Editorial take: Blue Business Plus from Amex
The silent workhorse of the Amex MR ecosystem. 2x on everything up to $50k/year with no annual fee. Pair it with the Platinum or Gold to unlock transfers, and you have a powerful everyday earner.
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Side-by-side
Blue Business Plus from Amex vs The Platinum Card from Amex
Both are well-respected travel cards. The Blue Business Plus from Amex comes from American Express at $0/yr; the The Platinum Card from Amex from American Express at $695/yr. Below: side-by-side specs, an opinionated verdict, and the FAQs people actually ask before applying.
Bottom line
For most people the The Platinum Card from Amex is the stronger pick today — the sign-up bonus is meaningfully larger ($1,300 more in estimated value) than the Blue Business Plus from Amex's. Get the The Platinum Card from Amex first; revisit the Blue Business Plus from Amex after you've earned that bonus.
| Feature | Blue Business Plus from Amex | The Platinum Card from Amex |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | $0 | $695 |
| Sign-up bonus | 15,000 points | 80,000 points |
| Bonus value (est.) | $300 | $1,600 |
| Min spend to unlock bonus | $3,000 in 3 mo | $8,000 in 6 mo |
| Issuer | American Express | American Express |
| Card category | business | travel |
| Best earning category (All_purchases) | 2x | 1x |
| Transfer partners | amex-mr | amex-mr |
| Headline benefits |
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Read the full review
Blue Business Plus from Amex
$0/yr · 15,000 points
Read the full review
The Platinum Card from Amex
$695/yr · 80,000 points
Editorial take: The Platinum Card from Amex
The granddaddy of premium cards with Centurion Lounge access, hotel elite status, and a mountain of credits. The $695 fee stings, but if you use even half the credits, you come out ahead.
Common questions
- Which card has the bigger sign-up bonus, Blue Business Plus from Amex or The Platinum Card from Amex?
- The The Platinum Card from Amex has the bigger bonus — 80,000 points, worth roughly $1,600, versus 15,000 points (~$300) on the Blue Business Plus from Amex.
- Is the Blue Business Plus from Amex's $0 annual fee worth it compared to the The Platinum Card from Amex?
- The Blue Business Plus from Amex has no annual fee, so the question is whether the The Platinum Card from Amex's $695 fee is justified by its perks. If you'll use enough of the The Platinum Card from Amex's benefits to clear $695 in value annually, it's worth it; otherwise stick with the Blue Business Plus from Amex.
- Can I have both the Blue Business Plus from Amex and The Platinum Card from Amex?
- Yes, though both are issued by American Express so the same issuer-specific application rules apply (Chase 5/24 if applicable, Amex once-per-lifetime bonus, etc.). Many points enthusiasts hold both — they pair well when one earns flexible bank points and the other earns a different currency.
- Should I get the Blue Business Plus from Amex or the The Platinum Card from Amex first?
- Get the one whose sign-up bonus you can hit comfortably without overspending. Blue Business Plus from Amex: $3,000 spend in 3 months. The Platinum Card from Amex: $8,000 in 6 months. Pick the easier minimum spend if you're new to points; pick the larger bonus if you have planned big purchases coming up.
Card details on this page reflect the most recent data we've verified against the issuer's own site. Sign-up bonuses and fees can change at any time — confirm the current offer on the issuer's page before applying.