5 Business Class Flights You Can Book With Amex Platinum’s Welcome Offer

When it comes to premium travel cards, few offer as many perks as the Platinum Card^® from American Express. From airport lounge access and hotel elite status to strong travel and purchase protections (enrollment required for some benefits), this card is built for frequent travelers who want a more comfortable experience.

But for many people, the most compelling reason to apply is the card’s sizeable welcome offer:

• Apply and find out if you're eligible for as high as 175,000 points after spending $8,000 in eligible purchases in the first 6 months. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.

When redeemed well, especially for business class travel, this many American Express Membership Rewards points can unlock thousands of dollars in travel value. Here are 5 business class flights I’d book using the Amex Platinum card’s welcome offer.

Amex Platinum Card Overview

The Amex Platinum card has long been considered a top-tier travel card, offering extensive benefits and lifestyle perks, including airport lounge access and hotel and rental car elite status (upon enrollment).

+ NEW BENEFITS

Terms Apply / Rates & Fees

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.

The Amex Platinum reigns supreme for luxury travel, offering the best airport lounge access plus generous statement credits, and complimentary elite status.

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.

Platinum Card^® from American Express

The Amex Platinum reigns supreme for luxury travel, offering the best airport lounge access plus generous statement credits, and complimentary elite status.

Welcome Offer

You may be eligible for as high as 175,000 Membership Rewards^® Points after spending $8,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.

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

UP's Offer Valuation*:

Up to $3,850

Annual Fee

$895

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 card application.

Good to Excellent

Why We Like This Card

When it comes to cards that offer top-notch benefits, you’d be hard-pressed to find a better card out there than the Platinum Card^® from American Express.

Make no mistake — the Amex Platinum card is a premium card with a premium price tag. With amazing benefits like best-in-class airport lounge access, hotel elite status, and tremendous value in annual statement credits, it can easily prove to be one of the most lucrative cards in your wallet year after year.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• The best airport lounge access out of any card (by far) — enjoy access to over 1,550 worldwide lounges, including the luxurious Amex Centurion Lounges, Priority Pass lounges (enrollment required), Plaza Premium Lounges, and many more!
• 5x points per dollar spent on flights purchased directly with the airline or with AmexTravel.com (up to $500,000 per year)
• 5x points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels booked with AmexTravel.com

Cons

• $895 annual fee (rates and fees)
• Airline credit does not cover airfare (only incidentals like checked bags)

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

• 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.
• 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.

Financial Snapshot

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

Rewards Center

American Express Membership Rewards

The card does carry a high annual fee of $895 (rates & fees), but a wide range of statement credits can help offset that cost for cardholders who regularly use the benefits.

How Much Are 175K Amex Membership Rewards Points Worth?

American Express Membership Rewards points are among the most valuable transferable currencies available. We value Amex Membership Rewards points at 2.2 cents apiece, the highest valuation among major transferable programs.

That means 175,000 Membership Rewards points could be worth up to $3,850 when redeemed strategically.

While points can be used for statement credits, gift cards, or bookings through AmexTravel.com, the best value typically comes from transferring points to airline and hotel travel partners, especially for business class awards.

Here are 5 one-way business class tickets you can book with Membership Rewards points.

1. Qatar Airways Qsuites (70K Points)

Qatar Airways’ Qsuites are widely considered the best business class in the world, featuring fully enclosed suites, sliding privacy doors, and flexible seating options for couples or groups.

Fortunately, there are multiple ways to book Qatar Airways Qsuites, including with Amex Membership Rewards and through the airline’s own program, Qatar Airways Privilege Club. And since Qatar Airways is part of the Oneworld alliance, you can also book Qsuites through British Airways Club. Amex Membership Rewards transfers to both programs at a 1:1 ratio.

You can book a one-way business class award on Qatar Airways between Doha (DOH) and the U.S. for 70,000 Avios per person plus taxes and fees, but note that adding connecting flights would increase that rate.

It can be challenging to find Qsuites award availability because of the high demand, but award search tools, such as Seats.aero, can help with that process. It has a Qatar Qsuites Finder feature that makes finding Qsuites award availability much easier.

2. ANA “The Room” (~52.5K)

ANA’s “The Room” is one of the most sought-after business class products, featuring oversized seats, privacy doors, and a modern, understated design.

While ANA is a Star Alliance member, one of the best ways to book its business class is through Virgin Atlantic Flying Club, thanks to a unique non-alliance partnership between the 2 airlines.

Virgin Atlantic has a dedicated award chart for ANA-operated flights. One-way business class awards to Japan cost just 52,500 Flying Club points from the West Coast or 60,000 points from the Central and Eastern U.S.

That makes it possible to book a round-trip ANA business class between the U.S. and Japan using the Amex Platinum card’s welcome offer alone. This redemption is among the best ways to utilize points and miles since cash prices for ANA business class often exceed $5,000.

Keep in mind that ANA awards must be booked by phone through Virgin Atlantic, as they aren’t available online.

3. Japan Airlines Business Class (77K Points)

Like ANA, Japan Airlines is consistently ranked among the world’s top airlines, known for its refined service and high-quality business class experience.

Because Japan Airlines is an Oneworld member, its business class seats can be booked through several partner programs that transfer from Amex Membership Rewards points.

2 of the best options are British Airways Club and Cathay Pacific “Cathay” (formerly Asia Miles), both of which offer competitive pricing based on distance. The lowest rates are between Japan and the U.S. West Coast, where you can book Japan Airlines business class for 77,250 British Airways Avios or 89,000 Asia Miles, one-way.

Availability can be limited during peak travel periods, but Japan Airlines often releases award space far in advance.

4. Air France or KLM Business Class (60K Points)

Air France and KLM offer strong business class products across their long-haul fleets, with comfortable seats, solid onboard dining, and generally reliable award availability.

Both airlines use the Air France-KLM Flying Blue program, which prices awards dynamically (or based on demand) but still offers predictable saver-level fares on many routes.

One-way business class awards between the U.S. and Europe can often be found from 60,000 miles plus taxes and fees, making Flying Blue a practical option for premium cabin travel. Best of all, award availability tends to be solid.

Getting to Europe for just 60,000 miles in business class is a fantastic redemption, considering how popular European destinations have become.

Flying Blue also runs monthly Promo Rewards, which can discount award pricing by up to 50% on select routes, providing an opportunity to stretch points even further. Recently, I took full advantage of a Flying Blue Promo Reward, where I flew to Europe and back in business class for just 70,000 Flying Blue miles.

5. Singapore Airlines Business Class (60K Points)

Singapore Airlines is widely praised for its service, onboard cuisine, and premium cabin experience. It’s my favorite airline in the world, even though I’ve only flown with them twice.

However, booking its long-haul business class seats can be challenging due to limited partner availability.

One notable exception is a fifth-freedom route operated by Singapore Airlines between New York (JFK) and Frankfurt (FRA), which can be booked using Air Canada Aeroplan points.

This route costs 60,000 Aeroplan points one-way, plus roughly $55 in taxes and fees, which is a strong value for a long-haul business class flight on a top-tier carrier.

Availability is limited, but this redemption remains one of the most attractive Aeroplan sweet spots. I booked this exact redemption and consider it to be one of my best business class experiences.

Final Thoughts

The welcome offer on the Amex Platinum card can unlock incredible value when used strategically. By transferring these points to airline partners, it’s possible to book multiple business class flights on some of the world’s top airlines, often for a fraction of the cash price.

For people who prioritize premium cabins and can take advantage of the card’s benefits, the Amex Platinum card remains one of the most powerful tools for booking high-end award travel.