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.
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 Blue Business Plus Amex 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 reg_apr,reg_apr_type. 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 are a versatile and valuable currency for travelers. The program offers numerous redemption options, with transfers to airline partners being the most lucrative way to use your points. Amex partners with 18 airlines and 3 hotel chains, allowing you to access a wide range of travel possibilities. Some of the best redemptions include booking business class flights to Europe through Air France-KLM Flying Blue for as low as 50,000 miles one-way. Virgin Atlantic’s Flying Club offers excellent value for Delta One flights to Europe at 50,000 points, significantly less than booking directly through Delta. For those planning a trip to Asia, transferring to ANA Mileage Club can yield incredible value. Round-trip business class flights from the West Coast to Tokyo can be booked for just 90,000 miles. Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer is another great option, especially for their renowned long-haul flights like New York to Singapore. Domestic travelers can benefit from transferring to British Airways Executive Club for short-haul American and Alaska Airlines flights, with awards starting at just 8,250 Avios for distances up to 650 miles. While transferring to airline partners typically offers the best value, Amex also allows direct redemptions for flights through their travel portal. However, this option generally provides lower value at 1 cent per point. To maximize your Membership Rewards, focus on high-value airline transfers for premium cabin international flights. With strategic planning, you can unlock extraordinary travel experiences and significant savings on your next adventure.
Membership Rewards Transfer Partners [1 to 1]
Aer Lingus Avios
AeroMexico [1 to 1.6]
Air Canada Aeroplan
Air France/KLM Flying Blue
ANA
Avianca LifeMiles
British Airways Avios
Cathay Pacific Asia Miles
Delta SkyMiles
El Al [1,000 to 20]
Emirates
Etihad Guest
Hawaiian Airlines
Iberia Avios
JetBlue [250 to 200]
Qantas
Qatar Airways
Singapore KrisFlyer
Virgin Atlantic
Choice
Marriott Bonvoy
Hilton Honors [1 to 2]
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.
Alternatives to the Blue Business Plus
Now that you know about the pros and cons of this card and its benefits, it’s time to review the alternatives.
Or, if you are like me, who loves to maximize my rewards, here are other cards you should add to your wallet in addition to this card:
The American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card
The American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card (review) offers 2% cash back on the first $50,000 in eligible purchases annually, then 1% thereafter, with rewards automatically credited to your statement each billing cycle. This no-annual-fee card (rates & fees) provides a straightforward way for small businesses to earn cash back on expenses, though larger spenders may find more value in other options.
Welcome Bonus: bonus_miles_full
Earning Cash Back: 2% cash back on up to $50,000 in eligible purchases every calendar year. After that, the card earns 1% back. Your cash back on the Blue Business Cash appears as an automatic monthly statement credit.
Benefits: Extended warranty, purchase protection, secondary rental car insurance, Expanded Buying Power, and 0% Intro APR on purchases for 12 months from account opening, after that a reg_apr,reg_apr_type APR applies.
Capital One Spark Miles for Business
The Capital One Spark Miles for Business (review) simplifies rewards earning with double miles on everything you buy. This straightforward business card lets you transfer miles to travel partners or redeem directly for travel purchases, making it a practical choice for business owners who want travel flexibility without complex bonus categories. Welcome Bonus: Earn a 50,000 miles bonus when you spend $4,500 in the first 3 months. Earn Rewards: 5x miles on hotels, vacation rentals, and rental cars for bookings via Capital One’s travel booking site; 2x miles on all other eligible purchases. Card Benefits: Global Entry or TSA PreCheck credit, primary rental car insurance, extended warranty, purchase protection, and no foreign transaction fees. Transfer Partners: Accor (2 to 1), Aeromexico, Air Canada Aeroplan, Air France-KLM Flying Blue, Avianca LifeMiles, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Choice Privileges, Emirates, Etihad, Finnair, I Prefer Hotels (1 to 2), Japan Airlines(2 to 1.5), JetBlue (5 to 3), Qantas, Qatar, Singapore KrisFlyer, TAP Air Portugal, Turkish Airlines, Virgin Red, and Wyndham Rewards.
Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card
The Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card (review) offers great rewards for small business owners. With bonus points on travel, shipping, advertising, and communication services, plus valuable travel protections, it’s a solid choice for companies looking to maximize their everyday spending. Welcome Bonus: bonus_miles_full Earning Rewards: 3x points on travel, shipping, advertising made with social media sites and search engines, and internet, cable and phone services on the first $150,000 spent in combined purchases in the following categories each account anniversary year; 1x points on all other eligible purchases. Card Benefits: Points are worth 25% more when you redeem for travel through Chase Travel, no foreign transaction fees, primary rental car insurance, trip cancellation insurance, cell phone protection, purchase protection, and extended warranty. Transfer Partners: Aer Lingus, Air Canada Aeroplan, British Airways, Emirates, Air France KLM Flying Blue, Hyatt, IHG, Iberia, JetBlue, Marriott, Singapore KrisFlyer, Southwest, United, and Virgin Atlantic.
Is the Blue Business Plus Worth It?
The Blue Business Plus Amex 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
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.
