Verdict · Updated April 2026
American Express Blue Business Plus for First Credit Card
The American Express Blue Business Plus is workable for first credit card but not the strongest fit — ranked #23 of 47 eligible cards. Several cards listed in alternatives outperform it for this specific use case.
Rank #23 of 4752th percentileWorkable but not optimal
Reviewed by CardCompare Editorial Board
|Data-driven ranking|Updated April 2026
American Express Blue Business Plus
American Express · No annual fee
The best no-annual-fee business card for earning Membership Rewards points. Earn 2x on every purchase up to $50,000 per year, then 1x after. Pairs perfectly with the Amex Gold or Platinum for everyday business spending.
Full card review
Earn math — First Credit Card profile
Based on typical first credit card spending of $9,720/year across the categories below.
Annual rewards
$117
Annual fee
$0
Net value
$117
Easy approvalZero feeSimple rewardsReports to all 3 bureaus
Where the American Express Blue Business Plus wins for first credit card
- Zero annual fee — no fixed cost to worry about
- Simple reward structure — easy to maximize without category tracking
Where it falls short
- Typically requires good credit — may deny thin-file applicants
Top 3 alternatives for first credit card
Cards that rank higher than or close to the American Express Blue Business Plus on our first credit card scoring model.
How the American Express Blue Business Plus performs for other use cases
Frequently asked questions
Is the American Express Blue Business Plus a good card for first credit card?⌄
The American Express Blue Business Plus is workable for first credit card but not the strongest fit — ranked #23 of 47 eligible cards. Several cards listed in alternatives outperform it for this specific use case.
How much can I earn with the American Express Blue Business Plus on first credit card spending?⌄
At the typical first credit card spending profile of $9,720/year, this card earns approximately $117 in rewards — net $117 after the $0 annual fee.
What are better alternatives to the American Express Blue Business Plus for first credit card?⌄
Our top 3 alternatives are Chase Freedom Rise, Bank of America Travel Rewards for Students, Discover it Student Cash Back. Each ranks higher on our use-case scoring model for first credit card.
What credit score do I need for the American Express Blue Business Plus?⌄
The American Express Blue Business Plus typically requires good credit. Approval also depends on income, existing debt, and application history — a score in the stated range doesn't guarantee approval.
Is the American Express Blue Business Plus's annual fee worth it for this use case?⌄
The American Express Blue Business Plus has no annual fee — there's no breakeven to clear, so any rewards earned on first credit card spending are pure profit.
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