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UPDATES:
- July 1, 2021: American Express added a $179 CLEAR membership credit as a new and enhanced benefit to Amex Business Platinum Card.
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American Express Business Platinum Card is an expensive bank card that has a high annual fee of $595. Rumor has it that the fee may increase soon as well.
There are several benefits to this card though that make it worthwhile to keep the card for some people. I’m going to just list the benefits that are worth mentioning and explain to you how each one works.
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Enrollment Required Benefits
If you are just approved for the American Express Business Platinum Card, congratulations! There are a lot of benefits that this card offers; however, a few of them require your enrollment to activate the offer. If you do not enroll, you will not receive that specific benefit.
Before we look at each valuable benefit of the American Express Business Platinum Card, you can use this section as a way to remember to enroll in the following offers first:
- $200 Amex Dell Statement Credits
- $200 Amex Airline Fee Statement Credit (You must select a qualifying airline)
- Complimentary Airport Lounges with Priority Pass Select Membership
- Complimentary Marriott Gold Elite status
- Complimentary Hilton Honors Gold elite status
- Complimentary Premium Car Rental Status
- Pay Over Time
- Unless you really want this benefit, I suggest that you wait until your account is targeted to enroll in this benefit to receive bonus Amex points simply for enrolling in this benefit.
- InCircle points to redeem for purchases at Neiman Marcus, Bergdorf Goodman, Last Call, and Horchow
To enroll in each benefit, sign in to your account, then click on the Benefits tab. Find the above-mentioned benefit that you want to enroll in, then click the Enroll button. If you prefer, you can use the chat or call to have an Amex agent enrolls the benefit for you too.
$200 Dell Statement Credits
Each year from January through December, you can receive up to $200 in statement credits on DELL purchases:
- Get up to $100 in statement credits between January and June.
- Get up to another $100 in statement credits between July and December.
- Enrollment for this benefit is required. To enroll:
- Sign in to your account, then click on the Benefits tab. Find the section “Shop Dell with Business Platinum” then click the Enroll button. If you prefer, you can use the chat or call to have an Amex agent enrolls it for you too.
After enrollment, every time you make a purchase through DELL using your American Express Business Platinum Card during eligible months, American Express will issue you a statement credit to cover your expenses. Each transaction does not have to be exact $100 to get the Dell statement credit.
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Earning 1.5X Membership Rewards On Purchases of $5,000 or More
This is a self-explanatory benefit. Each time, you spend at least $5,000 or more in one transaction, you’ll earn 1.5 American Express Membership Rewards (MR) points per dollar spent. For instance, if you spend $5,000 on an eligible purchase, you’ll earn 7,500 Amex points.
Earning 5X Membership Rewards On Flights and Prepaid Hotels Through AmexTravel
American Express Business Platinum Card earns 1 point for each dollar spent on travel purchases. With this benefit, you’ll receive additional 4 points for each dollar spent on flights and hotels including flight+hotel packages that are booked through the Amex Travel portal site. In other words, if you book directly with airlines, hotels, or other travel agencies, you will not receive that additional 4 points. Therefore, you must book through Amex Travel.
There are a couple things to be aware of though when booking through Amex Travel:
- For flights, you can still earn airline miles. Simply make sure your frequent flyer number is added to the reservation.
- For hotels:
- The booking has to be prepaid. What this really means is that you pay upfront for the reservation. It does not mean that you cannot cancel or change the reservation later on. All bookings are subject to a cancellation policy that’s set by each hotel property.
- You will not earn hotel points through this type of booking with the exceptions of Fine Hotels + Resorts and The Hotel Collection programs that are also part of American Express Business Platinum Card benefits (more below).
The Fine Hotels + Resorts Program
Amex Fine Hotels + Resorts program tends to be on the expensive side because they are hand-picked luxury properties. With this program, you receive on-property perks that are included in your booking such as:
- Complimentary daily breakfast for two
- Complimentary room upgrade
- 4PM late check-out
- $100 hotel credit
You must book through Amex Travel. On the search result’s page, if a property is part of the Fine Hotels + Resort program, it’ll say so. You’ll also earn 5x points per dollar spent or you can use your American Express Membership Rewards (MR) points to pay for all or part of your booking.
Please note that the on-property perks vary based on the property, room rate, upgrade availability, and minimum night requirements.
The Hotel Collection Program
Amex Hotel Collection program is similar to the Fine Hotels + Resorts program mentioned above. The Hotel Collection program requires at least a two-night stay to get a $100 onsite credit to spend on dining, spa treatments, and resort activities during your stay. Room upgrade is also possible upon arrival if available.
You must book through Amex Travel. On the search result’s page, if a property is part of the Hotel Collection program, it’ll say so. You’ll also earn 5x points per dollar spent or you can use your American Express Membership Rewards (MR) points to pay for all or part of your booking.
$200 Airline Fee Credit
Each calendar year from January through December, you can receive up to $200 in airline fee statement credits.
The way this benefit works:
- You must select one qualifying airline before you make an eligible purchase with that airline.
- To select a qualifying airline for Amex Airline Fee Statement Credit online, go here. This can also be done through chat, or call the number on the back of your card to have an Amex agent do this for you.
- If you do not change your airline selection next year, the previous year’s preferred airline selection remains in place.
- You can only change your airline selection once a year in January according to the terms, but in practice, many people have successfully asked Amex agents to change their airline selection even after January.
- According to Amex terms and conditions, the $200 airline fee credit benefit can only be used for incidental air travel fees such as baggage fees, ticket change fees, inflight food and beverage fees to name a few that are considered qualified purchases. However, the points community provided some successful data points on other airline purchases that trigger the $200 airline fee credit. See recommended post below.
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35% Airline Bonus (Points Back)
When you use your American Express Membership Rewards (MR) points to pay for your flight, you’ll receive 35% points back. However, there are three important things to be mindful of with this 35% airline bonus benefit:
- You can receive 35% Membership Rewards points back when you pay with points through Amex Travel to book a First or Business class ticket on ANY airline.
- You can receive 35% Membership Rewards points back when you pay with points through Amex Travel to book an economy class ticket on your selected qualifying airline only.
- The qualifying airline you select for this benefit and the $200 Amex Airline Fee Statement Credit benefit mentioned above must be the same. Please read that section for qualifying airline selection.
- Points rebate has a maximum limit of 500,000 bonus points back per calendar year.
American Express Global Lounge Collection Access
American Express Global Lounge Collection benefit provides cardmembers of the American Express Business Platinum Card with complimentary access to global airport lounges.
Access rule to each lounge varies but generally speaking you simply show your eligible Platinum card along with your boarding pass and a photo ID to gain access to the lounge.
- The Centurion Lounge & American Express International Lounges: This is an American Express Lounge. You may bring up to two (2) guests in with you, however, starting February 2023, complimentary 2 guests access benefit will be removed and each non-cardmember will be charged a $50 per guest fee.
- To access The Centurion Lounge, you must present the lounge agent your card, your boarding pass showing a confirmed reservation for same-day travel on any carrier, and your government-issued I.D. You may not access the lounge if the lounge is located in the airport that is your final destination.
- Airspace Lounge: You and up to two (2) guests can access the lounge at no additional cost.
- To access Airspace Lounge, you must present your Amex card, a government-issued I.D., and a confirmed boarding pass for same-day travel.
- Delta Sky Club: You can receive complimentary access to Delta Sky Club only when traveling on a Delta flight. To bring any guests, you’ll be responsible for the guest fees.
- To access a Delta Sky Club, you must present your Amex card, a government-issued I.D., and a same-day travel boarding pass for Delta flight.
- Escape Lounges: You receive complimentary access to any US location of the Escape Lounges. You may bring up to two (2) guests at no additional cost.
- To access Escape Lounges, you must present your Amex card, a boarding pass showing a confirmed reservation for same-day travel on any carrier, and your government-issued I.D.
- Priority Pass Airport Lounges: You received unlimited airport lounge visits and you may bring up to 2 guests for no additional charge. To bring any additional guests, you’ll be responsible for the guest fees, which vary by location. Also, the Amex Priority Pass benefit does not include Priority Pass Restaurants benefit.
- To access one of the Priority Pass Select airport lounges, you must present your Priority Pass Membership card, your government-issued I.D., and your same-day travel boarding pass.
- Enrollment to receive your complimentary Priority Pass Select Membership is required. Sign in to your account, then click on the Benefits tab. Find the section “American Express Global Lounge Collection” then click the Enroll in Priority Pass Select button. If you prefer, you can use the chat or call to have an Amex agent enrolls it for you too.
Complimentary Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite Status
American Express Business Platinum Card gives you automatic elite status upgrade with the Marriott Bonvoy program. You will need to sign-up for the Marriott Bonvoy program first if you have not done that (Join Marriott and Earn 2,500 Bonus Points), and then enroll to have your Marriott Bonvy account upgraded to Marriott Gold Elite status under Benefits in your Amex account. If you prefer, you can use the chat or call to have an Amex agent enrolls it for you too.
Typically, to achieve Marriott Gold Elite status, you are required to stay 25 nights at worldwide Marriott properties. By having American Express Business Platinum Card, you are automatically upgraded to that Gold status complimentary without any stays.
Marriott Gold Elite gives you the following benefits when you stay with Marriott Bonvoy Hotels & Resorts next time:
- Earn 25% bonus Marriott points on stays
- Complimentary enhanced room upgrade
- 2 P.M. late checkout
- Welcome gift or points
- Complimentary enhanced in-room Internet Access
Complimentary Hilton Honors Gold Status
Similar to the complimentary Marriott Gold Elite status benefit above, American Express Business Platinum Card gives you an automatic complimentary elite upgrade to Hilton Honors Gold status.
Generally, you are required to stay with Hilton for 20 nights, 10 stays, or earn 37,500 base points before being awarded for the Gold elite status. American Express Business Platinum Card gives you a complimentary upgrade right into Hilton Honors Gold elite status without any stays required.
All you have to do is signup for a Hilton Honors account if you have not done that, and then sign in to your Amex account, click on the Benefits tab. Find the section “Hilton Honors Gold Status” to enroll in this benefit. If you prefer, you can use the chat or call to have an Amex agent enrolls it for you too.
Hilton Honors Gold elite status offers the following valuable perks when you stay at hotels and resorts within the Hilton portfolio:
- 80% bonus Hilton points on stays
- Room upgrades
- Free continental breakfast
- Earn milestone bonuses
Fee Credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck
You are eligible to receive a $100 statement credit every 4 years for the Global Entry application fee or $85 every 4 years for the TSA PreCheck application fee.
Please note that you cannot receive more than one credit for this benefit – meaning if you receive $85 statement credit for your TSA PreCheck application fee, you will not receive additional $100 statement credit for your Global Entry application fee and vice versa. This benefit does not give you statement credits for both programs.
To take advantage of this benefit, all you have to do is apply for the program and make sure to use your American Express Business Platinum Card to pay the application fee. American Express will issue you a statement credit afterward.
Consider getting a Global Entry over TSA PreCheck if you may also travel internationally. That’s because once your Global Entry application is approved, you will also automatically receive TSA PreCheck! If you are new to the program, please check out the following article for more information:
New Benefit $179 CLEAR Credit
CLEAR is another travel program that offers expedited security screening at select airports and stadiums across the United States. It costs $179 per year to get CLEAR membership. Therefore, if you use your American Express Business Platinum Card to pay for CLEAR’s annual membership fee, you’ll receive $179 in statement credit back from American Express.
International Airline Program Savings For Premium Class Tickets
International Airline Program offers discounts on select premium class tickets. The conditions are:
- You must book through Amex Travel
- Valid for select First Class, Business Class, and Premium Economy Class tickets with participating airlines only. Participating airlines are:
- AeroMexico, Air China, Air France, Air New Zealand, Alitalia, Asiana Airlines, Austrian, British Airways, Brussels Airlines, Cathay Pacific, China Airlines, Delta, Emirates, Etihad Airways, IBERIA, Japan Airlines, KLM, LATAM, Lufthansa, Qantas, Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines, South African Airways, SWISS, Virgin Atlantic
- Travel must originate in and return to U.S. gateway (may exclude certain overseas territories) and select Canadian gateways.
- One-way travel is permitted on some airlines where routing originates in the U.S. or select Canadian gateways.
- You must use your American Express Business Platinum Card to purchase the ticket.
- Airline fare rules and restrictions apply and are subject to change at the discretion of the airline.
The way the International Airline Program benefit works is pretty much the same as you were to book the premium tickets somewhere else, except that when you are a cardmember of the American Express Business Platinum Card, you receive discounts on those tickets when booking through Amex Travel. You can utilize the chat feature on Amex Travel to have a reservation agent check availability and pricing for you.
Airline Upgrade with Points
While I am personally not a real fan of using American Express Membership Rewards (MR) points this way, this benefit is worth mentioning if you’d like to upgrade your flight itinerary with a participating airline using points without breaking your bank.
This is how the benefit works:
- Go to Amex Upgrade Your Flight with Points site and log in.
- Select your airline.
- Enter your reservation details to see if your itinerary is eligible to upgrade.
- If eligible, use American Express Membership Rewards (MR) points to place an offer towards an upgrade.
- Your offer will be accepted or declined by the airline, usually within 5 days of your flight. Whatever the airline’s decision, American Express will communicate the result to you via email before your departure.
Premium Car Rental Status
You can receive complimentary status with rental car companies for upgrades when available, discounts, and priority service at participating rental locations.
There are 3 rental car companies that you can enroll in for being a cardmember of the American Express Business Platinum Card.
- Avis Preferred Plus
- Use your Platinum AWD discount code A756900 to receive the following benefits:
- Discounts off your rental.
- Complimentary upgrade when available.
- Receive a free 2-day weekend rental coupon after 2 completed qualifying rentals from Avis of 2 or more days each in a 6-month period.
- Hertz Gold Plus Rewards
- Use the Platinum Card from Amex Corporate Discount Code (CDP) 211762 to receive the following benefits:
- Discounts off your rental
- Receive a 4-hour grace period on returns within the US before an extra day charge is applied.
- Get a one-car-class upgrade, subject to availability.
- National Car Rental Emerald Club
- Receive complimentary Executive tier status that comes with the following benefits:
- Choose your own car from the Executive Selection area, which features full-size and larger car classes.
- Receive automatic upgrades when you reserve a car that ranges from full-size to luxury cars.
- Earn a complimentary rental day after 6 qualifying rentals.
- Opt to receive airline miles or hotel points from one of National’s partners.
Enrollment for this benefit with each rental car company is required!
Cruise Privileges Program
If you enjoy traveling through the cruise ship, American Express Cruise Privileges Program offers you exclusive benefits that are available on cruise bookings of 5 nights or more with participating cruise partners.
The benefit generally includes the following:
- Receive $100 – 300 per stateroom shipboard credit, redeemable toward dining, spa, and more.
- Exclusive amenities are unique to each cruise line, such as premium wine or assorted canapés.
To learn more, check the cost and to book, visit the American Express Cruise Privileges Program website or call Business Platinum Travel Service at 1-800-553-9497.
Transfer Membership Rewards Points to Loyalty Programs
This benefit is one of the most valuable benefits in this miles and points hobby. Your American Express Membership Rewards (MR) points are worth a lot when transferring them to Amex participating airline and hotel loyalty programs.
The way it works is you transfer your American Express Membership Rewards (MR) points to a frequent flyer airline for miles at 1:1 ratio, and you then can use those miles to redeem for a flight that the cash price costs more than 1 cent per mile. You can transfer your MR points to the hotel rewards program as well. Sometimes, Amex even offers a transfer bonus that really sweetens this deal!
Check out the following article to learn more about this valuable benefit and how to transfer your American Express Membership Rewards (MR) points:
American Express Preferred Seating & By Invitation RSVP Only Benefits
With Preferred Seating, you will have access to premium seats for select cultural and sporting events, based on availability. The best way to take advantage of this benefit is to call Business Platinum Travel Service at 1-800-553-9497 and they can help walk you through booking and getting your preferred seating.
With the By Invitation Only, it is an RSVP to specially curated once-in-a-lifetime events that American Express invites you to experience for just being a cardmember. The events range from sporting and fashion to fine dining, art, and performances that are available exclusively for you.
Cell Phone Protection
This is a new benefit that Amex rolled out in 2021 for Amex cardholders. As long as you use your American Express Business Platinum Card to pay for your monthly mobile phone bills, you can be reimbursed for your costs to repair, replace your damaged or stolen cell phone up to $800. You can have a maximum of 2 approved claims per 12-month period and there’s also a deductible of $50.
Amex Offers
Amex Offers are available widely for all American Express cards. Your American Express Business Platinum Card gives you access to the Amex Offers which gives you statement credits after you spend x amount on certain categories such as shopping, travel, dining, and entertainment. For example, spend $200 or more at Marriott Bonvoy Hotels & Resorts, get $50 back. Spend $75 or more on Amazon.com, get $25 back.
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Other Benefits
Without going through the details, here are additional benefits that are available to the American Express Business Platinum Card:
- Pay Over Time Option – Decide whether you want to pay eligible purchases of $100 or more in full each month, or pay over time with interest.
- From time to time, check if your account is targeted to enroll in Pay Over Time. Amex awards you bonus points for simply enrolling in this program.
- Premium Private Jet Program – This benefit is offered by Delta Private Jets and you can call Platinum Travel Services at 1-800-553-9497 to learn more about this program.
- Global Dining Collection – Enjoy exclusive access to dining reservations, experiences, and events.
- Car Rental Loss and Damage Insurance – Coverage benefit for damage to or theft of a rental vehicle in a Covered Territory when you use your card to reserve and pay for an entire rental.
- CreditSecure – Get comprehensive credit and identity monitoring, and dedicated fraud assistance services. New customers pay $1 for the first 30 days, then $16.99 each month, sales tax is applied where applicable.
- There are a lot of free credit monitoring services out there, so I would not recommend spending your money on this service.
- Business Platinum Travel Service – This is your 24/7 travel consultant service for any travel-related matters from making travel arrangements to learning more about travel-related benefits. Call 1-800-553-9497
- Business Platinum Card Concierge – This is the service that helps you make arrangements for a special dinner, purchasing event/show tickets. Call 1-800-492-8468
- Purchase Return Protection – You may return eligible purchases to American Express if the seller won’t take them back up to 90 days from the date of purchase.
- Travel Insurances – Trip Delay Insurance, Trip Cancellation, and Interruption Insurance, and Baggage Insurance Plan
- Departures – Subscription to Departures magazine that offers an expert view on travel, food, culture, and more.
- InCircle – You receive a $100 InCircle Point Card for every 10,000 InCircle points you receive. Points Cards can be used toward purchases at Neiman Marcus, Bergdorf Goodman, Last Call, Horchow, and CUSP.
- To get InCircle points, you must enroll your American Express Business Platinum Card into InCircle. Once you have enrolled into InCircle, you will receive one InCircle point for each dollar of eligible purchases charged on your enrolled Business Platinum Card at Neiman Marcus, Bergdorf Goodman, Last Call, and Horchow.
- No foreign transaction fees.
- No Preset Spending Limit – Because American Express Business Platinum Card is a charge card, not a credit card. The amount you can spend adapts based on factors such as your purchase, payment, and credit history with American Express.
