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American Express is partnering with TikTok to help small businesses reach Gen Z shoppers — here's what business owners should know

American Express has been hosting Small Business Saturday since 2010.

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Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more.

To reach Gen Z, businesses have had to get creative with social media platforms, like TikTok. According to the 2022 Shop Small® Impact Study from American Express, 72% of small business owners said their customers rely on social media channels for store news, and almost 88% said it has helped them find their new customers.

So to help businesses reach the next generation of consumers, American Express is partnering with TikTok ahead of Small Business Saturday, a global movement founded by American Express in 2010. Small Business Saturday is dedicated to supporting local businesses that create job opportunities, stimulate the economy and make neighborhoods better around the country. It's always held on the Saturday after Thanksgiving, which this year will be November 26.

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Amex's partnership with TikTok

TikTok has become a go-to platform for finding new businesses with 77% of people on the app saying that TikTok is likely to give them gift ideas this year. The partnership involves American Express and TikTok working together to launch the #ShopSmall Accelerator to help small businesses grow. 

The Accelerator is a video toolkit that provides best practices and resources for small businesses so they can reach Gen Z and Millennial shoppers on TikTok. The product will also help businesses tell their stories authentically and stand out in the impending holiday shopping season. TikTok will also offer eligible small businesses a $100 ad credit to use on the app after they spend $50 on their first TikTok Ads campaign.

The social media platform and credit card issuer are also getting some social media creators involved. Included in the project are Anna Sitar, Brandon Blackwood and Sofia Bella.

Other resources available to small businesses

American Express is also kicking off a new initiative this year. As the first introduction of a Kabbage Funding reward as part of Small Business Saturday, there will be a Kabbage Funding from American Express offer, which includes a $250 incentive from Nov. 14, 2022 to Feb. 28, 2023.

The offer will be available for new Kabbage Funding customers that apply and get approved for a Kabbage funding line of credit during the specified promotional period. Businesses do not need to have an American Express card to take advantage of this offer.

Other Shop Small resources available to business owners include the Shop Small Studio, which provides templates to create customized marketing materials, and ByBlack, which is a platform designed specifically to support and bolster Black-owned businesses.

American Express business cards

While businesses partake in the upcoming festivities, they might find it wise to use an American Express business card so they can earn rewards for any business-related expenses they might incur they need to make anyway.

With the American Express® Business Gold Card, you may be eligible for as high as 200,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $15,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 3 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. You'll also earn 4X Membership Rewards® points on the top two eligible categories where your business spends the most each month from 6 eligible categories. While your top 2 categories may change, you will earn 4X points on the first $150,000 in combined purchases from these categories each calendar year (then 1X thereafter). Only the top 2 categories each billing cycle will count towards the $150,000 cap.*

On the American Express site

CNBC Select Rating
4.8

On the American Express site

Credit score

Excellent

Regular APR

17.74% - 28.49% variable

Annual fee

$375

Welcome bonus

You may be eligible for as high as 200,000 Membership Rewards® Points

See rates and fees, terms apply. Read our Amex Business Gold review. American Express® Business Gold Card Welcome Offer: To view your personalized offer, you must first submit an application. If approved, you will: (1) receive your Welcome Offer details, (2) have the option to accept the Card with that offer, (3) be required to spend $15,000 on eligible purchases within the first 3 months of Card Membership, and (4) earn Membership Rewards® points. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. If you're approved and accept your offer, a credit check may be conducted, which could impact your credit score. Terms apply.

The American Express Business Gold Card maximizes spending with flexible bonus reward categories based on where your business spends the most.

  • Earn up to $545 in credits every year for eligible business purchases
  • Generous bonus rewards categories with high spending caps
  • Earns flexible rewards you can transfer to 20 airline and hotel loyalty programs
  • High annual fee
  • Statement credit offers are earned on a monthly basis and only apply to specific purchases

Highlights

Highlights shown here are provided by the issuer and have not been reviewed by CNBC Select's editorial staff.

  • As High As 200,000 points. Find Out Your Offer. You may be eligible for as high as 200,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $15,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 3 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points on the top two eligible categories where your business spends the most each month from 6 eligible categories. While your top 2 categories may change, you will earn 4X points on the first $150,000 in combined purchases from these categories each calendar year (then 1X thereafter). Only the top 2 categories each billing cycle will count towards the $150,000 cap.
  • Earn up to $20 in statement credits monthly after you use the Business Gold Card for eligible U.S. purchases at FedEx (through 10/01/2026), Grubhub, and Office Supply Stores. This can be an annual savings of up to $240. Enrollment required. 
  • Enroll and get up to $300 in statement credits per calendar year on U.S. purchases of ChatGPT Business* on the Business Gold Card. *Subject to auto-renewal. 
  • Enroll and get up to $150 in statement credits per calendar year for U.S. purchases with Squarespace. Subscription purchases subject to auto-renewal. 
  • Get up to a $12.95** statement credit back each month after you pay for a monthly Walmart+ membership (subject to auto-renewal) with your Business Gold Card. **Up to $12.95 plus applicable taxes on one membership fee. 
  • Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights and prepaid hotels booked on AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App™. 
  • The Business Gold Card comes in three metal designs: Gold, Rose Gold and White Gold. Make your selection when you apply on Americanexpress.com.
  • Terms Apply
  • See Rates & Fees

Balance transfer fee

N/A

Foreign transaction fee

None

Other popular American Express business card options to consider are The Business Platinum Card® from American Express and the Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express.

On the American Express site

CNBC Select Rating
5.0

On the American Express site

Spotlight

The Business Platinum Card from American Express' welcome bonus is one of the most valuable offers available right now.

Credit score

Good to Excellent

Regular APR

17.74% - 28.49% Variable

Annual fee

$895

Welcome bonus

You may be eligible for as high as 300,000 Membership Rewards® Points

See rates and fees, terms apply. Read our Amex Business Platinum review. The Business Platinum Card® from American Express Welcome Offer: To view your personalized offer, you must first submit an application. If approved, you will: (1) receive your Welcome Offer details, (2) have the option to accept the Card with that offer, (3) be required to spend $20,000 on eligible purchases within the first 3 months of Card Membership, and (4) earn Membership Rewards® points. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. If you're approved and accept your offer, a credit check may be conducted, which could impact your credit score. Terms apply.

The Business Platinum Card from American Express is a premium business card loaded with statement credit offers for business services and travel that help justify its steep annual fee.

  • Access to 1,550 airport lounges, including Priority Pass (Enrollment required) and Amex Centurion lounges
  • Hotel and rental car elite status perks
  • Earns flexible rewards you can transfer to 20+ airline and hotel loyalty programs (Enrollment required for select benefits mentioned; Benefits may be subject to auto-renewal)
  • High annual fee
  • Limited bonus spending categories
  • Some statement credit offers are earned in small increments or only apply to purchases from a single brand

Highlights

Highlights shown here are provided by the issuer and have not been reviewed by CNBC Select's editorial staff.

  • As High As 300,000 points. Find Out Your Offer. You may be eligible for as high as 300,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $20,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 3 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. 
  • The American Express Global Lounge Collection® can provide an escape at the airport. With complimentary access to more than 1,550 airport lounges across 140 countries and counting, you have more airport lounge options than any other credit card company on the market as of 07/2025. 
  • See how you can unlock over $4,000 in business and travel value annually after meeting qualifying spend thresholds on the Business Platinum Card. Terms apply. 
  • Get up to $300 in statement credits semi-annually for up to a total of $600 in statement credits per calendar year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection bookings through American Express Travel using the Business Platinum Card®. The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay. 
  • No Preset Spending Limit: The spending limit on the Business Platinum Card is flexible, so unlike a traditional credit card with a set limit, the amount you can spend adapts based on factors such as your purchase, payment and credit history. 
  • Make the Business Platinum Card® work even harder for you. Hilton for Business members get up to $200 back per calendar year when you make an eligible purchase at Hilton properties across the globe. Gift cards are not an eligible purchase. Benefit enrollment required. 
  • Fly like a pro with a $200 Airline Fee Credit. Select one qualifying airline to receive up to $200 back per year on baggage fees and other incidentals. 
  • Use the Business Platinum Card and get up to $209 back per calendar year on your CLEAR+ Membership (subject to auto-renewal). 
  • Maximize your time away with Fine Hotels + Resorts through Amex Travel™. 
  • Enroll and get up to $150 in statement credits on U.S purchases directly with Dell Technologies on the Business Platinum Card and an additional $1,000 statement credit after you spend $5,000 or more on that same Card per calendar year. 
  • Enroll and get up to $300 in statement credits per calendar year on U.S. purchases of ChatGPT Business* on the Business Platinum Card. *Subject to auto-renewal. 
  • Enroll and get a $250 statement credit after you spend $600 or more on U.S. purchases directly with Adobe per calendar year on the Business Platinum Card. 
  • Get up to $90 in statement credits quarterly for purchases with Indeed on the Business Platinum Card. That's up to $360 back per year. Enrollment required. 
  • Get up to $10 in statement credits per month for wireless telephone service purchases made directly with a wireless provider in the U.S. on the Business Platinum Card. That's up to $120 back per year. Enrollment required. 
  • 2X points on purchases at U.S. construction material & hardware suppliers, electronic goods retailers and software & cloud system providers, and shipping providers, as well as on each eligible purchase of $5,000 or more, up to $2 million of these purchases per calendar year. Purchases eligible for multiple additional point bonuses will only receive the highest eligible bonus. 
  • 5X points on flights and prepaid hotels on AmexTravel.com 
  • 1X points on other eligible purchases 
  • Terms Apply.
  • See Rates & Fees

On the American Express site

CNBC Select Rating
4.8

On the American Express site

Credit score

Excellent

Regular APR

16.74% - 28.49% Variable; APRs will not exceed 29.99%

Annual fee

$0

Welcome bonus

Earn 15,000 Membership Rewards® points

The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express is a great option if you're starting a business because it's affordable, earns flexible travel rewards and offers an intro-APR on purchases for a year.

  • Valuable intro-APR offer for purchases for 12 months
  • Earns flexible rewards you can transfer to 20+ airline and hotel loyalty programs
  • No annual fee
  • Bonus rewards for purchases are capped
  • Few useful travel insurance benefits

Highlights

Highlights shown here are provided by the issuer and have not been reviewed by CNBC Select's editorial staff.

  • Earn 15,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $3,000 in eligible purchases on the Card within your first 3 months of Card Membership.
  • 0.0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months from the date of account opening, then a variable rate, 16.74% - 28.49%, based on your creditworthiness and other factors at account opening. APR will not exceed 29.99%
  • Earn 2X points on everyday business purchases such as office supplies or client dinners. 2X applies to the first $50,000 in purchases per year, 1 point per dollar thereafter. Terms and limitations apply.
  • You've got the power to spend above your credit limit* with Expanded Buying Power. *The amount you can spend above your credit limit is flexible, so it adapts with your use of the Card, your payment history, credit record, financial resources known to us, and other factors. Just remember, the amount you can spend with Expanded Buying Power is not unlimited.
  • No Annual Fee
  • Terms Apply.
  • See Rates & Fees

Balance transfer fee

N/A

Foreign transaction fee

2.7% of each transaction after conversion to US dollars.

And if you're a non-business Amex cardholder, there could be something special in store for you as well. Although not announced yet, in previous years, American Express has given cardholders up to $50 back in statement credits to shop small businesses, so be on the lookout for that offer in case the issuer offers if again.

Bottom line

With inflation putting more financial pressure on small businesses, finding ways to shop small is important. One way American Express hopes to help small businesses this Small Business Saturday is through its partnership with TikTok, which will include cash incentives and a toolkit to help businesses market themselves effectively.  

For rates and fees of the Business Platinum Card® from American Express, click here.

For rates and fees of the Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express, click here.

For rates and fees of the American Express® Business Gold Card, click here.

American Express® Business Gold Card Welcome Offer: To view your personalized offer, you must first submit an application. If approved, you will: (1) receive your Welcome Offer details, (2) have the option to accept the Card with that offer, (3) be required to spend $15,000 on eligible purchases within the first 3 months of Card Membership, and (4) earn Membership Rewards® points. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. If you're approved and accept your offer, a credit check may be conducted, which could impact your credit score. Terms apply.

Editorial Note: Opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the Select editorial staff’s alone, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any third party.

American Express Is Partnering With TikTok For Small Business Saturday

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