American Express has announced the launch of the new Amazon Business American Express Card and the Amazon Business Prime American Express Card for small businesses in the UK. The cards offer various rewards to customers as well as payment flexibility designed to help businesses better manage their cash flow and gain greater insight into their spending.
The cards provide an enhanced check-out experience on Amazon Business UK and Amazon.co.uk that gives Cardmembers the option to earn reward points or select a deferred payment term for each transaction, enabling them to make the best payment choice for their finances. Reward points can be earned anywhere American Express Cards are accepted and redeemed toward future Amazon purchases or applied to the balance of their monthly Card statement. This new card programme in the UK has been developed as part of the on-going relationship between American Express and Amazon which includes a co-branded programme in the US and a global Card acceptance relationship.
Colin O’Flaherty, General Manager of UK Global Commercial Services at American Express, said “We have been serving small businesses for over 60 years, and are passionate about helping our small business customers effectively run and grow their businesses, especially during this challenging period. With many UK SMEs facing financial hardships, we want to make it easier for businesses to manage their finances and continue accessing the goods and products they need with more options to pay. We know that a vast number of the UK’s businesses rely on Amazon’s wide-ranging products and services and are excited to launch this powerful and flexible new payment tool that will allow small businesses to select how to pay, purchase by purchase.”
This launch comes alongside new research from YouGov and American Express that found 63% of British small businesses say cash flow issues have led them to delay purchasing goods and services they need to run their business. Nearly a quarter (23%) of the survey participants said they have put off ‘bigger ticket’ purchases over the last six months until they have funds available, and 38% of them are only buying the ‘essentials’ they need to keep their business operating.
“Working with American Express to launch the small business credit card was a natural decision for Amazon, given our shared long-standing commitment to helping small businesses flourish globally,” said Dave Brittain, Director of Amazon Business UK. “We’re incredibly proud to launch this Card programme as it offers small business owners and entrepreneurs the best of both companies: the convenience and value they have come to know and love from Amazon, underpinned by the world-class service, benefits, access and security of American Express. These benefits have never been more important at a time when businesses are navigating the challenges and uncertainty which Covid-19 has presented.”
