Lounge Access
Both cards offer broad lounge access, but with some important differences in networks and guest policies. The Amex Business Platinum provides access to the American Express Global Lounge Collection, which includes over 1,400 lounges worldwide. This expansive network includes Centurion Lounges, Delta Sky Clubs (when flying Delta), Escape Lounges, Plaza Premium lounges, Lufthansa Lounges and Priority Pass lounges (after enrolling in Priority Pass Select).
Guest access varies by lounge. For example, cardholders can bring up to two guests for free when visiting Priority Pass, Plaza Premium or Escape lounges. However, unlocking complimentary guest access to Centurion Lounges requires spending $75,000 or more in eligible purchases per calendar year. Otherwise, they’ll be charged $50 per adult guest and $30 per child (ages 2–17).
The Sapphire Reserve for Business includes access to the Chase Sapphire Lounge by The Club network, Priority Pass Select lounges (1,300-plus locations) and over 20 Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounges and Cafes when flying on a Star Alliance carrier. The primary cardholder can bring two guests per visit at no cost to Chase Sapphire Lounge by the Club and Priority Pass lounges and one complimentary guest to the Maple Leaf Lounges.
Travel Credits
The Chase Sapphire Reserve for Business comes with a few valuable travel credits, including.
- $300 annual travel credit. This is automatically applied toward a wide range of travel purchases paid with your card, including flights, hotels, car rentals, cruises and more.
- $500 credit for stays with The Edit by Chase Travel. Get up to $250 biannually for prepaid bookings at The Edit hotel collection. Plus, get perks like daily breakfast for two, a $100 property credit and room upgrades when available when you book a two-night minimum stay.
- Global Entry, TSA PreCheck® or NEXUS Credit. Get a statement credit every four years for application fees charged to the card.
Amex Business Platinum offers a different set of travel credits, including:
- Up to $200 annual Hilton statement credit. Get up to $50 quarterly in statement credits for purchases made directly with Hilton properties (enrollment in the Hilton for Business program is required).
- $199 CLEAR® Pluscredit. Receive up to $199 annually in statement credits for CLEAR® Plus membership fees.
- $200 annual airline fee statement credit. Select one qualifying airline to receive up to $200 per calendar year in credits for incidental fees such as checked bags and in-flight refreshments.
- Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® credit. Get a statement credit every four years for Global Entry or every 4.5 years for TSA PreCheck for application fees charged to the card.
Enrollment is required for select benefits.
Chase’s $300 annual travel credit stands out here as one of the easiest to use. It applies automatically to a broad range of travel purchases without requiring enrollment or specific vendors. By comparison, the Amex Business Platinum’s credits for Hiton and airline fees take more effort to activate and use. Still, they can add up to meaningful savings for the right cardholder.
Travel Protections
The Amex Business Platinum and Business Sapphire Reserve both offer robust travel protections including auto rental coverage¹, lost luggage insurance², trip cancellation and interruption insurance and trip delay insurance³. However, the Sapphire Reserve for Business takes things to the next level by offering primary coverage for rental cars (while the Business Platinum’s coverage is secondary) and adding baggage delay insurance, roadside assistance and emergency medical and dental coverage.
The Sapphire Reserve for Business is the clear winner in this category.
Hotel and Rental Car Perks
The Chase Sapphire Reserve for Business includes IHG One Rewards Platinum Elite status through the end of 2027. It also offers special benefits with Avis, Hertz, National and Audi on Demand.
With the Amex Business Platinum, cardholders can enroll to receive complimentary Gold elite status with Hilton Honors and Marriott Bonvoy. The card also offers premium status with Avis, Hertz and National.