American Express (Amex) is one of the leading providers in credit cards for small businesses. The company offers a variety of different cards that are each designed to meet a set of business needs. Some of these cards can be paid back within one month and carry a 0 percent interest rate if payments are made on time (interest starts after the first month). Other cards have interest charges on purchases made after a specific period. Another notable difference between these cards are their annual fees and rewards programs.
In this post, we’ll review some of the most popular options available and discuss the pros and cons associated with them.
Types of American Express Small Business Credit Cards
The Business Gold Rewards Card
The
Business Gold Rewards Card is one of Amex’s most popular cards for small business owners. Though this card has an annual fee of $175 (beginning in the second year), it accumulates points quickly. These points can be used for hotel programs, airline tickets, and other options.
The Business Platinum Card
The
Business Platinum Card costs notably more per year ($450) than the Gold Card, but some businesses believe the benefits are worth the cost. While the Gold Card offers up to 3x points for specific purchases, the Platinum Card offers up to 5x points for flights and hotels booked on
amextravel.com. The Business Platinum Card also offers access to airport lounges around the world and 50 percent more points on large business purchases.
The Plum Card
The Plum Card is designed for small business owners who require flexible cash flow options. This card offers an uncapped 1.5 percent discount for those who can make early payments and allows its users up to 60 days of payments with no added interest. With a $250 annual fee (beginning in the second year), the cost of owning the Plum Card is somewhere between its Gold and Platinum alternatives. Additionally, business owners can get additional cards for their employees without any added cost.
Business Green Rewards Card
With just a $95 annual fee (beginning in the second year), the
Business Green Rewards Card is more affordable than the options mentioned above. The card has a spending limit that is flexible depending on your business’s needs. It offers 2x points on eligible
travel purchases and additional points on other purchases. The Green Card is among Amex’s most straightforward cards available, and it’s easy to apply for.
Blue Business Plus Credit Card
The
Blue Business Plus Credit Card is well-liked by many small business owners because it offers double Membership Rewards points on business purchases (up to $50,000) without any restricted categories. Additionally, this card doesn’t carry any annual fees, making it one of the more pragmatic options for business owners trying to minimize their yearly expenses. For the first 15 months of ownership, this card offers 0.0 percent interest on all balance transfers and purchases. After 15 months, the card charges a variable rate between 12.49 percent and 20.49 percent APR.
SimplyCash Plus Business Credit Card
The
SimplyCash Plus Business Credit Card is comparable to the Blue Card. The SimplyCash Plus Card has no annual fee, 9 months of interest free purchases, and a variable APR between 13.49 percent and 20.49 percent. This card offers 3 percent cash back on the first $50,000 you spend on a category of your choosing, and 1 percent cash back on all other applicable purchases.
Other Popular American Express Business Cards
American Express also offers several credit cards with more specific rewards programs. For example, the
Hilton Honors American Express Business Card and the
Starwood Preferred Guest Business Credit Card each offer rewards connected to their respective hotels. The company offers three cards that are connected to Delta Airlines (
Gold,
Platinum, and
Reserve) and a card through
Lowe’s Home Improvement.
The card that will be right for you and your business will depend on your credit requirements, business interests, and willingness to pay for more rewards. Have tips for business owners
pursuing a small business credit card? Let us know in the comment section below!