USA Platinum: personal vs co-branded vs business, which to keep, which to close?
Apr 17, 2016, 4:54 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2014
Posts: 1,773
USA Platinum: personal vs co-branded vs business, which to keep, which to close?
I have one business, but I may get a personal version soon. I don't want to pay two annual fee, so should I keep business or personal platinum? It seems like business has more benefit with OPEN saving, but everything else seems similar to me.
Apr 17, 2016, 12:01 pm
#2
Moderator
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Miami, Mpls & London
Programs: AA & Marriott Perpetual Platinum; DL & HH Gold
Posts: 48,954
If you only need one physical card, Business Platinum is better because:
1. Not reported to credit bureau unless you default
2. 30% rebate when using Pay with Points for your chosen domestic airline
3. Ten Go-Go Inflight WiFi sessions
However, if you need a Supplementary Platinum card it is much more expensive than on the personal card ($300 vs $175)
The personal card is also available with Contactless payment chip, while the Business card (currently) is not.
1. Not reported to credit bureau unless you default
2. 30% rebate when using Pay with Points for your chosen domestic airline
3. Ten Go-Go Inflight WiFi sessions
However, if you need a Supplementary Platinum card it is much more expensive than on the personal card ($300 vs $175)
The personal card is also available with Contactless payment chip, while the Business card (currently) is not.
Apr 17, 2016, 3:05 pm
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2014
Posts: 1,773
If you only need one physical card, Business Platinum is better because:
1. Not reported to credit bureau unless you default
2. 30% rebate when using Pay with Points for your chosen domestic airline
3. Ten Go-Go Inflight WiFi sessions
However, if you need a Supplementary Platinum card it is much more expensive than on the personal card ($300 vs $175)
The personal card is also available with Contactless payment chip, while the Business card (currently) is not.
1. Not reported to credit bureau unless you default
2. 30% rebate when using Pay with Points for your chosen domestic airline
3. Ten Go-Go Inflight WiFi sessions
However, if you need a Supplementary Platinum card it is much more expensive than on the personal card ($300 vs $175)
The personal card is also available with Contactless payment chip, while the Business card (currently) is not.
I won't have any AU, so I guess my choice will be keeping business card after canceling personal card next year after getting bonuses and airline gift card.
Apr 17, 2016, 3:46 pm
#4
Formerly known as stellertony
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: MEX
Programs: UA Gold, DL Gold, NEXUS, APEC
Posts: 1,146
Last edited by mia; Apr 20, 2016 at 9:46 am Reason: Formatting
Apr 20, 2016, 8:45 am
#5
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: FL
Programs: AA EXP, Hyatt Diamond, SPG Plat, IC Plat Amb, HH Diamond, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 1,299
100,000 points for signing up is more than 10 gogo passes. Oh add the 5% open savings on the Business Plat.
Apr 20, 2016, 4:28 pm
#7
Moderator
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Miami, Mpls & London
Programs: AA & Marriott Perpetual Platinum; DL & HH Gold
Posts: 48,954
Apr 21, 2016, 12:34 pm
#9
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: SFO
Posts: 108
If both earn only 1pt per $, what's the point of getting a gold card for $45 instead of a green? Isn't the point of having a gold to get 3x/2x bonus categories? Just curious at this point.
Apr 21, 2016, 12:48 pm
#10
Moderator
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Miami, Mpls & London
Programs: AA & Marriott Perpetual Platinum; DL & HH Gold
Posts: 48,954
The additional Gold cards issued on a Platinum account are not "Business Gold Rewards" cards, they are just Gold cards.
There are some benefits tied to having (at least) a Gold card, rather than a Green card, but they they are not rewards-related. It's things like Preferred Seating through Ticketmaster:
...there may also be some differences in flight insurance (the kind where you have to die to collect, not if your flight is delayed.)
There are some benefits tied to having (at least) a Gold card, rather than a Green card, but they they are not rewards-related. It's things like Preferred Seating through Ticketmaster:
The following American Express cards qualify for preferred seating:
- American Express® Gold Card,
- Platinum Card®,
- Centurion® Card,
- Platinum Delta SkyMiles® Credit Card,
- Delta Reserve Credit Card from American Express,
- Platinum Delta SkyMiles® Business Credit Card,
- Delta Reserve for Business Credit Card from American Express,
- Corporate Platinum Card
- Executive Business Card,
- Business Gold Card,
- Business Platinum Card®
- Business Centurion® Card from OPEN from American Express®
- American Express® Gold Card,
- Platinum Card®,
- Centurion® Card,
- Platinum Delta SkyMiles® Credit Card,
- Delta Reserve Credit Card from American Express,
- Platinum Delta SkyMiles® Business Credit Card,
- Delta Reserve for Business Credit Card from American Express,
- Corporate Platinum Card
- Executive Business Card,
- Business Gold Card,
- Business Platinum Card®
- Business Centurion® Card from OPEN from American Express®
Apr 21, 2016, 7:15 pm
#11
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Scottsdale AZ
Posts: 727
If you have a legitimate business, the business card annual fee will be tax deductible as a business expense, where the personal card annual fee will not be. If you are in the 40-50% federal and state combined marginal bracket, this could be a $180-225 take home difference.
Apr 21, 2016, 7:24 pm
#12
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: YYZ/SFO
Programs: AS MVPG, HH Diamond, Bonvoy Plat
Posts: 271
There are some benefits tied to having (at least) a Gold card, rather than a Green card, but they they are not rewards-related. It's things like Preferred Seating through Ticketmaster:
...there may also be some differences in flight insurance (the kind where you have to die to collect, not if your flight is delayed.)
...there may also be some differences in flight insurance (the kind where you have to die to collect, not if your flight is delayed.)
Apr 22, 2016, 7:17 am
#13
Moderator
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Miami, Mpls & London
Programs: AA & Marriott Perpetual Platinum; DL & HH Gold
Posts: 48,954
If you use a personal card exclusively for business the fee is deductible. The IRS does not care about the name of the card, but rather how it is used.
Apr 22, 2016, 2:17 pm
#14
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: Berkeley, CA USA
Programs: Piggly Wiggly "Shop the Pig!" Preferred Shopper
Posts: 57,067
Oct 24, 2016, 2:17 pm
#15
Join Date: Apr 2011
Programs: UA 1K, Marriott LT Titanium, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 1,069
This thread is similar to one I would have started, so I'll just ask my question here.
I already have the personal AMEX Platinum card and received a 100k sign up bonus a few years ago.
I have used my ink bold card for my small business for the past few years. This weekend in the mail I got a 100k Business AMEX Platinum offer. I'd like to know:
1. It sounds like these are two different products so getting the 100k bonus on the business side shouldn't be an issue, assuming I am approved. True?
2. I would then downgrade my personal platinum to a no fee AMEX, which shouldn't hurt my credit score. Also true?
3. Will it be an issue with AMEX in getting the business plat card when I already have the personal plat?
4. Any watch outs for doing this?
I already have the personal AMEX Platinum card and received a 100k sign up bonus a few years ago.
I have used my ink bold card for my small business for the past few years. This weekend in the mail I got a 100k Business AMEX Platinum offer. I'd like to know:
1. It sounds like these are two different products so getting the 100k bonus on the business side shouldn't be an issue, assuming I am approved. True?
2. I would then downgrade my personal platinum to a no fee AMEX, which shouldn't hurt my credit score. Also true?
3. Will it be an issue with AMEX in getting the business plat card when I already have the personal plat?
4. Any watch outs for doing this?