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 Citi Strata Elite Card
Both are well-respected travel cards. The Blue Business Plus from Amex comes from American Express at $0/yr; the Citi Strata Elite Card from Citi at $595/yr. Below: side-by-side specs, an opinionated verdict, and the FAQs people actually ask before applying.
Bottom line
For most people the Citi Strata Elite Card is the stronger pick today — the sign-up bonus is meaningfully larger ($1,140 more in estimated value) than the Blue Business Plus from Amex's. Get the Citi Strata Elite Card first; revisit the Blue Business Plus from Amex after you've earned that bonus.
| Feature | Blue Business Plus from Amex | Citi Strata Elite Card |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | $0 | $595 |
| Sign-up bonus | 15,000 points | 80,000 points |
| Bonus value (est.) | $300 | $1,440 |
| Min spend to unlock bonus | $3,000 in 3 mo | $6,000 in 3 mo |
| Issuer | American Express | Citi |
| Card category | business | travel |
| Best earning category (All_purchases) | 2x | 1x |
| Transfer partners | amex-mr | citi-ty |
| Headline benefits |
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Read the full review
Blue Business Plus from Amex
$0/yr · 15,000 points
Read the full review
Citi Strata Elite Card
$595/yr · 80,000 points
Editorial take: Citi Strata Elite Card
Citi's premium answer to Amex Platinum + Sapphire Reserve. The 12x on Citi-booked hotels is the best earning rate in the category; the $200 Blacklane and 4 Admirals Club passes are differentiated perks. $595 fee penciled out if you'll actually use the hotel + Splurge credits.
Common questions
- Which card has the bigger sign-up bonus, Blue Business Plus from Amex or Citi Strata Elite Card?
- The Citi Strata Elite Card has the bigger bonus — 80,000 points, worth roughly $1,440, 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 Citi Strata Elite Card?
- The Blue Business Plus from Amex has no annual fee, so the question is whether the Citi Strata Elite Card's $595 fee is justified by its perks. If you'll use enough of the Citi Strata Elite Card's benefits to clear $595 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 Citi Strata Elite Card?
- Yes, since they're from different issuers (American Express and Citi) 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 Citi Strata Elite Card 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. Citi Strata Elite Card: $6,000 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.