Ever looked at the American Express Platinum Card® and The Business Platinum Card® from American Express side by side? If so, you’ve probably noticed some similarities — and a few key differences.
Both cards have the same high annual fee, massive welcome bonus offers, and access to thousands of airport lounges worldwide (terms apply). But the differences come down to more than choosing between a business and personal card.
Here’s what to know about the Platinum Card® versus Amex Business Platinum Card, plus which is right for you if you qualify for both.
1. American Express Platinum Card®: Best for all kinds of frequent travelers
The personal Platinum Card® is built for frequent flyers who want all kinds of valuable perks — not just for their business expenses.
For an $895 annual fee (see rates and fees), you’ll enjoy great benefits like:
- $600 in annual hotel credits for prepaid bookings through Amex Travel at Fine Hotels + Resorts or The Hotel Collection (THC requires a min. two-night stay)
- $300 in annual digital entertainment credits
- A $209 annual CLEAR+ credit
- $200 a year in airline fee credits
- $200 in annual Uber Cash
- $155 in annual Walmart+ statement credits
- $120 in annual Uber One credits
- Access to more than 1,550 airport lounges worldwide
- Terms apply; enrollment may be required
On the earning side, the Platinum Card® gets you 5X points on flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel® up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year, plus 5X points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel®.
How valuable are all those credits, really? That depends on your lifestyle and spending habits. If you don’t subscribe to multiple streaming services, use Uber regularly, or shop at Walmart, the math gets harder to justify.
If you do, though, you can offset the annual fee without much effort. The Platinum Card® has long been one of our favorite travel cards out there, and that’s no accident.
Current welcome bonus offer: Apply and find out if you are eligible for as high as 175,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $12,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Terms apply.
2. The Business Platinum Card® from American Express: Best for business owners who travel
The Amex Business Platinum Card is a great call if you run a business with real operating expenses — particularly if you travel for work and spend regularly with specific vendors.
For the same $895 annual fee (see rates and fees), perks included are:
- Up to $600 a year in hotel credits (THC requires a min. two-night stay)
- Up to $360 a year in Indeed credits
- A $250 annual Adobe credit
- Up to $209 a year in CLEAR+ credits
- Up to $200 a year in Hilton credits
- Up to $200 a year in airline fee credits
- Up to $150 a year in Dell credits, plus an additional $1,000 statement credit if you spend $5,000 or more at Dell in a calendar year
- Up to $120 a year in credits for wireless phone services
- Terms apply; enrollment may be required
The Amex Business Platinum Card also earns its keep for frequent flyers. It offers a 35% points rebate when you book flights through Amex Travel using Membership Rewards points on a selected qualifying airline.
That means a 50,000-point flight effectively costs around 32,500 points after the rebate — a travel-friendly benefit the personal Platinum Card® doesn’t have.
The earning structure is also different. You’ll get 5X points on flights and prepaid hotels booked on AmexTravel.com, plus 2X points on purchases at U.S. construction material & hardware suppliers, electronic goods retailers and software & cloud system providers, and shipping providers, as well as on each eligible purchase of $5,000 or more, up to $2 million of these purchases per calendar year. Purchases eligible for multiple additional point bonuses will only receive the highest eligible bonus.
If your business runs up a big tab on individual expenses, the Amex Business Platinum Card can be a great way to save.
Current welcome bonus offer: Apply and find out if you are eligible for as high as 300,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $20,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 3 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Terms apply.
Which Platinum card is right for you?
Let’s start here: If you don’t own a business or otherwise qualify for a business card, the personal Platinum Card® is your only option. Luckily, it’s a great one for frequent travelers, especially those who can realistically use a chunk of its credits.
If you can land a business card, though, and you spend a lot with vendors like Dell, Adobe, or Indeed, the Amex Business Platinum Card could easily be the stronger play. Its welcome bonus offer is harder to earn, but more valuable — and the 35% points rebate can lead to big savings if you book travel through Amex.
It’s worth noting that you can hold both cards simultaneously if you want to maximize credits across the board. For most people, though, one is plenty.
And if you’re still weighing your options, our list of the best Amex cards is a good place to start.
