American Express Business Platinum vs Chase Freedom Unlimited
Head-to-head comparison of every feature, fee, and perk
At a Glance
Annual Fee
$695
vs
No annual fee
Base Rewards
1x
vs
1.5%
Sign-Up Bonus
$1,500
vs
$200
Editor Score
8/10
vs
8/10
Detailed Comparison
| Category wins | 3/6 | 3/6 |
| Fees & APR | ||
| Annual Fee | $695✗ Highest | No annual fee★ Lowest |
| Purchase APR | 19.49% – 27.49% | 20.49% – 29.24% |
| Intro APR (Purchases) | 0% · 15 mo | |
| Intro APR (Balance Transfer) | 0% · 15 mo | |
| Foreign Txn Fee | None★ Lowest | 3%✗ Highest |
| Balance Transfer Fee | None | 3% |
| Rewards | ||
| Rewards Type | Points | Cashback |
| Base Rewards Rate | 1x✗ Lowest | 1.5%★ Highest |
| Bonus Categories | 5x Flights (Amex Travel) · 5x Hotels (Amex Travel) · 1.5x Purchases over $5,000 each | 5% Travel (Chase) · 3% Dining · 3% Drugstores |
| Sign-Up Bonus | $1,500 value★ Highest | $200 value✗ Lowest |
| Eligibility | ||
| Credit Score | Excellent (750+) | Good (670-749) |
| Network | American Express | Visa |
| At a Glance | ||
| Best For | Executives with heavy business travel and large purchases | Everyday spending with no annual fee |
| Ratings | ||
| User Rating | 4.3 / 5✗ Lowest | 4.6 / 5★ Highest |
| Editor Score | 8 / 10★ Highest | 8 / 10 |
| Apply Now | Apply | Apply |
| Full Review | View details → | View details → |
| Pros & Cons | ||
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Our verdict: Too close to call
The American Express Business Platinum ($695/year) and the Chase Freedom Unlimited (no annual fee) compete on different axes. The American Express Business Platinum's strongest category is 5x on Flights (Amex Travel), while the Chase Freedom Unlimited leads with 5% on Travel (Chase). The American Express Business Platinum costs $695 more per year, so you need at least $695 in incremental rewards to justify it over the Chase Freedom Unlimited. At typical spend levels this breaks even somewhere between $20,850 and $41,700 in bonus-category purchases annually. Our model scores these cards effectively even (3-3). Pick the American Express Business Platinum if you spend heavily on flights (amex travel); pick the Chase Freedom Unlimited if you spend heavily on travel (chase).
Too close to call — pick based on your primary spending category
Dimension-by-dimension
| Dimension | American Express Business Platinum | Chase Freedom Unlimited |
|---|---|---|
| Annual Fee | $695/year | no annual fee |
| Base Reward Rate | 1x on everything | 1.5% on everything |
| Top Bonus Category | 5x on Flights (Amex Travel) | 5% on Travel (Chase) |
| Sign-Up Bonus | 150,000 points after spending $20,000 in 3 months | $200 after spending $500 in 3 months |
| Foreign Transaction Fee | 0% (none) | 3% |
| Lounge Access | Yes | No |
| Credit Score Required | excellent | good |
Green checkmark indicates the card that leans stronger on that dimension. Our scoring model evaluates these quantitatively — your specific needs may shift the answer.
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Common Questions
Which is better: American Express Business Platinum or Chase Freedom Unlimited?
It depends on your spending habits. The American Express Business Platinum has a $695 annual fee and earns 1x base rewards. The Chase Freedom Unlimited has no annual fee and earns 1.5% base rewards. Compare their bonus categories above to see which aligns better with your spending.
What is the annual fee difference between American Express Business Platinum and Chase Freedom Unlimited?
The American Express Business Platinum has a $695 annual fee while the Chase Freedom Unlimited has no annual fee. The American Express Business Platinum costs $695 more per year, so it needs to deliver that much extra value in rewards and perks to justify the difference.
Can I have both the American Express Business Platinum and Chase Freedom Unlimited?
Yes, since these cards are from different issuers (American Express and Chase), you can hold both. Many people pair cards from different banks to maximize bonus category coverage across all their spending.