The American Express Business Platinum Card is a premium U.S. business credit card geared toward entrepreneurs and small-business owners. It has a high annual fee ($695), but it also offers a flexible spending limit and rich rewards designed to justify the cost.
For example, the card’s spending limit adjusts to your business needs and it offers tools like virtual card numbers and expense management. More importantly, the Amex Business Platinum Card comes with dozens of travel and business credits that can add up well over $1,000 per year.
In this guide we’ll break down the key features – points, statement credits, lounge access, hotel status and more – so you can see exactly how to “get the fee back”.
Earn Big Points on Business Travel and Spending
Maximize your rewards on flights, hotels and big business buys. The American Express Business Platinum Card earns 5X Membership Rewards® points on flights and prepaid hotels booked through AmexTravel.com. It also earns 1.5X points on eligible purchases in selected business categories or on single purchases of $5,000+, and 1X point on all other purchases.
For example:
- Flights & Hotels (5X): Book airline tickets and prepaid hotels on AmexTravel to earn 5 points per dollar.
- Large Business Expenses (1.5X): Earn 1.5 points per dollar on large purchases (above $5K) or in select business categories like shipping, advertising, or software.
- All Other Purchases (1X): Get 1 point per dollar on remaining eligible business expenses.
These points can be redeemed for travel, gift cards or statement credits. The 5X rate on travel and 1.5X on big expenses help you accumulate rewards quickly.
Statement Credits That Offset the American Express Business Platinum Card $695 Fee
Use built‑in credits to recover much of the annual fee. The American Express Business Platinum Card offers a slate of annual statement credits for common business expenses. By enrolling in each, you can get back well over $1,000 per year.
Below is a summary of the main credits (all require enrollment) and their potential value:
| Benefit/Category | Max Annual Credit | Details (enrollment required) |
|---|---|---|
| Dell Technology | $400 | Up to $200 back each half-year on U.S. Dell purchases (computers, peripherals, etc.). |
| Indeed Recruiting | $360 | Up to $90 per quarter on Indeed job posting or recruiting services. |
| Adobe Subscriptions | $150 | Up to $150 per year on eligible annual prepaid Adobe Creative Cloud or Acrobat Pro plans. |
| Wireless Service | $120 | Up to $10 back per month (max $120/yr) on U.S. wireless phone bills. |
| Airline Fees | $200 | Up to $200 per year on one airline’s incidental fees (bags, snacks, lounge day passes). |
| CLEAR® Membership | $199 | Up to $199 per year for CLEAR Plus (expedited airport security) membership. |
| Hilton Stays | $200 | Up to $50/quarter (max $200/yr) on eligible purchases at Hilton hotels (requires Hilton for Business enrollment). |
| Global Entry/TSA | $120 | Up to $120 credit every 4 years for Global Entry (includes TSA PreCheck). |
| Fine Hotels + Resorts | ~$550 (avg.) | Luxury hotel benefits on Amex-booked stays (includes daily breakfast, room upgrades, $100 credit, etc.). |
By using all of these credits, you could recover over $1,400 in value each year. For example, the Dell and Hilton credits alone add up to $600, plus $360 from Indeed, and so on. Even without the Fine Hotels perks (which are more one-time per trip), the routine credits on Dell, Adobe, wireless, airline fees, etc., cover the $695 fee and then some.
VIP Airport and Travel Perks
Travel in style and save on airport expenses. The American Express Business Platinum Card includes premium travel benefits:
- Airport Lounges: Complimentary access to over 1,400 lounges worldwide. This is the American Express Global Lounge Collection – including Centurion Lounges, Delta Sky Clubs (when flying Delta), Priority Pass lounges, Escape Lounges, and more. Relax with free snacks and Wi-Fi while waiting for flights.
- CLEAR® Plus: Up to $199/year back on a CLEAR Plus membership. CLEAR lets you skip long lines at many U.S. airports via ID biometrics. If you pay with your Business Platinum Card, you effectively get this benefit covered.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees: Use your card abroad without extra charges (American Express charges 0% on currency conversions).
- Global Entry/TSA: Receive up to $120 credit (every 4 years) when you apply for Global Entry (includes TSA PreCheck). This shortens your security wait times.
These perks can save you both time and money when you travel for business.
For example, imagine checking two bags and grabbing snacks: with the $200 airline fee credit, those costs are refunded. Lounge access alone is worth hundreds of dollars a year, and the CLEAR/Global Entry credits cover premium services that business travelers often buy out of pocket.
Luxury Hotel Benefits & Elite Status
Get special treatment on hotel stays. When you travel for work, the Business Platinum Card makes hotels more rewarding:
- Fine Hotels + Resorts: Book certain luxury hotels through Amex Travel and get big perks. On average, you’ll receive about $550 in extra value per two-night stay. This includes daily breakfast for two, guaranteed 4pm late checkout, room upgrades (if available), and a $100 property credit. (For example, you might spend $600 on a room but get over $1,100 in combined benefits.)
- Marriott Bonvoy Gold Status: Automatic elite status with Marriott Bonvoy. Gold Elite members often get room upgrades and bonus points on stays.
- Hilton Honors Gold Status: Automatic Gold status at Hilton hotels, which provides perks like free breakfast and room upgrades (when available).
- Hilton Statement Credit: Up to $200/yr back on Hilton purchases (payable in $50 quarterly credits) via the Hilton for Business program.
- Car Rental Privileges: Complimentary elite status with rental companies (via enrollment in the Amex benefit online). This can score you free upgrades or expedited pick-up when renting cars.
These benefits mean you’ll often pay less and get more when booking hotels. The free breakfast and upgrade alone can save $30–$50 per day. Plus, if you already book fine hotels through AmexTravel, the membership rewards points (5X on prepaid hotels) stack on top of these perks.
Additional Business Perks & Insurance
Extra tools and coverage for business travelers. Beyond points and travel, the Business Platinum Card offers services that protect and support your business:
- Flexible Spending: Unlike a traditional credit line, this card gives a flexible spending limit that adapts as your business grows. You’re not given a single set credit limit; instead, Amex reviews each purchase. This is ideal for companies making large or irregular purchases.
- Virtual Card Numbers: Generate unique virtual numbers for vendors or subscriptions, improving security on business payments.
- Travel Insurance: Trip Delay/Cancellation Insurance covers you if a paid trip is delayed or canceled. For example, if your flight is delayed 6+ hours, up to $500 per trip can be reimbursed for essentials (meals, hotels). Trip cancellation coverage can reimburse non-refundable costs if you must cut a trip short.
- No Foreign Fees: As noted, 0% foreign transaction fees.
- Expense Management: Amex provides online tools and reports to help track spending by employee or project (useful for growing teams).
These features are designed for U.S. businesses that travel and spend internationally.
For example, the lack of foreign fees means any airline tickets or hotel expenses in other countries won’t incur extra costs. The insurance protections (delays, cancellations, lost baggage, etc.) add peace of mind that traditional corporate cards often lack.
Is the Business Platinum Worth It?
Whether the American Express Business Platinum Card makes sense depends on your company’s spending and travel habits. The $695 fee is steep, but as we’ve shown, smart use of its benefits can more than pay for itself. If you regularly book travel and pay for business services (phones, software, recruiting), the card’s credits and 5X points can easily total well above $695 per year. Even without all perks, many cardholders recover the fee just from the Dell, airline, and wireless credits alone.
In short, for U.S. business owners who spend heavily on travel, tech and services, the Amex Business Platinum Card turns that spending into premium perks. It unlocks airport lounge access, hotel luxuries, and hundreds in statement credits that effectively “buy back” the annual fee.
In our view, if you can take full advantage of these benefits, the card can be well worth its cost.
