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Compare American Express business cards
The right business card can help you save money in the long run.
American Express offers one of the largest varieties of business credit cards in the industry. Here's a breakdown of your options and how you can choose the best one for your business spending needs.
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Business Credit Card Guides
Overview of American Express business credit cards
American Express cards fall into several categories, each with benefits and potential drawbacks to consider. To pick an American Express business card, consider the amount of points or cashback earned per dollar spent, the annual fee and APR.
The Business Platinum Card® from American Express
Small to midsize business owners who want to enjoy the ultimate luxury benefits while traveling could find The Business Platinum Card® from American Express to be a great choice. With a $595 annual fee, this is one of the most expensive Amex business cards to own.
To justify the annual fee, this card offers generous rewards. For example, you get to earn a welcome offer worth up to $750 in redemption value, and you earn 5x membership points on flights and prepaid hotels through American Express Travel. For a single eligible purchase of $5,000 or more, you get 1.5 points per dollar spent. For all other purchases, you earn 1x membership points.
Other perks include access to more than 1,100 airport lounges across 120 countries; a $200 airline fee credit each year to use toward incidental airline fees after you enroll, and a 35% airline bonus when you pay for first or business class flights with membership rewards points; a Gold Status at Starwood and Hilton hotels and resorts without meeting any stay requirements, and so much more.
American Express® Business Gold Card
Businesses whose category spending varies each month will find the American Express® Business Gold Card to be most rewarding. Unlike other Amex cards where the accelerated rewards categories are fixed, here you get to earn 4x points in the two categories you spend the most each month on up to $150,000 annually in combined purchases. After reaching the cap and on all other categories, you earn 1x points.
Accelerated points categories include purchases made at US gas stations, US restaurants, airfare purchased directly from airlines, US purchases in advertising media, purchases on US shipping and US computer hardware, software and cloud computing from select providers. This versatility combined with 4x points is rare within the business credit card industry.
But to enjoy the rewards and perks offered by this card, expect to pay a $295 annual fee.
Delta SkyMiles® Gold Business American Express Card
The Delta SkyMiles® Gold Business American Express Card is made for those who travel on Delta Air Lines but don’t spend more than $25,000 a year. You still get to enjoy frequent flyer benefits, such as getting your first checked bag free, priority boarding and earning Delta miles, but it’ll cost you less to own the card.
The card’s welcome offer is generous too. Earn 50,000 bonus miles and a $50 statement credit once you spend $2,000 in the first 3 months your account is open. Also, your Delta purchases earn 2x miles, at restaurant and on advertising purchases for select US media and US shipping earn 2x miles, and 1x miles on all other purchases. Redeem miles for flights, seat upgrades, gift cards, shopping and more.
Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card
For the business owner who spends more than $30,000 a year on air travel, the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card could be the right choice. You get a generous welcome offer, free access to Delta Sky Clubs and can earn Medallion Qualification Miles (MQMs) faster, which you can use toward earning a Medallion Status for comfort and luxury benefits when flying Delta.
In addition to earning 3x miles on Delta purchases — which you can redeem for flights, seat upgrades, gift cards, shopping and more — you get a domestic, first class Delta Comfort+® or main cabin roundtrip companion certificate every year you renew your card. Taxes and fees of up to $75 aren’t covered by the certificate. All these perks should be more than enough to cover for the card’s $550 annual fee.
Marriott Bonvoy Business™ American Express® Card
Business owners who frequently stay at Marriott Bonvoy properties would find this card to be of great value. The card’s welcome offer is easy to earn, plus you get to earn points you can redeem at participating hotels. The rewards structure changed in August 2018, when SPG®, Marriott Rewards® and The Ritz-Carlton Rewards® merged into one loyalty program, which allows you to earn even more points for every purchase you make.
But Marriott Bonvoy hotel purchases aren’t the only category that’s highly rewarding. You also earn 4x points at US restaurants, US gas stations, on wireless telephone services from US providers and on US purchases for shipping, and you earn 2x points on all other purchases.
Other perks that make this card valuable include the option to transfer points to a frequent flyer program or book a flight using them; complimentary Silver Elite status; free night award every year on your card anniversary and more.
The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card
If your business requires frequent stays at hotels, consider The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card. With this card, you get to earn one of the most generous welcome offers you can find, plus you earn 12x points on Hilton purchases, 6x points on business purchases and travel purchases in select categories, and 3x points on everything else you buy.
But the valuable features don’t stop there. You also get complimentary Hilton Honors Gold status, one weekend night in a standard room with double occupancy when you spend $15,000, you get 10 Priority Pass visits each year after you enroll and more. All this is more than enough to justify the card’s $95 annual fee.
American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card
For small businesses that usually spend up to $50,000 a year, you’ll find this card’s flat cash back rate (paid out as a statement credit) a great value for your business. In addition, you get a great introductory APR on purchases where you can make a large purchase for your business and pay it off without interest for a limited period. As a bonus, you don’t have to pay an annual fee to own this card.
Another feature that could help out with your business expenses is the ability to buy over your credit limit. However, the amount you can spend above your credit limit adjusts based on your card use, payment history and other factors determined by American Express.
The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express
The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express has a strong intro APR periods on purchases — 0% for the first 12 months after opening your account. The rate reverts to a variable APR of 13.24% to 19.24% after that.
If you get a low credit line, don’t worry — the card allows you to make purchases above your credit limit. Plus, for every dollar spent on up to $50,000 per year, you earn 2x membership rewards points. Once you reach the cap, you earn 1x membership rewards points.
This makes it similar to the American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card, except instead of cash back you earn reward points.
The Plum Card® from American Express
For businesses looking for payment flexibility with a 60-day grace period for purchases instead of the usual 25 days, The Plum Card® from American Express may be the best choice. In addition to the extra interest-free time, you get a 1.5% discount if you pay within 10 days of the closing date. This comes out to $3,600 per year in cash back if your monthly expenses are $20,000.
Business Green Rewards Card from American Express
The Business Green Rewards Card from American Express is the entry-level travel card, with a $0 intro annual fee for the first year and $95 after that. The card’s strongest feature is the 2x points you earn on purchases made through the Amex travel portal, while all other purchases earn 1x points.
As for the welcome offer, it’s not as generous as some other cards’ offer, but it’s not bad either. All you have to do is spend $3,000 in your first 3 months when you open your account and you’ll earn an additional 25,000 bonus points.
Amazon Business Prime American Express Card
Businesses who have an Amazon Prime membership and use Amazon Business, Amazon.com and Amazon Web Services (AWS), which includes cloud services, database storage and content delivery, should definitely consider the Amazon Business Prime American Express Card. On the aforementioned services, you earn 5% cash back on up to $120,000 annually, reverting to 1% back after (paid out as a statement credit on your account). Or you can extend your payments with these services to up to 90 days without interest. You’ll also earn 2% back at US restaurants, US gas stations, and US wireless telephone services and 1% back on other purchases
As a welcome offer, you get a $125 Amazon gift card as soon as your credit card is approved.
Lowe's Business Rewards Card from American Express
The Lowe's Business Rewards Card from American Express can be a solid card for businesses that often shop at Lowe’s. Every time you use your card at the store, you get a 5% discount on eligible purchases. Lowe’s purchases also earn 2x points, while purchases at US restaurants and US office supply stores and on wireless telephone services purchased directly from US service providers earn 3x points.
Other perks include a $100 welcome offer when you’re approved for the card, a 0% intro APR period on purchases for 6 months (15.74% to 24.74% variable after that) and Lowe’s ProServices.
How to choose an American Express business credit card
To help you choose the right Amex business card, you’ll want to ask yourself a few questions:
- What do you spend most money on? For businesses that require frequent and varied purchases of for their business, the American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card, which comes with a strong cashback rate on all purchases up to a cap, could be a great choice.
- Does your company need an intro APR period? If you want an intro period to pay off purchases, The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express comes with an introductory APR on purchases.
- How often do you travel? The Business Platinum Card® from American Express is the ultimate travel rewards card, but if you don’t travel as much, then you won’t get to use any of its perks and you’ll pay the annual fee of $595 for nothing.
- How often do you fly? Suppose you fly occasionally with Delta Air Lines but you don’t visit Delta Sky Clubs® every time you travel. In that case, the Delta SkyMiles® Gold Business American Express Card will be worth more to you than the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card. On the other hand, if you travel every month and want to enjoy luxury and comfort, the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card may be the superior choice.
- Do you often stay at Starwood and Marriott hotels? If that’s the case, the Marriott Bonvoy Business™ American Express® Card would help you earn free nights and complimentary benefits every time you visit one of their 1,500 locations worldwide. Plus, you can use Starpoints to pay for flights.
- Does your company have more than 50 employees? American Express offers tailored credit card programs for large businesses to help you make the most of your card. One of the best Amex business cards that can help you manage your expenses is the Business Green Rewards Card from American Express.
Typical benefits of an American Express business credit card
- Rewards. Choose from cashback rewards in the form of statement credit or get membership rewards, which you can redeem for travel, gift cards, merchandise or shopping. You can also get partner rewards from Delta Air Lines, Starwood hotels and Lowe’s stores.
- Expense and management tools. Small business cards from American Express come with a set of tools that help you track and manage your expenses. Also, you can send transactions directly to your QuickBooks account.
- Payment flexibility. Get deferred no-interest payment of up to 60 days when you pay at least 10% of your balance — ideal for companies that have cashflow issues.
- Employee cards. Earn more rewards and cash back with additional employee cards — depending on the card you choose, you can get additional cards for free. Set up spending limits for your employees and track their spending.
- Travel protection. Get travel insurance in case of accidental death and dismemberment, car rental insurance against damage or theft and baggage insurance up to $1,250 for carry-on baggage and up to $500 for checked baggage.
- Roadside and global assistance. Every time you need assistance on the road, whether it’s for a tire change or towing, call the roadside assistance hotline and they’ll send help. When traveling more than 100 miles from home, you get 24/7 access to medical, legal and other emergency services you may need.
- Amex® app. Download the Amex app and manage your American Express business account online.
Some of these features aren’t available to all American Express business cardholders.
What are American Express OPEN cards?
American Express OPEN was the name of Amex’s suite of financial products for small businesses. Although now rebranded as American Express Small Business, Amex still offers the same business-focused products and services as it did with OPEN. With the Amex business cards, you can get cashback rewards, payment flexibility with a grace period of up to 60 days, membership rewards and rewards from Amex travel partners.
How can my business save money with an Amex business card?
Amex offers business cards with a variety of earning categories tailored for businesses. Depending on where your business spends, you can earn a lot back over the course of a year. Here’s an example based on small business spending with The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express. (20 employees, 3 trips, 3 days in length)
| Spending category | Amount spent | Points earned |
|---|---|---|
| Office supplies | $12,720 | 25,440 |
| Business travel | $1,410 | 2,820 |
| Travel Dining | $435 | 870 |
| Office space | $30,000 (44,565) | 60,000 |
| Outsourced IT | $12,000 | 12,000 |
| Outsourced IT | $12,000 | 12,000 |
| Total | $56,565 | 101,130 |
The The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express earns 2x points on all purchases until you’ve spent $50,000 in total for the year. Afterward, you earn 1x points on all purchases. So by the time you get around to paying on your IT services, you’ve likely hit the $50,000 threshold and are earning 1x point per dollar spent. Still, you’re looking at earnings of 101,130 points, which can be worth 2 cents a piece based on Finder’s most recent valuations.
Bottom line
American Express offers a variety of business cards to fulfill your needs. Among them, you’ll find a decent no-annual-fee cashback card, one with a 60-day grace period to help you pay your balance when cash flow is an issue, and a number of travel rewards cards.
Aside from the specific card perks, with every Amex small business card you get travel insurance, car rental insurance and baggage coverage. You also get expense and management tools to help you track your employee spending and set spending limits.
But if none of these cards seem like the right choice for your business, compare other credit card options until you find the one that suits your needs.
Frequently asked questions
- Which American Express small business cards have no annual fee?
- American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card
- The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express
- Lowe's Business Rewards Card from American Express
- Which American Express small business cards earn membership rewards points?
- The Business Platinum Card® from American Express
- American Express® Business Gold Card
- Business Green Rewards Card from American Express
- The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express
- Does American Express report business card activities to credit bureaus?
American Express doesn’t report your business card’s activity to any credit bureaus. However, if you haven’t paid your balance in six months, American Express will notify the credit bureaus.
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