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American Express offers some of the best business credit cards on the market. Additionally, Amex offers a variety of business cards that fit many different business needs.
This includes business owners looking for a premium solution like The Business Platinum Card® from American Express, business owners looking to maximize large expenses with the American Express® Business Gold Card, and those looking for a simple, no-annual-fee card like The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express (rates & fees).
Beyond the benefits specific to each card, many Amex business cards offer helpful business tools that may include a pay-over-time option, no preset spending limit, the ability to add employee cards for a reduced or no additional fee, easy connection to partners like QuickBooks and Bill.com, and more.
No preset spending limit means your spending limit is flexible. Unlike a traditional card with a set limit, the amount you can spend adapts to factors such as your purchase, payment, and credit history.
Earn 3 Free Night Awards after you use your new Card to make $6,000 in eligible purchases within the first 6 months. Each Free Night Award has a redemption level up to 50,000 Marriott Bonvoy® points, for a total potential value of up to 150,000 points, at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy®.
The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.
This card is ideal for business travelers who enjoy luxury travel and are looking for a card loaded with benefits!
This card is ideal for business travelers who enjoy luxury travel and are looking for a card loaded with benefits!
Earn 150,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $20,000 in eligible purchases on the Card within the first 3 months of Card Membership.
150,000 points
$3,300
$695
19.49% - 28.49% Variable
Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.
When you factor in the large number of perks that the card offers like the best airport lounge access at over 1,400 lounges, along with tons of annual credits, it’s easy to see why this card can is a top option for frequent traveling business owners.
Pros
5x Membership Rewards points per $1 on flights and prepaid hotels at Amex Travel
Access to over 1,400 worldwide airport lounges as part of the American Express Global Lounge Collection
Get 50% more Membership Rewards points (1.5 points per $1) on eligible purchases in key business categories, as well as on purchases of $5,000 or more (cap applies)
Welcome Offer: Earn 150,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $20,000 in eligible purchases on the Card within the first 3 months of Card Membership.
5X Membership Rewards® points on flights and prepaid hotels on AmexTravel.com, and 1X points for each dollar you spend on eligible purchases.
Earn 1.5X points (that’s an extra half point per dollar) on each eligible purchase at US construction material, hardware suppliers, electronic goods retailers, and software & cloud system providers, and shipping providers, as well as on purchases of $5,000 or more everywhere else, on up to $2 million of these purchases per calendar year.
Unlock over $1,000 in statement credits on select purchases, including tech, recruiting and wireless in the first year of membership with the Business Platinum Card®. Enrollment required. See how you can unlock over $1,000 annually in credits on select purchases with the Business Platinum Card®, here.
$200 Airline Fee Credit: Select one qualifying airline and then receive up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year when incidental fees are charged by the airline to the Card.
$189 CLEAR® Plus Credit: Use your card and get up to $189 in statement credits per calendar year on your CLEAR® Plus Membership (subject to auto-renewal) when you use the Business Platinum Card®.
The American Express Global Lounge Collection® can provide an escape at the airport. With complimentary access to more than 1,400 airport lounges across 140 countries and counting, you have more airport lounge options than any other credit card issuer on the market as of 03/2023.
Cardholders can earn 5x points on flights and prepaid hotels on Amex Travel and 1.5x pointson eligible purchases with U.S. sellers of construction materials, hardware suppliers, electronic goods retailers, software and cloud system providers, and shipping providers, as well as on purchases of $5,000 or more everywhere else (on up to $2 million of these purchases per calendar year).
Up to $120 in wireless phone service statement credits
You must enroll for some of these benefits, which you can do on your Amex account. When we look at all of the American Express Business cards, there isn’t any other that comes close to delivering more value for travelers than the Amex Business Platinum card.
Yes, it does come with a high annual fee, but it delivers value for the frequent traveler far beyond the amount of that fee.
The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.
Get 4x points in 2 select categories where your business spends the most each month (on your first $150,000 spent each year).
Get 4x points in 2 select categories where your business spends the most each month (on your first $150,000 spent each year).
Earn 100,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $15,000 on eligible purchases with the Business Gold Card within the first 3 months of Card Membership.*
100,000 Points
$2,200
$375
19.49% - 28.49% Variable,0% on purchases for 6 months from date of account opening
Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.
The card earns a whopping 4x points per $1 in the 2 categories (from a list of 6) that your business spends the most money on each month. With no need to opt-in or preselect your categories, so you can focus on what matters most — running your business.
Pros
4x points per dollar spent on your 2 highest purchase categories each month up to $150,000 each calendar year in purchases; categories include:
NEW! Transit purchases including trains, taxicabs, rideshare services, ferries, tolls, parking, buses, and subways
NEW! U.S. purchases made from electronic goods retailers and software & cloud system providers
NEW! Monthly wireless telephone service charges made directly from a wireless telephone service provider in the U.S.
U.S. purchases at gas stations
U.S. purchases at restaurants, including takeout and delivery
Purchases at U.S. media providers for advertising in select media (online such as Google Ads, Facebook Ads, plus TV and radio)
3x points per dollar on flights and prepaid hotels booked on amextravel.com using your Business Gold Card
Welcome Offer: Earn 100,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $15,000 on eligible purchases with the Business Gold Card within the first 3 months of Card Membership.*
0% Intro APR ¤ for 6 months from the date of account opening on purchases eligible for Pay Over Time, then a 19.49% to 28.49% variable APR.*
Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points on the top two eligible categories where your business spends the most each month from 6 eligible categories. While your top 2 categories may change, you will earn 4X points on the first $150,000 in combined purchases from these categories each calendar year (then 1X thereafter). Only the top 2 categories each billing cycle will count towards the $150,000 cap.*
Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights and prepaid hotels booked on amextravel.com using your Business Gold Card.*
Earn up to $20 in statement credits monthly after you use the Business Gold Card for eligible U.S. purchases at FedEx, Grubhub, and Office Supply Stores. This can be an annual savings of up to $240. Enrollment required.
Get up to a $12.95** statement credit back each month after you pay for a monthly Walmart+ membership (subject to auto-renewal) with your Business Gold Card. **Up to $12.95 plus applicable taxes on one membership fee.*
The Business Gold Card now comes in three metal designs: Gold, Rose Gold and Limited Edition White Gold. White Gold design is only available while supplies last. Make your selection when you apply on Americanexpress.com.
*Terms Apply
Financial Snapshot
APR: 19.49% - 28.49% Variable,0% on purchases for 6 months from date of account opening
Another solid business card is the Amex Business Gold card, which rewards your greatest purchases with 4x points on the 2 select categories where your business spent the most each month for the first $150,000 annually (then 1x). This ensures your greatest spending categories earn the greatest rewards. You select eligible bonus categories from a list of 6 common business-expense categories:
Transit purchases including trains, taxicabs, ride-share services, ferries, tolls, parking, buses, and subways
Monthly wireless telephone service charges made directly from a wireless telephone service provider in the U.S.
U.S. purchases made from select technology providers of computer hardware, software, and cloud solutions
U.S. purchases for advertising in select media
U.S. purchases at gas stations
U.S. purchases at restaurants
Points add up quickly if your business spends significantly in a particular category.
The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.
Take control of your cash-back with the Amex Blue Business Cash card, and earn 2% cash-back on up to $50,000 in purchases each year.
Take control of your cash-back with the Amex Blue Business Cash card, and earn 2% cash-back on up to $50,000 in purchases each year.
Earn a $250 statement credit after you make $3,000 in purchases on your Card in your first 3 months.
$250
$0
0.0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months from the date of account opening, then a variable rate, 18.49% - 26.49%, based on your creditworthiness and other factors as determined at the time of account opening. APRs will not exceed 29.99%
Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.
Good to Excellent (670-850)
Looking for a way to keep tabs on your office supply costs and business travel expenses while earning cash-back? Then The American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card could be a good fit.
This card offers expense management solutions that are designed to give companies more control, along with a much clearer picture of their business spending. In doing so, the more you spend, the more cash-back you can earn.
Pros
2% cash-back on up to $50,000 in spend, then 1% back thereafter
No annual fee
Travel and purchase protection
Cons
Not ideal for those who spend a lot on a specific category like groceries or gas
Earn a $250 statement credit after you make $3,000 in purchases on your Card in your first 3 months.
0.0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months from the date of account opening, then a variable rate, 18.49% – 26.49%, based on your creditworthiness and other factors as determined at the time of account opening. APRs will not exceed 29.99%
Earn 2% cash back on all eligible purchases on up to $50,000 per calendar year, then 1%. Cash back earned is automatically credited to your statement.
From workflow to inventory to floor plans, your business is constantly changing. That’s why you’ve got the power to spend beyond your credit limit with Expanded Buying Power.
Just remember, the amount you can spend above your credit limit is not unlimited. It adjusts with your use of the Card, your payment history, credit record, financial resources known to us and other factors.
No Annual Fee
Terms Apply
Financial Snapshot
APR: 0.0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months from the date of account opening, then a variable rate, 18.49% - 26.49%, based on your creditworthiness and other factors as determined at the time of account opening. APRs will not exceed 29.99%
Foreign Transaction Fees: 2.7% of each transaction after conversion to U.S. dollars
Startup businesses may have an initial mix of expenses that differ from established businesses, as they may need to build technology infrastructure, open a brick-and-mortar storefront, or launch a massive marketing campaign.
For this reason, selecting a business credit card that rewards startup expenses is critical to getting the most value back from a business credit card.
The Amex Blue Business Cash card is a solid card for a startup business because it offers the business owner a simple cash-back earning structure: 2% cash-backon every eligible purchase their business makes (up to $50,000 per year, and 1% after that). The card also offers a 0.0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months from the date of account opening, then a variable rate, 18.49% - 26.49%, based on your creditworthiness and other factors as determined at the time of account opening. APRs will not exceed 29.99%.
The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.
Earn Membership Rewards for your business spending the easy way: get 2x points for the first $50,000 in purchases per year.
Earn Membership Rewards for your business spending the easy way: get 2x points for the first $50,000 in purchases per year.
Earn 15,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $3,000 in eligible purchases on the Card within your first 3 months of Card Membership.
15,000 points
$330
No annual fee
18.49% - 26.49% Variable,0% on purchases for 12 months from date of account opening
Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.
With the Amex Blue Business Plus card, you’ll earn 2x Membership Rewards points on everyday business purchases throughout the year (up to $50,000; 1x thereafter) and receive purchase protections and no-additional-charge employee cards all for no annual fee (see rates and fees).
The simple and straightforward earning structure makes it a great fit for those looking to earn flexible rewards, without having to fixate on which purchases earn the most points.
Let’s take look at all that the Amex Blue Business Plus card has to offer.
Pros
2x Membership Rewards points per $1 on everyday business purchases (up to $50,000; 1x thereafter)
Purchase protection and extended warranty protection
No annual fee and employee cards at no additional cost
Cons
No unique bonus categories and 2x earnings are capped at $50,000 in annual spend
No elite travel benefits like lounge access or elite status
Earn 15,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $3,000 in eligible purchases on the Card within your first 3 months of Card Membership.
0.0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months from the date of account opening, then a variable rate, 18.49% - 26.49%, based on your creditworthiness and other factors at account opening. APR will not exceed 29.99%
Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on everyday business purchases such as office supplies or client dinners. 2X applies to the first $50,000 in purchases per year, 1 point per dollar thereafter.
You’ve got the power to use your Card beyond its credit limit* with Expanded Buying Power.
*The amount you can spend above your credit limit is not unlimited. It adjusts with your use of the Card, your payment history, credit record, financial resources known to us, and other factors.
No Annual Fee
Terms Apply
Financial Snapshot
APR: 18.49% - 26.49% Variable,0% on purchases for 12 months from date of account opening
Foreign Transaction Fees: 2.7% of each transaction after conversion to US dollars.
Looking for a rewards-earning business credit card without an annual fee? Consider the Amex Blue Business Plus card.
With it, you earn 2x points on all purchases of up to $50,000 in spend per year and 1x points after that.
Further, the Amex Blue Business Plus card is one of the few business credit cards to come with a 0.0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months from the date of account opening, then a variable rate, 18.49% - 26.49%, based on your creditworthiness and other factors at account opening. APRs will not exceed 29.99%.
The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.
Instead of normal cash-back, earn an unlimited 1.5% Early Pay Discount on eligible charges paid within 10 days of your statement closing date and see the discount applied to your next statement when you pay at the least the Minimum Payment Due by the Please Pay By date.
Instead of normal cash-back, earn an unlimited 1.5% Early Pay Discount on eligible charges paid within 10 days of your statement closing date and see the discount applied to your next statement when you pay at the least the Minimum Payment Due by the Please Pay By date.
No Welcome Offer
No Welcome Offer
$0
$250
Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.
Good to Excellent (670-840)
Cash flow can be unpredictable. Sometimes you can pay bills right away, and other times it may be easier to wait. Either way works out in your favor with The Plum Card® from American Express!
With this card, you can pay your bill early and earn an unlimited 1.5% Early Pay Discount on eligible charges paid within 10 days of your statement closing date. You’ll see the discount applied to your next statement when you pay at the least the Minimum Payment Due by the Please Pay By date. Alternatively, you can take up to 60 days to pay with no interest, when you pay your minimum due by the Payment Due Date.
For those who run seasonal businesses or whose incoming cash flow is unpredictable, the card can provide you with payment alternatives that most other cards don’t.
Paying early pays off: earn an unlimited 1.5% Early Pay Discount on eligible charges paid within 10 days of your statement closing date and see the discount applied to your next statement when you pay at the least the Minimum Payment Due by the Please Pay By date.
Take up to 60 days to pay with no interest‡, when you pay your minimum due by the Payment Due Date.
Use the power of the Plum Card to buy big for your business.
No Foreign Transaction Fees.‡
Terms Apply.
Financial Snapshot
Foreign Transaction Fees: None
Rewards Center
There is no special rewards center for this card; the cash-back earned will be applied directly to your next statement when you pay at the least the Minimum Payment Due by the Please Pay By date.
Of course, cash back is the most liquid form of reward you can earn on your business card because the money can go right back into your business. While American Express doesn’t offer many cash-back cards, the Amex Plum Card, which has a more simplistic structure, earns 1.5% cash-backon the portion of your balance you pay within 10 days of your statement closing date. However, if you need more time to pay off your charges, you also get up to 60 days to pay without interest, as long as you pay the minimum due by your Payment Due Date.
Additionally, the card has added perks like no foreign transaction fees, purchase protection, and extended warranty protection (rates & fees).
The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.
Receive priority boarding, complimentary access to Delta Sky Club and Centurion Lounges, concierge support, and an annual companion certificate.
Receive priority boarding, complimentary access to Delta Sky Club and Centurion Lounges, concierge support, and an annual companion certificate.
Welcome Offer: Earn 75,000 Bonus Miles after spending $10,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.
75,000 Bonus Miles
$900
$650
20.99% - 29.99% Variable
Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.
While the annual fee may be steep, the card comes loaded with perks and benefits that all frequent Delta flyers are sure to love. Let’s take a look at what makes the card unique, and why it may be a great fit for your wallet.
Pros
3x miles per dollar on Delta purchases
1.5x miles per dollar on eligible transit, U.S. shipping and office supply stores, plus all eligible purchases after you spend $150,000 in a year
Save 15% On Award Travel With TakeOff 15. Not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
Cons
High annual fee
Does not earn many miles for purchases outside of Delta spend
Welcome Offer: Earn 75,000 Bonus Miles after spending $10,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.
Enter Delta Sky Club® at no cost. Effective 2/1/25, Reserve Card Members will receive 15 Visits per year to the Delta Sky Club; to earn an unlimited number of Visits each year starting on 2/1/25, the total eligible purchases on the Card must equal $75,000 or more between 1/1/24 and 12/31/24, and each calendar year thereafter.
Earn 3 miles per dollar on eligible Delta purchases.
Get closer to elevated Status next Medallion® Year with MQD Headstart and MQD Boost: receive $2,500 Medallion Qualification Dollars each Medallion Qualification Year and earn $1 MQD for each $10 on purchases with your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card.
Receive a Companion Certificate on First Class, Delta Comfort+®, or Main Cabin domestic, Caribbean, or Central American roundtrip flights each year after renewal of your Card. The Companion Ticket requires payment of government-imposed taxes and fees of no more than $80 for roundtrip domestic flights and no more than $250 for roundtrip international flights (both for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. See terms and conditions for details.
With the $240 Resy Credit, earn up to $20 per month in statement credits on eligible Resy purchases using your enrolled Card.
Earn up to $10 back each month after using your enrolled Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card for U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers.
Save 15% when booking Award Travel on Delta flights. Not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
Not a Medallion Member? Card Members with an eligible ticket will be added to the Complimentary Upgrade list, after Delta SkyMiles Medallion Members.
As a benefit of Card Membership, you can check your first bag free on Delta flights, saving up to $70 on a round-trip Delta flight per person. For a family of four that’s a potential savings of up to $280 per round-trip flight.
When you purchase a Delta flight with your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business Card, you will receive complimentary access to The Centurion® Lounge or Escape Lounge – The Centurion® Studio Partner.
Receive Zone 5 Priority Boarding on Delta flights; board early, stow your carry-on bag and settle in sooner.
Elevate your travel experience with an annual statement credit of up to $250 after using your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card to book prepaid hotels or vacation rentals through Delta Stays on delta.com.
Pay no foreign transaction fees when you travel overseas.
Delta business credit cards can earn SkyMiles for reward flights, deliver travel perks that make your journey more comfortable and productive, and even fund a family vacation.
The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.
A great option for business owners who stay in Marriott hotels and want automatic elite status.
A great option for business owners who stay in Marriott hotels and want automatic elite status.
WELCOME OFFER: Earn 3 Free Night Awards after you use your new Card to make $6,000 in eligible purchases within the first 6 months of Card Membership. Each Free Night Award has a redemption level up to 50,000 Marriott Bonvoy® points, for a total potential value of up to 150,000 points, at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy®. Certain hotels have resort fees. Terms apply.
3 Free Night Awards
$1,050
$125
20.99% - 29.99% Variable
Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.
Good to Excellent (670-850)
Business travelers who opt for Marriott as their hotel chain of choice will definitely want to consider the Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card. The card offers great benefits to cardholders like a complimentary hotel night once a year, complimentary Gold Elite status, and multiple point redemption options.
Pros
6x Marriott Bonvoy points on each dollar of eligible purchases at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy® program.
4x points for purchases made at restaurants worldwide, at U.S. gas stations, on wireless telephone services purchased directly from U.S. service providers and on U.S. purchases for shipping.
WELCOME OFFER: Earn 3 Free Night Awards after you use your new Card to make $6,000 in eligible purchases within the first 6 months of Card Membership. Each Free Night Award has a redemption level up to 50,000 Marriott Bonvoy® points, for a total potential value of up to 150,000 points, at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy®. Certain hotels have resort fees. Terms apply.
Receive a 7% discount on eligible bookings as a benefit of being both a Marriott Bonvoy® member & a Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card Member when you book directly with Marriott through an eligible channel for a participating property under the Amex Business Card Rate.
6x Marriott Bonvoy points on each dollar of eligible purchases at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy® program.
4x points for purchases made at restaurants worldwide, at U.S. gas stations, on wireless telephone services purchased directly from U.S. service providers and on U.S. purchases for shipping.
2x points on all other eligible purchases.
Receive 1 Free Night Award every year after your Card renewal month. Plus, earn an additional Free Night Award after you spend $60K in purchases on your Card in a calendar year. Award can be used for one night (redemption level at or under 35,000 Marriott Bonvoy® points) at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy®. Certain hotels have resort fees.
Enjoy Complimentary Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite Status with your Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card.
The Marriott Bonvoy Business card is great if you regularly stay at Marriott hotels.
For starters, it allows you to earn 6x points on Marriott stays; 4x points at restaurants worldwide, U.S. gas stations, wireless telephone services purchased directly from U.S. service providers, and on U.S. purchases for shipping; and 2x points on all other purchases.
Beyond point earning, it offers automatic Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status, 15 Elite Night Credits each year, a 7% room rate discount, and more.
The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.
An excellent option for business owners and business travelers who stay at Hilton properties often and want perks like Hilton Honors elite status.
An excellent option for business owners and business travelers who stay at Hilton properties often and want perks like Hilton Honors elite status.
Welcome Offer: Earn 130,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points after you spend $6,000 in purchases on the Hilton Honors Business Card within the first six months of Card Membership.
130,000 points
$650
$195
20.99% - 29.99% Variable
Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.
Welcome Offer: Earn 130,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points after you spend $6,000 in purchases on the Hilton Honors Business Card within the first six months of Card Membership.
Earn 12X Hilton Honors Bonus Points on eligible Hilton purchases.
Earn 5X Hilton Honors Bonus Points on other purchases made using the Hilton Honors Business Card on the first $100,000 in purchases each calendar year, 3X points thereafter.
Enjoy up to $240 back each year for eligible purchases made directly with Hilton.
Enjoy complimentary Hilton Honors™ Gold Status with your Hilton Honors Business Card. With Hilton Honors Gold status, you can enjoy benefits at hotels and resorts within the Hilton Portfolio. As a Gold member, earn an 80% Bonus on all Base Points you earn on every stay getting you to free nights faster.
You may receive an upgrade to Hilton Honors Diamond status through the end of the calendar year if the total eligible purchases on your Card Account during a calendar year reach $40,000 or more.
Enjoy complimentary National Car Rental® Emerald Club Executive® status. Enrollment in the complimentary Emerald Club® program is required. Terms apply.
Business owners who’ve made Hilton their hotel chain of choice will find tons of value in the Hilton Business Amex card. For a reasonable $195 annual fee, you can take advantage of all of these perks:
12x points on Hilton stays
6x points at U.S. gas stations, on U.S. purchases for shipping, on wireless telephone services purchased directly from U.S. service providers, on flights booked directly with airlines or with Amex Travel, on car rentals booked directly from select car rental companies, and at U.S. restaurants
3x points on all other purchases
Automatic Hilton Honors Gold status
Other Amex Business Cards
While they didn’t make our top 8, American Express offers several other excellent business credit cards. Our dedicated review pages provide more information about each.
Amex Membership Rewards Cards
Business Centurion® Card from American Express (by invitation only)
Your personal credit plays a significant role in whether you’re approved for a business credit card, so you need to provide this information when applying for one.
Credit limits and APRs may be higher for business credit cards than for personal credit cards.
The CARD Act does not apply to business cards. The Federal Credit Card Accountability Responsibility and Disclosure (CARD) Act of 2009 protects consumers from credit card company practices Congress deemed predatory. The act does not cover business credit cards, so they may be less consumer-friendly, although some card issuers now voluntarily include CARD protections for their business cards.
Narrow Your Business Card Options by Answering These Questions
In which category of business expenses does my business spend the most? Knowing where most of your company’s money is going is critical to maximizing the benefits of any business rewards-earning credit card.
Does my business involve frequent travel? Does your business purchase airline tickets frequently, or are you a road warrior who spends a lot at gas stations and hotels? Perhaps you work out of your home and have no travel expenses at all. That can play a big part in determining which card is right for you.
Would my business benefit more from cash-back or travel rewards? Do I want cash to reinvest back into my business, or is earning travel rewards the priority? Even if your business doesn’t involve travel, you might want to use the miles or points earned on your business expenses to fund a family vacation.
Am I comfortable paying an annual fee? Will the credit card deliver enough benefits to your business to offset any annual fee, or would you prefer a card with no annual fee?
Which Types of Businesses Qualify for a Business Credit Card?
The IRS defines a business as an activity “carried on with the reasonable expectation of earning a profit.”Still, credit card issuers have their own criteria for approving business credit card applications.
Some issuers want to see tax returns that show your business operation, and others find a small side gig with little income to be a perfectly acceptable business operation.
The stronger your personal credit history, the more likely you are to be approved for a business credit card, even if your business is just starting out.
Bottom Line: You need a strong personal credit history to get approved for a business credit card because you will be personally responsible for paying your business credit card.
How To Apply for an American Express Business Credit Card
Before completing a business credit card application, gather the information you need to complete the application accurately:
The name of your business (this can be your name or another legal name)
The type of business entity (sole proprietor, partnership, S corporation, limited liability company)
The business tax ID number (either an Employer Identification Number or your own Social Security number)
The number of years you’ve been in business
Total business revenue and total personal income: It’s fine to put zero if your business has no income yet
Address of the business (can be the same as your personal address) and phone number
Type of business and subtype of business (for example, services and accounting services)
Number of employees
Additional personal information
Here are tips for completing the business credit card application to increase your chances of approval:
Complete the application as accurately as possible, even if you have to estimate some of the numbers or generalize the nature of your business. Keep notes on why you answered a question a certain way and your process for estimating any business revenue or personal income.
Keep a copy of the application. If American Express needs more information before approving you for one of their credit cards, you want to be able to refer to your application and any notes you made during any follow-up conversations.
Document the offer you’re applying for. For example, if you’re applying for an offer that gives 50,000 points after spending $3,000 in the first 3 months, make sure you have a screenshot or other documentation if, for any reason, the points don’t show up.
How To Choose an American Express Business Card
Choosing which American Express business card is right for you depends on what benefits and bonus categories you’re looking for in a new card and whether you’re willing to pay an annual fee for those perks.
If you’re looking for a premium business credit card that is great for travel and offers access to airport lounges, you should consider the Amex Business Platinum card. On the other hand, if your business has large expenses and you’re looking to earn as many points as possible, then the Amex Business Gold card might suit you better. If you don’t need all the bells and whistles and just want a great cash-back credit card with no annual fee, then you might want to go for the Amex Blue Business Cash card.
There really is no right or wrong. Consider your business needs, what you spend the most on, the specific benefits you are looking for, and then decide from there.
What Credit Score Do I Need for an Amex Business Card?
No set credit score will guarantee your approval for any Amex business card. Additionally, your credit score is only 1 factor among many in your application decision. American Express also considers your business income, years of credit history, history with American Express, and more.
That said, most business owners who have a credit score of 670 or higher usually have good approval odds for Amex business cards.
How Long Does It Take for an Amex Business Card Application To Be Approved?
You may be approved or denied instantly, but American Express may also require additional time to review your application. They may even need to contact you for further details. In these instances, it is usually no more than 7 to 14 days before you receive a decision.
How Many Amex Business Cards Can I Have?
American Express allows you to hold up to 5 Amex credit cards at once, whether they are personal or business cards. That said, there have been instances of people being approved for more than 5 Amex credit cards in the past, so your mileage may vary.
Additionally, historically, hybrid cards that offer the pay-over-time payment method haven’t counted toward the 5-credit-card limit. These cards include:
Amex Business Platinum card
Amex Business Gold card
The Platinum Card® from American Express
American Express® Gold Card
American Express® Green Card
How Much Are Amex Points Worth?
This is entirely subjective and largely depends on how you plan to redeem your points. If you use your points as cash-back to cover your charges, you only receive a rate of 0.6 cents per point.
Redeeming points for gift cards or paying with points through American Express Travel usually offers up to 1 cent per point in value. However, those who hold the Amex Business Platinum card can take advantage of the 35% rebate for paying with points on select flights through Amex Travel — offering a redemption value of 1.54 cents per point.
That said, at Upgraded Points, we value Amex points at 2.2 cents per point, thanks to the value you can receive via the Amex transfer partners.
Are American Express Cards the Best Business Credit Cards?
American Express offers some of the best business credit cards, thanks to its combination of a flexible rewards program, useful bonus categories, great perks, and card protections.
However, whether a card is best for you depends on what you want and need in a new business card. We highly recommend you consider all of your options from a variety of banks to ensure that you’re picking the card best suited for your needs.
Business Credit Cards vs. Personal Credit Cards
You may wonder if you need a business credit card for your startup or small business. You may not be generating a lot of profit starting out, and you’ve probably been able to get by using your personal credit card for your business expenses.
The most important reason to use a business credit card is to keep business expenses separate from personal expenses.
The easiest way to do that is to put all your business expenses on a business credit card. Separating your expenses can be especially important when it comes time to complete your annual tax return and add up your business expenses for the year or in case you face an audit.
You should open a separate bank account for your business even before applying for a business credit card. Using funds from your business bank account to pay your business expenses on a credit card is prudent.
Hot Tip:
Another reason to secure a business credit card is that they frequently offer perks for businesses, have business cash management tools, offer higher credit limits, and reward business-category spending more than personal cards.
Deciding Between an American Express Business Charge Card and a Business Credit Card
You should know the difference between a business charge card and a business credit card to decide which card matches your business spending patterns — and which will bring the most value to your bottom line.
An Amex business credit card allows you to carry a balance from one statement period to another. When your statement period ends, you will be charged interest on any balance remaining on the card.
A charge card requires the balance to be paid off in full each statement period, as charge cards do not typically allow a balance to be carried over to another statement period.
The Amex Plum card lets you carry over a balance, but this is the card’s key feature and is stated up front. Each card has different requirements, and the card issuer must initiate the opportunity to carry over a balance.
Charge cards usually have no preset spending limit, although that does not mean you have an unlimited credit limit. The credit card issuer determines your limit based on how you manage the card.
How We Selected Our List of Best Amex Business Credit Cards
We use several factors to determine our choices for the best Amex Business cards. The most important included card benefits, earnings structure, credit card bonus offers, fees, and redemption value.
Here is some insight into our thought process when selecting the best travel rewards cards:
We look for cards offering bonus earnings on items your business likely spends the most on. Whether that’s advertisement spending, utilities, gas, or even a flat rate on all purchases, these cards make it easy to accumulate rewards on all of your business expenses.
Welcome Bonus Offers
A card’s welcome bonus offer is a unique opportunity to earn a large number of rewards in a short period. These offers play a huge role when we recommend a travel rewards card. We provide you with the current welcome bonus offer information available to us for each card, but you should always confirm the welcome bonus offer and review any earnings offers before applying for a card.
Fees
The best Amex business cards come with premium benefits, but you also pay a higher annual fee for those benefits. It’s important that the benefits offered by a business credit card could potentially offset any annual fee you’ll be paying.
Redemption Value
A card scores high with us if it earns flexible rewards that allow for several options at redemption time. The best Amex business cards let you redeem points directly for travel, provide a bonus for rewards redeemed via a travel portal, allow you to redeem rewards for statement credits for travel purchases, or allow you to transfer rewards to airline and hotel partners to receive the greatest potential value.
American Express offers more business credit cards than you could use in your lifetime. Their business credit cards are generally strong contenders against other credit cards in their categories, so an American Express business credit card can be a good choice.
You’ll find a selection of business credit cards for every type of business operation and confirmation that American Express is a rock star among issuers in the business credit card world.
For the purchase protection benefit of The Plum Card® from American Express, eligibility and benefit level varies by Card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.
For the extended warranty benefit of The Plum Card® from American Express, eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.
The information regarding the Amazon Business American Express Card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.
The information regarding the Business Centurion® Card from American Express was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer. The information regarding the Business Green Rewards Card from American Express was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.
For rates and fees of The Business Platinum Card® from American Express, click here. For rates and fees of the American Express® Business Gold Card, click here. For rates and fees of The American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card, click here. For rates and fees of The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express, click here. For rates and fees of The Plum Card® from American Express, click here. For rates and fees for the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card, click here. For rates and fees of the Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card, click here. For rates and fees of The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card, click here. For rates and fees of the Amazon Business Prime American Express Card, click here. For rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles® Gold Business American Express Card, click here. For rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card, click here. For the rates and fees of the Lowe’s Business Rewards Card from American Express, click here.
Featured Image Credit: Upgraded Points
Frequently Asked Questions
How do business cards work?
Business cards work the same way personal credit cards do. Charges are made throughout the statement period and you must either pay off the entire statement when due (charge card) or make at least a minimum payment and carry over a balance (credit card).
If you own a business, you should keep personal expenses separate from business expenses. A business credit card can help you do that. You are, however, personally responsible for paying the charges on your business credit card, and your personal credit is used to determine whether you should be approved for the business credit card.
How does a cash-back business card work?
On a cash-back business credit card, any purchase you make on the card earns a percentage of that purchase back in cash. Some credit cards allow you to take the cash, but most apply the cash as a statement credit.
Many cash-back credit cards have bonus spending categories that allow you to earn as much as 5% cash-back on your purchases. The biggest benefit of cash-back is that the money can be invested directly back into your business to help offset expenses.
What qualifies as a business for a business credit card?
Even small side businesses such as photographing sports on the weekends or selling homemade jams can qualify for a business credit card, but you would need a strong personal credit history to be approved.
The IRS recognizes any activity that has the intent of earning a profit as a business, so that’s a good guideline to start with, but credit card issuers want your personal credit history to be strong, as you’d be personally responsible for paying off the business credit card.
Are there 0% interest credit cards without a balance transfer fee?
Most business credit cards with introductory APR periods for balance transfers charge fees, usually 3% to 5% of the amount being transferred. You’re more likely to find personal credit cards that offer a 0% APR period for balance transfers that do not charge transfer fees.
Our complete guide to 0% APR credit cards includes American Express personal credit cards that meet these criteria.
Can I use my American Express business credit card for personal purchases?
The short answer is yes, it is possible to use your business credit card for personal expenses. However, one of the reasons to get a business credit card is to keep personal and business expenses separate.
The benefit of keeping these expenses separate is that bookkeeping will be easier at tax time without having to determine which are personal and which are business expenses on the credit card.
Also, should you be audited, it’s best to have only your business expenses on the business credit card.
Boasting a portfolio of over 20 cards, Jarrod has been an expert in the points and miles space for over 6 years. He earns and redeems over 1 million points per year and his work has been featured in outlets like The New York Times.
This bonus value is an estimated valuation calculated by UP after analyzing redemption options, transfer partners, award availability and how much UP would pay to buy these points.