American Express Blue Business Cash review: Keep it simple with this cash-back card

Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more.

The American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card is a top-notch cash-back business card — especially if you've just started your new business, thanks to a intro APR period on new purchases (for new cardholders) and a simple rewards system that lets you focus on running your company.

Below, CNBC Select reviews the Blue Business Cash card, looking at the rewards program, benefits and alternatives, so you can decide if it's the best card for your small business or side hustle.

New Blue Business Cash cardholders can earn a $250 statement credit after spending $3,000 in purchases on the card in the first three months.

The two standout benefits of the Blue Business Cash card are its 0% intro APR period and its Expanded Buying Power feature (which lets you go over your credit limit in certain situations).

New cardholders are eligible for a 0% intro APR on purchases for the first 12 months from the date of account opening, then a variable 16.74% - 28.49% APR applies (APR will not exceed 29.99%; see rates and fees).

The Expanded Buying Power (which also comes with several other Amex business cards) lets you spend over your credit limit without incurring any fees, penalties or interest — provided you pay off this extra spending in full at the end of the billing cycle, along with whatever minimum payment is due. The amount you can spend above your credit limit is flexible, so it adapts with your use of the Card, your payment history, credit record, financial resources known to American Express, and other factors. Just remember, the amount you can spend with Expanded Buying Power is not unlimited.

Other features include purchase protection* and extended warranty protection** for eligible items. With these benefits, an original manufacturer's warranty can be extended for up to one year, and eligible items are covered for 90 days against accidental damage and theft (up to $1,000 per occurrence and $50,000 per calendar year). Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.

Cardholders also get theft and damage insurance for rental cars***, but only if you waive the rental company's insurance.

* Applies to warranties of five years or less. Coverage is up to the actual amount charged to your Card for the item up to a maximum of $10,000; not to exceed $50,000 per Card Member account per calendar year

** Purchase Protection is an embedded benefit of your Card Membership and requires no enrollment. It can help protect Covered Purchases made on your Eligible Card when they're accidentally damaged, stolen, or lost, for up to 90 days from the Covered Purchase date. The coverage is limited up to $10,000 per occurrence, up to $50,000 per Card Member account per calendar year. Coverage Limits Apply.

*** Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company. Car Rental Loss or Damage Coverage is offered through American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc.

Earning

The cash-back rates provided by the Blue Business Cash card are generous and straightforward. You'll earn:

• 2% back on up to $50,000 in eligible purchases each calendar year (then 1% back)
• 1% back on all other purchases

Redeeming

The rewards you earn with the Blue Business Cash are automatically applied to your account as a statement credit. So you'll never have to decide how to use your cash back or worry about expiring rewards.

The Blue Business Cash card has no annual fee*. The fee for late payments is up to $39* and returned payments are charged up to a $39 fee*. When you make transactions in a foreign currency, there is a 2.7% foreign transaction fee*.

*See rates and fees

Amex Blue Business Cash vs. The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express

The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express and Blue Business Cash are extremely similar business cards with one major exception — the Blue Business Cash is a cash-back card and the Blue Business Plus earns travel rewards.

This card earns American Express Membership Rewards points, which you can redeem in several ways including transferring them to 20+ hotel and airline loyalty programs. It earns 2X points on up to $50,000 per calendar year in eligible purchases, then 1X points on all purchases after that. Terms and limitations apply.

While the Blue Business Plus has a more complicated rewards system, it also provides much more value if you use it right. By maxing out the 2X bonus category each year, you'd earn 100,000 Amex points or $1,000 in statement credits depending on which card you have. With 100,000 Amex points, you can book travel worth several thousand dollars, including business class awards with partners such as Iberia, ANA and Avianca.

Amex Blue Business Cash vs. Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card

The Chase Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card earns a minimum of 1.5% cash back on all purchases (see rates and fees). This is 0.5% less than the highest rate of return you'll earn with the Blue Business Cash but the Ink Business Unlimited has no cap on the 1.5% cash-back rate.

Once you pass the $50,000 spending threshold for the Blue Business Cash, the Ink Business Unlimited earns 50% more rewards (1% back vs. 1.5% back). This means if your business has $100,000 a year in credit card expenses, both of these cards would earn $1,500 cash back. If you expect to spend more than that on a business card, the Ink Business Unlimited becomes more valuable. It also earns 5% back on Lyft rides (through Sept. 31, 2027) and has a large welcome bonus offer. If you have a growing business, the Ink Business Unlimited can be more valuable.

The Blue Business Cash is an all-around excellent business cash-back card. It has no annual fee (see rates and fees) and provides an above-average return on the first $50,000 in spending each year. It also has an automatic redemption for your rewards, so you can spend your time on what matters most to your business instead of navigating a complicated rewards program.

However, as your business grows and its expenses increase, there's a point where you'll be able to earn more rewards with a business card that has uncapped bonus cash back. Also, business owners who want to use credit card rewards for travel can receive better value with a card that earns transferrable travel rewards.

At CNBC Select, our mission is to provide our readers with high-quality service journalism and comprehensive consumer advice so they can make informed decisions with their money. Every credit card review is based on rigorous reporting by our team of expert writers and editors with extensive knowledge of credit card products. While CNBC Select earns a commission from affiliate partners on many offers and links, we create all our content without input from our commercial team or any outside third parties, and we pride ourselves on our journalistic standards and ethics.

Catch up on CNBC Select's in-depth coverage of credit cards, banking and money, and follow us on TikTok, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter to stay up to date.

Enter to win an iPad from CNBC Select. We're giving away an iPad to one lucky winner who fills out our survey about personal finance interests and habits. (NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Void where prohibited. Legal residents of the 50 US or DC who are 18 or older. Ends 5/8/24. Limit 1 entry per person. Sponsors: CNBC Select and NBCUniversal Media, LLC.)

For rates and fees of the American Express Blue Business Cash Card, click here.

For rates and fees of the Blue Business Plus, click here.