How to Accept American Express Card Payments

Experience the Powerful Backing of American Express Card Acceptance

Competitive pricing opportunities at rates that may be lower than you think

Free marketing could help Card Members reach your business

On average, annual spend of Card Members is 3X that of Non-Card Members²

U.S. Small Businesses on average have 3X greater spend capacity versus competitors³

American Express can now be accepted at 99% of places in the US that accept credit cards.

Based on the Feb 2020 Nilson Report.

Two ways to accept Card payments online and in store

Accept Card Payment through Payment Provider

Acceptance through your Payment Provider

Eligible Small Businesses can accept through your provider, which sets the rate for card acceptance. Plus receive a single statement and deposit, the same way you do for all card brands you accept at your business.

Learn More

Call 1-833-213-0511 or fill out the form here.

Accept Card Payment through American Express

Acceptance through American Express

National and Regional Businesses or Small Businesses who prefer to accept directly through American Express can take advantage of competitive pricing opportunities, plus 24/7 expert support and protection to help your business thrive.

Learn More

Call 1-866-847-0890 or fill out the form here.

If you are a Franchise Business, learn more about accepting the Card here.

Already set up to accept American Express Cards?

Learn more about the savings, insights and payments solutions we have for your business.

Why businesses accept American Express

There are more reasons than ever to welcome American Express Cards. Hear what businesses are saying…

“Any business owner who’s not using Amex or accepting Amex is missing out on a great clientele who are very loyal to Amex.”

- Jenny Ferrera, Jenny Wax Skincare

“There is something about American Express that just makes you feel more secure and that you know you're going to be really well taken care of. if you have any issues or problems, they will help you solve them and they will make it easier.”

- Melanie Canter, Cookie Good

“There's a little bit of pride when they hand over the Amex card to us, which is very easily identifiable, and they like doing business with businesses that accept it.”

- Andrew Steiner, Andrew’s Cheese Shop

Interested in learning more about how to accept

American Express Card payments?

Accept Through Your Payment Provider

Learn More

Accept Through American Express

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Frequently Asked Questions

From large businesses like Walmart® and The Home Depot® to local businesses across the country, there are more places that accept American Express Cards than ever before. Based on a Feb 2020 Nilson Report, American Express can now be accepted at 99% of places in the U.S. that accept credit cards.

If you are not yet accepting American Express Cards at your business, please learn more here about how to get started today.

To search for U.S. American Express Card-accepting physical businesses, please visit here.

To search for U.S. American Express Card-accepting online businesses, please visit here.

American Express is accepted at more places than ever before. In fact, American Express can now be accepted at 99% of places in the US that accept credit cards, according to the Feb 2020 Nilson Report.

Internationally, we are working to expand coverage over the next few years where American Express Card Members live, work and travel. This will continue to be a focus for American Express in key cities around the world.

List of U.S. American Express Card-accepting physical businesses.

List of U.S. American Express Card-accepting online businesses.

To learn how to accept American Express cards at your business, click here.

To accept American Express Card payments, you will need to set up a merchant account. There are two ways to set up a merchant account with American Express, either directly with American Express or with a Payment Provider. Learn more about the two ways to accept card payments at your business and get started today.

There are two ways to accept American Express Card payments online and in stores.

1. Accept though your Payment Provider

Eligible Small Businesses can accept through your provider, which sets the rate for card acceptance. Plus receive a single statement and deposit, the same way you do for all card brands you accept at your business. Call 1-833-213-0511 or visit americanexpress.com/optblue to learn more.

2. Accept through American Express

National and Regional Businesses or Small Businesses who prefer to accept directly through American Express can take advantage of competitive pricing opportunities, plus 24/7 expert support and protection to help your business thrive. Call 1-866-847-0890 or visit americanexpress.com/acceptdirect.

There are many reasons why accepting American Express Card payments can benefit your business.

Access to over 112+ Million Card Members

American Express Card Members seek out businesses where they can use their American Express Card and on average, they spend 3.1X more than other card brands, opening your business to valuable card members.²

Free Marketing Materials

We’re here to help your business thrive by providing you with free signage and supplies so you can attract card members to your business. Check out all that we have to offer.

Through our Recommendations program, your business could get recommended to card members through email or their online accounts. To learn more about Recommendations.

To hear more from business like yours on why they accept American Express Cards.

Shop Small

American Express is proud to back Small Businesses all year long. From providing customizable materials for businesses to use in marketing to advice from other small business owners, we have resources to help you promote your business. Learn more about the Shop Small Movement.

More Information

Shop Small Resources

Free Signs and Supplies

Payment Solutions

Services and Savings

Insights and Education

Contactless Resources

[1]American Express Annual Report, December 2017.

[2]Nilson Report #1,147, February 2019. Spend per card derived from U.S. year-end purchase volume divided by year-end cards in force (CIF), not from individual consumer-level data. CIF represents the number of cards issued and outstanding with cardholders. Average Non-American Express spend per card includes Visa, Mastercard and Discover credit and charge card volume and CIF and excludes debit volume and CIF.

[3] Spend capacity for US Small Businesses based on commercial information as of July 2016. AXP spend capacity based on analysis of US OPEN population. Competitor lines based on Small Business Financial Exchange (SBFE) data from Equifax; Spend capacity for our largest US Small Business Accounts based on December 2017 AXP OPEN data for customers with over $1MM annual revenue and more than $500k in annual spend. Competitor lines based on Small Business Financial Exchange (SBFE) data from Dun & Bradstreet.

Accept American Express® Cards

Get access to 112MM+ Cards Worldwide1 and competitive pricing opportunities

Supporting Businesses

Learn more about the resources we have to help you and your business stay safe, informed and connected during this time.

Experience the Powerful Backing of American Express Card Acceptance