Amex Business Cards as a Sole Trader

[_TheTraveller_]

Hi Everyone. Does anyone have any experience with applying for a Amex business card as a sole trader? My personal income is >75K but my revenue is quite low as it's a new venture. What kind of information does amex look for in this situation?

 

[_TheTraveller_]

Based on a conversation with their business team, it seems like they look mainly at your personal income for a business card as a base rather than your gross revenue.

Hope this helps someone! I couldn't justify the benefits of an amex business card over personal so I won't be proceeding.

 

[SYD]

Based on a conversation with their business team, it seems like they look mainly at your personal income for a business card as a base rather than your gross revenue.

Hope this helps someone! I couldn't justify the benefits of an amex business card over personal so I won't be proceeding.

A similar question was asked a few months ago but yeah, the advantage of AMEX is you’re responsible. When I started my own company (as a Pty Ltd) AMEX worked whereas the decent points earning CC providers wanted 3 or more years of company history. Pretty hard when just starting out. I’m pretty happy with the AMEX Small Biz card.

But as a Sole Trader, it probably doesn’t make a huge difference using whatever personal CCs you have - just keep good records?

 

[Kangol]

I applied as a sole trader with no issue, approved on the spot. Card has not arrived.

As best I can tell, it looks like a business/QBR branded card, but you earn QFF points to your personal account.
Currently there's a 160k bonus with Champagne Mile vs 150k on the public site.

The comparable personal card is the Ultimate with a 75k bonus, same $450 annual fee/$450 travel credit but slightly higher earn on QF services (2.25 per dollar on Ultimate vs 2 per dollar on the business card).

If you are beyond your 18 month waiting period, getting the business card is a no brainer. Not to mention no limit and triple business points for flying for your business (the value might be variable depending on your QBR membership level).

 

[Kangol]

Can confirm that the points go to your QBR account, not personal.
The bonus credited in the first statement cycle.

 

[SYD]

Can confirm that the points go to your QBR account, not personal.
The bonus credited in the first statement cycle.

Is that this card (or something very similar)?

American Express - /au/business/*

www.americanexpress.com

Mine‘s a QF AMEX Business CC and the points just go over to my QFF account.

 

[squid01]

Is that this card (or something very similar)?

American Express - /au/business/*

www.americanexpress.com

Mine‘s a QF AMEX Business CC and the points just go over to my QFF account.

I recently had this card and they went to my Qantas Business Rewards account.

Got the 160k deal with $0 fee too. And also got 20k more for being a first time QBR user. Simple application, got the points quickly, easiest card I have done. And for the record I have $0 income on my ABN, it has been dormant for some time.

 

[Ade]

If you are beyond your 18 month waiting period,

This is where I lose ... loving the AMEX QF Ultimate Personal CC ... and I'm very close to starting my own small business and have got some expenses to do ... because I hold a personal AMEX I won't qualify for the 160K QF points ... I wish AMEX saw personal & business cards as separate entities, so that it's easy to earn sign on bonuses

 

[Kangol]

Is that this card (or something very similar)?

American Express - /au/business/*

www.americanexpress.com

Mine‘s a QF AMEX Business CC and the points just go over to my QFF account.

Yes, that's the one. Which one is yours?

Do you mean you have one of the 3 MR cards, then transfer MR -> QFF?

American Express

I recently had this card and they went to my Qantas Business Rewards account.

Got the 160k deal with $0 fee too. And also got 20k more for being a first time QBR user. Simple application, got the points quickly, easiest card I have done. And for the record I have $0 income on my ABN, it has been dormant for some time.

How did you get it with $0 fee? Do you mean the $450 credit "cancelled out" the $450 annual fee?

 

[squid01]

Yes, that's the one. Which one is yours?

Do you mean you have one of the 3 MR cards, then transfer MR -> QFF?

American Express

How did you get it with $0 fee? Do you mean the $450 credit "cancelled out" the $450 annual fee?

They had a promotion on with zero fee. Not referring to flight credit offsetting the fee. I signed up back in March I think it was. Couldnt believe the offer but it was true. Unfortunately that isnt the current deal.

 

[Kangol]

They had a promotion on with zero fee. Not referring to flight credit offsetting the fee. I signed up back in March I think it was. Couldnt believe the offer but it was true. Unfortunately that isnt the current deal.

Oh, now I vaguely remember seeing something of the sort but because I was in my 18 month waiting period, couldn't apply.
Did you get a $450 flight credit as well as $0 annual fee?

 

[DrGear]

I've had the QBR card for about 2 years now and it's worked well for us. The accessline service for paying suppliers who don't take it is good. I was able to get it despite only being a PTY LTD company for a few months before (had been a sole trader for a year prior) and it was a godsend for cashflow in the early days.

Even when the business hit some hard times due to a bunch of events all happening at once, they were quite helpful and we got onto a payment plan and got it all sorted. I've now got 1.1 million completely useless QFF points, however

 

[squid01]

Oh, now I vaguely remember seeing something of the sort but because I was in my 18 month waiting period, couldn't apply.
Did you get a $450 flight credit as well as $0 annual fee?

No flight credit just fee free. Easiest points I ever earned on this one.

 

[SYD]

Yes, that's the one. Which one is yours?

Do you mean you have one of the 3 MR cards, then transfer MR -> QFF?

American Express

No, mine‘s not listed. It would be a QF equivalent of the VA Biz card shown but only $160 pa (no lounges passes but not needed).

Looks like they’re pushing people towards the QBR card - but I wouldn't pay $450 pa. The MR cards could be useful, but can you transfer to QFF?

Like others, I already had a personal AMEX so wasn’t eligible for a signup bonus offer from AMEX. At the time WBC had a good CC sign up offer, but I didn’t have 3 yrs trading history.

 

[ChrisFlyer]

I recently had this card and they went to my Qantas Business Rewards account.

Got the 160k deal with $0 fee too. And also got 20k more for being a first time QBR user. Simple application, got the points quickly, easiest card I have done. And for the record I have $0 income on my ABN, it has been dormant for some time.

Hmm, last time I looked into the AMEX business cards, the ABN had to be registered for GST. Is that no longer the case (or are you just registered for GST but dormant)?

 

[squid01]

Hmm, last time I looked into the AMEX business cards, the ABN had to be registered for GST. Is that no longer the case (or are you just registered for GST but dormant)?

I literally registered for GST the day before applying. They literally didn’t ask me for one piece of documentation to support my application was bizzare.

 

[Kangol]

No, mine‘s not listed. It would be a QF equivalent of the VA Biz card shown but only $160 pa (no lounges passes but not needed).

Looks like they’re pushing people towards the QBR card - but I wouldn't pay $450 pa. The MR cards could be useful, but can you transfer to QFF?

Like others, I already had a personal AMEX so wasn’t eligible for a signup bonus offer from AMEX. At the time WBC had a good CC sign up offer, but I didn’t have 3 yrs trading history.

Sounds like an old/discontinued card - when did you sign up for it?

I literally registered for GST the day before applying. They literally didn’t ask me for one piece of documentation to support my application was bizzare.

I called before applying to ask what documents were required. The call centre operator strongly implied that they did not ask for documentation, just reinforced that you need to put down a minimum of 75k annual business revenue

 

[squid01]

Sounds like an old/discontinued card - when did you sign up for it?

I called before applying to ask what documents were required. The call centre operator strongly implied that they did not ask for documentation, just reinforced that you need to put down a minimum of 75k annual business revenue

I put zero business revenue and also put down my salary in the personal income part. Approved no worries. Actually somewhat concerning how easy it was to get this card hah.

 

[bussyboy]

This is where I lose ... loving the AMEX QF Ultimate Personal CC ... and I'm very close to starting my own small business and have got some expenses to do ... because I hold a personal AMEX I won't qualify for the 160K QF points ... I wish AMEX saw personal & business cards as separate entities, so that it's easy to earn sign on bonuses

Can anyone (@DrGear?) confirm this is an issue when applying as a Pty Ltd? My dad's starting a new business venture, but holds a personal card currently - the business will be set up as a small company, so I was going to recommend this card

 

[SYD]

Can anyone (@DrGear?) confirm this is an issue when applying as a Pty Ltd? My dad's starting a new business venture, but holds a personal card currently - the business will be set up as a small company, so I was going to recommend this card

Yes. 99.9% sure because the card is in your name and linked to your existing account(s).