The Plum Card from American Express — Full Review [2023]

Great Card If

• You are a business owner — especially if your cash flow is unpredictable
• You want flexibility of payment options
• You make large business purchases

Don’t Get If

• You are not a business owner
• You are looking for a way to get a cash advance
• You want to transfer over a balance from another card
• You want a business card without an annual fee

Welcome Bonus Offer and How to Really Benefit From Using the Card

After opening the Amex Plum card, you may be able to earn any welcome bonus offer listed in the card summary table above, if applicable.

When you initially open your card, you have the option of choosing to receive your bill at the beginning, middle, or end of the month.

This can allow you to receive your bill when your cash flow may be highest and you’re in the best position to pay. Then, each month, you have the option to pay early or pay later – but either way, you benefit.

If you choose to pay early, you’ll get an unlimited 1.5% Early Pay Discount on eligible charges within 10 days of your statement closing date and see the discount applied to your next statement when you pay at the least the Minimum Payment Due by the Please Pay By date. Or, you can take up to 60 days to pay with no interest, when you pay your minimum due by the Payment Due Date.

With no pre-set spending limit, you can make the purchases that your business needs, without incurring big interest charges right away.

You know your business best – that’s why you get to decide when to pay each month.

Plus, if you have employees, you can add additional employee cards at no annual fee (rates & fees).Bottom Line: The Amex Plum card gives you choices, and the ability to get cash back when you pay early.

Additional Perks of Card Membership

As you make big purchases for your business, it’s always good to have the peace of mind in knowing that those items are protected.

With the purchase protection benefit that is automatically included with card membership, eligible purchases made with the card can be protected against accidental damage or theft for up to 90 days.

You may also shop with less worry due to the included extended warranty. Eligible items can have their original manufacturer’s warranty extended for up to 1 additional year.

With no preset spending limit on the card, you can essentially have purchasing power that adjusts with the use of your card, along with other factors.

It also provides you with some additional perks that can be handy for business (or personal) travelers, such as:

• Baggage insurance
• Travel accident insurance
• Car rental loss and damage insurance
• Global assist hotline
• Premium roadside assistance

Bottom Line: Get Purchase Protection and a host of other benefits with the Amex Plum card.These perks offer more than just a way to purchase items and services for your business; they also provide you peace of mind.

Even More Benefits Through American Express

In addition, just like other Amex Business cards, the Amex Plum card also automatically includes additional benefits for helping you manage and control your spending, such as:

• ReceiptMatch
• Account Manager
• Account alerts
• Online statements

You can also view and manage your account from virtually anywhere using the mobile and tablet apps. This can make it easier to manage your account whenever it is convenient for you.

Notice something that doesn’t look quite right? If there happens to be an incorrect or a fraudulent charge on your statement, American Express will work with you to help in resolving the issue.

Bottom Line: The Amex Plum card can help you to grow and run your company more efficiently.

Best Way To Redeem Rewards

Most business owners know that the key to success is having a good, solid plan. The same holds true for getting the most out of the Amex Plum card.

Sticking with the following tips can help you to earn the most:

Tip #1: Plan out your big purchases so you can take advantage of paying early and getting a 1.5% discount.

Tip #2: Alternatively, plan out purchases to take advantage of waiting up to 60 interest-free days before your payment is due.

Tip #3: Take advantage of any welcome bonus offer credit, if offered, that can be earned, which is applied as statement credit.

Tip #4: Add additional employee cards so others in your company may make purchases. There is no annual fee for employee cards.

Best Way To Maximize Rewards

The Amex Plum card provides you with options – which is something business owners generally love. So, how can you make the most of those options?

First, you need to have a good understanding of what they are.

If you run a seasonal business or a company with fluctuating cash flow, then the Amex business card can provide you a good option for making purchases that don’t need to be paid back right away.

Taking advantage of your rewards is easy. You control when you make your payments, as well as your choice of benefits: either a payment discount, or a longer billing cycle.

Your rewards essentially begin when you initially open your card. That’s when you can decide when your statement will arrive: at the beginning, middle, or end of the month. Whatever is the most convenient for you!

Then, when your billing statement arrives, you decide whether you want to pay early and save, or if you want to hold off on making your payment for up to 60 days with no interest. You have the option, and you have the control!

Some rewards can also be earned right away: spend the required amount in the allotted time to take advantage of any welcome bonus, if applicable.

American Express works in conjunction with a variety of airline, retail, travel, and car rental agency partners. Additional information can be found by visiting the American Express Rewards Center.

As an American Express Business card, this one also has several partners available: FedEx, Hertz, HP, and 1-800-Flowers.

Alternatives to the Amex Plum Card

Is this the right business credit card for your company? Perhaps. But know there are other options as well.

Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

One great alternative is the Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card, which has a $95 annual fee, typically comes with a great introductory bonus, and earns points in Chase Ultimate Rewards.

With this card, you’ll earn 3 points per $1 on the first $150,000 spent in select categories each account anniversary year. Then, earn an unlimited 1 point per $1 on all other purchases.

These Ultimate Rewards points can be redeemed for travel or used directly in the Chase Travel Portal.

American Express® Business Gold Card

Another business card that might be of interest to you is the American Express® Business Gold Card.

You will earn 4x points on 2 select categories where you business spent the most each month. 1x is earned for other purchases.

American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card

Finally, the American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card is an Amex business credit card with no annual fee that earns cash-back on a variety of different categories (see rates and fees).

Here, you’ll earn 5% cash-back at U.S. office supply stores and on wireless telephone services purchased from U.S. providers, plus 3% cash-back on the category of your choice from a list of 8, which includes airfare, hotels, U.S. advertising, U.S. shipping, and more!

You’ll also earn 1% cash-back on all other purchases!

Bottom Line: There are some alternative cards that may or may not be more appealing to you than the Amex Plum card. Always be sure to shop around and find out what’s best for you!

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Card Comparison Articles

• Amex Business Gold Card vs. Amex Plum Card

For rates and fees of The Plum Card® from American Express, click here.
For rates and fees of the American Express® Business Gold Card, click here.
For rates and fees of The American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card, click here.