American Express credit cards for small businesses are famous for their heavy rewards and perks. They have a card that is offered to practically every small business owner, which has features like extended 0% intro APR periods and high cash-back rates to luxury travel cards and co-branded choices with Delta, Hilton, Marriott, and others.
Top 4 Most Used American Express Credit Cards for Small Businesses [2025]
| S. N. | Name of American Express Credit Cards for Small Businesses | Best Known & Value for |
| 1. | American Express Blue Business Cash Card | This Capital One Credit Card is Best Known For 0 Annual Fee |
| 2. | American Express Business Platinum Card | This Capital One Credit Card is best known for its $0 Annual Fee and No Foreign Transaction Fee. |
| 3. | American Express Plum Card | This Capital One Credit Card is Best Known For No Annual Fee for the First Year |
| 4. | American Express Blue Business® Plus | – |
Best American Express Credit Cards for Small Businesses [March 2025]
1. American Express Blue Business Cash Card
American Express Blue Business Cash Card is the best choice for startups or small businesses. The card offers a high rate cashback, no annual fee, and an intro APR rate. The cardholder will get 0% intro APR on Purchases for 12 months and then the ongoing APR of 17.49%-25.49% Variable APR. Additionally, it offers one of the most competitive cash-back rates among cards that do not require an annual fee: Get 2% cash back on all qualified purchases up to $50,000 in a given year, followed by 1%.
Business Cashback and No Annual Fee
| Issuer | American Express |
| Payment Gateway | AMEX |
| Credit Score | Good-Excellent |
| Intro APR | 0% for 12 months |
| Regular APR | 18.24%–26.24% |
| Sign In Bonus | $250 after spending $3,000 in 3 months |
| Best For | *Small Businesses *Entrepreneurs |
The American Express® Blue Business Cash Card is perfect for small businesses, offering 2% cash back on all eligible purchases (up to $50,000 per year, then 1%). It simplifies expense tracking and rewards businesses without the hassle of category restrictions.
This card has no annual fee and requires good credit. It comes with a credit limit that may be expanded under Amex’s “Expanded Buying Power” feature. Additional perks include purchase protection, employee cards, and extended warranties.
Key Features:
- No Annual Fee
- No over-limit fee
- Offers credit limit flexibility
- No intro APR for balance transfers
- Offer Car Rental Loss & Damage Insurance with coverage upto $50,000
Reward Rate:
- 2% cashback on all eligible purchases (first $50,000 per year)
Other Information:
- Expanded Buying Power feature
- Shopping and travel protections
- Amex offers
- Foreign Transaction Fee is 2.7%
Pros & Cons of American Express Blue Business Cash Card
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Highest flat rewards rates in the market | The $50,000 spending limit per year on the 2 percent category limits reward-earning potential |
| The Expanded Buying Power feature gives business owners more flexibility. | There are limited cardholder perks |
| It has a decent introductory APR period for new purchases. | The card’s 2.7 percent foreign transaction fee can add up and cut into your rewards earnings. |
Expert Advice:
American Express Blue Business cash card is the best choice for small businesses with expenses that may fall beyond the standard company spending sectors. Although the 2 percent cash-back return is excellent, many cardholders might not find the $50,000 annual spending limits appealing. Nonetheless, it’s a fantastic card for people who are new business owners or have lower annual costs.
2. American Express Business Platinum Card
The American Express Platinum Card has long been considered one of the greatest credit cards due to its premium travel privileges. Its high hotel and airfare points rate, continuing incentives, and comprehensive travel access may save you a great deal on special experiences, but at a higher cost.
Business Owners, Expense Management
| Issuer | American Express |
| Payment Gateway | AMEX |
| Credit Score | Excellent |
| Intro APR | N/A |
| Regular APR | 19.24% – 27.24% |
| Sign In Bonus | 80,000 points after $8,000 on eligible purchases within the first six months of card membership. |
| Best For | *Business Owners *Frequent Travelers |
Ideal for high-spending business owners, this card offers enhanced travel rewards and expense management tools. Qualification requires an excellent credit score and business financials.
The $695 annual fee covers benefits like 5x points on travel, $200 airline fee credits, and employee card options. No preset spending limit and a strong referral program enhance its value.
Key Features:
- No Pre-set Spending Limit
- No foreign transaction fees
- No intro APR on purchases
- No intro APR on balance transfers
- Payment Flexibility
- Enjoy exclusive Platinum events and special opportunities.
Reward Rate:
- 5X points on up to $500,000 per calendar year spent on directly booked airfare, flights, and prepaid hotels through American Express Travel
- 2X points on prepaid car rentals through American Express Travel
- 1X points on all other purchases
Other Information:
- $695 annual fee
- Get travel credits for airline fees, CLEAR® Plus, Global Entry, TSA PreCheck®, prepaid hotels, and luxury stay perks.
- $200 Uber Credits: $15/month in Uber Cash, plus a $20 bonus in December (Amex Platinum must be linked).
- Lifestyle Perks: Walmart+, Equinox, Saks Fifth Avenue, and digital subscriptions (Terms Apply).
- Airport Lounge Access: Free entry to Priority Pass, Delta Sky Club, and more (enrollment required).
- Hotel Status: Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite & Hilton Honors Gold (enrollment required).
- Travel Protections: Trip cancellation, delay coverage, and emergency evacuation benefits.
- Purchase Protections: Cellphone and return protection included.
- Car Rental Perks: Elite status with Avis, Hertz, and National.
Pros & Cons of American Express Business Platinum Card
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Highest travel rewards of any Amex card. | An annual Fee of $695 may not suit everyone. |
| Best lounge and travel perks among mainstream cards. | Boosted rewards apply only to select travel purchases. |
| Up to $1,700 in annual perks, exceeding the $695 fee. | Some credits, like fitness and private jets, may not be useful for all. |
Expert Advice:
The American Express Platinum Card has been a travel favorite for a reason. Unlike airline cards, the benefits and credits you earn are substantial enough to make it beneficial for any passenger looking for a little extra luxury on their holiday. However, many cardholders are still intimidated by the $695 yearly cost, and for good reason. Based on the average person’s buying patterns, the card’s annual rewards worth may be lower than that of rival cards, and the card’s catalog of specialized advantages may be inconvenient for most individuals, making the annual fee more difficult to justify.
3. American Express Plum Card
The Plum Card® from American Express is a business charge card, not a standard business credit card. Therefore, you cannot maintain a balance. Interestingly, you can settle your debt in full within 60 days without incurring interest if you pay the minimum amount due by the due date. Instead of incentives, you can get an unlimited 15% discount on qualified expenses paid within 10 days of the account statement’s close date.
No Annual Fee, Small Business Owners
| Issuer | American Express |
| Payment Gateway | AMEX |
| Credit Score | Good/Excellent |
| Intro APR | N/A |
| Regular APR | N/A |
| Sign In Bonus | N/A |
| Best For | Small Business Owners |
The American Express Plum Card is a charge card for business owners, offering flexible payment options. Issued by American Express, it provides a 1.5% early pay discount or up to 60 days to pay balances, aiding cash flow management.
The annual fee is $250. Its unique feature is the ability to carry a balance without interest. The credit limit is flexible, and a good to excellent credit score is required. It also offers travel benefits and no pre-set spending limit.
Key Features:
- No Foreign Transaction Fees
- No Preset Spending Limit
- Flexible Payments
- Expense Management Tools: Integrates with QuickBooks and provides detailed spending insights
Reward Rate:
- Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on the portion of your balance that you pay within 10 days of your statement closing date.
Other Information:
- Add employee cards at no extra cost and set spending limits
- Annual Fee: $250 ($0 for the first year).
- Global Assist hotline
- Car rental loss and damage insurance
- Extended warranties
- Helps return eligible purchases to Amex if the seller won’t accept a return within 90 days.
Pros & Cons of American Express Plum Card
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Unlimited 1.5% Discount | High Annual Fee |
| 60-Day Payment Flexibility | No Sign-in Bonus |
| Purchase Protections | No Rewards Program |
Expert Advice:
The Plum Card is a charge card, which means you cannot carry a balance over 60 days. Its $250 yearly fee may appear excessive, especially given that it simply provides a 1.5% discount instead of customary incentives. It may still be an excellent alternative if you prefer discounts to incentives. Just bear in mind that you’ll need to spend at least $16,675 every year to receive enough early payment discounts to cover the yearly charge.
4. American Express Blue Business® Plus
The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express may be an excellent choice for small-business owners with an annual budget in this range. It includes positive characteristics such as no annual fee and a respectable rewards rate on purchases up to $50,000 per year. However, it may be an excellent option for startup entrepreneurs who do not yet have consistent expenditures.
Business Rewards, No Annual Fee
| Issuer | American Express |
| Payment Gateway | AMEX |
| Credit Score | Good-Excellent |
| Intro APR | 0% for 12 Months from the date of account opening |
| Regular APR | 17.49% – 25.49% Variable |
| Sign In Bonus | 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. |
| Best For | *Small Business Owners *Entrepreneurs |
The American Express Blue Business® Plus Card, issued by American Express, offers rewards on business purchases and travel. Its best feature is the Membership Rewards program, providing valuable points for business expenses.
The card has an annual fee of $150. Unique features include access to the Blue Business Collection rewards and a required credit score of 700+. The referral program offers bonus Membership Rewards points.
Key Features:
- No Annual fee
- Simple rewards structure
- Purchase protection
Reward Rate:
- 2X points on up to $50,000 in purchases per year, then 1X points thereafter
- 2X points on prepaid rental cars booked through AmexTravel.com
- 1X points on all other purchases
Other Information:
- 2.7 foreign transaction fees
- The card has a quick and easy online application process in as little as 30 seconds.
- Free employee cards with customizable spending limits
- Account manager feature to monitor finances
- Extended warranty coverage
- Expanded Buying Power.
Pros & Cons of American Express Blue Business® Plus
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| No annual fee, maximizing reward earnings. | 2X rewards cap at $50,000, then drops to 1X. |
| Intro APR on purchases competitive with other business cards. | No intro APR on balance transfers, which is not ideal for high-interest debt. |
| Expanded Buying Power lets you exceed your credit limit in some cases. | 2.7% foreign transaction fee, making it costly for international purchases. |
Expert Advice:
The American Express Blue Business Plus Credit Card is a fantastic tool to have in your toolbox if you are a small business owner who wants to accrue points without having to worry about reward categories. With its extended buying power, interest-free term, and no yearly charge, it may provide you with the funding you require to build your company. The Blue Business Plus also offers great long-term value because it works well with high-end Amex cards. There could be better alternatives to obtaining a Blue Business Plus Credit Card, though, if you’re a heavy spender. You might want to avoid the trouble of managing several credit cards, even though you can transfer to a different card once you reach the points threshold.
Table of Comparison
| S. No. | Name of the Card | Payment Gateway | Best For | Credit Score | Annual Fee | Annual Percentage Rate | Balance Transfer | Sign in Bonus | Decision Criteria |
| 1. | American Express Blue Business Cash Card | AMEX | Small BusinessesEntrepreneurs | Good/Excellent | 0% | 0% for 12 months | 18.24%–26.24% | $250 after spending $3,000 in 3 months | Ideal for small businesses wanting simple cashback, offering 2% cashback on up to $50,000/year (then 1%) with no annual fee. |
| 2. | American Express Business Platinum Card | AMEX | Business OwnersFrequent Travelers | Excellent | $695 | N/A | N/A | 80,000 points after $8,000 on eligible purchases within the first six months of card membership. | Best for frequent business travelers, with premium travel perks like lounge access, travel credits, and elite hotel/rental car status. The $695 annual fee is worth it for heavy travelers. |
| 3. | American Express Plum Card | AMEX | Small Business Owners | Good/Excellent | $250 | N/A | N/A | N/A | Great for businesses needing payment flexibility, offering a 1.5% early payment discount or 60 days to pay with no interest. |
| 4. | American Express Blue Business® Plus | AMEX | Small Business OwnersEntrepreneurs | Good-Excellent | $150 | 0% for 12 Months from the date of account opening | 18.24%–26.24% | 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. | Perfect for small businesses wanting flexible rewards, earning 2X Membership Rewards points on up to $50,000/year (then 1X). No annual fee, great for those preferring travel rewards over cashback. |
Methodology
When choosing the best American Express credit card for small businesses, it’s important to take into account important aspects, including spending patterns, cashback or rewards programs, flexible payment options, and other benefits. Popular choices include the American Express Blue Business Cash Card, which provides straightforward cashback on regular business purchases without an annual fee, and the American Express Business Platinum Card, which is perfect for frequent travelers because of its premium lounge access, hotel benefits, and airfare rewards.
Additional choices include the American Express Blue Business Plus Card, which earns Membership Rewards points for companies that favor flexible redemptions and travel, and the American Express Plum Card, which offers flexible payment periods along with an early payment refund. These cards frequently come with useful business features like fraud protection, extended warranties, purchase protection, and cost monitoring.
Premium cards like the Amex Business Platinum are designed for high-spending companies that require travel and luxury perks, while other cards, like the Amex Blue Business Cash Card, are ideal for companies seeking a cashback alternative with no annual fees. American Express provides a variety of cards with financial flexibility, business-friendly benefits, and different reward systems to help companies save costs and get the most out of their spending.
Choosing the American Express Credit Cards for Small Businesses
- Rewards & Cashback: To get the most discounts if your company spends a lot on advertising, office supplies, or vacation, pick a card that offers cashback or extra points in those areas.
- Flexible Payments & Credit Limits: For businesses with varying cash flow, several credit cards allow you to spend more than your credit limit or extend payment deadlines.
- Value vs. Annual Fees: A higher annual cost could be justified if you desire premium benefits like lounge access and trip credits. If not, free choices might still offer excellent benefits for regular purchases.
- Travel Benefits & Foreign Transaction Costs: If you travel regularly, a card that offers trip insurance, access to airport lounges, and no foreign transaction costs can be a lifesaver. The Amex Business Platinum Card is great for businesses that spend a lot of money on travel and want premium benefits like lounge access and travel credits.
- Budget Management and Security: Simplifying corporate finances is made possible by features like purchase insurance, fraud protection, employee cards with spending limitations, and QuickBooks connectivity.
Why Do Small Businesses Need American Express Credit Cards?
American Express consistently pushes the boundaries of its offers and services for cardholders. If you have an American Express card in your wallet, you should start using it immediately for the following reasons:
- Quick Access to Capital: Without having to wait for conventional loans, get quick cash for everyday needs or company development.
- Separates Business & Personal Expenses: By keeping business spending apart, this approach streamlines bookkeeping and facilitates tax filing.
- Simpler Employee Expense Management: Provide spending-capable employee cards to ease the burden of reimbursements.
- Cashback & Valuable Rewards: Save money by earning rewards on business-related expenses, including advertising, office supplies, and travel.
- Take Advantage of Interest-Free Periods: To finance major expenditures while maintaining cash flow, take advantage of 0% intro APR offerings.
- Flexible Repayment Options: You can spread your payments over time or pay off debt interest-free during promotional times.
- Develops Business Credit: Prudent use contributes to the development of a high business credit score, which opens up more favorable financing alternatives down the road.
- Enhanced Purchase & Travel Protections: Take advantage of fraud protection, extended warranties, and travel benefits, including lounge access.
Does American Express offer Credit Cards to Small Businesses?
Yes, American Express provides a number of credit cards designed specifically for small businesses. These cards include rewards programs, cost management capabilities, and purchase protection. For example, the American Express Blue Business® Plus Credit Card provides 2X Membership Rewards® points on the first $50,000 in eligible expenditures each year. Furthermore, many Amex business cards have benefits like fraud protection, extended warranties, and return protection, which improve the security and value of your company transactions.
How Do American Express Credit Cards Help Small Businesses?
American Express offers a variety of financial tools to assist small businesses in managing cash flow, making transactions, and expanding effectively.
- Provides a variety of credit cards with unique bonuses and features suited to business requirements.
- Some cards offer incentives for travel, business spending, and entertainment.
- Additional benefits include travel insurance, complimentary delivery, and concierge services.
- Payment Solutions
- Offers flexible payment alternatives to help companies manage their spending.
- Some systems allow for prolonged payment periods of up to 55 days in order to optimize cash flow and inventory management.
- Business owners might use lines of credit to cover unforeseen expenses or to control operating costs.
- These loan lines are backed by corporate assets and provide financial flexibility when necessary.
- Eligibility and Terms.
- Eligibility requirements, periods, and perks range among American Express programs.
- Business owners should read their card’s terms and conditions to understand their qualifications and available benefits.
Advantages of American Express Credit Card for Small Businesses
American Express provides a variety of credit cards to assist small companies manage spending, collect rewards, and gain financial flexibility. These cards provide cashback, travel rewards, expanded payment choices, and business-friendly features like spending tracking and employee card management. Whether a company emphasizes rewards, cash flow management, or premium perks, Amex offers a card to meet those demands.
| Advantages | Description |
| Flexible Payment Options | Some cards offer extended payment periods or interest-free financing to improve cash flow. |
| Rewards & Cashback | Earn points, cashback, or travel rewards on business-related spending. |
| Travel Perks | Access to airport lounges, hotel status upgrades, and travel insurance. |
| Expense Management Tools | Track spending, set employee card limits, and integrate with accounting software. |
| Purchase Protections | Enjoy extended warranties, return protection, and fraud protection. |
| No Foreign Transaction Fees | Select cards allow international purchases without additional charges. |
| Business-Specific Offers | Access exclusive Amex Offers and discounts on business-related services. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Which AMEX credit cards are ideal for small businesses?
The following are a few of the best AMEX business credit cards:
- The Business Gold Card from American Express® (for flexible rewards)
- American Express’s Business Platinum Card® (for travel benefits)
- Blue Business® Plus Credit Card (for regular purchases and no annual fee)
- The Blue Business Cash™ Card from American Express (for cashback benefits)
Is it possible for a lone entrepreneur to obtain an AMEX business credit card?
It is possible for sole proprietors to apply without an Employer Identification Number (EIN) by utilizing their Social Security Number (SSN).
How can I apply for a business credit card from AMEX?
You may apply online at the AMEX website by entering your personal financial information, expected revenue, and business data.
Are rewards available on AMEX corporate credit cards?
Depending on the card type, AMEX business cards do offer travel advantages, cashback, and Membership Rewards points.
Yes, you may exchange points for gift cards, trip reservations, statement credits, or purchases at certain retailers.