Review of the American Express Blue Business Cash Card: Earn double cash back with no annual fee

Overview of the American Express Blue Business Cash Card

The American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card simplifies expense tracking for business owners while providing 2% cash back on eligible purchases up to $50,000 each calendar year. After reaching that limit, you’ll earn 1% cash back on all eligible purchases, automatically credited to your statement. Best of all, you can enjoy these benefits without any annual fee (see rates and fees). Card Rating*: ⭐⭐⭐½

*Card Rating reflects the views of TPG's editors and is not influenced by the card issuer.

For entrepreneurs, using a dedicated business card is a smart choice for tracking expenses, whether personal or for your employees. If you’re opting for a business credit card, you might as well earn rewards for future use.

With no annual fee and a suggested credit score of 670, the American Express Blue Business Cash Card is ideal for budget-conscious small business owners. Its straightforward rewards structure — free from rotating categories to monitor — makes it perfect for everyday business transactions.

Now, let’s explore the additional benefits that the Amex Blue Business Cash offers for business owners seeking a simple and effective cash-back rewards card.

Pros and cons of the Blue Business Cash

Welcome offer for Blue Business Cash

The Amex Blue Business Cash provides a $250 statement credit after you spend $3,000 on purchases within the first three months of your card membership.

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This offer is quite standard and aligns with what you might expect from a cash-back or no-annual-fee card. For small businesses, meeting this spending threshold should be manageable. However, if you tend to spend significantly on credit, consider opting for a business card that offers a more substantial welcome bonus.

Benefits of the Blue Business Cash

The Blue Business Cash is a traditional card with a valuable feature. The Expanded Buying Power allows you to go beyond your spending limit without incurring over-limit fees or penalties. You can also earn cash-back rewards on purchases that exceed your credit limit.

You still need to make your minimum payment, which includes any purchases made over your limit. At TPG, we always suggest paying your balance in full whenever possible to avoid interest fees.

A note of caution: Going over your credit limit might negatively impact your credit score, as your credit utilization ratio plays a significant role in determining it.

Additional benefits include secondary car rental loss and damage insurance when you use your card to rent a vehicle,* up to one year of extended warranty protection on purchases (for manufacturer warranties of five years or less)**, and 90 days of purchase protection against theft or damage.**

The card also provides concierge-level service through the Global Assist feature for travel more than 100 miles from your home.^ Global Assist offers 24/7 emergency assistance and coordination services for medical, legal, or passport referrals. Amex can also assist with lost luggage and emergency cash transfers. Cardmembers are responsible for any charges incurred for third-party services.

**Eligibility and benefit levels vary by card. Terms, conditions, and limitations apply. For details, visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide. Policies are underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.

^Eligibility and benefit levels vary by card. Terms, conditions, and limitations apply. For details, please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide. Cardmembers are liable for any charges incurred by third-party service providers.

Earning Rewards with the Blue Business Cash

To accumulate rewards, simply use your Blue Business Cash Card for in-store or online purchases, or to settle bills. You'll receive 2% cash back on the first $50,000 in purchases each calendar year. After that, you will earn 1% back on all purchases.

While these earning rates aren't extraordinary, they are quite competitive for a business card with no annual fee. Plus, they are straightforward and easy to remember.

Redeeming Rewards with the Blue Business Cash

Your cash back from the Blue Business Cash is credited automatically to your monthly statement. This means you effectively lower your business expenses with the cash-back rewards reflected on your account.

Some might find it disappointing that there aren't multiple ways to redeem rewards. However, the automatic statement credit guarantees that you'll receive the full value of your rewards without the hassle of decision-making or remembering to redeem them.

What cards rival the Blue Business Cash?

Several business cards can compete with or even surpass the Blue Business Cash. Here are a few of those options:

• If you seek better earning rates: The Ink Business Cash® Credit Card from Chase has no annual fee and offers greater rewards in specific categories—particularly, 5% cash back on the first $25,000 spent annually on combined purchases at office supply stores, as well as on internet, phone, and cable services. For further details, check out our complete review of the Ink Business Cash.
• If travel rewards are your preference: Consider The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express. As a cardholder, you'll earn 2 points per dollar on the first $50,000 in purchases each calendar year, then 1 point per dollar on all other purchases. The points are valued at an average of 2 cents each, according to TPG's October 2024 valuations, giving them significant worth. For more information, read our complete review of the Blue Business Plus.
• If you desire personalized rewards: High spenders may opt for a more comprehensive card like the American Express® Business Gold Card. This card has a substantial annual fee of $375 (see rates and fees), but larger businesses will appreciate earning 4 points per dollar in two selected categories where they spend the most, up to $150,000 each calendar year (then 1 point per dollar after that). To learn more, see our complete review of the Amex Business Gold.

For more choices, explore our complete list of the top business cards.

Is the Blue Business Cash worth considering?

While the Amex Blue Business Cash isn't the most rewarding cash-back business card available, it primarily aims to assist small-business owners in managing and tracking expenses while earning rewards. For many small-business owners, the Blue Business Cash provides straightforward and easy-to-redeem rewards at no extra cost.

Conclusion

The Amex Blue Business Cash has some limitations, yet its 2% cash-back reward rate allows you to recoup some expenses on eligible business purchases. For businesses with significant operational costs, it might be wise to explore cards that offer more attractive welcome bonuses and higher earning rates in targeted categories.

Nevertheless, the card's straightforward usage and absence of an annual fee may appeal to small-business owners looking for a hassle-free way to earn rewards on their expenses.