amex platinum travel number

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Credit Cards

The complete guide to the Amex Travel portal

Carissa Rawson

Allie Johnson

“Verified by an expert” means that this article has been thoroughly reviewed and evaluated for accuracy.

Robin Saks Frankel

Published 7:39 a.m. UTC Feb. 28, 2024

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The American Express Travel portal offers valuable benefits to American Express cardholders, including special prices. Depending on which card you hold, you may also be able to pay for travel with Membership Rewards® points and get access to perks such as discounted airfare and specialty benefits at luxury hotels. Let’s take a look at how the Amex Travel portal works, whether the benefits are worthwhile and who can access Amex Travel’s website. 

• American Express Travel offers hotels, vacation rentals, flights, rental cars and cruises.
• Luxury hotel benefits and discounted airfare are two benefits of booking through Amex’s travel portal. 
• American Express cardholders can access Amex Travel. 

How to book travel through the Amex Travel portal

Booking travel through the Amex Travel portal requires you to have an online account associated with an Amex card. While you can complete a search on the Amex Travel website without logging in, you will need to do so in order to make a booking.

After you choose whether to book a flight, hotel, vacation rental, vacation package, rental car or cruise, you’ll need to enter your travel details.

For example, if you want to book a flight through Amex Travel, you’ll need to put in your departure airport and destination as well as your dates of travel. The site will then bring up a list of matching results.

You can filter based on when the flights take off as well as how many stops you’re willing to tolerate, among other options. 

The Amex Travel site offers a wide variety of hotel stays and flights, but you’ll always want to double check elsewhere before booking since it doesn’t always feature every option. 

Once you’ve selected a booking, you’ll be taken through the checkout process. This includes providing your personal information and can also include seat requests and adding in loyalty program numbers.

To pay for your booking, you can use your American Express Membership Rewards, if you have a card that earns them, or your American Express card or a combination of both. 

After you’ve booked, you’ll receive a confirmation email containing your reservation information. You can also find your bookings under the My Trips section of Amex Travel.

Who can use the portal?

Any American Express cardholder can use the Amex Travel portal to book travel. But those whose cards don’t earn Amex Membership Rewards points will need to pay with their Amex card.

However, many American Express cards  earn Membership Rewards points that can be redeemed for travel through the Amex Travel portal. These cards include (terms apply):

The Platinum Card® from American Express

• American Express® Gold Card
• American Express® Green Card * The information for the American Express® Green Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
• Amex EveryDay® Credit Card * The information for the Amex EveryDay® Credit Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
• The Business Platinum Card® from American Express * The information for the The Business Platinum Card® from American Express has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
• American Express® Business Gold Card * The information for the American Express® Business Gold Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

All information about American Express® Green Card, Amex EveryDay® Credit Card, The Business Platinum Card® from American Express and American Express® Business Gold Card has been collected independently by Blueprint.

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Welcome bonus

Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 on purchases on the Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.

Regular APR

Credit score.

Credit Score ranges are based on FICO® credit scoring. This is just one scoring method and a credit card issuer may use another method when considering your application. These are provided as guidelines only and approval is not guaranteed.

Editor’s Take

• Over $1,500 in travel and entertainment credits can offset the annual fee.
• Comprehensive lounge access benefit.
• Generous travel and purchase protections.
• High annual fee and spending requirements.
• Amex’s once-per-lifetime rule limits welcome bonus eligibility.
• Annual statement credits have limited use.

Card details

• Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 on purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Apply and select your preferred metal Card design: classic Platinum Card®, Platinum x Kehinde Wiley, or Platinum x Julie Mehretu.
• Earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year and earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel.
• $200 Hotel Credit: Get up to $200 back in statement credits each year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection bookings with American Express Travel when you pay with your Platinum Card®. The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay.
• $240 Digital Entertainment Credit: Get 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. Enrollment required.
• $155 Walmart+ Credit: Cover the cost of a $12.95 monthly Walmart+ membership (subject to auto-renewal) with a statement credit after you pay for Walmart+ each month with your Platinum Card®. Cost includes $12.95 plus applicable local sales tax. Plus Up Benefits are excluded.
• $200 Airline Fee Credit: Select one qualifying airline and then receive up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year when incidental fees are charged by the airline to your Platinum Card®.
• $200 Uber Cash: Enjoy Uber VIP status and up to $200 in Uber savings on rides or eats orders in the US annually. Uber Cash and Uber VIP status is available to Basic Card Member only. Terms Apply.
• $300 Equinox Credit: Get up to $300 back in statement credits per calendar year on an Equinox membership, or an Equinox club membership (subject to auto-renewal) when you pay with your Platinum Card®. Enrollment required. Visit https://platinum.equinox.com/ to enroll.
• $189 CLEAR® Plus Credit: Breeze through security with CLEAR Plus at 100+ airports, stadiums, and entertainment venues nationwide and get up to $189 back per calendar year on your Membership (subject to auto-renewal) when you use your Platinum Card®. Learn more.
• $100 Global Entry Credit: Receive either a $100 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.
• Shop Saks with Platinum: Get up to $100 in statement credits annually for purchases in Saks Fifth Avenue stores or at saks.com on your Platinum Card®. That’s up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
• $300 SoulCycle At-Home Bike Credit: Get a $300 statement credit for the purchase of a SoulCycle at-home bike with your Platinum Card®. An Equinox+ subscription is required to purchase a SoulCycle at-home bike and access SoulCycle content. Must charge full price of bike in one transaction. Shipping available in the contiguous U.S. only. Enrollment Required.
• Unlock access to exclusive reservations and special dining experiences with Global Dining Access by Resy when you add your Platinum Card® to your Resy profile.
• $695 annual fee.
• Terms Apply.

Is the portal worth using?

The Amex Travel portal can be worth using in certain cases, though it won’t always make sense. For example, some flights aren’t bookable via Amex Travel, so if what you need isn’t available you’ll want to look elsewhere.

That being said, those with certain cards are entitled to exclusive benefits that can lower prices or allow them to redeem points for travel. There are also perks for booking luxury hotels within the portal. In these cases, Amex Travel is definitely worth investigating. 

How to maximize your Amex Travel benefits through the portal

International airline program.

Available to those who hold a high-end American Express card, including The Platinum Card from American Express, The Business Platinum Card from American Express and the American Express Centurion Black Card * The information for the American Express Centurion Black Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. , the International Airline Program (IAP) can save you money on certain international flights booked via the Amex Travel portal. 

All information about American Express Centurion Black Card has been collected independently by Blueprint.

This benefit is only available on tickets booked in premium economy, business or first class, but the savings can be significant. 

For example, we looked at a round-trip flight in premium economy from San Francisco (SFO) to Tokyo (NRT). Booking with Japan Airlines (JAL) directly resulted in a cost of $4,431.40, while the Amex Travel portal and the IAP charged just $3,797.40 for a savings of over $600.

Fine Hotels + Resorts ® and The Hotel Collection

American Express also offers the Fine Hotels and Resorts and The Hotel Collection to eligible cardholders. 

Fine Hotels and Resorts allows guests to book luxury hotels with special benefits. These include room upgrades, complimentary breakfast, an experience credit, late check-out, early check-in and more. 

The Hotel Collection offers similar but less exorbitant benefits. It’s directed toward more midscale properties and includes an experience credit as well as a room upgrade. 

35% rebate on redeemed points

Those who hold The Business Platinum Card from American Express are able to get a 35% rebate on points redeemed for eligible flights booked through the Amex Travel portal (up to 1,000,000 points per calendar year). 

Eligible flights include all fare classes on an airline that you select each year. It also includes first and business class tickets on any airline. 

Quick guide to Amex Membership Rewards

American Express Membership Rewards are the points you earn with eligible Amex cards. These highly flexible and valuable points can be redeemed in a number of ways, though they tend to be most valuable when transferred to Amex airline partners.

Other ways of redeeming Amex points include:

• Gift cards.
• Travel booked via Amex Travel.
• Online shopping. 
• Statement credits. 

While these are nice options to have, you’ll generally get much less value from your Membership Rewards points by redeeming them in these ways. Finally, although you can redeem your points in the Amex Travel portal, this isn’t necessarily a good idea if you aim to reap maximum value. Even if you’re taking advantage of the 35% rebate on redeemed points for flights, you’ll only ever receive a value of 1.54 cents per point. This is lower than you’d expect when transferring your Amex points to many airline and hotel partners. 

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

No, travel insurance is not automatically included when booking through the Amex portal. But many of the best credit cards feature complimentary travel insurance when using your card to pay, including those from American Express. Otherwise, you may be able to opt in to travel insurance during the booking process or via a third party provider.

Those with the The Platinum Card from American Express can earn 5 Membership Rewards® points per $1 for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel on up to $500,000 per calendar year, 5 points per $1 on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel and 1 point per $1 on other purchases. The card has an annual fee of $695 ( rates & fees ). 

Those with the The Business Platinum Card® from American Express * The information for the The Business Platinum Card® from American Express has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. , meanwhile, earn 5 Membership Rewards® points per $1 on flights and prepaid hotels through American Express Travel, 1.5 points per $1 at U.S. construction material & hardware suppliers, electronic goods retailers and software and cloud system providers, shipping providers, and purchases of $5,000 or more on up to $2 million per calendar year and 1 point per $1 on other eligible purchases. The card has a $695 annual fee.

All information about The Business Platinum Card® from American Express has been collected independently by Blueprint.

The phone number for American Express Travel is: 1-800-297-2977.

The number of Amex points that you’ll need to redeem for a flight will depend on the cash cost of your flight and whether you’re booking through Amex Travel or transferring your Membership Rewards points to an Amex airline partner. Amex Points are worth about one cent when booking flights through the portal, so a flight that costs $500 in cash would require about 50,000 Amex points. You’ll typically get a better deal with transfer partners than booking through the portal.

For rates and fees for The Platinum Card® from American Express please visit this page .

*The information for the American Express Centurion Black Card, American Express® Business Gold Card, American Express® Green Card, Amex EveryDay® Credit Card and The Business Platinum Card® from American Express has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

Blueprint is an independent publisher and comparison service, not an investment advisor. The information provided is for educational purposes only and we encourage you to seek personalized advice from qualified professionals regarding specific financial decisions. Past performance is not indicative of future results.

Blueprint has an advertiser disclosure policy . The opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the Blueprint editorial staff alone. Blueprint adheres to strict editorial integrity standards. The information is accurate as of the publish date, but always check the provider’s website for the most current information.

Carissa Rawson is a credit cards and award travel expert with nearly a decade of experience. You can find her work in a variety of publications, including Forbes Advisor, Business Insider, The Points Guy, Investopedia, and more. When she's not writing or editing, you can find her in your nearest airport lounge sipping a coffee before her next flight.

Allie is a journalist with a passion for money tips and advice. She's been writing about personal finance since the Great Recession for online publications such as Bankrate, CreditCards.com, MyWalletJoy and ValuePenguin. She's also written personal finance content for Discover, First Horizon Bank, The Hartford, Travelers and Synovus.

Robin Saks Frankel is a credit cards lead editor at USA TODAY Blueprint. Previously, she was a credit cards and personal finance deputy editor for Forbes Advisor. She has also covered credit cards and related content for other national web publications including NerdWallet, Bankrate and HerMoney. She's been featured as a personal finance expert in outlets including CNBC, Business Insider, CBS Marketplace, NASDAQ's Trade Talks and has appeared on or contributed to The New York Times, Fox News, CBS Radio, ABC Radio, NPR, International Business Times and NBC, ABC and CBS TV affiliates nationwide. She holds an M.S. in Business and Economics Journalism from Boston University. Follow her on Twitter at @robinsaks.

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6 Things You Should Know Before Getting the Platinum Card from American Express

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The Platinum Card® from American Express is one of the top premium travel cards available. It comes with travel credits, hotel elite status, access to an impressive lounge collection, travel protections and other luxury perks. Terms apply.

Here are some things you should understand before applying for The Platinum Card® from American Express .

What to know before getting The Platinum Card® from American Express

1. amex has a "once per lifetime" welcome offer rule.

Current and former holders of The Platinum Card® from American Express are ineligible for the welcome offer. This is commonly referred to as AmEx's "once per lifetime" rule .

Not sure if you’ve had some version of this card before? AmEx will check your welcome offer eligibility when you apply for a card — even before checking your credit. If you aren’t eligible for the welcome offer, AmEx will inform you of this through a small pop-up window. After notification, you have the option to continue with the application or to cancel it.

2. The The Platinum Card® from American Express welcome offer spending requirements

The Platinum Card® from American Express currently is offering a good welcome bonus: Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 on purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Terms Apply. A $6,000 spending requirement won’t be easy for everyone to meet, so consider when you'll have a lot of expenses before you open the new card.

Also, mull over what expenses you can charge to the potential card in the next few months. If you come up short of the spending requirement, consider postponing your application to a time when you have more considerable expenses on the horizon — perhaps around the holidays, when you’re finally getting around to that bathroom remodel or before booking your next trip.

» Learn more: AmEx Membership Rewards: How to earn and use them

3. The Platinum Card® from American Express annual fee of $695 is higher than average

The Platinum Card® from American Express is an excellent choice for people looking for a premium travel card . But it may not be the right card for you. Before committing to a $695 annual fee, look at the card's benefits and note which perks you value the most. Then compare your list with other cards — which may be more affordable — to see if they might be a better fit. Terms apply.

For example, the Chase Sapphire Reserve® has a lower $550 annual fee and an easy-to-use $300 annual travel credit. Plus, Chase Sapphire Reserve® offers a Priority Pass Select membership and TSA PreCheck, NEXUS or Global Entry credit. However, if you're also going to pay for a Clear membership, it may be worth paying more for The Platinum Card® from American Express , which will reimburse you $189 each year for Clear. Terms apply.

The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card , meanwhile, has an even lower annual fee at $395 and also offers TSA PreCheck or Global Entry credit. This card also offers complementary lounge access to the Capital One Lounges, more than 100 Plaza Premium lounges (including select Virgin Atlantic Clubhouses) and more than 1,300 Priority Pass lounges around the globe.

» Learn more: Is Clear worth the cost?

If you only travel a few times a year, the American Express® Gold Card could be a better fit. This card charges a much lower $250 annual fee, yet it offers an annual up to $120 in Uber credits for U.S. rides and food orders ($10 each month) and an annual up to $120 dining credit. You must add the American Express® Gold Card to your Uber app to receive the Uber Cash benefit. Plus, you'll earn 4 points per dollar at restaurants and on groceries, and 3 points per dollar on flights. Terms apply.

This quiz can tell you if The Platinum Card® from American Express is worth the annual fee :

4. Your credit score needs to be strong

Even if this card seems like it would compliment your travels well, you may not be an ideal fit for this card. American Express generally requires a good to excellent credit score to qualify for The Platinum Card® from American Express . Terms apply.

You’ll want to have at least a 690 credit score before applying for the card. So, you may need to work on building your credit score before applying for the card.

And even still, excellent credit is not always a guarantee of approval. Many factors go into a bank's decision to approve you.

5. You could potentially earn $1,400 a year in statement credits — if you use them

The Platinum Card® from American Express offers over $1,400 in statement credits each year. You'll want to maximize these credits to justify paying the $695 annual fee. Terms apply.

Many of the card’s statement credits are based on monthly amounts:

Digital entertainment credit: up to $20 per month.

Premium Uber credit: up to $15 per month for U.S. rides or Uber Eats orders, with an additional $20 bonus in December.

Walmart+ monthly membership credit: $12.95 per month plus taxes.

Terms apply.

Other credits are only valid per calendar year:

Clear credit: up to $189 per year.

Airline fee credit: up to $200 per year. (Enrollment required.)

Hotel credit: up to $200 per year.

SoulCycle At-Home Bike Credit: up to $300 per year.

Equinox credit: up to $300 per calendar year.

Cardholders also get a Shop With Saks credit, which is applied semi-annually. You’ll get up to $50 in statement credits for purchases between January and June and up to $50 in statement credits for July through December. Enrollment required. Terms apply.

If you open your card account near the end of the year, make sure that you leave yourself enough time to maximize the annual credits and the Shop With Saks credit before the close of the year.

But while $1,400 in credits sounds good, understand whether they're realistic to use based on your spending. If you don't take an Uber that month, it's a lose it credit. Meanwhile, are you really going to buy (and use) a SoulCycle bike at home? And would you shop at Saks, when you'd be fine with the same type of stuff that's a fraction of the price sold from, say, Target instead?

6. You can add different types of authorized users

When you apply for this card, you’ll have the option to add authorized users. You get two choices for adding authorized user cards: An additional Platinum card or an additional Gold card.

AmEx charges $195 per card to add up to three additional Platinum cards. That may sound steep — especially on top of the card's $695 annual fee. However, this can be an excellent deal, depending on how the authorized user plans to use their benefits. Terms apply.

Additional Platinum cardmembers get complimentary access to the American Express Global Lounge Collection — including AmEx’s own excellent Centurion Lounges . Plus, additional Platinum card users get Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status (enrollment required), Hilton Honors Gold status (enrollment required) and access to the Fine Hotels & Resorts program. Terms apply.

Alternatively, you can add a companion Platinum user for free. Companion card users don’t get the same lounge access and elite status benefits as authorized Platinum cardholders. However, they can get their own TSA PreCheck or Global Entry credit and can help you earn Membership Rewards. Terms apply.

» Learn more: How to add AmEx authorized users

Should I get The Platinum Card® from American Express ?

The Platinum Card® from American Express is one of the most well-known premium travel cards around. With more than $1,400 in statement credits each year, lounge benefits, hotel elite status and travel protections , this card offers the complete package for luxury travelers. Terms apply.

Before committing to the $695 annual fee, there are some things you should know. Consider if the card is the right fit for you. Make sure you’re eligible credit score-wise and able to earn the welcome offer. Check the calendar to ensure you can maximize the annual credits or time your application accordingly. Finally, consider if any friends or family members would benefit from being added as an authorized user.

How to maximize your rewards

You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are our picks for the best travel credit cards of 2024 , including those best for:

Flexibility, point transfers and a large bonus: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

No annual fee: Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card

Flat-rate travel rewards: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Bonus travel rewards and high-end perks: Chase Sapphire Reserve®

Luxury perks: The Platinum Card® from American Express

Business travelers: Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

On a similar note...

5 ways you might be missing the value of your Amex Platinum card

E ven though The Platinum Card® from American Express has a steep $695 annual fee (see rates and fees ), this premium travel card still boasts enough perks that the annual fee can be worth it — if you use them. Plus, the card has a history of solid welcome bonuses , ranging in value from $1,200-$2,000 according to TPG's valuations .

Related: Is the Amex Platinum worth the annual fee?

The card also offers the following perks each year (which require enrollment in advance):

• Up to $200 in annual hotel statement credits
• Up to $240 in digital entertainment and streaming credits
• Up to $300 in Equinox in statement credits
• Up to $189 in Clear Plus membership credits

On top of $1,500 in available statement credits each year , the Platinum card offers airport lounge access , elite status with Hilton Honors and Marriot Bonvoy and valuable Membership Rewards points that you can use for flights, hotels and other hospitality and travel experiences.

Additionally, you'll enjoy American Express's Platinum Concierge — a service that can help secure reservations, plan your flights and secure hard-to-get symphony tickets for that European holiday.

You'll also enjoy shopping protections and travel protections with your card.

While maximizing the Amex Platinum card can take some effort, it pays off. Here are some ways you may be missing value with your Platinum card.

Related: American Express Platinum card review

Take advantage of the welcome offer

New applicants for the Amex Platinum card can earn 80,000 bonus points after spending $8,000 on purchases in the first six months of card membership. TPG values this bonus at $1,600.

If you use the CardMatch tool , you may be targeted for a welcome bonus of 80,000 or 125,000 points (offers subject to change at any time).

The key to maximizing your card's value is to reach the spending threshold to earn the bonus. By shifting all of your spending (utilities, meals, rent, etc.) onto this card until you complete the spending requirement, you'll add extra value to your card in the first year.

Related: 12 ways to meet credit card bonus minimum spending requirements

Understand bonus earning opportunities

While the Platinum Card is a great card for travel expenses, unfortunately, it's not your best card for everyday purchases .

You'll earn points on the Platinum card as follows:

• 5 points per dollar on flights booked directly with airlines or with Amex Travel (on up to $500,000 of these purchases per year, then 1 point per dollar).
• 5 points per dollar on prepaid hotels booked with Amex Travel.
• 1 point per dollar on other purchases.

This makes the Amex Platinum one of the best cards for booking flights or paying taxes and fees on award tickets .

Related: 10 things to do when you get the Amex Platinum

Access exclusive VIP experiences

The Platinum Card grants access to VIP experiences and early access to ticket presales, as well as By Invitation Only events. These can help you get into popular events that are likely to sell out.

The By Invitation Only program is an exclusive benefit for Platinum and Centurion cardmembers, which offers access to year-round, customized, once-in-a-lifetime events plus experiences for dining, wellness, travel, entertainment and retail.

Related: Who should (and who shouldn't) get the American Express Platinum?

Utilize your travel perks

This card is an excellent travel companion and provides value on the road or in the skies. The key here is to use all the services that are included.

First, take advantage of an up to $100 credit for Global Entry every 4 years or up to $85 credit for TSA PreCheck every 4.5 years and up to $189 to offset your annual Clear Plus membership fee . In addition, you can use up to $200 a year for airline fees with your preferred airline; these credits can cover expenses like inflight meals and beverages, checked-bag fees or inflight Wi-Fi. Cardmembers also can use up to $200 per year in hotel credits and up to $200 per year in Uber Cash (valid on rides and Uber eats orders in the U.S.). Enrollment is required in advance for some benefits.

You also can relax in style before your flight with access to the American Express Global Lounge Collection , including more than 1,500 airport lounges around the globe. These include Amex Centurion lounges , Delta Sky Clubs (you must be on a same-day Delta flight; limited to 10 annual visits from Feb. 1, 2025) and Priority Pass lounges (enrollment is required).

Related: Your complete guide to Amex Centurion Lounges

Once you reach your destination, your Platinum card offers additional luxury travel perks. You can enroll for complimentary Hilton Honors Gold Status and Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status and take advantage of the American Express Fine Hotels + Resorts (FHR) program . This program offers room upgrades upon arrival (when available), daily breakfast for two, guaranteed 4 p.m. late checkout and Noon check-in (when available), complimentary Wi-Fi and a $100 or more property, dining or spa credit.

There's also access to The Hotel Collection , which offers room upgrades and hotel credits for dining, spa and resort activities when you stay for two or more nights at select hotels (minimum two night stay required).

Related: A comparison of luxury hotel programs from credit card issuers: Amex, Chase and Capital One

Don't assume you receive perks automatically

To obtain the most value from the Platinum Card, you must enroll in the offers you are interested in and want. This is a simple process: log into your Amex account and pick your offers.

You need to manually enroll for elite status with car rental partners and hotel elite status programs and enroll to receive both the $200 annual Uber statement credit and Saks Fifth Avenue $100 retail credit . Don't assume you're automatically enrolled for these benefits when you receive your card.

The same applies to using Amex Offers for extra points or cash back (as a statement credit). These targeted offers can provide valuable rebates or bonuses on your purchases throughout the year, but you must add them to your card before making an eligible purchase.

Related: The secret to getting more (and sometimes better) Amex Offers on your card

Bottom line

You need to use the benefits to justify the Amex Platinum card's hefty $695 annual fee (see rates and fees ). The best approach is to reach your spending requirement to capture the welcome bonus, enroll in the programs that will enhance your travel experience, and clearly understand the card's perks. It may not be possible to use all of them, but evaluate which you can use and whether they're enough to make the annual fee worth it.

Some of the Platinum Card's benefits are obvious, like using it to access airport lounges. Others can be overlooked, and some benefits require enrollment before using them. If you understand what your card offers, you shouldn't miss value from the Amex Platinum card going forward.

Apply here: The Platinum Card from American Express or check the CardMatch tool to see if you're targeted for a 125,000 or 150,000-point Platinum card offer (after meeting minimum spending requirements). These offers are subject to change at any time.

For rates and fees of the Amex Platinum card, click here .

Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.

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Many of the credit card offers that appear on this site are from credit card companies from which we receive financial compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site (including, for example, the order in which they appear). However, the credit card information that we publish has been written and evaluated by experts who know these products inside out. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse. This site does not include all credit card companies or all available credit card offers that are on the market. See our advertising policy here where we list advertisers that we work with, and how we make money. You can also review our credit card rating methodology .

Earn 175K Points With New Amex Platinum Card Bonus [Current Public Offer is 80k]

Brett Holzhauer

Content Contributor

14 Published Articles

Countries Visited: 22 U.S. States Visited: 29

Stella Shon

News Managing Editor

88 Published Articles 630 Edited Articles

Countries Visited: 25 U.S. States Visited: 22

Option 1: Check On Amex Directly  (Try This First)

Option 2. targeted email offers, benefits of the amex platinum card, 1. klm business class from toronto to london in october, 2. 3 nights at the oceana santa monica hotel, final thoughts.

We may be compensated when you click on product links, such as credit cards, from one or more of our advertising partners. Terms apply to the offers below. See our Advertising Policy for more about our partners, how we make money, and our rating methodology. Opinions and recommendations are ours alone.

Welcome bonuses are the best way to earn mass amounts of points in a short amount of time. The key to it is to have upcoming purchases you were planning on anyway, so you aren’t forcing yourself to spend money. Or, in my case, I do my best to recruit friends and family to use my card for me.

In any case, The Platinum Card ® from American Express is currently offering one of its best new welcome bonuses for new cardholders.

• The current public offer is:  Earn 80,000 points after spending $8,000 on purchases in the first 6 months.

Here’s the scoop on how you can score an elevated 175,000-point welcome bonus offer, where to find it, and how you can potentially redeem this hoard of points.

Targeted offers are discussed in the article below. Please note that these offers are not available to all applicants. Any information related to targeted offers has been collected independently and has not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

Amex Platinum Card Welcome Bonus Offer

One of the tricks of the points and miles game is to find offers that may not be directly served to you on the card issuer’s homepage. Sometimes you can find offers that may be slightly higher than others.

However, our writers have seen targeted offers for a solid 175,000-point welcome offer. And the card also comes with an annual fee of $695 ( rates & fees ).

At our valuation , that is a $3,850 value for travel in the first couple of months of holding the card. This doesn’t even take into account the laundry list of benefits the card offers.

First and foremost,  you should   try applying directly on American Express’ website  to find the best possible offers on the Amex Platinum card. By checking directly with American Express first, you may be targeted for a generous welcome offer inviting you to apply.

Another way you can find elevated welcome offers is via targeted emails or mailers. If you want to receive these targeted offers, opt-in to receive  New Card and Credit Offers  in your Amex account’s  General Marketing Email Preferences .

There’s no telling when this offer may go away, so if you’re in the market for a high end card , you may want to jump on this welcome bonus.

The Amex Platinum Card is in a class of its own. It offers a significant amount of benefits for someone looking to have a luxurious touch to their travel experience. But if you can take advantage of enough of the perks (some require prior enrollment), you can potentially make up for the hard expense.

• 5x points for flights booked directly with airlines or  AmexTravel.com  (up to $500,000 per calendar year) and on prepaid hotels booked with AmexTravel.com.
• Access to 1,400+ lounges Worldwide :  Receive access to Centurion Lounges ( U.S.  and  international locations ),  Priority Pass  upon enrollment,  Escape Lounges – The Centurion Studio Partner ,  Plaza Premium Lounges , select  Virgin Clubhouses , select  Lufthansa Lounges  when flying with Lufthansa Group the same day, and  Delta Sky Clubs  when flying with Delta the same day.
• Hotel and rental car elite status and benefits  upon enrollment
• $189 CLEAR Plus Credit :  Use your card and get up to $189 back per year on your CLEAR Plus membership (subject to auto-renewal).
• Up to $300 Equinox Credit:  Upon enrollment, get up to $300 back each year on eligible Equinox memberships when you pay with your card.
• Up to $240 Digital Entertainment Credit :  Get up to $20 back each month on eligible purchases made with your card on one or more of the following: Disney+,  The Disney Bundle , ESPN+,  Hulu , The New York Times,  Peacock , and The Wall Street Journal. Enrollment required.
• Up to $200 Hotel Credit:  Get up to $200 back in statement credits each year on prepaid  Fine Hotels + Resorts or The Hotel Collection  bookings through  AmexTravel.com  when you pay with your card.  The Hotel Collection requires a minimum 2-night stay.
• Up to $155 Walmart+ Credit : Receive a $12.95 monthly credit toward a Walmart+ membership.
• Global Dining Access by Resy

Maximizing Your Membership Rewards Points

Membership Rewards points are extremely valuable as you can transfer them to a wide array of airline and hotel loyalty programs to book award travel. By transferring your Amex points , you can take advantage of booking your hotel or airfare directly with the airline and take advantage of any status you may have.

Here are 2 examples, among many, that you can redeem those points for valuable travel.

If your inner traveler is pulling you to Europe, you can hop over the pond to London from Toronto in style — KLM business class round-trip will run you 110,000 Flying Blue miles .

Once the points have transferred to your account, you can book the flight by visiting the KLM website. You will be prompted to enter your Flying Blue information. From there, you can redeem your points for the flight itinerary.

Yes, the flight comes with a $752 tax, but the cash price for this flight is over $3,000.

There’s nothing better than a few nights in the shadow of the Santa Monica Pier (my old stomping grounds as a kid). While 3 nights can seem like a less-than-exciting redemption for your Amex points, keep in mind the Oceana Santa Monica hotel can run upwards of $1,000 per night.

The good news is that the three nights will run you roughly 157,000 Amex points, and you will get 315,000 Hilton points as they transfer at a 1:2 ratio. To book this, simply transfer your Amex points directly to your Hilton Honors account.

The Amex Platinum card can be a staple for someone who wants a lifestyle card but doesn’t want to sacrifice the ability to earn valuable rewards.

Sound personal finance decisions should always come before splurging on luxurious travel. But if you can afford it, earn the welcome bonus without overspending, and take advantage of the majority of the benefits, it may be worth applying for.

For rates and fees of The Platinum Card ® from American Express, click here .

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About Brett Holzhauer

Brett is a personal finance and travel junkie. Based out of Fort Lauderdale, he’s had over 100 credit cards and earned millions of credit card rewards. He learned the tricks of the trade from his mom, and has taken many steps forward. He wasn’t exposed to much travel as a kid, but now has a goal of reaching 100 countries in his life. In 2019, he sold all of his possessions to become a digital nomad, and he says it was one of the best decisions he ever made. He plans to do it again at some point in his life.

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PLATINUM  INSURANCE  

Travel insurance benefits for you, your Supplementary Cardmembers, from the moment you use your card for a trip, rent a car or purchase an item. 

Terms and conditions apply

If you need Baggage Assistance

In the event that your checked baggage is lost by a commercial carrier, Platinum Travel Assistance will make every effort to track down your missing luggage and keep you posted on their progress. Should Platinum Travel Assistance not be able to recover your luggage, you will be reimbursed up to a maximum of US$1,200 per trip.

WHO'S COVERED? Platinum Travel Assistance services are provided by AXA Assistance USA, a division of the AXA Group, are given the name of Platinum Travel Assistance and are valid only for American Express International Dollar Platinum Card Members or the Additional Card Members. The Platinum Travel Assistance services will be valid only during the time in which the American Express Platinum Card account continues active and in good standing.

Platinum Travel Assistance is underwritten by AXA Assistance USA Coverage is determined by the Terms, Conditions, and Exclusions of service and is subject to change without notice.

KEY EXCLUSIONS & LIMITATIONS Depending on the case, different coverage may apply. The coverage provided by AXA Assistance USA is restricted to emergent situations that arise directly and independently of all other causes.

If you experience a delay on your journey, missed a connection or overbooked flight

The Travel Inconvenience Insurance Plan provides benefits in the event of:  Missed Departures and Missed Connections; delay, cancellation or overbooked flights; and Luggage Delay and Extended Luggage Delay when the Covered Trip is purchased and charged to your American Express International Dollar Card (IDC). 

• Up to US$250 per covered person for alternate travel, restaurant meals or refreshments
• Up to US$1,000 if your baggage is delayed after four hours for purchasing of essential clothing.

WHO'S COVERED?

You are eligible for coverage if you are an American Express International Dollar Card Platinum Card Member.

The Travel Inconvenience Insurance Plan  is underwritten by Indemnity Insurance Company of North America Administrative Office, The Corporate Center 33 Resolución Street, Suite 500 San Juan, Puerto Rico 00920-2707. Coverage is determined by the Terms, Conditions, and Exclusions of policy 58US3760 and is subject to change with notice. This document does not supplement or replace the policy.

KEY EXCLUSIONS & LIMITATIONS

In no event will duplicate or multiple American Express Cards obligate the Company in excess of the limit stated herein for expenses incurred by any one individual Covered Person as a result of any one incident covered under this Policy. 

EXCLUSIONS The Policy does not cover 

1) additional costs where the airline, rail or ship operator has offered alternative travel arrangements and these have been refused or where the Covered Person has voluntarily accepted compensation from the airline, train or ship operator in exchange for not traveling on an overbooked flight.

2) Claims where the Covered Person has failed to obtain a Property Irregularity Report from the relevant airline authorities of missing baggage at scheduled destination.

3) Industrial Action which has commenced or has been announced prior to booking your Covered Trip.

4) Covered Trips in, or booked to, countries where a government agency has advised against traveling or which are officially under embargo by the United Nations.

5) Any fraudulent, dishonest or criminal act committed by the Covered Person, or any with whom the Covered Person is in collusion.

6) Terrorist activities except while on a public vehicle.

7) Declared or undeclared war or hostilities.

8) Biological, chemical, nuclear or radioactive incidents.

If you need Medical Assistance

Should you have a medical emergency while traveling, Platinum Travel Assistance can provide you with medical assistance in consultation with local treating physicians. Medical visits to your hotel can also be arranged, depending on the circumstances and the resources available in each country. This assistance includes the following benefits per trip among others*:

• US$100,000 for emergency medical transportation** 
• US$250,000 for emergency medical services
• US$1,000 for emergency dental treatment
• US$1,000 for prescription expenses

*Benefit limits apply. Please read important exclusions, restrictions and Terms and Conditions . Card Members whose permanent address of residence is in Spain or Switzerland are not eligible for Platinum Travel Assistance.

**While traveling more than 100KMs away from home in the same country of residence, only the emergency medical transportation service is available

If you suffer serious injury on your trip

Travel Accident Insurance offers a coverage of up to US$500,000 in case of accidental death or dismemberment while traveling on a Common Carrier Conveyance (plane, train, ship or bus), when the entire fare has been charged to The Platinum Card.

WHO IS COVERED? A person shall be a Covered Person under the Master Policy No. 58US3199 only if: He or she is: a. a Basic or Additional Card Member who has the International Dollar Card Platinum Card issued by American Express Travel Related Services (“American Express”) in his or her name; or b. the legally married spouse or Dependent Child under age 23 of any eligible person described in a) above. For the purpose of this Policy, a common law marriage is not considered a legal marriage. Dependent Child means a legally dependent child, including a stepchild or legally adopted child of any eligible person described in a) or b) above; and who is wholly dependent on such eligible person(s) for financial support.

Travel Accident Insurance Plan is underwritten by Indemnity Insurance Company of North America, Administrative Office, Doral Bank Center Calle Resolución #33, Suite 500, San Juan, Puerto Rico 00920. Coverage is determined by the Terms, Conditions, and Exclusions of policy No. 58US3199 and is subject to change with notice. This document does not supplement or replace the policy.

KEY EXCLUSIONS & LIMITATIONS The Policy does not cover any Loss caused or contributed to by:

• suicide or self-destruction or any attempt threat;
• war or any act of war whether declared or undeclared;
• injury to which a contributory cause was the commission of or attempt to commit, an illegal act by or on behalf of the Covered Person or his or her beneficiaries;
• injury received while serving as an operator or crew member of any conveyance.  

If you need Legal Assistance

Platinum Travel Assistance can put you in contact with a lawyer in the country in which you are traveling. Should you need legal defense, Platinum Travel Assistance will provide legal assistance in the form of advanced legal and bail fees, up to US$10,000 per trip. All legal assistance funds advanced will be charged to your Platinum Card account automatically.

WHO IS COVERED?

Platinum Travel Assistance. The Travel Assistance services are provided by AXA Assistance USA, Inc. ("AXA"), an AXA Group company, are given the name of Platinum Travel Assistance and are valid only for American Express International Dollar Card Platinum Card Members or the Additional Card Members. The Platinum Travel Assistance services will be valid only during the time in which the American Express Platinum Card account is active and in good standing.

 The use of the Platinum Travel Assistance Service implies that the Basic Card member understands and accepts the General Conditions.

KEY EXCLUSIONS & LIMITATIONS The following general terms and conditions are in effect when services are provided by AXA and/or vendors and providers through which services are coordinated on behalf of the Card Member while traveling outside of his or her country of permanent residence or when 100 KMs away from home. The services provided by AXA are restricted to emergency situations that arise directly and independently of all other causes, resulting in external bodily injury, of violent and/or accidental means or of a medical condition which is sudden, unanticipated and urgent which requires immediate medical or surgical evaluation or treatment to provide relief of acute pain and suffering

If you are renting a vehicle

Car Rental Loss and Damage Insurance reimburses a Card Member for payments for damage to or theft of a Rental Auto that the Card Member is required to make, up to the lesser of: 

• the actual cost to repair the Rental Auto, or
• the published Book value or, if not available, the purchase invoice price of the Rental Auto minus salvage and depreciation costs, or
• fair market commercial value of the Rental Auto. 

The coverage also reimburses the Card Member for reasonable charges (those charges incurred at the closest facility that are usual and customary in the vicinity in which the loss or disablement took place) imposed by the Rental Company, such as towing, storage, loss of use (loss of use means proven loss of income to the Commercial Car Rental Company where no additional sources of income exist to offset this loss. Reasonable and customary charges are substantiated by documentation supporting loss of use such as fleet utilization logs; loss of use does not include Commercial Car Rental Company administrative fees), which the Rental Company would not have imposed had the Card Member accepted its full CDW, or partial collision damage waiver. Car Rental Loss and Damage Insurance covers no other type of loss. For example, in the event of a collision involving the Card Member’s Rental Auto, damage to any other driver’s car or the Injury of anyone or anything is not covered. Note: This policy does not provide liability coverage for Uninsured Motorists; benefits under any Worker’s Compensation law, Disability benefits law or other mandated Government Plans.

Certain restrictions apply. Some vehicles are not covered. 

WHO IS COVERED? Any individual who has been issued an American Express IDC Platinum Card and who has an American Express Card Account.

Car Rental Loss and Damage Insurance Plan is underwritten by Indemnity Insurance Company of North America, Administrative Office, Doral Bank Center Calle Resolución #33, Suite 500, San Juan, Puerto Rico 00920. Coverage is determined by the Terms, Conditions, and Exclusions of Policy No. 58US3775 and is subject to change with notice. This document does not supplement or replace the policy.

KEY EXCLUSIONS & LIMITATIONS Vehicles Not Covered Car Rental Loss and Damage Insurance does not cover rentals of: 

• expensive cars, which means cars with an original manufacturer’s suggested retail price of $50,000 or more when new;
• exotic cars regardless of year or value, including but not limited to Chevrolet Corvette, Toyota Supra,Mazda RX-7, Dodge Viper and Stealth, Plymouth Prowler, Mitsubishi 3000 GT, Nissan 300 ZX, Jaguar XJS, Acura NSX,Mercedes SL, SLK, S Coupe and E320 Coupe and Convertible, BMWM3, Z3 and 8 Series, Cadillac Allante and all Porsche, Ferrari, Lamborghini, Maserati, Aston Martin, Lotus, Bugatti, Vector, Shelby Cobra, Bentley, Rolls Royce;
• trucks, pick-ups, cargo vans, custom vans;
• full-sized vans, including but not limited to, Ford Econoline or ClubWagon, Chevy Van or Sportvan, GMC Vandura and Rally, Dodge Ram Vans and RamWagon;
• vehicles which have been customized or modified from the manufacturer’s factory specifications except for driver’s assistance equipment for the physically challenged;
• vehicles used for hire or commercial purposes;
• mini-vans used for commercial hire; Note: PassengerMini-Vans (Not CargoMini-Vans) with factory specified seating capacity of 8 passengers or less, including but not limited to, Dodge Caravan, Plymouth Voyager, FordWindstar and Nissan Quest, are covered when rented for personal or business use only.
• antique cars, which means cars that are 20 years old or have not been manufactured for 10 or more years;
• limousines;
• full sized sport utility vehicles, including but not limited to, Chevrolet/GMC Suburban, Tahoe and Yukon, Ford Expedition, Lincoln Navigator, Toyota Land Cruiser, Lexus LX450, Range Rover or fullsized Ford Bronco;
• sport/utility vehicles when driven “off-road”; and Note: Compact sport/utility vehicles, including but not limited to Ford Explorer, Jeep Grand Cherokee, Nissan Pathfinder, Toyota Four Runner, Chevrolet Blazer and Isuzu Trooper and Rodeo are covered when driven on paved roads.
• off-road vehicles, motorcycles, mopeds, recreational vehicles, golf or motorized carts, campers, trailers and any other vehicle which is not a Rental Auto.

If you need to protect your purchases

Purchase Protection  provides coverage for your purchases for ninety (90) days from the date of purchase when you charge any portion of the price of the purchased item to your Account. You will be reimbursed only for the amount charged to your Account.

Purchase Protection Program is underwritten by Indemnity Insurance Company of North America Administrative Office, The Corporate Center 33 Resolución Street, Suite 500 San Juan, Puerto Rico 00920-2707. Coverage is determined by the Terms, Conditions, and Exclusions of policy 58US3762 and is subject to change with notice. This document does not supplement or replace the policy.

KEY EXCLUSIONS & LIMITATIONS Benefits are not payable if the loss for which coverage is sought was directly or indirectly, wholly or partially, contributed to or caused by:

• Intentional damage to the covered item;
• war or any act of war, whether declared or undeclared; 
• any activity directly related to and occurring while in the service of any armed military force of any nation state recognized by the United Nations;
• participation in a riot, civil disturbance, protest or insurrection;
•  violation of a criminal law, offense or infraction by the Cardmember;
• natural disasters, including, but not limited to, hurricanes, floods, tornados, earthquakes or any other event in the course of nature, that occurs at the same time or in  separate instances;
• fraud or abuse or illegal activity of any kind by the Cardmember;
• confiscation by any governmental authority, public authority, or customs official;
• negligent failure of a duty to care by any third party in whose possession the property purchased by a Cardmember has been temporarily placed;
• not being reasonably safeguarded by You;
• theft from baggage not carried by hand and under Your personal supervision or under the supervision of a traveling companion known by You;
• damage through alteration (including, but not limited to, cutting, sawing and shaping); 
• normal wear and tear, inherent product defect or manufacturer's defects or normal course of play;
• damage or theft while under the care and control of a common carrier;
• food spoilage;
• leaving property at an unoccupied construction site; or
• purchases lost or misplaced.

Deductible applicable to Purchase Protection Cover $75 per claim

If you need to extend the warranty of your purchases

Extended Warranty  will extend the terms of the Original Warranty for a period of time equal to the duration of the Original Warranty, up to one (1) additional year on warranties of five (5) years or less that are eligible in a Covered Territory*.

The coverage provided under this benefit is EXCESS of other sources of indemnity.

*Covered Territory means the 50 States of the United States of America, District of Columbia Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands of the United States.

Extended Warranty Program is underwritten by Indemnity Insurance Company of North America Administrative Office, The Corporate Center 33 Resolución Street, Suite 500 San Juan, Puerto Rico 00920-2707. Coverage is determined by the Terms, Conditions, and Exclusions of policy 58US3763 and is subject to change with notice. This document does not supplement or replace the policy.

KEY EXCLUSIONS & LIMITATIONS Benefits are not payable if the Loss for which coverage is sought was directly or indirectly wholly or partially, contributed to or caused by:

• any physical damage, including, but not limited to, damage as a direct result of natural disaster or a power surge, except to the extent the Original Warranty covers such damage;
• mechanical failure covered under product recall; or
•  fraud or abuse or illegal activity of any kind by the Cardmember

IMPORTANT INFORMATION: Descriptions of Platinum Card® insurance coverages are provided on this Web site for informational purposes only. The Terms and Conditions provide complete coverage information and supersede all other sources.

To review Terms and Conditions, please download

Who should (and shouldn’t) get the Amex Business Platinum?

Editor’s note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information and offers.

Few cards — for consumers or small-business owners — capture the "wow" factor quite like The Business Platinum Card® from American Express .

A welcome bonus worth more than three times the card's annual fee? Check. Exceptional rewards on common business expenses, airfare and prepaid hotel bookings? Check. Massive travel perks, including an annual airline fee credit and exclusive airport lounge access ? Check again.

It's no wonder this is a must-have card among business travelers . Still, that doesn't mean every small-business owner can justify carrying this card. It's a great card, but it's not the right one for everyone. So, let's look at who should — and shouldn't — hold the Amex Business Platinum .

Amex Business Platinum benefits

The Business Platinum card is offering 150,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $20,000 on eligible purchases within the first three months of card membership. Based on TPG's valuations , this bonus is worth $3,000.

The spending minimum may be a tall order for many small-business owners. Still, if you have high inventory turnover or are growing your business, this card may help make your normal business activity much more rewarding.

The welcome offer is far from the only reason to consider this card. Here are some perks that you can get, including some benefits not available on The Platinum Card® from American Express (the personal version of this card):

• Earn 1.5 points per dollar on purchases of $5,000 or more and eligible U.S. purchases for electronic goods retailers, software, cloud service providers, construction materials and hardware supplies and shipping providers (on up to $2 million of these purchases per calendar year, then 1 point per dollar)
• 35% rebate when you Pay With Points for a first-class or business-class ticket on a selected qualifying airline booked through amextravel.com (up to 1 million points per calendar year)
• Annual statement credits — worth over $1,000 combined — with Dell, Indeed, Adobe, Clear and wireless telephone services. Enrollment required

Just like the personal version of this card, you'll enjoy these benefits, too:

• 5 points per dollar on flights and prepaid hotels (through Amex Travel without the annual spend cap that the personal Platinum Card has)
• Annual up to $200 annual airline fee statement credit (enrollment required)
• Access to Amex's lounge network, including Centurion Lounges , Delta Sky Clubs (when flying Delta) and Priority Pass lounges; effective February 1, 2025: Eligible Platinum Card Members will receive 10 Visits per Eligible Platinum Card per year to the Delta Sky Club or to Grab and Go when traveling on a same-day Delta-operated flight
• A $100 Global Entry statement credit every 4 years or up to $85 TSA PreCheck statement credit every 4 1/2 years
• Gold elite status with Hilton Honors and Marriott Bonvoy (enrollment required)

For all of these benefits, you'll pay a $695 annual fee (see rates and fees ).

Who should get the Amex Business Platinum?

Frequent travelers.

This is a no-brainer, especially with all this card offers to the global traveler. One perk not mentioned above is no foreign transaction fees (see rates and fees ), meaning you won't get dinged for purchases made outside the U.S.

Businesses with large expenses

Most cards offer 1 point per dollar on non-bonus spending. But if your business routinely makes large purchases of $5,000 or more, the 1.5 points per dollar bonus on big purchases is better than you'll find elsewhere. And if your business makes thousands of dollars in card purchases monthly, that spending requirement on the welcome bonus won't seem daunting.

Owners who value flexible points

The most lucrative way to redeem Membership Rewards points is to transfer them to one of Amex's many partner airline or hotel programs . If you're willing to put in the time and research, going the transfer route can increase the value of your points even above our valuations.

For example, The Points Guy founder Brian Kelly transferred 68,000 points to British Airways to fly first class from London (LHR) to Accra (ACC) plus under $500 in taxes/fees — a flight that would have cost him over $11,000 in cash. That redemption netted a value of 16 cents a point.

Someone who already has the American Express® Business Gold Card

If you already have the American Express® Business Gold Card , this could provide a one-two punch when it comes to earning Membership Rewards. Use the Business Gold Amex to fill in the blanks left by the Business Platinum card. With the Business Gold, you'll earn 4 points per dollar on the two categories in which you spend the most each month from the following list (terms and limitations apply):

• U.S. purchases for advertising in select media
• U.S. purchases at gas stations
• U.S. purchases at restaurants
• U.S. purchases made from select technology providers
• Monthly wireless telephone service charges made directly from a wireless telephone service in the U.S.
• Transit purchases including trains, taxicabs, ridesharing services, ferries, tolls, parking, buses and subways

While you're capped at $150,000 in combined purchases per calendar year for this 4 points per dollar earning (you only earn 1 point per dollar after hitting that ceiling), that 8% return (based on TPG valuations) is pretty sweet.

Plus, Amex will even recalculate your top spending categories each month to make sure you earn the maximum number of points possible.

Related: Card review: American Express Business Gold Card

Who shouldn't get the Amex Business Platinum?

Businesses with modest operating expenses.

If you can't meet the spending requirement for the welcome bonus or justify paying the $695 annual fee, there are better options for you, including the no-annual-fee Ink Business Cash® Credit Card from Chase.

Someone who already has the personal version of the card

Since there are so many similarities between the business and personal versions of this card, it can be hard to justify having both. First, you'll need to determine if you can spend enough to earn both bonuses. Outside of the bonus, another key consideration in whether or not to get the business version is keeping your personal and business expenses separate and whether or not you can stomach paying almost $1,400 in annual fees for your cards (see rates and fees for the personal Amex Platinum).

Businesses that need multiple employee cards

Although you can get up to 99 Platinum employee cards, Amex says it will charge you $350 annually for each additional Business Platinum card you request ( see rates and fees ) and $50 annually if you request Amex Business Gold cards for your employees to use (see rates and fees ).

That's a pretty hefty price to pay, given there are other business card options that offer free employee cards, like the Capital One Spark Miles for Business (see rates and fees ).

Bottom line

TPG considers the Amex Business Platinum to be one of the best business cards with good reason: It has fantastic value for the frequent business traveler, and it's currently offering one of the most valuable welcome offers on the market. If you're able to meet the hefty spending requirement, you probably don't need much more convincing to get this card.

On the other hand, it's a much more dicey proposition (all right, probably a bad idea) for a business owner who sticks to the ground — particularly when there are so many great options out there to earn points, miles and cash back on expenses that matter most to you.

Apply here: The Business Platinum Card® from American Express

For rates and fees of the Amex Business Platinum card, click here . For rates and fees of the Amex Business Gold, click here . For rates and fees of the Amex Platinum, click here .