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.
All credit cards
Side-by-side
The Platinum Card from Amex vs United Club Business Card
Both are well-respected travel cards. The The Platinum Card from Amex comes from American Express at $895/yr; the United Club Business Card from Chase at $695/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 United Club Business Card's. Get the The Platinum Card from Amex first; revisit the United Club Business Card after you've earned that bonus.
| Feature | The Platinum Card from Amex | United Club Business Card |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | $895 | $695 |
| Sign-up bonus | 175,000 points | 100,000 miles + 2,000 PQP |
| Bonus value (est.) | $3,500 | $1,500 |
| Min spend to unlock bonus | $12,000 in 6 mo | $5,000 in 3 mo |
| Issuer | American Express | Chase |
| Card category | travel | business |
| Best earning category (Flights) | 5x | 1x |
| Transfer partners | amex-mr | None |
| Headline benefits |
|
|
Read the full review
The Platinum Card from Amex
$895/yr · 175,000 points
Read the full review
United Club Business Card
$695/yr · 100,000 miles + 2,000 PQP
Editorial take: United Club Business Card
Pure United Club access card. Cash equivalent of the lounge membership is $750+/year, so the $695 fee makes sense if you're at United hubs frequently. The 1.5x base earning is the highest catch-all rate among premium business cards.
Common questions
- Which card has the bigger sign-up bonus, The Platinum Card from Amex or United Club Business Card?
- The The Platinum Card from Amex has the bigger bonus, 175,000 points, worth roughly $3,500, versus 100,000 miles + 2,000 PQP (~$1,500) on the United Club Business Card.
- Is the The Platinum Card from Amex's $895 annual fee worth it compared to the United Club Business Card?
- Premium cards like the The 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 United Club Business Card at $695/yr trades some perks for a lower commitment.
- Can I have both the The Platinum Card from Amex and United Club Business Card?
- Yes, since they're from different issuers (American Express and Chase) 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 Platinum Card from Amex or the United Club Business Card first?
- Get the one whose sign-up bonus you can hit comfortably without overspending. The Platinum Card from Amex: $12,000 spend in 6 months. United Club Business Card: $5,000 in 3 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.