Amex Business Platinum vs US Bank Altitude Reserve
Side-by-side comparison across fees, rewards, welcome bonuses, and eligibility.
EXPRESS
US Bank Altitude Reserve wins 2-0. Mobile-pay maximizers — 3x on Apple/Google/Samsung Pay transactions. Amex Business Platinum is still the right call if us-incorporated startups with $50k+/year corporate spend..
Side-by-side
| Criterion | Amex Business Platinum | US Bank Altitude Reserve |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | · $695 | $400 |
| Joining fee | = None | = None |
| Top reward rate | = 5% (travel) | = 5% (travel) |
| Base reward rate | = 1.5% | = 1.5% |
| Forex markup | = No FX fee | = No FX fee |
| Welcome bonus | = 150,000 Membership Rewards points after $20,000 spend in 3 months | = 50,000 points after $4,500 in first 3 months (worth $750 toward travel) |
| Fee waiver threshold | = No waiver | = No waiver |
| Min income | = — | = — |
| Min credit score | = 720 | = 720 |
| Editorial rating | · 4.5/5 | 4.6/5 |
Benefits compared
Amex Business Platinum
- 5x points on flights + prepaid hotels via Amex Travel
- 1.5x on purchases ≥$5,000 (uncapped)
- Centurion + Priority Pass + Delta SkyClub access
- $200 airline fee credit + $200 dell credit + $400 Indeed credit
- Hilton Honors Gold + Marriott Bonvoy Gold
- Generous expense-management features (Vendor Pay)
US Bank Altitude Reserve
- 5x on prepaid hotels and car rentals via US Bank Travel
- 3x on travel + mobile-wallet purchases
- 1.5x redemption rate when used for travel
- $325 annual travel credit
- Priority Pass Select (4 free visits/year)
- Up to $100 TSA PreCheck/Global Entry credit
FAQ
›Amex Business Platinum vs US Bank Altitude Reserve: which is better?
US Bank Altitude Reserve wins on more dimensions (2 vs 0). But the right answer depends on your specific spending pattern — see the calculator below.
›Can I get both?
Yes — if your credit profile supports it, holding both is the optimal play. Use Amex Business Platinum for its best categories, US Bank Altitude Reserve for its best categories. Just watch the combined annual fees against your spend.
›Which one has the better welcome bonus?
Amex Business Platinum: 150,000 Membership Rewards points after $20,000 spend in 3 months. US Bank Altitude Reserve: 50,000 points after $4,500 in first 3 months (worth $750 toward travel).