Updates To The Business Platinum Card® by American Express

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American Express announced some changes to The Business Platinum Card® from American Express that are favorable to most everyone, but businesses that can fully utilize the benefits will get the biggest bang for their buck.

Let’s take a look at the updates and how they impact the value of the Business Platinum Card.

The Business Platinum Card® from American Express

Earn 120,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $15,000 on eligible purchases with your Card within the first 3 months of Card Membership. Terms Apply.

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Updated Earnings Rate

The first big change on the Business Platinum Card is the updated earnings rates. Now you’ll earn 1.5X Membership Rewards points on the first $2 million per calendar year on the following categories:

• Electronics goods retailers, software and cloud service providers
• Construction materials and hardware supplies
• Shipping providers

This is in addition to the 1.5X points earned on purchases over $5,000. All of the 1.5X points earned, including large purchases, is on the first $2 million per calendar year.

You’ll still continue to earn 5X points on flights & prepaid hotels booked through Amex Travel, and 1X points on all other purchases.

Credits

Amex has updated the credits that cardmembers are eligible with the Business Platinum Card.

• Dell – up to $400 in annual statement credits on all Dell purchases, up to $200 semi-annually
• Indeed – Up to $360 annual statement credit on all Indeed hiring and recruiting products and services, up to $90 per quarter
• Adobe – $150 annual statement credit on select purchases, including Adobe Creative Cloud and Acrobat Pro DC
• Wireless credit – Up to $120 annual statement credits for purchases made directly from any US wireless telephone provider, up to $10 per month

The Dell credit was already there, but now it is increased to be up to $400. The addition of Indeed, Adobe and the wireless credits help provide the opportunity to access more than $1,400 in value each year with the card.

You’ll continue to receive the airline fee credit of up to $200 per year in statement credits for incidental fees on your selected airline. Additionally, you’ll still have a credit up to $100 for Global Entry or TSA Pre✓®

Travel & Dining Benefits

Cardmembers will also earn the following travel and dining benefits with your cardmembership.

• Expedited Security Screening with an annual $179 statement credit for a CLEAR membership
• Access to the expanded American Express Global Lounge Collection
• Up to 20% discount on a Wheels Up Connect premium private jet membership, or 40% discount on a Wheels Up Core membership. Plus, a $500 or $2,000 credit added to your account to use toward an initial flight within the first year depending on which membership level you select. Terms Apply
• Global Dining Access by Resy – access to exclusive restaurants, premium events and priority notify and VIP status.

Annual Fee Increase

Of course, when it comes to card updates you can typically expect an increase in the annual fee as well. The annual fee on the Business Platinum Card will increase to $695 for new and existing card members on January 13, 2022. If you apply before then, or your annual fee hits before then, you’ll pay the existing $595 annual fee (rates & fees).

Is This A Real Value Add For Card Members?

The biggest question you’re probably wondering is if this is really a worthwhile value add for card members. I’ll break it down, but I think most people will agree that this increases the value of the Business Platinum Card.

Most people will find that the increased Dell credits and the new wireless credits are certainly worthwhile. Those alone are an increased value of up to $320 a year. Especially at a time when many people continue to work remotely, the Dell credit can help add some value to your home office. 

The Adobe credit isn’t as useful – I don’t think people without an Adobe subscription were being held back by the price but rather the lack of need. Similarly, unless your small business is actively hiring, the Indeed credits aren’t going to be useful.

Here’s what it comes down to: most of these changes are truly beneficial for small business owners. The new 1.5X points categories are favorable to businesses more than the average person, and the Indeed and Adobe credits apply more to businesses as well. However, the wireless credit and the Dell credit are certainly useful and more than make up for the difference in the annual fee.

Final Thoughts

Amex did a good job of improving the Business Platinum Card for its target audience: businesses. Despite that, the addition of the wireless credit and the increase value of the Dell credit more than offsets the increase in the annual fee for the majority of customers.