Choosing the right American Express business credit card can significantly impact your financial management and rewards strategy.
My comparison aims to simplify your choice by highlighting the key features of American Express’s top business cards to help you find the best fit for your business. Keep in mind that acceptance for these cards requires meeting strict criteria and possessing an excellent credit score.
| Cards | Annual Fee | Welcome Offer | Rewards on Purchases | Special Perks | Visit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Basic Business Card | £0 | None | None | Up to 42 days payment period, Flexible spending power | Learn More |
| Amazon Business American Express Card | £0 first year, then £50 | Up to £100 value | 1.5% on Amazon, 0.5% elsewhere | 60 days extended payment terms option | Learn More |
| Amazon Business Prime American Express Card | £0 first year, then £50 (waived if spend £8,000) | £100 Amazon.co.uk Gift Card | 2% on Amazon, 0.5% elsewhere | 90 days extended payment terms option | Learn More |
| British Airways American Express Accelerating Business Card | £250 | 30,000 bonus Avios | 1.5 Avios for every £1 spent, double on BA flights | Up to 56 days interest-free payments, travel perks | Learn More |
| Business Gold Card | No fee first year, then £195 | 40,000 Membership Rewards points | 1 point per £1 spent, more for travel bookings | Quarterly bonuses, extensive Amex benefits | Learn More |
| Business Platinum Card | £650 | 80,000 Membership Rewards points | 1 point per £1 spent, double for £10k spend in a month | £200 annual travel credit, lounge access, travel insurance | Learn More |
What Business Cards Does American Express Offer?
The American Express® Basic Business Card
The American Express® Basic Business Card is their simplest charge card, offering flexible spending power without a pre-set spending limit. It offers up to a 42 day payment period on purchases.
AMEX doesn’t limit how much you can spend on your account by default but may set limits based on account activity.
Who Should Use It?
The AMEX Basic is suitable for small to medium-sized businesses looking for a no-frills charge card to manage purchases and expenses. It’s ideal for those who value flexibility in spending limits and want to keep cash within the business for longer periods, thanks to the extended payment period.
It’s a charge card, as opposed to a credit card, therefore you’re expected to pay off the balance each month. If you do not manage to clear your full balance, you should expect to face interest charges and other fees, and your card might get cancelled.
Bear in mind that the card charges a 2.99% non-sterling transaction fee, so you’ll need to be cautious if using this abroad.
Pros
- No pre-set spending limits
- Offers up to 42 days payment period on purchases.
Cons
- No reward points
- Balances must be paid in full every month, which may not suit businesses looking for revolving credit.
- Does not offer the same level of travel or purchase protections as other American Express cards.
Amazon Business American Express® Card
- Representative (variable): 39.7% APR
- Annual Fee: £50 (first year is free)
- Assumed Credit Limit: £1,200
- Purchase Rate (variable): 28.3% p.a.
The Amazon Business American Express® Card blends the convenience and reliability of American Express with the selection and purchasing power of Amazon. With no annual fee in the first year (and £50 thereafter), this card offers a welcome bonus valued at up to £100.
Cardholders enjoy 1.5% Amazon Rewards on Amazon.co.uk, Amazon Business UK, and Whole Foods Market UK purchases, and 0.5% on all other purchases.
The option between earning rewards or opting for 60 days extended payment terms on Amazon purchases provides flexibility to manage cash flow effectively. Up to 20 complimentary employee cards can consolidate business expenses and amplify reward-earning potential.
Who Should Use ItThis card is ideal for businesses frequently purchasing through Amazon or Whole Foods, looking to maximise their Amazon Prime rewards or extend their payment terms for better cash flow management.
Remember that using the card abroad will incur a 2.99% fee on non-sterling transactions.
Pros
- Up to £100 value in the first year.
- 1.5% back on Amazon purchases and 0.5% on other purchases. Option to extend payment terms by 60 days on Amazon purchases.
- Up to 20, helping consolidate expenses and maximize rewards.
- Makes it cost-effective to try and utilise in the initial year.
Cons
- £50 fee applies from the second year onwards.
- Limits on the 1.5% reward rate up to the first £120,000 in purchases each calendar year, 1% thereafter.
- Maximum benefits are skewed towards Amazon purchases, which might not appeal to businesses with diverse spending needs.
- Need for an Amazon Prime, Consumer, or Business subscription to apply.
Amazon Business Prime American Express® Card
- Representative (variable): 39.7% APR
- Annual Fee: £50 (first year is free)
- Assumed Credit Limit: £1,200
- Purchase Rate (variable): 28.3% p.a.
The Amazon Business Prime American Express® Card offers a similar blend of rewards and flexible payment options for Amazon Business Prime members. With no annual fee in the first year (and £0 thereafter if annual spending exceeds £8,000), cardholders receive a £100 Amazon.co.uk Gift Card upon approval.
The card features 2% Amazon Rewards on purchases at Amazon.co.uk, Amazon Business UK, and Whole Foods Market UK, and 0.5% on all other purchases. Additionally, the option to extend payment terms by 90 days on Amazon purchases instead of earning rewards enhances cash flow management. Up to 20 complimentary Employee Cards can further consolidate business spending and amplify rewards collection.
Who Should Use It
Ideal for businesses with a frequent spending pattern on Amazon or Whole Foods and Amazon Business Prime members seeking to maximise their rewards or prefer extended payment terms for better financial management.
Pros
- £100 Amazon.co.uk Gift Card upon approval.
- 2% back on Amazon purchases and 0.5% on other purchases.
- Choice between earning rewards or opting for 90 days extended payment terms on Amazon purchases.
- If annual spending is over £8,000, making it cost-effective for active users.
- Up to 20 expense cards for team members
Cons
- £50 annual fee applies if annual spending does not exceed £8,000.
- 2% Amazon Rewards apply up to the first £120,000 in purchases each calendar year, reducing to 1% thereafter.
British Airways American Express® Accelerating Business Card
- Representative APR: 31.0% APR variable
- Annual Fee: No annual fee
- Credit Limit: Assumed credit limit of £1,200
- Purchase Rate: 31.0% variable for purchases
The British Airways American Express® Accelerating Business Card is tailored for businesses that frequently travel with British Airways. It offers a generous welcome bonus of 30,000 Avios when spending £5,000 within the first three months.
The card has an annual fee of £250 and provides 1.5 Avios for every £1 spent on purchases, with the potential to earn up to 30,000 bonus Avios annually based on spending.
Additionally, it doubles On Business Points on British Airways flights, enhancing savings and flexibility on business travel. The card also allows up to 56 days of interest-free payments on purchases when you pay your balance in full.
Who Should Use It
This card is perfect for businesses with high travel expenses, especially with British Airways, seeking to maximise travel rewards and savings. It’s suited for companies looking to benefit from travel-related perks, including travel inconvenience and accident protection, alongside managing cash flow efficiently with extended payment terms.
Pros
- 30,000 bonus Avios for new cardholders.
- 1.5 Avios for every £1 spent and up to 30,000 annual bonus Avios.
- Earn double points on British Airways flights, offering significant savings on future travel.
- Includes travel accident and inconvenience protection, alongside purchase protection for business travel peace of mind.
- Up to 20, helping consolidate business spending and earn rewards faster.
Cons
- High Annual Fee of £250, which might outweigh the benefits for businesses with lower travel expenses.
- 108.4% APR variable, indicating potential high costs if balances are not paid in full.
- Mainly beneficial for businesses that frequently fly with British Airways, limiting the appeal for companies with diverse travel needs.
- The requirement to spend £60,000 p.a. to earn the maximum bonus may not be achievable for all businesses.
The American Express® Business Gold Card
The American Express® Business Gold Card offers businesses an opportunity to earn substantial rewards on their spending. New cardmembers can earn a welcome bonus of 40,000 Membership Rewards® points after spending £6,000 in the first three months, plus an additional 20,000 points for making a purchase between 14 and 17 months of card membership.
The card has no annual fee for the first year, with a £195 fee thereafter. It provides up to 54 days payment period on purchases and doesn’t have a pre-set spending limit, facilitating flexible money management. Rewards include 1 point for almost every £1 spent, with opportunities to earn additional points through quarterly spending and bookings through American Express Travel.
Who Should Use It
Ideal for businesses that can meet the initial spending requirement to unlock the welcome bonus and plan to spend significantly each quarter and on American Express Travel. It’s suited for those looking to maximise their Membership Rewards points earning potential across a wide range of business expenses.
Pros:
- Welcome Offer of up to 60,000 Membership Rewards points available within the first 17 months.
- No annual fee for the first year.
- Up to 54 days of interest-free payment period on purchases.
- 1 point per £1 spent, with bonuses for quarterly spending and double points on American Express Travel.
- Savings and experiences benefits including over £500 in discounts and access to sought-after events.
Cons:
- Annual Fee: £195 after the first year, which could be significant for some businesses.
- High Spending Requirement for Bonus.
- Most beneficial for businesses that value and can make use of the Membership Rewards program, potentially limiting for those looking for cashback or specific perks.
- Restrictions apply if you currently hold or have held a Membership Rewards enrolled card in the past 13 months.
The American Express® Business Platinum Card
The American Express® Business Platinum Card is a premium credit card offering a substantial welcome bonus of 80,000 Membership Rewards® points after spending £12,000 in the first three months, and an additional 40,000 points for making any purchase between 14 and 17 months of membership. With an annual fee of £650, the card is designed for businesses seeking exceptional rewards and benefits.
Cardholders enjoy 1 Membership Rewards point for nearly every £1 spent, with double points for monthly expenditures over £10,000. Other benefits include a £200 annual travel credit, comprehensive travel insurance, and access to over 1,400 airport lounges worldwide.
Who Should Use It
This card is best suited for businesses with significant travel needs and high monthly expenses, looking to maximise rewards and take advantage of premium benefits such as travel credits, lounge access, and exceptional customer service. It’s ideal for business owners seeking to leverage their spending into meaningful rewards and experiences for both business and leisure travel.
Pros:
- Welcome Bonus: Up to 120,000 Membership Rewards points within the first 17 months.
- 1 point per £1 spent, with opportunities to earn double points.
- Includes £200 annual travel credit, comprehensive travel insurance, and airport lounge access.
- No pre-set spending limit, allowing for adaptable financial management.
- Enhance reward earning and consolidate business spending.
Cons:
- At £650, one of the highest among business credit cards.
- The welcome bonus and additional benefits require significant spending.
- Benefits are most valuable to businesses that spend heavily on travel and prefer to use American Express Travel.
- The cost and focus on travel-related benefits may not align with all business spending patterns.
