The Plum Card from American Express vs United Business Card: which one fits your business?
Side-by-side comparison of The Plum Card from American Express and United Business Card — fees, features, ease, support, and which one fits your business. Scored on the same rubric.
Short answer: The Plum Card from American Express wins on our scorecard (8/10 vs 7.3/10).
| Scored on | The Plum Card from American Express | United Business Card |
|---|---|---|
| Right fit for small biz | 9 | 8 |
| Ease of use | 8 | 7 |
| Fees & pricing | 7 | 7 |
| Customer support | 7 | 6 |
| Features | 9 | 8 |
| Annual Fee | $250 (intro $0 first year) | $99 (often $0 for the first year) |
| Foreign Transaction Fee | None | $0 |
| Late Fee | $39 or 2.99% | — |
| Early Pay Discount | 1.5% | — |
| Employee Card Fee | — | $0 |
| Late Payment Fee | — | Up to $40 |
| Purchase APR | — | 21.49% - 28.49% variable |
The Plum Card from American Express in one paragraph
The Plum Card is the ultimate cash-flow safety net for inventory-heavy businesses that value payment flexibility over travel points.
Skip it if: You spend less than $2,000 a month or primarily want travel rewards and airport lounge access.
United Business Card in one paragraph
A reliable workhorse for United loyalists that pays for itself through waived bag fees and expanded award seat access.
Skip it if: You primarily fly other airlines or prefer simple cash back to complicated airline mile redemption math.
Frequently asked questions
Which is better, The Plum Card from American Express or United Business Card?
On our five-axis scorecard, The Plum Card from American Express scores higher (8/10 vs 7.3/10). The Plum Card is the ultimate cash-flow safety net for inventory-heavy businesses that value payment flexibility over travel points.
Who should skip The Plum Card from American Express?
You spend less than $2,000 a month or primarily want travel rewards and airport lounge access.
Who should skip United Business Card?
You primarily fly other airlines or prefer simple cash back to complicated airline mile redemption math.