Amex Business Platinum set to change Adobe and Dell statement credits

The Business Platinum Card® from American Express is a premium business card with a steep $695 annual fee (see rates and fees), but the benefits and statement credits can easily offset that fee. Some notable statement credits, which were set to expire in June, come from popular brands many businesses use, like Dell and Adobe.

Amex, however, is set to extend and change these credits in July, but are the changes really a benefit? Let’s examine.

Current statement credits

Currently, Amex Business Platinum Card holders receive:

• Up to $400 per calendar year statement credit on U.S. Dell purchases (up to $200 biannually; enrollment required; terms apply)
• Up to $150 per calendar year statement credit on select annual Adobe purchases, including Adobe Creative Cloud and Acrobat Pro DC (enrollment required; terms apply)

These statement credits, in their current form, end June 30.

What’s changing?

Starting July 1, these Dell and Adobe statement credits will be as follows:

• Enrolled cardmembers will receive $150 in statement credits on U.S. purchases made directly at Dell and an additional $1,000 statement credit after spending $5,000 or more at Dell from July 1 through Dec. 31 (and for each calendar year after).
• Enrolled cardmembers will receive a $250 Adobe statement credit after spending $600 or more on U.S. purchases made directly at Adobe from July 1 through Dec. 31 (and for each calendar year after).

It’s important to note that cardmembers can take advantage of the current statement credits and the new ones when they go into effect. For example, you can use the current up to $200 statement credit at Dell before June 30 and then take advantage of the new credit starting July 1.

Related: 9 things to do when you get the Amex Business Platinum Card

Our take

At first glance, these changes seem negative since the Dell statement credit amount has been reduced and both require more spending to fully maximize the statement credit value.

However, most businesses that purchase an annual subscription with most Adobe products will likely spend over $600 anyway. So, if you are spending over $600 a year at Adobe, this effectively increases your annual statement credits by $100.

You also will have more flexibility with this credit now, as previously, it was available on select purchases, whereas in July, you can apply the credit to any purchase made directly with Adobe.

With regards to the Dell credit, the amount you receive without a spending requirement decreases by $250.

However, you can potentially net far more than that if you are a high spender, as you can receive up to $1,150 per calendar year after spending a hefty $5,000. For some businesses, spending $5,000 at Dell can pose a challenge if you don’t have a need for computing or office supplies.

While the value of both of these credits went up, I would have preferred not to have a spending requirement to use them. I personally won’t be able to fully maximize them, which significantly decreases the value proposition of the Amex Business Platinum Card for me.

Bottom line

The current Amex Business Platinum Dell and Adobe statement credits will be in effect until the end of June, so it’s best to use them before they change. Starting July 1, the credits will change and require a minimum spending amount at both retailers to fully maximize them.

Apply here: Amex Business Platinum

Related: Amex Business Platinum Card review

For rates and fees of the Amex Business Platinum, click here.