The Amex Business Platinum vs. the Amex Business Gold: How they compare : American Express (Amex) offers a range of credit cards tailored for business owners, providing various benefits and rewards. Among their offerings, the Amex Business Platinum and Amex Business Gold cards stand out as popular choices. In this article, we will compare these two cards, exploring their features, benefits, and rewards to help you determine which one suits your business needs.
The Amex Business Platinum vs. the Amex Business Gold: How they compare
Membership Rewards Program:
Both the Amex Business Platinum and Amex Business Gold cards are part of Amex’s Membership Rewards program, which allows cardholders to earn points for their purchases. However, the two cards differ in terms of bonus categories and earning rates. The Business Platinum offers more extensive bonus categories, including airfare, prepaid hotels, and travel bookings through Amex Travel, while the Business Gold focuses on categories like dining, gas stations, and select advertising expenses.
Annual Fee and Welcome Offers:
The Business Platinum card carries a higher annual fee compared to the Business Gold card. While the fee for the Platinum card is substantial, it comes with generous perks, such as airline fee credits, Global Entry or TSA PreCheck reimbursement, airport lounge access, and hotel elite status. On the other hand, the Business Gold card offers a lower annual fee and a welcome offer that includes bonus points upon meeting the spending requirement.
Travel Benefits:
If you frequently travel for business, the Business Platinum card offers an array of travel benefits. These include access to the exclusive Centurion Lounges, Priority Pass Select membership, complimentary hotel elite status, and credits for airline incidental fees. The Business Gold card, while lacking some of the Platinum’s premium travel benefits, still offers travel insurance, baggage insurance, and access to Amex’s Global Assist Hotline.
Redemption Flexibility:
Both cards allow you to redeem Membership Rewards points for travel, merchandise, gift cards, and more. However, the Business Platinum card offers greater flexibility in point redemption options, including transferring points to airline and hotel partners, which can potentially yield higher value. The Business Gold card provides options for redeeming points through Amex’s travel portal and with select partners.
Additional Business Tools and Perks:
The Amex Business Platinum card goes beyond traditional credit card benefits by offering access to the Amex Global Lounge Collection, providing complimentary access to a variety of airport lounges worldwide. It also provides business-oriented tools, such as expense management, account alerts, and access to the American Express OPEN Forum, which offers valuable business insights and networking opportunities. The Business Gold card, while lacking some of these premium perks, still offers expense management tools and account management features.
Conclusion:
Choosing between the Amex Business Platinum and Amex Business Gold cards depends on your business needs and spending patterns. The Platinum card offers extensive travel benefits, premium perks, and a higher annual fee, making it ideal for frequent travelers and those seeking luxury services. Meanwhile, the Business Gold card provides a lower annual fee, bonus categories that may align with your business expenses, and solid redemption options. Consider your business priorities, travel habits, and desired benefits to make an informed decision on which card best suits your needs. Remember, it’s crucial to review the terms, conditions, and any updated information from American Express before applying for any credit card.