The Business Green Rewards Card from American Express is an entry-level charge card best suited for business owners who need flexible spending power (no pre-set spending limit) but want to avoid the high annual fees of the Gold or Platinum cards. However, with a modest rewards rate of just 1X-2X points and a $95 annual fee, most small businesses will find better value in the no-annual-fee Blue Business® Plus Credit Card.

At a Glance

Welcome Offer: Earn 15,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $3,000 in eligible purchases on the Business Green Rewards Card within the first 3 months of Card Membership
Rewards Rate: 2X points on Amex Travel; 1X on everything else
Annual Fee: $95
Regular APR: 18.49% - 29.24% Variable
Foreign Transaction Fee: 2.7%
Credit Score: Good, Excellent
Employee Cards: $0 annual fee for additional employee cards

Overview

The Business Green Rewards Card from American Express is a classic "charge card" designed for small business owners who prioritize cash flow flexibility over maximizing rewards. Unlike a standard credit card with a hard cap, this card has no pre-set spending limit, meaning your purchasing power adjusts based on your usage, payment history, and credit profile. It serves as a bridge for businesses that need the operational tools of an Amex card without the premium price tag of the Platinum card.

Rewards & Benefits

The rewards structure on the Business Green card is basic, focusing on travel booked through American Express.

Earning Points: You earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar on flights and prepaid hotels booked at amextravel.com. All other eligible purchases earn 1X point per dollar.
Redemption: Points are best used by transferring them to travel partners like Delta, British Airways, or Marriott. Using points for statement credits generally offers poor value (0.6 cents per point).
Business Tools: The card shines with its expense management features. You can add employee cards for free, set custom spending limits for each employee, and sync transaction data directly to QuickBooks.

Fees & Requirements

Annual Fee: The card carries a $95 annual fee, though offers frequently waive this fee for the first year.
Foreign Transaction Fee: Unlike many modern travel cards, this card charges 2.7% on international transactions.
Credit Score: Amex typically requires Good to Excellent credit. They also look at your business revenue and tenure, though startups can often qualify based on the owner's personal credit.
Payment Structure: As a charge card, you are expected to pay your balance in full every month. However, the Pay Over Time feature allows you to carry a balance on eligible purchases (with interest rates from 18.49% - 29.24% Variable), offering a safety net for cash flow crunches.

Borrower Experience

Application: The application is straightforward, and decisions are often instant. If you already have an Amex card, you might not even incur a hard credit pull.
Support: American Express is consistently ranked #1 in customer satisfaction for small business credit cards, offering 24/7 support.

Who It’s Best For

Amex Loyalists on a Budget: If you want access to the Amex ecosystem and Membership Rewards points but can't justify a $300+ annual fee.
Businesses with Fluctuating Expenses: The "No Pre-Set Spending Limit" is ideal for companies that have occasional high-spend months (e.g., buying inventory) that would max out a traditional card.
Teams Requiring Expense Control: The ability to issue free employee cards with strict spending limits is a great feature for managing petty cash and team expenses.

Who Should Skip It

Maximize-Rewards Seekers: If your goal is to earn free travel or cash back, earning 1X points is unacceptable. You are losing money compared to a 2% cash back card.
International Travelers: The 2.7% foreign transaction fee wipes out the value of any rewards you earn abroad.
Businesses with <$50k Spend: The Blue Business Plus is almost objectively better for lower spenders, offering 2X points on everything (up to $50k/year) with no annual fee.

Bottom Line

The Business Green Rewards Card from American Express is a niche tool. It is not a rewards powerhouse; it is a financial utility belt. Its primary value lies in the No Pre-Set Spending Limit and expense management tools, which can be lifesavers for businesses with unpredictable inventory costs.

Business Green Rewards Card from American Express