One of the benefits that the American Express Business Platinum offers is 35% points back on any business class airfare and economy class on your selected airline when using pay with points. You can receive a total of 500,000 rebated points per calendar year. Previously there was no cap and you actually received 50% back in points, but that was negatively changed in June 2017. American Express has sent out an e-mail to cardholders offering the following deal:
- Spend $1,000,000 in 2018 and get up to 1,000,000 back in points for 2019
- Spend $3,000,000 in 2018 and get up to 3,000,000 back in points for 2019
I don’t think most people should be spending anywhere near that much on this card. The base earning rate is 1 Membership Rewards point per $1 spent, although purchases over $5,000 do earn 1.5x membership rewards points and travel through amextravel.com does earn 5x Membership Rewards points per $1 spent so there probably are some cardholders that this increase could be useful for. Somehow I doubt those cardholders are also reading this blog though.
Hat tip to Mark & Austin
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Actually, lots of business owners put large amounts of business spending on credit cards while still trying to maximize their rewards earnings. Large spend doesn't necessarily equal large profit margins, and squeezing side income like credit card points on those purchases can make all the difference. Think about the exponential benefit of earning an extra point per dollar when you're doing millions annually. I think you're underestimating your reach, Doc.
For sure, unfortunately this isn't an extra point per $1 spent :( it just increases the points back cap. That comment was a bit tongue in cheek but appreciate the supprot!
i want to see DP of people who MS huge amounts that got this offer vs legit biz spend. why? i wanna see what the dirty nasty RATs are thinking...
No RATs involved. Amex wants to lure spend away from VISA/MC over to them. Increasing the cap on the 35% bonus is a pretty inexpensive way to do it.
"Somehow I doubt those cardholders are also reading this blog though"
@Doc, please don't under estimate your Blog!
Thanks!
lol
Oh, damn. I read this as get 1M extra bonus points for spending $1M. This is much less interesting than it originally read as
Count me as one of those
Yup, few people thought the same.
This card doesn't earn 5x booking directly with the airlines. Personal version does.
Yes it does.
Update: I am wrong, read below.
My direct airline purchases only got 1x, I just checked.
I too was under the impression that this doesn’t earn 5x directly with the airlines.
If it does, that’s great news! But it’s also not what the card’s fine print says...
Hmm, think you're right. It's 5x on airlines but you still have to go through amextravel. Updated post.
No, it doesn't.
https://www.americanexpress.com/us/credit-cards/card-application/apply/prospect/terms/business-platinum-charge-card/45094-9-0?key=tncBody&rwdFlag=rwd#offer-terms
My bad, it does earn 5x for airlines but you still have to book through amextravel. Just updated the post.
It does, it has same earn rate as personal platinum, the only one doesnt is corporate platinum with 395 af iirc
"Negatively changed in June 2018"
I think you meant 2017
Sure did, thanks!
Ugh I guess I have to spend 3 mil now...