MoneyGeek’s Take

American Express Blue Business Cash Card Review

The American Express Blue Business Cash Card offers simple and easy-to-redeem cash back rewards for busy business owners with no annual fees, making it perfect to earn cash back from everyday expenses.

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Last Updated: 11/9/2021

Business owners who prefer cash back over points should consider the American Express Blue Business Cash Card. This card has no annual fee and a 2% cash back rate on all eligible purchases up to $50,000 per year. Earnings are automatically credited to your account as statement credits. After the $50,000 limit, the card’s cash back rate rolls down to 1%. Given the cap on cash back, this card is best for those who spend moderately.

Card Details to Know Up Front

Bonus, Fee or Feature
Has or Not
Has Annual Fee
Has Balance Transfer Offer
Has APR Offer
Cash Back Rewards
Travel Rewards
Hotel Benefits
Airline Benefits
Has Rewarding Welcome Offer
Has Foreign Transaction Fee
Credit Needed
Good–Excellent

Click to see this card’s rates, fees and how they compare to other cards in our dataset.

OUR REVIEW AT A GLANCE

Credit Card Details at a Glance
Pros & Cons Explained
Bonuses & Rewards Explained
Our Verdict: Is This Card for You?

American Express Blue Business Cash Card at a Glance

Best suited for owners who want a simple reward system, the American Express Blue Business Cash Card offers a 2% cash back rate on all eligible purchases up to $50,000 annually.

American Express Blue Business Cash Card
A simple cash back rewards card that helps you avoid hassles
- Good–ExcellentCredit Needed
- $0Annual Fee
- 1–2% Cash Back*Rewards Rate
- 1xRewards Rate on TV, Phone, Internet Services
- 1xRewards Rate on Gas
Pros
No annual fee
Cash back rate of 2% for eligible purchases up to $50,000, then 1%
Intro 0% APR offer
Welcome offer of $250 in statement credit after $3,000 of purchases within the first three months
Flexible credit limit
Authorized users can be added for no additional fee
Points are redeemed automatically

Cons
Cash back rate has a cap
Foreign transaction fee of 2.7%
Pay no interest for the first 12 months after acquiring the card
Earn 2% cash back for eligible purchases with a cap of $50,000, then 1% after
Enjoy no annual fees for the life of the card
Earn $250 in statement credit for spending $3,000 within the first three months
Benefit from the Expanded Buying Power feature, which lets you go over the credit limit if you qualify with no penalties or fees
Add up to 99 authorized users, free of charge
Get up to $150,000 in funding through the American Express Working Capital Terms program
Disclaimer: Credit card offers are constantly changing. We work hard to stay updated with the latest information, but the offers listed on our site may no longer be available.
Terms, rates and fees apply
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Pros & Cons Explained

While the American Express Blue Business Cash Card is well-known for its high cash back rate, the card comes with some drawbacks that should be considered before application.

Pros

Benefits
Description
Competitive Cash Back Rate
Get a 2% cash back rate on all eligible purchases up to $50,000 per year, then 1% after hitting the cap. Earnings are automatically given through statement credit and there are no complicated categories or earning rates to keep track of.
Introductory APR of 0%
Not commonly seen in most business cards, you can get a 0% APR for all purchases within 12 months of you acquiring the card.
No Annual Fees
Pay no annual fees for the life of the card. Paired with the introductory APR of 0%, you can save hundreds to thousands of dollars in the first year.
Welcome Offer
The American Express Blue Business Cash Card offers $250 in statement credit if you spend $3,000 within the first three months of your account opening.

Cons

Drawbacks
Description
Cash Back Earning Limit
The 2% rate only applies to eligible purchases up to $50,000 per calendar year, then it switches to a 1% rate. This is inconvenient for big spenders, who may opt for other cards with a larger cap or no cap at all.
Foreign Transaction Fees
Purchases abroad are charged a 2.7% fee, which makes this a mediocre option for business owners who frequently travel internationally.

LOOKING FOR THE BEST CREDIT CARDS OF 2021?

The American Express Blue Business Cash Card is not one of our top-rated cash back cards. Review MoneyGeek’s list of the best cash back rewards cards to see if other options are better for you.

Bonuses & Rewards Explained

Business owners who aim for practical cash back opportunities will enjoy the American Express Blue Business Cash Card's easy rewards. MoneyGeek outlines bonuses you can get from this card below.

Cash Back Rate

The 2% cash back rate applies to all purchases in a year up to $50,000. After that, the rate switches to 1%.

Welcome Offer

If you spend $3,000 on eligible purchases within the first three months after getting the card, you can get $250 in statement credit.

Introductory 0% APR

For the first 12 months after acquiring the card, you can enjoy 0% APR on all purchases.

Other Features Explained

Beyond the 2% cash back rate, the American Express Blue Business Cash Card offers a host of other features that business owners can benefit from.

Card Feature
Description
Expanded Buying Power
If you go over your credit limit, the Expanded Buying Power feature can help you continue making purchases with no penalties or fees. The extra amount you’re allowed is based on your creditworthiness.
Additional Authorized Users
You can add up to 99 authorized users with no fees attached. This is uncommon in most business cards and not only lets you save, but it also lets you earn more in cash back from employee purchases.
Easily Track Business Spending
Through the American Express Business App, you can track what your business spends through the card and compile receipts.
No Hassle Redemption
Redeeming cash back with the American Express Blue Business Cash Card is easy, as anything earned automatically appears in your monthly statement as a credit.
Enjoy Working Capital Terms
Eligible business owners can make use of American Express’ Working Capital Terms program, which lets them access up to $150,000 in funding.
Benefit From Car Rental Insurance
If you purchase a rental vehicle using the American Express Blue Business Cash Card, you’re eligible for car rental coverage if it gets damaged or stolen.

MONEYGEEK EXPERT TIP

Business owners actually have the flexibility on this card to go above the limit. It is due each month with the minimum monthly payment, but on month’s where spending needs to be a little higher than normal, this can be a good tool.

Understanding the Fine Print

Prior to applying for the American Express Blue Business Card, make sure to understand the fine print and all the fees involved.

Card Feature
Amount or Rate
APR
13.24%–19.24%
Annual Fee
$0
Cash Back Rewards
Rewards Rate
1–2% Cash Back*
Airline Benefits
Rewards Rate on Groceries
1x
Rewards Rate on Gas
1x
Rewards Rate on Dining
1x
Rewards Rate on Entertainment
1x
Rewards Rate on Online Shopping
1x
Rewards Rate on TV, Phone, Internet Services
1x
Rewards Rate on Air Travel
1x
Rewards Rate at Hotels
1x
Balance Transfer Fee
3%
Balance Transfer APR
Unspecified
Late Fees
$39.00
Cash Advance Fee
Unspecified
Cash Advance APR
Unspecified
Foreign Transaction Fee
2.70%

Cash Back Reward Rate
The cash back rate on the American Express Blue Business Cash Card is 2%, with a maximum eligible purchase limit of $50,000 per calendar year. After hitting this threshold, the rate becomes 1%.
Annual Percentage Rate (APR)
For the first 12 months, you get an introductory 0% APR. After this, there is a variable APR of 13.24%–19.24%, with the actual rate being based on your creditworthiness.
Balance Transfer Fees
For balance transfers, a fee of $5 or 3% applies, whichever is greater.
Penalty APR
A penalty APR of 29.24% applies if you do any of these three things: make two consecutive late payments within a 12-month period, make a payment that gets returned or fail to contribute the minimum payment by the due date. This penalty APR applies for 12 billing periods in a row.
Foreign Transaction Fees
For every purchase abroad, you get charged a 2.7% transaction fee. This means that for every $1,000 you spend using the American Express Blue Business Cash Card abroad, you pay an extra $27.

WHERE TO FIND THIS INFORMATION?

To understand how the American Express Blue Business Cash Card stacks up against other cards, you can find similar information on your monthly credit card statement or your card provider’s business website. You can also find more of the fine print in the credit card agreement database, which is maintained by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.

Who Should & Shouldn’t Consider American Express Blue Business Cash Card?

Other Considerations for American Express Blue Business Cash Card

While the American Express Blue Business Cash Card is attractive for its straightforwardness and simplicity, there are a number of things to consider based on your current financial situation.

Things to Consider if This is Will Be Your First or Only Credit Card

If you plan to make the American Express Blue Business Cash Card the only business card you own, keep in mind the limit to the cash back rate. Small business owners who spend less than $50,000 annually will have no problem as they can keep the 2% rate, but those who spend more may want to look elsewhere. Additionally, business owners who don’t have a strong credit score may find it difficult to qualify for this card.

Things to Consider if This is Will Be an Additional Card in Your Wallet

If you plan to get the American Express Blue Business Cash Card and make it an additional credit card in your wallet, make sure to use it to its full capacity. Take advantage of the lack of fees on additional users and make this a business card you give to your employees, letting them earn cash back.

You can also make use of this for everyday varied purchases to ensure easy redemption of cash back, and use an unlimited rewards card for specific purchases. Alternatively, if you plan to make a big purchase, make use of its introductory 0% APR to pay for it over time, interest-free.

WHY TRUST OUR REVIEWS

MoneyGeek examines credit cards thoroughly through a six-step process to find the best one for each consumer. We start by collecting credit card information and standardizing it against other cards using data points. Then we factor in any bonuses involved and establish the credit card’s data value and ranking. Finally, we review and update this information monthly and re-rank accordingly.

How American Express Blue Business Cash Card Compares to Other Cards

In the cash back category, the American Express Blue Business Cash Card holds its own as a simple and straightforward option for business owners. However, you might find that other cards will suit you better based on your business’ needs. This especially applies if you spend a lot on an annual basis or spend more in a specific category. Evaluate your business spending habits to properly determine what card will give you the most benefits.

Quick Comparison of American Express Blue Business Cash Card

American Express Blue Business Cash Card

Cash Back Rate: 2% on eligible purchases up to $50,000, then 1%
Variable APR: 13.24%–19.24%
Annual Fee: None
Welcome Bonus: $250 after spending $3,000 within the first three months
Mini Verdict: Best for business owners who want a no-frills cash back card

Chase Ink Business Cash

Cash Back Rate: 5% on first $25,000 in essential business categories, 2% on first $25,000 in restaurants and gas stations, then 1%
Variable APR: 13.24%–19.24%
Annual Fee: None
Welcome Bonus: $750 after spending $7,500 within the first three months
Mini Verdict: Best for business owners who spend a lot in specific categories

Other Helpful Decision-Making Q&As

The American Express Blue Business Cash Card has a lot of ins and outs that may take time to understand. MoneyGeek answered a few frequently asked questions about the card to help you make decisions sooner.

Still not sure about this card? Consider these options.

The American Express Blue Business Cash Card benefits business owners who want a simple cash back card with an easy redemption scheme. If you believe your business may need a different card, make sure to take a look at other cards MoneyGeek examined within the cash back, rewards and travel categories.