Most American Express business credit cards give you the ability to earn cash back or rewards, and they come with welcome offers too. Some of these cards charge no annual fees.
All the top American Express business credit cards we’ve selected come with welcome offers for new cardholders. Most of these cards offer cash back/rewards on all business-related purchases. Depending on the card you get, you might have to pay an annual fee.
If you’re looking for an Amex business credit card to use internationally, consider limiting your search to ones without foreign transaction fees. The Amex Business Gold Card and the Amex Business Platinum Card fit this bill.
Some of the best American Express credit cards for business come with no preset spending limits. Access to various expense management tools is a common feature with all the top cards from this category. The level of travel insurance coverage and other benefits you get depend on the card you select.
MoneyGeek’s Take: Top 5 American Express Credit Cards for Business
Quick Summary
The annual fee you need to pay essentially depends on the features and benefits you’re after. The top American Express business credit cards come with varied welcome offers. We have accounted for these factors as well as others such as APRs, reward/cash back rates, foreign transaction fees and added perks to select the best of the lot. Scroll down the page to look at other good Amex cards from this category.
American Express Blue Business® Cash Card
A simple cash back rewards card that helps you avoid hassles
Good-ExcellentCredit Needed
$0Annual Fee
1–2% Cash Back*Rewards Rate
1xRewards Rate on TV, Phone, Internet Services
1xRewards Rate on Gas
We like the no-annual-fee American Express Blue Business® Cash Card because it lets you earn 2% cash back on all eligible purchases up to $50,000 per year and 1% cash back thereafter. Its 0% APR offer on purchases stays in place for the first 12 months.
As part of this card’s welcome offer, you get to earn a $250 statement credit if you spend $5,000 on eligible purchases in the first six months. You may earn an additional $250 statement credit if you spend $10,000 or more in qualifying purchases in the first year.
You also get access to multiple expense management tools, free employee cards and complimentary car rental loss and damage insurance.
Pros
No annual fee
Cash back rate of 2% for eligible purchases up to $50,000, then 1%
Intro 0% APR offer
Welcome offer of a $250 statement credit after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first six months and another $250 after you spend $10,000 in the first year.
Flexible credit limit
Authorized users can be added for no additional fee
Points are redeemed automatically
Cons
Cash back rate has a cap
Foreign transaction fee of 2.7%
Pay no interest for the first 12 months after acquiring the card
Earn 2% cash back for eligible purchases with a cap of $50,000, then 1% after
Enjoy no annual fees for the life of the card
Earn a $250 statement credit for spending $5,000 in the first six months and another $250 after you spend $10,000 in the first year.
Benefit from the Expanded Buying Power feature, which lets you go over the credit limit if you qualify with no penalties or fees
Add up to 99 authorized users, free of charge
Disclaimer: Credit card offers are constantly changing. We work hard to stay updated with the latest information, but the offers listed on our site may no longer be available.
Great no-annual-fee card for earning rewards on business spending
Good-ExcellentCredit Needed
$0Annual Fee
2 Miles per $1*Rewards Rate
1xRewards Rate on TV, Phone, Internet Services
1xRewards Rate on Online Shopping
We like the Blue Business Plus® Credit Card from American Express because it gives businesses the ability to earn rewards without having to pay any annual fees. This card comes with an intro 0% APR offer on purchases for 12 months. In addition, you may also get employee cards for free.
You’ll earn 2 points per $1 on all purchases up to a total of $50,000 per year, after which you’ll earn 1 point per $1. Redeeming your points is easy. You may use them to make purchases through popular online platforms, to book or upgrade travel and to buy gift cards. Points can also be transferred to airline or hotel partners for additional value.
Finally, assigning an account manager and using accounting-related tools provided by American Express can help ease your expense management woes.
Pros
No annual fees
0% intro APR on purchases
Earn 2x reward points on spending of up to $50,000 per year, followed by 1x
Free employee cards
Can assign an account manager
Download interactive year-end summaries
Use Vendor Pay to improve business cash flow
Purchase protection
Cons
Penalty APR applies when you make a late payment
Foreign transaction fees
Balance transfer fees
There’s a minimum required to redeem points
Pay no annual fees for the life of the card.
Earn 2x reward points for the first $50,000 you spend on purchases each year. Earn 1x after your spending exceeds this limit.
Redeem points for travel booked through American Express Travel, purchases via select online merchants or gift cards.
You may also transfer your reward points to different frequent flyer programs.
Save money on interest by using the 0% intro APR offer on purchases for 12 months.
Get free employee cards and set individual spending limits.
Improve cash flow by using your card to pay bills via Vendor Pay.
Safeguard purchases made using the card through extended warranty and purchase protection.
Get protection when you or your employees rent cars through car rental loss and damage insurance.
Get access to American Express Experiences and purchase pre-sale tickets for various events.
Use the American Express Business App and Connect to QuickBooks tools to simplify transferring spending-related data to your existing accounting system.
Disclaimer: Credit card offers are constantly changing. We work hard to stay updated with the latest information, but the offers listed on our site may no longer be available.
This business credit card is perfect for earning Hilton Honors points
Good-ExcellentCredit Needed
$95Annual Fee
3–12 Points per $1*Rewards Rate
12xRewards Rate at Hotels
6xRewards Rate on Gas
We love the American Express Hilton Honors Business Card not only because it offers a high reward rate for spending at Hilton properties, but for its reward rate that applies on other business-specific spending. It comes with a sizable welcome bonus too.
You get to earn 130,000 bonus points if you spend $2,000 on purchases in the first three months. An additional 50,000 bonus points come your way if you spend a total of $10,000 on purchases within the first six months.
Using this card at Hilton properties comes with 12x points. It offers 6x points for spending on wireless telephone service purchased directly from U.S. service providers, on flights booked with Amex Travel or directly with airlines, on car rentals booked directly through select companies, on U.S. purchases for shipping, at U.S. gas stations and at U.S. restaurants.
You qualify for a free reward night if you spend $15,000 on eligible purchases in a calendar year. If you spend $60,000 on eligible purchases in a calendar year, you earn a second free reward night.
All cardholders get complimentary Hilton Honors Gold status, which comes with added perks such as daily food & beverage credit (at U.S. hotels) or continental breakfast (at non-U.S. hotels) and availability-based room upgrades.
Your linked Priority Pass Select membership brings with it 10 complimentary airport lounge visits each year. Not having to pay foreign transaction fees may lead to savings when you travel overseas. Other travel benefits include complimentary baggage insurance plan and car rental loss and damage insurance.
Extended warranty and purchase protection are in place to safeguard your business purchases. You may choose to get additional employee cards, and you also get access to different expense management tools.
Pros
Ability to earn considerable bonus points
High reward rates across multiple categories
Complimentary Hilton Honors Gold status
Spend-based free night rewards
No foreign transaction fees
Additional employee cards
Dedicated account manager
Integration with QuickBooks and year-end expense summaries
Cons
Annual fee of $95
Reward nights are spending-based
Reward nights expire after one year of issuance
Cash advance fee
Penalty APR may apply in case of late and returned payments
Earn 130,000 bonus points if you spend $2,000 on purchases within six months from account opening.
Earn 50,000 more bonus points if you spend $10,000 on purchases within six months from account opening.
Spending at properties within the Hilton portfolio comes with 12x points.
You get 6x points at U.S. restaurants, at U.S. gas stations, on wireless telephone service purchased directly from U.S. service providers, on U.S. purchases for shipping, on car rentals booked directly through select companies and on flights that you book through Amex Travel or directly with airlines.
You earn 3x points on all other purchases.
Any additional employee cards you get earn reward points as well.
If you spend $15,000 on purchases in a calendar year, you earn a free night reward.
If you spend a total of $60,000 on purchases in a calendar year, you earn an additional free night reward.
By enrolling into the Priority Pass Select program, you get 10 complimentary airport lounge visits each year.
Safeguard your travels and purchases through car rental loss and damage insurance, baggage insurance plan, purchase protection and extended warranty.
Disclaimer: Credit card offers are constantly changing. We work hard to stay updated with the latest information, but the offers listed on our site may no longer be available.
American Express Delta SkyMiles Gold Business Card
A great miles rewards card with no foreign transaction fee for frequent business travelers
Good-ExcellentCredit Needed
$99Annual Fee
1–2 Miles per $1Rewards Rate
2xRewards Rate on Air Travel
2xRewards Rate on Dining
You may benefit by getting the Delta SkyMiles Gold Business American Express Card if you’re a frequent Delta flyer. You get to earn 2 miles per $1 on purchases made directly with Delta, on U.S. advertising purchases for select media, on U.S. shipping purchases and on dining at restaurants. All other purchases earn 1 mile per $1.
The card’s welcome offers gives you the ability to earn 50,000 bonus miles as well as a $50 statement credit by spending $2,000 on purchases in the first three months.
Amex waives this card’s $99 annual fee for the first year. If you spend $10,000 on purchases in a year, you get a $100 credit that you may use with your next Delta flight. Using the card outside of the U.S. is perfect because it charges no foreign transaction fees. Some of the other benefits include priority boarding, first bag checked for free, in-flight savings and baggage insurance coverage.
Pros
No foreign transaction fee
Delta flight credit of $100 for $10,000 spending on purchases in a year
First checked bag free
Priority boarding
Up to 20% savings through statement credit on in-flight purchases
Cons
High APR for purchases and cash advances
High penalty APR
No luxury benefits
50,000 bonus miles and $50 statement credit after spending $2,000 in purchases in the first three months
Earn 2x miles on purchases from Delta, at restaurants, on advertising in select media and shipping costs
Earn 1x on all other eligible purchases
Baggage insurance plan
Car rental loss and damage insurance
Global Assist Hotline
Extended one-year warranty on eligible purchases
Purchase protection
Dispute resolution
Disclaimer: Credit card offers are constantly changing. We work hard to stay updated with the latest information, but the offers listed on our site may no longer be available.
Excellent card for maximizing the rewards you earn while traveling
Good-ExcellentCredit Needed
$125Annual Fee
2–6 Points per $1*Rewards Rate
6xRewards Rate at Hotels
4xRewards Rate on TV, Phone, Internet Services
We love the Marriott Bonvoy Business American Express Card because of its generous reward points system. For instance, when you spend money at participating Marriott properties, you earn 6 points per $1 spent. For specific spending categories, such as at restaurants and gas stations, you earn 4 points. Purchases that don't qualify for special reward rates still earn 2 points.
This card brings with it a host of Marriott-specific benefits. In addition to free rewards nights, for example, cardholders receive complimentary Marriott Bonvoy Silver Elite status and premium on-property internet access.
You may also benefit by using this card outside of the U.S., as it does not come with any overseas transaction fees.
Pros
Earn up to 6 points per $1
Redeem points for free Marriott nights, air travel or cab rentals
No blackout dates when you redeem points for free nights
No foreign transaction fees
No over-limit fees
Employee cards
Free night awards
Marriott-specific benefits
Travel and purchase covers
Cons
High annual fees
Penalty APR applies if you make a late payment
Mandatory service and resort charges might apply at some Marriott hotels when you redeem points for free nights
Become a Marriott Bonvoy Business member automatically.
Earn 6 points per $1 on eligible purchases at participating Marriott Bonvoy hotels.
Earn 4 points per $1 on eligible purchases in the U.S. at gas stations, at restaurants, on wireless telephone services purchased directly from service providers and on shipping purchases.
Earn 2 points on all other eligible purchases.
Redeem points for free Marriott nights as well as for air travel and cab rentals through different travel partners.
Get a one free night award every year and qualify for another if your annual spending exceeds $60,000.
Get complimentary premium in-room internet access when you stay at participating Marriott Bonvoy hotels.
Earn Elite night credits to get closer to the next level of your Marriott Bonvoy Elite status.
Pay no international transaction fees.
Benefit through intro offers for new cardholders.
Get baggage insurance, car rental loss and damage insurance, purchase protection and extended warranty.
Get employee cards and set individual spending limits.
Get access to a range of Amex offers.
Simplify accounting by designating account managers and getting year-end summaries.
Use Vendor Pay to improve cash flow.
Disclaimer: Credit card offers are constantly changing. We work hard to stay updated with the latest information, but the offers listed on our site may no longer be available.
The corresponding American Express business card comparison table gives you quick insight into the other good cards from this category based on aspects such as welcome offers, APRs, foreign transaction fees and annual fees.
A card that offers many rewards for business travelers who fly Delta frequently.
1–3 Miles per $1
$550
Good-Excellent
MONEYGEEK EXPERT TIP
If you don't have a favorite airline or hotel, choosing a flexible points card that earns Membership Rewards makes sense. These flexible points can be used to book travel, buy gift cards, get statement credits or transfer to 20 different airline and hotel partners. -- Lee Huffman, credit card expert at BaldThoughts.com.
About Our Rankings
Going through all existing and new American Express business credit cards is a monthly exercise that MoneyGeek experts follow. They compare all such cards and select the best of the lot based on different factors such as annual fees, APRs, foreign transaction fees, welcome offers, cash back/reward rates and added perks.
If you wish to extend your search beyond what American Express has to offer, you might benefit by checking our overall list of the best business credit cards.
Top Rating Criteria for Amex Cards
Welcome Offer
Rewards Rate
Annual Fee
How to Compare Amex Credit Cards & Intro Offers
American Express business credit cards come with varied features and benefits. Selecting a card that works well for you will require paying attention to different aspects.
1
Annual fee
Annual fees for American Express business credit cards can go up to $695. However, you get a few no-annual-fee options too. These include the Blue Business Cash Card and the Blue Business Plus Credit Card. On the other end of the spectrum is the Business Platinum Card with a $695 annual fee.
2
Welcome offer
It’s common to find welcome offers with Amex business credit cards. For example, the Plum Card lets you earn a $500 statement credit by spending $15,000 on purchases in the first three months. The Amex Business Gold Card, on the other hand, offers 70,000 membership rewards points if you spend $10,000 on purchases in the first three months.
3
APR
The APR that you get might vary depending on the card you select. If you get a no preset spending limit (NPSL) card — such as the Business Gold Card or the Business Platinum Card — while you’re typically required to pay off your balance in full each month, your purchases might also qualify for the APR-based Pay Over Time feature. With the NPSL Plum Card, you may carry your balance forward for up to 60 days without paying interest.
4
Foreign transaction fee
With American Express business credit cards that charge this fee, you need to pay 2.7% extra on each international transaction. Some of the cards from this category that come with no foreign transaction fees include the Hilton Honors Business Card and the Marriott Bonvoy Business Card.
5
Cash back/rewards rate
Pay attention to this aspect after accounting for your spending patterns and the annual fee you might need to pay. For example, the Business Gold Card with a $295 annual fee offers up to 4x points per dollar on category-based spending. The Business Platinum Card, on the other hand, comes with a higher annual fee and offers up to 5x points on category-based spending.
6
No preset spending limit
If your requirements involve getting an NPSL business card, Amex presents alternatives in the form of the Plum Card, the Business Gold Card and the Business Platinum Card.
Adding credit cards for your employees is a good way to keep track of their spending and earn additional rewards with individual spending limits. Many American Express business cards, like the Blue Business Plus Credit Card, allow you to add employee cards for no additional charge. However, the Business Platinum Card charges $300 for every employee added.
9
Added perks
While a few American Express business credit cards come with steep annual fees, they offer a variety of features and benefits. You may expect some of these with cards that charge low or no annual fees as well. Various card-specific perks on offer include statement credits, loyalty program status upgrades, airport lounge access, priority boarding, travel insurance coverage, companion certificates, free nights and access to expense management tools.
Rajiv Baniwal has been writing about different financial topics for over 15 years. Meticulous in his research, he makes sure he provides accurate and up-to-date information. His areas of expertise include mortgages, personal loans, credit cards, insurance and international money transfers.
*Rates, fees or bonuses may vary or include specific stipulations. The content on this page is accurate as of the posting/last updated date; however, some of the offers mentioned may have expired. We recommend visiting the card issuer’s website for the most up-to-date information available. Editorial Disclosure: Opinions, reviews, analyses and recommendations are the author’s alone and have not been reviewed, endorsed or approved by any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. Advertiser Disclosure: MoneyGeek has partnered with CardRatings.com and CreditCards.com for our coverage of credit card products. MoneyGeek, CardRatings and CreditCards.com may receive a commission from card issuers. To ensure thorough comparisons and reviews, MoneyGeek features products from both paid partners and unaffiliated card issuers that are not paid partners.
