Explore the benefits of welcoming American Express Cards at your business.
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Why Accept
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Supporting Small Businesses
Widely Accepted in the US
American Express can be accepted at 99% of places in the US that accept credit cards.1
Competitive Pricing
Competitive Pricing opportunities at rates that may be lower than you think
Higher Spending Card Members
In 2022, the average transaction size of American Express Card Members was 65% higher than that of non-Card Members.2
Customer Loyalty
In 2021, 58% of American Express Card Members report that they prefer to make purchases where American Express cards are accepted.3
Accept directly with Amex (opens new window)
Accept with a Payment Provider (opens new window)
Take advantage of offer savings worth over $4,500
Through our Business Savings Suite4, your business can take advantage of offers from our partners like Intuit QuickBooks, FedEx, and more.
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Payment solutions to help you grow
Solutions to help finance, protect, grow, and manage business.
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Industry trends and insights
Business Class for Merchants offers tips, trends, and tools from industry thought leaders in digestible formats.
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Free marketing, tools and programs
Get promoted, amplified and connected to customers for free.
Discover programs
Accept Directly with Amex
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
Fill out the Accept Direct Form
Accept directly with Amex (opens new window)
Accept With a 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
Fill out the Payment Provider Form
Accept with a Payment Provider (opens new window)
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
- 25 of them will be eligible to receive an additional $25,000 Enhancement Grant to further improve their business. Terms apply.
In 2022, more than $2.3 million was distributed. Learn more about how we’re backing small business.
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.
Since 2021, the Backing Historic Small Restaurants grant program has granted a total of $3 million. Learn more about how we’re backing historic small restaurants.
Hear what businesses are saying about American Express
“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
Are you ready to accept American Express?
Accept Directly with Amex
Accept directly with Amex (opens new window)
Accept With a Payment Provider
Accept with a Payment Provider (opens new window)
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, you can accept in two ways:
- accept with a payment provider
- accept directly with American Express
To search for U.S. American Express Card-accepting physical businesses, please visit the American Express® Map.
To search for U.S. American Express Card-accepting online businesses, please visit the online business directory of the American Express® Map.
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.
To search for U.S. American Express Card-accepting physical businesses, please visit the American Express® Map.
To search for U.S. American Express Card-accepting online businesses, please visit the online business directory of the American Express® Map.
To learn how to accept American Express cards at your business, you can accept in two ways:
- accept with a payment provider
- accept directly with American Express
To accept American Express Card payments, you will need to set up a Merchant account.
You can accept in two ways:
- accept with a payment provider
- accept directly with American Express
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 learn more about accepting through your Payment Provider.
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 learn more about accept directly with American Express.
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.3
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.
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.
Useful Links
Shop Small Resources
Free Signs and Supplies
Payment Solutions
Business Savings
Business Insights
Contactless Payments
1. Based on the Feb 2023 Nilson Report.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.
