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American Express Graphite Business Cash Unlimited vs The Platinum Card from Amex
Both are well-respected travel cards. The American Express Graphite Business Cash Unlimited comes from American Express at $295/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 ($2,000 more in estimated value) than the American Express Graphite Business Cash Unlimited's. Get the The Platinum Card from Amex first; revisit the American Express Graphite Business Cash Unlimited after you've earned that bonus.
| Feature | American Express Graphite Business Cash Unlimited | The Platinum Card from Amex |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | $295 | $895 |
| Sign-up bonus | $1,500 cash back | 175,000 points |
| Bonus value (est.) | $1,500 | $3,500 |
| Min spend to unlock bonus | $50,000 in 6 mo | $12,000 in 6 mo |
| Issuer | American Express | American Express |
| Card category | business | travel |
| Best earning category (Amex_travel_flights_prepaid_hotels) | 5x | 1x |
| Transfer partners | None | amex-mr |
| Headline benefits |
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Read the full review
American Express Graphite Business Cash Unlimited
$295/yr · $1,500 cash back
Read the full review
The Platinum Card from Amex
$895/yr · 175,000 points
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, American Express Graphite Business Cash Unlimited or The Platinum Card from Amex?
- The The Platinum Card from Amex has the bigger bonus, 175,000 points, worth roughly $3,500, versus $1,500 cash back (~$1,500) on the American Express Graphite Business Cash Unlimited.
- Is the American Express Graphite Business Cash Unlimited's $295 annual fee worth it compared to the The Platinum Card from Amex?
- At $295/yr, the American Express Graphite Business Cash Unlimited is in the mid-fee tier. Compare its specific perks (lounge access, travel credits, primary rental insurance) to the The Platinum Card from Amex's, pick the one whose perks you'll actually use.
- Can I have both the American Express Graphite Business Cash Unlimited 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 American Express Graphite Business Cash Unlimited or the The Platinum Card from Amex first?
- Get the one whose sign-up bonus you can hit comfortably without overspending. American Express Graphite Business Cash Unlimited: $50,000 spend in 6 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.