American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card Review 2022
Tricia has nearly two decades of experience in commercial and federal government lending. Her expertise is highlighted throughout small business loan content on Fit Small Business.
Nancy Fernandez is a Credit Card and Insurance Expert at Fit Small Business, specializing in business credit cards and business insurance.
This article is part of a larger series on Best Small Business Credit Cards.
The American Express Blue Business CashTM Card features expanded buying power that lets you spend beyond your credit limit. The amount adjusts with your usage, payment history, credit record, and financial resources. This small business credit card also offers cash back rewards on all business-related purchases, regardless of spending categories.
American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card
Fit Small Business's ratings are calculated by industry experts of our editorial team. Our grading rubric considers the type of credit card (such as cash back or travel), and the card's rates, fees, rewards, and additional features like insurance.
Intro APR
0% on purchases
Regular APR
13.99% - 21.99% Variable
Annual Fee
No annual fee
Credit Needed
Good, Excellent
- Earn a $250 statement credit after you make $3,000 in purchases on your Card in your first 3 months.
- Earn 2% cash back on all eligible purchases on up to $50,000 per calendar year, then 1% cash back earned is automatically credited to your statement.
- From workflow to inventory to floor plans, your business is constantly changing. That’s why you’ve got the power to spend beyond your credit limit with Expanded Buying Power.
- Just remember, 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 American Express and other factors.
- 0.0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months from the date of account opening, then a variable rate, 13.99% - 21.99%, based on your creditworthiness and other factors as determined at the time of account opening.
- No Annual Fee
- Terms Apply
Pros
- 0% intro APR
- Welcome bonus
- Fixed rate rewards
- No annual fee
Cons
- Cash advance isn’t allowed
- Charges foreign transaction fees
- 2% cash back is capped at $50,000 in annual spending
- Expanded buying power: Enjoy flexible buying power, when your business needs it. Expanded buying power gives you the freedom to spend beyond your credit limit and help get business done. While the amount you can spend above your credit limit isn't unlimited, it adjusts with your use of the card, your payment history, credit record, financial resources known to us and other factors.
- Car rental loss and damage insurance: As a Card Member, You can be covered for damage to or theft of a rental vehicle in a covered territory when you use your eligible card to reserve and pay for the entire rental and decline the collision damage waiver at the rental company counter.
Intro APR
0% on purchases
Regular APR
13.99% - 21.99% Variable
Annual Fee
No annual fee
Credit Needed
Good, Excellent
- Earn a $250 statement credit after you make $3,000 in purchases on your Card in your first 3 months.
- Earn 2% cash back on all eligible purchases on up to $50,000 per calendar year, then 1% cash back earned is automatically credited to your statement.
- From workflow to inventory to floor plans, your business is constantly changing. That’s why you’ve got the power to spend beyond your credit limit with Expanded Buying Power.
- Just remember, 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 American Express and other factors.
- 0.0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months from the date of account opening, then a variable rate, 13.99% - 21.99%, based on your creditworthiness and other factors as determined at the time of account opening.
- No Annual Fee
- Terms Apply
Pros
- 0% intro APR
- Welcome bonus
- Fixed rate rewards
- No annual fee
Cons
- Cash advance isn’t allowed
- Charges foreign transaction fees
- 2% cash back is capped at $50,000 in annual spending
- Expanded buying power: Enjoy flexible buying power, when your business needs it. Expanded buying power gives you the freedom to spend beyond your credit limit and help get business done. While the amount you can spend above your credit limit isn't unlimited, it adjusts with your use of the card, your payment history, credit record, financial resources known to us and other factors.
- Car rental loss and damage insurance: As a Card Member, You can be covered for damage to or theft of a rental vehicle in a covered territory when you use your eligible card to reserve and pay for the entire rental and decline the collision damage waiver at the rental company counter.
To see how these cards stack up against others that we have reviewed on our site, click Add to Compare on the card below and select up to two additional cards for comparison.
How We Evaluate Cash Back Business Credit Cards
When grading fixed-rate cash back business credit cards like the American Express Blue Business CashTM Card, we first consider the ongoing rewards. We rate the introductory rewards as the second-biggest factor. We also take into account the annual fees, introductory and ongoing annual percentage rates (APRs), and additional features.
Grading Criteria | Card Score | Highest Possible Score |
|---|---|---|
Ongoing Rewards | 30 | 30 |
Introductory Rewards | 5 | 20 |
Additional Features | 13 | 15 |
Annual Fee | 15 | 15 |
Introductory APR | 10 | 10 |
Ongoing APR | 10 | 10 |
Total Score | 83 | 100 |
Who the American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card Is Best For
- Business owners who want better cash back rewards: The 2% cash back on all eligible purchases up to $50,000 per calendar year, then 1% after that, makes American Express Blue Business CashTM Card our top pick for best cash back business credit card.
- Business owners who don’t want to monitor spending categories: This card offers fixed-rate rewards for all eligible purchases, regardless of categories.
- Business owners who might exceed their credit limit: You can spend above your credit limit with its expanded buying power feature. Your buying power adjusts with your use of the card, your payment history, credit record, financial resources, and other factors.
American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card Fees
- Introductory APR: 0% on purchases for the first 12 months
- Ongoing APR: 13.99% (prime rate + 9.99%) to 21.99% (prime rate + 17.99%) variable, which adjusts with the prime rate
- Penalty APR: 29.99% (prime rate + 25.99%)
- Paying interest: At least 25 days after the close of each billing cycle
- Annual fee: None
- Balance transfer fee: Either $5 or 3% of the amount transferred, whichever is greater
- Foreign transaction fee: 2.7% of each transaction after conversion to US dollars
- Cash advance fee: Cash advances aren’t allowed
- Late payment fee: Up to $39
- Overlimit: None
- Returned payment: $39
Penalty APR will apply to your credit card account if you meet at least one of the following:
- Made more than two late payments within the 12-month period
- Didn’t pay the Minimum Payment due by the closing date of the billing period
- Made a returned payment
American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card Rewards
- Get 2% cash back on all eligible purchases up to $50,000 per calendar year, then 1% cash back earned is credited to your statement automatically
- Earn a $250 statement credit after spending $3,000 in qualifying purchases within the first three months after card opening
How To Make Payments on the American Express Blue Business Cash™
- Via Amex mobile app: Simply download the Amex Mobile App and enjoy the convenience of paying your bills on the go, anytime.
- Via direct bank payment: This payment scheme lets you pay bills automatically, so you don’t have to worry about missing due dates. Ensure to provide your bank account details to American Express and let them know of the amount you’d like to pay every month.
- Autopay: This can be made through your American Express online account. It should be noted however that your first autopay payment may not be applied to your current billing cycle. You would need to make your usual payments until your autopay begins.
- Online: You can make a payment through your American Express online account anytime by choosing your payment account and selecting your bank account and payment date. Note that credit cards and debit cards cannot be accepted as a form of payment.
- Via mail: You have the option to mail your payment either by check or money order made payable to American Express. Lastly, ensure to include your account number at the front of your payment.
First Class Mail
American Express
PO Box 650448
Dallas, TX 75265-0448
Express Mail
American Express
Attn: Express Mail Remittance Processing
20500 Belshaw Ave.
Carson, CA 90746
American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card Additional Features
Expanded Buying Power
This American Express business credit card allows you to go over your credit limit through the expanded buying power feature. The amount you can spend above your credit limit adjusts with your card usage, payment history, credit record, financial resources, and other factors.
Purchase Protection
The American Express Blue Business CashTM Card offers purchase protection that covers new purchases from damage or theft for up to 90 days from the purchase date. This coverage is limited to $1,000 per occurrence and $50,000 per cardholder per calendar year. Only items that were purchased using your American Express business credit card are eligible for this coverage.
Extended Warranty Protection
The American Express Blue Business CashTM Card provides extended warranty protection on original manufacturer’s warranties of up to five years or less on Covered Purchases made in either the US or its territories or possessions.
Car Rental Loss & Damage Insurance
American Express car rental insurance protects you against damage to or theft of a rental vehicle, up to $75,000 per rental agreement. This protection only applies for the first 30 consecutive days of rental from a car rental company. Both the cardholder and any additional drivers permitted by the rental agreement are covered.
Global Assist Hotline
American Express Blue Business CashTM Card users can access the 24-hour global assist hotline when traveling more than 100 miles from home. This hotline can connect you to travel, emergency, medical, and legal assistance. The cardholders are responsible for any fees charged by third-party service providers.
Pros & Cons of the American Express Blue Business Cash™
| PROS | CONS |
|---|---|
| 0% intro APR: You can enjoy interest-free financing for 12 months from the date of opening an account. | Cash advance is not allowed: The American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card doesn’t allow cash advances—this is a disadvantage if you need to take out a cash advance from time to time. |
| Sign-up bonus: You can earn a $250 statement credit when you spend $3,000 on purchases within the first three months of opening an account. | Charges foreign transaction fees: This American Express credit card charges a foreign transaction fee of 2.7% of each transaction after conversion to United States dollars. This is a drawback if you travel frequently and need to make purchases outside of the US. |
| Fixed-rate rewards: This business credit card offers 2% cash back on all eligible purchases of up to $50,000 per calendar year, then 1% cash back earned is credited to your statement automatically. | 2% cash back is capped at $50,000 in annual spending: The premium cash back reward of 2% on all eligible purchases is capped at $50,000 per calendar year. Purchases in excess of $50,000 within a year will earn only 1% cash back. |
| No annual fee: You can enjoy cash back rewards without having to pay an annual fee, which can help minimize your overall cost. | |
American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card Alternatives
Chase Ink Business Unlimited®
The Chase Ink Business Unlimited® is best suited for businesses that want unlimited rewards and make purchases that don’t fall into two or three categories. This card offers 1.5% cash back for every dollar spent on any business purchase with no cap and no annual fee. In addition, cardholders can also redeem rewards for travel, gift cards, or cash back through Chase Ultimate Rewards®. It’s no surprise that it’s our top-recommended small business credit card and one of our top choices for the best cash back business credit cards and best business credit cards with no annual fees.
Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card
Fit Small Business's ratings are calculated by industry experts of our editorial team. Our grading rubric considers the type of credit card (such as cash back or travel), and the card's rates, fees, rewards, and additional features like insurance.
BEST FOR:
Pocketing 1.5% cash back on every single purchase
Intro APR
0% Intro APR on Purchases
Regular APR
13.49% - 19.49% Variable
Annual Fee
$0
Credit Needed
- Earn $750 bonus cash back after you spend $7,500 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening
- Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase made for your business
- No Annual Fee
- Redeem rewards for cash back, gift cards, travel and more through Chase Ultimate Rewards®.
- Earn rewards faster with employee cards at no additional cost. Set individual spending limits for greater control.
- With Fraud Protection your card transactions will be monitored for possible signs of fraudulent activity using real-time fraud monitoring.
- With Zero Liability you won't be held responsible for unauthorized charges made with your card or account information.
- 0% introductory APR for 12 months on purchases
Pros
- 0% introductory APR on purchases
- Unlimited cash back rewards on all purchases
Cons
- Introductory APR period doesn’t apply to balance transfers
- 5% balance transfer fee
- Charges foreign transaction fees
- Requires excellent credit to qualify
- Auto rental collision damage waiver: Coverage is primary—meaning it replaces any coverage your personal insurance might offer—when renting for business purposes; it provides reimbursement up to the actual cash value of the vehicle for theft and collision damage for most cars in the US and abroad
- Purchase protection: Covers your new purchases for 120 days against damage or theft up to $10,000 per claim and $50,000 per account per year
- Extended warranty protection: Extends the time period of the US manufacturer’s warranty by an additional year on eligible warranties of three years or less
Intro APR
0% Intro APR on Purchases
Regular APR
13.49% - 19.49% Variable
Annual Fee
$0
Credit Needed
Good, Excellent
- Earn $750 bonus cash back after you spend $7,500 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening
- Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase made for your business
- No Annual Fee
- Redeem rewards for cash back, gift cards, travel and more through Chase Ultimate Rewards®.
- Earn rewards faster with employee cards at no additional cost. Set individual spending limits for greater control.
- With Fraud Protection your card transactions will be monitored for possible signs of fraudulent activity using real-time fraud monitoring.
- With Zero Liability you won't be held responsible for unauthorized charges made with your card or account information.
- 0% introductory APR for 12 months on purchases
Pros
- 0% introductory APR on purchases
- Unlimited cash back rewards on all purchases
Cons
- Introductory APR period doesn’t apply to balance transfers
- 5% balance transfer fee
- Charges foreign transaction fees
- Requires excellent credit to qualify
- Auto rental collision damage waiver: Coverage is primary—meaning it replaces any coverage your personal insurance might offer—when renting for business purposes; it provides reimbursement up to the actual cash value of the vehicle for theft and collision damage for most cars in the US and abroad
- Purchase protection: Covers your new purchases for 120 days against damage or theft up to $10,000 per claim and $50,000 per account per year
- Extended warranty protection: Extends the time period of the US manufacturer’s warranty by an additional year on eligible warranties of three years or less
Capital One® Spark® Cash Select for Good Credit
If you have good credit and want to get unlimited cash back rewards, then the Capital One® Spark® Cash Select for Good Credit is for you. This credit card offers 1.5% fixed rate cash back on any business purchase with no limits. On top of this would be an introductory APR of 0% for the first 12 months after account opening, making this one of our leading business credit cards with no annual fees.
Capital One® Spark® Cash Select Good Credit
BEST FOR:
Businesses with good credit that want a 0% introductory APR
Intro APR
0%
Regular APR
15.99% to 23.99%
Annual Fee
0%
Credit Needed
Good
- Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back for your business on every purchase, everywhere, no limits or category restrictions.
- Enjoy a $0 annual fee in addition to the big rewards and cash bonus you can earn.
Pros
- No annual fee
- Ability to finance purchases with 0% APR for 12 months
- Free employee cards
Cons
- 0% APR doesn’t apply to balance transfers
- No sign-up bonus
- Cash back rewards aren’t competitive
- $0 foreign transaction fee: No foreign transaction fees on purchases made outside of the United States
- $0 fraud liability: Advance emergency replacement for lost and stolen card plus a cash advance
- Roadside assistance: Services such as jump-starting, tire changing, and towing
Intro APR
0%
Regular APR
15.99% to 23.99%
Annual Fee
0%
Credit Needed
Good
- Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back for your business on every purchase, everywhere, no limits or category restrictions.
- Enjoy a $0 annual fee in addition to the big rewards and cash bonus you can earn.
Pros
- No annual fee
- Ability to finance purchases with 0% APR for 12 months
- Free employee cards
Cons
- 0% APR doesn’t apply to balance transfers
- No sign-up bonus
- Cash back rewards aren’t competitive
- $0 foreign transaction fee: No foreign transaction fees on purchases made outside of the United States
- $0 fraud liability: Advance emergency replacement for lost and stolen card plus a cash advance
- Roadside assistance: Services such as jump-starting, tire changing, and towing
PNC Cash Rewards® Visa Signature® Business Credit Card
The PNC Cash Rewards® Visa Signature® Business Credit Card offers one of the lowest starting regular APR of 10.99% and an introductory APR of 0% for 9 billing cycles. In addition, it offers a signup bonus of $200 after spending $3,000 worth of qualifying purchases within the first three months of account opening.
PNC Cash Rewards® Visa Signature® Business Credit Card
BEST FOR:
PNC Bank account holders who want to earn cash back rewards
Intro APR
0% for 9 billing cycles
Regular APR
10.99% to 19.99% Variable
Annual Fee
$0
Credit Needed
Good - Excellent
- Earn $250 cash bonus for spending $3,000 in the first three billing cycles
- 0% APR on purchases for the first nine billing cycles after opening an account
- Earn 1.5% cash back on all purchases
- No annual fee
Pros
- No annual fee
- Sign-up bonus
- Low ongoing APR
Cons
- Short 0% APR period
- No 0% APR period on balance transfers
- Online application not available for nonaccount holders
- Cash Flow Insight®: This tool helps you monitor your spending categories so you can plan your budget.
- Business integrations: You can download your transactions into Excel®, Quicken® or QuickBooks®, or use .csv files.
- Visa Signature® Benefits: This card comes with Visa travel benefits and protection for purchases.
Intro APR
0% for 9 billing cycles
Regular APR
10.99% to 19.99% Variable
Annual Fee
$0
Credit Needed
Good - Excellent
- Earn $250 cash bonus for spending $3,000 in the first three billing cycles
- 0% APR on purchases for the first nine billing cycles after opening an account
- Earn 1.5% cash back on all purchases
- No annual fee
Pros
- No annual fee
- Sign-up bonus
- Low ongoing APR
Cons
- Short 0% APR period
- No 0% APR period on balance transfers
- Online application not available for nonaccount holders
- Cash Flow Insight®: This tool helps you monitor your spending categories so you can plan your budget.
- Business integrations: You can download your transactions into Excel®, Quicken® or QuickBooks®, or use .csv files.
- Visa Signature® Benefits: This card comes with Visa travel benefits and protection for purchases.
Bottom Line
Our American Express Blue Business CashTM Card review determines that this card is best for business owners that want a credit card that offers fixed-rate cash back rewards on all purchases with no annual fee. It’s also a great option for those needing flexible buying power. If it isn’t right for you, check out our Credit Card Marketplace to find a card that may be a better fit.
