Is the Amex Graphite Business Cash Unlimited Card Worth the $295 Annual Fee?
Likely yes. On a typical business budget the Amex Graphite Business Cash Unlimited Card earns about $900 a year in rewards, which already clears the $295 fee with $605 to spare, before counting any perks. Heavier spenders come out further ahead.
Credits and benefits
The Amex Graphite Business Cash Unlimited Card does not lean on statement credits to justify its $295 fee, so the case for it rests on rewards, the welcome bonus, and any perks like transfer partners or travel protections. That makes the math simpler: the rewards have to clear the fee.
What you earn on spending
Credits are only half the story; the card also earns rewards every time you swipe. On $45,000 of annual business spending, the Amex Graphite Business Cash Unlimited Card earns about $900 a year at a flat 1 cent per point. Because this is a business card, the rate below reflects a representative small-business budget. See the full category breakdown in our Amex Graphite Business Cash Unlimited Card review, or run your own numbers in the rewards calculator.
The break-even
Add it up. The Amex Graphite Business Cash Unlimited Card costs $295 a year. It leans on rewards, and everyday rewards add about $900. That is a net of $605 in your favor every year you hold it, before any welcome bonus. First-year holders also collect a welcome bonus worth about $1,500, pushing the first-year total to roughly $2,105.
Frequently asked questions
- Is the Amex Graphite Business Cash Unlimited Card worth the annual fee?
- Likely yes. On a typical business budget the Amex Graphite Business Cash Unlimited Card earns about $900 a year in rewards, which already clears the $295 fee with $605 to spare, before counting any perks. Heavier spenders come out further ahead.
- How do you offset the Amex Graphite Business Cash Unlimited Card annual fee?
- Through rewards and the welcome bonus. On a typical budget the card earns about $900 a year, clearing the fee on its own.
- Is there a no-annual-fee alternative to the Amex Graphite Business Cash Unlimited Card?
- Yes. If you cannot clear the $295 fee, a no-fee card keeps every dollar of rewards as profit. See our ranked no-fee picks to compare.
