American Express business cards are designed for small business owners and self-employed people, not for personal use

American Express (Amex) business cards sit between personal credit cards and corporate accounts. They report to business credit bureaus, not personal ones, and the cardholder is personally liable for the balance. You need a business structure — sole proprietorship, LLC, S-corp, or partnership — and a business tax ID or EIN, though some cards accept a Social Security number if you're self-employed. The card itself carries your name and business name, and Amex pulls both personal and business credit when you open the account.

The main difference from a personal Amex card is the spending categories and tools. Business cards reward categories like airfare, hotels, office supplies, and internet service rather than groceries or gas. Many include expense tracking software, virtual card numbers for online purchases, and employee card options. Annual fees typically run $95 to $595 depending on the card tier, and there's no grace period on purchases — interest accrues from the day you charge.

Key Takeaways

  • American Express business cards require a business tax ID or EIN and report to business credit bureaus, but the cardholder remains personally liable for all charges.
  • Rewards categories target business spending like travel, office supplies, and internet rather than consumer categories, and cash back or points rates vary by card tier.
  • Annual fees range from $95 to $595, and most Amex business cards charge interest from the purchase date rather than offering a grace period.
  • You can add employee cards to most Amex business accounts and set spending limits per card, which helps track departmental or project expenses.
  • Amex business cards typically require good personal credit (670 or higher FICO score) and may ask for business financials or bank statements during underwriting.

Common American Express business card types and their rewards structure

Amex offers several business card lines, each targeting different spending patterns. The Blue Business Plus card has no annual fee and earns 1.5% cash back on most purchases, with 3.5% on internet, cable, and phone services. The Blue Business Preferred charges $95 annually and earns points at higher rates: 3 points per dollar on the first $50,000 in combined purchases in two categories you choose each year, then 1 point per dollar after. The Green Business card costs $295 per year and focuses on travel and dining, earning 3 points per dollar on airfare and hotels booked through Amex Travel, plus 2 points on restaurants and flights.

The Platinum Business card runs $695 annually and targets high-spending businesses. It earns 5 points per dollar on flights and hotels booked through Amex Travel, 1.5 points on U.S. purchases over $5,000 in a calendar year, and 1 point per dollar on other U.S. purchases. It also includes benefits like airline fee credits, hotel elite status, and lounge access. Points from any Amex business card can be transferred to airline and hotel partners at a 1:1 ratio, or redeemed for cash back at rates that vary by card.

What you need to open an American Express business account

Amex requires a business tax ID (EIN) for most business structures, though sole proprietors can use their Social Security number. You'll need your business name, address, and phone number, plus the type of business and approximate annual revenue. Amex will ask how long the business has been operating — new businesses (under six months old) may face higher scrutiny or denial. You'll also provide personal information: your name, address, date of birth, and Social Security number, since you're personally liable for the card.

During underwriting, Amex pulls your personal credit report and may request business bank statements, tax returns, or a business license. The personal credit requirement is typically a FICO score of 670 or higher, though Amex does not publish a minimum. If you're denied, you can ask for reconsideration and provide additional documentation like proof of revenue or a business plan. The approval process usually takes a few business days, and the card arrives within 7 to 10 business days of approval.

How rewards and points work on Amex business cards

Amex business cards earn either cash back or points, depending on the card. Cash back cards like Blue Business Plus pay a percentage of your spending directly as a statement credit or check. Points cards like Blue Business Preferred and Green Business earn points that accumulate in your account and can be redeemed for travel, merchandise, or cash. One Amex point is typically worth 0.6 to 1 cent when redeemed for cash, but 1 to 2 cents when transferred to airline or hotel partners.

Points do not expire as long as your account remains open and in good standing. You can combine points from multiple Amex business cards on the same account, and some cards offer bonus points for reaching spending thresholds in a calendar year. For example, the Blue Business Preferred may offer 50,000 bonus points after you spend $10,000 in the first three months. Bonus points are subject to terms and conditions, and Amex can claw back points if you close the card within a certain period or if fraud is detected.

Employee cards and spending controls

Most Amex business cards allow you to add employee cards at no extra cost. Each employee card carries a separate number but draws from the same account balance, and you receive one combined bill. You can set individual spending limits per employee card — for example, $500 per day or $2,000 per month — and Amex will decline charges that exceed the limit. You can also restrict card use to specific merchant categories, such as hotels and airlines only, or block certain types of transactions.

Amex provides a detailed statement that breaks down spending by employee card, merchant, and category. This makes it easier to track departmental budgets or project costs without requiring employees to submit receipts separately. You can suspend or cancel an employee card when ready through your online account, which is useful if an employee leaves or loses the card. However, the primary cardholder remains liable for all charges, so employee cards do not shield you from debt if an employee overspends or commits fraud.

Annual fees, interest rates, and other costs

American Express business card annual fees range from $0 to $695, depending on the card. Cards with no annual fee, like Blue Business Plus, are best for businesses with modest spending or those testing Amex for the first time. Mid-tier cards like Blue Business Preferred ($95) and Green Business ($295) target specific spending patterns and include perks like travel credits or statement credits that can offset the fee. Premium cards like Platinum Business ($695) are designed for high-spending businesses that can recoup the fee through airline credits, hotel upgrades, and lounge access.

Amex business cards charge a variable interest rate (APR) that ranges from about 16% to 27%, depending on creditworthiness and market conditions. Unlike personal cards, most Amex business cards do not offer a grace period, so interest accrues from the purchase date. Late fees start at $35 for the first late payment and can reach $39 for subsequent ones. There is no foreign transaction fee on most Amex business cards, which makes them useful for businesses that buy from international suppliers or travel abroad.

How Amex business cards affect your credit and business credit

American Express reports business card activity to business credit bureaus like Dun & Bradstreet, Equifax Business, and Experian Business. This builds your business credit profile separately from your personal credit. However, Amex also reports to personal credit bureaus because you are personally liable for the balance. A high balance or missed payment will show up on both your personal and business credit reports, and both can affect your ability to borrow in the future.

Opening an Amex business card triggers a hard inquiry on your personal credit, which can lower your score by a few points temporarily. The inquiry stays on your report for about a year. If you open multiple business cards within a short period, each inquiry adds up, so spacing applications by a few months can minimize the impact. Once the account is open, on-time payments and low balances help build both personal and business credit, which can improve your terms on future loans or lines of credit.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a separate business bank account to open an Amex business card?

No. Amex does not require a business bank account, though having one makes expense tracking easier. You can use a personal bank account for business charges, but mixing personal and business spending complicates accounting and may create tax issues. Many accountants recommend a separate account regardless of whether your card issuer requires it.

What happens if my business closes or I stop using the card?

You remain liable for any outstanding balance. If you want to close the account, pay off the balance first, then contact Amex to formally close it. Closing the account stops new charges but does not erase old ones. If you have accumulated points, redeem them before closing, because points are forfeited once the account is closed.

Can I transfer my Amex business card to a different business structure?

No. The card is tied to the business tax ID and cardholder name on file. If your business structure changes (for example, from sole proprietor to LLC), you would need to open a new card under the new structure. You can keep the old card open if you want, but Amex will not convert it automatically.

Are there rewards caps or limits on how much I can earn?

Some Amex business cards cap rewards in certain categories. For example, Blue Business Preferred earns bonus points only on the first $50,000 in combined purchases in your chosen categories per calendar year, then 1 point per dollar after. Check the card terms to see if there are caps that affect your spending level.

What if I have bad personal credit but a strong business?

Amex prioritizes personal credit because you are personally liable. A low personal credit score will likely result in denial, even if your business is profitable. You could try reapplying after improving your personal credit, or look for business cards from other issuers that have lower credit requirements, though Amex's rewards and benefits are generally competitive.