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Alright, business high-flyers, let’s talk about the American Express Business Platinum Card, a card dripping with perks for small business owners, sole traders, and ambitious entrepreneurs. With an annual fee of £650, can the benefits really stack up? Let’s get into it.
In This Post
Earning Points: The Lowdown
Points Accumulation:
- 1 Membership Rewards point per £1 spent on everyday purchases
- Bonus: Earn an extra 10,000 points every month you spend over £10,000 (equivalent to 2 points per £1)
- Transfer Rate: 1:1 to Avios, Virgin Points, and other major airline programs
- What’s a Membership Rewards Point Worth? Typically, 0.75p–1p when used for flights; other redemptions include hotel points and gift cards.
- Membership Rewards Points: Points are awarded to the individual cardholder, not the company, meaning you personally control your rewards.
Essential Card Details
- Annual Fee: £650 (pro-rata refund available if cancelled still available at time of writing)
- Representative APR: N/A (charge card, balance must be cleared monthly)
- Minimum Personal Income: £35,000+
- No company turnover or profitability requirements.
- No need to have been trading for a minimum period, apply once you have a UK bank account.
Note: The Business Platinum is a charge card, not a credit card. Your balance must be paid in full each month. Depending on when you make a purchase, you’ll have up to 54 days interest-free before payment is due.
Is the Annual Fee Justifiable?
- First Year: 50,000 Membership Rewards points (worth up to £500 in travel) + £200 Amex Travel credit + £150 Dell credit + comprehensive insurance = substantial value.
- Ongoing: With lounge access, hotel statuses, insurance and travel credits, it’s valuable if you travel often.
- Pro Tip: Cancel anytime for a pro-rata fee refund once you’ve banked your bonus.
The Business Platinum Welcome: Sign-Up Bonus
Spend £6,000 within three months, and you’ll snag 50,000 Membership Rewards points.
Equivalent to 50,000 Avios or Virgin Points.
Also transferable to hotel loyalty programs like Hilton Honors, Marriott Bonvoy, Radisson Rewards.
Or £250–£500 worth of High Street vouchers if you’re feeling spendy, closer to home.
Lounge Access
- Priority Pass: Unlimited access for you and a guest to over 1,300 lounges worldwide
- Additional Priority Pass for a second cardholder (partner, spouse, colleague)
- Extra guests: £20 per guest beyond your free guest allowance
- Your Guide to Amex Platinum Lounge Benefits (UK Cardholders)
Who Gets the Bonus?
Welcome bonus available if you haven’t held a Business Platinum Card in the past 24 months (subject to Amex eligibility terms).
Travel with the Business Platinum Card: Yay or Nay?
- Yay: Unlimited lounge access, £200 Amex Travel credit, gold-plated insurance coverage (now underwritten by Europ Assistance from 1 January 2025), top-tier hotel statuses.
- Nay: 2.99% foreign transaction fee on purchases abroad. Dodge Amex’s 3% foreign transaction fee with Currensea instead – it links to your bank account and charges only 0.5%. Check it out here.
You might also want to pair your Amex with a backup card for suppliers that don’t accept Amex. I recommend the Capital on Tap Visa – no annual fee, 1 Avios per £1 spent, and no FX fees abroad.
Perks That Scream “Business Class”
- £200 Amex Travel Credit: Redeemable against flights, hotels, car hire, and more (must be used in one transaction)
- £150 Dell Credit Annually: £75 between Jan–June + £75 between July–Dec
- £300 Indeed Credit: £75 cashback per quarter on recruitment ads
- Travel Insurance: Comprehensive cover up to age 80, with no excess on most claims (check policy for details)
- Hotel Statuses:
- Marriott Bonvoy Gold – What Does Marriott Bonvoy Get You with the Amex Platinum?
- Hilton Honors Gold – What Does Hilton Gold Get You with the Amex Platinum?
- Radisson Rewards Premium – What Does Radisson Rewards Premium Get You with the Amex Platinum?
- MeliaRewards Gold – What Does MeliáRewards Gold Get You with the Amex Platinum?
- Fine Hotels & Resorts Access: Room upgrades, $100 property credits, complimentary breakfast, guaranteed 4pm checkout
- Free Digital Subscription: The Times and The Sunday Times (worth over £300 annually)
- Car Rental Perks: Benefits with Avis Preferred and Hertz Gold Plus Rewards
Final Verdict: Is Amex Business Platinum Worth It?
If you’re a sole trader, entrepreneur, or small business owner, the American Express Business Platinum Card packs serious value. The 50,000-point welcome bonus, £200 Amex Travel credit, unlimited lounge access, hotel statuses, and comprehensive insurance could easily outweigh the £650 fee, especially when considering tax deductibility.
All benefits and offers are correct as of October 2025 and are subject to change.
Running a business? This card doesn’t just upgrade your travel – it upgrades your entire operation.
Ready to bring Business Class to your business? Apply for Amex Business Platinum here.
Still Taxiing? Read On:
- Review: Capital on Tap Visa – The Free Business Card.
- Review: Capital on Tap Pro Visa Business Card.
- Review: American Express Business Gold Card (UK 2025 Update)
