The Blue Business Plus Credit Card from American Express Review
The Blue Business Plus Credit Card from American Express Review Bankrate Main Menu Mortgages Financing a home purchase Refinancing your existing loan Finding the right lender Additional Resources Looking for the perfect credit card? Narrow your search with CardMatch Main Menu Banking Compare Accounts Use calculators Get advice Bank reviews Looking for the perfect credit card? Narrow your search with CardMatch Main Menu Credit cards Compare by category Compare by credit needed Compare by issuer Get advice Looking for the perfect credit card? Narrow your search with CardMatch Main Menu Loans Personal Loans Student Loans Auto Loans Loan calculators Looking for the perfect credit card? Narrow your search with CardMatch Main Menu Investing Best of Brokerages and robo-advisors Learn the basics Additional resources Looking for the perfect credit card? Narrow your search with CardMatch Main Menu Home equity Get the best rates Lender reviews Use calculators Knowledge base Looking for the perfect credit card? Narrow your search with CardMatch Main Menu Real estate Selling a home Buying a home Finding the right agent Additional resources Looking for the perfect credit card? Narrow your search with CardMatch Main Menu Insurance Car insurance Homeowners insurance Other insurance Company reviews Looking for the perfect credit card? Narrow your search with CardMatch Main Menu Retirement Retirement plans & accounts Learn the basics Retirement calculators Additional resources Looking for the perfect credit card? Narrow your search with CardMatch Advertiser Disclosure
Bankrate has partnerships with issuers including, but not limited to, American Express, Bank of America, Capital One, Chase, Citi and Discover. * See the online application for details about terms and conditions for these offers. Every reasonable effort has been made to maintain accurate information. However all credit card information is presented without warranty. After you click on the offer you desire you will be directed to the credit card issuer's web site where you can review the terms and conditions for your selected offer. Editorial Disclosure: Opinions expressed here are the author's alone, and have not been reviewed or approved by any advertiser. The information, including card rates and fees, is accurate as of the publish date. All products or services are presented without warranty. Check the bank’s website for the most current information.
The Blue Business Plus Credit Card from American Express review A sturdy middle ground for small businesses and startups
This card works well for business owners whose spending budgets aren’t too high just yet. Written by Credit Card Reviews Writer Bankrate expert Garrett Yarbrough strives to make navigating credit cards and credit building smooth sailing for his readers. After regularly featuring his credit card, Nov. 3, 2022 Edited by Re'Dreyona Walker is an Associate Editor for CreditCards.com and Bankrate.com, focusing on product guides and reviews. As a personal finance expert, she Reviewed by Senior Editor Cathleen’s stories on design, travel and business have appeared in dozens of publications including the Washington Post, Town & Country, Wall Street Journal, Marie Nov. 3, 2022Share
Bankrate LogoWhy you can trust Bankrate
At Bankrate we strive to help you make smarter financial decisions. While we adhere to strict editorial integrity, this post may contain references to products from our partners. Here's an explanation for how we make money. The content on this page is accurate as of the posting date; however, some of the offers mentioned may have expired. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. Any opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any card issuer. Bankrate LogoWhy you can trust Bankrate
At Bankrate, we have a mission to demystify the credit cards industry — regardless or where you are in your journey — and make it one you can navigate with confidence. Our team is full of a diverse range of experts from credit card pros to data analysts and, most importantly, people who shop for credit cards just like you. With this combination of expertise and perspectives, we keep close tabs on the credit card industry year-round to: Meet you wherever you are in your credit card journey to guide your information search and help you understand your options. Consistently provide up-to-date, reliable market information so you\'re well-equipped to make confident decisions. Reduce industry jargon so you get the clearest form of information possible, so you can make the right decision for you. At Bankrate, we focus on the points consumers care about most: rewards, welcome offers and bonuses, APR, and overall customer experience. Any issuers discussed on our site are vetted based on the value they provide to consumers at each of these levels. At each step of the way, we fact-check ourselves to prioritize accuracy so we can continue to be here for your every next. Bankrate LogoEditorial Integrity
Bankrate follows a strict , so you can trust that we’re putting your interests first. Our award-winning editors and reporters create honest and accurate content to help you make the right financial decisions.Key Principles
We value your trust. Our mission is to provide readers with accurate and unbiased information, and we have editorial standards in place to ensure that happens. Our editors and reporters thoroughly fact-check editorial content to ensure the information you’re reading is accurate. We maintain a firewall between our advertisers and our editorial team. Our editorial team does not receive direct compensation from our advertisers.Editorial Independence
Bankrate’s editorial team writes on behalf of YOU – the reader. Our goal is to give you the best advice to help you make smart personal finance decisions. We follow strict guidelines to ensure that our editorial content is not influenced by advertisers. Our editorial team receives no direct compensation from advertisers, and our content is thoroughly fact-checked to ensure accuracy. So, whether you’re reading an article or a review, you can trust that you’re getting credible and dependable information. Bankrate LogoHow We Make Money
You have money questions. Bankrate has answers. Our experts have been helping you master your money for over four decades. We continually strive to provide consumers with the expert advice and tools needed to succeed throughout life’s financial journey. Bankrate follows a strict , so you can trust that our content is honest and accurate. Our award-winning editors and reporters create honest and accurate content to help you make the right financial decisions. The content created by our editorial staff is objective, factual, and not influenced by our advertisers. We’re transparent about how we are able to bring quality content, competitive rates, and useful tools to you by explaining how we make money. Bankrate.com is an independent, advertising-supported publisher and comparison service. We are compensated in exchange for placement of sponsored products and, services, or by you clicking on certain links posted on our site. Therefore, this compensation may impact how, where and in what order products appear within listing categories. Other factors, such as our own proprietary website rules and whether a product is offered in your area or at your self-selected credit score range can also impact how and where products appear on this site. While we strive to provide a wide range offers, Bankrate does not include information about every financial or credit product or service. Bankrate LogoInsurance Disclosure
Coverage.com, LLC is a licensed insurance producer (NPN: 19966249). Coverage.com services are only available in . Coverage.com may not offer insurance coverage in all states or scenarios. All insurance products are governed by the terms in the applicable insurance policy, and all related decisions (such as approval for coverage, premiums, commissions and fees) and policy obligations are the sole responsibility of the underwriting insurer. The information on this site does not modify any insurance policy terms in any way.ON THIS PAGE
PREV NEXTSnapshot
4.3 Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards. star icon star icon star icon star icon star icon star icon star icon star icon star icon star icon Bottom line Small businesses and mid-size startups will find a nice marriage of affordability and business perks in this business card. While you’ll want to be sure you keep your budget in check to avoid hitting spending caps on your reward earnings, you’ll still get a lot out of this one if you play your card(s) right. on American Express's secure siteBest for business perks with no annual fee
The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express
Rewards rate Earn 2X Membership Rewards 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. Annual fee Intro offer 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. Regular APR Recommended Credit Score A FICO score/credit score is used to represent the creditworthiness of a person and may be one indicator to the credit type you are eligible for. However, credit score alone does not guarantee or imply approval for any financial product.The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express Overview
The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express has no annual fee and a high rewards rate on up to $50,000 in purchases per year, which makes it ideal for small business owners that have big expenses or that don't have a specialized budget just yet. As your business develops, the Blue Business Plus pairs especially well with other as a flat-rate , so it can remain a key partner in your rewards strategy well into the future.What are the advantages and disadvantages
Pros
No annual fee, so you won’t have to use your reward earnings to offset this extra cost 0 percent intro APR on purchases for 12 months (variable APR of 16.99 percent to 24.99 percent thereafter) The Expanded Buying Power feature allows you to spend beyond your credit limit (depending on your creditworthiness, but is not unlimited)Cons
The 2X bonus category only earns rewards on the first $50,000 in purchases No intro APR on balance transfers, so it’s not an ideal option for managing other high interest debt There is a 2.7 percent foreign transaction fee if you plan to use your card abroad on business travelA deeper look into the current card offer
Quick highlights
Rewards rate: 2X points on up to $50,000 in purchases per year (unlimited 2X points on prepaid rental cars booked through AmexTravel.com), 1X points after that Welcome offer: 15,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $3,000 in eligible purchases on the card within your first three months of card membership Annual fee: None Purchase intro APR: 0 percent APR for 12 months Balance transfer intro APR: N/A Regular APR: 16.99 percent to 24.99 percent variableCurrent welcome offer
Earn 15,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $3,000 in eligible purchases on the card within your first three months of card membership. Other we've seen have offered anywhere from $200 to $750 in welcome bonus value.Rewards rate
The Blue Business Plus by American Express falls within the flexible program allowing you to earn points on all of your everyday purchases. This Blue Business Plus card can offer solid value to small-business owners, as it is one of the few cards with no annual fee that offers rewards at this rate. Plus, the opportunity to earn 2X points on up to $50,000 in purchases per year resets every year, so the chance to earn relatively lucrative rewards is not limited to new cardholders. With such benefits, this card could earn a permanent place in your wallet.How you earn
You'll get 2X points on up to $50,000 in purchases each year and 1X points after that. If you're often behind the wheel of a rental car, you'll also earn unlimited 2X points on prepaid rental cars booked through the There are no spending categories to keep track of, making it easy to rack up rewards without having to spend strategically.How to redeem
American Express has a variety of , including travel through its portal, merchandise and gift cards. You can also transfer your points to over a dozen hotel and airline partners or use your rewards to cover your card charges, like a statement credit. Online shoppers can use Pay with Points at checkout with select merchants and prepaid rental cars booked through Amex Travel as well.How much are points worth
Depending on which redemption option you choose, each reward point could be worth between 0.5 cents and 2 cents. The is to use them for travel, especially when you transfer to a partner airline or hotel. estimates that finding the right can bump each point to up to 2 cents apiece, but redeeming for air travel through the Amex portal will only get you 1 cent per point. Reserving prepaid hotels, cars, cruises and planned vacations will only net 0.7 cents per point. Paying with points and redeeming them for merchandise, gift cards (value varies by merchant, but up to a 1:1 value) or statement credits will get you the least bang for your buck since you'll only get 0.5 cents to 0.7 cents per point in most cases.Other cardholder perks
In addition to rewards, this card has perks that can help you manage your business spending, including expanding your buying power and providing you with employee cards. Here's a rundown of the main benefits you'll get as a Blue Business Plus cardholder.Fast application process
This card has a quick and easy online application process. In fact, you could get your American Express Blue Business Plus approval in as little as 30 seconds.Expanded buying power
If you need to make a large purchase higher than your Amex Blue Business Plus credit limit, you can with expanded buying power. Based on your creditworthiness, American Express may allow you to go over your credit limit to cover business expenses like equipment and inventory, but it's not unlimited. It adjusts with your card use, payment history, credit record, financial resources known to American Express, and more. Also, you must pay off the over-limit portion at the end of each billing statement as part of your minimum statement.Employee cards
The Blue Business Plus allows you to get additional cards for your employees and set custom limits on their spending.Account manager
The account manager feature allows you to give a trusted assistant access to your accounts so they can monitor your finances for you.Purchase protection
This card also comes with to protect your covered purchases from theft or accidental damage for up to 90 days from the date of purchase.Travel benefits
If you travel, you'll be happy to find out this card comes with secondary car rental loss and damage insurance as well as a Global Assist Hotline. The hotline can help you if you find a solution for emergencies such as a lost passport or missing luggage.Rates and fees
Most notably, the Amex Blue Business Plus has no annual fee and a 0 percent intro APR on purchases for the first 12 months from account opening, enabling you to finance large business expenses for one year without paying interest. This intro APR offer is worthwhile - especially for a purchase-focused card - since several popular business cards don't offer zero-interest periods. After the intro period is over, your regular APR will be between 16.99 percent and 24.99 percent (variable), depending on your creditworthiness. If you spend over your limit, the Expanded Buying Power feature means you won't face an overlimit fee, but there are a few other rates and fees to be aware of if you have difficulty paying off your balance. A returned payment or two or more late payments in one year will subject you to a 29.99 percent penalty APR. This penalty APR lasts for at least 12 billing cycles and could cause you to rack up high-interest debt. The Blue Business Plus Credit Card also has a $39 late and returned payment fee and a 2.7 percent fee on foreign transactions.How the Blue Business Plus compares with other business credit cards
The Blue Business Plus credit card is ideal for small business owners who are looking for a card with a simple rewards structure, no annual fee and an intro APR period. The downside is that this would not be a good fit for larger companies spending more than $50,000 a year (at least not as their primary business card). If your spending is high, pairing this card with another one or utilizing another business card completely may allow you to maximize more reward earnings.The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express
star icon star icon star icon star icon star icon star icon star icon star icon star icon star icon Bankrate Score Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards. on American Express's secure site Annual fee Intro offer 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. Rewards rate Earn 2X Membership Rewards 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. Recommended credit A FICO score/credit score is used to represent the creditworthiness of a person and may be one indicator to the credit type you are eligible for. However, credit score alone does not guarantee or imply approval for any financial product.Capital One Spark Cash Plus
on Capital One's secure site Annual fee Intro offer Earn up to a $1,000 cash bonus; $500 once you spend $5,000 in the first 3 months, and $500 once you spend $50,000 in the first 6 months of account opening Rewards rate Earn unlimited 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel Earn unlimited 2% cash back on every purchase, everywhere—with no limits or category restrictions Recommended credit A FICO score/credit score is used to represent the creditworthiness of a person and may be one indicator to the credit type you are eligible for. However, credit score alone does not guarantee or imply approval for any financial product.American Express Blue Business Cash&trade Card
on American Express's secure site Annual fee Intro offer Earn a $250 statement credit after you make $3,000 in purchases on your Card in your first 3 months. Rewards rate Earn 2% cash back on all eligible purchases on up to $50,000 per calendar year, then 1%. 1% cash back on all eligible purchases after spending $50,000 per calendar year. Recommended credit A FICO score/credit score is used to represent the creditworthiness of a person and may be one indicator to the credit type you are eligible for. However, credit score alone does not guarantee or imply approval for any financial product.American Express Blue Business Plus Card vs Capital One Spark Cash Plus Card
The offers unlimited 2 percent cash back without a rewards cap like the Blue Business Plus, so big spenders may earn more with the Spark Cash Plus card. The catch is that it has a $150 annual fee, but it's relatively easy to recoup through rewards spending or the $200 annual bonus if you spend at least $200,000 each year. That translates to about $625 spent per month in order to make up the cost of the $150 fee with rewards alone. Fortunately, the Spark Cash Plus is a true without a set spending limit, giving you the chance to earn piles of cash back if your business has a lot of big expenses to often cover. Businesses that don't have expansive budgets and won't blow through the $50,000 annual spending cap may be better off with the Blue Business Plus card. Since the Spark Cash Plus is a charge card, it may be more difficult to build up credit with the requirement to pay off balances in full each billing cycle. As a result, the Blue Business Plus is the better option for building your business credit over time, while the Spark Cash Plus is ideal for more established business ventures.American Express Blue Business Plus Card vs American Express Blue Business Cash Card
If you like the perks of the Blue Business Plus card, you should consider the . You'll earn 2 percent cash back on the first $50,000 in purchases per year, and 1 percent after that. Just like the Blue Business Plus, it has a nearly identical rewards system, no annual fee, Expanded Buying Power, an intro interest-free period of 12 months on purchases and the same reasonable 16.99 percent to 24.99 percent variable APR afterward. The Blue Business Plus Card could give more value to small businesses wanting to earn points that can be redeemed for travel, though those looking for cash back may be more satisfied with the American Express Blue Business Cash Card. It's also important to note that while travel purchases are the most lucrative redemption option for these cards, you will have to pay a foreign transaction fee for any purchases made abroad with both cards.Best cards to pair with the Blue Business Plus Credit Card
Hands down, the best pairing for the Blue Business Plus consists of the other two cards in the : and the . This trio is the definitive combination for earning maximum Membership Rewards points across your spending. While the Amex Platinum rewards your travel purchases, the Amex Gold rakes in boosted rewards on everyday expenses like dining and groceries at U.S. supermarkets. If your rewards strategy isn't that ambitious, like other flat-rate cards, the Blue Business Plus partners especially well with some of the that offer higher rates on your biggest bonus categories. Another like the could be a fantastic tool since it earns 4X points on up to $150,000 across two of your business' biggest eligible categories each billing cycle.Bankrate s take Is the Blue Business Plus Credit Card worth it
If you're a big spender, getting a Blue Business Plus Credit Card may not be the best card for you. You'll only earn 2X points on the first $50,000 you spend each year (except for rental cars booked through Amex Travel), and your rewards rate will drop down to 1X points after that. Although you can switch to another card when you hit the rewards cap, you may not want the hassle of dealing with multiple credit cards. But if you're a small-business owner who wants to rack up rewards without worrying about categories, this is a great card to add to your arsenal. It has an interest-free period, no annual fee and expanded buying power that will give you the capital you need to grow your business. You can also squeeze out fantastic long-term value since the Blue Business Plus has the potential to pair nicely with other premium Amex cards once you've upgraded your business' suite of cards. For rates and fees of the Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express Card, please click . For rates and fees of the American Express Blue Business Cash card, please click . Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. Please visit for more details. Underwritten by Amex Assurance Company.Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between American Express Blue Business Plus and Blue Business Cash
There is little difference between the cards except that the Amex Blue Business Cash earns 2 percent cash back on the first $50,000 spent annually, while the Amex Blue Business Plus earns 2X Membership Rewards points on the first $50,000 spent annually.What credit score do you need for an American Express Blue Business Plus card
There is no specific minimum credit score requirement for the card, but applicants with good or excellent credit (preferably 700 or higher) will have a better chance of approval. In addition to your credit score, American Express will also take your business's annual revenue and other credit factors into account.What is the credit limit on the Amex Blue Business Plus card
The credit limit for the Amex Blue Business Plus Card can vary. The card has customizable spending limits that can be set for individual employee cards along with a flexible credit limit policy that allows you to exceed your credit limit as long as it’s paid back by your next billed statement.Do you have to pay your Amex Blue Business Card balance off in full every month
It's not necessary for the American Express Blue Business Plus card to be paid in full every month since it’s not considered to be a charge card. You can just pay the minimum amount due each month.Do I need to own a business to get the American Express Blue Business Plus
There is no requirement that you run a formal business or have a company legally established as LLC to qualify for a business credit card, but you must be completely self-employed. Individuals who work as freelancers or contractors may be eligible.ON THIS PAGE
Written by Garrett Yarbrough Credit Card Reviews Writer Bankrate expert Garrett Yarbrough strives to make navigating credit cards and credit building smooth sailing for his readers. After regularly featuring his credit card, credit monitoring and identity theft analysis on NextAdvisor.com, he joined the CreditCards.com and Bankrate.com teams as a staff writer to develop product reviews and comprehensive credit card guides focused on cash back, credit scores and card offers. Edited by Reviewed by Senior EditorAdvertiser Disclosure
Bankrate.com is an independent, advertising-supported comparison service. The offers that appear on this site are from companies from which Bankrate.com receives compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site, including, for example, the order in which they may appear within listing categories. Other factors, such as our own proprietary website rules and the likelihood of applicants' credit approval also impact how and where products appear on this site. Bankrate.com does not include the entire universe of available financial or credit offers.Bankrate has partnerships with issuers including, but not limited to, American Express, Bank of America, Capital One, Chase, Citi and Discover. * See the online application for details about terms and conditions for these offers. Every reasonable effort has been made to maintain accurate information. However all credit card information is presented without warranty. After you click on the offer you desire you will be directed to the credit card issuer's web site where you can review the terms and conditions for your selected offer. Editorial Disclosure: Opinions expressed here are the author's alone, and have not been reviewed or approved by any advertiser. The information, including card rates and fees, is accurate as of the publish date. All products or services are presented without warranty. Check the bank’s website for the most current information.