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Side-by-side

Blue Business Plus from Amex vs American Express Schwab Investor Card

Both are well-respected travel cards. The Blue Business Plus from Amex comes from American Express at $0/yr; the American Express Schwab Investor Card from American Express 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 Plus from AmexAmerican Express Schwab Investor Card
Annual fee$0$0
Sign-up bonus15,000 Membership Rewards points10,000 Membership Rewards points
Bonus value (est.)$270$110
Min spend to unlock bonus$3,000 in 3 mo$1,000 in 6 mo
IssuerAmerican ExpressAmerican Express
Card categorybusinesstravel
Best earning category (All_purchases_first_50k_per_year)2x1x
Transfer partnersamex-mramex-mr
Headline benefits
  • 2x MR on all purchases up to $50k/yr
  • $0 annual fee
  • 0% intro APR 12 months
  • Pairs with Amex Gold/Plat for transfers
  • 1.5X MR on everything
  • $0 annual fee
  • 1.0c/pt Invest with Rewards
  • Full MR transfer partners
Read the full review
Blue Business Plus from Amex
$0/yr · 15,000 Membership Rewards points
Read the full review
American Express Schwab Investor Card
$0/yr · 10,000 Membership Rewards points

Editorial take: Blue Business Plus from Amex

The silent workhorse of the Amex MR ecosystem. 2x on everything up to $50k/year with no annual fee. Pair it with the Platinum or Gold to unlock transfers, and you have a powerful everyday earner.

Editorial take: American Express Schwab Investor Card

The hidden gem of the Amex MR lineup for Schwab brokerage customers. Flat 1.5X MR with $0 annual fee, full transfer-partner access, AND a 1.0 cents-per-point cash-into-brokerage redemption guarantees you can always extract real cash. The catch: you need a Schwab brokerage account to apply.

Common questions

Which card has the bigger sign-up bonus, Blue Business Plus from Amex or American Express Schwab Investor Card?
The Blue Business Plus from Amex has the bigger bonus, 15,000 Membership Rewards points, worth roughly $270, versus 10,000 Membership Rewards points (~$110) on the American Express Schwab Investor Card.
Is the Blue Business Plus from Amex's $0 annual fee worth it compared to the American Express Schwab Investor Card?
The Blue Business Plus from Amex has no annual fee, so the question is whether the American Express Schwab Investor Card's $0 fee is justified by its perks. If you'll use enough of the American Express Schwab Investor Card's benefits to clear $0 in value annually, it's worth it; otherwise stick with the Blue Business Plus from Amex.
Can I have both the Blue Business Plus from Amex and American Express Schwab Investor Card?
Yes, though both are issued by American Express so the same issuer-specific application rules apply (Chase 5/24 if applicable, Amex once-per-lifetime bonus, etc.). 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 Plus from Amex or the American Express Schwab Investor Card first?
Get the one whose sign-up bonus you can hit comfortably without overspending. Blue Business Plus from Amex: $3,000 spend in 3 months. American Express Schwab Investor Card: $1,000 in 6 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.