Amex Platinum Business Card: premium travel perks, points and business tools
ANNA Money Business Card: $0 international fees, 0% interest, and free employee cards
Ampol Fuel Card: big fuel savings, spending control and customisable add-ons
These tools each target a different aspect of your business, so you can pick and choose the most relevant for the stage your business is at and how you operate. They’re flexible enough to work for sole traders and small businesses through to large corporations.
And, while business tools can combat rising operational costs, it also streamlines your day-to-day activities which makes scaling more efficient.
For example, you can:
Manage employee spending in real time Reduce admin errors and overall workload Stay compliant with ATO requirements and make BAS time easier
So, let’s take a look at how to use these powerhouse tools to optimise, grow and save money in your business.
Whether your business is located solely in Australia or you’re already branching out overseas, business credit cards can offer enormous cost-saving benefits and account management support.
A card like the Amex Platinum Business includes a host of features for frequent travellers, earns Amex Membership Rewards points that can be redeemed flexibly for goods, services or partner airline points, and integrates seamlessly with popular accounting software.
In short: Amex Platinum Business credit card can help your business flow more smoothly domestically and internationally, and save on travel costs at the same time.
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Key features of the Amex Platinum Business credit card
Travel comfortably and efficiently with premium travel benefits:
Access to over 1500 airport lounges worldwide Complimentary ALL Accor + Explorer hotel membership VIP privileges at over 1600 hotels globally, such as upgrades and late checkout Complimentary international and domestic travel insurance Transfer your points to global partner airlines, including Qantas Frequent Flyer
Earn points per dollar plus bonuses:
2.25 Membership Rewards points per $1 on everyday business spend 1 point per $1 on government spending Earn big bonus points on sign-up, such as 300,000 points when you spend $12,000 in the first 3 months (these offers change so check our review for the latest offer) Cashback offers for eligible purchases with Dell Technologies
Tools that support scaling:
Up to 99 free employee cards with customisable spending limits and controls Employees can be given access to card benefits Xero and MYOB integration Real-time account management via the Amex app
Who could use the Amex Platinum Business card?
Employees who frequently travel, particularly overseas Medium to large businesses making high-volume purchases Businesses that value premium support and rewards
Watch for: High annual fee ($1750), so weigh the fee vs points and travel benefits.
Key Takeaways
Premium Travel: Access over 1500 airport lounges, enjoy hotel VIP privileges, and complimentary travel insurance. High Points Earning: Earn up to 2.25 Membership Rewards points per $1 on everyday business spend, plus significant sign-up bonuses. Business Tools: Utilize up to 99 free employee cards, Xero/MYOB integration, and real-time app management for streamlined operations. Value Assessment: Consider the $1750 annual fee in relation to the comprehensive rewards and benefits to determine overall suitability.
👉 Read our review of the American Express Platinum Business card 👈
Many businesses today purchase from overseas suppliers, including Software as a Service (SaaS) subscriptions. But, foreign transaction fees, which are normally 2-3% of the purchase amount, can be a substantial cost each month, especially for small businesses. The ANNA Money credit card solves that problem and can be a brilliant tool for money management without the big fees.
Plus, this card has four tiers, so you can choose the level of features that fit your business and your budget. Each tier unlocks more complimentary employee cards, a higher credit limit and more travel perks.
The tiered system is what makes the ANNA Money Business credit card so flexible as you scale your business (one of the tiers is literally called “The Scale”). You can move up and down the tiers at any time. Depending on the tier, you can choose from a $5000 credit limit up to $500,000, which is much higher than many other Australian lenders.
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Key features of the ANNA Money Business credit card
No foreign transaction fees:
Suppliers in foreign currencies Online subscriptions from overseas merchants Any purchase from a merchant with an overseas account, even if the merchant is located in Australia
Everyday perks and travel benefits:
No interest is charged if the card is paid off in full each month Skip airport queues with security fast-track access Use discounts and perks at selected airport restaurants Access over 1300 worldwide airport lounges through DragonPass Access Mastercard Priceless Specials for discounts on flights, hotels, car rentals, dining and experiences around the world
Built-in account management tools:
Quickly synchronise expenses with Xero, MYOB, QuickBooks and NetSuite integration Employee cards are approved within 24 hours Set and adjust spending limits, freeze cards and set category restrictions on employee spending
Best suited for:
Online retailers importing stock Startups and SMEs paying for overseas SaaS Businesses sending regular payments offshore Freelancers or service businesses with international clients
Watch for: The monthly fees add up to a high annual amount ($478.88). But, if you choose to pay annually you’ll get a 20% discount.
Key Takeaways
Eliminate foreign transaction fees. Save 2-4% on overseas purchases, including SaaS subscriptions and international suppliers. Choose flexible tiers. Scale credit limits from $5,000 to $500,000 and gain more employee cards with four available tiers. Enjoy travel perks. Benefit from no interest if paid in full, airport lounge access, fast-track security, and exclusive discounts. Simplify expenses. Integrate with Xero, MYOB, QuickBooks, and NetSuite, and easily manage employee spending. Save on annual fees. Opt for annual payment to receive a 20% discount on monthly fees for your ANNA Money Business charge card.
👉 Read our review of the ANNA Money Business charge card 👈
3. Ampol Fuel Card: Control on-road expenses for all business sizes
Fuel is an expensive part of running a business, especially if your operations rely on deliveries, multiple vehicles, trucks, quoting customers or visiting sites. Fuel cards can give you quick wins in reducing petrol costs and controlling and monitoring employee spending, whether you have a couple of utes or a whole fleet./p>
The Ampol Fuel Card does all that and more, starting at $2.95 per vehicle per month. When you link your Ampol Fuel Card to your Everyday Rewards account, you’ll earn points to redeem towards purchases from Woolworths, Big W or BWS, or transfer them to Qantas Frequent Flyer Points.
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Key features
Cost-effective fuel savings:
Save up to 4c per litre on premium fuel, 3c per litre on premium diesel and 2c per litre on regular unleaded and diesel Use at over 1700 Caltex and Ampol service stations, and participating Woolworths MetroGo locations around Australia 10% discount on packaged engine oils
Full control over spending:
Track spending by vehicle or employee Monitor expenses in real time using the MyAmpol online portal and the Ampol app Set spending limits and track odometer readings for each fill
Easy reporting, tracking and account control:
Monthly ATO-ready statements PIN security, account management and integration with Xero and MYOB
Best suited for:
Trades and services SMEs with delivery or sales vehicles Businesses with multiple locations
Watch for: The Ampol Fuel Card offers extras like 24/7 Roadside Assistance and discounts with the Services and Repairs add-on, but these are an additional cost per month.
Key Takeaways
Direct Fuel Savings. Save up to 4c/L on premium fuel and receive a 10% discount on engine oils with Ampol Fuel Card. Spending Control. Monitor expenses in real-time, set limits, and track by vehicle or employee using MyAmpol. Streamlined Admin. Get ATO-ready statements and integrate with Xero/MYOB for easy reporting. Earn Rewards. Link to Everyday Rewards to earn points for purchases or Qantas Frequent Flyer transfers. Optional Support. Access 24/7 Roadside Assistance and Services/Repairs at an additional monthly cost.
👉 Read our review of the Ampol Fuel Card 👈
Which card should you choose?
Each of these tools solves a different challenge for businesses. Which one you choose will be determined by the size of your business, your scaling momentum and your travel requirements (air or road).
You might find that a combination of tools works better for your business. For example, the Amex Platinum Business credit card might suit for overseas travel, and the Ampol card saves on your on-the-ground vehicle costs for a few dollars a month.
As your business grows, the types of business tools you’ll use will change. That’s why cards like the ANNA Money Business card are helpful too: it allows you to seamlessly scale as your business grows without switching financial products.
