Blue Business Plus Credit Card from American Express

Quick Snapshot

• Annual Fee: $0
• APR: 17.49%-25.49% variable
• Rewards: 2X on first $50,000/yr, 1X after
• Bonus: 15,000 Membership Rewards points after $3,000 in purchases in 3 months
• Best For: Small businesses that want to earn Membership Rewards points on everyday spending without paying an annual fee
• Credit Needed: Good to Excellent (670+)

Overview

The Blue Business Plus Credit Card from American Express is one of the best no-annual-fee business cards available, earning 2X Membership Rewards points on every purchase up to $50,000 per year and 1X thereafter. Because it earns transferable Membership Rewards points rather than fixed cash back, the card punches well above its weight for a free card. Those points can be transferred to over 20 airline and hotel partners, often unlocking redemption values of 1.5 to 2 cents per point.

The 0% introductory APR on purchases for 12 months gives new cardholders breathing room on large business expenses, making it a strong choice for businesses launching a new project or stocking up on inventory. The 15,000-point welcome bonus after $3,000 in spending is modest, but the ongoing value of 2X everywhere is the real draw.

This card works exceptionally well as a complement to the Business Gold or Business Platinum, handling everyday spending at 2X while those cards cover their respective bonus categories at higher rates. It is also the ideal standalone business card for owners who want transferable points without paying an annual fee and whose annual spending stays under $50,000.

APR Breakdown

• Purchase APR: 17.49%-25.49% variable
• Balance Transfer APR: N/A
• Cash Advance APR: 29.99% variable
• Penalty APR: None

Note: 0% introductory APR on purchases for 12 months from account opening, then the variable APR applies based on the Prime Rate.

Benefits Overview

Flat-Rate Earning

• 2X Membership Rewards points on the first $50,000 in purchases per year
• 1X points on purchases after reaching the $50,000 cap
• No categories to track or activate
• Points transfer to 20+ airline and hotel partners

Introductory APR

• 0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months
• Regular variable APR of 17.49%-25.49% after intro period
• Helpful for large purchases or inventory investments

Business Tools

• Employee cards at no additional cost
• Spending controls for employee cards
• Year-end spending summaries for tax preparation
• Integration with QuickBooks and other accounting software

Additional Perks

• No annual fee
• No foreign transaction fees (terms apply)
• Car rental loss and damage insurance
• Vendor Pay by Bill.com for streamlined payments

Rewards & Points

• 2X Membership Rewards points on first $50,000 in purchases per year
• 1X points on all purchases after $50,000

Because this card earns Membership Rewards points, the effective value per point depends on how you redeem. Statement credits yield approximately 0.6 cents per point, while transfers to airline partners can yield 1.5 to 2.0 cents per point. This makes the 2X rate effectively worth 3% to 4% when transferred for premium flights.

Welcome Bonus

Earn 15,000 Membership Rewards points after you spend $3,000 in eligible purchases on your new card within the first 3 months of card membership. While modest, this bonus is worth $150 to $300 depending on redemption method. The $3,000 spending requirement is easily achievable for most businesses.

Fees Summary

• Annual Fee: $0
• Employee Card Fee: $0
• Balance Transfer Fee: N/A
• Cash Advance Fee: Either $5 or 3% of the amount, whichever is greater
• Foreign Transaction Fee: 2.7%
• Late Payment Fee: Up to $40
• Returned Payment Fee: Up to $40

Who This Card Is Best For

Ideal For

• Small business owners who want transferable points without an annual fee
• Membership Rewards collectors who pair this with other Amex cards for a points strategy
• New businesses that benefit from the 0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months
• Moderate spenders whose annual business spending stays under $50,000

Not Good For

• High-spending businesses that exceed $50,000 per year and drop to 1X
• Cash-back fans who want straightforward percentage-based rewards without transfer complexity
• International purchasers due to the 2.7% foreign transaction fee

Key Pros & Cons

Pros

• 2X Membership Rewards on all purchases up to $50,000/year is excellent for a free card
• No annual fee makes it risk-free to hold long term
• Transferable points to 20+ airline and hotel partners unlock premium value
• 0% intro APR for 12 months helps with large upfront business expenses
• Simple flat-rate earning with no categories to track
• Works as a perfect companion to Business Gold or Business Platinum
• Employee cards at no extra cost
• Year-end summaries simplify tax preparation
• 15,000-point bonus has a low $3,000 spending threshold

Cons

• $50,000 annual cap on 2X earning limits high-spending businesses
• 15,000-point welcome bonus is small compared to other business cards
• 2.7% foreign transaction fee is a drawback for international purchases
• No travel insurance or purchase protections beyond car rental coverage
• 1X rate after the cap is below average
• No lounge access, airline credits, or premium travel perks
• Points require an Amex card that can pool Membership Rewards for best transfer value
• No balance transfer option available

Alternatives to Consider

How the Rewards Add Up

Example Annual Value

Total estimated first-year value: $1,050 including welcome bonus at $150 and points earned, with no annual fee to subtract. Value increases to $1,600+ when transferring points to airline partners for premium redemptions. Based on 1 cent per point baseline.

Should You Get This Card?

You Should Get It If...

• You want transferable Membership Rewards points without paying an annual fee
• Your business spends under $50,000 per year and you want 2X on everything
• You already hold a Business Gold or Platinum and need a companion card for everyday spending
• You are starting a business and want 12 months of 0% APR on purchases
• You prefer a simple earning structure without tracking bonus categories
• You want to build a Membership Rewards balance for future airline or hotel transfers

You Should Skip It If...

• Your business spends well over $50,000 per year and needs uncapped rewards
• You make significant international purchases and the 2.7% FX fee would add up
• You prefer cash back and do not want to manage points transfers
• You want a large welcome bonus to help offset early business costs
• You need travel insurance and premium protections from your business card
• You would rather have a higher earning rate in specific categories than 2X everywhere

Apply Now

Apply for Blue Business Plus Credit Card from American Express

Information accurate as of May 2026. Terms and conditions apply. Please visit the issuer's website for the most current information.