American Express Blue Business® Plus Credit Card Review for 2023
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This article is part of a larger series on Best Small Business Credit Cards.
The American Express Blue Business® Plus is an excellent business credit card that offers points-based rewards on all purchases, with no category restrictions. It features expanded buying power that allows you to go over your credit limit. It comes with no annual fee, a 0% introductory rate for 12 months, and welcome bonus points when you meet the spending requirement.
If you wish to compare one card over another, simply choose a maximum of three cards on this page and click Add to compare to view the details in a side-by-side comparison.
The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express
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 2x points per $1 and 0% introductory APR for 12 months
Intro APR
0% on purchases
Regular APR
17.99% - 25.99% Variable
Annual Fee
No annual fee
Credit Needed
Good, Excellent
- 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.
- 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.
- 0.0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months from the date of account opening, then a variable rate, 17.99% - 25.99%, based on your creditworthiness and other factors at account opening.
- No Annual Fee
- Terms Apply
Pros
- No annual fee
- 0% APR for 12 months on purchases and balance transfer
- Welcome offer bonus points
- Expanded buying power
- Fixed-rate rewards
Cons
- Cash advances aren’t allowed
- Charges foreign transaction fees
- 2x points rewards are capped at $50,000 in spending
- Expanded buying power: The card lets you spend beyond your credit limit through this 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: Items purchased using this card are covered in case they’re damaged or stolen within 90 days of the date of purchase. American Express will reimburse you for the amount charged to your eligible card, up to $1,000 per claim and $50,000 per cardmember, per year.
- Extended warranty protection: American Express provides cardholders with an extended warranty for one additional year, which applies to items with original manufacturer warranties of five years or less.
Intro APR
0% on purchases
Regular APR
17.99% - 25.99% Variable
Annual Fee
No annual fee
Credit Needed
Good, Excellent
- 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.
- 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.
- 0.0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months from the date of account opening, then a variable rate, 17.99% - 25.99%, based on your creditworthiness and other factors at account opening.
- No Annual Fee
- Terms Apply
Pros
- No annual fee
- 0% APR for 12 months on purchases and balance transfer
- Welcome offer bonus points
- Expanded buying power
- Fixed-rate rewards
Cons
- Cash advances aren’t allowed
- Charges foreign transaction fees
- 2x points rewards are capped at $50,000 in spending
- Expanded buying power: The card lets you spend beyond your credit limit through this 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: Items purchased using this card are covered in case they’re damaged or stolen within 90 days of the date of purchase. American Express will reimburse you for the amount charged to your eligible card, up to $1,000 per claim and $50,000 per cardmember, per year.
- Extended warranty protection: American Express provides cardholders with an extended warranty for one additional year, which applies to items with original manufacturer warranties of five years or less.
How We Evaluate Points Rewards Business Credit Cards
When evaluating points rewards business credit cards like the American Express Blue Business® Plus, we first consider the ongoing and introductory rewards. We also take a look at the annual fee, introductory and ongoing annual percentage rates (APRs), and additional features.
| Grading Criteria | ||
|---|---|---|
Ongoing Rewards | ||
Introductory Rewards | ||
Annual Fee | ||
Features | ||
Introductory APR | ||
Ongoing APR | ||
Total Score | 91 | 100 |
Who the American Express Blue Business® Plus Credit Card Is Best For
- Business owners with less than $50,000 in annual expenses: It offers 2x points on the first $50,000 in purchases each year and 1x points on all purchases thereafter.
- Business owners that need to spend over their credit limits: You can spend beyond your credit limit through its Expanded Buying Power feature. The amount you can spend will depend on your credit score, financial resources, payment history, and card usage.
The American Express Blue Business® Plus Credit Card is our overall best business credit card for real estate agents because of its generous rewards and flexible credit limit. However, if you think it isn’t suitable for your business, head over to our recommended alternatives below.
American Express Blue Business® Plus Credit Card Fees
APR
- Introductory: 0% on purchases for the first 12 months from the date of account opening
- Ongoing: 17.99% to 25.99% variable, which adjusts with the prime rate
- Penalty: 29.99% variable, which adjusts with the prime rate—will be applied to your account if you:
- Make two or more late payments in 12 consecutive months
- Fail to pay the minimum amount due by its due date
- Make a returned payment
Fees
- Annual: None
- Balance transfer: $5 or 3% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater
- Foreign transaction: 2.7% of each transaction after conversion to US dollars
- Cash advance: Cash advances aren’t allowed
- Late payment: Up to $39
- Overlimit: None
- Returned payment: $39
How To Make Payments on the American Express® Business Gold Card
- Mobile app: Download the Amex Android or iOS app, and enjoy the convenience of paying your bills on the go, anytime.
- Online: You can make a payment through your American Express online account anytime. Simply choose your payment account and select your bank account and payment date. Note that credit and debit cards cannot be accepted as a form of payment.
- AutoPay: You can enroll in AutoPay through your American Express online account. Note that your first payment may not be applied to your current billing cycle, so you would need to make your usual payments until AutoPay begins.
- Direct bank payment: Direct debits let you pay bills automatically, so you don’t have to worry about missing due dates. Provide your bank account details to American Express and let the company know the amount you’d like to pay every month.
- Mail: You can opt to mail your payment either by check or money order made payable to American Express. 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® Plus Credit Card Rewards
- 15,000 Membership Rewards® points after spending $3,000 on eligible purchases within your first three months of membership
- 2x points on the first $50,000 in purchases each year; then 1x point on all purchases thereafter
You can use your points to pay for purchases made with American Express Travel, Amazon.com, Ticketmaster, Best Buy, and other retailers. You can also use points for taxi fares (including tips) in certain cabs in New York City or to redeem for gift cards from a variety of merchants. Additionally, you can transfer points to American Express partner loyalty programs, like those offered by airlines and hotels.
American Express Blue Business® Plus Credit Card Additional Features
Expense Management
- Account management tools: The card comes with account management tools like the American Express® Business App, which allows you to manage your account and transactions. It also features the Connect to QuickBooks tool, which will transfer your transaction data automatically to your QuickBooks account.
- Expanded buying power: The card lets you spend beyond your credit limit through this feature. The amount you can spend above your credit limit adjusts with your card usage, payment history, credit record, financial resources, and other factors.
Customer Service
- Global Assist® Hotline: For business owners who travel more than 100 miles from home, the hotline is available for 24/7 medical, legal, financial, and other select emergency assistance and coordination services.
Insurance Protection
- Car rental loss and damage insurance: Car rental loss and damage insurance of up to $50,000 per rental agreement is provided for the first 30 days of a vehicle rental.
- Purchase protection: Items purchased using this card are covered in case they’re damaged or stolen within 90 days of the date of purchase. American Express will reimburse you for the amount charged to your eligible card, up to $1,000 per claim and $50,000 per cardmember, per year. Items that were damaged due to natural disasters are eligible for up to $500 per purchase protection covered event.
- Extended warranty protection: American Express provides cardholders with an extended warranty for one additional year, which applies to items with original manufacturer warranties of five years or less.
American Express Blue Business® Plus Credit Card Alternatives
Chase Ink Business Unlimited®
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
16.24% - 22.24% 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
16.24% - 22.24% 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
- Chase Ink Business Unlimited® is best for business owners who prefer to earn cash back and need to make cash advances
- Offers a fixed cash back rate of 1.5% for every dollar spent on any business purchase, and there’s no limit as to how much cash back you can earn
- Comes with interest-free financing for the first 12 months after account opening
- Has no annual fees
- Is our top choice for the best credit cards for new business with no credit history and top-recommended small business credit cards
Check out other credit cards from the provider in our guide to the leading Chase business cards.
Capital One® Spark® Cash Plus
Capital One® Spark® Cash Plus Card
BEST FOR:
Businesses that want purchasing power and can pay their balances in full every month
Intro APR
None
Regular APR
None. There's no APR because your balance is due in full every month. Otherwise, you'll be charged a 2.99% monthly late fee
Annual Fee
$150
Credit Needed
Excellent
- Earn unlimited 2% cash back for your business on every purchase, everywhere, no limits or category restrictions.
- Earn up to $1,000 in the first six months; $500 once you spend $5,000 in the first three months, and $500 once you spend $50,000 in the first six months.
- Earn an annual $200 cash bonus every year you spend $200,000 or more.
Pros
- No preset spending limit
- Up to $1,000 cash bonus
- Unlimited 2% cash back on all purchases
- Opportunity to earn annual cash bonus
Cons
- Requires an annual fee
- Need to pay in full every month
- Requires excellent credit
- $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 cash advance
- Roadside assistance: Emergency services such as jump-starting, tire changing, and towing
Intro APR
None
Regular APR
None. There's no APR because your balance is due in full every month. Otherwise, you'll be charged a 2.99% monthly late fee
Annual Fee
$150
Credit Needed
Excellent
- Earn unlimited 2% cash back for your business on every purchase, everywhere, no limits or category restrictions.
- Earn up to $1,000 in the first six months; $500 once you spend $5,000 in the first three months, and $500 once you spend $50,000 in the first six months.
- Earn an annual $200 cash bonus every year you spend $200,000 or more.
Pros
- No preset spending limit
- Up to $1,000 cash bonus
- Unlimited 2% cash back on all purchases
- Opportunity to earn annual cash bonus
Cons
- Requires an annual fee
- Need to pay in full every month
- Requires excellent credit
- $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 cash advance
- Roadside assistance: Emergency services such as jump-starting, tire changing, and towing
- Capital One® Spark® Cash Plus is designed for business owners who have excellent credit and can pay their balance in full every month
- Is a pay-in-full card that offers unlimited 2% cash back rewards on all business-related purchases
- Doesn’t have preset spending limits, which means your credit limit adapts to your needs based on your spending behavior, payment history, and credit profile
- Comes with an annual fee of $150
- Is one of our top instant approval business credit cards
If this credit card isn’t right for you, see our list of the best Capital One business credit cards to find a more suitable option.
American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card
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.
BEST FOR:
Those who want better cash back rewards
Intro APR
0% on purchases
Regular APR
17.99% - 25.99% 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 us and other factors.
- 0.0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months from the date of account opening, then a variable rate, 17.99% - 25.99%, 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
17.99% - 25.99% 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 us and other factors.
- 0.0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months from the date of account opening, then a variable rate, 17.99% - 25.99%, 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.
- American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card is a great option if you prefer to earn cash back instead of points
- Lets you earn 2% cash back on all eligible purchases of up to $50,000 per calendar year, then 1% cash back thereafter
- Offers the same features and benefits as the American Express Blue Business® Plus credit card
- Is our top pick for the leading cash back business credit cards
If these alternatives don’t fit the bill, check out our guide to the best small business credit cards to find other options. If you want to see other cards from American Express, see our roundup for the best American Express business credit cards.
Bottom Line
The American Express Blue Business® Plus credit card is best for business owners needing to spend beyond their credit limit. This points-based rewards credit card has no annual fee and is also an excellent option for businesses with annual expenses that don’t exceed $50,000. However, it charges foreign transaction fees and doesn’t allow cash advance transactions.
