American Express Blue Business Cash Card review: Double cash back with no annual fee
Editor's Note
American Express Blue Business Cash Card overview
The American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card makes it easy for business owners to track expenses and earn 2% cash back on up to $50,000 in eligible purchases every calendar year. Once you pass that threshold, you'll earn 1% cash back, automatically credited to your statement, on all eligible purchases. Best of all, enjoy this earning power with no annual fee (see rates and fees). Card Rating*: ⭐⭐⭐½
*Card Rating is based on the opinion of TPG's editors and is not influenced by the card issuer.
If you're an entrepreneur, having a separate business card makes sense to help track expenses — whether they're your own or the expenses of your employees. If you're going to carry a business credit card, you may as well earn rewards that you can use down the road.
With no annual fee and a recommended credit score of 670, the American Express Blue Business Cash Card is great for small-business owners on a budget. The simple rewards system — with no rotating categories to track — makes it a great card for everyday business use.
Let's look at the other benefits the Amex Blue Business Cash provides for business owners looking for a simple, straightforward cash-back rewards card.
Blue Business Cash pros and cons
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Blue Business Cash welcome offer
The Amex Blue Business Cash offers a $250 statement credit after spending $3,000 in purchases on your card in your first three months of card membership.
THE POINTS GUY
This is a pretty standard offer, comparable to what you'd get with a cash-back or no-annual-fee card. For small businesses, this spending requirement should be easy to hit. However, if you're spending more significantly on a credit card, you might want to choose a business card with a more valuable welcome bonus.
Related: The best credit card welcome offers this month
Blue Business Cash benefits
The Blue Business Cash is a conventional card with a useful perk. The Expanded Buying Power feature on the card allows you to exceed your spending limit with no over-limit fees or penalties. You can even earn cash-back rewards on purchases that exceed your credit limit.
You must still pay your minimum payment, which would include any purchases charged over your limit. Still, at TPG, we always recommend paying your balance in full whenever possible to avoid interest charges.
A caveat: Exceeding your credit limit could reduce your credit score since your credit utilization ratio factors heavily into your credit score.
Other benefits include secondary car rental loss and damage insurance when you rent a vehicle with your card,* up to one year extended warranty protection on purchases (for manufacturer warranties of five years or less)** and 90 days of purchase protection against theft or damage.**
The card also delivers concierge-level service through the Global Assist feature when you travel more than 100 miles from home.^ Global Assist includes 24/7 emergency assistance and coordination services for medical, legal or passport referrals. Amex can also help with missing luggage and emergency cash wires. Cardmembers must pay the charges for third-party services.
*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 varies 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.
Related: Your complete guide to shopping protections on American Express cards
Earning rewards on the Blue Business Cash
To earn rewards, simply use your Blue Business Cash Card to make in-store or online purchases or to pay bills. You'll earn 2% cash back on the first $50,000 in purchases you make each calendar year. After that, you'll earn 1% back on all purchases.
Those aren't otherworldly earnings rates, but they're solid for a business card with no annual fee. And they're easy to grasp and remember.
Related: 6 easy strategies I use to earn over 500,000 points and miles a year
Redeeming rewards on the Blue Business Cash
Your cash back on the Blue Business Cash appears as an automatic monthly statement credit. Thus, you're effectively reducing your business operating expenses thanks to cash-back rewards appearing on your account.
On one hand, some may be disappointed that they don't have multiple redemption options. On the other, the automatic statement credit ensures that you'll get the full value of your rewards without making any decisions or remembering to redeem anything.
Which cards compete with the Blue Business Cash?
Several business cards can match (or outdo) the Blue Business Cash. A few of these cards include:
- If you want better earning rates: The Ink Business Cash® Credit Card from Chase also has no annual fee and offers heftier rewards in certain categories—notably, 5% cash back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at office supply stores and on internet, phone and cable service each account anniversary year. To learn more, read our full review of the Ink Business Cash.
- If you prefer travel rewards: Take a look at The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express. As a cardmember, you'll earn 2 points per dollar spent on the first $50,000 in purchases in a calendar year, then 1 point per dollar spent on other purchases. The points are valued at an average of 2 cents each, based on TPG's October 2024 valuations, making them worth their merit. To learn more, read our full review of the Blue Business Plus.
- If you want custom rewards: Big spenders might prefer a more robust card like the American Express® Business Gold Card. It carries a hefty annual fee of $375 a year (see rates and fees), but bigger business owners will like the 4 points per dollar spent on business-friendly categories where the business spends the most in two select categories each billing cycle, up to the first $150,000 spent in those categories per calendar year (then 1 point per dollar spent after that). To learn more, read our full review of the Amex Business Gold.
For additional options, check out our full list of the best business cards.
Related: Your guide to the Chase Ink Business credit cards
Is the Blue Business Cash worth it?
The Amex Blue Business Cash isn't the most valuable cash-back business card out there — it's mostly designed to help small-business owners manage and track their spending while earning rewards. But for many small-business owners, the Blue Business Cash offers simple and easy-to-redeem rewards at no cost.
Bottom line
The Amex Blue Business Cash is lacking in some areas, but the 2% cash-back reward rate means you're earning some money back on eligible business expenses. If your business has high operation costs, you might want to consider a card that features a more lucrative welcome bonus and elevated earning rates in specific categories.
However, the simplicity of using this card, coupled with the lack of an annual fee, may entice small-business owners who want an easy way to earn rewards for their business expenses.
Apply here: American Express Blue Business Cash
Related: The best American Express Credit Cards
For rates and fees of the Amex Blue Business Cash, click here.
For rates and fees of the Amex Blue Business Plus, click here.
For rates and fees of the Amex Business Gold card, click here.