150K AMEX Business Platinum by Calling In (Targeted)

A 150K AMEX Business Platinum may be available by calling in, if you've never had an AMEX card. This Reddit commenter reports calling the AMEX Business card application line, 800-519-6736 until he found a representative who found the AMEX Business Platinum 150,000 bonus points offer:

Earn 100,000 Membership Rewards points after spending $5000 within the first 3 months of card membership

Earn an additional 50,000 Membership Rewards points after spending an additional $10,000 within the first 3 months of membership

Earn 1.5X Membership Rewards points on each purchase of $5000 or more

35% Airline Bonus: Use Membership Rewards Pay with Points for all or part of a flight with your selected airline, and earn a 35% points rebate, up to 500,000 bonus points per calendar year. Also earn the 35% points rebate on all First and Business Class flights booked with Amerian Express Travel.

Enjoy access to AMEX Centurion Lounges

No foreign transaction fees

$450 annual membership fee is NOT waived the first year

This is a much better offer than the current 75K public offer, which requires $10,000 spend to earn 50,000 bonus points, and another $10,000 spend to earn a further 25,000 bonus points, total of $20,000 spend to earn the 75,000 points.

FAQ

Am I Eligible for the 150K AMEX Business Platinum Offer if I've Had the Card Before?

No; all AMEX signup bonuses, including for business cards, are now once in a lifetime.

How About If I Have Other AMEX Cards But Have Never Had the AMEX Business Platinum?

It's possible and worth a try, but keep in mind the data point is from someone who had never had an AMEX card. Those who have never had an AMEX card have the best chance of being eligible for high signup bonus offers.

Even $15,000 Minimum Spend Seems High Compared to Other Credit Card Minimum Spend Requirements…

Keep in mind this is a business card; many full-time business owners easily spend $15,000 over the course of 3 months or can at least front load some of the spend they would make later in the year. And I don't recommend manufactured spend, particularly where AMEX cards are concerned, as it tends to increase the likelihood of an AMEX Financial Review.

Isn't There Also a 5X on Airfare Benefit?

Yes, but only if you book your flights via AMEX Travel. The consumer version of the AMEX Platinum earns 5X on all flights purchased directly with airlines, but the AMEX Business Platinum 5X airfare benefit is only with flights booked via AMEX Travel. For that reason, I've never had occasion to use this benefit.

What Are Good Uses for AMEX Membership Rewards Points?

The best value use of AMEX Membership Rewards points, at least if you value international first class or business class, is transferring to Membership Rewards airline transfer partners. Examples include transfers to Singapore KrisFlyer to book Singapore First Class, Singapore Business Class, or Singapore Suites on the A380. If you find saver award space between JFK and Frankfurt, it's 76,000 miles for Singapore Suites, so 150K points would cover a roundtrip.

Other examples include tansfers to Aeroplan to book Swiss Business Class or Austrian Business Class to Europe; transfers to Emirates Skywards for Emirates First Class one way awards (since JAL Mileage Plan awards, which are less expensive, must be booked roundtrip); and transfers to Cathay Pacific Asia Miles, particularly for Cathay Pacific First Class awards when you have no date flexibility, since the Cathay award calendar opens up before other oneworld award calendars and Asia Miles members have access to enhanced award availability.