Given the fluidity of points and miles programs, we often advise diversifying the types of travel rewards you earn. However, sometimes it makes sense to focus on a specific rewards program, especially if the points can be transferred to multiple airlines and hotels. One such program is American Express Membership Rewards.
Now is a great time to build a reserve of Membership Rewards points with The Business Platinum Card® from American Express and the American Express® Gold Card. Both cards are currently offering exceptional introductory welcome offers, making it worthwhile to consider applying for one or both.
Pairing the Amex Business Platinum and Amex Gold cards could be the best Amex card duo available, thanks to their complementary earning structures and benefits packages. Here’s why you might want to keep both in your wallet.
Two Cards, Two Bonuses
Let’s address the elephant in the room: both cards have high annual fees. The Amex Business Platinum charges $695 annually (see rates and fees), while the Amex Gold charges $250 annually (see rates and fees). That totals $945 in fees each year. However, these fees can be offset by the cards’ lucrative introductory offers, some of the best available.
- Amex Business Platinum: Earn 150,000 bonus points by spending $20,000 on purchases in the first three months of card membership.
- Amex Gold: Earn 60,000 bonus points by spending $6,000 in the first six months of card membership.
By meeting these requirements, you’d be looking at a total of at least 210,000 Amex Membership Rewards points, which TPG values at 2 cents apiece, making them worth $4,200 – though potentially much more, depending on how you redeem them.
Professional Benefits
Having both a personal and business card can help you separate work and personal expenses. Using a business card for higher, work-related spending can keep that activity off your personal credit report, potentially raising your personal credit score by lowering your debt-to-credit utilization ratio.
- Business-Related Statement Credits: The Amex Business Platinum offers business-related statement credits and special earning rates.
- Everyday Spending: Designate the Amex Gold Card for everyday expenses like groceries and dining.
Earning Overdrive
One of the biggest advantages of having both the Amex Business Platinum and the Amex Gold Card is the ability to maximize your everyday spending through their bonus-earning opportunities.
Amex Gold Card
- 4 points per dollar on dining at restaurants and groceries at U.S. supermarkets (up to $25,000 a year, then 1 point per dollar)
- 3 points per dollar on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com
Amex Business Platinum
- 5 points per dollar on flights and prepaid hotels on amextravel.com
- 1.5 points per dollar on eligible purchases in the following areas (up to $2 million per calendar year total; 1 point thereafter):
- U.S. construction material and hardware suppliers
- Electronic goods retailers and software & cloud system providers
- Shipping providers
- On each eligible purchase of $5,000 or more everywhere else
Stretch Your Points Further
Amex has a Pay with Points feature, where you can redeem Membership Rewards for reservations made directly through Amex Travel. You get 1 cent per point toward flights and less for other types of bookings, such as hotel stays. However, Amex Business Platinum cardmembers receive a 35% bonus using Pay with Points in two circumstances:
- For a first- or business-class ticket on any airline
- For a ticket in any cabin on the same airline they designate for their annual up to $200 airline fee credit
Statement Credits Galore
Carrying both the Amex Business Platinum and the Amex Gold Card allows you to stack their various statement credits.
Amex Gold Card
- Up to $10 per month in Uber credits toward rides or Uber Eats orders in the U.S.
- Up to $10 per month in dining credits
- $100 on-site credit for qualifying activities when booking The Hotel Collection for two nights or more
Amex Business Platinum
- Up to $400 per year in statement credits toward Dell purchases (up to $200 semi-annually)
- Up to $360 per year with Indeed (up to $90 per quarter)
- Up to $150 per year with Adobe (subject to auto-renewal)
- Up to $120 toward U.S. wireless phone bills (up to $10 per month)
- Up to $200 in annual airline incidental fee credits
- Up to $189 annually in statement credits for a Clear Plus membership
- Up to $100 toward Global Entry or TSA PreCheck periodically
Maximizing all these statement credits from both cards in the first year can yield almost $2,000 in potential value. None of these credits overlap, so you don’t sacrifice any benefits by carrying both cards.
Additional Benefits
While the Amex Gold Card is short on some perks, the Amex Business Platinum includes many more benefits:
- Airport Lounge Access: Amex Centurion Lounges, Delta Sky Clubs, and Priority Pass lounges.
- Gold Elite Status with both Marriott and Hilton.
- Elite Status with various rental car agencies.
- International Airline Program discounts for premium cabins.
Final Thoughts
Pairing the Amex Business Platinum and Amex Gold cards can offer a comprehensive and rewarding experience for both personal and business spending. With substantial welcome bonuses, extensive earning opportunities, and numerous statement credits, these cards provide significant value, making them a powerful duo in any wallet.
