AmEx Blue Business Cash Review: Straightforward Rewards, No Annual Fee
Many or all of the products featured here are from our partners who compensate us. This may influence which products we write about and where and how the product appears on a page. However, this does not influence our evaluations. Our opinions are our own. Here is a list of our partners and here's how we make money.
Our Take
4.7
The bottom line: Big spenders or those who spend heavily in specific areas can get more value out of other cards, but this is a solid pick for business owners seeking simplicity.
Full Review
on American Express's website
on American Express's website
Annual fee
$0
Regular APR
13.24% - 19.24% Variable APR
Intro APR
0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months from the date of account opening
Recommended Credit Score
Quick FactsView rates and fees
Pros & Cons
Pros
- No annual fee
- High rewards rate
- Intro APR period
- Cash rewards
Cons
- Spending caps on bonus rewards
- Requires good/excellent credit
Alternate Pick: For Membership Rewards
The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express
Get points rather than cash
This card is a near twin of the American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card except that you earn American Express Membership Rewards points rather than cash back. Specifically, you get 2 points per dollar spent on the first $50,000 in purchases each calendar year, and 1 point per dollar after that. Terms apply.
Compare to Other Cards
Annual fee$0 | Annual fee$95 | Annual fee$0 |
Regular APR15.99%-20.99% Variable APR | Regular APR13.24%-19.24% Variable APR | |
Intro APR0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months from the date of account opening | Intro APRN/A | Intro APR0% intro APR on Purchases for 12 months |
Recommended Credit Score |
Recommended Credit Score |
Recommended Credit Score |
Get more smart money moves — straight to your inbox
Become a NerdWallet member, and we’ll send you tailored articles we think you’ll love.
Full Review
The American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card is one of the few small-business credit cards that offers 2% cash back without charging an annual fee. Terms apply.
That makes it a great deal for entrepreneurs looking to earn a high flat rate on everyday spending without having to keep track of bonus categories. The card’s 0% intro APR offer on purchases is also useful for those looking to finance upfront expenses.
But if you're a bigger-spending business owner or you have predictable monthly expenses that fall neatly into specific categories, you can find more lucrative cards. And if it's travel rewards you want, you'll need to look elsewhere.
American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card: Key features
To view rates and fees of the American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card, see this page.
Card type: Small business.
Annual fee: $0.
Welcome offer: Earn a $250 statement credit after you make $3,000 in purchases on your Card in your first 3 months. Terms Apply.
Rewards: Earn 2% cash back on eligible purchases on up to $50,000 per calendar year, then 1%. Terms apply. Cash back is automatically credited to your statement.
APR: 0% intro APR on Purchases for 12 months, and then the ongoing APR of 13.24% - 19.24% Variable APR.
Foreign transaction fee: 2.7%.
Other benefits:
Get more flexibility with the ability to spend a limited amount above your credit limit.
Give a trusted individual access to manage your card account when you're unavailable by designating an account manager.
Get car rental loss and damage insurance if your eligible rental is damaged or stolen and you use the American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card to reserve and pay for the vehicle and decline the collision damage waiver at the rental counter.
Terms apply.
Benefits of the American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card
Solid, straightforward rewards
There's no need to track categories or juggle multiple cards. Everything you buy with the American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card will net you 2% cash back until you hit that $50,000 annual spending cap. Then, you'll earn an unlimited 1% cash back on spending. Terms apply. If you max out the spending cap, you'll net a whopping $1,000 back. This is impressive, especially since the annual fee is $0.
Credit limit flexibility
If your spending level varies significantly from month to month or you have a period of purchasing in which you need some wiggle room, the American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card might be able to help. According to the card's terms, your spending capacity can adjust based on factors including your payment history, credit history and other financial factors.
0% intro APR offer
Few small-business cards offer a lengthy 0% introductory APR period. The American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card is an exception. You'll get an intro 0% intro APR on Purchases for 12 months, and then the ongoing APR of 13.24% - 19.24% Variable APR. This can buy you time to pay down a big purchase.
Automatic redemptions
This may count as a drawback for those who want to save up their rewards for specific redemptions. But for time-strapped business owners, there's no need to wait until you've accumulated a certain amount, no remembering to log in to get your rewards. This card takes care of that for you. As long as your account is in good standing, you'll get an automatic statement credit for your rewards without any effort on your end.
No annual fee
For budget-conscious small business owners, avoiding an annual fee is a plus, especially if your spending doesn't justify the rewards that can come from cards that charge annual fees.
Why you might want another card
Annual spending cap
If your annual expenses don't even come close to that $50,000 limit before the rewards rate drops to 1%, no matter. But businesses that spend much more than that each year would be better off with a card that offers unlimited bonus rewards.
Foreign transaction fee and no travel rewards
If you are a frequent overseas traveler, then you will want to use a card that doesn't charge a foreign transaction fee, as this one does. Similarly, the card offers no travel-specific rewards or bonus categories, which can also be a downside for frequent travelers.
The American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card vs. The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express
These two cards are identical in every way except for one crucial detail: the kind of rewards they earn.
If you're looking for straight-cash back and you're OK with it as a statement credit, the American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card is the clear winner for its simple rewards structure and automatic redemptions. Earning 2% cash back on the card on up to $50,000 annually means you'll earn 2 cents for every dollar spent. Even when you hit that spending cap and the earning rate drops to 1% cash back, that's still worth 1 cent for every dollar.
With The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express (see rates and fees), depending on how you redeem your Membership Rewards points, you can typically get a value between half a cent to one cent per point (and potentially higher for some travel-related redemptions). Redeeming Membership Rewards points for a statement credit is an option, but points are worth only 0.6 cents each when redeemed this way.
Gift cards and merchandise are also options for using your points stash, but their value also tends to be less than a penny per point.
Why you might want the American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card
If your business expenses are varied and less than $50,000 a year, the American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card is a straightforward way to earn solid cash back. The card earns an easy-to-understand flat rate on all purchases, and it does the redemption work for you.
Someone who spends heavily in specific categories, like gas or office supplies, may find more benefit from a card that offers elevated earnings in those areas. Or someone who wants greater flexibility with their rewards might find that a card with multiple redemption options is a better fit.
on American Express's website
Frequently asked questions
You earn 2% cash back on the first $50,000 in eligible purchases per calendar year. All other purchases earn 1%. Terms apply.
The 2% cash back rate is capped at $50,000 in spending each year, but you still earn 1% cash back after that (terms apply), so there is not a cap on total rewards.
The expanded buying power benefit on the American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card allows you to exceed your credit limit up to a certain amount. Your expanded buying power is determined by your spending habits, payment history, credit record and other factors. The portion in excess of your credit limit is required to be paid in full every billing cycle, and it's included in your minimum payment. If you don’t pay the total minimum payment due, you’re charged interest and a penalty rate for the entire balance.
Although many of American Express's business cards used to required payment in full every month, that's no longer the case. The American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card lets you carry a balance like a typical credit card. Keep in mind, though, that if you use the card’s expanded buying power benefit — an option that allows you to exceed your credit limit up to a certain amount — you will have to pay off the balance above your credit limit in full at the end of each billing cycle.
It's fine for domestic travel, but the American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card isn't ideal for taking abroad. As an American Express card, it isn’t as widely accepted by international merchants as Visa and Mastercard. Perhaps more important, it charges a 2.7% foreign transaction fee. Terms apply.
The key difference is the rewards they earn. The American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card is a cash-back card, while The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express earns Membership Rewards points. Other features are mostly comparable. So the decision comes down to whether you prefer cash back (which, since it's cash, has a set value) or points (whose value depends on how you redeem them — travel, gift cards, statement credit, point transfers and so on).
