Amex business credit card: features, rewards and how to apply

American Express, often abbreviated to Amex, has been a pioneer of the consumer credit card, offering its first card back in the 1950s. Amex also offers corporate and business credit cards, providing charge cards and credit cards to cover essential operational costs and expenses. 

In this article we cover which Amex business cards are available to UK-based businesses and the different features of the company’s wide range of business cards.

What is an Amex business credit card, and who is it for?

Amex business credit cards are designed for all business users, whether you’re a sole trader, a limited company or a partnership.

As with all business credit cards, Amex business credit cards are a useful tool for managing your business expenses and accessing the benefits of a pre-agreed line of credit to ease the pressure on the company’s cashflow.

The business will need to meet certain requirements to be approved for a business card.

Eligibility criteria include: 

• A demonstrable trading history, showing you’re an established and viable enterprise that will be able to cover monthly credit card repayments. 
• A healthy turnover as a business, with financial information that shows you’re generating sales and bringing in a healthy income. 
• An acceptable credit profile, including a positive credit history and a good business credit score that shows the creditworthiness of the business. 

Once you have a business credit card, it becomes easier to manage your working capital and keep cash flow on an even keel. There’s also the additional bonus of the various rewards and benefits you can earn as a card-holder. 

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Key benefits of Amex business credit cards for UK SMEs

Amex offers several business credit cards, each with slightly differing key features and benefits, depending on the card you apply for.

Across the range, you can expect to benefit from:

• Membership rewards points or cashback, depending on the card used and the specific rewards offered.
• Up to 54 days interest-free on purchases, depending on the card and the pre-agreed payment cycle.
• Employee cards to help centralise spending and improve your expense management and spending habits. 
• Travel perks on selected cards, including airport lounge access, travel insurance and other traveller benefits.
• Accounting integrations and expense tracking via the Amex app making it easier to track and analyse expenses and spending.
• Buyer protection and fraud alerts, to keep your card and your company’s finances protected at all times.
• Credit-building potential, helping you to enhance your business credit profile through responsible use of this line of credit. 

Does an Amex business card affect your personal credit score?

Yes, applying for a business credit card can affect your personal credit score in some specific circumstances. Your business credit score and your personal credit score are two distinct metrics. But if you offer a personal guarantee against a credit application, your personal credit score may be factored in. Most credit card applications will include a hard credit check, which will be viewable by lenders and credit reporting agencies, potentially impacting your score. 

Types of Amex business credit cards: Gold, Platinum and more

There are a number of different Amex business credit cards, so let’s dive into the product range and see which card offers the best benefits for your UK business.

Which Amex business credit card offers the best rewards?

If you make a lot of business-related purchases using Amazon, the Amazon Business Prime American Express^® Card is a great choice, allowing you to earn 2% Amazon Reward points on your Amazon Purchases. For businesses that travel frequently, the British Airways American Express® Accelerating Business Card earns Avios points, helping you cut costs on flights, travel and hotels etc. 

The best all-rounder in terms of features, rewards and benefits is the American Express® Business Platinum Card. But if you want the benefits of a business card without the bells and whistles, the American Express® Business Basic Card gives you all the support and features of the Amex network, with no annual fee. 

How to apply for an Amex business credit card online

Once you’ve decided on the best Amex business credit card for your business needs, you’ll then need to complete the online application process. 

Firstly, check your eligibility against the guidelines laid out by Amex. 

Your business will need to:

• Have a current UK bank or building society account
• Have no history of bad debt
• The person applying will need to be aged 18 or over
• Must have a permanent UK home address
• Must earn the minimum income specified for the card (this varies)
• If self-employed, you should have been working for 12 months or more

Step-by-step guide to applying for an Amex business card

1. Select a card: 

Visit the American Express UK website and choose the Amex business card that best suits your needs. 

2. Start the online application 

Click ‘Apply Now’ at the bottom of the card landing page and begin the digital application. You will be asked to fill in your personal and business details. You’ll need proof of identity (your passport or driving licence etc.), proof of your address, plus bank statements and company registration details etc. 

3. Complete all required sections 

Fill out all mandatory fields in the online form. The application is typically split into sections for personal and business information, so you can supply all the relevant information needed for Amex to make an informed decision on your application. 

4. Review and submit 

Once you’ve entered all the relevant information, review the details, make sure all questions have been answered and that all answers and data are accurate. Once reviewed, submit the form. You'll also be prompted to agree to the terms and conditions.

5. Receive a decision

American Express often provides an instant decision in as little as 60 seconds. However, if additional verification is needed, a decision may take up to 10 working days.

For most UK small businesses, the approval of an Amex business credit card application relies heavily on the director's personal credit score and a personal guarantee. While Amex does consider the business's credit score and financial information like annual turnover, these are typically secondary factors.

Managing your Amex business credit card: login, payments and support

Once your application for an Amex business credit card is approved, you can get up and running. The card will be vital in managing your operational expenses, extending your cashflow and providing the foundations for the financial health of the business.

Responsible management of the card means being aware of your spending levels, the overall balance on the card and when your monthly repayments are due.

To keep in control of your new business card, you can:

• Access your card account using the Amex mobile app or online portal.
• Select the best payment options for clearing the balance on your account. There are several payment options, including paying through the Amex mobile app, through your online account, via Direct Debit or by bank transfer. 
• Track your spending in real-time, and break down your overall purchase history into different categories, individuals or departments. You can access these digital tools both through the online portal and the app. 
• Manage your employees’ cards, set spending limits, report lost cards and request replacement cards when needed. This can be done through the online portal and the Amex mobile app.
• Contact Amex customer support for queries or disputes, using the app, the Amex website or the customer service phone line for your card.

What should you do if your Amex business card is lost or stolen?

If you lose your card, or it’s stolen, you must report this to American Express as soon as possible. You can report the missing card through your Online Account or via the American Express^® App. 

You can also report the loss on the phone on 0800 917 8047 in the UK and +44 (0)1273 696 933 from outside the UK. 

Is an Amex business card right for you?

While Amex business credit cards offer rewards and travel benefits, they’re not the right fit for every business. especially if you want more control over how much you borrow and when you repay.

With iwoca’s Flexi-Loan, you can access up to £1,000,000 in business funding that moves at your pace — no hidden fees, no long-term commitment, and no need to clear a full balance every month.

• Borrow what you need, when you need it, not a fixed limit sitting on a card.
• Only pay interest on what you use and repay early anytime to save money.
• No fees or penalties no annual fee, no hidden charges, just transparent terms.
• Fast approvals with decisions made in hours, not weeks.
• Adaptable to you scale your funding as your business grows.

Whether you’re managing cash flow or investing in growth, iwoca helps you stay in control — with finance that works on your terms, not your lender’s.

Explore an iwoca Flexi-Loan today

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