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We often talk about the best credit card welcome bonuses available, but two of our favorite no-annual-fee business cards tend to make the list of “favorite cards” while not offering a welcome bonus. However, that's not the case right now. Both The American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card and The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express are offering welcome bonuses to new applicants right now, so let's take a look at what they are and the key features of these cards that make us like them so much.
Blue Business Plus
- Earn 15,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $3,000 in eligible purchases on the Card within your first 3 months of Card Membership.
- 0.0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months from the date of account opening, then a variable rate, 17.49% - 27.49%, based on your creditworthiness and other factors at account opening. APR will not exceed 29.99%
- Earn 2X points on everyday business purchases such as office supplies or client dinners. 2X applies to the first $50,000 in purchases per year, 1 point per dollar thereafter. Terms and limitations apply.
- You've got the power to spend beyond your credit limit* with Expanded Buying Power. *The amount you can spend above your credit limit is flexible, so it adapts with your use of the Card, your payment history, credit record, financial resources known to us, and other factors. Just remember, the amount you can spend with Expanded Buying Power is not unlimited.
- No Annual Fee
- Terms Apply.
- Rates & Fees
- Earn 2X points on everyday business purchases such as office supplies or client dinners. 2X applies to the first $50,000 in purchases per year, 1 point per dollar thereafter. Terms and limitations apply.
The Blue Business Plus earns transferable American Express Membership Rewards points, which is fantastic considering other banks require you to hold a card with an annual fee to access points transfers. Here, you can utilize Amex's full range of hotel and airline partners, even though this card has no annual fee (Rates & Fees).
While you won't get high bonus-earning categories or luxurious perks, you will get one of the best cards for everyday spending. Earn 2X points on everyday business purchases such as office supplies or client dinners. 2X applies to the first $50,000 in purchases per year, 1 point per dollar thereafter. Terms and limitations apply. This makes it a great complement to other credit cards in your wallet, helping you earn at least 2X on your purchases throughout the year.
Blue Business Cash
- Earn a $250 statement credit after you make $3,000 in purchases on your Card in your first 3 months.
- 0.0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months from the date of account opening, then a variable rate, 17.49% - 27.49%, based on your creditworthiness and other factors as determined at the time of account opening. APRs will not exceed 29.99%
- Earn 2% cash back on all eligible purchases on up to $50,000 per calendar year, then 1%. Cash back earned is automatically credited to your statement.
- From workflow to inventory to floor plans, your business is constantly changing. That's why you've got the power to spend beyond your credit limit with Expanded Buying Power.
- The amount you can spend above your credit limit is flexible, so it adapts with your use of the Card, your payment history, credit record, financial resources known to us, and other factors. Just remember, the amount you can spend with Expanded Buying Power is not unlimited.
- No Annual Fee
- Terms Apply
- Rates & Fees
- Earn 2% cash back on all eligible purchases on up to $50,000 per calendar year, then 1%. Cash back earned is automatically credited to your statement.
The Blue Business Cash is the cash-back sibling of the Blue Business Plus, and it also has no annual fee (Rates & Fees).
You'll earn at the same rates and with the same annual cap, as well. Earn 2% cash back on all eligible purchases on up to $50,000 per calendar year, then 1%. Cash back earned is automatically credited to your statement.
Thus, this is one of the best credit cards for everyday spending if you want to earn cash back.
Why We Love These Cards
It's rare to find such high-quality earnings on a card without an annual fee. And that makes these cards ideal in two situations.
First, they're ideal for small business owners who don't want to fool with complicated earning structures like “3x on this, 2x on that.” Instead, the cards offer a flat earning structure where you know what you're earning on all purchases — up to the $50,000 annual limit. That makes these great cards for business owners who spend under $50k per year on their cards and want to earn a nice rate of return on purchases in every spending category.
Second, these are great cards to pair with other rewards credit cards. Most cards include some type of “1x on other purchases” for spending outside the available bonus categories. By adding the Blue Business Cash or Blue Business Plus to your wallet, you'll increase your earnings on the “other” purchases your business makes. This can add hundreds or thousands of dollars of extra rewards to your bottom line each year.
Are You Eligible for the Welcome Bonus?
Before you rush off to apply, American Express has a few rules you should know about:
- A “once per lifetime” rule means you typically can't receive the bonus on any Amex card if you've had that card previously.
- Amex doesn't tend to approve the same person for more than two credit cards in a 90-day period.
- You can't have more than five Amex credit cards at the same time.
Related: Understanding Rewards Credit Card Application Rules and Restrictions
Bottom Line
The Blue Business Cash and Blue Business Plus don't often carry welcome bonuses for new applicants, but they still feature in our “best cards” lists regardless. The allure of these cards is even higher right now, thanks to these infrequent welcome bonuses. Whether you're looking for cash back or transferable points, one of these could be a great card for your business.
And before you think you aren't eligible for these small-business credit cards, understand that being a freelancer, contractor, or online reseller counts as a business. You may be eligible for these cards and their welcome bonus offers.
Related: How To Get a Business Credit Card in 3 Steps
For rates and fees of the cards mentioned in this post, please visit the following links: The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express (Rates & Fees), and The American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card (Rates & Fees)
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