I’ve had the American Express Blue Business Plus for several years now, and it’s still one of the most quietly powerful cards in my wallet. It’s a rare no-annual-fee card that earns full-fledged Membership Rewards points — not cashback or watered-down versions, but the same transferable MR points earned by Amex’s premium cards. Even better, you can add authorized users for free, allowing them to transfer points directly to their own loyalty accounts (subject to the usual program restrictions).
For everyday purchases that don’t earn bonus points — things like insurance premiums, car repairs, or medical expenses — I wanted a card that could still deliver solid rewards. Even earning 1 transferable point per dollar from Amex, Chase, or Citi can often beat a flat 2% cashback card when those points are redeemed with airline or hotel partners. So when a no-annual-fee card came along that earns 2 Membership Rewards® points per dollar on everything, the Blue Business Plus was an easy choice.
We’ve used it for years to build up a healthy balance of Membership Rewards points, and it continues to hold its place in our lineup. These days, most of my non-bonus spending goes toward meeting spending thresholds on other cards, with the rest landing on our Fidelity Rewards Visa for a flat 2% back. But that’s only because I don’t need to stockpile more Amex points at the moment — not because this card has lost its value.
Since the Blue Business Plus is a business card, you’ll need to have a business to apply — but that definition is broader than many people think. A small side gig, freelance work, selling on eBay, or even a hobby with income can qualify. American Express tends to be fairly flexible with approvals compared to some other issuers, and they don’t require you to have a formal business structure or separate tax ID.
American Express Blue Business® Plus
Annual Fee
The Blue Business Plus Credit Card charges no annual fee, which is impressive for a card that earns Membership Rewards points. That means you can keep it long-term to build your Membership Rewards balance without worrying about offsetting a yearly cost.
Sign-Up Bonus
Earn 15,000 Membership Rewards Points after you spend $3,000 in purchases on the Blue Business Plus Credit Card in the first 3 months of Card Membership.
You’ll also receive a 0.0% introductory APR on purchases for the first 12 months from the date of account opening. After that, your APR will be a variable 17.24%–27.24%, based on your creditworthiness and other factors determined at account opening.
Apply through our referral link to access the current offer.
We receive a Membership Rewards referral bonus if you apply through our link.
Spending Bonus Categories
The Blue Business Plus Credit Card earns 2 Membership Rewards®points per dollar on the first $50,000 spent each calendar year, regardless of category. After that, you’ll continue to earn 1 point per dollar on all purchases.
This flat 2X earning structure makes it one of the easiest ways to accumulate Membership Rewards points. You don’t have to worry about remembering which purchases earn bonuses—every swipe counts.
Foreign Transaction Fees
The Blue Business Plus charges a 2.7% fee on each foreign transaction after it is converted to U.S. dollars. Since that adds up quickly, it’s best to leave this card at home when traveling internationally and use a card with no foreign transaction fees instead.
Membership Rewards and Transfer Partners
Points earned with the Blue Business Plus go into your main Membership Rewards account, alongside points from other Amex cards like the Platinum or Gold. That flexibility makes them especially valuable — you can combine balances and use them however you’d like.
While you can redeem Membership Rewards for gift cards or statement credits, the best value usually comes from transferring points to one of Amex’s travel partners. Airline options include Delta SkyMiles, Air Canada Aeroplan, and Air France/KLM Flying Blue. Hotel partners include Hilton Honors, Marriott Bonvoy, and Choice Privileges. For the full list of partners and current transfer ratios, visit the Amex Membership Rewards site.
I’ve used Membership Rewards to help book several high-value trips, including our trip to Australia and Japan, business class lights to Germany on Singapore Airlines, and even the best award flight I’ve ever booked (for someone else).
Final Thoughts
If you qualify for a business card, the Blue Business Plus is one of the most useful long-term tools for earning Membership Rewards points. With no annual fee, a straightforward 2X earning structure, and the ability to transfer points to valuable travel partners, it easily holds its place even among premium Amex cards.
American Express is also relatively flexible when it comes to approving business cards — even side gigs, freelance work, or small online sales can make you eligible. Compared to other issuers, Amex typically doesn’t require complex documentation or a formal business setup.
While there’s rarely a huge welcome bonus, this is a card you’ll keep not for the sign-up offer, but for the everyday value it provides year after year. I still consider it one of the best “quiet performers” in my collection — the kind of card that just keeps earning in the background without costing a thing.
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