The American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card is a “set it and forget it” card. business credit card. Card users earn rewards that American Express automatically applied to your credit card statement — giving you the opportunity to earn and redeem rewards without thinking about bonus categories, shopping portals or redemption values. Blue Business Cash may be right for you if you’re a freelancer, sole proprietor or small business owner looking for a competitive card with low maintenance costs.
Introductory offerEarn $250 in credit after you make $3,000 in purchases on your card in the first 3 months.
APR17.49% – 25.49% Variable
Introductory Purchase APR0% on purchases for 12 months from the date of account opening
Recommended credit Excellent/good
- Earn 2% cash back on all eligible purchases up to $50,000 per calendar year, then 1%. Earned cashback is automatically credited to your statement.
- 1% cash back on all eligible purchases after you spend $50,000 per calendar year.
Annual feeThere is no annual fee
Late payment fee Up to $39
Fees for foreign transactions 2.7% of each transaction after conversion to US dollars.
Penalty APR 29.99% Variable
- Earn 2% cash back on all eligible purchases up to $50,000 per calendar year, then 1%. Earned cashback is automatically credited to your statement.
- 1% cash back on all eligible purchases after you spend $50,000 per calendar year.
Prizes
The American Express Blue Business Cash Card earns 2% cash back on up to $50,000 in eligible purchases per calendar year. If you spend more than $50,000 in a calendar year, you’ll earn 1% cash back on all eligible purchases — and when the next calendar year begins, the rewards cycle starts all over again. Your refund will automatically be applied to your statement credits each billing cycle.
Eligible purchases include goods and services, but will not include purchases of cash equivalents, such as gift cards or money orders.
Rewards rates are quite competitive if your business spends less than $50,000 per year, although some business cards offer higher lead rates for certain purchase categories. But for small businesses with different spending needs, Blue Business Cash is a good choice.
Welcome offer
New cardholders can earn a $250 credit after making $3,000 in purchases on their Amex Blue Business Cash Card in the first three months. This is not one of the the best welcome bonuses in the industry — but it’s not the worst either.
What really matters is will you be able to spend the money needed to earn the bonus. If you’re already spending around $1,000 each month on business purchases, then it might be easy to earn a welcome offer — but if you’re spending less than $1,000 each month, you might find yourself in a situation where you have to decide whether to forgo the bonus or make the purchases which your company cannot afford.
Introductory APR
If you’re thinking about using your business credit card to finance a big purchase, like a new laptop or a professional website design, the Amex Blue Business Cash Card could be a good choice. The card offers 12 months from account opening 0% intro APR on purchase (17.49% to 25.49% variable APR thereafter), giving small business owners the opportunity to cover several essential business expenses without accumulating interest.
After the introductory APR offer expires, card interest will begin to accrue on all outstanding balances on your American Express Blue Business Cash Card standard APR — so make sure you have a plan to pay off as much of the balance as possible before your introductory APR offer expires. Even if you can’t pay off your purchases in full, paying part of the balance up front can help you save money on interest.
There is no annual fee
The Amex Blue Business Cash Card has no annual fee, making it a great choice for small business owners looking to save on credit card fees and invest every extra dollar in building your business.
As your business grows, you may want to consider upgrading your business credit card to an annual fee card, as business credit cards that charge annual fees may offer better rewards—and when you decide to a credit card with an annual fee pays off, you can get access to travel benefits and other business-friendly benefits. Small business owners can also benefit from the tax because annual fees for business credit cards are tax deductible.
Other cards to consider
Chase Ink Business Cash® Credit Card
The Ink Business Cash® Credit Card offers 5% cash back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at office supply stores and on Internet, cable and phone services each account anniversary year. Cardholders also earn 2% cash back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at gas stations and restaurants each account anniversary year, and 1% cash back on all other purchases.
Plus, the Ink Business Cash Card offers a premium welcome bonus — a $900 cash bonus if you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first three months. While the $6,000 spending requirement is a bit higher than the $3,000 requirement for the Amex Blue Business Cash Card, you’ll get a lot more bang for your buck.
Bank of America® Business Advantage Customized Cash Rewards Mastercard® Credit Card
The Bank of America® Business Advantage Customized Cash Rewards Mastercard® Credit Card* gives you 3% cash back in the category of your choice and 2% cash back on restaurants, on the first $50,000 in combined selection/towel purchases per calendar year (then 1% ) until next year, of course! You get 1% cash back on all other purchases.
You can also earn an online bonus of $300 in credit if you make $3,000 in purchases in the first 90 days, which is a slightly better welcome bonus offer than what you’d get with the Amex Blue Business Cash Card. If you can’t decide between the two, ask yourself if you want to work towards maximizing the bonus category cash back card — or would you prefer the simplicity that comes with a fixed cash back rate card.
FAQ
When should I get a business credit card?
If you’re a freelancer, sole proprietor, or small business owner, consider applying for a business credit card. Not only do business credit cards give you the buying power you need to build your business and earn rewards, but a good business credit card can help you track business expenses, budget for next year, and prepare for tax season.
How can I use a business credit card to grow my business?
There are many ways to use a business credit card to grow your business. Building your business credit will help you qualify for more financing opportunities in the future. Some small business owners use their business credit card to earn rewards for everyday business purchases. Others use their card’s 0% APR introductory period to finance a large purchase and pay it off in installments. You can also use your business credit card welcome bonus to save money on business expenses or finance an upcoming business trip.
Is the Amex Blue Business Cash Card a good business credit card?
The American Express Blue Business Cash Card is a good option for small business owners who want a no-annual-fee credit card with flat cash back. In fact, CNET considers the Amex Blue Business Cash Card one of the best business credit cards today, thanks to its well-rounded range of benefits and easy rewards redemption.
*All information about the Bank of America® Business Advantage Customized Cash Rewards Mastercard® credit card has been independently collected by CNET and has not been reviewed by the issuer.
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