The American Express Business Line of Credit is a business credit line ranging from $2,000 to $1,000,000, though the initial limit at approval tops out at $250,000. Each draw becomes a loan over 6, 12, 18 or 24 months with a monthly fee of 0.55% to 1.55% of the amount drawn, and no origination, annual or application fee and no prepayment penalty. It requires at least 1 year in business, a 660 FICO and $3,000 in average monthly revenue (per its site, checked October 2026). It fits established businesses with good credit; if your score is lower or you only have an ITIN, it's worth looking at alternatives.
Many people search for it as "Amex Blueprint" because its page sits inside the Business Blueprint section of the American Express site. Business Blueprint is the American Express dashboard that gives you a view of your Amex products and connected outside accounts; the line of credit is a separate product within the financing section. Below we explain how it works, its pros and cons, and the alternatives. We don't invent customer reviews: this is our assessment based on what the company publishes.
Key takeaways
- Lines from $2,000 to $1,000,000; at approval the limit tops out at $250,000, and you can request increases later.
- Each draw is a loan over 6, 12, 18 or 24 months with a monthly fee of 0.55% to 1.55% of the amount drawn.
- No origination, annual or application fee and no prepayment penalty.
- Requirements: 18+, 1 year in business, 660 FICO and $3,000 in average monthly revenue. It asks for an EIN and SSN.
- It pulls your personal credit report and reports your payments to the consumer bureaus.
- If you don't qualify, our recommended funder, Merchant Fund Express, works with FICO 500+ and reviews sales and deposits.
How the American Express line of credit works
The line works differently from a credit card and from most bank lines. These are the key points (per its site, checked October 2026):
- Limit: $2,000 to $1,000,000. When you qualify, the limit goes up to $250,000; only some customers get more than $150,000 at approval. You can request increases later, subject to review.
- Each draw is a separate loan: you choose a 6, 12, 18 or 24-month term depending on eligibility, and you can have several loans open at once within your limit.
- How it charges: a monthly fee of 0.55% to 1.55%, calculated on the original draw amount and spread evenly across each month of the term. You see it before you accept.
- No other published fees: no origination, annual or application fee and no prepayment penalty. There are late fees.
- Funding: after the draw is approved and signed, money takes 1 to 3 business days to arrive, depending on your bank.
- First payment: the first statement arrives 21 to 51 days after disbursement, depending on your cycle.
- Who lends: loans are issued by American Express National Bank.
Requirements to apply
American Express publishes these minimum requirements (per its site, checked October 2026):
| Requirement | What it asks for |
|---|---|
| Age | 18 or older |
| Time in business | Started at least 1 year ago |
| Credit | FICO of at least 660 at application; may be higher depending on your Amex relationship and history |
| Revenue | Recent average of at least $3,000 a month |
| Information to apply | Business EIN, your SSN, your industry and an estimate of annual sales |
| Accounts | You can connect your business bank accounts for a real-time review |
Two points to keep in mind: the application asks for your SSN and the page doesn't mention an ITIN as an alternative; and American Express pulls reports from the consumer credit bureaus and reports your payment status to them. In other words, the line can affect your personal credit, for better or worse.
If you're an American Express cardmember, the site says you can check for a pre-approved offer with the amount and pricing before you apply.
Making sense of the monthly fee
The monthly fee is the part that confuses people most. It's not an annual interest rate on the balance you owe: it's a percentage of the original amount of the draw that you pay every month, even after you've repaid part of the principal. That means:
- The equivalent annual cost is usually quite a bit higher than the monthly percentage you see.
- A longer term means more months of fees, so the total cost rises with the term.
- Since there's no prepayment penalty, repaying a draw early may save you the fees for the remaining months; confirm this in your agreement.
To compare fairly with other lines, ask each one for the total cost and the equivalent APR. We explain how in APR vs. interest rate on a business line of credit.
Pros and cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| No origination, annual or application fee and no prepayment penalty | Requires a 660+ FICO |
| Price shown before you accept each draw | The fee is calculated on the original amount, not the balance |
| Several loans open at once within your limit | Short terms: 24 months maximum |
| Limits up to $1,000,000 over time | Initial limit tops out at $250,000 |
| Backed by American Express National Bank | Asks for an SSN; no mention of ITIN |
| Online application with account connection | Reports to consumer credit bureaus |
Our take: it's a transparent line with no hidden fees for businesses with more than a year, good personal credit and an SSN. For a business with credit below 660, an ITIN, or a need for terms longer than two years, it's not the best fit.
Who should consider it
A good fit for:
- Businesses with a year or more, a 660+ FICO and an SSN.
- Owners who already use Amex cards and want to check for a pre-approved offer.
- Expenses repaid in under two years: seasonal inventory, payroll in a slow month, a marketing campaign.
Think twice if:
- Your score is below 660 or your business is less than a year old.
- You only have an ITIN.
- You're financing something long-term, like a major remodel or a building.
- You want to keep your personal and business credit separate.
To understand how this kind of product works, read how a business line of credit works. If you're interested in Amex's business card instead, see the Amex Blue Cash business card.
How to apply and use the line well
- Check for a pre-approved offer if you're already an American Express cardmember; you'll see the amount and pricing before applying.
- Have ready your EIN, your SSN, your industry and a realistic estimate of annual sales.
- Connect your business bank accounts if offered: the review of your finances happens in real time and the decision can be faster.
- Compare terms before each draw. The monthly fee runs the whole term, so choose the shortest term whose payment fits comfortably.
- Draw only what you'll use. You can have several loans open, but each one adds its own monthly fee.
- Turn on autopay to avoid late fees and protect your personal credit, which is where payments are reported.
- Request an increase only when you need it. You can ask after opening the line, and it requires an additional review of your finances.
A typical good use: buying inventory before your busy season with a 6-month draw and repaying it with that season's sales. A poor use: financing a multi-year remodel with draws that come due in 24 months.
Alternatives to the American Express line
| Option | Best for | Published requirements |
|---|---|---|
| MFE (recommended funder) | Credit below 660, money within days | FICO 500+; reviews sales and deposits; $5,000 to $5,000,000 |
| Bluevine (line) | LLCs with an ITIN and EIN | 12 months, $10,000 a month, FICO 625; up to $250,000 |
| OnDeck (line) | Businesses with 1 year and a 625 FICO | 1 year, $100,000 a year; $6,000 to $200,000 |
| Bank of America (Business Advantage line) | Businesses with 2 years and a banking relationship | 2 years, $100,000 in sales; from $10,000 |
Merchant Fund Express is our recommended funder when the Amex line doesn't fit: decisions often come in 2 to 4 hours, it works with credit from FICO 500 and it looks at your sales and deposits, not just your score. Collateral is not required in most cases, it accepts applicants with an ITIN (no SSN needed) and it offers Spanish-speaking support. You can apply with Merchant Fund Express free with no impact to your credit. To compare more options, see the best business lines of credit. Leer en español.
Frequently asked questions
What credit score do I need for the American Express Business Line of Credit?
American Express asks for a FICO of at least 660 at the time of application and says the required score may be higher depending on your relationship with Amex, your history and other factors. It also requires 1 year in business and $3,000 in average monthly revenue, per its site.
What is American Express Business Blueprint?
Business Blueprint is the American Express dashboard that shows your Amex business products and any outside accounts you connect, so you can see money coming in and going out. The line of credit is a separate product. Because the line's page sits inside that section of the site, many people search for it as "Blueprint."
Can I apply for the Amex business line of credit with an ITIN?
The American Express page asks for your Social Security number to apply and doesn't mention an ITIN as an alternative. If you only have an ITIN, ask directly or compare options that accept it, such as Bluevine's line, which says it accepts an SSN or ITIN plus an EIN, or Merchant Fund Express.
How much does the American Express line of credit cost?
It charges a monthly fee of 0.55% to 1.55% of each draw amount, spread across each month of the term you choose. There's no origination, annual or application fee and no prepayment penalty. Since the fee is calculated on the original amount, always ask for the total cost before accepting.
How fast does the money arrive?
Once the line is approved, when you make a draw and sign the loan, funds take 1 to 3 business days to reach your account, depending on your bank. If you need money sooner, our recommended funder often decides in 2 to 4 hours.
Does the American Express line affect my personal credit?
It can. American Express pulls consumer credit reports when reviewing your application and reports your payment status to those bureaus, per its site. Paying on time can help you; falling behind can lower your personal score.