Purchases over $250 on the card may qualify for extended payment terms

When you need more time to pay off a major purchase, American Express offers payment flexibility just like a traditional credit card, to reduce any cash flow strain.

I recommend: Sign up for the extended payment option, which costs nothing unless you elect to use it, in which case finance charges apply.

Additional lines of credit for larger purchases

In addition to issuing a wide range of charge and credit cards, American Express also offers financing options of up to $100,000.

I recommend: To apply for a term loan of up to 36 months or a line of credit through American Express, you do not need to be a card holder.

Membership Rewards points that can be redeemed for great gifts

Few other cards enable you to rack up points for every dollar spent with the card, giving you access to a wide range of possible rewards.

I recommend: Explore travel, entertainment, or shopping rewards. Or use your rewards to fund additional business travel, equipment, or supplies to support your company's growth.

Automatic discounts at major retailers and business services

Simply by using an American Express Card to pay for everyday business products and services, you can earn instant savings credited to your card.

I recommend: Review the long list of partner companies to identify opportunities for savings, by switching vendors. Some of the big names include FedEx, Staples, and Hertz.

Online expense reporting tools

By enrolling in online expense reports, you can track your charges in real-time and download data for export to Quicken or Microsoft Money, for easier financial management.

I recommend: Sign up for online statements and make check reconciliation easier and cash flow analyses less time-consuming.

Small business articles and guidance

If you'd like some help in growing your company to the next level, American Express has articles on starting and financing your company's growth.

I recommend: Hear from small business experts what you can do to improve your company's operations by reading the articles and checking out expert partners here.