Who should get an American Express business card?
Amex offers cards for every spending profile, from high-spending frequent travelers to startup businesses. An American Express Business Card may be a good option for:
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Business travelers looking for premium perks. If your business travels a lot, some of the best American Express business cards offer premium perks like airport lounge access, travel insurance, Global Entry or TSA PreCheck credit, and more.
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Small businesses looking for a no-annual-fee card. Amex offers two business cards with no annual fee— the Blue Business Plus and the Blue Business Cash. These cards are perfect for the startup business looking to earn solid rewards without needing to offset a yearly cost.
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Businesses looking to maximize rewards. Amex business cards offer some of the best reward opportunities out there, with a card fitting every spending profile. For example, if you spend a lot in certain categories, a card like the Amex Business Gold Card automatically adjusts to maximize your rewards.
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Businesses looking for more purchasing power. Various Amex business cards have no preset spending limit, so their limit adjusts based on your purchasing, credit, and payment history. While this could work against you, it could also potentially give you a very high credit limit.
?? See more: Best Business Credit Cards
Pros and cons of American Express business cards
American Express business card benefits
Amex business card benefits vary based on the card you have, but some perks you may have include:
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Bonus points on travel. Once you have a travel business credit card through Amex, you may also qualify for extra bonus points on your travel expenses. For example, the Amex Business Gold Card gives you 4X points on your top two spending categories for each billing cycle. This includes plane tickets purchased directly from an airline. Additionally, co-branded business cards like some American Express Delta cards can give even more points to brand loyalists.
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Airport lounge access. Some of the most premium American Express Business cards, like the Delta Reserve Business and the Amex Business Platinum, offer airport lounge access to help make your business travels more comfortable.
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Travel protection*. American Express travel insurance protects you and your baggage so you can have peace of mind while you travel. Note that some benefits come with an extra charge.
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Global Entry Fee credit. Some Amex business credit cards give you a $100 statement credit when you use your eligible card to pay for the TSA Precheck or Global Entry travel program.
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Statement credits. Depending on which card you choose, you may qualify for additional statement credits.?
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Purchase Protection*. Your business credit card gives you access to Purchase Protection, which covers up to $10,000 per occurrence ($50,000 per year max) for lost, stolen, or damaged items. This only applies to purchases made with your eligible credit card.
*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.
Tips for choosing an Amex business credit card
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Look at your spending. Do you spend a lot on travel, transit, or restaurant purchases, or does your spending vary a lot? Are you loyal to one specific airline or hotel brand? The best Amex business card for you will have reward-earning categories that align with your spending habits.
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Consider the annual fee. Some business credit cards have high annual fees. If you’re just starting out, you may want to choose a card that has a lower fee. Conversely, if you’re well-established and want to maximize your travel benefits, choosing a card with a higher annual fee may work in your favor.
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Read the fine print carefully. Note the regular APR, penalty APR, and annual fee to determine which card is the best fit for your company.?
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Look at the rest of the perks. Amex business cards have some of the best benefits out there, with business-centric perks, airport lounge access, statement credits, and more. Look at these perks carefully and decide whether you can utilize and benefit from them.
?? See our picks: Best cash-back business cards
Applying for an American Express business credit card
Amex only issues its business credit cards to customers with good to excellent credit.
Although it’s possible to qualify with a FICO score of 690, aim to have at least a 700 before you apply. Whether you own a small business or manage a company with several employees, you should also have plenty of income to cover your purchases.
Be prepared to provide the following information when you apply for a credit card through Amex:
- Business name
- Tax ID
- Business structure (S-corp, C-corp, LLC, etc.)
- Job title
- Industry
- Mailing address
- Years in business
- Annual revenue
- Annual expenses (estimated)
- Number of employees
Because Amex has stringent credit requirements, it’s a little more difficult to get approved for an Amex credit card than it is to qualify for the cards offered by many other issuers.
?? See: Best Chase Business Cards or Best Capital One Business Cards
How to apply for a credit card offered by Amex
To apply for a credit card, follow these steps:
- Compare credit cards based on their annual fees, welcome offers, and perks.
- Pick a credit card that matches your needs.
- Fill out the application.
- Review the terms of service.
- Submit your application.
It can take up to 14 days for Amex to approve or deny your application.
Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more.
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For rates and fees of The American Express Blue Business Cash? Card, please visit this page.
For rates and fees of The Blue Business? Plus Credit Card from American Express, please visit this page.
For rates and fees of the American Express? Business Gold Card, please visit this page.
For rates and fees of tThe Business Platinum Card? from American Express, please visit this page.
For rates and fees of The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card, please visit this page.
For rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles? Reserve Business American Express Card, please visit this page.
For rates and fees of the Marriott Bonvoy Business? American Express? Card, please visit this page.
