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 AAdvantage Aviator Business Mastercard
Both are business travel cards. The Blue Business Plus from Amex comes from American Express at $0/yr; the AAdvantage Aviator Business Mastercard from Barclays at $95/yr. Below: side-by-side specs, an opinionated verdict, and the FAQs people actually ask before applying.
Bottom line
For most people the AAdvantage Aviator Business Mastercard is the stronger pick today — the sign-up bonus is meaningfully larger ($610 more in estimated value) than the Blue Business Plus from Amex's. Get the AAdvantage Aviator Business Mastercard first; revisit the Blue Business Plus from Amex after you've earned that bonus.
| Feature | Blue Business Plus from Amex | AAdvantage Aviator Business Mastercard |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | $0 | $95 |
| Sign-up bonus | 15,000 points | 65,000 miles |
| Bonus value (est.) | $300 | $910 |
| Min spend to unlock bonus | $3,000 in 3 mo | $1,000 in 3 mo |
| Issuer | American Express | Barclays |
| Card category | business | business |
| Best earning category (All_purchases) | 2x | 1x |
| Transfer partners | amex-mr | aadvantage |
| Headline benefits |
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Read the full review
Blue Business Plus from Amex
$0/yr · 15,000 points
Read the full review
AAdvantage Aviator Business Mastercard
$95/yr · 65,000 miles
Editorial take: AAdvantage Aviator Business Mastercard
Cleanest AA business card under $100 fee. Free bags for 5 travelers + the $30k companion cert + an easy 65k bonus. Solid for any AA-leaning small business.
Common questions
- Which card has the bigger sign-up bonus, Blue Business Plus from Amex or AAdvantage Aviator Business Mastercard?
- The AAdvantage Aviator Business Mastercard has the bigger bonus — 65,000 miles, worth roughly $910, versus 15,000 points (~$300) on the Blue Business Plus from Amex.
- Is the Blue Business Plus from Amex's $0 annual fee worth it compared to the AAdvantage Aviator Business Mastercard?
- The Blue Business Plus from Amex has no annual fee, so the question is whether the AAdvantage Aviator Business Mastercard's $95 fee is justified by its perks. If you'll use enough of the AAdvantage Aviator Business Mastercard's benefits to clear $95 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 AAdvantage Aviator Business Mastercard?
- Yes, since they're from different issuers (American Express and Barclays) 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 AAdvantage Aviator Business Mastercard 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. AAdvantage Aviator Business Mastercard: $1,000 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.