AmEx, MasterCard up their game for business credit cards

It's been a recurring theme in this blog lately: credit card companies are upping their game as they compete for market share, and consumers have benefited through more generous rewards and improved perks. But it's not just consumers who are getting better value from their plastic. Businesses too have often found they can get more from their cards. So it was no surprise on Wednesday when American Express and MasterCard each announced significant enhancements to some of their business credit cards.

American Express: email in the air for free

First up, the American Express® Corporate Platinum Card, which is now offering two perks that could have real value for international travelers, and frequent fliers in general.

One of the worst aspects of flying overseas is coming home. No, not being reunited with the family, but having to join those all-too-often very long queues at passport control. U.S. Customs and Border Protection has now recognized just how irritating these long lines can be, and has introduced Global Entry, a program that allows low-risk, pre-approved Americans to avoid most of these delays via a streamlined process. The bad news: there's a $100 application fee before you can register. The good news: American Express is offering to pick up the tab for those with its Corporate Platinum Card.

Another new perk for holders of that card is free Gogo in-air wi-fi on up to 10 flights a year within the continental U.S.A. You have to buy a Gogo flight pass using your card, but will receive a statement credit for the full cost. The operators of the currently 1,200 airplanes equipped with this service include:

American Express senior vice president Jaromir Divilek explained in a press release the thinking behind these innovations:

MasterCard: more affordable hotel accommodation

Meanwhile, those who register their eligible small business credit cards with the MasterCard Easy Savings Hotel Network can automatically save 4 percent on “all hotel folio charges” when they pay with that card at over 7,500 mid-scale and economy hotels across the country. Participating chains include:

Days Inn
EconoLodge
Hampton Inn
Hilton Garden Inn
Holiday Inn
Holiday Inn Express
Howard Johnson
Hyatt Place
Ramada
Super 8

These hotel discounts are an extension of the MasterCard Easy Savings Program, which already offers enrolled small businesses various discounts. Two new ones of these are 10 percent off both cloud-based phone systems from Vocalocity, and tax and financial advice from BIDaWIZ. MasterCard Worldwide vice president Eugene DeSilva commented in a press release:

As small business credit card offers go, that sounds a good one.

The original article can be found at IndexCreditCards.com:AmEx, MasterCard up their game for business credit cards