Shannon Terrell
Georgia Rose
Erica CorbinNOTE: As of August 27, 2024, American Express is no longer accepting new applicants for the American Express® Business Edge™ Card. Some information in this review may be outdated or no longer applicable.
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Great low-fee rewards card for small businesses
With a $99 annual fee, the Amex Business Edge card is among the cheapest business cards from American Express. Plus, up to 99 supplementary cards can be added for free.
Learn more about how we evaluate cards.
The American Express Business Edge is a low-fee credit card option for small businesses. Cardholders can earn 3x Membership Rewards points on business purchases, as well as 1x points on everyday expenses.
Amex Business Edge full review
The American Express Business Edge card is one of five business cards offered by Amex. It has the lowest annual fee of the five cards, as well as a sizable welcome offer. But it does not offer the extensive travel insurance coverage or perks of some other business cards.
Benefits of the American Express Business Edge
- Up to 67,000 Membership Reward points up for grabs for new cardholders.
- Free supplementary cards for employees, up to 99 per account.
- Low annual fee compared to other Amex business cards.
Drawbacks of the American Express Business Edge
- Offers limited insurance perks.
Who should get the American Express Business Edge?
Small business owners who want a cost-effective rewards card with free supplementary cards may want to consider the Amex Business Edge card.
Is American Express Business Edge worth it?
The American Express Business Edge is worth it if you’re looking for a simple business card that earns rewards. It has a lower annual fee than other Amex business credit card options, and offers reasonable reward earn rates. But the limited insurance coverage may not be enough for some businesses.
American Express customer ratings
- High in customer satisfaction: American Express ranks 3rd in J.D. Power’s 2022 Credit Card Satisfaction Study.
- Low Trustpilot rating: 1.6 out of 5 possible stars based on over 3,800 customer reviews, as of this writing.
- Low Better Business Bureau rating: 1.08 out of 5 possible stars based on over 430 customer reviews, as of this writing. American Express is not accredited by the BBB itself.
American Express Business Edge eligibility
Who qualifies for the Amex Business Edge?
To apply for the American Express Business Edge, you must:
- Be a resident of Canada.
- Have a credit file in Canada.
- Be at least the age of majority in your province.
Small business owners, such as entrepreneurs, freelancers and sole proprietors can apply.
Approximate credit score needed for approval
Canadian credit card issuers rarely disclose required credit scores, which makes it hard to know your chances of approval when comparing credit cards. What we do know is that higher scores have better chances of approval — that’s true no matter what type of credit you’re applying for.
Want to learn more? Visit our “What Credit Score is Needed for a Credit Card?” page.
» MORE: How to Check Your Credit Score
American Express Business Edge rewards
You can earn up to 67,000 Membership Reward points in the first year of card ownership.
- Earn 45,000 points when you spend at least $5,000 in the first three months.
- Earn 1,000 points every month in which you spend at least $3,000 each billing cycling (a potential 12,000 points in the first year)
- You can earn an additional 10,000 points in the first six months when you use the card on eligible business essentials, such as office supplies, gas and electronics.
- 3x points on every CAD spent on eligible business expenses, such as office supplies, electronics, transport, gas, food and drink.
- 1x points on everything else.
The value of American Express Membership Rewards points vary depending on the redemption method you choose, but you can expect to get 0.7-2 cents per point, according to NerdWallet analysis. That means the potential 67,000 points available to new cardholders equals $469 to $1,340 in value.
Point value breakdown
Depending on the redemption method you choose, you can expect to get around 0.7-2 cents per American Express Membership Rewards point.
- Up to 2 cents per point for flights, fine hotels and resorts booked via the American Express Fixed Points Travel Program.
- 1 cent per point for statement credits.
- About 0.8 cents per point for gift cards.
- About 0.7 cents per point for shopping with merchant partners.
How to apply for the American Express Business Edge card
You can apply for the American Express Business Edge online via the company’s website. The process takes roughly five to 10 minutes and you can receive an answer within 60 seconds of submitting an application.
Simply click on the Apply Now button and agree to the terms and conditions. Enter your personal information, business details and employment information. Supply all requested documentation and click submit.
American Express Business Edge vs American Express Business Gold Rewards Card
If you’re not opposed to paying a higher annual fee in exchange for better perks, you might consider the American Express Business Gold Rewards card instead. At twice the annual cost, the card offers no pre-set spending limits and more insurance coverage than the Amex Business Edge.
| American Express Business Edge | American Express Business Gold Rewards Card | |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fees | $99. | $199. |
| Minimum annual income | N/A. | N/A. |
| Additional cards for employees | $0 for up to 99 additional cards. | $50 per year, per card. |
| Rewards |
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| Benefits |
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Reasons you might want a different card
If you want more travel perks from your credit card, you’ll have to look at other card options, perhaps from another payment network. If you’re dead-set on an Amex and aren’t afraid to go higher still with the annual fee, you could consider the American Express Business Platinum Card. The card carries one of Amex’s highest yearly fees (a whopping $799), but includes benefits like airport lounge access, discounts on international airline tickets, free daily breakfasts, room upgrades and food, beverage and spa credits at partner hotels.
Check out NerdWallet’s list of the best American Express business credit cards for more options.
American Express Business Edge facts
| American Express Business Edge | |
|---|---|
| Card type | Business credit card. |
| Fees and interest rates | |
| Annual fee | $99. |
| Regular/purchase APR | 21.99%. |
| Penalty APR | 25.99% on purchases if you miss payments, and/or 28.99% on fund advances. |
| Cash advance APR | 21.99%. |
| Rewards and benefits | |
| Intro offer | Earn up to 67,000 Membership Reward points in the first year of card ownership. |
| Reward earn rates | Earn 3x Membership Reward points on eligible business expenses, and 1x points on everything else. |
| Other perks |
|
| Insurance coverage | |
| Rental car theft/damage | For up to 48 days. |
| Extended warranty | Up to 1 additional year. |
| Purchase Protection | 90 days. |
Rating Methodology
NerdWallet Canada rates credit cards according to overall consumer value and their suitability for specific kinds of consumers. Factors in our evaluation methodology include annual and other fees, rewards rates, the earning structure (for example, flat-rate rewards versus bonus categories), redemption options, bonus offers for new cardholders, introductory and ongoing APRs, and other noteworthy features such as airline or hotel perks or the ability to transfer points.
Frequently asked questions about American Express Business Edge
There are no publicly available income requirements. You must be at least the age of majority, a resident of Canada and have a Canadian credit profile.
Supplementary Amex Business Edge cards are free. You can get up to 99 cards per account. All cardholders must be at least the age of majority.
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