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The American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card review: Ideal for new business owners

The perfect pick for budding business owners.

 /  13 min
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Snapshot

4.3

Bankrate rating
Info
Rating: 4.3 stars out of 5

Bottom line

Small business owners who want to earn rewards on everyday purchases will find the American Express Blue Business Cash Card to be an excellent choice. However, if you’re seeking more flexibility with how you use your rewards and prefer not to be tied to a spending cap, a card with multiple spending categories and redemption options could be a better option.

Best for business startups
  • Rewards value
    Rating: 3 stars out of 5
    3 / 5
    APR
    Rating: 4 stars out of 5
    4 / 5
    Rewards flexibility
    Rating: 4 stars out of 5
    4 / 5
    Features
    Rating: 4 stars out of 5
    4 / 5
Good to Excellent (670 – 850)
Info
Recommended Credit

Intro offer

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$250

Offer valuation

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1% - 2%

Rewards Rate

Info

Annual fee

Regular APR

American Express Blue Business Cash overview

The American Express Blue Business Cash Card’s no annual fee, intro APR period on purchases and low ongoing APR makes it one of the best cash back cards for startup businesses. However, the American Express Blue Business Cash card’s cap on flat-rate cash back and its thin list of features mean it may fall short compared to other American Express and business credit cards. You might consider upgrading your card in the future to match your growing business, optimize rewards and enjoy more benefits.

  • Credit Card Cash Back

    Rewards

    • 2 percent cash back on all eligible purchases (up to $50,000 per year, then 1 percent)

    Expert Appraisal: Good
    See our expert analysis

  • Rewards

    Welcome offer

    • Earn a $250 statement credit after you make $3,000 in purchases on your card in your first 3 months.

    Expert Appraisal: Typical

  • Credit Card Apr

    0% APR offer

    • 0 percent on purchases for 12 months
    • No intro APR for balance transfers
    • 18.49 percent to 26.49 percent variable ongoing APR

    Expert Appraisal: Typical
    See our expert analysis

  • Credit Card Search

    Rates and fees

    • No annual fee
    • No over-limit fee
    • 29.99 percent variable penalty APR
    • 2.7 percent foreign transaction fee

    Expert Appraisal: Typical
    See our expert analysis

  • Congrats

    Other cardholder perks

    • Expanded Buying Power feature
    • Shopping and travel protections
    • Amex offers

    Expert Appraisal: Unimpressive
    See our expert analysis

American Express Blue Business Cash pros and cons

Pros

  • Checkmark

    For a no-annual-fee business card, it has one of the highest flat rewards rates in the market.

  • Checkmark

    The Expanded Buying Power feature gives business owners more flexibility if they need to go over their credit limit for an unexpected expense.

  • Checkmark

    It has a decent introductory APR period for new purchases.

Cons

  • The $50,000 spending limit per year on the 2 percent category limits reward earning potential.

  • Besides the Expanded Buying Power feature, there are limited cardholder perks compared to other business reward cards.

  • The card's 2.7 percent foreign transaction fee can add up and cut into your rewards earnings if your business takes you abroad often.

Why you might want the American Express Blue Business Cash Card

The American Express Blue Business Cash Card is a fantastic choice for new or small-business owners who know their budget and want a rewards card to help with business spending. It includes a high flat rewards rate, an intro APR offer on new purchases and its most valuable benefit, the Expanded Buying Power feature, which allows you to spend more than your credit limit with no fee, if necessary (conditions apply).

Rewards: A high flat cash back rate 

Earning cash back with the Amex Blue Business Cash is simple: All purchases will earn 2 percent cash back until you’ve spent $50,000 in combined purchases in a calendar year. Then, you’ll earn 1 percent back for the remainder of the year.

As far as no-annual-fee business cards go, flat-rate 2 percent cash back is one of the highest rates available. Although you only earn 2 percent back on your first $50,000 in combined purchases each year (after which your rate drops to 1 percent), the average small-business owner should still have plenty of room to earn rewards

On the other hand, plenty of competing business cards offer unlimited cash back at a slightly lower flat rate of 1.5 percent for no annual fee and no spending cap. If you maximize the Blue Business Cash’s 2 percent rate and spend $50,000, you’ll earn $1,000 in cash back. With a card that has an unlimited 1.5 percent cash back rate, you’ll have to spend a little more than $66,600 to earn the same amount back.

Review your business spending and run a little match to determine if you’ll earn more with unlimited 1.5 percent back or the Blue Business Cash’s capped 2 percent rate.

Fees: No annual fee and an adequate intro APR period 

If you’re looking for a card that’s light on ongoing costs, Amex Blue Business Cash charges no annual fee and provides a decent intro APR period for new purchases, which might give you breathing room for a large expense. Plus, the Expanded Buying Power feature lets you go over your credit limit without an over-limit fee (depending on payment history, credit record and financial resources). Just be careful to pay the over-limit amount and your minimum payment due each month to avoid the 29.99 percent variable penalty APR.

If you travel abroad for business or make a lot of foreign transactions, the card’s 2.7 percent foreign transaction fee is another potential cost worth considering. While foreign transaction fees are fairly common, a cash back card with no foreign transaction fee can save you from added costs. 

Cardholder perks: The Expanded Buying Power feature is stellar

As a no-annual-fee card, the benefits on this card aren’t particularly robust, but the Expanded Buying Power perk may provide small businesses a bit of a lift in a pinch. If you’re faced with a sudden expense or a terrific opportunity, you can spend beyond your credit limit with no over-limit fee. But keep in mind that purchases are approved on a case-by-case basis.

This benefit gives your small business card temporary purchasing power you may not otherwise have. While the amount you can spend above your credit limit isn’t unlimited, it adjusts with your card use, payment history, credit record and other factors. This can play well with your wallet so long as you manage your money responsibly and adjust to the higher demand placed on top of your regular expenses.

Why you might want a different business card

Though the American Express Blue Business Cash Card offers a high rewards rate, that rate has a $50,000 cap before it drops, which might be a significant drawback if your business typically spends more or you prefer unlimited rewards with no cap. Also, if you want more flexible redemption options and outstanding cardholder perks, you'll be out of luck. You can only redeem your cash back earnings as a statement credit and the card offers a narrow list of basic benefits.

Redemption options: Not flexible compared to similar cards

Unfortunately, you won’t have any flexible cash back redemption options, such as direct deposit or check. The Blue Business Cash card only redeems cash back as an automatic statement credit. While a statement credit is nothing to shrug at, other cards offer more flexible redemption options.

This can be a little discouraging, especially if you want to use your rewards toward future travel. If flexible redemption is important to you, another option would be better for you. However, if you want low-maintenance rewards, then the Amex Blue Business Cash card is the one to consider.

Spending cap: Potentially limits earning rewards

The Blue Business Cash card is a competitive, no-frills cash back card and its rewards are easy to earn and redeem — until you cross the $50,000 yearly rewards spending cap. Though an annual spending cap is expected on a card that earns in this high rewards bracket, and $50,000 is still a healthy chunk of money to spend in one year, it’s still very limiting to the cardholder.

If you reach the $50,000 spending cap, you’ll earn a combined total of $1,000 in statement credits for the year. All spending beyond $50,000 will reward you with 1 percent back. If you spend an additional $50,000 over the spending cap, you’ll receive $500 more in statement credits, totaling your yearly rewards at $1,500 with a $100,000 spend. This is effectively a combined rate of 1.5 percent back.

Cardholder perks: Disappointing besides the Expanded Buying Power feature

The Blue Business Cash doesn’t have any features that really standout compared to other similar business reward cards. It comes with Amex Offers, which is an activation-based rewards program that lets you earn another small helping of cash back or American Express Membership Rewards points (with the appropriate cards) on limited-time promotions from participating merchants. Plus, it has basic shopping and travel protections, such as car rental loss and damage insurance, extended warranty and purchase protection.

These basic Amex benefits’ safety features might help you rest easier during your day-to-day operations, but there aren’t any significant perks such as airport lounge access or cardholder credits toward entertainment, restaurants or airlines that could boost its value even more.

How the Blue Business Cash card compares to other business cards

The Blue Business Cash delivers one of the highest cash back rates for no-annual-fee business cards, but the $50,000 yearly spending cap on the 2 percent cash back rate might be a drawback. This card suits small businesses that spend at least $50,000, but not a significant amount more. 

If the Blue Business Cash yearly rewards rate spending cap is a dealbreaker, here are a few alternatives:

Image of The American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card
Bankrate Score
See Rates & Fees , Terms Apply
Apply now Lock
on American Express's secure site

Annual fee

No annual fee

Intro offer

$250 statement credit
Info

Rewards rate

1% - 2%
Info

Recommended Credit Score

Good to Excellent (670 – 850)
Info
Image of The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express
Bankrate Score
See Rates & Fees , Terms Apply
Apply now Lock
on American Express's secure site

Annual fee

No annual fee

Intro offer

15,000 Membership Rewards® points
Info

Rewards rate

1X - 2X
Info

Recommended Credit Score

Good to Excellent (670 – 850)
Info
Image of Capital One Spark Miles for Business
Bankrate Score
See Rates & Fees , Terms Apply
Apply now Lock
on Capital One's secure site

Annual fee

$0 intro for first year; $95 after that

Intro offer

50,000 miles
Info

Rewards rate

2X - 5x
Info

Recommended Credit Score

Good to Excellent (670 – 850)
Info

Best cards to pair with the Blue Business Cash Card

Ultimately, other cash back cards that earn higher rates on your key bonus categories are the best partners for the flat-rate Blue Business Cash card.

Who is the Blue Business Cash Card right for?

The Amex Blue Business Cash is a terrific fit for many different types of businesses and could be the next great addition to your rewards-earning strategy.

Bankrate’s Take — Is the Blue Business Cash Card worth it?

The American Express Blue Business Cash card is best for small businesses or startups with expenses that may fall outside of typical business spending categories. The 2 percent cash back rate is top-notch, but the $50,000 yearly spending cap may not be attractive for many cardholders. However, it makes a great card for those with smaller yearly expenses or who are just starting out.

For rates and fees of the American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card, please click here.
For rates and fees of The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express , please click here.

Dig deeper: Is the Amex Blue Business Cash Card worth it?

How we rated this card

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Our proprietary card rating system takes into account a mix of factors when scoring business credit cards, including each card’s rewards rate, estimated annual earnings, welcome bonus value, APR, fees, perks and more.

We analyzed over 50 of the most popular business credit cards and scored each based on how its key features stacked up compared to those of other cards in its category.

Here are some of the key factors that gave this card its score:

Frequently asked questions

Written by
Re'Dreyona Walker
Associate Editor, Credit Cards

Re’Dreyona Walker is an editor for Bankrate and CreditCards.com, focusing on product guides and reviews. As a personal finance expert, she is dedicated to providing honest product reviews as well as in-depth, comprehensive guides to assist readers in building credit and finding the best credit cards for their needs.

Edited by Senior Editor, Credit Cards

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