Citi Double Cash vs Amex Business Platinum
Side-by-side comparison across fees, rewards, welcome bonuses, and eligibility.
EXPRESS
Citi Double Cash wins 3-2. Set-it-and-forget-it 2% on everything Amex Business Platinum is still the right call if us-incorporated startups with $50k+/year corporate spend..
Side-by-side
| Criterion | Citi Double Cash | Amex Business Platinum |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | No annual fee | · $695 |
| Joining fee | = None | = None |
| Top reward rate | · 2% (general) | 5% (travel) |
| Base reward rate | 2% | · 1.5% |
| Forex markup | · 3% | No FX fee |
| Welcome bonus | = $200 cash back after spending $1,500 in first 6 months | = 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 | 670 | · 720 |
| Editorial rating | = 4.5/5 | = 4.5/5 |
Benefits compared
Citi Double Cash
- 1% cash back when you buy + 1% when you pay
- No annual fee
- No category restrictions or rotating bonuses
- 0% intro APR on balance transfers for 18 months
- Convert cash back to ThankYou Points (transferable to airline partners)
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
›Citi Double Cash vs Amex Business Platinum: which is better?
Citi Double Cash wins on more dimensions (3 vs 2). 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 Citi Double Cash 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?
Citi Double Cash: $200 cash back after spending $1,500 in first 6 months. Amex Business Platinum: 150,000 Membership Rewards points after $20,000 spend in 3 months.