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Why the Amex Business Platinum Is Superior to the Chase Sapphire Reserve Business

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Victoria M. Walker
Updated: 
Edited by: Michael Y. Park
& Stella Shon
Why the Amex Business Platinum Is Superior to the Chase Sapphire Reserve Business
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A premium business rewards card can offer lucrative benefits for your business, including on purchases, travel benefits, statement credits, and redemption. 2 cards stand out from the crowded field: The Business Platinum Card® from American Express and the Sapphire Reserve for Business℠ .

Both of these cards accomplish all of these benefits and much more. Still, one card stands out from the other. Here’s why.

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Amex Business Platinum Card vs. Chase Sapphire Reserve Business Card

The Amex Business Platinum card has an $895 annual fee (rates & fees) while the Chase Sapphire Reserve Business card has a $795 annual fee. But how do they compare?

Here’s how you earn Membership Rewards points with the Amex Business Platinum card:

  • 5x points on flights and prepaid hotels booked through AmexTravel.com
  • 2x points (up from 1.5x points) on purchases at U.S. construction material and hardware suppliers, electronic goods retailers, software and cloud system providers, and shipping providers, as well as on eligible purchases of $5,000 or more, up to $2 million of these purchases per calendar year. Purchases eligible for multiple additional point bonuses only receive the highest eligible bonus
  • 1x points on all other eligible purchases
ELEVATED WELCOME OFFER
The Business Platinum Card® from American ExpressTerms Apply / Rates & Fees
The Business Platinum Card® from American Express
Star rating iconStar rating iconStar rating iconStar rating iconStar rating iconStar rating iconStar rating iconStar rating iconStar rating iconStar rating icon
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!
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.
150,000 200,000 points
Up to $4,400
$895
17.99% - 28.74% 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 card application.
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
Read Full Review
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: 17.99% - 28.74% Variable
  • Foreign Transaction Fees: None
Rewards Center

American Express Membership Rewards

With the Amex Business Platinum card, you can unlock over $3,500 in annual value with its vast array of business- and travel-focused benefits:

  • Dell Technologies statement credit benefit: 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. Enrollment required.
  • $600 hotel credit: Get up to $300 in statement credits semiannually 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 2-night minimum stay.
  • $209 CLEAR Plus® credit: Use the Business Platinum card and get up to $209 back per calendar year on your CLEAR® Plus Membership (subject to auto-renewal).
  • $200 airline fee credit: Select 1 qualifying airline to receive up to $200 back per year on baggage fees and other incidentals. Enrollment required.
  • $200 Hilton statement credit: Hilton For Business members get up to $200 back per calendar year when you make an eligible purchase at Hilton properties across the globe. Enrollment required.
  • $120 wireless credit: 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, up to $120 back per year. Enrollment required.
  • Business Platinum Indeed benefit: Get up to $90 in statement credits quarterly for
  • purchases made with Indeed on the Business Platinum card, totaling $360 per year. Enrollment required.
  • Adobe statement credit benefit: Get a $250 statement credit after spending $600 or more on U.S. purchases directly with Adobe per calendar year on the Business Platinum card. Enrollment required.
  • Access to the Global Lounge Collection: 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 April 2025.

Hot Tip: Check to see if you’re eligible for a welcome bonus offer of up to 250,000 points with the Amex Business Platinum card. The current public offer is 150,000 200,000 points. (This targeted offer was independently researched and may not be available to all applicants.)

And here’s a breakdown of how you earn Ultimate Rewards points with the Chase Sapphire Reserve Business card:

  • 8x points on Chase Travel purchases
  • 4x points on flights and hotels booked directly
  • 3x points on advertising purchases made with social media sites and search engines 
NEW OFFER
Sapphire Reserve for Business℠Terms Apply / Rates & Fees
Sapphire Reserve for Business℠
Star rating iconStar rating iconStar rating iconStar rating iconStar rating iconStar rating iconStar rating iconStar rating iconStar rating iconStar rating icon
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.

The Chase Sapphire Reserve for Business card is perfect for frequent traveler business owners who want premium perks.

Apply Now
Sapphire Reserve for Business℠
The Chase Sapphire Reserve for Business card is perfect for frequent traveler business owners who want premium perks.
Earn 200,000 bonus points after you spend $30,000 on purchases in your first 6 months from account opening.
200,000 points
$4,000
$795
18.24% - 26.24% 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 card application.
Excellent
Why We Like This Card

The Chase Sapphire Reserve Business card is a great pick for business owners who can easily make use of the annual credits for travel, Google Workspace, ZipRecruiter, and more. Plus, it offers helpful bonus categories such as ad spend and offers access to over 1,300 airport lounges — including Chase Sapphire Lounges.

Pros & Cons
Pros
  • 8x points on Chase Travel purchases
  • 4x points on flights and hotels booked directly
  • 3x points on advertising purchases made with social media sites and search engines (uncapped)
Cons
    • $795 annual fee
Read Full Review
Card Highlights
  • Earn 200,000 bonus points after you spend $30,000 on purchases in your first 6 months from account opening and with more than $2,500 in annual value, there's no competition.
  • Earn 8x points on Chase Travel℠ for airline tickets, hotels, including The Edit℠, car rentals, cruises, activities and tours.
  • Earn 5x total points on Lyft rides through 9/30/27.
  • Earn 4x points on flights & hotels booked direct.
  • Earn 3x points on social media & search engine advertising.
  • Get the most flexible travel credit compared to any other card, with up to $300 in statement credits each anniversary year on travel purchases.
  • Enjoy complimentary access to the Chase Sapphire Lounge® by The Club network and Priority Pass™ Select membership. Two guests may accompany the Primary Cardmember to the lounges free of charge.
  • Member FDIC
Financial Snapshot
  • APR: 18.24% - 26.24% Variable
  • Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Similar to the Amex Business Platinum card, the Chase Sapphire Reserve Business card offers exceptional travel and lifestyle benefits, some requiring prior enrollment:

Finally, as a business card, here are the business-centered perks you receive with the Chase Sapphire Reserve Business card:

Comparing Airport Lounge Access

Many premium credit cards, whether business or personal, offer lounge access benefits. Business owners, in particular, may want to take advantage of an airport lounge, whether to grab a quick meal or snack before a flight, make a call or attend a meeting in a quiet location, or have a place to charge a laptop or phone.

Both the Amex Business Platinum card and the Chase Sapphire Reserve Business card offer impressive benefits at airport lounges globally. Amex and Chase both offer Priority Pass Select access upon enrollment. This membership provides access to more than 1,400 airport lounges worldwide.

But Amex ekes it out over Chase here in overall lounge offerings, and it isn’t even close. That’s because the Amex Business Platinum card (along with the personal Platinum Card® from American Express) has the largest network of lounges of any card, with over 1,550 lounges in more than 140 countries as of April 2025. Specifically, you have access to the Global Lounge Collection, which includes:

The Centurion Lounge network alone offers more lounges than Chase Sapphire, with 15 lounges open in the U.S. and another 15 abroad. Plus, you’re able to access Plaza Premium lounges and some Virgin Clubhouses and Lufthansa Lounges. 

Atlanta ATL American Express Centurion Lounge main dining area
Welcome to the Centurion Lounge ATL. Image Credit: Daniel Ross

In contrast, Chase has a small (but quickly growing) Chase Sapphire Lounge by The Club footprint, with just 8 locations open in the U.S. and Hong Kong (HKG).

Chase Sapphire Lounge San Diego bar
The bar at the Chase Sapphire Lounge in San Diego. Image Credit: Ryan Smith

Chase Sapphire lounges are extremely impressive — especially its lounge at New York’s LaGuardia Airport (LGA). At 21,850 square feet, the lounge offers excellent food and beverages, a children’s playroom, a game room, and private suites that guests can reserve.

Cardholders do get access to select Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounges and Air Canada Cafes when flying on a Star Alliance carrier. This is a solid benefit, as Air Canada lounges are in a handful of major U.S. airports, such as Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and New York LaGuardia Airport (LGA).

That said, Amex’s partnership with Delta Air Lines, in particular, can’t be glossed over. Despite Delta capping the number of visits at its Sky Club lounges to 10 visits per year, Amex Business Platinum cardmembers can access its lounge network (when flying same-day Delta). Overall, Amex’s wide-ranging lounge access, despite the restrictions, makes the Amex Business Platinum card the better option for frequent flyers.

Winner: Amex Business Platinum card

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Guest Access to Airport Lounges

If bringing guests to airport lounges are important, you’ll want to pay attention to the guest access rules for each business card.

With the Chase Sapphire Reserve Business card, both primary cardholders and authorized users can bring 2 guests for free to Sapphire Lounges and at Priority Pass Select lounges. Additional guests beyond this cost $27 each, while children under 2 are free.

It’s worth noting that Chase Sapphire Lounges are part of the Priority Pass Select network. With a non-Chase card, such as those with the Amex Business Platinum card, receive 1 complimentary visit to Chase Sapphire Lounges per year through their activated Priority Pass Select membership.

With the Amex Business Platinum card, guest access comes at $50 per adult or $30 per child ages 2–17. To receive complimentary entry for up to 2 guests, cardholders must spend $75,000 in eligible purchases within a calendar year. For business owners with significant spending, this threshold may be easy to reach — but it’s still an important requirement to keep in mind.

Winner: Chase Sapphire Reserve Business card

Best Ways To Redeem Points

You can transfer Membership Rewards points to 21 airline and hotel transfer partners, whereas Chase Ultimate Rewards offer 14 options.

However, Amex offers a Pay With Points feature exclusive to the Amex Business Platinum card. No other Amex card offers this benefit.

Pay With Points allows cardholders to earn a 35% rebate on points redeemed through AmexTravel.com with your selected qualifying airline in any cabin class, with a limit of up to 1 million points per year. If you’re a frequent flier, this is an important benefit you’ll want to have. That’s because you can get a good redemption value (1.54 cents apiece) when using the Pay With Points feature. Additionally, the ability to redeem points to cover all or part of a flight has provided cardholders with even more flexibility.

The Chase Sapphire Reserve Business card includes a feature called Points Boost, which lets you redeem points for “up to 2 cents per point” on premium airline tickets or hotels booked through the Chase Travel portal. However, redemption values can vary widely — in many cases, economy tickets will net just 1 cent per point.

By contrast, the Amex Business Platinum card’s Pay With Points benefit delivers more consistent value across cabin classes with your chosen airline, making it a more reliable redemption option overall.

Winner: Amex Business Platinum card

Business-Focused Benefits

We’ve discussed travel benefits extensively, but what makes the Amex Business Platinum card and the Chase Sapphire Reserve Business card particularly enticing is the ongoing value they offer business owners.

The Amex Business Platinum card offers hundreds of dollars in statement credits and benefits at various merchants, including Dell, Indeed, and Adobe. You also get statement credits for your wireless provider (up to $10 monthly), which should shave down some of your business expenses.

Amex Business Platinum Dell Website Close Up Upgraded Points LLC 2
Annual Dell statement credits. Image Credit: Upgraded Points LLC

The Chase Sapphire Reserve Business card also offers some impressive benefits, though we would have liked to see more. You receive $400 annually in ZipRecruiter credits, a hiring platform, which reduces the cost of a membership that can be as high as $299 monthly. We also like the $200 annual Google Workspace credit. Finally, you receive a $100 Giftcards.com credit in $50 biannual credits, which is a decent statement credit.

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Winner: Amex Business Platinum card

Final Thoughts

The Amex Business Platinum card and the Sapphire Reserve for Business card are among the best business credit cards out there, whether you’re an established business owner or just getting started with your first business. Both cards offer at least hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars in value on travel, business, and more.

Ultimately, the Amex Business Platinum card offers enhanced travel benefits at lounges and on flights than the Chase Sapphire Reserve Business.

Featured Image Credit: Upgraded Points LLC
Victoria M. Walker's image

About Victoria M. Walker

Victoria holds a B.A. in Broadcast Journalism from the Howard University School of Communications and is an award-winning journalist, travel reporter, and the founder of the “Carrying On with Victoria M. Walker” newsletter.

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Platinum Card® from American ExpressTerms Apply / Rates & Fees

Platinum Card® from American Express

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Platinum Card® from American Express

Welcome Offer: As High As 175,000 Points. Find Out Your Offer.

  • You may be eligible for as high as 175,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $8,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
  • Get more for your travels with 5X Membership Rewards® points on all flights and prepaid hotel bookings through American Express Travel®, including Fine Hotels + Resorts® and The Hotel Collection bookings. You earn 5X points on flights purchased directly from airlines or through American Express Travel® on up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year.
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  • More Value! With over 1,550 airport lounges - more than any other credit card company on the market* - enjoy the benefits of the Global Lounge Collection®, over $850 of annual value, with access to Centurion Lounges, 10 complimentary Delta Sky Club® visits when flying on an eligible Delta flight (subject to visit limitations), Priority Pass Select membership (enrollment required), and other select partner lounges. * As of 07/2025.
  • More Value! $200 Uber Cash + $120 Uber One Credit: With the Platinum Card® you can receive $15 in Uber Cash each month plus a bonus $20 in December when you add your Platinum Card® to your Uber account to use on rides and orders in the U.S when you select an Amex Card for your transaction. Plus, when you use the Platinum Card® to pay for an auto-renewing Uber One membership, you can get up to $120 in statement credits each calendar year. Terms apply.
  • More Value! $300 Digital Entertainment Credit: Get up to $25 in statement credits each month after you pay for eligible purchases with the Platinum Card® at participating partners. Enrollment required.
  • More Value! $600 Hotel Credit: Get up to $300 in statement credits semi-annually on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection* bookings through American Express Travel® using the Platinum Card®. *The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay.
  • New! $400 Resy Credit + Platinum Nights by Resy: When you use the Platinum Card® to pay at U.S. Resy restaurants and to make other eligible purchases through Resy, you can get up to $100 in statement credits each quarter with the $400 Resy Credit benefit. Plus, with Platinum Nights by Resy, you can get special access to reservations on select nights at participating in demand Resy restaurants with the Platinum Card®. Simply add your eligible Card to your Resy profile to book and discover Platinum Nights reservations near you, enrollment required.
  • More Value! $209 CLEAR® Plus Credit: CLEAR® Plus helps get you to your gate faster by using unique facial attributes to verify you are you at 50+ airports nationwide. You can cover the cost of a CLEAR Plus Membership* with up to $209 in statement credits per calendar year after you pay for CLEAR Plus with the Platinum Card®. *Excluding any applicable taxes and fees. Subject to auto-renewal.
  • $200 Airline Fee Credit: Select one qualifying airline and then receive up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year when incidental fees, such as checked bags and in-flight refreshments, are charged by the airline to the Platinum Card® Account*. American Express relies on airlines to submit the correct information on airline transactions to identify incidental fee purchases. If you do not see a credit for a qualifying incidental purchase on your eligible Card after 8 weeks, simply call the number on the back of your Card. Qualifying airlines are subject to change. See terms & conditions for more details.
  • Start your vacation sooner, and keep it going longer. When you book Fine Hotels + Resorts® through American Express Travel®, enjoy noon check-in upon arrival, when available, and guaranteed 4PM check-out.
  • New! $300 lululemon Credit: Enjoy up to $75 in statement credits each quarter when you use the Platinum Card® for eligible purchases at U.S. lululemon retail stores (excluding outlets) and lululemon.com. That’s up to $300 in statement credits each calendar year. Enrollment required.
  • $155 Walmart+ Credit: Receive a statement credit* for one monthly Walmart+ membership (subject to auto-renewal) after you pay for Walmart+ each month with the Platinum Card®.*Up to $12.95 plus applicable local sales tax. Plus Ups not eligible.
  • $100 Saks Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits annually for purchases at Saks Fifth Avenue or saks.com on the Platinum Card®. That’s up to $50 in statement credits from January through June and up to $50 in statement credits from July through December. No minimum purchase required. Enrollment required.
  • Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
  • $895 annual fee.
  • Terms Apply.

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