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The 6 Best Business Credit Cards for Real Estate Investors [2023]

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Real estate investing is one of the few proven ways to generate wealth, and it’s a time-tested way to protect your assets in something that you can physically see and touch.

If you’re a real estate investor, you probably know all about the benefits, including numerous tax benefits, the tendency for real estate to appreciate like clockwork, and much more.

But one of the drawbacks of real estate is that except for some niche strategies, real estate investing can be capital intensive.

In this guide, we’ll show you the best business credit cards to keep in your wallet as a real estate investor.

What To Look For in a Business Credit Card for Real Estate Investors

Real estate investors generally spend a lot of money on home improvement expenses. They may also spend large sums of money on maintenance, like landscaping, repairs, and more.

But 1 thing is for sure: most real estate investing strategies entail more spending than other types of businesses.

So, what we looked for in a business credit card perfect for real estate investors is the ability to earn uncapped rewards, and, ideally, bonus points for large transactions (you probably have a bunch of those as a real estate investor).

In addition, we looked for bonus categories where you can earn points on common real estate expenses. It can be difficult figuring out which bonus categories would be relevant to you without knowing your exact real estate niche, but many niches also include marketing expenses.

In that case, a card with advertising as a bonus category will be instrumental in maximizing your rewards.

Nonetheless, we’ve compiled our favorite picks for the best business cards for real estate investors.

The 6 Best Business Cards for Real Estate Investors — Card Summary

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CardWelcome BonusBenefits for Real Estate Investors
The Business Platinum Card® from American Express
  • Earn 120,000 points after you spend $15,000 on purchases in the first 3 months.
  • Annual fee of $695 (rates & fees)
  • 1.5x points on purchases in key business categories, as well as eligible purchases of $5,000 or more everywhere else (up to $2 million in purchases per year)
  • No preset spending limit
  • Access to over 1,400 worldwide airport lounges
Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card
  • Earn $750 cash back after spending $6,000 in the first 3 months.
  • Annual fee of $0
  • Unlimited 1.5% cash-back on all purchases
  • 0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months; variable 18.49% - 24.49% thereafter
American Express® Business Gold Card
  • CARD REFRESH: Earn 70,000 points after you spend $10,000 on purchases in the first 3 months.
  • Annual fee of $375 (rates & fees)
  • 4x points on the top 2 categories where your business spends per month (up to $150,000 in combined purchases per year)
  • No preset spending limit
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 travel and select business categories (up to $150,000 in combined purchases every cardmember anniversary year)
  • Cell phone protection
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 all business purchases (up to $50,000 per calendar year)
Ink Business Cash® Credit Card
  • Earn $750 cash back after spending $6,000 in the first 3 months.
  • Annual fee of $0
  • 5% cash-back on purchases at office supply stores and on cellular, landline, internet, and cable TV services (up to $25,000 in combined purchases per cardmember year)
  • Earn 2% cash-back on purchases at gas stations and restaurants (up to $25,000 in combined purchases per cardmember year)

The 4 Best Overall Business Cards for Real Estate Investors

As a real estate investor, you might have an assortment of different expenses, so it can seem overwhelming trying to figure out cards that offer these bonus categories.

As you’ll find out, you don’t necessarily need to do that. Find a single card that rewards you for as many business categories as possible, and use those to scale your expenses!

Ideally, a business card will have a high spending limit, especially if you’re routinely doing renovation projects and paying contractors. Those expenses can add up quickly, and if you’re not careful, you can max out your cards!

So without further ado, let’s get into our best business cards for real estate investors.

1. The Business Platinum Card® from American Express (Top Pick, No Preset Spending Limit)

OUR BEST OFFER
The Business Platinum Card® from American ExpressTerms Apply / Rates & Fees

The Business Platinum Card® from American Express

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

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

Learn More(at Amex's secure site)

The Business Platinum Card® from American Express

This card is ideal for business travelers who enjoy luxury travel and are looking for a card loaded with benefits!
Earn 120,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $15,000 on eligible purchases with your Card within the first 3 months of Card Membership.
120,000 points
$2,640
$695
19.49% - 27.49% Variable
Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.
Good to Excellent (670-850)

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

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

Hot Tip: Check to see if you’re eligible for a huge welcome bonus offer of up to 170,000 points with the Amex Business Platinum. The current public offer is 120,000 points. (This targeted offer was independently researched and may not be available to all applicants.)

Pros

  • 5x Membership Rewards points per $1 on flights and prepaid hotels at Amex Travel
  • Up to $200 annual airline fee credit on your selected qualifying airline
  • Statement credits on select purchases with your card
  • 35% airline bonus when using Pay With Points (up to 1,000,000 bonus points per calendar year)
  • Access to over 1,400 worldwide airport lounges as part of the American Express Global Lounge Collection
  • Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee credit
  • Get 50% more Membership Rewards points (1.5 points per $1) on eligible purchases in key business categories, as well as on purchases of $5,000 or more (cap applies)
  • Access to Amex’s Fine Hotels & Resorts program

Cons

  • High annual fee of $695 (rates and fees)
  • Airline fee credit does not cover airfare, only incidentals like checked bags
  • Welcome Offer: Earn 120,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $15,000 on eligible purchases with your Card within the first 3 months of Card Membership.
  • 5X Membership Rewards® points on flights and prepaid hotels on AmexTravel.com, and 1X points for each dollar you spend on eligible purchases.
  • Earn 1.5X points (that’s an extra half point per dollar) on each eligible purchase at US construction material, hardware suppliers, electronic goods retailers, and software & cloud system providers, and shipping providers, as well as on purchases of $5,000 or more everywhere else, on up to $2 million of these purchases per calendar year.
  • Unlock over $1,000 in annual statement credits on a curation of business purchases, including select purchases made with Dell Technologies, Indeed, Adobe, and U.S. wireless service providers.
  • $200 Airline Fee Credit: Get up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year for incidental fees charged by your one selected, qualifying airline to your Card.
  • $189 CLEAR® Plus Credit: Use your card and get up to $189 in statement credits per calendar year on your CLEAR® Plus Membership (subject to auto-renewal) when you use your Business Platinum Card®.
  • The American Express Global Lounge Collection® can provide an escape at the airport. With complimentary access to more than 1,400 airport lounges across 140 countries and counting, you have more airport lounge options than any other credit card issuer on the market as of 03/2023.
  • $695 Annual Fee.
  • Terms Apply.

Financial Snapshot

  • APR: 19.49% - 27.49% 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 170,000 points with the Amex Business Platinum. The current public offer is 120,000 points. (This targeted offer was independently researched and may not be available to all applicants.)

Our absolute favorite business card for real estate investors is the Amex Business Platinum card.

You’ll enjoy unmatched travel benefits, including access to the American Express Global Lounge Collection, including Centurion Lounges, Delta Sky Clubs (when flying Delta the same day), Escape Lounges — The Centurion Studio Partner, International American Express Centurion Lounges, Plaza Premium Lounges, Priority Pass lounges upon enrollment, select Lufthansa Lounges, and select Virgin Clubhouse lounges.

You’ll also enjoy a Global Entry/TSA PreCheck application fee credit, access to the Amex Fine Hotels & Resorts, an annual airline fee credit of up to $200, Hilton Honors and Marriott Bonvoy Gold status upon enrollment, and a 35% Pay with Points rebate on select flights. The card even comes with statement credits of up to $400 in statement credits for Dell purchases in the U.S. (in the form of 2 equal credits of $200 semi-annually), up to $150 in Adobe credits, up to $360 Indeed credits, and up to $120 in wireless credits.

The card also earns 1.5x points on eligible purchases in key business categories, as well as on purchases of $5,000 or more everywhere else (up to $2 million in purchases per calendar year). This can be very handy for real estate investors, where your contractor and materials costs, as well as tax payments, might easily eclipse $5,000.

Hot Tip: The Amex Business Platinum card is one of the few cards that can earn bonus points at U.S. construction material and hardware suppliers, as well as electronic goods retailers, and more.

Another significant benefit of this card is that you won’t be restricted to any preset spending limits in the way you might be with a traditional credit card. American Express will evaluate your spending habits and allow you to spend large amounts of money if they believe you can pay it back.

That’s an incredible value proposition for real estate investors when you consider the fact that real estate expenses can be very high.

Some of the “givens” you’ll get with this card are purchase protection, return protection, extended warranty coverage, travel insurance, and QuickBooks integrations (to manage business expenses).

Why We Like Earning Amex Membership Rewards Points

Amex Membership Rewards is one of the world’s most valuable points programs out there.

If you have this card, you’ll earn Amex Membership Rewards points, which are redeemable for gift cards, statement credits, merchandise, charitable donations, and travel bookings through AmexTravel.com.

Our personal favorite way to redeem Amex points is for transfers to travel partners for business and first class flights, such as Emirates first class! This is the main reason why Amex Membership Rewards points are the most valuable out there.

2. Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card (No Annual Fee, LOW Intro APR)

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 is a superb credit card for those who want to earn straightforward rewards without worrying about bonus categories.

This credit card is fantastic because it comes with a substantial welcome bonus and it earns a flat 1.5% cash-back on all business purchases, regardless of category. It also earns uncapped rewards, so you’ll earn 1.5% cash-back with no ceiling.

But perhaps the best aspect is that you can convert your 1.5% cash-back to 1.5x Chase Ultimate Rewards points if you also hold Ultimate Rewards credit cards like the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card or the Chase Sapphire Reserve®.

The cherry on top is the fact that this credit card has no annual fee, and you might love the introductory 0% APR benefit to help you avoid accruing interest on balances.

Other appreciated benefits are the ability to add employee cards at no additional cost, primary rental car insurance, purchase protection, zero liability fraud protection, and extended warranty protection for your business.

Why We Like Earning Chase Ultimate Rewards Points

The Ink Business Unlimited card ordinarily earns cash-back, but as we mentioned earlier, you can turn the cash-back into Ultimate Rewards points, which are worth around 2 cents per point. That’s an easy way to double your return on spend!

If you have Ultimate Rewards points, you can redeem them for cash-back, merchandise, charitable donations, gift cards, travel booked through the Chase travel portal, and best of all, transfers to Chase airline and hotel partners for flights such as Singapore Airlines first class!

3. American Express® Business Gold Card (Best for Earning Points)

BEST FOR BONUSES
American Express® Business Gold CardTerms Apply / Rates & Fees

American Express® Business Gold Card

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

Get 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).
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
70,000 points
$1,540
$375
19.49% - 27.49% Variable
Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.
Good to Excellent (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% - 27.49% 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.)

The Amex Business Gold card is one of the mainstay options for business owners. It’s easy to see why this card is one of our favorite picks because of its extraordinary bonus categories.

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)

There are some familiar categories like advertising, shipping, and gas stations, as well as some new categories like restaurants and technology providers.

One of the biggest benefits of this card is that you get to enjoy these 4x bonus categories without having to worry about choosing which bonus categories — they’re automatically chosen to earn you the most points every month.

If you spend $150,000 in a year on these purchases, you’d end up with 600,000 Amex Membership Rewards points, which is worth around $13,000+! You’ll also earn 3x points on flights and prepaid hotels booked through AmexTravel.com, and 1x points on all other eligible purchases. You can’t forget about the welcome offer, either.

Similar to the Amex Business Platinum card, the Amex Business Gold card doesn’t have a preset spending limit, which could seriously help you make the purchases and transactions you need to manage your business. Normal cards can’t do that.

The other benefits you will get include extended warranty coverage, secondary car rental insurance, travel insurance, purchase protection, and up to 99 total employee cards with no annual fee after the first employee card ($50 per year; rates & fees).

Bottom Line: The Amex Business Gold card is a fantastic choice if you’re a real estate investor that tends to spend a lot on business meals, advertising, and gas stations.

4. Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card (Excellent Overall Business 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
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

The Ink Business Preferred card is one of our top business credit cards overall, and it’s a popular choice for real estate investors. This card offers a huge welcome bonus, lots of perks, and a low annual fee.

This is an Ultimate Rewards card that allows you to earn 3x points on your first $150,000 spent every cardmember year on these business categories:

  • Travel
  • Shipping purchases
  • Internet, cable, and phone services
  • Advertising purchases with social media sites and search engines

Although you probably won’t be spending a whole lot on travel and shipping purchases in your everyday life as a real estate investor, the advertising and telecommunications categories could come in handy.

You will also earn 5x points per dollar on Lyft purchases through March 31, 2025.

These points are redeemable for airline and hotel transfers, travel with a 25% bonus (1.25 cents per point) when booked through the Chase travel portal, Pay Yourself Back, as well as gift cards, cash-back, and more.

This card comes with purchase protection, extended warranty coverage, cell phone protection insurance, primary rental car collision insurance, other travel protections, and no foreign transaction fees.

2 Alternative Business Credit Cards for Real Estate Investors

If you’re a real estate investor and the card recommendations above don’t jive with you, we’ve also put together a list of alternative business credit cards that might fit your needs.

1. Ink Business Cash® Credit Card (No Annual Fee, Best for Cash-Back Across Multiple Categories)

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 $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; 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
  • 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 $750 bonus cash back after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from 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
  • 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.
  • 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 offers a niche value proposition without the burden of an annual fee.

This card will earn 5% cash-back on up to $25,000 in purchases every cardmember year on cell phone, landline, internet, and cable TV purchases and at office supply stores. Lyft purchases also earn 5% cash-back through March 2025.

Also, the card will earn 2% cash-back on the first $25,000 in purchases every cardmember year on gas stations and dining purchases. You’ll earn 1% cash-back elsewhere.

If you happen to have large transactions at office supply stores as a real estate investor, this card can offer you some of the best rewards.

Your 5%, 2%, and 1% cash-back is convertible to 5x, 2x, and 1x Ultimate Rewards points, respectively, if you have an Ultimate Rewards card like the Chase Sapphire Preferred card.

Other benefits include no annual fee, zero liability fraud protection, primary rental car insurance, and a 0% introductory APR perk.

2. The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express (No Annual Fee, 2x Points)

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

The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express

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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.

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Rewards Center

American Express Membership Rewards

The Amex Blue Business Plus card is, without a doubt, one of the most rewarding small business credit cards. This card earns a straightforward 2x points on everyday business purchases, up to $50,000 per year, then 1x thereafter.

You’ll also be able to access a useful 0% introductory APR, in addition to Expanded Buying Power, purchase protection, extended warranty coverage, no-annual-fee employee cards, and access to Amex Membership Rewards (rates & fees).

The only drawback of this card is that the 2x points earning is capped at $50,000 per year. This might be fine if you’re a small-scale real estate investor, but once you build up your portfolio, you might burn through $50,000 pretty quickly.

Final Thoughts

Real estate investors have plenty of options to earn rewards with credit card spending. But only a handful of cards offer worthwhile benefits and rewards that can help you maximize your purchases.

With names like the Amex Business Platinum card, the Ink Business Unlimited card, the Amex Business Gold card, and the Ink Business Preferred card, it’s easy to jumpstart your rewards!

Be sure to compare and contrast the different benefits and points you’re looking for, whether it’s awesome airport lounge access, massive bonus categories of up to 5x points, a low annual fee, or straightforward earning structures.

For the extended warranty and purchase protection benefits of The Business Platinum Card® from American Express, eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company. For the return protection benefit of The Business Platinum Card® from American Express, eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. 

For the car rental collision damage coverage benefit of the American Express® Business Gold Card, eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company. Car rental loss or damage coverage is offered through American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc. For the extended warranty and purchase protection benefits of the American Express® Business Gold Card, eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company. 

For the extended warranty and purchase protection benefits of The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express, eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company. 

For rates and fees of The Business Platinum Card® from American Express, click here.
For rates and fees of the American Express® Business Gold Card, click here.
For rates and fees of The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express, click here.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you buy real estate with business credit?

Generally, you can, but there are tons of caveats when it comes to using credit cards. More often, you might be able to use a business credit line, but credit cards will often code any of these transactions as cash advances, charge a fee, and will not be eligible for rewards.

How do you leverage a credit card for real estate?

If you’re talking about using a credit card for real estate, you can initiate cash advances to pull money out of your credit card, then use the money to purchase a property. After that, you can pay off the credit cards (depending on the interest rate).

However, this is not recommended. Plus, you’ll be expected to pay it back before any introductory APR period is over (unless you want to pay 25%+ interest). Imagine having to pay off an entire home after a year (typical introductory APR periods)!

Can I buy land with a credit card?

Usually, no. Any websites, individuals, or companies that broker/sell land don’t want to have to deal with a large interchange fee that could easily destroy any profits they might earn.

However, if you are insistent on earning rewards and are fine paying another 2%+ on your land purchase, you can consider using a platform called Plastiq.

Do you need a credit card to buy a house?

No, you do not.

You can qualify for a mortgage without a credit card, but having credit cards can boost your credit, allowing you to qualify for more favorable loan terms and reduce the amount of interest you pay.

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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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