April 9, 2024

American Express Blue Business Cash Card requirements in 2025

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If you're considering a credit card for your business, understanding the requirements and features is crucial. This article explores the American Express Blue Business Plus Credit Card, offering you a clear overview of what to expect in terms of eligibility, benefits, and limitations.

If you're looking to expand your purchasing power, manage cash flow, or earn rewards, knowing these details will help you make informed decisions tailored to your business needs.

Eligibility criteria for the American Express blue business plus credit card

To apply for the American Express Blue Business Plus Credit Card, you should have a credit score of 670 or above. This ensures a higher likelihood of approval and the ability to fully take advantage of the card's features.

When preparing your application, you'll need to gather several documents to verify both your personal and business details:

  1. A government-issued ID such as a driver's license or passport.
  2. Documents such as business registration certificates or articles of incorporation.
  3. Recent financial statements or tax returns to demonstrate your business's financial health.
  4. Personal and business bank statements from the last few months are also required.

Having these documents ready and meeting the credit score requirement will streamline the application process and improve your chances of qualifying for this credit card.

American Express Blue Business Plus Credit Card overview

The American Express Blue Business Plus Credit Card is a no-annual-fee business credit card that offers a simple rewards points structure for small business owners. This card lets you earn Membership Rewards points on your everyday business purchases.

Key features

  • Earning rate: Earn 2X Membership Rewards points on the first $50,000 in purchases per year, then 1 point per dollar after that.
  • Welcome offer: Earn 15,000 Membership Rewards points after spending $3,000 in eligible purchases within the first 3 months of card membership.
  • Intro APR: 0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months from the account opening date, then a variable APR of 18.49% - 26.49% (APR won't exceed 29.99%).
  • Expanded buying power: Spend above your credit limit with adjustable buying power based on factors such as your payment history and credit record.
  • Employee cards: Add up to 99 employee cards at no additional cost.

Pros

  • No annual fee, making it an affordable option for small businesses.
  • Straightforward rewards structure.
  • Access to valuable American Express Membership Rewards points, which can be transferred to various airline and hotel partners.
  • Introductory 0% APR on purchases for 12 months.

Cons

  • The 2X points earning rate is capped at $50,000 in annual purchases, which may not be sufficient for businesses with higher spending.
  • Charges a 2.7% foreign transaction fee, making it less suitable for businesses with frequent international expenses.
  • Limited welcome offer compared to other business credit cards.

American Express Blue Business Plus VS Chase Ink Business Preferred VS Ramp Corporate Card

Feature

Amex Blue Business Plus

Chase Ink Business Preferred

Ramp Corporate Card

Annual Fee

No annual fee

$95

No annual fee

Foreign Transaction Fee

2.7%

No foreign transaction fees

No foreign transaction fees

Credit Limit

Varies based on creditworthiness

$5,000 - $25,000+

Up to 30 times higher than traditional cards

Rewards Earning Rate

2X points on first $50,000/year, 1X thereafter

3X points on first $150,000/year on select categories, 1X thereafter

Cashback rewards on purchases

Employee Cards

Up to 99 at no additional cost

Unlimited free employee cards

Unlimited free physical and virtual employee cards

Special Features

Expanded buying power, Amex Offers

Cell phone protection, purchase protection, travel insurance

Customizable spending controls, advanced expense management, no personal credit checks

Credit Score Requirement

670+

670+

No personal credit checks; sales-based underwriting

Consider Ramp as an alternative

Ramp stands out for several reasons, especially if you're looking for flexibility and control over your business expenses:

  • Higher credit limits: Ramp offers up to 30 times higher credit limits than traditional cards, providing significant spending power for your business.
  • No personal credit checks: With Ramp, your credit score remains unaffected as no personal credit checks are involved.
  • Advanced expense management: Ramp's platform includes automated expense management, customizable spending controls, and integrations with accounting software, simplifying your expense tracking and reporting processes.
  • No fees: Ramp has no annual fees or foreign transaction fees, helping you save more on operational costs.
  • Cashback rewards: Earn cashback on purchases, offering straightforward and valuable rewards for your business spending.
  • Customizable virtual cards: Create custom virtual cards with specific permissions for different teams or purposes, enhancing control over your business expenses.

Ramp offers tailored solutions to meet the demands of modern business operations. Discover more about how Ramp Credit Card can help your business manage its cash flow.

Try Ramp for free

Cashback rates, limits, fees, and other card details mentioned in this article are for illustrative purposes only. They do not represent guaranteed or expected rates. Actual terms and rewards vary by issuer and may change without notice. Always confirm current details directly with the card provider before applying.

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Ali Mercieca•Former Finance Writer and Editor, Ramp
Prior to Ramp, Ali worked with Robinhood on the editorial strategy for their financial literacy articles and with Nearside, an online banking platform, overseeing their banking and finance blog. Ali holds a B.A. in Psychology and Philosophy from York University and can be found writing about editorial content strategy and SEO on her Substack.
Ramp is dedicated to helping businesses of all sizes make informed decisions. We adhere to strict editorial guidelines to ensure that our content meets and maintains our high standards.

FAQs

You need a credit score of 670 or above to qualify for the American Express Blue Business Plus Credit Card. You'll also need to provide business registration documents, recent financial statements, and personal and business bank statements to verify your eligibility during the application process.

You earn 2X Membership Rewards points on the first $50,000 in purchases per year, then 1 point per dollar thereafter. The card also offers a welcome bonus of 15,000 points after spending $3,000 in the first 3 months, with no annual fee.

Yes, the card charges a 2.7% foreign transaction fee on international purchases. This makes it less suitable for businesses that frequently make international transactions compared to cards that waive these fees entirely.

Traditional cards like the Amex Blue Business Plus require personal credit checks and have spending caps on rewards, while modern alternatives like Ramp offer no personal credit checks, unlimited cashback rates, and advanced expense management features.

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