Find the 190K Bonus With the Amex Business Platinum [Current Public Offer Is as High as 300K]

One of the best-kept secrets when considering applying for a new credit card is that welcome offers can vary over time, depending on where, when, and how you apply for the card. Since it may only be possible to earn a welcome offer once per card, it makes sense to apply for the highest and best welcome offer you can find.

The Business Platinum Card^® from American Express is one of our top picks for a business credit card and is definitely worth considering adding to your wallet. Though the current public welcome offer is even higher, here are some strategies to be aware of when applying.

Targeted offers are discussed in the article below. Please note that these offers are not available to all applicants. Any information related to targeted offers has been collected independently and has not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

Amex Business Platinum Card Welcome Offer

One of the best places to look for welcome offers on the Amex Business Platinum card is directly on American Express’ website. Always verify the welcome offer that’s publicly available. That gives you something to compare to when you try some of the other strategies outlined in this article.

The current public offer is: 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.

Eligibility & Pop-Up Rules for the 190K Bonus Offer

American Express makes it pretty clear if you’re eligible to earn a welcome offer on the Amex Business Platinum card. You might see a “pop-up window” on your screen during the application process, which states that you’re not eligible based on your previous account history. If this happens to you, you can either confirm and continue or exit the application — either way, your credit score won’t be impacted.

Applicants who do not see this pop-up message will be eligible for the welcome offer, which is shown on the next page. Remember that the welcome offer is variable and targeted to the applicant, and not everyone will qualify for 170,000 points (or higher).

The targeted welcome offer is determined by your current and previous spending habits on existing Amex cards, how many card accounts you’ve opened or closed, and the number of welcome offers you’ve earned in the past. (Source: American Express)

One last thing to check is the “lifetime language” added on the application terms. This American Express rule generally limits applicants to earning a welcome offer on a specific once per lifetime. Under the Offer & Benefit Terms, it may appear in the following statement: “You may not be eligible to receive a welcome offer if you have or have had this Card or previous versions of this Card.”

Option 1: Check on Amex Directly (Try This First)

Here’s an example of a targeted 300,000-point welcome offer we’ve seen:

First, you’ll want to fill out the application, and Amex will provide you with a decision using a soft credit check. (Source: American Express)

If you’re denied, your credit score won’t be affected. If you’re approved, you’ll be able to review the welcome offer you qualify for — which could potentially be 190,000 points or even as high as 300,000 points.

A hard inquiry may only take effect if you choose to move forward and open the new Amex Business Platinum card account.

We know that Amex has given elevated offers on the Amex Business Platinum card and its consumer version, the Platinum Card^® from American Express, directly to targeted applicants. As with all targeted offers, these offers aren’t available to all applicants.

Here’s an example of a targeted offer we’ve seen: Earn 190,000 Membership Rewards after spending $15,000 in purchases in the first 3 months of card membership.

Option 2: Use the CardMatch Tool

If you don’t find the offer you want on the Amex website, checking the CardMatch tool is another option. CardMatch takes a limited amount of your personal information and checks for elevated offers on various cards you might be eligible for. You could find the 190,000-point offer or one that’s even better. The best part is that CardMatch doesn’t conduct a hard pull on your credit.

Option 3: Look for Targeted Email or Postal Offers

Ensure you’re signed up for American Express email and postal offers. You may receive targeted offers for 190,000 Membership Rewards points or even more. To receive these targeted offers, opt in to receive New Card and Credit Offers in your account’s General Marketing Email Preferences. (Source: American Express)

Amex Business Platinum Card Benefits

Here are some of the benefits that come with the Amex Business Platinum card.

• Several annual statement credits, including eligible U.S. purchases made at Dell Technologies, Indeed, Adobe, U.S. wireless service providers, airline fee incidentals, and a CLEAR+ membership (enrollment required for some benefits).
• Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee credit
• Up to $600 annual hotel credit on prepaid stays with Fine Hotels + Resorts or The Hotel Collection (2-night minimum) booked on AmexTravel.com. You get up to $300 between January and June and up to another $300 from July through December
• Access to over 1,550 lounges at airports around the world, including American Express Centurion Lounges (domestic and international), 10 visits per year to Delta Sky Clubs (with a same-day Delta boarding pass), and Priority Pass lounges (enrollment required)
• Up to a $200 Hilton statement credit (enrollment required)
• Elite status with Hilton Honors, Marriott Bonvoy, and Leaders Club upon enrollment
• 35% of your points back when you use Pay With Points for a flight on your preselected airline booked through AmexTravel.com (up to 1 million points per year)
• Annual fee: $895 (rates & fees)

Earning Membership Rewards With the Amex Business Platinum Card

In addition to the outstanding welcome offer and many benefits just for having the card, you also earn valuable Membership Rewards points at the following rates:

• 5x on flights, prepaid hotels, and short-term rentals booked at AmexTravel.com
• 2x points for eligible purchases at U.S. electronic goods retailers (like Apple)
• 2x points at U.S. shipping providers, U.S. software and cloud system providers, and U.S. construction material and hardware suppliers
• 2x points on purchases of $5,000 or more (limited to $2 million per year in the 2x categories)
• 1x points are earned on all other eligible spending

Maximizing the 190K Welcome Offer

What can you do with 190,000 American Express Membership Rewards points? Here are a couple of ideas to give you some travel inspiration:

• Fly round-trip business class to Europe: American Express is a transfer partner of Air Canada and ANA at a 1:1 ratio. You can often find tickets through one of these loyalty programs for between 120,000 and 150,000 points, transferred from Amex.
• Take multiple domestic trips: American Express also transfers 1:1 to British Airways Avios, and you can book flights with partners American Airlines or Alaska Airlines. Shorter routes cost 7,500 or 9,000 Avios per segment, so you could have enough for 10 (or more) round-trip domestic flights.

Final Thoughts

One of the biggest benefits of the Amex Business Platinum card is the superb welcome offers. Following these strategies can help you find a Business Platinum 190,000-point welcome offer or even higher. Make sure to compare any targeted offers you receive to the publicly available offer so you can maximize the value of your new Amex Business Platinum card.