Compare American Express Business Credit Cards (2026)
Amex business cards split into charge cards (full balance due monthly) and credit cards (balance can be carried). Most buyers don’t realise this distinction until after they apply.
The best Amex rewards programme for businesses
- Membership Rewards points on all spend
- No pre-set spending limit
- Travel insurance included
- Airport lounge access (with annual fee)
All Cards at a Glance
Compare key features side by side — tap any row for the full review.
| Provider | Best For | Key Feature | Annual Fee | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| High-spend businesses that clear monthly and want flexible points | Membership Rewards | £0 yr 1, then £195/yr | View details → |
 | Frequent business travellers with high monthly card spend | Membership Rewards | £650/yr (+£295 supplementary) | View details → |
 | Low-cost Amex entry with occasional payment flexibility | None | £0 | View details → |
 | Regular BA flyers who want direct Avios earning | Avios | £250 | View details → |
 | Heavy Amazon Business buyers wanting cashback on that spend | Cashback | £50/yr (free yr 1 if £8k+ spend) | View details → |
Fees and rates verified March 2026 where available from public sources. Always confirm current terms at americanexpress.com/uk before applying.
If you’re choosing between Amex business cards, the charge card vs credit card distinction matters more than the rewards difference. We checked all five cards: Gold and Platinum force full monthly payment; BA Accelerating and Amazon let you carry a balance.
Business Basic sits in between with a flexible payment option. Your supplier mix and cash flow decide which structure works.
Charge Cards vs Credit Cards in the Amex Range
Gold and Platinum are charge cards: you must pay the full balance each month with no minimum-payment option or carry-over flexibility. Interest doesn’t apply because you’re expected to clear in full. We verified this against americanexpress.com/uk.
If you run a seasonal business (a landscaping firm billing £15k in summer and £3k in January) a charge card forces full clearance when cash is tightest. You need credit-card flexibility to survive the low months.
BA Accelerating and Amazon let you carry a balance and pay interest monthly if you choose. If your cash flow varies, credit card flexibility is essential.
If you want an Amex card with no annual fee and occasional payment flexibility, Business Basic is the option: it now offers “Pay Over Time” on eligible purchases (check current terms at americanexpress.com/uk as structure has changed). It earns no Membership Rewards points.
Pay Over Time is also available on Gold and Platinum at 29.1% variable APR, limited to the card’s Flexible Payment Option credit line. Minimum monthly payment is the higher of £50 or the FPO balance. Use it as a short-term buffer, not a financing strategy.
Which Amex Card?
| Your Situation | Best Fit |
|---|---|
| High spend, clear monthly, want flexible rewards | Business Gold |
| Frequent business travel, high spend, want lounge access | Business Platinum |
| New to Amex, want lower fee commitment or occasional flexibility | Business Basic |
| Fly British Airways regularly | BA Amex Accelerating |
| High Amazon Business spend | Amazon Amex |
American Express Business Gold Card
American Express Business Platinum Card
American Express Basic Business Card
British Airways Accelerating Business Card
Amazon Business Prime American Express Card
Annual Fee Break-Even: What You Need to Spend
If you’re weighing the £195/year cost, your return depends on what Membership Rewards points are worth to you and how much spend you can put on the card.
You value each Membership Rewards point based on your redemption method: transferred to Avios for short-haul flights it’s roughly 1p; via the Amex shopping portal it’s 0.4–0.5p. We estimate 0.8p for a business traveller redeeming thoughtfully.
At £3,000/month spend you earn 36,000 points annually, worth £288 at 0.8p, a net gain of £93 after the fee. At £5,000/month you’re looking at £480 return.
Capital on Tap pays 1% cashback with zero fee: at £3,000/month that’s £360. No fee to subtract. The Gold only overtakes it at upper spend levels and only with strong redemption discipline.
If you’re comparing Platinum to Gold, Platinum’s £650/year fee is steep: calculate your personal break-even before committing. Check your typical monthly spend, estimate your actual earn rate (varies by category and current promotions), and verify at americanexpress.com/uk.
If you miss a minimum payment, the penalty is £12; if 60 days overdue, Amex suspends the card and charges £95 to reinstate. On charge cards, suspension means you can’t use the card until resolved. That is more severe than a fee.
Can You Earn Enough Points to Justify Two Amex Cards?
Pairing Gold with BA Accelerating isn’t worth it unless monthly spend exceeds £8,000 and you have separate use cases for Membership Rewards and Avios. Two fee-bearing cards double the break-even threshold and split your spend across two programmes. For most businesses, one card maximises return.
What Travel Benefits Does the Platinum Actually Include?
If you’re considering Platinum for its travel perks, Chubb underwrites the insurance: £2m medical, £7,500 cancellation, £2,000 baggage (£500 per item, £50 excess), and 120-day per-trip limit. No cover for cardholders aged 80+.
You’ll want to check Chubb’s full policy document for exclusions before making this your only travel cover. The limits are reasonable for most business travel but not universal.
If you travel with colleagues, Priority Pass covers two cardholders (main and one supplementary) plus one guest each. Amex pre-books UK airport lounges for free, removing walk-up queue risk at busy terminals.
Does the First-Year Fee Waiver Change the Calculation?
Yes, but it can also trap you. The £0 first year is a genuine saving, and at £1,500–£2,500/month spend you’ll earn a reasonable return in year one.
The risk: you commit to the card, set up supplier payments around it, and face the £195 fee in year two when your actual return doesn’t justify it. Run the break-even calculation at the post-waiver fee before you apply, not after.
The Amex Acceptance Problem
If you’re counting on Amex, check acceptance first: it’s improved significantly in the UK but isn’t universal. Major supermarkets, online retailers, and large suppliers usually take it.
Smaller businesses, some professional services firms, and trade suppliers don’t.
Before applying, we recommend running a 15-minute supplier audit: pull your last three months of statements, identify your top ten suppliers by spend, and ask each whether they accept American Express. If more than three say no, your effective Amex spend caps at around 70% of total.
If you discover the gap after the first-year fee waiver ends, you’re paying £195 for a card you use on 40% of your transactions. That trap catches real businesses.
You’ll need a Visa or Mastercard alongside Amex if acceptance doesn’t work, which loses the consolidation benefit. See our full business credit card comparison for Visa and Mastercard options.
For charge card holders this matters most: without balance-carry flexibility, you need consistent Amex spend to justify the fee. Below £2,500/month, a no-fee Visa with 1% cashback (like Capital on Tap) gives better net return with no acceptance friction.
If Amex Doesn’t Work
Capital on Tap Business Credit Card
Barclaycard Select Cashback Business Credit Card
American Express Business Card FAQs
What is the difference between an Amex charge card and a credit card?
A charge card requires you to pay the full balance every month. There is no option to carry debt or pay a minimum. Gold and Platinum are charge cards.
A credit card lets you carry a balance and pay interest. BA Accelerating and Amazon Amex are credit cards. Business Basic now sits between the two with a flexible payment option. Check current terms on americanexpress.com/uk.
Which Amex business card is best for Membership Rewards points?
The Business Gold Card. It earns 1 MR point per £1 on all spend, with no pre-set spending limit. The Platinum earns at a higher rate on certain categories but costs £650/year, so the Gold is the better starting point unless your monthly spend consistently exceeds £8,000.
Which Amex business card earns Avios?
The BA Amex Accelerating Business Card earns Avios directly, not Membership Rewards. It costs £250/year. If you fly BA regularly and want Avios without converting from another programme, this is the only Amex business card that does it.
Is the Amex Business Gold Card free?
The first year is £0. After that it costs £195/year. Our break-even analysis on this page shows you need roughly £2,500/month in Amex-eligible spend to justify the fee through rewards alone. If your spend is lower, a no-fee card may give you a better net return.
Can sole traders apply for an Amex business card?
Yes. Sole traders are eligible for all five Amex business cards. You apply as an individual with your business details. Amex will run a personal credit check. There is no requirement to be a limited company.
Do Amex business cards let you carry a balance?
Only the credit cards: BA Accelerating, Amazon Amex, and Business Basic (with its flexible payment option). The Gold and Platinum are charge cards: the full balance is due monthly. If cash flow flexibility matters, you need a credit card, not a charge card.
Are Amex business cards widely accepted in the UK?
Acceptance has improved but isn’t universal. Most large retailers, supermarkets, and online merchants accept Amex. Some smaller suppliers, trade businesses, and professional services firms don’t. We recommend checking your top suppliers before committing to an Amex card as your primary business card.
Which Amex business card is best for travel perks?
The Business Platinum Card. It includes airport lounge access, travel insurance, and hotel benefits. However, the £650/year fee is steep. The Gold card also includes travel insurance and airport transfers at £195/year, making it the better choice unless you travel frequently enough to use the Platinum’s lounge access regularly.
Related Pages
Explore more of our credit card coverage:
- Best business credit cards compared
- Best business charge cards
- Best cards for air miles and Avios
- Best business credit cards for travel
- Capital on Tap vs Amex head-to-head
- Credit cards vs charge cards explained
Methodology and Disclosure
Sources: We verified card types, fees, and rewards structures against americanexpress.com/uk on 20 March 2026. We update these figures quarterly. Some details may have changed since verification.
Affiliate disclosure: BusinessExpert may receive referral fees from some providers listed on this page. This doesn’t affect our assessments or the order in which products appear.
Regulatory note: This page is editorial content, not regulated financial advice. Check your eligibility and current terms directly with the provider before applying.