It used to be that a credit card was just a piece of plastic that allowed you to get credit and pay later. Now, however, the American Express Small Business Credit Cards go way beyond that. Each one offers a variety of systems to help your business function even better than before. Here is a look at the American Express Small Business Credit Cards that can help you.

Their collection of credit cards for small business is called Open. There are three different Open credit cards available from American Express: the Plum Card, the Business Platinum Card, and the Business Gold Rewards Card.

The Plum Card

The Plum Card from American Express enables its owners to be able to pick the payment options they want on a month-to-month basis. You can choose between either paying early or deferring the payment until the following month. Both options have their benefits. If you pay within 10 days you will earn a discount of 1.5 percent, or you could pay just 10 percent and then take up to two months to pay the balance off and no interest will be charged. If you pay early, the 1.5-percent amount will appear as a credit on your next month’s bill.

The Plum Card will also let you set your billing cycle. You can choose between the beginning, the middle, or at the end of the month for your statement closing date. This Open Card comes with an annual fee of $185, which will start after the first free year.

The Business Gold Rewards Card

This American Express Small Business Credit Card lets you earn points that you can use in many ways for your business. The Business Gold Rewards Card earns points at a rate of one point for every dollar spent. When you have spent more than $50,000 in a year on the card, you will earn additional 25,000 points. Points do not expire and there are no limitations on how many points can be earned.

You can use your points to pay for many different things. This includes travel, supplies, inventory, rent, clients, and special seating at Gold Card Events – worldwide. The Business Gold Rewards Card is free the first year, but will cost $125 annually in the following years.

The Business Platinum Card

This Open business credit card from American Express comes with many possibilities. It comes with the possibility of accelerated earnings of points, but which will vary. Owners of the Business Platinum Card can enjoy many benefits you would expect with a platinum credit card. This includes credit to cover $200 worth of Airline Fees on the airline of your choice and a Travel Bonus when you pay with points. You also get access to many Airport Clubs worldwide (complimentary access for family members or two friends are included), Premium Car Rental service, Business Platinum Concierge service available 24/7, access to 1,000 full-service business lounges worldwide, and much more.

When traveling and you need a hotel, the Business Platinum Card provides special upgrades and other amenities at 600 exclusive hotels and resorts worldwide. Points may be used to buy merchandise from over 500 Partners, or to pay your monthly balance. There is an annual fee of $450 for the card.

There is a lot of flexibility among these American Express Small Business Credit Cards to give you the power your business needs. Take advantage of the deferred payments, points, free travel, entertainment, and much more to do things you could not do before for your business employees or clients.