برچسب: Card

  • American Express® Business Gold Card Review

    American Express® Business Gold Card Review


    The American Express® Gold Card being held up in front of a bright blue wall

    Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by Amex Assurance Company.

    When you run a business, every dollar counts. Having the right credit card can not only help you pay the bills, but it can go a long way to help you actually save money.

    As a business owner, you can qualify for cards that offer better rewards and perks than most personal travel cards.

    (And don’t forget: freelancers, side hustlers, and really anyone with a bit of income on the side can qualify for business cards too. You don’t need to be an LLC or have a formal business setup!!)

    One of the cards I love is the American Express® Business Gold Card. It’s simple and straightforward, offering flexible bonus categories that actually match your spending habits (something I wish more cards did), and is especially good if you do a lot of paid online ads.

    Here’s everything you need to know about the American Express® Business Gold Card to see if it’s right for you:

     

    What is the American Express® Business Gold Card?

    The Business Gold Card is an easy-to-use business card issued by American Express. Its best feature is the ability to earn 4x points on the top two eligible categories where your business spends the most each month, from six eligible categories (more on those below).

    I like that this keeps things simple, instead of offering a laundry list of statement credits to keep track of (though if you are interested in a card that does, check out my review of The Business Platinum Card® from American Express).

    As an Amex card, you’ll also get access to fantastic customer service, Amex Offers, and some travel protections.

    Here’s a glance at some of the benefits this card offers:

    • Earn 100,000 Membership Rewards points after you spend $15,000 on eligible purchases with the Business Gold Card within the first three months of Card Membership
    • Earn 4x Membership Rewards points on the top two eligible categories where your business spends the most each month, from six eligible categories. While your top two categories may change, you will earn 4x points on the first $150,000 in combined purchases from these categories each calendar year (then 1x). Only the top two categories each billing cycle will count towards the $150,000 cap
    • Earn 3x Membership Rewards points on flights and prepaid hotels booked on amextravel.com using your Business Gold Card
    • Earn 1x on all other purchases
    • Earn up to $20 in statement credits monthly for eligible U.S. purchases at FedEx, Grubhub, and office supply stores (that’s up to $240 per year)
    • Earn up to a $12.95 (plus applicable taxes on one membership fee) statement credit back each month after you pay for a monthly Walmart+ membership (subject to auto-renewal) with your Business Gold Card (that’s up to $155 per year)
    • No foreign transaction fees (See Rates & Fees)
    • Extended warranty, purchase, and cellphone protection*
    • Secondary car rental and baggage insurance*

    The card does come with a $375 annual fee (See Rates and Fees).

    *Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by Amex Assurance Company.
     

    Earning Membership Rewards Points

    As I mentioned, the best feature of this card is the ability to earn 4x in the two categories where your business spends the most (on your first $150,000 of spending each year). It’s important to understand that this doesn’t include all spending categories though, just these six eligible categories:

    1. Purchases at US media providers for advertising in select media (online, TV, radio)
    2. U.S. purchases made from electronic goods retailers and software & cloud system providers
    3. U.S. purchases at restaurants, including takeout and delivery
    4. U.S. purchases at gas stations
    5. Transit purchases including trains, taxicabs, rideshare services, ferries, tolls, parking, buses, and subways
    6. Monthly wireless telephone service charges made directly from a wireless telephone service provider in the U.S.

    The nice part about this benefit is that your top two categories can change from month to month, reflecting your real-time business needs. But one of the ways to really maximize this benefit is that you can get 4x on online ads while most other cards offer a max of 3x. So, if you put all your online ads on this card and keep it as one of your top categories, you can get more points per dollar spent on ads than any other card!

    And don’t worry about keeping track of which categories are your most used. The card automatically figures out your top two spending categories and awards points accordingly (you’ll see them as 1x until your statement closes, after which your top categories will be determined and points awarded).

    To me, this is a huge perk because it keeps things simple. After all, as a business owner, you already have enough on your plate.

    On the flip side, your regular business spending might not align with these categories. If that’s the case, I’d recommend a business card that has an increased earning rate on the ones that you do spend in, or one that earns more across all categories (you can check out which ones I recommend in this post on my favorite business cards).
     

    Using Your Membership Rewards Points

    With the Business Gold Card, you’ll earn Membership Rewards® points, which you can transfer to any of Amex’s 21 airline and hotel partners. Since Amex has a well-rounded suite of travel partners, Membership Rewards points are some of the most valuable points out there.

    These are Amex’s current travel partners:

    • Aer Lingus AerClub (1:1 ratio)
    • Aeromexico Rewards (1:1.6 ratio)
    • Air Canada Aeroplan (1:1 ratio)
    • Air France-KLM Flying Blue (1:1 ratio)
    • ANA Mileage Club (1:1 ratio)
    • Avianca LifeMiles (1:1 ratio)
    • British Airways Club (1:1 ratio)
    • Cathay Pacific Asia Miles (1:1 ratio)
    • Choice Privileges (1:1 ratio)
    • Delta SkyMiles (1:1 ratio)
    • Emirates Skywards (1:1 ratio)
    • Etihad Guest (1:1 ratio)
    • HawaiianMiles (1:1 ratio)
    • Hilton Honors (1:2 ratio)
    • Iberia Plus (1:1 ratio)
    • JetBlue TrueBlue (250:200 ratio)
    • Marriott Bonvoy (1:1 ratio)
    • Qantas Frequent Flyer (1:1 ratio)
    • Qatar Airways Privilege Club (1:1 ratio)
    • Singapore KrisFlyer (1:1 ratio)
    • Virgin Atlantic Flying Club (1:1 ratio)

    Most transfers are instant, though some can take up to 48 hours. Remember to only transfer the exact number of points that you need to book your flight or hotel. Transfers are one-way only.

    You can also use your Membership Rewards points to book flights and hotels in the Amex Travel portal. I would advise against it though. It’s not as good a value as transferring your points to partners.
     

    Up to $395 Per Year in Flexible Credit for Business Purchases

    The Business Gold card offers statement credits in two categories, adding up to a potential annual savings of $395 per year (effectively paying for the cost of the card).

    First, you can earn up to $20 in statement credits each month after you use the Business Gold Card for eligible U.S. purchases at FedEx, Grubhub, and office supply stores.

    Second, you can earn up to $12.95 in statement credits each month after you pay for a monthly Walmart+ membership (subject to auto-renewal) with your Business Gold Card. (Up to $12.95 plus applicable taxes. Plus Ups not eligible.)

    I find these statement credits a bit random, and they’re not the most helpful if you have an online business like me. I usually max out on the Grubhub credits though!
     

    Access to Amex Offers

    The Business Gold Card also has access to Amex Offers, an ever-changing roster of deals where you can save money or earn bonus points with select retailers. The offers are targeted, so every cardholder has their own unique array of offers at any given time. For these offers, you do have to add them to your card before making a purchase (or you won’t get the deal).

    Usually, they’re structured as “spend X, get Y amount back as a statement credit” though sometimes they’ll offer bonus points or a percentage back. While you probably won’t be able to take advantage of most offers, the more you can, the more you can offset the card’s annual fee.

    New offers get added as old ones expire, so it’s worth checking back every so often so you can add any offers to your card that you might use.
     

    Who is the Business Gold Card for?

    The Business Gold card is best for business owners who have regular spending in the six categories where you can earn 4x points. This card is especially ideal for entrepreneurs who don’t want to worry about rotating or pre-selecting bonus categories. All you have to do is use it for your regular business spending and you’ll get your points.

    Like with any card, if you’re carrying a balance — or think you might — you shouldn’t get this one. Travel cards like this come with high interest rates, and the rewards you earn won’t make up for what you’ll lose in interest charges. Trust me, no amount of points is worth going into debt over!

    This card is also not for anyone with poor credit, as you need excellent credit to qualify. (If that’s you, check out the best credit cards for improving your score.)

    ***

    The American Express Business Gold Card is one of my favorite business cards. The ability to automatically earn 4x points on your top two spending categories each month keeps things simple and helps you rack up points quickly. And more points equals more trips.

    While it’s not as flashy as its more premium counterpart the Business Platinum, I like to keep the Business Gold in my wallet because it works hard behind the scenes. If you’re looking for a solid business card that works as hard as you do, this one’s worth a closer look.

    Click here to learn more and sign up!

    Stop paying full price for travel!

    Download my free guide to points and miles and learn how to use points and miles for free travel! It’s how all the pros travel so much! In this guide, I’ll show you:

    • How to Pick a Credit Card
    • How to Earn Up to 10x Miles on Your Spending
    • How to Redeem Your Points
    • And a Ton of Other Money Saving Tips!
    Points and Miles

    Book Your Trip: Logistical Tips and Tricks

    Book Your Flight
    Find a cheap flight by using Skyscanner. It’s my favorite search engine because it searches websites and airlines around the globe so you always know no stone is being left unturned.

    Book Your Accommodation
    You can book your hostel with Hostelworld. If you want to stay somewhere other than a hostel, use Booking.com as it consistently returns the cheapest rates for guesthouses and hotels.

    Don’t Forget Travel Insurance
    Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. My favorite companies that offer the best service and value are:

    Want to Travel for Free?
    Travel credit cards allow you to earn points that can be redeemed for free flights and accommodation — all without any extra spending. Check out my guide to picking the right card and my current favorites to get started and see the latest best deals.

    Need a Rental Car?
    Discover Cars is a budget-friendly international car rental website. No matter where you’re headed, they’ll be able to find the best — and cheapest — rental for your trip!

    Need Help Finding Activities for Your Trip?
    Get Your Guide is a huge online marketplace where you can find cool walking tours, fun excursions, skip-the-line tickets, private guides, and more.

    Ready to Book Your Trip?
    Check out my resource page for the best companies to use when you travel. I list all the ones I use when I travel. They are the best in class and you can’t go wrong using them on your trip.



    Source link

  • The Platinum Card® from American Express Review

    The Platinum Card® from American Express Review


    The American Express® Platinum Card

    Advertiser Disclosure
    Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more.

    The Platinum Card® from American Express is the OG of premium travel cards. Since its launch in the 1980s, it’s always been known for its exclusivity, suite of perks, and stellar customer service.

    While it does have the highest fee in the game ($695, See Rates and Fees), it offers a ton of bang for your buck. You’ll more than come out on top if you take advantage of all that this premium card has to offer. It unlocks the most comprehensive lounge access of any card, includes elite hotel status, has tons of travel perks, and offers hefty statement credits.

    I personally love this card, but it’s not for everyone. Here’s my review to help you decide if it’s right for you.

    What does the card offer?

    This card unlocks a ton of lounge access, elite status benefits (enrollment required), travel perks, special hotel discounts, and luxury goods and service credits. Here’s a glance at just some of the benefits:

    • Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 on eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership
    • Earn 5x Membership Rewards® points on flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel® (on the first $500,000 spent per calendar year)
    • Earn 5x Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotels booked on American Express Travel
    • Travel insurance coverage including secondary car rental insurance, trip interruption and cancellation, lost luggage reimbursement
    • Access to The American Express Global Lounge Collection (for eligible Card Members)
    • Up to $200 in airline credit (Valid on one qualifying airline that you must choose in advance. Valid on incidentals only, not airfare.)
    • Up to $200 back in statement credits each year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection bookings through American Express Travel using your Platinum Card®. (The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay.)
    • Up to $199 annual CLEAR® Plus statement credit (covers an annual membership) per calendar year (subject to auto-renewal)
    • Receive either a $120 statement credit every 4 years for a Global Entry application fee or a statement credit up to $85 every 4.5 years for a TSA PreCheck® (through a TSA official enrollment provider) application fee, when charged to your Platinum Card®. (Card Members approved for Global Entry will also receive access to TSA PreCheck at no additional cost.)

    Using Your Membership Rewards Points

    You’ll earn Membership Rewards points with The Platinum Card® from American Express. These are some of the most valuable transferable points out there, thanks to their impressive suite of travel partners:

    • Aer Lingus AerClub (1:1 ratio)
    • Aeromexico Rewards (1:1.6 ratio)
    • Air Canada Aeroplan (1:1 ratio)
    • Air France-KLM Flying Blue (1:1 ratio)
    • ANA Mileage Club (1:1 ratio)
    • Avianca LifeMiles (1:1 ratio)
    • British Airways Club (1:1 ratio)
    • Cathay Pacific Asia Miles (1:1 ratio)
    • Choice Privileges (1:1 ratio)
    • Delta SkyMiles (1:1 ratio)
    • Emirates Skywards (1:1 ratio)
    • Etihad Guest (1:1 ratio)
    • HawaiianMiles (1:1 ratio)
    • Hilton Honors (1:2 ratio)
    • Iberia Plus (1:1 ratio)
    • JetBlue TrueBlue (250:200 ratio)
    • Marriott Bonvoy (1:1 ratio)
    • Qantas Frequent Flyer (1:1 ratio)
    • Qatar Airways Privilege Club (1:1 ratio)
    • Singapore KrisFlyer (1:1 ratio)
    • Virgin Atlantic Flying Club (1:1 ratio)

    You can also use your Membership Rewards points to book flights and hotels in the Amex Travel portal. (This isn’t the best use of your points. I’d generally advise against it; it’s always best to transfer your points to travel partners rather than using the card’s travel portal.)

    Breaking Down the Amex Platinum’s Credits and Benefits

    I love Amex cards for their perks and benefits, and the Amex Platinum comes with over $1,500 worth of them. It’s like a little coupon book. Here’s what you get with the card:

    Perks for a Streamlined Airport Experience (Lounge Access, CLEAR Plus, Global Entry/TSA PreCheck)
    One of my favorite perks of this card is that it offers the most comprehensive lounge access out there, and to some of the best lounges in the game. The Centurion Lounges are stellar, as are the Delta Sky Club lounges. You’ll also get access to the Priority Pass network of over 1,700 lounges around the world.

    The Amex Platinum also gets you to the lounge quicker with statement credits that cover services to expedite airport security. You’ll get up to $199 annual CLEAR® Plus statement credit (covers an annual membership) per calendar year (subject to auto-renewal). You’ll also receive either a $120 statement credit every 4 years for a Global Entry application fee or a statement credit up to $85 every 4.5 years for a TSA PreCheck® (through a TSA official enrollment provider) application fee, when charged to your Platinum Card®.

    Keep in mind that if you’re approved for Global Entry, you’ll also get access to TSA PreCheck at no additional cost. So, if you’re traveling internationally, just go with Global Entry. The process is a bit more involved (you have to go for an in-person interview), but it’s worth it.

    Airline and Hotel Credits
    The Platinum Card also offers up to $200 in airline credit, which sounds great at face value but can be a bit of a pain to use. The credit can only be used on one airline, which you must pre-select, and you can only use it for incidentals, not airfare. However, if you regularly check a bag (and don’t already have an airline credit card that offers free baggage as a perk), you’ll use up that $200 in no time. (You can also use it on things like paid seat selection and in-flight food and beverage.)

    The card also offers up to $200 back in statement credits on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection bookings through American Express Travel using your Platinum Card®. These are usually pretty luxurious properties, so you won’t be getting any free hotel stays with this benefit alone. But if you’re looking to splash out with a high-end hotel or resort stay, $200 off is pretty nice.

    Plus, the Amex Platinum offers complimentary Marriott Bonvoy® Gold Elite and Hilton Honors™ Gold Status, which offer extra perks and benefits when staying at these properties.

    Lifestyle Statement Credits
    The “lifestyle” statement credits are where this card can be a bit less useful depending on your spending habits. My favorite of these is the $200 Uber Cash benefit. It’s distributed as $15 in Uber Cash each month, plus you’ll get a bonus of $20 in December after adding your Card to your Uber account.

    That said, I do find it a bit annoying that you can only use your Uber Cash on rides and orders in the U.S. (when you select an Amex Card for your transaction), since I’m often out of the country.

    (To receive this benefit, you must have downloaded the latest version of the Uber App and your eligible American Express Platinum Card must be a method of payment on your Uber account. The Amex Benefit may only be used in the United States.)

    Other lifestyle credits include up to $50 biannual Saks Fifth Avenue credit and up to $155 Walmart+ Credit when you use your Platinum Card to pay for a monthly Walmart+ membership.

    You’ll also receive up to $240 Digital Entertainment Credit via up to $20 back in statement credits each month on eligible purchases made with your Platinum Card on one or more of the following: Disney+, a Disney+ Bundle, ESPN+, Hulu, The New York Times, Peacock, and The Wall Street Journal. (This is an easy set and forget if you subscribe to any of these.)

    Amex Offers
    In addition to all those statement credits, you’ll get access to Amex Offers. With these, you can save money or earn bonus points with select retailers. The offers are ever-changing and targeted, meaning you won’t have the same offers as another cardholder. The majority of these offers are “spend X, get Y amount back.”

    The Amex Platinum’s Travel Insurance
    Last but not least, you’ll get great travel insurance with this card. No matter where you’re going, travel insurance is the most important thing to get for your trip. Hopefully, you won’t need to use it, but I know from experience that if you do, you’ll be glad to have it. I’ve had to use it around the world, from Argentina to South Africa to Italy. Each time something has gone wrong on the road, travel insurance has helped me recoup my costs.
    While I always recommend purchasing a standalone travel insurance policy, many travel cards offer travel insurance as a perk for no additional cost (apart from the card’s annual fee). While I wouldn’t solely rely on the card’s travel insurance, it’s a nice benefit.

    Here are the travel protections that the Platinum offers:

    • Trip cancellation and interruption coverage of $10,000 per person, per trip (on round-trip tickets only, $20,000 per 12 consecutive month period)
    • Trip delay coverage up to $500 if the delay is six hours or more (on round-trip tickets only, two claims per 12 consecutive-month period)
    • Emergency evacuation and medical transport coverage: no limit; must be coordinated via the Premium Global Assist Hotline
    • Cell phone protection up to $800 minus a $50 deductible (two approved claims per 12-month period, and you must have paid your cell phone bill with your card)
    • Lost luggage coverage up to $3,000 per person
    • Secondary car rental coverage
    • Keep in mind that to be eligible for these protections, you have to pay for your trip (or cell phone bill) with your Amex Platinum. Also, always be sure to always read the fine print so that you understand exactly what’s covered!

    Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by Amex Assurance Company.

    Who is the Amex Platinum for?

    The Amex Platinum is best for frequent travelers who’ll use the premium perks, like easier airport experiences and elite status at hotels. If you can also take advantage of a few lifestyle credits, it’s a solid deal. I’d say just run the numbers and see if the value adds up for you. (And read my post on picking a travel card if you need more help.)

    As with any rewards card, you should not get this card if you’re already carrying a balance or plan to carry a balance. Interest rates for travel cards are notoriously high and the points just aren’t worth it if you’re paying interest each month.

    This card is also not for anyone with poor credit, as you need excellent credit to qualify. (If that’s you, check out the best credit cards for bad credit so you can start improving your score today.)

    ***

    The Amex Platinum isn’t cheap but if you travel often, the perks can easily outweigh the hefty annual fee. From airport lounge access to generous travel credits, it’s a card built for those who live life on the move. If you’re a frequent flyer looking to travel smarter and more comfortably, I think this card is worth it.
    Click here to learn more and sign up!

     

    Stop paying full price for travel!

    Download my free guide to points and miles and learn how to use points and miles for free travel! It’s how all the pros travel so much! In this guide, I’ll show you:

    • How to Pick a Credit Card
    • How to Earn Up to 10x Miles on Your Spending
    • How to Redeem Your Points
    • And a Ton of Other Money Saving Tips!
    Points and Miles

    Book Your Trip: Logistical Tips and Tricks

    Book Your Flight
    Find a cheap flight by using Skyscanner. It’s my favorite search engine because it searches websites and airlines around the globe so you always know no stone is being left unturned.

    Book Your Accommodation
    You can book your hostel with Hostelworld. If you want to stay somewhere other than a hostel, use Booking.com as it consistently returns the cheapest rates for guesthouses and hotels.

    Don’t Forget Travel Insurance
    Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. My favorite companies that offer the best service and value are:

    Want to Travel for Free?
    Travel credit cards allow you to earn points that can be redeemed for free flights and accommodation — all without any extra spending. Check out my guide to picking the right card and my current favorites to get started and see the latest best deals.

    Need a Rental Car?
    Discover Cars is a budget-friendly international car rental website. No matter where you’re headed, they’ll be able to find the best — and cheapest — rental for your trip!

    Need Help Finding Activities for Your Trip?
    Get Your Guide is a huge online marketplace where you can find cool walking tours, fun excursions, skip-the-line tickets, private guides, and more.

    Ready to Book Your Trip?
    Check out my resource page for the best companies to use when you travel. I list all the ones I use when I travel. They are the best in class and you can’t go wrong using them on your trip.



    Source link

  • The Business Platinum Card® from American Express Review

    The Business Platinum Card® from American Express Review


    The American Express® Platinum Business Card Nomadic Matt being held up in front of a wall

    Advertiser Disclosure
    Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more.

    Over the past nineteen years as a business owner, I’ve used countless business cards. Some have been amazing and elevated both my travel and my business. Others have been…well, lackluster.

    One of the best? The Business Platinum Card® from American Express. It comes with a lot of world-class perks and benefits, quality customer care, and a solid rewards structure (especially on large purchases).

    While the annual fee is pretty high ($695, pay over time available. See Rates and Fees), for me, the travel benefits, along with all the statement credits, make the card worth carrying. I think it’s a great choice for business owners who travel frequently.

    In this breakdown, I’ll detail the card, what you get, and why I like it.

    What is the Business Platinum Card® from American Express?

    The Business Platinum Card® from American Express is a travel rewards card geared towards business owners. (Remember: even side hustles and freelancing count as businesses so you can get this card even without being an LLC.) First, let’s go over some of the best things you get when you sign up, which make it a no brainer to get for the first year:

    • Limited Time Offer: Earn 150,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $20,000 on eligible purchases on your Business Platinum Card® within the first 3 months of Card Membership. Plus, earn a $500 statement credit after you spend $2,500 on qualifying flights booked directly with airlines or through American Express Travel with your Business Platinum Card® within the first 3 months of Card Membership. You can earn one or both of these offers. Offer ends 6/30/25.
    • Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points for flights, prepaid hotels, and short-term rentals and prepaid flight + hotel packages booked at AmexTravel.com. 1x points on other eligible purchases.
    • 1.5x points per dollar on each eligible purchase at US construction material, hardware suppliers, electronic goods retailers, and software & cloud system providers, and shipping providers, as well as on purchases of $5,000 or more, on up to $2 million per Card Account per calendar year. Purchases eligible for multiple additional point bonuses will only receive the highest eligible bonus.
    • Complimentary access to the American Express Global Lounge Collection®, featuring more than 1,400 airport lounges across 140 countries. Access is limited to eligible Card Members.
    • Up to $120 in statement credits for Global Entry or TSA Pre-check every 4 years.
    • Up to $199 yearly CLEAR® Plus credit (subject to auto-renewal)
    • Up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year for incidental fees charged by your one selected, qualifying airline.
    • Up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year when you make an eligible purchase at Hilton properties. (Distributed in up to $50 increments per quarter. Hilton for Business program membership is required.)
    • $150 credit with Adobe on eligible annual prepaid business plan purchases of Adobe Creative Cloud for teams or Adobe Acrobat Pro for teams on the Business Platinum Card through 6/30/25.
    • Up to $120 per calendar year in statement credits for purchases made directly from any U.S. wireless telephone provider (up to $10 back per month).
    • Complimentary Marriott Bonvoy® Gold Elite status (enrollment required)
    • Complimentary Hilton Honors Gold status (enrollment required)
    • No foreign transaction fees

    Using Your Membership Rewards Points

    You’ll earn Membership Rewards points with The Business Platinum Card® from American Express. Since Amex has a well-rounded suite of travel partners, Membership Rewards points are some of the most valuable points out there.

    These are Amex’s current travel partners:

    • Aer Lingus AerClub (1:1 ratio)
    • Aeromexico Rewards (1:1.6 ratio)
    • Air Canada Aeroplan (1:1 ratio)
    • Air France-KLM Flying Blue (1:1 ratio)
    • ANA Mileage Club (1:1 ratio)
    • Avianca LifeMiles (1:1 ratio)
    • British Airways Club (1:1 ratio)
    • Cathay Pacific Asia Miles (1:1 ratio)
    • Choice Privileges (1:1 ratio)
    • Delta SkyMiles (1:1 ratio)
    • Emirates Skywards (1:1 ratio)
    • Etihad Guest (1:1 ratio)
    • HawaiianMiles (1:1 ratio)
    • Hilton Honors (1:2 ratio)
    • Iberia Plus (1:1 ratio)
    • JetBlue TrueBlue (250:200 ratio)
    • Marriott Bonvoy (1:1 ratio)
    • Qantas Frequent Flyer (1:1 ratio)
    • Qatar Airways Privilege Club (1:1 ratio)
    • Singapore KrisFlyer (1:1 ratio)
    • Virgin Atlantic Flying Club (1:1 ratio)

    Most transfers are instant, though some can take up to 48 hours.

    You can also use your Membership Rewards points to book flights and hotels in the Amex Travel portal. I generally wouldn’t do this though as it’s not the best use of your points. It’s always better to transfer them out to one of their partners. However, you can get 35% points back when you do book via their portal so just compare the points costs between both before making a decision.

    Breaking Down the Business Platinum’s Credits and Benefits

    Amex cards are well-known for their plethora of perks and benefits. They’re a big reason I love their cards. And, if you can take advantage of all that it has to offer, the Business Platinum boasts over $1,700 worth of value. But, with so many categories and so much fine print, it can be hard to keep track of whether a benefit is actually useful for your spending habits. So, to help you decide if the card is right for you, I want to break down some of the major categories of benefits:

    Airport Experience Credits (Lounge Access, CLEAR Plus, Global Entry/TSA PreCheck)
    One of the best things about this card — and what makes it a standout for frequent travelers — is the unbeatable airport lounge access. You’ll get into some of the top lounges worldwide, including the excellent Centurion Lounges and Delta Sky Clubs (when you’re flying Delta, with up to 10 visits per year).

    On top of that, you’ll get complimentary access to the huge Priority Pass network. If having a quiet space to relax, grab a drink, or get some work done is a priority when you travel, this card has you covered pretty much anywhere.

    I also appreciate that the Business Platinum helps you get through the airport faster. It offers up to $199 in statement credits each year for a CLEAR® Plus membership, which speeds you through security lines.

    You’ll also get a credit for Global Entry (up to $100 every 4 years) or TSA PreCheck (up to $85 every 4.5 years), depending on which one you choose. I personally recommend going for Global Entry. It takes a little more effort (there’s an interview), but it includes TSA PreCheck too. It’ll save you a ton of time if you travel internationally.

    Airline and Hotel Credits
    Another travel-related benefit is the up to $200 airline credit. Unfortunately, it comes with a fair number of restrictions, making this credit a bit more annoying to use. It can only be used on one (pre-selected) airline, and you can only use it for incidentals, not airfare. But if you don’t have an airline credit card that offers free baggage, it can be useful to have. You can also use the credit for airline expenses like paid seat selection or on-board food and drink.

    The Business Platinum also offers a few Hilton-related benefits. First, you can receive up to $200 in statement credits at Hilton properties when booked directly. Since these credits are distributed in quarterly $50 increments, you’d have to stay in a Hilton property at least four times a year to get the full value of this credit. But if you’re on the road a lot, that can be easy to do.

    Second, the Business Platinum offers complimentary Hilton Honors™ Gold Status (as well as Marriott Bonvoy® Gold Elite status), which offer extra perks and benefits when staying at these properties.

    Business-Related Statement Credits
    The Business Platinum card comes with some great perks to help lighten the financial load of running a business. Expenses can really add up if you’re managing a business while traveling, so I appreciate that the Business Platinum helps offset these costs.

    You can get up to $400 in statement credits on U.S. Dell purchases (through June 30, 2025, split into $200 chunks every six months). There’s also up to $360 back per year on Indeed ads (up to $90 each quarter), which is great if you’re hiring as your business grows.

    If you use Adobe tools, there’s a $150 credit available when you prepay annually for eligible Adobe Creative Cloud or Acrobat Pro plans for teams. And to keep you connected on the go, you’ll get up to $120 a year for purchases made directly with U.S. wireless providers — that’s $10 back each month.

    Amex Offers
    On top of all those valuable statement credits, the Business Platinum gives you access to Amex Offers, an easy way to save some cash or rack up extra points with a wide range of retailers. These deals rotate regularly and are personalized, so what shows up for you might be totally different from what another cardholder sees. Most of the time, it’s a simple setup like “spend X, get Y back.” I always check Amex Offers before I purchase. (The personal card offers this too.)

    The Business Platinum’s Travel Insurance
    The Business Platinum also comes with great travel insurance. While I still recommend buying a standalone policy for medical, this card includes strong built-in coverage like trip delay, trip cancellation, emergency evacuation, and medical transport. It also includes cell phone protection for damage or theft, a rare but valuable perk. For a maximum of $800 per claim, with a limit of two approved claims per 12-month period, when your cell phone line is listed on a wireless bill and the prior month’s wireless bill was paid by an Eligible Card Account. A $50 deductible will apply to each approved claim.

    So, while you could get away with the card’s insurance if you book the trip on the card, I wouldn’t rely on it completely. But it’s better than most!

    Should you get this card?

    The Business Platinum is ideal for frequent travelers who can make the most of perks like smoother airport experiences and hotel elite status. If you can take advantage of a few of the business-related statement credits, the statement credits alone make the high annual fee worth it. I get a lot of value from the card through the statement credits that make carrying the card after the first year really worth it.

    While it’s true you only get 1x point per dollar spent on anything under $5,000 (which isn’t as good as many other cards), the points back on redemptions and the tons of statement credits, elite status, Amex offers, and partners you don’t find anywhere else make this card essential for any business owner.

    Click here to learn more and sign up!

     

    Stop paying full price for travel!

    Download my free guide to points and miles and learn how to use points and miles for free travel! It’s how all the pros travel so much! In this guide, I’ll show you:

    • How to Pick a Credit Card
    • How to Earn Up to 10x Miles on Your Spending
    • How to Redeem Your Points
    • And a Ton of Other Money Saving Tips!
    Points and Miles

    Book Your Trip: Logistical Tips and Tricks

    Book Your Flight
    Find a cheap flight by using Skyscanner. It’s my favorite search engine because it searches websites and airlines around the globe so you always know no stone is being left unturned.

    Book Your Accommodation
    You can book your hostel with Hostelworld. If you want to stay somewhere other than a hostel, use Booking.com as it consistently returns the cheapest rates for guesthouses and hotels.

    Don’t Forget Travel Insurance
    Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. My favorite companies that offer the best service and value are:

    Want to Travel for Free?
    Travel credit cards allow you to earn points that can be redeemed for free flights and accommodation — all without any extra spending. Check out my guide to picking the right card and my current favorites to get started and see the latest best deals.

    Need a Rental Car?
    Discover Cars is a budget-friendly international car rental website. No matter where you’re headed, they’ll be able to find the best — and cheapest — rental for your trip!

    Need Help Finding Activities for Your Trip?
    Get Your Guide is a huge online marketplace where you can find cool walking tours, fun excursions, skip-the-line tickets, private guides, and more.

    Ready to Book Your Trip?
    Check out my resource page for the best companies to use when you travel. I list all the ones I use when I travel. They are the best in class and you can’t go wrong using them on your trip.



    Source link