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Side-by-side

The Business Platinum Card from Amex vs American Express Schwab Investor Card

Both are well-respected travel cards. The The Business Platinum Card from Amex comes from American Express at $895/yr; the American Express Schwab Investor Card from American Express at $0/yr. Below: side-by-side specs, an opinionated verdict, and the FAQs people actually ask before applying.

Bottom line

For most people the The Business Platinum Card from Amex is the stronger pick today, the sign-up bonus is meaningfully larger ($2,590 more in estimated value) than the American Express Schwab Investor Card's. Get the The Business Platinum Card from Amex first; revisit the American Express Schwab Investor Card after you've earned that bonus.

FeatureThe Business Platinum Card from AmexAmerican Express Schwab Investor Card
Annual fee$895$0
Sign-up bonus150,000 Membership Rewards points10,000 Membership Rewards points
Bonus value (est.)$2,700$110
Min spend to unlock bonus$20,000 in 3 mo$1,000 in 6 mo
IssuerAmerican ExpressAmerican Express
Card categorybusinesstravel
Best earning category (Flights_hotels_amextravel)5x1x
Transfer partnersamex-mramex-mr
Headline benefits
  • 150k MR bonus
  • $910 in shopping credits
  • Centurion lounge access
  • 35% flight rebate
  • 1.5X MR on everything
  • $0 annual fee
  • 1.0c/pt Invest with Rewards
  • Full MR transfer partners
Read the full review
The Business Platinum Card from Amex
$895/yr · 150,000 Membership Rewards points
Read the full review
American Express Schwab Investor Card
$0/yr · 10,000 Membership Rewards points

Editorial take: The Business Platinum Card from Amex

Only worth it if you'll actually use the Dell, Indeed, and Adobe credits, they total $910 per year but require repeat spending at each vendor. If you do, this is the most credit-rich card on the market.

Editorial take: American Express Schwab Investor Card

The hidden gem of the Amex MR lineup for Schwab brokerage customers. Flat 1.5X MR with $0 annual fee, full transfer-partner access, AND a 1.0 cents-per-point cash-into-brokerage redemption guarantees you can always extract real cash. The catch: you need a Schwab brokerage account to apply.

Common questions

Which card has the bigger sign-up bonus, The Business Platinum Card from Amex or American Express Schwab Investor Card?
The The Business Platinum Card from Amex has the bigger bonus, 150,000 Membership Rewards points, worth roughly $2,700, versus 10,000 Membership Rewards points (~$110) on the American Express Schwab Investor Card.
Is the The Business Platinum Card from Amex's $895 annual fee worth it compared to the American Express Schwab Investor Card?
Premium cards like the The Business Platinum Card from Amex ($895/yr) earn their fee through credits, travel, dining, lounge access, statement reimbursements. If you'd actively use $895+ of those credits, the math works. The American Express Schwab Investor Card at $0/yr trades some perks for a lower commitment.
Can I have both the The Business Platinum Card from Amex and American Express Schwab Investor Card?
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 The Business Platinum Card from Amex or the American Express Schwab Investor Card first?
Get the one whose sign-up bonus you can hit comfortably without overspending. The Business Platinum Card from Amex: $20,000 spend in 3 months. American Express Schwab Investor Card: $1,000 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.