Battle Of The AMEX Platinum Cards: Should You Have The Consumer Platinum Or Business Platinum Card?

52
DDMS IconNever Miss Another Deal - Follow DansDeals on Facebook

DansDeals will receive compensation if you are approved for a credit card via a link in this post. Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers, visit americanexpress.com to learn more.

Update: DEAD! Don’t miss it if this becomes alive again. Sign up for deal notification alerts here!


American Express Platinum cards:

A commenter on this post about the AMEX Business Platinum Limited Time Offer asked how the business card differs from the AMEX Consumer Platinum.

Do You Have An AMEX Platinum Card?

View Results

Loading ... Loading ...

The AMEX Business Platinum Card and the AMEX Consumer Platinum Card are 2 of the most benefit laden cards that exist. They also have the annual fees to back that up too!

There are various versions of the Consumer Platinum card available to clients of Ameriprise, Charles Schwab, Goldman Sachs, and Morgan Stanley, but this post will focus on the regular Consumer Platinum card. They all have the same annual fee as the regular Consumer Platinum card.

They can transfer points into many different mileage programs, and there are often transfer bonuses as well.

AMEX transfer partners include:

  • Air Canada Aeroplan (Star Alliance) 1:1 instant transfer.
  • ANA (Star Alliance) 1:1 transfer.
  • Avianca Lifemiles (Star Alliance) 1:1 instant transfer.
  • Singapore (Star Alliance) 1:1 transfer.
  • AeroMexico (Skyteam) 1:1.6 transfer.
  • Air France/KLM Flying Blue (Skyteam) 1:1 instant transfer.
  • Alitalia (Skyteam) 1:1 instant transfer.
  • Delta (Skyteam) 1:1 instant transfer.
  • Aer Lingus (OneWorld) 1:1 instant transfer. (Currently 1:1.4)
  • British Airways (OneWorld) 1:1 instant transfer (Currently 1:1.4)
  • Cathay Pacific Asia Miles (OneWorld) 1:1 instant transfer.
  • Iberia (OneWorld) 1:1 instant transfer (Currently 1:1.4)
  • Qantas (OneWorld) 1:1 instant transfer
  • El Al 50:1 instant transfer
  • Emirates 1:1 instant transfer
  • Etihad 1:1 instant transfer
  • Hawaiian 1:1 instant transfer
  • JetBlue 1:0.8 instant transfer
  • Virgin Atlantic 1:1 instant transfer
  • Choice Hotels 1:1 instant transfer
  • Hilton 1:2 instant transfer
  • Marriott 1:1 instant transfer

I aim to receive a value of 2 cents or more per point when I transfer them into airline miles or hotel points. But sometimes the value of an airline mile or hotel point can be under 1 cent each. In these cases it’s great to have a card that allows you to redeem points for paid travel at a value that beats the 1 cent per point level where you can cash the points out.


Which AMEX Platinum card should you have:

There is no obvious answer as to which you should have, but personally I prefer the Business Platinum card as it features hybrid points, as I’ll describe below.

Let’s walk through the benefits to see which cards is best for you.


Annual fee:

Winner: Consumer Platinum.


Annual fee for additional Platinum cardholders:

Winner: Consumer Platinum


Annual fee for additional Green cardholders:

Winner: Tie


Points rebate on paid airfare:

  • AMEX Business Platinum: 35% rebate on a US airline of your choice in coach, 35% rebate on all airlines in business or first class. Maximum rebate of 500K points per calendar year, though this can be increased through targeted offers.
  • AMEX Consumer Platinum: None

You can combine points from all of your American Express Membership Rewards cards onto your most valuable card, so that they are worth the most for travel.

The reason why I value the business card more that the consumer card is that it allows you to use your AMEX points as hybrid points. The Business Platinum card allows you to choose between using your points for paid airfare at an increased value per point, or transferring your points into miles.

If you redeem for a premium cabin ticket on any airline or in coach on the airline of your choice, you’ll get a 35% points rebate, which will mean you’ll get a value of at least 1.54 cents per point. The value can be even higher if AMEX has a discounted insider fare available on your route.

Or you can transfer points into miles, which is how I purchased a $459 United ticket for 6,500 points last month.

I call that ability to choose between the best of both worlds “hybrid points.” It’s something you won’t get on the consumer Platinum card. If you have the no annual fee Blue Business Plus AMEX you’ll earn 2 points per dollar everywhere on up to $50K in annual spending. If you also have an AMEX Business Platinum card that means you’ll earn a minimum of 3.08% back towards airfare thanks to hybrid points!

The increased value of points set a minimum value you can get from your points. You can get a higher value for your points by transferring them into airline miles and hotel points, but having the ability to use your points at an increased value for paid travel makes them into “hybrid points.” You can choose to redeem them for either paid travel or award travel, depending on which provides a better value.

Winner: Business Platinum.


Annual airline fee credit:

The AMEX airline fee credit isn’t at straightforward as the Chase credit, but there are still plenty of valuable uses for it.

Every calendar year, you can get a $200 credit for airline fees. That means you’ll get back $400 in fees during your first cardmembership year with $200 back in 2019 and $200 back in 2020. 

Winner: Tie.


Points per dollar on airfare:

Winner: Consumer Platinum.


Points per dollar on hotels:

Winner: Tie.


Points per dollar on eligible $5,000+ purchases:

Winner: Business Platinum


Dell Spending Credit:

AMEX Business cards also have an AMEX Offer available for 10% off all purchases Dell through 1/31/20, with up to $1,500 in total statement credits. It fully stacks with the $100 cash back offer, so if you buy a new computer monitor for $100 you’ll get back $100 and $10, meaning your total cost will be negative $10!

Dell allows you to split a charge among 3 credit cards at checkout. If you have multiple Business Platinum cards that means you can get a $100 credit on each one by splitting the charge among multiple cards.

You can find Dell deals that we have posted here.

Winner: Business Platinum


Uber Spending Credit:

Just add your Consumer Platinum card to your Uber app to receive the monthly credit. The credit expires on the last day of each month. You can use the credit for Uber and UberEats.

Winner: Consumer Platinum.


Saks Spending Credit:

You can also buy $50 gift cards in Saks Fifth Avenue stores and those will be reimbursed in full based on my experience. Gift cards are valid for use at Saks and Saks OFF 5TH.

Winner: Consumer Platinum.


WeWork Global Access:

You can register here for complimentary WeWork Global Access, a $2,700 value!

You must enroll in this offer by 12/31/19. If you don’t have a use for this now you can wait until you need it or wait until 12/1/19 to enroll and your free year will be valid through 12/31/20.

You can register anyone for the free year of access.

WeWork has offices in 124 cities in over 35 countries. Click here to view all locations, including Chicago, Jerusalem, LA, London, Miami, NYC, Paris, Tel Aviv, and many more!

This includes access to open workspace and premium amenities, including Wi-Fi, phone booths, and refreshments, like coffee, tea, and fruit water.

It’s perfect for a refreshment while you travel or a place to work while you’re in your home city!

Winner: Business Platinum


Gogo In-Flight Wi-Fi:

In-flight internet can cost a small fortune, making this an excellent value for the Business Platinum card!

Winner: Business Platinum

Update: This benefit will end 12/31/19.


Boingo WiFi:

Winner: Business Platinum

Update: This benefit will end 12/31/19.


Hotel Elite Status:

You can enroll online here for Hilton Gold status.

You can enroll online here for Marriott Gold status.

You can also enroll additional Platinum cardholders for Gold elite status, but that needs to be done over the phone.

Hilton Gold status gets you upgrades, bonus points, 5th night free on awards, late checkout, breakfast, and bottled water. Free breakfast doesn’t usually do much for me as a kosher traveler, but at the Waldorf Astoria Jerusalem the fantastic daily kosher breakfast is free for Hilton Gold members. There is a mind-boggling quantity of awesome kosher food there, from dozens of daily hot dishes to hard cheeses, fresh fruits and pastries to fresh squeezed juices and espresso drinks, as well as on-demand dishes like french toast, pancakes, waffles, and eggs.

Marriott Gold status gets you late checkout, more points per dollar spent at Marriott hotels, room upgrades, enhanced in-room WiFi, and a points amenity on stays, even when redeeming points.

Winner: Tie.


Centurion Lounge Access:

Winner: Tie.


Priority Pass Membership:

You can enroll here for a Priority Pass membership. Note that this is not valid for use at Priority Pass restaurants.

Winner: Tie.


Delta SkyClub Access:

You can access Delta lounges for free with a Platinum card when flying on Delta.  You don’t get any free guests, but additional Platinum cardholders can access Delta lounges for free as well.

Select Delta SkyClubs, such as JFK, have complimentary hot kosher meals upon request. Others have kosher snacks upon request as well.

Winner: Tie.


Airspace Lounge Access:

Winner: Tie.


Escape Lounge Access:

Winner: Tie.


Global Entry/Pre-Check Refund:

  • AMEX Business Platinum: Primary and secondary Platinum, Gold, and Green cardholders can each get a full refund every 4 years.
  • AMEX Consumer Platinum: Primary and secondary Platinum, Gold, and Green cardholders can each get a full refund every 4 years.

Winner: Tie.


Premium Roadside Assistance:

  • AMEX Business Platinum: Free towing up to 10 miles, jump starts, flat tire changes, lockout service, and delivery of fuel, up to 4 times per year.
  • AMEX Consumer Platinum: Free towing up to 10 miles, jump starts, flat tire changes, lockout service, and delivery of fuel, up to 4 times per year.

Winner: Tie.

Update: This benefit will end 12/31/19.


Car Rental CDW Coverage:

Winner: Tie


Car Rental Perks:

  • AMEX Business Platinum: A 4 hour late return fee-free grace period, exclusively discounted pricing, and fee-waived Gold Plus membership at Hertz and National Executive status guarantee upgrades and faster free award rentals.
  • AMEX Consumer Platinum: A 4 hour late return fee-free grace period, exclusively discounted pricing, and fee-waived Gold Plus membership at Hertz and National Executive status guarantee upgrades and faster free award rentals.

Winner: Tie


Foreign Transaction Fees:

Winner: Tie.


Extended Warranty Coverage:

  • AMEX Business Platinum: Doubles the manufacturer’s warranty up to 2 additional years. Covers up to $10,000/item and up to $50,000/year.
  • AMEX Consumer Platinum: Doubles the manufacturer’s warranty up to 2 additional years. Covers up to $10,000/item and up to $50,000/year.

Winner: Tie.


Purchase Protection for items lost, damaged, or stolen within 90 days:

Winner: Tie.


Return Protection:

  • AMEX Business Platinum: Covers items up to $300 within 90 days of purchase if the store won’t take a return or charges a restocking fee, up to $1,000/year.
  • AMEX Consumer Platinum: Covers items up to $300 within 90 days of purchase if the store won’t take a return or charges a restocking fee, up to $1,000/year.

Winner: Tie.


Lost Luggage Insurance:

Winner: Tie.


Travel Accident Insurance:

Winner: Tie.


Fine Hotels & Resorts:

  • AMEX Business Platinum: Early check-in, a room upgrade, daily breakfast, Wi-Fi, guaranteed 4pm late checkout, and an additional unique amenity valued at $100.
  • AMEX Consumer Platinum: Early check-in, a room upgrade, daily breakfast, Wi-Fi, guaranteed 4pm late checkout, and an additional unique amenity valued at $100.

Winner: Tie.


Adds to 5/24 count of cards:

Winner: Business Platinum.


Spending affects credit utilization ratio:

Learn more about business card spending and applying for a business card in this post.

Winner: Business Platinum


Comparison chart of the card benefits:

Consumer Platinum CardBusiness Platinum Card
Annual Fee$695$695
Additional Cardholder Fee-$195 for each additional Platinum cardholder.

-No fee for additional companion cardholders
-$350 for each additional Platinum cardholder.

-No fee for additional expense cardholders
Annual Airline Fee Credit$200$200
Points earned on airfare5 per dollar from airlines (including online travel agencies) and on AMEXTravel.com5 per dollar, but only if booked on AMEXTravel.com
Points earned on hotels5 per dollar, but only if booked on AMEXTravel.com5 per dollar, but only if booked on AMEXTravel.com
Points earned on eligible purchases of $5,000+1 per dollar1.5 per dollar
Points per dollar on bonus category purchases1 per dollar1.5 per dollar on electronic goods retailers and software & cloud system providers, construction material and hardware suppliers, and shipping
Annual CLEAR credit$189 annual credit$189 annual credit
Walmart+ credit:$12.95/monthNone
Paramount+ subscription:YesNo
Prepaid hotel credit:$200/yearNone
Digital entertainment credit:$20/month on Peacock, WSJ, SiriusXM, and The New York TimesNone
Wireless credit:None$10/month
Adobe Credit:None$150/year
Indeed credit:None$90/quarter
Equinox credit:$25/monthNone
Uber BenefitsVIP Status

$15 in monthly credit plus $35 credit every December
None
Dell BenefitsNone$200 credit every Jan-Jun and every Jul-Dec
Rebate on points redeemed for paid airfareNone-35% rebate on a US airline of your choice in coach.

-35% rebate on all airlines in business or first.

-Maximum rebate of 1M points per calendar year.
Card designMetalMetal
Elite statusHilton and Marriott Gold for primary and secondary cardholdersHilton and Marriott Gold for primary and secondary cardholders
Centurion lounge accessPrimary or secondary cardholder plus 2 guestsPrimary or secondary cardholder plus 2 guests
Priority Pass membershipPrimary or secondary cardholder plus 2 guestsPrimary or secondary cardholder plus 2 guests
Airspace lounge accessPrimary or secondary cardholder plus 2 guestsPrimary or secondary cardholder plus 2 guests
Escape lounge accessPrimary or secondary cardholder plus 2 guestsPrimary or secondary cardholder plus 2 guests
Delta SkyClub accessPrimary or secondary cardholders only. Must be flying Delta.Primary or secondary cardholders only. Must be flying Delta.
Global Entry/Pre-Check Fee Refund
Once every 4 years for Primary and for each secondary cardholderOnce every 4 years for Primary and for each secondary cardholder
Fine Hotels & Resorts benefits
Early check-in, room upgrade, daily breakfast, Wi-Fi, late checkout, and an additional special amenity.Early check-in, room upgrade, daily breakfast, Wi-Fi, late checkout, and an additional special amenity.
Lost/Stolen/Damaged Item Protection
Covers items up to $10,000 for losses within 90 days of purchase, up to $50,000/year.Covers items up to $10,000 for losses within 90 days of purchase, up to $50,000/year.
Return Protection
Covers items up to $300 within 90 days of purchase if the store won't take a return or charges a restocking fee, up to $1,000/year.Covers items up to $300 within 90 days of purchase if the store won't take a return or charges a restocking fee, up to $1,000/year.
Extended WarrantyDoubles the manufacturer's warranty up to 2 additional years. Covers up to $10,000/item and up to $50,000/year.Doubles the manufacturer's warranty up to 2 additional years. Covers up to $10,000/item and up to $50,000/year.
Travel Accident Insurance$500,000 per person$500,000 per person
Lost Luggage Insurance$3,000 per person$3,000 per person
Car Rental Perks-4 hour late return fee-free grace period at Hertz.

-National Executive
-4 hour late return fee-free grace period at Hertz.

-National Executive
Trip delay insurance$500 of coverage for 6+ hour delays.$500 of coverage for 6+ hour delays.
Trip cancellation and interruption insurance$10,000 of coverage per trip and $20,000 per rolling 12 month period.$10,000 of coverage per trip and $20,000 per rolling 12 month period.
Cell Phone Protection$800 coverage$800 coverage
Counts against your Chase 5/24 countYesNo
Foreign transaction feeNoneNone

Win count:

Both of these cards come laden with great benefits, but Business Platinum pulls out the win in my book. It costs $45 more than the Consumer Platinum, but benefits like the points rebate, Gogo in-flight WiFi passes, Dell credits, WeWork membership, and more, make it the winner over the consumer card’s Uber credits, Saks credits, and bonus points on airfare.

But different benefits will make more sense for different people. What are your favorite AMEX Platinum perks and which card do you prefer?

Leave a Reply

52 Comments On "Battle Of The AMEX Platinum Cards: Should You Have The Consumer Platinum Or Business Platinum Card?"

All opinions expressed below are user generated and the opinions aren’t provided, reviewed or endorsed by any advertiser or DansDeals.

KSMH

Cathay Pacific transfer time is instant.

Eli

How long does it take to transfer MR to ANA?

Eli

When booking a airline ticket through AMEX, is the price going to be the same as buying directly from the airline or can it be higher? Also, how do you know which flights have a “ insider fare” discount?

Yankees Fan

Wondering if I pay my playoff invoice (around 8k) using bus plat card, which receive 1.5 points per dollar, and 2-3 months later, the team refunds me for the unplayed games, and that brings the total to less than 5k. Will they take back the extra .5 point per dollar?

Andy

I have the chase sapphire card. Is there a reason to get both the chase and one of the Amex cards ( and pay the fee for both?). If you got one, the chase or Amex, which would you recommend? Are chase points more valuable than Amex points?

Opinion

I only have the CSR and that’s perfect for me. I would assume that if you can put the benefits of the platinum to use, it would make sense. All depends on how much of the benefits you will put to use on services that you would use even w/o the card..

n

Not related to this post, me and my wife have a chase sapphire reserve should i cancel one or downgrade it? as i dont see now a point to have 2?
Thanks Dan for all your help!!

Eli

Downgrade it to the freedom unlimited. No need to pay two annual fees and you can than transfer the points to the other card to get the full benefits.

Fred

Very informative a detailed post.

Thanks!

Ash

I have checked Amex Travel fares to airline fares and 90% they are always more expensive and slow to lower prices when flights start fluctuating quickly. The 5x points are not worth 5% or even 10% surcharge standard travel may be better at 3x

David

Thanks! Great job
Can you give more info on return protection

SR

How to get kosher meals at JFK lounge?

ben

I booked a Norwegian flight to lhr on my platinum if they cancel me would the platinum insurance help for rebooking costs on a last minute British airways flight?

VM

Gogo pass did not work on KLM flight even though the “code”/”voucher” was there. I contacted them and I was told these passes may not even work on US airlines if there are additional options for internet availability. ??? Any experience with these passes?

VM

I have both, the business one for just 5 months. I lost quite a few 5x points because I purchased flight tickets using the business amex instead of the consumer amex.

Nathan

Hello,

I have business platinum Card.

I ordered for Dell several times and never got the 10% discount. Nor Amex nor Dell knows anything about the 10%.
How do I receive it/ where can I see this in their website.

Thanks,
Nathan

Eli

It’s a Amex Offer. You have to add the offer to your account to get the refund.

Jack

2 things that can maybe be more clear in the post pp earns 5x only on ota’s that charge directly to the airline… the discounted ota’s always charge in house so it would be 1x…. 2nd thing AFAIU pp doesn’t count negatively on credit utilization as its a charge card… on this point I may be wrong but that’s what I understood until today… thanks for the detailed post.

James

The return protection I was told is not available on the Amex business platinum card only on the personal.

Srulky

When did Boingo wifi stop for the Consumer Plat?

jack6941

“If you have the no annual fee Blue Business Plus AMEX you’ll earn 2 points per dollar everywhere on up to $50K in annual spending.”
Is that spend on any amex card or only if you use the blue business plus for the spending?

Froide

Only on the BBP.

Questionman

Hi, hilton and gold status are even honored if i were to book through a 3rd party website like hotels.com? Thank you

Froide

Hotels usually don’t honor status on reservations booked through third parties, although it doesn’t hurt to ask. On the other hand, airlines/cruise lines/rental car companies do honor status even on reservations booked through third parties.

sam

i was hit my business AF this month and it was only $450

Bina Rosenblum

Do you know if these perks apply for Canadian Amex?

Yankel

My Cathay transfer was not instant

Sam

BA is back to 1:1 isn’t it?

CharlieL

Dan
I see no option on the Wework registration page for this…
“You can register anyone for the free year of access.”
https://www.wework.com/businessplatinum

I wanted to register my daughter and the card and I am the primary cardholder

MoishArgentino

Dan, a related question to credit cards: Any recommendation having high balance on a few credit cards with high APR and no chances to do anymore balance transfer. What to do. Thanks.

christine johnson

I have the amex business card. I can’t find on the amex site where to register for the 10% Dell discount. This and other bloggers say i can sign up, but not exactly where. I have looked through all the offers on my account.

Mg

I have the Amex platinum business and got the Saks credit

wpDiscuz