American Express
Blue Business Plus Credit Card from American Express
No annual fee to keep the card
- Annual fee
- None
- Welcome offer
- ~$300
- Annual benefits value
- $0
- Est. 1st-year value
- $300
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Our review
The Blue Business Plus Credit Card from American Express is a no-annual-fee business card that earns flat-rate Membership Rewards points on everyday spending, up to an annual cap. It is one of the simplest ways for a business to earn transferable points without a fee.
It ranks highly among no-fee business cards because it earns the same flexible Membership Rewards points as the issuer's premium cards, but at a flat rate on all eligible purchases rather than in narrow categories.
The main value proposition is straightforward: elevated flat-rate earning on the first tier of annual spending, no annual fee, and an introductory APR period on purchases. It is built for businesses that want uncomplicated earning.
The two main limitations are the annual cap on the elevated rate, after which earning drops, and a foreign transaction fee that makes the card less suitable for international purchases.
For businesses that want a no-fee card to earn transferable points on general spending, the Blue Business Plus is a strong core card. Heavy international spenders or those exceeding the cap may want to pair it with another card.
Why we like it
- Flat-rate Membership Rewards earning on all eligible purchases up to an annual cap, then a lower rate.
- No annual fee.
- An introductory APR period on purchases, useful for businesses financing early expenses.
- The same flexible Membership Rewards points that transfer to airline and hotel partners.
Who it's best for
- Businesses that want simple flat-rate earning without an annual fee.
- Owners who value transferable points over category bonuses.
- Businesses that may benefit from an introductory APR on purchases.
Welcome bonus
The current public welcome offer is 15,000 Membership Rewards points after spending $3,000 in eligible purchases within the first 3 months, though American Express notes welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for a given offer.
Amex generally limits welcome offers to once per lifetime per card product. Confirm the exact offer and spend at application, and treat the estimated value shown above as an approximation.
Using your rewards
Membership Rewards points can be transferred to airline and hotel loyalty partners, redeemed for travel through American Express Travel, used as Pay with Points, or redeemed for gift cards and statement credits.
Transfer partners have long included a range of airline and hotel programs, though the participating list can change, so verify current options before planning a redemption.
For transfers into the frequent flyer program of a U.S. airline, American Express charges a small federal excise tax recovery fee (disclosed as $0.0006 per point, up to a maximum of $99 per transfer).
Airport lounge access
The Blue Business Plus Credit Card does not include airport lounge access.
Foreign transaction fees
This card charges a foreign transaction fee (American Express discloses 2.7% of each transaction after conversion to U.S. dollars), so despite having no annual fee it is less ideal for purchases made abroad or in a foreign currency.
Major credits & annual benefits
This is a lean, no-fee card without the recurring statement credits found on the issuer's premium cards. Its value comes from flat-rate points earning and the flexibility of Membership Rewards.
The card has offered an introductory APR on purchases for a limited period from account opening; after the intro period a variable APR applies. Confirm the current terms before relying on the intro APR.
Insurance & protections
American Express offers a range of purchase and travel protections that can apply when you pay with the card. Coverage is subject to specific terms, limits, and exclusions and should be reviewed in the current benefits guide before you rely on it.
Fees & tradeoffs
There is no annual fee, which removes most of the downside for light and moderate spenders.
The main tradeoffs are the annual cap on the elevated earning rate and the foreign transaction fee, which makes the card less suitable for international purchases.
Final verdict
For businesses that want a no-fee card to earn flexible, transferable points on general domestic spending, the Blue Business Plus is an excellent core card, and with no annual fee the welcome bonus and ongoing earning are largely upside, broadly reflected in the estimated first-year value shown above.
Heavy international spenders or businesses that regularly exceed the annual cap should consider pairing it with a no-foreign-transaction-fee card or a higher-earning option.
Card details change often. Verify current rates, fees, welcome offers, credits, and benefit terms with the issuer before applying.
Is this card worth it for you?
Check the benefits you’d realistically use and see your personalized total value below. This is a personal estimate — actual value depends on your spending. Verify terms with the issuer.
- Selected benefits
- $0
- Welcome offer
- $300
- Annual fee
- +$0
- Estimated first-year net
- +$300
Welcome offer
Welcome offer value
Earn 15,000 points after $3,000 in spend within 12 months
$300
Spend requirements apply. Verify current offer with the issuer. How we calculate this
Benefits & credits
Total benefits & credits value
Estimated annual value of all tracked perks
$0
| Benefit | Frequency | Est. annual value |
|---|---|---|
2X on Everything (up to $50K) Earn 2X Membership Rewards points on all purchases up to $50,000 per calendar year, then 1X. No annual fee. | Annual | $0 |
Earning rates
Who it's for
Consider it if
- No annual fee to keep the card
- Points transfer to travel partners
Maybe skip it if
- Best value requires learning transfer partners
Fees & details
- Annual fee
- None
- Foreign transaction fee
- 2.7%
- Card network
- American Express
- Recommended credit
- Good to Excellent (690+)
- Rewards currency
- Amex Membership Rewards
- Last updated
- 2026-07-25
Details are estimates and may be out of date. View issuer terms. Verify all rates, fees, and offers with the issuer before applying.
How it compares
| Annual fee | None | $895 | $895 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Welcome offer | ~$300 | ~$3,000 | ~$3,000 |
| Est. 1st-year value | $300 | $5,160.40 | $4,684 |
| Annual benefits value | $0 | $2,160.40 | $1,684 |
| Editor rating | 3.3 / 5 | 5.0 / 5 | 5.0 / 5 |
| Points earning structure |
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| Transfer partners | |||
| Lounge access | |||
| No foreign txn fee | |||
| Recommended credit | Good to Excellent (690+) | Good to Excellent (690+) | Good to Excellent (690+) |
