Amex Blue Business Cash Card 2026 review: $0 annual fee, 2% cash-back
Written byKatherine Fan
Reviewed by Robin Saks Frankel
Summary
- The American Express Blue Business Cash card is a no-annual-fee business credit card that earns 2% cash back per dollar on the first $50,000 in eligible purchases each calendar year, then 1%.
- Earnings on the card are automatically applied as a statement credit, making it easy to offset your expenses as you go.
- Its simple rewards structure and lack of an annual fee make it Nav’s top pick for a business cash-back credit card.
- Learn more in our detailed review of the Amex Blue Business Cash card.
The American Express Blue Business Cash® Card is a strong choice for businesses seeking a single credit card and simple rewards for all purchases, especially if your company typically spends less than $50,000 yearly. It's Nav's top pick for a cash-back business credit card, earning 5 out of 5 stars in our ranking.
The American Express Blue Business Cash® Card at a glance
Annual fee | $0 |
Rewards rate | Earn 2% cash back on all eligible purchases on the first $50,000 of purchases each calendar year, 1% thereafter. |
Welcome offer | Earn a $250 statement credit after you make $3,000 in purchases on your Card in your first 3 months. |
Intro APR | 0% on purchases for 12 months from date of account opening |
Regular APR | 16.74% - 28.49% Variable |
Foreign transaction fee | 2.7% of each transaction after conversion to US dollars. |
Recommended credit | Good to excellent personal credit |
The American Express Blue Business Cash® Card pros and cons
Who is The American Express Blue Business Cash® Card best for?
The American Express Blue Business Cash® Cardis best for business owners who want to earn straightforward cash back instead of juggling bonus categories and variable earning rates.
This card is a great fit if you:
- Spend less than $50,000 a year on business purchases
- Want to earn 2% cash back on all purchases
- Can benefit from a 0% intro APR period
- Want to issue free employee cards
- Prefer earning automatic statement credits instead of manually redeeming rewards
The is less compelling if your business regularly spends well over $50,000 on a card each year, since purchases beyond that threshold only earn 1% cash back. The card is also a poor choice for businesses that regularly make international purchases, since you’ll pay a foreign transaction fee with each purchase.
How rewards work with The American Express Blue Business Cash® Card
The American Express Blue Business Cash® Card offers one of the simplest rewards structures you can find in a business credit card: A flat 2% cash back on the first eligible $50,000 spent yearly, with no bonus categories to track.
If you spend exactly $50,000 on the card each year, you’ll earn $1,000 in cash back annually. Amex automatically credits your cash back toward your statement balance so you don't have to manually redeem rewards.
How to maximize rewards from The American Express Blue Business Cash® Card
The best way to maximize The American Express Blue Business Cash® Card’s earning potential is to use it for all business purchases up until the $50,000 annual cap. Once you’ve reached the spending limit, consider switching to a different business credit card with better earning rates, since 1% cash back is a poor rate of return.
The American Express Blue Business Cash® Card welcome offer
Earn a $250 statement credit after you make $3,000 in purchases on your Card in your first 3 months.
The American Express Blue Business Cash® Card intro APR and financing
New Amex Blue Business Cash cardholders also get a 0% on purchases for 12 months from date of account opening, then a 16.74% - 28.49% Variable applies. This period of zero interest can help you pay off large purchases over time without incurring additional expense. Common business uses include paying for bulk inventory orders, financing expensive equipment or services, or paying for large unexpected repairs.
The American Express Blue Business Cash® Card benefits and perks
The American Express Blue Business Cash® Card doesn't offer extensive benefits like a premium business card would, but it does offer several useful features that can benefit your company.
Expanded Buying Power
Amex offers a benefit called Expanded Buying Power, which allows eligible cardholders to spend beyond their stated credit limit. The amount isn't unlimited or fixed; instead, your expanded buying capacity varies based on factors such as your spending and payment history, credit record and financial resources.
The built-in Check Spending Power feature allows you to see whether your large purchase will be approved before you buy. This can be useful if your business occasionally has a larger expense that exceeds its normal credit limit, although Expanded Buying Power shouldn't be treated like a permanent increase to your credit line.
Free employee cards
The American Express Blue Business Cash® Card cardholders can add up to 99 employee cards without incurring annual fees. For small businesses with several employees who make purchasing decisions, offering employee cards can be more convenient than processing employee expense reports.
Your Amex business card dashboard includes spending controls, alerts and summary reports that help you monitor employee expenses.
Purchase protection
Amex also offers a purchase protection guarantee that covers eligible purchases against accidental damage or theft for up to 90 days. This can save you a lot of money if a piece of work equipment is stolen soon after you buy it, for example. Coverage limits and exclusions apply, so read the fine print before relying on a protection for a major purchase.
What is The American Express Blue Business Cash® Card credit limit?
American Express does not publish a minimum credit limit for The American Express Blue Business Cash® Card. Instead, every applicant’s credit limit varies based on individual factors.
While your Amex Blue Business Cash card will have a credit limit, the Expanded Buying Power benefit mentioned above can help you make certain purchases above that amount on a one-off basis.
Your Expanded Buying Power varies based on your payment history, credit record, financial resources and use of the card. Don’t forget to check your spending power through your American Express account before making a large purchase.
Also remember that spending above your stated credit limit doesn't mean you've received a free extension of your normal borrowing capacity; balances beyond your credit limit are still subject to your card’s repayment terms.
The American Express Blue Business Cash® Card approval requirements
Card approvals are based on many individual factors, although chances are high that you’ll need good to excellent credit to be approved for The American Express Blue Business Cash® Card.
Your business doesn't necessarily need years of operating history to qualify for a business credit card. Sole proprietors and newer businesses may also be eligible, although approval depends on Amex’s underwriting criteria.
If approved, your business card credit limit will likely be determined by your personal credit score in addition to your business finances. If you aren’t sure if your company and personal credit profiles are strong enough for approval, you can review Nav's guidance on what is a good business credit score before applying.
The American Express Blue Business Cash® Card fees
The American Express Blue Business Cash® Card has no annual fee, which is one of its biggest advantages for small businesses.
Foreign transaction fee
The foreign transaction fee on the card is 2.7% of each transaction after conversion to US dollars.. This makes the Amex Blue Business Cash a less-than-ideal fit for business owners who regularly purchase inventory from foreign suppliers, pay overseas contractors, travel internationally for business, or make other frequent purchases in foreign currencies.
Additional fees
Like most other credit cards, the Amex Blue Business Cash also charges late fees and returned-payment fees of up to $39 under the current cardmember agreement.
The American Express Blue Business Cash® Card vs. The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express
The American Express Blue Business Cash® Card and credit cards are closely related business cards. Their primary difference lies in the rewards they earn: The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express earns Amex Membership Rewards points while The American Express Blue Business Cash® Card earns cash back.
Features | The American Express Blue Business Cash® Card | The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express |
Annual fee | $0 | $0 |
Rewards | Earn 2% cash back on all eligible purchases on the first $50,000 of purchases each calendar year, 1% thereafter. | 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. |
Earning format | Cash back as a statement credit | American Express Membership Rewards points |
Foreign transaction fee | 2.7% of each transaction after conversion to US dollars. | 2.7% of each transaction after conversion to US dollars. |
Best for: | Business owners who prefer earning straightforward cash back | Entrepreneurs who value redeeming Amex points for travel |
The American Express Blue Business Cash® Card is simplest if you want rewards that function like a discount on your business expenses. Cash back automatically credits to your statement so you never need to think about redeeming what you’ve earned.
The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express makes more sense if you understand the value of American Express Membership Rewards points, particularly for travel. Amex Membership Rewards points can potentially offer more value than 2% cash back, but only if you redeem them effectively for things like transferring to airline travel partners.
If you're primarily interested in cash back, choose the Blue Business Cash. If you're comfortable managing a transferable-points program and can get more value from travel redemptions, compare the two cards more closely before deciding.
The American Express Blue Business Cash® Card alternatives
The American Express Blue Business Cash® Card is a great fit for straightforward business spending, but it isn't always the best choice for every business. Here are three other business credit cards you should consider if you need different benefits.
For flat-rate 2% cash back with no annual spending cap
If your company regularly spends well over $50,000 per year on a credit card, the would likely be a better fit. The Signify Business Cash card also comes with $0 annual fee and 12 months of 0% intro APR, but with an ongoing unlimited 2% cash-back return rate without a spending cap.
Elevated rewards on bonus categories
If your company regularly spends heavily across a few business categories, the Bank of America® Business Advantage Customized Cash Rewards Mastercard® credit card is a better choice for you.
No foreign transaction fees
If you regularly travel internationally or do business with foreign suppliers and clients, you’ll want a business credit card that doesn’t charge foreign transaction fees. Capital One business credit cards don’t charge foreign transaction fees, so either the no-annual-fee Spark 1.5% Cash Select or the Spark 2% Cash ($0 annual fee the first year, then $95) can be a good fit for you.
The Spark 1.5% Cash Select earns slightly less per dollar spent, but is a better fit for business owners who want to avoid credit card annual fees at all cost. If you’re willing to pay a low fee to earn 2% cash back with no foreign transaction fees, the Spark 2% Cash is a great choice.
Is The American Express Blue Business Cash® Card worth it?
Yes, The American Express Blue Business Cash® Card is worth it for businesses that want a single credit card for simple cash back, spend less than $50,000 a year on the card, and can take advantage of the 0% intro APR.
The combination of 2% cash back, a $0 annual fee and 0% on purchases for 12 months from date of account opening makes this card particularly appealing for smaller businesses with uncomplicated spending.
For a business spending $20,000 or $30,000 annually on a card, the 2% cash-back rate can be very competitive because you can earn the full annual reward without paying an annual fee.
When is The American Express Blue Business Cash® Card not worth it?
The American Express Blue Business Cash® Card may not be worth using as your primary business card if:
- Your annual card spending is significantly above $50,000
- You regularly make international purchases
- You want travel points rather than cash back
- You want your rewards deposited directly into a business bank account
- Your spending is concentrated in categories where another card offers substantially higher rewards
The American Express Blue Business Cash® Card is hard to justify if your business consistently exceeds the $50,000 annual spending threshold. Beyond that point, purchases earn only 1% cash back, so a different card would be more valuable for you. This card also isn’t a good fit for businesses with substantial international expenses because of the 2.7% foreign transaction fee.
How to apply for The American Express Blue Business Cash® Card
You can apply for the card online. The application page will ask for information about you and your business, including identifying information and business details. Before applying, have your business information available and make sure the information you provide accurately reflects your business.
You should be able to check if you’re approved for the card before you authorize a hard credit pull. If you're concerned about your chances of approval, first review your credit profile, and use Nav's funding readiness tools to see if you're likely to qualify.
Nav is not a lender or a credit bureau. Credit information is provided by third-party sources.
