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The Points Guy believes that credit cards can transform lives, helping you leverage everyday spending for cash back or travel experiences that might otherwise be out of reach. That's why we publish a variety of editorial content and card comparisons: to help you find a great card to turn your goals into reality.
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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A long-term keeper: Why the Blue Business Plus remains firmly in my wallet
Featured image by ANASTASIIA KRIVENOK/GETTY IMAGES
Nick Ewen is TPG's editor-in-chief and helps readers leverage credit cards (he has more than 25 of them) and loyalty programs to travel more for less. He's been at TPG for over 11 years.
February 20, 2024 • 8 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.Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.
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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.
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Quick summary
A small-business card is highlighted for its ability to earn flexible points that can be transferred to a wide range of airline and hotel partners, even if it is the only card you hold from this issuer.
The card stands out for not imposing an annual fee, making it appealing for business owners seeking value without ongoing costs.
Users benefit from a robust platform offering targeted discounts and statement credits at select merchants, adding significant value to everyday spending.
Pairing this card with others from the same issuer can further enhance rewards and simplify point management through pooled balances.
What to consider
The card imposes foreign transaction fees, making it less suitable for international purchases.
Eligibility for welcome bonuses is subject to a once-per-lifetime rule with this issuer, and application restrictions may apply.
You do not need a formal business entity to apply; sole proprietors using a Social Security number may qualify.
What you'll miss from the article
Detailed examples of how to maximize value through targeted offers, and strategies for pairing this card with others to optimize rewards.
Generated by AI with support from our editorial team.
Update: Some offers mentioned below are no longer available. View the current offers here.
I've been collecting points and miles on travel credit cards for nearly two decades, and I hear a common refrain when talking with friends and family members about the topic. "Why would I ever pay an annual fee on a credit card?"
Longtime readers know the answer to this question, but I still find that so many just can't get past the idea of paying for a credit card.
Thankfully, there are plenty of great no-annual-fee cards out there — and for small-business owners, there's one that stands above the rest: The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express (see rates and fees).
Here's why this card remains firmly in my wallet.
Flexible Membership Rewards points
Many card issuers allow you to pool your points when you have multiple cards in their respective ecosystems. However, this usually means that your no-annual-fee options require higher-end cards to maximize their value. Case in point:
Rewards from cards like the Chase Freedom Unlimited® (see rates and fees) and Ink Business Cash® Credit Card (see rates and fees) can only be transferred to partner programs if you have a higher-end card like the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card (see rates and fees) or Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card (see rates and fees).
You're limited to cash-back redemption options if you don't have a higher-tier card.
That is not true for the Blue Business Plus.
I've frequently transferred Amex points to Iberia to book business class. BEN SMITHSON/THE POINTS GUY
Even if it's the only American Express card you have in your wallet, you're earning 2 Membership Rewards points per dollar spent (on up to $50,000 in spending each year, then 1 point per dollar). And these are fully flexible Membership Rewards points. You can use them for flights, hotels and rental cars via American Express Travel, but my favorite redemption option is transferring them to Amex's 21 airline and hotel partners.
As mentioned before, the Blue Business Plus incurs no annual fee (see rates and fees). This means there's no cost to your small business every year. With 2 points per dollar spent (on up to $50,000 per year), you're getting the equivalent of 4% back on purchases (based on TPG's most recent valuations) — that's a fantastic rate of return.
Note that the card does impose foreign transaction fees (see rates and fees) when used outside the U.S. As a result, this isn't a good option when traveling abroad.
And the fact that this card doesn't have an annual fee makes this next perk even more noteworthy.
Valuable Amex Offers
I am a huge proponent of regularly checking your credit card accounts for discounts and bonus offers that must be activated before making a purchase. And the Amex Offers platform is among the most valuable on the market.
I saved $60 on a hotel stay in Manhattan with Amex Offers last year. HYATT CENTRIC MIDTOWN 5TH AVENUE NEW YORK/FACEBOOK
In 2023, here's just a sampling of the offers I used on my Blue Business Plus:
$60 back on a monthly YouTube TV subscription ($20 back, up to three times)
$75 back on a $300 purchase at a Hyatt Centric in New York City
$10 back on a $75 purchase at Office Depot
$44 back on a $221 stay at a Residence Inn
$75 off a $300 purchase at a Kimpton hotel
$100 off $536 in purchases at Lowe's
$14 off $137 in purchases at FedEx Office
$60 off my $120 annual renewal of Dropbox
2,500 bonus Amex points for purchases at amazon.com
In all, I received over $645 in statement credits plus an additional 2,500 Amex points (valued at $50). That's nearly $700 of added value, all on purchases I was already making.
How well it plays with others
If you're only looking for a small-business card with no annual fee, the Blue Business Plus is a fantastic option. However, there's something to be said about pairing it with other Amex cards to amplify your earning opportunities.
For example, I also have the personal American Express® Gold Card, which awards 4 points per dollar at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 in purchases each year, then 1 point per dollar) and 4 points per dollar at restaurants worldwide (on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1 point per dollar).. I'll use the Gold card for those purchases, but then the Blue Business Plus can cover a variety of other purchases that don't fall into traditional bonus categories.
And since the Amex Gold does not impose foreign transaction fees (see rates and fees), it's a great option for trips outside the U.S.
THE POINTS GUY
I also hold The Platinum Card® from American Express, and while I don't use it frequently for spending, I do value the array of perks on the card — including extensive lounge access and luxury hotel perks.
The other great thing is that your Membership Rewards points from multiple Amex cards (including consumer and business cards) get pooled when you add them to a single online account. As a result, there's no need to worry about managing multiple logins and separate balances.
If you don't currently have the Blue Business Plus, it's worth noting that you can currently earn a welcome bonus of 15,000 Membership Rewards points after spending $3,000 on purchases on your card in your first three months. This isn't a wildly lucrative offer, but the card has gone through long stretches in the past with no welcome bonus. As a result, if you've been waiting to apply, now is a great time to do so.
I am a huge fan of the Amex Blue Business Plus card. With 2 points per dollar spent on all purchases (up to $50,000 per year) along with an array of lucrative Amex Offers and easy pairability with other Amex cards, the Blue Business Plus has a long-term spot in my wallet.
With the current welcome offer, now could be a fantastic time to add the card to your arsenal — and start earning valuable Membership Rewards points for your small business.
Apply here: Blue Business Plus card with a 15,000-point welcome bonus
For rates and fees of the Amex Blue Business Plus, click here. For rates and fees of the Amex Gold, click here.
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.
