Business Platinum Card from American Express Review 2024: Is It Worth It?

4.0

NerdWallet Rating

NerdWallet’s ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula takes into account the type of card being reviewed (such as cash back, travel or balance transfer) and the card’s rates, fees, rewards and other features.

Best for small business owners that frequently travel for work.

If you want a card loaded with travel benefits with a straightforward rewards earn rate, consider the Business Platinum Card® from American Express.  

Learn more about our star rating methodology.

The metallic Business Platinum Card® from American Express, also called the Amex Business Platinum, is chock-full of enticing travel perks and features an uncomplicated rewards structure for everyday spending.

Business Platinum Card® from American Express

• Annual Fee
  $799
• Interest Rates
  Varies

  This card also has a Flexible Payment Option (FPO), which lets you carry a portion of your balance with interest on eligible purchases. Card members must pay all charges not included in their FPO balance in full.
• Rewards Rate
  1.25x Points

  Earn 1.25 Membership Rewards points for virtually every $1 in purchases and get the most out of your business expenses.
• Intro Offer
  Up to 120,000 Points

  Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® points after you charge $15,000 in net purchases to your Card in your first 3 months of Cardmembership. Plus, earn 40,000 points when you make a purchase between 14 and 17 months of Cardmembership.

Apply Now

Card details

• Redefine what you’ll experience and discover with Platinum.
• Earn up to 120,000 bonus Membership Rewards® points.
• Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® points after you charge $15,000 in net purchases to your Card in your first 3 months of Cardmembership.
• Plus, earn 40,000 points when you make a purchase between 14 and 17 months of Cardmembership.
• That’s up to $1,200 in statement credit that can be reinvested in your business.
• Earn points that you can redeem in a variety of ways.
• Earn 1.25 Membership Rewards points for virtually every $1 in purchases and get the most out of your business expenses.
• Enjoy an exceptional line-up of rewards redemption options for you and your business, including travel, dining, entertainment, gift cards, merchandise, and more with Membership Rewards program.
• Transfer points to frequent flyer and hotel programs, including one-to-one to Aeroplan®* and Avios.
• Bolster your business with up to $820 in annual business and travel statement credits.
• Enroll your eligible Card and earn up to $500 in business statement credits on qualifying purchases with Dell and Indeed.
• Enroll and earn up to $120 in eligible Wireless Credits each year.
• Access a $200 Annual Travel Credit each year of your Cardmembership.
• Unlock spending power and payment flexibility with a full suite of business management tools that give you more control over your business – anytime and anywhere.
• Enjoy financial flexibility with no pre-set spending limit on purchases. With this Card, your purchasing power adjusts dynamically with your Card usage, and can grow over time, as long as you make your payments on time and maintain a good credit history.
• Maximize your cash flow with up to 55 interest free days so you can keep more cash on hand when you need it most.
• Pay for business expenses over time with Flexible Payment Option.
• This charge Card has both Due in Full and Flexible Payment Option balances. All Due in Full balances must be paid each month. Interest rate of 30% applies to each delinquent Due in Full Charge. This rate is effective from the day the account is opened. The Preferred rate of 21.99% applies to your Flexible Payment Option balance. If you have 2 separate Missed Payments in a 12 month period, the Flexible Payment Option rate for your account will be 25.99%. If you have 3 or more separate Missed Payments in a 12 month period, the Flexible Payment Option rate will be 28.99%. These rates are effective from the day the Flexible Payment Option is first available on your account.
• Extend payment solutions with Supplementary Cards for your employees.
• Enjoy special benefits for you and your business.
• Take full advantage of the American Express Global Lounge Collection which unlocks access to over 1300 airport lounges worldwide. This includes The Centurion® Lounge network, Plaza Premium Lounges, and hundreds of other domestic and international lounges designed to enhance your travel experience.
• Enjoy premium benefits at the Toronto Pearson Airport, including access to the Pearson Priority Security Lane and discount on parking.
• Get access to discounted base fares for you and your travel companions when you book through the International Airline Program.
• Enjoy access to specialty services and events, preferential treatment, and a dedicated Concierge team.
• Enjoy complimentary benefits that offer an average total value of $600 USD* at over 1,500 extraordinary properties worldwide when you book Fine Hotels + Resorts.
• Access a $100 CAD credit for NEXUS every 4 years with your Cardmembership.
• American Express is not responsible for maintaining or monitoring the accuracy of information on this website. For full details and current product information, click the Apply Now link. If you apply and get approved for an American Express Card, NerdWallet may receive compensation from American Express, which can be in the form of monetary payment.

Business Platinum Card® from American Express full review

The Business Platinum Card® from American Express is a rewards credit card for small businesses. It earns 1.25 American Express Membership Rewards points for each $1 spent on nearly everything, except fees, interest and cash equivalents.

Benefits of the Business Platinum Card® from American Express

The Business Platinum Card® from American Express has plenty going for it, including airport lounge access, business management tools, hotel upgrades, complimentary airport transfers at certain airports, sweeping travel insurance and more. Plus, small businesses can take advantage of flexible repayment via interest-free periods of up to 55 days and the option to break your balance into due-in-full and carried-balance categories.

Drawbacks of the Business Platinum Card® from American Express

The Business Platinum Card® from American Express does not have accelerated earn rates for specific spending categories, which may make it more challenging to rack up points. And despite its robust insurance offerings, there are coverage gaps: the card’s emergency medical insurance doesn’t cover people over the age of 65. But the biggest drawbacks may be its steep annual fee of $799 and the 30% APR applied to due-in-full balances that aren’t paid in full each month.

Who should get the Business Platinum Card® from American Express?

The Business Platinum Card® from American Express is well-suited for business owners who want a card with flexible repayment options, rewards on everyday spending and an extensive suite of travel benefits and insurance coverage. There’s wiggle room in the Business Platinum Card® from American Express’s spending limit and repayment options, and the card comes with a respectable lineup of travel perks and insurance. The card also earns a straightforward 1.25 reward points for every $1 spent. It’s likely most useful for business owners who frequently travel for work, who can make the most of the travel perks and benefits.

Is the Business Platinum Card® from American Express worth it?

Whether the Business Platinum Card® from American Express makes sense depends on your business’s needs when it comes to spending and travel. The Business Platinum Card® from American Express has a $799 annual fee, so ideally, you can squeeze at least this much value from the card annually to make carrying it worthwhile. Beyond its welcome offer, the card comes with airport lounge access, hotel freebies, car rental discounts, comprehensive insurance and more. We think the small businesses best positioned to take advantage of this card’s offerings are those that can make use of its travel extras. If your business doesn’t require you to travel much, there are likely better card options for you.

American Express customer satisfaction ratings

• Above average in customer satisfaction: American Express ranks 2nd in J.D. Power’s 2023 Canada Credit Card Satisfaction Study.
• Poor Trustpilot rating: 1.5 out of 5 possible stars based on more than 4,400 customer reviews at the time of this writing.
• Poor Better Business Bureau rating: 1.08 out of a possible 5 stars, according to more than 480 customer reviews on the Better Business Bureau website, at the time of this writing.
• Poor Customer Service Scoreboard rating: 36.49 out of a possible 200, based on over 330 ratings at the time of this writing.

Business Platinum Card® from American Express eligibility

Who qualifies for the Business Platinum Card® from American Express?

To qualify for the Business Platinum Card® from American Express, you must be:

• A Canadian resident.
• At least the age of majority for your province or territory.

While American Express doesn’t disclose this information on its site, there may be annual income requirements associated with the Business Platinum Card® from American Express.

Approximate credit score needed for approval

Canadian credit card issuers rarely disclose required credit scores, which makes it hard to know your chances of approval when comparing credit cards. We know that higher scores have better chances of approval — that’s true no matter what type of credit you’re applying for.

Want to learn more? Visit our “What Credit Score is Needed for a Credit Card?” page.

» MORE: How to Check Your Credit Score 

Business Platinum Card® from American Express rewards

Point value breakdown

The value of an American Express Membership Rewards point varies on the redemption method you choose, but you can expect to get around 0.7-2 cents per point, according to NerdWallet analysis. 

• Up to 2 cents per point for flights, fine hotels and resorts booked via the American Express Fixed Points Travel Program. 
• 1 cent per point for statement credits. 
• About 0.8 cents per point for gift cards. 
• About 0.7 cents per point for shopping with merchant partners.

How to apply for the Business Platinum Card® from American Express

1. Click the “Apply Now” button from the Business Platinum Card® from American Express page on the American Express website.
2. Review the card’s terms and conditions and select “Agree and Begin” to continue. 
3. Enter your details, including your full name, date of birth, email address, business postal code, business phone number and residential address.
4. Tell American Express about your business, including its industry, number of employees and annual revenue.
5. Choose a four-digit PIN.
6. Review the information you’ve supplied and submit your application.

Business Platinum Card® from American Express vs The Platinum Card® from American Express

Reasons you might want a different card

The Business Platinum Card® from American Express may not be a practical fit for your small business if:

• You don’t want to pay an annual fee of $799.
• You don’t travel enough to enjoy the card’s travel extras.
• You’d prefer a card that offers an accelerated rewards rate in specific spending categories.

Business Platinum Card® from American Express facts

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