The Blue Business Plus Credit Card from American Express Review

The Blue Business Plus Credit Card from American Express Review

Small business owners have a lot on their plate, and one thing that can make their lives easier is having access to flexible credit. With the Blue Business Plus Credit Card, you can enjoy Expanded Buying Power, which provides you with a flexible credit limit (terms apply). Additionally, the card offers an introductory APR offer on new purchases, making financing more manageable. But that’s not all – you can also earn 2X points on eligible everyday purchases up to $50,000 annually and 1X points after. As a special bonus, new cardholders can earn 15,000 Membership Rewards points after spending $3,000 in eligible purchases within the first three months. With so many perks and benefits, the Business Credit Card is the perfect financial tool for any small business owner. In this article, we’ll delve into the comprehensive The Blue Business Plus Credit Card from American Express and talk about its benefits, features, all kinds of rates and fees and comparisons with other similar credit cards.

Let’s start with quick highlights!

Quick Highlights

•  Earn 15,000 Membership Rewards® points after spending $3,000 in purchases within the first three months.
•  Enjoy a 0.0% introductory APR on purchases for the first 12 months, followed by a variable APR between 18.49% and 26.49%.
• Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on everyday business purchases like office supplies and client dinners (up to $50,000 annually, then 1X point per dollar).
• You can go beyond your credit limit with American Express’s approval (based on your financial profile and usage history).
•  Enjoy all these benefits without an annual fee.
•  Terms and conditions apply.

Benefits

• Extended Warranty: With an Extended Warranty, you have the option to extend the terms of the Original Manufacturer’s Warranty for up to an additional year. This benefit applies to warranties of 5 years or less on Covered Purchases made in the United States or its territories and possessions.
• Purchase Protection: As an American Express Card Member, you also have access to Purchase Protection. If you use your Eligible Card to make a Covered Purchase, this benefit can help protect your purchase for up to 90 days from the date of purchase in case it is stolen or accidentally damaged. This coverage is limited to $1,000 per occurrence and up to $50,000 per Card Member account per calendar year.
• Dispute Resolution: If you ever encounter a fraudulent or incorrect charge on your statement, American Express will work with you to help resolve the issue. With this benefit, you can shop with confidence, knowing that any issues with your purchases will be handled in a timely and efficient manner.
• Amex Offers: Add Amex Offers to your eligible Card right from the American Express® App and start earning rewards on qualifying purchases. Whether you’re shopping in-store or online, these offers provide you with even more value for your money.
• Expanded Buying Power: With Expanded Buying Power, you have the flexibility to spend beyond your credit limit when your business needs it. While the amount you can spend above your credit limit isn’t unlimited, it adjusts based on factors such as your use of the Card, payment history, credit record, and financial resources known to American Express. This feature can help you get things done for your business without worrying about hitting a spending limit.

 Additional Benefits

• Intro APR Offer: Enjoy 0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months from the date of account opening (then a variable APR of 18.49%–26.49%).
• Expanded Buying Power: The Blue Business Plus card offers the ability to occasionally spend beyond your credit limit, which can be helpful for a business that needs to make an emergency purchase or buy more inventory than usual.
• No Extra Charge for Employee Cards: You can add up to 99 employee cards to your account, all for no additional fee.

Rates and Fee

• Annual/Membership Fee: No annual fee
• Balance Transfer Fee: if eligible, either $5 or 3% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater.
• Foreign Transaction Fee: 2.7% of each transaction after conversion to US dollars.
• Late Payment Fee: Up to $39
• Over Limit Fee: None
• Returned Payment Fee: $39
• Intro Purchase APR: 0% on purchases for 12 months from the date of account opening
• Regular APR: 18.49% – 26.49% Variable
• Intro Balance Transfers APR: N/A

Rewards

Earn 2X Membership Rewards 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.

How to redeem Amex Blue Business Membership Rewards points

Membership Rewards points from your Blue Business plus Card offer redemption flexibility. Transferring points to Amex’s airline and hotel partners (nearly 20 airlines and three hotels) often yields more value than using them directly through Amex Travel (where 1 point = 1 cent). Imagine a $359.29 flight – redeeming points directly requires 35,929 points, but transferring to a partner airline could significantly reduce the points needed. Explore all your options to maximize the value of your rewards!

Applying for the Amex Blue Business plus Card: Eligibility and Approval Process

The Amex Blue Business plus Card offers a compelling rewards program and benefits for small business owners. However, before applying, it’s important to understand the eligibility criteria and approval process.

Eligibility Criteria:

While American Express doesn’t publicly disclose specific income requirements, applicants should have a good to excellent credit history (generally a score of 700 or higher) and a healthy business running for some time.

Recommended Credit Score

Applicants need a Good to Excellent Credit Score (FICO 670-850) for approval.

Approval Process:

The application process for the Amex Blue Business plus Card is straightforward and can be completed online. Once submitted, American Express will review your application based on various factors, including:

• Credit history and score
• Business financials (if applicable)
• Past relationship with American Express (if any)

Amex Blue Business Plus Card: Customer Service and Support

The Amex Blue Business Plus Card goes beyond rewards, offering valuable customer service features to support your business needs:

• Relationship Care® Service: When you become an American Express Business® Card Member, you can receive our special brand of Relationship Care® service. This includes access to 24/7 customer service, with trained professionals who understand the needs of small business owners and can provide business-savvy support. Simply call the number on the back of your Card for assistance.
• Global Assist® Hotline: For travelers, our Global Assist® Hotline‡ is available 24/7 for emergency assistance and coordination services when traveling more than 100 miles from home. This includes medical and legal referrals, emergency cash wires, and missing luggage assistance. Please note that Card Members are responsible for any costs charged by third-party service providers. Additional terms and conditions apply.
• Car Rental Loss and Damage Insurance: As a Card Member, you can be covered for Damage to or Theft of a Rental Vehicle in a Covered Territory when using your Eligible Card to reserve and pay for the Entire Rental while declining the collision damage waiver (CDW) at the rental company counter. However, please be aware that this coverage may not apply to all vehicle types or rentals, and it is not available for vehicles rented in Australia, Italy, and New Zealand.

• Helpline Number: 1-800-528-2122

• Official Website:  American Express

Final Thoughts

The Amex Blue Business® Plus Credit Card caters specifically to small business owners seeking a rewards program that complements their everyday business expenses. It offers a compelling combination of benefits, including 2X points on everyday business purchases (up to $50,000 annually), purchase protection, extended warranty on covered purchases, and no annual fee. Additionally, card members gain access to 24/7 Relationship Care® service from business-savvy representatives and the Global Assist® Hotline for emergencies when traveling. While the card lacks some perks found on premium business cards, the valuable rewards program, combined with no annual fee, makes it a strong contender for small businesses looking to maximize their return on everyday spending. Remember to consider your business’s spending habits and travel needs to determine if the Amex Blue Business® Plus Credit Card is the right fit for you.

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