Can a sole proprietor qualify for an Amex Business card?

Even small side businesses such as photographing sports on the weekends or selling homemade jams can qualify for a business credit card, but you would need a strong personal credit history to be approved. The IRS recognizes any activity that has the intent of earning a profit as a business, so that’s a good guideline to start with, but credit card issuers want your personal credit history to be strong, as you’d be personally responsible for paying off the business credit card.

Can I use my American Express business credit card for personal purchases?

The short answer is yes, it is possible to use your business credit card for personal expenses. However, one of the reasons to get a business credit card is to keep personal and business expenses separate. The benefit of keeping these expenses separate is that bookkeeping will be easier at tax time without having to determine which are personal and which are business expenses on the credit card. Also, should you be audited, it’s best to have only your business expenses on the business credit card.

Are Amex Business cards hard to get?

Amex business cards aren’t necessarily harder to get than business credit cards from other issuers, provided that you have a good credit score and clean credit history.

What are Amex Membership Rewards points worth?

At Upgraded Points, we value Amex Membership Rewards points at 2.2 cents per point, but the value you receive depends on how you redeem them.

How many Amex Business credit cards can you have?

Generally speaking, you can have up to 5 business credit cards from American Express, but cards with no preset spending limit, like the Amex Business Platinum card, usually do not apply to the 5-card limit.

What is the difference between an Amex Business charge card and an Amex Business credit card?

An Amex business credit card allows you to carry a balance from one statement period to another. When your statement period ends, you will be charged interest on any balance remaining on the card. A charge card requires the balance to be paid off in full each statement period, as charge cards do not typically allow a balance to be carried over to another statement period.

Can I get an Amex Business card welcome offer bonus if I already have an Amex business card?

Yes, if you apply for an Amex business card that is different from the one you currently have, you may be eligible for the welcome bonus offer.

The 8 Best American Express Business Cards in 2026

Updated: May 5, 2026, 1:19pm CDT

Edited by:

Jump to Section

Table of Contents

Quick Overview of the Best Amex Business Cards
Best Amex Business Cards Right Now
Best Amex Business Cards: Full Comparison (2026)
More Amex Business Cards
How To Select a Business Card
Which Types of Businesses Qualify for a Business Credit Card?
How To Apply for an American Express Business Credit Card
How To Choose the Right Amex Business Card
What Credit Score Do I Need for an Amex Business Card?
How Long Does It Take for an Amex Business Card Application To Be Approved?
How Many Amex Business Cards Can I Have?
How Much Are Amex Points Worth?
Do You Need a Business Credit Card?
Charge Card vs. Credit Card: What’s the Difference?
How We Selected Our List of Best Amex Business Credit Cards
Final Thoughts

We may be compensated when you click on a link, when an application is approved, or when an account is opened from one or more of our advertising partners. Terms apply to the offers below. See our Advertising Policy for more about our partners, how we make money, and our rating methodology. Opinions and recommendations are ours alone.

American Express offers some of most well-regarded business cards on the market, with a variety of cards that fit people with many different business needs.

This includes The Business Platinum Card^® from American Express, the American Express^® Business Gold Card, and The Blue Business^® Plus Credit Card from American Express.

Many of the best Amex business cards offer helpful tools like a pay-over-time option, no preset spending limit*, the ability to add employee cards for a reduced or no additional fee, easy connection to partners like QuickBooks and Bill.com, and more.

This guide will help you determine which Amex Business card is best for you, so don’t apply before following the advice below.

Quick Overview of the Best Amex Business Cards

If you’re looking for the best Amex business card for travel and airport lounge access, the The Business Platinum Card^® from American Express offers the broadest lounge access of any card on this list, with an annual fee of $895 (rates & fees).

For those who prefer a card to help them optimize their business expenses to earn as many points as possible, the American Express^® Business Gold Card earns more points on most business expenses with its 4x rewards on the top 2 purchase categories (up to $150,000 per year, then 1x) and a $375 annual fee (rates & fees).

If you find a simple cash-back rewards card to be more suitable for you, the The American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card provides 2% back on business expenses (up to $50,000 per year, then 1%) and no annual fee (rates & fees), while the Graphite™ Business Cash Unlimited Card provides unlimited 2% back on all eligible purchases with an annual fee of $295 (rates & fees).

Keep in mind that you’re eligible for small-business cards even if you’re a sole proprietor or just starting your business, but you generally want to have a good to great credit score to maximize your approval odds.

Best Amex Business Cards Right Now

The Business Platinum Card^® from American Express (best for travel and airport lounges): Receive over $2,000 annual travel and business statement credits and access over 1,550 airport lounges worldwide. Several benefits require prior enrollment. Annual fee: $895.
American Express^® Business Gold Card (best for earning points): Earn 4x points on your top 2 purchase categories each month (up to $150,000 per year, then 1x). Annual fee: $375.
The American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card (best for simple cash-back with no annual fee): Earn 2% back on business expenses (up to $50,000 per year, then 1x). Annual fee: $0.
The Blue Business^® Plus Credit Card from American Express (best for intro APR offer and no annual fee): Receive a 0% introductory APR offer and 2x points on business expenses. Annual fee: $0 (rates & fees).
Graphite™ Business Cash Unlimited Card (best for unlimited cash-back): Earn 5% back on flights and prepaid hotels booked through AmexTravel.com and unlimited 2% back on all other eligible purchases. Annual fee: $295 (rates & fees).
Delta SkyMiles^® Reserve Business American Express Card (best for Delta loyalists): Get complimentary upgrades and access to Delta Sky Clubs. Annual fee: $650 (rates & fees).

Best Amex Business Cards: Full Comparison (2026)

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Card	Welcome Offer	Key Benefits	Annual Fee	Best For
The Business Platinum Card^® from American Express	NEW OFFERAs High As 300,000 Points. Find Out Your Offer. The Business Platinum Card^® from American ExpressAs High As 300,000 points. Find Out Your Offer. You may be eligible for as high as 300,000 Membership Rewards^® Points after spending $20,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 3 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.	Access over 1,550 airport lounges worldwide. Receive over $2,000 in statement credits annually (some require enrollment).	$895 (rates & fees)	Best for travel and lounges
American Express^® Business Gold Card	NEW OFFERAs High As 200,000 Points. Find Out Your Offer.American Express^® Business Gold CardAs High As 200,000 points. Find Out Your Offer. You may be eligible for as high as 200,000 Membership Rewards^® Points after spending $15,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 3 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.	Earn 4x rewards on your top 2 purchase categories each month (up to $150,000 per year, then 1x).	$375 (rates & fees)	Best for earning points
The American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card	$250The American Express Blue Business Cash™ CardEarn a $250 statement credit after you make $3,000 in purchases on your Card in your first 3 months.	Earn 2% back on business expenses (up to $50,000 per year, then 1%).	$0 (rates & fees)	Best for startups, cash-back, introductory APR offer
The Blue Business^® Plus Credit Card from American Express	15,000 pointsThe Blue Business^® Plus Credit Card from American ExpressEarn 15,000 Membership Rewards^® points after you spend $3,000 in eligible purchases on the Card within your first 3 months of Card Membership.	Earn 2x points on business expenses (up to $50,000 per year, then 1x).	$0 (rates & fees)	Best for no annual fee, intro APR offer
Graphite™ Business Cash Unlimited Card	$1,500 cash-backGraphite™ Business Cash Unlimited CardEarn $1,500 Cash Back in the form of Reward Dollars after you spend $50,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership. Reward Dollars can be redeemed as statement credits or at Amazon.com checkout.	Earn 5% back on flights and prepaid hotels booked with AmexTravel.com. Earn unlimited 2% back on all eligible purchases.	$295 (rates & fees)	Best for unlimited cash-back
Delta SkyMiles^® Reserve Business American Express Card	80,000 milesDelta SkyMiles^® Reserve Business American Express CardEarn 80,000 Bonus Miles after spending $12,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.	Receive complimentary upgrades. Access Amex Centurioun lounges and Delta Sky Clubs when flying Delta.	$650 (rates & fees)	Best for Delta loyalists, lounges
Marriott Bonvoy Business^® American Express^® Card	Up to 5 Free Night AwardsMarriott Bonvoy Business^® American Express^® CardEarn 3 Free Night Awards after you spend $6,000 in purchases and an extra 2 Free Night Awards after you spend an additional $3,000 in purchases on the Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership. Each Free Night Award has a redemption level up to 50,000 Marriott Bonvoy^® points, for a total potential value of up to 250,000 points, at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy^®. Certain hotels have resort fees. Terms apply.	Receive automatic Marriott Bonvoy^® Gold Elite status.	$125 (rates & fees)	Best for Marriott loyalists
The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card	130,000 pointsThe Hilton Honors American Express Business CardEarn 130,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points after you spend $6,000 in purchases on the Hilton Honors Business Card within the first six months of Card Membership.	Receive automatic Hilton Gold status.	$195 (rates & fees)	Best for Hilton loyalists

Amex Business Platinum Card (Best for Travel and Lounge Access)

NEW OFFER

Terms Apply / Rates & Fees

The Business Platinum Card^® from American Express

U.P. Rating

This card is ideal for business travelers who enjoy luxury travel and are looking for a card loaded with benefits!

Apply Now(at Amex's secure site)

The Business Platinum Card^® from American Express

This card is ideal for business travelers who enjoy luxury travel and are looking for a card loaded with benefits!

Welcome OfferAs High As 300,000 points. Find Out Your Offer. You may be eligible for as high as 300,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $20,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 3 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.  
As High As 300,000 Points. Find Out Your Offer. 

UP's Offer Valuation*:
Up to   $6,600

Annual Fee

$895

APR

17.74% - 28.49% Variable

Credit Recommended

Good to Excellent

Why We Like This Card

The Amex Business Platinum Card is a premium travel rewards card tailored for business owners who are frequent travelers with high annual expenses.

When you factor in the large number of perks that the card offers, like the best airport lounge access at over 1,550 lounges and numerous annual credits, it’s easy to see why this card is a top option for frequent traveling business owners.

Pros & Cons

Pros

Earn 5x Membership Rewards points per $1 on eligible travel purchases like flights, prepaid hotels, and prepaid short-term rentals booked through AmexTravel.com
Access to over 1,550 worldwide airport lounges as part of the American Express Global Lounge Collection
Earn 2x Membership Rewards points on eligible purchases in key business categories, as well as on purchases of $5,000 or more (on up to $2 million per calendar year)
Up to $200 annual airline fee credit on your selected qualifying airline
Generous statement credits on select purchases with your card (including credits for airline incidentals, prepaid hotels, CLEAR, ChatGPT Business, Dell, and Hilton)
Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee credit
Access to Amex’s Fine Hotels & Resorts program
Hotel elite status with Hilton, Marriott, and Leading Hotels of the World upon enrollment

Cons

High annual fee of $895 (rates & fees)
Airline fee credit does not cover airfare, only incidentals like checked bags

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

As High As 300,000 points. Find Out Your Offer. You may be eligible for as high as 300,000 Membership Rewards^® Points after spending $20,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 3 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.
The American Express Global Lounge Collection^® can provide an escape at the airport. With complimentary access to more than 1,550 airport lounges across 140 countries and counting, you have more airport lounge options than any other credit card company on the market as of 07/2025.
See how you can unlock over $4,000 in business and travel value annually after meeting qualifying spend thresholds on the Business Platinum Card. Terms apply.
Get up to $300 in statement credits semi-annually for up to a total of $600 in statement credits per calendar year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts^® or The Hotel Collection bookings through American Express Travel using the Business Platinum Card^®. The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay.
No Preset Spending Limit: The spending limit on the Business Platinum Card is flexible, so unlike a traditional credit card with a set limit, the amount you can spend adapts based on factors such as your purchase, payment and credit history.
Make the Business Platinum Card^® work even harder for you. Hilton for Business members get up to $200 back per calendar year when you make an eligible purchase at Hilton properties across the globe. Gift cards are not an eligible purchase. Benefit enrollment required.
Fly like a pro with a $200 Airline Fee Credit. Select one qualifying airline to receive up to $200 back per year on baggage fees and other incidentals.
Use the Business Platinum Card and get up to $209 back per calendar year on your CLEAR+ Membership (subject to auto-renewal).
Maximize your time away with Fine Hotels + Resorts through Amex Travel™.
Enroll and get up to $150 in statement credits on U.S purchases directly with Dell Technologies on the Business Platinum Card and an additional $1,000 statement credit after you spend $5,000 or more on that same Card per calendar year.
Enroll and get up to $300 in statement credits per calendar year on U.S. purchases of ChatGPT Business* on the Business Platinum Card. *Subject to auto-renewal.
Enroll and get a $250 statement credit after you spend $600 or more on U.S. purchases directly with Adobe per calendar year on the Business Platinum Card.
Get up to $90 in statement credits quarterly for purchases with Indeed on the Business Platinum Card. That’s up to $360 back per year. Enrollment required.
Get up to $10 in statement credits per month for wireless telephone service purchases made directly with a wireless provider in the U.S. on the Business Platinum Card. That’s up to $120 back per year. Enrollment required.
2X points on purchases at U.S. construction material & hardware suppliers, electronic goods retailers and software & cloud system providers, and shipping providers, as well as on each eligible purchase of $5,000 or more, up to $2 million of these purchases per calendar year. Purchases eligible for multiple additional point bonuses will only receive the highest eligible bonus.
5X points on flights and prepaid hotels on AmexTravel.com
1X points on other eligible purchases
Terms Apply.

Financial Snapshot

APR: 17.74% - 28.49% Variable
Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Rewards Center

American Express Membership Rewards

The Amex Business Platinum card is the best business card for frequent travelers looking for airport lounge access and premium perks.

Hot Tip: Check to see if you’re eligible for a welcome bonus offer as high as 300,000 points with the Amex Business Platinum card. Find out your offer. Terms Apply.

Amex Business Gold Card (Best for Earning Points)

NEW OFFER

Terms Apply / Rates & Fees

American Express^® Business Gold Card

U.P. Rating

Get 4x points in 2 select categories where your business spends the most each month (on your first $150,000 spent each year).

Apply Now(at Amex's secure site)

American Express^® Business Gold Card

Get 4x points in 2 select categories where your business spends the most each month (on your first $150,000 spent each year).

Welcome OfferAs High As 200,000 points. Find Out Your Offer. You may be eligible for as high as 200,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $15,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 3 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.
As High As 200,000 Points. Find Out Your Offer.

UP's Offer Valuation*:
Up to   $4,400

Annual Fee

$375

APR

17.74% - 28.49% Variable

Credit Recommended

Good to Excellent

Why We Like This Card

The American Express^® Business Gold Card is excellent at racking up rewards for your business spend.

The card earns a whopping 4x points per $1 in the 2 categories (from a list of 6) that your business spends the most money on each month. With no need to opt-in or preselect your categories, so you can focus on what matters most — running your business.

Pros & Cons

Pros

4x points per dollar spent on your 2 highest purchase categories each month up to $150,000 each calendar year in purchases; categories include:
- Transit purchases including trains, taxicabs, rideshare services, ferries, tolls, parking, buses, and subways
- U.S. purchases made from electronic goods retailers and software & cloud system providers
- Monthly wireless telephone service charges made directly from a wireless telephone service provider in the U.S.
- U.S. purchases at gas stations
- U.S. purchases at restaurants, including takeout and delivery
- Purchases at U.S. media providers for advertising in select media (online such as Google Ads, Facebook Ads, plus TV and radio)
3x points per dollar on flights and prepaid hotels booked on amextravel.com using your Business Gold Card
Access to Amex’s The Hotel Collection

Cons

$375 annual fee (rates and fees)
No elite travel benefits like airport lounge access or elite status

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

As High As 200,000 points. Find Out Your Offer. You may be eligible for as high as 200,000 Membership Rewards^® Points after spending $15,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 3 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.
Earn 4X Membership Rewards^® points on the top two eligible categories where your business spends the most each month from 6 eligible categories. While your top 2 categories may change, you will earn 4X points on the first $150,000 in combined purchases from these categories each calendar year (then 1X thereafter). Only the top 2 categories each billing cycle will count towards the $150,000 cap.
Earn up to $20 in statement credits monthly after you use the Business Gold Card for eligible U.S. purchases at FedEx (through 10/01/2026), Grubhub, and Office Supply Stores. This can be an annual savings of up to $240. Enrollment required.
Enroll and get up to $300 in statement credits per calendar year on U.S. purchases of ChatGPT Business* on the Business Gold Card. *Subject to auto-renewal.
Enroll and get up to $150 in statement credits per calendar year for U.S. purchases with Squarespace. Subscription purchases subject to auto-renewal.
Get up to a $12.95** statement credit back each month after you pay for a monthly Walmart+ membership (subject to auto-renewal) with your Business Gold Card. **Up to $12.95 plus applicable taxes on one membership fee.
Earn 3X Membership Rewards^® points on flights and prepaid hotels booked on AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App™.
The Business Gold Card comes in three metal designs: Gold, Rose Gold and White Gold. Make your selection when you apply on Americanexpress.com.
Terms Apply

Financial Snapshot

APR: 17.74% - 28.49% Variable
Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Rewards Center

American Express Membership Rewards

Turn your business expenses into a huge number of rewards with the Amex Business Gold card and its 4x rewards on your top 2 eligible business spend categories each month (up to $150,000 per year, then 1x).

Hot Tip: Check to see if you’re eligible for a welcome bonus offer as high as 200,000 points with the Amex Business Gold card. Find out your offer. Terms apply.

Hot Tip: The Amex Business Gold card also ranks high on our list of the best business cards for advertising purchases.

Amex Blue Business Cash Card (Best for Startups, Cash-Back, Introductory APR Offer)

Terms Apply / Rates & Fees

The American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card

U.P. Rating

Take control of your cash-back with the Amex Blue Business Cash card, and earn 2% cash-back on up to $50,000 in purchases each calendar year.

Apply Now(at Amex's secure site)

The American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card

Take control of your cash-back with the Amex Blue Business Cash card, and earn 2% cash-back on up to $50,000 in purchases each calendar year.

Welcome OfferEarn a $250 statement credit after you make $3,000 in purchases on your Card in your first 3 months.
$250

UP's Offer Valuation*:
As High As $250

Annual Fee

No annual fee

APR

16.74% - 26.74% Variable,0% on purchases for 12 months from date of account opening

Credit Recommended

Good to Excellent

Why We Like This Card

Looking for a way to keep tabs on your office supply costs and business travel expenses while earning cash-back? Then The American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card could be a good fit.

This card offers expense management solutions that are designed to give companies more control, along with a much clearer picture of their business spending. In doing so, the more you spend, the more cash-back you can earn.

Pros & Cons

Pros

2% cash-back on the first $50,000 of purchases each calendar year, then 1% back thereafter
No annual fee
Travel and purchase protection

Cons

Not ideal for those who spend a lot on a specific category like groceries or gas

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

Earn a $250 statement credit after you make $3,000 in purchases on your Card in your first 3 months.
0.0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months from the date of account opening, then a variable rate, 16.74% - 26.74%, based on your creditworthiness and other factors as determined at the time of account opening. APRs will not exceed 29.99%
Earn 2% cash back on all eligible purchases on the first $50,000 of purchases each calendar year, 1% thereafter. Cash back earned is automatically credited to your statement.
From workflow to inventory to floor plans, your business is constantly changing. That’s why you’ve got the power to spend beyond your credit limit with Expanded Buying Power.
The amount you can spend above your credit limit is flexible, so it adapts with your use of the Card, your payment history, credit record, financial resources known to us, and other factors. Just remember, the amount you can spend with Expanded Buying Power is not unlimited.
No Annual Fee

Financial Snapshot

APR: 16.74% - 26.74% Variable,0% on purchases for 12 months from date of account opening
Foreign Transaction Fees: 2.7% of each transaction after conversion to US dollars.

Earn 2% back on all of your business expenses (up to $50,000 per year, then 1%) and get a 0% introductory APR for 12 months, then a variable rate of 16.74% – 26.74%.

Amex Blue Business Plus Card (Best for No Annual Fee, Introductory APR Offer)

Terms Apply / Rates & Fees

The Blue Business^® Plus Credit Card from American Express

U.P. Rating

Earn Membership Rewards for your business spending the easy way: get 2x points for the first $50,000 in purchases per year.

Apply Now(at Amex's secure site)

The Blue Business^® Plus Credit Card from American Express

Earn Membership Rewards for your business spending the easy way: get 2x points for the first $50,000 in purchases per year.

Welcome OfferEarn 15,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $3,000 in eligible purchases on the Card within your first 3 months of Card Membership.
15,000 points

UP's Offer Valuation*:
Up to   $330

Annual Fee

No annual fee

APR

16.74% - 26.74% Variable,0% on purchases for 12 months from date of account opening

Credit Recommended

Good to Excellent

Why We Like This Card

As a business owner, getting a credit card that maximizes each dollar you spend does not have to be complicated or expensive. Especially when you opt for The Blue Business^® Plus Credit Card from American Express.

With the Amex Blue Business Plus card, you’ll earn 2x Membership Rewards points on everyday business purchases throughout the year (up to $50,000; 1x thereafter) and receive purchase protections and no-additional-charge employee cards all for no annual fee (see rates and fees).

The simple and straightforward earning structure makes it a great fit for those looking to earn flexible rewards, without having to fixate on which purchases earn the most points.

Let’s take look at all that the Amex Blue Business Plus card has to offer.

Pros & Cons

Pros

2x Membership Rewards points per $1 on everyday business purchases (up to $50,000; 1x thereafter)
Purchase protection and extended warranty protection
No annual fee and employee cards at no additional cost

Cons

No unique bonus categories and 2x earnings are capped at $50,000 in annual spend
No elite travel benefits like lounge access or elite status

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

Earn 15,000 Membership Rewards^® points after you spend $3,000 in eligible purchases on the Card within your first 3 months of Card Membership.
0.0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months from the date of account opening, then a variable rate, 16.74% - 26.74%, based on your creditworthiness and other factors at account opening. APR will not exceed 29.99%
Earn 2X points on everyday business purchases such as office supplies or client dinners. 2X applies to the first $50,000 in purchases per year, 1 point per dollar thereafter. Terms and limitations apply.
You’ve got the power to spend beyond your credit limit* with Expanded Buying Power. *The amount you can spend above your credit limit is flexible, so it adapts with your use of the Card, your payment history, credit record, financial resources known to us, and other factors. Just remember, the amount you can spend with Expanded Buying Power is not unlimited.
No Annual Fee
Terms Apply.

Financial Snapshot

APR: 16.74% - 26.74% Variable,0% on purchases for 12 months from date of account opening
Foreign Transaction Fees: 2.7% of each transaction after conversion to US dollars.

Rewards Center

American Express Membership Rewards

Earn 2x points on all of your purchases (up to $50,000 per year, then 1x) with this no-annual-fee card.

Amex Graphite Business Cash Unlimited Card (Best for Unlimited Cash-Back)

Terms Apply / Rates & Fees

Graphite™ Business Cash Unlimited Card

U.P. Rating

Apply Now

Graphite™ Business Cash Unlimited Card

Welcome OfferEarn $1,500 Cash Back in the form of Reward Dollars after you spend $50,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership. Reward Dollars can be redeemed as statement credits or at Amazon.com checkout. 
$1,500 cash-back

UP's Offer Valuation*:
Up to $1,500

Annual Fee

$295

APR

17.74% - 28.49% Variable

Why We Like This Card

The Amex Graphite Business Cash Unlimited card allows you to earn an uncapped 2% back on all of your business expenses, with the benefits you’d come to expect from American Express, like no preset spending limit, purchase protections, access to Amex Offers, and more.

Pros & Cons

Pros

5% cash-back on flights and prepaid hotels booked on AmexTravel.com
Unlimited 2% cash-back on all other purchases
No preset spending limit
Pay Over Time
Spend $250,000 or more in a calendar year and unlock up to $2,400 in statement credits for Amex’s One AP accounts payable platform the following year
Access to Amex Offers
Travel and purchase protections
No foreign transaction fees

Cons

Annual fee of $295

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

Earn $1,500 Cash Back in the form of Reward Dollars after you spend $50,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership. Reward Dollars can be redeemed as statement credits and at Amazon.com checkout.
Start saving while you spend. Get unlimited 2% cash back* in Reward Dollars on all eligible purchases. *Cash back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit and at Amazon.com checkout.
Get more for your travels with 5% cash back* on flights and prepaid hotel bookings through American Express Travel^® Online. Purchases eligible for multiple cash back rates will only receive the highest eligible cash back rate.
No Preset Spending Limit. The spending limit on this Card is flexible, so unlike a traditional credit card with a set limit, the amount you can spend adapts based on factors such as your purchase, payment and credit history.
Pay Over Time gives you the ability to carry a balance with interest up to your Pay Over Time Limit, so you can handle expected and unexpected expenses that come your way.
Your business, your choice: metal Employee Graphite™ Business Cash Unlimited Card for $95 Annual Fee for the first 5 Cards, $95 Annual Fee for each thereafter, or plastic Employee Business Expense Card for no Annual Fee.
Unlock up to $2,400 in statement credits for use in the next calendar year on American Express One AP^® monthly fees** after spending $250,000 on eligible purchases on the Graphite™ Business Cash Unlimited Card this calendar year. Terms apply. **Monthly fees include an auto-renewing platform access fee.
Terms apply.

Financial Snapshot

APR: 17.74% - 28.49% Variable
Foreign Transaction Fees:

Rewards Center

Earn 5% back on flights and prepaid hotels booked with AmexTravel.com and unlimited 2% back on all eligible purchases. Cash-back is received as Reward Dollars, redeemable for statement credit and at Amazon.com checkout.

Delta Reserve Business Card (Best for Delta Loyalists and Lounges)

Terms Apply / Rates & Fees

Delta SkyMiles^® Reserve Business American Express Card

U.P. Rating

Receive priority boarding, complimentary access to Delta Sky Club and Centurion Lounges, concierge support, and an annual companion certificate.

Apply Now(at Amex's secure site)

Delta SkyMiles^® Reserve Business American Express Card

Receive priority boarding, complimentary access to Delta Sky Club and Centurion Lounges, concierge support, and an annual companion certificate.

Welcome OfferEarn 80,000 Bonus Miles after spending $12,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.
80,000 miles

UP's Offer Valuation*:
Up to   $960

Annual Fee

$650

APR

19.49% - 28.49% Variable

Credit Recommended

Good to Excellent

Why We Like This Card

The Delta SkyMiles^® Reserve Business American Express Card is a premium card option for small business owners who are both frequent travelers and Delta loyalists.

While the annual fee may be steep, the card comes loaded with perks and benefits that all frequent Delta flyers are sure to love. Let’s take a look at what makes the card unique, and why it may be a great fit for your wallet.

Pros & Cons

Pros

3x miles per dollar on Delta purchases
1.5x miles per dollar on eligible transit, U.S. shipping and office supply stores, plus all eligible purchases after you spend $150,000 in a year
Save 15% On Award Travel With TakeOff 15. Not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.

Cons

High annual fee
Does not earn many miles for purchases outside of Delta spend

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

Welcome Offer: Earn 80,000 Bonus Miles after spending $12,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.
Delta SkyMiles^® Reserve Business Members receive 15 Visits each Medallion^® Year to the Delta Sky Club^® and can unlock Unlimited Delta Sky Club Access after spending $75,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year.
Earn 3 miles per dollar on eligible Delta purchases.
Get closer to elevated Status next Medallion^® Year with MQD Headstart and MQD Boost: receive $2,500 Medallion^® Qualification Dollars each Medallion Qualification Year and earn $1 MQD for each $10 on purchases with your Delta SkyMiles^® Reserve Business American Express Card.
Enjoy a Companion Certificate on a Delta First, Delta Comfort, or Delta Main domestic, Caribbean, or Central American round-trip flight each year after renewal of your Card. The Companion Certificate requires payment of government-imposed taxes and fees of between $22 and $250 (for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. Delta Basic experiences are not eligible for this benefit.
With the $240 Resy Credit, earn up to $20 per month in statement credits on eligible Resy purchases using your enrolled Card. Enrollment required.
Earn up to $10 back each month after using your enrolled Delta SkyMiles^® Reserve Business American Express Card for U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers. Enrollment required.
Save 15% when booking Award Travel on Delta flights. Not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
Not a Medallion Member? Card Members with an eligible ticket will be added to the Complimentary Upgrade list, after Delta SkyMiles Medallion Members.
As a benefit of Card Membership, you can check your first bag free on Delta flights, saving up to $70 on a round-trip Delta flight per person. For a group of four that’s a potential savings of up to $280 per round-trip flight.
When you purchase a Delta flight with your Delta SkyMiles^® Reserve Business Card, you will receive complimentary access to The Centurion^® Lounge or Escape Lounge.
Receive Zone 5 Priority Boarding on Delta flights; board early, stow your carry-on bag and settle in sooner.
Elevate your travel experience with an annual statement credit of up to $250 after using your Delta SkyMiles^® Reserve Business American Express Card to book prepaid hotels or vacation rentals through Delta Stays on delta.com.
Enjoy travel without foreign transaction fees from American Express with your Delta SkyMiles^® Reserve Business American Express Card.
Terms and limitations apply.

Financial Snapshot

APR: 19.49% - 28.49% Variable
Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Rewards Center

Delta SkyMiles Frequent Flyer Program

The Delta Reserve Business card is perfect for frequent Delta flyers thanks to perks like Delta Sky Club and Amex Centurion lounge access when flying Delta, companion certificate, and complimentary flight upgrades.

Marriott Bonvoy Business Card (Best for Marriott Loyalists)

Terms Apply / Rates & Fees

Marriott Bonvoy Business^® American Express^® Card

U.P. Rating

A great option for business owners who stay in Marriott hotels and want automatic elite status.

Apply Now(at Amex's secure site)

Marriott Bonvoy Business^® American Express^® Card

A great option for business owners who stay in Marriott hotels and want automatic elite status.

Welcome OfferEarn 3 Free Night Awards after you spend $6,000 in purchases and an extra 2 Free Night Awards after you spend an additional $3,000 in purchases on the Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership. Each Free Night Award has a redemption level up to 50,000 Marriott Bonvoy® points, for a total potential value of up to 250,000 points, at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy®. Certain hotels have resort fees. Terms apply. 
Up to 5 Free Night Awards

UP's Offer Valuation*:
Up to   $1,750

Annual Fee

$125

APR

19.49% - 28.49% Variable

Credit Recommended

Good to Excellent

Why We Like This Card

Business travelers who opt for Marriott as their hotel chain of choice will definitely want to consider the Marriott Bonvoy Business^® American Express^® Card. The card offers great benefits to cardholders like a complimentary hotel night once a year, complimentary Marriott Bonvoy^® Gold Elite status, and multiple point redemption options.

Pros & Cons

Pros

6x Marriott Bonvoy points on each dollar of eligible purchases at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy^® program.
4x points for purchases made at restaurants worldwide, at U.S. gas stations, on wireless telephone services purchased directly from U.S. service providers and on U.S. purchases for shipping.
2x points per $1 on all other purchases

Cons

Moderate annual fee of $125 (rates and fees)
No premium perks like airport lounge access

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

WELCOME OFFER: Earn 3 Free Night Awards after you spend $6,000 in purchases and an extra 2 Free Night Awards after you spend an additional $3,000 in purchases on the Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership. Each Free Night Award has a redemption level up to 50,000 Marriott Bonvoy^® points, for a total potential value of up to 250,000 points, at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy^®. Certain hotels have resort fees. Terms apply.
Receive a 7% discount on eligible bookings as a benefit of being both a Marriott Bonvoy^® member & a Marriott Bonvoy Business^® American Express^® Card Member when you book directly with Marriott through an eligible channel for a participating property under the Amex Business Card Rate.
6x points on each dollar of eligible purchases at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy^® program.
4x points for purchases made at restaurants worldwide, at U.S. gas stations, on wireless telephone services purchased directly from U.S. service providers and on U.S. purchases for shipping.
2x points on all other eligible purchases.
Receive 1 Free Night Award every year after your Card renewal month. Plus, earn an additional Free Night Award after you spend $60K in purchases on your Card in a calendar year. Award can be used for one night (redemption level at or under 35,000 points) at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy^®. Certain hotels have resort fees.
Enjoy Complimentary Marriott Bonvoy^® Gold Elite Status with your Marriott Bonvoy Business^® American Express^® Card.
Terms apply.

Financial Snapshot

APR: 19.49% - 28.49% Variable
Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Rewards Center

Marriott Bonvoy

The Marriott Bonvoy Business card makes your Marriott stays more rewarding by helping you earn more points and offering a 7% discount on eligible bookings.

Hilton Business Amex Card (Best for Hilton Loyalists)

Terms Apply / Rates & Fees

The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card

U.P. Rating

An excellent option for business owners and business travelers who stay at Hilton properties often and want perks like Hilton Honors elite status.

Apply Now(at Amex's secure site)

The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card

An excellent option for business owners and business travelers who stay at Hilton properties often and want perks like Hilton Honors elite status.

Welcome OfferEarn 130,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points after you spend $6,000 in purchases on the Hilton Honors Business Card within the first six months of Card Membership.
130,000 points

UP's Offer Valuation*:
Up to   $650

Annual Fee

$195

APR

19.49% - 28.49% Variable

Credit Recommended

Good to Excellent

Why We Like This Card

For frequent business travelers who regularly stay in Hilton hotels, The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card is a great option.

Not only will the card help you earn more points on all of your Hilton stays, but you’ll also receive automatic elite status and travel protections.

Here’s a detailed look at all the benefits this card offers so that you can determine if it’s a good fit for you.

Pros & Cons

Pros

Earn 12x points per $1 on eligible Hilton purchases
Earn 5x points on other purchases made for the first $100,000 in purchases each calendar year, 3x points thereafter.
Complimentary Hilton Honors Gold status, and the ability to spend your way to Diamond status

Cons

$195 annual fee (rates and fees)

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

Welcome Offer: Earn 130,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points after you spend $6,000 in purchases on the Hilton Honors Business Card within the first six months of Card Membership.
Get up to $60 in statement credits each quarter for purchases made directly with a property in the Hilton portfolio on your Hilton Honors American Express Business Card.
Enjoy complimentary Hilton Honors™ Gold Status with your Hilton Honors Business Card. With Hilton Honors™ Gold Status, you can enjoy benefits at hotels and resorts within the Hilton Portfolio. As a Gold member, earn an 80% Bonus on all Base Points you earn on every stay.
Earn 12X Hilton Honors Bonus Points on eligible purchases made directly with hotels and resorts within the Hilton portfolio.
Earn 5X Hilton Honors Bonus Points on other purchases made using the Hilton Honors Business Card on the first $100,000 in purchases each calendar year, 3X Points thereafter.
You may receive an upgrade to Hilton Honors™ Diamond Status through the end of the next calendar year if the total eligible purchases that you spend on your Card Account during a calendar year reach $40,000 or more.
Terms apply.

Financial Snapshot

APR: 19.49% - 28.49% Variable
Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Rewards Center

Hilton Honors loyalty program

Your stays at Hilton hotels reward more with the Hilton Business Amex card and its complimentary Hilton Honors Gold Elite status.

More Amex Business Cards

Although they didn’t make our top 8, American Express offers several other excellent business credit cards. Our dedicated review pages provide more information about each.

Business Centurion^® Card from American Express (by invitation only)*
Business Green Rewards Card from American Express
Amazon Business American Express Card*
Amazon Business Prime American Express Card*
Delta SkyMiles^® Gold Business American Express Card
Delta SkyMiles^® Platinum Business American Express Card
Lowe’s Business Rewards Card from American Express*

*All information about these cards has been collected independently by Upgraded Points and neither provided nor reviewed by the issuer.

Update:

Note that the Amazon business cards will transition from Amex to U.S. Bank around August 14, 2026.

How To Select a Business Card

In which category of business expenses does my business spend the most? Knowing where most of your company’s money is going is critical to maximizing the benefits of any business rewards-earning card.
Does my business involve frequent travel? That can play a big part in determining which card is right for you.
Would my business benefit more from cash-back or travel rewards? Do you want cash to reinvest back into your business, or is earning travel rewards the priority?
Am I comfortable paying an annual fee? Will the card deliver enough benefits to your business to offset any annual fee, or would you prefer a card with no annual fee?

Which Types of Businesses Qualify for a Business Credit Card?

The IRS defines a business as an activity “carried on with the reasonable expectation of earning a profit” (Source: Internal Revenue Service). Still, credit card issuers have their own criteria for approving business credit card applications. Some issuers want to see tax returns that show your business operation, and others find a small side gig with little income to be a perfectly acceptable business operation.

The stronger your personal credit history, the more likely you are to be approved for a business credit card, even if your business is just starting out.

Bottom Line: You need a strong personal credit history to get approved for a business credit card because you are personally responsible for paying your business credit card bill.

How To Apply for an American Express Business Credit Card

Before completing a business credit card application, gather the information you need to complete the application accurately, like the name of your business, the type of business entity (sole proprietor, partnership, S corporation, limited liability company), the business tax ID number (either an Employer Identification Number or your own Social Security number), and the other relevant items you need to complete the application.

Complete the application as accurately as possible, even if you have to estimate some of the numbers or generalize the nature of your business. Keep notes on why you answered a question a certain way and your process for estimating any business revenue or personal income.

Keep a copy of the application. If American Express needs more information before approving you for one of their credit cards, you want to be able to refer to your application and any notes you made during any follow-up conversations.

Document the offer you’re applying for. For example, if you’re applying for an offer that gives 50,000 points after spending $3,000 in the first 3 months, make sure you have a screenshot or other documentation if, for any reason, the points don’t show up.

How To Choose the Right Amex Business Card

If you’re looking for a premium business card for travel that offers access to airport lounges, you should consider the Amex Business Platinum card. On the other hand, if your business has large expenses and you’re looking to earn as many points as possible, the Amex Business Gold card might suit you better. If you don’t need all the bells and whistles and just want a great cash-back credit card with no annual fee, then you might want to go for the Amex Blue Business Cash card.

There really is no right or wrong. Consider your business needs and items like:

Spending categories (travel, advertising, software, everyday expenses, or simple cash-back)
Annual fee versus the benefits you receive
How much value you will receive from the welcome offer

What Credit Score Do I Need for an Amex Business Card?

No set credit score will guarantee your approval for any Amex business card. Additionally, your credit score is only 1 factor among many in your application decision. American Express also considers your business income, years of credit history, history with American Express, and more (Source: American Express).

That said, most business owners who have a good to excellent credit score usually have good approval odds for Amex business cards.

How Long Does It Take for an Amex Business Card Application To Be Approved?

You may be approved or denied instantly, but American Express may also require additional time to review your application. They may even need to contact you for further details. In these instances, it is usually no more than 7 to 14 days before you receive a decision.

How Many Amex Business Cards Can I Have?

American Express allows you to hold up to 5 Amex credit cards at once, whether they are personal or business cards. That said, there have been instances of people being approved for more than 5 Amex credit cards in the past, so your mileage may vary.

Historically, hybrid cards that offer the pay-over-time payment method, like the Amex Business Platinum card and Amex Business Gold card, haven’t counted toward the 5-credit-card limit.

How Much Are Amex Points Worth?

This is entirely subjective and largely depends on how you plan to redeem your points. If you use your points as cash-back to cover your charges, you only receive a rate of 0.6 cents per point.

Redeeming points for gift cards or paying with points through AmexTravel.com usually offers up to 1 cent per point in value. However, those who hold the Amex Business Platinum card can take advantage of the 35% rebate for paying with points for flights on a preselected airline through AmexTravel.com (up to 1 million points rebated per year), offering a redemption value of 1.54 cents per point.

That said, at Upgraded Points, we value Amex points at 2.2 cents per point because of the value you can receive via Amex transfer partners (Source: Upgraded Points).

Hot Tip:

Need redemption ideas? Read through our ultimate guide to the best ways to redeem Amex points for maximum value.

Do You Need a Business Credit Card?

The most important reason to use a business credit card is to keep business expenses separate from personal expenses (Source: Experian).

The easiest way to do that is to put all your business expenses on a business credit card. Separating your expenses can be especially important when it comes time to complete your annual tax return and add up your business expenses for the year, or in case you face an audit.

Charge Card vs. Credit Card: What’s the Difference?

An Amex business credit card allows you to carry a balance from one statement period to another. When your statement period ends, you are charged interest on any balance remaining on the card. Cards in our top list that are credit cards include the Amex Blue Business Cash card, Amex Blue Business Plus card, Delta Reserve Business card, Marriott Bonvoy Business card, and the Hilton Business Amex card.

A charge card requires the balance to be paid off in full each statement period, as charge cards do not typically allow a balance to be carried over to another statement period. Charge cards usually have no preset spending limit*, although that does not mean you have an unlimited credit limit. The credit card issuer determines your limit based on how you manage the card. Cards in our top list that are charge cards include the Amex Business Platinum card, the Amex Business Gold card, and the Amex Graphite Business Cash Unlimited card.

Hot Tip: For more information on this topic, check out this article dedicated to the differences between charge cards and credit cards.

How We Selected Our List of Best Amex Business Credit Cards

We use several factors to determine our choices for the best Amex Business cards. The most important include card benefits, earnings structure, credit card bonus offers, fees, and redemption value.

Final Thoughts

American Express business credit cards are generally strong contenders against other credit cards in their categories, so an American Express business credit card can be a good choice.

Additionally, American Express business cards can fit every need, from frequent travelers who should look at the Amex Business Platinum card to those who optimize for earning points with the Amex Business Gold card, and even for a simple cash-back solution with no annual fee like the Amex Blue Business Cash card.

Of course, a prudent business owner compares cards before making a decision. Remember to review our comparison table and choose a card based on business spending patterns and rewards that provide the most value.