Many or all of the products featured here are from our partners who compensate us. This may influence which products we write about and where and how the product appears on a page. However, this does not influence our evaluations. Our opinions are our own. Here is a list of our partners and here's how we make money.
American Express business credit cards are well known for generous rewards and perks. The issuer offers something for almost any small-business owner — from long 0% intro APR periods to high cash-back rates to luxury travel options (albeit with expensive fees to match). If you prefer point programs, AmEx's is near the top of the bunch with NerdWallet valuing Membership Reward points at up to
2.8
cents each.Most AmEx business cards require good-to-excellent personal credit. That includes co-branded small-business credit cards with Delta, Hilton and Marriott, as well as Amazon and Lowe’s. If you have a personal FICO score below 690, you'll need to look elsewhere. Frequent international travelers may also want to explore alternatives, as AmEx isn't as widely accepted abroad as other options and the issuer's no-annual-fee cards sport foreign transaction fees.
All of our picks for the best business cards are chosen by our editorial team, who follow strict editorial guidelines to ensure fairness and accuracy in our coverage to help you choose the business card for your company. We independently evaluate and rate dozens of small-business credit cards, scoring them on fees, rewards rates, bonus offers and other features. View our full methodology.
Note: Some of our selections can be applied for through NerdWallet, and some cannot. Below, you’ll find application links for the credit cards from our partners that are available through NerdWallet, followed by the full list of our picks.
Many or all of the products featured here are from our partners who compensate us. This may influence which products we write about and where and how the product appears on a page. However, this does not influence our evaluations. Our opinions are our own. Here is a list of our partners and here's how we make money.
American Express business credit cards are well known for generous rewards and perks. The issuer offers something for almost any small-business owner — from long 0% intro APR periods to high cash-back rates to luxury travel options (albeit with expensive fees to match). If you prefer point programs, AmEx's is near the top of the bunch with NerdWallet valuing Membership Reward points at up to
2.8
cents each.Most AmEx business cards require good-to-excellent personal credit. That includes co-branded small-business credit cards with Delta, Hilton and Marriott, as well as Amazon and Lowe’s. If you have a personal FICO score below 690, you'll need to look elsewhere. Frequent international travelers may also want to explore alternatives, as AmEx isn't as widely accepted abroad as other options and the issuer's no-annual-fee cards sport foreign transaction fees.
All of our picks for the best business cards are chosen by our editorial team, who follow strict editorial guidelines to ensure fairness and accuracy in our coverage to help you choose the business card for your company. We independently evaluate and rate dozens of small-business credit cards, scoring them on fees, rewards rates, bonus offers and other features. View our full methodology.
Note: Some of our selections can be applied for through NerdWallet, and some cannot. Below, you’ll find application links for the credit cards from our partners that are available through NerdWallet, followed by the full list of our picks.
Here are the best American Express business cards from our partners
| Credit card▼ | NerdWallet rating▼ | Annual fee▼ | Rewards rate | Intro offer | Learn more |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
The American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card Apply now on American Express' website Rates & Fees | 4.9/5 Best for Intro APR and cash back | $0 | 1%-2% Cashback | $250 | Apply now on American Express' website Rates & Fees |
The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express Apply now on American Express' website Rates & Fees | 4.6/5 Best for Intro APR and rewards points | $0 | 1x-2x Points | 15,000 Points | Apply now on American Express' website Rates & Fees |
American Express® Business Gold Card Apply now on American Express' website Rates & Fees | 5.0/5 Best for Customized rewards | $375 | 1x-4x Points | 70,000 Points | Apply now on American Express' website Rates & Fees |
The Business Platinum Card® from American Express Apply now on American Express' website Rates & Fees | 5.0/5 Best for Luxury travel perks and rewards | $695 | 1x-5x Points | 120,000 Points | Apply now on American Express' website Rates & Fees |
Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card Apply now on American Express' website Rates & Fees | 5.0/5 Best for Airline miles | $650 | 1x-3x Miles | 75,000 Miles | Apply now on American Express' website Rates & Fees |
Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card Apply now on American Express' website Rates & Fees | 5.0/5 Best for Automatic free night | $125 | 2x-6x Points | 150,000 Points | Apply now on American Express' website Rates & Fees |
The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card Apply now on American Express' website Rates & Fees | 4.9/5 Best for Hilton loyalists | $195 | 3x-12x Points | 175,000 Points | Apply now on American Express' website Rates & Fees |
Amazon Business Prime American Express Card Apply now on American Express' website Rates & Fees | 4.4/5 Best for Amazon spending | $0 | 1%-2% | $125 | Apply now on American Express' website Rates & Fees |
| Credit card▼ | NerdWallet rating▼ | Annual fee▼ | Rewards rate | Intro offer | Learn more |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
The American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card Apply now on American Express' website Rates & Fees | 4.9/5 Best for Intro APR and cash back | $0 | 1%-2% Cashback | $250 | Apply now on American Express' website Rates & Fees |
The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express Apply now on American Express' website Rates & Fees | 4.6/5 Best for Intro APR and rewards points | $0 | 1x-2x Points | 15,000 Points | Apply now on American Express' website Rates & Fees |
American Express® Business Gold Card Apply now on American Express' website Rates & Fees | 5.0/5 Best for Customized rewards | $375 | 1x-4x Points | 70,000 Points | Apply now on American Express' website Rates & Fees |
The Business Platinum Card® from American Express Apply now on American Express' website Rates & Fees | 5.0/5 Best for Luxury travel perks and rewards | $695 | 1x-5x Points | 120,000 Points | Apply now on American Express' website Rates & Fees |
Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card Apply now on American Express' website Rates & Fees | 5.0/5 Best for Airline miles | $650 | 1x-3x Miles | 75,000 Miles | Apply now on American Express' website Rates & Fees |
Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card Apply now on American Express' website Rates & Fees | 5.0/5 Best for Automatic free night | $125 | 2x-6x Points | 150,000 Points | Apply now on American Express' website Rates & Fees |
The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card Apply now on American Express' website Rates & Fees | 4.9/5 Best for Hilton loyalists | $195 | 3x-12x Points | 175,000 Points | Apply now on American Express' website Rates & Fees |
Amazon Business Prime American Express Card Apply now on American Express' website Rates & Fees | 4.4/5 Best for Amazon spending | $0 | 1%-2% | $125 | Apply now on American Express' website Rates & Fees |
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I'M INTERESTED IN:
Our pick for
Intro APR and cash back
The American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card
Apply now
on American Express' website
Annual fee
$0
Rewards rate
1%-2% Cashback
Intro offer
$250
The American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card
earns a solid cash back rate on purchases (up to a point) for an annual fee of $0
. This simple cash-back card gives you a good introductory APR period, which can be great for newer businesses looking to finance large purchases.Annual fee
$0
Rewards rate
1%-2% Cashback
Intro offer
$250
The American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card
earns a solid cash back rate on purchases (up to a point) for an annual fee of $0
. This simple cash-back card gives you a good introductory APR period, which can be great for newer businesses looking to finance large purchases.Pros
- No annual fee
- High rewards rate
- Intro APR period
- Cash rewards
Cons
- Spending caps on bonus rewards
- Requires good/excellent credit
- Earn a $250 statement credit after you make $3,000 in purchases on your Card in your first 3 months.
- 0.0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months from the date of account opening, then a variable rate, 18.49% - 26.49%, based on your creditworthiness and other factors as determined at the time of account opening. APRs will not exceed 29.99%
- 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.
- From workflow to inventory to floor plans, your business is constantly changing. That’s why you’ve got the power to spend beyond your credit limit with Expanded Buying Power.
- Just remember, the amount you can spend above your credit limit is not unlimited. It adjusts with your use of the Card, your payment history, credit record, financial resources known to us and other factors.
- No Annual Fee
- Terms Apply
View Rates & Fees
Our pick for
Intro APR and rewards points
The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express
Apply now
on American Express' website
Annual fee
$0
Rewards rate
1x-2x Points
Intro offer
15,000 Points
The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express
has solid ongoing rewards, and the intro APR offer is great for new businesses and startups looking to finance large purchases. Annual fee
$0
Rewards rate
1x-2x Points
Intro offer
15,000 Points
The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express
has solid ongoing rewards, and the intro APR offer is great for new businesses and startups looking to finance large purchases. Pros
- No annual fee
- High rewards rate
- Intro APR period
- Transfer partners
Cons
- Spending caps on bonus rewards
- Requires good/excellent credit
- 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.
- 0.0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months from the date of account opening, then a variable rate, 18.49% - 26.49%, based on your creditworthiness and other factors at account opening. APR will not exceed 29.99%
- 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.
- You’ve got the power to use your Card beyond its credit limit* with Expanded Buying Power.
- *The amount you can spend above your credit limit is not unlimited. It adjusts with your use of the Card, your payment history, credit record, financial resources known to us, and other factors.
- No Annual Fee
- Terms Apply
View Rates & Fees
Our pick for
Customized rewards
American Express® Business Gold Card
Apply now
on American Express' website
Annual fee
$375
Rewards rate
1x-4x Points
Intro offer
70,000 Points
The unique rewards structure on the
American Express® Business Gold Card
automatically changes with your spending, which can mean big rewards — if your purchases match its bonus categories. You can earn 4X points on the first $150,000 in combined purchases in eligible categories each calendar year. Terms apply.Annual fee
$375
Rewards rate
1x-4x Points
Intro offer
70,000 Points
The unique rewards structure on the
American Express® Business Gold Card
automatically changes with your spending, which can mean big rewards — if your purchases match its bonus categories. You can earn 4X points on the first $150,000 in combined purchases in eligible categories each calendar year. Terms apply.Pros
- Bonus categories
- Transfer partners
- Luxury perks
Cons
- Has annual fee
- Complicated rewards
- Spending caps on bonus rewards
- Requires good/excellent credit
- Welcome Offer: Earn 70,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $10,000 on eligible purchases with the Business Gold Card within the first 3 months of Card Membership.*
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points on the 2 categories where your business spends the most each billing cycle from 6 eligible categories. While your top 2 categories may change, you will earn 4X points on the first $150,000 in combined purchases from these categories each calendar year (then 1X thereafter). Only the top 2 categories each billing cycle will count towards the $150,000 cap.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights and prepaid hotels booked on amextravel.com using your Business Gold Card.
- Earn up to $20 in statement credits monthly after you use the Business Gold Card for eligible U.S. purchases at FedEx, Grubhub, and Office Supply Stores. This can be an annual savings of up to $240. Enrollment required.
- Get $12.95 back in statement credits each month when you pay for a monthly Walmart+ membership (subject to auto-renewal) with your Business Gold Card. $12.95 plus applicable taxes.
- Your Card – Your Choice. Choose from Gold or Rose Gold.
- *Terms Apply
View Rates & Fees
Our pick for
Luxury travel perks and rewards
The Business Platinum Card® from American Express
Apply now
on American Express' website
Annual fee
$695
Rewards rate
1x-5x Points
Intro offer
120,000 Points
The Business Platinum Card® from American Express
is ideal for business owners looking for a luxury travel rewards card, assuming you don’t mind paying a high annual fee. This card earns impressive ongoing rewards, includes a great welcome offer and provides a range of luxury perks for frequent travelers.Annual fee
$695
Rewards rate
1x-5x Points
Intro offer
120,000 Points
The Business Platinum Card® from American Express
is ideal for business owners looking for a luxury travel rewards card, assuming you don’t mind paying a high annual fee. This card earns impressive ongoing rewards, includes a great welcome offer and provides a range of luxury perks for frequent travelers.Pros
- Lounge membership
- Transfer partners
- Bonus categories
- Automatic elite status
- Premium travel protections
Cons
- High annual fee
- Complicated rewards
- Requires good/excellent credit
- 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.
View Rates & Fees
Our pick for
Airline miles
Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card
Apply now
on American Express' website
Annual fee
$650
Rewards rate
1x-3x Miles
Intro offer
75,000 Miles
This AmEx small-business credit card is ideal for frequent travelers, offering a range of luxury perks in addition to Delta-specific rewards. The
Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card
includes airport lounge access, an annual companion certificate, priority boarding and your first checked bag free. Terms apply.Annual fee
$650
Rewards rate
1x-3x Miles
Intro offer
75,000 Miles
This AmEx small-business credit card is ideal for frequent travelers, offering a range of luxury perks in addition to Delta-specific rewards. The
Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card
includes airport lounge access, an annual companion certificate, priority boarding and your first checked bag free. Terms apply.Pros
- High rewards rate
- Luxury perks
- Lounge membership
- Companion benefit
Cons
- Has annual fee
- Requires good/excellent credit
- Welcome Offer: Earn 75,000 Bonus Miles after spending $10,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.
- Enter Delta Sky Club® at no cost. Effective 2/1/25, Reserve Card Members will receive 15 Visits per year to the Delta Sky Club; to earn an unlimited number of Visits each year starting on 2/1/25, the total eligible purchases on the Card must equal $75,000 or more between 1/1/24 and 12/31/24, and each calendar year thereafter.
- Earn 3 miles per dollar on eligible Delta purchases.
- Get closer to elevated Status next Medallion® Year with MQD Headstart and MQD Boost: receive $2,500 Medallion Qualification Dollars each Medallion Qualification Year and earn $1 MQD for each $10 on purchases with your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card.
- Receive a Companion Certificate on First Class, Delta Comfort+®, or Main Cabin domestic, Caribbean, or Central American roundtrip flights each year after renewal of your Card. The Companion Ticket requires payment of government-imposed taxes and fees of no more than $80 for roundtrip domestic flights and no more than $250 for roundtrip international flights (both for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. See terms and conditions for details.
- With the $240 Resy Credit, earn up to $20 per month in statement credits on eligible Resy purchases using your enrolled Card.
- Earn up to $10 back each month after using your enrolled Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card for U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers.
- Save 15% when booking Award Travel on Delta flights. Not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- Not a Medallion Member? Card Members with an eligible ticket will be added to the Complimentary Upgrade list, after Delta SkyMiles Medallion Members.
- As a benefit of Card Membership, you can check your first bag free on Delta flights, saving up to $60 on a round-trip Delta flight per person. For a family of four that’s a potential savings of up to $240 per round-trip flight. When you purchase a Delta flight with your Delta SkyMiles Reserve Business Card, you will receive complimentary access to The Centurion® Lounge or Escape Lounge – The Centurion® Studio Partner.
- Receive Main Cabin 1 Priority Boarding on Delta flights; board early, stow your carry-on bag and settle in sooner.
- Elevate your travel experience with an annual statement credit of up to $250 after using your Delta Reserve Business American Express Card to book prepaid hotels or vacation rentals through Delta Stays on delta.com.
- Pay no foreign transaction fees when you travel overseas.
- Terms and limitations apply.
View Rates & Fees
Our pick for
Automatic free night
Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card
Apply now
on American Express' website
Annual fee
$125
Rewards rate
2x-6x Points
Intro offer
150,000 Points
Frequent travelers looking to earn Marriott hotel rewards are well suited to the
Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card
. This card allows you to earn on your everyday business spending, as well as your eligible purchases at participating Marriott Bonvoy hotels. Plus, you get one free night per year and complimentary Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status.Annual fee
$125
Rewards rate
2x-6x Points
Intro offer
150,000 Points
Frequent travelers looking to earn Marriott hotel rewards are well suited to the
Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card
. This card allows you to earn on your everyday business spending, as well as your eligible purchases at participating Marriott Bonvoy hotels. Plus, you get one free night per year and complimentary Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status.Pros
- Anniversary perk
- High rewards rate
- Automatic elite status
Cons
- Has annual fee
- Rewards have limited flexibility
- Lower acceptance abroad
- WELCOME OFFER: Earn 3 Free Night Awards after you use your new Card to make $6,000 in eligible purchases within the first 6 months of Card Membership. Each Free Night Award has a redemption level up to 50,000 Marriott Bonvoy® points, for a total potential value of up to 150,000 points, at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy®. Certain hotels have resort fees. Terms apply.
- Receive a 7% discount on eligible bookings as a benefit of being both a Marriott Bonvoy® member & a Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card Member when you book directly with Marriott through an eligible channel for a participating property under the Amex Business Card Rate.
- 6x Marriott Bonvoy points on each dollar of eligible purchases at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy® program.
- 4x points for purchases made at restaurants worldwide, at U.S. gas stations, on wireless telephone services purchased directly from U.S. service providers and on U.S. purchases for shipping.
- 2x points on all other eligible purchases.
- Receive 1 Free Night Award every year after your Card renewal month. Plus, earn an additional Free Night Award after you spend $60K in purchases on your Card in a calendar year. Award can be used for one night (redemption level at or under 35,000 Marriott Bonvoy® points) at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy®. Certain hotels have resort fees.
- Enjoy Complimentary Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite Status with your Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card.
- Terms apply.
View Rates & Fees
Our pick for
Hilton loyalists
The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card
Apply now
on American Express' website
Annual fee
$195
Rewards rate
3x-12x Points
Intro offer
175,000 Points
The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card is a top-notch hotel credit card with a generous welcome offer and rich rewards.
Annual fee
$195
Rewards rate
3x-12x Points
Intro offer
175,000 Points
The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card is a top-notch hotel credit card with a generous welcome offer and rich rewards.
Pros
- High rewards rate
- Automatic elite status
- Luxury perks
Cons
- Has annual fee
- No free anniversary night
- Limited Time Offer: Earn 175,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points after you spend $8,000 in purchases on the Hilton Honors Business Card within the first six months of Card Membership. Offer Ends 6/5.
- Earn 12X Hilton Honors Bonus Points on eligible Hilton purchases.
- ENHANCED: Earn 5X Hilton Honors Bonus Points on other purchases made using the Hilton Honors Business Card on the first $100,000 in purchases each calendar year, 3X points thereafter.
- NEW: Enjoy up to $240 back each year for eligible purchases made directly with Hilton.
- Enjoy complimentary Hilton Honors™ Gold Status with your Hilton Honors Business Card. With Hilton Honors Gold status, you can enjoy benefits at hotels and resorts within the Hilton Portfolio. As a Gold member, earn an 80% Bonus on all Base Points you earn on every stay getting you to free nights faster.
- You may receive an upgrade to Hilton Honors Diamond status if the total eligible purchases on your Card Account during a calendar year reach $40,000 or more.
- NEW: Enjoy complimentary National Car Rental® Emerald Club Executive® status. Enrollment in the complimentary Emerald Club® program is required. Terms apply.
- Terms apply.
View Rates & Fees
Our pick for
Amazon spending
Amazon Business Prime American Express Card
Apply now
on American Express' website
Annual fee
$0
Rewards rate
1%-2%
Intro offer
$125
This cards offers 90 days of interest-free financing or an impressive 5% cash back on your first $120,000 in annual purchases at Amazon Business, Amazon Web Services, Amazon.com and Whole Foods. If you're an Amazon Prime or Business Prime member, those rewards could more than cover your membership.
Annual fee
$0
Rewards rate
1%-2%
Intro offer
$125
This cards offers 90 days of interest-free financing or an impressive 5% cash back on your first $120,000 in annual purchases at Amazon Business, Amazon Web Services, Amazon.com and Whole Foods. If you're an Amazon Prime or Business Prime member, those rewards could more than cover your membership.
Pros
- No annual fee
- No foreign transaction fees
- Bonus categories
Cons
- Requires good/excellent credit
- Spending caps on bonus rewards
- Eligible Prime Members get a $125 Amazon Gift Card upon approval for the Amazon Business Prime American Express Card.
- Take advantage of 5% Back or 90 Day Terms on U.S. purchases at Amazon.com, Amazon Business, AWS and Whole Foods Market with an eligible Prime membership. You will earn 5% Back on the first $120,000 in purchases each calendar year, 1% Back thereafter
- 2% Back at U.S. restaurants, U.S. gas stations, and on wireless telephone services purchased directly from U.S. service providers
- 1% Back on other purchases
- $0 Annual Fee
- Back your business with the broad selection of Amazon and the service of American Express. Stay focused on your top business priorities, knowing we’re behind you.
- With rewards that don’t expire, you choose when to redeem. Redeem rewards on millions of items during checkout at Amazon.com and Amazon Business (U.S.) or apply towards a purchase on your statement.
- Terms apply.
View Rates & Fees
Want to earn more Membership Rewards points?
The American Express business checking account currently has this welcome bonus for new customers:
Earn 30,000 Membership Rewards points, which is equivalent to $240 when converted to a cash deposit into your business checking account. Other redemption options available. Terms apply.
There's also an AmEx business line of credit, making the company a strong choice in general for small-business owners looking to solve multiple financial needs with a single provider. Before applying, confirm details on the issuer’s website.
The Business Platinum Card® from American Express
Best for: Luxury travel perks and rewards
NerdWallet star rating:
5
Like the consumer version of this card,
The Business Platinum Card® from American Express
comes with a big annual fee. But business travelers who prefer to go in style will find plenty that appeals to them: high rewards on certain travel purchases, bonus rewards on larger non-travel purchases, a superb newcomer welcome offer, extensive airport lounge access, elite hotel status, hundreds of dollars a year in available credits and a list of perks as long as your arm. It's not cheap, but luxury never is. Terms apply. Learn more and apply.American Express® Business Gold Card
Best for: Customized rewards
NerdWallet star rating:
5
The rewards on the
American Express® Business Gold Card
adjust according to your spending. You automatically earn bonus rewards in the two categories where you spend the most each month. That can translate into outstanding rewards, as long as your business spends money in those categories. If it doesn't, the steep annual fee probably isn't worth it. The card has six bonus categories: advertising, gas stations, restaurants, software, transit and cell phone service. Only purchases made in the U.S. qualify for bonus categories. Learn more and apply.» MORE: Best business cards for ad spend
Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card
Best for: Automatic free night
NerdWallet star rating:
5
The
Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card
can pay for itself just with the automatic free night's stay every year. Add in the included elite status, generous rewards, a dandy welcome offer and more, and it's hard to go wrong. Terms apply. Learn more and apply.Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card
Best for: Airline miles
NerdWallet star rating:
5
If your business has you on the road a lot, you'll appreciate the airport lounge access on the
Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card
, which includes both Delta's own Sky Clubs and American Express's Centurion Lounges when flying Delta. The annual companion certificate — which is good even in first class — and the checked-bag benefit add considerable value, too. Terms apply. Learn more and apply.The American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card
Best for: Intro APR and cash back
NerdWallet star rating:
4.9
The American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card
boasts one of the better introductory APR offers among business credit cards. Beyond that, you earn a solid cash-back rate (at least for a while — the rate drops after you hit a spending threshold). There's also a $0
annual fee. Learn more and apply.The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card
Best for: Hilton loyalists
NerdWallet star rating:
4.9
The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card
is an outstanding small-business hotel credit card — if you frequent Hilton properties. The card features rich ongoing rewards, automatic elite status with Hilton and an annual statement credit for purchases at Hilton properties. But there's no free night award (a standard perk of hotel cards with annual fees) and AmEx scrapped the card's complimentary Priority Pass perk. Terms apply. Learn more and apply.The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express
Best for: Intro APR and rewards points
NerdWallet star rating:
4.6
The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express
is a near-twin to The American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card
, with one key difference: Rather than cash back, it pays you in AmEx Membership Rewards points. Learn more and apply.Amazon Business Prime American Express Card
Best for: Amazon Prime members
NerdWallet star rating:
4.4
The
Amazon Business Prime American Express Card
is available to Amazon Prime and Business Prime members. It lets you choose between 90 days of interest-free financing on Amazon Business, Amazon Web Services, Amazon.com and Whole Foods purchases or an impressive 5% cash back on the first $120,000 spent within those categories (1% after that). If you opt for the cash back option, spending just $2,780 in those 5% rewards categories would cover an annual Prime membership, which costs $139 as of this writing and includes a free Business Prime account for a single user. (Business Prime accounts for multiple users currently start at $179.) All cardholders earn 2% Back at U.S. restaurants, U.S. gas stations, and on wireless telephone services purchased directly from U.S. service providers. 1% Back on other purchases. Terms Apply.
Learn more and apply.Many of American Express’s business credit cards earned high marks from NerdWallet for their rewards rates and sign-up bonuses. While each card is different, American Express cards may be good choices for businesses that:
- Spend on travel — and like to go in style. In general, American Express’s travel business credit cards offer generous rewards on travel spending, and its co-branded cards with Delta, Hilton or Marriott Bonvoy are good fits if you’re loyal to those brands. But the highlight isThe Business Platinum Card® from American Express. That card comes with a hefty annual fee: $695. But with credits toward airline fees and TSA Precheck or Global Entry — and perks like automatic hotel elite status, concierge service and lounge access — frequent travelers can get their money’s worth.
- Want no annual fee and simple rewards.The American Express Blue Business Cash™ Cardcomes with straightforward1%-2%cash back. It's one of our picks for the best cash-back business credit cards. If you prefer points,The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Expressoffers1x-2xof those per dollar spent instead. NerdWallet values AmEx points at between 1 and2.8cents each.
- Will take advantage of a long intro APR period.The American Express Blue Business Cash™ Cardoffers0% intro APR on Purchases for 12 months, and then the ongoing APR of 18.49%-26.49% Variable APR, andThe Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Expressmatches it. That's longer than many business credit cards with 0% APR intro periods.
- Want more purchasing power. Multiple American Express business credit cards have no preset spending limit, includingThe Plum Card® from American Express,The Business Platinum Card® from American Expressand theAmerican Express® Business Gold Card. The limits on these cards adjust depending on your purchase, payment and credit history, making them a good potential fit if you're looking for a high-limit business credit card.
An AmEx business credit card might not be the right fit for business owners who:
- Travel internationally. American Express, in general, isn't accepted as widely abroad as Mastercard and Visa — and its no annual feeThe American Express Blue Business Cash™ CardandThe Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Expresscome with foreign transaction fees. If you or your employees leave the U.S. for work, consider theInk Business Preferred® Credit Cardinstead. That card, issued by Chase, has no foreign transaction fees, plus rewards:Earn 3 points per $1 on the first $150,000 spent on travel and select business categories each account anniversary year, Earn 1 point per $1 on all other purchases - with no limit to the amount you can earn.
- Want no caps on cash back. WithThe American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card, you’ll earn 2% cash back on only your first $50,000 in spending. After that, the rewards rate drops to 1%. If your business spends more than that, consider theCapital One Spark Cash Pluscard — which pays2% cash back with no limit. (See rates and fees.) It’s a charge card, though, so you’ll need to pay it off in full every month.
- Don't have good-to-excellent personal credit. American Express is hardly alone in requiring a personal FICO score of at least 690; that's the starting point for most business credit cards. However, other big-name issuers offer options for entrepreneurs with thin or poor personal credit. For instance, theCapital One® Spark® Classic for Businessis one of a few business credit cards for fair credit (typically a FICO score between 630 and 690). For those with a score below that threshold, a secured business credit card like the Bank of America® Business Advantage Unlimited Cash Rewards Mastercard® Secured credit card can help your business establish credit.
These additional business credit cards are issued by American Express, but fell short of our top picks:
Other Delta business credit cards
Other Amazon business credit cards
Other business credit cards
- Lowe's Business Rewards Card from American Express
American Express also offers corporate cards to limited liability partnerships, corporations and LLCs. You'll need at least $4 million in annual revenue and yearly credit card spending equal to 10% or less of your annual revenue to qualify. Other corporate cards may have requirements that are more accessible for interested business owners.
• • • • • • • • •
All information about the
Business Green Rewards Card from American Express
has been collected independently by NerdWallet. The Business Green Rewards Card from American Express
is no longer available through NerdWallet.To view rates and fees of the
American Express® Business Gold Card
, see this page.To view rates and fees of
The Business Platinum Card® from American Express
, see this page.To view rates and fees of
The American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card
, see this page.To view rates and fees of
The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express
, see this page.To view rates and fees of the
Delta SkyMiles® Gold Business American Express Card
, see this page.To view rates and fees of the
Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card
, see this page.To view rates and fees of the
Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card
, see this page.To view rates and fees of the
Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card
, see this page.To view rates and fees of
The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card
, see this page.To view rates and fees of the
Amazon Business Prime American Express Card
, see this page.To view rates and fees of the
Amazon Business American Express Card
, see this page.To view rates and fees of
The Plum Card® from American Express
, see this page.The information related to the
Capital One® Spark® Classic for Business
credit card has been collected by NerdWallet and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer or provider of this product or service.Last updated on April 19, 2024
Methodology
NerdWallet's Credit Cards team selects the best credit cards for small business based on overall consumer value, as evidenced by star ratings, as well as their suitability for specific kinds of small-business operators. Factors in our evaluation include annual and other fees, rewards rates, the earning structure (for example, flat-rate rewards versus bonus categories), redemption options, bonus offers for new cardholders, introductory and ongoing APRs, and other noteworthy features such as special financing arrangements, free cards for employees or tools for managing business expenses. Learn more about how we rate business credit cards.
Frequently Asked Questions
You can apply for an American Express business card online, or call 1-877-673-6758 to apply by phone.
You’ll need to provide your business’s contact information, federal tax ID, industry, entity type, number of employees and annual revenue in order to complete and submit your application.
Generally speaking, American Express limits you to five credit cards at a time, including personal cards. In general, we recommend keeping your credit utilization below 30% and ensuring that you can make your existing payments before deciding to open another credit card.
American Express reports only negative business credit card activity to the personal credit card bureaus, such as late payments, returned payments or violations of your cardmember agreement.
Therefore, your personal credit score cannot be improved with responsible spending on your AmEx business card, but it can be damaged by problems with your account.
