With many choices when it comes to business credit cards — including the different fees, rewards and redemption options that come with them — choosing the right card for your company might have you feeling adrift.
This is where TPG can step in and help.
An underrated card that deserves consideration is The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express. Amex designed this card for small businesses and sole proprietorships using a straightforward reward system.
You can earn rewards on everyday spending as well as business expenses, with no annual fee (see rates and fees). Here are seven reasons why the Blue Business Plus card deserves a spot in your wallet.
No annual fee
There is no annual fee to carry the Blue Business Plus (see rates and fees), so there’s really no reason not to apply — unless you’re being mindful of how many cards you apply for to stay within Chase’s 5/24 rule. If that’s not the case, though, the Blue Business Plus is one of the best no-annual-fee business cards on the market.
Related: The complete guide to credit card annual fees
Membership Rewards points
Amex Membership Rewards points are some of the most valuable on the market. Amex has the largest network of transfer partners of any major credit card loyalty program in the U.S., which means you can transfer your points to any of Amex’s 21 partners — 18 airlines and three hotels.
This gives you access to promotional offers from airline and hotel programs around the world.
Related: How to redeem American Express Membership Rewards for maximum value
Daily Newsletter
Reward your inbox with the TPG Daily newsletter
Join over 700,000 readers for breaking news, in-depth guides and exclusive deals from TPG’s experts
Simple reward structure
You’ll earn 2 points per dollar on every purchase you make on the Blue Business Plus card for the first $50,000 you spend annually. The rate drops to 1 point per dollar after that. This is one of the best rates for any business card when it comes to everyday spending. Plus, there are no bonus categories to track.
The only downside is that you may be forgoing larger bonuses offered by other cards in certain spending categories.
For instance, if your business books many flights, this card would work best in tandem with The Business Platinum Card® from American Express.
Related: What are American Express Membership Rewards points worth?
Pairing with other amex cards
Pairing the Blue Business Plus card with other Amex cards like the American Express® Gold Card and The Platinum Card® from American Express creates an Amex trifecta — in which all cards earn Membership Rewards points.
With this trifecta, you will always earn at least 2 Membership Rewards on all purchases across the board. The Gold Card earns 4 points per dollar on dining and at US grocery stores (on up to $25,000 in purchases per year, then 1 point per dollar), while the Platinum card earns 5 points per dollar on flights booked directly with airlines or through American Express Travel, on up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year, then 1 point per dollar.
TPG senior credit cards writer Matt Moffitt uses this card as his main go-to for non-bonus spending.
As part of the Amex Trifecta, he purchases flights with his Platinum, puts grocery and dining spend on his Gold, and then uses his Blue Business Plus card for almost all other expenses to earn 2 Membership Rewards points (up to $50,000 per calendar year).
Related: 6 of the best cards to pair with the Amex Gold
Employee cards
Another perk is that American Express allows you to add up to 99 employee cards, which allows you to keep earning 2x points on employee per diem spending.
Related: Authorized user on a company credit card: What to know
Expanded buying power
Amex allows you to exceed your credit limit for big purchases, depending on your previous use of the card, payment history and credit history. The money spent that exceeds your credit limit must be paid by a specific due date; your full credit limit amount can be carried forward (although at TPG, we recommend paying balances off in full whenever possible).
Related: Amex Blue Business Cash vs. Blue Business Plus: The battle of the blues
Insurance benefits
Amex cards come with a slew of insurance benefits and the Blue Business Plus is no exception. Cardholders will enjoy:
- Extended warranty protection that matches the original manufacturer’s warranty for warranties under two years and provides an additional year on warranties lasting two to five years.*
- Purchase protection on any eligible item that is lost, damaged or stolen for up to 90 days (up to $1,000 per occurrence, up to $50,000 per Card Member account per calendar year)*
- Car rental loss and damage insurance up to $50,000 (Note that this is secondary insurance and does not include liability coverage).**
- Global assist hotline can provide you with information on customs information, passport and visa information, cultural inquiries, foreign exchange rates, inoculation information, emergency translation and interpretation, lost-item search, missing luggage assistance, card cancellation, urgent-message relay, medical emergency assistance and more.***
*Eligibility and benefit levels vary by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for details. Policies are underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.
**Eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Not all vehicle types or rentals are covered, and geographic restrictions apply. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for details. Policies are underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company. Coverage is offered through American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc.
***Eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for details. Cardmembers are responsible for the costs charged by third-party service providers.
Related: Your complete guide to travel protections on American Express cards
Bottom line
Although there are no special bonus categories, the Amex Blue Business Plus card is one of our favorite small-business credit cards.
Holding this card is a great way for business owners to earn valuable Membership Rewards points thanks to this card’s straightforward earning structure. It can also be a great complimentary card when paired with other credit cards in Amex’s roster, especially if you’re looking for ways to fill some gaps in your earning strategy.
Apply here: The Blue Business Plus Card from American Express
For rates and fees of The Blue Business Plus Amex Card, click here.
