Why the Amex Blue Business Plus Card Is a No-Brainer for Small Business Owners

If you run a small business, you know every dollar counts. The Blue Business Plus Credit Card from American Express is one of those rare cards that gives you solid rewards without charging an annual fee. Right now, you can snag a welcome bonus of 15,000 Membership Rewards points after spending $3,000 in the first three months, plus enjoy a 0% intro APR on purchases for a full year. That's a pretty sweet deal for covering startup costs or seasonal expenses.

What Makes This Card Stand Out

The biggest draw here is the earning structure. You get 2X points on every purchase you make for your business—no need to track categories or remember which merchant codes qualify. That includes office supplies, client lunches, software subscriptions, you name it. The catch is that the 2X rate only applies to the first $50,000 you spend each year, but for most small businesses that's plenty. After that, you still earn 1 point per dollar with no cap.

Another perk is the 0% intro APR for the first 12 months. If you're planning a big equipment purchase or need to float some inventory, this gives you breathing room. Just make sure you pay off the balance before the intro period ends, because the variable APR kicks in after that.

• 2X points on all business purchases up to $50k/year
• No annual fee means you can keep the card open indefinitely without cost
• Free employee cards—great for tracking team spending

How to Get the Most Out of Your Membership Rewards Points

Membership Rewards points are flexible, but their value really depends on how you use them. If you just redeem for statement credits or gift cards, you'll get around half a cent per point. That's not great. The real magic happens when you transfer points to Amex's travel partners like Delta, British Airways, or Hilton. With a little strategy, you can easily get 2 cents per point or more, especially for premium cabin flights or luxury hotel stays.

For business owners who travel, this can turn everyday spending into a first-class ticket or a free night at a nice hotel. If you're not into travel, you can still get decent value by redeeming for merchandise or unique experiences, but the travel partners are where the best deals live.

• Transfer to airline and hotel partners for highest value (up to 2 cents/point)
• Avoid statement credits and gift cards unless you need quick cash
• Use Amex Offers to stack additional savings on top of your points

Protections and Perks That Actually Matter

This card comes with a solid set of travel and purchase protections. You get purchase protection for up to 90 days on eligible items (up to $1,000 per claim), extended warranty coverage, and return protection if a store won't take something back. For business owners who buy equipment or inventory, those benefits can save you headaches.

On the travel side, you get baggage insurance, car rental loss and damage coverage (secondary), and a 24/7 roadside assistance hotline. There's also a Global Assist hotline if you're more than 100 miles from home and need help with legal or medical issues. Not bad for a card with no annual fee.

• Purchase Protection: up to $1,000 per claim, 90 days
• Extended Warranty: adds 1 year to manufacturer's warranty
• Car Rental Loss & Damage: secondary coverage in the U.S.
• Roadside Assistance: 24/7, but you pay for the service

Bottom Line

• No annual fee makes it a great keeper card for your wallet
• 2X points on all business spending is simple and rewarding
• 0% intro APR for 12 months helps with cash flow
• Transfer points to travel partners for maximum value
• Free employee cards and solid protections add real value

Common Questions