American Express® Business Platinum vs Amex Graphite Business Cash Unlimited Card

American Express® Business Platinum
VS
Amex Graphite Business Cash Unlimited Card
The short answer: The Amex Graphite Business Cash Unlimited Card delivers a bit more value for most spenders, but choose the American Express® Business Platinum if you spend more on travel.

Side-by-side comparison

American Express® Business PlatinumAmex Graphite Business Cash Unlimited Card
Annual fee$895$295
Welcome offerUp to 300,000 Membership Rewards® Points$1,500 cash back
Advertising1%2%
Shipping1%2%
Office supplies1%2%
Phone & internet1%2%
Travel5%2%
Everything else1%2%
Est. yearly rewards*$642$900
Points typeTransfers to airlines & hotelsCash back only
NetworkAmexAmex

*Estimated yearly rewards on typical household spending, every point valued at a flat 1 cent. Verified June 2026. See your own numbers in the calculator.

The verdict

On a typical year of business spending, the American Express® Business Platinum earns about $642 a year in rewards and the Amex Graphite Business Cash Unlimited Card about $900, valuing every point at a flat 1 cent. The American Express® Business Platinum charges $895, but carries about $1,530 in annual statement credits that offset it for anyone who uses them. The Amex Graphite Business Cash Unlimited Card charges $295, which you clear through its rewards and perks. Counting rewards, fees, and any credits, the Amex Graphite Business Cash Unlimited Card delivers more total value, about $93 a year more for a typical spender, mostly because it earns more where you spend most, on everything else and advertising. The bigger difference is the ceiling: the American Express® Business Platinum earns points you can move to travel partners for outsized value, while the Amex Graphite Business Cash Unlimited Card pays plain cash back. Favor the American Express® Business Platinum if you will use travel transfers, the Amex Graphite Business Cash Unlimited Card if you want simplicity. On the sign-up bonus, the American Express® Business Platinum currently has the larger welcome offer. A welcome bonus is a one-time event, so weigh it apart from the ongoing rewards.

Pick the American Express® Business Platinum if your spending leans toward travel. Pick the Amex Graphite Business Cash Unlimited Card if your spending leans toward advertising, shipping, office supplies.

Read the full reviews

Frequently asked questions

Is the American Express® Business Platinum or the Amex Graphite Business Cash Unlimited Card better?
On typical business spending, the Amex Graphite Business Cash Unlimited Card comes out ahead after its annual fee, by roughly $93 a year with every point valued at a flat 1 cent. But the American Express® Business Platinum can be the better fit if your spending lines up with its stronger categories. Run both through the Cardocrat calculator to see your own numbers.
Can I have both the American Express® Business Platinum and the Amex Graphite Business Cash Unlimited Card?
In most cases yes, as long as you meet each issuer's approval rules (for example Chase's 5/24 rule). Many people hold complementary cards to cover more bonus categories, then pool or redeem the rewards together where the program allows.
Which has the better welcome bonus, the American Express® Business Platinum or the Amex Graphite Business Cash Unlimited Card?
As of June 2026, the American Express® Business Platinum offers up to 300,000 membership rewards® points and the Amex Graphite Business Cash Unlimited Card offers $1,500 cash back. Welcome offers change often, so confirm the current offer on each card's page before applying.