When using contactless payment technology with your American Express Blue credit card, also known as ExpressPay, your card never leaves your hands and never comes into contact with the cashier or point-of-sale (POS) terminal. Radio frequency waves enable you to simply position your card a couple of inches from the POS, grab your receipt and be on your way. You choose what the American Express credit card account ExpressPay is linked to, and you get the convenience it offers.

You may be wondering if ExpressPay is right for you. If making the most of American Express Blue card is important to you, then you may want to consider the following benefits of adding the ExpressPay service:

1. Apply for American Express Blue with the ExpressPay feature so that you will save time on purchases.

2. The ExpressPay on AmEx Blue credit cards is secure and reliable.

3. You can easily locate merchants that accept American Express Blue credit cards with ExpressPay.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Save time by using ExpressPay on your American Express Blue card

When you have the ExpressPay option on your AmEx card and visit a retailer that maintains the appropriate equipment, your checkout process will go as quickly as if you handed the clerk exact cash for your purchase. Just wave your card in front of the reader and the cashier will hand you a receipt. There is no need to sign anything or enter a pin number. It is perfect for the businessperson who is always on the go.

I recommend: American Express provides answers to frequently asked questions about the ExpressPay feature on your Blue card. Read more about contactless payment technology implemented in ExpressPay and how it works on Smart Card Alliance.

Make secure purchases with the AmEx Blue credit card for business

You may have some concern over the security of using a card so effortlessly, but American Express assures its clients that ExpressPay is very secure. For starters, the card never leaves your possession, and each card has a cryptogram unique to that card only. Additionally, AmEx doesn't hold you liable for fraudulent charges if you card is lost or stolen. Keep in mind, however, that you will only receive a refund of those charges if you meet AmEx's requirements.

I recommend: Read the Terms & Conditions for ExpressPay provided by American Express. Under the heading “Lost/Stolen or Fraudulent Use of Your ExpressPay,” AmEx lists the necessary requirements for receiving a refund on charges you didn’t authorize. Visit ScamBusters.org for helpful tips on preventing credit card fraud.

Locate merchants that accept American Express Blue for business with the ExpressPay feature

You can only use the ExpressPay feature at participating merchants. Generally, a business that accepts contactless payment technology and American Express cards will accept ExpressPay. American Express doesn't guarantee, however, that a merchant that accepts ExpressPay will always do so, and AmEx is not held liable if a merchant suddenly refuses to accept it.

I recommend: American Express provides a list of merchants that accept ExpressPay, such as CVS Pharmacy, which ContactlessNews states was the first ExpressPay partner with AmEx. The article also provides information about the ExpressPay process and the anticipated success of the feature.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  You cannot make purchases online or over the telephone with ExpressPay. For these types of purchases, you will have to use the number shown on your American Express Blue business credit card, as with any normal credit card purchase.

In recent years American Express has become more accessible not only to consumers, but also to small business owners. Unfortunately, many consumers don't realize this.

Having a small business credit card such as the American Express Blue for Business is helpful for several reasons:

1. It provides an alternative to petty cash. No more fumbling with crumpled bills in a busy checkout line at the office supply store.
2. It helps small business owners build business credit. Having an impeccable personal credit history is important, but it won't significantly impact your business credit rating, which is determined separately. The only way to build a business credit rating is by applying for credit in your business name. An American Express Blue card can help you achieve this.
3. It offers more prestige over other major credit cards.
   

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Apply yourself in business by filling out an American Express Blue Card application

Many consumers overlook American Express products such as the American Express Blue credit card because of the misconception of having to pay the entire balance within 30 days. The Amex Blue Credit Card for Business offers flexible payment options, so you might want to apply for American Express Blue.

I recommend: Go to Bankrate.com to compare credit card interest rates before you apply for American Express Blue. You'll see how the Amex Blue credit card for business compares to other possibilities before filling out an American Express Blue card application. You can apply online and receive a decision within 60 seconds.

Enjoy a variety of services with your American Express Blue business credit card

In addition to no annual fee and a 0% APR on purchases for 12 months, business owners who have Amex Blue enjoy 24/7 customer service and the ability to use ExpressPay on small purchases to spend less time at the checkout.

I recommend: Learn more about how ExpressPay works by watching a demo. Read more about how the benefits of this technology.

Take advantage of the service and security options offered to Amex Blue cardholders

From damage and theft protection for eligible business purchases to 24/7 dispute resolution, those are just some of the features business owners enjoy with their American Express Blue credit cards.

I recommend: In addition to the security features your card offers, you might consider additional protection. Credit.com offers identity theft protection services which include unlimited credit reports and credit monitoring. For the gold standard in identity theft protection, try LifeLock.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Carefully evaluate several credit card offers before applying. If you're a new business owner, it can be hard to get business credit. Limit the number of credit inquiries that appear on your credit file by only applying for business credit cards you're definitely interested in.
• •  Check with the same bank you've used for your business checking account. This might be your best option for getting a small business credit card.
• •  If your personal credit is bad, you might want to spend time clearing up your personal credit history before applying for business credit.

An easy way to build credit for your business is by using credit cards. A credit card is means of purchasing items on credit and then making monthly payments toward overall purchases and the interest that accrues over time. While they aren’t for every business owner, those who are responsible can use a credit card to keep track of business expenses in a more efficient way.

AmEx Blue credit cards are worthy of consideration. As you search for the right credit card options for your business, consider these American Express Blue card basics:

1. Apply for American Express Blue and start earning rewards with your first purchase.

2. The AmEx Blue credit card for business offers great purchase protection incentives.

3. American Express Blue credit cards are a handy tool to protect you in your business travels.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Take advantage of AmEx Blue membership rewards

American Express only offers the Membership Rewards Express program with specific credit cards, like Blue. This rewards program offers more benefits than most. Cardholders that shop through a secure website with more than 160 retailers earn double points with their purchases. The Pay with Points options gives card holders the opportunity to use their rewards points to pay for all or part of a purchase rather than going through the redemption process.

I recommend: Obtain more information on the Membership Rewards Express features in the press release provided by American Express. Visit Bonus Points Mall to learn how to obtain double points by shopping online with your AmEx Blue card.

Protect your purchases by using the American Express Blue card

The customer service benefits of AmEx Blue provide peace of mine that the purchases you make will meet your quality standards. With return protection, if you attempt to return an item within 90 days of purchase, and the merchant won't accept it, AmEx will provide you with a refund up to $300 per item. American Express provides additional protection for eligible purchases made with your Blue card from damage or theft for up to 90 days. You can also obtain an extension of product warranties with the Buyer's Assurance Plan.

I recommend: Acquire details from American Express about purchase protect and other benefits of the American Express Blue card. CreditorWeb provides more general information on purchase protection.

Ensure your travel safety with American Express Blue for business

The AmEx Blue Car Rental Loss and Damage Insurance protects your rental card from damage or theft in the first 30 days of use if you use your card to rent it. You must decline the collision damage policy offered by the rental agency in order for this protection to apply. The Global Assist Hotline will provide you with medical, legal and financial help 24/7 when you travel more than 100 miles from home. American Express Blue card also offers travel accident insurance and emergency card replacement services.

I recommend: Silicon.com offers tips for making your business trips go smoothly, including using your credit card to book travel arrangements early. Find more information on the Blue card on American Express Card Advisor.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Be sure to request the ExpressPay feature when you apply online for the American Express Blue card. ExpressPay enables you to simply hold your card up to the reader at participating merchants, take your receipt and go. There's nothing to sign and no pin number to enter.

The American Express Blue Card is a flexible-payment credit card that offers reasonable interest rates with a great selection of benefits. Card members can accrue rewards points by making day-to-day purchases; these points can be used to pay for trips abroad, fine dining and other enjoyable experiences. The card sometimes offers members zero-percent interest throughout the first year, making it great for young professionals and other first-time debtors looking to learn the ropes of borrowing without worrying about huge interest penalties.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Membership Rewards Express

With the Blue Card, you can earn one reward point for almost every dollar you spend. You can use these points to pay for hotel rooms, clothes, travel, music and other extras.

I recommend: The Membership Rewards program has its own website where you can keep track of your points and decide how to spend them.

Annual percentage rate

Known as APR for short, the annual percentage rate is the interest accrued by your credit card account balance each year. The Blue Card offers as low as a zero-percent APR for the first 12 months. After that, the percentage becomes variable, and America Express bases it on the prime rate.

I recommend: Investopedia offers a primer on annual percentage rates to learn how they work and how they affect your account.

Flexible payment

Some credit cards require you to make payments every month, regardless of your financial situation. The Blue Card, however, offers a flexible payment plan that helps you avoid late fees and keeps your credit rating healthy.

I recommend: Citi offers similar flexible payment options on some of its credit cards, including automatic payments and custom due dates. Read more about this type of payment at its website.

Transfer balance

When applying for a Blue Card, American Express allows you to transfer balances from other cards to your new account. If your other cards have higher interest rates than the American Express offers for the Blue Card, then this can help you save money and reduce your monthly payments.

I recommend: Bankrate has published a good introduction to balance transfers that can help you make the right choice during your Blue Card application.

Additional cards

American Express lets you order an additional Blue Card for the use of one of your family members or business partners. The extra card comes without an annual fee, but American Express itemizes and separates purchases made on the additional card, so you know which card was used for what.

I recommend: The Blue Card application has more information on the requirements for ordering an additional card.

ExpressPay

ExpressPay is a proprietary payment system for American Express that lets you use your card without having to swipe or scan it. Although you can use it only in stores that support the technology, it is faster and safer than paying with either cash or traditional cards that have a magnetic stripe.

I recommend: American Express offers information on this handy feature.