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 IHG One Rewards Premier
Both are well-respected travel cards. The Blue Business Plus from Amex comes from American Express at $0/yr; the IHG One Rewards Premier from Chase at $99/yr. Below: side-by-side specs, an opinionated verdict, and the FAQs people actually ask before applying.
Bottom line
For most people the IHG One Rewards Premier is the stronger pick today, the sign-up bonus is meaningfully larger ($655 more in estimated value) than the Blue Business Plus from Amex's. Get the IHG One Rewards Premier first; revisit the Blue Business Plus from Amex after you've earned that bonus.
| Feature | Blue Business Plus from Amex | IHG One Rewards Premier |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | $0 | $99 |
| Sign-up bonus | 15,000 Membership Rewards points | 185,000 bonus points |
| Bonus value (est.) | $270 | $925 |
| Min spend to unlock bonus | $3,000 in 3 mo | $3,000 in 3 mo |
| Issuer | American Express | Chase |
| Card category | business | hotel |
| 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
IHG One Rewards Premier
$99/yr · 185,000 bonus points
Editorial take: IHG One Rewards Premier
A solid hotel card if you stay at IHG properties regularly. The free night award and 4th night free on award stays can easily offset the $99 annual fee.
Common questions
- Which card has the bigger sign-up bonus, Blue Business Plus from Amex or IHG One Rewards Premier?
- The IHG One Rewards Premier has the bigger bonus, 185,000 bonus points, worth roughly $925, 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 IHG One Rewards Premier?
- The Blue Business Plus from Amex has no annual fee, so the question is whether the IHG One Rewards Premier's $99 fee is justified by its perks. If you'll use enough of the IHG One Rewards Premier's benefits to clear $99 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 IHG One Rewards Premier?
- 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 Plus from Amex or the IHG One Rewards Premier 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. IHG One Rewards Premier: $3,000 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.