The 8 Best Business Credit Cards for Catering Purchases [2024]

Updated: April 10, 2024, 11:35am CDT

Edited by:

The 8 Best Business Credit Cards for Catering Purchases [2024]

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It’s no secret that if you frequently host corporate events for your employees or large business dinners for your clients, you spend big on catering. One way to get a higher return on your business spending is to use the right credit card, especially on your largest purchases.

One of the biggest complaints about business credit cards is that even though “obvious” bonus categories like office supplies, advertising, and internet purchases have lots of viable credit card options, dining isn’t a common bonus category.

In this guide, we’ll show you how to earn lots of points on business catering purchases.

What To Look for When Making Business Catering Purchases

Finding a good business credit card for catering is surprisingly not as easy as it seems. That’s because most of the credit cards that offer bonus rewards on food-related purchases are personal cards, not business cards.

At a high level, the single most important element of a good credit card for business catering purchases is the ability to earn points quickly on these expenses.

If you’re making lots of business catering purchases over the course of the year, a good rewards structure on dining and restaurant purchases alone can be enough to make your credit card worth it.

Remember, the vast majority of catering purchases will be categorized as dining or restaurant purchases.

Beyond that, if you can also enjoy some good benefits like travel insurance, statement credits, or perks at airlines or hotels, that’ll sweeten the deal even further!

The 8 Best Business Credit Cards for Catering Purchases

American Express^® Business Gold Card

BEST FOR BONUSES

Terms Apply / Rates & Fees

American Express^® Business Gold Card

U.P. Rating

Get 4x points in 2 select categories where your business spends the most each month (on your first $150,000 spent each year).

Learn More(at Amex's secure site)

American Express^® Business Gold Card

Get 4x points in 2 select categories where your business spends the most each month (on your first $150,000 spent each year).

Welcome OfferEarn 70,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $10,000 on eligible purchases with the Business Gold Card within the first 3 months of Card Membership
70,000 points

UP's Bonus Valuation*:
$1,540

Annual Fee

$375

APR

19.49% - 28.49% Variable

Credit Recommended

Good to Excellent (670-850)

The American Express^® Business Gold Card is excellent at racking up rewards for your business spend.

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

4x points per dollar spent on your 2 highest purchase categories each month up to $150,000 each calendar year in purchases; categories include:
- NEW! Transit purchases including trains, taxicabs, rideshare services, ferries, tolls, parking, buses, and subways
- NEW! U.S. purchases made from electronic goods retailers and software & cloud system providers
- NEW! 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
Access to Amex’s The Hotel Collection
Purchase protection and extended warranty protection
Trip delay insurance
Car rental insurance
Cell phone insurance

Cons

$375 annual fee (rates and fees)
No elite travel benefits like airport lounge access or elite status

Welcome Offer: Earn 70,000 Membership Rewards^® points after you spend $10,000 on eligible purchases with the Business Gold Card within the first 3 months of Card Membership.*
Earn 4X Membership Rewards^® points on the 2 categories where your business spends the most each billing cycle 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 $12.95 back in statement credits each month when you pay for a monthly Walmart+ membership (subject to auto-renewal) with your Business Gold Card. $12.95 plus applicable taxes.
Your Card – Your Choice. Choose from Gold or Rose Gold.
*Terms Apply

Financial Snapshot

APR: 19.49% - 28.49% Variable
Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Card Categories

Rewards Center

American Express Membership Rewards

Hot Tip: Check to see if you’re eligible for a huge welcome bonus offer of up to 110,000 points with the Amex Business Gold card! The current public offer is 70,000 points. (This targeted offer was independently researched and may not be available to all applicants.)

Our favorite card for business catering purchases is, undoubtedly, the Amex Business Gold card. Between its dominant rewards structure and the welcome bonus, there’s not a lot to dislike about this card.

This card earns 4x Membership Rewards points on the top 2 categories in which your business spends the most every month (up to $150,000 in combined purchases every calendar year):

NEW! Transit purchases including trains, taxicabs, rideshare services, ferries, tolls, parking, buses, and subways
NEW! U.S. purchases made from electronic goods retailers and software & cloud system providers
NEW! 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, TV, radio)

As you can see, U.S. purchases at restaurants qualify for the 4x points. You’ll earn 4x points on up to $150,000 in combined purchases per calendar year. So if you max out the $150,000 cap, you’ll earn 600,000 points per year, which is worth an amazing $13,200 according to our valuations.

The cherry on top is that you don’t need to select your top 2 business categories every month because it’s automatically done based on where you’ll earn the most points.

This card also comes with purchase protection, extended warranty, travel insurance (including secondary rental car insurance), and no preset spending limit.

Hot Tip: If you’re also looking for a business card with excellent luxury travel benefits, consider The Business Platinum Card^® from American Express, which is considered even more prestigious than the Amex Business Gold card!

Why We Like Earning Amex Membership Rewards Points

The most valuable type of cards rewards points, in our opinion, is Amex Membership Rewards points.

Earning 4x points is equivalent to a return on spending of 8.8% by our valuations!

If you can transfer to Amex airline partners, you can even book luxury first and business class flights for even better value!

Alternatively, you can also use Amex points (albeit at a much lower value) for cash-back, charity, gift cards, shopping, and travel bookings made through AmexTravel.com.

The Blue Business^®️ Plus Credit Card from American Express

Terms Apply / Rates & Fees

The Blue Business^® Plus Credit Card from American Express

U.P. Rating

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.

Welcome OfferEarn 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's Bonus Valuation*:
$330

Annual Fee

No annual fee

APR

18.49% - 26.49% Variable,0% on purchases for 12 months from date of account opening

Credit Recommended

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

American Express offers another excellent business product known as the Amex Blue Business Plus card.

This card earns 2x Membership Rewards points on all everyday business purchases (up to $50,000 in total purchases per calendar year). After that, the rewards go down to 1x points. That’s equal to a return on spending of 4.4%, according to our valuations.

But if you do the math, you’ll still get superb value from this card. Additionally, the Amex Blue Business Plus card comes with expanded buying power, access to Amex Offers, secondary rental car coverage, extended warranty, and purchase protection.

We love this card, especially if you tend not to spend tens of thousands of dollars per month on your business.

The best part? The Amex Blue Business Plus card has no annual fee (see rates & fees).

Ink Business Cash^® Credit Card

U.P. Rating

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.

Welcome OfferEarn $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's Bonus Valuation*:
Up to $750

Annual Fee

APR

0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months; 18.49% - 24.49% variable thereafter.

Credit Recommended

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

Our favorite Chase business credit card for catering purchases is the Ink Business Cash card.

An exceptional product overall, you can earn an enormous welcome bonus when you are approved for this card.

The earning structure is as follows:

5% cash-back (on up to $25,000 in combined purchases every account anniversary year) on office supply stores and cellular phone, landline, internet, and cable TV services
2% cash-back (on up to $25,000 in combined purchases every account anniversary year) at restaurants and gas stations
1% cash-back elsewhere

If you generally make up to $25,000 in purchases per year at restaurants for your business, this card might be a fantastic fit for you.

One of the special features of this credit card is that if you also hold one of the best Chase credit cards that earns Ultimate Rewards, like the Chase Sapphire Preferred^® Card, you can convert your cash-back to coveted Ultimate Rewards points at a 1:1 ratio.

That means your 2% cash-back is now convertible to 2x Ultimate Rewards points, which is worth double (4% return on spend)!

The Ink Business Cash card boasts free employee cards, primary car rental coverage, travel insurance, purchase protection, and no annual fee.

Why We Like Earning Chase Ultimate Rewards Points

As a standalone product, the Ink Business Cash card doesn’t earn Ultimate Rewards points — but with an Ultimate Rewards card, you can earn a 4% return on spending with 2x Ultimate Rewards points per $1 spent on restaurants.

We love earning Ultimate Rewards points because these points can be used for luxury award travel through the Chase airline and hotel partners, enabling you to get even more value from your points.

But if that doesn’t appeal to you, you can also use your points for cash-back, gift cards, charitable donations, shopping, and bookings made through the Chase Travel portal.

Capital One Spark Miles for Business

U.P. Rating

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.)

Welcome OfferEarn 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

26.24% (Variable)

Credit Recommended

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

Capital One offers an envious business credit card — its flagship rewards credit card is the Capital One Spark Miles card, which currently comes with a great welcome bonus.

In addition, you will earn unlimited 2x Capital One miles on every business purchase you make, as well as 5x Capital One miles on hotel and rental car bookings made through Capital One Travel.

Earning 5x and 2x Capital One miles is equivalent to a return on spend of 9% and 3.6%, respectively.

Furthermore, this card offers a Global Entry/TSA PreCheck application fee reimbursement (up to $100 in value), roadside assistance, fraud alerts, zero fraud liability, no foreign transaction fees, extended warranty, and free employee cards.

There’s a $95 annual fee with this card, after the $0 introductory annual fee for the first year.

Why We Like Earning Capital One Miles

Capital One Miles is one of the most improved rewards programs.

With an impressive list of transfer partners and the ability to transfer to most partners at an improved 1:1 ratio, we value these points at 1.8 cents apiece.

You can get some stellar value with your Capital One miles when booking award travel.

But for simpler redemptions, you can also use your Capital One miles for travel booked through Capital One Travel, gift cards, charity, statement credits, and more.

World of Hyatt Business Credit Card

NEW OFFER

World of Hyatt Business Credit Card

U.P. Rating

The World of Hyatt Business card provides a solid option for business travelers that are looking to put their expenses on a small business card.

Learn More(at Chase's secure site)

World of Hyatt Business Credit Card

The World of Hyatt Business card provides a solid option for business travelers that are looking to put their expenses on a small business card.

Welcome Offer60,000 Bonus Points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening.
60,000 points

UP's Bonus Valuation*:
$1,200

Annual Fee

$199

APR

21.49% - 28.49% Variable

Credit Recommended

Good to Excellent (670-850)

Hyatt loyalists who do their fair share of business travel have been clamoring for the addition of a co-branded Hyatt business credit card for quite some time — and now it’s finally here.

The World of Hyatt Business Credit Card is now available. In this guide, we will walk you through everything you need to know about it!

Pros

9x points per $1 spent total for Hyatt stays and experiences: Earn 4x points at Hyatt hotels, participating Small Luxury Hotels of the World, participating Exhale locations, and eligible Lindblad Expeditions. Plus, 5x points spent just for being a World of Hyatt member.
2x points per $1 spent in your top three spend categories each quarter through 12/31/24, then your top two categories each quarter. Eligible categories include: Dining, Shipping, Airline tickets when purchased directly with the airline, Local transit & Commuting, Social Media & Search Engine Advertising, Car Rental Agencies, Gas stations and Internet, Cable & Phone Services.
2x points per $1 spent on fitness club and gym memberships.
1x point per $1 on all other purchases
Automatic World of Hyatt Discoverist status
Gift World of Hyatt Discoverist status to up to 5 employees
Up to $100 annual Hyatt credit — broken up into 2 $50 statement credits
Access to the Hyatt Leverage program
Earn 5 Elite Night Credits for every $10,000 you spend on the card in a calendar year
10% back on redeemed points after spending $50,000 in a calendar year (with a cap of 20,000 points back per year); this rebate is only valid on stays after spending $50,000 on the card, and any stays prior to meeting that threshold will not be retroactively credited
Primary rental car insurance
Trip cancellation and interruption insurance
Purchase protection and extended warranty protection

Cons

$199 annual fee
Bonus categories and benefits are very similar to the personal card

60,000 Bonus Points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening
9 points total per $1 spent at Hyatt - 4 Bonus Points per $1 when you use your card at Hyatt hotels & 5 Base Points per $1 from Hyatt as a World of Hyatt member
2 Bonus Points per $1 spent in your top three spend categories each quarter through 12/31/24, then your top two categories each quarter.
2 Bonus Points per $1 spent on fitness club and gym memberships
1 Bonus Point per $1 spent on all other purchases.
Up to $100 in Hyatt statement credits - spend $50 or more at any Hyatt property and earn $50 statement credits up to two times each anniversary year.
5 Tier-Qualifying night credits toward status and Milestone rewards for every $10,000 you spend in a calendar year.
World of Hyatt Discoverist status for as long as your account is open. Plus, Discoverist status to up to five employees
Member FDIC

Financial Snapshot

APR: 21.49% - 28.49% Variable
Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Card Categories

Rewards Center

World of Hyatt

Chase’s newest hotel credit card is the World of Hyatt Business card, a fantastic option for business travelers who favor the World of Hyatt loyalty program and its associated hotel brands.

Currently, you’re able to earn a solid welcome bonus upon meeting spending requirements — but what’s impressive is the ability to earn up to 9x points per $1 spent:

Up to 9x points per $1 on Hyatt purchases (including restaurants at Hyatt hotels and resorts)
2x points per $1 spent on the 3 categories you spend the most on in each calendar quarter through December 31, 2024
- After that, it drops to your top 2 categories, instead of top 3 categories
1x points per $1 on all other purchases

The eligible 2x points categories are:

Dining
Airline tickets purchased directly with the airline
Car rental agencies
Local transit and commuting
Gas stations
Internet, cable, and phone services
Social media and search engine advertising
Shipping

And if you take advantage of the 2x points, your return on spending will be approximately 3%.

Additionally, this card comes with:

Automatic Discoverist status (plus the ability to gift Discoverist status to up to 5 employees)
Up to $100 annual Hyatt credit (2 $50 statement credits)
Access to Hyatt Leverage for hotel discounts
The ability to earn 5 Elite Night Credits for every $10,000 you spend on the card in a calendar year
10% points rebate after spending $50,000 in a calendar year (up to 20,000 points back per year) after spending $50,000 on the card (any stays prior to meeting that threshold will not be retroactively credited)

And as far as other benefits are concerned, you’ll get primary car rental coverage, trip cancellation and interruption insurance, purchase protection, extended warranty, no foreign transaction fees, and no-additional-cost employee cards.

The World of Hyatt Business card has a $199 annual fee.

Why We Like Earning World of Hyatt Points

World of Hyatt possesses the most valuable hotel rewards points available; by our valuations, World of Hyatt points are worth around 1.5 cents each.

In practice, there are plenty of ways to get better value than that.

You can redeem your points at an ultra-luxury property like the Park Hyatt Paris-Vendôme or a variety of midscale hotels to get added value.

Hot Tip: Will your business be holding an event at a hotel or have off-site catering from a hotel? Learn how to maximize your earnings with our detailed guide on how to earn points and status by holding business events.

Marriott Bonvoy Business^® American Express^® Card

Terms Apply / Rates & Fees

Marriott Bonvoy Business^® American Express^® Card

U.P. Rating

A great option for business owners who stay in Marriott hotels and want automatic elite status.

Learn More(at Amex's secure site)

Marriott Bonvoy Business^® American Express^® Card

A great option for business owners who stay in Marriott hotels and want automatic elite status.

Welcome OfferWELCOME OFFER: Earn 3 Free Night Awards after you use your new Card to make $6,000 in eligible purchases within the first 6 months of Card Membership. Each Free Night Award has a redemption level up to 50,000 Marriott Bonvoy® points, for a total potential value of up to 150,000 points, at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy®. Certain hotels have resort fees. Terms apply.
3 Free Night Awards

UP's Bonus Valuation*:
$1,050

Annual Fee

$125

APR

20.99% - 29.99% Variable

Credit Recommended

Good to Excellent (670-850)

Business travelers who opt for Marriott as their hotel chain of choice will definitely want to consider the Marriott Bonvoy Business^® American Express^® Card. The card offers great benefits to cardholders like a complimentary hotel night once a year, complimentary Gold Elite status, and multiple point redemption options.

Pros

6x Marriott Bonvoy points on each dollar of eligible purchases at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy^® program.
4x points for purchases made at restaurants worldwide, at U.S. gas stations, on wireless telephone services purchased directly from U.S. service providers and on U.S. purchases for shipping.
2x points per $1 on all other purchases
15 Elite Night Credits
1 Free Night Award each cardmember anniversary (up to 35,000 points)
Complimentary Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite Status
Receive a 7% discount on eligible bookings as a benefit of being both a Marriott Bonvoy® member & a Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card Member when you book directly with Marriott through an eligible channel for a participating property under the Amex Business Card Rate.
No foreign transaction fees (rates and fees)

Cons

Moderate annual fee of $125 (rates and fees)
No premium perks like airport lounge access

WELCOME OFFER: Earn 3 Free Night Awards after you use your new Card to make $6,000 in eligible purchases within the first 6 months of Card Membership. Each Free Night Award has a redemption level up to 50,000 Marriott Bonvoy^® points, for a total potential value of up to 150,000 points, at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy^®. Certain hotels have resort fees. Terms apply.
Receive a 7% discount on eligible bookings as a benefit of being both a Marriott Bonvoy^® member & a Marriott Bonvoy Business^® American Express^® Card Member when you book directly with Marriott through an eligible channel for a participating property under the Amex Business Card Rate.
6x Marriott Bonvoy points on each dollar of eligible purchases at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy^® program.
4x points for purchases made at restaurants worldwide, at U.S. gas stations, on wireless telephone services purchased directly from U.S. service providers and on U.S. purchases for shipping.
2x points on all other eligible purchases.
Receive 1 Free Night Award every year after your Card renewal month. Plus, earn an additional Free Night Award after you spend $60K in purchases on your Card in a calendar year. Award can be used for one night (redemption level at or under 35,000 Marriott Bonvoy^® points) at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy^®. Certain hotels have resort fees.
Enjoy Complimentary Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite Status with your Marriott Bonvoy Business^® American Express^® Card.
Terms apply.

Financial Snapshot

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

Card Categories

Rewards Center

Marriott Bonvoy

Our next favorite credit card is the Marriott Bonvoy Business card, which is a fantastic option for Marriott Bonvoy loyalists with major business catering expenses.

Currently, there’s a good welcome bonus, as well as the ability to earn up to 6x points per $1:

6x points per $1 spent at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy program
4x points per $1 at restaurants worldwide, U.S. gas stations, on wireless telephone services purchased directly from U.S. service providers, and on U.S. purchases for shipping
2x points per $1 on all other purchases

Earning 4x Marriott Bonvoy points per $1 is equivalent to a return on spending of 2.8%!

Each cardmember anniversary, you will get 1 Free Night Award (worth up to 35,000 points), too.

Additionally, get 15 Elite Night Credits, complimentary Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status, no foreign transaction fees, and no-cost employee cards — all for an annual fee of $125 (rates & fees).

Why We Like Earning Marriott Bonvoy Points

Marriott is one of the world’s largest hotel chains in the world. It includes brands like The Ritz-Carlton, St. Regis, Westin, Sheraton, and much more.

Naturally, this means that you can redeem Marriott Bonvoy points much more flexibly for hotel stays in cities where there might not be other options!

Another huge benefit of Marriott Bonvoy points is that they can be transferred at a 3:1 ratio to a huge list of airline transfer partners like Alaska Airlines and American Airlines.

There are plenty of ways to get outsized value beyond our 0.7 cents per point valuation, including for luxury hotel stays and award travel on high-end airlines.

The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card

LIMITED TIME OFFER

Terms Apply / Rates & Fees

The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card

U.P. Rating

An excellent option for business owners and business travelers who stay at Hilton properties often and want perks like Hilton Honors elite status.

Learn More(at Amex's secure site)

The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card

An excellent option for business owners and business travelers who stay at Hilton properties often and want perks like Hilton Honors elite status.

Welcome OfferLimited Time Offer: Earn 175,000 bonus points after you spend $8,000 in purchases in the first 6 months of Card Membership. Offer Ends 6/5.
175,000 points

UP's Bonus Valuation*:
$875

Annual Fee

$195

APR

20.99% - 29.99% Variable

Credit Recommended

Good to Excellent (670-850)

For frequent business travelers who regularly stay in Hilton hotels, The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card is a great option.

Not only will the card help you earn more points on all of your Hilton stays, but you’ll also receive automatic elite status and travel protections.

Here’s a detailed look at all the benefits this card offers so that you can determine if it’s a good fit for you.

Pros

12x points per $1 on eligible Hilton purchases
Enhanced: 5x points on other purchases made for the first $100,000 in purchases each calendar year, 3X points thereafter.
Automatic Hilton Honors Gold status, and the ability to spend your way to Diamond status
New: Enjoy up to $240 back each year for eligible purchases made directly with Hilton.
New: Enjoy complimentary National Car Rental^® Emerald Club Executive^® status. Enrollment in the complimentary Emerald Club^® program is required.
No foreign transaction fees (rates and fees)

Cons

$195 annual fee (rates and fees)

Limited Time Offer: Earn 175,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points after you spend $8,000 in purchases on the Hilton Honors Business Card within the first six months of Card Membership. Offer Ends 6/5.
Earn 12X Hilton Honors Bonus Points on eligible Hilton purchases.
ENHANCED: Earn 5X Hilton Honors Bonus Points on other purchases made using the Hilton Honors Business Card on the first $100,000 in purchases each calendar year, 3X points thereafter.
NEW: Enjoy up to $240 back each year for eligible purchases made directly with Hilton.
Enjoy complimentary Hilton Honors™ Gold Status with your Hilton Honors Business Card. With Hilton Honors Gold status, you can enjoy benefits at hotels and resorts within the Hilton Portfolio. As a Gold member, earn an 80% Bonus on all Base Points you earn on every stay getting you to free nights faster.
You may receive an upgrade to Hilton Honors Diamond status if the total eligible purchases on your Card Account during a calendar year reach $40,000 or more.
NEW: Enjoy complimentary National Car Rental^® Emerald Club Executive^® status. Enrollment in the complimentary Emerald Club^® program is required. Terms apply.
Terms apply.

Financial Snapshot

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

Card Categories

Rewards Center

Hilton Honors loyalty program

The Hilton Business Amex card is one of our favorite hotel business credit cards because it offers great rewards with a relatively low annual fee.

You’ll start off with a generous welcome bonus, plus generous rewards structures:

Earn 12x Hilton Honors points at hotels and resorts in the Hilton portfolio
Earn 5x points on other purchases made for the first $100,000 each calendar year, then 3x points thereafter.

Also, the biggest benefit of this card is the complimentary Hilton Honors Gold status that entitles you to complimentary breakfast, space-available room upgrades, and much more. You can also upgrade to Diamond status if you spend $40,000 on eligible purchases in a calendar year.

Additionally, receive up to $240 back each year for eligible purchases made directly with Hilton.

Why We Like Earning Hilton Honors Points

We love Hilton Honors points because it’s so easy to rack up points quickly! Between a huge welcome bonus, enhanced bonus categories, and constant promotions offered by Hilton Honors, it’s easy to get lots of Hilton Honors points.

Importantly, Hilton Honors points are so valuable because they can be used for stays at numerous brands, ranging from modest Homewood Suites to ultra-high-end Waldorf Astoria resorts.

Delta SkyMiles^® Gold Business American Express Card

Terms Apply / Rates & Fees

Delta SkyMiles^® Gold Business American Express Card

U.P. Rating

Receive 2x SkyMiles on Delta purchases, priority boarding, a free checked bag, and discounted award flights.

Learn More(at Amex's secure site)

Delta SkyMiles^® Gold Business American Express Card

Receive 2x SkyMiles on Delta purchases, priority boarding, a free checked bag, and discounted award flights.

Welcome OfferWelcome Offer: Earn 55,000 Bonus Miles after spending $4,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.
55,000  Bonus Miles

UP's Bonus Valuation*:
$660

Annual Fee

$0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $150

APR

20.99% - 29.99% Variable

Credit Recommended

Good to Excellent (670-850)

If Delta Air Lines is your first choice for business travel, and you’re always looking for more ways to earn Delta SkyMiles, this could be a great card option.

Being able to board the plane early and check your bag for free makes all the difference for a smooth flight. Plus, getting discounts on inflight purchases keeps money in your pocket and your small business.

It’s for those reasons and more that you choose to make purchases with the Delta SkyMiles^® Gold Business American Express Card.

Pros

Save 15% On Award Travel With TakeOff 15. Not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
2x SkyMiles per $1 on purchases made directly with Delta and at restaurants
2x SkyMiles per $1 on U.S. purchases for advertising in select media and on U.S. shipping purchases on up to $50,000 in eligible purchases per category, per year.
Receive a $200 Delta Flight Credit to use toward future travel after you spend $10,000 in purchases in a year.
Receive an annual statement credit of up to $150 after using your Delta Gold American Express Card to book prepaid hotels or vacation rentals through Delta Stays on delta.com.
1x SkyMile per $1 on all other purchases
First checked bag free
Main Cabin 1 Priority Boarding
20% inflight savings
Baggage insurance
Rental car insurance
Purchase protection
Extended warranty coverage

Cons

Doesn’t earn transferable rewards

Welcome Offer: Earn 55,000 Bonus Miles after spending $4,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.
$0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $150
Card Members save 15% when booking Award Travel with miles on Delta flights when using delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
Additionally, you can receive a $200 Delta Flight Credit to use toward future travel after you spend $10,000 in purchases in a year.
Earn 2 miles per dollar spent on purchases at U.S. Shipping providers and at U.S. providers for Advertising in select media on up to $50,000 of purchases per category, per year.
Earn 2 Miles on every dollar spent on eligible purchases made directly with Delta and on every eligible dollar spent at restaurants.
Earn 1 Mile on every eligible dollar spent on other purchases.
Check and stow your bag with ease: First Checked Bag Free on Delta Flights + Main Cabin 1 Priority Boarding.
Elevate your travel experience with an annual statement credit of up to $150 after using your Delta Gold American Express Card to book prepaid hotels or vacation rentals through Delta Stays on delta.com.
Receive a 20% savings in the form of a statement credit on eligible Delta in-flight purchases after using your Card.
Pay no foreign transaction fees when you travel overseas.
Terms and limitations apply.

Financial Snapshot

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

Card Categories

Rewards Center

Delta SkyMiles Frequent Flyer Program

The most rewarding Delta business credit card for business catering purchases is the Delta Gold Business card, which packs a ton of benefits in a small package.

Of course, the welcome offer is very respectable; but what you’re probably looking for is the ability to earn 2 miles per $1 spent on eligible:

Purchases made directly with Delta
U.S. purchases for advertising in select media, capped at $50,000 in eligible purchases per year
U.S. shipping purchases, capped at $50,000 in eligible purchases per year
Restaurant purchases

On all other purchases, earn 1 mile per $1 spent.

Beyond the rewards, this card boasts a suite of Delta benefits, like your first checked bag free on Delta flights, Main Cabin 1 priority boarding, a $200 Delta flight credit when you spend $10,000 in purchases within a calendar year, employee cards for no additional fee, and no foreign transaction fees (rates & fees).

Why We Like Earning Delta SkyMiles

Delta SkyMiles, unfortunately, has been devalued a few times over the years.

But there’s still a lot of value to be had with these miles, which is why we value them at 1.2 cents each. This makes 2x miles worth a 2.4% return on spending.

Don’t let this return on spending discourage you because you can still redeem them for a tremendous value. You can get up to 10 cents per mile in some situations, especially if you book international business class award travel.

Final Thoughts

Running your own business is extremely demanding. Make your life easier by extracting higher ROI from your business catering purchases.

Incrementally, you’ll want to examine whether you’d prefer to earn lots of rewards or enjoy airline or hotel perks with a low annual fee.

Whatever your preferences are, you should be in great shape by sticking to any of the options we’ve outlined in this guide.

If you run your own business and you found this article useful, we recommend you read our guide on the best credit cards for ad spend, especially if you are looking at advertising your business.

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 American Express^® Business Gold Card, click here.
For rates and fees of The Business Platinum Card^® from American Express, click here.
For rates and fees of The Blue Business^® Plus Credit Card from American Express, click here.
For rates and fees of the Marriott Bonvoy Business^® American Express^® Card, click here.
For rates and fees of The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card, click here.
For rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles^® Gold Business American Express Card, click here.

Featured Image Credit: Asiya Kiev via Unsplash

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best credit cards for business catering purchases?

Our favorite cards for business catering purchases are the Amex Business Gold card, the Amex Blue Business Plus card, the Ink Business Cash card, the Capital One Spark Miles card, the World of Hyatt Business card, the Marriott Bonvoy Business card, the Hilton Business Amex card, and the Delta Gold Business card.

Do coffee shops count as restaurants for credit cards?

Yes, coffee shops generally count as restaurants for the purposes of earning bonus rewards.

Does catering count as dining on the Chase Sapphire?

Yes, catering does count as dining, but keep in mind that the Chase Sapphire Preferred card and Chase Sapphire Reserve cards are personal credit cards, which might not be suitable for business owners.

Is a bakery considered a restaurant on a credit card?

It depends. Sometimes, a bakery is not considered a restaurant merchant, as is the case with Chase. However, with other credit card issuers like Amex, a bakery may qualify as a restaurant.

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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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The 8 Best Business Credit Cards for Catering Purchases [2024]

Upgraded Points: Expertise You Can Trust

The U.P. Rating System

What To Look for When Making Business Catering Purchases

The 8 Best Business Credit Cards for Catering Purchases

American Express® Business Gold Card

Pros

Cons

Financial Snapshot

Card Categories

Rewards Center

Why We Like Earning Amex Membership Rewards Points

The Blue Business®️ Plus Credit Card from American Express

Pros

Cons

Financial Snapshot

Card Categories

Rewards Center

Ink Business Cash® Credit Card

Pros

Cons

Financial Snapshot

Card Categories

Rewards Center

Why We Like Earning Chase Ultimate Rewards Points

Capital One Spark Miles for Business

Pros

Cons

Financial Snapshot

Card Categories

Rewards Center

Why We Like Earning Capital One Miles

World of Hyatt Business Credit Card

Pros

Cons

Financial Snapshot

Card Categories

Rewards Center

Why We Like Earning World of Hyatt Points

Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card

Pros

Cons

Financial Snapshot

Card Categories

Rewards Center

Why We Like Earning Marriott Bonvoy Points

The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card

Pros

Cons

Financial Snapshot

Card Categories

Rewards Center

Why We Like Earning Hilton Honors Points

Delta SkyMiles® Gold Business American Express Card

Pros

Cons

Financial Snapshot

Card Categories

Rewards Center

Why We Like Earning Delta SkyMiles

Final Thoughts

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best credit cards for business catering purchases?

Do coffee shops count as restaurants for credit cards?

Does catering count as dining on the Chase Sapphire?

Is a bakery considered a restaurant on a credit card?

About Stephen Au

American Express^® Business Gold Card

The Blue Business^®️ Plus Credit Card from American Express

Ink Business Cash^® Credit Card

Marriott Bonvoy Business^® American Express^® Card

Delta SkyMiles^® Gold Business American Express Card