The Blue Business^® Plus Credit Card from American Express Review

It's challenging to run a small business, but it can have its rewards. For example, small business owners put in long hours but they can enjoy the satisfaction that comes with building their own company and being their own boss. Also, small business owners can earn valuable rewards from the credit cards they use to make purchases. American Express, a Credit Cards House advertiser, just launched the Blue Business^® Plus Credit Card that can offer you double points on all purchases and has no annual fee (see rates and fees).

Note: Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more.

How This Card Works

The Blue Business^® Plus Credit Card from American Express offers double Membership Rewards^® points on your first $50,000 spent each year, and one point per dollar afterwards. Points are earned in American Express's Membership Rewards program, which are especially valuable due to the ability to transfer them to miles within 17 different airline programs (enrollment required). Airline transfer partners include Delta, Singapore, Air Canada Aeroplan, Flying Blue (Air France/KLM), Hawaiian, and JetBlue.

When points are transferred to miles and redeemed for expensive last minute flights, or reservations in business or first class, then it's possible to realize several cents in value per point. Otherwise, Membership Rewards points are typically worth about one cent each towards gift cards, merchandise, or reservations booked through American Express travel.

New cardholders can earn 15,000 Membership Rewards points after they spend $3,000 in eligible purchases on the card in the first 3 months of card membership (see offer terms). This card also comes with a strong promotional financing offer. New applicants receive 12 months of interest free financing from the date of account opening on new purchases. After the intro offer, a variable APR of 17.74% - 25.74% applies (see rates and fees).

Other benefits include a purchase protection program, extended warranty coverage, and a baggage protection plan. American Express also offers several tools specifically designed for small business owners including ReceiptMatch and Account Alerts.

There's no annual fee for this card, but there is a 2.7% foreign transaction fee imposed on all charges processed outside of the United States (see rates and fees).

Advantages

This is the only small business card that offers double points on all purchases (up to $50,000 per calendar year, (see benefit terms) where the points can be transferred to airline miles. It's also one of the only cards available that have no annual fee and allow you to transfer points to frequent flyer miles (enrollment required). Its promotional financing offer is very competitive for a small business card. Finally, it features numerous cardholder benefits that can be useful to small businesses.

Disadvantages

The American Express Membership Rewards program can be very valuable, but only if you understand how to transfer points to miles and redeem your miles for the most valuable rewards. If you are not an award travel enthusiast who understands these programs, then you might only receive one cent in value per point redeemed towards other options like merchandise, gift cards, and reservations booked through American Express travel.

Small business owners who spend usually spend more than $4,000 per month will exceed the $50,000 threshold that earns 2x points per dollar, and will only earn 1x points afterwards. Finally, it's unfortunate that this card has a foreign transaction fee. If you plan on using your card while traveling outside the United States, or making purchases that are processed in other countries, then you should be careful to use another card.

Bottom Line

The Blue Business^® Plus Credit Card from American Express is a great way to earn additional Membership Rewards points, which can be very valuable. By offering a no fee card that returns impressive rewards, it looks like American Express is hoping to make up ground on its competitors.

_{For rates and fees of The Blue Business^® Plus Credit Card from American Express, click here.}

_{Editorial Note: This content is not provided by American Express. Any opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by American Express.}

First published June 27, 2016, last updated July 22, 2021

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Editorial Note: Any opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the author's alone, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any card issuer.

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