The best AMEX business cards: Which card is right for your business?
Over the last 18 months, the US saw business spending driven down due to the COVID-19 PandemicHowever, spending is now rising once again, and businesses are beginning to bounce back after being forced to adapt to changes from the pandemic. These changes brought businesses and startups extra costs that led business owners to look at what extras they could get from their spending. This brings the benefits of business cards that offer many advantages for your business, such as:
- Building business credit.
- Helping to manage business expenses.
- Gaining business rewards from spending.
One of the best business credit card providers is American Express or AMEX. Here, ZDNet explores some of the benefits you receive from their business cards with our best AMEX business cards compared.
American Express® Business Gold Card
Great for small businesses
- Get 4X Membership Rewards® points on the 2 select categories where your business spent the most each month.
- 1X is earned for other purchases. **
- Get 4X Membership Rewards® points on the 2 select categories where your business spent the most each month.
- 1X is earned for other purchases. **
This card is great for small businesses who require large spending and want rewards across all spending categories.
Card benefits and fees:
- Members can earn a massive amount of reward points, up to 70,000 points, after spending $10,000 on eligible purchases within the first three months.
- Members can choose to earn up to earn 4X membership rewards points on the 2 categories where your business spent the most each billing cycle from the list below, plus earn 1X on other purchases. Categories include Airfare, advertising, tech purchases like Computer hardware and software, fuel, restaurants, or shipping. Up to the first $150,000 in combined purchases each calendar year.
- The pay-over-time option gives cardholders flexible payment options to pay with interest or pay the balance in full.
The Business Platinum Card® from American Express
Best for high-spending business owners
- Get 5X Membership Rewards® points on flights and prepaid hotels on amextravel.com
- 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 points for each dollar you spend on eligible purchases.
- Get 5X Membership Rewards® points on flights and prepaid hotels on amextravel.com
- 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 points for each dollar you spend on eligible purchases.
A great choice for high-spending business owners who want maximum travel rewards.
Card benefits and fees:
- New members can earn up to 120,000 points after spending $15,000 on eligible purchases within the first three months.
- Maximize travel points with 5x points on flights and prepaid hotel stays on amextravel.com; 1.5x points on eligible purchases of $5,000 or more. Up to 1 million points per year.
- Up to $400 Annual Dell Technologies Statement Credit. ($200 semi-annually.)
- In addition to the access of over 1,400 lounges globally, members enjoy perks come vacation time with the Fine Hotels and Resorts Program -- a total value of $550 in perks at more than 1,100 properties.
American Express Blue Business Cash ™ Card
Simple cashback rewards
- Earn 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% cash back on all eligible purchases after spending $50,000 per calendar year.
- Earn 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% cash back on all eligible purchases after spending $50,000 per calendar year.
This card offers simple cashback rewards for any business owner.
Card benefits and fees:
- New members can earn up to 2% cashback on all eligible purchases up to $50,000 and thereafter, 1% cashback. Cashback is automatically credited to the payment statement.
- Expanded buying power allows members to spend beyond their credit limit when their business needs it, based on payment history and credit record.
The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express
Ideal for new small businesses and startups
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on everyday business purchases such as office supplies or client dinners
- 2X applies to the first $50,000 in purchases per year, 1 point per dollar thereafter
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on everyday business purchases such as office supplies or client dinners
- 2X applies to the first $50,000 in purchases per year, 1 point per dollar thereafter
The Blue Business Plus is great for new small businesses and startups looking for low intro APR and flexible rewards.
Card benefits and fees:
- Cardholders earn points quickly with 2x points on any spending category on the first $50,000 in purchases in the first year; 1x points thereafter.
- Like the Blue Business Cash Card, members may be eligible for expanded buying power beyond their credit limit; based on credit and payment history.
The Plum Card® from American Express
A simple card to help manage cash flow
- Get a 1.5% discount when you pay early, with no cap on what you can earn back.
- Get a 1.5% discount when you pay early, with no cap on what you can earn back.
This flexible card works well for businesses looking for a simple card to help manage cash flow.
Card benefits and fees:
- Business owners get the option of paying the balance in full each month or carrying the balance for 60 days, both with no interest.
- Members can earn unlimited 1.5% cashback on the amount paid back on the balance within 10 days of the closing statement. You get rewarded for paying off the balance early; there is no cap to the reward.
American Express Business Green Rewards Card
Purchasing power without sacrificing the rewards
- Earn one Membership Rewards® point for each dollar you spend on eligible purchases
- Earn one Membership Rewards® point for each dollar you spend on eligible purchases
The Business Green Card is a great choice for businesses that want purchasing power without sacrificing the rewards.
Card benefits and fees:
- New members can earn up to 15,000 membership reward points after spending $3,000 in the first three months on qualifying purchases.
- Business owners can earn 2x points on eligible purchases at amextravel.com; 1x points on all other eligible purchases.
- Membership reward points have no cap and no expiration dates. Points can be used to pay for flights, hotels, vacations, and cruises. Certain terms apply.
All information about the Business Green Rewards Card from American Express has been collected independently by ZDNet.com and had not been reviewed by the issuer.
American Express® Amazon Business Card
For business owners who are Amazon shoppers
AMEX offers two options for Amazon business cards: Amazon Business and Amazon Business Prime -- both great options for business owners who are Amazon shoppers.
Card benefits and fees:
Both allow you to shop at Amazon with points earned, and both offer 2% points back on purchases at participating restaurants, gas stations, service providers and 1% on all other purchases.
The difference is in the reward percentages and term payments.
Amazon Business offers:
3% points back on purchases at Amazon Business and Amazon.com up to the first $120,000 in purchases each year (1% thereafter) or 60-day term on payments.
Amazon Business Prime offers:
5% points back on purchases at Amazon Business and Amazon.com up to the first $120,000 in purchases each year (1% thereafter) or 90-day term on payments.
American Express Delta SkyMiles options | Delta SkyMiles® Gold Business American Express Card
For those looking to maximize travel miles
- Earn 2X Miles on Delta purchases, at restaurants worldwide, including takeout and delivery in the U.S., and at U.S. supermarkets.
- Earn 1X Mile on all other eligible purchases.
- Earn 2X Miles on Delta purchases, at restaurants worldwide, including takeout and delivery in the U.S., and at U.S. supermarkets.
- Earn 1X Mile on all other eligible purchases.
Amex offers three options for Delta SkyMiles business cards for those looking to maximize travel miles and rewards. The main differences are below.
Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Cardoffers:
Members can earn 3x miles on Delta and hotel purchases; 1.5x miles on single purchases of $5,000 or more (up to 50,000 additional miles per year), 1x miles thereafter. These miles do not expire and can be used towards flights, upgrades, and gift cards, and more. In addition, new members can earn 60,000 bonus miles and 5,000 MQMs after spending $3,000 in purchases within the first 3 months. Terms apply.
Annual fee: $250 | Rates and fees
Delta SkyMiles® Gold Business American Express Card offers:
New members can earn 50,000 bonus miles after spending $2,000 in the first three months on eligible purchases. Business owners can earn 2 miles for every dollar spent on purchases made with Delta, advertising, dining at restaurants, or shipping purchases; 1 mile per dollar spent on all other purchases. Terms Apply.
Annual fee: $0 intro fee first year, then $99 |Rates and fees
Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card Offers:
Business owners can earn 3x miles on every dollar spent with Delta, 1.5x on purchases after spending $150,000 in a calendar year, and 1 mile per dollar on all other purchases. In addition, new members can earn 60,000 bonus miles and 10,000 MQMs after spending $4,000 in the first three months on eligible purchases.
Annual fee: $550 | APR: Vary based on creditworthiness (16.49% to 25.49%) | Rates and fees
What’s the advantage of a business credit card?
There are many advantages, but here are a few:
- Higher credit limits and more spending power.
- No personal expenditures. This helps come tax time since many of the purchases will often become tax deductions.
- They help build a business credit profile, which is a determining factor in being able to secure loans and lines of credit.
Which is the best for you?
As you can see, American Express offers a card to fit any business; each helps owners manage cash flow while maximizing reward. Still, each has the upper hand in certain categories. However, if we can only choose one, the top spot must go to the Business Gold Card for its customizable rewards that hit the most important business spending categories. In addition, it offers the flexibility that most business owners need for their ever-changing spending needs.
How do you choose the best business card?
That is a question that only you can answer based on your business needs, but here are some tips:
- Compare interest rates. Many credit card companies offer 0% or low introductory interest rates, but eventually, annual percentage rates (APR) will vary. Also, pay close attention to the fees to see if the potential rewards are worth it.
- Determine which rewards are important for you and your business.mSome offer limited cashback rewards to help manage cash flow while others offer points that can be redeemed in various ways.