There's much more to business card rewards than simply stockpiling points. We take a look at some you may not have known existed.
Sponsored by the American Express Platinum Business Card. Earn 250,000 Membership Rewards Bonus Points when you apply by 25 March 2025 and spend $12,000 on eligible purchases on your new American Express Platinum Business Card within 3 months of your approval date. Available for new American Express Card Members only.
Sometimes, the benefits that come with having a business card can go overlooked. Purchases need to be paid for, expenses need to be managed and clients need to be entertained.
If your card can handle all of that, there's no real problem, is there?
Fair enough – but the truth is that you could probably be getting a lot more out of your business card.
Today, we're taking a look at some of the business card perks you may not have realised existed.
👋 Hey there! We've partnered with American Express for this article so we'll be using the American Express Platinum Business Card as an example throughout. However, you should always do your own research. Make sure to read the product disclosure statement (PDS) before signing up.
1. New card member bonuses
It's always a good idea to periodically reassess your business tools – and your cards are no exception.
So if it's been a while since you signed up for your current card, it might be worth checking out the market and seeing if there's a card that better suits your needs.
You may be pleasantly surprised at the offers available for signing up with a new card.
Let's look at the American Express Platinum Business Card as an example. It offers 350,000 Membership Rewards Bonus Points if you're approved and then spend $12,000 on eligible purchases in the first 3 months afterwards.
These points can be exchanged for a huge array of rewards and perks. From covering travel expenses to wining and dining your clients, there's something to suit just about every business. As an example, 350,000 Membership Rewards points could be redeemed for $1,750 worth of shopping online with PayPal.
Every business has different needs – but if you're looking for a new card, make sure you choose one that has bonuses to suit your circumstances.
2. Business travel rewards
Now, on this occasion we're not talking about redeeming points for flights – though you should feel free to do that too, of course!
Rather, business cards can often have a range of travel benefits built in. It's always worth doing a deeper dive to see what's included.
To point to one example, the American Express Platinum Business Card features a range of different travel rewards, including access to a range of airport lounges1 and complimentary travel insurance2. T&Cs and exclusions apply (such as maximum age limits, pre-existing medical conditions and cover limits).
Another inclusion is complimentary Accor Plus membership, which is normally valued at $399 annually. This allows you to claim one complimentary night of accommodation each year, as well as up to 50% off your bill at certain partner restaurants3.
So card rewards don't just have to be about offsetting business costs – they can also be about travelling in style, too.
3. Early access to event tickets
There are certain privileges that come with holding the right charge or credit card.
One of them is scoring early access to the hottest tickets in town.
With the American Express Platinum Business Card, you'll get periodic early access to concerts and other ticketed events across Australia.
These can be a great way to treat yourself after a big year, reward sales staff or even to entertain clients. It can be an effective way to demonstrate your clout as a business, while also breeding goodwill at the same time.
4. Cover charges with Points
Being able to exchange reward points for goods and services is pretty much par for the course with most credit card reward programs these days.
But did you know that certain cards actually allow you to use reward points to cover the cost of transactions?
When it comes time to pay your statement, the American Express Platinum Business Card allows you to cover charges with points4.
If used judiciously, this can help you reduce your overall business costs – all with points you earned through business expenditure!
5. Business resources
Investing in yourself is an essential part of investing in your business.
So it makes sense to look for card rewards that can be leveraged to ensure that you're up to date on what's happening with your industry.
Alternatively, you might want to look for rewards that help offset business costs.
The American Express Platinum Business Card provides cardholders with a 12-month subscription to The Australian Premium5, which gives you digital access to The Australian as well as major business mastheads including The Wall Street Journal and The Economist.
Access to these publications can help you stay current with your industry, as well as keeping you up to date on wider world news.
Additionally, if you use the American Express Platinum Business Card to purchase from Dell Technologies, you're able to claim back up to $125 as a credit, twice a year – for a total of $2506.
This can help offset equipment costs, while also helping your company stay up to date with current tech.
The key lesson here is that while just about any business card can do the basics, one with extra features and benefits could take you – and your business – further when it comes to saving on other costs, building relationships with clients and rewarding employees.
Discover about the American Express Platinum Business Card today
American Express approval criteria applies. Subject to Terms and Conditions. Fees and charges apply. All information is correct as at September 11 2023 and is subject to change. This offer is only available to those who reside in Australia. Cards are offered, issued and administered by American Express Australia Limited (ABN 92 108 952 085). ®Registered Trademark of American Express Company.
2. The insurance on American Express Cards is subject to terms, conditions and exclusions (such as maximum age limits, pre-existing medical conditions and cover limits). You must use your American Express Platinum Business Card to pay for eligible items for those items to be covered under the retail insurance benefits. It is important you read the American Express Platinum Business Card Insurance Terms and Conditions and consider whether the insurance is right for you. We do not provide advice about the insurance or whether it is appropriate for your objectives, financial situation or needs.
3. Accor Plus Complimentary Membership. An annual Accor Plus membership is valued at AU$399, found at accorplus.com/au/benefits as at 1 August 2022. Enrolment is required to receive a complimentary Accor Plus membership. An Accor Plus membership is available only to the Primary Platinum Card Member. Membership privileges will only be granted on presentation of a valid membership card and a member must identify themselves as an Accor Plus member at time of booking. Accommodation bookings must be made through all.accor.com or accorplus.com. American Express reserves the right to instruct Accor Plus to cancel your membership if you cease to be a Platinum Card Member or your account is not in good standing. Complimentary membership is a continuing benefit of your American Express Platinum Card, however American Express reserves the right to discontinue the benefit, upon providing you with reasonable notice. Once enrolled, enrolment continues for at least 12 months. If you become ineligible for this benefit or if this benefit ends, the Accor Plus membership standard eligibility criteria will apply to you. Visit accorplus.com for full membership conditions, benefits and participating properties. Room allotment for Stay Plus complimentary night stays are limited each night per participating property and must be made by visiting and booking through all.accor.com or accorplus.com. Membership privileges are subject to exceptions listed at accorplus.com/au/benefits-exceptions.
4. Cover Charges with Points: This is available to primary Card Members enrolled in the Membership Rewards program. A minimum of 1,000 Membership Rewards points must be redeemed at any one time. Any credit to your Card Account cannot exceed the amount of the relevant eligible charges or the current outstanding balance on your Account. Certain fees and charges are excluded. Points will be debited immediately and the credit can take up to 72 hours to appear online. Credits processed after the Card Account's statement closing date will appear in the following statement. You are still responsible for payment of the amount due on your Card Account by the due date. Subject to the Membership Rewards Terms & Conditions at americanexpress.com/en-au/rewards/membership-rewards/terms.
5. The Australian Premium Subscription benefit offer ('Benefit') is available to eligible American Express Australia Card Members ('Card Members'). Once you have requested to enrol in The Australian Premium Subscription, American Express Australia Limited ('American Express') will determine your eligibility to enrol in the Benefit via the enrolment process. If eligible then American Express will share your enrolment information with Nationwide News Pty Ltd ('News Corp'). News Corp may use this enrolment information in accordance with its privacy policy available here.
The Benefit will provide eligible Card Members with; (a) a 12 month digital access to The Australian which provides premium content at theaustralian.com.au and via The Australian app; (b) eligibility to activate a digital subscription to the Wall Street Journal which will run concurrently with the subscription in (a) above; (c) a bespoke The Australian Premium e-newsletter sent every week and exclusive to subscribers of The Australian Premium subscription; and (d) access to The Australian Insiders' Briefing virtual event held twice per calendar year. Eligible Card Members must activate the Benefit described in (a) above in order to be provided with the opportunity to activate or enjoy the other parts of the Benefit.
Card Members are not required to pay for the Benefit. Subscriptions provided under the Benefit will be automatically renewed every 12 months provided American Express and News Corp continue their arrangements in relation to this Benefit. Under the Benefit, you are limited to one digital subscription per eligible Card Member; not to be used in conjunction with any other offer; subscription is for digital content only; physical newspapers are not included. In addition to these terms and conditions, your use of the Benefit is subject to News Corp's full digital subscription terms and conditions available here. For avoidance of doubt, terms and conditions contained here will take precedent in the event of inconsistency. Eligible Card Members will be required to agree to News Corp's terms and conditions and privacy policy to activate the Benefit.
News Corp may cancel any digital subscription provided under the Benefit at any time if the Card Member subscriber is in breach of these terms and conditions or the News Corp terms and conditions for any part of the Benefit, if notified by American Express that a Card Member is no longer eligible for this subscription or if American Express and News Corp cease to have an agreement relating to the continued provision of the Benefit. The value of the Benefit is not redeemable for cash or any other payment form. American Express may end this Benefit at any time.
6. American Express Platinum Business Card Dell Technologies Credit
Save the benefit to your eligible Card by 31/12/2023 and spend online at www.dell.com.au or by phone on 1800 880 855 to receive your purchase amount back as a credit, up to $125. Valid up to 2 times each year per Card, once per redemption period. Exclusions apply.
The redemption periods are between 18 January 2022 - 30 June 2022, 1 July 2022 - 31 December 2022, 1 January 2023 - 30 June 2023 and between 1 July 2023 - 31 December 2023. Limited to a maximum of two credits at a total of $250 each year, per Card.
Benefit is limited to one credit of up to $125 each redemption period, per Card.
Your Card must be charged prior to the end of each redemption period to be eligible for the credit in the redemption period.
Only the Primary Card Member can enrol the Card into the benefit. Valid for spend on any Employee Cards under the enrolled Card Account.
Not all Cards are eligible for this Benefit. If a Card you hold is ineligible, you will not be able to see the benefit, nor will you be able to save the Benefit to the Card.
Benefit limited to the Card Account to which the offer is saved and only spend on this Card Account counts towards the benefit.
Excludes transactions where you do not spend directly with your Card to which the offer is saved, at www.dell.com.au or by phone on 1800 880 855. Offer valid at Australian website and phone orders only.
A one-time enrolment is required from 18/01/2022 and Card Members will automatically be enrolled for the subsequent offer periods from their enrolment date. The final date to enrol and spend is 31/12/2023.
Excludes transactions made through a third party establishment or payment processor.
Credit is not redeemable for cash or other payment form.
Credit should appear on your billing statement within 5 business days from qualifying spend but may take up to 90 days from the offer end date.
Credit will not be applied to your Card Account if your Card has been suspended or cancelled.
Credit may be reversed if your qualifying purchase is refunded or cancelled.
Full Offer Terms available here
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Sponsored by the American Express Platinum Business Card. Earn 250,000 Membership Rewards Bonus Points when you apply by 25 March 2025 and spend $12,000 on eligible purchases on your new American Express Platinum Business Card within 3 months of your approval date. Available for new American Express Card Members only.
