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The 6 Best Business Credit Cards for Advertising Purchases (Facebook, Google, Amazon, and More)
Christine Krzyszton
Christine Krzyszton
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Chances are, your business spends money on advertising. Whether you use Facebook, Amazon, Google, Twitter, or more traditional media platforms such as TV or radio, if a big share of your business expenses falls in this category, you should make sure you’re earning the highest rewards possible.
Fortunately, several of the best credit cards available have been designed to reward common types of advertising spending inherent to businesses today.
In our article, we’ll cover:
Which credit cards are best for earning rewards on advertising purchases
Which advertising categories are eligible for bonus earning
The benefits of different reward currencies
Alternative credit cards for earning rewards on advertising purchases
Let’s get busy making sure every advertising purchase your business makes earns rewards.
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The 6 Best Business Credit Cards for Advertising Purchases — Overview
ELEVATED OFFER100,000 pointsAmerican Express® Business Gold CardEarn 100,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $15,000 on eligible purchases with the Business Gold Card within the first 3 months of Card Membership.
Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points on the top two eligible categories where your business spends the most each month from 6 eligible categories. While your top 2 categories may change, you will earn 4X points on the first $150,000 in combined purchases from these categories each calendar year (then 1X thereafter). Only the top 2 categories each billing cycle will count towards the $150,000 cap.
Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights and prepaid hotels booked on amextravel.com using your Business Gold Card.
Earn 1X Membership Rewards® points on all other eligible purchases.
Earn 3 points per $1 on the first $150,000 spent in combined purchases on travel, shipping purchases, Internet, cable and phone services, advertising purchases made with social media sites and search engines each account anniversary year.
Earn 1 point per $1 on all other purchases—with no limit to the amount you can earn.
150,000 pointsThe Business Platinum Card® from American ExpressEarn 150,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $20,000 in eligible purchases on the Card within the first 3 months of Card Membership.
1x-5xpointsThe Business Platinum Card® from American Express
Earn 5x Membership Rewards® points on flights, prepaid hotels, and short-term rentals and prepaid flight and hotel packages booked through Amex Travel
Earn 1.5x points on each eligible purchase at:
U.S. construction material
Hardware suppliers
Electronic goods retailers
Software & cloud system providers
Shipping providers
Earn 1.5x points 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.
15,000 pointsThe Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American ExpressEarn 15,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $3,000 in eligible purchases on the Card within your first 3 months of Card Membership.
1x-2xpointsThe Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express
Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on everyday business purchases such as office supplies or client dinners. 2X applies to the first $50,000 in purchases per year, 1 point per dollar thereafter.
Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point on other purchases.
The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the ins and outs 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 4x points in 2 select categories where your business spends the most each month (on your first $150,000 spent each year).
Get 4x points in 2 select categories where your business spends the most each month (on your first $150,000 spent each year).
Earn 100,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $15,000 on eligible purchases with the Business Gold Card within the first 3 months of Card Membership.
100,000 points
Up to $2,200
$375
18.49% - 29.24% Variable,0% on purchases for 6 months from date of account opening
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.
The card earns a whopping 4x points per $1 in the 2 categories (from a list of 6) that your business spends the most money on each month. With no need to opt-in or preselect your categories, so you can focus on what matters most — running your business.
Pros & Cons
Pros
4x points per dollar spent on your 2 highest purchase categories each month up to $150,000 each calendar year in purchases; categories include:
Transit purchases including trains, taxicabs, rideshare services, ferries, tolls, parking, buses, and subways
U.S. purchases made from electronic goods retailers and software & cloud system providers
Monthly wireless telephone service charges made directly from a wireless telephone service provider in the U.S.
U.S. purchases at gas stations
U.S. purchases at restaurants, including takeout and delivery
Purchases at U.S. media providers for advertising in select media (online such as Google Ads, Facebook Ads, plus TV and radio)
3x points per dollar on flights and prepaid hotels booked on amextravel.com using your Business Gold Card
Welcome Offer: Earn 100,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $15,000 on eligible purchases with the Business Gold Card within the first 3 months of Card Membership.*
0% Intro APR ¤ for 6 months from the date of account opening on purchases eligible for Pay Over Time, then a 18.49% to 29.24% variable APR.*
Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points on the top two eligible categories where your business spends the most each month from 6 eligible categories. While your top 2 categories may change, you will earn 4X points on the first $150,000 in combined purchases from these categories each calendar year (then 1X thereafter). Only the top 2 categories each billing cycle will count towards the $150,000 cap.*
Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights and prepaid hotels booked on amextravel.com using your Business Gold Card.*
Earn up to $20 in statement credits monthly after you use the Business Gold Card for eligible U.S. purchases at FedEx, Grubhub, and Office Supply Stores. This can be an annual savings of up to $240. Enrollment required.*
Get up to a $12.95** statement credit back each month after you pay for a monthly Walmart+ membership (subject to auto-renewal) with your Business Gold Card. **Up to $12.95 plus applicable taxes on one membership fee.*
The Business Gold Card comes in three metal designs: Gold, Rose Gold and White Gold. Make your selection when you apply on Americanexpress.com.
*Terms Apply
Financial Snapshot
APR: 18.49% - 29.24% Variable,0% on purchases for 6 months from date of account opening
You have more productive things to do with your time than trying to determine which bonus earning categories you should select on your business credit card.
With the Amex Business Gold card, elevated earning is simple. All of the 4x bonus earning categories are eligible, but your actual spending determines which 2 categories receive the bonus each statement period.
For example, if this month’s statement shows that shipping and radio advertising were your biggest expenses, those are the categories that receive 4x bonus earnings. Next month’s spending could change, with airline tickets and computer hardware being your largest expenses. Those would then be the categories earning the 4x bonus.
This process ensures your greatest expenses receive the greatest rewards. If advertising is always your biggest expense category, you always receive 4x earnings for those purchases.
If your business spends a lot on Google Ads or Facebook Ads, the Amex Business Gold card is an excellent choice. If you maximize the $150,000 annual purchase limit in this 4x earnings category, that’s 600,000 Membership Rewards points earned each year!
Hot Tip: It’s worth noting that Amex does not list Amazon advertising as a qualifying online ad purchase at this time.
Here’s how the Amex Business Gold card rewards advertising purchases:
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Best For:
Examples of Bonus Earning Merchants
Rewards
Qualifying online ads, television and radio advertising purchased in the U.S. for the purpose of promoting a business
Ads on Google, Yahoo, and Bing
Ads on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter
NBC TV
CBS Radio
4 Membership Rewards points per $1 spent on 2 categories
Limit of $150,000 for both 4x earning categories combined
Why We Like Earning Membership Rewards Points
Membership Rewards points are one of the most valuable rewards currencies, given how many ways there are to earn Amex points and the variety of good redemptions.
The value you receive for your points depends on how you redeem them. You can purchase travel through AmexTravel.com, redeem your points for gift cards, or donate to charity to easily receive 1 cent per point in value.
Transferring Amex points to Amex transfer partners (especially airlines) can yield even greater value and may be the best way to maximize your Amex points.
While there are several other kinds of redemptions, statement credits, shopping at Amazon, Best Buy, or Shop with Membership Rewards Points usually yield significantly less value for your points.
Ink Business Preferred Card (Best for Travel Rewards)
The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the ins and outs 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 Preferred card is hard to beat, with a huge welcome bonus offer and 3x points per $1 on the first $150,000 in so many business categories.
The Ink Business Preferred card is hard to beat, with a huge welcome bonus offer and 3x points per $1 on the first $150,000 in so many business categories.
Earn 90k bonus points after you spend $8,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
90,000 points
$1,800
$95
20.24% - 26.24% Variable
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 Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card is a powerhouse for earning lots of points from your business purchases, especially for business owners that spend regularly on ads.
Plus the card offers flexible redemption options, including access to Chase airline and hotel transfer partners where you can achieve outsized value.
Business owners will also love the protections the card provides like excellent cell phone insurance, rental car insurance, purchase protection, and more.
Pros & Cons
Pros
3x Ultimate Rewards points per $1 on up to $150,000 in combined purchases on internet, cable and phone services, shipping expenses, travel, and ads purchased with search engines or social media sites
Cell phone protection
Purchase protection
Cons
No elite travel benefits like airport lounge access
Earn 90k bonus points after you spend $8,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening
Earn 3 points per $1 on the first $150,000 spent on travel and select business categories each account anniversary year. Earn 1 point per $1 on all other purchases
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.
Redeem points for cash back, gift cards, travel and more – your points don’t expire as long as your account is open
Points are worth more when you redeem for travel through Chase TravelSM
Purchase Protection covers your new purchases for 120 days against damage or theft up to $10,000 per claim and $50,000 per account.
No need to select a specific bonus category with the Ink Business Preferred card — all of the business spending bonus categories automatically earn 3 Ultimate Rewards points per $1 spent.
Advertising purchases on social media and search engines are included in the bonus earning categories and also receive 3 points per dollar spent.
There is a $150,000 annual limit on total 3x category earnings, after which you earn 1 point per dollar spent. If you’re reaching this level of spending on Google, Amazon, or Facebook ads, or another 3x category, that’s a total of 450,000 Ultimate Rewards points!
Once earned, Ultimate Rewards points are deposited in your Ultimate Rewards account at the end of each statement period and are available for use.
Here’s how the Ink Business Preferred card rewards advertising purchases:
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Best for:
Example of Bonus Earning Merchants
Rewards
Social media website advertising and search engine advertising purchases
Advertising on Google and on Amazon
Yahoo, Bing, Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter ads
3 Ultimate Rewards points per $1 spent ($150,000 annual limit on the 3x bonus, 1x thereafter)
Hot Tip: If your business spends a lot on Google, Amazon, or Facebook advertising, the Ink Business Preferred card is an excellent choice for those advertising purchases. Maximizing the $150,000 purchase limit for 3x categories generates up to $7,875 in value when redeemed via the Chase Travel portal.
Amex Blue Business Cash Card (Best for Consistent Cash-Back)
The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the ins and outs 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.
Take control of your cash-back with the Amex Blue Business Cash card, and earn 2% cash-back on up to $50,000 in purchases each year.
Take control of your cash-back with the Amex Blue Business Cash card, and earn 2% cash-back on up to $50,000 in purchases each year.
Earn a $250 statement credit after you make $3,000 in purchases on your Card in your first 3 months.
$250
No annual fee
0% on purchases for 12 months from date of account opening, then a variable rate of, 17.49% - 27.49% Variable
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
Why We Like This Card
Looking for a way to keep tabs on your office supply costs and business travel expenses while earning cash-back? Then The American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card could be a good fit.
This card offers expense management solutions that are designed to give companies more control, along with a much clearer picture of their business spending. In doing so, the more you spend, the more cash-back you can earn.
Pros & Cons
Pros
2% cash-back on up to $50,000 in spend, then 1% back thereafter
No annual fee
Travel and purchase protection
Cons
Not ideal for those who spend a lot on a specific category like groceries or gas
Earn a $250 statement credit after you make $3,000 in purchases on your Card in your first 3 months.
0.0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months from the date of account opening, then a variable rate, 17.49% – 27.49%, based on your creditworthiness and other factors as determined at the time of account opening. APRs will not exceed 29.99%
Earn 2% cash back on all eligible purchases on up to $50,000 per calendar year, then 1%. Cash back earned is automatically credited to your statement.
From workflow to inventory to floor plans, your business is constantly changing. That’s why you’ve got the power to spend beyond your credit limit with Expanded Buying Power.
The amount you can spend above your credit limit is flexible, so it adapts with your use of the Card, your payment history, credit record, financial resources known to us, and other factors. Just remember, the amount you can spend with Expanded Buying Power is not unlimited.
No Annual Fee
Terms Apply
Financial Snapshot
APR: 0% on purchases for 12 months from date of account opening, then a variable rate of, 17.49% - 27.49% Variable
Foreign Transaction Fees: 2.7% of each transaction after conversion to US dollars.
How To Earn on Qualifying Advertising Purchases
If advertising is your greatest expense, you can consistently earn 2% cash-back with the Amex Blue Business Cash card. These 2% earnings are limited to $50,000 in eligible purchases per year, and after you’ve maxed out your 2% earnings, you earn 1%.
Amex advertising categories include Google Ads, Yahoo Ads, and Facebook Ads. NBC TV and CBS Radio all qualify for 2% since the card earns 2% on all eligible purchases within the cap.
Why We Like Earning Cash-Back
If you’re operating your business on a tight budget and traveling is not a priority, cash-back can be a valuable way to bring capital back into the business.
No need for complicated redemption strategies — cash-back earned on the Amex Blue Business Cash card is applied automatically to your statement, helping to offset expenses and improve your bottom line.
Best Business Card for Unlimited Advertising Purchases
Amex Business Platinum Card (Best for High-Spend Advertising Purchases)
The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the ins and outs 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!
This card is ideal for business travelers who enjoy luxury travel and are looking for a card loaded with benefits!
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 to $3,300
$695
18.49% - 29.24% Variable
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.
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, prepaid hotels, and short-term rentals and prepaid flight and hotel packages booked through Amex Travel
Access to over 1,400 worldwide airport lounges as part of the American Express Global Lounge Collection (as of 10/2024).
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 (on up to $2 million per calendar year)
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.
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 10/2024.
Unlock over $2,000 in statement credits with business and travel benefits annually* on the Business Platinum Card. Terms apply. Learn more. *After meeting qualifying spend thresholds
New! Enroll and get up to $150 in statement credits on U.S purchases directly with Dell Technologies on the Business Platinum Card and an additional $1,000 statement credit after you spend $5,000 or more on that same Card per calendar year.
New! Enroll and get a $250 statement credit after you spend $600 or more on U.S. purchases directly with Adobe per calendar year on the Business Platinum Card.
Fly like a pro with a $200 Airline Fee Credit. Select one qualifying airline to receive up to $200 back per year on baggage fees and other incidentals.
Make the Business Platinum Card® work even harder for you. Hilton For Business members get up to $200 back per calendar year when you make an eligible purchase at Hilton properties across the globe. Benefit enrollment required.
5X points on flights and prepaid hotels booked on AmexTravel.com
1.5X points (that’s an extra half point per dollar) on purchases at US construction material & hardware suppliers, electronic goods retailers and software & cloud system providers, and shipping providers, as well as on each eligible purchase of $5,000 or more, up to $2 million of these purchases per calendar year. Purchases eligible for multiple additional point bonuses will only receive the highest eligible bonus.
1X points on other eligible purchases
Use the Business Platinum Card® and get up to $209 back per calendar year on your CLEAR® Plus Membership (subject to auto-renewal).
If your business spends an inordinate amount of money on advertising each month, make sure every dollar is earning rewards. Plus, you’ll want to have a card that comes with many additional benefits you can use.
Earn 1.5x for eligible purchases made at U.S. construction material and hardware suppliers, at U.S. electronic goods retailers and software and cloud system providers, and at U.S. shipping providers, as well as on each eligible purchase of $5,000 or more everywhere else (up to $2 million in purchases per calendar year).
There is no limit on the amount of Membership Rewards points you can earn.
Why We Like the Card Overall
The Amex Business Platinum card is a premium travel rewards card that comes with premium travel benefits including the following:
If your business is spending big on advertising, considering a card like the Amex Business Platinum card, with no spending limits, might be a rewarding option.
2 Alternative Credit Cards for Advertising Purchases
If you want to earn rewards on all of your purchases, you can accomplish this with several credit cards.
Let’s take a look at several credit cards without annual fees that deliver earnings on every purchase you make, including advertising.
Amex Blue Business Plus Card (Best for No Annual Fee and Cash-Back)
The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the ins and outs 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.
Earn Membership Rewards for your business spending the easy way: get 2x points for the first $50,000 in purchases per year.
Earn Membership Rewards for your business spending the easy way: get 2x points for the first $50,000 in purchases per year.
Earn 15,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $3,000 in eligible purchases on the Card within your first 3 months of Card Membership.
15,000 points
Up to $330
No annual fee
0.0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months from the date of account opening, then a variable rate, 17.49% - 27.49%.
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.
With the Amex Blue Business Plus card, you’ll earn 2x Membership Rewards points on everyday business purchases throughout the year (up to $50,000; 1x thereafter) and receive purchase protections and no-additional-charge employee cards all for no annual fee (see rates and fees).
The simple and straightforward earning structure makes it a great fit for those looking to earn flexible rewards, without having to fixate on which purchases earn the most points.
Let’s take look at all that the Amex Blue Business Plus card has to offer.
Pros & Cons
Pros
2x Membership Rewards points per $1 on everyday business purchases (up to $50,000; 1x thereafter)
Purchase protection and extended warranty protection
No annual fee and employee cards at no additional cost
Cons
No unique bonus categories and 2x earnings are capped at $50,000 in annual spend
No elite travel benefits like lounge access or elite status
Earn 15,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $3,000 in eligible purchases on the Card within your first 3 months of Card Membership.
0.0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months from the date of account opening, then a variable rate, 17.49% - 27.49%, based on your creditworthiness and other factors at account opening. APR will not exceed 29.99%
Earn 2X points on everyday business purchases such as office supplies or client dinners. 2X applies to the first $50,000 in purchases per year, 1 point per dollar thereafter. Terms and limitations apply.
You’ve got the power to spend beyond your credit limit* with Expanded Buying Power. *The amount you can spend above your credit limit is flexible, so it adapts with your use of the Card, your payment history, credit record, financial resources known to us, and other factors. Just remember, the amount you can spend with Expanded Buying Power is not unlimited.
No Annual Fee
Terms Apply.
Financial Snapshot
APR: 0.0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months from the date of account opening, then a variable rate, 17.49% - 27.49%.
Foreign Transaction Fees: 2.7% of each transaction after conversion to US dollars.
The Amex Blue Business Plus card earns 2x points on everyday business purchases, including advertising like Google Ads and Facebook Ads, up to $50,000 per year. After that, you earn 1x.
If you maximize that limit, you earn 100,000 Membership Rewards points — an excellent value for a no-annual-fee credit card.
Ink Business Unlimited Card (Best for No Annual Fee and Transferable Rewards)
The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the ins and outs 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.
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.
Earn $750 bonus cash back after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
$750
$750
$0
0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months; variable 17.49% - 23.49% thereafter
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 17.49% - 23.49% thereafter
Pros & Cons
Pros
1.5% cash-back on all purchases
No annual fee
0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months; variable 17.49% - 23.49% thereafter
With 1.5% cash-back on every purchase your business makes, including advertising, the no-annual-fee Ink Business Unlimited card is worthy of consideration.
Cash-back rewards are earned in the form of Ultimate Rewards points that can be redeemed for cash-back at 1 cent per point.
There is no limit on how much cash-back (in the form of Ultimate Rewards points) you can earn with the Ink Business Unlimited card.
Hot Tip: If your advertising expenses exceed the bonus category limits that come with a specific credit card, a combination of 2 cards that match up with your spending levels may be the ultimate solution. For example, the Ink Business Preferred card (great for Amazon advertisers) and the Amex Business Gold card are cards with elevated advertising earnings that have a $300,000 annual limit combined.
How To Choose a Business Card for Ad Spend
The best way to choose a business credit card for your ad spend is to consider what type of rewards, perks, and protections you are looking for in your new credit card.
For instance, do you prefer to earn cash-back or do you prefer to earn flexible rewards that can be used for travel and a number of other ways? Do you want a card that offers bonus categories other than ad spend? Are you comfortable paying an annual fee or do you prefer a no-annual-fee card?
You should also keep in mind whether you want the card to include perks and protections like airport lounge access, select business statement credits, purchase protection, and rental car insurance.
A great way to do this is to think about what your needs and wants in a new card would be, and then select a card that matches up with as many of those as possible.
What Counts as Advertising on These Cards?
That largely depends on which card you select, but usually there is quite a bit of overlap between cards. For instance, American Express defines its ad spend category this way: “Purchases of online, television, and radio advertising must be purchased in the U.S. directly from media providers in order to promote a business.” Examples of merchants this would apply to include Google, Facebook, Yahoo, NBC, and CBS Radio.
Chase, on the other hand, says: “Merchants in the social media and search engine advertising category include social media websites and online search engines that advertise a business, brand, products or services. Advertising purchases that are not made directly from a social media website or online search engine merchant may not qualify.” So, as long as you purchase ad spend directly through the merchant, not a third-party provider, you should receive the bonus points.
Are Credit Cards for Advertising Purchases Worth It?
If you operate a business that spends a considerable amount of money on ad spend, then, yes, having a credit card that offers ad spend as a bonus category would be well worth it for you. Otherwise, you are leaving a large number of points or cash-back rewards on the table.
Consider if you had a card like the Ink Business Preferred card. With the $150,000 annual limit on a total of 3x category earnings, spending that amount on ad spend each year would earn you 450,000 Ultimate Rewards points. Those points are worth $4,500 when redeemed for cash, $5,625 when redeemed through Chase Travel, and even $9,000 or more in travel value when using the Chase transfer partners.
Methodology: How We Selected the Best Credit Cards for Buying Ads
When we evaluate credit cards at Upgraded Points, we consider everything that the card has to offer to cardholders. Since there are multiple credit cards that offer bonus categories for ad spend, considering these additional factors helps us determine which cards have the best overall value proposition.
Here is some insight into our thought process when selecting the best cards for ad spend:
Associated Benefits
Great business credit cards often offer perks like free employee cards, select merchant statement credits, travel benefits such as lounge access, expense management tools, card protections, and more.
Earnings Structure
In addition to offering ad spend as a bonus category, we look for cards that offer additional bonus categories to help your business earn as many points, or cash-back, as possible on your expenses.
Welcome Offers
The welcome offer on a business card can give your points balance a nice boost early. Given that welcome offers are a one-time boost and can be lucrative, they are a factor in how we evaluate cards.
We’ll provide you with the current welcome offer information available for each card, but we encourage you to confirm the welcome bonus offer before applying for any card.
Fees
Some business credit cards have fees, so take these into account as well. After all, if you are going to pay an annual fee for a credit card, you need to make sure it is worthwhile to you.
Redemption Value
In our view, the best business rewards cards offer flexible redemption options that include cash-back, travel, statement credits, transfer partners, and more. This way, you are never tied to redeeming your points using a specific method.
Hot Tip:
While the most desired benefits and features of a card will vary by person, our holistic approach gives readers the full picture of what they can expect from every card we review. To learn more about how we review cards, read through our designated methodology page.
Final Thoughts
If your business is heavy into advertising and the expense is significant, selecting a credit card that earns rewards for these purchases makes good business sense.
It’s also prudent to look at your other major expenses and select a card that matches as much of your spending mix as possible.
For example, if your 2 largest business expenses are for travel and advertising, the Ink Business Preferred card might be a better choice than the Amex Business Gold card, which limits travel-related earnings to just airline tickets purchased directly from the airlines.
If your business is small and you have a lot of office supply purchases and wireless phone expenses, the Amex Blue Business Cash card will have you earning plenty at 2% cash-back on up to $50,000 per year.
Selecting the best credit card for earning rewards on your business advertising expenses should involve looking at all of your expenses to determine which card is the best one overall for your business.
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