The Business Platinum Card from American Express

Quick Snapshot

• Annual Fee: $695
• APR: 19.49%-27.49% variable
• Rewards: 5X flights/prepaid hotels via Amex Travel, 1.5X on $5K+ purchases, 1X everything else
• Bonus: 150,000 Membership Rewards points after $20,000 in purchases in 3 months
• Best For: Business owners who spend heavily on travel and want top-tier lounge access with substantial statement credits
• Credit Needed: Excellent (740+)

Overview

The Business Platinum Card from American Express is the flagship business charge card, loaded with travel benefits and statement credits designed for high-spending business owners. The $695 annual fee is steep, but the card delivers 5X Membership Rewards points on flights and prepaid hotels booked through Amex Travel, plus 1.5X on single purchases of $5,000 or more anywhere, and 1X on everything else. The 150,000-point welcome bonus after $20,000 in spending within three months is massive, worth $1,500 to $3,000 depending on how you redeem.

The card's benefits roster reads like a premium travel playbook: Centurion Lounge access, Delta Sky Club access when flying Delta, Priority Pass Select, a $200 airline fee credit, $200 in Dell Technologies credits, $150 in Indeed credits, and $120 in wireless telephone credits. A 35% airline bonus when redeeming Membership Rewards for flights through Amex Travel effectively boosts your point value to 1.35 cents or more per point on premium cabin redemptions.

For businesses that can meet the high spending threshold, the card is a powerful tool. The 1.5X rate on purchases of $5,000 or more is particularly valuable for businesses that make large vendor payments, equipment purchases, or inventory buys. Combined with the extensive credit portfolio and global lounge access, the Business Platinum is built for the traveling business owner who spends $100,000 or more per year and can maximize every benefit.

APR Breakdown

• Purchase APR: 19.49%-27.49% variable
• Balance Transfer APR: N/A
• Cash Advance APR: 29.99% variable
• Penalty APR: None

Note: This is a charge card product. Balances must be paid in full each month for most purchases, though the Pay Over Time feature allows select charges to be carried at the stated APR.

Benefits Overview

Premium Earning Rates

• 5X points on flights booked directly with airlines or through Amex Travel
• 5X points on prepaid hotels booked through Amex Travel
• 1.5X points on single purchases of $5,000 or more (up to 1 million additional points per year)
• 1X points on all other eligible purchases

Global Lounge Access

• American Express Centurion Lounge access
• Delta Sky Club access when flying Delta
• Priority Pass Select membership
• Airspace Lounge access
• Plaza Premium Lounge access
• Escape Lounge access

Annual Statement Credits

• $200 airline fee credit for incidental fees on a selected airline
• $200 Dell Technologies credit ($100 semi-annually)
• $150 Indeed credit for job posting
• $120 wireless telephone credit ($10 monthly)
• $100 Global Entry or TSA PreCheck credit

Business and Travel Tools

• 35% Airline Bonus when using points for flights through Amex Travel
• Fee-free employee cards with spending limits
• Comprehensive travel insurance including trip cancellation and car rental coverage
• No foreign transaction fees
• No preset spending limit

Rewards & Points

• 5X on flights and prepaid hotels booked through Amex Travel
• 1.5X on single purchases of $5,000 or more
• 1X on all other eligible purchases

Membership Rewards points transfer to over 20 airline and hotel partners at 1:1 ratios, including Delta, JetBlue, British Airways, Hilton, and Marriott. The 35% airline bonus effectively gives you 1.35 cents per point or more when redeeming for premium cabin flights through the Amex Travel portal.

Welcome Bonus

Earn 150,000 Membership Rewards points after you spend $20,000 in eligible purchases on your new card within the first 3 months of card membership. At 1 cent per point, this bonus is worth $1,500 in travel through Amex Travel. Transferred to airline partners for business or first class, the value can reach $2,500 to $3,000. The $20,000 spending requirement is high but achievable for business owners consolidating expenses.

Fees Summary

• Annual Fee: $695
• Employee Card Fee: $0 for additional cards
• Balance Transfer Fee: N/A
• Cash Advance Fee: N/A (charge card)
• Foreign Transaction Fee: $0
• Late Payment Fee: Up to $40
• Returned Payment Fee: Up to $40

Who This Card Is Best For

Ideal For

• High-spending business owners who spend $100K+ per year and make frequent $5K+ purchases
• Frequent business travelers who want Centurion and Sky Club lounge access
• Points maximizers who transfer Membership Rewards to airline partners for premium flights
• Employers who need fee-free employee cards with spending controls

Not Good For

• Low-spending businesses that cannot meet the $20K welcome bonus threshold or $5K purchase tier
• Cash-back seekers who prefer simple percentage-based rewards
• Budget-conscious owners who cannot maximize the credits to offset the $695 fee

Key Pros & Cons

Pros

• 5X on flights and prepaid hotels through Amex Travel is best in class for business travel
• 1.5X on large purchases of $5,000+ is uniquely valuable for business spending
• 150,000-point welcome bonus can be worth up to $3,000 in travel
• Centurion Lounge and Delta Sky Club access for premium airport experiences
• Over $770 in annual statement credits across Dell, Indeed, wireless, airline fees, and Global Entry
• 35% airline bonus boosts the value of point redemptions for flights
• Transfer partners include 20+ airline and hotel programs
• Fee-free employee cards with customizable spending limits
• No foreign transaction fees
• Comprehensive travel insurance and purchase protections

Cons

• $695 annual fee is one of the highest for any business card
• $20,000 welcome bonus spending requirement is demanding for smaller businesses
• 1X base rate on everyday purchases is low compared to flat-rate alternatives
• Credits are spread across multiple vendors and require active management to use fully
• Charge card structure requires paying most balances in full monthly
• Dell and Indeed credits may not be useful for every business
• 5X rate requires booking through Amex Travel, not direct with hotels
• Lounge access may become crowded during peak travel periods

Alternatives to Consider

How the Rewards Add Up

Example Annual Value

Total estimated first-year value: $3,695 including welcome bonus at $1,500, annual credits at $770, points earned at $2,170, minus the $695 annual fee. Value increases significantly when transferring points to airline partners for premium redemptions.

Should You Get This Card?

You Should Get It If...

• Your business spends $100,000 or more per year across travel and large purchases
• You travel frequently and will use Centurion, Delta Sky Club, and Priority Pass lounges
• You make regular purchases of $5,000 or more and want the 1.5X earning rate
• You can maximize the Dell, Indeed, wireless, and airline fee credits
• You want to transfer Membership Rewards points to airline partners for high-value flights
• You need fee-free employee cards for your team
• You book significant travel through Amex Travel and want 5X on flights and hotels

You Should Skip It If...

• Your business spends less than $50,000 per year and cannot fully utilize the benefits
• You cannot meet the $20,000 welcome bonus spending requirement in 3 months
• You prefer simple cash-back rewards over a complex points and credits system
• You do not travel for business and would not use lounge access or travel credits
• You need to carry balances and require a credit card rather than a charge card
• You do not use Dell or Indeed and would waste those credits

Apply Now

Apply for The Business Platinum Card from American Express

Information accurate as of May 2026. Terms and conditions apply. Please visit the issuer's website for the most current information.