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The Business Platinum Card® from American Express has a high annual fee of $695 (Rates & Fees), which can be a significant expense for many small business owners. However, the card also offers a variety of credits that can help offset the cost of the annual fee.
One of the most valuable credits offered by the Business Platinum Card is the annual Dell credit, providing up to $400 in statement credits each year after enrolling for this perk. You can receive up to $200 in statement credits between January and June and another $200 between July and December.
Related: All About The Business Platinum Card® from American Express
Aside from computers and computer accessories, Dell also sells smart home devices, tech gadgets, software, and audio devices, amongst other things. Finding products as close to $200 as possible is a good way to optimize the credit and avoid paying out of pocket — especially for things you might really need.
Here are 10 things you can buy with your Business Platinum Card‘s Dell credits.
How To Enroll for the Business Platinum Card Dell Benefit
Before you shop at Dell, you’ll need to enroll to take advantage of the statement credits. Simply log in to American Express and head to the Rewards and Benefits section. You’ll then click on “Benefits,” find the Business Platinum Card Dell Technologies Benefit, and click “Enroll.”
Related: First Steps After Your New Business Platinum Card Arrives
Shopping Portals
To maximize your Dell purchases, we recommend beginning your shopping experience through shopping portals or Rakuten. If you’re not familiar with Rakuten, it’s an online shopping portal that offers either cash back or Amex points when you shop at eligible online retailers after clicking through this portal first.
If you don’t have an account, Rakuten is currently offering $30 cash back or 3,000 points (if you choose to get paid in Amex points) after spending $30 through their portal when you sign up through a referral (here's my referral link).
If you want a bit of extra help earning elite status with your airline of choice (through credit card spending), you could choose your airline’s shopping portal to add additional miles and potentially help you reach a higher status tier.
We recommend comparing shopping portals to help you decide which one to use. At the time of publication, you could earn 2x miles and Loyalty Points per dollar spent at Dell through the American Airlines AAdvantage eShopping portal.
However, offers change. You should see what's available and click through the best portal before heading to Dell's website to make purchases with your Business Platinum Card.
Amex Offers
There are occasional Amex Offers for bonus points or cash back (as a statement credit) on Dell purchases. It’s worth checking your card’s offers to see if you have an offer.
Since these are targeted offers, not everyone will see them. You also might have a different offer than your friend — or even different offers across your multiple Amex cards. We've seen past offers for 10% cash back on Dell purchases this way.
Splitting Payments
If you have more than one Business Platinum Card or your player 2 has one as well, it’s possible to split a Dell purchase across three different credit cards. Stacking multiple credit cards allows you to purchase more expensive things, maximizing each card’s semi-annual $200 credit. It also allows you to maximize Amex Offers (see above) if you have them on more than one card.
10 Things You Can Buy With Your Amex Business Platinum Dell Credit
If you hold or are considering Business Platinum Card, here are 10 items you may want to consider purchasing with the Dell credit.
JBL Charge 5: $179.95
It's not just another Bluetooth speaker; the JBL Charge 5 doubles as a power bank and is rugged enough to take outdoors. I've personally bought three of these and given them out as gifts. There are multiple colors to choose from, and it's occasionally on sale for $149.95.
Bose SoundLink Revolve II: $219
Bose is widely recognized as a reputable and high-quality brand for speakers. If you want a classier-looking Bluetooth speaker, look no further than the Bose Soundlink Revolve II. It's occasionally on sale for $179. I have one of these in my office and love the sound and look of it.
Google Nest Hub Max: $229
With so many smart home products available these days, a Google Nest Hub Max might come in handy. It will allow you to control compatible devices from one place and also integrates with Nest products. Plus, you can stream your favorite music, catch up on news and podcasts, and even listen to audiobooks while cooking (I keep mine in the kitchen). I've seen it on sale for $189 occasionally.
Google Nest Learning Thermostat: $249
The Google Nest Learning Thermostat not only looks cool, it's also a game-changer. It learns your schedule and temperature preferences to program itself to save energy, helping to reduce your utility bills. It's occasionally on sale for $199, so check back if you see it for $249. And yes, it's compatible with your new Google Nest Hub (above).
Indoor Google Nest Cam: $99.99
This Google Nest Cam can distinguish between people and pets, so you only get alerts for the things that matter to you. With its 24/7 live view, you can keep an eye on your home from anywhere you're traveling by using the Google Home app. It comes with up to three hours of free event video history, so you can go back and catch up on what you missed. Plus, the best part is that you can control everything hands-free with your new Google Nest Hub. It occasionally goes on sale for $79.99.
Google Nest Doorbell: $179.99
The Google Nest Doorbell allows you to see what's happening at your door from anywhere, and it'll send you alerts. The best part? It's wireless, so you can install it yourself quite easily. You can seamlessly integrate it with Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa-enabled devices. That means you can stream live video to compatible smart displays and use smart speakers and displays as your doorbell chime. It occasionally goes on sale for $129.99.
Blue Microphones Yeti Nano: $99.99
A good microphone can go a long way for anyone into podcasting, game streaming, or voiceovers for social media content. This Blue Microphones Yeti Nano is super easy to set up and use with its plug-and-play operation.
Timbuk2 Never Check Expandable Backpack: $199
Finally, a travel-related item. This Timbuk2 Never Check Expandable Backpack is perfect if you're Team Carry-On. The padded laptop compartment fits up to 15″ laptops. It comes with quick-access external pockets, a gusseted main compartment zipper, and a lifetime warranty.
Bose QuietComfort 45 headphones: $329
Noise-canceling headphones are a must for frequent flyers. These Bose QuietComfort 45 headphones come with an impressive 24 hours of listening time, and they charge with a USB-C cable. While a single $200 credit won't be enough to offset the entire cost, it can significantly reduce your out-of-pocket expense — especially when they're on sale for $279.
Microsoft Office Home and Student: $149.99
Microsoft Office Home and Student is essential and includes Word, Excel, and PowerPoint; the Home and Student version is available through Dell.
Double Dipping
Depending on the timing of your application, it may be possible to double-dip the $400 annual credits from your Business Platinum Card, which can add even more value to the card. Here's what I mean.
Imagine you open the account in June:
- June 2023: Apply for a new Business Platinum Card and use the first $200 Dell credit for 2023.
- July–December 2023: Use the second $200 Dell credit of the calendar year 2023 and pay the card's annual fee.
- January–June 2024: Use the first $200 Dell credit for 2024.
- Early July 2024: Use the second $200 Dell credit for 2024 and pay the annual fee again.
Conversely, if you open your card in December:
- December 2023: Apply for a new Business Platinum Card and use the second $200 Dell credit for 2023.
- January–June 2024: Use the first $200 Dell credit for 2024 and pay the card's annual fee.
- July–December 2024: Use the second $200 Dell credit for 2024.
- Early January 2025: Use the first $200 Dell credit for 2025 and pay the annual fee again.
Note that Dell doesn’t charge you until your order ships, so you should order something with a quick “estimated delivery date” and ensure it ships before the end of one semi-annual period. Otherwise, you might use the credit from the next half of the year if the item ships after the change from June to July or December to January.
Bottom Line
The Dell credit is a good way for holders of the Business Platinum Card to recoup some of the high annual fee. The statement credit allows cardmembers to buy a wide range of products beyond computers, including smart home devices, tech gadgets, software, and audio devices, then receive a credit against the purchase — sometimes covering the full cost of the item.
By enrolling in the benefit and strategically using promotions and shopping portals, cardmembers can maximize their purchases, either by earning cash back or additional Amex points. Splitting payments or double-dipping the annual credit can further enhance the value of the Dell credit.
What are some items you’ve purchased using the Dell credit on the Business Platinum Card?
For rates and fees of the cards mentioned in this post, please visit the following links: The Business Platinum Card® from American Express (Rates & Fees)
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The other good reason to time the application of your Amex Platinum is because if you choose to cancel, you have 30 days after your annual fee is charged. So you could get the card right now and:
Get the June 2023 $200 credit
Get the July-Dec 2023 $200 credit
Get the Jan-June 2024 $200 credit
Get the July-Dec 2024 $200 credit
And cancel the card in July 2024 without paying a second fee. I am one of the lucky ones who continually gets targeted offers for the 150K Amex biz platinum. I have called Amex and asked them if this is kosher before I’ve applied, and they have assured me there was nothing wrong with getting another card. Fortunately, I am able to take advantage of the timing above and in addition, use Dell offers on overlapping the two cards (purchasing a laptop, splitting the purchase and tacking on a 10% amex discount offer). I’ve then canceled my old card and kept the new one and have only gotten one annual charge. I’ve done this twice already. Crazy.