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The SimplyCash® Plus Business Credit Card from American Express may sound like just another credit card available to business owners. But the reality is that this new card, launched earlier this year, is upping the ante on a feature that could be some business owners’ best capital resource: buying power.
Let’s start with the basics of the card. American Express’s SimplyCash® Plus Business Credit Card has no annual fee, and a great set of cash back rewards. Businesses can earn
The regular APR is a variable rate depending on your creditworthiness at the time of application. There is a penalty APR and a late payment fee of . (Update: The article was updated June 22, 2017 to reflect new terms. See full rates and terms for updated APRs.)
Expanded Buying Power for Small Businesses
The aspect of this card worth noting is the “expanded buying power” available to businesses. This means that SimplyCash® Plus cardholders can make purchases beyond their credit limit to finance bigger jobs, take advantage of deals on inventory, and more. Cardholders will also be eligible for cash back on purchases they make beyond their credit limit. American Express’s Charge Cards also feature the no pre-set spending limit feature. (Editor’s Note: American Express is a Nav partner, but this doesn’t result in preferential editorial treatment.)
Being able to buy above your credit limit won’t empower you to go on an unlimited shopping spree for your company. The amount you can spend above your credit limit will be determined by how much you use the card, your payment history, credit scores, current financial situation, and other factors as decided by AMEX. Anything spent above the limit must be repaid within 25 days after the billing cycle (in which the purchase was made) closes; for anything below the limit, business owners will be able to carry as a balance (while paying interest).
Worried that you’ll try to make a large purchase beyond your limit, only to get declined? Fear not! AMEX offers a portal where you can enter the amount you plan to spend to make sure you’ll be approved.
Why Expanded Buying Power from American Express is Noteworthy
This card benefit could alter the way business owners access financing for their business by making a business credit card the go-to financing tool for unexpected expenses or business opportunities. Financing a business project that will present a healthy payoff will be easier and likely less expensive to finance with the SimplyCash® Plus card than finding an alternative lender to finance the job.
“The potential for this card is truly revolutionary,” says Levi King, co-founder and CEO of Nav. “This would have made a huge difference to me back when I owned my first company. If my customers could have paid their bills with a business credit card that underwrote their spending real-time—rather than waiting 15, 30, even 90 days to pay on trade terms—it would have saved me a lot of headache. This is big for small business.”
This new business credit card is good for businesses who plan to make purchases above their spending limit and want to reap the cashback rewards, and companies that have a large budget for telephone services and office supplies. This card is great for businesses who may, at some point, need quick financing to take on a job, a great deal on inventory, etc. If you can pay off the borrowed amount over your limit within 25 days after the billing cycle in which the purchase was made, the SimplyCash® Plus card can be a great alternative to higher cost options.
This card is NOT as good for business owners who do a lot of international travel, as there is a 2.7% foreign transaction fee, or businesses who have trouble controlling business spending — if you can’t pay back the amount you pay above your limit by the due date, there is a hefty penalty APR.
For business owners who are smart with their money, the SimplyCash® Plus Business Credit Card from American Express is a new way to access more money, in less time, and at a reasonable APR compared to many small business lending options. Take a look at how this card stacks up next to other business financing options and be sure to check out all of Nav’s credit cards in our marketplace.
Related article: AmEx Introduces Working Capital Terms for Small Businesses.
This article was originally written on May 18, 2016 and updated on December 13, 2017.
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