The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express offers a strong 2x Membership Rewards points on the first $50,000 in purchases annually, making it an excellent no-annual-fee (rates & fees) option for small business owners. This card provides good value for everyday spending and access to Amex's 20+ transfer partners, though it does have foreign transaction fees.
This credit card review will cover everything you need to know about this card to determine if you should add this card or a different card to your wallet. Let's dive right in.
- 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.
- 2 Points Per Dollar on the First $50,000 in Purchases Each Calendar Year (1x Points thereafter)
- 0.0% Intro APR on purchases for the first 12 months. After that, 16.74% - 28.49% APR. APRs will not exceed 29.99%
- No Annual Fee (rates & fees)
Welcome Bonus of Blue Business Plus
The Blue Business Plus Amex currently offers the following welcome bonus:
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.
It’s important to note that American Express has a once-per-lifetime policy for welcome offers. This means if you’ve had this particular card before, you may not be eligible to receive the bonus again.
Earning Points with Blue Business Plus
The
earns 2 Amex points per dollar on the first $50,000 spent on the card annually (then 1 point per dollar).This card offers an excellent flat rate of return on everyday business spending without category restrictions.
The 2x earning on the first $50,000 spent annually makes it highly rewarding for small businesses with moderate expenses.
However, the value diminishes for higher spenders who exceed that threshold. While great for general purchases, it lacks bonus categories for common business expenses like office supplies or travel that some other cards offer.
No Annual Fee
The Blue Business Plus has no annual fee (rates & fees), so this is a great card to hold onto for the long term to maximize your rewards. Plus, you can also add up to 99 authorized users to your account at no extra cost.
Benefits of Blue Business Plus
The Blue Business Plus Amex offers these card benefits:
0% Intro APR for 12 months on purchases for 12 months from the date of account opening. After that, After that, you’ll pay 16.74% – 28.49%.
Expanded Buying Power: With this feature, you can flexibly spend above your credit limit based on factors like your payment history, credit record, financial profile, and other factors. While not unlimited, your spending capacity adapts as you use and manage your American Express Card.
Extended Warranty Protection: When you purchase items with your credit card, you’ll get an extra year of warranty coverage on eligible items that have original manufacturer warranties of up to five years. This valuable perk means you can protect expensive electronics and appliances that come with longer manufacturer warranties without paying extra for store protection plans*
90-Day Purchase Protection: Your new purchases are covered against damage and theft for 90 days when you use your card. This protection helps safeguard your eligible items right from the moment you buy them.*
Amex Offers: As an American Express cardholder, you can access Amex Offers. These targeted, limited-time promotions provide discounts or bonus points on purchases with select merchants. Offers are added to your card, and you’ll receive either a percentage or dollar amount back as a statement credit when you meet the offer terms. While offers vary and may not always align with your spending habits, this perk can be valuable when an offer matches your preferences.
* Eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions, and limitations apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details.
Redeem Membership Rewards
American Express Membership Rewards points shine brightest when you transfer them to airline and hotel partners. You can also book travel through Amex Travel at 1 cent per point, but transfers usually deliver far more value.
You can transfer Membership Rewards points to 16 airline partners: Aer Lingus AerClub, Aeromexico Rewards, Air Canada Aeroplan, Air France-KLM Flying Blue, ANA Mileage Club, Avianca LifeMiles, British Airways Club, Cathay, Delta SkyMiles, Emirates Skywards, Iberia Club, JetBlue TrueBlue, Qantas Frequent Flyer, Qatar Airways Privilege Club, Singapore KrisFlyer, and Virgin Atlantic Flying Club.
Three hotel partners round out the list: Choice Privileges, Hilton Honors, and Marriott Bonvoy.
Most transfers are 1:1, but a few aren't. Aeromexico transfers at 1:1.6, Cathay and Emirates at 5:4, JetBlue at 250:200, and Hilton at 1:2.
These partners span all three major airline alliances, so you can reach almost any route worldwide.
A few standout redemptions worth chasing:
- Fly Iberia business class to Madrid from 40,500 Avios each way on off-peak dates.
- Book Singapore's business or suites class on ultra-long-haul flights through KrisFlyer.
- Reach Europe on Flying Blue from 60,000 miles, with monthly Promo Rewards trimming prices further.
- Fly Qatar Airways' Qsuites from North America starting at 70,000 Avios.
- Book United Polaris business class to Europe for 50,000 miles through ANA.
Just confirm your award space before you move any points, since every transfer is irreversible.
Pros and Cons of Blue Business Plus
Here’s a quick overview of this card’s advantages and disadvantages:
Pros:
Strong Earning Rate: Earns 2x Membership Rewards points on the first $50,000 spent annually, providing excellent value for everyday business spending.
No Annual Fee: Offers valuable rewards and benefits without charging an annual fee, making it easy to keep long-term.
Flexible Redemption Options: Earns full Membership Rewards points that can be transferred to airline and hotel partners for potentially high-value redemptions.
Cons:
Spending Cap: The 2x earning rate is limited to the first $50,000 spent per year, after which it drops to 1x.
Foreign Transaction Fees: Charges a 2.7% fee on purchases made abroad, making it unsuitable for international use.
Limited Travel Perks: Lacks premium travel benefits like airport lounge access or travel credits found on higher-end business cards.
Modest Welcome Bonus: While it does offer a welcome bonus, it’s relatively small compared to some other business credit cards on the market.
Is the Blue Business Plus Worth It?
The is a compelling option for small business owners seeking to maximize their rewards. This no-annual-fee card offers a straightforward earning structure of 2x Membership Rewards points on the first $50,000 in purchases annually, making it an excellent choice for everyday business spending.
The ability to earn transferable points without paying an annual fee is particularly noteworthy, as it allows cardholders to access Amex’s valuable airline and hotel transfer partners.
While the welcome bonus may not be as substantial as some other business cards, the long-term value proposition of earning 2x points on general purchases is hard to beat.
For business owners looking to simplify their credit card strategy while still earning flexible rewards, the Blue Business Plus should be a top contender.
Learn How to Apply: The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express
- 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.
- 2 Points Per Dollar on the First $50,000 in Purchases Each Calendar Year (1x Points thereafter)
- 0.0% Intro APR on purchases for the first 12 months. After that, 16.74% - 28.49% APR. APRs will not exceed 29.99%
- No Annual Fee (rates & fees)
For rates and fees of the American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card, please click here. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by Amex Assurance Company.
