If you're on a Galaxy Fold, consider unfolding your phone or viewing it in full screen to best optimize your experience.
American Express business cards often carry generous rewards. Though cards with premium perks usually come with an annual fee, there are also several no-fee cards for businesses available.
American Express offers 13 business cards, but not all of them will be the right fit for your business. Find out why we think these five cards are the best American Express business cards.
Great for: Bonus category rewards
On American Express's Secure Website.
On American Express's Secure Website.
Good/Excellent (670-850)
Intro APR
Purchases: 0% on purchases, 6 months from date of account opening
Balance Transfers: N/A
Regular APR
18.49% - 27.49% Variable
Rewards 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.*
1X - 4X points
Annual Fee
$375
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.*
100,000
This card is a powerful choice for businesses that want to maximize rewards in key spending categories. You’ll automatically earn 4X points on your top two spending categories each billing cycle (up to $150,000 per year), making it a great fit for businesses with fluctuating expenses. With no preset spending limit, it offers added flexibility for growing companies. (The amount you can spend adapts based on factors such as your purchase, payment, and credit history.) Plus, a generous welcome offer and access to valuable business tools and travel benefits make this card a standout option for businesses that want high rewards potential with customizable benefits.
Read Full ReviewWhy we picked it: The American Express® Business Gold Card offers 4X points on your top two of six spending categories each business cycle, up to a combined $150,000 in purchases each year. Categories include U.S. advertising, U.S. electronic goods retailers, U.S. gas stations, U.S. dining (including takeout), transit, and U.S. wireless phone charges. You'll also earn 3X points on flights and pre-paid hotel purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. Terms apply.
What to watch for: The card charges a $375 annual fee (see rates and fees) and doesn't offer many travel perks. Also, while you can earn 4X points on your top two spending categories and 3X points on airline and prepaid hotel purchases booked through Amex's travel portal, other purchases earn a lackluster points. Terms apply.
Great for: Luxury travel perks
On American Express's Secure Website.
On American Express's Secure Website.
Good/Excellent (670-850)
Intro APR
Purchases: N/A
Balance Transfers: N/A
Regular APR
18.49% - 27.49% Variable
Rewards Get 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 on eligible purchases 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.
1X - 5X points
Annual Fee
$695
Welcome Offer Limited Time Travel Offer: Earn 150,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $20,000 on eligible purchases on your Business Platinum Card® within the first 3 months of Card Membership. Plus, earn a $500 statement credit after you spend $2,500 on qualifying flights booked directly with airlines or through American Express Travel with your Business Platinum Card® within the first 3 months of Card Membership. You can earn one or both of these offers. Offer ends 6/30/25.
150,000 Membership Rewards® points
For businesses that prioritize premium travel perks and elite rewards, this is a top-tier choice. You’ll earn 5X points on flights and prepaid hotels booked through Amex Travel, along with 1.5X points on eligible large purchases. But what sets this card apart is the extensive list of travel benefits, including airport lounge access, annual travel credits, and a credit toward TSA PreCheck/Global Entry fee reimbursement. While it comes with a higher annual fee, we think the luxury perks and exclusive rewards make it a valuable investment for frequent business travelers.
Read Full ReviewWhy we picked it: In addition to earning 5X points on flights and prepaid hotels booked through AmexTravel.com, the The Business Platinum Card® from American Express offers a host of perks that will appeal to frequent travelers. You get access to 1,400 airport lounges across the globe, automatic Marriott Bonvoy® Gold Elite Status and Hilton Honors® Gold Status, and premium car rental privileges. You'll also get access to the Fine Hotels + Resorts® Program, which provides benefits like daily breakfast for two and complimentary room upgrades when available. Terms apply.
What to watch for: The card's annual fee is a hefty $695 (see rates and fees), which may not be worth it for small business owners who don't travel often or who aren't big spenders.
Great for: Earning cash back
On American Express's Secure Website.
On American Express's Secure Website.
Good/Excellent (670-850)
Intro APR
Purchases: 0% on purchases, 12 months from date of account opening
Balance Transfers: N/A
Regular APR
17.49% - 27.49% Variable
Rewards 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.
1% - 2% cash back
Annual Fee
No annual fee
Welcome Offer Earn a $250 statement credit after you make $3,000 in purchases on your Card in your first 3 months.
$250
For businesses that prefer cash back over points, this card offers a straightforward way to earn rewards. You’ll get 2% cash back on the first $50,000 in eligible purchases each year, then 1% after that—with no annual fee. This makes it a great fit for businesses looking for easy-to-manage rewards without tracking spending categories. Plus, with intro APR on purchases, it provides added flexibility for managing cash flow.
Read Full ReviewWhy we picked it: The The American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card lets you earn 2% cash back on your first $50,000 purchases each year, plus 1% cash back on additional purchases. You can also add free employee cards, which could help you earn even more cash back. Terms apply, see rates and fees.
What to watch for: You'll only earn maximum cash back on $50,000 worth of purchases each year. If you plan to spend a lot on your small business credit card, consider finding a card that doesn't have a spending cap.
Great for: Rewards with no annual fee
On American Express's Secure Website.
On American Express's Secure Website.
Good/Excellent (670-850)
Intro APR
Purchases: 0% on purchases, 12 months from date of account opening
Balance Transfers: N/A
Regular APR
17.49% - 27.49% Variable
Rewards 2X points on the first $50,000 spent in purchases each year, 1X points on purchases thereafter
1x - 2x points
Annual Fee
No annual fee
Welcome Offer 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
This card is an excellent no-annual-fee option designed for small businesses that want simple, high-earning rewards. You’ll earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on the first $50,000 spent each year, then 1X after that—making it one of the best flat-rate rewards cards available. With flexible spending power that adjusts to your business needs, this card is a strong choice for business owners looking to earn valuable points without worrying about bonus categories or annual fees.
Read Full ReviewWhy we picked it: The The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express lets you earn 2X Amex Membership Rewards points on the first $50,000 worth of qualifying purchases each year, plus 1X points on subsequent purchases. There's no annual fee, plus you can earn 15,000 additional Membership Rewards points if you spend $3,000 in the first three months -- which should be relatively easy to hit. Terms apply, see rates and fees.
What to watch for: Though the card lets you earn Membership Rewards points, it doesn't come with many of the perks that premium American Express business cards offer, like airport lounge access or elite status at hotels. If you plan to use the card for frequent travel, consider an alternative like the American Express Business Gold Card or Amex Business Platinum Card -- even though you'll pay an annual fee.
Great for: Frequent Amazon shoppers
Good/Excellent (670-850)
Intro APR
Purchases: N/A
Balance Transfers: N/A
Regular APR
18.49% - 26.49% Variable
Rewards Take advantage of 5% Back or 90 day Terms on U.S. purchases at Amazon Business, AWS, Amazon.com and Whole Foods Market with eligible Prime membership. You can earn 5% Back on the first $120,000 in purchases each calendar year, 1% Back thereafter. Otherwise, earn 2% Back at U.S. restaurants, U.S. gas stations, and on wireless telephone services purchased directly from U.S. service providers. Earn 1% Back on other purchases.
1%-5% cash back
Annual Fee
No annual fee
Welcome Offer Eligible Prime Members get a $125 Amazon Gift Card upon approval for the Amazon Business Prime American Express Card.
$125
A solid business card for Amazon Prime members who want to earn rewards on Amazon Business, AWS, Amazon.com, and Whole Foods Market purchases -- or take advantage of favorable financing terms.
Why we picked it: Prime members can earn 5% back -- or receive 90-day terms -- on up to $120,000 worth of Amazon Business, AWS, Amazon.com, and Whole Foods Market purchases during the year. You can shop on Amazon.com or Amazon Business with your points, or you can redeem them for a purchase on your statement. Terms apply, see rates and fees.
What to watch for: Though you can earn 2% back on a few other categories, like U.S. restaurants, U.S. gas stations, and wireless charges, most other non-Amazon purchases will earn a measly 1% back. Also, the card has very few additional perks.
No card is a perfect fit for all small businesses. Be sure to weigh these factors to choose the best American Express business card for you.
You want a card that offers generous rewards for your biggest spending areas. If you frequently travel for business, choosing a card like the Amex Business Platinum Card that lets you earn 5X points on airline purchases and prepaid hotel stays books through American Express is a savvy move.
But if your business spends huge amounts on Amazon purchases, the Amazon Business Prime American Express Card could be the better choice, since you can earn up to 5% back on Amazon purchases.
A lavish welcome bonus can sweeten the deal when you sign up for a business card, but the biggest offer isn't necessarily the best one. Make sure you can hit the offer's spending requirement if a welcome bonus is an important consideration.
Cards with generous perks often come with an annual fee, so be sure to consider the value of any perks you'll get that will offset that cost. Paying the $695 annual fee for the Amex Business Platinum Card (see rates and fees) may be well worth it for the airport lounge access, elite status at hotels, and upgrades that the card affords you if you're constantly on the go.
But if you're only traveling for business once or twice a year, a simple cash back card like the Amex Blue Business Cash card may be best for your small business. It's lighter on perks, but there's no annual fee.
Some American Express business cards offer an intro 0% APR. If your small business is planning a major purchase, you may want to prioritize a zero-interest intro APR over other perks.
If your staff frequently makes business purchases, choosing an Amex business card that offers free employee cards could simplify your operations. You can earn rewards or cash back on their purchases, as well.
The process of applying for an American Express business card isn't much different than applying for a personal card. You'll need to provide the standard information, like your name, address, Social Security number, and income. But you'll also need to provide some business information, such as:
American Express says you can be approved for a business card in as little as 30 seconds. If your application is denied, you'll want to look at your business and personal credit reports to get to the root of the issue. You may want to work on building business credit in other ways, like by opening trade lines that report to the credit bureaus, before you apply for another card.
Getting an Amex business card can have a number of benefits, though specific benefits will vary by card. Some common advantages include:
Card | Our Rating | Intro APR | APR | Learn More |
---|---|---|---|---|
Apply Now for American Express® Business Gold Card
On American Express's Secure Website. |
Rating image, 4.00 out of 5 stars.
4.00/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
Great For:
Bonus category rewards |
Purchases: 0% on purchases, 6 months from date of account opening
Balance Transfers: N/A |
18.49% - 27.49% Variable |
Apply Now for American Express® Business Gold Card
On American Express's Secure Website. |
![]()
Apply Now for The Business Platinum Card® from American Express
On American Express's Secure Website. |
Rating image, 4.50 out of 5 stars.
4.50/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
Great For:
Luxury travel perks |
Purchases: N/A
Balance Transfers: N/A |
18.49% - 27.49% Variable |
Apply Now for The Business Platinum Card® from American Express
On American Express's Secure Website. |
![]()
Apply Now for The American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card
On American Express's Secure Website. |
Rating image, 3.50 out of 5 stars.
3.50/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
Great For:
Earning cash back |
Purchases: 0% on purchases, 12 months from date of account opening
Balance Transfers: N/A |
17.49% - 27.49% Variable |
Apply Now for The American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card
On American Express's Secure Website. |
![]()
Apply Now for The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express
On American Express's Secure Website. |
Rating image, 3.50 out of 5 stars.
3.50/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
Great For:
Rewards with no annual fee |
Purchases: 0% on purchases, 12 months from date of account opening
Balance Transfers: N/A |
17.49% - 27.49% Variable |
Apply Now for The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express
On American Express's Secure Website. |
Rating image, 4.00 out of 5 stars.
4.00/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
Great For:
Frequent Amazon shoppers |
Purchases: N/A
Balance Transfers: N/A |
18.49% - 26.49% Variable |
At Motley Fool Money we rate credit cards on a five-star scale (1 = poor, 5 = best). Our rating criteria includes rewards rates, welcome bonuses, fees, and perks like travel credits and 0% intro APR offers to evaluate our ratings.
Our highest-rated credit cards have:
We combine these factors with an evaluation of brand reputation and customer satisfaction to ensure you're getting the best card recommendations. Learn more about how Motley Fool Money rates credit cards.
We're firm believers in the Golden Rule, which is why editorial opinions are ours alone and have not been previously reviewed, approved, or endorsed by included advertisers. Motley Fool Money does not cover all offers on the market. Motley Fool Money is 100% owned and operated by The Motley Fool. Our knowledgeable team of personal finance editors and analysts are employed by The Motley Fool and held to the same set of publishing standards and editorial integrity while maintaining professional separation from the analysts and editors on other Motley Fool brands. Terms may apply to offers listed on this page.
The Motley Fool recommends Amex.