American Express Business Platinum Card Review (Is It Actually a Good Deal?)
The American Express Business Platinum Card is one of the most misunderstood cards in the points and miles space.
On the surface, it looks extreme: a very high annual fee, a long list of credits, and benefits that people assume are only useful for large businesses. But in practice, this card can be one of the easiest premium cards to justify if you travel and already pay common business expenses.
The Amex Business Platinum works best as a credits-driven travel and business expense card that offsets its annual fee through benefits many people already use.
If you travel regularly, pay a wireless bill, stay at Hilton properties, or book premium hotels even occasionally, this card can be a surprisingly strong value.
If you’re looking for a card that earns high multiplies on everyday spending such as and dining, that’s where the Amex Gold shines instead. Read the Amex Gold Review here.
Disclosure: This post may contain referral links. If you apply through my link, I may earn a referral bonus at no cost to you.
Welcome Offer: Why Year One Is Almost Always Worth It
The Amex Business Platinum typically offers a very large welcome bonus after meeting a minimum spending requirement.
Because American Express uses targeted offers, the exact bonus you see may vary. Historically, however, these offers are often worth thousands of dollars in travel value when points are transferred strategically.
This is why the Amex Business Platinum almost always makes sense in year one, even if you don’t perfectly maximize every single credit. The welcome bonus alone often outweighs the annual fee, sometimes several times over.
👉 Apply for the Amex Business Platinum to see your personalized welcome offer
Annual Fee: The Real Cost vs. the Sticker Price
Annual fee: $895
Yes, $895 is high. But as with every premium card, the real question isn’t the sticker price, it’s the net cost after credits you’ll actually use.
The Amex Business Platinum is unusually strong here because many of its credits align with expenses people are already paying, especially if they travel or run even a small business.
If you want to see the full framework I use to evaluate credits and annual fees, including why I’m comfortable paying a large amount in annual fees across my cards, I break that down in detail here:
Read more: Why I Was Willing to Pay $8000 in Annual Fees
Statement Credits: Only Valuable If They Fit Your Life
The Amex Business Platinum includes a long list of credits. Here’s how they break down, and which ones realistically count for most people.
Wireless Credit (Up to $120 per year)
You can receive up to $10 per month in statement credits for U.S. wireless phone services.
Most people already pay a wireless bill. Because this credit replaces an existing expense, it’s one of the easiest credits to count at full value.
Airline Incidental Credit (Up to $200 per year)
You receive up to $200 per calendar year in airline incidental credits with your selected airline.
This can cover things like checked bags, seat selection, lounge day passes, and other airline fees.
For anyone who travels even semi-regularly, this credit is typically easy to use organically and counts fully toward offsetting the annual fee.
Hilton Credits (Up to $200 per year)
The Amex Business Platinum includes Hilton statement credits, which can be used toward eligible Hilton purchases.
If you stay at Hilton properties at all, whether for business or personal travel, this credit is very easy to use and should not be overlooked.
Fine Hotels + Resorts Credits (2 × $300 per year)
This is one of the most valuable — and most misunderstood — benefits of the card.
You receive two $300 Fine Hotels + Resorts (FHR) credits, which can be used on eligible bookings through Amex Travel.
These stays also come with additional perks like:
daily breakfast for two
on-property credits
potential upgrades
late checkout
If you book premium hotels even once or twice per year, these credits can dramatically reduce the effective cost of the card.
Lounge Access (Real, Usable Value)
The Amex Business Platinum includes access to:
Centurion Lounges
Priority Pass lounges
Delta Sky Clubs (when flying Delta)
Other select lounges
For travelers, this is not just a “nice to have.” Lounge access saves money, time, and stress, especially on longer travel days.
This isn’t the primary reason to keep the card, but it meaningfully supports the overall value.
Earning Structure: Not a Workhorse, and That’s Okay
The Amex Business Platinum is not an everyday spending card.
Earning rates are modest compared to the Amex Gold or other category-focused cards. That’s by design.
This card’s value comes from:
the welcome bonus
the credits
premium travel benefits
It works best when paired with strong earners like:
Amex Gold (groceries + dining)
Amex Blue Business Plus (2X everywhere)
This card isn’t designed like a typical cash-back or everyday-spend business card. Instead, its points structure rewards premium travel and larger business expenses.
Here’s how it earns Membership Rewards® points:
5x Membership Rewards® points per $1 on eligible flights and prepaid hotels booked through Amex Travel (there’s no published cap).
2x Membership Rewards® points per $1 on:
eligible purchases of $5,000 or more (up to $2 million per calendar year)
and on select business categories, including U.S. electronic goods retailers, software & cloud providers, construction material & hardware suppliers, and shipping providers.
1x Membership Rewards® point per $1 on all other eligible purchases.
Why This Matters
This structure is very intentional:
5x on flights and hotels makes this card a premium travel earnings engine. It’s perfect if your business buys its airfare and hotel stays with the card.
2x on large purchases and key categories rewards substantial business buys that many companies make, from hardware and shipping costs to software and infrastructure expenses.
1x everywhere else means the card isn’t optimized for small everyday expenses like office coffee or supplies — those are better placed on other business cards with broader category bonuses.
Redeeming Membership Rewards: Where the Value Comes From
Membership Rewards points are most valuable when transferred to airline partners rather than redeemed for cash back.
Used strategically, these points can unlock:
domestic economy flights
international economy tickets for families
premium cabin redemptions when availability aligns
This is where the Amex Business Platinum fits perfectly into a larger Membership Rewards system, especially when paired with high-earning cards.
👉 Learn more:
How to Redeem Points and Miles for Maximum Value
What the Amex Business Platinum Is NOT
It’s important to be clear about expectations.
This card is not:
a high-earning everyday spender
a minimalist “one-card” solution
a card you keep without paying attention to credits
It is:
a powerful travel and business offset card
an excellent year-one value play
a long-term keeper when credits fit your life
Who the Amex Business Platinum Is Best For
This card is a great fit if you:
travel regularly
already pay a wireless bill
stay at Hilton properties
book premium hotels occasionally
want premium travel benefits without relying on one single perk
👉 Apply for the Amex Business Platinum to see your personalized welcome offer
Verdict: Should You Get the Amex Business Platinum?
The Amex Business Platinum is a good deal when used intentionally.
It’s not flashy for everyday spending, but it quietly offsets a large portion, and often all, of its annual fee through credits that many travelers and business owners already use.
When paired with strong earning cards, this becomes a powerful part of a long-term points strategy.
For people who travel, pay common bills, and value flexibility, the Amex Business Platinum earns its place.
If you are ready to apply for the Amex Business Platinum card, then view the current offer and apply here.
Next Steps
If you’re deciding whether the Amex Business Platinum fits into your overall points strategy, these resources may help:
👉 Best Credit Card Offers – See current welcome bonuses
👉 Are Annual Fees Worth It? – How I decide which cards to keep
👉 Beginner’s Guide to Points & Miles – Start here if you’re new
👉 Family Travel with Points – Real strategies for booking trips with kids