Clarification about American Express “business” cards in Canada

We’ve talked a lot about regular (“personal” or “consumer”) credit cards, but there are also a few “business” cards. Those issued by American Express offer some of the most valuable welcome bonuses in Canada (with amazing benefits too), and you don’t need an incorporated business to be eligible to get them!

Here are the details.

Eligibility for Amex “business” cards

Having the word “business” in the card name can seem a little confusing indeed.

But no, contrary to the widespread myth, you do not need to be incorporated as a business and you do not even need to be self-employed or anything at all to get an American Express “business” card.

There are no requirements at all in fact, as you read yourself on their official application page!

There are a few special instructions for the application itself though!

How to apply for Amex “business” cards

For the legal name of the business, put your full name.

For the business income, you can estimate a very minimal non-employment income that you might want to reach in any given way (maybe you’ll resell things on Facebook Marketplace for example), they won’t ask for proof of income this way.

The number of employees would be 1 (you) if you don’t have any employees.

That’s what I did with my American Express Business Gold Card just to show you, even though I could’ve used Flytrippers as a business. My name appears as the business name under my name.

As with personal credit cards, Amex pretty much only looks at your credit score, unlike all other banks.

(Other banks often have minimum income requirements for regular cards and only allow businesses to get “business” cards too!)

So with Amex, you can get those “business” cards to have even more potential to earn free travel!

The welcome bonuses for “business” credit cards are very high, but some of them come with higher minimum spend requirements than regular consumer cards. So that’s sometimes the main obstacle, as it can be a bit more difficult to reach them, even with our tips.

It’s worth the effort though, to get the most valuable points out there, which are often those offered by Amex (either Amex points, Aeroplan points, or Marriott points).

The best Amex “business” cards in Canada

Here are the best Amex “business cards” worth considering at the moment!

Best Amex "business" credit cards
American Express® Business Gold Rewards Card
Card: no business required
Min. spend (bonus): $7.5k in 3 mos.
WELCOME BONUS ( VALUATION)	SEE MORE
≈ $514Flytrippers Valuation Welcome bonus: 40,000 pts (≈ $600) Earn on min. spend: 7,500 pts (≈ $113) Card fee: deducted (-$199) Also offered but not included in Valuation: quarterly spending bonus
Rewards: ≈ $713
Card fee: $199
Best for: More valuable Amex points for Aeroplan or Avios
Business Platinum Card® from American Express
Card: no business required
Min. spend (bonus): $15k in 3 mos.
WELCOME BONUS ( VALUATION)	SEE MORE
≈ $1002Flytrippers Valuation Welcome bonus: 80,000 pts (≈ $1200) Earn on min. spend: 18,750 pts (≈ $281) Annual travel credit: can be cashed out ($200) Wireless credit: $10 per month ($120) Card fee: deducted (-$799) Also offered but not included in Valuation: renewal bonus of 40,000 pts (≈ $600) Also offered but not included in Valuation: NEXUS credit ($100)
Rewards: ≈ $1801
Card fee: $799
Best for: Big spenders & luxury travelers
Show more
Marriott Bonvoy™ Business American Express® Card
Card: no business required
Min. spend (bonus): $5k in 3 mos.
WELCOME BONUS ( VALUATION)	SEE MORE
≈ $480Flytrippers Valuation Welcome bonus : 60,000 pts (≈ $540) Earn on min. spend: 10,000 pts (≈ $90) Card fee: deducted (-$150)
Rewards: ≈ $630
Card fee: $150
Best for: Valuable Marriott certificate another must-have
American Express® Aeroplan®* Business Reserve Card
Card: no business required
Min. spend (bonus): $10.5k in 3 mos.
WELCOME BONUS ( VALUATION)	SEE MORE
≈ $573Flytrippers Valuation Welcome bonus: 65,000 pts (≈ $975) Earn on min. spend: 13,125 pts (≈ $197) Card fee: deducted (-$599) Also offered but not included in Valuation: renewal bonus of 25,000 pts (≈ $375) with extra $3500 spend
Rewards: ≈ $1172
Card fee: $599
Best for: Frequent Air Canada travel & maximizing Aeroplan
Terms and conditions apply. Flytrippers editorial opinion only. Financial institutions are not responsible for maintaining the content on this site. Please click "See More" to see most up-to-date information.

Best Amex "business" credit cards		WELCOME BONUS ( VALUATION)	Best for
	American Express® Business Gold Rewards Card Card: no business required Min. spend (bonus): $7.5k in 3 mos.	≈ $514Flytrippers Valuation Welcome bonus: 40,000 pts (≈ $600) Earn on min. spend: 7,500 pts (≈ $113) Card fee: deducted (-$199) Also offered but not included in Valuation: quarterly spending bonus Rewards: ≈ $713 Card fee: $199	More valuable Amex points for Aeroplan or Avios	SEE MORE
	Business Platinum Card® from American Express Card: no business required Min. spend (bonus): $15k in 3 mos.	≈ $1002Flytrippers Valuation Welcome bonus: 80,000 pts (≈ $1200) Earn on min. spend: 18,750 pts (≈ $281) Annual travel credit: can be cashed out ($200) Wireless credit: $10 per month ($120) Card fee: deducted (-$799) Also offered but not included in Valuation: renewal bonus of 40,000 pts (≈ $600) Also offered but not included in Valuation: NEXUS credit ($100) Rewards: ≈ $1801 Card fee: $799	Big spenders & luxury travelers	SEE MORE
	Marriott Bonvoy™ Business American Express® Card Card: no business required Min. spend (bonus): $5k in 3 mos.	≈ $480Flytrippers Valuation Welcome bonus : 60,000 pts (≈ $540) Earn on min. spend: 10,000 pts (≈ $90) Card fee: deducted (-$150) Rewards: ≈ $630 Card fee: $150	Valuable Marriott certificate another must-have	SEE MORE
	American Express® Aeroplan®* Business Reserve Card Card: no business required Min. spend (bonus): $10.5k in 3 mos.	≈ $573Flytrippers Valuation Welcome bonus: 65,000 pts (≈ $975) Earn on min. spend: 13,125 pts (≈ $197) Card fee: deducted (-$599) Also offered but not included in Valuation: renewal bonus of 25,000 pts (≈ $375) with extra $3500 spend Rewards: ≈ $1172 Card fee: $599	Frequent Air Canada travel & maximizing Aeroplan	SEE MORE
Terms and conditions apply. Flytrippers editorial opinion only. Financial institutions are not responsible for maintaining the content on this site. Please click "See More" to see most up-to-date information.

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Summary

American Express “business” cards are a great way to earn even more travel rewards. All travelers are eligible to get them, despite what the name seems to indicate!

Have any questions about American Express “business” cards? Ask us in the comments below.

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