Amex Blue Business Cards: $500 or 50,000 Points Welcome Offer (YMMV)

If you run a small business, American Express has a new welcome offer on its no-annual-fee Blue Business cards that might be worth a look. The catch? It's targeted, meaning you might not see it when you apply. Here's what's on the table and how to decide if it's right for you.

What's the Deal with These Amex Business Cards?

American Express is currently running a welcome offer on two of its small business cards: the Blue Business Cash and the Blue Business Plus. Depending on which card you pick, you can earn either $500 in cash back or 50,000 Membership Rewards points after you spend $5,000 in the first three months.

The important thing to know is that this is an 'as high as' offer. That means Amex is advertising the best possible bonus, but not everyone will actually see it when they apply. You might get a lower offer, or you might not see any welcome bonus at all. It's targeted, so your results will vary.

Blue Business Cash vs. Blue Business Plus: Which One Fits?

Both cards have no annual fee, which is a big plus for small business owners who don't want another recurring expense. The main difference is how you earn rewards.

The Blue Business Cash is straightforward: you get 2% cash back on all purchases, up to $50,000 each year. After that, it drops to 1%. Cash back is simple to understand and easy to use.

The Blue Business Plus earns 2x Membership Rewards points on all purchases, also up to $50,000 per calendar year, then 1x. Points can be more valuable if you transfer them to airline or hotel partners, but they require a bit more effort to maximize. If you're not into travel hacking, the cash back card might be the better fit.

The 0% Intro APR Could Be a Big Help

Both cards come with a 0% introductory APR on purchases for the first 12 months. The Blue Business Cash also offers 0% on balance transfers for the same period. If you have a big purchase coming up or want to finance something without interest, this could save you a decent chunk of change.

Just remember that after the intro period, the regular APR will apply, so it's smart to have a plan to pay off the balance before that happens.

Should You Jump on This Offer?

If you've been eyeing either of these cards, this is a solid bonus. The spending requirement of $5,000 in three months is reasonable for many small businesses, and the no-annual-fee structure means you won't be stuck paying for a card you don't use.

One thing to keep in mind: there have been targeted offers as high as 75,000 points or $750 without lifetime language. Those are even better, but they're rare and usually only available to a select group. If you take this $500/50,000 offer now, you might still be eligible for those bigger offers later, since they often don't have lifetime language restrictions.

Before you apply, check to see what offer you're actually targeted for. Sometimes you need to use a specific link or log in to your Amex account to see the increased bonus. If you only see the standard offer, you might want to hold off or try again later.

• No annual fee on either card
• 2% cash back or 2x points on up to $50,000 in purchases per year
• 0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months
• Targeted offer – your results may vary
• Spending requirement: $5,000 in 3 months

Bottom Line

• Amex is offering $500 or 50,000 points on Blue Business Cash and Blue Business Plus after $5,000 spend in 3 months.
• This is a targeted 'as high as' offer, so not everyone will qualify for the full bonus.
• Both cards have no annual fee and offer 0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months.
• Blue Business Cash earns 2% cash back; Blue Business Plus earns 2x Membership Rewards points on up to $50,000 annually.
• If you take this offer, you may still be eligible for higher targeted offers later.

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