What businesses are eligible for American Express business cards?

To qualify for an Amex business card, you must be an authorizing officer (owner, partner, president, etc.) of a corporation, partnership or sole proprietorship. If you’re just starting or want a card for a side hustle, you can report zero income and may be asked for future revenue projections.

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

The recommended score to apply for an Amex business credit card is good to excellent, ranging from 670 to 850 on the FICO scale.

How long does it take for my American Express business credit card application to be approved?

Many American Express business credit card applications will be approved immediately. However, if your application status is pending, it can take up to 60 days to get a decision. If that is the case for you, you’ll be notified by mail once a decision is made. If approved, you’ll often have access to a temporary card number immediately while waiting for your physical card to arrive.

How many Amex business cards can I have?

American Express limits you to five credit cards and up to 10 charge cards at once. Business and personal cards both count against these limits. Applications are also restricted to two every 90 days.

Best American Express Business Credit Cards - July 2025's Top Offers

Comparing the top American Express business credit cards

Card name	Best for	Rewards	Bankrate review score
The Business Platinum Card® from American Express	Best for luxury business travel	5X points on flights and prepaid hotels booked with AmexTravel.com 1.5X points per dollar spent (on up to $2,000,000 per calendar year) on both purchases of $5,000 or more and on select category purchases	4.8 / 5 Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards. (Read card review) Apply now on American Express's secure site See Rates & Fees , Terms Apply
The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express	Best for business perks with no annual fee	2X points on up to $50,000 in purchases per year (unlimited 2X points on travel booked through AmexTravel.com), 1X points after that	4.1 / 5 Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards. (Read card review) Apply now on American Express's secure site See Rates & Fees , Terms Apply
The American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card	Best for business startups	2 percent cash back on all eligible purchases (up to $50,000 per year, then 1 percent)	4.3 / 5 Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards. (Read card review) Apply now on American Express's secure site See Rates & Fees , Terms Apply
American Express® Business Gold Card	Best for custom bonus categories	4X Membership Rewards® points on the top two eligible categories where your business spends the most each month 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. 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights and prepaid hotels booked on amextravel.com using your Business Gold Card.*	5.0 / 5 Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards. (Read card review) Apply now on American Express's secure site See Rates & Fees , Terms Apply
Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card	Best for Delta travelers	Earn 1.5X miles* on eligible transit and U.S. shipping purchases, plus single eligible purchases of $5,000 or more. Terms and miles cap apply. *If your purchase qualifies for a category that has a higher mileage accelerator, only the higher accelerator will apply.	4.7 / 5 Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards. (Read card review) Apply now on American Express's secure site See Rates & Fees , Terms Apply
Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card	Best for earning hotel points	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.	4.7 / 5 Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards. (Read card review) Apply now on American Express's secure site See Rates & Fees , Terms Apply
The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card	Best for frequent hotel stays	Earn 12X Hilton Honors Bonus Points on eligible Hilton purchases. 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 on all other eligible purchases. Terms & Limitations Apply.	4.2 / 5 Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards. (Read card review) Apply now on American Express's secure site See Rates & Fees , Terms Apply

On This Page

What are American Express business credit cards?

American Express business credit cards offer lucrative rewards, expense tracking and premium travel perks. American Express is one of the largest credit card issuers and consistently ranks as one of the best in the world when accounting for perks and accessibility. About 36 percent of business owners say the rewards they earn help their business and 49 percent say that their business credit cards have important perks that they use, according to J.D. Power. These sentiments could contribute to American Express' popularity.

In fact, American Express has held the top ranking for five years in J.D. Power’s credit card satisfaction study, with a score of 634 in 2024. Amex has also held its top ranking for a fourth consecutive year in J.D. Power’s 2024 U.S. Small Business Credit Card Satisfaction Study, with a score of 735, which shows that Amex consistently does an outstanding job meeting the needs of its small business customers and providing them with the value they seek in a business credit card. Whether it’s a general rewards Amex card, luxury travel card or co-branded card, established business owners, new entrepreneurs and startup owners can find a card that meets their business needs.

Pros and cons of American Express business credit cards

Pros

More accessible: It could be easier to qualify for a business credit card with American Express than with other issuers.
Credit limits: Amex business credit cards usually provide higher credit limits or or charge cards with no preset limit, which can be helpful when funding large purchases.
Excellent rewards and perks: American Express business cards cover many rewards categories and offer numerous perks to provide extra value. Business co-branded cards often provide more value than their personal counterparts.

Cons

High annual fees: Some of Amex’s top-tier cards carry steep annual fees that may be hard to justify if you can’t make the most of a card’s rewards and perks.
Liability: Business owners may be personally liable for unpaid debt on their business credit cards.
Limited acceptance: Your card may not be accepted at smaller merchants, wholesale clubs or internationally.

How to choose the best Amex business card

American Express has some of the best business cards on the market. However, its cards may not be the best fit for everyone. The right Amex business card for you depends on the type of business you have, your spending habits and your creditworthiness. Here are some tips for choosing the right card for your business:

The right card for you will depend largely on where your business spends the most. If your expenses are concentrated in one or two categories, then look for a business credit card that will earn rewards in those categories. You should also consider whether you’d prefer to earn a flat rate on general purchases or boosted rates in specific bonus categories. While the former is simpler, the latter may be more rewarding. Lastly, consider whether you’d prefer to earn cash back or rewards for your purchases.
Generally, business credit cards that charge annual fees offer better rewards and perks than those that don’t. You can often offset annual fees by maximizing your card’s rewards and perks. But if you don’t think you’ll use many of a card’s benefits, don’t spend frequently in the card’s best bonus categories or would just rather not bother, a no-annual-fee card may be a better fit.

To determine if an annual fee is worth it, add up your expected business spending for the year and multiply your spending by your potential card’s rewards rate in each category. You can also deduct the monetary value of any perks or credits offered. If the value exceeds the cost of the annual fee, the card may be worth it.
Finding a card with the lowest APR possible will help mitigate costly expenses on your balance sheet should you need to carry a balance. Some Amex business cards also offer introductory APR offers on purchases, while others offer Amex’s Pay Over Time with interest feature. Both provide flexible options for small-business owners as they earn rewards on large purchases. Don’t consider a charge card if you think you’ll need to carry a balance, as those cards require you to pay your balance in full every month.
Many Amex business cards offer lush perks portfolios that can help you better manage your business expenses or travel in style. Airport lounge access, travel protections, free additional employee cards, financing options and other features can help your business thrive and provide exceptional value.

Still unsure if a business credit card is right for you?

Check out our Credit Card Spender Type Tool where you can get personalized credit card recommendations based on your credit score, spending habits and daily needs.

Expert advice on American Express business cards

If you want your Amex card to be a worthwhile part of your business card stack, you need to be strategic with how you use the card. Bankrate writer Ryan Flanigan shared his experience with American Express business cards and how he combines cards that earn in different categories:

Bankrate staff insights

"American Express business cards have been a great way for me to earn a lot of Membership Rewards points while covering most bonus categories. I also get so much value from all the perks and credits, especially when traveling. No other issuer comes close to offering what Amex does. The Amex business trifecta of the Blue Business Plus, Business Gold and Business Platinum beats any other combination of cards."

Ryan Flanigan, CCC, Bankrate credit cards writer

Holding a trifecta of cards like Flanigan recommends can help maximize your rewards. Combinations like the Amex trifecta offer maximum value for personal and business expenses by taking advantage of the range of benefits each issuer offers.

How to maximize American Express business cards

American Express business cards carry several exclusive features that can help you maximize rewards, manage debt and plan travel. Here are a few tips to help you maximize your Amex business card:

Use your Membership Rewards® wisely

American Express has one of the highest credit card point values on the market. Bankrate currently values American Express Membership Rewards at around 2.0 cents per point, potentially higher when you transfer to one of Amex’s transfer partners. For example, I recently used rewards to save thousands on my trip to Australia. Other redemption methods have much lesser value, a downside for business owners who don’t travel often. Make sure you’re getting at least one cent per point in value. Businesses can also take advantage of Corporate Membership Rewards to redeem points for business trips, gift cards, office supplies and more.
Use Pay Over Time with interest for large purchases

While we don’t recommend carrying a balance, sometimes it's necessary. With Pay Over Time, you have time to pay off eligible purchases over a set period with interest, instead of paying the entire balance. On the surface, the feature may not have much appeal but when you’re in a tight spot with an unexpected expense, it can be a useful tool.
Make the most of travel perks

Some American Express business cards offer travel credits and perks like a Clear® Plus membership credit, airline and hotel credits, airport lounge access and a Pay With Points rebate when you pay for certain airfare with points. If your business requires you to travel frequently, you might consider choosing an Amex card like the Business Platinum with valuable travel perks that can add convenience to your airport experience and help soften the blow to your travel budget.

Frequently asked questions about Amex business credit cards

To qualify for an Amex business card, you must be an authorizing officer (owner, partner, president, etc.) of a corporation, partnership or sole proprietorship. If you’re just starting or want a card for a side hustle, you can report zero income and may be asked for future revenue projections.
The recommended score to apply for an Amex business credit card is good to excellent, ranging from 670 to 850 on the FICO scale.
Many American Express business credit card applications will be approved immediately. However, if your application status is pending, it can take up to 60 days to get a decision. If that is the case for you, you’ll be notified by mail once a decision is made. If approved, you’ll often have access to a temporary card number immediately while waiting for your physical card to arrive.
American Express limits you to five credit cards and up to 10 charge cards at once. Business and personal cards both count against these limits. Applications are also restricted to two every 90 days.

How we choose the best Amex business credit cards

We select cards for “Best” credit cards pages based primarily on how cards score in our proprietary card rating system, our editors’ subjective assessment of card quality, card approval odds and credit requirements and unique card features.

Cards typically must score a minimum of 3.0 stars to be included on a “Best” list. However, we may include cards with scores below 3.0 if they have low credit requirements or unique features — despite their scores, these cards may still be among the “best” in certain categories. Card ratings are not influenced by advertisers or issuer relationships in any way.

Card selection and ordering may vary based on business considerations, including Bankrate visitor interest, site interactions and card application volume. Affiliate commissions (see how we make money), limited-time offers and a card’s general popularity in the product landscape may also influence which cards we feature on our pages and the order in which they appear. Bankrate’s editorial and business teams also strive to feature a variety of card types from various issuers.

Here’s a quick look at how our rating methodology breaks down for American Express business cards:

The best business cards offer rewards in key business spending categories, so a primary criteria for a business card’s rating is its rewards value. This includes the card’s average rewards rate, estimated annual rewards earnings, sign-up bonus value and reward redemption value.

To estimate a business card’s average annual rewards earnings, we first calculate its average rewards rate based on how much it earns in different bonus categories and how closely its categories align with the average small-business owner’s spending habits. In other words, we assess whether the card earns rewards at a high rate in the most popular business spending categories.

We researched 10 key business spending categories including dining, gas, office supplies, travel, telecommunications, insurance and more to get a sense of the average small-business owner’s spending habits. We assumed an average annual spend of around $40,000 per year based on Bankrate survey data.

Using this data, we are able to assign a weighting to each of a card’s bonus categories. We also estimate the redemption value of points or miles from various issuer, airline and hotel rewards programs.

This weighting and rewards valuation allows us to estimate a card’s average annual rewards earnings — how many points or miles you’d earn with a given card if your spending was about average and you used the card for all of your business purchases — as well as what those points are worth. We also use point valuations to determine a card’s sign-up bonus value

With these calculations complete, we assign each card a score based on how its average rewards earnings, sign-up bonus value, rewards rate and redemption value stack up against other business cards, factoring in the card’s annual fee.

The better these values, the higher its score will be, making it more worthy of inclusion in our list and increasing its potential ranking.
We also score cards based on how much it costs to keep them in your wallet or carry a balance.

To start, each business card is scored based on whether it offers an intro APR and how its ongoing APR compares to the rates available on other business cards. This is because an intro APR on new purchases or balance transfers can be a lifesaver if you need to pay down debt, finance a large business purchase or free up cash flow.

While intro APRs are not uncommon on business cards, they aren’t a given, so cards that offer this sort of payment flexibility will score higher in our card rating system and are more likely to land a spot on our best cards list.

Even more important to both a card’s score and its inclusion in our list is how its annual fee influences its overall value. We consider a card’s annual fee in two ways — how it ranks relative to the fees you’ll find on other cards in the category and how it impacts a card’s overall rewards value.

Cards with an annual fee will always be at a slight disadvantage in our scoring system since annual fees inherently cut into your rewards value. However, if a card offers terrific value via its ongoing rewards and perks, it can earn a high score and a spot in our list even if it carries a high annual fee. After all, the highest rewards rates and most valuable perks are often found on cards with annual fees.

With this in mind, we rate a card based primarily on how its ongoing rewards value and ongoing perk value (such as annual credits or bonuses) stack up against those of other cards in the category when you subtract annual fees.

That said, we strive to include as many no-annual-fee options in our list as possible since many business owners would rather not worry about offsetting fees, even if a card carries impressive rewards and perks.
Business rewards cards may make it easy to earn a lot of points, miles or cash back, but how easy is it to use those rewards? After all, if it takes a ton of effort to redeem rewards or you can only redeem rewards in a couple of ways, a card may be more trouble than it’s worth.

As such, we rate each card’s flexibility based on the restrictions it imposes on earning and redeeming rewards. We factor this rating into a card’s overall score and consider it when deciding on a card’s inclusion in our list.

Flexibility factors include whether a card only allows you to earn a high rewards rate on only a small amount of spending or requires you to meet a certain earning threshold before you can redeem rewards. We also examine whether your points are worth less when you opt for some redemption options over others and whether a card gives you the flexibility to transfer rewards to travel partners.
We also score each card’s set of features – its perks and benefits — against five tiers of features to provide a rating. Top-tier perks include benefits like airport lounge access, travel credits, elite status with an airline or hotel and credits for expedited security screening membership programs.

We give extra weight to perks especially useful or valuable for small-business owners, like being able to qualify with no personal guarantee, digital advertising credits, free employee cards and accounting perks.

Have more questions for our credit card editors? Feel free to send us an email, find us on Facebook, or Tweet us @Bankrate.

We use primary sources to support our work. Bankrate’s authors, reporters and editors are subject-matter experts who thoroughly fact-check editorial content to ensure the information you’re reading is accurate, timely and relevant.
1. “2024 U.S. Credit Card Satisfaction Study.” J.D. Power. Accessed on Jun. 18, 2025.
2. “2024 U.S. Small Business Credit Card Satisfaction Study.” J.D. Power. Accessed on Jun. 18, 2025.

Best American Express business credit cards of July 2025

+ Show Summary

The Business Platinum Card® from American Express

The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express

The American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card

American Express® Business Gold Card

Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card

Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card

The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card

Comparing the top American Express business credit cards

What are American Express business credit cards?

Pros and cons of American Express business credit cards

Pros

Cons

How to choose the best Amex business card

Evaluate your spending and choose your rewards type

Decide if the annual fee is worth it

Calculate potential interest charges

Consider extra perks

Expert advice on American Express business cards

Bankrate staff insights

How to maximize American Express business cards

Use your Membership Rewards® wisely

Use Pay Over Time with interest for large purchases

Make the most of travel perks

Frequently asked questions about Amex business credit cards

What businesses are eligible for American Express business cards?

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

How long does it take for my American Express business credit card application to be approved?

How many Amex business cards can I have?

How we choose the best Amex business credit cards

Great rewards value

Low fees and an intro APR

Redemption flexibility

Valuable business perks

Article sources