How To Activate American Express Business Card In 2023
American Express is one of the world's most reliable credit card companies. It has its headquarters in New York City and operates in most countries. American Express provides a range of services for small to large-sized businesses. Business owners can choose from a wide range of products that suit them the best - from charge cards, credit cards, and rewards cards. The main advantage that American Express offers is flexibility and tailored products.
If you have opened an American business account, you must know how easy it is to activate your Business Card. Most American Express cards require activation, and there is nothing much to worry about.

If you have opened an American business account, then you must know how easy it is to activate your Business Card. Most of the American Express cards require activation, and there is nothing much to worry about.
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How To Activate American Express Business Card?
Before activating your card, you have to confirm that you have received your card. You can do this by two different methods:
1. By Calling A Toll-Free Number
Just dial 1-800-362-6033 from your phone, and you will be directed to the automated system. You will be asked to select the option for activating a new card. After this, you must enter your 15-digit card number and a 4-digit security code. This is generally located on the front of your card.
2. By Visiting The American Express Website
This is another easy way to confirm that you have received your card. For this, you will have to visit the American Express website link; you will be required to enter information like your 15-digit card number and 4-digit security code.
Once you have confirmed that you have received your business card, the activation process is straightforward.
There are three ways by which you can activate your card:
1. By Phone
You can easily activate your card by calling the toll-free number 1-800-528-2122 on your phone. You will be asked to select the option for starting a new card. After this, you must enter your 15-digit card number and a 4-digit security code. This is generally located on the front of your card, and get connected with a representative who can guide you through the activation process.
2. By Activating Online
This is one of the easiest ways to activate your American Express Business Card. You must visit the American Express website and go to the ‘Activate Your Card’ page. Here, you will be required to enter some information like your 15-digit card number and 4-digit security code. Once you have entered all the details, your card will be activated.
It may also ask for some additional personal information to verify your identity, like:
- Social Security Number/business tax number associated with the card
- Name and address associated with the card
- Business name associated with the card
3. By Amex Mobile App
If you have the American Express mobile app, then you can use it to activate your Business Card. You can download this from the App Store or the Google Play Store. You must log in to the app and go to the ‘Account Services tab. Here, you will find the option to activate your card.
You must enter your 15-digit card number and a 4-digit security code. This is generally located on the front of your card. Through the app, you can also set up your PIN and ensure that the card is as secure as possible.
Once you have activated your American Express Business Card, you can start using it for all your business transactions. American Express offers it's business cardholders a wide range of benefits and rewards. So, make sure you make the most of it!
Activate Your Card by Text
You can also activate your new American Express card by text. You must send a text message "MEMBER" to 86509 and follow the instructions. This will include entering your card details and customer details as well.
Once you've provided all of these through the text service, your card will be ready to use. This is generally located on the front of your card. Once you have entered all the details, your card. It might be the easiest way to activate your card if you're incredibly busy.
You can continue the process throughout the day between meetings and journeys. There's no need to complete it all in ten minutes or so. That's why it's the perfect activation method for businesses.
How To Apply For Amex Business Card?
You must be 18 years old and above with a good credit record. You should also have an active business for at least three months. Ensure you meet all eligibility criteria before applying for the Business Card, as it is important to maintain your relationship with the bank.
The documents required for application may include:
- Business certificate (if applicable)
- Proof of income (business)
- Tax returns (if applicable)
- Financial statements
- Proof of address

Application form, You can download the application form from the AmEx website or call up to request one. You will need to fill in the business information, including the business name, contact details, legal structure, and many others.
Follow our guide on How To Fill in American Express Business Credit Card Application to make sure you complete all the required fields correctly.
When your application is approved, you will receive your card within two weeks at the address provided in the application. You can also request a replacement if you do not get it within that time frame.
How Do You Get Approved?
If your application gets declined, make sure you review the reasons why - it might be because of an error in your financial data or a lack of self-employment history. It's also possible that there are problems with your credit report - read our tips on how to maintain a good credit score.
If it's because of past problems with the bank, you will have two options: close your current account or wait until 3-months have passed since your last charge off/bankruptcy. In general, American Express is more likely to approve applicants who have been turned down by other banks.
How Many Days Does It Take To Get A Business Card?
Business credit cards have a hard limit of 2 per business. If you have been denied, please wait 3-6 months and try to apply again. Have a credit card from another bank first before applying for a business card as a backup.
Credit Inquiries will be combined if you are going through the application process at the same time for a business and personal card. If both applications are approved, you will receive one or two hard pulls on your credit report (depending on the bank).
It is recommended to apply for a business card after you close your existing cards - including student cards, if applicable.
Is Amex Business Card Safe To Use?
Of course, you can always get in touch with American Express to check the safety of your card. But it's best if you keep an eye on your account, too - read our tips on how to monitor your credit card used for that.
For online shopping, especially, be sure to use a secure connection (look for HTTPS://) and check for any unusual charges on your statement. Avoid using public Wi-Fi for online transactions thanks to the high risks of data theft.

AmEx Business Cards are also eligible for purchasing items on Amazon, which makes it even more important to have the best security in place.
How Is The Customer Support Service Of Amex?
You can contact the customer service team by phone, chat, or in a branch. They are often short in personnel in branches, but they will try to provide you with the best service possible.
If your issues cannot be resolved in a branch, you can escalate it to a higher level for further investigation - note that this process may take a longer time.
For more serious problems, you can call their helpline with your card details to discuss it in private. In general, American Express is very easy to deal with - as long as you have funds available to pay the bill. Just remember not to contact them after 9 PM on weekdays or weekends except for urgent matters.
AmEx Business Cards also have a special concierge service that is available 24/7 for those who need extra help. You can contact them by chat or phone if they are not able to solve your problem before it escalates to the customer support team.
For emergency situations such as stolen cards, missing funds, and overdue payments, you can use their emergency line for immediate assistance.
Conclusion
In general, American Express might be a little harder to get than other cards, but the benefits that come with it can help you build your business.
If you keep an eye on your account and stay informed about any changes to their policies, American Express will be a great addition to your wallet.
This article is for informational purposes only and not to be used as professional advice. These suggestions are not comprehensive and do not cover all possible use cases. Please consult a financial advisor before making any financial decisions.
Michael Restiano
I lead product content strategy for SaltMoney. Additionally, I’m helping our broader team of 4 evolve into a mature content strategy practice with the right documentation and processes to deliver quality work. Prior to Instacart, I was a content strategy lead at Uber Eats and Facebook. Before that, I was a content strategist at SapientNitro, helping major Fortune 500 brands create better, more useful digital content.