Tech Insider

Our experts answer readers' credit card questions and write unbiased product reviews (here's how we assess credit cards). In some cases, we receive a commission from our partners; however, our opinions are our own. Terms apply to offers listed on this page.

The information for the following product(s) has been collected independently by Business Insider: The Plum Card® from American Express, American Express® Business Green Rewards Card, Business Prime American Express Card. The details for these products have not been reviewed or provided by the issuer.

Opening a small business credit card is a smart way to keep personal and business expenses separate, and earn bonus cash back or travel rewards on your expenses. 

Even better, your business doesn't need to earn huge profits for you to be eligible to apply. A side hustle like rideshare driving, managing a rental property, blogging, consulting, or freelancing can be enough to qualify you for a small business card. 

Best American Express Business Cards 

American Express issues more than a dozen cards for businesses of all sizes, but they're not all created equal. We'll guide you toward the best options for your small business spending. 

Compare the Best American Express Business Credit Cards

We're focused here on the rewards and perks that come with each card. These cards won't be worth it if you're paying interest or late fees. When using a credit card, it's important to pay your balance in full each month, make payments on time, and only spend what you can afford to pay.

American Express Business Card Frequently Asked Questions 

How can I qualify for an American Express business card? 

Your business doesn't need to earn millions of dollars or even be your full-time gig for you to qualify for an American Express business card. Amex accepts businesses that aim to earn an income, whether that's from freelancing or part-time businesses.

Sole proprietors, where you're the company's only employee, are eligible for Amex business cards as well. If you're a sole proprietor, you can apply using your Employer Identification Number (EIN) if you have one, or your Social Security Number if you don't.

What's the best American Express business card?

The best American Express card for your business totally depends on how you spend and if you're willing to pay an annual fee. Amex has annual fees ranging from $0 to $695, with perks and bonuses to match. Amex is also unique in that they offer charge cards, where payments are due in full at the close of each payment cycle, and credit cards that allow you to carry a balance.

That said, you can't go wrong with The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express - Editorial Name Only, which has no annual fee and earns transferable rewards points —the best of both worlds. 

Should I even bother with a business credit card? 

For most small business owners, opening a business credit card has many advantages. They're an easy and effective way to keep your business expenses separate from your personal expenses, and many business cards offer specific tools like receipt trackers and easy itemization to make your life easier — particularly during tax time. Plus, many small business cards offer bonus points in popular spending categories, which means more rewards for you. 

My personal credit score is low. Can I still open a business card? 

With many of the most popular business cards, you probably won't qualify if your personal credit score is low. You'll want to boost your personal credit score by responsibly managing your credit for a while. Consider opening a secured credit card to jump-start this process, or look into a business card geared toward those with limited or fair credit.

American Express typically requires good to excellent credit for their business cards. Keep in mind, they'll use your Social Security number (SSN) to guarantee your business credit, especially when you're starting out. 

American Express Business Card Reviews

The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express - Product Name Only

The The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express - Editorial Name Only is worth considering if you like simplicity and don't want bonus categories. The card earns 2 Amex Membership Rewards points per dollar on all business purchases up to $50,000 per calendar year, and 1 point per dollar beyond that. It's also one of the few credit cards — including personal and business cards — that earns transferable points without an annual fee. You'll also qualify for purchase protection and extended warranty coverage on eligible items you buy with the card.

Plus, new cardholders get a The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express - Intro APR (followed by a The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express - Regular APR APR). That can give you the flexibility to make a large purchase and save on interest, as long as you have a plan to pay it off before the card's introductory rate period expires. 

It's a particularly good time to consider this card because while it rarely offers a welcome bonus, it's currently offering The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express - Intro Bonus.

For ease of use, rewards, and benefits, it doesn't get much better than this no-annual-fee business credit card. 

Amex Blue Business Plus Credit Card Review 

The Business Platinum Card® from American Express - Product Name Only

The The Business Platinum Card® from American Express - Editorial Name Only is on the high end of the price spectrum, with a hefty The Business Platinum Card® from American Express - Annual Fee annual fee. Before you get sticker shock, know that it could be well worth it if you use the credits and benefits, including up to $1,000 in annual statement credits on business purchases at Dell Technologies, Indeed, Adobe, and U.S. wireless service providers each calendar year**, up to $200 annually in airline incidental fee credits**, and airport lounge access.

The current welcome offer is The Business Platinum Card® from American Express - Intro Bonus. That's worth around The Business Platinum Card® from American Express - Featured Reward Value in travel, based on Insider's points and miles valuations.

Between the credits and welcome bonus offer, you could easily cover the card's annual fee several times over. It's an ideal travel companion because many of the perks are focused on travel. And if you like Amex Membership Rewards points, you can earn: 

  • 5x points on flights and prepaid hotels booked through Amex Travel
  • 1.5x points on each eligible purchase of $5,000 or more 
  • 1.5x points on eligible purchases in the U.S. at electronics goods retailers, software, and cloud service providers 
  • 1.5x points at eligible U.S. shipping providers
  • 1.5x points on eligible U.S. purchases of construction materials and hardware supplies
  • 1 point per dollar on everything else

The 1.5x category is capped at a total of $2 million in combined purchases each year — after that, you'll earn 1 point per dollar in these categories.

This card has many more benefits, like a 35% airline bonus and travel insurance, that could sway your decision. Read our review for complete details. 

Amex Business Platinum Card Review

American Express® Business Gold Card - Product Name Only

The American Express® Business Gold Card - Editorial Name Only is one of the best small-business cards for common business purchases, because it automatically earns 4x American Express Membership Rewards points on the two categories (from a list) where your business spends the most each billing cycle, up to $150,000 per calendar year (then 1x), and 1 point per dollar on all other purchases. 

Business 4x bonus categories include U.S. gas stations, U.S. restaurants, U.S. shipping providers, U.S. purchases made from electronic goods retailers and software & cloud system  providers, U.S. purchases for advertising in select media and transit purchases including trains, taxicabs, rideshare services, ferries, tolls, parking, buses, and subways.

If you spend a lot in any of these categories, you'll earn bonus points in the two categories where you spend the most each month. That's handy if you don't want to think about shifting your spending to maximize rewards. 

The welcome offer is American Express® Business Gold Card - Intro Bonus, worth around American Express® Business Gold Card - Featured Reward Value in travel according to Insider's valuations.  

Other features, including a 25% airline bonus, extended warranty, and travel protections, can easily justify the card's American Express® Business Gold Card - Annual Fee annual fee. 

Amex Business Gold Card Review

The American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card - Product Name Only

The American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card - Editorial Name Only is similar to the Amex Blue Business Plus, but instead of earning 2x Amex Membership Rewards points, it earns a flat 2% cash back on up to $50,000 in spending per calendar year (then 1%) in the form of Reward Dollars. If you like simple rewards and prefer cash over points, this card is worth a look. 

You'll get a American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card - Intro APR, after which you'll pay a American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card - Regular APR APR.

The card also comes with cell phone protection, purchase protection, extended warranty, and other small business benefits — all for no annual fee. If you value cash rewards, this cash-back business card is an excellent choice. 

Amex Blue Business Cash Card Review

Delta SkyMiles® Gold Business American Express Card - Product Name Only

The Delta SkyMiles® Gold Business American Express Card - Editorial Name Only is the lowest-tier business option among Delta credit cards issued by Amex. There's an annual fee of Delta SkyMiles® Gold Business American Express Card - Annual Fee. The other two Delta business cards have higher annual fees with more benefits for Delta flyers, but most casual flyers will do fine with this one. 

You can earn Delta SkyMiles® Gold Business American Express Card - Intro Bonus, which is worth around Delta SkyMiles® Gold Business American Express Card - Featured Reward Value in travel according to our estimate of Delta miles value. The card comes with elite-like benefits such as a free checked bag for you and up to eight companions on the same Delta reservation, priority boarding, and 20% back on inflight purchases. 

You'll earn 2 Delta miles per dollar on Delta purchases; at restaurants; on eligible U.S. purchases for shipping and advertising in select media (effective January 1, 2024, this benefit will have a cap of $50,000 in eligible purchases per category, per year); and 1 mile per dollar on all other eligible purchases. There's also a 15% discount on Delta award flights and the opportunity to earn a $100 Delta flight credit after spending $10,000 or more on eligible purchases in a calendar year.

If you fly Delta, especially if you check bags or travel with several companions, this card offers an easy way to get a few perks without having to earn elite status. The other more expensive Delta cards are for Delta loyalists, but many folks with small business spending will find this one a good place to start. 

American Express Delta Gold Business Card Review

Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card - Product Name Only

The Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card - Editorial Name Only is the best choice if you fly Delta often or have a lot of big purchases for your business. This card has all the same benefits as the Delta Gold Business card above.

Additionally, you'll receive the following benefits for the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card - Annual Fee annual fee:

You'll also earn 3 miles per dollar on Delta purchases or eligible spending directly with hotels; 1.5 miles per dollar for all transactions of $5,000 or more; and 1 mile per dollar on all other eligible purchases.

While we don't recommend using the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card - Product Name Only card to pay for hotel stays, the earnings from Delta purchases and big-ticket items can give your mileage balance a boost. 

Right now, you can earn a welcome bonus of Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card - Intro Bonus. Based on Insider's valuations, that's worth around Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card - Featured Reward Value in travel.

This card will really only appeal to those who regularly fly Delta, are interested in using the companion certificate, or want to earn more MQMs to boost elite status. If that's you, it's possible to unlock outsized value with this card. If not, you'll want to look elsewhere. 

Delta American Express Platinum Business Card Review

The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card - Product Name Only

The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card - Product Name Only is the lone Hilton business card among several Hilton credit cards from Amex. It's a middle-of-the-road offering that'll add to your Hilton balance and get you mid-tier elite status for a reasonable The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card - Annual Fee annual fee. 

In return, you'll earn 12x points at Hilton hotels and resorts booked directly, 6x points on select business and travel purchases including U.S. gas stations, U.S. shipping providers, wireless phone services purchased directly from U.S. service providers, at U.S. restaurants, flights booked directly with airlines or through American Express Travel, and for car rentals booked with select car rental companies. For all other purchases, you'll earn 3x points. 

The card also gets you Hilton Gold elite status, a free night certificate after you spend $15,000 on eligible purchases in a calendar year, and 10 free airport lounge visits per year with a Priority Pass Select membership. 

You can currently earn The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card - Intro Bonus. The points are worth about The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card - Featured Reward Value in stays, according to our valuation of Hilton points.

Plus, Hilton Gold elite status can get you breakfast credit, potential room upgrades, late checkout when available, and more. If you stay with Hilton often, but not often enough to earn elite status, getting this card is a shortcut. 

Amex Hilton Honors Business Card Review

Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card - Product Name Only

The Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card - Editorial Name Only comes with an annual free night award for participating Marriott Bonvoy® hotels that cost up to 35,000 points. That shouldn't be hard to redeem, considering Marriott has 7,000+ hotels worldwide. Many of these hotels can cost $200 to $300 per night, so you can more than cover the card's Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card - Annual Fee annual fee with this perk alone. 

This Marriott credit card also gets you Bonvoy Gold elite status, 15 elite night credits per year, and a 7% discount on standard room rates. And right now, it's offering a bonus of Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card - Intro Bonus. 

You'll earn 6 Marriott Bonvoy points per dollar on eligible purchases at participating Marriott Bonvoy® hotels (on top of the 10x points you earn just for being a Marriott Bonvoy member), 4 points per dollar on eligible purchases at restaurants worldwide, U.S. gas stations, wireless telephone services purchased directly from U.S. service providers, and on U.S. shipping purchases, and 2 points per dollar on all other eligible purchases. 

If you like to stay at Marriott hotels, this card is worth considering. Or if you just want to use the annual free night award at a hotel where the room rate is more than the card's Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card - Annual Fee annual fee, you can come out ahead — plus, you'll earn points from your small business purchases. 

Marriott Bonvoy Business Amex Card Review

Why You Should Trust Us: How We Chose the Best American Express Business Cards

We chose our picks for the best American Express business credit cards by consulting our reviews of the best business credit cards and following our credit card rating methodology. Our methodology looks at five main factors when reviewing and rating credit cards: the welcome bonus, ongoing rewards, annual fee, ease of use, and other perks and benefits.

Other American Express Business Credit Cards We Considered

American Express issues over a dozen small business cards. Here are a few more we considered that didn't make the cut — and why: 

  • The Plum Card® from American Express - Product Name Only —  This card has a 1.5% Early Pay Discount with a The Plum Card® from American Express - Annual Fee annual fee. There are no bonus categories. You're better off earning 2% cash back and paying on time (and with no annual fee) with the American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card - Editorial Name Only instead of this one.
  • American Express® Business Green Rewards Card - Product Name Only — While you can earn 2 Amex Membership Rewards points per dollar you spend in the American Express Travel portal (and 1 point per dollar on all other eligible purchases), there's a American Express® Business Green Rewards Card - Annual Fee annual fee to consider. The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express - Editorial Name Only earns 2x Amex Membership Rewards points on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year (then 1x) for a The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express - Annual Fee annual fee — and there's also an intro APR period you can use. If you're willing to pay an annual fee, other cards get you much more bang for your buck. 
  • Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card - Product Name Only — We'd be remiss if we didn't at least mention this premium credit card offering for Delta loyalists. There's no doubt this card is the cheapest way to access a Delta lounge membership and Amex Centurion Lounges, but for the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card - Annual Fee annual fee, you're likely committed to flying Delta whenever possible. So while this card gets a hearty recommendation for those folks, the high annual fee and Delta-focused perks will limit most others. (Starting January 1, 2025, card holders will be capped at 15 Sky Club visits per year unless they earn unlimited access by spending $75,000 or more on the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card - Product Name Only in the 2024 calendar year. 
  • Business Prime American Express Card - Product Name Only — This card has great 2% cash back categories and no annual fee. And of course, enhanced earnings for Amazon, Whole Foods, and AWS purchases. Most people would do better with the American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card - Editorial Name Only to earn 2% cash back on all purchases (up to $50,000 per calendar year, then 1%), unless you're really devoted to Amazon. It also requires an Amazon Prime membership to apply, which is an extra $139 per year. You'd have to spend a lot to offset the cost. And in either case, Amex has better cards to consider. 

How to Choose an American Express Business Card

American Express business cards span the spectrum of annual fee costs, earning potential, and ongoing benefits. Here's what to look for as you assess the right card for you:

  • Annual fee — Is there an annual fee? If so, will your business benefit from what the card provides? Often, you can maximize the perks for outsized value. But some folks just don't want to pay any extra fees. 
  • Earning rewards — Do you want to earn flat-rate rewards, or does your business tend to spend more in certain categories? If you think you could hit the bonus categories hard for your business needs, definitely go for a card that will maximize rewards. For the travel cards, consider if the bonus categories will earn you enough points to complement your travel habits. 
  • Redeeming rewards — Make sure you're clear on what you're earning. Is it statement credit? Cash? Can you only redeem into an account with the same financial institution? Do you have the option to book travel or buy merchandise? If so, are your points worth the same rate as redeeming for cash?
  • Carrying a balance — Will you or won't you? There's no wrong answer, especially if there's an introductory low-rate period. But keep in mind, a few Amex cards are charge cards and require payment in full at the end of each billing cycle unless you opt into Amex's Pay Over Time feature. If you think there's a chance you'll carry a balance, make sure to get a credit card. We recommend paying your balance in full anyway, but with charge cards, it's enforced. 
  • Extras — Looking for lounge access, travel protection, spending threshold rewards, or a card suited for larger purchases? They're all available, so if there's something you really want in a card, that could make it all the more worthwhile for you. Some cards may come with cell phone insurance, travel perks, extended warranties, and more. Benefits are only worthwhile if you'll actually use them — will you? 
  • Employee cards — Can you add them for free? Can you set limits (Amex makes this very easy to do)? Even if you end up getting a small business card with another bank, access controls vary quite a lot. Make sure you can set the limits that make you feel most comfortable. 

No one knows your business better than you do, and rewards come in a huge variety. If you're loyal to Delta, Hilton, or Marriott, a co-branded airline card or hotel card might be the way to go. Other cards earn cash back or transferable Amex Membership Rewards points. Do you want to navigate a points system or want straightforward cash back?

No matter what you decide, earning rewards for your regular business spending is an amazing fringe benefit of owning and operating your small business. That can lead you to more (or improved) travel, extra cash you can use for your business (or just keep in your pocket), or a lot of bonus points! 

Is an Amex Business Card Right for You?

Remember that a credit or charge card — cash back or otherwise — won't be worth it if you're paying interest or late fees. When using a small business card, it's important to pay your balance in full each month, make payments on time, and only spend what you can afford to pay. Even with business cards, they're guaranteed by your personal credit. 

Many cash-back cards have no annual fee, so you don't have to pay for the privilege of earning rewards. You can literally earn rewards for free. 

If you're new to business rewards cards and aren't interested in earning travel points or miles, a cash-back credit card is the best option for you. Even if you don't earn oodles of rewards, it's still more than you'd get paying with a debit card — which is nothing at all. 

Pros and Cons of Small Business Credit Cards

If you're trying to decide whether to open a card for your small business, bear these pros and cons in mind:

Pros of small business cards:

  • They're a great way to keep your business expenses separate from your personal expenses, and many plug into your accounting software
  • There are few restrictions on how you can redeem and spend your card rewards —treat your employees, book a company trip, or use it for personal reasons
  • You'll earn rewards for small business purchases, including in bonus categories you usually can't access with personal cards
  • They're great for big purchases or investments in your business
  • Many of them (including Amex cards) don't appear on your personal credit file, and therefore have no impact to your personal credit score
  • They're another way to earn valuable rewards

Cons of small business cards:

  • They're not ideal for carrying balances, unless you take advantage of a promotional offer
  • You may feel inclined to spend beyond your means or purchase items you normally wouldn't just to earn rewards
  • Employee cards require more monitoring and management, so it's another item on your to-do list
  • You'll need to use your Social Security number and credit file to open, and they typically require good to excellent credit

These cards are specifically designed to make it easier to track your small business purchases. There's not much of a downside, other than the usual callouts to spend within your business means and avoid carrying balances. 

Also, the rewards you earn are only valuable if you use them. Considering they're a bonus from your business spending, be sure to check your rewards balances often and redeem them as they roll in. As a small business owner, you've definitely earned it. 

Read the original article on Business Insider
Personal Finance, Credit, Credit Cards, best-american-express-business-card, best-american-express-business-cards, the-business-platinum-card-from-american-express, blue-business-plus-credit-card-from-american-express, blue-business-cash-credit-card-from-american-express, american-express-business-gold-card, gold-delta-skymiles-business-credit-card-from-american-express, platinum-delta-skymiles-business-credit-card-from-american-express, hilton-honors-american-express-business-card, marriott-bonvoy-business-american-express-card, personal-finance-insider, credit-cards, credit-card-roundup, pfi, pfi-short-code, pfi-product-card, pfi-guide, pfi-freelance, faq-page, TOC-jump-to, pfi-click-table, pfi-amex-insurance, delta-reserve-for-business-credit-card
Source
Best American Express Business Cards of November 2023