Making the Most of The Business Platinum Card® from American Express
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EDITORIAL DISCLOSURE:
Opinions expressed here are the author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
*Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more.A few years ago I finally decided to dive into American Express cards and start earning Membership Rewards points. I had been intimidated by the annual fees for so long, but I was ready to tackle the challenge of making the most of the “coupon book” (as it’s commonly referred to)! I opened The Business Platinum Card® from American Express that comes with a $895 annual fee (rates & fees). So with an annual fee like that, it’s important to make the most of the benefits and credits the card offers!
Each year I work hard to utilize as many benefits as possible so I’m breaking down my strategy for squeezing all the value I can out of this card. 💰👇🏼
Global Entry or TSA PreCheck credit up to $120
This credit is an easy one for us to use since it can be used for anyone!
The credit can be used toward the Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application for a friend or family member; not just the card holder. 👏🏻 Since my husband and I already have Global Entry, we used this credit for TSA PreCheck for our daughter. I applied online and we completed the in person appointment at our local Staples. I paid the application fee with my Amex Business Platinum card and the fee was credited back to my account in about 3 business days.
*Receive either a $120 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 American Express Card. Card Members approved for Global Entry will also receive access to TSA PreCheck at no additional cost.
Clear Plus membership
You also earn a $209 credit for an annual Clear Plus membership. I opted to use this for myself so I can utilize this expedited security screening when traveling solo (since nobody else in our family has this membership). I applied online and paid the $209 fee with my Amex Business Platinum. The fee was credited back to my account in about 5 business days.
🛫The next time I was at the airport, I went through the CLEAR line to finish my enrollment. It only took a couple of minutes and I was ready to use my membership!
Lounge access
The lounge access offered by the American Express Platinum cards is definitely one of the best in my opinion.
With this card you will have access to Centurion Lounges, Priority Pass Select, Plaza Premium and Escape Lounges. You can also access Delta Sky Clubs with a same day boarding pass for a Delta flight. ✨We have both an Escape Lounge and a Centurion lounge at our home airport in Phoenix, so this also is something to consider when choosing a card with lounge access.
Dell annual credit
💻Once a calendar year you will have a $150 credit to be used on purchases at Dell.
You must enroll first to use this credit so I did this online through my American Express account. After enrolling, I made a purchase on the Dell website for an item around $150 so that I could get the best value from this credit. I charged the purchase to my Amex Business Platinum and it was credited back to my account in about 2 business days.
You can also easily track this benefit on your banking app in case you forget whether or not you’ve already used this credit for the year. 😉
Airline fee
This is another great perk with lots of different ways to cash in on the benefits it offers!
Each year you receive a $200 credit for airline incidentals annually with the airline of your choice. You do need to select your airline of choice in your American Express account before using this credit (don’t forget this step!!). This credit can be used for things like purchasing assigned seats, paying for baggage, buying a lounge pass, etc.
🔥Hot tip: I used this credit by funding my United Travel Bank. I added $200 to my travel bank in two, $100 increments. This triggered my credit and posted to my account three days later!
As you can see below, I made these purchases with my Business Platinum card, and within a few weeks (usually sooner) those credits had been applied to my account. 👇🏼
$600 hotel credit
After a huge refresh of the Business Platinum Card® from American Express, one of the many added credits is the $600 hotel credit (which I still need to use 😬).
This credit is offered semi-annually, which means that you will have a $300 credit to use twice a year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts or The Hotel Collection hotel stays booked through American Express Travel.
Hilton for Business quarterly credit
One of the newest perks of this card (and one I easily utilize!) is the $50 quarterly Hilton credit.
With this new benefit, Hilton For Business members get up to $200 back per calendar year when you make eligible purchases at Hilton properties across the globe.
We recently used this credit when we stayed at the Waldorf Astoria Las Vegas. We had paid $100 a night for a room upgrade so we charged it to my Business Platinum card and we earned a $50 statement credit for that quarter! *Benefit enrollment required.
🔥Hot tip: I have also successfully purchase Hilton gift cards to use this credit, and made restaurant and food purchases at a Hilton in my area, so those are two alternatives for using this credit if you don’t have a stay coming up!
Hotel elite status
This one is pretty self explanatory, and very easy to take advantage of!
You can now receive complementary Marriot Bonvoy Gold status and Hilton Honors Gold status as an eligible cardholder. Which means more elite benefits and perks when staying at Hilton and Marriott properties! 🌟
You’ll find steps for enrollment for both of these benefits in your banking account:
Bottom line
💳 These are just some of the MANY perks that this premium card has to offer. There are other benefits like travel insurance, purchase protections, access to exclusive hotels….the list goes on!
So make sure to check out THIS LINK to find a full detailed list of all all this card has to offer so you can decide if this card (and the higher annual fee) is right for you.
EDITORIAL DISCLOSURE: Opinions expressed here are the author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
