American Express SimplyCash® Plus Business Credit Card

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UPDATE: Some or all of the offers mentioned below have now expired

Amex is revamping one of its business credit cards and the changes are definitely for the better. The American Express SimplyCash Business Credit Card has been around for a while and it’s quite a compelling proposition for small businesses. Rather than earning points the cardholder earns between 1% and 5% cashback on purchases made using the card.

For those not hugely into miles and points, cash back credit cards can make a lot of sense – there’s no need to work out how to maximise the value you’re getting or to navigate numerous redemption options. Cash back is as simple as it gets and it’s real money back in the card holder’s hand.

The New American Express SimplyCash Plus Business Credit Card

At some point in spring (Amex hasn’t given a fixed date), American Express will be introducing the American Express SimplyCash Plus Business Credit Card and they’ve done a little bit more than add the word “Plus” to the name.

The SimplyCash Plus Card offers an enhanced cash back rewards program that includes:

• 5% cash back on purchases made in the following categories combined (on up to $50,000 in purchases per year, then 1% on purchases made thereafter)
  • U.S. office supply stores
  • Wireless telephone services purchased directly from U.S. service providers

• 3% cash back on a category of choice from a list of eight categories including:
  • U.S. gas stations
  • U.S. restaurants
  • U.S. purchases for advertising in select media
  • U.S. purchases for shipping
  • Airfare purchased directly from airlines
  • Hotel rooms purchased directly from hotels
  • Car rentals purchased from select car rental companies
  • *New: U.S. computer hardware, software, and cloud computing purchases made directly from select providers

Just like for the 5% cash back categories the 3% cash back can be earned on up to $50,000 in purchases per year with all purchases above the $50,000 limit earning  1%.

All other purchases in all other categories will earn 1% cash back and there is no limit to the cash back that can be earned at 1%.

So what’s different?

• The option to select US hardware, software and cloud computing purchases as a 3% category is new.
• American Expresse has increased the earning limits on the bonus categories from $25,000 to $50,000 per year.

There doesn’t appear to be any mention of what the “select providers” are for the hardware, software and cloud computing purchases but it’s very possible that they’ll be the same as the ones offered of the American Express Business Gold Rewards Card:

• Apple
• CDW
• Dell
• HP
• IBM
• Intuit
• Lenovo
• Microsoft
• Newegg
• Oracle
• Rackspace
• Sage Software
• Salesforce.com
• Symantec
• Tiger Direct

The best news in all of this is that the American Express SimplyCash Plus Business Credit Card has a $0 annual fee and no fee for additional users which, in my opinion, makes it a fantastic card to have.

One Last Feature

American Express SimplyCash Plus Card Members can spend beyond their credit limit in order to help pay for larger purchases, all while continuing to earn cash back. The amount spent above the credit limit is due in full each month as part of the minimum payment due.

Card Members can continue to carry a balance with interest on the amount spent within their credit limit.

The amount a small business can spend beyond its credit limit varies based on a number of factors unique to each Card Member – factors such as credit history, how the card is being used and payment history.

A Card Member can consult the “Check Spend Ability” feature in their online account or call the number on the back of their Card to find out just how much over their credit limit American Express is happy to allow them to venture.

Bottom Line

I like the sound of this card and I’m probably going to apply for it when it becomes available later in the Spring. The fact that it has a $0 annual fee and the fact that the 3% cash back can be applied to computing purchases makes it a very attractive option to me.

For those who don’t like to have to deal with the intricacies of using Amex Reward Points or Chase Ultimate Rewards points, this card should be a very good option to have and should probably be in their wallet.