The Amex Business Platinum and Gold Are the Perfect Card Duo — Here’s Why

No single card can maximize your spending and still provide all the benefits you are looking for. But this becomes significantly easier when you pair them together.

That said, some cards work better with certain cards than others. When pairing cards, it’s important to consider each card’s benefits and features to maximize rewards.

After looking at numerous pairs, I have decidedly found my new favorite card combination: The Business Platinum Card^® from American Express and the American Express^® Gold Card. Both come with valuable welcome bonus offers that make it a good time to get one (or both) cards if you don’t have either already. And yes — you can have both cards at the same time if you’re approved!

Here’s a look at why the Amex Business Platinum card and Amex Gold card is my favorite duo right now and why it works well for business owners who also want an everyday card.

Amex Business Platinum Card Overview

ELEVATED 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 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!

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 Bonus Valuation*:

$3,300

Annual Fee

$695

APR

18.49% - 27.49% 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 (670-850)

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 and prepaid hotels at Amex Travel
• Access to over 1,400 worldwide airport lounges as part of the American Express Global Lounge Collection
• 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)

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.
• 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, on up to $2 million per Card Account per calendar year. Purchases eligible for multiple additional point bonuses will only receive the highest eligible bonus.
• Unlock over $1,000 in statement credits on select purchases, including tech, recruiting and wireless in the first year of membership with the Business Platinum Card^®. Enrollment required. See how you can unlock over $1,000 annually in credits on select purchases with the Business Platinum Card^®, here.
• $200 Airline Fee Credit: Select one qualifying airline and then receive up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year when incidental fees are charged by the airline to the Card.
• $199 CLEAR^® Plus Credit: Use your card and get up to $199 in statement credits per calendar year on your CLEAR^® Plus Membership (subject to auto-renewal) when you use the 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: 18.49% - 27.49% Variable
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Rewards Center

American Express Membership Rewards

The Amex Business Platinum card is tailored for business owners who also happen to be frequent travelers. It provides top-notch travel benefits (some require enrollment) such as airport lounge access at over 1,400 lounges, hotel elite status with 2 major hotel chains, rental car elite status with several agencies, and numerous travel insurances and protections.

However, the Amex Business Platinum card also has a hefty $695 annual fee (rates & fees). To help offset this massive cost, the card comes with lots of statement credits (some require enrollment).

Amex Gold Card Overview

BEST FOR DINING

Terms Apply / Rates & Fees

American Express^® Gold Card

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 is the best card for food lovers who dine out at restaurants (worldwide), order take-out and want big rewards at U.S. supermarkets!

Apply Now(at Amex's secure site)

Apply With Confidence

Know if you're approved with no credit score impact

If you're approved and accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.

American Express^® Gold Card

This is the best card for food lovers who dine out at restaurants (worldwide), order take-out and want big rewards at U.S. supermarkets!

Welcome Offer

Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards^® points after you spend $6,000 on eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.

60,000 points

UP's Bonus Valuation*:

$1,200

Annual Fee

$325

APR

See Pay Over Time APR

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 (670-850)

Why We Like This Card

The American Express^® Gold Card is a game-changer.

With this card, you can earn 4x Membership Rewards points at restaurants, up to $50,000 per calendar year, and you’ll also earn 4x Membership Rewards points at U.S. supermarkets on up to $25,000 per calendar year, then 1x.

There isn’t another card on the market that offers a 1-2 punch like this. Of course, there are several other benefits of the Gold Card as well, including extra monthly dining rewards and more.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• 4x points per dollar at restaurants worldwide, up to $50,000 per calendar year; then 1x thereafter
• 4x points per dollar at U.S. supermarkets, up to $25,000 per calendar year; then 1x thereafter
• 3x points per dollar on flights purchased directly from airlines or at AmexTravel.com

Cons

• $325 annual fee (rates and fees)
• No lounge access

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Card Highlights

• Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards^® points after you spend $6,000 on eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.
• Earn 4X Membership Rewards^® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
• Earn 4X Membership Rewards^® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
• Earn 3X Membership Rewards^® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
• Earn 2X Membership Rewards^® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
• Earn 1X Membership Rewards^® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
• $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and each month automatically get $10 in Uber Cash for Uber Eats orders or Uber rides in the U.S., totaling up to $120 per year. Effective 11/8/2024, an Amex Card must be selected as the payment method for your Uber or Uber Eats transaction to redeem the Amex Uber Cash benefit.
• $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express^® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations.
• $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express^® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
• $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express^® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
• Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. Eligible charges vary by property.
• No Foreign Transaction Fees.
• Annual Fee is $325.
• Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
• Terms Apply.

Financial Snapshot

• APR: See Pay Over Time APR
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Rewards Center

American Express Membership Rewards

The Amex Gold card does an excellent job of creating balance as both a travel and an everyday spending card. Thanks to its elevated earnings at restaurants and U.S. supermarkets, you can then use those rewards for future travel redemptions.

In addition to the fantastic earning structure, the Amex Gold card comes with some credits (enrollment required) to help offset the $325 annual fee (rates & fees), including up to $120 in annual dining credits and up to $120 in annual Uber Cash for U.S. Uber Eats orders or Uber rides, that’s distributed in up to $10 monthly credits. (Be sure to add your Amex Gold card to the Uber app to receive the Uber Cash benefit).

Why These Cards Pair So Well

When it comes to pairing cards, you want to maximize the rewards you earn. This is best done by having a rewards card that has higher rewards earning potential for specific categories.

Both the Amex Business Platinum card and the Amex Gold card earn highly valuable American Express Membership Rewards points that are pooled together in one balance. However, each card has elevated earnings in specific categories that make the cards work well together.

With the Amex Business Platinum card, you can earn 5x points on flights and prepaid hotels on AmexTravel.com. You earn 1.5x on eligible purchases of U.S. construction materials, with hardware suppliers, electronic goods retailers, software and cloud system providers, and shipping providers. Additionally, you can earn 1.5x points on purchases of $5,000 or more. The spending cap for earning 1.5x points is $2 million per calendar year.

With the Amex Gold card, you can earn 4x points at restaurants, takeout, and delivery in the U.S. on up to $50,000 per calendar year (1x thereafter) and at U.S. supermarkets on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases (1x thereafter). This elevated earnings potential is fantastic, as both restaurants and supermarkets are common spending categories.

With these 2 cards together, I can earn more rewards in the categories where I spend the most money. I’ve already received the welcome bonus offers on these cards, but here’s a preview of what’s currently on the table:

• Amex Business Platinum card’s ELEVATED OFFER: Earn 150,000 points after spending $20,000 in eligible purchases within the first 3 months.
• Amex Gold card’s Earn 60,000 points after spending $6,000 in the first 6 months.

How I Maximize These Cards

Carrying the Amex Business Platinum card and the Amex Gold card is a great way to earn American Express Membership Rewards points by maximizing your spending. We value Membership Rewards points at 2.2 cents apiece, the most useful transferable points available.

I use the Amex Business Platinum card for flights and prepaid hotels on AmexTravel.com to maximize spending, earning me 5x points. I also use it at electronic goods retailers (like Apple) and shipping providers. Of course, whenever my business has an expense over $5,000, I use the Amex Business Platinum card.

I then use the Amex Gold card to earn 4x points at restaurants for up to $50,000 per calendar year (then 1x) and 4x points at U.S. supermarkets for up to $25,000 per calendar year (then 1x). Although I don’t typically max out the spending in these categories, I like knowing I earn maximum rewards.

The Amex Gold card has no foreign transaction fees (rates & fees), meaning I still earn 4x points when spending at restaurants worldwide.

Since the Amex Business Platinum card only earns elevated earnings on flights and prepaid hotels on AmexTravel.com, I would use the Amex Gold card to book airline tickets directly with airlines to earn 3x points.

Final Thoughts

It’s a good idea to carry multiple cards to maximize the rewards you can earn. Fortunately, you can pair them together to make this even easier.

The Amex Business Platinum card and the Amex Gold card make for an excellent and often underrated combination. Between these cards, you can earn elevated earnings across many categories, including restaurants, supermarkets, prepaid hotels, and flights. That said, it’s incredibly important to track your spending habits and adjust your card usage as needed to ensure you get the most out of your card combinations.