Choosing between the Amex Business Platinum and Chase Sapphire Reserve for Business is like deciding between two luxury sports cars – both will get you where you want to go in style, but each has distinct advantages.

These premium business cards represent the pinnacle of travel rewards, but with annual fees of $895 and $795 respectively, you need to know exactly what you're getting. I've spent months analyzing both cards, and here's the honest truth: the right choice depends entirely on your business spending patterns and travel preferences.

If you're looking for the best business credit cards overall, both of these rank at the top – but let's dive into everything you need to know to make the best decision for your business.

Quick Verdict Box

The Bottom Line: Both cards deliver exceptional value, but the Chase Sapphire Reserve for Business edges out slightly for most businesses due to its lower annual fee and more accessible benefits.

• Best For: Business owners who frequently travel and want premium perks
• Skip If: You spend less than $50,000 annually or don't travel regularly
• Current Offer: Both cards offer 200,000-point welcome bonuses

At-a-Glance Comparison

Before we get into the weeds, here's what you need to know:

Chase Sapphire Reserve for Business: $795 annual fee, 200,000 points after spending $30,000 in six months

Amex Business Platinum: $895 annual fee, 200,000 points after spending $20,000 in three months

Both cards offer over $2,000 in annual value through statement credits and benefits, but the devil's in the details.

Welcome Bonuses: A Dead Heat

This is where things get interesting. Both the Chase Sapphire Reserve for Business and Amex Business Platinum offer identical 200,000-point welcome bonuses, but with different spending requirements.

The Chase card requires $30,000 in spending over six months (that's $5,000 monthly), while the Business Platinum from Amex needs $20,000 in three months (about $6,667 monthly). Here's the thing – if you have a big business expense coming up, the Amex timeline might work better. But for steady monthly spending, Chase gives you more breathing room.

Both bonuses are worth roughly $2,000-2,500 when used for travel, making this category truly a tie. If you're new to business credit, you might also consider starting with something like the Chase Ink Business Preferred to establish a relationship first.

Earning Rates: Chase Takes the Lead

This is where the Chase Sapphire Reserve for Business starts to shine. Its earning structure is simply more generous across the board:

Chase Sapphire Reserve for Business:

• 8X points on Chase Travel purchases
• 5X points on Lyft rides (through September 2027)
• 4X points on flights and hotels booked directly
• 3X points on social media and search engine advertising
• 1X points on everything else

Amex Business Platinum:

• 5X points on flights and prepaid hotels via AmexTravel.com
• 2X points on eligible travel through AmexTravel.com
• 2X points on key business categories and purchases of $5,000+ (up to $2 million per year)
• 1X points on other purchases

The Chase business card's uncapped 4X earning on direct bookings is a game-changer. You're not locked into a specific travel portal, and that flexibility is worth its weight in gold. Plus, that 3X rate on digital advertising is perfect for modern businesses investing in online marketing.

The Amex card's 2X rate is solid but comes with a $2 million annual cap. For most businesses, that's not a limiting factor, but the earning structure feels more restrictive overall.

Statement Credits: Where Things Get Complicated

Both cards throw money at you through various statement credits, but tracking and using them all can feel like a part-time job.

Chase Sapphire Reserve for Business offers over $2,000 in annual credits:

• $500 The Edit hotel credits (split into two $250 periods)
• $300 annual travel credit (automatic on eligible purchases)
• $200 Google Workspace credit
• $400 ZipRecruiter credit ($200 per half-year)
• $420 DoorDash value (including Dash Pass membership)
• $120 Lyft credit ($10 monthly through September 2027)
• $100 Giftcards.com credit
• $120 Global Entry/TSA PreCheck credit (every four years)

The Amex Business Platinum counters with over $3,000 in potential credits:

• Up to $600 hotel credit ($300 per half-year for Fine Hotels and Resorts or Hotel Collection)
• Up to $200 Hilton credit ($50 per quarter, requires Hilton for Business membership)
• Up to $1,150 Dell credit ($150 standard plus $1,000 after spending $5,000+)
• $250 Adobe credit (after spending $600+)
• $120 wireless telephone credits ($10 monthly)
• Up to $200 airline fee credits (incidental fees only)
• Up to $360 Indeed.com credits ($90 quarterly)
• Up to $209 CLEAR Plus credit
• $120 TSA PreCheck/Global Entry credit

Here's where the Amex Business Platinum card gets tricky – many benefits require additional spending or enrollment. That Dell credit sounds amazing until you realize you need to spend $5,000 at Dell to get the full benefit. The Adobe credit requires $600 in spending first.

Chase's approach is more straightforward. Most credits are automatic or require minimal action, making them easier to actually use.

Lounge Access: Both Excel, Different Approaches

This is where both cards truly shine, though they take different approaches to airport luxury. If you're interested in maximizing lounge access benefits, both cards should be on your radar.

The Chase Sapphire Reserve for Business gives you access to Chase Sapphire Lounges and a complimentary Priority Pass Select membership. You can bring two guests for free, with additional guests costing $27 each. It's simple and effective.

The Business Platinum from American Express offers broader access through the American Express Global Lounge Collection, including Centurion Lounges, 10 annual Delta Sky Club visits (when flying Delta), and Escape Lounges. However, you need to spend $75,000 annually to qualify for expanded lounge access.

If you frequently travel solo or with one companion, Chase wins with its guest policy. If you want the widest possible lounge network and can hit that spending threshold, Amex takes the crown.

Transfer Partners: Amex's Numbers Game

This is where Amex Business Platinum flexes its muscles. The Business Platinum offers 21 transfer partners compared to Chase's 14. While there's significant overlap (both include British Airways, Air France-KLM, and Virgin Atlantic), Amex adds valuable options like ANA Mileage Club, Cathay Pacific, and Delta SkyMiles.

However, the Chase Sapphire Reserve for Business counters with some exclusive gems. World of Hyatt is arguably the most valuable hotel transfer partner available, offering outsized value for luxury hotel stays. If you're a Hyatt loyalist, this alone might swing your decision.

Both cards offer roughly 1:1 transfer ratios with most partners, making your points equally valuable regardless of which card you choose.

Real-World Usage: Chase Wins on Simplicity

After using both cards extensively, here's what I've learned: The Chase Sapphire Reserve for Business is simply easier to maximize.

Its travel credit applies automatically to any eligible travel purchase – no enrollment needed, no specific merchants required. The earning structure rewards you whether you book through Chase Travel or directly with airlines and hotels. Most statement credits are straightforward to use.

The Amex Business Platinum requires more active management. You need to remember to book through Amex Travel for bonus points, enroll in various credit programs, and track spending thresholds for benefits. Yes, it offers more total value on paper, but only if you're willing to do the work.

Who Should Choose Each Card?

Choose the Chase Sapphire Reserve for Business if:

• You want straightforward benefits that are easy to use
• You prefer booking travel directly with airlines and hotels
• You spend heavily on digital advertising for your business
• You value Hyatt hotel stays
• You want to bring guests to airport lounges without fees

For businesses also looking at mid-tier options, Chase's ecosystem works well with their other business cards.

Choose the Amex Business Platinum if:

• You don't mind managing multiple credit programs
• You can spend $75,000+ annually to unlock full lounge benefits
• You frequently use Dell, Adobe, or Indeed for business
• You want the broadest possible lounge access
• You prefer American Express's customer service and brand prestige

Consider pairing with complementary cards like the Capital One Venture X Business for additional earning opportunities.

Getting Maximum Value From Either Card

Regardless of which card you choose, here's how to squeeze every dollar of value:

For Chase cardholders:

• Use the Google Workspace credit for business tools you're already buying
• Book The Edit hotels twice yearly to maximize those $250 credits
• Set up automatic Lyft rides for airport transfers to use monthly credits
• Consider Chase's Points Boost feature when booking through their portal
• Stack with the personal Chase Sapphire Reserve for ultimate flexibility

For Amex cardholders:

• Enroll in ALL credit programs immediately after approval
• Plan large Dell purchases to trigger that $1,000 bonus credit
• Use AmexTravel.com for flights to maximize earning rates and get that 35% rebate
• Take advantage of Hilton and Marriott Gold status for room upgrades
• Consider the personal Amex Platinum for additional benefits

Alternative Premium Business Cards

While these two cards dominate the premium space, consider these alternatives:

• Capital One Venture X Business: Lower fee option with similar premium benefits
• Chase Ink Business Preferred: Great earning rates in specific categories
• Amex Business Gold: Flexible bonus categories with lower fee

The Bottom Line

Both the Chase Sapphire Reserve for Business and Amex Business Platinum are exceptional cards that will serve most business travelers well.

If I had to pick one for the majority of business owners, I'd choose the Chase Sapphire Reserve for Business. Its $100 lower annual fee, more accessible benefits, and superior earning structure on everyday travel spending make it the more practical choice.

However, if you're the type of person who loves optimizing every benefit and can realistically use Amex's extensive credit portfolio, the Business Platinum offers higher potential value.

The truth is, you can't go wrong with either card – they're both designed to more than pay for themselves through benefits and rewards. The question isn't which is better overall, but which is better for your specific business needs and spending patterns.

For business owners seeking elite status benefits, both cards provide pathways to VIP travel experiences that justify their premium fees.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I have both the personal and business versions of these cards?
Yes, American Express and Chase treat personal and business cards as separate products. You can hold the personal Platinum and Business Platinum simultaneously, or the personal Sapphire Reserve and Sapphire Reserve for Business.

Which card has better customer service?
Both issuers offer premium customer service for their top-tier cards, with dedicated phone lines and faster response times. American Express historically has a slight edge in customer service rankings, but both provide excellent support.

Do these cards help with business credit building?
Yes, both cards report to business credit bureaus and can help establish and improve your business credit profile. Payment history and credit utilization on these cards contribute to your business credit scores.

What credit score do I need to qualify?
Both cards typically require excellent personal credit (generally 700+ FICO score) and strong business financials. American Express tends to be slightly more flexible with newer businesses if you have strong personal credit.

Are the annual fees worth it for small businesses?
If you can use at least 60-70% of the available statement credits and benefits, both cards provide positive value. However, small businesses spending less than $50,000 annually might find better value with no annual fee business cards or mid-tier options.

Which card is better for international business travel?
Both cards excel internationally with no foreign transaction fees and global lounge access. The Amex Business Platinum has a slight edge with broader international lounge access, while Chase offers more flexibility in booking international flights and hotels directly.

How do these compare to the Capital One Venture X Business?
The Capital One Venture X Business offers similar premium benefits at a lower annual fee but with fewer statement credits. It's worth considering as a middle ground between these ultra-premium options.

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