Amex Graphite Business Cash Unlimited Credit Card Review
Key Takeaways
In addition to 2% on all purchases, the American Express Graphite Business Cash Unlimited card offers 5% back on flights and prepaid hotels through the Amex travel portal. The signup bonus is $1,500 cash back, but you have to spend $50,000 in the first six months to earn it.
Why This Card Could Be Right For You
If you want a small business card with a very simple earn structure, it doesn't get much easier than 2% cash back on all purchases, with an elevated 5% back on airfare and hotels booked through the Amex travel portal. The signup bonus is high, at $1,500 cash back, but the spending requirement is also high at $50,000 over the first six months of owning the card. The welcome offer comes in the form of Reward Dollars, which can be redeemed for statement credits or at Amazon at 1 cent per point. The annual fee on the card is $295, and it doesn't offer much in the way of benefits to justify that high fee.
Cardholders can earn up to $2,400 in statement credits for use in the next calendar year on American Express One AP monthly fees but only after spending $250,000 on the card in the previous calendar year. The card also offers:
- Purchase protection
- Return protection
- Car rental loss and damage insurance
- Extended warranty
- Global Assist Hotline
When The Usual Advice Doesn't Apply
We honestly don't see who this card will appeal to. There are plenty of other 2% cards out there with better signup bonuses and more perks that justify this high annual fee.
What to Know About Amex Membership 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 Graphite Business Cash Unlimited Credit Card Fits In The Amex Membership Rewards Ecosystem
American Express offers several other business cards we'd recommend over this one.
- Amex Business Platinum is the highest tier card offered by the bank, with up to a 200,000 point signup bonus after spending $20k in 3 months. The annual fee is highest on the market at $895, but it comes with a wide variety of statement credits, benefits, and perks that can offset that high fee.
- Amex Business Gold is the next step down, with a 100,000 points welcome offer after spending $15k in 3 months. The annual fee on the Gold card is $375. There are a variety of solid spending mulitpliers and a handful of statement credits that can offset the annual fee for certain small business owners.
- Amex Business Green is not one of our recommended cards as the welcome offer is low and it doesn't have much in the way of benefits to justify the annual fee.
- Amex Blue Business Plus is a solid option if you can find an elevated signup bonus offer. It's the only American Express Membership Rewards earning card on the market without an annual fee.
Card Information
Differentiating Perks
Historical Card Offers
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Estimated Next Offer
Amex Graphite Business Cash Unlimited Application Rules
You'll be declined if you apply for a third Amex card in 90 days
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
Card approval not subject to 5-personal-cards-in-24-months rule
