Premium credit cards provide exclusive benefits for travel, lifestyle, and business expenses. This guide compares two of the most popular premium cards, the American Express Platinum Card and the Business Platinum Card from American Express, to help you decide which is right for you.
| Benefit | Amex Platinum Card |
Amex Business Platinum Card
|
| Welcome Offer | 80,000 Membership Rewards Points |
150,000 Membership Rewards Points
|
| Earning Rates | 5x points on flights booked directly with airlines or via Amex Travel, 5x points on prepaid hotels booked with Amex Travel, 1 point per dollar on other purchases |
5x points on flights and prepaid hotels booked with Amex Travel, 1.5x points on purchases of $5,000 or more and in select business categories, 1 point per dollar on other purchases
|
| Statement Credit | Up to $200 hotel booking credit, up to $200 airline fee credit, up to $189 CLEAR® Plus membership, $100 Global Entry or TSA PreCheck credit, up to $15 monthly Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, Saks Fifth Avenue credit up to $100, up to $20 monthly credits for The New York Times, Peacock, The Wall Street Journal, Disney+, Hulu, ESPN+, or the Disney Bundle, up to $300 annual Equinox membership credit, Walmart+ membership credit reimbursement |
Up to $200 airline fee credit, up to $189 CLEAR® Plus membership, $100 Global Entry or TSA PreCheck credit, Dell credit up to $200, Adobe credit up to $150, Indeed credit up to $90 per quarter, monthly wireless credits up to $10
|
| Lounge Access | Yes | Yes |
| Elite Hotel Status | Marriott Bonvoy Gold, Hilton Honors Gold |
Marriott Bonvoy Gold, Hilton Honors Gold
|
| Other Benefits | Premium rental car status, travel and purchase protections, no foreign transaction fees |
Premium rental car status, 35% airline bonus, travel and purchase protections, no foreign transaction fees
|
| Annual Fee | $695 | $695 |
Amex Platinum vs. Business Platinum Welcome Offer:
The Business Platinum offers a more generous welcome bonus of 150,000 points, but requires a higher minimum spend of $20,000 within three months. The Platinum has a lower minimum spend of $8,000 over six months, earning 80,000 points.
Amex Platinum vs. Business Platinum Benefits:
Consumer Amex Platinum Benefits:
- Prepaid hotel booking credit ($200)
- Uber credit ($15 monthly)
- Saks Fifth Avenue credit ($100)
- Digital Entertainment credit ($20 monthly)
- Equinox credit ($300)
- Walmart+ membership credit (reimbursement)
Business Platinum Benefits:
- 35% airline points bonus
- Dell statement credit ($200)
- Adobe statement credit ($150)
- Indeed credit ($90 per quarter)
- Monthly wireless credits ($10)
Earning Points with Amex Platinum vs. Business Platinum:
Both cards earn 5x points on flights and prepaid hotels booked with Amex Travel. The Business Platinum additionally earns 1.5x points on purchases of $5,000 or more and in select business categories.
Redeeming Points on Amex Platinum vs. Business Platinum:
Membership Rewards points can be redeemed for travel, merchandise, or gift cards. The Business Platinum offers a 35% rebate on points used for flights booked directly with Amex Travel.
Transferring Points with Amex Platinum vs. Business Platinum:
Both cards transfer points to 21 hotel and airline partners.
Should I Get the Amex Platinum or Business Platinum?
- Amex Platinum: Suitable for individuals who prioritize travel perks and don’t have substantial business expenses.
- Business Platinum: Ideal for business owners who can take advantage of business-related statement credits and the 35% airline bonus.
Bottom Line:
The American Express Platinum cards offer a range of premium travel and lifestyle benefits. The personal Platinum card is a solid choice for frequent travelers, while the Business Platinum is more suitable for business owners with large expenses. Both cards have their own unique benefits, so it’s important to choose the one that aligns best with your spending habits and financial goals.
