American Express has a great portfolio of small business cards, and the cards often have large welcome offers. For that matter, a lot of card issuers have been focused on small business cards over the past several years, and you’ll often find that they have better welcome bonuses and benefits than personal cards.
For those who may not be familiar with the process of applying for business cards, in this post I’d like to talk about Amex small business cards. What are the popular Amex business cards, what are the rules for getting approved, can you apply with a sole proprietorship, etc.?
Amex business card application rules & restrictions
Amex’s consistent rules regarding getting approved for business cards are as follows:
Are Amex business cards easy to get approved for?
There’s not really published data on how hard various cards are to get approved for. That being said, anecdotally speaking, I find Amex business cards to be among the easiest to get approved for. That’s true compared to other business cards, and even compared to many personal cards. That doesn’t just apply for people applying as corporations, but also for sole proprietorships.
To add to that, I find that the Amex business cards that aren’t credit cards, like The Business Platinum Card® from American Express and The American Express® Business Gold Card, are actually the easiest to get approved for.
Here’s what makes it even better, though. Not only are Amex business cards easy to get approved for, but they’re also among the lowest risk cards you can apply for.
Getting denied for a card isn’t a big deal, but it’s even less big of a deal with Amex. When you go to the application page for a business card, you should see a note stating “Know if you’re approved with no personal credit score impact.”
As you’ll see explained there, you’ll get a decision about your approval without any impact on your personal credit score. So in the event you’re not approved for the card, it has absolutely no impact on your personal credit score. This is as risk-free as card applications come.
Can you earn Amex business card welcome offers more than once?
As mentioned above, Amex card welcome offers are generally “once in a lifetime,” meaning you can only earn the offer on a card once. However, there are a couple of caveats with that, as the reality is a bit nuanced.
First of all, there’s a debate as to how a “lifetime” is defined. Anecdotally, some people report being eligible for a welcome offer again roughly seven years after they’ve last had a particular card. This isn’t a published policy, but some people report success with that. Keep in mind that thanks to Amex’s pop-up warning about welcome offers, you’ll generally be warned if you’re not eligible for an offer.
Second of all, Amex frequently targets members for business card applications, even if they wouldn’t otherwise be eligible. These applications generally have “no lifetime language” in the terms, meaning there’s nothing in the terms stating you can’t qualify for a welcome offer again.
I’ve been targeted for many of these cards over the years, including for cards I already have, so clearly there are some exceptions. Let me emphasize this only applies if you’re targeted for a card, and if the terms don’t have any language around not earning a welcome offer if you have or have had a card.
Applying for Amex business cards as a sole proprietor
You need some sort of a business to get approved for a business card, but not necessarily in the way that many people would assume. You don’t need to have a corporation to pick up a business credit card, but rather, a sole proprietorship qualifies as well.
A sole proprietorship is the most basic form of a business, where it’s owned and run by one person, and isn’t incorporated. The owner has unlimited liability, and the business has no legal existence, separate from the owner. The owner reports the business’ income on their personal tax return, and pays federal and state income tax on profits.
Now, I’m obviously not here to advise as to what kind of a business someone should set up (you should talk to a tax professional about that), but in most places there’s literally no barrier to having a sole proprietorship, as it doesn’t even require registering in any official capacity.
For many people, a side hustle could very well be considered a sole proprietorship, whether you have a property you rent out, you do consulting, you’re a freelance writer, or whatever. There’s value to being able to separate your business expenses from your personal expenses, and of course the very lucrative business cards that we see don’t hurt either.
How to fill out an Amex business card application
Those who already have business credit cards are probably familiar with the application process, but for those who aren’t, let’s talk about what you need to know.
It can be intimidating to apply for your first business card, though even if you’re a small business or sole proprietorship, you should be eligible. When applying for an Amex business card, you’ll be asked the following questions:
- Legal Business Name
- Business Address & Phone Number
- Industry Type
- Company Structure
- Years In Business
- Number Of Employees
- Annual Business Revenue
- Estimated Monthly Spend
- Federal Tax ID
If you’re a sole proprietorship, how should you approach this? First of all, and most importantly, answer everything truthfully. I think the concern that a lot of people have is that they think they need an incorporated business, a separate office, etc., in order to be considered for a business card. That’s not the case:
- You can use your name as your legal business name
- The business address and phone number can be the same as your personal address and phone number
- You can select “other” as your industry type, if the options don’t otherwise describe your business
- If you’re a sole proprietorship, you can select that as your company structure
- In terms of years in business, there’s no shame in saying it has been less than a year, one to two years, etc.
- In terms of the number of employees, saying just one is perfectly fine
- For the federal tax ID you can put your social security number
While a lot of people are intimidated by applying for their first business card, I think most are pleasantly surprised at the results. Best of all, keep in mind that with Amex you’re generally warned if you won’t be approved for a card without an impact on your personal credit, so there really is limited downside.
My favorite Amex business cards
American Express has a variety of lucrative business cards. Some earn Membership Rewards points, while others are co-branded cards that can earn you valuable airline or hotel rewards.
If you’re looking to earn Membership Rewards points, consider one of these cards:
If you’re looking to earn cash back, consider:
If you’re looking to earn hotel rewards, consider one of these cards:
If you’re looking to earn airline rewards, consider one of these cards:
Overview of American Express’ core business cards
With the above basics out of the way, let’s talk a little more about each Amex business card, and why some consumers may want to consider them.
Amex Business Platinum Card overview
The American Express Platinum cards are some of the most well-known premium cards out there. The Business Platinum Card® from American Express is the business version of the card, offering some outstanding perks, though the card also has a steep annual fee.
At the moment, the Amex Business Platinum has an incredible welcome offer where you can earn a bonus as high as 300,000 Membership Rewards points after spending $20,000 within the first three months. Personally, I value Membership Rewards points at 1.7 cents each, so to me those 300,000 points are worth $5,100 (assuming you’re eligible for the offer).
The Amex Business Platinum has an annual fee of $895 (Rates & Fees). This is one of the highest annual fee cards out there. The card offers so many benefits just for being a cardmember, and some of the most valuable benefits are credits. The card potentially offers over $2,000 in credits annually, including:
- Up to $600 annual hotel credit (semi-annual, $300 in January through June, and $300 in July through December, on prepaid bookings through Amex Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection)
- Up to $360 annual Indeed credit ($90 per quarter)
- Up to $250 annual Adobe statement credit (after spending $600 or more on U.S. purchases made directly with Adobe each calendar year)
- Up to $209 annual CLEAR+ credit
- Up to $200 annual Hilton credit ($50 per quarter)
- Up to $200 annual airline fee credit
- Up to $150 annual Dell statement credit (with an additional $1,000 statement credit after spending $5,000 or more on those purchases each calendar year)
- Up to $120 annual wireless credit ($10 per month)
The Amex Business Platinum offers 5x Membership Rewards points on prepaid hotels and flights that are booked through Amex Travel, plus 2x Membership Rewards points for purchases at U.S. construction material & hardware suppliers, electronic goods retailers and software & cloud system providers, and shipping providers, as well as on eligible purchases of $5,000 or more, regardless of the category.
The card also offers one of the most comprehensive lounge access benefits of any card, including Amex Centurion Lounge access, Delta Sky Club access, a Priority Pass™ Select membership, Escape Lounge access, and select Lufthansa Lounge access. Cardmembers also receive complimentary Hilton Honors™ Gold status, Marriott Bonvoy® Gold status, Hertz President’s Circle elite status, and National Emerald Club Executive status. (Enrollment is required for select benefits)
Read a full review of the Amex Business Platinum Card.
Amex Business Gold Card overview
For businesses looking to earn Membership Rewards points, the Amex Business Gold Card could prove to be the card for you, given that it earns up to 4x Membership Rewards points for spending in certain categories.
The card currently has a lucrative welcome offer as high as 200,000 Membership Rewards points after spending $15,000 on eligible purchases within the first three months. Personally, I value Membership Rewards points at 1.7 cents each, so to me those 200,000 points are worth $3,400 (assuming you’re eligible for the offer).
The Amex Business Gold Card has an annual fee of $375 (Rates & Fees). Each billing cycle you earn 4x Membership Rewards points in the two categories where your business spends the most each billing cycle. There are a total of six eligible categories to choose from. Note that you earn 4x points on the first $150,000 in combined purchases from these categories each calendar year, and then 1x points thereafter. Categories eligible for 4x points include:
- Purchases at U.S. media providers for advertising in select media (online, TV, radio)
- U.S. purchases made from electronic goods retailers and software & cloud system providers
- U.S. purchases at restaurants, including takeout and delivery
- U.S. purchases at gas stations
- Transit purchases including trains, taxicabs, rideshare services, ferries, tolls, parking, buses, and subways
- Monthly wireless telephone service charges made directly from a wireless telephone service provider in the U.S.
Based on my valuation of Membership Rewards points, that’s the equivalent of a 6.8% return on spending in those categories, which is incredible.
To help offset the annual fee, the Amex Business Gold Card offers up to $240 back annually for eligible purchases with FedEx, Grubhub, and office supply stores. This comes in the form of up to $20 per month in statement credits toward eligible purchases. The card also offers a $12.95 monthly credit toward a Walmart+ membership, plus access to The Hotel Collection, where you can receive a $100 hotel credit and a room upgrade if available for stays of two or more nights.
Read a full review of the Amex Business Gold Card.
Amex Blue Business Plus Card overview
The Blue Business Plus Credit Card from American Express is almost too good to be true, given that the card has no annual fee (Rates & Fees), offers up to 2x transferable points per dollar spent, and gives you access to some other useful perks as well.
The Amex Blue Business Plus Credit Card currently has a welcome offer where you can earn 15,000 Membership Rewards points after spending $3,000 on eligible purchases within the first three months.
The Amex Blue Business Plus Credit Card earns 2x Membership Rewards points on everyday business purchases, and that applies to the first $50,000 spent per calendar year. You earn 1x points per dollar thereafter. Personally I value Membership Rewards points at 1.7 cents each. To me, that’s the equivalent of a 3.4% return on everyday business spending, which is phenomenal.
The Amex Blue Business Plus also offers 0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months from the date of account opening. After that, your APR will be a variable rate (currently in the range of 16.74% – 26.74%) (Rates & Fees). I wouldn’t recommend using the Amex Blue Business Plus for purchases outside the United States, as the card does carry foreign transaction fees of 2.7% (Rates & Fees).
Read a full review of the Amex Blue Business Plus Card.
Amex Blue Business Cash Card overview
The American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card is a credit card that has no annual fee (Rates & Fees) and that offers a solid cash back rewards structure. For someone looking for a cash back Amex business card, this is as good as it gets.
The Amex Blue Business Cash has a welcome offer where you can earn a $250 statement credit after spending $3,000 on eligible purchases within the first three months.
The Amex Blue Business Cash offers 2% cash back on all eligible purchases on the first $50,000 of purchases each calendar year, 1% thereafter. The cash back you earn is automatically credited to your statement with every billing cycle.
The Amex Blue Business Cash offers 0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months. After that, your APR will be a variable rate (currently in the range of 16.74% – 26.74%) (Rates & Fees). I wouldn’t recommend using the Amex Blue Business Cash for purchases outside of the United States, as the card does carry foreign transaction fees of 2.7% (Rates & Fees).
Read a full review of the Amex Blue Business Cash Card.
Amex Graphite Business Cash Card overview
American Express has recently launched a new cash back business card. The Amex Graphite Business Cash Card is now open for applications, and it’s pretty straightforward:
- The card has a $295 annual fee (Rates & Fees), and authorized users cost $95 each, though you can also get a no annual fee Employee Business Expense Card
- The card has a welcome offer of $1,500 cash back after spending $50,000 within the first six months
- The card offers unlimited 2% cash back on all eligible purchases, plus 5% cash back on flights and prepaid hotels booked through Amex Travel Online, all with no foreign transaction fees (Rates & Fees)
- The card is a hybrid product, meaning it has no preset spending limit
- The card offers up to $2,400 in American Express One AP statement credits, after spending $250,000 on eligible purchases on the card in a calendar year; statement credits will be applied to the monthly bill charged to the card for Amex’s accounts payable solution, One AP
Frequently asked questions about Amex business cards
You need some sort of a business to get approved for a business card, but not necessarily in the way that many people would assume. You don’t need to have a corporation to pick up a business credit card, but rather, a sole proprietorship qualifies as well. A sole proprietorship is the most basic form of a business, where it’s owned and run by one person, and isn’t incorporated. For many people, a side hustle could very well be considered a sole proprietorship, whether you have a property you rent out, you do consulting, you’re a freelance writer, or whatever.
Amex typically limits cardmembers to having five credit cards at a given point, including personal and business cards. However, this only applies to traditional credit cards with preset spending limits, so cards like The Business Platinum Card® from American Express and The American Express® Business Gold Card don’t count toward that limit. You can also be approved for at most two Amex cards in a 90 day period.
Welcome offers are generally “once in a lifetime,” so you’re typically not eligible for the welcome offer on a card if you currently have it, or have received a welcome offer on that card in the past. However, there’s a debate as to how a “lifetime” is defined — anecdotally, some people report being eligible for a welcome offer again roughly seven years after they’ve last had a particular card. Additionally, Amex frequently targets members for business card applications, even if they wouldn’t otherwise be eligible. These applications generally have “no lifetime language” in the terms, meaning there’s nothing in the terms stating you can’t qualify for a welcome offer again. Thanks to Amex’s pop-up warning about welcome offers, you’ll generally be warned if you’re not eligible for an offer.
Amex business cards are among the lowest risk cards you can apply for. When you go to the application page for a business card, you should see a note stating “Know if you’re approved with no personal credit score impact.” You’ll get a decision about your approval without any impact on your personal credit score. So in the event you’re not approved for the card, it has absolutely no impact on your personal credit score. This is as risk-free as card applications come.
First of all, and most importantly, answer everything truthfully. You can use your name as your legal business name. The business address and phone number can be the same as your personal address and phone number. You can select “other” as your industry type, if the options don’t otherwise describe your business. If you’re a sole proprietorship, you can select that as your company structure. In terms of years in business, there’s no shame in saying it has been less than a year, one to two years, etc. In terms of the number of employees, saying just one is perfectly fine. For the federal tax ID you can put your social security number.
Bottom line
American Express business cards can be very beneficial additions to your wallet, so hopefully this is useful for anyone who hasn’t yet applied for an Amex business card. Even if you’re not someone who has applied for Amex business cards in the past, you may be pleasantly surprised by the results.
At the moment there are some particularly good offers on Amex business cards, so this is a great time to take advantage of one of these offers. In particular, you can’t go wrong with a card like The Business Platinum Card® from American Express or The American Express® Business Gold Card.
What has your experience been applying for Amex business cards?
The following links will direct you to the rates and fees for mentioned American Express Cards. These include: American Express® Business Gold Card (Rates & Fees), The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express (Rates & Fees), The Business Platinum® Card from American Express (Rates & Fees), The American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card (Rates & Fees), and Graphite™ Business Cash Unlimited Card (Rates & Fees).
