6 Reasons Why the Amex Business Platinum Is Great for Occasional Travelers

The Business Platinum Card^® from American Express is easily the perfect travel partner for any business owner.

While the $695 annual fee is steep (rates & fees), the card offers substantial value through elevated travel perks and opportunities to save on flights and hotel stays. On top of that, the Amex Business Platinum card currently features a compelling welcome offer that can unlock significant travel rewards opportunities.

Let’s take a closer look at how business owners can take advantage of the card’s premium benefits.

Amex Business Platinum Card: New Limited-Time Welcome Offer

The Amex Business Platinum card has a generous welcome bonus offer:

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

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!

Apply Now(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!

Welcome Offer

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

150,000 points

UP's Offer Valuation*:

Up to $3,300

Annual Fee

$695

APR

18.49% - 29.24% 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 1,400 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.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• 5x Membership Rewards points per $1 on flights, prepaid hotels, and short-term rentals and prepaid flight and hotel packages booked through Amex Travel
• Access to over 1,400 worldwide airport lounges as part of the American Express Global Lounge Collection (as of 10/2024).
• 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 (on up to $2 million per calendar year)

Cons

• High annual fee of $695 (rates & fees)
• Airline fee credit does not cover airfare, only incidentals like checked bags

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Card Highlights

• Welcome Offer: Earn 150,000 Membership Rewards^® points after you spend $20,000 in eligible purchases on the 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 1,400 airport lounges across 140 countries and counting, you have more airport lounge options than any other credit card issuer on the market as of 10/2024.
• Unlock over $2,000 in statement credits with business and travel benefits annually* on the Business Platinum Card. Terms apply. Learn more. *After meeting qualifying spend thresholds
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 5X points on flights and prepaid hotels booked on AmexTravel.com
• 1.5X points (that’s an extra half point per dollar) on purchases at US 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.
• 1X points on other eligible purchases
• Use the Business Platinum Card^® and get up to $209 back per calendar year on your CLEAR^® Plus Membership (subject to auto-renewal).
• $695 Annual Fee.
• Terms Apply.

Financial Snapshot

• APR: 18.49% - 29.24% Variable
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Rewards Center

American Express Membership Rewards

To make the most of the introductory welcome bonus offer, ensure you’re able to meet the minimum spending requirements. Spending $20,000 in 3 months is no small feat, but the Amex Business Platinum card is one of the issuer’s most premium cards — built for high-spending business owners looking to get the most value out of their spending.

Now let’s explore 6 standout perks that can help business owners cut costs and elevate their travel experiences — even if they only take a few trips each year.

1. Up to $200 Airline Fee Credit

The travel savings don’t end with the welcome bonus offer.

The Amex Business Platinum card includes an annual airline incidental fee credit of up to $200 (enrollment required). While this credit comes with a few caveats — you need to choose 1 qualifying airline, and it only applies to incidental charges — it can still be a valuable perk for frequent flyers.

Eligible airlines include Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Hawaiian Airlines, JetBlue, Spirit Airlines, Southwest Airlines, and United Airlines, giving you a solid range of options.

Whether it’s seat selection fees, lounge access, or checked bag charges, those incidental costs can add up. Choose an airline you regularly fly with and you could easily recoup up to $200 per year with the Amex Business Platinum card.

2. Airport Lounge Access

Airport lounge access is one of the most valuable benefits of the Amex Business Platinum card. With access to the Amex Global Lounge Collection — the most expansive network of airport lounges worldwide — cardholders can enjoy a more comfortable travel experience almost anywhere they go.

This benefit (enrollment required) includes entry to lounges such as Amex Centurion Lounges, Priority Pass lounges, and 10 complimentary visits each year to Delta Sky Clubs when flying Delta the same day. Frequent flyers can even unlock unlimited Delta Sky Club access by spending $75,000 on eligible purchases in a calendar year.

That same $75,000 annual card spend also unlocks complimentary guest privileges for Centurion Lounge visits, allowing you to bring along up to 2 guests or immediate family members (spouse, domestic partner, or children under 18) at no additional cost.

3. Up to $200 Hilton for Business Credit

The Hilton for Business credit is a relatively new perk on the Amex Business Platinum card, offering additional travel savings beyond airfare.

Cardholders can receive up to $200 back per calendar year — up to $50 per quarter — on eligible Hilton purchases. To take advantage of this benefit, enrollment is required, along with a Hilton for Business membership. Fortunately, signing up is quick and easy. If you’re not already enrolled, you can create a free account in just a few minutes using your existing Hilton Honors number.

Earning up to $50 back each quarter on Hilton stays is a simple way to offset hotel costs — whether it’s applied to your room rate or incidental charges like breakfast, parking, or room service.

4. Up to $199 CLEAR Plus Credit

The Amex Business Platinum card includes a credit for CLEAR Plus, a popular service at many major U.S. airports. Normally priced at $199 per year, this credit fully covers the cost of membership.

CLEAR Plus uses biometric technology to bypass the ID check line, helping travelers move through airport security more quickly — especially at busy terminals.

5. Elite Status Benefits

Did you know you can get complimentary elite status perks through several hotel and rental car companies just by having the Amex Business Platinum card? This includes:

• Marriott Bonvoy Gold
• Hilton Honors Gold
• National Emerald Club Executive
• Avis Preferred
• Hertz Gold Plus Rewards

While enrollment is required to unlock these perks, the bonus rewards potential at top hotel brands — or even potential car rental upgrades — make it well worth the effort for travelers.

6. Pay With Points Rebate

Amex Membership Rewards points unlock access to top-tier airline and hotel transfer partners, allowing you to move over points directly to loyalty programs and redeem for exceptional travel experiences.

But the Amex Business Platinum card offers another powerful option: the Pay with Points rebate. This benefit lets cardholders use points to cover all or part of a flight booked through AmexTravel.com, with a 35% points rebate on first or business class flights with any airline — or on economy flights with your chosen qualifying airline.

You can receive up to 1 million points back per calendar year, making this a standout perk that can lead to significant travel savings.

Final Thoughts

The Amex Business Platinum card comes with generous travel and business statement credits and benefits that make it a keeper for business owners. Even with a few trips per year, the savings and rewards-earning opportunities add up tremendously with this premium business card.