Cash back · American Express · $295 annual fee
Last verified 2026-09-09. Review issuer source
The American Express Graphite Business Cash Unlimited is a $295-a-year cash back card from American Express. It earns 2% on every purchase with no categories to track, plus 5% on air travel booked through amextravel.com.
On our reference budget of $73,200 a year it earns $1,644, which clears the $295 fee with $1,349 to spare before any credits or perks. The welcome bonus, $1,500 after $50,000 in 6 months, is the strongest reason to open it in a given year.
Keep business spending on it for the separate statement alone; the rewards are the extra. Check the issuer's other business card before deciding, since the categories differ more than the fees do.
5% cash back on flights booked through American Express Travel® Online
5% cash back on prepaid hotels booked through American Express Travel® Online
Earn $1,500 Cash Back in the form of Reward Dollars after you spend $50,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership.
Unlock up to $2,400 in statement credits for use in the next calendar year on American Express One AP® monthly fees after you spend $250,000 on eligible purchases on the Graphite™ Business Cash Unlimited Card in this calendar year.
When you use your Eligible Card to reserve and pay for the Entire Rental and decline the collision damage waiver (CDW) at the Rental Company counter, You can be covered for Damage to or Theft of a Rental Vehicle in a Covered Territory.
When you use your Eligible Card to make a Covered Purchase, you can get up to one extra year added to the Original Manufacturer’s Warranty. Applies to warranties of 5 years or less on Covered Purchases in the United States or its territories or possessions.
Whenever you travel more than 100 miles from home, Global Assist® Hotline is available for 24/7 emergency assistance and coordination services, including medical and legal referrals, emergency cash wires, and missing luggage assistance.
Sometimes your favorite new purchase gets stolen or accidentally damaged. But when you use your Eligible Card for Covered Purchases, your Membership can help protect them for up to 90 days from the Covered Purchase date, subject to the Coverage Limits. Up to $1,000 per Covered Purchase, up to $50,000 per calendar year.
With Return Protection, you may return eligible purchases to American Express if the seller won't take them back up to 90 days from the date of purchase. American Express may refund the full purchase price excluding shipping and handling, up to $300 per item, up to a maximum of $1,000 per calendar year per Card account, if you purchased it entirely with your eligible American Express® Card.
Benefit descriptions are the issuer’s and network’s own wording, trimmed for length. Limits and exclusions are in the guide to benefits.
| Card | Annual fee | Rewards earned | Net after fee | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The American Express® Graphite™ Business Cash UnlimitedThis card · 2% on everything | $295 | $1,644 | +$1,349 | 12th of 752 |
| Business GoldAmerican Express's most-held other card · 4x on advertisements | $375 | $1,848 | +$1,473 | 7th of 752 |
| Edward Jones® Everyday Solutions Business World Elite Mastercard®The strongest no-fee card on this budget · 2x on everything | None | $1,704 | +$1,704 | 1st of 752 |
| Huntington Voice BusinessHighest net return on this budget · 4% on auto maintenance | None | $1,560 | +$1,560 | 2nd of 752 |
Reference budget: office supplies $6,000, internet, phone, and cable $3,600, shipping $6,000, advertising $12,000, software and tech $6,000, gas and ev charging $4,800, dining and restaurants $4,800, travel and transit $6,000, everything else $24,000. Points are valued at 1¢ unless the program is worth less; statement credits, welcome bonuses, and perks are left out. Run it with your own spending.
