New Amex OPEN Credit Card Offers Big Rewards For Small Businesses
The new Blue Business Plus Credit Card from American Express is designed to give small business owners rewards and tools to help them build their businesses, including double points on the first $50,000 they spend each calendar year, a low introductory APR on purchases and balance transfers, and no annual fee.
Audrey Hendley, senior vice president of global products with American Express Global Commercial Payments, said Blue Business Plus is “the only no-annual-fee small business credit card from a major issuer that offers [two points per dollar spent] with no category restrictions, so small business owners can be confident they are making the smart choice for their business.”
After the first $50,000 spent, cardholders earn one point per dollar spent, with no rotating categories or purchase category restrictions. Points can be redeemed for travel, statement credits, gift cards, or merchandise. They can also transfer points to a participating airline or hotel loyalty program. “With so many different ways to redeem Membership Rewards Points, purchases with Blue Business Plus can become an investment toward future growth,” said Hendley.
Perks of the Blue Business Plus Credit Card
To help out small business owners, who are often worried about cash flow, Amex OPEN made this new card specifically to address their chief concerns. A 2017 survey from American Express showed that more than a third of small business owners were stressed about cash flow over the coming six months.
A zero percent introductory APR for the first 15 months they have the card allows business owners to make purchases without worrying about accruing interest. After the promotional APR expires, the ongoing APR will be 11.99% – 19.99%, depending on creditworthiness and other factors. But the initial no-interest period should ease the cash flow crunch for a while, letting business owners plan ahead and have more options in the short term.
And no annual fee means there is no charge to have the card, or to use it; most business credit cards, especially rewards cards, do charge an annual fee, so this makes the Blue Business Plus Card stand out from the crowd.
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