Over the past nineteen years as a business owner, I’ve used countless business cards. Some have been amazing and elevated both my travel and my business. Others have been…well, lackluster.

One of the best? The Business Platinum Card® from American Express. It comes with a lot of world-class perks and benefits, quality customer care, and a solid rewards structure (especially on large purchases).

While the annual fee is pretty high ($695, pay over time available. See Rates and Fees), for me, the travel benefits, along with all the statement credits, make the card worth carrying. I think it’s a great choice for business owners who travel frequently.

In this breakdown, I’ll detail the card, what you get, and why I like it.

What is the Business Platinum Card® from American Express?

The Business Platinum Card® from American Express is a travel rewards card geared towards business owners. (Remember: even side hustles and freelancing count as businesses so you can get this card even without being an LLC.) First, let’s go over some of the best things you get when you sign up, which make it a no brainer to get for the first year:

• Limited Time Offer: Earn 150,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $20,000 on eligible purchases on your Business Platinum Card® within the first 3 months of Card Membership. Plus, earn a $500 statement credit after you spend $2,500 on qualifying flights booked directly with airlines or through American Express Travel with your Business Platinum Card® within the first 3 months of Card Membership. You can earn one or both of these offers. Offer ends 6/30/25.
• Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points for flights, prepaid hotels, and short-term rentals and prepaid flight + hotel packages booked at AmexTravel.com. 1x points on other eligible purchases.
• 1.5x points per dollar on each eligible purchase at US construction material, hardware suppliers, electronic goods retailers, and software & cloud system providers, and shipping providers, as well as on purchases of $5,000 or more, on up to $2 million per Card Account per calendar year. Purchases eligible for multiple additional point bonuses will only receive the highest eligible bonus.
• Complimentary access to the American Express Global Lounge Collection®, featuring more than 1,400 airport lounges across 140 countries. Access is limited to eligible Card Members.
• Up to $120 in statement credits for Global Entry or TSA Pre-check every 4 years.
• Up to $199 yearly CLEAR® Plus credit (subject to auto-renewal)
• Up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year for incidental fees charged by your one selected, qualifying airline.
• Up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year when you make an eligible purchase at Hilton properties. (Distributed in up to $50 increments per quarter. Hilton for Business program membership is required.)
• $150 credit with Adobe on eligible annual prepaid business plan purchases of Adobe Creative Cloud for teams or Adobe Acrobat Pro for teams on the Business Platinum Card through 6/30/25.
• Up to $120 per calendar year in statement credits for purchases made directly from any U.S. wireless telephone provider (up to $10 back per month).
• Complimentary Marriott Bonvoy® Gold Elite status (enrollment required)
• Complimentary Hilton Honors Gold status (enrollment required)
• No foreign transaction fees

Using Your Membership Rewards Points

You’ll earn Membership Rewards points with The Business Platinum Card® from American Express. Since Amex has a well-rounded suite of travel partners, Membership Rewards points are some of the most valuable points out there.

These are Amex’s current travel partners:

• Aer Lingus AerClub (1:1 ratio)
• Aeromexico Rewards (1:1.6 ratio)
• Air Canada Aeroplan (1:1 ratio)
• Air France-KLM Flying Blue (1:1 ratio)
• ANA Mileage Club (1:1 ratio)
• Avianca LifeMiles (1:1 ratio)
• British Airways Club (1:1 ratio)
• Cathay Pacific Asia Miles (1:1 ratio)
• Choice Privileges (1:1 ratio)
• Delta SkyMiles (1:1 ratio)
• Emirates Skywards (1:1 ratio)
• Etihad Guest (1:1 ratio)
• HawaiianMiles (1:1 ratio)
• Hilton Honors (1:2 ratio)
• Iberia Plus (1:1 ratio)
• JetBlue TrueBlue (250:200 ratio)
• Marriott Bonvoy (1:1 ratio)
• Qantas Frequent Flyer (1:1 ratio)
• Qatar Airways Privilege Club (1:1 ratio)
• Singapore KrisFlyer (1:1 ratio)
• Virgin Atlantic Flying Club (1:1 ratio)

Most transfers are instant, though some can take up to 48 hours.

You can also use your Membership Rewards points to book flights and hotels in the Amex Travel portal. I generally wouldn’t do this though as it’s not the best use of your points. It’s always better to transfer them out to one of their partners. However, you can get 35% points back when you do book via their portal so just compare the points costs between both before making a decision.

Breaking Down the Business Platinum’s Credits and Benefits

Amex cards are well-known for their plethora of perks and benefits. They’re a big reason I love their cards. And, if you can take advantage of all that it has to offer, the Business Platinum boasts over $1,700 worth of value. But, with so many categories and so much fine print, it can be hard to keep track of whether a benefit is actually useful for your spending habits. So, to help you decide if the card is right for you, I want to break down some of the major categories of benefits:

Airport Experience Credits (Lounge Access, CLEAR Plus, Global Entry/TSA PreCheck)
One of the best things about this card — and what makes it a standout for frequent travelers — is the unbeatable airport lounge access. You’ll get into some of the top lounges worldwide, including the excellent Centurion Lounges and Delta Sky Clubs (when you’re flying Delta, with up to 10 visits per year).

On top of that, you’ll get complimentary access to the huge Priority Pass network. If having a quiet space to relax, grab a drink, or get some work done is a priority when you travel, this card has you covered pretty much anywhere.

I also appreciate that the Business Platinum helps you get through the airport faster. It offers up to $199 in statement credits each year for a CLEAR® Plus membership, which speeds you through security lines.

You’ll also get a credit for Global Entry (up to $100 every 4 years) or TSA PreCheck (up to $85 every 4.5 years), depending on which one you choose. I personally recommend going for Global Entry. It takes a little more effort (there’s an interview), but it includes TSA PreCheck too. It’ll save you a ton of time if you travel internationally.

Airline and Hotel Credits
Another travel-related benefit is the up to $200 airline credit. Unfortunately, it comes with a fair number of restrictions, making this credit a bit more annoying to use. It can only be used on one (pre-selected) airline, and you can only use it for incidentals, not airfare. But if you don’t have an airline credit card that offers free baggage, it can be useful to have. You can also use the credit for airline expenses like paid seat selection or on-board food and drink.

The Business Platinum also offers a few Hilton-related benefits. First, you can receive up to $200 in statement credits at Hilton properties when booked directly. Since these credits are distributed in quarterly $50 increments, you’d have to stay in a Hilton property at least four times a year to get the full value of this credit. But if you’re on the road a lot, that can be easy to do.

Second, the Business Platinum offers complimentary Hilton Honors Gold Status (as well as Marriott Bonvoy® Gold Elite status), which offer extra perks and benefits when staying at these properties.

Business-Related Statement Credits
The Business Platinum card comes with some great perks to help lighten the financial load of running a business. Expenses can really add up if you’re managing a business while traveling, so I appreciate that the Business Platinum helps offset these costs.

You can get up to $400 in statement credits on U.S. Dell purchases (through June 30, 2025, split into $200 chunks every six months). There’s also up to $360 back per year on Indeed ads (up to $90 each quarter), which is great if you’re hiring as your business grows.

If you use Adobe tools, there’s a $150 credit available when you prepay annually for eligible Adobe Creative Cloud or Acrobat Pro plans for teams. And to keep you connected on the go, you’ll get up to $120 a year for purchases made directly with U.S. wireless providers — that’s $10 back each month.

Amex Offers
On top of all those valuable statement credits, the Business Platinum gives you access to Amex Offers, an easy way to save some cash or rack up extra points with a wide range of retailers. These deals rotate regularly and are personalized, so what shows up for you might be totally different from what another cardholder sees. Most of the time, it’s a simple setup like “spend X, get Y back.” I always check Amex Offers before I purchase. (The personal card offers this too.)

The Business Platinum’s Travel Insurance
The Business Platinum also comes with great travel insurance. While I still recommend buying a standalone policy for medical, this card includes strong built-in coverage like trip delay, trip cancellation, emergency evacuation, and medical transport. It also includes cell phone protection for damage or theft, a rare but valuable perk. For a maximum of $800 per claim, with a limit of two approved claims per 12-month period, when your cell phone line is listed on a wireless bill and the prior month’s wireless bill was paid by an Eligible Card Account. A $50 deductible will apply to each approved claim.

So, while you could get away with the card’s insurance if you book the trip on the card, I wouldn’t rely on it completely. But it’s better than most!

Should you get this card?

The Business Platinum is ideal for frequent travelers who can make the most of perks like smoother airport experiences and hotel elite status. If you can take advantage of a few of the business-related statement credits, the statement credits alone make the high annual fee worth it. I get a lot of value from the card through the statement credits that make carrying the card after the first year really worth it.

While it’s true you only get 1x point per dollar spent on anything under $5,000 (which isn’t as good as many other cards), the points back on redemptions and the tons of statement credits, elite status, Amex offers, and partners you don’t find anywhere else make this card essential for any business owner.

Click here to learn more and sign up!

I’m a sucker for a good travel rewards card. Over the years, I’ve collected a small handful of them — not because I love juggling annual fees, but because the right cards can save you a lot of money on flights, hotels, and travel perks you’d otherwise pay out of pocket for.

Not only do I have a bunch for my personal expenses but I have a couple for this business too. One of my favorite business credit cards is the Capital One Venture X Business Credit Card. It’s Capital One’s top-tier business product. I love it because there’s a big welcome offer, lounge access to over 1,300 airport lounges, annual travel credits, and a simple 2x reward on all spending (which ensures you are always earning multiples miles per dollar spent).

To help you decide if this card is for you, here’s my full review of the card and why I love it so much:

 

What is the Capital One Venture X Business Card?

The Capital One Venture X Business Credit Card is a travel rewards card issued by Capital One. It comes with a $395 annual fee that is way lower than the other premium business cards out there. And I think you can easily get way more value than the annual fee costs. Here’s a quick look at the main perks:

• 150,000 miles after spending $30,000 in the first 3 months
• 2 miles per $1 on all purchases, no category restrictions
• 5× miles on flights booked through Capital One Travel
• 10× miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
• $300 annual travel credit (through Capital One Business Travel)
• Every year, you’ll get 10,000 bonus miles after your account anniversary date.
• Enjoy access to 1,300+ airport lounges worldwide, including Capital One Lounge locations and Priority Pass lounges, after enrollment
• Up to $120 statement credit for TSA Precheck or Global Entry
• No foreign transaction fees

 

Using Your Capital One Miles

Capital One miles can be redeemed in a few ways. One is by booking travel directly through Capital One’s portal. While I usually don’t recommend booking through credit card portals, to fully benefit from the Venture X’s travel credit (and to get the 5x and 10x miles offers) you’ll need to use their portal.

Another option is to use your miles to get reimbursed for any travel purchase. For 90 days after making such a purchase, you can reimburse yourself at a redemption rate of one cent per mile. After 90 days, and for all other purchases, you can use miles as cash back, at a redemption rate of 0.5 cents per mile (but avoid doing this, as it’s not a good value).

You can also use your Capital One miles in the Capital One Entertainment portal to book tickets for concerts, sports events, and more. Occasionally, Capital One offers cardholder-only events and presale opportunities too. While you’ll get just 0.8 cents per mile for tickets (not the best value), it’s still a fun and unique way to redeem miles.

However, you’ll get the most out of your miles by transferring them to Capital One’s 15+ airline and hotel partners. While the actual value varies based on what you book, you can usually find airline and hotel redemptions worth much more than the aforementioned one cent per mile. (The process is pretty straightforward and can be done through your Capital One account.)

Here are Capital One’s current travel partners:

• Accor Live Limitless
• Aeromexico Club Premier
• Air Canada Aeroplan
• Air France/KLM Flying Blue
• Avianca LifeMiles
• British Airways Executive Club
• Cathay Pacific Asia Miles
• Choice Privileges
• Emirates Skywards
• Etihad Airways Guest
• EVA Air Infinity MileageLands
• Finnair Plus
• I Prefer Hotel Rewards
• Japan Airlines Mileage Bank
• Qantas Frequent Flyer
• Qatar Airways Privilege Club
• Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer
• TAP Portugal Miles&Go
• Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles
• Virgin Red
• Wyndham Rewards

 

Pros of the Venture X Business Card

As someone who travels constantly for work, I’m always looking for ways to earn miles faster and make airport life a little less painful. I like this card for the simple 2x miles on everything. I use a lot of other cards that can get you 3 or 4x on certain categories like advertising or non-portal travel spend like flights and hotels. But when it comes to dining, museums, transportation, etc, there’s not a lot of ways to get more than 2x per dollar spent on a business card. So, I use this Venture X for anything I can’t get more than 2x per dollar.

Here’s a deep dive into some of the main perks:

$300 Travel Credit
Each year, you get a $300 credit toward bookings made through Capital One Business Travel (flights, hotels, or car rentals). If you’re already booking travel regularly, this credit is basically free money — and it immediately drops your effective annual fee from $395 to $95.

The catch? You do have to book through Capital One’s travel portal. It’s powered by Hopper, so the interface is clean and prices are usually competitive. I’ve found some good deals there.

Lounge Access
You get access to Capital One Lounges and Priority Pass lounges. Capital One’s own lounges are actually great — spacious, modern, good food — though they’re still limited location. But they are expanding how many they have and I personally think they are way better than the other lounges competitor banks have. You also get Priority Pass access t o over 1,300 lounges globally, which is a common but really nice perk.

Anniversary Bonus
Every year on your account anniversary, you’ll get 10,000 bonus miles (worth about $100 toward travel). It’s a nice “thank you” that helps offset the annual fee even further.
 

Should You Get This Card?

The Capital One Venture X Business Credit Card is best for small- to medium-sized business owners who travel regularly and can put at least $30,000 to ensure they meet the welcome offer requirements.

Overall, I think the Capital One Venture X Business is one of the best-value premium business cards out there right now. It’s not as benefit-packed or as flashy as the Amex Business Platinum or the Chase Sapphire Reserve, but it’s easier to use, has a less expensive annual fee, gets you lounge access, and an easy to understand earning structure.

It’s one of the cards I use the most often for my business. I highly recommend getting it.

Premium credit cards are often marketed as the ultimate tool for travelers, packed with perks like airport lounge access, travel credits, elite status and elevated earning rates. But with annual fees that can reach almost $900, many people wonder: Are these cards truly worth the cost?

The truth is, these cards can deliver tremendous value — or end up costing you more than they’re worth. It all depends on your travel habits, spending patterns and how much you’ll take advantage of what’s offered.

Here’s how to tell whether a premium card deserves a spot in your wallet.

Related: Premium credit cards vs. mid-tier credit cards: Which should you get?

What are premium credit cards?

Before we dive into the details, let’s take a moment to understand what makes a credit card premium.

Premium credit cards represent the top tier of the rewards card ecosystem. These high-end cards typically come with hefty annual fees (from $395 to nearly $900) but also offer an impressive lineup of perks. Think: airport lounge access, elite hotel or airline status, generous statement credits, enhanced travel protections and accelerated points earning.

They’re designed for frequent travelers and big spenders who can maximize the value of the benefits. But premium doesn’t mean one-size-fits-all; what’s valuable to one cardholder might not be worth it to another.

Some of the most popular premium credit cards on the market include:

When a premium credit card is worth the annual fee

When are premium credit cards worth the fee? Here are a few signs a premium credit card might belong in your wallet.

You’ll use the statement credits

Many premium cards make it surprisingly easy to offset most (if not all) of your annual fee through statement credits alone. But these credits only have value if you actually use them.

For example, the Chase Sapphire Reserve offers an up to $300 annual travel credit that automatically applies to a wide range of purchases, from airfare and hotels to parking and tolls.

The Amex Platinum goes even further, offering a plethora of credits, including airline fee credits, monthly Uber Cash and statement credits for digital entertainment subscriptions.

If those credits match your lifestyle, your annual fee could easily pay for itself. But if you won’t use them — say, you rarely use ride-hailing services or don’t stay in hotels often — the value disappears quickly.

You value airport lounge access and travel perks

For many travelers, airport lounge access alone can make a premium card worth keeping. The Amex Platinum offers the most comprehensive access of the cards above, including to Centurion Lounges, Delta Sky Clubs (when flying Delta) and Priority Pass lounges (enrollment required).

The Citi / AA Executive World Elite Mastercard and United Club Card both come with unlimited access to their respective airline lounges, which is a huge perk if you regularly fly American Airlines or United Airlines.

If you’re someone who spends hours in airports each month, these perks can easily outweigh the annual fee. However, if you only travel once or twice a year, it might be smarter to opt for a lower-tier travel rewards card, such as the Citi Strata Premier® Card (see rates and fees) instead.

Related: Is the Amex Platinum worth the annual fee?

You care about elite status and upgrades

Premium cards often offer automatic elite status with airline or hotel partners, which is a benefit that can elevate your travel experience even further.

For example, the Hilton Honors Aspire includes complimentary Hilton Diamond status, offering complimentary breakfast, and room upgrades and late checkout (subject to availability). The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant automatically grants Platinum Elite status (and a path to higher tiers through spending).

Meanwhile, premium cobranded airline cards like the Citi / AA Executive World Elite Mastercard and the Delta Reserve help you spend toward status and move you higher up the upgrade list.

If you fly or stay at hotels regularly, these perks can deliver hundreds (or even thousands) of dollars in added value each year.

Related: Marriott elite status: What it is and how to earn it

You can maximize earning and redeeming points

Premium cards tend to offer higher earning rates and more flexible redemption options than lower-tier travel rewards cards. The Sapphire Reserve, for instance, earns 3 points per dollar on dining and 8 points per dollar on Chase Travel℠ bookings.

Meanwhile, Amex Platinum cardholders earn 5 points per dollar on flights booked directly with airlines or through American Express Travel® (on up to $500,000 per calendar year, then 1 point per dollar), which is a high rate of return for frequent flyers.

If you’re strategic about earning and redeeming points by transferring them to airline or hotel partners or using them towards high-value travel redemptions, you can easily justify the annual fee.

For instance, Chase Ultimate Rewards points can be transferred to programs like Air France-KLM Flying Blue and World of Hyatt, where they can unlock significantly more value than a simple cash-back redemption.

This is especially true when a transfer bonus is in play. I recently took advantage of a 25% transfer bonus while booking a flight to Paris. The flight cost 18,750 Flying Blue miles, but thanks to the bonus, I only needed to transfer 15,000 Chase points to cover it.

Being strategic about how you earn and redeem points stretches your rewards further (and helps offset the annual fee).

Related: How to maximize earning with the Chase Sapphire Reserve

When a premium credit card is not worth the annual fee

Premium credit cards come packed with perks, but those benefits only matter if you actually use them. For some cardholders, the high annual fee just doesn’t make sense based on their spending or travel habits.

Here are a few signs a premium credit card might not be the right fit for you.

You won’t use the travel perks

At the end of the day, premium cards are designed for people who travel and travel often. If your lifestyle doesn’t include regular flights, hotel stays or time spent at airports, many of these benefits will go unused.

You’ll likely be better off with a mid-tier travel card that still earns value points but has a lower annual fee, like the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card (see rates and fees) — one of our favorite starter travel cards here at TPG — and one of the top cards in my wallet.

Related: Best credit cards

You don’t want to pay a high annual fee

Premium card annual fees reach into the hundreds of dollars (and potentially soon into the thousands). Those fees can be worth it if you can maximize credits, lounge access and transfer partners, but if you don’t, the math may not add up.

If you want to keep your costs low, a no-annual-fee card like the Citi Double Cash® Card (see rates and fees) may be a better fit.

Related: Best no-annual-fee credit cards

You prefer simpler rewards

Premium cards often come with complex benefits, earning structures, and redemption options that can be overwhelming if you’re not deep into the points and miles world. If that sounds like you, a premium card might not be the best fit — though there are a few exceptions.

For example, the Capital One Venture X offers one of the more straightforward earning structures, earning at least 2 miles per dollar on every purchase and 5-10 miles per dollar spent on travel booked through Capital One’s travel booking site. You’ll still enjoy premium perks like airport lounge access and travel protections without the need to memorize bonus categories or monthly credits.

However, if you prefer to skip the premium tier and annual fees entirely, the Chase Freedom Unlimited® (see rates and fees) is a strong choice, earning at least 1.5% cash back on every purchase.

Related: The best cash-back credit cards to add to your wallet

You don’t want to track multiple benefits

Between monthly credits, lounge access rules, bonus categories and elite status requirements, maximizing a premium card requires some effort. If you don’t want to monitor expiring credits or jump through hoops to activate perks, you might not get full value out of a premium card.

Instead, you might try a straightforward card like the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card (see rates and fees), which has no rotating categories and no travel credits to remember.

Related: The best first credit cards for beginners

Bottom line

Premium credit cards can absolutely be worth the annual fee, but only if you’ll take advantage of what they offer. Frequent travelers who use the statement credits, enjoy lounge access and maximize reward redemptions will easily come out ahead.

If those perks align with your spending habits, a premium card like the Amex Platinum, Chase Sapphire Reserve or Hilton Aspire can pay for itself year after year. But if you’re not likely to use the benefits, consider a lower-fee option and save your money for your next trip instead.

Related: The best premium credit cards: A side-by-side comparison

U.S. Bank Business Altitude Connect Visa Signature Card overview

The U.S. Bank Business Altitude® Connect Visa Signature® Card is a solid choice for business owners interested in dipping their toes into premium benefits and high earning rates at a modest $0 introductory annual fee for the first year (then $95 thereafter). However, if you are looking for more perks, you may be better off with another option. Card rating*:

*Card rating is based on the opinion of TPG’s editors and is not influenced by the card issuer.

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The U.S. Bank Business Altitude Connect is a solid travel rewards card since it provides bonus points on travel-related purchases, airport lounge privileges and statement credits for ride-hailing services.

The card earns points that can be redeemed for travel, deposits to a qualifying U.S. Bank account or gift cards, among other options. To increase applicants’ chances of approval for this card, we recommend that they have a minimum credit score of 670.

Let’s get into the details and see if this card could be a good option for your wallet.

U.S. Bank Business Altitude Connect pros and cons

Pros	Cons
Elevated earning rates in popular bonus categories, such as airfare, dining, gas and hotels Priority Pass airport lounge access (four complimentary visits per membership year) Statement credits for ride-hailing or taxi services	$95 annual fee after the first year

U.S. Bank Business Altitude Connect welcome offer

New applicants for the U.S. Bank Business Altitude Connect can earn 60,000 bonus points after spending $6,000 on eligible purchases within the first 180 days from account opening.

This bonus provides good value for a card with no annual fee for the first year.

It is important to note that the card’s redemption options are limited since you can’t transfer to partners like its competitors.

Because of this, the best redemption you can get with this offer is at a fixed rate of 1 cent per point for travel, making the bonus worth $600.

Related: The best credit card welcome bonuses currently available

U.S. Bank Business Altitude Connect benefits

The U.S. Bank Business Altitude Connect provides a solid suite of benefits, especially considering its $0 introductory annual fee for the first year ($95 thereafter).

For one, business travelers receive a Priority Pass Digital annual membership to access more than 1,700 lounges and four complimentary visits each membership year. This is a great perk for frequent travelers who want a card with lounge access for a modest annual fee.

Cardholders on the go will also receive $25 in statement credits after making at least one ride-hailing-service purchase with a provider such as Uber or Lyft (or even a taxi service) on the card across three consecutive months.

The U.S. Bank Business Altitude Connect is an excellent card to take abroad since it doesn’t charge foreign transaction fees.

Business owners also receive helpful financial tools like U.S. Bank Spend Management — a platform for monitoring and managing expenses — and access to a new cardmember $0 fee offer on ExtendPay Plans opened within the first 60 days of account opening.

Plus, cardholders who also hold the personal U.S. Bank Altitude® Connect Visa Signature® Card can transfer points between their business and personal cards to build up a combined balance more quickly.

The information for the U.S. Bank Altitude Connect has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

Related: The best business credit cards with no foreign transaction fees

Earning points with the U.S. Bank Business Altitude Connect

The U.S. Bank Business Altitude Connect shines with its high earning rates across popular spending categories for business owners.

With this card, you’ll earn:

• 5 points per dollar spent on car rentals and hotels booked directly in the Travel Center
• 4 points per dollar spent on travel, including airfare and hotels, on gas and at electric vehicle charging stations (excluding discount stores/supercenters and wholesale clubs) and at hotels on the first $150,000 in combined annual spend
• 2 points per dollar spent on cellphone services, dining, restaurant delivery and takeout
• 1 point per dollar spent on all other purchases

The U.S. Bank Business Altitude Connect covers a vast range of common purchases, especially for business owners who travel frequently.

The travel category includes multiple types of travel, as it earns bonus points on EV charging and gas in addition to airfare and hotels. The addition of a bonus category for cellphone services is also a nice touch.

Points earned on the U.S. Bank Business Altitude Connect don’t expire as long as your account is active.

Related: How to pick a strategy for your small-business credit cards

Redeeming points with the U.S. Bank Business Altitude Connect

The points earned with the U.S. Bank Business Altitude Connect are easy to redeem, which could be seen as a positive or a negative, depending on how you like to book travel.

That’s because these points aren’t the flexible travel rewards you may have come to expect with other cards. Instead, you’ll be able to redeem points earned with the U.S. Bank Altitude Connect at a fixed 1 cent per point rate for travel and 0.8 cents apiece for other redemptions, such as cash back, shopping at Amazon and PayPal, and those made through the Real-Time Rewards option.

These are simple options for beginners but could be seen as restrictive if you’re trying to maximize your rewards.

For instance, TPG’s October 2025 valuations deem Chase Ultimate Rewards points, which you can earn with a card like the Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card, as worth 2.05 cents apiece. So, 100,000 Ultimate Rewards points could be redeemed for up to $2,050 in travel, especially if you leverage transfer partners.

The information for the Ink Business Preferred has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

However, since the U.S. Bank Business Altitude Connect provides a fixed-value redemption option, 100,000 points earned with this card are worth just $1,000 — no matter what. So, it’s worth considering whether you want to maximize your rewards or if you prefer simple redemption options from a card.

Related: Why the best point redemptions are sometimes the most practical

Which cards compete with the U.S. Bank Business Altitude Connect?

As a travel-oriented business card, the U.S. Bank Business Altitude Connect has multiple competitors.

For additional options, see our list of the best business cards.

Related: Chase Ink Business Preferred vs. Amex Business Platinum: Practicality vs. luxury

Is the U.S. Bank Business Altitude Connect worth it?

Business owners who want to earn bonus rewards on a diverse array of purchases would benefit from adding the U.S. Bank Business Altitude Connect to their wallet. The most important factors to consider are the card’s redemption options. Frequent travelers may be better off with a card that earns more flexible rewards.

Related: Business cards vs. personal cards: Key differences

Bottom line

The U.S. Bank Business Altitude Connect provides solid perks, earning rates and decent redemption options for business owners who don’t want to pay a high annual fee. Travelers who want to maximize their rewards capability may want to look elsewhere.

Award travel beginners and business owners who value simplicity are likely to get the most out of this card.

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Apply here: U.S. Bank Business Altitude Connect Visa Signature Card

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The Platinum Card® from American Express provides excellent value — and many of these perks don’t have to be limited to the primary cardholder. That’s because you have two options for sharing your refreshed Amex Platinum’s perks with a partner, child, friend or other companion.

Of course, there is no one-size-fits-all approach. The Companion Platinum Card comes with no fee (see rates and fees) but fewer benefits, while you’ll pay an additional $195 authorized user fee (see rates and fees) on top of the Amex Platinum’s existing $895 annual fee (see rates and fees) if you go that route.

So, which one is right for you? Let’s compare these two products to help you decide.

Companion Platinum vs. authorized user benefits

Benefit	Companion Platinum	Authorized user
Access to Fine Hotels + Resorts and The Hotel Collection programs	No	Yes
Amex Offers	Yes	Yes
Car rental and hotel elite status	No	Yes
Cellphone protection (when you pay your monthly bill with the card)	Yes	Yes
Earns Membership Rewards points	Yes	Yes
Global Entry/TSA PreCheck statement credit	Yes	Yes
Lounge access	No	Yes
Platinum Nights by Resy dining experiences	Yes	Yes
Travel and shopping protections	Yes	Yes
Additional fee	$0	$195

Which benefits do neither Companion Platinum Card members nor authorized users receive?

It’s important to note that neither Companion Platinum Card members nor authorized users receive their own individual statement credits except for the Global Entry/TSA PreCheck credit. However, they can help the primary cardmember maximize their credits by spending on the card.

Companion Platinum Card members and authorized users also don’t receive a welcome offer unless they apply for their own Platinum Card as a primary cardmember.

Can you earn bonus points for adding a Companion Platinum Card member or authorized user?

It’s worth checking your Amex Offers to see if you can earn bonus points for adding an authorized user. (You’re unlikely to earn bonus points for adding a Companion Platinum Card.)

For example, TPG contributing credit cards editor Matt Moffitt had an offer to earn 20,000 bonus points after the first authorized user added spent $2,000 on their card within the first six months of card membership.

Related: The 7 credit cards with the greatest value for authorized users

When you should get a Companion Platinum

When considering a Companion Platinum Card, remember it does not include lounge access or elite status, benefits that come with an Amex Platinum authorized user card. If you’re fine without, consider these perks.

Global Entry or TSA PreCheck statement credit

Primary cardmembers, authorized users and Companion Platinum Card members receive statement credits for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fees.

You’ll receive a statement credit of up to $120 every four years for Global Entry or up to $85 every 4 1/2 years with TSA PreCheck.

If you are already enrolled in Global Entry or TSA PreCheck, you can use this benefit for someone else. Since you don’t have to pay to add a Companion Platinum Card, this provides excellent value.

Earning more points

The primary cardmember earns bonus points on every purchase made by a Companion Platinum Card member. Companion Platinum Cards earn points in the same bonus categories as the Amex Platinum:

• 5 points per dollar spent on airfare purchased directly with the airlines or through American Express Travel® (on up to $500,000 of airfare purchases per calendar year, then 1 point per dollar spent)
• 5 points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels booked with Amex Travel
• 1 point per dollar spent on all other purchases

American Express Membership Rewards points are worth 2 cents each, per TPG’s September 2025 valuations, representing a 10% return on eligible flights and hotels booked through Amex Travel. And if you move your points to one of Amex’s transfer partners, you can unlock incredible travel experiences for your spending.

Related: 7 ways to get 2 cents in value from each Membership Rewards point you redeem

When you should pay for an Amex Platinum authorized user

There are some circumstances where it makes sense to pay the extra $195 and add an authorized user to your Amex Platinum. An authorized user receives all the benefits of the Companion Platinum Card, plus the following perks:

Lounge access

Eligible authorized users receive access* to the American Express Global Lounge Collection — even when they aren’t traveling with the primary cardmember — including:

*Enrollment is required.

**When traveling on same-day Delta Air Lines-operated flights, eligible Platinum Card members will receive 10 visits per eligible Platinum Card, per year to the Delta Sky Club or to Grab and Go locations, unless they spend $75,000 or more on their card to unlock unlimited visits.

Amex doesn’t allow most Platinum Card members to bring complimentary guests to Centurion Lounges, so adding your traveling companion as an authorized user could be a great idea.

That’s because it normally costs $50 for each adult guest over 18 and $30 for each child between 2 and 17 (children under 2 are still free). An adult would need to visit a Centurion Lounge four times to earn back the value of the $195 authorized user fee.

However, if you spend $75,000 on your Amex Platinum in a calendar year, you can bring two guests into Centurion Lounges.

Car rental and hotel elite status

Authorized users will also receive complimentary Gold status in the Hilton Honors and Marriott Bonvoy loyalty programs, as well as Leaders Club Sterling Status from The Leading Hotels of the World. (Enrollment is required.)

Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status benefits include room upgrades and priority late checkout (both subject to availability).

In addition to hotel elite status, Amex Platinum authorized users also receive status with three car rental companies. These include Avis Preferred Plus, Hertz Gold Plus Rewards President’s Circle and National Emerald Club Executive status. (Enrollment is required.)

With National Emerald Club Executive status, you will receive Emerald Aisle access and won’t have to pay secondary driver fees when you rent a car.

Hotel benefits

Authorized users can access American Express Fine Hotels + Resorts and The Hotel Collection, just like the Amex Platinum primary cardmember (minimum two-night stay required for The Hotel Collection).

While they’ll receive the benefits below, they don’t get their own up to $300 biannual hotel statement credit, which is reserved for the primary cardmember only.

Booking through The Hotel Collection provides elitelike benefits to both primary cardmembers and authorized users, including:

• Noon check-in***
• Late checkout***
• Room upgrade upon arrival***
• $100 credit toward eligible charges

***Benefits are subject to availability.

And the Fine Hotels + Resorts program provides all the above benefits, plus:

• Complimentary Wi-Fi
• Daily breakfast for two
• Guaranteed 4 p.m. checkout

Related: Our favorite American Express Fine Hotels + Resorts properties where you can get elite perks

Which option is right for you?

The Companion Platinum Card allows another person to earn Membership Rewards points on behalf of the primary cardmember and redeem Amex Offers for no additional fee. Examples of who this option is best for include:

• A teenage or college-aged child who wants to build their credit history
• Someone who would benefit from receiving a Global Entry/TSA PreCheck statement credit

If you add someone as an authorized user, they’ll receive perks similar to those available to you as the primary cardmember, such as lounge access and elite status — but it comes at a price.

For an authorized user, you’ll have to pay an additional $195 on top of the Amex Platinum‘s $895 annual fee (see rates and fees). You can add up to three authorized users, and they have to be at least 13 years old. So, this option would be best for:

• A partner, parent or close friend who is a frequent traveler
• A travel companion who values lounge access

Related: How to pick the right travel credit card for you

Bottom line

With so many benefits to enjoy, it’s easy to see why you’d want to share your Amex Platinum with someone else.

A Companion Platinum Card is best for teenagers and young adults just starting out to earn Membership Rewards points (for your account), while an authorized user card is a great option for frequent travelers who would better appreciate the card’s travel benefits like lounge access and elite status.

If you’re weighing whether your authorized user should get their own Amex Platinum — and potentially earn their own welcome bonus — we also have a full guide on how to make that decision.

To learn more about the card, read our full review of the American Express Platinum.

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Apply here: The Platinum Card from American Express

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For rates and fees of the Amex Platinum, click here.

The Business Platinum Card® from American Express is not only one of the best small-business cards but also one of the best cards for travel rewards in general. Cardmembers definitely pay for all those perks, though, since it charges a $895 annual fee (see rates and fees).

However, despite many valuable benefits and opportunities to earn bonus points, the Amex Business Platinum is often overshadowed by its personal counterpart, The Platinum Card® from American Express, which also charges a $895 annual fee (see rates and fees).

Both cards have been refreshed, including adding and improving some statement credits and benefits and introducing a new card design. However, with this refresh, both cards saw a 29% annual fee increase.

If you’re only going to have one of the Amex Platinum products, there are compelling reasons why you should opt for the business version over the personal one. Let’s dive into them.

Comparing the Amex Platinum and Amex Business Platinum

Let’s start with a quick comparison of both cards.

	The Platinum Card from American Express	The Business Platinum Card from American Express
Welcome offer	Find out your offer and see if you are eligible for as high as 175,000 bonus points after spending $8,000 on purchases within the first six months of card membership. (Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.)	Earn 200,000 bonus points after spending $20,000 on purchases in the first three months of card membership.
Annual fee	$895	$895
Earning rates	5 points per dollar spent on airfare booked directly with airlines or through American Express Travel® (on up to $500,000 of these purchases per calendar year, then 1 point per dollar) 5 points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels booked through Amex Travel 1 point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases	5 points per dollar spent on flights and prepaid hotels booked through American Express Travel 2 points per dollar spent on eligible purchases of at least $5,000 each, as well as on U.S. purchases with construction material and hardware suppliers, shipping providers, electronic goods retailers and software and cloud system providers (up to $2 million per calendar year, then 1 point per dollar spent) 1 point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases
Unique benefits	Up to $300 per calendar year (up to $25 each month) in statement credits for eligible digital entertainment subscriptions, including new partners Paramount+, YouTube Premium and YouTube TV Up to $300 annual Lululemon statement credit per calendar year at U.S. stores and online (allocated as up to $75 per quarter; outlets excluded) Up to $300 per calendar year for an eligible U.S. Equinox Club Membership or eligible Equinox+ subscription (subject to auto-renewal) Up to $300 per calendar year in statement credits when purchasing a SoulCycle at-home bike Up to $200 per calendar year in Uber Cash for U.S. rides or Uber Eats orders each calendar year (up to $15 each month to use on Uber rides or Uber Eats orders in the U.S., with an additional up to $20 in December). Uber Cash will only be deposited into one Uber account when you add the Amex Platinum to the Uber account. You must pay with an Amex card Up to $200 Oura statement credit per calendar year (can only be used on hardware purchases) Up to $155 per calendar year (up to $12.95 each month) in statement credits to cover the cost of a monthly Walmart+ membership (Plus Ups Excluded, subject to auto-renewal) Up to a $120 statement credit that fully covers an auto-renewing $96 annual or $9.99 monthly membership Up to $100 per calendar year in Saks Fifth Avenue statement credits (broken up as up to $50 semi-annually) Enrollment is required for select benefits.	A 35% bonus (up to 1 million points per year) when you Pay with Points on Amex Travel on flights in any cabin class booked on your designated airline Up to $150 in statement credits on U.S. purchases made directly at Dell and an additional up to $1,000 statement credit after spending $5,000 or more per calendar year. Up to $360 per calendar year (up to $90 per quarter) in statement credits with Indeed Up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year (up to $50 per quarter) for eligible Hilton purchases (Hilton for Business program membership is required) Up to $250 Adobe statement credit after spending $600 or more on U.S. purchases made directly with Adobe per calendar year (subject to auto-renewal) Up to $120 per calendar year (up to $10 monthly) in wireless provider statement credits Earn up to $1,200 in Amex Travel flight statement credits and up to $2,400 in One AP statement credits (valid from Jan. 1 to Dec. 31 of the calendar year after meeting the requirement), both after spending $250,000 or more on eligible purchases (spending on your card this year counts toward the requirement) Enrollment is required for select benefits.

Related: 9 things to do when you get the Amex Business Platinum Card

Perks offered by both cards

These are the main benefits that both cards offer their members (enrollment is required for select benefits, and terms apply):

• Up to $600 statement credit each calendar year (up to $300 semi-annually) on prepaid bookings at Fine Hotels + Resorts or The Hotel Collection properties made through Amex Travel (minimum two-night stay requirement for The Hotel Collection)
• Enjoy an airline fee statement credit of up to $200 per calendar year on charges with the airline you select
• Get $120 as a statement credit for your Global Entry application fee (every four years) or a statement credit of up to $85 for TSA PreCheck (every 4½ years)
• Receive a statement credit per calendar year to reimburse your annual Clear Plus membership fee (up to $209 per calendar year; subject to auto-renewal). Use your card to pay for a Clear Plus membership (it doesn’t have to be for you) and be reimbursed automatically
• Eligible cardmembers can access the American Express Global Lounge Collection, which includes Centurion Lounges, Priority Pass lounges, Delta Sky Clubs (limited to 10 annual visits; when flying on a same-day Delta flight; except basic economy flights; spend $75,000 in a calendar year to unlock unlimited flights), Aspire lounges, Escape lounges, Plaza Premium lounges and Lufthansa lounges
• Complimentary car elite rental status with Hertz President’s Circle, Avis Preferred Plus and National Emerald Club Executive
• Complimentary Gold elite status with Hilton Honors and Marriott Bonvoy, plus Leaders Club Sterling status from Leading Hotels of the World
• Enjoy no foreign transaction fees (see rates and fees for the Amex Platinum and rates and fees for the Amex Business Platinum)
• Access to Amex’s Fine Hotels + Resorts program and the Hotel Collection (minimum two-night stay requirement for the Hotel Collection)
• Benefit from various travel protections and purchase protections
• Up to $400 Resy statement credit each calendar year, (up to $100 each quarter) for U.S. Resy restaurants
• Access to Platinum nights by Resy in Los Angeles, Miami and New York
• Enrollment is required for select benefits

Reasons to choose the Amex Business Platinum over the Amex Platinum

Now that their similarities are out of the way, let’s focus on their differences and how those might sway you to choose the Amex Business Platinum instead of the Amex Platinum.

You have or already had the personal Amex Platinum

Like many other issuers, American Express has increasingly restricted who is eligible for the welcome bonuses on its cards. The offer terms for the Platinum, for instance, say the following:

“You may not be eligible to receive a welcome offer if you have or have had this Card, the Platinum Card® from American Express Exclusively for Charles Schwab, the Platinum Card® from American Express Exclusively for Morgan Stanley or previous versions of these Cards. You also may not be eligible to receive a welcome offer based on various factors, such as your history with credit card balance transfers, your history as an American Express Card Member, the number of credit cards that you have opened and closed and other factors. If you are not eligible for a welcome offer, we will notify you prior to processing your application so you have the option to withdraw your application.”

The information for the Platinum Amex for Charles Schwab and the Amex Exclusively for Morgan Stanley has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

So, if you already have the Platinum, or even if you carried it in the past but have since closed it, you might be blocked from taking advantage of its current welcome offer.

If you want to regain some of its benefits and the chance to score thousands of additional Membership Rewards points, you might have to opt for the Business Platinum instead.

Related: 10 things to do when you get the Amex Platinum

You spend enough to earn the Amex Business Platinum’s higher welcome offer

The Business Platinum welcome bonus requires some strategy to earn the offer in its entirety since the minimum spending requirement is $20,000 over three months. That’s a considerable amount, but it’s not outside the budget of some small businesses.

By contrast, the Platinum currently has a lower spending requirement to earn its welcome bonus: $8,000 spent within the first six months of card membership. Plus, you have double the time of the business version to reach it.

The personal card’s terms might work better for you, considering you have twice the time to spend less than half the amount of money for the bonus points.

If you haven’t held either card, consider whether you can meet the minimum spending requirement on the Business Platinum organically. If you think it might be a concern, opt for the Platinum.

You spend a lot on flights and hotels

The two cards have very similar earning structures with two subtle (but significant) differences.

First, the personal card earns 5 points per dollar spent on flights booked through Amex Travel, plus directly with airlines, while the Business Platinum only earns 5 points per dollar spent on flights booked through Amex Travel.

Second, the personal card’s bonus-earning on flights is capped at $500,000 in spending per calendar year (then 1 point per dollar after that), while the business version has no such cap.

Both cards earn 5 points per dollar spent on prepaid hotel bookings with Amex Travel.

If you tend to just book flights directly with airlines, the personal card is a better choice. However, if you use Amex Travel for a lot of your travel plans — or if you have that option — then you at least won’t be missing out by charging your reservations to the Business Platinum.

Plus, if you book a lot of flights — more than $500,000 worth per year — with your card, then you’re definitely better off with the business card since its bonus-qualifying spending isn’t capped at that amount.

Related: The best credit cards for paying taxes and fees on award tickets

You can maximize the Amex Business Platinum’s large-transaction and business category bonuses

The Business Platinum has a unique earning structure:

• 2 points per dollar spent on purchases of $5,000 or more
• 2 points per dollar spent on U.S. purchases from construction material and hardware suppliers, electronic goods retailers, shipping providers, and software and cloud system providers

Both have a combined $2 million spending cap per calendar year (then 1 point per dollar).

If you frequently make these types of business purchases — or regularly use your card for transactions of more than $5,000 — then the Business Platinum blows the personal version out of the water.

You might also find creative ways to leverage this purchase bonus on one-off expenditures.

Related: The top 7 credit cards to maximize large purchases

You use Pay with Points for premium travel

One major way the two cards diverge is that the Business Platinum offers cardmembers a bonus of 35% of the points they redeem through Amex’s Pay with Points feature, while the personal version does not. There are a few stipulations.

First, you only receive the 35% points bonus on flights booked through Amex Travel on your designated airline (the same one you selected for the annual up to $200 airline fee statement credit). The ticket can be in any cabin class.

Secondly, you’ll only be able to receive up to 1 million points back per year.

Even if you seldom redeem Membership Rewards points this way, this one benefit can save you tens of thousands of points on a single ticket.

That makes carrying the Business Platinum instead of the personal card well worth it since the latter won’t provide any points bonus when you use Pay with Points.

You prefer the business card’s statement credits

The personal and business versions offer many unique annual statement credits.

The personal card offers quite a few lifestyle statement credits. But if they aren’t for things you actually use (or plan to), why bother trying to track them while juggling the card’s steep annual fee?

The Business Platinum offers hundreds of dollars in annual statement credits with popular merchants. (Enrollment is required for select benefits.)

Plus, with the Business Platinum, you’ll earn up to $1,200 in Amex Travel flight statement credits and up to $2,400 in One AP statement credits (valid from Jan. 1 to Dec. 31 of the calendar year after meeting the requirement), after spending $250,000 or more on eligible purchases (spending on your card this year counts toward the requirement).

While this is a substantial spending requirement, if you can meet it organically, the Business Platinum could be a better option. That said, these benefits aren’t substantial enough to make it worth going out of your way to spend that much on the Business Platinum.

Related: How to decide if a credit card’s annual fee is worth paying

You don’t use Uber that often

The personal card includes up to $15 in Uber Cash each month for rides and Uber Eats orders in the U.S. (The amount increases to up to $35 in December.) That’s a total yearly benefit of up to $200 per calendar year. You must have your Amex Platinum included as a payment option and redeem with any Amex card.

Plus, you’ll get a statement credit for up to $120 each calendar year that fully covers an annual, auto-renewing Uber One membership ($96 annually or $9.99 monthly; enrollment required).

The potential savings available with this benefit are pretty substantial, but remember that these credits don’t roll over from month to month. So, if you don’t use Uber regularly, you might be unable to take full advantage of it.

Related: Who should (and shouldn’t) get the Amex Business Platinum?

Bottom line

Both the Amex Platinum and the Business Platinum are excellent rewards cards with a variety of benefits from which members can reap tremendous value.

Which card is right for you will come down to understanding which one offers the best combination of welcome bonus, ongoing rewards and benefits for your needs.

Consider which card best matches your financial habits and needs, and which card’s other perks you’re most likely to leverage year after year.

All that said, you might want to consider carrying both the personal and business Amex Platinum cards since there are plenty of ways the two cards don’t overlap.

To learn more, check out our full reviews of the Amex Platinum and Amex Business Platinum.

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Apply here: The Business Platinum Card from American Express
Apply here: The Platinum Card from American Express

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For rates and fees of the Amex Business Platinum Card, click here.
For rates and fees of the Amex Platinum Card, click here.

Avios are quickly becoming one of the most popular loyalty currencies in Europe — and worldwide.

While British Airways Club, Iberia Club and Aer Lingus AerClub have long used Avios as their loyalty currency, Loganair Loyalty and Finnair Plus are the most recent additions. Qatar Airways Privilege Club and Vueling Club are also part of the Avios program.

What is unique and valuable about Avios is that you can transfer your Avios between these programs in any direction at a 1:1 rate as often as you want.

Several cobranded credit cards are available from airlines that use Avios, and every major credit card program has at least one Avios program as a transfer partner at a 1:1 ratio.

So, with Avios so easy to earn, move around and redeem, what are the best cards for Avios redemptions?

While there isn’t a single best card that wins in every category, depending on your priorities, here are the best options.

You want to earn a large welcome bonus

There are plenty of great welcome bonuses available right now on many of our favorite cards. This includes the three Chase-issued Avios cards:

The information for the Aer Lingus Visa Signature and Iberia Visa Signature cards has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

With TPG’s September 2025 valuations of Avios at 1.4 cents each, these welcome bonuses are worth $1,190 each. That’s enough for a first-class flight to London (plus fees, taxes and carrier-imposed surcharges).

Just keep in mind that you won’t be able to earn a welcome bonus on one of these cards if you currently hold it or have earned a bonus on it in the past 24 months.

Related: Best Avios sweet spots: How to redeem for domestic and international award flights

You spend a lot on flights

If you earn and redeem Avios, you’re likely to make some purchases directly with airlines, whether it’s paying for the fees, taxes and surcharges associated with your redemption or boosting your Avios balance by purchasing cash fares.

If you mainly fly on Aer Lingus, British Airways or Iberia, adding one of these cobranded airline cards to your wallet makes sense. If you’re not loyal to one airline, though, consider the following options for your airline spending:

Related: British Airways Visa Signature credit card review: Earn flexible Avios — a must-have for frequent BA flyers

You want to maximize transfer bonuses

Occasionally, credit card issuers offer transfer bonuses for select airline and hotel partner programs. There is no certainty as to when these bonuses will occur, and the number of points and miles you can receive from the bonus can vary from as low as 10% to over 40%.

American Express generally comes out on top as far as the frequency of transfer bonuses is concerned. With that in mind, these are the best Amex card offers currently available:

• The Platinum Card from American Express: Find out your offer and see if you are eligible for as high as 175,000 bonus points after spending $8,000 on purchases within the first six months of card membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.
• American Express® Gold Card: Find out your offer and see if you are eligible for as high as 100,000 bonus points after spending $6,000 on purchases within the first six months of card membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.
• The Business Platinum Card from American Express: Earn 150,000 bonus points after spending $20,000 on purchases within the first three months of card membership.
• American Express® Business Gold Card: Earn 100,000 bonus points after spending $15,000 on purchases in the first three months of card membership.

You want to enjoy elite status-like perks

Earning elite status in an airline loyalty program usually requires significant spending directly with the airline and/or on a cobranded credit card. Fortunately, if you wish to enjoy the perks of elite status, you can do so with the right Avios credit card.

The Qatar Airways Privilege Club Visa Infinite Credit Card has a welcome offer of up to 50,000 Avios — 25,000 Avios after the first transaction and an additional 25,000 Avios and 150 Qpoints after spending $5,000 in the first three months of account opening. The card comes with a $499 annual fee.

The information for the Qatar Airways Privilege Club Visa Infinite Card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

While this welcome bonus is lower than the Chase Avios-earning cards, it also offers one year of complimentary Qatar Airways Privilege Club Gold status (equivalent to Oneworld Sapphire), which includes benefits like priority boarding, preferred seating, lounge access and a 75% bonus on earning Avios with eligible flights.

You can also receive worldwide lounge access through the right credit card.

The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card offers unlimited complimentary access for you and two guests to 1,300-plus lounges, including Capital One Lounges and Priority Pass lounges (enrollment required).

Lounge access changes are coming to Venture X cardholders starting Feb. 1, 2026. After this date, Venture X cardholders will no longer be able to bring complimentary guests with them to Priority Pass and Capital One lounges (unless they spend $75,000 in a year for the latter).

Chase Sapphire Reserve® (see rates and fees) cardholders get access to Chase Sapphire Lounges as well as access to Priority Pass lounges.

Finally, eligible Amex Platinum cardmembers can access the American Express Global Lounge Collection, including Centurion, Delta Sky Clubs*, Escape, Plaza Premium lounges, Priority Pass and select Lufthansa lounges. Enrollment may be required.

*When traveling on same-day Delta flights, eligible Platinum Card members will receive 10 visits per eligible Platinum Card per year to the Delta Sky Club or to Grab and Go when traveling on a same-day Delta-operated flight.

You want to save money on airfares and redemptions

While each of the three Chase Avios-earning cards offers a companion voucher or discount for spending $30,000 yearly on the card, the British Airways Visa Signature Card offers extra benefits when booking cash and Avios redemptions.

Each year, in addition to earning a companion voucher, you can:

• Get 10% off British Airways-operated revenue flights departing the U.S. to London and beyond, including fees, taxes and carrier-imposed surcharges (excluding excess baggage or seat selection fees) when you book through the website provided in your welcome materials.
• Get a $100 statement credit ($200 for business- and first-class seats) up to three times a year when you book a reward flight to London on British Airways and pay your taxes and fees with your card (up to $600 annually).
• Use Avios to pay for taxes, fees and carrier charges when you redeem a British Airways ticket, though this is not usually a good deal.

You spend in non-travel categories

While Avios enthusiasts may be directing plenty of credit card spending to airfare, if you spend a lot of money on other categories like dining, groceries and other travel, you can earn lots of rewards with increased earning rates in these categories with the following cards:

• The American Express Gold Card earns 4 points per dollar spent at restaurants worldwide (on up to $50,000 per calendar year, then 1 point per dollar) and 4 points per dollar spent on groceries at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year, then 1 point per dollar).
• The Citi Strata Premier® Card (see rates and fees) earns 3 points per dollar spent at electrical vehicle charging and gas stations, restaurants and supermarkets.

You fly to Europe regularly

The British Airways Visa Signature Card has numerous discounts and statement credits when flying with British Airways for both cash fares and Avios redemptions.

With BA’s notorious carrier-imposed surcharges, you could save plenty of money on cash fares and Avios redemptions when you book multiple seats or flights each year.

Related: Quick Points: Here’s why you shouldn’t end your European trip in the UK

You want to travel in premium cabins with your family

You might want to earn lots of Avios quickly to redeem for luxury products like British Airways’ first class or Qatar Airways’ award-winning Qsuite business class. In that case, you’ll want a card with a high welcome bonus and generous category bonuses.

New cardholders of the Citi Strata Elite℠ Card (see rates and fees) can earn 80,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 in the first three months from account opening. You can earn a higher welcome offer of 100,000 bonus points with the same spending requirements if you apply at a Citi branch in person.

The card also has impressive earning rates, allowing you to earn bonus points on travel booked via Citi Travel and on dining.

If you spend heavily in these categories, you can boost your balance quickly, giving you a solid stash of Avios to use for those high-end bookings.

Bottom line

Even if you don’t fly to Europe often, Avios is worth your consideration. Avios are easy to earn from many different credit cards and easy to redeem through the seven different programs that use the currency. You also have the unique flexibility of transferring Avios between each program at no cost at a 1:1 rate in any direction.

While there is no slam-dunk Avios or transferable points-earning credit card for every traveler, there are excellent options to help you book your next trip.

Related: New user-friendly tool lets you easily transfer Avios between all 7 airline programs

For rates and fees of the Amex Platinum Card, click here.
For rates and fees of the Amex Business Platinum Card, click here.

I just had a two-night weekend getaway that cost over 100,000 points less than it used to cost.

It also came with, essentially, a complimentary dinner thanks to a $100 credit we used for food, along with some pretty indulgent daily breakfasts for two at no additional cost.

Oh, and the best part? I still earned some Marriott Bonvoy points and elite status credits for the stay, too. And because of my Marriott Platinum Elite status, we even got access to the on-site club lounge.

If you’re waiting for the catch, I totally get it. You probably should be with the way things go these days.

But there’s no catch — there’s just the reality that the relatively new Chase Points Boost feature, which has been added to cards like the Chase Sapphire Reserve® (see rates and fees) this year and can make your points worth up to a fixed 2 cents in value each, really shouldn’t be overlooked or underestimated, especially when paired with Chase’s The Edit hotel collection and benefits at eligible hotels such as the JW Marriott, Anaheim Resort.

That’s especially true since Chase’s The Edit hotels are pretty reliably a part of the Points Boost list of booking options that stretch your points and offer elitelike perks.

Over 100,000 points saved

My recent two-night stay at the JW Marriott in Anaheim, California, would have cost 166,000 Marriott Bonvoy points if I had booked with points already in my Marriott account or transferred from Chase Ultimate Rewards at a 1:1 ratio.

However, since the hotel was a part of the Points Boost offerings, each Chase Ultimate Rewards point used was worth 2 cents toward the stay, dropping the points rate for the two-night stay to around 59,000 points.

Because the hotel was a Points Boost booking option with Chase, as indicated below, it also meant spending 20,000 fewer Chase points than it otherwise would have cost me using points from my Sapphire Reserve. (While we are on the topic, the Sapphire Reserve arguably has a best-ever offer available right now.)

Related: Why I’m obsessed with the new Points Boost option

Over $200 in benefits enjoyed

This being a new great way to book trips for fewer points would have been enough for me to be thrilled, but since the hotel is part of Chase’s The Edit, it came with valuable perks, too.

In this case, we both got a complimentary full daily breakfast, which consisted of either the full buffet or an entree, a side and a beverage at the hotel’s restaurant.

Special shoutout to both the breakfast burrito and the chilaquiles. On paper, the cost for each of these two breakfasts for the two of us was around $100 per day, though odds are we would have found somewhere to eat for less if it wasn’t going to be covered by this perk, so I’ll value each of those breakfasts for two at $50 here.

Booking via Chase’s The Edit also got us a $100 property credit that we used for a mix of drinks and dinner one night at the bar. I’m not one to turn down a complimentary meal — in this case, a poke bowl and a fried chicken sandwich — so this was a pretty darn excellent perk just for booking via Chase.

We also received a “welcome amenity” in our room thanks to booking through The Edit. It was small but appreciated: a note, sparkling water and a few macarons.

All told, for our two-night stay, we enjoyed over $200 in on-site additional benefits just by booking via Chase’s The Edit program.

Over 3,000 Marriott points and elite night credits earned

Usually, when you book a hotel stay via a third-party site, you aren’t eligible to earn points or even sometimes use your elite status perks.

But when booking via Chase’s The Edit, things can work differently. You will see if the stay is eligible within that hotel loyalty program at booking, as indicated in this case by the “Marriott Bonvoy Eligible” designation below.

I was able to add my Marriott Platinum number at check-in — the hotel even proactively asked for it.

You can also potentially add your number via Chase’s website. This integration resulted in over 3,000 Marriott Bonvoy points and two elite night credits earned on the stay.

Transparently, I’m not 100% sure how the system landed at that number, though I’m assuming it’s some of the incidental and on-property charges that qualified rather than the full base rate, whether by my intent or accident. But it was still nice to earn something.

It’s also worth mentioning here that our lounge access benefit, thanks to my Marriott Platinum status, was also honored. This enabled us to grab some sodas, waters, snacks and desserts, and honestly spend very little out-of-pocket cash on food and drinks the entire weekend.

Bottom line

Chase’s Points Boost has changed how I approach using (and earning) points for some trips.

This is especially true for trips when the hotel we want is in a hotel loyalty program that doesn’t have a fixed award chart, like Marriott Bonvoy, and falls pretty high on the points price spectrum using the program’s own points. However, when the cash price for a property falls in a $400 to $600 per night range, which is common for somewhat upscale properties within the Westin or J.W. Marriott brands, at 2 cents per point via PointsBoost, it means it will cost just 20,000-30,000 Chase points per night.

Once you add the $100 property credit and complimentary breakfast, you could be looking at a pretty darn great deal that is better than most other options and is worth checking before booking your next trip.

Chase Sapphire Reserve: Earn 125,000 bonus points after $6,000 in spending in the first three months. You can use those points for up to $2,500 in travel via Points Boost.

Are you a British Airways Avios collector planning to redeem your points on short-haul European flights? Whilst it’s an easy choice when it comes to choosing between an Economy or Business Class redemption when you’re flying long-haul – the answer is clearly Business Class – things get a little murkier when you’re deciding which short-haul cabin to fly in. 

So, to help you out, here’s a breakdown of what you get in Economy (Euro Traveller), and how it stacks up against Business (Club Europe) on short-haul British Airways routes—and when choosing one over the other makes sense.

What’s included in each cabin?

Euro Traveller – Economy 

Here’s what to expect if you book a reward seat in the Economy cabin using your British Airways Avios:

Comfort and seating

Enjoy the comfort of contoured leather seats with adjustable headrests and pretty reasonable legroom (seat pitch around 78–79 cm depending on aircraft). USB ports are available on most aircraft to keep your devices charged during your flight and beyond – particularly helpful if you’re travelling for work.

Snacks and buy-on-board options

A complimentary bottle of water and snack is served on most flights, and The High Life Café “buy before you fly” menu includes sweet and savoury treats that can pre-order for your trip. You can even pay with your Avios if you’re a British Airways Club member – although I wouldn’t say it’s a great value way to spend them…A complimentary meal isn’t part of your booking, but in-flight, there’s a buy-on-board menu that includes freshly prepared sandwiches and snacks that you can buy through the app, debit/credit card or using Avios (my same thoughts apply here). For longer short-haul flights, such as Greece or Turkey, this might feel pretty inadequate, but for shorter flights to Spain or France this is fine.

Connectivity & digital services

Most BA aircraft offer wi-fi access (for a fee), and Club members can use free messaging during their flight. You can pre-order duty-free shopping from the High Life Shop to be delivered directly to your seat onboard, which is always a great way to cut out all the fuss of the in-flight trolley service.

Baggage and fare flexibility

Euro Traveller fares include carry-on baggage, and options to add checked baggage depending on your fare type. There are three fare tiers are available to choose from:

• Economy Basic: which includes your carry-on, but extras like checked bags or seat selection require you to pay a fee
• Economy Plus: includes a 23kg checked bag, seat selection from 48 hours before your flight, and allows you to make changes up to 1 hour before departure
• Economy Plus Flex: this gets you all Plus benefits plus full refund and changes up to 1 hour before your departure

Additional perks

Although you can’t use a British Airways lounge with an Economy ticket (unless you have the right BA Status – but that’s for another time), you can purchase a lounge pass for non-BA lounges—allowing you to relax before your flight, for a fee. This normally sets you back around £50 a person, but if you’re on a longer flight and you’ll be needing some sustenance then it might be worth the expense.

Club Europe – Business

Airport and ground perks

If you book a Business Class trip using your British Airways Avios, your airport experience is made much easier, with dedicated check-in desks and Fast Track security (at London airports), as well as lounge access to British Airways or partner lounges (where available) – offering food and refreshments, workspaces, Wi-Fi, and a relaxing environment. You’ll also get to board the plane first with priority boarding (Boarding Group 1), so you can head straight to your seat and make yourself comfortable for take-off.

Cabin comfort and seating

BA short-haul Business typically uses a blocked middle seat in a 3-3 layout or similar, giving travellers a seat configuration that offers extra personal space and privacy, albeit no greater legroom than economy (~30″ pitch). You’ll find contoured leather seats, with magazine racks and in-seat power on most planes.

Onboard service

Here’s where you’ll notice a step change in your travel experience. In the Business Class cabin you’re served complimentary meals, which rotate between full breakfasts, hot lunches, traditional afternoon teas, or dinners depending on flight timing. You’ll also get free alcoholic beverages—from G&T to Champagne. Yummy! All of this, of course, means you won’t land in your chosen destination with an empty stomach. A nightmare for anyone like me!

Baggage allowance

Luggage allowance is much more generous than Economy. You’re able to check up to two bags (usually up to 32 kg each), plus one cabin bag and a laptop or handbag. This is a big bonus if you’re travelling with the kids for a family holiday, or with friends for a longer getaway.

Additional touches

Seats in the premium cabin mean a dedicated cabin crew focused solely on Club Europe travellers, which can really elevate your travel experience using British Airways Avios. When it comes to dining, not only do you get meals on-board, you’ll also get them on proper crockery. If your aircraft has wi-fi you’ll get it for free, and there’s free messaging for Club Members. If you’re travelling for work this can be a godsend. Or maybe you just fancy shutting out the world and catching up with your latest Netflix shows.

Avios and cash comparison

When comparing short-haul Economy and Business Class, if you’re planning a British Airways Avios reward seat redemption, it’s not just a case of stacking up the service offerings. You also need to consider the Avios cost, and if it’s worth it to you. 

The cost of booking Economy British Airwards reward seats starts from 9,250 Avios, plus 50p cash, each way to places such as Amsterdam, Copenhagen or Lyon depending on off-peak/peak pricing. Booking Business Class reward seats can cost significantly more—sometimes double Economy’s Avios—making it a higher points investment. Taking the same three destinations as above (Amsterdam, Copenhagen and Lyon), you’d be looking at costs from 15,000 Avios plus £12.50 to book Club Europe. 

Sticking with our three examples, let’s work out the cash value equivalent, and the price difference in between cabins, to give you a better idea of value for British Airways Avios spend. 

As a general rule of thumb, you should aim for a cash value of (at least) 1p per 1 Avios, when redeeming points, to give you the best value return. If we apply this rule to our three short-haul destinations:

1 Economy off peak return reward seat booking will cost you the cash equivalent of £186 (18,500 Avios plus £1 cash). 1 Business Class off peak return reward seat booking will cost you the cash equivalent of £325 (30,000 Avios plus £25 cash). 

That’s a £139 difference between cabins for this trip. So from there, you can decide if it’s worth it to you to pay that difference in Avios for an upgraded short-haul experience.

When to consider using more Avios for Club Europe

There are certainly times that I have chosen to use my British Airways Avios for Business Class reward seats in short-haul, rather than Economy. I tend to choose a Club Europe Avios redemption when I have a nice, healthy Avios balance, so I can enjoy the extra perks of the premium cabin without worrying about my overall point spend. If, like me, you value Business Class lounge access and have time to indulge before you fly, a Business Class cabin redemption is great value. Especially when you think of the cash you’d be saving on paid lounge tickets, and food and drinks in the airport. Most of the time it outweighs the higher Avios/cash cost of the reward seat booking in the higher cabin, especially if you need to pay extra fees for your luggage in Economy as well.

I also lean towards Club Europe when I’m flying overnight, or my flight time is “long” for a short-haul route – such as Turkey or Cyprus. That extra comfort, quietness, food and drink goes a long way to keeping me a happy traveller! 

If saving maximum cash isn’t the aim at the time you book, sometimes, just the experience of a quiet lounge, complimentary food and drinks, and dedicated service from check in to landing is well worth the extra Avios outlay you pay for short-haul Business Class. 

When Economy makes more sense

There are absolutely times when an Economy short-haul redemption makes much more sense than Business Class. Particularly if you’re a British Airways Avios collector who really likes to stretch your points for maximum value. In those cases, you should only focus on booking a Business Class Avios reward seat when you fly long-haul. 

If you’re flying for a short hop and the extra comfort isn’t necessary, especially for daytime flights, I’d always suggest you spend your Avios in the Economy cabin. It’s the same if you’re familiar with the route – such as a much loved family holiday destination. In those cases I like to save my points for long-haul redemptions.

Key takeaways

Club Europe definitely provides Avios collectors with extra comfort and convenience when making a reward seat redemption, but it comes at a higher Avios cost. If you’re maximising your points and miles, you’ll probably want to stick to Economy when you book short-haul redemptions. Your decision ultimately comes down to whether comfort and perks are worth dipping into your Avios stash—or if you prefer saving them for bigger trips.

IHG One Rewards Premier Business Credit Card overview

The IHG One Rewards Premier Business Credit Card (see rates and fees) offers decent perks that, if utilized, can easily justify the card’s $99 annual fee. However, business owners who aren’t loyal to IHG One Rewards may be better off with another business card. Card rating*:

*Card rating is based on the opinion of TPG’s editors and is not influenced by the card issuer.

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Considering that the IHG One Rewards Premier Business card has an annual fee of only $99, it offers many perks for travelers and small-business owners who frequently stay with IHG. Compared to other hotel-branded business credit cards, the IHG Premier Business card has one of the lowest annual fees and may prove attractive simply for that reason.

Benefits include automatic Platinum Elite status as long as you’re a cardholder, a unique fourth-night-free reward perk when redeeming points for hotel stays and a valuable welcome bonus. One key perk — the free night certificate received each year — can easily cover the annual fee on the IHG Premier Business card.

We recommend a credit score of at least 670 to increase your chances of approval for this card.

Let’s look at the details of the IHG Premier Business card to see if it’s right for your company.

IHG Premier Business pros and cons

Pros	Cons
Bonus points on IHG stays Automatic Platinum Elite status Free night certificate each year TSA PreCheck/Global Entry statement credit	Redemption options outside IHG properties aren’t as valuable

IHG Premier Business welcome offer

New applicants for the IHG Premier Business card can earn up to 200,000 bonus points: 140,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening and an additional 60,000 bonus points after spending $9,000 in the first six months from account opening.

According to TPG’s September 2025 valuations, the welcome offer is worth up to $1,000.

This is the highest offer we’ve seen on this card and was previously available from March to April 2025. If you missed your chance to apply back then, now is a great time to take advantage of the offer if this card has been on your radar.

It’s worth noting that the application page warns that you are not eligible for this bonus if you’ve received a welcome bonus on this card within the past 24 months.

This card is ideal for Chase customers under 5/24. While most business credit cards will not affect your 5/24 status, you do need to be under 5/24 to apply.

Related: How to track your progress toward a credit card welcome bonus

IHG Premier Business card benefits

The IHG Premier Business card has a modest $99 annual fee, but is it worth it? The card’s value depends on whether you’ll use its benefits frequently enough to justify that annual fee.

First, on your cardmember anniversary each year (starting at the one-year mark and continuing each year after that, for as long as you keep the account open), you’ll receive a free night award valid for a single night, worth up to 40,000 points.

Cardholders also automatically enjoy IHG One Rewards Platinum Elite status, as long as their account remains open. Platinum members receive 60% bonus earnings on paid stays booked directly with IHG One Rewards, space-available room upgrades, a welcome amenity (in the form of points or a drink/snack) and a handful of other perks.

Those interested in earning top-tier Diamond Elite status can attain this by spending $40,000 on the card in a calendar year. After meeting the spending threshold, the status is valid through Dec. 31 of the following year.

When redeeming IHG points for stays of four nights or longer, you’ll also pay zero points for every fourth night. This is an automatic perk that is reflected when booking. It’s essentially a 25% discount on stays of exactly four nights, so it’s a great way to get even more value out of the card.

That said, if you rarely redeem IHG points for stays of four nights or more, this perk may be of limited value.

If you spend $20,000 each calendar year, you’ll earn 10,000 bonus points and a $100 statement credit. TPG’s September 2025 valuations peg these bonus points at $50, which translates to a total value of $150 with the statement credit.

IHG Premier Business cardholders have a handful of other perks to use when you swipe your card:

• TSAPrecheck/Global Entry application fee credit: When you charge a Global Entry, TSA PreCheck or Nexus application fee to your card, you can be reimbursed up to $120 every four years.
• Discount on IHG point purchases: Save 20% on the purchase of IHG points when paying with your card.
• United TravelBank: Up to $50 in United Airlines TravelBank cash each calendar year when you register your IHG One Premier card with your MileagePlus account.
• Auto rental collision damage waiver: When you decline the rental company’s collision insurance and charge the entire rental cost to your card, you’ll get coverage against theft and collision. Coverage is secondary when renting within the U.S., but primary when renting for business purposes.
• Trip cancellation and trip interruption insurance: You can be reimbursed up to $1,500 per covered traveler and up to $6,000 per trip for prepaid, nonrefundable travel expenses if your trip is canceled or cut short for a covered reason.
• Purchase protection: Your new purchases are covered for 120 days against damage or theft. The limit is $10,000 per claim and up to $50,000 per account.

These benefits are nice to have if things go wrong.

Earning points on the IHG Premier Business card

Generally, you won’t get fantastic earning rates on most hotel credit cards — especially on broad categories like dining and groceries. That said, the IHG Premier Business card could be a solid option, especially at participating IHG properties.

When you use your card at IHG hotels and resorts, you’ll earn 10 points per dollar spent on your stay. This is in addition to the 10 base points that all IHG One Rewards members accrue at most participating brands. And since you have automatic Platinum Elite status with the card, that’ll give you another 60% bonus on top of the base points. This combination translates to a total of 26 points per dollar spent on most IHG stays — or a 13% return on spending, based on TPG’s September 2025 valuations.

Beyond IHG purchases, cardholders of the IHG Premier Business will earn points at the following rates:

• 5 points per dollar spent on dining, hotels (non-IHG properties) and gas purchases
• 5 points per dollar spent at office supply stores, social media and search engine advertising
• 3 points per dollar spent on all other purchases

That translates to a 2.5% return on the bonus categories based on TPG’s September 2025 valuations, though it drops to 1.5% on everyday purchases — a rate of return lower than many other cards.

Related: How to earn IHG points via stays, credit cards and more

Redeeming points on the IHG Premier Business card

Like many competitors, IHG One Rewards doesn’t publish an award chart; instead, it uses dynamic award pricing. The program’s website indicates that free nights start at 5,000 points.

On the other end, there’s no published maximum rate, although for IHG’s core brands, the highest we’ve seen is 120,000 points per night. However, properties in partner brands such as Six Senses frequently exceed this.

Despite this award pricing model, there are still ways to maximize IHG One Rewards redemptions. In fact, you may be able to redeem IHG One Rewards points for significantly more value if you spend some time searching.

You’re not limited to only using points for your stay. You can also book rooms using a combination of points and cash, which can offer decent value in certain circumstances.

However, it’s worth noting just how these reservations are confirmed. IHG effectively sells you the extra points (for cash) and then uses the full number of points for the stay. You usually pay 0.63 to 0.66 cents for each IHG point used to make up the difference. IHG often sells points at this price (or cheaper), which can be another way to top off your account.

As noted above, when you redeem points for a stay of four nights or longer, every fourth night will cost zero points. There’s no limit to how often you can use this benefit — though it only applies to full award stays, not those booked using cash and points.

Related: How to redeem IHG One Rewards points for hotel stays

Which cards compete with the IHG Premier Business card?

As the IHG Premier Business card is a hotel credit card aimed at small-business owners, it’s worth looking at how it stacks up against other hotel-branded business credit cards.

The information for the Wyndham Rewards Earner Business card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

Read more: The best hotel credit cards with annual fees under $100

Is the IHG Premier Business card worth it?

Yes — as long as you can make the most of the card’s perks. The IHG Premier Business card has an annual fee of $99 and offers an annual free night award that can easily be redeemed for more value than that. Cardholders also earn points at solid rates when making purchases in bonus categories, though the earning rate on everyday purchases isn’t fantastic.

Bottom line

Small-business owners loyal to IHG or those simply looking to diversify their travel strategy can find sufficient value to justify the card’s annual fee each year. If you find yourself not maximizing the perks or booking stays at varying hotel brands, we’d recommend a more general business credit card instead to maximize your chance of earning valuable rewards.

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Apply here: IHG Premier Business card

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For rates and fees of the Hilton Business Amex, click here.