Amex Blue Business Cash Card Vs Amex Blue Business Plus Card

American Express offers two small business cards packed with competitive perks – the Blue Business Plus Card from American Express and, launched a few years ago, the American Express Blue Business Cash Card.

Since the Plus card earns Membership Rewards points and the Cash card earns money back, each serves a specific purpose for a particular business card member type. Consider the time you want to devote to hunting down good redemption options and your plans for the rewards before deciding which option is right for your firm.

Keep in mind that while either card would likely serve your company well, only you can make the final call. Be sure to read the business credit card reviews and do your homework before making your final decision.

Continue reading as we examine the Amex Blue Business Cash Card vs. the Amex Blue Business Plus Card.

Key Features for Both the Amex Blue Cash Card and Blue Business Plus Card

Both the American Express Blue Cash Card and Blue Business Plus offer straightforward, streamlined, and competitive cash back rates, a suite of business tools, and no annual fee. Their introductory APR, easy to redeem rewards, along with other benefits, make either one a superior choice for business owners seeking a tool to help track cash flow.

Before looking at how each card is different, let’s look at features both cards have in common.

Both Cards Feature 0% Introductory APR Offers

Few small-business cards provide an extensive 0% introductory APR period on both balance transfers and purchases. The American Express Blue Business Cash Card and American Express Blue Business Plus Cards are exceptions.

You’ll receive an introductory 0% APR on purchases for one year, giving you plenty of time to pay down any sizable purchases you may have made.

Following the 12-month introductory period, the rates adjust to a comparatively typical 13.24% to 19.24% variable APR. Late or returned payments could bump your APR up to 29.24%

Neither Have Annual Maintenance Fees

A great feature of these cards is the $0 annual fee. If money is tight or you’re a budget-conscious business owner, a card with no annual fee is a plus. This is particularly true if your company does not spend enough to warrant the rewards that annual-fee cards may yield.

Both Have Credit Limit Flexibility

If you have a last-minute cash flow emergency, your month-to-month spending level varies significantly, or you need wiggle room to buy additional inventory, you can spend above your credit limit, with no overlimit fees.

According to an Amex Cash and Plus card feature called Expanded Buying Power, your spending capacity can be adjusted based on criteria including your credit history, payment history, and other financial factors.

Returned or late payments can be hit with a fee of up to $39.

How the Two Cards Differ

Now that we have looked at overlapping features, let’s take a look at what separates them.

American Express Blue Business Cash Card

American Express introduced their Blue Business Cash Card to replace its SimplyCash Plus Card and to help firm owners tackle cash-flow constraints.

Receive 2% cash back on qualified purchases up to $50,000 in a calendar year. This means your statement will be automatically credited with two cents for each dollar you spend.

When you hit the $50,000 spending limit, your earning rate will drop to one cent for every dollar spent, or 1% cash back. At this point you will have earned a nice $1,000, which is impressive considering the $0 annual fee.

The Blue Business Cash Card’s simple rewards structure makes it a good choice for small business owners seeking straight cash back. This is especially true if your business expenses are varied and fall short of the $50,000 threshold.

Time-strapped entrepreneurs can earn a high flat rate on everyday purchases without having to make sure spending falls into the correct bonus categories.

Moreover, with automatic redemptions, you don’t need to log in to get your rewards or wait until you have reached a specific amount. If your account remains in good standing, you will receive an automatic credit on your statement without having to lift a finger.

Blue Business Plus Card from American Express

The Blue Business Plus Card from American Express is a close twin of the Blue Business Cash Card, except that instead of cash back, you receive Membership Rewards points. The Plus Card is ideal for frequent fliers, small business owners, or sole proprietors that want to want to earn valuable points on everyday business spending.

Receive a solid two points for every dollar spent on purchases up to $50,000, a flexible credit limit, and a transfer program that allows you to blend your rewards with other travel loyalty programs. Once you reach your $50,000 cap, you earn one point per dollar.

The Membership Rewards points earned with the Blue Business Plus Card can be transferred to their 22 travel partners. You will receive an additional point per dollar of qualified travel purchases booked directly on amextravel.com.

You are able to redeem your Membership Rewards points for a statement credit; however, they are typically valued at about a little more than half a penny per point (possibly higher for travel-related redemptions) when cashed in this way.

You can also use your points for Amazon, Uber rides, gift cards, and more, though their value is also less than a cent per point.

Why You May Want to Choose Another Card

Just as the American Express Blue Business Cash Card and the Blue Business Plus Credit Card from American Express have the same advantages, they also share the same drawbacks. Here are a few reasons these cards may not be right for your business:

• No traditional welcome offer
• Both cards charge a 2.7% foreign transaction fee
• No travel-specific rewards
• Annual spending caps for rewards means you get less per dollar the more you use the cards

Which Card Is Right for You?

American Express Blue Business credit card is a simple and straightforward cash rewards card with decent rates and expanded buying power.

That said, if your company spends a lot, or you have monthly expenses that are predictable and fit neatly into particular categories, there are more lucrative cards out there. If your company has poor or little credit history, you may run into problems qualifying for either of these business cards.