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 Citi Double Cash
Both are well-respected travel cards. The Blue Business Plus from Amex comes from American Express at $0/yr; the Citi Double Cash from Citi 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.
| Feature | Blue Business Plus from Amex | Citi Double Cash |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | $0 | $0 |
| Sign-up bonus | 15,000 Membership Rewards points | $200 cash back |
| Bonus value (est.) | $270 | $200 |
| Min spend to unlock bonus | $3,000 in 3 mo | $1,500 in 6 mo |
| Issuer | American Express | Citi |
| Card category | business | cashback |
| Best earning category (All_purchases_first_50k_per_year) | 2x | 1x |
| Transfer partners | amex-mr | citi-ty |
| 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
Citi Double Cash
$0/yr · $200 cash back
Editorial take: Citi Double Cash
The OG flat 2% card. Pairs with Custom Cash + Premier to form Citi's trifecta, turns your combined cash back into transferable ThankYou Points. Rock solid for non-bonus spend.
Common questions
- Which card has the bigger sign-up bonus, Blue Business Plus from Amex or Citi Double Cash?
- The Blue Business Plus from Amex has the bigger bonus, 15,000 Membership Rewards points, worth roughly $270, versus $200 cash back (~$200) on the Citi Double Cash.
- Is the Blue Business Plus from Amex's $0 annual fee worth it compared to the Citi Double Cash?
- The Blue Business Plus from Amex has no annual fee, so the question is whether the Citi Double Cash's $0 fee is justified by its perks. If you'll use enough of the Citi Double Cash'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 Citi Double Cash?
- Yes, since they're from different issuers (American Express and Citi) 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 Citi Double Cash 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. Citi Double Cash: $1,500 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.