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Our site may earn compensation when a customer clicks on a link, when an application is approved, or when an account is opened with our partners, and this may impact how or where these products appear. While we don't cover all available credit cards, our editorial team creates and maintains all of the analysis of these cards, and our content is not influenced nor subject to review by any credit card company, bank or partner prior to (or after) publication. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.
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Amex Blue Business Cash vs. Blue Business Plus: The battle of the blues
When Ryan worked as a TPG credit cards writer, he oversaw refreshes of card reviews and card offer stories. He enjoyed racking up cash back and helping readers maximize their points and miles for their next big trip.
Credit card writer Danyal Ahmed is an avid traveler, averaging about 100,000 aeronautical miles per year. He regularly applies that knowledge and his expertise in credit cards to his role as a credit card writer at TPG.
also contributed to this story
March 14, 2025 • 9 min read
The cards we feature here are from partners who compensate us when you are approved through our site, and this may impact how or where these products appear. We don't cover all available credit cards, but our analysis, reviews, and opinions are entirely from our editorial team. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.
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Quick summary
Two small-business cards are compared, each offering similar core benefits and expense management tools.
One card provides straightforward cash-back rewards, while the other issues flexible points that can be transferred to airline and hotel partners.
Both options include features such as purchase protection, extended warranty, and access to a global assistance hotline.
The main distinction is the type of rewards earned: cash back versus transferable points.
What to consider
Neither card offers bonus categories beyond the standard earning structure, making them simple to use for everyday business expenses.
Cash-back rewards are automatically credited as statement credits, while points can be redeemed for travel, gift cards or transferred to partners for potentially higher value.
Enrollment may be required for select benefits, and terms apply to protections and redemption options.
What you'll miss from the article
A detailed side-by-side comparison of redemption flexibility, transfer opportunities and which card best fits different business spending habits.
Generated by AI with support from our editorial team.
Comments
By commenting, you agree to our Community Guidelines to help create a positive space for conversation. The responses below are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser, our partners, or The Points Guy (“TPG”). They have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of these parties. All responses are submitted by individual contributors, and neither the bank advertiser, our partners, nor TPG are responsible for ensuring that all posts and/or questions are answered.
While these two cards are very similar, including their names, they have some significant differences.
Here's what you need to know if you're trying to decide between the Amex Blue Business Cash card and the Amex Blue Business Plus card.
Blue Business Cash vs. Blue Business Plus comparison
Category
Blue Business Cash
Blue Business Plus
Annual fee
$0 (see )
$0 (see )
Welcome offer
Find out your offer and see if you are eligible for as high as a $500 statement credit after spending $5,000 on purchases within the first three months of card membership. (Welcome offers vary, and you may not be eligible for an offer.)
Find out your offer and see if you are eligible for as high as 50,000 bonus points after spending $5,000 on purchases within the first three months of card membership. (Welcome offers vary, and you may not be eligible for an offer.)
Earning rates
2% cash back on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year (then 1% back)
Cash back earned is automatically credit to your statement
2 points per dollar on the first $50,000 spent per calendar year (then 1 point per dollar)
Blue Business Cash vs. Blue Business Plus welcome offer
Right now, both cards are offering solid welcome bonuses.
With the Blue Business Cash, new cardmembers can find out their offer and see if they are eligible for as high as a $500 statement credit after spending $5,000 on purchases within the first three months of card membership. (Welcome offers vary, and you may not be eligible for an offer.)
Meanwhile, new Blue Business Plus cardmembers can find out their offer and see if they are eligible for as high as 50,000 bonus points after spending $5,000 on purchases within the first three months of card membership. (Welcome offers vary, and you may not be eligible for an offer.)
THE POINTS GUY
Based on TPG's October 2026 valuations, Membership Rewards points are worth 2 cents each, so the Blue Business Plus bonus is worth up to $1,000 when redeemed for travel.
However, earning $500 back is a solid alternative if you prefer the flexibility of cash-back rewards.
Winner: Blue Business Plus. Its welcome offer is worth more.
Blue Business Cash vs. Blue Business Plus benefits
While neither card is a premium option, they're not completely bereft of perks.
Both cards are among the few that offer Amex's Expanded Buying Power feature. This allows you to exceed your card's preset spending limit without being declined or hit with over-limit fees and penalties. Be sure to keep in mind that the amount you can spend with Expanded Buying Power is not unlimited.
Purchases exceeding your credit limit can even earn rewards as usual if you continue to pay at least your minimum balance.
CARLINA TETERIS/GETTY IMAGES
Both cards also field other benefits, such as car rental loss and damage protection,* purchase protection of up to $1,000 per occurrence and $50,000 per account per year** and extended warranty protection of up to an additional year on items purchased in the U.S. with warranties of five years or less.** Terms apply.
Both the Blue Business Cash and Blue Business Plus offer access to Amex's Global Assist Hotline, which provides cardmembers with 24-hour emergency assistance when they travel more than 100 miles away from home.^
Business owners can take advantage of expense management tools such as QuickBooks and Vendor Pay by Bill.com, which help businesses automate the way they send invoices and pay bills. Finally, both cards include access to targeted discounts and bonuses through the Amex Offers program.
Enrollment is required for select benefits, and terms apply.
*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 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 vary 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.
Winner: Tie. Both cards offer identical benefits.
Earning rewards with the Blue Business Cash vs. Blue Business Plus
The two cards have similar earning structures.
The Blue Business Plus earns 2 points per dollar on the first $50,000 spent per calendar year (then 1 point per dollar).
Meanwhile, the Blue Business Cash earns 2% cash back on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year (then 1% cash back). Cash back earned is automatically credited to your statement.
NIKOLA STOJADINOVIC/GETTY IMAGES
Winner: Tie. Like the welcome offer, this will depend on whether you prefer to earn cash back or Amex Membership Rewards points.
Redeeming rewards with the Blue Business Cash vs. Blue Business Plus
The cash-back rewards you earn with the Blue Business Cash automatically appear as a statement credit on your monthly bill. While that simple formula might be attractive to some, it also means your redemption options are very limited.
Conversely, the Blue Business Plus card earns Amex Membership Rewards points, which can be redeemed in many different ways.
DRS PRODUCOES/GETTY IMAGES
In general, you can often get the most value by transferring them to one of American Express's 21 hotel or airline partners. However, you can also use them directly for flights and hotel reservations through American Express Travel — though these redemptions are at a fixed value.
Suppose you choose not to redeem your Blue Business Plus points for travel. In that case, you can also cash them in for gift cards, to cover charges on your billing statement, shop with them directly on Amazon, donate to charity or use Pay with Points at checkout with various merchants. However, none of these options will yield a great value for your points (1 cent or less apiece).
Winner: Blue Business Plus. You can't beat the versatility of Amex Membership Rewards points over basic cash back.
Transferring rewards with the Blue Business Cash vs. Blue Business Plus
The cash back you earn on the Blue Business Cash cannot be turned into Membership Rewards points, but earnings on the Blue Business Plus are given as points. That means you can transfer them to Amex's 18 airline and three hotel partners for a potentially higher value.
A British Airways aircraft at London's Heathrow Airport (LHR). SEAN CUDAHY/THE POINTS GUY
Winner: Blue Business Plus. Since the Blue Business Cash earns cash-back rewards, it doesn't have access to Amex's transfer partners.
Should I get the Blue Business Cash or Blue Business Plus?
The main difference between the Blue Business Plus and Blue Business Cash cards is the type of rewards you earn. Consider whether you would prefer to earn cash back or Amex Membership Rewards points and the travel options they open up.
These two small-business cards from Amex are solid options for everyday spending, with valuable earnings rates and benefits for no annual fee. The Blue Business Cash is suited to those looking for an easy option since it earns cash back.
However, the Blue Business Plus is the better option if you're looking for more flexibility and greater redemption potential.
