Amex Blue Business Cards: Cash vs. Plus - Which is Right for You?
Hey friends, Philip here from Points of Philip! Today, I want to compare two interesting entry-level business cards from American Express: the Blue Business Cash and the Blue Business Plus. These cards are quite similar, but with key differences that make them suitable for different needs.
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The Basics: Identical Twins?
First off, both cards have no annual fee. If you're a business owner looking to build business credit with American Express, these cards are a great starting point.
A key question: Do you have a business? I opened both cards based on 1099 income I earned last year as an AI training contractor. Remember, you need a legitimate business reason to apply for a business card.
Both cards often have standard offers of 15,000 points (Blue Business Plus) or $150 (Blue Business Cash).
Blue Business Plus: Earning Membership Rewards
$0 Annual Fee
Sign-Up Bonus: Typically 15,000 points after spending $3,000 in 3 months (watch out for higher targeted offers!).
Key Feature: 2x Points on Everything (Up to $50,000 Per Year)
This card earns 2x Membership Rewards (MR) points on all purchases up to $50,000 each cardmember year. After that, you earn 1x points. This makes it a solid catch-all card for everyday business expenses. 2x back up to 50,000 is 100,000 MR points every single year if you're able to max out that category.
I've personally started using my Capital One Venture card as my main catch-all and dedicating this card specifically to business-related expenses like subscriptions and equipment. I sync it with my business expense tracking app to easily monitor my business spending.
Even though it's a business card, Amex doesn't seem to mind if you use it for personal expenses.
Having 0% APR for the first year of card membership is a powerful perk. I used it to finance some larger purchases and paid them off before interest kicked in.
This card is great for:
Those who want to earn valuable Membership Rewards points on all spending.
Keeping your MR points active if you're taking a break from cards with annual fees. (Although Amex checking accounts can also accomplish this).
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Blue Business Cash: Earning Straight Cash Back
$0 Annual Fee
Sign-Up Bonus: Typically $150 after spending $3,000.
Key Feature: 2% Cash Back on Everything (Up to $50,000 Per Year)
Like the Plus card, you earn 2% cash back on all purchases up to $50,000, then 1% after that. And having 0% APR for the first year of card membership.
The reason I got this card was for an unexpected expense: replacing a damaged fence after a hurricane. I used the 0% APR to finance the purchase and earned the $150 sign-up bonus, plus 2% cash back on the purchase. That made the fence purchase a little less painful.
Personally, I prefer Membership Rewards points over cash back because with my Business Platinum card and Amex checking account, I can cash out MR points at 1 cent per point.
I also don't love how Amex handles cash back redemptions: you have to wait for the statement to close and then redeem for a statement credit. I prefer the flexibility of depositing cash back directly into my checking account.
It is also a business card, so the balance doesn’t affect your personal credit utilization.
Business Card Caveats:
Keep in mind that business cards don't always have the same consumer protections as personal cards.
The Verdict: Which Card is Right for You?
The choice between the Blue Business Cash and Blue Business Plus depends on your preference:
Blue Business Plus: Choose this if you want to earn valuable Membership Rewards points on all your business spending.
Blue Business Cash: Choose this if you prefer the simplicity of cash back.
Do you think any of them are worth being in your wallet? Let me know in the comments below.