3 Reasons To Apply for the Amex Business Platinum Before 2026

The best premium business card on the market got even better. With a notable boost in earning rates, addition of luxury travel benefits, and an outsize welcome bonus offer, The Business Platinum Card^® from American Express is a powerful asset for high-spending businesses.

While the $895 annual fee (rates & fees) positions it as the most expensive business card, there are ways to maximize the card for even more value. The final few months of the year are some of the best times to apply for the Amex Business Platinum card, because it’s possible to double-dip on a few benefits during the first year of account opening.

We’ll break down the math and show you how this works.

Earn Double the Statement Credits

If you’ve been thinking about applying for the Amex Business Platinum card, you may be wondering how the annual fee works. The $895 yearly charge will be added to your first statement credit, so you should be ready to pay for it upon opening the new account. However, this means you get access to your card membership benefits immediately.

While the $895 annual fee is, without a doubt, a huge price to pay, there are 3 statement credits in particular that you can effectively earn twice within your first account anniversary.

The reason behind this is because these credits are issued annually based on the calendar year rather than your membership year. New cardmembers applying right now can earn these credits before 2025 ends and again starting January 1, 2026, for the new calendar year.

Let’s dive into how this strategy works.

1. Prepaid Hotel Credit (Up to $300 Extra Value)

For long, the Amex Business Platinum card has offered booking access to the American Express Fine Hotels + Resorts program via AmexTravel.com. Effective January 1, 2027, Fine Hotels + Resorts^® bookings will require a minimum two-night stay to be eligible for the $600 Hotel Credit. This is a curated collection of luxury properties worldwide, and even booking as little as 1 night can offer these perks as if you were an elite status member at the hotel:

• Room upgrade upon arrival (subject to availability)
• Daily breakfast for 2 people
• Guaranteed 4 p.m. late checkout
• Noon check-in (subject to availability)
• Complimentary Wi-Fi
• A unique property amenity valued at $100 (spa or food and beverage credit)

Amex just made this program a lot better by introducing an additional statement credit during the card’s 2025 refresh. Now, it’s possible to earn up to $600 in annual statement credits for prepaid bookings through Fine Hotels + Resorts or The Hotel Collection (the latter requires a 2-night minimum stay). You receive up to $300 in statement credits for eligible prepaid properties from January to June and an additional up to $300 in statement credits from July to December.

Although this credit is split into 2 biannual amounts, new cardmembers can utilize the $300 hotel credit before the end of 2025. They reset in 2026, meaning up to $600 in potential value.

It’s important to know that the value of these credits do not roll over, as Amex is encouraging cardholders to utilize these benefits as they arrive in your account. There are many ways I’ve saved on hotels by maximizing this credit every 6 months, and the ability to earn an additional credit of up to $300 (for a total up to $900 within the first year) brings excellent value to the table.

2. Airline Incidental Fee Credit (Up to $200 Extra Value)

Upon account opening, you’ll be able to select 1 qualifying airline and enroll in the airline incidental fee credit. Every calendar year, you can earn up to $200 in statement credits for eligible charges with the airline of your choice:

• Alaska Airlines
• American Airlines
• Delta Air Lines
• JetBlue
• Southwest Airlines
• United Airlines

If you fly with one of the above airlines frequently, this credit can be a great way to save ahead of the busy holiday season. Eligible purchases include fees for checked bags, in-cabin pets, seat assignments, lounge passes, and even inflight purchases.

Because this benefit is offered on a calendar-year basis, new Amex Business Platinum cardholders have the opportunity to use it up before the end of 2025, then receive an additional credit of up to $200 starting January 1, 2026.

3. Dell Technologies Credit (Up to $150 Extra Value)

American Express partners with Dell to provide this useful statement credit for businesses upon enrollment. You can get back up to $150 in statement credits for U.S. Dell purchases per calendar year, then after spending at least $5,000 on purchases, you can receive an additional $1,000 statement credit.

From extra monitors to Garmin watches to Nintendo Switches, there are dozens of home office and tech products available. These also make for great gifts just in time for the holiday season. Cardmembers can get up to $150 in statement credits before 2025 ends and receive an additional allotment fresh for the 2026 year.

Earn up to 300,000-Point Welcome Bonus Offer

The Amex Business Platinum card allows for several unique double-dipping opportunities, which is a real draw before the year closes. However, new applicants can also earn a colossal welcome bonus offer.

Since the Amex Business Platinum card is the issuer’s most premium business card, the bonus offer is extremely generous:

• 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 your first 3 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.

NEW CHATGPT BENEFIT

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

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

Amex Membership Rewards points can be transferred to more than 20 airline and hotel loyalty programs, mostly at a 1:1 ratio. We estimate their worth to be at 2.2 cents apiece based on our latest valuations, but it’s possible to score even more value when strategically using points for business- or first-class flights and luxury hotels and resorts.

Used smartly, and you can expect to receive up to $6,600 from the welcome bonus offer alone. Just make sure you have a plan for meeting those minimum spend requirements so you don’t miss out on this awesome opportunity.

Final Thoughts

The Amex Business Platinum card — and especially its most recent refreshed version — is an incredibly rewarding tool. If you don’t have it already, you may want to consider these additional opportunities to recoup up to $650 in additional value from 3 of the card benefits alone.

Other incredible benefits of the card, such as access to point redemption opportunities and unparalleled airport lounge access, make it a keeper for the long run.