How I Earn 100,000 Amex Points Every Year From 1 Business Card

While flashy premium cards often get the spotlight, one of my favorites is a workhorse that’s often overlooked: The Blue Business^® Plus Credit Card from American Express.

At the very least, I earn at least 100,000 Membership Rewards points every year with this card alone, and I didn’t need to chase rotating categories or book expensive first-class flights to do it.

Here’s how I do it — and why this card could be the most underrated points earner in your wallet.

Amex Blue Business Plus Card Overview

The Amex Blue Business Plus card is as straightforward as it gets, which is precisely what makes it so powerful.

It earns 2 Membership Rewards points per $1 on the first $50,000 spent on eligible purchases per calendar year, with no bonus categories to track and $0 annual fee (rates & fees).

That means no matter what I’m spending on — from estimated tax payments to my homeowners insurance — I’m earning 2x points up to the $50,000 limit without thinking about optimizing every swipe.

Since we value Amex points at 2.2 cents per point, maxing out the 2x cap essentially earns me more than a 4% return on my first $50,000 in spending each year.

That’s an incredible return for any card. This card is a points powerhouse hiding in plain sight for small business owners, freelancers, and anyone with steady expenses who wants to keep things simple.

How I Earn 100,000 Membership Rewards Points Every Year

So, how do I reach that 100,000-point mark every year? Simple: I put big recurring expenses on this card and make sure to be intentional about them.

Estimated Quarterly Taxes

As a freelancer, I pay quarterly estimated taxes, and Uncle Sam gets a pretty good chunk of change from me each year.

I’ve used Pay1040.com to pay the IRS via credit card for the past few years. There’s a 1.75% fee to do this, which isn’t insignificant. But here’s my logic: I’m earning 2x Amex Membership Rewards points on a payment I have to make anyway.

Since I often redeem those points for 3 to 5 cents per point in value (especially on international business class flights), I’m comfortable paying that small fee for the big-picture return.

Let’s say I pay $25,000 in taxes annually across 4 quarterly payments. That earns me 50,000 points and costs me around $437 in processing fees. But those 50,000 points could easily be worth $2,000 (or more!) in travel redemptions. In my book, that’s a net win.

Recurring Life Expenses

In addition to taxes, I’ve found a few other “set it and forget it” expenses that help me rack up another 50,000 points without any extra fees.

I pay my homeowners association (HOA) dues each quarter, which add up to a few thousand dollars annually. I also pay my homeowners’ insurance premium once a year, another expense that can typically be paid by card without incurring fees.

These aren’t traditional business expenses, but since I run my business entirely from home and the card is a small-business product, I’ve comfortably used it for these recurring costs.

Altogether, these non-negotiable payments bring me to that $50,000 cap each year without spending a dime on unnecessary items.

My Points Strategy After Maxing Out the 2x Earnings

One of the unique aspects of the Amex Blue Business Plus card is the $50,000 calendar-year cap on 2x earnings. After that, all purchases earn just 1 point per $1. That’s still fine, but not competitive when other cards in my wallet earn 2x or more with no limits.

Terms Apply / Rates & Fees

The Blue Business^® Plus Credit Card from American Express

U.P. Rating 

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the ins and outs of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

Earn Membership Rewards for your business spending the easy way: get 2x points for the first $50,000 in purchases per year.

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The Blue Business^® Plus Credit Card from American Express

Earn Membership Rewards for your business spending the easy way: get 2x points for the first $50,000 in purchases per year.

Welcome Offer

Earn 15,000 Membership Rewards^® points after you spend $3,000 in eligible purchases on the Card within your first 3 months of Card Membership.

15,000 points

UP's Offer Valuation*:

Up to $330

Annual Fee

No annual fee

APR

0.0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months from the date of account opening, then a variable rate, 17.49% - 27.49%.

Credit Recommended

Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO^®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.

Good to Excellent

Why We Like This Card

As a business owner, getting a credit card that maximizes each dollar you spend does not have to be complicated or expensive. Especially when you opt for The Blue Business^® Plus Credit Card from American Express.

With the Amex Blue Business Plus card, you’ll earn 2x Membership Rewards points on everyday business purchases throughout the year (up to $50,000; 1x thereafter) and receive purchase protections and no-additional-charge employee cards all for no annual fee (see rates and fees).

The simple and straightforward earning structure makes it a great fit for those looking to earn flexible rewards, without having to fixate on which purchases earn the most points.

Let’s take look at all that the Amex Blue Business Plus card has to offer.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• 2x Membership Rewards points per $1 on everyday business purchases (up to $50,000; 1x thereafter)
• Purchase protection and extended warranty protection
• No annual fee and employee cards at no additional cost

Cons

• No unique bonus categories and 2x earnings are capped at $50,000 in annual spend
• No elite travel benefits like lounge access or elite status

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Card Highlights

• Earn 15,000 Membership Rewards^® points after you spend $3,000 in eligible purchases on the Card within your first 3 months of Card Membership.
• 0.0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months from the date of account opening, then a variable rate, 17.49% - 27.49%, based on your creditworthiness and other factors at account opening. APR will not exceed 29.99%
• Earn 2X points on everyday business purchases such as office supplies or client dinners. 2X applies to the first $50,000 in purchases per year, 1 point per dollar thereafter. Terms and limitations apply.
• You’ve got the power to spend beyond your credit limit* with Expanded Buying Power. *The amount you can spend above your credit limit is flexible, so it adapts with your use of the Card, your payment history, credit record, financial resources known to us, and other factors. Just remember, the amount you can spend with Expanded Buying Power is not unlimited.
• No Annual Fee
• Terms Apply.

Financial Snapshot

• APR: 0.0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months from the date of account opening, then a variable rate, 17.49% - 27.49%.
• Foreign Transaction Fees: 2.7% of each transaction after conversion to US dollars.

Rewards Center

American Express Membership Rewards

So once I hit the 50k threshold — typically by September or October — I put the card away. I do the same with cards I’m not using for everyday spending, either because I’ve already earned a welcome bonus offer or spending goal, or because I’m just holding onto them for their annual perks and benefits.

At that point, I shift everyday non-bonused spending to other cards, like my Capital One Venture X Business Card*×Information collected independently. Not reviewed by Capital One., which earns 2x miles on everything with no limit, or other Amex cards with category bonuses that make more sense for things like dining or flights.

Then, when January 1 rolls around, I return the Amex Blue Business Plus card to rotation and start fresh on the 2x earning limit. This on-and-off approach helps me get the most value from the card without wasting spending opportunities on it once it stops earning at its highest rate.

Final Thoughts

For me, the Amex Blue Business Plus card is the ultimate “set it and forget it” option — a $0 annual fee, low maintenance, easy to use, and perfect for busy freelancers and small business owners who want to earn solid rewards without overthinking every purchase.

It’s not the flashiest card in my wallet. Still, this underrated business card quietly earns solid points where other cards fall short, especially compared to The Business Platinum Card^® from American Express, which is excellent for travel perks and business benefits but isn’t a strong earner for everyday spending.

By pairing it with my predictable annual expenses like taxes, insurance, and HOA dues, I consistently earn 100,000 Membership Rewards points per year, without chasing welcome bonus offers or making complicated calculations.