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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
Good/Excellent (670-850)
Intro APR
Purchases: 0%, 6 months from the date of account opening
Balance Transfers: N/A
APR
18.74% - 27.74%, variable
Rewards 4 points per $1 in two of the following categories where you spend most: gas, dining, advertising, transit, electronics & wireless ($150,000 annual spending cap). 3 points per $1 on flights and prepaid hotels booked on AmexTravel.com. 1 point per $1 on other purchases
1x - 4x points
Annual Fee
$375
Welcome Offer 150,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $15,000 on eligible purchases with the Business Gold Card within the first 3 months of Card Membership
150,000 Membership Rewards® points
Businesses looking for flexibility in earning rewards should consider this card. With the ability to choose two spending categories where you earn 4X Membership Rewards® points (up to $150,000 per year), this card allows you to tailor rewards to match your business’s priorities. We also like that there’s no preset spending limit, offering added flexibility in your purchases. With flexible redemption options, premium business tools, and a generous welcome offer of 70,000 Membership Rewards® points, this card is designed to help businesses maximize their rewards and get the most value from their spending.
Why 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 advertising, electronic goods retailers, gas stations, dining (including takeout), transit, and 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 1X points. Terms apply.
Great for: Luxury travel perks
Good/Excellent (670-850)
Intro APR
Purchases: N/A
Balance Transfers: N/A
APR
18.74% - 27.74%, 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 Earn 200,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $20,000 on eligible purchases with your Card within the first 3 months of Card Membership.
200,000 Membership Rewards® points
This card is a great choice for business owners on the go who value a wide range of premium perks. We like that it offers 5X Membership Rewards® points on flights and prepaid hotels through Amex Travel, access to over 1,400 airport lounges worldwide, and up to $1,000 in annual statement credits. However, the high annual fee may not be worth it for businesses that don’t travel often.
Why 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
Good/Excellent (670-850)
Intro APR
Purchases: 0%, 12 months
Balance Transfers: N/A
APR
17.74% to 25.74%, 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
$0
Welcome Offer Earn a $250 statement credit after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your Card in your first 3 months.
$250 statement credit
We think this card is well-suited for businesses with moderate spending that want to maximize rewards while saving on interest. It offers 2% cash back on all eligible purchases (up to $50,000 per year, then 1%), making it a strong choice for businesses looking for a high, flat-rate cash back program. With no annual fee, 0% intro APR for the first year, and helpful expense management tools, it’s a great fit for small business owners who prefer simple rewards and easy bookkeeping.
Why we picked it: The Blue Business Cash™ Card from American Express 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
Good/Excellent (670-850)
Intro APR
Purchases: 0%, 12 months
Balance Transfers: N/A
APR
18.24% – 26.24%, Variable
Rewards 2X points on the first $50,000 spent in purchases each year, 1X points on purchases thereafter
1x - 2x points
Annual Fee
$0
Welcome Offer Earn 15,000 Membership Reward points after you spend $3,000 in eligible purchases on the Card within your first 3 months of Card Membership.
15,000 points
While its welcome bonus and rewards program may not be the most generous, this card is a straightforward option with some added benefits. It allows businesses to earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on the first $50,000 in purchases annually (then 1X). We think it's a great choice for businesses that prioritize low-interest financing and want versatile rewards without the added cost of an annual fee. Read Full Review
Why we picked it: 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 Amex 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
APR
18.99%-26.99%, variable
Rewards Choose 5% back (applies to the first $120,000 in purchases each calendar year,) or 90 day terms on eligible U.S. purchases at Amazon Business, AWS, Amazon.com and Whole Foods Market with an eligible Prime membership. 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
$0
Welcome Offer Get a $100 Amazon gift card upon approval. Eligible Prime members get a $125 Amazon gift card upon approval
$100-$125 Amazon gift card
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 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 restaurants, 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 |
---|---|---|---|---|
Rating image, 4.25 out of 5 stars.
4.25/5
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.
= Best = Excellent = Good = Fair = Poor
Great For:
Bonus category rewards |
Purchases: 0%, 6 months from the date of account opening
Balance Transfers: N/A |
18.74% - 27.74%, variable | ||
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.
= Best = Excellent = Good = Fair = Poor
Great For:
Luxury travel perks |
Purchases: N/A
Balance Transfers: N/A |
18.74% - 27.74%, variable | ||
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.
= Best = Excellent = Good = Fair = Poor
Great For:
Earning cash back |
Purchases: 0%, 12 months
Balance Transfers: N/A |
17.74% to 25.74%, variable | ||
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.
= Best = Excellent = Good = Fair = Poor
Great For:
Rewards with no annual fee |
Purchases: 0%, 12 months
Balance Transfers: N/A |
18.24% – 26.24%, Variable | ||
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.
= Best = Excellent = Good = Fair = Poor
Great For:
Frequent Amazon shoppers |
Purchases: N/A
Balance Transfers: N/A |
18.99%-26.99%, 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.
For rates and fees for the Amazon Business Prime American Express Card, click here
For rates and fees for the American Express Business Gold Card, click here
For rates and fees for the Blue Business Cash™ Card from American Express, click here
For rates and fees for the Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express, click here
For rates and fees for the The Business Platinum Card® from American Express, click here
The Motley Fool recommends Amex.