Head-to-head · 🇺🇸 United States
Discover it Cash Back vs Amex Business Platinum
Side-by-side comparison across fees, rewards, welcome bonuses, and eligibility.
US
Discover
Discover it Cash Back
Discover
Wins 2 of 10
US
Premium
American Express
Amex Business Platinum
AMERICAN
EXPRESS
EXPRESS
Wins 2 of 10
Verdict
It's a true tie — neither dominates. Pick the one whose boost categories match where you actually spend.
Side-by-side
| Criterion | Discover it Cash Back | Amex Business Platinum |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | No annual fee | · $695 |
| Joining fee | = None | = None |
| Top reward rate | = 5% (shopping) | = 5% (travel) |
| Base reward rate | · 1% | 1.5% |
| Forex markup | · 1% | No FX fee |
| Welcome bonus | = Cashback Match — Discover doubles your first-year cashback automatically | = 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
Discover it Cash Back
- 5% cashback on rotating quarterly categories (Amazon, gas, restaurants, grocery)
- 1% cashback on everything else
- Cashback Match: Discover matches all cash back earned in your first year
- No annual fee
- Free FICO score on every statement
- No foreign transaction fees
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
›Discover it Cash Back vs Amex Business Platinum: which is better?
It's a true tie — pick the one whose boost categories match your spend. Discover it Cash Back 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 Discover it Cash Back 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?
Discover it Cash Back: Cashback Match — Discover doubles your first-year cashback automatically. Amex Business Platinum: 150,000 Membership Rewards points after $20,000 spend in 3 months.