fares. The already low points cost (which is based on the price) combined with the 35% points rebate can be a better deal than transferring points to an airline. That’s because redemption rates through airlines don’t necesarily fluctuate with price, so you could be paying more points by transferring in this situation.

Bottom Line:

It’s generally recommended to transfer American Express Membership Rewards points to airline partners for maximum value. However, Pay With Points can provide good value, especially when cash fares are low. In some situations, paying with points might actually be cheaper than transferring your points to a partner airline.

When To Use Pay With Points: Earning Elite Status

Utilizing the Amex 35% points rebate allows you to earn airline elite status even though you’re buying your flight with points.

Award flights often don’t count toward earning elite status, but all flights booked through AmexTravel.com, including those booked with points, count as paid tickets, so you earn miles and elite status points.

All you need to do is enter your frequent flyer number during the booking process and you earn miles just like you would on a cash fare.

When To Use Pay With Points: When You Can’t Find Award Availability

When you can’t find award availablity, consider using Pay With Points through AmexTravel.com.

Since tickets booked with AmexTravel.com are considered paid tickets, they don’t face the same limitations that award flights do. If the flight with your chosen airline is available through Amex, you can use Pay With Points to book it and take advantage of the 35% rebate.

Bottom Line: Booking with AmexTravel.com and using Pay With Points allows you to bypass award availability restrictions, which can get you and your family on a flight sooner.

Final Thoughts

Even after the changes in 2025, the Amex Business Platinum card’s 35% airline bonus is still a valuable tool to save points on flights on a selected airline and its codeshare partners. It can be useful when cash fares are low, when elite-qualifying credit matters, or when award space is unavailable.