American Express: Business Card Benefits

To the point American Express issues a wide range of business Cards. Find out more about the benefits and solutions available to small businesses.

List of Small Business Cards

Cash flow Financial flexibility: Credit vs. Charge Card Optimized cash flow Expense Management and Electronic Statements

Card benefits Benefits for frequent travellers American Express online offers

Benefits for employees Supplementary cards for employees Access to airport lounges for employees

Welcome offers Business Platinum Card® from American Express American Express® Business Gold Rewards Card® American Express Business Edge™ Card American Express® Aeroplan®* Business Reserve Card Marriott Bonvoy Business American Express Card

Bottom Line Frequently asked questions about American Express Business Cards

In the business world, financial management is a central pillar in ensuring a company’s sustainability and growth.

Business cards from American Express(Amex) are essential tools for entrepreneurs and financial managers, offering a wide range of benefits and solutions tailored to the specific needs of SMEs.

American Express Business Cards - List of Small Business Cards

American Express Canada offers five small business Cards:

American Express Business Cards - Cash flow

Financial flexibility: Credit vs. Charge Card

American Express cards offer financial flexibility through CREDIT and CHARGE card options.

The fundamental difference lies in the associated spending limits and reimbursement terms and conditions:

Credit Cards have a fixed spending limit (and the balance can be carried forward from month to month)
Charge Cards have no predefined limit, offering greater financial leeway (but the balance must be fully paid each month)

If you make “small” purchases for your business each month (less than $100,000), you may want to consider one of the three American Express business Credit Cards:

On the other hand, if you make a lot of purchases for your business every month – and don’t want to worry about your credit limit – we strongly advise you to opt for one of these two Charge Cards:

Optimized cash flow

With an American Express Business Card, you can optimize your cash flow.

You have up to 28 to 31 interest-free days to pay your credit card bill, depending on the number of days in the month. This period begins when your statement is closed and ends on the closing date of the following statement. The exact number of interest-free days may vary for various reasons, such as the date you purchase with your card.

If you pay your bill in full each month before the next statement closing date, you won’t pay interest on your purchases. Payment in full means that you pay the entire amount shown on your statement, including all purchases, cash advances, fees and other transactions, before the next statement closing date. If you do, you’ll benefit from an interest-free period of up to 31 days.

Depending on how American Express works, you could benefit from up to 55 interest-free days on purchases made early in the billing cycle!

Expense Management and Electronic Statements

No matter which American Express Small Business Card you choose, American Express Business Cards make it easy to manage expenses with detailed reports and online e-statements, enabling accurate, real-time tracking of transactions.

This is particularly useful for companies seeking to optimize their budgets and gain clear visibility of their spending.

You can easily retrieve statements and expense management reports from your American Express online account.

American Express Business Cards - Card benefits

Benefits for frequent travellers

Some American Express Business Cards offer advantages for frequent travellers.

With the American Express^® Aeroplan^®* Business Reserve Card, you benefit from numerous Air Canada travel privileges, such as access to Maple Leaf lounges in North America for you and one guest, priority check-in, priority boarding and priority baggage handling.

With this Card, up to 8 passengers can check in the first baggage item free of charge (maximum weight 23 kg/50 lb) when travelling on an Air Canada flight.

With the Business Platinum Card^® from American Express, you get benefits for your travel and business life:

Complimentary & Unlimited access for you and one additional traveller to over 1,300 airport lounges in more than 130 countries.
Annual travel credit of $200
$100 NEXUS Card Statement Credit
Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status
Hilton Honors Gold Status
Access to the Fine Hotels & Resorts program
Up to $120 per year in statement credit for eligible mobile services

Business Platinum Card® from American Express Centurion

With the Marriott Bonvoy^® Business American Express^®* Card, you earn an one annual Free Night Award worth 35,000 points as well as 15 Elite nights per year, counting towards your Marriott Bonvoy Elite status.

American Express online offers

American Express regularly adds online promotional offers that you can find in your American Express account.

These offers allow you to shop at partner merchants and earn savings, depending on the amount spent, as a statement credit or additional points.

Here are just a few of the merchants who have made offers on American Express Small Business Card accounts:

LenovoPro
Dell Technologies
Best Western Hotels & Resorts
Marriott International
netParcel
Rent a car
United Airlines
EffyDesk
Norton
Indeed

American Express Business Cards - Benefits for employees

Supplementary cards for employees

Supplementary cards for employees make it easier to manage business expenses while earning additional reward points.

They also offer the option of setting spending limits for each Card, ensuring greater financial control.

With American Express, you can add up to 99 Supplementary Cards for your employees to your main Card account.

Access to airport lounges for employees

Would you like your employees to be able to work efficiently while on the move? By opting for an additional American Express Card, you could give them access to airport lounges.

For example, by adding a Supplementary card to your Business Platinum Card^® from American Express, at a cost of $250 per Supplementary Card, your employee will also be able to access airport lounges from the American Express World Collection.

Here are the access conditions for each of the airport lounges:

Lounge	Details
Priority Pass	Complimentary and unlimited access for the holder AND a guest to 1300 lounges worldwide
Executive Lounges by Swissport	Complimentary access for the Cardmember and his spouse 2 children under the age of 21 by presenting the Platinum Card Ex: National Bank Lounge in Montreal, Aspire in Amsterdam, Gatwick…
V.I.P. International Airport Lounge Jean-Lesage from Quebec City	Complimentary access for the Cardmember and a travel companion 2 children under the age of 18 by presenting the Platinum Card
Plaza Premium Lounges	Complimentary access for the Cardmember and his spouse by presenting the Platinum Card Ex: Numerous Plaza Premium lounges in Montreal (Air France), Toronto, Vancouver, Edmonton, Winnipeg…
Delta Sky Club	Complimentary access for the cardmember upon presentation of the Platinum card and a Delta Airlines boarding pass
Airspace Lounges	Complimentary access for the Cardmember and his spouse 2 children under the age of 21 or 2 travel companions by presenting the Platinum Card San Diego and Cleveland Airports
Escape Lounges	Complimentary access for the cardmember & 2 travel companions by presenting the Platinum Card Oakland Airports, Minneapolis…
The Centurion Lounge	Complimentary access for the cardmember & 2 travel companions by presenting the Platinum Card Miami, Las Vegas, La Guardia, San Francisco, Hong Kong…
International American Express Lounges American Express	Complimentary access for the Cardmember

If your employee travels only within North America with Air Canada, you may prefer to opt for the addition of a supplementary Card to your American Express^® Aeroplan^®* Business Reserve Card, for $199 per Supplementary Card.

With this additional card, your employee and one guest will have access to Air Canada’s Maple Leaf Lounges in North America (provided they are travelling on Air Canada).

American Express Business Cards - Welcome offers

Each of these American Express Business Cards are currently offering a welcome offer for new customers. Click on the link of the card you are interested in, or read on to see the offers in detail.

Business Platinum Card^® from American Express

Earn 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
40,000 points when you make a purchase between 14 and 17 months of Cardmembership

You can use your Membership Rewards points in many ways:

Transfer points to airline partners: Aeroplan, Avios (British Airways / Qatar Airways), Flying Blue, Delta Skymiles, etc.
Transfer points to hotel programs (Hilton Honors, Marriott Bonvoy)
Redeem points for statement credits to offset any eligible purchase charged to your Card (1,000 points = $10)
And more!

120,000 points have a minimum value of $1,200 for a statement credit and much more if you transfer your points to a partner.

With this Card, you earn 1.25 Membership Rewards points per dollar on all purchases. What’s more, you’ll enjoy a host of travel and business benefits:

Complimentary and unlimited access for you and an additional traveller to over 1,300 airport lounges worldwide.
$200 Annual travel credit
$100 Card Statement Credit for Nexus
Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status
Hilton Honors Gold Status
Access to the Fine Hotels & Resorts program
Up to $120 in eligible Wireless Credits each year

With this Card you can maximize your cash flow with up to 55 interest free days. It is a card that is particularly appreciated by contractors when making large purchases in home improvement stores, for example.

Last but not least, the Business Platinum Card® from American Express is distinguished by the numerous insurance coverages it offers: theft and damage for rental cars, travel accident from $500,000Emergency medical expenses (out-of-province or out-of-country), lost or stolen baggage, flight delays and misdirected baggage, hotel or motel burglary, Purchase Protection, Purchase Security.

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

American Express^® Business Gold Rewards Card^®

Earn up to 110,000 Membership Rewards points with this outstanding limited-time welcome offer for the American Express® Business Gold Rewards Card®:

70,000 Membership Rewards points after $5,000 in Card purchases within the first 3 months
10,000 bonus points when you charge $20,000 in net purchases to your Card account each calendar quarter (up to 40,000 Membership Rewards points)

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 all purchases
Transfer to partner programs (Aeroplan, British Airways Executive Club, Delta Skymiles, Flying Blue, Marriott Bonvoy, Hilton Honors, etc.)
Book your flight with American Express Travel at a special rate

Also, as a cardmember, you get many advantages such as up to 55 interest-free days to maximize your cash flow.

Finally, you are covered with reliable insurance for your travels and purchases.

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

American Express Business Edge™ Card

The American Express Business Edge™ Card is an excellent credit card for businesses in Canada. The annual fee is only $99 and this American Express credit card offers up to 67,000 Membership Rewards points in the first year, a value of $670.

You can also transfer your points to airline partners (Aeroplan, British Airways Executive Club, Flying Blue, etc.) and hotel partners (Marriott Bonvoy, Hilton Honors).

With this Card, you can get 3x the points on purchases:

Office supplies (Staples, etc.)
Electronic (Apple, Dell, etc.)
Rides
Gas
Eats & Drinks

Besides, you can add up to 99 supplementary cards at no cost.

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

American Express^® Aeroplan^®* Business Reserve Card

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

Here’s how:

Earn 65,000 Aeroplan points after spending $10,500 in purchases on your Card within the first 3 months.
Plus, earn an additional 25,000 Aeroplan points when you spend $3,500 in purchases in month 13.

With this Card, you earn 3X the points on purchases made directly with Air Canada and Air Canada Vacations. And 2X the points on hotels and car rentals. Everywhere else, you will earn 1.25X the points.

With this Card, you receive many Air Canada travel benefits, such as access to Maple Leaf Lounges in North America for you and one guest, priority check-in, priority boarding and priority baggage handling.

Enjoy your first checked bag free (up to 23kg/50lb) for up to 9 people travelling on the same reservation on Air Canada®* flights.

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

Marriott Bonvoy Business American Express Card

The Marriott Bonvoy® Business American Express®* Card is the best credit card for travelling self-employed professionals and small business owners.

With this exceptional limited-time welcome offer, you can earn up to 90,000 Marriott Bonvoy points:

75,000 Welcome Bonus Marriott Bonvoy® points after you spend $6,000 on your Card in your first three months of Cardmembership.
Plus, earn an additional 2 points for a total of 5 points on every $1 spent on eligible gas, dining and travel purchases in your first 6 months (up to 15,000 points).

It’s the best time of year to get the Marriott Bonvoy® Business American Express®* Card. Don’t wait, this offer ends on May 6, 2024!

It’s a Card we recommend keeping because each year at renewal, you get an Annual Free Night Award (for up to 35,000 points at hotels worldwide) and 15 Elite Night Credits per year, counting towards your Marriott Bonvoy Elite status.

With this Card, you earn 5 points per dollar on all purchases at Marriott Bonvoy properties. And you can earn 3 points per dollar on:

Gas
Dining purchases
travel purchases

And 2 points per dollar on all other purchases.

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

Bottom Line

Simplify your expense management and start earning points on your business expenses with one of these American Express Business Cards.

Frequently asked questions about American Express Business Cards

Can I hold several American Express Business Cards?

Yes, you can hold several American Express Business Cards at the same time.

This is recommended, especially for frequent travellers who wish to benefit from the advantages offered by each of these cards (access to airport lounges for the Business Platinum Card^® from American ExpressAir Canada benefits for the American Express^® Aeroplan^®* Business Reserve Cardone annual Free Night Award at Marriott Bonvoy hotels with the Marriott Bonvoy^® Business American Express^®* Card).

Why should business owners consider an American Express business card?

Business owners should consider getting a business credit card to make managing money and purchases easier. Whether your business is large or small, new or established, an American Express business credit card is better suited to your company’s purchasing needs than a personal credit card.

What are the key benefits of using an American Express Business Card?

The benefits of an American Express Business Card include simplifying bookkeeping by separating business expenses from personal expenses, offering economic advantages such as cash back on everyday expenses, access to more rewards, monitoring employee spending, and managing cash flow, including using the card as a tool to manage financial irregularities.

What are the key benefits of using an American Express Business Card?

How can American Express Business Cards help manage employee expenses?

American Express Business Cards offer employees an easy way to make the purchases they need for their professional activities. They also enable companies to better track employee business spending, accelerate the earning of discounts and reward points, and increase financial flexibility and purchasing power.

How can American Express Business Cards help a company manage its cash flow?

American Express Business Cards can be used to manage cash flow irregularities and minimize the cost of working capital financing. Business owners can use these cards to make payments when they’re short of cash. If purchases are made with a card offering an interest-free period and the balance is repaid before the end of that period, businesses can finance their purchases interest-free.

What should I consider before applying for an American Express Business Card?

Before applying for an American Express business card, it’s essential to consider several aspects, including developing a credit file for the business, the company’s credit rating, and the business owner’s potential personal guarantee requirements.

How can using a business credit card benefit business owners regarding spending and financial management?

Using a business credit card allows business owners to separate business and personal expenses, better manage business spending, and earn better rewards and a higher credit limit than a personal credit card. Offers vary between different business credit cards, and each business owner needs to determine which card structure best suits his or her needs.

Who is eligible to apply for a business credit card?

Contrary to popular belief, business credit cards are not just for companies. Different types of cards are designed for small businesses, and even sole proprietors can apply for them, often easily online.

What information is generally required when applying for a business credit card?

Required information includes company name, number and legal form, industry, position, mailing address, age of business, number of employees, annual revenues, and estimated expenses. Personal information, such as your date of birth and social insurance number, may also be requested. See our detailed guide to applying for an American Express Business Card.

How is the approval of a business credit card application determined?

Approval depends in part on your credit rating. Although the company’s credit rating is checked first, your personal credit rating may also be taken into account, especially for new businesses. An excellent personal credit rating (670 to 850 points) can potentially compensate for a weak or non-existent business credit rating.

How can a business credit card affect your personal credit score?

Although the Card is in the company’s name, you may be personally liable for the balance on the corporate credit card, especially if you sign a personal guarantee agreement. In addition, your personal credit score may be affected if the credit company checks your personal credit rating at the time of application.

What's the wise thing to do when using a business credit card?

It’s a good idea to keep a close eye on what you spend on your corporate credit card, and to make sure that only amounts that the company can repay are charged to it. Although business credit cards offer greater flexibility, especially for start-up costs and inventory purchases, they can have an impact on your personal credit rating, which is why careful management is so important.

Come to discuss that topic in our Facebook Group!

American Express: Small Business Card Benefits

American Express Business Cards - List of Small Business Cards

American Express Business Cards - Cash flow