Amex Blue Business Plus Credit Card Review
Key Takeaways
American Express has never offered a publicly elevated sign-up bonus on this card, so we typically do not recommend it — even if you need a business card for 5/24 purposes It seems unlikely that any future bonus would be high enough to justify getting this card. Since the regular welcome bonus is only 15,000 points — and redemptions are fewer than those offered by other business cards with higher welcome bonuses — this card is not worth pursuing. You may want to consider downgrading to this card if you don't want to pay the annual fee on the Business Gold or Platinum. This will allow you to hold any earned Membership Rewards points without paying an annual fee.
Why This Card Could Be Right For You
The Amex Blue Business credit card is straightforward for earning points and does not affect your 5/24 status. It earns 2x points on all purchases up to $50,000 annually, so there is no need to track spending categories. It also offers rewards as points or miles (rather than just cash back), and features a 0% APR on purchases for the first 12 months. These benefits, however, are relatively minor compared to other cards, and even though there is no annual fee, the low welcome bonus of 15,000 points is not compelling. The $3,000 spending requirement to earn this small bonus would be better directed toward a card with a higher sign-up bonus.
Note that if you already have the Amex Business Gold or Amex Business Platinum, you may receive targeted offers for this card with a higher signup bonus. Another scenario that might make sense with this card is downgrading from one of those high fee cards. If you don't feel you're getting the value from the Gold Business or Platinum Business cards but still have Membership Rewards points, downgrading to this makes sense because you can hold those points and not pay a fee. Downgrading does will not add a card to your 5/245 status either.
When The Usual Advice Doesn't Apply
Here are some exceptions where the card might not be good for you:
- This card offers no standout benefits compared to the many other cards available.
- If you want a larger sign-up bonus and more perks, and are willing to pay an annual fee for them, this card likely will not meet your needs.
What to Know About Amex Member Rewards
Amex points are great in theory. We just find them harder to collect and more expensive to hold than Chase points.
- If you’re in the points game long enough, you’ll dabble in both main systems (Chase & Amex).
- Amex has a one card bonus every 7 years rule, so ultimately, there will be more of a limit to how many you can collect via sign-up bonuses.
- There is only one no-fee card that allows you to earn and keep Membership Rewards points - the Blue Business Plus card.
- Delta and Hilton are solid transfer values and having Amex points gives you top-off flexibility if you are invested in either of those systems.
- We do find Amex travel a higher quality of service over the Chase travel portal.
How The Amex Blue Business Plus Credit Card Fits In The Amex Member Rewards Ecosystem
While American Express offers several business cards, we only recommend two at the moment:
- American Express Business Gold – Comes with a $375 annual fee and a 70,000-point sign-up bonus. If most of your spending is on food, you will likely benefit from the strong spending multipliers and statement credits. Many cardholders find enough ongoing value to keep this card beyond the first year.
- American Express Business Platinum – This is Amex’s premium business card, offering an 200,000-point sign-up bonus and a $895 annual fee. Although the fee may appear high, the extensive benefits and statement credits can make it a worthwhile long-term option.
Other business cards from American Express either have low welcome bonuses or lack significant perks. For example, the American Express Blue Business Cash card closely resembles the Blue Business Plus (and is equally unremarkable), and the Business Green card’s low bonus does not justify its $95 annual fee. The Business Plum card offers little beyond its basic features, so we do not recommend it either.
Card Information
| Bonus Points | Minimum Spend | Point Value | Annual Value | Annual Fee |
1st Year Value
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15,000 | $3,000 | 1.6 ¢ | $0 | $0 |
$228
|
| Differentiating Perks | Rules |
|---|---|
| Amex 3/90 , No CR , Amex 4 Credit , No 5/24 , Amex 1/7 , Amex Popup Jail |
Award System
Current Offer
$3,000 spend.
Card Benefits
You're protected for up to 90 days, up to $1,000 per item and up to $50,000 per year.
Enjoy up to 1 additional year on the original manufacturer’s warranties of 5 years or less.
Point Transfer Options
Transfer To Spouse/Partner No
Transfer To Friends No
Travel Partner Transfers
Amex Member Rewards Outside Point System
Transfers Out To
1:1.6 80% value retained
1:1 88% value retained
1:1 88% value retained
1:1 81% value retained
1:1 69% value retained
1:1 63% value retained
1:1 75% value retained
1:1 75% value retained
1:1 75% value retained
1:1 81% value retained
1:2 63% value retained
1:1 75% value retained
2.5:2 65% value retained
1:1 44% value retained
1:1 75% value retained
1:1 75% value retained
1:1 81% value retained
1:1 88% value retained
Amex Blue Business Plus Application Rules
You'll be declined if you apply for a third Amex card in 90 days
This business card will not show on your personal credit report, so it won't count against your 5/24 status
Amex will decline your application if you already have 5 credit cards (not charge) and apply for a sixth
Card approval not subject to 5-personal-cards-in-24-months rule
Amex allows only 1 bonus per specific card every 7 years (yours or that version of the card)
After you apply, Amex may show a pop-up saying you're ineligible for the welcome bonus
