American Categorical Enterprise Platinum card evaluation – The Factors Man

Editor’s note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information and offers.

The Business Platinum Card® from American Express is one of the best business rewards cards around, thanks to its large welcome bonus and the sheer number of value-added perks it offers cardmembers. While it requires some work to take full advantage of them, the effort can pay off with savings of hundreds or even thousands of dollars per year. Card rating*: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

* Card rating is based on the opinion of TPG’s editors and is not influenced by the card issuer.

With premium cards becoming the norm these days, many people are getting more comfortable paying annual fees of over $400. The Business Platinum Card® from American Express stands out above even that, though, with a $695 annual fee (see rates and fees) — though its annual statement credits and benefits go above and beyond to mitigate that yearly cost.

The card is also currently offering a lucrative introductory bonus of 120,000 Membership Rewards points after you spend $15,000 on eligible purchases in the first three months of card membership. That’s worth a whopping $2,400, according to TPG’s latest valuations.

Between a high minimum spending requirement and a handful of business-focused perks, this card certainly won’t be suitable for every small business — especially ones that don’t log major travel expenses or ones with primary spending areas more in line with the bonus categories offered by other business cards. However, there are still plenty of great reasons to consider applying for the Amex Business Platinum.

Related: How to apply for a business credit card

Based on TPG’s valuations, the Membership Rewards points this card earns are worth 2 cents apiece. So, if you can manage the $15,000 spending requirement within the first three months to earn the card’s current 120,000-point offer, you’ll earn points worth about $2,400 toward travel.

While $15,000 in three months might not be hard for businesses with a lot of cash flow, if your enterprise is smaller, you could consider prepaying as many expenses as you can afford during your first three months to help earn your welcome offer.

On the other hand, if this type of spending is out of your league, another business card with a lower bonus threshold, a smaller annual fee and more targeted earning categories might be a better fit for you in the long run.

Cardmembers also earn 5 points per dollar on airfare and prepaid hotel purchases with American Express Travel (including Amex Fine Hotels + Resorts). That’s the same 10% return as you’ll see on the personal Platinum Card. However, with the personal Amex Platinum Card, you also get 5 points per dollar on airfare booked directly with airlines (on up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year).

Related: Everything you need to know about Amex Membership Rewards

The most worthwhile way to redeem points is to transfer them to one of Amex’s airline or hotel partners. Going this route may take a bit of sleuthing, but a little work can help increase the value of your points significantly above the TPG valuation.

Want the easiest redemption option that still offers decent value? If you redeem your points via American Express Travel Pay with Points, they’re worth about 1.54 cents per point toward first- and business-class flights on any airline, as well as economy-class flights on your selected airline because of the 35% Pay with Points rebate. Note that the 35% rebate is capped at 1 million points back per calendar year.

You’ll also want to watch for transfer bonuses, which Amex runs regularly.

Amex’s bevy of statement credits, easily totaling over $1,500 in annual benefits, can help cardmembers potentially offset the initial shock of that high annual fee. Here’s a close look at all of them (enrollment is required for select benefits):

In addition to the plethora of statement credits you may (or may not) be able to use, the Amex Business Platinum shines through with its other travel perks as well.

Aside from access to Amex’s Centurion Lounges, your card will open the door to the extensive American Express Global Lounge Collection, which was crowned as the best credit card perk at both the 2021 and 2022 TPG Awards. It comprises more than 1,400 lounges worldwide, including Delta Sky Clubs that you can enter when you have a same-day flight on that airline, as well as Priority Pass lounge access (excluding restaurant locations). Enrollment is required for select benefits.

As for benefits that come in handy once you reach your destination, this card allows you to register for complimentary Gold status with Hilton Honors and Gold Elite status with Marriott Bonvoy, both of which provide better earnings and benefits during stays with these two brands.

You can enjoy elite-type perks at other hotels by booking stays through Amex’s Fine Hotels + Resorts program. The portal’s cardmember benefits include noon check-in if available, 4 p.m. checkout, a room upgrade if available, daily breakfast for two and a unique amenity valued at $100 or more.

Also, note that when you use your card to book a prepaid stay online through Fine Hotels + Resorts, you’ll earn 5 points per dollar (and sometimes) get elite benefits during your stay). Cardmembers also have access to Amex’s The Hotel Collection, through which bookings include an up-to-$100 on-site credit at select properties when you reserve a stay of two nights or longer.

Cardmembers also enjoy complimentary elite car rental status, including Avis Preferred Plus, Hertz Gold Plus Rewards President’s Circle and National Emerald Club Executive status. Enrollment is required for these benefits.

The Amex Business Platinum Card is also great for business purchases, as you might imagine. It features extended warranty protection* that prolongs eligible U.S. manufacturer warranties of five years or less by an additional year, saving business owners time and money if something happens to an item they buy.

This applies to warranties of five years or less. Coverage is up to the actual amount charged to your card for the item up to a maximum of $10,000; not to exceed $50,000 per card member account per calendar year.

Additionally, the card’s purchase protection covers accidental damage or theft for up to 90 days after purchase, up to $10,000 per covered purchase and $50,000 per card member account per calendar year, so it’s a great choice for expensive items.*

Aside from these two specific benefits, the card’s other notable perks include:

• Cellphone protection, for a maximum of $800 per claim with a limit of two approved claims per 12-month period. Note that a $50 deductible will apply. Coverage for a stolen or damaged eligible cellphone is subject to the terms, conditions, exclusions and limits of liability of this benefit.**
• Access to the Cruise Privileges Program and the International Airline Program.
• Upgrade with Points to request an airline ticket upgrade on select airlines.
• A 35% rebate when you use Pay with Points to cover a first- or business-class ticket on any airline or an economy ticket on one airline of your choice (up to 1 million points back per calendar year).
• Premium Private Jet Program: Access to a 20% discount on Wheels Up Connect and a 40% discount on Wheels Up Core memberships. Plus, a $500 or $2,000 credit added to your Wheels Up account to use toward an initial flight within the first year, depending on your selected Wheels Up membership.
• Global Dining Access by Resy for exclusive reservations at some of the world’s top restaurants, access to premium events and other perks like priority notifications and VIP status.

*Eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions and limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.

**Eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions and limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.

• If you want a lower annual fee: The American Express® Business Gold Card offers similar redemption options to the Business Platinum but at a lower annual fee of $295 (see rates and fees). The Amex Business Gold Card also offers six bonus categories, one of which is airfare purchased directly from airlines. It allows you to earn 4 points per dollar on the two categories you spend the most on each month (on up to $150,000 in combined purchases for these two categories per calendar year, then 1 point per dollar after that). For more information, read our full review of the Amex Business Gold.
• If you don’t want business-specific benefits: Consider the personal version, The Platinum Card from American Express. You’ll earn valuable Membership Rewards points, receive up to $1,500 in annual statement credits (as long as you can take advantage of them) and access an extensive network of airport lounges worldwide. For more information, read our full review of the Amex Platinum.
• If you want more unique perks: The Chase Ink Business Preferred Credit Card is a TPG favorite. Although there are many business credit cards, the Ink Business Preferred has unique perks that make it attractive for business owners, including an earnings rate of 3 points per dollar on the first $150,000 spent in combined purchases on travel, shipping purchases, internet, cable and phone services, and advertising purchases made with social media sites and search engines. For more information, read our full review of the Ink Business Preferred.

For additional options, check out our full list of the best business credit cards.

Read more: Practicality vs. luxury: Chase Ink Business Preferred vs. Amex Business Platinum

The Amex Business Platinum Card is an excellent choice for business travelers with expenses in the new bonus categories and those that offer statement credits. While it might not be worth the money for all business owners, its travel perks are difficult, if not impossible, to beat.

Official application link: The Amex Business Platinum card, with 120,000 Membership Rewards points after you spend $15,000 on eligible purchases in the first three months of card membership.

Additional reporting by Ryan Wilcox, Chris Dong, Benji Stawski, Stella Shon and Eric Rosen.

For rates and fees of the Amex Business Platinum, click here.
For rates and fees of the Amex Business Gold, click here.