Choose the Right American Express Business Credit Card to Maximize Your Rewards and Benefits (2024)

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If you’re searching for a credit card that will offer big benefits for your business and your wallet, look no further than American Express business credit cards. Whether you’re looking to save money on your everyday purchases, earn airline miles or hotel points, or improve your travel experiences, Amex offers a card that will meet your needs.

Read on to learn about which American Express business credit cards are available, how these cards can help you, and which one is right for your business.

In this article

  • What American Express business credit cards offer
  • Which American Express business credit card is right for you?
  • Bottom line

What American Express business credit cards offer

Business credit cards help businesses track expenses, control their cash flow, and earn valuable rewards. Though some business cards come with annual fees, the perks cardholders receive are generally worth more than the fees paid each year. This makes the decision to apply for and keep American Express business credit cards each year a no-brainer.

American Express business credit cards offer the ability to turn normal expenses into great rewards. Depending upon which card you choose, you’ll earn cash back, hotel points, airline miles, or Membership Rewards. Plus, you can enjoy great benefits such as free checked bags, hotel elite status, and airport lounge access. Do note that cash back is in the form of a statement credit and enrollment is required for select benefits.

Some of the most popular American Express credit cards for business include:

  • Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card- this card comes with automatic Gold elite status and up to two free hotel nights each year.
  • The Business Platinum Card® from American Express- cardholders get access to over 1,400 airport lounges and 35% of points back for flight redemptions. Select benefits require activation or enrollment.
  • The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card- cardmembers get complimentary Gold status and up to two free hotel nights each year.
  • Delta SkyMiles® Gold Business American Express Card- this card comes with your first checked bag free and priority boarding.

Rewards available with Amex business credit cards

With American Express business credit cards, you can earn cash back, airline miles, Membership Rewards points, or hotel points. Cash back is in the form of a statement credit. To choose the best card for you, think about where what type of rewards are most valuable to your small business and where you spend the most money.

Here are a few of the best Amex credit cards that offer great rewards to help your business.

Card nameReward detailsWelcome offerAnnual fee
American Express® Business Gold Card4X Membership Rewards Points on purchases in the two categories with the most spend each billing cycle from 6 eligible categories (up to $150,000 in combined purchases each calendar year, after that 1X), 3X Membership Rewards points on flights and prepaid hotels booked at amextravel.com, and 1 point per $1 spent on other eligible purchasesEarn 70,000 Membership Rewards points after spending $10,000 on eligible purchases in the first 3 months$375 (Terms apply)
The Business Platinum Card® from American Express5X points on flights and prepaid hotels on Amextravel.com; 1.5X points on eligible purchases at U.S. suppliers of construction materials and hardware, U.S. retailers of electronic goods, U.S. providers of shipping, software and cloud systems, and eligible purchases of $5,000 or more (up to $2 million per year, then 1X); and 1X points per $1 spent on all other eligible purchasesEarn 120,000 Membership Rewards points after spending $15,000 on eligible purchases in the first 3 months$695(Terms apply)
The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card12X Hilton Honors Bonus Points on direct purchases with Hilton; 6X at U.S. gas stations, cell phone services from U.S. providers, U.S. shipping purchases, U.S. restaurants, flights booked directly with airlines or Amex Travel, and select car rentals; and 3X on all other eligible purchasesEarn 130,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points after spending $3,000 in purchases in the first 3 months$95(Terms apply)
The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express2X Membership Rewards points on everyday eligible business purchases up to $50,000 each year, and 1X points on eligible purchases after thatEarn 15,000 Membership Rewards points after you spend $3,000 on eligible purchases within the first 3 months of card membership$0(Terms apply)
The American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card2% cash back on the first $50,000 in eligible purchases each year, then 1% after thatEarn a $250 statement credit after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months$0(Terms apply)
Delta SkyMiles® Gold Business American Express Card2X miles per $1 spent at Delta and restaurants, and on eligible U.S. shipping purchases and eligible U.S. advertising in select media up to $50,000 per category, per year. Plus, 1X miles per $1 on all other eligible purchasesEarn 80,000 bonus miles after you spend $6,000 in purchases in your first 6 months (offer ends 3/27/24)$0 intro annual fee for the first year, $150 per year thereafter(Terms apply)
Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card1.5X miles on eligible transit and U.S. shipping purchases, plus single eligible purchases of $5,000 or more; and 1X mile per $1 spent on other eligible purchasesEarn 100,000 bonus miles after you spend $8,000 in purchases in your first 6 months (offer ends 3/27/24)$350(Terms apply)
Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card6X points at participating Marriott Bonvoy hotels; 4X points at restaurants worldwide, U.S. gas stations, U.S. purchases on shipping, and wireless telephone services purchased from U.S. providers; and 2X points on all other eligible purchasesEarn five Free Night Awards after you use your new Card to make $8,000 in eligible purchases within the first 6 months (redemption level up to 50,000 Marriott Bonvoy points for each bonus Free Night Award.) Certain hotels have resort fees. Offer ends 3/20/24$125(Terms apply)

These credit cards for small business owners offer a wide array of benefits. The rewards you earn from them can be used to improve your business or thank employees for a job well done.

Which American Express business credit card is right for you?

There are several important things to consider when deciding which American Express business credit card is right for you. Are you okay with paying an annual fee? Do you want to earn airline miles, hotel points, cash back, or Membership Rewards? And what credit card benefits are most important to you?

Cash back credit cards

Cash back cards offer some of the most straightforward rewards out there. When you make eligible purchases with these credit cards, you'll receive a portion of your purchase back in cash as a statement credit.

For example, the Blue Business Cash Card has a $0 annual fee, and cardmembers earn 2% cash back on the first $50,000 in eligible purchases each year, then 1% after that. Cash back is in the form of a statement credit.

Airline co-branded credit cards

Co-branded airline credit cards offer a lot of wonderful perks for frequent travelers. You can save money by checking bags for free, receive priority boarding even when you don't have status, and get discounts on in-flight purchases. If having elite status is important to you, some airline credit cards can help you achieve and maintain your loyalty levels.

The Delta SkyMiles® Gold Business Credit Card is a good example. With this card, you earn 2X miles per $1 spent at Delta and restaurants, and on eligible U.S. shipping purchases and eligible U.S. advertising in select media up to $50,000 per category, per year. Plus, 1X miles per $1 on all other eligible purchases. Cardholders also get a free checked bag and Main Cabin 1 Priority Boarding. Checked bag fees on Delta are $30 each way per bag, so this credit card can quickly pay for itself with just a couple of flights. Just remember to put your SkyMiles number on each reservation to enjoy your benefits.

Hotel co-branded credit cards

American Express offers hotel credit cards from two of the most popular hotel brands, Marriott and Hilton. With these co-branded credit cards, you will automatically receive elite status and earn extra points toward future free nights.

The Hilton Honors Business Card earns 12X on eligible purchases made directly with Hilton. Cardholders also get complimentary Gold elite status and ten free Priority Pass visits. Based on your spending, you can earn two Free Night Rewards and be upgraded to Hilton Honors Diamond status. Enrollment required for select benefits.

Business owners will also benefit from the Marriott Bonvoy Business American Express Card. With this card, you earn 6X points at participating Marriott Bonvoy hotels; 4X points at restaurants worldwide, U.S. gas stations, U.S. purchases on shipping, and wireless telephone services purchased from U.S. providers; and 2X points on all other eligible purchases. Cardholders also receive automatic Gold elite status and have the ability to earn two free nights each year worth up to 35,000 points each.

Cards that earn Membership Rewards

Membership Rewards points are very lucrative. You can use these points to book hotels or flights, pay for purchases, or transfer to airline and hotel partners, and more. Business owners who are looking for flexibility with their credit card rewards will appreciate this type of card.

The Business Gold Card is one great option. As a cardmember, you earn 4X Membership Rewards Points on purchases in the two categories with the most spend each billing cycle from 6 eligible categories (up to $150,000 in combined purchases each calendar year, after that 1X), 3X Membership Rewards points on flights and prepaid hotels booked at amextravel.com, and 1 point per $1 spent on other eligible purchases.

Take advantage of Amex Offers

All of the American Express business credit cards come with Amex Offers, which provide additional ways to earn and save. These personalized offers must be manually activated and used before they expire. Each Amex card comes with its own unique offers, and they’re based on your profile, where you spend, and how much you spend.

Amex Offers may include extra points, fixed dollar statement credits, or a percentage back on your purchase. For example, the following offer gives 20% back on cell phone charges up to a maximum of $50. This is a quick way to make money on purchases you were already planning to make. Just remember to activate the offer before your purchase.

Choose the Right American Express Business Credit Card to Maximize Your Rewards and Benefits (1)

Bottom line

Business owners can use credit cards to improve their business and earn generous rewards. American Express offers several different credit cards, each with varying earning structures, benefits, and annual fees. So, which American Express business credit card is right for you?

The best way to choose is to decide what type of rewards and benefits you want to receive. Then compare those rewards and perks against any annual fee that may be charged. If the rewards you'll earn exceed the annual fee, the chances are you’ve found the best business credit card for you.

Premium Business Rewards

The Business Platinum Card® from American Express

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FinanceBuzz writers and editors score cards based on a number of objective features as well as our expert editorial assessment. Our partners do not influence how we rate products.

The Business Platinum Card® from American Express

Apply Now

See rates and fees | Terms Apply

Current Offer

Earn 120,000 Membership Rewards points after spending $15,000 on eligible purchases in the first 3 months

Annual Fee

$695

Rewards Rate

5X points on flights and prepaid hotels on Amextravel.com; 1.5X points on eligible purchases at U.S. suppliers of construction materials and hardware, U.S. retailers of electronic goods, U.S. providers of shipping, software and cloud systems, and eligible purchases of $5,000 or more (up to $2 million per year, then 1X); and 1X points per $1 spent on all other eligible purchases

Benefits and Drawbacks

Benefits

  • Earn 120,000 Membership Rewards points after spending $15,000 on eligible purchases in the first 3 months
  • 5X points on flights and prepaid hotels on Amextravel.com
  • 1.5X points on eligible purchases at U.S. suppliers of construction materials and hardware, U.S. retailers of electronic goods, U.S. providers of shipping, software and cloud systems, and eligible purchases of $5,000 or more (up to $2 million per year, then 1X)
  • Up to $200 statement credit per year for airline incidental fees
  • $695 annual fee

Drawbacks

  • High annual fee
  • Requires good to excellent credit

Card Details

  • Welcome Offer: Earn 120,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $15,000 on eligible purchases with your Card within the first 3 months of Card Membership.
  • 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 (that’s an extra half point per dollar) on each eligible purchase 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.
  • Unlock over $1,000 in annual statement credits on a curation of business purchases, including select purchases made with Dell Technologies, Indeed, Adobe, and U.S. wireless service providers.
  • $200 Airline Fee Credit: Get up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year for incidental fees charged by your one selected, qualifying airline to your Card.
  • $189 CLEAR® Plus Credit: Use your card and get up to $189 in statement credits per calendar year on your CLEAR® Plus Membership (subject to auto-renewal) when you use your Business Platinum Card®.
  • The American Express Global Lounge Collection® can provide an escape at the airport. With complimentary access to more than 1,400 airport lounges across 140 countries and counting, you have more airport lounge options than any other credit card issuer on the market as of 03/2023.
  • $695 Annual Fee.
  • Terms Apply.
Choose the Right American Express Business Credit Card to Maximize Your Rewards and Benefits (2024)

FAQs

Which American Express card has the most benefits? ›

NerdWallet's Best American Express Cards of May 2024
  • Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express: Best for Family spending: Groceries, gas, transit, streaming.
  • The Platinum Card® from American Express: Best for Luxury travel perks.
  • American Express® Gold Card: Best for Travel rewards on everyday spending.

How do I maximize my Amex benefits? ›

7 Tips on How to Maximise Rewards on Your Credit Card
  1. Select the Right Card for Regular Use. ...
  2. Select based on sign-up bonus points. ...
  3. Use your card for the big spends. ...
  4. Use your credit card for mobile wallets. ...
  5. Shop online through your credit card's website. ...
  6. Sign up for the perks. ...
  7. Use your card for business expenses.

How do I maximize my Amex rewards? ›

If you're trying to maximize American Express Membership Rewards, you could spread your purchases across these different cards, so you can tap into the various bonus categories they offer that complement each other. Here's an example of how you might use each of these cards together.

Which American Express card is the best for business owners? ›

Best Small Business Credit Cards by American Express
  • Summary.
  • American Express Blue Business® Plus Credit Card: 2X Points and No Annual Fee. ...
  • American Express Business Green Rewards Card: Straightforward Travel Rewards. ...
  • American Express® Business Gold Card: Maximize Rewards.

What are the benefits of American Express? ›

Some Amex cards feature free shipping, travel insurance benefits, concierge services and even automatic elite status with hotel loyalty programs. Since Amex credit cards all offer their own unique features and perks, however, you'll want to read over your card's terms and conditions to know what you qualify for.

Why American Express is the best? ›

American Express has its own ecosystem of rewards and benefits. What sets it apart is the consistency of the rewards, depending on the level of credit card. It also offers points collection (called Membership Rewards) or cash back, hotel upgrades, travel insurance and lounge access.

How many AmEx points for 5000? ›

Get rewarded for being you with one point for every pound you spend. On top of that, get an extra 2,500 bonus points for every £5,000 you spend, up to a maximum of 12,500 bonus points per year.

How many AmEx points for a flight? ›

Aeroplan award chart for partner flights within North America
Distance (miles)EconomyBusiness
0 - 5006,000 pts15,000 pts
501 - 1,50010,000 pts20,000 pts
1,501 - 2,75012,500 pts25,000 pts
2,751 +22,500 pts35,000 pts

What is the best type of credit card? ›

Two of the most popular premium rewards credit cards are the Chase Sapphire Reserve® and the The Platinum Card® from American Express. Both charge at least $550 in annual fees but come with many cardholder benefits and opportunities to earn statement credits for specific purchases.

How many Amex points is $300? ›

The easiest option is to use Pay with Points, which gets you 1 cent per point when booking through the Amex Travel portal. Using that method, your 30,000 points are worth $300.

How many Amex points do I need for $100? ›

That means 10,000 Membership Rewards points would cover $100 towards a stay at a Fine Hotels & Resorts property or $70 at another hotel booked through Amex Travel.

How are Amex rewards calculated? ›

You will get one point for each dollar charged for an eligible purchase on your Platinum Card from American Express. You will get 4 additional points (for a total of 5 points) for each dollar spent on eligible air and hotel purchases.

Which business card is best? ›

Best Business Credit Cards
  • Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card: Best Ultimate Rewards-Earning Business Card.
  • The Business Platinum Card® from American Express: Best Business Card for Travel Benefits.
  • Venture X Business *: Best Offer for New Business Cardholders.
Apr 29, 2024

What is the best use of business credit cards? ›

Use it to build your business credit. Deduct interest and annual fees from your business taxes. Use your card statements as a reference for business deductions for expenses, such as travel. Judiciously use it to keep your cash flow going when waiting for payment.

What credit score is needed for an American Express business card? ›

If you have a good to excellent score (670-850 points) your application for a business card may be accepted even if your business credit score is low or non-existent. The credit limit and interest rate on the card will then be based on your personal credit score.

Is Amex Gold or platinum better? ›

Winner: Amex Gold

Both cards provide some pretty impressive ways to earn points. The Gold card offers more chances to earn points on everyday spending while the Platinum card's 5X Membership Rewards on travel makes it better for those who travel frequently. We prefer the Gold in this category.

Which American Express card gets you into airport lounges? ›

The American Express Global Lounge Collection®

U.S Consumer and Business Platinum Card Members and any Additional Platinum Card Members on the Account are eligible for access to the participating lounges in the American Express Global Lounge Collection.

Which is better American Express Platinum or Black card? ›

THE WINNER. The Platinum Card® from American Express is the winner over the Mastercard® Black Card. The American Express Platinum card provides frequent travelers with far better features and much more value overall, despite its higher annual fee.

Which Amex gives the highest credit limit? ›

The Platinum Card from American Express offers the highest credit limit to applicants. It's important to note that American Express does not explicitly list either a minimum or maximum credit limit when outlining card details.

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