Although the standard welcome offer for this card is 80,000 points, you could prequalify for a whopping 150,000 point bonus from CardMatch! This bonus nearly doubles its value over standard offers via personal referral links or reader referrals.
Checking takes only seconds, without impacting your credit score directly, and is worth doing, especially since some consumers may qualify for higher welcome offers.
1. The Platinum Card® from American Express
American Express’ Platinum Card(r) may not be for everyone; but if you can take full advantage of its top-tier travel rewards, luxury perks, and valuable credit card benefits, then this card could pay for itself in just one year of use!
The Platinum Card stands out with its exceptional rewards rate of 5X Membership Rewards points on flights booked directly with airlines or American Express Travel, along with statement credits for specific purchases such as Uber rides, restaurant and store discounts and Uber discounts. Furthermore, you gain priority access to events in music, theater and sports as well as premium services and exclusive amenities that cannot be beat!
At NerdWallet’s point valuations, 80,000 Membership Rewards points offered as part of a welcome bonus on the Platinum Card is worth approximately $1,600 in travel costs based on our current point valuation (and even greater value can be realized if transferred through American Express transfer partners). It is easy to see why this card receives top marks in our credit card rankings.
Value of this card varies according to individual spending habits, whether or not they prefer charging or cash payments, and travel preferences. When considering the Platinum Card, be sure to carefully weigh all available options to find one that is suitable for your unique situation and lifestyle – and remember you can cancel or downgrade to another version with lower fees prior to incurring annual fees (See NerdWallet’s Best Card Picks for alternatives.)
2. The Business Gold Card® from American Express
American Express’ Business Gold Card now comes equipped with Cell Phone Protection benefits as a monthly credit, making up for its $295 annual fee and more. These new benefits will become available as of February 1, 2024 if approved before this date; cardmembers who get approved prior will still enjoy these advantages at their current annual fee rates (for as long as they remain a cardmember).
The card offers premium Membership Rewards benefits such as earning 4X points on two categories every billing cycle and an impressive 70,000-point welcome bonus when spending $10,000 within three months of card membership – enough for an approximate redemption value of around $700 at 1-cent redemption value (if redeeming for airfare).
Business Gold Card may offer advantages that are worth exploring for those whose businesses involve traveling regularly; its high annual fee — which rises to $375 if applied for after February 24 — makes this card 13 times higher than typical credit cards.
This card does not impose an explicit spending limit, rather its purchasing power will fluctuate according to factors like payment and purchase history, credit score and financial resources. Pay Over Time provides a way for you to carry a balance and incur interest charges; additionally you’ll get a $25 statement credit each month when purchasing from FedEx, Grubhub or Office Supply Store as well as premium travel insurance packages – providing added convenience!
3. The Business Platinum® Card from American Express
American Express’ Business Platinum Card comes with a high annual fee, but offers premium travel benefits and rewards. From its launch, this card provides an impressive 120,000 Membership Rewards point welcome offer after spending $15,000 within three months; additional benefits such as lounge access and an annual $200 airline incidental credit can add considerable value to your operations.
This card also offers substantial statement credits that can lower operational costs while increasing the value of Membership Rewards points. These savings may apply towards technology, recruitment, travel and telecom expenses as well as travel. Their exact value will depend on your individual spending patterns and business needs.
Business Platinum Cards provide another invaluable benefit: their flexible credit limit. Your spending each month determines this limit, making this card ideal for businesses experiencing periodic fluctuations in expenses. In addition, this card comes equipped with many valuable purchase and travel protections such as trip cancellation and interruption insurance, baggage insurance and rental car collision damage waiver.
American Express’ Business Platinum Card can be an ideal card for experienced business owners who frequently fly and can take advantage of its many travel perks and savings, while for newer business owners or those uncertain how frequently they will travel, cheaper cards may provide better solutions – for instance Chase’s Ink Business Preferred Credit Card has comparable welcome bonuses, more lucrative earnings rates in certain categories, and lower annual fees of $295 ($375 if applying before February 24).
4. The Platinum Card® from American Express Business
American Express’ Business Platinum Card is an exceptional travel credit card that provides a generous welcome bonus and premium travel benefits in exchange for its $695 annual fee (please refer to rates and fees for details). Regular travelers could quickly recoup its cost with its high earnings rate on airfare and hotel spending, frequent airline incidental credits, airport lounge access privileges, annual statement credits as well as other perks.
American Express Business Platinum card users also earn two Membership Rewards points on certain business expenses such as office supplies and client dinners; however, to take advantage of this higher earning rate you must spend at least $50,000 annually and don’t have a set spending limit based on spending patterns, payment histories or financial resources known to American Express.
Another special feature of this card is that it automatically confers Hilton Honors Gold status, giving you enhanced points earnings, an additional fifth night free with reward stays, and other perks. Furthermore, Dell technology purchases can earn up to $400 in statement credits per year while Indeed and Adobe purchases could get as much as $90 every quarter!
Earning and redemption options with the card are unparalleled; use American Express Membership Rewards points for airfare or hotels, or transfer them for up to 2 cents each. In addition, take advantage of its travel protections such as baggage insurance plan or trip delay coverage and use its built-in statement credit to cover incidentals on up to three purchases each calendar year.
5. The Business Platinum® Card from American Express
American Express’ Business Platinum Card (review) is an impressive business credit card packed with generous travel and purchase benefits, such as airline fee credits, lounge access and an impressive 120,000-point welcome offer. As one of the premier luxury travel cards for business owners, this premium credit card regularly ranks among the best luxury travel cards – but its $695 annual fee may be difficult to justify without fully taking advantage of all its potential.
To maximize the value of The Business Platinum Card from American Express, focus on taking full advantage of its statement credits and traveling regularly for business. American Express provides valuable statement credits on various business expenses like Dell, Indeed and Adobe (enrollment required), which can offset much of its high annual fee during its first three months of ownership.
American Express Business Platinum Card provides competitive earning rates of 4 Membership Rewards points per dollar spent in two specific categories (up to $150,000 in combined purchases annually), 3 points for flights booked through Amex Travel and one point on eligible purchases made. Furthermore, this card provides premium travel benefits like trip cancellation/interruption insurance, rental car coverage and baggage allowance coverage.
This card is one of the best business credit cards on offer, yet its annual fee can be too expensive for smaller businesses. For those in search of an American Express card that provides similar travel benefits but at a more accessible annual fee level, consider American Express Ink Business Preferred Card as an alternative solution. For further tips and advice on evaluating credit card benefits and annual fees, see our comprehensive guide of credit card offers.