American Express Graphite Business Cash Unlimited Review
It is time to rejoice, there is a new American Express business card in the world! If it feels like it has been a minute since we could say that, it is because it has been. Is it worth rushing out and grabbing though? Not so fast… We’ll go over all of the details in this American Express Graphite Business Cash Unlimited review and share our recommendations.
*The links in this review have been collected independently by Miles to Memories and are direct links*
Welcome Offer
Here is the current publicly available welcome offer for the Amex Graphite Business Cash Unlimited card:
- Earn $1,500 after spending $50,000 within 6 months of becoming a cardmember
- The $295 annual fee is NOT waived
- Direct Link
**It is possible to get a $2,000 after spending $50,000 within 6 months welcome offer available if searching with a clean browser.**
Amex Graphite Business Card Review:Â Welcome Offer Restrictions
American Express has a once per lifetime rule. That means you can not earn the welcome offer on a card that you have previously held. In reality that means you can not get the welcome offer if you have held the card (not earned a bonus, just held) within the last 5 – 7 years. As this card is new, that should not be an issue for applicants.
Amex does have the pop-up though, and can deny you the bonus if they deem your customer profile unworthy. You can read our entire write up on the Amex application rules HERE. These are the terms on the card’s application page:
You may not be eligible to receive a welcome offer if you have or have had this Card or previous versions of this Card. You also may not be eligible to receive a welcome offer based on various factors, such as your history with credit card balance transfers, your history as an American Express Card Member, the number of credit cards that you have opened and closed and other factors. If you are not eligible for a welcome offer, we will notify you prior to processing your application so you have the option to withdraw your application.
The Graphite Business Card’s Earning Structure
Next up in our American Express Graphite Business Cash Unlimited review is the card’s earning structure. This one is as straight forward as it gets:
- 5% back on flights and prepaid hotels booked through American Express Travel Online
- Unlimited 2% cash back on every purchase
- Direct Link
That is it! The cash back can not be turned into Membership Rewards either. It is a straight cash back only earning card.
Card Perks
The Amex Graphite Business Cash Unlimited comes with the following card perks:
- Nada – nothing
Okay, that isn’t completely fair. The card does offer $2,400 in statement credits for use in the next calendar year on American Express One AP® monthly fees. But, only after you spend $250,000 on eligible purchases on the Graphite Business Cash Unlimited Card in this calendar year.
Never mind, the card has no meaningful perks.
Is The Graphite Business Cash A Long Term Keeper?
It is hard to see what American Express is shooting for with the launch of the American Express Graphite Business Cash Unlimited card. It is a pretty standard 2% cash back card that comes with an overpriced $295 annual fee. They must have forgot to add the coupon book with the launch of this one.
The welcome offer sounds kind of juicy, that is until you see the spending requirement. Maybe this card is aimed at businesses with massive amounts of spend that want easy, uncapped earning? Even if that is so they could still do better elsewhere. Most businesses would be better off grabbing a Blue Business Plus or Blue Business Cash, which offer 2x / 2% earning with no annual fee. They do have a $50,000 cap per year at that earning rate, but no one said you could only have one of each.
Brass Tacks: American Express Graphite Business Cash Unlimited Review
The brass tacks of this American Express Graphite Business Cash Unlimited review is that this card is dead on arrival. It will be sent out to C-suite employees that don’t know any better and obviously do not understand credit card rewards.
The welcome offer, even at the $2,000 level, is just a net earning of 6% on $50k of spend (when including the normal 2% earning). That is solid, but not amazing, especially when it requires $50,000 in spend. If you had some large expenses coming up then maybe this is an easy win. If not, then this will likely be a pass for you.
