American Express SimplyCash Plus Business Card (discontinued for new applications)
Updated August 14, 2019.
The Facts
The Math
Amex SimplyCash Plus vs. Chase Ink Cash: Both carries no annual fees. Both offer 5% on office supplies and wireless, but Chase has two additional categories for 5% - landline and cable. Amex has 3% on a category of your choice, while Chase has 2% on gas and lodging. Lastly, SimplyCash is a strict cashback card, while Ink Cash actually earns Chase UR points - if you have a premium UR card such as Ink Preferred or Sapphire Preferred, the UR points earned from Ink Cash can be transferred to the premium UR account and points become transferrable to frequent traveler miles/points.
The Conclusion
SimplyCash Plus is a good cashback business card. Keep its archrival Chase Ink Cash in mind when you are deciding a new business card.
The Facts
- Annual Fee: none
- Signup Bonus: $500 in statement credit ($250 after you spend $5,000 within 6 months of new account opening, and another $250 when you spend an additional $10,000 within the first year - thus $500 after a total of $15,000 spending). Historical best bonus of the card: $500 in mid 2018.
- Rewards: cash back 5% office supplies and wireless service (up to $25K annual spent then 1%), 3% on one category of your choice from airfare, hotels, car rentals, U.S. gas stations, U.S. restaurants, U.S. purchases for advertising in select media, and U.S. purchases for shipping (up to $12K annual spent and then 1%), 1% everywhere else.
- Other Benefits: Automatic discounts with Amex OPEN Savings.
- Other Facts: In January 2014, Amex slightly enhanced the card by replacing 3% on gas with a category of your choice and raising the spending cap on 5% and 3% from $12K to $25K.
The Math
Amex SimplyCash Plus vs. Chase Ink Cash: Both carries no annual fees. Both offer 5% on office supplies and wireless, but Chase has two additional categories for 5% - landline and cable. Amex has 3% on a category of your choice, while Chase has 2% on gas and lodging. Lastly, SimplyCash is a strict cashback card, while Ink Cash actually earns Chase UR points - if you have a premium UR card such as Ink Preferred or Sapphire Preferred, the UR points earned from Ink Cash can be transferred to the premium UR account and points become transferrable to frequent traveler miles/points.
The Conclusion
SimplyCash Plus is a good cashback business card. Keep its archrival Chase Ink Cash in mind when you are deciding a new business card.