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If you’re searching for a credit card that will offer big benefits for your business and your wallet, look no further than American Express business credit cards. Whether you’re looking to save money on your everyday purchases, earn airline miles or hotel points, or improve your travel experiences, Amex offers a card that will meet your needs.
Read on to learn about which American Express business credit cards are available, how these cards can help you, and which one is right for your business.
In this article
- What American Express business credit cards offer
- Which American Express business credit card is right for you?
- Bottom line
What American Express business credit cards offer
Business credit cards help businesses track expenses, control their cash flow, and earn valuable rewards. Though some business cards come with annual fees, the perks cardholders receive are generally worth more than the fees paid each year. This makes the decision to apply for and keep American Express business credit cards each year a no-brainer.
American Express business credit cards offer the ability to turn normal expenses into great rewards. Depending upon which card you choose, you’ll earn cash back, hotel points, airline miles, or Membership Rewards. Plus, you can enjoy great benefits such as free checked bags, hotel elite status, and airport lounge access. Do note that cash back is in the form of a statement credit and enrollment is required for select benefits.
Some of the most popular American Express credit cards for business include:
- Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card- this card comes with automatic Gold elite status and up to two free hotel nights each year.
- The Business Platinum Card® from American Express- cardholders get access to over 1,400 airport lounges and 35% of points back for flight redemptions. Select benefits require activation or enrollment.
- The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card- cardmembers get complimentary Gold status and up to two free hotel nights each year.
- Delta SkyMiles® Gold Business American Express Card- this card comes with your first checked bag free and priority boarding.
Rewards available with Amex business credit cards
With American Express business credit cards, you can earn cash back, airline miles, Membership Rewards points, or hotel points. Cash back is in the form of a statement credit. To choose the best card for you, think about where what type of rewards are most valuable to your small business and where you spend the most money.
Here are a few of the best Amex credit cards that offer great rewards to help your business.
| Card name | Reward details | Welcome offer | Annual fee |
| American Express® Business Gold Card | 4X Membership Rewards Points on purchases in the two categories with the most spend each billing cycle from 6 eligible categories (up to $150,000 in combined purchases each calendar year, after that 1X), 3X Membership Rewards points on flights and prepaid hotels booked at amextravel.com, and 1 point per $1 spent on other eligible purchases | Earn 70,000 Membership Rewards points after spending $10,000 on eligible purchases in the first 3 months | $375 (Terms apply) |
| The Business Platinum Card® from American Express | 5X points on flights and prepaid hotels on Amextravel.com; 1.5X points on eligible purchases at U.S. suppliers of construction materials and hardware, U.S. retailers of electronic goods, U.S. providers of shipping, software and cloud systems, and eligible purchases of $5,000 or more (up to $2 million per year, then 1X); and 1X points per $1 spent on all other eligible purchases | Earn 120,000 Membership Rewards points after spending $15,000 on eligible purchases in the first 3 months | $695(Terms apply) |
| The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card | 12X Hilton Honors Bonus Points on direct purchases with Hilton; 6X at U.S. gas stations, cell phone services from U.S. providers, U.S. shipping purchases, U.S. restaurants, flights booked directly with airlines or Amex Travel, and select car rentals; and 3X on all other eligible purchases | Earn 130,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points after spending $3,000 in purchases in the first 3 months | $95(Terms apply) |
| The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express | 2X Membership Rewards points on everyday eligible business purchases up to $50,000 each year, and 1X points on eligible purchases after that | Earn 15,000 Membership Rewards points after you spend $3,000 on eligible purchases within the first 3 months of card membership | $0(Terms apply) |
| The American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card | 2% cash back on the first $50,000 in eligible purchases each year, then 1% after that | Earn a $250 statement credit after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months | $0(Terms apply) |
| Delta SkyMiles® Gold Business American Express Card | 2X miles per $1 spent at Delta and restaurants, and on eligible U.S. shipping purchases and eligible U.S. advertising in select media up to $50,000 per category, per year. Plus, 1X miles per $1 on all other eligible purchases | Earn 80,000 bonus miles after you spend $6,000 in purchases in your first 6 months (offer ends 3/27/24) | $0 intro annual fee for the first year, $150 per year thereafter(Terms apply) |
| Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card | 1.5X miles on eligible transit and U.S. shipping purchases, plus single eligible purchases of $5,000 or more; and 1X mile per $1 spent on other eligible purchases | Earn 100,000 bonus miles after you spend $8,000 in purchases in your first 6 months (offer ends 3/27/24) | $350(Terms apply) |
| Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card | 6X points at participating Marriott Bonvoy hotels; 4X points at restaurants worldwide, U.S. gas stations, U.S. purchases on shipping, and wireless telephone services purchased from U.S. providers; and 2X points on all other eligible purchases | Earn five Free Night Awards after you use your new Card to make $8,000 in eligible purchases within the first 6 months (redemption level up to 50,000 Marriott Bonvoy points for each bonus Free Night Award.) Certain hotels have resort fees. Offer ends 3/20/24 | $125(Terms apply) |
These credit cards for small business owners offer a wide array of benefits. The rewards you earn from them can be used to improve your business or thank employees for a job well done.
Which American Express business credit card is right for you?
There are several important things to consider when deciding which American Express business credit card is right for you. Are you okay with paying an annual fee? Do you want to earn airline miles, hotel points, cash back, or Membership Rewards? And what credit card benefits are most important to you?
Cash back credit cards
Cash back cards offer some of the most straightforward rewards out there. When you make eligible purchases with these credit cards, you'll receive a portion of your purchase back in cash as a statement credit.
For example, the Blue Business Cash Card has a $0 annual fee, and cardmembers earn 2% cash back on the first $50,000 in eligible purchases each year, then 1% after that. Cash back is in the form of a statement credit.
Airline co-branded credit cards
Co-branded airline credit cards offer a lot of wonderful perks for frequent travelers. You can save money by checking bags for free, receive priority boarding even when you don't have status, and get discounts on in-flight purchases. If having elite status is important to you, some airline credit cards can help you achieve and maintain your loyalty levels.
The Delta SkyMiles® Gold Business Credit Card is a good example. With this card, you earn 2X miles per $1 spent at Delta and restaurants, and on eligible U.S. shipping purchases and eligible U.S. advertising in select media up to $50,000 per category, per year. Plus, 1X miles per $1 on all other eligible purchases. Cardholders also get a free checked bag and Main Cabin 1 Priority Boarding. Checked bag fees on Delta are $35 each way per bag, so this credit card can quickly pay for itself with just a couple of flights. Just remember to put your SkyMiles number on each reservation to enjoy your benefits.
Hotel co-branded credit cards
American Express offers hotel credit cards from two of the most popular hotel brands, Marriott and Hilton. With these co-branded credit cards, you will automatically receive elite status and earn extra points toward future free nights.
The Hilton Honors Business Card earns 12X on eligible purchases made directly with Hilton. Cardholders also get complimentary Gold elite status and ten free Priority Pass visits. Based on your spending, you can earn two Free Night Rewards and be upgraded to Hilton Honors Diamond status. Enrollment required for select benefits.
Business owners will also benefit from the Marriott Bonvoy Business American Express Card. With this card, you earn 6X points at participating Marriott Bonvoy hotels; 4X points at restaurants worldwide, U.S. gas stations, U.S. purchases on shipping, and wireless telephone services purchased from U.S. providers; and 2X points on all other eligible purchases. Cardholders also receive automatic Gold elite status and have the ability to earn two free nights each year worth up to 35,000 points each.
Cards that earn Membership Rewards
Membership Rewards points are very lucrative. You can use these points to book hotels or flights, pay for purchases, or transfer to airline and hotel partners, and more. Business owners who are looking for flexibility with their credit card rewards will appreciate this type of card.
The Business Gold Card is one great option. As a cardmember, you earn 4X Membership Rewards Points on purchases in the two categories with the most spend each billing cycle from 6 eligible categories (up to $150,000 in combined purchases each calendar year, after that 1X), 3X Membership Rewards points on flights and prepaid hotels booked at amextravel.com, and 1 point per $1 spent on other eligible purchases.
Take advantage of Amex Offers
All of the American Express business credit cards come with Amex Offers, which provide additional ways to earn and save. These personalized offers must be manually activated and used before they expire. Each Amex card comes with its own unique offers, and they’re based on your profile, where you spend, and how much you spend.
Amex Offers may include extra points, fixed dollar statement credits, or a percentage back on your purchase. For example, the following offer gives 20% back on cell phone charges up to a maximum of $50. This is a quick way to make money on purchases you were already planning to make. Just remember to activate the offer before your purchase.
Bottom line
Business owners can use credit cards to improve their business and earn generous rewards. American Express offers several different credit cards, each with varying earning structures, benefits, and annual fees. So, which American Express business credit card is right for you?
The best way to choose is to decide what type of rewards and benefits you want to receive. Then compare those rewards and perks against any annual fee that may be charged. If the rewards you'll earn exceed the annual fee, the chances are you’ve found the best business credit card for you.
Premium Business Rewards
The Business Platinum Card® from American Express
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The Business Platinum Card® from American Express
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See rates and fees | Terms Apply
Current Offer
Earn 120,000 Membership Rewards points after spending $15,000 on eligible purchases in the first 3 months
Annual Fee
$695
Rewards Rate
5X points on flights and prepaid hotels on Amextravel.com; 1.5X points on eligible purchases at U.S. suppliers of construction materials and hardware, U.S. retailers of electronic goods, U.S. providers of shipping, software and cloud systems, and eligible purchases of $5,000 or more (up to $2 million per year, then 1X); and 1X points per $1 spent on all other eligible purchases
Benefits and Drawbacks
Benefits
- Earn 120,000 Membership Rewards points after spending $15,000 on eligible purchases in the first 3 months
- 5X points on flights and prepaid hotels on Amextravel.com
- 1.5X points on eligible purchases at U.S. suppliers of construction materials and hardware, U.S. retailers of electronic goods, U.S. providers of shipping, software and cloud systems, and eligible purchases of $5,000 or more (up to $2 million per year, then 1X)
- Up to $200 statement credit per year for airline incidental fees
- $695 annual fee
Drawbacks
- High annual fee
- Requires good to excellent credit
Card Details
- Welcome Offer: Earn 120,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $15,000 on eligible purchases with your 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 annual statement credits on a curation of business purchases, including select purchases made with Dell Technologies, Indeed, Adobe, and U.S. wireless service providers.
- $200 Airline Fee Credit: Get up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year for incidental fees charged by your one selected, qualifying airline to your 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 your 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.
- $695 Annual Fee.
- Terms Apply.
