Amazon Business American Express Card Review 2024: The Best Card for the Online Retailer?

As 2023’s number-two retailer in the world, Amazon is an online shopping staple for millions of consumers. It’s also a top credit card choice for many small-business owners, with quick access to business supplies and other items. The card_name offers business owners an opportunity to earn bonus cash back on purchases at Amazon.com and select Amazon-related brands. Unfortunately, it's not the best option available for many business owners, especially if you're a frequent Amazon shopper.

TIME’s Take

The card_name conveys value in the right hands, but there are better possible choices, even for loyal Amazon customers. It has no annual fee and earns decent cash back rates on Amazon-related purchases and other bonus categories, but it's not the best Amazon co-branded card.

That would be the Amazon Business Prime card, which offers higher cash back rates, longer payment terms, and a slightly larger welcome bonus offer, though its annual percentage rate (APR) is the same. Yes, the Business Prime requires paying for an Amazon Prime or Amazon Prime Business membership, but if your business regularly makes purchases through Amazon, there's a good chance you'll want to be a Prime member.

Pros and cons

Who is the card for?

The card_name is best for small business owners who frequently make Amazon purchases for their business, but are not Amazon Prime members. The card offers elevated rewards in business spending categories and with Amazon companies. It's also an option for business owners who want to earn rewards or take extra time paying back card purchases without the added cost of an annual Prime membership or annual fee.

Features

Cash back rewards or payment terms

With the card_name, card members have the choice to earn cash back on eligible purchases or receive payment terms. Here's how the card's rewards break down.

• You get 3% back or 60-day payment terms (not both) on eligible U.S. purchases at Amazon Business, Amazon Web Services (AWS), Amazon.com, and Whole Foods Market, on up to $120,000 in purchases per calendar year (1% after that).
• You get 2% back at U.S. restaurants, U.S. gas stations, and on wireless telephone services purchased directly from U.S. service providers.
• You get 1% back on all other purchases with the card.

When you make a purchase and choose payment terms or have payment terms as your default option, you have 60 days from the date of purchase to make a payment. If you opt for cash back, you earn points on eligible purchases. One hundred points are equal to $1.

You can redeem rewards points toward Amazon purchases or apply them as a statement credit. There is no option to receive cash back as a check or direct deposit. Rewards points never expire as long as your account is open and in good standing.

Welcome offer

Like other Amazon credit cards, the card_name offers a bonus up front instead of requiring card members to meet spending requirements. You'll earn a $100 Amazon gift card upon approval for the card. It's not the most valuable welcome bonus, but you don't have to jump through any hoops to earn it.

Travel benefits

The card's primary benefits are Amazon-centric, but it also comes with a few travel benefits and protections that add to its value.

• Baggage insurance. The card provides insurance coverage up to $1,250 for carry-on baggage and $500 for checked baggage when you purchase the entire fare for a common carrier vehicle ticket (plane, train, ship, or bus) with your card.
• Car rental loss and damage insurance. You receive secondary car rental loss and damage insurance coverage when you reserve and pay for the entire car rental with your card_name and decline the rental company's optional insurance coverage.
• Global assist hotline. Whenever you travel more than 100 miles from home, you're eligible to receive 24/7 emergency assistance via Amex's global assist hotline. The service is free, but you are responsible for any third-party charges as a result of assistance received.
• No foreign transaction fees. The card_name is a good fit for international travel, as it doesn't charge a fee on purchases made outside of the U.S.

Consumer protections

The card's benefits also extend to other eligible card purchases beyond travel.

• Extended warranty protection. You can receive up to one year of additional warranty protection on eligible card purchases with an original manufacturer's warranty of five years or less.
• Purchase protection. Eligible card purchases are protected for up to 90 days from the purchase date if stolen or accidentally damaged. Coverage is for up to $1,000 per incident, with a maximum of $50,000 per card member per calendar year.

Employee cards

Like many business cards, the card_name offers free cards for your employees. Providing employee cards allows you to take full advantage of company spending to earn even more rewards.

The fine print

Interest rates

• reg_apr,reg_apr_type.
• Penalty APR is 29.99%.
• No purchase intro APR.
• No balance transfer intro APR.

Fees

• cash_advance_fee.
• annual_fees annual fee.
• foreign_transaction_fee foreign transaction fee.
• balance_transfer_fees balance transfer fee.

Additional hidden perks

In addition to the benefits mentioned above, American Express has a few business-related benefits with the card_name. For starters, card members can assign another employee as an account manager to manage accounts, request employee cards, make payments, and review transactions.

Amex also provides tools such as year-end summaries, detailed data views of purchases, and Vendor Pay to keep you on top of your business expenses and spending. Additionally, your account is compatible with QuickBooks for automatic expense categorizing.

What could be improved

With no annual fee or other costs, I wouldn't expect much more in terms of card benefits or cash back rates, especially as the card_name already exists. Perhaps adding more business-focused bonus categories would make sense, but it really depends on your business type and typical expenses.

Alternatives

Bottom line

The card_name is an average business credit card. With no annual fee and the option for extended payment terms, it might make sense for select business owners who occasionally rely on Amazon for business needs but don’t use it enough to warrant having a Prime membership.

Whether you're looking at the card_name or another business credit card, consider your annual expenses and business needs to determine the best card for you.

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

Is the card_name a credit card?

Yes, it is, though for a business and not for personal use. It has no annual fee and carries a variable APR range of reg_apr,reg_apr_type based on your creditworthiness.

What is the card_name?

The card_name is a co-branded Amazon cash back rewards business credit card. It earns 3% back or 60-day payment terms on eligible U.S. purchases at Amazon Business, AWS, Amazon.com, and Whole Foods Market, on up to $120,000 in purchases per calendar year (1% after that); 2% back at U.S. restaurants, U.S. gas stations, and on wireless telephone services purchased directly from U.S. service providers; and 1% back on all other card purchases.

What credit score do you need for the card_name?

American Express does not disclose credit score requirements or other criteria used to determine eligibility for its credit cards. Generally, most business credit cards require good credit scores or higher to qualify, which is considered a personal FICO score of 670 or higher.

Can you use the card_name anywhere?

No. You can use the card_name anywhere that accepts American Express cards, which may not be everywhere.