American Express Platinum Business Card Overview

Earn 250,000 Membership Rewards Bonus Points when you apply, are approved and spend $12,000 on eligible purchases on your new American Express Platinum Business Card within 3 months of your approval date. Plus, you'll also enjoy a half annual Card fee of $875 in the first year (normally $1,750) when you apply by 25 March 2025. T&Cs apply. Available for new American Express Card Members only.

American Express Platinum Business Card Overview

The Amex Platinum Business is by far the most rewarding business charge card in Australia. The card is aimed at small to medium business owners looking to maximise the Amex Membership Rewards program and earn points at an uncapped rate.

The Amex Platinum Business Card comes with a suite of premium lifestyle perks and offers the option to transfer points to 12 key frequent flyer programs, including Qantas, Singapore Airlines, Qatar Airways, AsiaMiles and many others.

• Up to 55 cash flow days: Give your business financial breathing room with up to 55 days to pay for purchases.
• Earn up to 2.25 points per $1 spent: 2.25 Membership Rewards convert to most frequent flyer programs.
• No pre set spending limit: As your spending and payment history is established, the amount you can charge on the Card can grow, giving you more financial capability in the future. And because it’s paid off in full each month, you won’t incur interest on the balance.

Platinum Business Charge Card Feature

Since the Amex Platinum Business Card is a charge card and not a credit card, it means business users can enjoy no pre-set spending limit on their business card with up to 55 days to pay for purchases. Unlike a credit card, charge cards are required to be paid in full each billing cycle. However, American Express does offer flexible payment options if it’s needed.

Benefits Of The Amex Business Platinum Card

Uncapped Earning Potential with the Platinum Business Card

The American Express Platinum Business Card earns points into Membership Rewards which is a flexible rewards program. This program allows members to transfer points to their airline program of choice on demand.

Since American Express does not apply points earning caps like most other financial providers, Platinum Business Card Members can earn unlimited points from their business transactions.

The Platinum Business Card earn rates

The 1-point category also includes the Australian Taxation Office, Australia Post, federal/state and local government bodies.

• Earn 2.25 points per $1 spent on all purchases, except those in the 1-point category
• Earn 1 point per $1 spent with government bodies

Eligibility Criteria

You will need to have an annual business revenue of $75,000 or more, have a valid ABN registered for GST, be 18 years or older, be an Australian citizen or permanent resident, be a director or Controller of the business, and last (but not least) you will need to have a good credit history with no payment defaults.

What are the Points Worth?

With 250,000 Membership Rewards, you can start planning a trip as soon as those points hit your account! When it comes to transferring the points to the most popular frequent flyer programs, keep in mind that points will go across at a rate of 2:1 for most programs. This essentially means your 250,000 MR points will be worth:

• 125,000 Qantas Frequent Flyer Points
• 125,000 Cathay Pacific AsiaMiles
• 125,000 Malaysia Airlines Enrich
• 125,000 Virgin Atlantic Flying Club points
• 125,000 Thai Airways Orchid miles
• 125,000 Velocity Frequent Flyer points
• 125,000 Etihad Guest miles
• $1,250 Air New Zealand Airpoint Dollars
• 125,000 Qatar Airways Avios
• 125,000 HawaiianMiles
• 83,333 Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer Miles
• 83,333 Emirates Skywards miles

Where could you fly with those points?

Here are a few example redemptions to showcase where you could fly using your membership rewards. With a sign-up bonus of 250,000, you will essentially get a one way business class flight to Europe or the U.S.; especially with a reduced annual fee for the first year!

• 130,500 KrisFlyer Miles: Sydney/Melbourne/Brisbane/Adelaide to Europe one way in business class + taxes
• 85,000 AsiaMiles: Sydney to L.A. with Fiji Airways in business class + taxes
• 90,000 AsiaMiles: Australia to Europe with Qatar Airways in business class + taxes

Business Platinum Lounge Access

You get a wide range of lounge access options thanks to your Platinum Business Card, let's have a look at what's available to you!

• Centurion Lounge Access: As an Amex Platinum Business Card Member, you get lounge access to thousands of airport lounges around the world. This includes American Express’s own The Centurion Lounge in Sydney and Melbourne as well as their Centurion Lounges overseas; 2 additional guests are permitted free of charge. Children under the age of 2 are also allowed in with a parent at no additional cost.
• Priority Pass Lounge Access: On top of that, American Express Platinum Business Card Members also get a premium Priority Pass Membership which gives the user complimentary lounge access to thousands of Priority Pass affiliated lounges worldwide. In addition, the primary account holder can also gift a second Priority Pass membership to one of the additional card members.
  Bringing in guests with your Priority Pass membership will come at a charge of US$32 per person. The complimentary Priority Pass memberships are equivalent to the US$429 “Prestige” membership, so it’s a very valuable benefit!
• Plaza Premium Lounge Access: Platinum Card Members also gain complimentary access to Plaza Premium lounges worldwide, a smaller network of high-quality premium lounges at selected airports.
• Virgin Australia Lounge Access: Another lounge membership Platinum Card Members gain access to is the Virgin Australia network of domestic lounges. When travelling with Virgin Australia, Platinum Business Members can gain complimentary lounge access by showing their card upon entry. Card Members can also bring one extra guest at no additional cost.
• Delta Sky Club Access: Lastly, Platinum Business Card Members also get access to Delta SkyClub lounges when travelling with Delta Airlines.

American Express Fine Hotels & Resorts

As an American Express Platinum Business Card Member, you will receive access to American Express Fine Hotels & Resorts (FHR); this is essentially a collection of luxury hotels around the world where you will receive additional benefits simply by booking your stay via FHR.

FHR can be booked online or by calling American Express Travel. In addition, members can also earn status nights and points if the FHR-listed hotel is part of a group such as Hilton Honors, Marriott Bonvoy etc.

The benefits of FHR may include:

• An on-property benefit, often USD 100 food & beverage credit per stay
• 12 pm check-in when available
• Room upgrade if available
• Free breakfast for 2 people
• Guaranteed 4 pm late checkout
• Free Wi-Fi

Complimentary Elite Hotel Status

The American Express Platinum Business Card also comes with several hotel statuses: Hilton Honors Gold, Marriott Bonvoy Elite Gold and Radisson Rewards Premium Status.

Accor Plus membership

The Platinum Business Card will also give you complimentary access to Accor Plus, which is a paid membership program by Accor ALL. The retail price of this membership is $399 p.a., so it’s yet another valuable benefit included with your Platinum Business Membership. Benefits of Accor Plus include a complimentary hotel stay in the Asia-Pacific as well as substantial dining discounts of up 50% at Accor Hotels. You can read our complete guide on Accor Plus here.

Travel & Insurance Benefits

The American Express Platinum Business Card comes with some of the most comprehensive suite of insurance benefits out of any card on the market. However, since insurance depends on your personal circumstances, it’s essential you read the product disclosure statement and learn how the cover applies to your personal situation.

That said, here are some of the insurance benefits you will receive with your Card membership: * Travel Insurances: * Travel Inconvenience Cover, Medical Emergency Expenses Cover, Public Transport Accident Cover, Baggage, Money and Documents Cover, Trip Cancellation and Amendment Cover. This includes travel that wasn’t booked and paid for using your American Express Platinum Business Card; and includes points redemptions as well. * Buyer’s Advantage Cover * Card Purchase Cover * Roadside Assistance * Up to $125,000 of Loss Damage Waiver Cover for car rental.

• Travel Insurances: Travel Inconvenience Cover, Medical Emergency Expenses Cover, Public Transport Accident Cover, Baggage, Money and Documents Cover, Trip Cancellation and Amendment Cover. This includes travel that wasn’t booked and paid for using your American Express Platinum Business Card; and includes points redemptions as well.
• Buyer’s Advantage Cover
• Card Purchase Cover
• Roadside Assistance
• Loss Damage Waiver Cover
• Up to $125,000 of Loss Damage Waiver Cover for car rental.

Platinum Business Flexible Payment Option

Business owners can take advantage of the American Express flexible payment option offered as part of their Platinum Business Card. Flexible payment options allow business users to free up cash flow when it’s needed beyond the interest-free days.

When the statement balance is issued, members will have the option to carry over a portion of the unpaid balance onto the next month.

With the Flexible Payment Option, you will be charged interest if you do not pay your Closing Balance in full by the due date each month. Please refer to your monthly statements for the current interest rate. Please refer to the full Flexible Payment Option Terms and Conditions.

Wallet Integrations

It goes without saying that American Express Cards are some of the most integrated products out there. This means you can easily add your card to your choice of digital wallets, such as ApplePay, Google Pay and Samsung Pay.

This feature allows users to use their NFC-enabled devices such as phones, smart-watches and bracelets to make payments without having their card present.

Dell Credit

Save the benefit to your Card via Amex Offers and spend with Dell Technologies online at www.dell.com.au or via phone on 1800 880 855 to receive your purchase amount back as a credit, up to $125 back. Benefit ends 31 December 2024. Exclusions apply.

The Australian Premium Subscription

As a Card Member, you also get a complimentary digital subscription to The Australian and The Wall Street Journal.

Bonus Points Eligibility Criteria

American Express have a rule which dictates who can and can’t receive a sign-up bonus for a new card. As it stands, both personal and business cards are classified under the same umbrella regarding sign-up bonuses. Unfortunately, this means that if you currently hold or have held an Amex Card within the last 18 months, you’re not eligible for the sign-up bonus.

There is 1 exceptions to this rule: Card Members who have or have held an American Express Corporate Card. Those members can still apply for a personal or business American Express and obtain the bonus offer when meeting all the other criteria.

Other Benefits of Business Platinum

As a Platinum Business Member, you will also get access to Platinum Travel, which is a premium travel agent dedicated to Platinum Card members. This program also gives a discount with a select number of airlines, both domestic and international. These rates are not publicly available, so it’s always worth checking before you book direct.

When it comes to accounting, American Express integrates its business cards directly with MYOB so you can speed things up come tax time.

Amex Experiences App

Amex Platinum Cardmembers get access to the Amex Experiences App which highlights the card benefits and features and gives notifications about exclusive ticket pre-sales as well as information on which restaurants you can book to redeem your dining credit. The app is available via Google Play and the Apple App Store.

Summing Up

The American Express Platinum Business Card is an absolute powerhouse for business users who value the premium inclusions and uncapped earn rate. Since this card is a charge card with no pre-set spending limit and up to 55 days of cash flow, it can really open up opportunities for business users looking to scale their business.

For us, one of the most valuable features of this card is the travel insurance benefits and, of course, access to 12 airline transfer partners.