When comparing the American Express Business Platinum Card® vs personal, both cards pay 5x points when you purchase airfare and prepaid hotel rooms from American Express Travel and charge high annual fees. However, the personal American Express Platinum Card® is best if you don’t own a business or can’t qualify for a business credit card.
When to Use the American Express Business Platinum Card®
The Business Platinum Card® from American Express
BEST FOR
Gaining access to unrivaled travel rewards and luxury travel perks like airport lounge access
- Welcome Offer: Earn 100,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $15,000 on eligible purchases with the Business Platinum Card within the first 3 months of Card Membership.
- Get 50% more Membership Rewards® points. That's an extra half point per dollar, on each eligible purchase of $5,000 or more. You can get up to 1 million additional points per year.
- 35% Airline Bonus: Use Membership Rewards® Pay with Points for all or part of a flight with your selected qualifying airline, and you can get 35% of the points back, up to 500,000 bonus points per calendar year when you book on amextravel.com.
- Get 5X Membership Rewards® points on flights and prepaid hotels on amextravel.com.
- Enroll to get up to $200 in statement credits annually by getting up to $100 semi-annually for U.S. purchases with Dell. Terms apply.
- PAY OVER TIME OPTION: A flexible payment option to help manage cash flow on purchases of $100 or more.
- Terms Apply.
Pros
- Free access to over 1,200 airport lounges worldwide
- Global Entry or TSA Pre✓® membership fee reimbursements
Cons
- Balance is due in full monthly
- Steep $595 annual fee
- American Express lounges: Free access to American Express’ network of Centurion lounges located in slightly less than one dozen U.S. airports.
- Other airport lounges: Priority Pass Select membership, which gets you free access to more than 1,000 lounges worldwide for you and two guests.
- Airport screening: Either a $100 statement credit for Global Entry every four years or $85 statement credit for TSA Pre✓® once every 4½ years.
- Travel credit: A $200 annual statement credit toward air travel expenses like baggage fees and inflight food and drink.
- Rental status: Elite status at a number of car rental agencies.
- Free Wi-Fi: 10 annual free Gogo inflight Wi-Fi passes.
- Rebate for redeemed points: 35% points rebate if you book a business or first-class flight, up to 500,000 bonus points per calendar year.
- Dell statement credit: Up to $200 in statement credits annually for Dell purchases.
The American Express Business Platinum Card® is best for business owners who travel frequently and want premium perks, like airport lounge access, and Dell credits. This business credit card pays 5x points on purchases through American Express Travel and a sign-up bonus worth $1000 in travel.
When to Use the American Express Platinum Card®
American Express Platinum Card®
- Earn 60,000 bonus points after you make $5,000 in purchases in your first three months
- 5x points on flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel
- 5x points on prepaid hotels booked on AmexTravel.com
- Enjoy $15 in Uber Cash for U.S. rides each month plus a bonus $20 in December
- Select one qualifying airline and then receive up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year
- Receive one statement credit every 4 years after you apply for Global Entry ($100) or every 4.5 years after you apply for TSA Pre✓® ($85)
- Access the American Express Global Lounge CollectionSM, which unlocks access to more than 1,200 airport lounges across 130 countries and counting.
Choose the personal American Express Platinum Card® if you can’t qualify for a small business credit card or you’re a consumer who wants premium perks like Uber credits or airport lounge access. This personal card pays 5x points on flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel and 5x points on prepaid hotels booked on AmexTravel.com.
American Express Business Platinum vs Personal at a Glance
American Express Business Platinum Card® | American Express Platinum Card® | |
|---|---|---|
Welcome Offer: Earn 100,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $15,000 on eligible purchases with the Business Platinum Card within the first 3 months of Card Membership. | Earn 60,000 bonus points after you make $5,000 in purchases in your first three months | |
5x points on flights and prepaid hotels booked on American Express Travel; 1.5x points on purchases of at least $5,000; 1x points on all other spending | 5x points on flights booked directly with airlines or through American Express Travel; 5x points on prepaid hotels booked on American Express Travel; 1x points on all other spending | |
None | None | |
No APR | No APR | |
$595 | $550 | |
35% point rebate, airport lounge access, $200 airline fee credit, Global Entry or TSA Pre✔® credit, hotel membership status, Dell statement credit | Uber credits, Saks Fifth Avenue credits, airport lounge access, $200 airline fee credit, Global Entry or TSA Pre✔® credit, hotel membership status | |
Top business travel rewards and premium perks, including airport lounge access, & Dell credits | Startup owners or entrepreneurs who don’t qualify for a business card and luxury perks, including airport lounge access, Saks Fifth Avenue credits, & Uber credits | |
Apply Now |
How We Evaluated the American Express Business Platinum vs Personal
When comparing these two American Express credit cards, we considered the overall rewards structure, introductory and ongoing annual percentage rates (APRs), and any free perks the card offers that increase their value, such as insurance or travel credits. Both cards offer points-based ongoing rewards, similar additional features, and charge annual fees above $500.
In our evaluation of these American Express credit cards, we considered:
- Introductory rewards: The introductory offer you can earn by meeting a minimum spending requirement. You can earn up to $600 or $1000 in travel, depending on the card you choose.
- Ongoing rewards: The points or cash back rewards you can earn for your ongoing purchases. Both cards offer ongoing points-based rewards up to 5x points.
- Introductory APR: Whether a card offers an introductory 0% APR period on purchases or balance transfers. Neither card offers an introductory 0% APR period.
- Ongoing APR: How much it costs to finance purchases or balance transfers. Both cards require the balance due in full monthly and they charge no interest.
- Additional features: Any free perks or benefits that increase the card’s value. Both cards offer purchase protection, extended warranty protection, car rental insurance, airport lounge access, and annual travel credits. Each card offers a few unique perks, such as Uber ride credits (personal).
- Annual fee: How much it costs to own the card each year. Both American Express credit cards charge annual fees of more than $500.
We rank the American Express Business Platinum Card® as one of the best small business credit cards because it provides luxury travel benefits and some of the best business travel rewards. You can access more than 1,200 airport lounges in 130 countries for free, earn a sign-up bonus worth up to $1000 in travel, and, unlike the personal American Express Platinum Card®, you can use it to build your business credit.
Business Credit Cards vs Personal Credit Cards
Business credit cards are a great way to build business credit and access necessary business financing. Additionally, if you’re a business owner, it’s important to get a business credit card so that you don’t mingle your business and personal finances. Business credit cards also typically offer ongoing reward categories that cater to business owners, such as office supply spending or online advertising purchases.
Business owners can also apply for personal credit cards. However, you won’t be able to build your business credit because those cards don’t report to the business credit reporting bureaus. Personal credit cards help you build your personal credit and pay ongoing rewards in categories that cater more to consumers like grocery store expenses. Your spending and credit-building goals could help determine which card is right for you.
American Express Business Platinum vs Personal Costs
When comparing the American Express Business Platinum Card® vs the personal American Express Platinum Card®, neither card charges interest because your balance is due in full monthly. Plus, these American Express credit cards charge annual fees of more than $500 each.
American Express Business Platinum Card® Costs
The American Express Business Platinum Card® charges an annual fee of $595, which makes it the most expensive American Express business credit card. Additionally, there is no introductory or ongoing APR because you must repay your balance at the end of every billing cycle. However, it offers the invitation-only Pay Over Time feature that allows you to pay a balance off over time with interest.
The financing costs of this American Express business credit card include:
- Introductory APR: None
- Ongoing APR: No APR because needs to be paid in full monthly. However, if you use the invitation-only Pay Over Time feature, the APR is 19.74%, which varies based on the prime rate.
- Annual fee: $595
- Balance transfer fee: Transfers are not allowed
- Foreign transaction fee: None, which makes it one of the best business credit cards without foreign transaction fees
While the annual fee is high compared to other business travel credit cards, if you take advantage of the card’s perks, such as visiting airport lounges, it can be worth your money. In comparison, the personal American Express Platinum Card® charges an annual fee that is $45 less. However, that card lacks the 35% point rebate when using rewards to book travel and a 1.5x points reward category for purchases of at least $5,000.
American Express Platinum Card® Costs
Similar to the American Express Business Platinum Card®, the personal American Express Platinum Card® requires you to repay your balance in full monthly and charges no interest. Additionally, it charges an annual fee of $550. This card also offers the invitation-only Pay Over Time feature, which lets you pay off your balance over time with interest.
The financing costs of the personal American Express Platinum Card® include:
- Introductory APR: None
- Ongoing APR: No APR because it’s needs to be paid in full monthly. However, if you use the invitation-only Pay Over Time feature, the APR is 19.74%, which varies based on the prime rate.
- Annual fee: $550
- Balance transfer fee: Transfers are not allowed
- Foreign transaction fee: None
The annual fee of $550 on the personal American Express Platinum Card® is just below the $595 the American Express Business Platinum Card® charges per year. You’ll also receive most of the same benefits, such as airport lounge access, a Global Entry or TSA Pre✔® application credit, and annual travel credits. However, this card’s reward structure falls short of what the American Express Business Platinum Card® offers.
American Express Business Platinum vs Personal Rewards
Both of these American Express credit cards pay similar point-based rewards up to 5x points. However, the American Express Business Platinum Card® offers unique 1.5x points on purchases of at least $5,000. Plus, that card offers a unique 35% point rebate when you use your points for eligible airfare.
American Express Business Platinum Card® Rewards
When you use the American Express Business Platinum Card®, you’ll earn 5x points on flights and prepaid hotels on AmexTravel.com. You can also earn a sign-up bonus worth up to $750 in travel when you spend $15,000 within the first three months.
Introductory Rewards
Earn 100,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $15,000 on eligible purchases with the Business Platinum Card plus earn 5x points on eligible purchases in 5 select business categories, up to 80,000 bonus points per category, all within the first 3 months of Card Membership.
Ongoing Rewards
You’ll earn the following ongoing rewards when you use your card:
- 5x points on flights and hotels booked on American Express Travel
- 1.5x points per dollar on purchases of $5,000 or more, up to 1 million additional points per year
- 1x points on all other spending
The American Express Platinum Card® doesn’t offer a 1.5-point category, which can benefit business owners who make large purchases. However, in addition to 5x points on flights and hotels booked through American Express Travel, the personal American Express Platinum Card® also pays 5x points on flights book directly with airlines. The American Express Business Platinum Card® doesn’t pay those same rewards.
How to Redeem Rewards
You can redeem your points in one of seven ways:
- For your charges: Use your rewards for your eligible charge on your current statement. You must have at least 1,000 available points in your account.
- Travel: Use your rewards to book travel on American Express Travel, for which you will get 35% of your points back. Minimum redemption is 5,000 points. You can also transfer points to a select travel partner, including Aeromexico, Air Canada, British Airways, Delta Air Lines, Hawaiian Airlines, Iberia, JetBlue, Singapore Airlines, and Virgin Atlantic.
- Gift cards: Purchase gift cards through American Express
- Amazon.com: To use points at Amazon, you must first load your card into your Amazon account and use your card at least once.
- Ticketmaster: You can redeem your rewards on Ticketmaster to purchase event tickets. The minimum redemption is 2,000 points.
- AXS: You can redeem your points on AXS to purchase event tickets. The minimum redemption is 2,000 points.
- Taxi fares: Redeem your points for fares―including tips―on certain taxis in New York City.
The American Express Business Platinum Card® and personal American Express Platinum Card® both have nearly identical reward redemption options. However, the main difference is the American Express Business Platinum Card® offers a 35% points rebate when you redeem your points for travel on American Express Travel. This can be extremely beneficial for people that travel for business often.
American Express Platinum Card® Rewards
The personal American Express Platinum Card® pays 5x points on flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express travel and 5x points on prepaid hotels booked on AmexTravel.com. Additionally, you can earn an introductory reward worth up to $600 in travel after spending $5,000 within three months.
Introductory Rewards
You’ll earn 60,000 bonus points after you make $5,000 in purchases in your first three months. That is worth up to $600 in travel, which falls just short of the sign-up bonus that’s worth up to $1000 in travel on the American Express Business Platinum Card®. However, you need to spend at least twice as much in the same time period to earn the introductory reward on the American Express Business Platinum Card®.
Ongoing Rewards
You’ll earn the following ongoing rewards when using your card:
- 5x points on flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel
- 5x points on prepaid hotels booked on AmexTravel.com
- 1x points on all other spending
The personal American Express Platinum Card® is a solid option for startup owners or entrepreneurs who tend to book flights directly with their favorite airlines. It pays 5x points on flights book directly with airlines, unlike the business credit card. However, this card does not pay 1.5x points on purchases of at least $5,000. But if you’re a startup owner or entrepreneur, you may not have purchases in this amount.
How to Redeem Rewards
You can redeem your points in one of seven ways:
- For your charges: Use your rewards for your eligible charge on your current statement. You must have at least 1,000 available points in your account.
- Travel: Use your rewards to book travel on American Express Travel. Minimum redemption is 5,000 points. You can also transfer points to a select travel partner, including Aeromexico, Air Canada, British Airways, Delta Air Lines, Hawaiian Airlines, Iberia, JetBlue, Singapore Airlines, and Virgin Atlantic.
- Gift cards: Purchase gift cards through American Express
- Amazon.com: To use points at Amazon, you must first load your card into your Amazon account and use your card at least once.
- Ticketmaster: You can redeem your rewards on Ticketmaster to purchase event tickets. The minimum redemption is 2,000 points.
- AXS: You can redeem your points on AXS to purchase event tickets. The minimum redemption is 2,000 points.
- Taxi fares: Redeem your points for fares―including tips―on certain taxis in New York City.
The personal American Express Platinum Card® offers most of the same reward redemption items. However, it lacks a point rebate when you redeem your rewards for travel on American Express Travel. If you’re a business owner who books travel often with American Express and wants to receive a 35% points rebate, choose the American Express Business Platinum Card®.
American Express Business Platinum vs Personal Additional Features
Both the American Express Business Platinum Card® and personal American Express Platinum Card® offer additional card features, such as insurance and airport lounge access, which can be worth thousands of dollars per year. Each card offers perks the other one doesn’t, such as Uber ride credits.
American Express Business Platinum Card® Additional Features
The American Express Business Platinum Card® offers one of the best groups of additional card perks compared to other business credit cards, including airport lounge access, travel credits, and free Wi-Fi. It also offers fewer common perks like Dell statement credits up to $200 each year.
The American Express Business Platinum Card® offers the following additional features:
- American Express lounges: Free access to American Express’ network of Centurion lounges located in slightly less than one dozen United States airports.
- Other airport lounges: Priority Pass Select membership, which gets you free access to more than 1,000 lounges worldwide for you and two guests.
- Airport screening: Either a $100 statement credit for Global Entry once every four years or $85 statement credit for TSA Pre✓® once every 4.5 years.
- Travel credit: Receive a $200 annual statement credit toward air travel expenses like baggage fees and inflight food and drink.
- Rental status: Elite status at several car rental agencies.
- Free Wi-Fi: 10 free Gogo inflight Wi-Fi passes per year.
- Rebate for redeemed points: 35% points rebate if you book a business or first-class flight through American Express Travel, up to 500,000 bonus points per year.
- Dell statement credit: Up to $200 in statement credits per year for Dell purchases.
We recommend the American Express Business Platinum Card® as one of the best airport lounge access business cards. However, you’ll receive the same access through the personal American Express Platinum Card®. That card also offers unique features that the American Express Business Platinum Card® doesn’t offer, including Uber ride credits up to $200 annually. Uber ride credits may prove to be more beneficial if you own a new business or startup that doesn’t travel frequently.
You can review these additional features in detail in our American Express Business Platinum Card® review. Editorial reviewers offer an in-depth review of each feature and the value they bring to the card.
American Express Platinum Card® Additional Features
The personal American Express Platinum Card® offers features that are common across credit cards, such as extended warranty protection and purchase protection. Additionally, it offers unique features like airport lounge access, travel credits, Uber ride credits, and Saks Fifth Avenue credits.
The personal American Express Platinum Card® offers the following additional features:
- American Express lounges: Free access to American Express’ network of Centurion lounges located in slightly less than one dozen U.S. airports.
- Other airport lounges: Priority Pass Select membership, which gets you free access to more than 1,000 lounges worldwide for you and two guests.
- Airport screening: Either a $100 statement credit for Global Entry once every four years or $85 statement credit for TSA Pre✓® once every 4.5 years.
- Travel credit: Receive a $200 annual statement credit toward air travel expenses like baggage fees and inflight food and drink.
- Rental status: Elite status at several car rental agencies.
- Uber ride credits: You can receive $15 in Uber credits for U.S. rides each month plus a bonus $20 in December. That can be up to $200 in annual Uber savings.
- Saks Fifth Avenue credits: Get up to $100 in statement credits annually for purchases at Saks Fifth Avenue or saks.com made on your card.
- InCircle Points: For every 10,000 InCircle Points you receive, you will get a $100 InCirclePoint card. You can use points cards toward purchases at Neiman Marcus®, Bergdorf Goodman®, Last Call®, Horchow®, and CUSP®. You can earn InCircle Points for every dollar you spend at each of those five stores.
The personal American Express Platinum Card® provides perks that are mostly identical to what the American Express Business Platinum Card® offers. However, it lacks free Dell statement credits. Choose the American Express business credit card If you’re a business owner who can take advantage of those perks.
American Express Business Platinum vs Personal: Ease of Use
After you’re approved for the American Express Business Platinum Card® or personal American Express Platinum Card®, you can access your credit line once you receive your card. You can use your American Express credit card at any store that accepts electronic payments, or you can enter your card information through online stores. Your balance is due in full every month.
American Express Business Platinum vs Personal: How to Apply
You can apply for American Express business credit cards and personal credit cards through the American Express website. You’ll be required to provide your personal information for both cards. You’ll also need to provide your business information, including your business’s name and address, to get the American Express Business Platinum Card®. You’ll typically receive an immediate decision for either card.
Apply for the American Express Business Platinum Card®
You can get a business credit card by submitting an application online with American Express, which includes your business and personal information. Typically, you’ll receive a decision within minutes. Once approved, you’ll receive your card in the mail within seven to 10 days. You can search and compare the best business credit cards through our credit card marketplace.
Visit American Express Business Platinum Card®
Apply for the American Express Platinum Card®
You can apply for the personal American Express Platinum Card® online in a matter of minutes. American Express requires you to provide your name, email address, date of birth, home address, Social Security number, and your income information. Most often, you’ll receive a decision right away. Once approved, your card will arrive within seven to 10 business days.
Visit American Express Platinum Card®
Pros & Cons of American Express Business Platinum Card®
The American Express Business Platinum Card® offers luxury travel perks and the best travel rewards among business credit cards. However, it charges a high annual fee, and its balance is due in full monthly.
Pros of American Express Business Platinum Card®
The advantages of the American Express Business Platinum Card® are:
- Provides premium travel perks: This American Express business credit card provides cardholders with luxury travel perks that are uncommon when compared to other business credit cards. You’ll have unlimited free access to more than 1,200 airport lounge and receive airport screening membership reimbursements.
- Top ongoing business travel rewards: It pays some of the best ongoing business travel rewards, including 5x points on purchases through American Express Travel, 1.5x points on purchases of $5,000 or more, and 1x points on all other spending. The American Express Platinum Card® doesn’t offer a 1.5x point reward category.
Cons of American Express Business Platinum Card®
The drawbacks of American Express Business Platinum Card® are:
- Must be able to pay the balance off every month: This card is designed for business owners who can afford to repay their balance in full monthly. If you can’t afford to pay your balance off, we recommend a traditional business credit card.
- Charges a high annual fee: This card charges a high annual fee of $595, which is several hundred dollars more than other business travel credit cards we’ve reviewed. If you take advantage of this card’s premium additional features, you’ll be able to offset the annual fee.
- Designed for business owners who travel frequently: This American Express business credit card is meant for business owners who travel often as it offers travel rewards and luxury travel perks. If you don’t travel for business often and want to earn rewards, choose a cash back business credit card.
Pros & Cons of American Express Platinum Card®
The personal American Express Platinum Card® provides luxury travel perks like airport lounge access, which makes it a solid pick for people who travel often. Additionally, you can earn rewards on purchases made directly with airlines and Uber ride credits. However, it lacks other bonus reward categories, and you can’t use it to build business credit.
Pros of American Express Platinum Card®
The advantages of the personal American Express Platinum Card® are:
- Pays rewards on purchases directly with airlines: Unlike the American Express Business Platinum Card®, this American Express personal credit card offers 5x points per $1 spent on purchases made directly with airlines. The American Express Business Platinum Card® only offers travel rewards through AmexTravel.com.
- Provides luxury travel perks: You’ll have access to free airport lounge access and receive Global Entry or TSA Pre✓® application fee reimbursements. If you travel often, features like these can make the $550 annual fee worth it.
- Offers Uber ride credits: People who ride with Uber often can benefit from up to $200 in Uber ride credits per year. This feature is unique to the personal American Express Platinum Card®.
Cons of American Express Platinum Card®
The drawbacks of the personal American Express Platinum Card® are:
- Lacks other bonus reward categories: This card only pays rewards on eligible flights and prepaid hotels. It does not offer 1.5x points rewards like the American Express Business Platinum Card® offers. That card pays 1.5x points on purchases of at least $5,000.
- Charges a high annual fee: This card charges an annual fee of $550, which can be a negative for some business owners or consumers. However, you can offset this fee if you take advantage of its travel perks and benefits.
- Can’t be used to build business credit: You can’t use this card to build your business credit because it doesn’t report to the business credit reporting bureaus. If you want to build your business credit, choose the American Express Business Platinum Card®.
Bottom Line
When comparing these two American Express credit cards, it’s apparent they are very similar. The primary differences live within the additional features both cards offer, the rewards they provide, and their ability to build business credit. Your spending goals and the right mix of rewards and benefits likely determine which card is best for you.
For rates and fees on the American Express Business Platinum Card®, please click here.
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