Amex launches new rewards credit card for small businesses

Small business owners know that every dollar counts, and today credit card giant American Express has released a new piece of plastic dubbed the Business Explorer Card, aimed at getting SME owners more bang for their buck.
The new card is designed to be a blend of affordability, convenience and rewards value, with a relatively low interest rate of 16.99% attached, and 2 rewards points per $1 spent on most purchases, uncapped.
According to Amex, the card’s “combination of high rewards, low interest rate and other benefits is perfect for businesses looking to grow.”
RELATED: American Express partners with Commbank to double its uptake among small businesses
American Express said that more than 69% of small business owners opt for putting business expenses on a business card rather than on their personal credit card. One reason why was the convenience of keeping personal and business spending separate for when tax time rolls around, but another major reason was the ability to put rewards back into their business.
The card includes automatic enrollment into the Membership Rewards Gateway program, through which points can be cashed in for a range of rewards, including two of the most popular options, flights and gift cards.
As well as the regular earn rate, new cardholders can bag 100,000 bonus points, plus those who spend $100,000 annually are eligible for 50,000 extra bonus points each year.
Assuming 90% of that spend earned 2 points per $1, and the other 10% was spent at government bodies, such as the ATO, with an earn rate of 0.5 points per $1, that spend adds up to 335,000 points in the first year.
That’s enough for a small business owner to snag a free return flight from Sydney to LA, plus four $100 gift cards, according to Amex.
RELATED: Find a rewards card that suits your goals with our Rewards Revealer tool
But all this value doesn’t come free - at $395, the annual fee is one of the highest in Mozo’s business credit card database. Mozo Data Manager Peter Marshall urged small business owners to take this into consideration and weigh up the cost and benefits before diving in.
“As with any credit card, it’s really important to carefully consider your options and decide if this is the best value deal for your needs. If you’re going to get a tonne of value out of the rewards program, then it might be worth the price tag,” he said.
“On the other hand, if you tend to forget you even have points to use, then you might be better off with a low cost card without any bells and whistles.”
You can check out the details of the American Express Business Explorer credit card here, or head over to our comparison table to check out other small business credit cards available today.
More business credit cards - rates updated daily
Qantas Business Signature Card
Interest rate
Interest free days
Annual fee
18.50% p.a.44$295Receive 100,000 bonus Qantas Points when you spend $4,000 on everyday business purchases within 60 days of account opening. Earn points on ATO payments at the same rate as regular everyday business purchases. Eligibility criteria, T&Cs, fees and charges apply. New cards only.
Qantas Business Signature Card
Receive 100,000 bonus Qantas Points when you spend $4,000 on everyday business purchases within 60 days of account opening. Earn points on ATO payments at the same rate as regular everyday business purchases. Eligibility criteria, T&Cs, fees and charges apply. New cards only.
- Annual fee
- $295
- Interest free days
- 44
- Rewards description
- Points are automatically credited to the Qantas Frequent Flyer program.
- Interest rate on cash withdrawals
- 21.74% p.a.
- Fee for cash withdrawals
- 2%, Min $2.50
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the Qantas Business Signature Card
Low Rate Business Card
Interest rate
Interest free days
Annual fee
13.25% p.a.55$60 $0 in the first yearA business credit card with a competitive interest rate and low annual fee ($60). Personalise your cards with your business name and attach multiple cards and set individual credit limits under one facility.
Low Rate Business Card
A business credit card with a competitive interest rate and low annual fee ($60). Personalise your cards with your business name and attach multiple cards and set individual credit limits under one facility.
- Annual fee
- $60 $0 in the first year
- Interest free days
- 55
- Rewards description
- -
- Interest rate on cash withdrawals
- 13.25% p.a.
- Fee for cash withdrawals
- 2%, Min $2.50
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the Low Rate Business Card
Rewards Business Signature Card
Interest rate
Interest free days
Annual fee
18.50% p.a.44$175100,000 BONUS POINTS when you spend $4,000 on everyday business purchases within 60 days of account opening. With over 1,000 rewards to choose from including gift cards, merchandise, flights and more you can decide whether you'd like to reward yourself, your employees or your business.
Rewards Business Signature Card
100,000 BONUS POINTS when you spend $4,000 on everyday business purchases within 60 days of account opening. With over 1,000 rewards to choose from including gift cards, merchandise, flights and more you can decide whether you'd like to reward yourself, your employees or your business.
- Annual fee
- $175
- Interest free days
- 44
- Rewards description
- Points are automatically credited to the NAB Rewards Program.
- Interest rate on cash withdrawals
- 21.74% p.a.
- Fee for cash withdrawals
- 2%, Min $2.50
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the Rewards Business Signature Card
Business Explorer Credit Card
Interest rate
Interest free days
Annual fee
19.99% p.a.55$149 $0 in the first yearReceive 100,000 Membership Rewards Bonus Points plus No annual Card fee for the first year. Simply spend $3,000 on your new Card within 3 months of your approval date. Offer ends 29 June 2022. New American Express Card Members only.
Business Explorer Credit Card
Receive 100,000 Membership Rewards Bonus Points plus No annual Card fee for the first year. Simply spend $3,000 on your new Card within 3 months of your approval date. Offer ends 29 June 2022. New American Express Card Members only.
- Annual fee
- $149 $0 in the first year
- Interest free days
- 55
- Rewards description
- Transfer points to a range of airline programs or redeem your points for travel, gift cards, retail rewards and shopping gift cards. Transfer min 2,000 Membership Rewards pts to your Velocity Frequent Flyer Account in one transaction by 31 May, 2022 and receive 15% bonus Velocity Points.
- Interest rate on cash withdrawals
- -
- Fee for cash withdrawals
- -
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the Business Explorer Credit Card
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