American Express Cards: Why Are They Important for Businesses?

An international tourist books a room at your hotel. When they reach the payment stage, however, the American Express card they want to use is not accepted.

The customer has the funds, the purchase decision has been made, and the product or service meets their needs. The only barrier standing in the way of the sale is the payment method.

For businesses serving international customers, the number of accepted card networks is therefore more than just a technical consideration. It is also part of their sales potential.

What Is American Express?

American Express, commonly known as AmEx, is one of the world’s well-known international payment networks.

American Express cards are available for both personal and corporate use and are particularly associated with travel, business expenses, premium services, and a range of loyalty benefits.

According to American Express, as of June 2025, AmEx cards were accepted at approximately 160 million merchant locations worldwide.

Cardholders can use American Express cards for:

• everyday purchases;
• hotel and travel payments;
• airline tickets;
• car rentals;
• restaurants;
• online shopping;
• business expenses.

Why Is Accepting American Express Important for Businesses?

When a customer reaches the payment page, it is important that their preferred payment method is available.

For businesses serving international tourists, business travelers, and customers from other countries, accepting only local cards may not be enough.

American Express itself highlights access to cardholders with strong spending potential as one of the key benefits for businesses that accept AmEx.

For this reason, accepting AmEx may be particularly relevant for:

• hotels and premium accommodation providers;
• travel companies;
• airline ticketing and travel services;
• car rental companies;
• restaurants;
• premium retail businesses;
• E-Commerce businesses serving international customers.

Practical Example: Hotel Booking

Imagine a tourist traveling from the United States to Azerbaijan who wants to make an AZN 800 reservation through a hotel website in Baku.

The customer primarily uses an American Express card.

If the payment page accepts only Visa and Mastercard, the customer may have to:

• look for another card;
• contact the hotel separately;
• find an alternative payment method;
• or complete the reservation at another hotel.

If AmEx is accepted, the customer can complete the purchase without any additional steps.

In this case, American Express is not simply another card option. It removes a potential barrier to completing the sale.

Practical Example: Car Rental

A customer traveling to Azerbaijan for business books a car in advance.

Their primary card for international travel is AmEx. If the car rental company accepts online payments with this card, the customer can complete both the booking and payment before arriving in the country.

This creates a more convenient payment experience, particularly for businesses serving international tourists and corporate customers.

Practical Example: E-Commerce

The customers of an Azerbaijani business may not be limited to the domestic market.

For example, a local E-Commerce company selling premium products may receive orders from the United States and other international markets.

A customer selects a product and proceeds to checkout. However, if their preferred card is not accepted, the business may lose the sale at the very final stage.

For this reason, businesses selling internationally should ensure that their payment pages are also adapted to the needs of an international customer base.

Are American Express Payments Secure?

American Express uses 3D Secure-based authentication solutions such as SafeKey to enhance the security of online transactions across its payment network.

On the business side, however, security does not depend solely on the card network. The payment provider’s infrastructure, data protection measures, PCI DSS compliance, and proper technical integration also play an important role.

Is It Possible to Accept American Express Payments Online in Azerbaijan?

Yes.

In March 2025, YIĞIM, in cooperation with ABB, enabled businesses in Azerbaijan to accept online payments with American Express cards for the first time.

Today, through YIĞIM’s online payment acceptance solutions, businesses can accept online payments using a range of cards, including Visa, Mastercard, UnionPay, and American Express.

How Can YIĞIM Help Businesses?

With YIĞIM, businesses can integrate American Express card acceptance into their websites or mobile applications.

This provides an additional payment option particularly for businesses serving international audiences, including:

• hotels;
• travel companies;
• car rental services;
• E-Commerce businesses;
• ticketing platforms;
• premium service providers.

The goal is simple: if your customer is ready to pay, the card they use should not become a barrier to completing the sale.

Conclusion

American Express is more than just another card logo. For businesses serving international customers, offering an additional payment option can create new sales opportunities.

Especially in industries such as tourism, hospitality, car rental, and international E-Commerce, allowing customers to pay with their preferred card is an important part of the overall purchasing experience.

If your customer uses American Express, your business should be ready to accept it.