The Business Platinum Card® from American Express is getting its biggest update ever. The annual fee is increasing from $695 to $895, a $200 jump. But cardholders will now enjoy several new benefits. The most notable addition is a $600 annual hotel credit for Amex Fine Hotels & Resorts or The Hotel Collection bookings (stays of at least one night for Fine Hotels & Resorts, and at least two nights for The Hotel Collection). This credit is split into two $300 chunks – one for January through June and another for July through December. For existing cardmembers, these new perks start right away, but the higher annual fee won’t kick in until their first renewal after December 2, 2025.

Other improvements include better rewards on business purchases. The card now offers 2X points (up from 1.5X) on purchases of $5,000 or more and on spending with U.S. cloud services, software providers, construction materials, hardware suppliers, electronics retailers, and shipping companies. This bonus applies to up to $2 million in spending per year. Big spenders who hit $250,000 in annual card purchases can earn up to $3,600 in statement credits toward American Express Travel flights and One AP monthly fees. Cardholders will also now receive Leaders Club Sterling status with Leading Hotels of the World.

Our Take

Our team believes these changes offer good value for most business owners, despite the fee increase. The $600 hotel credit alone can offset the higher annual fee for those who would naturally use it. The improved rewards rate on key business purchases also adds meaningful value for companies with significant spending in those categories.

While these updates improve the card’s overall value, keeping track of all the different credits and benefits requires effort. The changes to the personal version of this card, The Platinum Card® from American Express, seem more broadly useful with the addition of $400 in Resy dining credits. For business owners who can take advantage of the hotel credits and enhanced earning rates, the Business Platinum remains a strong option. However, those who don’t naturally spend in these categories may find the higher annual fee harder to justify.