It turns out that American Express was not done with just the single change on the American Express Platinum card. They also added a new benefit to the Amex Business Platinum on the redemption side. It can be a big help if you redeem your Membership Reward points directly for airfare or if you would like to get a more consistent value from your Membership Reward points.
The Amex Business Platinum Offers 50% Rebate On Airline Purchases with Points
Here is the language from the American Express press release regarding the changes:
Business Platinum Card Members can now earn 50% points back when using Membership Rewards® Pay with Points through American Express Travel to book a flight with their selected airline. They will also receive this benefit when booking a first or business class ticket with any airline. In addition, Business Platinum Card Members can earn 1.5X Membership Rewards points per dollar spent on any purchase of $5,000 or more.
Good Deal?
There are two very important words in this portion of the news – selected airline. Every year, you select one airline to get your $200 airline credit from. Apparently, this now works the same for this special 50% rebate on points used. So, if you select United Airlines, you will be able to use your points at a value of 1 cent per point and then get 50% of those points back. Example – book a $300 economy ticket with 30,000 Membership Reward points and receive 15,000 Membership Reward points back.
If you have an abundance of Membership Reward points and like booking economy tickets, this will likely be the best way to get the most value out of your Membership Reward points. With this rebate, you are effectively getting 2 cents per point in value. That is a pretty great redemption rate for economy travel.
Good for Cheap Business/First Tickets
This also works if you purchase business or first class tickets on any airline. This is less of a significant value since most of the time, you will get more value transferring your points to an airline and booking award travel for premium cabins.
But, there have been a lot of decent deals in business class while the award prices for premium cabins have gone up. Using this new perk to book business class tickets will let you earn miles and elite miles on those tickets while you would not on award tickets.
1.5 Points on Single Purchases Over $5,000
Finally, the Amex Business Platinum card now offers 1.5 points on all purchases over $5,000. If you are spending in large amounts, you will get a 50% bump in those points earned on those purchases now. Of course, check which categories those purchases fall into as Amex’s own Business Gold Rewards card may offer a better return in some categories and the Chase Ink cards will also offer 5X points at office supply stores and telecommunications. Not only that, but the Amex Everyday card will give you that 1.5 points on all spending anyway but still a move.
HT: Doctor of Credit
Is this addition to the Amex Business Platinum card significant for you to get this card? Don’t apply just yet as a list of offers will post later today!
