Bank of America Travel Rewards vs Amex Business Platinum
Side-by-side comparison across fees, rewards, welcome bonuses, and eligibility.
EXPRESS
It's a true tie — neither dominates. Pick the one whose boost categories match where you actually spend.
Side-by-side
| Criterion | Bank of America Travel Rewards | Amex Business Platinum |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | No annual fee | · $695 |
| Joining fee | = None | = None |
| Top reward rate | · 1.5% (general) | 5% (travel) |
| Base reward rate | = 1.5% | = 1.5% |
| Forex markup | = No FX fee | = No FX fee |
| Welcome bonus | = 25,000 online bonus points after $1,000 in first 90 days (~$250 travel) | = 150,000 Membership Rewards points after $20,000 spend in 3 months |
| Fee waiver threshold | = N/A (no fee) | = No waiver |
| Min income | = — | = — |
| Min credit score | 700 | · 720 |
| Editorial rating | · 4.3/5 | 4.5/5 |
Benefits compared
Bank of America Travel Rewards
- 1.5x points on every purchase
- Up to 75% bonus for Preferred Rewards clients (1.5x → 2.625x)
- Points redeem against any travel purchase, no blackout dates
- No foreign transaction fees
- No annual fee
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)
FAQ
›Bank of America Travel Rewards vs Amex Business Platinum: which is better?
It's a true tie — pick the one whose boost categories match your spend. Bank of America Travel Rewards wins on 2 criteria, Amex Business Platinum on 2.
›Can I get both?
Yes — if your credit profile supports it, holding both is the optimal play. Use Bank of America Travel Rewards for its best categories, Amex Business Platinum for its best categories. Just watch the combined annual fees against your spend.
›Which one has the better welcome bonus?
Bank of America Travel Rewards: 25,000 online bonus points after $1,000 in first 90 days (~$250 travel). Amex Business Platinum: 150,000 Membership Rewards points after $20,000 spend in 3 months.