Amex Blue Business Plus Credit Card Review 2024
- Rewards
- Benefits and Features
- Annual Fee and Other Costs
- How the Card Compares
- FAQs
- Why You Should Trust Us
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Blue Business Plus card is one of the best business credit cards for folks who value simplicity and don't want to fuss with bonus categories or complicated earning structures.
The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express Apply now lock icon An icon in the shape of lock. On American Express's website Rates & Fees
Insider’s Rating Info icon Insider's Ratings are decided by our editorial team. The rating system considers various factors and evaluates cards against others of the same type so you can pick a card that is a good fit for your goals. A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star Icon of check mark inside a promo stamp It indicates a confirmed selection. PerksAnnual Fee$0
Intro APR0% intro APR on purchases for the first 12 months from account opening
Regular APR18.49% - 26.49% Variable
Intro Offer Info icon 15,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $3,000 in eligible purchases on the card within your first three months of card membershipEarn 15,000 Membership Rewards® points
Recommended CreditGood to Excellent
Pros- Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. The rare no-annual-fee card to earn Amex Membership Rewards points
- Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Solid earning rate on the first $50,000 in purchases each year
- con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. For spending above $50,000 each year, you will only earn 1 point per dollar
If you're a small-business owner looking for a credit card that offers flexible rewards points without paying an annual fee, The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express is an excellent option. You don't need to own a full-time business to be eligible to apply, either — even freelancers and those with side gigs can qualify for a small-business card.
Product Details- 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.
- 0.0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months from the date of account opening, then a variable rate, 18.49% - 26.49%, based on your creditworthiness and other factors at account opening. APR will not exceed 29.99%
- 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.
- You've got the power to use your Card beyond its credit limit* with Expanded Buying Power.
- *The amount you can spend above your credit limit is not unlimited. It adjusts with your use of the Card, your payment history, credit record, financial resources known to us, and other factors.
- No Annual Fee
- Terms Apply
Amex Blue Business Plus Overview
The card earns 2 Amex points per dollar on all business purchases up to $50,000 per calendar year, and 1 point per dollar beyond that. You'll also have the ability to use points in the same ways you do with other (more expensive) Amex cards, including transferring to American Express Membership Rewards airline and hotel partners and redeeming through American Express Travel.
You don't need to own a full-time business to be eligible to apply, either — even freelancers and those with side gigs can qualify for a business card.
While the Blue Business Plus card doesn't come with the luxury benefits and perks you'll get from cards like The Business Platinum Card® from American Express, it's hard to beat the card's earning rate for non-bonus category spending. And you'll still get access to the top-notch purchase protection and extended warranty coverage Amex is well-known for, without paying an annual fee.
The Blue Business Plus card is one of three cards in the "Amex Trifecta" — along with The Platinum Card® from American Express and American Express® Gold Card. This card combination can help you earn maximum rewards for every purchase you make.
Other no-annual-fee business credit cards to consider include the Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card and Ink Business Cash® Credit Card.
Amex Blue Business Plus Rewards
Welcome Bonus Offer
The Blue Business Plus card has a welcome bonus offer of 15,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $3,000 in eligible purchases on the card within your first three months of card membership. The card usually doesn't have an intro bonus, so now is an especially good time to consider it and get more value.
How to Earn Points
The earning structure on the card is straightforward — cardholders earn:
- 2 points per dollar on the first $50,000 in eligible purchases each year
- 1 point per dollar on purchases after that
For this reason, if your business spends much more than $50,000 in a year, you may want to consider another card without a spending cap (or switch your spending to a different card after you've reached the $50,000 limit).
How to Use Points
The Blue Business Plus card earns Amex Membership Rewards points, which is the same currency you'll earn with popular cards like The Platinum Card® from American Express, American Express® Gold Card, and American Express® Green Card . If you have other Amex cards — even personal ones — your Membership Rewards points get combined into a single account for redemptions.
You'll usually get the most value from your Amex Membership Rewards points when you transfer them to airline or hotel partners and then redeem them for award flights or hotel stays. Amex's transfer partners include Delta, Air Canada Aeroplan, British Airways Executive Club, Marriott Bonvoy, and Hilton Honors.
But if you'd rather not worry about award charts and blackout dates, you can also use your points to book airfare, hotels, rental cars, and more through American Express Travel.
Business Insider's points and miles valuations peg Amex points value at 1.8 cents apiece, on average, when you transfer them to airline and hotel partners.
If you're not looking to travel just yet, you have plenty of other options for redeeming Amex Membership Rewards points, although some are a poor value in comparison to using points for travel:
- Statement credits to cover charges on your account (0.6 cents per point)
- Merchandise — pay with points at checkout with Amazon, Best Buy, Walmart, and other merchants (0.7 cents per point)
- Food delivery with GrubHub and Seamless (0.7 cents per point)
- New York City taxi fare (1 cent per point)
- Charity donations (0.7 cents per point)
- Gift cards (1 cent per point)
- Merchandise (point value varies — usually around 0.5 cents per point)
Blue Business Plus Benefits and Features
The Blue Business Plus card isn't jam-packed with perks, but it does come with benefits you don't always see on no-annual-fee cards.
Introductory 0% APR
New cardholders get a 0% intro APR on purchases for the first 12 months from account opening (then a 18.49% - 26.49% Variable APR). If your business has upfront costs or a large purchase to make that you need to pay off over time, this is a good way to save on interest — as long as you have the means and a plan to pay off the balance before the promotional period expires.
This isn't the longest intro 0% offer available, so if that's your primary reason for opening a card, be sure to check out our guide to the best zero-interest credit cards for other options.
Purchase Protection
When you pay for an eligible item with the Blue Business Plus card, purchase protection can cover you for theft or damage that occurs within 90 days of purchase, up to a maximum of $1,000 per occurrence and $50,000 per account per calendar year.
Extended Warranty
The Blue Business Plus card comes with up to one additional year of extended warranty coverage for eligible new purchases in the US or its territories, on manufacturer's warranties of five years or less.
Car Rental Insurance
If you use your Blue Business Plus card to pay for your entire car rental and decline the rental company's collision damage waiver, you'll get secondary coverage for damage due to theft and collision. Some vehicle types and countries are excluded, so be sure to read the terms and conditions carefully.
Global Assist Hotline
Cardholders get access to Amex's Global Assist Hotline, which can help arrange things like passport replacement, medical referrals, and translation services when they're traveling. The service itself is complimentary, but you'll be responsible for any third-party costs incurred.
Amex Offers
Like other American Express cards, the Blue Business Plus card includes targeted discounts and bonus rewards at participating merchants through Amex Offers**. I've personally saved nearly $800 with Amex Offers since I opened my Blue Business Plus card, so this perk has been the most valuable of the bunch for me.
Small-Business Benefits
Cardholders also get benefits specifically geared toward running a small business, including:
- Access to the American Express business app, which helps you manage receipts and expenses
- Employee cards with spending limits that you can set up online or by calling American Express
- Expanded buying power, which lets you spend above your credit limit depending on your payment history, credit record, and financial resources
Blue Business Plus Annual Fee and Other Costs
The Blue Business Plus card charges no annual fee, but you will pay foreign transaction fees, so it's not a good card to use for international purchases. If you carry a balance, there's a 18.49% - 26.49% Variable APR.
Like most other cards, the Blue Business Plus card has other charges to be aware of, including:
- Balance transfer fees
- Late payment fees
- Returned payment fees
How the Amex Blue Business Plus Compares
Blue Business Plus vs. the Blue Business Cash Card
If you prefer earning cash back to rewards points you can redeem for travel, the The American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card is worth a look. It's very similar to The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express, but instead of earning 2x points on up to $50,000 per year (then 1 point per dollar), it earns 2% cash back on up to $50,000 per year (then 1% back).
Both cards have no annual fee and an intro APR offer of 0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months from account opening (followed by 18.49% - 26.49% Variable).
Blue Business Cash Card Review
Blue Business Plus vs. the Capital One Spark Miles Select for Business
The Capital One Spark Miles Select for Business† is another rewards-earning business card with no annual fee. It earns 5 miles per dollar on hotels and car rentals booked through Capital One Travel and 1.5x miles on all other eligible purchases. You can redeem Capital One miles for travel directly through Capital One, or transfer them to airline and hotel partners to book.
Unlike The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express, the Capital One Spark Miles Select for Business† doesn't offer an intro APR offer.
Capital One Spark Miles Select for Business Review
Amex Blue Business Plus Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Amex Blue Business Plus a charge card? Chevron icon It indicates an expandable section or menu, or sometimes previous / next navigation options.No, the Blue Business Plus card is not a charge card. It's a credit card that allows you to carry a balance, with interest, every month. However, if you're looking for the spending flexibility of a charge card, the card has an Expanded Buying Power feature that gives you the ability to spend beyond your credit limit based on things like your payment history, credit record, financial resources, and other factors.
What credit score do you need for the Amex Blue Business Plus? Chevron icon It indicates an expandable section or menu, or sometimes previous / next navigation options.To be considered for the Blue Business Plus card, you'll typically need a least a good credit score. This means a FICO score of at least 670.
Does the Amex Blue Business Plus earn cash back? Chevron icon It indicates an expandable section or menu, or sometimes previous / next navigation options.No, the Blue Business Plus card doesn't earn cash back; it earns Amex Membership Rewards points. If you're looking for a cash back business card from Amex, the Amex Blue Business Cash Card is the card you want.
Why You Should Trust Us: How We Reviewed the Amex Blue Business Plus
Business Insider's credit card team reviewed the Blue Business Plus card in comparison to other Amex business cards and competing no-annual-fee business cards. We focused on the following factors:
- Ease of use — Does the card have a rewards program and benefits that are easy to use and navigate? Is it easy to redeem rewards?
- Rewards earning — If there's a welcome bonus, is it competitive with other cards? Are there ongoing bonus categories, and are any capped at a maximum spending amount?
- Benefits — Are the card's benefits useful, especially to business owners, and do they justify the card's annual fee if there is one?
- Annual fee — If the card has an annual fee, is it offset by the value of the rewards and perks it offers?
Here's Insider's guide to how we rate credit cards for more details about our methodology.
Jasmin Baron Editor Jasmin Baron was an editor at Insider, responsible for credit card coverage on Business Insider. Her expertise in maximizing travel rewards grew from over two decades of experience in the aviation industry, including 18 years working as a pilot and flight instructor in her native Canada. Read more Read less 
Angela Fung Marketing Compliance Manager Angela Fung is the Compliance Manager for Business Insider's Personal Finance division, overseeing a team that ensures content accuracy and editorial independence so readers are always getting up-to-date and objective financial advice.The compliance team's mission is to maintain reader trust by confirming stories are fact-checked and current so that readers can make informed financial decisions. The team also works to minimize risk for partners by maintaining clear, precise language that is compliant with regulatory and partner marketing guidelines that align with the editorial team. Read more Read less Top Offers From Our Partners 
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For rates and fees of the American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card, please click here.
For rates and fees of the American Express® Business Gold Card, please click here.
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***Terms, conditions, and exclusions apply. Refer to your Guide to Benefits for more details. Travel Accident Insurance is not guaranteed, it depends on the level of benefits you get at application.
For Capital One products listed on this page, some of the benefits may be provided by Visa® or Mastercard® and may vary by product. See the respective Guide to Benefits for details, as terms and exclusions apply.
Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Trip Delay Insurance, Trip Cancellation and Interruption Insurance, and Cell Phone Protection Underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company. Global Assist Hotline Card Members are responsible for the costs charged by third-party service providers. If approved and coordinated by Premium Global Assist Hotline, emergency medical transportation assistance may be provided at no cost. In any other circumstance, Card Members may be responsible for the costs charged by third-party service providers. Extended Warranty, Purchase Protection, and Baggage Insurance Plan Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company. Car Rental Loss & Damage Insurance Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company. Car Rental Loss or Damage Coverage is offered through American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc.
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