American Express Business Credit Cards: Worth It This Year?

(July 2024)

American Express Business Credit Cards_Worth It This Year

In This Article

Our Verdict

Take American Express as one of your best options if you want a credit card issuer that provides numerous options for business credit cards.

Choose from the available (14) business cards that are available on the bank’s website and enjoy multiple rewards and benefits like cash back, rewards points, zero annual fees, zero interest rates, and many more. Understand that credit cards serve different purposes like giving you travel experience, purchasing power, cash back experience, and managing tools.

On the other hand,  pay attention to how you use the card to avoid late fees that can reach up to $40. Also, be aware that you may pay back your cash advance at a very high rate including annual fees that can be up to $696. Call the following numbers to begin negotiations with the bank’s specialists.

Phone Number: 800-528-4800 (877) 297-4438. For international calls, call +43 810910940, or +55 34 21026266.

Pros

  • Numerous product options
  • Wide range of availability by states
  • 0% intro rate
  • Zero annual fee
  • Program for spending management
  • Multiple rewards and bonuses

Cons

  • Zero consideration for bad credit history
  • High-interest rate
  • High annual fees
  • Unspecified rates
  • Late fees
  • Strict qualifications procedures

Who This Product Is Best For

Choose American Express if you are a business owner who:

  • Prefers issuers with numerous products
  • Wants credit cards with rewards and promotions
  • Wants an issuer that offers spending management
  • Wants an issuer that prevents you from keeping higher interest
  • Prefers cards with no specific spending limit
  • Prefers Issuer with good customer service.

Who This Product Isn't Right For

Don’t settle for this issuer if you are a business owner who:

  • Doesn’t have enough credit score requirement
  • Doesn’t want annual fee on credit card
  • Doesn’t like high-interest rates
  • Indulges in carrying debts from one month to another
  • Prefers an issuer that charges no late fee
  • Avoids cards with high transaction fees.

What This Product Offers

Understand that American Express offers you up to 14 different business credit cards which you can use for different purposes including, traveling, financial management,  and purchases. The cards are:

  • Business Platinum Card®
  • Business Gold Card
  • Blue Business CashTM Card
  • Blue Business® Plus Credit Card
  • Plum Card®
  • Business Green Rewards Card
  • Amazon Business Prime Card
  • Amazon Business Card
  • Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business Card
  • Delta SkyMiles® Gold Business Card
  • Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business Card
  • Hilton Honors Business Card
  • Marriott Bonvoy Business® Card
  • Lowe’s Business Rewards Card

Product Details

Business Platinum Card®

Membership rewards: Spend $15000 in your first 3 months to earn 120,000 points as your welcome bonus.

Annual fee: $696

APR: 18.99% to 26.99%

Required credit score: 670 to 850

Business Gold Card

Membership rewards: Spend $10,000 purchases in your first six months and earn 100,000 points welcome bonus

Annual fee: $295

APR: 18.99% to 26.99%

Required credit score: 670 to 850

Blue Business CashTM Card

Membership rewards: Earn 15,000 membership bonus points when you spend $3000 in your first 3 months.

Annual fee: None

APR: Zero APR for the first 12 months then start paying variable interest rates between 17.99% and 25.99%

Required credit score: 670 to 850

Blue Business® Plus Credit Card

Membership rewards: Not specified

Annual fee: None

APR: 0% intro rate for your first 12 months on the account. After this begin paying variable rates of 17.99% to 25.99%

Required credit score: 670 to 850

Plum Card®

Membership rewards: Get $250 as a statement credit when you spend $3000 in your first 3 months on the card

Annual fee: $295

APR: Not specified

Required credit score: 670 to 850

Business Green Rewards Card

Membership rewards: You secured an Amazon gift card that is worth $125 upon getting the approval for this card

Annual fee: $95

APR: 18.99% to 26.99%

Required credit score: 670 to 850

Amazon Business Prime Card

Membership rewards: Earn $100 when you get approval for this card

Annual fee: None

APR: 18.99% to 26.99%

Required credit score: 670 to 850

Amazon Business Card

Membership rewards: Get 15,000 points when you spend $3000 in your first 3 months on the card

Annual fee: $250

APR:18.99% to 26.99%

Required credit score: 670 to 850

Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business Card

Membership rewards: Earn 50,000 points in your first 3 months after spending $2,000

Annual fee: None

APR: 20.49% to 29.49%

Required credit score: 670 to 850

Delta SkyMiles® Gold Business Card

Membership rewards: Get up to 70,000 bonus after spending $5000 in your first 3 months

Annual fee: $250

APR: 20.49% to 29.49%

Required credit score: 670 to 850

Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business Card

Membership rewards: Spend $3000 in your first 3 months and earn 60,000 membership reward points

Annual fee: Zero intros annual fee for your first 1 year on the card. After this,  prepare to pay $99 annually.

APR: 20.49% to 29.49%

Required credit score: 670 to 850

Hilton Honors Business Card

Membership rewards: Get 130,000 bonus points when you spend $3000 on purchases in your first 3 months

Annual fee: $550

APR: 20.49% to 29.49%

Required credit score: 670 to 850

Marriott Bonvoy Business® Card

Membership rewards: Earn 125,0000 points in your first 3 months after spending $5000

Annual fee: $95

APR: 20.49% to 29.49%

Required credit score: 670 to 850

Lowe’s Business Rewards Card

Membership rewards: Get back $100 when you get approval for this card. Also, get 5% cash back on your purchases at Lowe in your first six months

Annual fee: $125

APR: 20.49% to 29.49%

Required credit score: 670 to 850

Where This Product Stands Out

Multiple credit card options

Do you want an issuer who presents numerous credit cards to choose from? If yes, consider American Express. You can choose any credit card of your choice from the 14 credit cards that the bank offers.

Numerous rewards

Go for this issuer if you prefer rewards and promotions on your card. Get a chance to win reward points that can be up to 120,000 or cashback that can reach $1000 when you choose an American Express credit card. In addition, you can win an Amazon gift card that is worth $125 when you choose Amazon Business Prime Card.

Numerous credit cards with free annual fees

Get access to a good number of credit cards that offer free annual fees. Keep in mind that some of these cards only offer zero amount as an intro annual fee for your first 9 months to 12 months on the cards.

Zero percentage intro APRs

Secure access to a world where you don’t need to worry about interest rates in your first year on a credit card. Make American Express your best choice and you can select between two of its business credit cards that offer a 0% intro rate.

Wider availability

Don’t stress yourself about how to reach American Express. You can reach this issuer anywhere in the country.

No allowance for debt carrying cards

Use Amex cards to discipline your spending because Amex requires you to pay off any outstanding balances at the end of the month. You can’t get fresh credit if you are owing debts on your cards.

Where This Product Falls Short

High-interest rates

Keep in mind that your average interest rate is 17.99% and it can go as high as 29.49%. Start thinking of a better option if the rate is too high for you to bear.

Unspecified rates

Call the bank specialist to get the accurate rate you qualify for. The bank only gives possible rates and states that your creditworthiness determines your actual rate.

Unspecified credit scores

Move on to another issuer if your credit score is below 700. Bear in mind that American Express only considers applicants with 740+ scores. Also, know that you can’t know which credit card your current scores may qualify you for.

High annual fees

Ready to pay an annual fee which can be up to $696.

No allowance for debt carrying cards

You may find it hard to get new credit on your card if you have any unpaid amounts.

How to Qualify for This Product

Don’t expect any specifications on how to Qualify for this product but get the following information or documents to boost your eligibility.

  • Good to excellent credit score
  • Proof of registration
  • SSN
  • License to run.

How to Apply for This Product

Begin your application online; visit the bank website and click on any business card of your choice. Under each card you can see the apply button, click it and start your application right there. If you are confused, then call the bank customer service number. Also, get the following documents ready before you proceed with your application.

  • Your business’s legal name
  • Business name on card
  • Business phone number
  • Your business type and
  • Email address

Note that these documents are primary and you may have to provide your financial statements such as:

  • Annual revenue
  • Tax number
  • Personal and business bank statements

Before applying, use the Amex pre-qualifying Program to help Amex decide what kind of card you may be eligible for. Know that the big major determining factor is your credit history.

Alternatives to This Product

Wells Fargo

Choose Wells Fargo if you want business credit cards with lower rates. You can enjoy a rate as low as 3.99% which is different from Amex that its lowest rate is 17.99%. In addition, take advantage of Wells Fargo rewards and promotions. However,  Wells Fargo offers fewer business credit cards than Amex.

Bank of America

Consider Bank of America to enjoy a relatively lower APR than Amex. The bank offers between 16.99% to 26.99%. You can enjoy a cash back bonus of $300 and 0% intro APR with a lower annual fee of $95.

Chase Bank

Choose Chase Bank credit cards for maximum bonuses and rewards with relatively lower interest rates than Amex credit cards. You can earn up to 75,000 points within your first three months on the card. You can also earn bonuses in 5 folds and 2 folds at a minimum rate of 20.74% and a maximum of 28.74%. Remember Amex  rate can go as high as 29.49%

Capital One

Do you want an issuer with lower rates than Amex? Pick Capital One credit cards. You can earn 60,000  points in your first 3 months. Expect rewards in folds of 5 and 2 including numerous cash backs that can reach up to $750.

Customer Reviews

On the Consumer Affairs website, American Express has a fair star rating of 3.9 out of 5 stars from over 4 million reviews. Also, on Better Business Bureau’s website, Amex has an A + rating but a poor star rating — where it gets 1.06 stars from possible 5 stars out of 303 reviews.

Methodology

We reviewed *this product* based on 20 data points in the categories of loan details, loan costs, eligibility and accessibility, customer experience and the application process. We rated *this

product* based on the weighting assigned to each category:

  • Loan cost: 35%
  • Loan details: 25%
  • Customer experience: 20%
  • Eligibility and accessibility: 10%
  • Application process: 10%

Within each major category, we also considered several characteristics, including available loan amounts, repayment terms and applicable fees. We also looked at minimum credit scores and time in business requirements and the geographic availability of the lender. Finally, we evaluated *this product* customer support tools, borrower perks and features that simplify the borrowing process—like online applications, prequalification options and mobile apps.

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