Why the Amex Business Platinum Is the Best Premium Business Traveler Card 

For business owners who spend and travel frequently, The Business Platinum Card^® from American Express has long been a go-to for premium perks and rewards. But with its latest refresh, the card’s value has only grown — so much so that many would argue there’s little question it now stands as the premier business card on the market.

With enhanced travel credits and benefits tailored specifically for business needs, the Amex Business Platinum card makes it easier than ever to earn, save, and enjoy luxury perks while managing expenses. Some benefits require prior enrollment.

While the annual fee has risen by $200 to $895 (rates & fees), most cardholders will find the upgraded perks more than justify the cost. Here are 5 reasons why the Amex Business Platinum card continues to lead the pack.

Amex Business Platinum Card — 2025 Refresh Overview

The Amex Business Platinum card isn’t just a way to pay for business expenses. It’s a gateway to a suite of travel, business, and lifestyle perks that can deliver thousands in value each year.

ELEVATED WELCOME OFFER

Terms Apply / Rates & Fees

The Business Platinum Card^® from American Express

U.P. Rating 

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the 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

Earn 150,000 200,000 Membership Rewards^® points after you spend $20,000 in eligible purchases on the Card within the first 3 months of Card Membership.

200,000 points

UP's Offer Valuation*:

Up to $4,400

Annual Fee

$895

APR

18.24% - 28.99% Variable

Credit Recommended

Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO^®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.

Good to Excellent

Why We Like This Card

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

When you factor in the large number of perks that the card offers like the best airport lounge access at over 1,550 lounges, along with tons of 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

• Elevated Welcome Offer: Earn 200,000 Membership Rewards^® points after you spend $20,000 in eligible purchases on the Business Platinum Card^® within the first 3 months of Card Membership.
• 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 07/2025.
• See how you can unlock over $3,500 in business and travel value annually after meeting qualifying spend thresholds on the Business Platinum Card. Terms apply.
• New! 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.
• 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. 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 $209 back per calendar year on your CLEAR^® Plus Membership (subject to auto-renewal).
• Maximize your time away with Fine Hotels + Resorts through Amex Travel™.
• New! 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.
• New! 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.
• Enhanced! 2X points on purchases at U.S. construction material & hardware suppliers, electronic goods retailers and software & cloud system providers, and shipping providers, as well as on each eligible purchase of $5,000 or more, up to $2 million of these purchases per calendar year. Purchases eligible for multiple additional point bonuses will only receive the highest eligible bonus.
• 5X points on flights and prepaid hotels on AmexTravel.com
• 1X points on other eligible purchases
• $895 Annual Fee.
• Terms Apply.

Financial Snapshot

• APR: 18.24% - 28.99% Variable
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Rewards Center

American Express Membership Rewards

From airport lounge access to generous business-focused credits, the card is built to help business owners work smarter and travel more comfortably. You don’t have to use every benefit to see significant returns — the card’s combination of points, travel benefits, and business tools makes it a powerful asset for almost any company. (Some benefits require prior enrollment.)

One of the standout features is the ability to earn and transfer Membership Rewards points. Points accumulated with the Amex Business Platinum card can be moved to a wide range of airline and hotel transfer partners, often at a 1:1 ratio, giving business owners tremendous flexibility and one of the most valuable points programs in the rewards landscape.

1. Huge Welcome Bonus Offer

When it comes to premium business cards, the Amex Business Platinum card is in a league of its own. A huge part of that comes down to the welcome bonus offer.

Honestly, I’ve seen plenty of premium cards tout “big” offers, but Amex just consistently outshines the competition, especially with the Amex Business Platinum card. You’re not just getting a few extra points here and there; you’re walking away with thousands of dollars of potential travel right from the start.

This is the current publicly available bonus offer:

• Earn 150,000 200,000 points after spending $20,000 in eligible purchases within the first 3 months.

We value Membership Rewards points at 2.2 cents apiece, which roughly equates to $4,400 in travel value. Amex has one of the most robust networks of airline and hotel transfer partners in the industry, so you can redeem those points in ways that maximize value.

2. Earn 2x Points on Your Biggest Business Expenses

One of the things I love most about the Amex Business Platinum card is how it rewards your business spending. The card now earns 2x points — instead of 1.5x points — on purchases like U.S. construction materials, hardware, electronics, software, cloud services, shipping, and even any single purchase of $5,000 or more, with a maximum of $2 million per year in spending.

For many business owners, that $5,000 threshold is where it starts to get really exciting. Whether you’re buying materials, stocking up on office supplies, or even paying business taxes, every large purchase racks up 2 points per $1 (up to that $2 million per year maximum).

If your business regularly has big expenses, this is an incredibly lucrative way to earn points quickly, turning a burden into valuable travel rewards.

3. More Credits, More Value

The Amex Business Platinum card comes with an awesome range of credits — some new, and others that have been long offered to cardholders:

• (New) Up to $600 annual hotel credit: Book prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts or The Hotel Collection booked through AmexTravel.com, split into up to $300 in statement credits semi-annually. Note that The Hotel Collection requires a 2-night minimum stay.
• Up to $1,150 in Dell credits: Up to $150 statement credit on U.S. purchases directly with Dell Technologies and an additional $1,000 statement credit after you spend $5,000 or more per calendar year. Enrollment required.
• $250 Adobe credit: Received after you spend $600 or more on U.S. purchases directly with Adobe per calendar year. Enrollment required.
• Up to $209 Clear Plus membership credit (subject to auto-renewal)
• Up to $360 Indeed credit: Get up to $90 per quarter on purchases made directly with Indeed. Enrollment required.
• Up to $120 wireless credit: Get back up to $10 per month for wireless telephone service purchases made directly with a wireless provider in the U.S. Enrollment required.
• Up to $200 Hilton credit: Receive up to $50 per quarter for Hilton purchases. A Hilton for Business membership and enrollment are required.
• Up to $200 airline fee credit: Select one qualifying airline to receive up to $200 back per calendar year on baggage fees and other incidentals. Enrollment required.

Even if you don’t maximize all of these credits and only take advantage of a handful, you’re still likely to get more value compared to the annual fee.

Other important benefits include purchase protection, return protection, and cell phone insurance — perks that make this card a powerhouse for business travelers.

4. Hotel Elite Status Across 3 Major Hotel Brands

One of the underrated perks of the Amex Business Platinum card is automatic elite status at 3 major hotel programs, including Hilton Honors, Marriott Bonvoy, and now Leaders Club by The Leading Hotels of the World. Enrollment required.

For Hilton and Marriott, this means mid-tier Gold Elite status, which comes with a handful of meaningful benefits. At Hilton, for example, you can expect room upgrades when available, complimentary breakfast at international Hilton properties, or a daily food and beverage credit of up to $25 per day per guest in the U.S., and late checkout.

Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite includes room upgrades upon availability, enhanced Wi-Fi, and sometimes lounge access, depending on the property. Leaders Club status adds perks at some of the world’s most luxurious independent hotels, such as a 5% Leader Club points bonus on qualifying stays, and 5 prearrival upgrades annually (subject to availability).

The best part? You get these built-in travel benefits simply by having the card and enrolling in them.

You don’t need to be loyal to a specific chain or stay hundreds of nights to enjoy elite perks. Just a few stays each year at a Hilton, Marriott, or Leading Hotels of the World property can instantly enhance your experience, making your business and personal trips more comfortable and rewarding.

5. Access More Airport Lounges Than Any Other Card

When it comes to the best card to access airport lounges, the Amex Business Platinum card sets the standard.

Cardholders have access to a huge variety of lounges worldwide, including:

• Aspire Lounges
• Centurion Lounges (both in the U.S. and abroad)
• 10 visits a year to Delta Sky Club (when flying Delta same-day, plus the ability to unlock unlimited visits)
• Escape Lounges – The Centurion Studio Partner
• Select Lufthansa Lounges (when flying Lufthansa same-day)
• Plaza Premium Lounges
• Priority Pass lounges (upon enrollment)
• Select Virgin Clubhouses

Compared to other premium business and personal travel cards, the American Express Global Lounge Collection is in a league of its own. Whether you’re flying domestically or internationally, there’s almost always a lounge nearby where you can work, relax, or grab a bite.

Final Thoughts

At the end of the day, if you want a single card that truly covers all the bases for a business owner, the Amex Business Platinum card delivers. It earns some of the most valuable points available, while offering a suite of perks — from a generous welcome bonus and high-earning categories to automatic hotel elite status and hundreds, even thousands, of dollars in potential statement credits.

Already a powerhouse for rewards and travel perks, the card is even more valuable with its latest updates, making it an essential tool for business owners who spend time on the road and want to maximize both convenience and rewards.

For the purchase protection benefit of The Business 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 Business 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 cell phone protection benefit of The Business 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.