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Blue Business Cash Card from American Express vs IHG One Rewards Traveler

Both are well-respected travel cards. The Blue Business Cash Card from American Express comes from American Express at $0/yr; the IHG One Rewards Traveler from Chase at $0/yr. Below: side-by-side specs, an opinionated verdict, and the FAQs people actually ask before applying.

Bottom line

These cards are close on the fundamentals (similar bonus value, similar fee). The right pick depends on which category you spend the most in and which transfer partners best fit your travel goals.

FeatureBlue Business Cash Card from American ExpressIHG One Rewards Traveler
Annual fee$0$0
Sign-up bonus$250 statement credit80,000 points
Bonus value (est.)$250$480
Min spend to unlock bonus$3,000 in 3 mo$2,000 in 3 mo
IssuerAmerican ExpressChase
Card categorybusinesshotel
Best earning category (All_purchases_first_50k_per_year)2x1x
Transfer partnersNoneNone
Headline benefits
  • 2% cash back up to $50K/yr
  • $0 annual fee
  • 0% intro APR 12 months
  • Auto-credited to statement
  • 4th night free on awards
  • 17x at IHG
  • No annual fee
  • Silver status
Read the full review
Blue Business Cash Card from American Express
$0/yr · $250 statement credit
Read the full review
IHG One Rewards Traveler
$0/yr · 80,000 points

Editorial take: Blue Business Cash Card from American Express

The cash-back twin of the Blue Business Plus. Same 2% catch-all up to $50K/year, but you get automatic statement credit instead of Membership Rewards points. Simpler for businesses that don't want to manage a points balance; less ceiling than the Plus for transfer-partner redemptions.

Editorial take: IHG One Rewards Traveler

The 4th-night-free benefit alone makes this a standout, on a 4-night IHG stay, you're effectively getting 25% off. Stack with transfer bonuses from Chase UR for serious savings.

Common questions

Which card has the bigger sign-up bonus, Blue Business Cash Card from American Express or IHG One Rewards Traveler?
The IHG One Rewards Traveler has the bigger bonus, 80,000 points, worth roughly $480, versus $250 statement credit (~$250) on the Blue Business Cash Card from American Express.
Is the Blue Business Cash Card from American Express's $0 annual fee worth it compared to the IHG One Rewards Traveler?
The Blue Business Cash Card from American Express has no annual fee, so the question is whether the IHG One Rewards Traveler's $0 fee is justified by its perks. If you'll use enough of the IHG One Rewards Traveler's benefits to clear $0 in value annually, it's worth it; otherwise stick with the Blue Business Cash Card from American Express.
Can I have both the Blue Business Cash Card from American Express and IHG One Rewards Traveler?
Yes, since they're from different issuers (American Express and Chase) the application rules don't conflict. Many points enthusiasts hold both, they pair well when one earns flexible bank points and the other earns a different currency.
Should I get the Blue Business Cash Card from American Express or the IHG One Rewards Traveler first?
Get the one whose sign-up bonus you can hit comfortably without overspending. Blue Business Cash Card from American Express: $3,000 spend in 3 months. IHG One Rewards Traveler: $2,000 in 3 months. Pick the easier minimum spend if you're new to points; pick the larger bonus if you have planned big purchases coming up.

Card details on this page reflect the most recent data we've verified against the issuer's own site. Sign-up bonuses and fees can change at any time, confirm the current offer on the issuer's page before applying.