Compare the Features and Benefits of Business Green Rewards Card from American Express and
Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express

The Business Green Rewards Card from American Express is clearly the “starter” card in the Amex ecosystem for small businesses looking for No Preset Spending Limit (which means your spending limit is flexible. Unlike a traditional card with a set limit, the amount you can spend adapts based on factors such as your purchase, payment, and credit history) without the heftier annual fees of the American Express® Business Gold Card or The Business Platinum Card® from American Express.

However, with this card earning just 1 point per eligible dollar spent (2 points per dollar only for Flights & Prepaid Hotels booked on AmexTravel.com) and lacking any annual statement credits or rich benefits, we struggle to see the value in paying a $95 annual fee.

Although it doesn’t have No Preset Spending Limit, if you truly can’t make the annual fee work on the American Express® Business Gold Card or The Business Platinum Card® from American Express cards, then we would recommend The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express which earns 2x bonus points on all eligible purchases up to a $50,000 annual limit (1x on all eligible purchases thereafter) and has no annual fee.

If you need a much higher credit limit, then we’d advise considering the American Express® Business Gold Card or The Business Platinum Card® from American Express.

Rates and Fees for the Business Green Rewards Card from American Express

The Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express is a rewarding cash-back card thanks to its range of useful bonus categories. Perhaps the most valuable bonus category is the ability to earn 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets, on the first $6,000 spent annually. Households who spend $500 or so can maximize this threshold to earn a tremendous $350 in reward dollars every year, and that’s before you consider the other bonus cash-back opportunities like 3% cash back at U.S. gas stations. Still, you will want to subtract the $95 annual fee from that bounty.

The 6% cash back rate applies to select U.S. streaming subscriptions, which covers virtually every participating provider out there. From Apple Music to YouTube TV to Netflix to Prime Video, it’s likely that you subscribe to one (or more) of these popular live TV, movie or music streaming services.

Not to mention, you can enroll your card within your American Express account to receive a $7 monthly statement credit when you spend $9.99 (or more) each month on a subscription to The Disney Bundle, which includes Disney+, Hulu, or ESPN+. If you already subscribe to one of these eligible services, that’s an instant savings of $84 every year.

You can also earn bonus cash back when you’re on the road. The Blue Cash Preferred provides 3% at U.S. gas stations and for local transit expenses, which includes anything such as taxis, rideshare services like Lyft and Uber, parking expenses, tolls, and train and bus fares.

Simply put, the cash back earnings add up swiftly with the Blue Cash Preferred, especially if you have a large household. You’ll earn cash back in the form of reward dollars, which can then be redeemed for any amount on your monthly statement credit through American Express. One reward dollar equals $1.

Other benefits on the card, such as purchase protection, return protection and access to Global Assist Hotline may be used less frequently, but will still come in handy when it’s least expected.

Best of all, there’s no annual fee for the first year of card membership, giving you time to test drive the card’s earning rates and benefits before you commit to paying the ongoing $95 annual fee. It is possible to downgrade after one year to the Blue Cash Everyday® Card if you find it more suitable.

Rates and Fees for the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express