Chexy Business: Earn Points on Your Business Expenses

Why Chexy is worth a look for entrepreneurs

Business expenses can add up to significant amounts quickly. Tax instalments and GST/QST remittances alone can reach several thousand dollars a year. Then come supplier fees and operating costs on top of that.

Yet most of these expenses usually earn no rewards at all when paid directly from a bank account.

That’s why some small business owners use solutions like Chexy to pay certain expenses with a credit card and earn rewards. In some cases, this strategy can even get you points at a lower cost than buying them directly from a loyalty program.

This strategy becomes especially interesting when combined with business credit cards offering generous welcome offers, such as several American Express Business cards.

What is Chexy?

Chexy is a Canadian platform that lets you pay certain expenses that normally aren’t accepted by credit card. In exchange for a service fee, Chexy makes the payment on the client’s behalf using an eligible payment method. The user can then charge the transaction to their credit card and earn the associated rewards.

Chexy charges a service fee of 1.75% per transaction for Canadian credit cards (Visa and American Express), and 2.5% for international cards. For a consumer who just wants points, those fees can seem high. For a business that already needs to make large payments, though, the math can look different.

For a full overview of the platform, see our complete guide to Chexy as well as our article on Chexy for small businesses, which covers the sign-up and account verification steps in detail.

Which business expenses can be paid with Chexy?

One of the main benefits for businesses using Chexy is that it covers certain expenses that generally can’t be paid by credit card. Eligible payments change over time and depend on the services Chexy offers as well as the recipient’s eligibility.

Among the business expenses that may be eligible, you’ll find:

• Federal and provincial tax instalments
• GST and QST remittances
• Certain supplier payments

Before making a payment, we recommend checking directly with Chexy whether the expense you want to pay is eligible.

What are the points earned with Chexy really worth?

Tax instalments alone often represent a major cash outflow for many self-employed workers and business owners.

Take the example of an entrepreneur who needs to pay $25,000 in tax instalments over a year, paid through Chexy with a card like the American Express Aeroplan Business Reserve Card.

The basic math, before any tax impact, is the same regardless of your business structure:

• Payment: $25,000
• Chexy fee (1.75%): $437.50
• Aeroplan points earned: about 31,797 points*
• Gross cost: about 1.38¢ per point

*31,250 points come from the initial payment ($25,000 × 1.25 points). About 547 additional points come from the Chexy fee ($437.50 × 1.25 points), based on the earn rate of the card used. In this case, the American Express Aeroplan Business Reserve Card earns 1.25 Aeroplan points per dollar on everyday purchases.

At this stage, the gross cost is about 1.38¢ per point, no matter who pays the bill, a self-employed worker or an incorporated business. It’s only once you factor in the potential tax impact that the paths diverge, and that’s where you need to be careful.

If the service fees turned out to be deductible for your business, part of the cost could be offset by a tax saving, but that saving varies a lot depending on your structure. For a corporation eligible for the small business deduction (SBD), the combined tax rate applicable to eligible income sits at about 11.2% for tax years starting after April 29, 2026, a drop from the previous 12.2% rate. A corporation that doesn’t meet the provincial 5,500-paid-hours test, but still qualifies for the federal deduction, instead lands at a combined rate of about 20.5%. Beyond the $500,000 eligible income limit, or for a corporation not eligible for the SBD, the general combined rate is about 26.5%.

Either way, the potential tax saving remains secondary: it would improve the return, but it isn’t the reason the strategy is worth it, since the business already needs to make the real $25,000 expense regardless. Confirm your specific situation with a tax professional before assuming any portion of the Chexy fees will be deductible.

Chexy fees vs. buying Aeroplan points

To measure Chexy’s advantage, let’s compare its cost per point to buying Aeroplan points directly. At the regular price of 3.75¢ per point, getting 31,797 points would cost about $1,192 before tax, with no bonus at all.

Unlike the service fees tied to a real business expense, buying Aeroplan points for personal use isn’t a deductible business expense. Even leaving aside any potential tax deduction, Chexy’s fees stay below the cost of buying an equivalent number of points directly, even at the best promotion of the year.

Our Aeroplan point value estimate sits at 2¢, which confirms the advantage of the Chexy strategy in this example.

Things to know before using Chexy for your business

Before adding Chexy to your points strategy, here are a few things to check so interest charges or an administrative surprise don’t wipe out the advantage you gained.

• Always pay your balance in full: interest on $25,000 charged to your card can quickly erase the entire points advantage.
• Respect government payment deadlines: for the CRA and Revenu Québec, it’s the date the payment is received that counts, not the date you initiated it with Chexy. A delay can lead to non-deductible interest and a penalty for insufficient instalments.
• Check your issuer’s welcome offer terms: some issuers exclude payments made through a third-party service like Chexy from eligible spending, and can claw back the points if that’s the case.
• Keep your supporting documents for your ITCs/ITRs: a Chexy payment confirmation isn’t sufficient supporting documentation to claim your input tax credits. Keep the supplier’s invoice with its GST/QST registration numbers.
• GST/QST on Chexy service fees: whether these fees are taxable or exempt as a financial service hasn’t been publicly confirmed. Check this point with your accountant based on your situation.

Unlocking welcome offers with Chexy

Beyond earning points, Chexy can also become an excellent tool for hitting the spending thresholds required by the best travel credit cards.

Cards with the most generous welcome offers often require several thousand dollars in spending within the first few months after opening the account. For many individuals, those thresholds can be hard to reach.

Entrepreneurs, however, have a real advantage: they often have business expenses they need to pay anyway. Whether it’s tax instalments, government remittances, or supplier payments, these expenses can help unlock a welcome offer much faster. Even with service fees applied, the value of a welcome offer can far outweigh the cost of the transaction.

Which American Express Business card should you pick with Chexy?

The best choice depends mainly on your travel goals and the type of rewards you want to earn. Depending on the credit card you use, business expenses paid through Chexy can help you earn different types of rewards.

American Express Business Platinum Card

The Business Platinum Card from American Express is aimed at entrepreneurs looking for maximum flexibility. If you haven’t decided which rewards program to prioritize yet, Membership Rewards points are probably the most flexible option: the card earns 1.25 Membership Rewards points per dollar on expenses charged through Chexy.

Unlike points tied to a single loyalty program, Membership Rewards points can be held until you’re ready to book your trip, then converted to whichever program offers the best value for your destination. They can notably be transferred to:

For an entrepreneur who generates a significant volume of spending each year, this flexibility lets you build up a sizable reserve of points while keeping a lot of freedom when planning your trips. Its generous welcome offer is also one of the card’s biggest draws: business expenses paid through Chexy can help you hit the required spending threshold quickly.

Current offer

Get up to 120,000 points with this welcome offer for the Business Platinum Card^® from American Express:

• 80,000 Membership Rewards points after charging $15,000 in net purchases to your Card in the first 3 months of Cardmembership
• An additional 40,000 points if you make a purchase between your 15th and 17th month of Cardmembership

You can use your Membership Rewards points in many ways:

• Transfer points to airline partners: Aeroplan, Avios (British Airways, Qatar Airways, Finnair, Iberia), Flying Blue, Delta SkyMiles, etc.
• Transfer points to hotel partners (Hilton Honors, Marriott Bonvoy)
• Redeem points for statement credits on any purchase (1,000 points = $10)
• And more!

That means 120,000 points have a minimum value 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 perks for your travel and your work life:

• Free access for you and one additional traveller to more than 1,400 airport lounges in over 130 countries
• $200 annual travel credit
• A $100 statement credit for a NEXUS membership
• 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 mobile services

With this Card, you can maximize your cash flow with up to 55 interest-free days. Entrepreneurs especially like this card 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 out of country), lost or stolen baggage, flight delay and delayed baggage, hotel/motel burglary, Purchase Protection and Buyer’s Assurance.

Like all American Express Canada Cards, there’s no minimum income requirement.

American Express Business Gold Rewards Card

The American Express Business Gold Rewards Card is an appealing option for entrepreneurs who want to earn Membership Rewards points while paying a more accessible annual fee than the Business Platinum Card. Eligible expenses paid through Chexy can also help you hit the spending threshold required for its welcome offer.

Current offer

Get up to 70,000 Membership Rewards points* with the American Express Business Gold Rewards Card^®:

• 50,000 Membership Rewards points after $7,500 in purchases in the first 3 months
• An additional 20,000 points after charging $30,000 to your Card in your first 12 months of Cardmembership.

Plus, earn an additional 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
• Transfer to partner programs (Aeroplan, British Airways Executive Club, Delta SkyMiles, Flying Blue, Marriott Bonvoy, Hilton Honors, etc.)
• Book 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 insurance coverage for your travel and purchases.

Like all American Express Canada Cards, there’s no minimum income requirement.

American Express Aeroplan Business Reserve Card

This card is especially appealing for entrepreneurs who travel regularly with Air Canada and its partners, thanks in part to travel perks like Maple Leaf Lounge access and free baggage on Air Canada.

Your business expenses can help you earn Aeroplan points quickly. For an entrepreneur with few opportunities to earn Aeroplan points through everyday spending, Chexy can be an especially valuable opportunity. These points can then be used for flights within Canada and internationally, notably in business class, where their value is often highest.

Current offer

With this welcome offer for the American Express Aeroplan^®* Business Reserve Card^®, you can earn up to 90,000 Aeroplan points:

• Get 65,000 Aeroplan points after charging $10,500 in purchases in the first three months
• Get 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. And 2x the points on hotel and car rental purchases. Everywhere else, you earn 1.25x the points.

With this Card, you enjoy many Air Canada travel privileges, such as Maple Leaf Lounge access 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 (maximum weight of 23 kg/50 lb) when the trip starts with an Air Canada flight.

Like all American Express Canada Cards, there’s no minimum income requirement.

Marriott Bonvoy Business American Express Card

If your goal is instead to cut down on hotel costs, the Marriott Bonvoy Business American Express Card can be an excellent choice. This card comes with a free annual night certificate that helps offset the annual fee every year.

As with the Aeroplan strategy, Chexy also speeds up point accumulation that can later be redeemed for free nights across more than 30 Marriott brands, including Marriott Hotels, Sheraton, Westin, Delta Hotels, W Hotels, and St. Regis. For entrepreneurs who travel often, or families looking to cut vacation costs, this strategy can carry real value.

Current offer

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 earn 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 a free night award 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 you earn 3 points per dollar on:

• Gas
• Dining
• Travel

And 2 points per dollar on all other purchases.

Like all American Express Canada Cards, there’s no minimum income requirement.

Are points earned with a business card taxable?

Earning points through your business spending can be an excellent strategy, but it’s important to understand that certain tax considerations may apply. The tax treatment of points varies depending on the nature of the expenses, your business structure, and how you use the rewards.

For example, an entrepreneur who earns points through business spending and then uses them for a personal trip may need to determine whether that benefit carries tax consequences. In the specific case of a corporation, if points are earned through expenses paid by the corporation and then used for a shareholder’s personal trip, the Canada Revenue Agency could, in certain circumstances, treat the value of that benefit as a taxable benefit to the shareholder.

This doesn’t mean you should avoid the strategy. Many entrepreneurs use business credit cards to maximize their spending and take advantage of rewards programs. What matters is keeping proper documentation, clearly separating personal and business expenses, and consulting a tax professional to confirm the rules that apply to your situation.

For more on this topic, see our complete tax guide on points earned through business spending.

Is Chexy worth it for your business?

Chexy isn’t necessarily the best solution for every expense, nor for every entrepreneur. The goal isn’t to pay fees just to earn points, but rather to strategically use expenses you already need to make.

Before using Chexy, take the time to weigh:

If you’re a self-employed worker or a small business owner who already makes significant payments every year, Chexy Business can become a valuable optimization tool. Paired with a business credit card suited to your goals, this strategy can help you unlock welcome offers more easily, earn Aeroplan points, Marriott Bonvoy points, or Membership Rewards points, and in some cases, get those rewards at a lower cost than buying them directly.

As with any financial optimization strategy, it’s important to weigh the fees, the real value of the rewards you earn, and the tax considerations that apply to your situation to decide whether Chexy makes sense for your business. Also check our best credit cards page or our selection of the best business credit cards to compare all the options available.

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Chexy Business – Frequently Asked Questions