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Side-by-side

The Business Platinum Card from Amex vs Discover it Cash Back

Both are well-respected travel cards. The The Business Platinum Card from Amex comes from American Express at $895/yr; the Discover it Cash Back from Discover 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 ($2,500 more in estimated value) than the Discover it Cash Back's. Get the The Business Platinum Card from Amex first; revisit the Discover it Cash Back after you've earned that bonus.

FeatureThe Business Platinum Card from AmexDiscover it Cash Back
Annual fee$895$0
Sign-up bonus150,000 Membership Rewards pointsCashback Match (first year, unlimited)
Bonus value (est.)$2,700$200
Min spend to unlock bonus$20,000 in 3 mo$0 in 12 mo
IssuerAmerican ExpressDiscover
Card categorybusinesscashback
Best earning category (Flights_hotels_amextravel)5x1x
Transfer partnersamex-mrNone
Headline benefits
  • 150k MR bonus
  • $910 in shopping credits
  • Centurion lounge access
  • 35% flight rebate
  • 5% rotating categories
  • First-year match
  • No annual fee
  • No foreign tx fees
Read the full review
The Business Platinum Card from Amex
$895/yr · 150,000 Membership Rewards points
Read the full review
Discover it Cash Back
$0/yr · Cashback Match (first year, unlimited)

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: Discover it Cash Back

The first-year Cashback Match effectively doubles your earnings, someone who earns $300 in cash back gets $600 total. It's the best no-fee first card for building credit with real rewards.

Common questions

Which card has the bigger sign-up bonus, The Business Platinum Card from Amex or Discover it Cash Back?
The The Business Platinum Card from Amex has the bigger bonus, 150,000 Membership Rewards points, worth roughly $2,700, versus Cashback Match (first year, unlimited) (~$200) on the Discover it Cash Back.
Is the The Business Platinum Card from Amex's $895 annual fee worth it compared to the Discover it Cash Back?
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 Discover it Cash Back at $0/yr trades some perks for a lower commitment.
Can I have both the The Business Platinum Card from Amex and Discover it Cash Back?
Yes, since they're from different issuers (American Express and Discover) the application rules don't conflict. 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 Discover it Cash Back 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. Discover it Cash Back: $0 in 12 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.