ACCEPT AMERICAN EXPRESS® CREDIT CARDS IN STORE AND ONLINE.
Explore the benefits of welcoming American Express Cards at your business.
Competitive Pricing
Competitive pricing opportunities at rates that may be lower than you think
Access to Benefits
Access to benefits like free marketing, savings on business solutions and more.
Higher Spending Card Members
In 2022, the average transaction size of American Express Card Members was 65% higher than that of non-Card Members.1
Welcoming Card Members
58% of American Express Card Members report that they prefer to make purchases where American Express cards are accepted.2
American Express can be accepted at 99% of places in the US that accept credit cards.*
*Based on the Feb 2022 Nilson Report.
Business Savings Suite
Your business can take advantage of over $4,500 in offer savings with the Business Savings Suite3 on offers from partners like Intuit QuickBooks, FedEx, and more.
Business Class for Merchants
Tips, trends, and tools from industry thought leaders in digestible formats.
Connecting to Customers
We provide free marketing, tools and programs to help connect your business to more customers.
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.
Call 1-833-213-0511 or fill out the Payment Provider Form
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.
Call 1-866-847-0890 or fill out the Accept Direct Form
Alternatively, learn more about accepting the Card as a Franchise Business.
Backing Small Businesses Grant Program
Together with Main Street America, American Express is helping underrepresented U.S. small business owners recover from economic challenges and grow their businesses. The program will provide $5,000 grants to help 350 small businesses, and 25 of them will be eligible to receive an additional $25,000 Enhancement Grant to further improve their business. Terms apply.
Backing Historic Restaurants Grant Program
In partnership with the National Trust for Historic Preservation, the “Backing Historic Small Restaurants” nationwide grant program is returning for a third year. The program will award $40,000 grants to 25 historic U.S. small restaurants, supporting the future growth of these establishments as they navigate current challenges. Applications and public nominations open on February 23. Terms apply.
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
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 2022 Nilson Report, American Express can be accepted at 99% of places in the US 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.
Search for U.S. American Express Card-accepting physical businesses.
Search for U.S. American Express Card-accepting online businesses.
American Express is accepted at more places than ever before. In fact, American Express can be accepted at 99% of places in the US that accept credit cards according to the Feb 2022 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.
Learn how to accept American Express cards at your business.
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 free signage and supplies.
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.
[1] Nilson Report #1,235, February 2023. Transaction Size derived from U.S. year-end purchase volume divided by year-end purchase transactions, not from individual consumer-level data. Average Non-American Express transaction size includes Visa, MasterCard and Discover credit and charge cards and excludes debit and prepaid volume and transactions.
[2] American Express commissioned an online survey conducted by Morning Consult in June 2021 relating to non-business purchases. Definition of American Express Card Members: Respondents in the U.S. who reported that they have an American Express Card and that they use that card to make non-business purchases at least once every 6 months. Definition of Non-Card Members: Respondents who reported that they do not have any type of American Express Card and that they use Visa, MasterCard, or Discover credit card products to make non-business purchases at least once every 6 months. Disclaimer: The trademarks used herein are the property of their respective owners.
[3] Based on offer savings available via the Business Savings Suite as of April 1, 2023. Value calculated by totaling either the lowest possible reward/savings amount or the average reward/savings amount across all available offers, and assumes a merchant took advantage of the full length of any subscription plan where relevant, across all Business Savings Suite third party offers. Offers and value of offers are subject to change without notice to you. Visit americanexpress.com/merchantoffers to see current offers.
