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The 9 Best Credit Cards for Teachers in 2024 [Personal & Business]

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Teaching is one of the noblest professions, as teachers are entrusted with educating the next generation. And while teachers are often underpaid, they are also expected to foot the bill for common school supplies like pencils, markers, and notebooks. Over time, these expenses add up.

So how can teachers deflect as much of the bill as possible? By using the right credit cards, of course.

Let’s get right into it!

What To Look For in a Credit Card for Teachers

If you’re a teacher, chances are you aren’t getting reimbursed for the supplies you have to buy for your classroom.

But what you can do is consider your shopping habits and use your credit card portfolio to get the most rewards back from your spending as possible.

The most significant expenses teachers have are usually from office supply stores, so finding a card that has office supply stores as a bonus category will be instrumental to your rewards optimization.

Beyond that, the next best thing to do is get the best credit cards for general, non-bonused spending.

The 5 Best Personal Credit Cards for Teachers

Card Summary

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CardWelcome Bonus and Annual FeeBenefits for Teachers
Citi Double Cash® Card

Citi Double Cash® Card
  • Earn $200 cash back after spending $1,500 in the first 6 months.
  • Annual fee of $0
  • 2% cash-back on all purchases (1% when you buy, and another 1% when you pay)
Chase Freedom Unlimited®

Chase Freedom Unlimited®
  • Earn an extra 1.5% on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year) — worth up to $300 cash back. That's 6.5% on travel purchased through Chase Travel, 4.5% on dining and drugstores, and 3% on all other purchases.
  • Annual fee of $0
  • 0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 20.49% - 29.24%.
  • 3% cash-back at drugstores and on dining
  • 1.5% cash-back on all purchases
Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card

Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card
  • Earn 20,000 miles when you spend $500 on purchases in the first 3 months.
  • Annual fee of $0
  • 1.25x miles on all purchases
Chase Freedom Flex℠

Chase Freedom Flex℠
  • Earn a $200 bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in your first 3 months.
  • Annual fee of $0
  • 5% cash-back on quarterly categories
  • 3% cash-back at drugstores and on dining
  • 1% cash-back on all purchases
Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express

Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express
  • Earn a $200 statement credit after spending $2,000 in purchases in the first 6 months.
  • Annual fee of $0 (rates & fees)
  • 3% cash-back at U.S. online retailers (up to $6,000 in purchases yearly)
  • 3% cash-back at U.S. supermarkets (up to $6,000 in purchases yearly)
  • 3% cash-back at U.S. gas stations (up to $6,000 in purchases yearly)

Citi Double Cash® Card

Citi Double Cash® Card

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!

Learn More(at our partner's secure site)

Citi Double Cash® Card

Great card for the average spender with no specific focus category; worry-free cash-back earning on everything!
Earn $200 cash back after spending $1,500 on purchases in the first 6 months of account opening.
$200 cash back
$0
0% Intro APR for 18 months on balance transfers, then 19.24% - 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.
Fair to Excellent (580-850)

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

  • 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
  • Lack of premium travel benefits
  • 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 on Balance Transfers for 18 months. After that, the variable APR will be 19.24% – 29.24%, 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).

Financial Snapshot

  • APR: 0% Intro APR for 18 months on balance transfers, then 19.24% - 29.24% Variable
  • Foreign Transaction Fees: 3% of the U.S. dollar amount of each purchase

Card Categories

Rewards Center

Citi ThankYou Rewards

Our best credit card for teachers is the Double Cash card. A flat-rate cash-back card, you’ll earn the same rate wherever you shop for school supplies. This tremendous credit card is surprisingly rewarding when used properly.

What we mean by that is if you use the Double Cash card to earn flat cash-back, you’ll be missing out on the most value. Let us explain.

Normally, your Double Cash card earns 2% cash back — 1% when you purchase and 1% when you pay off your bill — with no caps. However, this cash-back is earned in the form of Citi ThankYou PointsThat means you can effectively earn 2x transferable points on all purchases with absolutely no caps!

You’ll get an introductory flexible pay date, fraud protection, zero liability for unauthorized purchases, a late fee pass, and Citi Private Pass event ticket access.

Why We Like Earning Citi ThankYou Rewards Points

We consider Citi ThankYou Rewards Points to be among the most valuable available. Offering the ability to transfer points to airline miles, this flexible rewards program is one that we frequently recommend and watch.

You can redeem your points for a cash-back statement credit, direct deposit, check, gift cards, charity, and travel booked through the ThankYou Rewards travel portal. While the Double Cash card can access limited transfer partners on its own, interestingly, if you have a ThankYou Rewards credit card, such as the Citi Premier® Card or Citi Prestige® Card (no longer open to new applicants), you can access all of Citi’s transfer partners.

We value each ThankYou Point at around 1.6 cents, and you can achieve the best value by redeeming them via transfer partners. In some cases, if you book flights like ANA business class or Lufthansa first class, you can achieve excellent value.

Hot Tip: Take advantage of cash-back rebate sites like Rakuten to earn even more on your online purchases!

Chase Freedom Unlimited®

Chase Freedom Unlimited®

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!
Earn an extra 1.5% on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year) — worth up to $300 cash back. That's 6.5% on travel purchased through Chase Travel, 4.5% on dining and drugstores, and 3% on all other purchases.
Up to $300 cash back
$0
0% Intro APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 20.49% - 29.24%.
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)

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

  • 0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 20.49% - 29.24%.
  • 5% back on travel purchased through Chase Travel
  • 3% back on dining and drugstore purchases
  • 1.5% back on all other purchases
  • No annual fee
  • Earn big on travel purchased through Chase Travel
  • Everyday bonus on dining and drugstores
  • Straightforward cash-back on all other purchases
  • Ability to pool points

Cons

  • 3% foreign transaction fee
  • 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 20.49% - 29.24%.
  • 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 20.49% - 29.24%.
  • Foreign Transaction Fees: 3% of each transaction in U.S. dollars

Card Categories

Rewards Center

Chase Ultimate Rewards

The Freedom Unlimited card offers hefty cash-back rewards with an easy path to transferable rewards.

To start off this card earns up to 5% cash-back:

  • 5% cash-back on travel booked through Chase Travel
  • 5% cash-back on Lyft purchases (through March 31, 2025)
  • 3% cash-back on drugstores and dining
  • 1.5% cash-back on all other purchases

Occasionally, this card offers an additional cash-back amount as part of a welcome offer, so you could earn even more cash-back.

The most useful aspect of this card, at least for teachers, is the 1.5% cash-back, though drugstores may sell gift cards to office supply stores.

When you pair the Freedom Unlimited card with an Ultimate Rewards credit card like the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card, Chase Sapphire Reserve®, or Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card, you can convert your 1.5% cash-back to 1.5x Ultimate Rewards points, worth a 3% return on spend!

This card also comes with a 0% introductory APR perk as detailed in the table above, purchase protection, extended warranty coverage, secondary auto rental collision damage insurance, fraud protection, and other benefits.

Why We Like Earning Chase Ultimate Rewards Points

With the Freedom Unlimited card alone, your rewards are worth a flat 1 cent per point, redeemable as a statement credit, for travel, at Amazon via Shop with Points, and more.

But if you have an Ultimate Rewards credit card like the Chase Sapphire Preferred card, your cash-back can easily be converted to Ultimate Rewards points, doubling your return on spend.

Once you have an Ultimate Rewards card, you can transfer your points to the Chase transfer partners for some incredible redemption value.

Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card

Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit CardTerms Apply / Rates & Fees

Capital One VentureOne 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 card offers unlimited miles at 1.25x per $1 and no annual fee. When you consider the flexible rewards, frequent travelers come out on top.

Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card

The card offers unlimited miles at 1.25x per $1 and no annual fee. When you consider the flexible rewards, frequent travelers come out on top.
Earn a bonus of 20,000 miles once you spend $500 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $200 in travel.
20,000 miles
$360
$0
19.99% - 29.99% (Variable),0% intro on purchases for 15 months
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)

Interested in a travel rewards credit card without one of those pesky annual fees? Then say hello to the Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card.

In addition to no annual fee, the Capital One VentureOne card offers no foreign transaction fees.

But is this card worth its salt, or is it merely a shell of the more popular Capital One Venture card?

Pros

Cons

  • Weak earn rate at 1.25x miles per $1 spent on all purchases
  • No luxury travel or elite benefits
  • $0 annual fee and no foreign transaction fees
  • Earn a bonus of 20,000 miles once you spend $500 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $200 in travel
  • Earn unlimited 1.25X miles on every purchase, every day
  • Miles won't expire for the life of the account and there's no limit to how many you can earn
  • Earn 5X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options
  • Use your miles to get reimbursed for any travel purchase—or redeem by booking a trip through Capital One Travel
  • Transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs
  • Enjoy 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months; 19.99% - 29.99% variable APR after that; balance transfer fee applies

Financial Snapshot

  • APR: 19.99% - 29.99% (Variable),0% intro on purchases for 15 months
  • Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Card Categories

Rewards Center

Capital One Miles

The Capital One VentureOne card is a simple credit card that boasts transferable rewards as its bread-and-butter selling point.

This card comes with the ability to earn 1.25x Capital One miles on all purchases with no caps. And thankfully most of Capital One’s transfer partnerships are 1:1 now.

This product comes with car rental insurance, lost luggage coverage, travel accident insurance, roadside dispatch, and no foreign transaction fees (rates & fees).

There’s also purchase security, zero fraud liability, and extended warranty coverage.

Why We Like Earning Capital One Miles

The Capital One VentureOne card earns Capital One Miles, which is one of the major flexible rewards currencies.

We value Capital One miles at around 1.8 cents each, but it’s easy to get better value through transfer partners, especially when booking premium cabin airfare.

It’s also possible to get lower value when redeeming for statement credits, travel booked via Capital One Travel, gift cards, experiences, and more.

Chase Freedom Flex℠

Chase Freedom Flex℠

Chase Freedom Flex℠

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 Freedom Flex card is an excellent no-annual-fee card that still earns big with 5% cash-back on travel and other bonus categories.

Chase Freedom Flex℠

The Freedom Flex card is an excellent no-annual-fee card that still earns big with 5% cash-back on travel and other bonus categories.
Earn a $200 bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening.
$200
$0
0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 20.49%-29.24%.
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)

The Chase Freedom Flex℠ sure does pack quite a punch — especially for a no-annual-fee card.

The Freedom Flex card is an incredible option for those looking for a well-rounded cash-back card, or a powerful point-earner when paired with a premium card in the Ultimate Rewards family.

Pros

  • 0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 20.49%-29.24%.
  • Powerful cash-back earner: 5% back on quarterly categories and travel purchases through Chase Ultimate Rewards, 3% back on dining and drugstore purchases, and 1% back on all other purchases
  • No annual fee
  • Excellent cell phone insurance
  • Ability to pool points
  • Mastercard World Elite benefits

Cons

  • 3% foreign transaction fees in U.S. dollars
  • Earn a $200 Bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening.
  • 5% cash back on up to $1,500 in combined purchases in bonus categories each quarter you activate. Enjoy new 5% categories each quarter!
  • 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®, our premier rewards program that lets you redeem rewards for cash back, travel, gift cards and more
  • 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and unlimited 1% 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!
  • 0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 20.49%-29.24%.
  • No annual fee - You won't have to pay an annual fee for all the great features that come with your Freedom Flex℠ card
  • Keep tabs on your credit health - Chase Credit Journey helps you monitor your credit with free access to your latest score, real-time alerts, and more.
  • Member FDIC

Financial Snapshot

  • APR: 0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 20.49%-29.24%.
  • Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Card Categories

Rewards Center

Chase Ultimate Rewards

The next personal card we will talk about is the Freedom Flex card. To start off, there’s a 0% introductory APR, as well as a welcome bonus.

It’s one of the most powerful cash-back credit cards out there, and it has no annual fee! It boasts:

  • 5% cash-back on travel booked through Chase Travel
  • 5% cash-back on rotating quarterly categories
  • 5% cash-back on Lyft purchases through March 31, 2025
  • 3% cash-back on drugstores and dining
  • 1% cash-back on all other purchases

This special credit card is known for its rotating bonus categories, which have included useful categories for teachers like Amazon.com, Costco, grocery stores, and Walmart. An easy way to max out up to 5% cash-back is to purchase office supply store gift cards at a bonus category retailer or drugstore.

Also, the Freedom Flex card has some decent travel insurance, cell phone protection, purchase protection, extended warranty, and no additional annual fees for authorized users.

Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express

Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American ExpressTerms Apply / Rates & Fees

Blue Cash Everyday® 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 cash-back card offers a capped 3% at U.S. supermarkets, 3% at U.S. gas stations, and 3% on U.S. online retail purchases!

Learn More(at Amex's secure site)

Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express

This cash-back card offers a capped 3% at U.S. supermarkets, 3% at U.S. gas stations, and 3% on U.S. online retail purchases!
Earn a $200 statement credit after you spend $2,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months.
$200
$0
19.24%-29.99% Variable,0% on purchases for 15 months
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)

When it comes to cash-back credit cards, there are dozens of options to choose from. So what sets the Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express apart from the rest?

This card is excellent at earning cash-back on your everyday purchases at U.S. supermarkets, U.S. gas stations, and on U.S. online retail purchases. So if you regularly spend money on everyday purchases, this could be the perfect card to add to your wallet.

Pros

  • 3% back on purchases at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 in purchases each year, then 1% back after.
  • 3% back on purchases at U.S. gas stations on up to $6,000 in purchases each year, then 1% back after.
  • 3% back on purchases on online retail purchases on up to $6,000 in purchases each year, then 1% back after.
  • Monthly credit towards The Disney Bundle
  • Monthly credit towards Home Chef

Cons

  • Rewards are not flexible and can only be redeemed for cash-back. Cash back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit.
  • Earn a $200 statement credit after you spend $2,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months.
  • No Annual Fee.
  • Balance Transfer is back! Enjoy 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months from the date of account opening. After that, 19.24% to 29.99% variable APR.
  • 3% Cash Back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year in purchases, then 1%.
  • 3% Cash Back on U.S. online retail purchases, on up to $6,000 per year, then 1%.
  • 3% Cash Back at U.S. gas stations, on up to $6,000 per year, then 1%.
  • Cash Back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit or at Amazon.com checkout.
  • Thinking about getting the Disney Bundle which can include Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+? Your decision made easy with $7/month back in the form of a statement credit after you spend $9.99 or more each month on an eligible subscription (subject to auto renewal) with your Blue Cash Everyday® Card. Enrollment required.
  • Enjoy up to $15 back per month when you purchase a Home Chef meal kit subscription (subject to auto renewal) with your enrolled Blue Cash Everyday® Card.
  • Terms Apply.

Financial Snapshot

  • APR: 19.24%-29.99% Variable,0% on purchases for 15 months
  • Foreign Transaction Fees: 2.7% of each transaction after conversion to US dollars.

Card Categories

The Amex Blue Cash Everyday card is a great option for teachers because it earns 3% cash-back at U.S. online retailers (up to $6,000 in purchases each year). This category is broad and can include numerous stores that sell items a teacher might need (think stores like Target.com, Staples.com, or Walmart.com).

In addition, this card also earns:

  • 3% cash-back at U.S. supermarkets (up to $6,000 in purchases each year)
  • 3% cash-back at U.S. gas stations (up to $6,000 in purchases each year)
  • 1% cash-back on all other purchases

The Blue Cash Everyday card is living up to its name by offering statement credits for everyday household purchases:

  • Up to $7 back monthly after using your Amex Blue Cash Everyday card to spend $9.99 or more each month on an eligible subscription to The Disney Bundle, which includes Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+. Enrollment required.
  • Earn up to $15 back monthly – an annual savings of up to $180 – when you order online at Home Chef. Enrollment required.

Hot Tip: While we’ve recommended personal cards that offer great cash-back or points on everyday purchases, regardless of the retailer, several store-specific cards offer options with up to 5% cash-back. If you frequently shop at Target, you could consider the Target RedCard™ with its 5% discount on most Target purchases. Frequent shoppers at Walmart could consider the Capital One Walmart Rewards® Mastercard® for 5% cash-back at Walmart.com and in the Walmart app. Amazon also offers 5% cash-back on Amazon purchases with its Prime Visa Card.

The 5 Best Business Credit Cards for Teachers

Preteen boy uses laptop make video call with his teacher
Teachers who offer tutoring services or online lessons, for example, could benefit from a small business credit card. Image Credit: ArthurHidden via freepik

If you’re a teacher and can qualify for a small business credit card, you’ll open up a whole new world of possibilities.

Let’s take a look at our best business credit cards for teachers.

Card Summary

SCROLL FOR MORE
CardWelcome Bonus and Annual FeeBenefits for Teachers
Ink Business Cash® Credit Card

Ink Business Cash® Credit Card
  • Earn $350 when you spend $3,000 in the first 3 months and an additional $400 when you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 6 months.
  • Annual fee of $0
  • 5% cash-back at office supply stores and on internet, cable, and phone services (on the first $25,000 spent every cardmember year in combined purchases)
  • 2% cash-back at gas stations and restaurants (on the first $25,000 spent every cardmember year in combined purchases)
  • Purchase protection, extended warranty
The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express

The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express
  • 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.
  • Annual fee of $0 (rates & fees)
  • 2x points on everyday business purchases (up to $50,000 per calendar year)
  • Purchase protection, extended warranty
Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card

Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card
  • Earn $750 cash back after spending $6,000 in the first 3 months.
  • Annual fee of $0
  • 1.5% cash-back on all purchases
  • 0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months; variable 18.49% - 24.49% thereafter
  • Purchase protection, extended warranty
Capital One Spark Miles for Business

Capital One Spark Miles for Business
  • Earn 50,000 miles once you spend $4,500 on purchases within the first 3 months.
  • Annual fee of $0 intro for the first year, $95 after that
  • 2x miles on all purchases
  • Purchase protection, extended warranty
Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card
  • NEW OFFER: Earn 100,000 bonus points after you spend $8,000 on purchases in the first 3 months.
  • Annual fee of $95
  • 3x points on the first $150,000 spent every cardmember year in combined purchases on advertising purchases with social media sites and search engines, internet, cable, and phone services, shipping purchases, and travel
  • 1x points on all other purchases
  • Cell phone insurance
  • Purchase protection, extended warranty

Ink Business Cash® Credit Card

Ink Business Cash® Credit Card

Ink Business Cash® 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.

This card offers great rewards and no annual fee. Any new business owner that needs to get going will enjoy this card.

Learn More(at Chase's secure site)

Ink Business Cash® Credit Card

This card offers great rewards and no annual fee. Any new business owner that needs to get going will enjoy this card.
Earn $350 when you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first three months and an additional $400 when you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first six months after account opening.
Up to $750
Up to $750
$0
0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months; 18.49% - 24.49% variable 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)

The Ink Business Cash® Credit Card has a lot going for it that makes it a compelling choice for small business owners. The card features a very lucrative 5% back on up to $25,000 spent in combined purchases at office supply stores and on cellular phone, landline, internet, and cable TV services each account anniversary year.

When you factor in that the card has no annual fee, and 0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months; variable 18.49% - 24.49% thereafter, you could be adding big value back into your business for no cost out of pocket.

Pros

  • Earn 5% back on up to $25,000 spent in combined purchases at office supply stores and on cellular phone, landline, internet, and cable TV services each account anniversary year
  • Earn 2% back on up to $25,000 spent in combined purchases at gas stations and restaurants, and 1% back on all other purchases
  • 10% Business Relationship Bonus if you have the Ink Business Cash card plus a Chase Business Checking account on your first card anniversary
  • Travel insurance and purchase protection
  • 0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months; variable 18.49% - 24.49% thereafter
  • Employee cards at no additional cost
  • No annual fee

Cons

  • Spending caps in bonus categories
  • Low points earning outside of bonus categories
  • 3% foreign transaction fees
  • Earn $350 when you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first three months and an additional $400 when you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first six months after account opening
  • Earn 5% cash back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at office supply stores and on internet, cable and phone services each account anniversary year
  • Earn 2% cash back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at gas stations and restaurants each account anniversary year. Earn 1% cash back on all other purchases
  • 10% Business Relationship Bonus If you have the Ink Business Cash card plus a Chase Business Checking account on your first card anniversary
  • With Zero Liability you won't be held responsible for unauthorized charges made with your card or account information.
  • No Annual Fee
  • Redeem rewards for cash back, gift cards, travel and more through Chase Ultimate Rewards®.
  • 0% introductory APR for 12 months on purchases
  • Member FDIC

Financial Snapshot

  • APR: 0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months; 18.49% - 24.49% variable thereafter.
  • Foreign Transaction Fees: 3% of each transaction in U.S. dollars

Card Categories

Rewards Center

Chase Ultimate Rewards

The Ink Business Cash card is our favorite business credit card for teachers, thanks to excellent ongoing bonus categories.

First of all, this card’s rewards can be converted entirely to Ultimate Rewards points if you have an Ultimate Rewards card like the Chase Sapphire Preferred card. The ratio is 1% to 1x points.

Also, the credit card boasts a generous 0% introductory APR benefit as detailed in the table above.

Then, maximize your rewards by earning as follows:

  • 5% cash-back at office supply stores and internet, cable, and phone services (on the first $25,000 spent every account anniversary year in combined purchases)
  • 5% cash-back on Lyft purchases (through March 31, 2025)
  • 2% cash-back at gas stations and restaurants (on the first $25,000 spent every account anniversary year in combined purchases)
  • 1% cash-back on all other purchases

So if you frequently make office supply runs as a teacher, then you can potentially earn 5% cash-back, which is convertible to 5x Ultimate Rewards points and worth a 10% return on spending!

Also, enjoy primary rental car insurance when renting on business, roadside dispatch, purchase protection, extended warranty protection, and employee cards at no additional cost.

The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express

The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American ExpressTerms Apply / Rates & Fees

The Blue Business® Plus Credit 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.

Earn Membership Rewards for your business spending the easy way: get 2x points for the first $50,000 in purchases per year.

Learn More(at Amex's secure site)

The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express

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
$330
No annual fee
18.49% - 26.49% Variable,0% on purchases for 12 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.
Good to Excellent (670-840)

As a business owner, getting a credit card that maximizes each dollar you spend does not have to be complicated or expensive. Especially when you opt for The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express.

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

  • 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
  • Charges foreign transaction fees
  • 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, 18.49% - 26.49%, based on your creditworthiness and other factors at account opening. APR will not exceed 29.99%
  • 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.
  • You’ve got the power to use your Card beyond its credit limit* with Expanded Buying Power.
  • *The amount you can spend above your credit limit is not unlimited. It adjusts with your use of the Card, your payment history, credit record, financial resources known to us, and other factors.
  • No Annual Fee
  • Terms Apply

Financial Snapshot

  • APR: 18.49% - 26.49% Variable,0% on purchases for 12 months from date of account opening
  • Foreign Transaction Fees: 2.7% of each transaction after conversion to US dollars.

Card Categories

Rewards Center

American Express Membership Rewards

Our favorite Amex business card for teachers is the Amex Blue Business Plus card which earns 2x Amex Membership Rewards points per dollar spent on everyday business purchases with no bonus categories, up to $50,000 per calendar year.

The Amex Blue Business Plus card welcome bonus also includes a 0% introductory APR benefit (as detailed in the table above), as well as employee cards at no additional cost (see rates & fees), extended warranty, purchase protection, and access to Amex Offers.

Lastly, this is one of the only no-annual-fee cards that offers direct access to a transferable rewards program without needing a different credit card.

Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card

Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card

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.
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 18.49% - 24.49% 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)

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 18.49% - 24.49% thereafter

Pros

  • 1.5% cash-back on all purchases
  • No annual fee
  • 0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months; variable 18.49% - 24.49% thereafter
  • Employee cards at no additional cost
  • Earn flexible rewards

Cons

  • 3% foreign transaction fee
  • Earn $750 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 18.49% - 24.49% thereafter
  • Foreign Transaction Fees: 3% of each transaction in U.S. dollars

Card Categories

Rewards Center

The Ink Business Unlimited card allows you to earn elevated rewards without bonus categories.

You’ll earn a flat 1.5% cash-back on all your purchases with no caps or bonus categories needed.

Also, there’s a 0% introductory APR benefit, as detailed in the table above, to help you deflect interest fees on any carried balances for a while.

After that, enjoy purchase protection, extended warranty, primary car rental insurance when renting on business, employee cards at no additional cost, and more.

Your 1.5% cash-back can be transformed into 1.5x Ultimate Rewards points with a premium Ultimate Rewards-earning credit card, such as the Ink Business Preferred card or Chase Sapphire Preferred card.

Capital One Spark Miles for Business

Capital One Spark Miles for Business

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 $1 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 $1 you spend. (Information collected independently. Not reviewed by Capital One.)
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
$900
$0 intro for the first year, $95 after that
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)

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

  • Unlimited 2x miles per $1 spent on all purchases
  • 5x miles per $1 spent on hotel and rental cars purchased through Capital One Travel
  • 2 complimentary visits to a Capital One Lounge per year
  • Up to a $100 Global Entry or TSA PreCheck credit
  • Access to Capital One transfer partners
  • No foreign transaction fees
  • Free employee cards
  • Extended warranty coverage

 

Cons

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

 

  • 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 on hotels 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
  • Skip the lines with up to a $100 statement credit on TSA PreCheck® or Global Entry
  • $0 intro annual fee for the first year; $95 after that
  • Free employee cards which also earn unlimited 2X miles from their purchases

Financial Snapshot

  • APR: 26.24% (Variable)
  • Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Card Categories

Rewards Center

Capital One Miles

 

The Capital One Spark Miles card is the business version of the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card.

It offers unlimited 2x Capital One miles on all purchases, and more.

Uniquely, you’ll get 5x miles on hotel and rental car bookings made via Capital One Travel, too.

You’ll get a Global Entry/TSA PreCheck application fee credit of up to $100, roadside assistance, zero liability fraud protection, extended warranty, purchase protection, employee cards at no additional cost, and no foreign transaction fees.

Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

NEW OFFER
Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

Ink Business Preferred® 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 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.

Learn More(at Chase's secure site)

Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

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 100k bonus points after you spend $8,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $1,000 cash back or $1,250 toward travel when redeemed through Chase Travel
100,000 points
$2,000
$95
21.24%-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)

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

  • 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
  • Trip cancellation and interruption insurance
  • Rental car insurance
  • Extended warranty coverage

Cons

  • No elite travel benefits like airport lounge access
  • Earn 100k bonus points after you spend $8,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $1,000 cash back or $1,250 toward travel when redeemed through Chase Travel℠
  • 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 25% more when you redeem for travel through Chase Travel℠
  • Purchase Protection covers your new purchases for 120 days against damage or theft up to $10,000 per claim and $50,000 per account.
  • Member FDIC

Financial Snapshot

  • APR: 21.24%-26.24% Variable
  • Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Card Categories

Rewards Center

Chase Ultimate Rewards

The Ink Business Preferred card is one of our favorite business credit cards. Known as the king of business credit cards, this card earns according to this structure:

  • 5x Ultimate Rewards points on Lyft purchases through March 31, 2025
  • 3x Ultimate Rewards points per $1 spent on the first $150,000 in combined purchases each account anniversary year across these categories (1x after that):
    • Advertising purchases with social media sites and search engines
    • Internet, cable, and phone services
    • Shipping purchases
    • Travel
  • 1x Ultimate Rewards points everywhere else

You’ll enjoy the ability to redeem Ultimate Rewards points for 1.25 cents per point (25% more value) on travel booked through the Chase travel portal, as well as cell phone protection insurance, fantastic travel insurance, purchase protection, extended warranty, no foreign transaction fees, and employee cards for no annual fee.

Final Thoughts

Teachers’ best personal credit cards will generally be limited to cards that offer the best rewards on everyday purchases.

However, if you can apply for a business credit card, holding the Ink Business Cash card is your absolute best bet, thanks to the potential to earn 5x Ultimate Rewards points on office supply stores.

Happy teaching!

For the purchase protection and extended warranty benefit of The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express, eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.
Enrollment required through Capital One website or mobile app. Upon enrollment, eligible cardholders will remain at upgraded status level through December 31, 2024.  Please note, enrolling through the normal Hertz Gold Plus Rewards enrollment process (e.g. at Hertz.com) will not automatically detect a cardholder as being eligible for the program and cardholders will not be automatically upgraded to the applicable status tier.  Additional terms apply.

The information regarding the Target RedCard™ and Capital One Walmart Rewards® Mastercard® was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.

The information regarding the Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.
The information regarding the Chase Freedom Flex℠ was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.
The information for the Citi Prestige® Card has been collected independently by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.

Information regarding the Capital One Spark Miles for Business was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer. 
For rates and fees of the Blue Cash Everyday® from American Express, click here.
For rates and fees of The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express, click here.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best credit card for teachers?

The best personal credit cards for teachers are the Double Cash card, Freedom Unlimited card, Capital One VentureOne card (rates & fees), Freedom Flex card, and Amex Blue Cash Everyday card.

These cards offer the best non-bonused spending rewards with no annual fee.

Is there a credit card for teachers?

There are plenty of credit cards offered by credit unions and other institutions. However, the best credit cards for teachers are those that offer the same rewards and are generally industry-agnostic.

What are the best business credit cards for teachers?

The best business credit cards for teachers are the Ink Business Cash card, Amex Blue Business Plus card, Ink Business Unlimited card, Capital One Spark Miles card, and Ink Business Preferred card.

Would a teacher qualify for a business credit card?

Teachers who offer tutoring services, private lessons, coaching, or online lessons, for example, could possibly qualify for a small business credit card.

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About Stephen Au

Stephen is an established voice in the credit card space, with over 70 to his name. His work has been in publications like The Washington Post, and his Au Points and Awards Consulting Services is used by hundreds of clients.

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