How to apply for an Amex business credit card

If you've been hesitant to apply for a small-business credit card due to uncertainty about the application process, you're missing out on valuable rewards. You don't need to run a conventional storefront to qualify for a business card; freelancers, Uber or Lyft drivers, and those with any lucrative side hustle may also be eligible.

American Express boasts a diverse range of business cards, ensuring you'll discover an option that meets your business requirements. In this guide, we will clarify the American Express business card criteria to assist you with some of the more perplexing application queries.

Overview of Amex business cards

Before we dive in, it's essential to note that you can only receive a welcome offer for a specific Amex business card once in a lifetime. This same rule applies to Amex consumer cards. Fortunately, there are many excellent Amex business card options available, giving you a variety of choices.

You can earn flexible Amex Membership Rewards points with The Business Platinum Card® from American Express. Currently, new cardmembers have the chance to earn 150,000 bonus points after spending $20,000 on eligible purchases within the first three months of cardmembership. You might qualify for a better offer through the CardMatch tool; not everyone will receive the same promotions, and offers can change at any time.

If you prefer a card with no annual fee (see rates and fees), consider The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express, which rewards you with 2 Membership Rewards points per dollar spent on the first $50,000 of eligible purchases each calendar year, then 1 point per dollar thereafter.

Amex also provides a variety of cobranded small-business credit cards. For those seeking points for hotel award tickets, the Hilton Honors American Express Business Card offers automatic Hilton Gold status. New cardmembers can earn 175,000 bonus points after spending $8,000 within the first six months of cardmembership.

Alternatively, you can choose to earn Delta SkyMiles with one of the business Delta credit cards, which include benefits such as priority boarding and a free checked bag for you and up to eight travel companions.

How to apply for an Amex business credit card

If you already possess an Amex card, you can log into your account to streamline the application process. For newcomers to Amex, the initial page of your business card application will appear as follows:

The process of applying for an Amex small-business card is very similar to applying for a personal Amex card. However, there are a few distinctions that can be tricky if you're applying for a business card for the first time.

Requirements for Amex business cards

Basic details like your email are simple, but let’s focus on the more complicated sections:

• Legal business name: Generally, as a sole proprietor, your name should serve as your business name. For instance, my wife, a freelance artist, uses her name for her business name on card applications. If you’ve established a legal structure like an LLC or registered a fictitious name (DBA), use that registered name here.
• Business name on card: This is the name that will appear on your credit card beneath the cardmember's name (yours or an authorized user's). You can use your legal business name, but sometimes it may not fit well.
• Company DBA name: This is a registered name for your business that is different from your legal name or the names of your partners.
• Business address: This can either be your home address if you work from home or a different business address.
• Business phone number: This is the main registered number for your business that will be used for verification on the application.
• Industry type: You’ll need to choose from a limited list of industries that align with your business operations, such as "agriculture," "construction," "non-profit," or "retail trade," among others, or you can select "other."
• Company structure: Usually, your company structure is "sole proprietorship." If you're running your business alone, you're likely a sole proprietor, which includes freelancers, Uber drivers, eBay sellers, etc. If you have a partner, select "partnership," and if you have a formal business structure (like LLC or S corporation), select "corporation."
• Number of employees: Remember, you count as one employee, so you’ll always select at least one.
• Gross annual business revenue: This refers to your total earnings for the year before taxes or expenses. If you’re starting out, it’s fine to enter zero.
• Estimated monthly spend: This is the projected amount you expect to spend monthly on the card.
• Federal tax ID: As a sole proprietor without a registered federal tax ID, you can use your Social Security number here.
• Role in company: You’re likely the owner, but select whatever best fits your job title if that’s not the case.

Once you’ve completed your business details, proceed to fill out your personal information below.

Most questions here are straightforward, but in the "Total Annual Income" field, ensure you include all eligible income that you can reasonably expect to use for your bills.

I can combine both my income and my wife's income in this section. Your "Total Annual Income" should also encompass any profits you’ve drawn from your business.

The "Non-Taxable Annual Income" section is optional and can be left empty. However, if you have any income that is exempt from federal income tax (like Social Security, child support, or disability benefits), feel free to include that annual total.

The last step involves selecting the address (either home or business) where you want American Express to send your bill, along with reviewing the terms and conditions.

At this stage, you can save the application to apply later or submit it for review. You’ll often receive an immediate response, but sometimes your application might go into pending status if Amex requires more information from you.

Steps to take if your Amex business card application gets declined

If your card application is rejected or placed in pending status, consider calling Amex's reconsideration line (1-877-567-1083 for new accounts). Often, a few straightforward questions or minor details can lead to approval.

In some cases, you might be able to transfer credit from your existing accounts to the new card or close an old account to facilitate approval for your new application. Each scenario is unique, but speaking with an agent over the phone can help clarify your application’s status — or at least reveal why it was denied.

Key takeaways

Even if you only have a part-time side gig, you may still qualify for an American Express business card. A major benefit of applying for an Amex business card is that it won't show up on your personal credit report, meaning it won't count against your Chase 5/24 limit.

Since Amex allows you to earn a welcome offer for a specific card only once in your lifetime, applying for business cards opens up more opportunities for new bonuses.

If you're a business owner, follow the steps outlined above to apply for an American Express business card and start maximizing your rewards.