In the world of business credit cards, The American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card and The Plum Card® from American Express offer unique features that cater to varying business needs.
The Blue Business Cash 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.
On the other hand, the Plum Card® is a business card that offers the flexibility to pay in full each month to earn rewards or carry your balance for up to 60 days with no interest.
This article will compare each card based on several factors to help you make an informed decision on which card is the best to add to your wallet.
Table of Contents
Overview: Blue Business Cash vs Plum Card
- bonus_miles_full
- 2% Cash Back On Up to $50,000 Per Year (1% Thereafter)
- 0% Intro APR on Purchases for 12 Months. After that, reg_apr,reg_apr_type. APRs will not exceed 29.99%.
- No Annual Fee (rates & fees)
Welcome Bonus
Amex Blue Business Cash:
The Blue Business Cash currently offers the following welcome bonus: bonus_miles_full
Amex Plum Card:
Unlike most cards, the Amex Plum Card does not offer a welcome bonus for new applicants.
Earning Rewards
Amex Blue Business Cash:
The Blue Business Cash allows business owners to earn 2% cash back on up to $50,000 in eligible purchases every calendar year. After that, the card earns 1% back.
Amex Plum Card:
The Amex Plum Card has a unique way of approaching rewards. You have two options:
- Earn an unlimited 1.5% Early Pay Discount on eligible charges within 10 days of your statement closing date and see the discount applied to your next statement when you pay at the least the Minimum Payment Due by the Payment Due Date; OR
- You can carry the balance interest-free for 60 days if you pay the minimum monthly amount by the Payment Due Date.
The minimum monthly payment is 10% of the balance from new activity on your current billing statement plus the entire amount of any previously deferred balance, as long as your account is current.
This interest-free option could be a good choice for businesses that need extra flexibility with their cash flow.
Winner:
It depends. If you plan to pay off your balance in full each month, then the Blue Business Cash wins this category. If you need flexibility on your payments, then the Amex Plum can save you a lot of money in interest payments.
Card Benefits and Perks
Amex Blue Business Cash:
The Blue Business Cash offers the following card benefits:
Intro APR: Enjoy 0% Intro APR on purchases for 12 months from account opening. After that, a reg_apr,reg_apr_type APR applies. APRs will not exceed 29.99%.
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.
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.
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.*
Secondary Rental Car Insurance: This card provides backup protection for rental car damage or theft when you charge the full rental to your card.*
* Eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions, and limitations apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details.
Amex Plum Card:
The Amex Plum Card offers the following card benefits:
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.*
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*
Secondary Rental Car Insurance: This card provides backup protection for rental car damage or theft when you charge the full rental to your card.*
No Foreign Transaction Fees: You’ll save money on every purchase while traveling internationally since this card doesn’t add the typical 3% surcharge that many other cards impose.
No Preset Spending Limit: This card offers the spending flexibility of no preset spending limit, which adjusts according to factors such as your purchase, payment, and credit history.
* Eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions, and limitations apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details.
Winner:
Tie. The Amex Plum has no foreign transactions while the Blue Business Cash charges a fee. But the Blue Business Cash has an intro APR offer.
Value of the Annual Fees
Amex Blue Business Cash:
The Blue Business Cash has no annual fee (rates & fees), making it an attractive option for business owners seeking a cost-effective credit card solution.
Additionally, authorized user cards can be added at no extra cost, and these users can also earn cash back rewards on their purchases.
Amex Plum Card:
The Amex Plum card has a $250 annual fee (rates & fees) and you can additional employees for no fee.
Winner:
Blue Business Cash. It is hard to compete with no annual fee.
Redeeming Rewards
Amex Blue Business Cash:
The American Express Blue Business Cash Card simplifies rewards redemption by automatically crediting earned cash back to your monthly statement.
This hands-off approach ensures you’re always benefiting from your rewards without needing to track or manually redeem them.
The cash back directly reduces your card balance, effectively lowering your business expenses with no additional action required.
Amex Plum Card:
The Amex Plum’s rewards are automatically credited to the following billing statement, assuming you took the cash-back option over the extra time to pay off the balance.
Winner:
Tie. Both redeem cash back towards billing statements.
The Verdict
For most people the Blue Business Cash is a better option than Amex Plum Card.
The Blue Business Cash earns 2% cash back (up to $50,000 per year; 1% thereafter) with no annual fee.
But the Amex Plum could be an option if your business needs extra time to pay off its card statements.
Which card are you going to choose?
- bonus_miles_full
- 2% Cash Back On Up to $50,000 Per Year (1% Thereafter)
- 0% Intro APR on Purchases for 12 Months. After that, reg_apr,reg_apr_type. APRs will not exceed 29.99%.
- No Annual Fee (rates & fees)
