Which Amex Business card offers the biggest welcome bonus?

The American Express Business Platinum Card currently offers the most generous bonus: up to 120,000 Membership Rewards points (80,000 after $15,000 in spending within 3 months + an additional 40,000 in months 15-17). The Aeroplan Business Reserve Card follows with up to 90,000 Aeroplan points (65,000 after $10,500 within 3 months + 25,000 in month 13). The Business Bonvoy comes in at 80,000 points and the Business Gold Rewards at 70,000 points.

Can a self-employed person get these Business cards?

Yes. American Express defines business broadly: self-employed workers, freelancers, incorporated consultants, and sole proprietors are generally eligible. You'll need a business name (your legal name is sufficient for a sole proprietor), business contact information, and annual revenue. No public minimum income is required, but Amex conducts a personal credit check and the cardholder remains personally liable for the balance. Have your business number (NEQ or federal) ready to speed up the application.

How do I reach $15,000 in spending within 3 months with the Business Platinum?

The target represents approximately $5,000 per month, which is realistic for most active businesses. Route Meta and Google Ads, software subscriptions (Microsoft 365, Adobe, Slack), accounting and legal fees, B2B suppliers and invoices, and even certain taxes via PaySimply or Plastiq. Many entrepreneurs concentrate a planned major expense (furniture, equipment, quarterly advertising campaign) during the 3-month period to ensure they meet the threshold without overspending.

Does the Amex Business card affect my personal credit?

In two ways. First, the application triggers a hard inquiry on your personal Canadian credit file, which may temporarily lower your score by a few points. Second, while balances are generally not reported to personal bureaus (Equifax, TransUnion) when paid on time, late payments and defaults can be reported and hurt your score. The advantage: responsible use keeps large business expenses off your personal utilization ratio, which is helpful if you're applying for other cards the same year.

Jean-Maximilien Voisine

Jean-Maximilien Voisine is the President and Founder of Milesopedia and a leading expert in rewards programs, credit cards, and travel across Canada, France, and the U.S.A. Now 40 years old and a father of two, he has explored more than 100 countries—many of them alongside his wife Audrey and their children. Specializing in loyalty programs such as Aeroplan, Flying Blue, American Express Membership Rewards, and Marriott Bonvoy, Jean-Maximilien helps travellers unlock the full potential of their points and benefits. His mission: empower others to travel better and smarter across North America and Europe.

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