The Amex Blue Business Cash Card and the Amex Blue Business Plus Card share nearly identical earn structures - both earn at 2% on the first $50,000 in eligible purchases per calendar year, then 1% - with no annual fee. The single material difference is the rewards currency: cash back vs. Membership Rewards points.
Side-by-side comparison
| Feature | Blue Business Cash | Blue Business Plus |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | $0 | $0 |
| Earn rate | 2% (first $50k/yr), 1% after | 2x MR pts (first $50k/yr), 1x after |
| Rewards type | Statement credit (auto-applied) | Transferable Membership Rewards points |
| Transfer partners | None | 20+ airline and hotel programs |
| Network | American Express | American Express |
| Foreign transaction fee | None | None |
| Expanded Buying Power | Yes | Yes |
Rewards currency: cash back vs. Membership Rewards
The Blue Business Cash returns 2 cents per dollar (as a statement credit) automatically on eligible purchases up to $50,000. No redemption action is required - the credit applies to the statement.
The Blue Business Plus earns 2 Membership Rewards points per dollar on the same $50,000 cap. Points do not auto-redeem. They accumulate and can be:
- Transferred to airline partners (Air Canada Aeroplan, British Airways, Delta, Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer, and others) for flight awards
- Transferred to hotel partners (Marriott Bonvoy, Hilton Honors)
- Redeemed through Amex Travel at 1 cent per point
- Redeemed for statement credits at less favorable rates (typically 0.6 cents per point)
When transferred to airline partners for premium cabin awards, Membership Rewards points have historically been valued at 1.5+ cents per point by frequent flyers - making 2x MR points on the Blue Business Plus worth potentially more than the 2-cent flat cash back of the Blue Business Cash.
Which card provides higher effective return
For businesses that value simplicity and predictable returns: Blue Business Cash. At 2% cash back, the math is fixed. No engagement with loyalty programs required.
For businesses comfortable with loyalty program transfers and aiming for premium flights: Blue Business Plus. The 2x MR earn has a higher potential CPP ceiling, but that ceiling requires active redemption management and flexibility on award availability.
The $50,000 cap
Both cards earn at the elevated rate only up to $50,000 in eligible purchases per year. After that threshold, both drop to 1%/1x. Businesses spending more than $50,000 annually on a single card should consider:
- Adding a second card (Blue Business Cash + Blue Business Plus) to double the 2%/2x earning window to a combined $100,000
- Upgrading to an uncapped 2% card (e.g., Wells Fargo Signify or Spark Cash for Business)
Expanded Buying Power
Both cards include Amex’s Expanded Buying Power feature, which allows purchases beyond the assigned credit limit on an occasion-by-occasion basis. The above-limit spend must be repaid in full by the due date. The available above-limit amount varies dynamically and is not a guaranteed fixed extension.
When to hold both
Holding both the Blue Business Cash and Blue Business Plus on the same account produces $100,000 in combined annual earn before the cap threshold drops. Some cardholders use the Blue Business Cash for expenses where cash recovery is the goal (tax payments, vendor invoices) and the Blue Business Plus for travel bookings to accumulate transferable points. This dual-card approach requires no annual fee.
See also: 2% Flat-Rate Business Cards Compared, Amex Business Gold Card Review
