8 Best Credit Cards for Charitable Donations and How To Donate Miles/Points

If charitable donations are a part of your ongoing household budget or you simply pause once a year to make an annual donation to your favorite cause, you may be interested in how to earn rewards on such a transaction.

While it’s rare that credit cards offer any bonus category earnings for charitable giving, there are still plenty of opportunities for earning rewards on charitable donations.

And that’s what we’re going to be discussing today. We’re going to look at a few scenarios where it might make sense to utilize your card to earn rewards on your donations and also look at another option for earning rewards while still making a difference.

Then finally, we’ll review how to donate your miles and hotel points to a worthy cause.

Let’s move forward to explore the possibility of earning rewards on your charitable donations.

Why Use a Credit Card for Charitable Donations

The primary reason you’d want to use your credit card for charitable donations is to earn rewards. Donating to charity using a rewards-earning card is not only convenient, but you’ll also be earning rewards on every dollar donated.

Additionally, credit card annual statements can work well for keeping track of expenses, including charitable donations.

Downsides of Using a Credit Card for Charitable Donations

We’re all familiar with the fees credit card payment processors/issuers charge merchants. The same fees can be charged to charitable organizations when you donate using your credit card.

Granted, the organization is probably happy to receive the donation and likely not reluctant to pay a fee in order to receive the funds. However, you could simply add 3% to the donation made with your credit card to cover any fee on the organization’s behalf.

Bottom Line: Making a charitable donation using a rewards-earning credit card allows you to earn rewards while giving back. You can offset any fees charged to the organization by adding an additional amount to your total donation to cover some of their costs. 

The 5 Best Personal Credit Cards for Charitable Donations

If you want to make a cash donation and earn rewards by using your credit card to do so, ideally you’ll want to use a card that earns the most rewards possible per dollar spent.

Since most credit cards earn just 1x reward on every dollar spent, let’s look at some examples of cards that offer higher earnings of 1.5x rewards, 1.5% cash-back, or greater.

Card Summary

Capital One Venture X Card (Best Premium Card for Earning Miles)

Terms Apply / Rates & Fees

Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

U.P. Rating 

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

The Capital One Venture X card is an excellent option for travelers looking for an all-in-one premium credit card.

Learn More(at Capital One's secure site)

Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

The Capital One Venture X card is an excellent option for travelers looking for an all-in-one premium credit card.

Welcome Offer

Earn 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel.

75,000 miles

UP's Bonus Valuation*:

$1,350

Annual Fee

$395

APR

19.99% - 29.74% (Variable)

Credit Recommended

Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO^®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.

Excellent (740-840)

Why We Like This Card

The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card is the premium Capital One travel rewards card on the block.

Points and miles fans will be surprised to see that the Capital One Venture X card packs quite the punch when it comes to bookings made through Capital One, all while offering the lowest annual fee among premium credit cards.

Depending on your travel goals and preferences, the Capital One Venture X card could very well end up being your go-to card in your wallet.

 

Pros & Cons

Pros

• 10x miles per $1 on hotels and rental cars purchased through Capital One Travel
• 5x miles per $1 on flights and vacation rentals purchased through Capital One Travel
• 2x miles per $1 on all other purchases

Cons

• $395 annual fee (rates & fees)
• Does not offer bonus categories for flights or hotel purchases made directly with the airline or hotel group, the preferred booking method for those looking to earn elite status

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

• Earn 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel
• Receive a $300 annual credit for bookings through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options
• Get 10,000 bonus miles (equal to $100 towards travel) every year, starting on your first anniversary
• Earn unlimited 10X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel and 5X miles on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Travel
• Earn unlimited 2X miles on all other purchases
• Unlimited complimentary access for you and two guests to 1,300+ lounges, including Capital One Lounges and the Partner Lounge Network
• Use your Venture X miles to easily cover travel expenses, including flights, hotels, rental cars and more—you can even transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs
• Enjoy a $100 experience credit and other premium benefits with every hotel and vacation rental booked from the Premier Collection
• Receive up to a $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck^®

Financial Snapshot

• APR: 19.99% - 29.74% (Variable)
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Rewards Center

Capital One Miles

 

This top premium card with worldwide lounge access, up to $300 Capital One Travel credit, 10,000 Capital One miles at renewal, and cell phone coverage offers tremendous value. You’ll also have the ability to transfer miles earned on the card to airline and hotel partners to purchase award flights and free hotel nights.

And when it comes to earnings, you’ll enjoy bonus earning categories that deliver up to 10x miles per dollar spent. Every other purchase will earn 2x miles, including charitable donations made with the Capital One Venture X card.

Capital One Venture Card (Best Sub-$100 Card for Earning Miles)

Terms Apply / Rates & Fees

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

U.P. Rating 

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

Get 2x miles plus some of the most flexible redemptions offered by a travel credit card!

Learn More(at Capital One's secure site)

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Get 2x miles plus some of the most flexible redemptions offered by a travel credit card!

Welcome Offer

Enjoy a one-time bonus of 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel.

75,000 miles

UP's Bonus Valuation*:

$1,350

Annual Fee

$95

APR

19.99% - 29.74% (Variable)

Credit Recommended

Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO^®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.

Good to Excellent Credit (670-850)

Why We Like This Card

The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card is one of the most popular rewards cards on the market. It’s perfect for anyone in search of a great welcome offer, high rewards rates, and flexible redemption options.

Frequent travelers with excellent credit may benefit from this credit card that offers a lot of bells and whistles. And it offers easy-to-understand rewards earning and redemption.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• 5x miles per $1 on hotels, vacation rentals, and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
• 2x miles per $1 on all other purchases
• Up to a $120 Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee credit

Cons

• $95 annual fee (rates & fees)
• Limited elite benefits

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

• Enjoy a one-time bonus of 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel
• Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day
• Earn 5X miles on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options
• Miles won't expire for the life of the account and there's no limit to how many you can earn
• Receive up to a $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck^®
• Use your miles to get reimbursed for any travel purchase—or redeem by booking a trip through Capital One Travel
• Enjoy a $50 experience credit and other premium benefits with every hotel and vacation rental booked from the Lifestyle Collection
• Transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs

Financial Snapshot

• APR: 19.99% - 29.74% (Variable)
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Rewards Center

Capital One Miles

Capital One keeps it simple when it comes to earning rewards on the Capital One Venture card. You’ll earn unlimited 2x miles per dollar spent on every purchase you make, including charitable donations.

There are plenty of redemption options as well. Redeem for travel via the issuer’s travel portal or transfer to airline/hotel partners.

Freedom Unlimited Card (Best for Cash-back & Intro APR)

INTRO OFFER

Chase Freedom Unlimited^®

U.P. Rating 

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

This all-purpose cash-back card offers great bonus categories, including bonus points for every purchase you make!

Learn More(at Chase's secure site)

Chase Freedom Unlimited^®

This all-purpose cash-back card offers great bonus categories, including bonus points for every purchase you make!

Welcome Offer

Earn an additional 1.5% cash back on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year) - worth up to $300 cash back!

Up to $300 cash-back

Annual Fee

$0

APR

0% Intro APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 19.99% - 28.74%.

Credit Recommended

Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO^®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.

Good to Excellent (670-850)

Why We Like This Card

The Chase Freedom Unlimited^® is easily one of the best cash-back credit cards on the market. There aren’t many no-annual-fee credit cards that offer multiple great bonus categories like 5% back on travel purchased through Chase, 3% back on dining and drugstore purchases, and 1.5% back on all other purchases.

When paired with other Chase cards in the Ultimate Rewards family, you can transfer that cash back into points if you wish – making it one of the most lucrative cards in your wallet.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• 0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 19.99% - 28.74%.
• 5% back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠
• 3% back on dining and drugstore purchases

Cons

• 3% foreign transaction fee

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

• INTRO OFFER: Earn an additional 1.5% cash back on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year) - worth up to $300 cash back!
• Enjoy 6.5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, our premier rewards program that lets you redeem rewards for cash back, travel, gift cards and more; 4.5% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and 3% on all other purchases (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year).
• After your first year or $20,000 spent, enjoy 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and unlimited 1.5% cash back on all other purchases.
• No minimum to redeem for cash back. You can choose to receive a statement credit or direct deposit into most U.S. checking and savings accounts. Cash Back rewards do not expire as long as your account is open!
• Enjoy 0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 19.99% - 28.74%.
• No annual fee – You won't have to pay an annual fee for all the great features that come with your Freedom Unlimited^® card
• Keep tabs on your credit health, Chase Credit Journey helps you monitor your credit with free access to your latest score, alerts, and more.
• Member FDIC

Financial Snapshot

• APR: 0% Intro APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 19.99% - 28.74%.
• Foreign Transaction Fees: 3% of each transaction in U.S. dollars

Rewards Center

Chase Ultimate Rewards

Continuing with the simplicity of earnings theme, every purchase you make on the Freedom Unlimited card earns a consistent 1.5% cash-back per dollar spent.

What’s unique about the card, however, is that rewards are earned in the form of valuable Ultimate Rewards points that can be transferred to premium Chase credit cards such as the Chase Sapphire Preferred^® Card or Chase Sapphire Reserve^® and subsequently redeemed for up to 50% more value for travel. You can also transfer points to the Chase transfer partners for even greater potential value.

Double Cash Card (Best for Cash-back & No Annual Fee)

Citi Double Cash^® Card

U.P. Rating 

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

Great card for the average spender with no specific focus category; worry-free cash-back earning on everything!

Citi Double Cash^® Card

Great card for the average spender with no specific focus category; worry-free cash-back earning on everything!

Welcome Offer

Earn $200 cash-back after spending $1,500 on purchases in the first 6 months of account opening.

$200 cash-back

Annual Fee

$0

APR

0% Intro APR for 18 months on balance transfers, then 18.74% - 28.74% Variable

Credit Recommended

Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO^®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.

Fair to Excellent (580-850)

Why We Like This Card

The Citi Double Cash^® Card has long been one of the top cash-back credit cards on the market, and the card now has the ability to earn Citi ThankYou Points!

This means that cardholders of the Double Cash card will now earn 2% on every purchase with unlimited 1% cash back when you buy, plus an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases. Cash back is earned in the form of ThankYou Points. This means each billing cycle, you will earn 1 ThankYou point per $1 spent on purchases and an additional ThankYou point for every $1 paid on your purchase balance as long as there is a corresponding balance in your Purchase Tracker.

Citi has turned the Double Cash card into a top choice for those who are looking for an everyday, no-fuss credit card.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Uncapped 2% for every $1 spent (1% when you buy and another 1% when you pay)
• Flexible redemption options
• No annual fee

Cons

• No bonus categories
• 3% foreign transaction fees

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

• Bonus Offer: Earn $200 cash back after you spend $1,500 on purchases in the first 6 months of account opening. This offer will be fulfilled as 20,000 ThankYou^® Points, which can be redeemed for $200 cash back.
• Earn 2% on every purchase with unlimited 1% cash back when you buy, plus an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases.
• To earn cash back, pay at least the minimum due on time.
• Balance Transfer Only Offer: 0% Intro APR for 18 months on balance transfers; after that, the variable APR will be 18.74% – 28.74%, based on your creditworthiness. Balance Transfers do not earn cash back. Intro APR does not apply to purchases.
• If you transfer a balance, interest will be charged on your purchases unless you pay your entire balance (including balance transfers) by the due date each month.
• There is an intro balance transfer fee of 3% of each transfer (minimum $5) completed within the first 4 months of account opening. After that, your fee will be 5% of each transfer (minimum $5).
• Citi Double Cash^® Card Travel Portal Special Offer
  Earn a total of 5 ThankYou^® Points per $1 spent on hotel, car rental, and attractions, excluding air travel, when booked through the Citi Travel℠ portal via cititravel.com or by calling 1-833-737-1288 (TTY: 711). Offer is valid through 12/31/2025.

Financial Snapshot

• APR: 0% Intro APR for 18 months on balance transfers, then 18.74% - 28.74% Variable
• Foreign Transaction Fees: 3% of the U.S. dollar amount of each purchase

Rewards Center

Citi ThankYou Rewards

The Double Cash card has that name for a reason — you’ll earn 1% cash-back when you make a charge and 1% cash-back when you pay off that charge, earned as ThankYou Points. This translates to 2x ThankYou Points on every purchase you make, including charitable donations.

You can redeem your ThankYou Points for cash-back, but you’ll also find you can pair the Double Cash card with a premium Citi card like the Citi Strata Premier℠ Card to transfer the cash-back to Citi ThankYou Points to use with the full gamut of Citi’s transfer partners.

Hilton Aspire Card (Best for Hilton Loyalists)

Terms Apply / Rates & Fees

Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card

U.P. Rating 

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

Automatic Hilton Diamond status, an annual free night, and a travel and resort credit make this the perfect card for those who stay in Hilton hotels.

All information about Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card has been collected independently by Upgraded Points.

Apply With Confidence

Know if you're approved with no credit score impact

If you're approved and accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.

Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card

Automatic Hilton Diamond status, an annual free night, and a travel and resort credit make this the perfect card for those who stay in Hilton hotels.

Welcome Offer

Earn 175,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points after you spend $6,000 in purchases on the Card within your first 6 months of Card Membership

175,000 points

UP's Bonus Valuation*:

$875

Annual Fee

$550

APR

20.99% - 29.99% Variable

Credit Recommended

Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO^®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.

Good to Excellent (670-850)

Why We Like This Card

The information regarding the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.

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Paying hundreds of dollars for an annual fee on a co-branded hotel card might seem ridiculous, but you should know that the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card is much more than your run-of-the-mill hotel credit card.

The Hilton Aspire card is not only a phenomenal card for Hilton Honors loyalists, but even those who visit Hilton hotels just a few times a year can still get excellent value out of all the benefits that are packed into this card.

So let’s have a look at what makes the card so valuable to travelers.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• 14x points per $1 on Hilton purchases
• 7x points per $1 on select travel and at U.S. restaurants
• 3x points per $1 on all other eligible purchases

Cons

• High annual fee of $550

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

• Earn 175,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points after you spend $6,000 in purchases on the Card within your first 6 months of Card Membership
• Earn 14x Hilton Honors Bonus Points when you make eligible purchases on your card at participating hotels or resorts within the Hilton portfolio
• Earn 7x Hilton Honors Bonus Points for eligible travel purchases: on flights booked directly with airlines or AmexTravel.com and on car rentals booked directly from select car rental companies
• Earn 7x Hilton Honors Bonus Points on dining at U.S. restaurants, including takeout and delivery
• Earn 3x Hilton Honors Bonus Points for other eligible purchases on your card
• Enjoy up to $400 in Hilton Resort Credits (up to $200 in statement credits semi-annually) on your card each anniversary year when you stay at participating resorts within the Hilton portfolio
• Enjoy complimentary Diamond status
• $550 annual fee

Financial Snapshot

• APR: 20.99% - 29.99% Variable
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

If you’re a Hilton fan and frequent traveler, you’ll relish the complimentary top Diamond elite status and annual statement credits for specific travel purchases that come with the Hilton Aspire card. The card is also big on earnings at Hilton, for travel, and on dining.

Since the card earns 3x Hilton Honors points on all other purchases, your charitable donation made with the card will also receive 3x earnings.

Bottom Line: It’s rare to find charitable donations as a bonus-earning category on your favorite credit card. For this reason, you’ll want to find a card, such as the ones mentioned here, that earns well on non-bonus category purchases.

The 3 Best Business Credit Cards for Charitable Donations

Your business credit card could be an excellent choice for making a charitable donation. Here are some of the best business cards to use that earn 1.5% cash-back or 1.5x points or greater.

Card Summary

Amex Business Platinum Card (Best Business Card for Donations Over $5,000)

ELEVATED OFFER

Terms Apply / Rates & Fees

The Business Platinum Card^® from American Express

U.P. Rating 

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

This card is ideal for business travelers who enjoy luxury travel and are looking for a card loaded with benefits!

Learn More(at Amex's secure site)

The Business Platinum Card^® from American Express

This card is ideal for business travelers who enjoy luxury travel and are looking for a card loaded with benefits!

Welcome Offer

Earn 150,000 Membership Rewards^® points after you spend $20,000 in eligible purchases on the Card within the first 3 months of Card Membership.

150,000 points

UP's Bonus Valuation*:

$3,300

Annual Fee

$695

APR

18.99% - 27.99% Variable

Credit Recommended

Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO^®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.

Good to Excellent (670-850)

Why We Like This Card

The Business Platinum Card^® from American Express is a premium travel rewards card tailored toward business owners who are frequent travelers with a high number of annual expenses.

When you factor in the large number of perks that the card offers like the best airport lounge access at over 1,400 lounges, along with tons of annual credits, it’s easy to see why this card can is a top option for frequent traveling business owners.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• 5x Membership Rewards points per $1 on flights and prepaid hotels at Amex Travel
• Access to over 1,400 worldwide airport lounges as part of the American Express Global Lounge Collection
• Get 50% more Membership Rewards points (1.5 points per $1) on eligible purchases in key business categories, as well as on purchases of $5,000 or more (cap applies)

Cons

• High annual fee of $695 (rates & fees)
• Airline fee credit does not cover airfare, only incidentals like checked bags

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

• Welcome Offer: Earn 150,000 Membership Rewards^® points after you spend $20,000 in eligible purchases on the Card within the first 3 months of Card Membership.
• 5X Membership Rewards^® points on flights and prepaid hotels on AmexTravel.com, and 1X points for each dollar you spend on eligible purchases.
• Earn 1.5X points (that’s an extra half point per dollar) on each eligible purchase at US construction material, hardware suppliers, electronic goods retailers, and software & cloud system providers, and shipping providers, as well as on purchases of $5,000 or more, on up to $2 million per Card Account per calendar year. Purchases eligible for multiple additional point bonuses will only receive the highest eligible bonus.
• Unlock over $1,000 in statement credits on select purchases, including tech, recruiting and wireless in the first year of membership with the Business Platinum Card^®. Enrollment required. See how you can unlock over $1,000 annually in credits on select purchases with the Business Platinum Card^®, here.
• $200 Airline Fee Credit: Select one qualifying airline and then receive up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year when incidental fees are charged by the airline to the Card.
• $199 CLEAR^® Plus Credit: Use your card and get up to $199 in statement credits per calendar year on your CLEAR^® Plus Membership (subject to auto-renewal) when you use the Business Platinum Card^®.
• The American Express Global Lounge Collection^® can provide an escape at the airport. With complimentary access to more than 1,400 airport lounges across 140 countries and counting, you have more airport lounge options than any other credit card issuer on the market as of 03/2023.
• $695 Annual Fee.
• Terms Apply.

Financial Snapshot

• APR: 18.99% - 27.99% Variable
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Rewards Center

American Express Membership Rewards

Hot Tip: Check to see if you’re eligible for a huge welcome bonus offer of up to 170,000 points with the Amex Business Platinum. The current public offer is 150,000 points. (This targeted offer was independently researched and may not be available to all applicants.)

The Amex Business Platinum card earns 1.5x Membership Rewards points on eligible purchases in key business categories, as well as on purchases of $5,000 or more everywhere else, including charitable donations. Note that the 1.5x earnings is capped at $2 million in purchases per calendar year.

The card is best for businesses that involve travel as the card rewards flights and prepaid hotels purchased via AmexTravel.com with 5x points per dollar spent. In addition, when your business redeems points for travel, you’ll receive a 35% rebate. Statement credits for CLEAR Plus membership and on Dell purchases add further value.

Ink Business Unlimited Card (Best Business Card for Cash-back & No Annual Fee)

LIMITED TIME OFFER

Ink Business Unlimited^® Credit Card

U.P. Rating 

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

The Ink Business Unlimited card is a stellar option for business owners looking for a no-fuss uncapped 1.5% cash-back card without an annual fee.

Learn More(at Chase's secure site)

Ink Business Unlimited^® Credit Card

The Ink Business Unlimited card is a stellar option for business owners looking for a no-fuss uncapped 1.5% cash-back card without an annual fee.

Welcome Offer

Earn $900 bonus cash back after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

$900

UP's Bonus Valuation*:

$900

Annual Fee

$0

APR

0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months; variable 17.99% - 23.99% thereafter

Credit Recommended

Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO^®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.

Good to Excellent (670-850)

Why We Like This Card

As a business owner, you likely keep pretty busy and probably prefer a credit card that just keeps things simple.

If so, the Ink Business Unlimited^® Credit Card might be just the card for you. From zero annual fee to a flat cash-back rate, the card is a no-frills option that you don’t have to think twice about.

Don’t forget too, 0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months; variable 17.99% - 23.99% thereafter

Pros & Cons

Pros

• 1.5% cash-back on all purchases
• No annual fee
• 0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months; variable 17.99% - 23.99% thereafter

Cons

• 3% foreign transaction fee

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

• Earn $900 bonus cash back after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening
• Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase made for your business
• No Annual Fee
• Redeem rewards for cash back, gift cards, travel and more through Chase Ultimate Rewards^®.
• Earn rewards faster with employee cards at no additional cost. Set individual spending limits for greater control.
• Round-the-clock monitoring for unusual credit card purchases
• With Zero Liability you won't be held responsible for unauthorized charges made with your card or account information.
• 0% introductory APR for 12 months on purchases
• Member FDIC

Financial Snapshot

• APR: 0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months; variable 17.99% - 23.99% thereafter
• Foreign Transaction Fees: 3% of each transaction in U.S. dollars

Rewards Center

• Chase Ultimate Rewards

The Ink Business Unlimited card earns 1.5% cash-back on every purchase, including any charitable donations you make with the card. Rewards are initially earned as Chase Ultimate Rewards points that can be redeemed for cash-back or for travel at a value of 1 cent apiece.

However, points earned on the card are also transferable to Chase premium cards, such as the Chase Sapphire Preferred card and Chase Sapphire Reserve card, and redeemed for up to 50% more in value or transferred to travel partners for even greater potential value.

Capital One Spark Miles Card (Best Sub-$100 Business Card for Miles)

Capital One Spark Miles for Business

U.P. Rating 

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

The Capital One Spark Miles card is a low-annual-fee business card that earns 2x transferable miles on every dollar you spend. (Information collected independently. Not reviewed by Capital One.)

Capital One Spark Miles for Business

The Capital One Spark Miles card is a low-annual-fee business card that earns 2x transferable miles on every dollar you spend. (Information collected independently. Not reviewed by Capital One.)

Welcome Offer

Earn a one-time bonus of 50,000 miles – equal to $500 in travel – once you spend $4,500 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening.

50,000 miles

UP's Bonus Valuation*:

$900

Annual Fee

$0 intro for the first year, $95 after that

APR

25.74% Variable

Credit Recommended

Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO^®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.

Good to Excellent (670-850)

Why We Like This Card

The Capital One Spark Miles for Business is a great option for business owners looking for an uncomplicated rewards card that earns double miles on every purchase they make and offers access to transfer partners, all for a low annual fee.

 

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Unlimited 2x miles per dollar spent on all purchases
• 5x miles per dollar spent on hotels, vacation rentals, and rental cars purchased through Capital One Travel
• 2 complimentary visits to a Capital One Lounge per year

Cons

• Annual fee: $0 intro for the first year, $95 after that

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

• Earn a one-time bonus of 50,000 miles – equal to $500 in travel – once you spend $4,500 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening
• Earn unlimited 2X miles per dollar on every purchase, everywhere, no limits or category restrictions, and miles won’t expire for the life of the account
• Unlimited 5X miles per dollar on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
• Transfer your miles to 15+ travel loyalty programs
• Redeem your miles instantly for any travel-related purchases, from flights and hotels to ride-sharing services
• Receive up to a $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck^®
• $0 intro annual fee for the first year; $95 after that
• Free employee cards which also earn unlimited 2X miles per dollar from their purchases

Financial Snapshot

• APR: 25.74% Variable
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Rewards Center

Capital One Miles

 

Busy business owners will like earning unlimited 2x miles per dollar spent on the Capital One Spark Miles card, regardless of purchase category. This also means that your charitable donation will receive the same 2x earnings.

Bottom Line: If your business is making charitable donations, using your business credit card for those transactions can earn rewards that can generate value to offset business expenses. 

Using Credit Cards To Fund Microloans

While you can certainly make a charitable donation directly using your credit card, you can also use your rewards-earning credit card to fund microlending. Microloans are not donations, meaning you can receive your money back over time.

One of the most popular organizations that facilitates microloans is Kiva. Kiva helps the bank-less population throughout the world secure small loans for education, to start a small business, or receive emergency care. The organization reports a 96.2% repayment rate.

While we in no way endorse Kiva specifically — or have any affiliation — you should know that microloans via an established facilitator are another way to make a difference while at the same time earning rewards on your card.

An ongoing microloan expenditure can also help meet minimum-spending requirements for new cards or reach spending thresholds commonly found on many airline- or hotel-branded cards.

Once again, loans are not guaranteed, and the money is paid back over time, so your funds can be tied up.

Bottom Line: Using your credit card to make microloans via a provider organization such as Kiva is an alternative to meet minimum spending levels if it fits your situation and comfort level. 

Donating Credit Card Points to Charity

It’s possible to donate the rewards points earned on your credit card to charity or even redeem your points as a statement credit after making a charitable deduction with your card. Here’s how to donate or utilize some of the most popular rewards.

American Express Membership Rewards Points

Log in to your Membership Rewards account and select the Rewards option, then Pay with Points at Checkout, then the JustGiving option.

Chase Ultimate Rewards Points

Chase cardholders may redeem their Chase Ultimate Rewards as a statement credit after making a charitable donation to their choice of over a dozen select charities through December 31, 2024, or January 31, 2025, depending on the card. Donations made within the past 90 days will qualify for this Pay Yourself Back benefit.

The following Chase credit cards offer statement credits via Pay Yourself Back at the rate of either 1.25 or 1.5 cents per point.

• Chase Sapphire Reserve card
• Chase Freedom^® card (no longer available to new applicants)
• Chase Freedom Flex℠
• Chase Freedom Rise℠ Credit Card
• Chase Sapphire Preferred card
• Ink Business Preferred^® Credit Card
• Ink Business Plus^® Credit Card (no longer available to new applicants)
• Freedom Unlimited card

Eligible charities include:

Bottom Line: Select Chase cardholders can utilize the Pay Yourself Back benefit to redeem Chase Ultimate Rewards points as a statement credit towards eligible charitable deductions made within the past 90 days. This benefit is currently valid through December 31, 2024, or January 31, 2025, depending on the card. 

Citi ThankYou Points

Donate your Citi ThankYou Points via the points redemption option found when you log in to your online Citi account.

Bottom Line: Donating your points to a charitable organization may not result in the best value for your points. Do the math to determine if making a donation using your credit card makes more sense. Also, watch for promotions such as on Giving Tuesdays when card issuers might match donations. 

Donating Airline Miles and Hotel Points to Charity

While donating frequent flyer miles or hotel points is normally not tax-deductible from an individual donor (reference the IRS or contact your tax advisor for more information), it can still achieve the bottom-line goal of helping those in need.

Whether for disaster relief, to transport patients for life-saving surgery, or other nonprofit organizational needs, donating the miles/points you earn can make a difference.

Donating points or miles can also count as activity and keep your loyalty program account active so that points/miles don’t expire.

Let’s look at some of the most popular airline and hotel charitable programs and how to donate your miles/points.

Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan

Mileage Plan members can donate their Alaska Airline miles to several organizations via the LIFT Miles program.

Here’s how to earn Alaska Mileage Plan miles.

American Airlines AAdvantage

Donate your miles via American Airlines’ Let Good Take Flight program.

Some of the best credit cards for earning American Airlines AAdvantage miles can be found here.

Delta SkyMiles

Donate miles to participating charities via Delta Air Lines’ SkyWish.

Here are some of the best credit cards for earning Delta SkyMiles.

Hilton Honors

Donate your Hilton Honors points to projects throughout the world via the Global Giving program.

Here are some of the best credit cards for earning Hilton Honors hotel points.

JetBlue TrueBlue

JetBlue TrueBlue members can donate points to a good cause via this link.

JetBlue points can be earned on JetBlue-branded cards.

Marriott Bonvoy

Select from several different charities to which you can donate your Marriott Bonvoy points at the Giving Platform.

Learn how to earn lots of Marriott Bonvoy points in our informative article.

Hot Tip: Additional hotel loyalty programs that allow you to donate your points include Choice Hotels and Wyndham.

Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards

Donate points to any of 7 different charities with Southwest’s Points for a Purpose.

Some of the best credit cards for earning Southwest points can be found in our guide.

United Airlines MileagePlus

Make a difference with your miles by donating to United MileagePlus Miles on a Mission.

Learn about how to earn United MileagePlus miles via United-branded cards.

If you want to learn more about donating your points, miles, or credit card rewards to charity, we go into more detail in our article on the topic.

Final Thoughts

If you’re making charitable donations, it makes sense to use a rewards-earning credit card to do so. You’ll want to keep in mind any fees the organization might be charged and decide whether you want to increase your donation to offset some of that cost.

If your situation allows, you may also consider funding microloans with your rewards-earning card, but do so with caution, knowing you may not receive all of your funds back. Also, make your transaction with a respected organization that facilitates and then manages these loans.

Finally, donating your miles or hotel points is a generous option. While chances are you won’t receive a tax deduction or earn rewards on the transaction, you will make a difference with the gesture.

For Capital One products listed on this page, some of the benefits may be provided by Visa^® or Mastercard^® and may vary by product. See the respective Guide to Benefits for details, as terms and exclusions apply.