American Express: How to Apply for an Amex Business Card
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There are several types of American Express Canada cards, each designed for a specific clientele: individuals, sole proprietorships (self-employed and SMEs), and large corporations. So, you don’t need to be incorporated to apply for an Amex business credit card. In this guide, we explain the benefits and conditions for obtaining this type of card. Then, the steps to apply for a business/SME card.
Types of American Express Canada Credit Cards
First, there are three types of credit cards issued by American Express Canada:
- Personal: Credit cards for individuals.
- Business: Credit cards for self-employed individuals and SMEs (which is the subject of this article!)
- Corporate: Credit cards for large corporations.
As a result, business cards have a much broader audience than corporate cards (which are limited to large corporations).
Whether you are self-employed or a small business owner, you can apply for an Amex business card as soon as you generate business income and expenses. You do not need to be incorporated to be approved for this type of card, which is very convenient for sole proprietorship owners.
When you apply, consider if you need an additional credit card for a family member or an employee. From time to time, American Express runs promotions where you can add additional cards to your account and earn bonus points.
American Express Business Credit Card Eligibility Criteria
To apply for an American Express business credit card, you simply need to meet the following requirements:
- Have reached the age of majority in your province or territory of residence
- Reside in Canada
- Have a credit history in Canada
American Express Business Credit Card Application Steps
The online application process to apply for an Amex business card is simple. It is completed in 3 steps:
- Personal information
- Contact person
- Finance and business
Here’s more information on each of these steps.
Credit Card Application – Step 1: Personal Information
In the first step of your online application, you must enter your personal information, including the information that will appear on your card.
- First and last name
- Name on card
- Date of Birth
- Email address (by entering your email address, you will be able to follow up on your request)
- Postal code and work phone number (if you work from home, provide your home information)
Credit Card Application – Step 2: Contact Person
In the second step of your online application, you must enter your contact information:
- Home telephone
- Cell phone
- Home address
This information is required so that American Express can contact you and send you your Amex business card. If you are self-employed or a small business owner, then this will be personal information.
If you work from home, indicate that your work address is the same as your home address by checking the appropriate box.
Credit Card Application – Step 3: Finances and Business
In the third and final step of your online application, you must enter details about your personal income and professional activity. This is the most important step of the application process. You have the choice to indicate your Social Insurance Number and whether you are already an American Express cardholder.
- Personal annual income
- Company information (legal name, company name, sector of activity, employment, number of employees, etc.)
If you operate a sole proprietorship (self-employed or SME), you can enter your name in the “legal business name” field. If your business sector is not listed, choose the one that most closely matches your professional activity.
Considerations Before Applying for an Amex Business Credit Card
What type of company is required to apply for an American Express Business Card?
If you are self-employed or a small business owner, you can apply for an Amex business card.
Can you have several American Express business credit cards?
Yes, you can have multiple American Express business cards. However, space out applications by at least 6 months and maintain activity on each of your cards. Why would American Express give you a new business card if there are no recent transactions on your current card?
What salary do I need to have to take out an American Express Business Card?
No minimum income is required to apply for an Amex business card. In fact, this is the case for all American Express Canada Cards.
The Best American Express Business Credit Card
Now that you know how to apply for an Amex business card, find out which cards are best for you.
American Express offers business cards in 3 loyalty programs:
American Express Business Cards – American Express Membership Rewards
American Express Membership Rewards cards are the best-known American Express business cards:
| Credit card | Annual fee | Welcome offer | |
|---|---|---|---|
| $799 | |||
| $199 |
Each of these American Express business cards has its own advantages.
What both cards above have in common is that they are both charge cards. There is therefore no pre-set limit, which can be convenient for a business with high expenses. It is also possible to optimize your business cash flow management thanks to a period of up to 55 interest-free days.
The Business Platinum Card® from American Express
Get up to 120,000 points with this welcome offer for The Business Platinum Card® from American Express:
- 80,000 Membership Rewards points after you charge $15,000 in net purchases to your Card in your first 3 months of Cardmembership
- An additional 40,000 points when you make a purchase between months 15 and 17 of Cardmembership
You can use your Membership Rewards points in many ways:
- Points transfers to airline partners: Aeroplan, Avios (British Airways, Qatar Airways, Finnair, Iberia), Flying Blue, Delta Skymiles, etc.
- Points transfers to hotel partners (Hilton Honors, Marriott Bonvoy)
- Redeeming points for statement credits on any purchase (1,000 points = $10)
- And more!
That makes 120,000 points worth a minimum of $1,200 as a statement credit, and much more if you transfer your points to a partner.
For example, with this welcome offer, if you decide to transfer your Membership Rewards points to a partner loyalty program, you could get up to:
- 120,000 Aeroplan points
- 120,000 Avios
- 120,000 Flying Blue Miles
- 144,000 Marriott Bonvoy points
With this Card, you earn 1.25 Membership Rewards points per dollar on all purchases. You also get benefits for your travel and your business:
- Free access for you and one additional traveller to more than 1,400 airport lounges in over 130 countries
- Annual $200 travel credit
- A $100 statement credit toward the application fee for NEXUS
- Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status
- Hilton Honors Gold status
- Access to the Fine Hotels & Resorts program
- Up to $120 per year in statement credits for eligible wireless services
With this Card, you can maximize your cash flow with up to 55 interest-free days. It’s especially popular with entrepreneurs for large purchases at home renovation stores, for example.
Finally, The Business Platinum Card® from American Express stands out for its many insurance coverages: car rental theft and damage, $500,000 travel accident, emergency medical (out of province or country), lost or stolen baggage, flight delay and delayed baggage, hotel/motel burglary, Purchase Protection and Buyer’s Assurance.
As with all American Express Canada Cards, no minimum income is required.
- Annual fee
- $799
- Our valuationMilesopedia first-year estimate First-year valueWelcome bonus$1,360Total$1,360Plus $680 of bonus paid after the first year, not counted in this total.Rewards on your spending are not included. The calculator that adds them from your own profile is on the card's page.
- $1,360
- Welcome offerAfter $15,000 in 3 months
- Up to 120,000 points
Apply Now
on American Express's website
Apply with confidenceCheck whether your application will be approved before you submit it, with no impact on your credit score*When you apply for a personal American Express Credit Card, we will tell you whether you are eligible without affecting your credit score. So you can apply with confidence.*Instant decisions are only available for consumer Card applications (also called “personal Cards”).
American Express® Business Gold Rewards Card
Get up to 70,000 Membership Rewards points* with the American Express Business Gold Rewards Card®:
- 50,000 Membership Rewards points after you make $7,500 in purchases in your first 3 months
- An additional 20,000 points after you charge $30,000 to your Card in your first 12 months of Cardmembership.
Plus, earn an extra 10,000 Membership Rewards points for each quarter in which you spend at least $20,000.
With this Card, you earn 1 Membership Rewards point per dollar on your purchases.
You can then use your points in many ways:
- Statement credit for travel purchases
- Statement credit for any purchase
- Transfers to partner programs (Aeroplan, British Airways Executive Club, Delta Skymiles, Flying Blue, Marriott Bonvoy, Hilton Honors, etc.)
- Booking flights through American Express Travel at a preferred rate
For example, with this welcome offer, if you decide to transfer your Membership Rewards points to a partner loyalty program, you could get up to:
- 70,000 Aeroplan points
- 70,000 Avios
- 70,000 Flying Blue Miles
- 84,000 Marriott Bonvoy points
Otherwise, 70,000 Membership Rewards points can also be worth $700 toward travel or any purchase charged to the Card.
As a cardholder, you also get many benefits, such as up to 55 interest-free days to maximize your cash flow.
Finally, you get extensive travel and purchase insurance.
As with all American Express Canada Cards, no minimum income is required.
- Annual fee
- $199
- Our valuationMilesopedia first-year estimate First-year valueWelcome bonus$1,190Total$1,190Rewards on your spending are not included. The calculator that adds them from your own profile is on the card's page.
- $1,190
- Welcome offerAfter $30,000 in 12 months
- Up to 70,000 points
Apply Now
on American Express's website
Apply with confidenceCheck whether your application will be approved before you submit it, with no impact on your credit score*When you apply for a personal American Express Credit Card, we will tell you whether you are eligible without affecting your credit score. So you can apply with confidence.*Instant decisions are only available for consumer Card applications (also called “personal Cards”).
American Express Business Cards – Marriott Bonvoy
The Marriott Bonvoy® Business American Express®* Card is the only business credit card in Canada to offer benefits and points for stays at hotels.
This card is recommended for entrepreneurs and self-employed individuals who are members of the Marriott Bonvoy program and already have the Marriott Bonvoy® American Express®* Card for their personal needs. Thanks to these two American Express credit cards, you can, for example, get two free night certificates each year!
Marriott Bonvoy® Business American Express®* Card
The Marriott Bonvoy® Business American Express®* Card is the best credit card for self-employed workers, professionals and small business owners who travel.
With this welcome offer, you can get up to 80,000 Marriott Bonvoy points:
- Earn 70,000 points after you charge a total of $5,000 to your Card in your first 3 months of Cardmembership.
- Plus, earn 10,000 points when you spend $1,000 on your Card in your 13th month of Cardmembership.
We recommend keeping this card because every year on renewal, you get an annual free night certificate worth 35,000 points, plus 15 Elite Night Credits per year toward your Marriott Bonvoy status.
With this Card, you earn 5 points per dollar on all your spending at Marriott Bonvoy properties and 3 points per dollar on:
- Gas
- Dining
- Travel
And 2 points per dollar on all other purchases.
As with all American Express Canada Cards, no minimum income is required.
- Annual fee
- $150
- Our valuationMilesopedia first-year estimate First-year valueWelcome bonus$700Total$700Plus $100 of bonus paid after the first year, not counted in this total.Rewards on your spending are not included. The calculator that adds them from your own profile is on the card's page.
- $700
- Welcome offerAfter $5,000 in 3 months
- Up to 80,000 points
Apply Now
on American Express's website
Apply with confidenceCheck whether your application will be approved before you submit it, with no impact on your credit score*When you apply for a personal American Express Credit Card, we will tell you whether you are eligible without affecting your credit score. So you can apply with confidence.*Instant decisions are only available for consumer Card applications (also called “personal Cards”).
American Express Business Cards – Aeroplan
The American Express® Aeroplan®* Business Reserve Card is the best business credit card in Canada to offer benefits for your flights with Air Canada.
This card is recommended for entrepreneurs who are members of the Aeroplan program and wish, for example, to access Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounges unlimitedly and earn 3 points per dollar on their purchases with Air Canada or Air Canada Vacations.
American Express® Aeroplan®* Business Reserve Card
With this welcome offer for the Aeroplan®* Business Reserve Card from American Express®, you can get up to 90,000 Aeroplan points:
- Earn 65,000 Aeroplan points after you make $10,500 in purchases in your first three months
- Earn 25,000 Aeroplan points as a bonus when you spend $3,500 in your 13th month
With this Card, you earn 3x the points on purchases with Air Canada and Air Canada Vacations. Plus, 2x the points on hotel and car rental purchases. Everywhere else, you earn 1.25x the points.
With this Card, you get many Air Canada travel privileges, such as access to Maple Leaf Lounges in North America for you and a guest, priority check-in, priority boarding and priority baggage handling.
As a cardholder, up to 8 travellers can check their first bag free of charge (maximum weight 23 kg/50 lb) when the trip starts with an Air Canada flight.
As with all American Express Canada Cards, no minimum income is required.
- Annual fee
- $599
- Our valuationMilesopedia first-year estimate First-year valueWelcome bonus$1,300Total$1,300Plus $500 of bonus paid after the first year, not counted in this total.Rewards on your spending are not included. The calculator that adds them from your own profile is on the card's page.
- $1,300
- Welcome offerAfter $10,500 in 3 months
- Up to 90,000 points
Apply Now
on American Express's website
Apply with confidenceCheck whether your application will be approved before you submit it, with no impact on your credit score*When you apply for a personal American Express Credit Card, we will tell you whether you are eligible without affecting your credit score. So you can apply with confidence.*Instant decisions are only available for consumer Card applications (also called “personal Cards”).
Exclusive Benefits of an Amex Business Card
In summary, you do not need to be at the head of a large corporation to get an American Express business card. Indeed, you can apply for an Amex business card as soon as you generate business income and expenses, whether you are self-employed or a small business owner.
American Express business cards stand out for their exclusive benefits, which go far beyond being just a payment method: privileged access to airport lounges, priority services, generous points programs, annual credits, and excellent insurance.
These cards represent a strategic investment that optimizes both business expenses and business travel opportunities.
| Credit card | Annual fee | Welcome offer | |
|---|---|---|---|
| $599 | |||
| $799 | |||
| $150 | |||
| $199 |
What documents are required to apply for an American Express business credit card?
No documents to provide! Make sure to provide all information in your application.
What is the Best American Express Business Credit Card?
If you are a frequent traveller, the American Express Business Platinum Card would be the best. You will be a VIP wherever you go.
Alternatively, the American Express Business Gold Rewards Card is excellent for its payment flexibility and purchasing power.