Quick answer: Is an Amex business card worth it
For many Australian businesses, yes, provided you choose a card that matches your spending patterns and makes full use of its benefits.
An American Express business card is generally a strong fit if you:
- Travel regularly for business and can use the included travel benefits
- Want to earn Membership Rewards points or Qantas Points on business spending
- Need employee cards and better visibility over business expenses
- Can justify the annual fee through the rewards and benefits you receive
It could be less suitable if your business travels infrequently‚ has low spend on cards‚ or frequently makes purchases from merchants who don't accept American Express․
While it may feel tempting to go with the card with the most benefits‚ consider which one best suits your business's spending patterns․ For example‚ an Amex Platinum Business Card may suit a business that flies often‚ while an Amex Qantas Business Rewards Card may suit a business that prefers more Qantas Points․
Amex business card review at a glance
Before comparing each card in detail, here’s a quick overview of the three main American Express business cards covered in this review. Welcome offers, fees and card benefits can change, so check the latest American Express Australia terms before applying.
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*Note: Welcome offers, eligibility requirements, annual fees and card benefits can change. The offers above are subject to eligibility and the applicable American Express Australia terms.
1. Amex Platinum Business Card
The Amex Platinum Business Card is aimed at businesses that can make meaningful use of premium travel and rewards benefits. Its higher annual fee makes it more suitable for businesses with substantial eligible spending and regular business travel.
- Welcome offer: 350,000 Membership Rewards points plus an $875 credit when eligible new Card Members apply by 3 November 2026, are approved and spend $12,000 on eligible purchases within the first three months of approval
- Base earn rate: 2.25 Membership Rewards points per $1 on eligible purchases
- Government spending: 1 Membership Rewards point per $1 on ATO and government related spending
- Foreign transaction fee: 3.5% currency conversion fee applies to foreign currency transactions
- Payment period: Up to 55 days to pay for purchases
- Employee cards: Up to 99 Employee Cards at no additional annual fee
- Business management features: Employee spending management, account management tools and flexible spending capacity can help businesses manage larger or changing spending requirements
2. Business Gold Plus Card
The Business Gold Plus Card takes a more practical approach for businesses with regular operating costs. It combines Membership Rewards earning with business focused benefits and a lower annual fee than the Platinum Business Card.
- Welcome offer: 250,000 Membership Rewards points when eligible new Card Members apply by 3 November 2026, are approved and spend $5,000 on eligible purchases within the first three months of approval
- Base earn rate: 1.5 Membership Rewards points per $1 on everyday eligible spending, with accelerated earning available on eligible spending with selected suppliers
- Government spending: 1 Membership Rewards point per $1 on eligible government spending
- Foreign transaction fee: 3.5% currency conversion fee applies to foreign currency transactions
- Payment period: Up to 55 days to pay for purchases
- Employee cards: Two Employee Cards at no additional cost, then $75 p.a. for each additional Employee Card
- Business management features: Employee spending management, expense visibility and selected business credits, including benefits for eligible spending with suppliers such as Xero, Google Ads, Meta and Amazon Web Services
3. Amex Qantas Business Rewards Card
The Amex Qantas Business Rewards Card is designed for businesses that prefer Qantas Points over flexible Membership Rewards points. It can make more sense when Qantas forms a regular part of your business travel strategy.
- Welcome offer: 150,000 Qantas Points plus $200 in the Qantas Business Rewards Travel Fund when eligible new Card Members apply by 6 October 2026, are approved and spend $6,000 on eligible purchases within the first three months of approval
- Base earn rate: Up to 1.25 Qantas Points per $1 on eligible everyday business spending
- Government spending: 0.5 Qantas Points per $1 on eligible government spending
- Foreign transaction fee: 3.5% currency conversion fee applies to foreign currency transactions
- Payment period: Up to 51 days to pay for purchases
- Employee cards: Up to 99 Employee Cards at no additional annual fee
- Business management features: Employee spending management and Qantas Business Rewards benefits, with rewards designed around business spending and Qantas travel
The comparison shows why the highest rewards rate or largest welcome offer shouldn’t automatically determine your choice. The Platinum Business Card puts more emphasis on premium travel, the Business Gold Plus Card focuses on everyday business spending and selected supplier benefits, while the Qantas Business Rewards Card is designed around earning Qantas Points.
Who should consider an Amex business card
An American Express business card isn’t the right fit for every business. You’ll get the most value when your spending habits and business needs align with the card’s rewards and benefits.
1. Businesses with high monthly card spending
If your business regularly pays for software, digital advertising, office supplies or supplier invoices by card, you may be able to earn meaningful rewards from spending you’re already doing.
2. Businesses with regular business travel
If you frequently book flights, hotels or rental cars, cards with travel benefits may provide additional value. American Express offers different levels of travel insurance and benefits depending on the business card you hold.
3. Businesses managing employee spending
If your team makes purchases on behalf of the business, employee cards and spending controls can make it easier to monitor expenses and keep business purchases organised. Depending on the card, American Express allows businesses to add multiple Employee Cards, with some cards allowing up to 99 complimentary cards. As your business grows, it may also be worth understanding when a corporate card is a better fit than a traditional business credit card.
4. Businesses looking to maximise rewards
If earning rewards is a priority, consider how you plan to use them. Businesses that value flexible redemptions may prefer Membership Rewards, while those that regularly fly with Qantas may benefit more from earning Qantas Points.
5. Businesses with limited foreign spending
If most of your business spending is in foreign currencies, factor in the 3.5% currency conversion fee before applying. Depending on your spending and rewards earned, this fee can reduce the overall value of the card.
6. Businesses that prefer simple cash-back rewards
If you’d rather receive straightforward cash-back rewards than manage points and redemption options, a points-based American Express business card may not be the best fit for your preferences
7. Businesses that won’t use travel benefits
If your business rarely travels, premium features such as travel insurance and other travel benefits may provide limited practical value. A card with a lower annual fee and benefits that better match your everyday spending may make more sense.
American Express business cards available in Australia
American Express offers three primary business cards in Australia, each designed for a different type of business. The right choice depends on how your business spends, whether you travel regularly, and the type of rewards you want to earn.
1. Amex Platinum Business Card
The American Express Platinum Business Card operates as a charge card rather than a traditional credit card. It generally has no pre-set spending limit, but this does not mean unlimited spending. Your available spending power can change based on factors such as your account and payment history and your financial profile.
The standard charge card structure requires you to pay the closing balance in full by the due date. Eligible Card Members may also have access to the Flexible Payment Option, which can allow certain purchases to be carried over, subject to a separate limit and applicable interest charges.
The card also offers Membership Rewards points, premium travel benefits, airport lounge access and Employee Cards at no additional annual fee. If your business books a lot of flights and hotels, these benefits may help justify the higher annual fee.
Our verdict: A strong choice for businesses that travel often and can maximise the premium benefits. If your business rarely travels, the annual fee may be difficult to justify.
2. Business Gold Plus Card
The Business Gold Plus Card is geared towards companies seeking to earn Membership Rewards points on their routine business expenses‚ while not paying for travel benefits they do not need․ The Business Gold Plus Card additionally comes with employee cards‚ expense tracking capabilities‚ and spend flexibility‚ making it a suitable option for growing companies with monthly expenses․
Our verdict: A well-balanced option for businesses looking to earn rewards on day-to-day spending while keeping annual costs lower than the Platinum Business Card.
3. Amex Qantas Business Rewards Card
The Amex Qantas Business Rewards Card is best suited to businesses wanting to earn Qantas Points on eligible spends‚ businesses whose owner or employees regularly fly with Qantas‚ and those getting the most value from Qantas Business Rewards․ If you're somebody who wants flexibility to use your points with multiple partners‚ you'd be better off with a Membership Rewards card․
Our verdict: Best for small businesses that are frequent Qantas travellers and looking to earn Qantas Points through business spend rather than flexible Membership Rewards․
Amex business card review: The biggest advantages
The best business card should support the way your business operates, not just reward your spending. American Express business cards stand out in several areas, particularly for businesses that travel regularly, spend consistently, or want greater visibility over company expenses.
1. Rewards on everyday business spending
Depending on the card you choose, you can earn Membership Rewards points or Qantas Points on eligible business purchases such as advertising, software subscriptions, supplier payments and travel. The value of these points comes from the range of ways you can use them, rather than simply accumulating a large balance.
Membership Rewards points can be transferred to participating airline and hotel programs, including Qantas Frequent Flyer and Velocity Frequent Flyer, or used for eligible travel, statement credits, gift cards and shopping. Some redemptions are also available through American Express Travel.
For businesses that regularly travel, this flexibility can make points useful beyond everyday purchases. Qantas Points earned through the Amex Qantas Business Rewards Card are transferred to the business’s Qantas Business Rewards Account, where they can be used for flights, upgrades, baggage, seat selection and other eligible rewards.
2. Premium travel benefits
Travel benefits, including airport lounge access and travel insurance, may be valuable if your business involves regular travel. However, travel insurance isn’t automatically available simply because you hold an eligible card. For complimentary cover, you generally need to meet the card-specific eligibility and activation requirements, including paying for the required return trip with your American Express Card or Membership Rewards points.
Coverage is also subject to age limits, pre-existing medical condition exclusions, cover limits and other terms and conditions. Some benefits may require specific documentation or claim procedures, so check the relevant insurance terms before relying on the cover.
For a business that rarely travels, these benefits may provide limited practical value and may not justify choosing a higher-fee card.
3. Employee cards with spending controls
Managing business expenses becomes more complex as your team grows. Eligible American Express business cards allow you to issue employee cards while maintaining oversight of company spending, helping simplify expense tracking and reduce manual reimbursement processes.
4. Flexible spending capacity
Unlike traditional credit cards with a fixed credit limit, the Amex Platinum Business Card operates as a charge card with flexible spending capacity. Your available spending adjusts based on factors such as your account history, payment behaviour, and financial profile, making it useful for businesses whose monthly spending fluctuates.
5. Business-focused account management tools
In addition‚ American Express business cards typically include additional features that can help simplify a business's day-to-day financial management‚ including online account management tools‚ digital expense management services, and tracking tools that can save time as a business grows․
Amex business card review: The drawbacks to consider
American Express business cards offer competitive rewards and business-focused features, but they aren’t the right choice for every business. Before applying, consider the following limitations.
1. Higher annual fees
Annual fees on American Express business cards tend to be higher than on comparable Visa or Mastercard cards‚ and this requires a business owner's more frequent use of American Express cards to capitalise on rewards or travel and other benefits․ If your business has relatively low card spend, a lower fee alternative may offer better overall value.
2. Merchant acceptance isn’t universal
While American Express is widely accepted within Australia‚ it may not be accepted by some suppliers or retailers, and you may be unable to use your card in areas where only Visa or Mastercard are accepted․
3. Rewards depend on how you redeem them
A high earn rate doesn't mean the best return on your spend․ Generally‚ Membership Rewards points and Qantas Points deliver the greatest value when redeemed wisely‚ particularly for travel․ If you seldom redeem points or prefer receiving a fixed percentage of cash back‚ another business card may be a better option․
4. Premium benefits may go unused
Features such as access to airport lounges‚ travel insurance‚ and hotel benefits can be useful for frequent travellers‚ but expensive perks can detract from the value of a card that is used infrequently‚ especially if the business does not frequently travel․
Tip: Before applying‚ estimate how much you spend on business cards each year․ A business card that fits how and where you do business is likely to be more valuable in the long term than one with the biggest welcome offer․
Amex business card comparison: Which card should you choose
Your choice of an American Express business credit card depends on your spending habits‚ how often you travel‚ and what type of rewards you want․ Use the comparison below to identify which card aligns best with your priorities.
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Your decision shouldn’t be based solely on the rewards program or annual fee. Consider where your business spends most, how often you travel, and whether you’ll regularly use the included benefits. If you’re still weighing up your options, comparing other corporate cards available to Australian businesses can help you identify the card that best fits your day-to-day operations.
Amex business card eligibility
Before applying for an American Express business card, check that your business and personal circumstances meet the general Amex business card eligibility requirements. American Express states that Business Amex applicants must generally:
- Be at least 18 years old
- Be an Australian citizen or permanent resident
- Be a director or controller of the business
- Have a good credit history with no payment defaults
- Have annual business revenue of at least AUD $75,000
- Have a valid ABN registered for GST, although exceptions may apply
The documentation required can vary by business structure. Sole traders, companies, trusts, partnerships and associations may need to provide different information, such as an active ABN, business structure details, personal income information and, where applicable, trust deeds or partnership agreements.
Meeting these requirements doesn’t guarantee approval. American Express approval criteria apply, and the application may require additional information or documentation.
For the Amex Qantas Business Rewards Card, the business must also be an active Qantas Business Rewards Program member to earn Qantas Points through the card.
Is an Amex business card worth the annual fee
For many Australian businesses, yes, but only if you make regular use of the rewards and benefits included with the card.
Annual fees currently range from AUD $395 for the Business Gold Plus Card to AUD $1,750 for the Amex Platinum Business Card. If your business has consistent card spending, travels regularly, or can take advantage of features such as employee cards and premium travel benefits, the overall return may outweigh the annual cost.
If your business has relatively low monthly spending or rarely uses the included benefits, a lower-fee business card may be the more practical choice.
Rather than focusing on the annual fee alone, compare what you’ll realistically receive in rewards, travel benefits, and business features over a full year. If your business also keeps surplus funds, reviewing business savings account options alongside your card choice can help you make better use of your overall business finances. The right card isn’t necessarily the one with the highest rewards or the lowest fee. It’s the one that fits how your business operates.
Managing business spending beyond your business card
A business card is only one part of running your finances efficiently. As your business scales‚ you'll need visibility into payments‚ employee spending, and cash flow to make informed decisions about your company's finances․
For example‚ while the ability to earn rewards on business purchases is great‚ it doesn't tell you where your money is going or how your team's purchasing habits are being tracked․ Without the right tools‚ tracking business spending can become overwhelming and time-consuming
This is where Aspire can help. Beyond supporting everyday business banking, Aspire enables businesses to manage payments, monitor cash flow, and oversee company spending from a single platform. You can also explore Expense Management to automate expense tracking, simplify approvals, and maintain better control over business expenses as your business scales.
Final verdict: Amex business card review
An American Express business card can be a worthwhile investment if its rewards, travel benefits, and business features align with how your business operates. Rather than choosing the card with the highest rewards or the most premium features, focus on the one that fits your spending habits and day-to-day requirements.
Whether you choose the Amex Platinum Business Card, Business Gold Plus Card, or Amex Qantas Business Rewards Card, compare the overall cost, rewards program, merchant acceptance, and included benefits before applying. The right card is the one that delivers consistent value long after the welcome offer is gone.
Amex business card review: FAQs
Q1. Which is the best American Express business card in Australia?
The best American Express business card depends on how your business spends. The Amex Platinum Business Card is a strong option for businesses that travel frequently and can maximise premium travel benefits. The Business Gold Plus Card is better suited to everyday operating expenses, while the Amex Qantas Business Rewards Card is ideal for businesses that regularly fly with Qantas and want to earn Qantas Points.
Q2. Is an Amex business card worth it for small businesses?
An Amex business card can be worthwhile for small businesses if you regularly use its rewards, employee cards, and business features. This Amex business card review found that the card delivers the most value when its annual fee is offset by consistent business spending and regular use of the included benefits.
Q3. What does the Amex Platinum Business Card include?
The Amex Platinum Business Card includes Membership Rewards points on eligible purchases, airport lounge access, travel insurance, employee cards, and a range of premium travel and business benefits. As features and eligibility may change over time, always check the latest information on the official American Express Australia website before applying.
Q4. What is the difference between Membership Rewards points and Qantas Points?
Membership Rewards points can be transferred to a range of participating airline and hotel loyalty programs, giving businesses greater flexibility. Qantas Points are designed for businesses that primarily want to earn rewards through the Qantas Frequent Flyer and Amex Qantas Business Rewards Card program.
Q5. Who can apply for an Amex business credit card in Australia?
Eligibility for an Amex business credit card depends on your business structure, financial information, credit history, and other application requirements. American Express assesses each application individually before deciding whether to approve the card.
Q6. Where can I use an Amex business card in Australia?
Merchant acceptance has expanded significantly across Australia, and many businesses now accept American Express. However, some merchants still only accept Visa or Mastercard. Before applying for an Amex business card, it’s worth confirming that your major suppliers and regular business merchants accept American Express.
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