For many business owners, the pursuit of earning rewards from business expenses can often feel overwhelming due to the intricate rules associated with various reward programs. The Blue Business Plus Credit Card from American Express offers a solution through its straightforward earning structure, enabling cardholders to avoid the complexities of memorizing bonus categories or activating fleeting promotions. This comprehensive overview includes how to earn and redeem points, associated fees with the card, and alternative options for potential applicants. Notably, the Blue Business Plus comes with an annual fee of $0, features a welcome bonus of 15,000 Membership Rewards points after spending $3,000 in the first three months, and offers a 0% introductory APR on purchases for the first 12 months, transitioning to an ongoing variable APR of 17.99% – 25.99%.
One of the primary advantages of the Blue Business Plus Credit Card is its rewards rate, which provides 2x points on everyday business purchases, including office supplies and client meals, for the first $50,000 spent each year. After reaching that threshold, cardholders will continue to earn 1x points on all additional purchases. Additional perks, such as the ability to add complimentary employee cards with individual spending limits, elevate the card’s value. Furthermore, when rental cars are booked using this card and the collision damage waiver is declined, cardholders can benefit from secondary rental car insurance—a vital feature that offers protection against damage or theft, supplementing personal auto insurance but excluding liability coverage.
In terms of consumer protection, the card also offers coverage against loss or accidental damage for eligible purchases made within 90 days, with a claim limit of $1,000 per covered item and up to $50,000 per cardholder each calendar year. Extendable warranty benefits are another highlight, providing an additional year on eligible products with existing warranties of five years or fewer, although all benefits are subject to terms and conditions outlined by American Express. Therefore, business owners can enjoy a range of safety nets that bolster the appeal of this card in addition to its rewards structure.
Although the Blue Business Plus boasts a simple earning framework with 2x points on all purchases up to $50,000 annually, reaching this cap translates into a decreased earning rate of 1x on further spending, which remains a consideration for high-spending business owners. Additionally, the card does come with a foreign transaction fee of 2.7%, which could impact international business expenditures. While American Express cards are widely accepted in the U.S., they may face acceptance hurdles internationally compared to Visa or Mastercard, indicating that having supplementary credit options may be prudent for foreign travel.
For those seeking alternatives, the Blue Business Cash Plus Card could offer an enticing simplicity, with a similar structure that allows for 2% cash back on eligible purchases up to $50,000 a year, then 1% thereafter, all without an annual fee. The bonus lies in cash-back redemption, which tends to provide superior value when compared to the point-based structure of the Blue Business Plus. On the other end of the spectrum, the Capital One Spark Miles for Business card stands out particularly for high spenders. This card bestows 5x miles on hotels, rentals, and transportation booked through Capital One Travel, alongside 2x miles on all other purchases, although it applies a $95 annual fee after an introductory year.
In summary, the Blue Business Plus Credit Card presents business owners with an uncomplicated rewards approach that prioritizes simplicity and effectiveness in earning points with no annual fee. While diverse benefits and protections extend its value proposition, the limitations imposed by the annual cap on higher earnings and foreign transaction fees should be weighed against the business owner’s needs, particularly for those who regularly spend in foreign currencies. Alternative credit cards, such as the Blue Business Cash Plus and Capital One Spark Miles for Business, visually exemplify the attractive landscape of business credit cards tailored for diverse spending and redemption preferences, allowing business owners to select the card that best suits their financial strategies.
