Chase Ink Business Preferred vs. Amex Business Platinum compared
- Chase Ink Preferred vs. Amex Business Platinum at a glance
- Chase Ink Preferred vs. Amex Business Platinum welcome bonus
- Earning rewards on the Ink Business Preferred vs. Amex Platinum
- Redemption options for the Ink Preferred vs. Amex Business Platinum
- Ink Business Preferred vs. Amex Business Platinum rates and fees
- Ink Business Preferred vs. Amex Business Platinum benefits
- Should you get the Chase Ink Business Preferred or the Amex Business Platinum?
- Spend smarter with the Ramp business credit card
The Chase Ink Business Preferred is a $95/year card built for earning points on everyday business expenses. The Amex Business Platinum is a premium charge card designed for frequent business travelers with lounge access, elite hotel status, and statement credits.
Both cards earn rewards on business purchases and travel, but they differ significantly in annual fee, earning structure, and perks.
Chase Ink Preferred vs. Amex Business Platinum at a glance
The biggest difference comes down to cost and focus. The Ink Preferred keeps things simple with a low annual fee and strong category bonuses. The Amex Business Platinum charges a premium but delivers travel perks and statement credits that can offset the cost for heavy spenders.
| Feature | Chase Ink Business Preferred | Amex Business Platinum |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | $95 | $895 |
| Primary focus | Earning points on advertising, shipping, and travel | Premium travel perks and airport lounge access |
| Employee cards | $0 | $400 per card |
| Welcome bonus | 100,000 points after $8,000 in 3 months | As high as 300,000 points after $20,000 in 3 months |
| Top earning rate | 3X on travel, shipping, advertising, internet/cable/phone | 5X on flights and prepaid hotels via Amex Travel |
| Lounge access | No | Yes: Centurion, Priority Pass, Delta Sky Clubs |
Whether the Amex Business Platinum vs. Chase Ink Preferred is the right pick depends on how much you travel, where you spend the most, and whether you'll actually use premium perks to justify the higher fee.
Chase Ink Preferred vs. Amex Business Platinum welcome bonus
When comparing the Amex Business Platinum vs. the Chase Ink Business Preferred, the most notable difference is their welcome bonus offers:
| Chase Ink Business Preferred | American Express Business Platinum |
|---|---|
| Earn 100,000 bonus points after spending $8,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening | Welcome bonus of as high as 300,000 points after spending $20,000 on purchases in the first 3 months |
The Amex Business Platinum offers a higher welcome bonus, but it also requires you to spend 2.5x more than the Chase Ink Business in the first 3 months. Smaller or newer businesses may find the Chase bonus is easier to qualify for.
While welcome offers are an important consideration when choosing a card, make sure the card's rewards structure, rates, fees, and benefits match your actual spending.
Earning rewards on the Ink Business Preferred vs. Amex Platinum
Both cards earn rewards, but how and where you earn points varies significantly. Your ideal match depends on the categories you typically spend in and the spending cap you're comfortable with.
Chase Ink Business Preferred earning rates
Earn 3x points on the first $150,000 spent in combined category purchases each account anniversary year (then 1x points). Categories include:
- Shipping purchases
- Advertising purchases with social media sites and search engines
- Internet, cable, and phone services
- Travel
You also earn unlimited 1x points on all other purchases.
Amex Business Platinum earning rates
Earn 5x points on flights and prepaid hotels booked on AmexTravel.com. Earn 2x points on eligible purchases in key business categories, or on purchases of $5,000 or more, up to $2 million per calendar year. Categories include:
- Construction material and hardware suppliers
- U.S. electronic goods retailers and software and cloud system providers
- U.S. shipping providers
- Eligible purchases of $5,000 or more
You also earn unlimited 1x points on all other eligible purchases.
For context, Chase Ultimate Rewards points are worth approximately 2 cents each when you transfer them to travel partners. Amex Membership Rewards points hold similar value through transfer partners.
If business travel is one of your key business expense categories, the Amex Business Platinum card offers more points per dollar. However, you're limited to booking flights directly with airlines or through Amex's travel portal to earn the 5x points on travel.
The Chase Ink Business Preferred earns a higher 3x points on select business categories. And despite the lower travel rewards rate, there aren't any booking requirements to earn points.
If you spend heavily, the Chase card has a $150,000 annual spending cap on category purchases. The Amex card has a $2 million annual spending cap on business purchases and has no cap on travel rewards.
Make sure the eligible business categories offered by both cards fit your business spending needs. If your spending is less targeted and more sporadic, consider a flat-rate cashback business credit card that earns 1.5x or 2x cashback rewards on all purchases. When you compare Chase business credit cards side by side, the earning structure is often the deciding factor.
Redemption options for the Ink Preferred vs. Amex Business Platinum
With the Chase Ink Business Preferred, you can redeem points for:
- Cashback as a statement credit or direct deposit
- Gift cards
- Apple purchases through Chase Ultimate Rewards
- Travel through Chase Travel
Alternatively, you can transfer points to one of 14 Chase travel partners for potentially even greater value.
The Amex Business Platinum lets you redeem points for direct deposit, a statement credit to cover past purchases, gift cards, shopping with select brands, or travel. You can also transfer points to one of 17 Amex transfer partners.
Note that the Amex Business Platinum also gives you 35% of your points back when you use them to book an eligible flight through Amex Travel (up to 1 million points back per calendar year).
Transfer partner comparison
If you plan to transfer your points to a travel partner for potentially higher value, it's worth looking at which airlines and hotels each card issuer partners with. Here's a closer look at the travel transfer partners available through Chase Ultimate Rewards and American Express Membership Rewards:
Chase Ink Business Preferred—Airlines
- Aer Lingus AerClub
- British Airways Club
- Emirates Skywards
- Air France-KLM Flying Blue
- Iberia Club
- JetBlue TrueBlue
- Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer
- Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards
- United MileagePlus
- Virgin Atlantic Flying Club
- Air Canada Aeroplan
Amex Business Platinum—Airlines
- British Airways Club
- Cathay
- Delta SkyMiles
- Emirates Skywards
- Etihad Guest
- Air France-KLM Flying Blue
- Iberia Club
- Qantas Frequent Flyer
- Qatar Airways Privilege Club
- Scandinavian Airlines SAS EuroBonus
- Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer
- Virgin Atlantic Flying Club
Chase Ink Business Preferred—Hotels
- IHG One Rewards
- Marriott Bonvoy
- World of Hyatt
Amex Business Platinum—Hotels
- Hilton Honors
- Marriott Bonvoy
- Radisson Rewards
Ink Business Preferred vs. Amex Business Platinum rates and fees
The annual fee gap between these cards is significant, and the rest of the rates and fees follow a similar pattern:
| Chase Ink Business Preferred | American Express Business Platinum | |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | $95 | $895 |
| Intro APR | None | None |
| Standard annual percentage rate (APR) | 20.24%–26.24% variable | 18.49%–29.24% variable with Pay Over Time |
| Foreign transaction fees | None | None |
Though the American Express Business Platinum charges $800 more per year, it does offer a much wider range of benefits, covered in detail below.
Neither card charges foreign transaction fees on purchases made outside the US, and both have fairly similar variable APR ranges. As long as you pay your credit card bill on time, you won't have to worry about incurring interest on your balance.
Ink Business Preferred vs. Amex Business Platinum benefits
Both cards offer benefits geared toward business travel, software subscriptions, and employee management. The Chase Ink Business Preferred focuses on practical protections like trip insurance, rental coverage, and cell phone protection. The Amex Business Platinum layers on premium perks like airport lounge access, hotel elite status, and over $1,300 in annual statement credits.
Chase Ink Business Preferred benefits
By opting for the Chase Ink Business Preferred card, you get access to the following benefits:
Travel benefits
- Trip cancellation and interruption insurance: Get insured up to $5,000 per person and $10,000 per trip in the case of sickness, severe weather, and more
- Roadside assistance: Call the service provider for everything from a tow to a tire change; note that roadside service fees will be billed to your card
- Auto rental coverage: Get primary coverage for theft and collision damage when renting a car for business purposes, with reimbursement up to $60,000
Business-specific benefits
- Free employee cards: Get employee credit cards at no additional cost and set individual spending limits
Additional benefits
- Cell phone protection: Receive up to $1,000 per claim in protection against theft or damage for you and your employees when you pay the phone bill with your Chase Ink Business Preferred credit card
- Purchase protection: New purchases made with your card are covered for 120 days against damage or theft up to $10,000 per item
- Extend your warranty protection: Extend eligible U.S. warranties of three years or less by an additional year
American Express Business Platinum benefits
The Business Platinum Card from American Express more than makes up for its annual fee with additional benefits like:
Travel benefits
- Airport lounge access: Enjoy complimentary access to more than 1,400 airport lounges across 140 countries through the American Express Global Lounge Collection
- Airline fee credit: Get up to $200 in statement credits per year when your chosen airline charges incidental fees, such as checked bags and in-flight refreshments
- CLEAR Plus credit: Cover the cost of a CLEAR Plus Membership with up to $209 in statement credits per calendar year
- Global Entry or TSA PreCheck credit: Receive either a statement credit every 4 years after you apply for Global Entry ($120) or a statement credit every 4.5 years after you apply for a 5-year membership for TSA PreCheck ($85)
- Complimentary elite status: Enjoy Hilton Honors Gold status and Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status without meeting any stay requirements, plus premium status for a number of car rental programs
- Fine Hotels and Resorts perks: Receive exclusive benefits at Amex partner hotels, such as daily breakfast for two and 4 p.m. checkout, averaging a total value of $550 in perks when you book through American Express Travel
- Hotel credit: Get up to $300 in statement credits semi-annually (up to $600 per calendar year) for prepaid stays booked through Fine Hotels + Resorts or The Hotel Collection via American Express Travel (minimum two-night stay required for The Hotel Collection)
- Hilton statement credit: Get up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year for eligible purchases in the Hilton portfolio
- Trip cancellation and interruption insurance: Purchase round-trip travel with a common carrier with your card to get covered for cancellations or interruptions
- Trip delay insurance: Get reimbursed for up to $500 per trip with a maximum of two claims per 12-month period if you experience a round-trip delay of more than 6 hours
- Car rental loss and damage insurance: Pay with your card to get secondary coverage against damage or theft for your rental car
- Baggage insurance: Get up to $3,000 in coverage for checked and carry-on baggage that's lost, damaged, or stolen
Business-specific benefits
- Wireless credit: Get up to $120 back per year for purchases with U.S. wireless telephone service providers (up to $10 per month)
- Dell Technologies credit: Enjoy up to $150 in statement credits on U.S. purchases with Dell Technologies, plus an additional $1,000 credit after you spend $5,000 or more per calendar year
- Indeed credit: Get up to $360 back (up to $90 quarterly) for purchases with Indeed
- Adobe credit: Enroll and get up to $250 back after spending $600 or more per calendar year on U.S. purchases with Adobe
- Free employee cards: Get employee cards for no additional annual fee, with the ability to set spending limits
Additional benefits
- Cell phone protection: Get reimbursed for the lesser of your repair or replacement costs for your mobile following damage or theft for a maximum of $800 per claim (up to two claims per 12-month period)
- Extended warranty coverage: Enjoy an additional year of warranty coverage for warranties of 5 years or less on covered purchases in the U.S.
- Purchase protection: Get 90-day purchase protection for items purchased with your card
- Dispute Resolution: Amex can help you resolve fraudulent or incorrect charges on your credit card statement
If you use every available credit, the Amex Business Platinum's annual credits total approximately $1,960+ (Dell $150, Indeed $360, Adobe $250, wireless $120, airline $200, CLEAR $209, Hilton $200, hotel $600). Note that the Dell credit can reach up to $1,150 if you spend $5,000 or more with Dell in a calendar year, and the Adobe credit requires a minimum $600 in Adobe purchases.
Should you get the Chase Ink Business Preferred or the Amex Business Platinum?
If you're a high spender or frequent traveler, the Amex Business Platinum should be your top pick. This card is designed for business owners who frequently travel and spend heavily across various business categories. While the $895 annual fee is steep, the statement credits, elite status perks, and travel insurance can outweigh the cost.
On the other hand, if you want substantial everyday rewards value without paying for premium perks you won't use, the Chase Ink Business Preferred is the best option. It's ideal for small to midsize businesses with steady expenses across core operational categories and charges a reasonable $95 annual fee without sacrificing useful benefits.
Spend smarter with the Ramp business credit card
While the Chase Ink Business Preferred and Amex Business Platinum offer valuable rewards for business spending, both cards incentivize spending to maximize points. If your goal is to save time and money to get the most out of every dollar, Ramp offers a different approach.
The Ramp Business Credit Card lets you set granular spend controls by vendor or category, automatically flag out-of-policy charges, and issue unlimited physical or virtual cards with custom limits for different teams. Plus, there's no personal credit check or personal guarantee required for approval.
You'll also gain access to over $350,000 in partner discounts across accounting tools, travel services, and more while saving an average of 5% a year across all spending. If you're looking for a small business card that prioritizes savings and control, Ramp may be a better fit than traditional points-based credit cards.
Try an interactive demo.
The information provided in this article has not been officially confirmed by Chase or American Express and is subject to change.
FAQs
The Amex Business Platinum offers more premium travel benefits, including airport lounge access, airline fee credits, hotel elite status, and travel insurance. The Chase Ink Business Preferred provides solid travel rewards at a lower annual fee but lacks lounge access and elite status perks.
You'll need a good to excellent credit score (FICO 670+) for approval, with scores of 740+ having the best chances. Note Chase's unofficial 5/24 rule: if you've opened five or more personal credit cards from any issuer in the past 24 months, your application may be denied.
The Amex Business Platinum requires a good to excellent credit score and strong business revenue due to its premium status. The higher your credit score, the better your chances of approval.
Yes, many business owners carry multiple cards to maximize rewards across different spending categories. Wait at least six months between applications to avoid triggering a denial.
This article compares the Ink Preferred, not the Ink Premier. The Ink Premier is a separate card with a flat 2.5% cashback structure and no transfer partners, while the Ink Preferred earns transferable Ultimate Rewards points with bonus categories.
Yes, many business owners carry both to maximize different bonus categories. Use the Ink Preferred for advertising, shipping, and telecom expenses (3X points) and the Amex Platinum for flights and hotel bookings (5X points) plus lounge access.
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