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.
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Side-by-side
Blue Business Plus from Amex vs Alaska Airlines Visa Signature
Both are well-respected travel cards. The Blue Business Plus from Amex comes from American Express at $0/yr; the Alaska Airlines Visa Signature from Bank of America at $95/yr. Below: side-by-side specs, an opinionated verdict, and the FAQs people actually ask before applying.
Bottom line
For most people the Alaska Airlines Visa Signature is the stronger pick today, the sign-up bonus is meaningfully larger ($780 more in estimated value) than the Blue Business Plus from Amex's. Get the Alaska Airlines Visa Signature first; revisit the Blue Business Plus from Amex after you've earned that bonus.
| Feature | Blue Business Plus from Amex | Alaska Airlines Visa Signature |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | $0 | $95 |
| Sign-up bonus | 15,000 Membership Rewards points | 70,000 miles + Companion Fare |
| Bonus value (est.) | $270 | $1,050 |
| Min spend to unlock bonus | $3,000 in 3 mo | $3,000 in 90 mo |
| Issuer | American Express | Bank of America |
| Card category | business | travel |
| Best earning category (All_purchases_first_50k_per_year) | 2x | 1x |
| Transfer partners | amex-mr | None |
| Headline benefits |
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Read the full review
Blue Business Plus from Amex
$0/yr · 15,000 Membership Rewards points
Read the full review
Alaska Airlines Visa Signature
$95/yr · 70,000 miles + Companion Fare
Editorial take: Alaska Airlines Visa Signature
The Companion Fare is the hook, $122 + taxes/fees to bring a companion on any Alaska flight, even international business class. If you fly Alaska once a year with a partner, this pays for itself many times over.
Common questions
- Which card has the bigger sign-up bonus, Blue Business Plus from Amex or Alaska Airlines Visa Signature?
- The Alaska Airlines Visa Signature has the bigger bonus, 70,000 miles + Companion Fare, worth roughly $1,050, versus 15,000 Membership Rewards points (~$270) on the Blue Business Plus from Amex.
- Is the Blue Business Plus from Amex's $0 annual fee worth it compared to the Alaska Airlines Visa Signature?
- The Blue Business Plus from Amex has no annual fee, so the question is whether the Alaska Airlines Visa Signature's $95 fee is justified by its perks. If you'll use enough of the Alaska Airlines Visa Signature's benefits to clear $95 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 Alaska Airlines Visa Signature?
- Yes, since they're from different issuers (American Express and Bank of America) 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 Plus from Amex or the Alaska Airlines Visa Signature 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. Alaska Airlines Visa Signature: $3,000 in 90 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.