Amex Business Platinum Card Refresh: $895 Annual Fee, New Benefits (September 2025)
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American Express has unveiled a significant refresh of its Business Platinum Card, increasing the annual fee from $695 to $895 while introducing several valuable new benefits and enhancements. The changes, which took effect on September 18, 2025, represent the card’s first fee increase in four years and include the addition of a substantial hotel credit, improved earning rates, and enhanced technology-focused benefits.
For existing cardmembers, there’s good news: while the new benefits are available immediately, the higher annual fee won’t apply until your first renewal on or after December 2, 2025. This creates a valuable opportunity to test-drive the enhanced benefits before deciding whether the refreshed card justifies its higher price tag.
Amex Business Platinum: Before and After Comparison
| Feature | Before (Pre-September 2025) | Now (Post-Refresh) |
|---|---|---|
| Annual Fee | $695 | $895 (+$200) |
| Authorized User Fee | $350 | $400 (+$50) |
| Hotel Credit | Not offered | $600 annually ($300 semi-annually) |
| Key Business Purchase Earning | 1.5X points | 2X points (33% increase) |
| Big Spender Bonus | Not offered | $3,600 in credits after $250K annual spend |
| Adobe Credit | $150 annually (limited selection) | $250 annually (after $600 spend) |
| Dell Credit | $200 semi-annually | $150 annually + $1,000 after $5K spend |
| Hotel Elite Status | Hilton Gold, Marriott Gold | Hilton Gold, Marriott Gold, Leaders Club Sterling |
| Pay with Points Bonus | 35% back on any airline in first/business class | 35% back only on selected U.S. airline |
Annual Fee and Implementation Timeline
The Business Platinum Card‘s annual fee has increased from $695 to $895, representing a $200 (29%) jump. Additionally, the cost to add authorized users has increased from $350 to $400 per person.
The fee increase implementation follows this timeline:
- New applicants: $895 annual fee applies immediately
- Existing cardmembers: Higher fee applies at first renewal on or after December 2, 2025
New $600 Hotel Credit
The most significant new benefit is the addition of a substantial hotel credit:
- Amount: Up to $600 annually, structured as $300 semi-annually (January-June and July-December)
- Eligible bookings: Prepaid Fine Hotels & Resorts or The Hotel Collection reservations through American Express Travel
- Requirements: Fine Hotels & Resorts requires a minimum one-night stay; The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay
- Value proposition: This credit alone can more than offset the $200 annual fee increase for cardholders who can use it twice per year
Improved Earning Rates
The Business Platinum Card now offers enhanced rewards on key business spending categories:
- New rate: 2X Membership Rewards points (up from 1.5X) on the following categories (up to $2 million in combined purchases annually, then 1X):
- Purchases of $5,000 or more
- U.S. cloud service and software providers
- U.S. construction materials and hardware suppliers
- U.S. electronics retailers
- U.S. shipping providers
This represents a 33% increase in earning potential for these business-focused categories, making the card more rewarding for everyday business expenses.
Big Spender Bonus ($250K Annual Spend)
A new incentive has been added for businesses with significant spending volume:
- Qualification: Spend $250,000 on eligible purchases in a calendar year
- Reward: Up to $3,600 in statement credits for use in the following calendar year:
- Up to $1,200 in statement credits for American Express Travel flights
- Up to $2,400 in statement credits for American Express One AP monthly fees (Amex’s automated accounts payable platform)
Enhanced Adobe & Dell Credits
The technology-focused credits have been restructured to provide more value:
Adobe Credit
- Before: $150 annually on select purchases (limited selection)
- Now: $250 statement credit after spending $600+ on U.S. purchases made directly with Adobe each calendar year
- Enrollment: Required
Dell Credit
- Before: $200 semi-annually ($400 total)
- Now: Two-tiered structure:
- Up to $150 in statement credits on U.S. purchases made directly with Dell each calendar year
- Additional $1,000 in statement credits after spending $5,000+ on Dell purchases each calendar year
- Enrollment: Required
These changes were actually implemented in July 2025, slightly ahead of the broader card refresh.
New Hotel Elite Status
The Business Platinum Card now offers an additional hotel elite status benefit:
- Leaders Club Sterling status: Top tier status with The Leading Hotels of the World
- Normal requirement: $5,000 annual spending at LHW properties
- Key benefits: Five pre-arrival room upgrades per year, continental breakfast, early/late checkout when available
- Enrollment: Required
Pay with Points Devaluation
One negative change implemented in June 2025 affects the Pay with Points redemption option:
- Before: 35% points rebate when booking any airline in first or business class through Amex Travel
- Now: 35% points rebate only on tickets with your selected U.S. airline (the same one selected for the airline fee credit)
- Workaround: Codeshare flights marketed by your selected airline (e.g., a Virgin Atlantic flight marketed by Delta) still qualify for the 35% rebate
New Limited-Edition Mirror Card Design
Alongside the refresh, Amex has introduced a new limited-edition mirrored card design. Existing cardmembers can request this design by ordering a replacement card through their online account.
Unchanged Benefits
All existing Business Platinum Card benefits remain unchanged, including:
- Lounge access: Centurion Lounges, Delta Sky Clubs (when flying Delta), Priority Pass Select, Plaza Premium, Escape, and more
- Airline fee credit: Up to $200 annually with one selected airline
- CLEAR Plus credit: Up to $209 annually
- Global Entry/TSA PreCheck: Up to $100 credit every 4-4.5 years
- Hilton Honors credit: Up to $200 annually ($50 per quarter)
- Indeed credit: Up to $360 annually ($90 per quarter)
- Wireless telephone services: Up to $120 annually ($10 per month)
- Cellphone protection: Up to $800 per claim (maximum two claims per year)
- Hotel status: Hilton Honors Gold and Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite (enrollment required)
Maximizing the New Benefits
For existing cardholders, here’s a strategic approach to maximize value from the refreshed Business Platinum Card:
- Enroll in all new benefits immediately through your Amex account
- Plan two hotel stays: Use the $300 credit for the second half of 2025 before December 31, even if you haven’t been charged the higher annual fee yet
- Maximize tech credits: Shift Adobe subscriptions to this card and plan Dell purchases to take advantage of both the $150 base credit and the $1,000 bonus after $5,000 spend
- Activate Leaders Club Sterling status: First sign up for the free Leaders Club membership, then enroll for the Sterling tier
- Adjust Pay with Points strategy: Select your most-used airline as your designated carrier for both the airline fee credit and Pay with Points rebate
Is the Refreshed Business Platinum Card Worth It?
With the annual fee now at $895, the value proposition of the Business Platinum Card depends on your business spending patterns and travel needs. Here’s a breakdown of the potential annual value from the refreshed card:
| Benefit | Annual Value | Ease of Use |
|---|---|---|
| Hotel Credit | $600 | Medium (requires specific bookings) |
| Airline Fee Credit | $200 | Medium (limited to one airline) |
| Dell Credit | $150-$1,150 | Medium-High (depends on Dell spending) |
| Adobe Credit | $250 | High (for businesses using Adobe) |
| CLEAR Plus Credit | $209 | High (for frequent travelers) |
| Hilton Honors Credit | $200 | Medium (quarterly use required) |
| Indeed Credit | $360 | Medium (for businesses that hire) |
| Wireless Credit | $120 | High (monthly automatic) |
| Big Spender Bonus | $3,600 | Low (requires $250K annual spend) |
| Total Potential Value | $2,089-$6,689 |
The card makes sense for businesses that:
- Spend heavily in the 2X bonus categories, particularly on large purchases over $5,000
- Travel frequently enough to use lounge access, hotel elite status, and expedited security benefits
- Regularly purchase technology from Adobe and Dell
- Can use the semi-annual hotel credits for business travel
- Might reach the $250,000 annual spending threshold for additional credits
However, the card may not be worth it for businesses that:
- Travel infrequently
- Don’t spend much in the bonus categories
- Have limited technology needs
- Find it difficult to keep track of and maximize multiple credits
Current Welcome Offer
For new applicants considering the Business Platinum Card, American Express is currently offering its highest-ever publicly available welcome bonus: 200,000 Membership Rewards points after spending $20,000 on eligible purchases within the first three months of card membership.
Based on current valuations of approximately 2 cents per point, this welcome offer is worth around $4,000, which can significantly offset the first year’s annual fee and make the card extremely attractive for new applicants who can meet the spending requirement.
The Business Platinum Card® from American Express
Unlock Premium Business Travel Benefits with The Business Platinum Card® from American Express
Elevated Welcome Offer: Earn up to 300,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $20,000 in eligible purchases within the first 3 months of Card Membership!
The Business Platinum Card® from American Express delivers exceptional value that can unlock over $3,500 in business and travel value annually after meeting qualifying spend thresholds. With this premium business card, you’ll enjoy:
- Access to 1,550+ airport lounges across 140 countries with the American Express Global Lounge Collection®
- Up to $600 in statement credits annually on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection bookings
- Up to $200 Airline Fee Credit with your selected qualifying airline
- Up to $200 back annually on eligible Hilton purchases (for Hilton For Business members)
- Up to $209 back annually on CLEAR® Plus Membership
- Up to $1,150 in Dell Technologies credits ($150 statement credit plus an additional $1,000 after spending $5,000+)
- $250 Adobe credit after spending $600+ per calendar year
- Up to $360 back annually for purchases with Indeed
- Up to $120 back annually for wireless telephone services
Business Platinum cardholders earn 5X points on flights and prepaid hotels on AmexTravel.com, 2X points on select business categories and eligible purchases of $5,000 or more (up to $2 million per calendar year), and 1X points on other eligible purchases.
With a flexible spending limit that adapts based on your purchase, payment and credit history, The Business Platinum Card® is designed to support your growing business needs.
- Annual fee
- $895
- Our valuationMilesopedia first-year estimate First-year valueWelcome bonus$5,700Total$5,700Rewards on your spending are not included. The calculator that adds them from your own profile is on the card's page.
- $5,700
- Welcome offerAfter $20,000 in 3 months
- 300,000 points
Apply Now
on American Express's website
Bottom Line
The refreshed Amex Business Platinum Card has evolved into a more comprehensive business travel and technology card with an impressive array of credits and benefits. While the $895 annual fee represents a significant investment, the potential value from the new and enhanced benefits—particularly the $600 hotel credit—can far exceed this cost for businesses that can maximize them.
For existing cardholders, the opportunity to enjoy all new benefits immediately while paying the higher annual fee only upon renewal creates an excellent window to test these perks and determine if the refreshed card aligns with your business spending patterns and travel needs.
The most universally valuable new benefit appears to be the $600 hotel credit, which alone could justify the $200 annual fee increase for many users. The enhanced earning rate on key business categories and the improved technology credits further strengthen the card’s value proposition for businesses with significant spending in these areas.
Ultimately, the refreshed Business Platinum Card remains a premium product for businesses that value luxury travel perks and can take advantage of its extensive benefits portfolio. For the right business, it can deliver exceptional value despite—or perhaps because of—its higher annual fee.
- Annual fee
- $895
- Our valuationMilesopedia first-year estimate First-year valueWelcome bonus$5,700Total$5,700Rewards on your spending are not included. The calculator that adds them from your own profile is on the card's page.
- $5,700
- Welcome offerAfter $20,000 in 3 months
- 300,000 points
Apply Now
on American Express's website
Frequently Asked Questions
When will I be charged the higher $895 annual fee if I’m an existing cardholder?
If you’re an existing Business Platinum cardholder, you won’t be charged the higher $895 annual fee until your first renewal date on or after December 2, 2025. This means if your card renews in November 2025, you won’t see the $895 fee until November 2026, but you’ll get all the new benefits immediately.
Can I use the new $300 hotel credit for July-December 2025 even if I just got the card?
Yes, you can use the $300 semi-annual hotel credit for the July-December 2025 period immediately upon enrollment, regardless of when you opened your account. For existing cardholders, this is a new benefit that’s available right away, even though the higher annual fee won’t apply until your next renewal date after December 2, 2025.
How does the new 2X earning rate on key business categories work?
The Business Platinum Card now earns 2X Membership Rewards points (up from the previous 1.5X) on purchases of $5,000 or more, as well as on purchases from U.S. cloud service and software providers, U.S. construction materials and hardware suppliers, U.S. electronics retailers, and U.S. shipping providers. This enhanced rate applies to up to $2 million in combined purchases across these categories per calendar year, after which you’ll earn 1X points. The 5X rate on flights and prepaid hotels booked through Amex Travel remains unchanged.
What is the $250,000 annual spending bonus and how does it work?
If your business spends at least $250,000 on eligible purchases with the Business Platinum Card in a calendar year, you’ll unlock up to $3,600 in statement credits for use in the following calendar year. This includes up to $1,200 in credits for American Express Travel flights and up to $2,400 in credits for American Express One AP monthly fees (Amex’s automated accounts payable platform). For example, if you meet the $250,000 spending threshold in 2025, you’ll receive these credits for use in 2026.
How do the new Dell credits work compared to the old benefit?
The Dell benefit has been restructured from a simple $200 semi-annual credit ($400 total) to a two-tiered approach: (1) Up to $150 in statement credits annually on U.S. purchases made directly with Dell, plus (2) an additional $1,000 in statement credits after spending $5,000 or more on Dell purchases each calendar year. This new structure provides potentially greater value ($1,150 vs. $400) but requires significant Dell spending to maximize. This change took effect in July 2025, ahead of the broader card refresh.
How has the Pay with Points redemption option changed?
Previously, Business Platinum cardholders received a 35% points rebate (up to 1 million points back per year) when using Pay with Points for any airline in first or business class through Amex Travel. Now, the 35% rebate applies only to tickets with your selected U.S. airline—the same one you choose for your $200 airline fee credit. There is a workaround: codeshare flights marketed by your selected airline (for example, a Virgin Atlantic flight marketed by Delta Air Lines) will still qualify for the 35% rebate, as long as you book through American Express Travel.
