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 United Business Card
Both are business travel cards. The Blue Business Plus from Amex comes from American Express at $0/yr; the United Business Card from Chase at $150/yr. Below: side-by-side specs, an opinionated verdict, and the FAQs people actually ask before applying.
Bottom line
For most people the United Business Card is the stronger pick today, the sign-up bonus is meaningfully larger ($1,230 more in estimated value) than the Blue Business Plus from Amex's. Get the United Business Card first; revisit the Blue Business Plus from Amex after you've earned that bonus.
| Feature | Blue Business Plus from Amex | United Business Card |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | $0 | $150 |
| Sign-up bonus | 15,000 Membership Rewards points | 100,000 miles + 2,000 PQP |
| Bonus value (est.) | $270 | $1,500 |
| Min spend to unlock bonus | $3,000 in 3 mo | $5,000 in 3 mo |
| Issuer | American Express | Chase |
| Card category | business | business |
| 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
United Business Card
$150/yr · 100,000 miles + 2,000 PQP
Editorial take: United Business Card
Strong United business card. The free checked bag for two travelers, two club passes, and the under-the-radar $50/twice-per-year hotel credit help cover the $150 AF for any United-leaning small business. The 100k + 2,000 PQP bonus is the sweetener. Post-2025 refresh swapped the old $100/$10k-spend credit for a $125 travel credit unlocked by 5 United flight purchases of $100+.
Common questions
- Which card has the bigger sign-up bonus, Blue Business Plus from Amex or United Business Card?
- The United Business Card has the bigger bonus, 100,000 miles + 2,000 PQP, worth roughly $1,500, 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 United Business Card?
- The Blue Business Plus from Amex has no annual fee, so the question is whether the United Business Card's $150 fee is justified by its perks. If you'll use enough of the United Business Card's benefits to clear $150 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 United Business Card?
- 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 United Business 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. United Business Card: $5,000 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.