American Express SimplyCash® Plus Business Credit Card Review 2019

The American Express SimplyCash® Plus Business Credit Card is an excellent option for small businesses that want to choose category rewards and tap into American Express premium benefits. This American Express business credit card has no annual fee, no introductory offers, and an ongoing annual percentage rate (APR) between 14.49% to 21.49%.

In comparison, some of the best cash back credit cards offer up to $2,000 in bonus rewards, up to 5% cash back, and no-interest introductory periods up to 15 months. Although this American Express business credit card doesn’t offer any introductory rewards, it provides up to 5% cash back and 0% APR for the first fifteen months. We rate this card four-star out of five.

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Note: This card is no longer offered as of 7/18/19

How We Evaluated the American Express SimplyCash® Plus

The American Express SimplyCash® Plus Business Credit Card offers no introductory statement credit. Cardholders can benefit from choosing category rewards and premium features at no annual cost. This means cardholders can maximize their rewards by choosing to earn rewards in the spending category where they spend the most each month. Plus, they are covered by several travel insurances.

Based on what owners might need and want in a card, we considered the following criteria:

• Ongoing rewards: The cash back you’ll earn by using the American Express SimplyCash® Plus Business Credit Card; this credit card earns 5% cash back on U.S. office supplies and wireless phone services and 3% on select category spending of your choice
• Introductory rewards: The introductory statement credit you’ll earn by reaching minimum spending requirements during the first few months of your account; the American Express SimplyCash® Plus Business Credit Card doesn’t offer any introductory statement credits
• Annual fee: How much the card will cost each year; the American Express SimplyCash® Plus Business Credit Card has no annual fee
• Intro APR: Whether the card offers a period of 0% APR on purchases or balance transfers; this American Express business credit card offers 0% APR on only purchases for the first fifteen months
• Ongoing APR: Once the promotional period ends, how much it will cost to finance card purchases; this card charges an ongoing APR between 14.49% and 21.49%, based on your credit score and other factors
• Additional benefits: Whether the card comes with free perks that may increase its perceived value; the American Express SimplyCash® Plus Business Credit Card offers features like return protection, roadside, and global assistance hotlines, and extended warranty protection

The American Express SimplyCash® Plus Business Credit Card is among some of the best small business credit cards for small business owners. Although it lacks any introductory rewards, this is an overall excellent cash back credit card option if you want the ability to choose from eight categories to earn 3% back.

How We Evaluate Cash Back Business Credit Cards

When grading cash back business credit cards like the American Express SimplyCash® Plus Business Credit Card, we weight ongoing rewards heaviest. We rate introductory rewards as slightly less important, but it’s still the second biggest factor. We also consider the annual fee, introductory and ongoing APRs, and additional features. This American Express business credit card suffers in our ratings because it offers no introductory rewards.

We graded the American Express SimplyCash® Plus Business Credit Card using the following methodology:

Based on our five-star rating system where 20 points equal one star, the American Express SimplyCash® Plus Business Credit Card would need to make significant improvements to introductory rewards to earn 4 ½ stars. In cases where cards receive perfect scores in most categories, we may award bonus points to boost the card’s rating.

Despite the excellent ongoing rewards, our grade of four stars is appropriate because the American Express SimplyCash® Plus Business Credit Card offers no introductory rewards. In comparison, the Chase Ink Business Cash® offers $750 bonus cash back after spending $7,500 on within the first three months. We awarded two bonus points for the card’s additional features because they can be worth thousands of dollars per year.

Who the American Express SimplyCash® Plus Business Credit Card Is Right For

The American Express SimplyCash® Plus Business Credit Card is best for small business owners who want to earn cash back rewards from a spending category they choose. It’s also an excellent option for business owners that want to pay $0 in annual fees and receive premium American Express perks, such as travel accident insurance and account management tools.

American Express SimplyCash® Plus Business Credit Card Costs

The American Express SimplyCash® Plus Business Credit Card has no annual fee and offers a 0% APR on purchases for the first fifteen months. Once the promotional period ends, your card will have an ongoing variable APR between 14.49% and 21.49% that fluctuates with the prime rate. This card is a potentially inexpensive card option for businesses and gives the opportunity to carry a balance for up to fifteen months if need be because of its no-interest introductory APR.

Financing costs and fees on this American Express business credit card include:

• Introductory APR: 0% on purchases for the first fifteen months
• Ongoing APR: 14.49% and 21.49%, which changes with the prime rate
• Annual fee: $0
• Balance transfer fee: Transfers are not allowed
• Foreign transaction fee: 2.7% of each transaction after conversion to United States dollars
• Cash advance fee: Cash advances are not allowed
• Late payment fee: $39 or 2.99 %, whichever is greater
• Returned payment fee: $39
• Penalty APR: 29.99%, will be applied for a minimum of 12 consecutive billing cycles and will continue until after you have made timely payments for 12 months in a row

Some of the best small business credit cards offer no-interest promotional periods for up to 15 months. In comparison to this American Express business credit card, the Chase Ink Business Cash® offers 0% APR for 12 months on purchases. However, it’s ongoing APR is 1% higher, with an APR range of 13.24% and 19.24%.

How to Avoid Paying Interest on the American Express SimplyCash® Plus Business Credit Card

To avoid interest with the American Express SimplyCash® Plus Business Credit Card, you must pay your credit card bill at least 25 days after the date on your credit card bill. You will not be charged interest if you pay your entire balance by the due date each month.

This American Express business credit card lets you buy above your credit limit. To avoid interest on the amount above your credit limits, you must pay that amount, which is part of your required monthly minimum payment. If you fail to pay, you will begin to accrue interest.

American Express SimplyCash® Plus Business Credit Card Rewards

The American Express SimplyCash® Plus Business Credit Card has no introductory rewards but offers excellent ongoing rewards for small businesses that travel frequently. Cardholders can earn 5% cash back on U.S. office supplies and wireless phone services, 3% cash back on a category they choose, and 1% back on other purchases.

Introductory Rewards

Unlike some of the best small business credit cards, the American Express SimplyCash® Plus Business Credit Card doesn’t offer any introductory offers. Conversely, the Chase Ink Business Unlimited® offers $750 bonus cash back after you spend $7,500 in the first three months of opening an account.

Ongoing Rewards

The American Express SimplyCash® Plus Business Credit Card offers the following ongoing cash back rewards:

• 5% cash back at U.S. supply stores and on wireless telephone services
• 3% cash back on the category of your choice from a list of eight select categories
• 1% cash back on other purchases

You can choose to earn 3% cash back on either airfare, hotel rooms, car rentals, gas stations, advertising in select media, shipping, and computer hardware, software, and cloud computing purchases. In comparison, the Chase Ink Business Unlimited® is a fixed-rate, cash back card that earns 1.5% cash back on all purchases.

Rewards Restrictions

The American Express SimplyCash® Plus Business Credit Card won’t give cash back for the following purchases:

• Fees or interest charges
• Traveler checks
• Purchases or reloading of prepaid cards
• Purchases of other cash equivalents

American Express will reward you for purchases in the following categories: U.S. supply stores, wireless telephone services, select airfare, hotel stays, select car rental companies, U.S. gas stations, U.S. restaurants, shipping, advertising in select media, and computer hardware, software, and cloud computing purchases. Reward restrictions here are common across business credit cards.

How You Can Redeem Your Rewards

Cardholders will receive a rebate as a statement credit for any eligible purchases on their American Express SimplyCash® Plus Business Credit Card. The rebate they receive is based on the percentage of eligible purchases made during a billing period and will appear on the second billing statement after the billing statement where those purchases appear. For example, if you earn rewards in June, you will see a statement credit on your August bill.

In comparison, with the Chase Ink Business Unlimited®, you can redeem your rewards for cash back, gift cards, or travel through the Chase online portal. The redemption value for all three options is one cent per point. If you redeem for cash, you can receive it as a statement credit or a deposit into a checking or savings account from a U.S.-based bank.

American Express SimplyCash® Plus Business Credit Card Features

Similar to most American Express business credit cards, the American Express SimplyCash® Plus Business Credit Card provides unrivaled additional benefits and features. These features are typically free or inexpensive, such as roadside assistance hotline, purchase protection, extended warranty, travel-related insurance packages, global assist hotline and buy above your credit limit.

Roadside Assistance Hotline

The American Express SimplyCash® Plus Business Credit Card roadside assistance hotline is a 24-hour dispatch hotline that can send out a tow truck or locksmith for emergencies. The hotline is available to card members at no additional charge. However, you will be charged for any services or goods provided.

What’s Covered with the American Express SimplyCash® Plus Business Credit Card Roadside Assistance Hotline

The following services are available for a fee through the roadside hotline:

• Towing
• Winching
• Jump starts
• Flat tire change
• Lockout services
• Delivery of up to two gallons of gas

There are other American Express business credit cards that won’t charge for these services. The American Express® Business Platinum Card, for example, includes these services plus up to 10 miles of free towing. Other cards, like the Chase Ink Business Unlimited® and Chase Ink Business Cash® don’t offer roadside assistance services.

What the American Express SimplyCash® Plus Business Credit Card Roadside Assistance Hotline Excludes

The following vehicles and services are not covered by the roadside assistance:

• Rental vehicles
• Motorcycles
• Taxicabs
• Unlicensed vehicles
• Tractors and trucks weighing 10,000 or more pounds.

It’s not common for small business credit cards to always provide roadside assistance to cardholders. For example, Chase Ink Business Cash® doesn’t offer any type of roadside assistance. That said, these exclusions are not uncommon.

Purchase Protection

The American Express SimplyCash® Plus Business Credit Card providers cardholders with coverage for purchases made on your American Express business credit card. This covers items that are either damaged or stolen within 120 days from the purchase date (90 days for New York residents). The purchase protection is capped at $1,000 per occurrence and $50,000 per year.

What’s Covered with the American Express SimplyCash® Plus Business Credit Card Purchase Protection

The American Express SimplyCash® Plus Business Credit Card covers purchased items that are either damaged or stolen that were purchased entirely on your card. Plus, the incident must have happened within 120 days from the purchase date, but only 90 days for New York residents. Similarly, the Chase Ink Business Cash® covers items that were either stolen or damaged or that “in which the item’s location is known but recovery is impractical to complete.”

What the American Express SimplyCash® Plus Business Credit Card Purchase Protection Excludes

Purchase protection does not cover the following types of purchases:

• Consumable and perishable items
• Stolen or damaged items consisting of articles in a pair or set
• Travelers’ checks, tickets of any kind and negotiable instruments like gift cards or certificates
• Animals or living plants
• One-of-a-kind, antique or previously owned items
• Motorized vehicles and their parts or accessories
• Gift cards and certificates, and cash or its equivalent
• Items rented, leased, or borrowed for which you will be held responsible
• Permanent household fixtures and business fixtures
• Purchases for the use of inventory

Most business credit cards that offer this coverage generally limit the coverage to 90 or 120 days after the purchase date. Chase Ink Business Cash® offers an identical coverage window. However, it allows up to $10,000 per occurrence. Exclusions here are common across small business credit cards that offer purchase protection.

Extended Warranty Protection

The American Express SimplyCash® Plus Business Credit Card offers two years of extra warranty protection if the original manufacturer’s warranty is between two and five years. For warranties less than two years, American Express will match the length of the original warranty. Overall, this coverage is better compared to other cash back small business credit cards.

What’s Covered with the American Express SimplyCash® Plus Business Credit Card Extended Warranty Protection

The American Express SimplyCash® Plus Business Credit Card covers eligible purchases with a valid original manufacturer warranty of five years or less. Warranty protection is the same for most American Express business credit cards. In comparison, Chase Ink Business Cash® only covers purchased items with original manufacturer’s warranties of three years or less up.

What the American Express SimplyCash® Plus Business Credit Card Extended Warranty Protection Excludes

The following purchases are not covered by extended warranty protection:

• Products covered by an unconditional satisfaction guarantee
• Items with physical damage, damage as a result of a natural disaster
• Animals or living plants
• Consumable or perishable items with extended or limited life spans
• Motorized devices and vehicles and their parts
• Business fixtures, land, or buildings
• More than one article in a pair or set
• Additional service contract or extended warranty coverage for a computer
• Items for use as inventory

American Express sets a monetary cap on their extended warranty to $10,000 per occurrence and $50,000 per year for each card member. Chase Ink Business Cash® offers additional warranty protection at no charge on eligible items that are purchased with your business card on up to $10,000 per claim.

Travel Accident Insurance

American Express covers up to $100,000 on their travel accident insurance plan for the American Express SimplyCash® Plus Business Credit Card. American Express will only cover accidents within 100 days after the accident and if they were entirely charged to your American Express card. The coverage American Express offers outranks its competitors.

What’s Covered with the American Express SimplyCash® Plus Business Credit Card Travel Accident Insurance

The American Express SimplyCash® Plus Business Credit Card provides coverage if you die or lose a limb, sight, speech or hearing in regard to any travel fares that were paid for entirely on your card. In comparison, there are some other American Express cards that offer better coverage. For example, the American Express® Business Platinum Card offers coverage up to $500,000.

What the American Express SimplyCash® Plus Business Credit Card Travel Accident Insurance Excludes

The following aren’t included in American Express travel accident insurance:

• Losses as a result of war or acts of war
• Self-inflicted injury or threat
• Injuries that occur while driving, riding as a passenger in, boarding or exiting from a rental or personal vehicle
• Any Injuries received during or as a result of commuting
• Stroke or cerebrovascular accident, cardiovascular accident, myocardial infarction or heart attack, coronary thrombosis, aneurysm, or deep vein thrombosis.
• Sickness, physical or mental infirmity, or pregnancy

The travel accident insurance provided on the American Express SimplyCash® Plus Business Credit Card outranks both the Chase Ink Business Cash® and Chase Ink Business Unlimited®. Both of these Chase cards don’t offer travel accident insurance. Instead, they provide a 24-hour emergency hotline. Exclusions here are common across small business credit cards that offer travel accident insurance.

Baggage Insurance Plan

With the American Express SimplyCash® Plus Business Credit Card, American Express will cover between $250 and $1,250 for any lost bags while in direct transit. Additionally, American Express also covers carry-on bags, checked bags, or high-risk items. This coverage plan falls short of what’s offered through Capital One.

What’s Covered with the American Express SimplyCash® Plus Business Credit Card Baggage Insurance Plan

The following items are covered on the baggage insurance plan:

• Up to $1,250 for baggage lost in direct transit to a common carrier’s terminal
• Up to $1,250 for lost carry-on baggage
• Up to $1,250 for lost checked baggage
• Up to $500 for both lost carry-on and checked baggage
• Up to $250 for lost high-risk items like jewelry, sporting equipment, electronics, and furs

Several other American Express small business credit cards offer baggage insurance. Most other issuers don’t offer this benefit.

What the American Express SimplyCash® Plus Business Credit Card Baggage Insurance Plan Excludes

The following items are not covered by the baggage insurance plan:

• Cash or cash equivalent
• Credit cards and other travel documents, such as passports and visas
• Securities
• Tickets and documents
• Living plants and animals
• Consumable and perishable items
• Glasses, contact lenses, hearing aids, and artificial teeth and limbs
• Prescription or non-prescription drugs
• Property shipped as freight or shipped prior to the trip’s departure date

Your entire trip fare has to have been charged on your business credit card to be eligible, which is similar to what other American Express small business credit cards require.

Car Rental Loss and Damage Insurance

American Express will protect your car rentals as long as the rental is charged to your active credit card. The American Express SimplyCash® Plus Business Credit Card will cover up to $50,000 per car rental agreement for the first 30 consecutive days of a rental. Compared to competitors, American Express falls short because of its monetary cap.

What’s Covered with the American Express SimplyCash® Plus Business Credit Card Car Rental Loss and Damage Insurance

The lesser of the following is covered by the car rental loss and damage insurance:

• The actual cost to repair the rental vehicle
• The wholesale book value of the rental vehicle, minus salvage and depreciation costs
• The purchase invoice price of the rental vehicle, minus salvage and depreciation costs

Unlike Chase, American Express places a monetary cap on their rental insurance. Both the Chase Ink Business Cash® and the Chase Ink Business Unlimited® provide up to the cash value of the vehicle.

What the American Express SimplyCash® Plus Business Credit Card Car Rental Loss and Damage Insurance Excludes

The following losses are not covered by the car rental loss and damage insurance:

• Intentional damage by an authorized driver of the rental vehicle
• Damage that occurred prior to the rental period
• Manufacturing defects in the rental vehicle
• Confiscation by authority
• Normal wear and tear, including gradual deterioration
• Damage due to freezing or mechanical or electrical breakdown or failure
• Theft or damage to rental vehicles that are unlocked or not secured
• Theft of or damage to tires
• Damage of any other vehicle other than the rental
• Damage to any property other than the rental vehicle

For most business credit cards, you must pay for the entire rental on your eligible business credit card to receive coverage. Exclusions here are common across small business credit cards that offer coverage for rental vehicle agreements.

Global Assist Hotline

When you travel more than 100 miles from home, American Express will provide you with 24 hours a day access to medical, legal, financial, or other select emergency and assistance services. These services include medical and legal referrals, assistance with cash wires, passport replacement, missing luggage, and more. You will be responsible for the costs charged by third-party service providers.

Services American Express SimplyCash® Plus Business Credit Card Provides

This card provides the following travel and emergency assistance:

• Emergency translation and interpretation
• Lost item search
• Missing luggage assistance
• Passport assistance and card cancellation
• Relays urgent messages to a family member or friend
• Relays messages for travelers 24 hours a day

This card provides the following medical and legal assistance:

• Provides a list of physicians and dentists in the area
• Can arrange a transfer of the prescription from your home pharmacy
• Monitoring of medical care while traveling
• Emergency medical transportation assistance
• Help locate bail bond agencies that accept your American Express card
• Provides referrals for embassies
• Provides referrals for English-speaking lawyers

The Chase Ink Business Cash® and Chase Ink Business Unlimited® both provide an emergency hotline. However, American Express is widely known for its more robust services. For example, Chase doesn’t provide medical transportation services or translation and interpretation.

Account Management Tools

American Express provides some of the most robust and extensive reporting in the industry across most of their business credit cards. The American Express SimplyCash® Plus Business Credit Card, for example, comes with several account management tools. These expense management tools include proprietary American Express services like the Amex® App, the American Express® Business App, and Connect to QuickBooks®.

American Express SimplyCash® Plus Business Credit Card account management tools are:

• Amex® App: Gives account holders easy accessibility to their account; they can pay their bill, check their balance, and view any of their additional benefits from their mobile device
• The American Express® Business App: The American Express® Business App lets business owners manage and track their employees spending from their American Express account; for example, they can view transactions, set spend limits, and flag unusual transactions
• The American Express® Business App Mobile App: The American Express® Business mobile app helps account holders manage their account on the fly; they receive the same features on their mobile device as they can from their computer; this is also an easy way for employees to upload their receipts instantly for simplified expense reporting
• Connect to QuickBooks: These tools help transfer all your transactions from your American Express account to your QuickBooks account automatically, which you can enroll through your American Express account

American Express also offers the ability to set account alerts, receive year-end summaries, and view your online statement, prepare reports, and budget your company’s business expenses. In comparison, some business credit cards don’t offer access to as many tools, such as the Chase Ink Business Unlimited®.

Buy Above Your Credit Limit

The American Express SimplyCash® Plus Business Credit Card lets you buy above your credit limit giving you the option to make larger purchases. The amount above your credit limit is due in full each month as a part of your minimum payment. Although, the amount you can spend above your credit limit is not unlimited. This amount adjusts with how you use your card, your payment history, credit record, and other factors known to American Express.

Additionally, there is no limit to the total amount of cash back you can get. This feature outranks any other competitor, as most small business credit cards cut you off once you reach your credit card limit. If you think you’ll need to make unexpected large purchases, this American Express business credit card is a solid option.

Adding American Express SimplyCash® Plus Business Credit Card Employee Cards

Once you’re approved for the American Express SimplyCash® Plus Business Credit Card, you can request up to 99 additional employee cards for no extra fee. You can also earn the same rewards for your account on employee purchases. There are other American Express cards that charge for employee cards, like the American Express® Business Gold Card. The first employee card is $50 and the rest ― up to 99 ― are free.

If you need more than 99 employee credit cards, consider the Chase Ink Business Unlimted® or a corporate credit card. A corporate credit card offers similar expense reporting tools, employee spending control, and it’s easy to issue employee cards on your own.

What the American Express SimplyCash® Plus Business Credit Card is Missing

The American Express SimplyCash® Plus Business Credit Card doesn’t offer any introductory statement credits or no-interest on balance transfers like some of the best cash back business cards. This means this card isn’t the best choice if you’re looking to consolidate debt from your other credit cards. If you are looking to consolidate debt, consider the Chase Ink Business Cash®, which offers 0% APR for 12 months on purchases.

American Express SimplyCash® Plus Business Credit Card Reviews

We sourced customer reviews from the American Express website and in doing so found that people think the American Express SimplyCash® Plus Business Credit Card provides extremely beneficial rewards for all businesses. The only negative review we found mentioned their online account management tools were sometimes difficult to navigate.

How to Apply for the American Express SimplyCash® Plus Business Credit Card

You can apply for the American Express SimplyCash® Plus Business Credit Card online. You will be required to provide your basic business and personal information. You will typically receive a decision instantly. If you’re approved, your card will arrive in the mail within seven to 10 days. If for some reason you’re not approved immediately, you can check your application status on the American Express website.

How to Log Into Your American Express SimplyCash® Plus Business Credit Card Account

Log in to your American Express SimplyCash® Plus Business Credit Card accountonline by providing your user ID and password. If you run into any major issues, you can contact customer service through the American Express website.

Other American Express Business Credit Cards

American Express has several different small business credit cards available for various spending needs, such as travel rewards cards and cash back cards. These cards have a wide range of rewards, interest rates, and annual fees. It may be worth considering one of these American Express credit cards if you want to earn an introductory reward.

The other American Express business credit cards are:

• American Express Business Platinum Card®: Best for businesses that travel a lot and want to have access to the most premium American Express features; the additional features can be worth in the thousands annually
• American Express® Business Gold Card: Best for businesses who want to earn bonus points rewards in the categories where they spend the most monthly; cardholders will also have access to American Express travel perks
• The Plum Card^® from American Express: Best for businesses that want to earn pay early discounts and opt-in to free financing terms; this card is a charge card, so it’s only a good option if you know you’ll be able to pay off your balance in full monthly
• The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express: Best for business owners that want points rewards on just about all of their business-related purchases; account holders will also have access to an introductory no-interest period on purchases
• Hilton Honors American Express Business Credit Card: Best for existing Hilton customers who want to earn both introductory and ongoing rewards for purchases made directly with Hilton hotels and resorts
• Marriott Bonvoy Business^TM American Express® Card: Best for existing Marriott Bonvoy hotel customers; you can earn an introductory bonus and earn Marriott Bonvoy points for Marriott-related purchases
• Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card: Best for loyal Delta flyers who want to earn introductory bonus miles; additionally, cardholders will also receive premium American Express travel perks
• Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card: Another excellent card option that is best for loyal Delta flyers; cardholders can earn introductory bonus miles and ongoing rewards for their Delta-related purchases
• Delta SkyMiles® Gold Business American Express Card: The least expensive American Express Delta business credit card for frequent Delta travelers who want to earn introductory rewards; cardholders will also earn ongoing rewards for their Delta-related purchases
• Amazon Business Prime American Express Card: Best for business owners with existing Amazon Prime memberships; you can earn rewards back or tap into free financing on purchases at Amazon Business, Amazon Web Services, Amazon.com, and Whole Foods Market
• Amazon Business American Express Card: Best for business owners who do not have an Amazon Prime membership; you can earn rewards or unlock free financing terms on your purchases at Amazon Business, AWS, Amazon.com, and Whole Foods Market
• American Express Business Green Rewards Card: Best for business owners who are frequent travelers who want to earn rewards points for every dollar spent on amextravel.com; this card also offers a small introductory reward after your first purchases within the first year of your card membership
• American Express Lowe’s Business Credit Card: Best for business owners who want to earn rewards for Lowe’s-related purchases and in-store discounts

Alternatives to the American Express SimplyCash® Plus Business Credit Card

If your spending needs don’t fit into the eight spending categories American Express offers, there are better options compared to the American Express SimplyCash® Plus Business Credit Card. Consider alternatives including the Chase Ink Business Cash®, Chase Ink Business Unlimited®, and the Capital One® Spark® Cash for Business card.

3 Alternatives to the American Express SimplyCash® Plus Business Credit Card