| General Information and Benefits |
| Company Profiles |
| Search Tips |
| Working with Your Results |
| Supplier Diversity |
| Back to Top General Information and Benefits |
What is the B2B Supplier Directory?How can I make a suggestion about the B2B Supplier Directory?Is there a charge for using or being listed in the B2B Directory?How do I contact Customer Service? |
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Q: What is the B2B Supplier Directory?A: The American Express B2B Directory is a resource for in-depth information on hundreds of thousands of companies that do business primarily with other businesses. All companies listed in the B2B Directory accept the American Express® Card. |
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Q: How can I make a suggestion about the B2B Supplier Directory?A: You can submit any suggestions you have about the B2B Directory by clicking the Beta Feedback link in the left navigation menu on the site. You can also recommend a supplier that you would like to see in the B2B Directory by clicking on the Recommend a Supplier link, also in the left navigation menu. |
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Q: Is there a charge for using or being listed in the B2B Directory?A: As an accepting American Express B2B merchant, you are automatically listed on the B2B Directory at no charge. |
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Q: How do I contact Customer Service?A: For assistance or answers to questions, Cardmembers should call 1-800-238-8087, and Merchants should call 1-800-528-5200. |
| Back to Top Company Profiles |
How is the Company Profile information in the B2B Directory generated?Is the information in the B2B Supplier Directory current?Why can't I find a supplier in the B2B directory?How can I update my Company Profile information?How do I remove my company's listing from the B2B Directory? |
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Q: How is the Company Profile information in the B2B Directory generated?A: Merchants complete their own Company Profiles and are encouraged to validate and update them. If you are an American Express merchant, help us post the most accurate information about your business by updating your profile.. |
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Q: Is the information in the B2B Supplier Directory current?A: We update company information on a monthly basis. |
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Q: Why can't I find a supplier in the B2B directory?A: There are a few reasons why a supplier won't be found in the B2B Directory. The directory currently includes only qualified North American suppliers. Occasionally a vendor will ask to not be included in the directory. Also, a supplier that does not accept the American Express® Card will not be listed in the directory. If you suspect this to be true, please Recommend a Supplier and we will reach out to that supplier. |
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Q: How can I update my Company Profile information?A: You can update your Company Profile information online, at no extra charge. American Express reviews the changes and, once they has been verified, updates your Company Profile the following month. |
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Q: How do I remove my company's listing from the B2B Directory?A: You can remove your listing by calling the Merchant Services line at 1-800-528-5200. |
| Back to Top Search Tips |
Does the B2B Directory use "cookies"?How do I use the B2B directory?How can I narrow my search results?What are my Saved Searches?How do I access my Saved Searches?How do I create Saved Searches?How do I search for a company by Industry Type?What is my Saved Supplier List?How do I access my Saved Supplier List?How do I select a company as a Saved Supplier?Are there any keyword search strategies I should be aware of?What if I don't know the full name of a company I’m searching for?How does the site "remember" my Saved Suppliers or Saved Searches?How do I search the B2B directory by location?What are Industry Codes, and how do I use them to search? |
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Q: Does the B2B Directory use "cookies"?A: This site allows you to save search criteria and suppliers by creating "cookies" on your computer. Please note that if you clear cookies from your computer, you may lose the cookies that "remember" your saved searches and suppliers. If you need to clear cookies, first download, e-mail, or print Your Saved Suppliers and Your Saved Searches so you can easily re-create your lists. |
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Q: How do I use the B2B directory?A: You can search for a company in the B2B Directory by Company Name, Location, Industry Type, etc., or by using keywords. If, when searching by keywords, you do not get the results that you're looking for, try widening your search by Industry Type or typing the industry into the Keyword field. Keep in mind that the more content you put into a search, the narrower your search results will be. Leaving some fields blank will increase your search results. |
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Q: How can I narrow my search results?A: You can narrow your search results by adding more search criteria and clicking "Search within Results" on the search results page. You can also use the search filters provided. Whenever you add additional criteria to a search whether it is a zip code or an Industry Type, your search will provide narrower search results. |
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Q: What are my Saved Searches?A: Your Saved Searches make it easy for you to repeat a previous search. If you have certain suppliers that you use consistently for transactions, you can give yourself easy access to the search criteria you used to find them by creating Saved Searches. That way, if you'd like to find out if there are any similar businesses, you can use the same search criteria to generate new results. |
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Q: How do I access my Saved Searches?A: You can access Your Saved Searches list by going to the primary navigation menu on the left side of the B2B Directory home page. Until you have saved searches, there will not be any search criteria listed. |
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Q: How do I create Saved Searches?A: You can create saved searches by clicking the "Add to Saved Searches" box that appears at the top of the search results list. By clicking this box, you automatically add your current search criteria to Your Saved Searches. |
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Q: How do I search for a company by Industry Type?A: To search for a company by Industry Type you can use a keyword search, select an Industry Type and Industry Sub-Type, or enter up to four MCCs. The MCC list allows you to reference a full resource of codes. |
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Q: What is my Saved Supplier List?A: Your Saved Supplier list is a group of businesses you have selected for ready access. Your Saved Suppliers are stored as "cookies" on your computer and are accessible only from the computer on which you created your list. Keep your list of suppliers on hand so you have them when you need them. Once you have a list of saved suppliers, you can print, e-mail, or download it for easy access and repeat orders. |
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Q: How do I access my Saved Supplier List?A: You can access Your Saved Supplier list by going to the primary navigation menu on the left side of the B2B Directory home page. Until you have saved suppliers to Your Saved Suppliers, there will not be any companies listed in Your Saved Suppliers list. |
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Q: How do I select a company as a Saved Supplier?A: You can add a business to Your Saved Supplier list by clicking the box to the left of the Company Name on the Search Results page and clicking the "add to your saved suppliers" icon. You can also click the "+" icon, or choose "add to your saved suppliers" on the Company Profile page. |
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Q: Are there any keyword search strategies I should be aware of?A: Using multiple keywords is an efficient way to get focused search results.
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Q: What if I don't know the full name of a company I’m searching for?A: If you don't know the full name of a company, enter a portion of the name along with an asterisk "*" to aid your search. This is known as a “wild-card” search. Examples of wild-cards include:
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Q: How does the site "remember" my Saved Suppliers or Saved Searches?A: This site relies on “cookie” functionality in order to "remember" your Saved Searches and Saved Suppliers. Your Saved Searches and Saved Suppliers are stored as cookies on your computer and are accessible only from the computer on which you created your Saved Searches and Saved Suppliers.. |
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Q: How do I search the B2B directory by location?A: To search by location, enter an exact location, an area defined by miles within a zip code of your choice, or select from our list of U.S. states and Canadian regions. |
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Q: What are Industry Codes, and how do I use them to search?A: Merchant Commodity Codes (MCC) are universally used by card issuers to categorize industries and are provided for you to use as an alternate search option. You can search by any combination of MCC, Industry Type, and Industry Sub-Type. |
| Back to Top Working with your results |
How can I download my company search results?Can I send search results information via email?Can I print out my search results?How do I access the search results file after downloading it? |
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Q: How can I download my company search results?A: You can download your search results by selecting “companies” and clicking the “download” icon on the search results page. |
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Q: Can I send search results information via email?A: To send search results via e-mail, simply click on the provided “e-mail” icon. Then, after you provide your e-mail address and submit, an e-mail with a .csv file will be sent to your e-mail address. |
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Q: Can I print out my search results?A: You can print your search results by clicking the “print” icon provided on the results page. A printer-friendly page will be provided for you to print. |
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Q: How do I access the search results file after downloading it?A: The results will download as a .csv file, which you can open as a worksheet in Excel or a table in Microsoft Access. If the list consists of more then 65,000 companies, you must open it in Access. |
| Back to Top Supplier Diversity |
What is the American Express Supplier Diversity Program?What types of Supplier Diversity designations does American Express acknowledge?What types of Small Business designations does American Express acknowledge?Why is data for Supplier Diversity and Small Business ownership collected?How does American Express obtain ownership data on merchants?How often is ownership data on merchants updated?How do I obtain diversity certification for my business?Can merchants change or delete their ownership data as it appears in the B2B Directory?What is the difference between a Classified and a Certified Small Business?What are the SBA Size Standards?What is a Small Disadvantaged Business (SDB)?What is a HUBZone?How can I find out if my business is located in a HUBZone? |
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Q: What is the American Express Supplier Diversity Program?A: The American Express Supplier Diversity Program provides opportunities for small businesses, as well as those owned by minorities, women, people with disabilities, veterans, and those who are lesbian/gay/bisexual or transgender (LGBT). The program gives equal consideration to all suppliers, regardless of their size or background. |
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Q: What types of Supplier Diversity designations does American Express acknowledge?A: We acknowledge the following designations on all Level 2 and Level 3 Card-accepting merchants, and Level 1 merchants in B2B industries (Business Services, Business Retail, and Wholesale):Certified/Classified Minority Owned Businesses African American Owned Asian Owned (includes Asian Indian & Asian Pacific) Asian Indian Owned Asian Pacific Owned Hispanic Owned Native American Owned Certified/Classified Woman Owned Businesses Certified Disabled Owned Businesses Certified Veteran Owned Businesses Certified Service Disabled Owned Businesses Classified Historically Black Colleges or Universities |
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Q: What types of Small Business designations does American Express acknowledge?A: We acknowledge the following designations on all Level 2 and Level 3 Card-accepting merchants, and Level 1 merchants in B2B industries (Business Services, Business Retail, and Wholesale):Certified/Classified Minority Owned Businesses African American Owned Asian Owned (includes Asian Indian & Asian Pacific) Asian Indian Owned Asian Pacific Owned Hispanic Owned Native American Owned Certified/Classified Woman Owned Businesses Certified Disabled Owned Businesses Certified Veteran Owned Businesses Certified Service Disabled Owned Businesses Classified Historically Black Colleges or Universities |
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Q: Why is data for Supplier Diversity and Small Business ownership collected?A: Corporate Clients and Small Business Cardmembers require supplier classification and certification information as part of their procurement reporting process. They do this to comply with their internal Supplier Diversity programs and Government contracts. Additionally, providing this data supports our commitment to good citizenship. It provides a convenient resource for Cardmembers to locate diverse and small business suppliers who accept the Card, as well as complimentary advertising for suppliers. |
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Q: How does American Express obtain ownership data on merchants?A: American Express has partnered with a third-party vendor to provide detailed merchant classification information. To capture comprehensive socioeconomic data, the vendor works directly with more than 300 seed sources to document firms owned and operated by minorities, women, and other protected classes. The seed sources include private and public agencies at the Federal, State, and Local levels. Several examples of certifying agencies are NMSDC (National Minority Supplier Development Council) and its regional affiliates, WBENC (Women's Business Enterprise National Council), NAWBO (National Association of Women Business Owners), and SBA (Small Business Administration). |
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Q: How often is ownership data on merchants updated?A: We update each merchant's ownership status at least once a year. |
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Q: How do I obtain diversity certification for my business?A: American Express encourages merchants to obtain certification with the appropriate organizations, and to check their websites for information on certification criteria and process. |
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Q: Can merchants change or delete their ownership data as it appears in the B2B Directory?A: To ensure the accuracy of data we provide to Cardmembers, we rely only on information verified by the certifying agencies for ownership status changes. Please check with the appropriate agency in question to verify your certification and send the following information to B2B.Directory.Merchant.Profile@aexp.com:
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Q: What is the difference between a Classified and a Certified Small Business?A: A Classified Business is either a self-identified protected class firm or firm that non-certifying sources have identified as belonging to a specific diverse group. Non-certifying sources include: minority and women business publications, ethnic and gender-specific chambers of commerce, and trade associations or general business sources where the majority owner is identified as ethnic minority and/or female.A Certified business has provided documentation proving a protected class status to Certifying agencies. Additionally, the Certifying agencies have subjected these businesses to periodic reviews and/or audits to validate that the firm is >51% owned and operated by a protected class individual or individuals. |
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Q: What are the SBA Size Standards?A: Size Standards define whether a business concern is considered small by the Small Business Administration and thus eligible for certain types of Government and private contracts reserved for small businesses concerns. It is a numerical definition of a small business, which is considered "small" if it meets or is below an established "Size Standard." The SBA has developed these Size Standards based primarily on a merchant's industry, number of employees and/or annual receipts.The most common SBA Size Standards are as follows:
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Q: What is a Small Disadvantaged Business (SDB)?A: According to the Small Business Administration, their SDB certification allows small socially and economically disadvantaged business concerns to be eligible for specific Federal contracting opportunities. |
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Q: What is a HUBZone?A: According to the Small Business Administration, their HUBZone Empowerment Contracting program stimulates economic development and creates jobs in urban and rural communities by providing Federal contracting preferences to small business. |
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Q: How can I find out if my business is located in a HUBZone?A: Simply log on to the Small Business Administration's website at www.sba.gov/hubzone and select the “Are You In A HUBZone?” option. You can search the system using a combination of address, city, state, county, and zip code criteria. |