American Express Graphite Business Cash Unlimited vs Bilt Blue
Both are well-respected travel cards. The American Express Graphite Business Cash Unlimited comes from American Express at $295/yr; the Bilt Blue from Bilt / Cardless at $0/yr. Below: side-by-side specs, an opinionated verdict, and the FAQs people actually ask before applying.
For most people the American Express Graphite Business Cash Unlimited is the stronger pick today, the sign-up bonus is meaningfully larger ($1,400 more in estimated value) than the Bilt Blue's. Get the American Express Graphite Business Cash Unlimited first; revisit the Bilt Blue after you've earned that bonus.
| Feature | American Express Graphite Business Cash Unlimited | Bilt Blue |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | $295 | $0 |
| Sign-up bonus | $1,500 cash back | $100 Bilt Cash |
| Bonus value (est.) | $1,500 | $100 |
| Min spend to unlock bonus | $50,000 in 6 mo | $0 in 0 mo |
| Issuer | American Express | Column N.A. |
| Card category | business | travel |
| Best earning category (Amex_travel_flights_prepaid_hotels) | 5x | 1x |
| Transfer partners | None | bilt |
| Headline benefits |
|
Editorial take: Bilt Blue
The no-fee entry tier of Bilt 2.0, launched February 7, 2026. 1X base earn on everything else, with 3X on Lyft, up to 4X at Bilt dining partners, and 3X hotels / 2X flights through the Bilt Travel portal. Best for renters who want the no-fee anchor plus full transfer partner access without paying $95+. The 5-transactions-per-cycle minimum from legacy Bilt is gone, and Rent Day doubles everyday earn on the 1st up to 1,000 bonus points.
Common questions
- Which card has the bigger sign-up bonus, American Express Graphite Business Cash Unlimited or Bilt Blue?
- The American Express Graphite Business Cash Unlimited has the bigger bonus, $1,500 cash back, worth roughly $1,500, versus $100 Bilt Cash (~$100) on the Bilt Blue.
- Is the American Express Graphite Business Cash Unlimited's $295 annual fee worth it compared to the Bilt Blue?
- At $295/yr, the American Express Graphite Business Cash Unlimited is in the mid-fee tier. Compare its specific perks (lounge access, travel credits, primary rental insurance) to the Bilt Blue's, pick the one whose perks you'll actually use.
- Can I have both the American Express Graphite Business Cash Unlimited and Bilt Blue?
- Yes, since they're from different issuers (American Express and Column N.A.) 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 American Express Graphite Business Cash Unlimited or the Bilt Blue first?
- Get the one whose sign-up bonus you can hit comfortably without overspending. American Express Graphite Business Cash Unlimited: $50,000 spend in 6 months. Bilt Blue: $0 in 0 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.
