| Last updated on February 27th, 2024
The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express
The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express
The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express
- 18.49% to 26.49% variable based on creditworthiness and the Prime Rate Regular Purchase APR
- 0% for 12 months from account opening date Intro Purchase APR
At a Glance
The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express is a business rewards credit card that streamlines the Membership Rewards® points earning process by offering 2X points on everyday business purchases with no category restrictions, up to $50,000 annually. You can also spend above your credit limit with this card, so long as you remember to pay off those purchases above your credit limit in full that same month.
- Best Benefits
- Rates & Fees
- Why Should You Apply?
- 0.0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months from the date of account opening, then a variable rate 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
- Intro Purchase APR: 0% for 12 months from account opening date
- Regular Purchase APR: 18.49% to 26.49% variable based on creditworthiness and the Prime Rate
- Penalty APR: 29.99% variable based on the Prime Rate
- Foreign Transaction Fee: 2.7% of the transaction amount in U.S. dollars
- Late Payment Penalty Fee: Up to $39
- Return Payment Penalty Fee: $39
- You run a business and are likely to have $50,000 in expenses in the next year, maximizing your 2X Membership Rewards® points earning potential
- You want the flexibility of being able to spend above your credit limit should company emergencies arise
- You do not want to incur annual fees for your card or employee cards
In-Depth Review: The American Express Blue Business® Plus Card
The American Express Blue Business® Plus Card is an interesting business credit card that earns up to 2X on all purchases (up to $50,000 per year) for no annual fee. Aside from earning 2X on purchases, this card also gives users the ability to buy above their credit limit and tackle business expenses that may unexpectedly arise. Because of this versatility, the card compares favorably with other leading business credit cards, including the Chase Ink Business Preferred.
Who Can Benefit from the American Express Blue Business® Plus Card?
The American Express Blue Business® Plus Card is an excellent choice for small business owners who are looking for a credit card that offers enhanced benefits and flexibility. With its expanded buying power, this card allows you to make purchases beyond your credit limit without incurring any additional fees or penalties. This feature is particularly advantageous for businesses that may need to make larger purchases or have fluctuating expenses.
Introductory APR Benefit
The Blue Business Plus Card offers a generous 12-month 0% APR introductory period on purchases. This benefit is particularly advantageous for individuals or businesses with large or frequent expenses that require multiple payments. During the introductory period, there is no interest charged, providing a stress-free year. After the introductory period, a competitive variable APR applies.
Expanded Buying Power Benefit
One of the standout features of the Blue Business® Plus Card is its Expanded Buying Power. This feature is designed to provide you with more flexibility in your spending.
With Expanded Buying Power, you can make purchases that exceed your credit limit without incurring any extra fees. This is particularly beneficial for individuals with substantial business expenses or those who need to make significant purchases.
Whether you need to invest in new equipment for your business or something else, this feature allows you to do so without any financial constraints. It provides you with the freedom to spend as needed, giving you peace of mind and ensuring you can meet your financial obligations without any limitations.
How to Earn Rewards
Welcome Offer
New accounts with the Blue Business Cash Card can earn 50,000 Membership Rewards® Points after using their new card to make $8,000 in purchases in the first three months of account opening.
Earn Up to 2X Membership Rewards Points
The American Express Blue Business® Plus Card differs from the Blue Business Cash Card in that it earns American Express Membership Rewards® Points on purchases.
Cardmembers earn 2X Membership Rewards points on eligible purchases up to $50,000 per calendar year, you have the potential to earn up to $1,000 in Membership Rewards points. After reaching the $50,000 threshold, you will still earn 1X on all eligible purchases.
What sets the American Express Blue Business® Plus Card apart from the Blue Business Cash Back Card is the ability to apply points to multiple redemption options, including travel.
How to Redeem Rewards
Membership Rewards points do not expire as long as your account remains open and in good standing. This means you can accumulate rewards over time and use them whenever you choose, giving you the flexibility to redeem them when it makes the most sense for your business.
And when you do cash out, those redemption options include:
| Travel | Hotels | Airfare |
| Cruises | Merchandise with select partners | Gift cards |
| Statement credits | Charitable donations | Transfer to partners |
Points Transfer Partners
American Express Membership Rewards points also transfer to more than a dozen leading hotel and airline loyalty programs, including the following:
| AeroMexico (Club Premier) | Avianca (LifeMiles) | Emirates (Skywards) |
| Air Canada (Aeroplan) | British Airways (Executive Club) | Etihad (Guest) |
| Aer Lingus (AerClub) | Cathay Pacific (Asia Miles) | Air France/KLM (Flying Blue) |
| All Nippon Airways (ANA Miles) | Delta Air Lines (SkyMiles) | Hawaiian Airlines (HawaiianMiles) |
| Iberia Plus | Choice Privileges | Hilton Honors |
| Marriott Bonvoy | JetBlue (TrueBlue) | Marriott Bonvoy |
| Marriott Bonvoy | Virgin Atlantic (Flying Club) |
Note: You may need to have a minimum amount of points to start redeeming, depending on your redemption option. For example, you need at least 5,000 points to redeem with American Express Travel. After cashing in your welcome bonus, you’ll need to spend about $1,000 to build your points back up to this level.
Other Card Benefits
Other notable features and benefits of the Blue Business® Plus Card from American Express include:
| Complimentary employee cards | Get more out of your Business Card with Employee Cards. Earn miles‡ and stay on top of how much employees are spending. |
| QuickBooks® integration | Save time with auto-expense categorization in QuickBooks- Once enrolled, your Business Card transactions are automatically tagged with your QuickBooks categories. |
| Account manager | Free up time. Assign a trusted team member to oversee your American Express account. Account Managers can handle tasks like making payments, reviewing transactions, and adding Employee Cards, so you’re free to focus on other priorities. |
| Account alerts | Set Account Alerts to help you avoid late payments, spot irregular spending, and monitor Employee Card use. |
| Vendor Pay by Bill.com | You can make the most out of paying your business bills. Improve your cash flow and take advantage of Card benefits when you use your Card to pay bills with Vendor Pay by Bill.com. Take advantage of Vendor Pay by Bill.com by enrolling your Card. With the basic plan, there is no monthly fee for the first user and no fee for a second user for six months. After six months, the second user will have a fee of $15 per month. Additional fees may apply based on plan type and number of users. |
| Year-end summary | After the end of the year, see a complete summary that categorizes your spending by month and purchase type, and helps you track your business expenses down to the last detail. |
| ‡ Terms apply | |
Comparison
| Blue Business Cash™ Card | Blue Business® Plus | Ink Business Unlimited® | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Rewards | Earn 2% cash back on all eligible purchases on up to $50,000 per calendar year, then 1% | Earn 2X points on everyday business purchases on up to the first $50,000 in purchases per year, then 1X | Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on all purchases |
| Intro APR | 0% for 12 months on purchases | 0% for 12 months on purchases | 0% for 12 months on purchases |
| Employee cards | Free | Free | Free |
What We Like About the Card
Expense Management Tools
One of the standout features of the American Express Blue Business® Plus Card is its comprehensive suite of expense management tools. These tools are designed to streamline the process of tracking business expenses and simplify accounting procedures. By utilizing these tools, business owners can save valuable time and effort, allowing them to focus on the core operations of their business. From categorizing expenses to generating detailed reports, the expense management tools provided by this card offer a convenient and efficient way to stay on top of financial matters.
Expanded Buying Power
Another notable advantage of the American Express Blue Business® Plus Card is its ability to provide expanded buying power. This feature allows cardholders to stretch their credit line to accommodate the specific needs of their business. Whether it’s purchasing new software, upgrading office equipment, or covering the costs of an upcoming conference, this card offers a great magic trick to help small and medium-sized companies navigate tight financial situations. By providing the flexibility to make necessary purchases without straining cash flow, this card proves to be a valuable asset for businesses of all sizes.
Reward Points
In addition to its impressive array of features, the American Express Blue Business® Plus Card stands out from its sibling, the Blue Cash, thanks to its ability to earn Membership Rewards points on every purchase. This is particularly advantageous for small businesses interested in using points for travel purchase.
Things to Consider
While the American Express Blue Business® Plus Card offers a range of benefits, it’s important to consider its potential drawbacks. One of the main concerns is the limited acceptance of American Express cards compared to Visa or Mastercard. This could be a disadvantage if you frequently encounter merchants or vendors who do not accept American Express. Additionally, some users have reported that the customer service provided by American Express can be inconsistent, which may be a consideration for those who value responsive and reliable support.
American Express Ratings
How does American Express rate as a bank and issuer? Here is a selection of ratings for the bank from consumers and experts:
| BestCards | Better Business Bureau | TrustPilot |
|
3.5/5 |
2/5 |
1.5/5 |
Should You Apply for the American Express Blue Business® Plus Card?
The American Express Blue Business® Plus Card offers a range of benefits that make it an attractive choice for business owners. With its expense management tools, expanded buying power, and no annual fee, this card provides a solid foundation for managing business expenses, navigating financial challenges, and maximizing cost savings. Whether you’re a startup or an established company, this card offers the tools and flexibility needed to support your business goals.
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