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Side-by-side

Blue Business Cash Card from American Express vs The Platinum Card from Amex

Both are well-respected travel cards. The Blue Business Cash Card from American Express comes from American Express at $0/yr; the The Platinum Card from Amex from American Express at $895/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 ($3,250 more in estimated value) than the Blue Business Cash Card from American Express's. Get the The Platinum Card from Amex first; revisit the Blue Business Cash Card from American Express after you've earned that bonus.

FeatureBlue Business Cash Card from American ExpressThe Platinum Card from Amex
Annual fee$0$895
Sign-up bonus$250 statement credit175,000 points
Bonus value (est.)$250$3,500
Min spend to unlock bonus$3,000 in 3 mo$12,000 in 6 mo
IssuerAmerican ExpressAmerican Express
Card categorybusinesstravel
Best earning category (All_purchases_first_50k_per_year)2x1x
Transfer partnersNoneamex-mr
Headline benefits
  • 2% cash back up to $50K/yr
  • $0 annual fee
  • 0% intro APR 12 months
  • Auto-credited to statement
  • Centurion Lounge access
  • $200 airline fee credit
  • $200 hotel credit
  • $200 Uber Cash
Read the full review
Blue Business Cash Card from American Express
$0/yr · $250 statement credit
Read the full review
The Platinum Card from Amex
$895/yr · 175,000 points

Editorial take: Blue Business Cash Card from American Express

The cash-back twin of the Blue Business Plus. Same 2% catch-all up to $50K/year, but you get automatic statement credit instead of Membership Rewards points. Simpler for businesses that don't want to manage a points balance; less ceiling than the Plus for transfer-partner redemptions.

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 $895 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 Cash Card from American Express or The Platinum Card from Amex?
The The Platinum Card from Amex has the bigger bonus, 175,000 points, worth roughly $3,500, versus $250 statement credit (~$250) on the Blue Business Cash Card from American Express.
Is the Blue Business Cash Card from American Express's $0 annual fee worth it compared to the The Platinum Card from Amex?
The Blue Business Cash Card from American Express has no annual fee, so the question is whether the The Platinum Card from Amex's $895 fee is justified by its perks. If you'll use enough of the The Platinum Card from Amex's benefits to clear $895 in value annually, it's worth it; otherwise stick with the Blue Business Cash Card from American Express.
Can I have both the Blue Business Cash Card from American Express 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 Cash Card from American Express or the The Platinum Card from Amex first?
Get the one whose sign-up bonus you can hit comfortably without overspending. Blue Business Cash Card from American Express: $3,000 spend in 3 months. The Platinum Card from Amex: $12,000 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.