The Amazon Business American Express Card offers cardholders a choice when it comes to their eligible Amazon-related spending: Either earn 3% back on it, or get an interest-free window of 60 days during which you can pay off those purchases. Terms apply.
Regardless of which option you choose, the card will also earn you 2% back at U.S. restaurants and U.S. gas stations, and on wireless telephone services purchased directly from U.S. service providers. You'll also get 1% back on other purchases. Terms apply.
If your business could benefit from those rewards categories or from periodic two-month breaks on interest throughout the year — and if you don’t mind shopping on Amazon.com or at Amazon properties to snag such benefits — this card can be a convenient way to stretch your budget. And you don't have to be an Amazon Prime member to qualify for it.
🤓Nerdy Tip
If you do spend enough at Amazon.com to merit an Amazon Prime membership, you'll likely get more value from this card's big brother, the $0-annual-fee Amazon Business Prime American Express Card. It, too, offers the choice between earning rewards on Amazon-related spending or getting an interest-free period on that spending — but both the rewards rate and the interest-free terms are superior. Terms apply (see rates and fees). For more information on that version of the card, see our full review here.
Amazon Business American Express Card: Basics
To view rates and fees of the Amazon Business American Express Card, see this page.
Card type: Small business.
Annual fee: $0.
Welcome offer: Get a $100 Amazon Gift Card upon approval for the Amazon Business American Express Card. Terms Apply.
Rewards:
3% back on U.S purchases at Amazon.com, Amazon Business, Amazon Web Services and Whole Foods Market, or a 60-day interest-free period.
2% back at U.S. restaurants, at U.S. gas stations and on wireless telephone services purchased directly from U.S. service providers.
1% back on all other purchases.
Terms apply.
Rewards come in the form of points in the Amazon rewards program. Every 100 points earned in "% back" rewards are equal to $1. Rewards can be applied toward a purchase on your card statement, or toward purchases upon checkout at Amazon.com and via Amazon Business (U.S.).
🤓Nerdy Tip
Beginning on Oct. 1, 2020, the Amazon Business American Express Card will earn 3% back on the first $120,000 spent each calendar year and 1% thereafter.
APR: The ongoing APR is 19.49%-27.49% Variable APR.
Foreign transaction fee: None. (But as an American Express card, international acceptance may be limited.)
Why you might want the Amazon Business American Express Card
Valuable, Flexible incentives
With the Amazon Business American Express Card, you’ll earn a solid 3% rewards rate at Amazon and its eligible properties or a 60-day interest-free period, depending on your preference. For purchases at Amazon Business, Amazon Web Services, Amazon.com, Whole Foods Markets, Amazon Go and Amazon Books, you can choose your preferred option on your card management page. Purchases at U.S. restaurants, U.S. gas stations and on wireless telephone services purchased directly from U.S. service providers will also earn 2% back. All other purchases earn 1% back. Terms apply.
An easy-to-snag welcome offer
New cardholders earn an introductory offer: Get a $100 Amazon Gift Card upon approval for the Amazon Business American Express Card. Terms Apply. For a card with a $0 annual fee, that’s a nice incentive that can cover some upfront expenses.
Business-expense tracking tools
The Amazon Business American Express Card offers a full suite of tools to help you manage your business, including access to downloadable, line-item expense reports. Plus, the AmEx business app — accessible via iOS and Android devices — allows you to take photos of receipts, categorize transactions, and manage employee spending to stay organized for tax purposes.
Why you might want a different card
There's a lot of reward tracking required
With this card, not only will you have to keep track of tiered bonus categories, but you’ll also have to remember which offer you selected (rewards or a no-interest period) on your Amazon-related purchases. A good alternative would be a business card like the Capital One Spark Cash Plus, which offers no-frills rewards. You'll earn 2% cash back on all purchases, no category tracking required. Plus, it has an eye-catching sign-up bonus. There's an annual fee to consider, but remember that annual fees on business cards can be tax-deductible if you meet requirements. If you’re adamantly opposed to annual fees regardless, consider the Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card, which offers 1.5% cash back on all purchases.
» MORE: NerdWallet’s best no annual fee credit cards for business
It may not travel particularly well
The Amazon Business American Express Card does offer some travel protections, and it doesn’t charge foreign transaction fees. But since it’s an American Express card, you may face limited acceptance internationally. The aforementioned Capital One Spark Cash Plus doesn’t charge such fees. But if you’re in the market for travel rewards rather than cash back, you might consider a card like the Bank of America® Business Advantage Travel Rewards World Mastercard® credit card. It earns a flat 1.5 points per $1 spent and, as a Mastercard with no foreign transaction fees, it’s ideal for travel abroad.
You can find LONGER 0% INTRO APR PERIODs UPFRONT
While the Amazon Business American Express Card does offer 60-day interest-free windows on specific purchases, it doesn't offer a lengthy upfront 0% intro APR on all purchases. The ongoing APR is 19.49%-27.49% Variable APR. A better option for you might be The American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card. It offers an intro 0% intro APR on Purchases for 12 months, and then the ongoing APR of 18.49%-26.49% Variable APR. That’s enough of a break to pay off a large purchase or several. The card earns 2% cash back on the first $50,000 in purchases made annually, and then 1% back after that. Terms apply (see rates and fees). It has a $0 annual fee. (Prefer AmEx Membership Rewards points to cash back? Consider the The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express.)
» MORE: NerdWallet's best balance transfer credit cards for business
Is the Amazon Business American Express Card right for you?
The Amazon Business American Express Card may be right for you if you don't mind tracking reward tiers and incentives on individual purchases.
But if you’re already OK with such tracking and you already shop frequently enough at Amazon and its eligible properties, the card's Prime-focused sibling — the Amazon Business Prime American Express Card — will probably offer you more value.
And if you simply don’t shop a lot with Amazon at all, you're better off with a general small-business rewards credit card that can offer rewards on all of your purchases.
To view rates and fees of the Amazon Business Prime American Express Card, see this page. To view rates and fees of the Amazon Business American Express Card, see this page. To view rates and fees of The American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card, see this page. To view rates and fees of The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express, see this page.
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