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American Express Graphite Business Cash Unlimited vs PayPal Cashback Mastercard
Both are well-respected travel cards. The American Express Graphite Business Cash Unlimited comes from American Express at $295/yr; the PayPal Cashback Mastercard from Synchrony at $0/yr. Below: side-by-side specs, an opinionated verdict, and the FAQs people actually ask before applying.
Bottom line
For most people the American Express Graphite Business Cash Unlimited is the stronger pick today, the sign-up bonus is meaningfully larger ($1,300 more in estimated value) than the PayPal Cashback Mastercard's. Get the American Express Graphite Business Cash Unlimited first; revisit the PayPal Cashback Mastercard after you've earned that bonus.
| Feature | American Express Graphite Business Cash Unlimited | PayPal Cashback Mastercard |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | $295 | $0 |
| Sign-up bonus | $1,500 cash back | $200 cash back |
| Bonus value (est.) | $1,500 | $200 |
| Min spend to unlock bonus | $50,000 in 6 mo | $500 in 3 mo |
| Issuer | American Express | Synchrony |
| Card category | business | cashback |
| Best earning category (Amex_travel_flights_prepaid_hotels) | 5x | 1x |
| Transfer partners | None | None |
| Headline benefits |
Read the full review
American Express Graphite Business Cash Unlimited
$295/yr · $1,500 cash back
Read the full review
PayPal Cashback Mastercard
$0/yr · $200 cash back
Editorial take: PayPal Cashback Mastercard
Common questions
- Which card has the bigger sign-up bonus, American Express Graphite Business Cash Unlimited or PayPal Cashback Mastercard?
- The American Express Graphite Business Cash Unlimited has the bigger bonus, $1,500 cash back, worth roughly $1,500, versus $200 cash back (~$200) on the PayPal Cashback Mastercard.
- Is the American Express Graphite Business Cash Unlimited's $295 annual fee worth it compared to the PayPal Cashback Mastercard?
- 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 PayPal Cashback Mastercard's, pick the one whose perks you'll actually use.
- Can I have both the American Express Graphite Business Cash Unlimited and PayPal Cashback Mastercard?
- Yes, since they're from different issuers (American Express and Synchrony) 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 PayPal Cashback Mastercard 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. PayPal Cashback Mastercard: $500 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.