Changes to American Express Business Platinum Card Points Bonus

Starting September 18th, American Express is making significant adjustments to its Business Platinum Card® by altering the 35% points bonus, which has been a favored feature among cardholders.

Previously, this bonus applied to first and business class tickets booked on select airlines, as well as tickets in a specified cabin with airline credits of up to $200 (conditions apply). This feature enabled users to reclaim 35% of the points they used, allowing them to earn up to one million points per year.

This has been one of the most appealing aspects for those considering the Amex Business Platinum. However, these changes indicate a considerable devaluation of this perk. Let’s dive into the details.

Amex Business Platinum Points Bonus Adjustment

After September 18th, the 35% points bonus will only be applicable for airfare booked through Amex Travel with selected airline credits (conditions apply), regardless of the fare class. Amex noted:

Starting on September 18, 2025, eligible flights will exclude first and business class tickets booked on non-qualifying carriers.

The list of qualified airlines now consists mainly of domestic airlines. For many Amex cardholders, the 35% bonus was a straightforward way to rack up points through other Amex cards while redeeming valuable travel points in premium cabins.

It’s worth mentioning that the designated airlines can only be adjusted once a year in January.

This change seems to diminish the overall value of the Amex Business Platinum. In October 2023, American Express also removed a similar 25% points bonus from the Business Gold Card, suggesting a broader trend of reducing such redemption options.

Possible Alternatives for the Points Bonus

For current cardholders, the existing 35% bonus remains in effect until September 17th. However, post-change, there might be ways to still achieve that bonus, even when flying with other airlines.

Among the qualifying airlines, it could be beneficial to select one such as Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, or United Airlines.

These carriers are part of significant airline alliances, allowing for code-share flights—the arrangement where an airline operates a flight but sells it under another airline’s flight number. For instance, a flight might be run by British Airways but booked as an American Airlines flight.

So, while these changes appear to be a setback, there’s still room to navigate the new system creatively to enjoy the perks cardholders have come to appreciate.

I’ve reached out to American Express to verify whether code-share flights qualify for the points bonus, but I haven’t received a response yet.

Final Thoughts

In light of recent changes to credit cards, this stands out as another unfortunate development. The Amex Business Platinum is potentially losing its appeal for business owners. While it does still offer various benefits, restricting redemption options generally doesn’t sit well with cardholders.

If code-share flights can still secure a 35% points bonus, that could be a silver lining. Otherwise, this significant devaluation might lead prospective cardholders to look into other business card alternatives.