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The 10 Best Business Credit Cards in September 2023

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Jarrod West

Jarrod West

Senior Content Contributor

Countries Visited: 21U.S. States Visited: 24

Boasting a portfolio of over 20 cards, Jarrod has been an expert in the points and miles space for over 6 years. He earns and redeems over 1 million points per year and his work has been featured in o...
Edited by: Juan Ruiz

Juan Ruiz

Compliance Editor & Content Contributor

Countries Visited: 40U.S. States Visited: 27

Juan has been involved in credit cards, loyalty, travel, and personal finance for more than 10 years. He has worked for several outlets including The Points Guy and Forbes and was previously Editor-in...

We may be compensated when you click on product links, such as credit cards, from one or more of our advertising partners. Terms apply to the offers below. See our Advertising Policy for more about our partners, how we make money, and our rating methodology. Opinions and recommendations are ours alone.

In this post, we’ve put together a collection of the best business credit cards available. These 10 options all have different strengths that will benefit businesses of all sizes and types.

1. The Business Platinum Card® from American Express

✅  Our Pick for Premium Perks, Travel Rewards, and Worldwide Lounge Access

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
Credit ranges are only a recommendation and a variation of FICO© Score. Issuers may use many types of credit scores when considering an application.
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.)

The elite Amex Business Platinum card is a clear leader if your business requires a lot of travel and you’re looking to get access to travel perks and benefits.

With this card, you’ll earn 5x Membership Rewards points on flights and prepaid hotels booked through Amex Travel and 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), and 1 point per dollar on all other purchases.

Although the annual fee is steep, you’ll find the Amex Business Platinum card has plenty of benefits that more than offset the fee. Here are just some of this card’s perks:

Find out more information, including whether your business has the credit score needed for the Amex Business Platinum card.

2. American Express® Business Gold Card

✅  Our Pick for Flexible Bonus Categories

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
$295
19.49% - 27.49% Variable
Credit ranges are only a recommendation and a variation of FICO© Score. Issuers may use many types of credit scores when considering an application.
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.

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.)

Pros

  • 4x Membership Rewards points per $1 on the 2 categories where your business spends the most:
    • Airfare purchased from airlines
    • U.S. purchases for advertising in select media
    • U.S. purchases made from select technology providers of computer hardware, software, and cloud solutions
    • U.S. purchases at gas stations
    • U.S. purchases at restaurants
    • U.S. purchases for shipping
  • 25% airline bonus when using Pay With Points
  • Access to Amex’s The Hotel Collection
  • Purchase protection and extended warranty protection
  • Trip delay insurance
  • Car rental insurance

Cons

  • $295 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.*
  • MORE REWARDS: Get 4X Membership Rewards® points on the 2 select categories where your business spent the most each month. 1X is earned for other purchases.**
  • **4X points apply to the first $150,000 in combined purchases from these 2 categories each calendar year.*
  • PAY OVER TIME OPTION: Decide whether you want to pay eligible purchases in full each month—or pay over time with interest.*
  • *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 an excellent choice if you’re looking to maximize the number of points you earn through your business spending. This card is a powerhouse when it comes to earning Membership Rewards points thanks to its flexible bonus categories that adjust automatically.

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):

  • Airfare purchased from airlines
  • U.S. purchases for advertising in select media
  • U.S. purchases made from select technology providers of computer hardware, software, and cloud solutions
  • U.S. purchases at gas stations
  • U.S. purchases at restaurants
  • U.S. purchases for shipping

It’s pretty unique to have a card that enables you to automatically maximize your rewards and helps you to focus on actually running your business. If you’re interested in learning more, there are tons of other benefits of the Amex Business Gold card!

3. Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

✅  Our Pick for Best Overall Business Credit Card and Best for Flexible Bonus Categories

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 100,000 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 Ultimate Rewards.
100,000 points
$2,000
$95
Credit ranges are only a recommendation and a variation of FICO© Score. Issuers may use many types of credit scores when considering an application.
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 Ultimate Rewards®
  • 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 Ultimate Rewards®
  • 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 the most appealing for businesses that travel frequently. Plus, its broad range of bonus earning categories is likely to pair nicely with your business’ spending patterns.

You’ll earn 3x points per dollar spent (up to $150,000 per year) in the following bonus categories:

  • Advertising on social media and search engines
  • Travel
  • Shipping
  • Internet, cable, and phone services

For example, if you spent $50,000 per year in those bonus categories you’d earn 150,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards points. That’s worth $1,875 when you use Chase’s travel portal to book flights, hotels, etc. Or you can get even more value from your points by transferring them to the Chase airline and hotel partners!

In addition to routinely offering huge welcome bonuses and tons of valuable benefits, the Ink Business Preferred card offers an industry-leading cell phone protection policy. 

You can receive up to $2,700 in cell phone protection claims every 12 months, and it’s split up to $1,000 per claim with up to 3 claims every 12 months. This insurance protects against accidental damage and theft of your phone, comes with a low $100 deductible, and covers phones that are purchased brand-new (used/refurbished phones do not qualify).

4. Ink Business Cash® Credit Card

✅  Our Pick for Cash-back Bonus Categories, and No Annual Fee

NEW OFFER
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 $900 bonus cash back after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening
$900
$900
$0
Credit ranges are only a recommendation and a variation of FICO© Score. Issuers may use many types of credit scores when considering an application.
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 $900 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

The Ink Business Cash card is a great no-annual-fee option that offers some exceptional perks, including travel insurance and purchase protection, and earns lots of cash-back with these great bonus categories:

Earn 5% cash-back (up to $25,000 in combined purchases):

  • Office supply stores
  • Internet, cable, and phone services

Earn 2% cash-back (up to $25,000 in combined purchases):

  • Gas stations
  • Restaurants

Plus you’ll earn 1% cash-back on all of your other purchases.

If you also have a premium Chase Ultimate Rewards credit card (one that charges an annual fee) you can turn your cash-back into Ultimate Rewards points that can then be transferred to hotel and airline partners for maximum value.

Hot Tip: Many new businesses spend a lot on phone expenses, internet service, and office supplies, so having a business credit card such as the Ink Business Cash card that gives 5% cash-back in these categories could make it a good choice for a start-up business.

5. Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card

✅  Our Pick for Flat-rate Cash-back, and No Annual Fee

NEW OFFER
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.

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 Cash® 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 $900 bonus cash back after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
$900
$900
$0
Credit ranges are only a recommendation and a variation of FICO© Score. Issuers may use many types of credit scores when considering an application.
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 $900 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

  • Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Card Categories

Rewards Center

If you’re looking for simplicity, the Ink Business Unlimited card may be just right for you. This card earns a flat 1.5% cash-back on all purchases without having to worry about bonus categories or earning limits.

Ink Business Unlimited cardholders who also hold a premium Ultimate Rewards credit card can combine the points earned from their cards and transfer them to Chase’s airline and hotel partners.

Other cards such as the Amex Blue Business Plus card might offer 2x points, but the bonus rewards are capped at $50,000 per year. With the Ink Business Unlimited card, you’ll have no cap on how many points you can earn!

It’s easy to see how the Ink Business Unlimited card fits into the Ink portfolio of cards, perfectly filling in the spending category gaps of the Ink Business Preferred card and Ink Business Cash card.

Bottom Line: A business credit card with a 0 APR period for purchases can help your business with cash flow as you spread out the repayment of a large purchase over time. 

6. The American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card

✅  Our Pick for Flat-rate Cash-back

The American Express Blue Business Cash™ CardTerms Apply / Rates & Fees

The American Express Blue Business 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.

Take control of your cash-back with the Amex Blue Business Cash card, and earn 2% cash-back on up to $50,000 in purchases each year.

Learn More(at Amex's secure site)

The American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card

Take control of your cash-back with the Amex Blue Business Cash card, and earn 2% cash-back on up to $50,000 in purchases each year.
N/A
N/A
$0
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 as determined at the time of account opening. APRs will not exceed 29.99%
Credit ranges are only a recommendation and a variation of FICO© Score. Issuers may use many types of credit scores when considering an application.
Good to Excellent (670-850)

Looking for a way to keep tabs on your office supply costs and business travel expenses while earning cash-back? Then The American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card could be a good fit.

This card offers expense management solutions that are designed to give companies more control, along with a much clearer picture of their business spending. In doing so, the more you spend, the more cash-back you can earn.

Pros

  • 2% cash-back on up to $50,000 in spend, then 1% back thereafter
  • No annual fee
  • Travel and purchase protection

Cons

  • Not ideal for those who spend a lot on a specific category like groceries or gas
  • 0.0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months from the date of account opening, then a variable rate, 18.49% – 26.49% Variable, based on your creditworthiness and other factors as determined at the time of account opening. APRs will not exceed 29.99%
  • Earn 2% cash back on all eligible purchases on up to $50,000 per calendar year, then 1%. Cash back earned is automatically credited to your statement.
  • From workflow to inventory to floor plans, your business is constantly changing. That’s why you’ve got the power to spend beyond your credit limit with Expanded Buying Power.
  • Just remember, 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: 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 as determined at the time of account opening. APRs will not exceed 29.99%
  • Foreign Transaction Fees: 2.7% of each transaction after conversion to U.S. dollars

Card Categories

The Amex Blue Business Cash card offers a simple way to earn cash-back for every purchase you make. For the first $50,000 you spend per calendar year, you’ll earn 2% cash-back credited to your statement. After that, you’ll earn 1% cash-back.

7. The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express

✅  Our Pick for Flat-rate Point-earning

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.
N/A
N/A
$0
$0
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. APRs will not exceed 29.99%
Credit ranges are only a recommendation and a variation of FICO© Score. Issuers may use many types of credit scores when considering an application.
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
  • 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: 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. APRs will not exceed 29.99%
  • Foreign Transaction Fees: 2.7% of each transaction after conversion to US dollars.

Card Categories

Rewards Center

American Express Membership Rewards

The Amex Blue Business Plus card is a great no-fee option that offers simple, flat-rate points earning (rates and fees). With this card, you’ll be earning valuable Membership Rewards points that can be transferred to the Amex travel partners for maximum value.

You’ll earn 2x points per dollar spent (up to $50,000 per year). After you hit the $50,000 threshold, you’ll earn 1x point per dollar.

Plus, you’ll be able to get additional employee cards at no additional cost and you’ll be able to earn points on all of their purchases in addition to your own (rates and fees).

8. The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card

✅  Our Pick for Hilton Loyalists and Lounge Access

The Hilton Honors American Express Business CardTerms Apply / Rates & Fees

The Hilton Honors American Express Business 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.

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 Offer: Earn 130,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points after you spend $3,000 in purchases on the Hilton Honors Business Card within the first three months of Card Membership.
130,000 points
$650
$95
20.99% - 29.99% Variable
Credit ranges are only a recommendation and a variation of FICO© Score. Issuers may use many types of credit scores when considering an application.
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, complimentary Priority Pass visits, travel protections, and the opportunity to earn free night certificates.

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 Hilton purchases
  • 6x points per $1 at U.S. gas stations, on wireless telephone services purchases directly from U.S. service providers, and on U.S. purchases for shipping
  • 6x points per $1 at U.S. restaurants, on flights booked directly with airlines or with Amex Travel, and on car rentals booked directly from select car rental companies
  • 3x points per $1 on all other purchases
  • Automatic Hilton Honors Gold status, and the ability to spend your way to Diamond status
  • 10 complimentary Priority Pass visits
  • Free Weekend Night Reward after $15,000 in spend in a calendar year, and a second after you spend $60,000
  • No foreign transaction fees (rates and fees)

Cons

  • Welcome Offer: Earn 130,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points after you spend $3,000 in purchases on the Hilton Honors Business Card within the first three months of Card Membership.
  • Earn Hilton Honors Bonus Points for each dollar of eligible purchases on your Card: 12X directly with hotels and resorts in the Hilton portfolio, 6X at U.S. gas stations, on U.S. purchases for shipping, on wireless telephone services purchased directly from U.S. service providers, on flights booked directly with airlines or with Amex Travel, on car rentals booked directly from select car rental companies, and at U.S. restaurants, 3X on all other eligible purchases.
  • Enjoy complimentary Hilton Honors™ Gold Status with your Hilton Honors Business Card.
  • Earn a Free Night Reward from Hilton Honors after you spend $15,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year.
  • Earn another Free Night Reward from Hilton Honors after you spend an additional $45,000 in purchases on your Card in the same calendar year.
  • 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 a great option for Hilton loyalists because it offers multiple points earning categories and a fast track to Hilton Honors elite status.

With this card, you’ll earn 12x Hilton Honors points per dollar spent at hotels and resorts within the Hilton family of brands across the globe. In addition, you’ll be able to earn 6x points per dollar on these bonus categories:

  • U.S. gas stations
  • U.S. restaurants
  • Wireless phone services from U.S. providers
  • U.S purchases for shipping services
  • Flights booked directly with the airline or through Amex Travel
  • Car rentals booked directly with select car rental companies

On top of all that, you’ll earn 3x points per dollar on any purchases that don’t fall into the bonus categories.

The Hilton Business Amex card will also help fast-track you to higher levels of Hilton Honors elite status. As a cardmember, you’ll get automatic Hilton Honors Gold status. If you spend $40,000 or more in a calendar year, you’ll be upgraded to Diamond status.

This card also comes with 10 complimentary lounge visits per year after signing up for the Priority Pass Select membership. You’ll have access to over 1,300 lounges worldwide with this perk.

9. Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card

✅  Our Pick for Delta Flyers and Lounge Access

LIMITED-TIME OFFER
Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express CardTerms Apply / Rates & Fees

Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express 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.

Receive priority boarding, complimentary access to Delta Sky Club and Centurion Lounges, concierge support, and an annual companion certificate.

Learn More(at Amex's secure site)

Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card

Receive priority boarding, complimentary access to Delta Sky Club and Centurion Lounges, concierge support, and an annual companion certificate.
Limited Time Offer: Earn 100,000 Bonus Miles after spending $12,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Plus, earn an additional 10,000 Bonus Miles after you make an eligible Delta purchase with your new Card within your first 6 months. Offer Ends 10/25/2023.
Up to 110,000 miles
$1,320
$550
20.99% - 29.99% Variable
Credit ranges are only a recommendation and a variation of FICO© Score. Issuers may use many types of credit scores when considering an application.
Good to Excellent (670-850)

The Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card is a premium card option for small business owners who are both frequent travelers and Delta loyalists.

While the annual fee may be steep, the card comes loaded with perks and benefits that all frequent Delta flyers are sure to love. Let’s take a look at what makes the card unique, and why it may be a great fit for your wallet.

Pros

  • Save 15% On Award Travel With TakeOff 15. Not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
  • Complimentary Delta Sky Club access when flying Delta and 2 Delta Sky Club 1-time guest passes (through February 1, 2025)
  • Complimentary Amex Centurion Lounge access when flying Delta
  • Access to complimentary flight upgrades

Cons

  • High annual fee
  • Does not earn many miles for purchases outside of Delta spend
  • Rewards are not transferable
  • Limited Time Offer: Earn 100,000 Bonus Miles after spending $12,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Plus, earn an additional 10,000 Bonus Miles after you make an eligible Delta purchase with your new Card within your first 6 months. Offer Ends 10/25/2023.
  • Save 15% On Award Travel With TakeOff 15. Card Members now enjoy savings on Delta flights. Not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
  • With complimentary access into Delta Sky Club®, you can relax before your Delta flight, or find downtime between connections.* You’ll also receive two Delta Sky Club One-Time Guest Passes each year so you can share the experience with others when you’re traveling together. *Effective 2/1/25, Reserve Card Members will receive 10 Visits per year to the Delta Sky Club; to earn an unlimited number of Visits each year starting on 2/1/25, the total eligible purchases on the Card must equal $75,000 or more between 1/1/24 and 12/31/24, and each calendar year thereafter.
  • When you purchase a Delta flight with your Delta SkyMiles Reserve Card, you will receive complimentary access to The Centurion® Lounge or Escape Lounge – The Centurion® Studio Partner.
  • After you spend $150,000 on your Card in a calendar year, you earn 1.5 miles per dollar (that’s an extra half mile per dollar) on eligible purchases the rest of the year. If your purchase qualifies for a category that has a higher mileage accelerator, only the higher accelerator will apply (ex. you would earn 3X miles on purchases made directly with Delta instead of 1.5X).
  • Enjoy 3x miles per dollar on Delta purchases.
  • With Status Boost®, earn 15,000 Medallion Qualification Miles (MQMs) after you spend $30,000 in purchases on your Card through 12/31/23, up to four times per year getting you closer to Medallion Status.* MQMs are used to determine Medallion Status and are different from the miles you earn towards flights.*Effective 1/1/24, this benefit will no longer be available, and there will be a new way to earn toward Medallion Status with the Card. Learn more.
  • 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

If you fly Delta often and value Delta elite status, the Delta Reserve Business card could be a good addition to your wallet. This card earns Delta SkyMiles and comes with Delta-centric perks.

With this card you’ll earn:

  • 3x miles per dollar on Delta purchases
  • 1.5x miles per dollar on purchases after you spend $150,000 in a calendar year
  • 1x miles per dollar on all other purchases

The Delta Reserve Business card also helps you earn Delta SkyMiles elite status. You’ll get 15,000 Medallion Qualification Miles (MQMs) after spending $30,000 in purchases in a calendar year. You can do this up to 4 times per year (earn 60,000 MQMs total after spending $120,000). Effective 1/1/24, this benefit will no longer be available.

When you consider that Delta Diamond elite status requires 125,000 MQMs and Platinum requires 75,000 MQMs (among a few other requirements), you can begin to see how much Status Boost can help you in achieving your desired Delta Medallion status. Plus you’ll enjoy benefits like a Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee credit and a Delta Companion Certificate.

10. Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card

✅  Our Pick for Bonus Categories and Marriott Loyalists

LIMITED-TIME OFFER
Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® CardTerms Apply / Rates & Fees

Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® 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.

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.
Limited Time Offer: Earn 125,000 Bonus Marriott Bonvoy Points after you use your new Card to make $8,000 in purchases within the first 6 months of Card Membership. Offer Ends 11/1/23.
125,000 points
$875
$125
20.99% - 29.99% Variable
Credit ranges are only a recommendation and a variation of FICO© Score. Issuers may use many types of credit scores when considering an application.
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 off standard rates for reservations of standard guest rooms at hotels that participate in the Marriott Bonvoy program when you book directly. Terms and Conditions Apply.
  • No foreign transaction fees (rates and fees)

Cons

  • Limited Time Offer: Earn 125,000 Bonus Marriott Bonvoy Points after you use your new Card to make $8,000 in purchases within the first 6 months of Card Membership. Offer Ends 11/1/23.
  • Receive a 7% discount off standard rates for reservations of standard guest rooms at hotels that participate in the Marriott Bonvoy program when you book directly through Marriott. Terms and Conditions Apply.
  • 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. Awards 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 Card.
  • Terms apply.

Financial Snapshot

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

Card Categories

Rewards Center

Marriott Bonvoy

If you’re a Marriott loyalist who wants lots of ways to earn Marriott Bonvoy points and a fast track to Marriott Bonvoy elite status, then the Marriott Bonvoy Business card might be a good option for you.

With this card, you’ll earn:

  • 6x points at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy program
  • 4x points at restaurants worldwide
  • 4x points at U.S. gas stations
  • 4x points on wireless phone services from U.S. providers
  • 4x points on U.S purchases for shipping services
  • 2x points on all other purchases

This business credit card is at the top of our list of favorite credit cards for Marriott Bonvoy loyalists, for numerous reasons, including the 7% room rate discount, 15 Elite Night Credits, Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status, and the ability to earn up to 6x points on your spending!

But one of the best benefits of the Marriott Bonvoy Business card is the free night award certificate you get a month after every cardmember anniversary. This free night award is good for any 1-night stay of up to 35,000 points. This could get you a free night worth anywhere from $200 to $300. The benefit alone could pay for the card every year!

Business Credit Card Comparison Table (2023)

Business Credit CardWelcome Bonus and Annual FeeMain Benefits
The Business Platinum Card® from American Express
  • OUR BEST OFFER: Earn 120,000 points after you spend $15,000 on purchases in the first 3 months.
  • Annual Fee of $695 (rates & fees)
  • Access to over 1,400 worldwide lounges, including Amex Centurion Lounges, Priority Pass (upon enrollment), and more
  • 5x points on flights and prepaid hotels on Amex Travel
  • Large collection of annual statement credits
American Express® Business Gold Card
  • Earn 70,000 points after you spend $10,000 on purchases in the first 3 months.
  • Annual Fee of $295 (rates & fees)
  • 4x points on the 2 categories where your business spends the most (up to $150,000 per calendar year)
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 on travel and select business categories each account anniversary year
  • Cell phone protection
Ink Business Cash® Credit Card
  • NEW OFFER: Earn $900 cash-back after spending $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months.
  • Annual Fee of $0
  • 5% cash-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
Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card
  • NEW OFFER: Earn $900 cash-back after spending $6,000 on purchases 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
The American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card
  • 2% cash-back on all eligible purchases on up to $50,000 per calendar year
The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express
  • 2x points on all purchases up to $50,000 per year
The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card
  • Welcome Offer: Earn 130,000 points after spending $3,000 in purchases in the first 3 months.
  • Annual Fee of $95 (rates & fees)
  • 12x points at Hilton hotels and resorts
  • Hilton Honors Gold status
  • 10 free airport lounge visits per year
Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card
  • Limited Time Offer: Earn 100,000 Bonus Miles after spending $12,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Plus, earn an additional 10,000 Bonus Miles after you make an eligible Delta purchase with your new Card within your first 6 months. Offer Ends 10/25/2023.
  • Annual Fee of $550 (rates & fees)
  • Delta Sky Club and Centurion Lounge access
  • Ability to earn MQMs toward your Medallion status
Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card
  • Limited Time Offer: Earn 125,000 Bonus Marriott Bonvoy Points after you use your new Card to make $8,000 in purchases within the first 6 months of Card Membership. Offer Ends 11/1/23.
  • Annual Fee of $125 (rates & fees)
  • 6x points at Marriott Bonvoy hotels
  • 4x points in select categories, 2x points on all other purchases
  • Silver Elite status

What Is a Business Credit Card?

Put simply, a business credit card is a card that is designed for business expenses instead of personal expenses. This is great for accounting purposes as it will allow you to easily reference and calculate all of your business expenses for the year when it comes time to pay your taxes.

How To Select a Business Credit Card

There are so many variables when it comes to credit cards, and business credit cards are no different.

Business Card Basics

  • You’ll be personally responsible for paying the card unless your contract states otherwise. Your personal credit may play a significant role in whether you’re approved for a business credit card.
  • The Federal Credit Card Accountability Responsibility and Disclosure (CARD) Act of 2009 set new provisions to protect consumers from some of the negative practices of credit card companies, but the CARD Act does not apply to business cards. Your business credit card may have higher fees and be less consumer-friendly, although many banks are now including CARD protections voluntarily on business cards.
  • Credit limits are generally higher for business credit cards than for personal credit cards.
  • Unfortunately, APRs can also be higher on business credit cards — a good reason not to carry high balances.

Narrow Your Options by Answering These Questions

  • Which are my most significant business expenses? You’ll want to select a card that rewards your most significant spending categories, ideally one that rewards all of your spending in those categories, not just a portion.
  • What are my business travel requirements? Are you a road warrior who values rewards for gas purchases, an in-home business requiring no travel, or a frequent flyer who values premium travel benefits?
  • Do I want to earn cash-back to reinvest in my business, or is earning travel rewards more of a priority?
  • Do the redemption options for rewards add value to the business? With cash-back credit cards, the answer may be easy, but can your business benefit from free airline tickets if your business doesn’t require travel? Don’t forget — it’s perfectly acceptable to use the rewards earned on business expenses for a personal vacation.
  • Do I prefer a business card with no annual fee? While some high-annual-fee cards provide exceptional benefits, you may have a preference to stay clear of cards with high annual fees.

Bottom Line: While it’s essential to select a business credit card that aligns with your expenses and priorities, it’s not a permanent decision. Try the card for a year and determine if it meets your needs. If the card doesn’t have an annual fee, you can hold on to it to build a longer credit history, or you can cancel your card if it has an annual fee but doesn’t offer the value you want. 

How To Apply for a Business Credit Card

Before applying for a business credit card, you’ll want to make sure you have the following information handy:

  • The legal name of your business (this can be your own name)
  • Your business entity (sole proprietor, partnership, S corporation, limited liability company)
  • Tax ID number, which can be either an Employer Identification Number or Social Security number
  • Years you’ve been in business
  • Business revenue (yes, it can be $0) and total personal income
  • Business address (can be the same as your personal address) and phone number
  • Type of business and subtype of business (for example, services, subtype cleaning services)
  • Number of employees
  • Possible additional personal information

5 Tips for Completing the Business Credit Card Application

  1. Don’t lie. Provide information that is as accurate as possible.
  2. Relationships matter. Having other credit cards (with a positive history) or a bank account with the financial institution issuing the credit card will increase your chances of approval. For example, having a business checking account from Chase can help increase the likelihood of being approved for a Chase business credit card.
  3. Keep a copy of the application. If for any reason you are not approved, or if the issuing bank needs more information, you can refer to your application during any follow-up conversations.
  4. Make notes. On the copy of your application, make notes as to why you answered a question a certain way. Did you estimate your earnings? What was the process you used for the estimate?
  5. Take a screenshot of the offer. Before you hit submit, make sure you’ve documented the credit card offer. Applying for an offer that gives you 50,000 miles after your first purchase? Be sure you have a screenshot to refer to if those 50,000 miles don’t show up.

It’s also not a bad idea to familiarize yourself with the rules of each bank before applying. This will ensure you’re within the card limit for a specific issuer, eligible for the welcome bonuses, etc.

Bottom Line: You can apply for a business credit card even if your business doesn’t yet have income. A strong personal credit history increases your chances of being approved. Consider applying in person at a local bank branch where you’ve done business.

Business Credit Cards vs. Personal Credit Cards

Some business owners question whether it’s necessary to have a business credit card for your start-up or small business. It’s especially questionable if you’re not making a lot of money yet and you’ve been able to utilize your personal credit card for the expenses you’ve incurred so far.

It’s prudent to separate business expenses from personal expenses, and it can become critical when it comes time to pay taxes or produce supporting information for an audit. An easy way to separate expenses is to open a bank account for your business and apply for a business credit card to use for your business-related purchases.

Additionally, business credit cards frequently offer perks for businesses, have higher credit limits, and reward business category purchases more than personal cards.

Deciding Between a Business Charge Card or a Business Credit Card

Knowing the difference between a charge card and a credit card can help you make an informed decision on which card fits your business spending patterns best.

credit card allows you to carry a balance from 1 statement period to another. You will be charged interest on any carryover balance. A charge card requires the balance to be paid off in full each statement period.

Charge cards may have offers that allow you to carry over a balance, but it’s not guaranteed. The credit card issuer has to explicitly grant you this privilege.

An advantage of a charge card is not having a specified spending limit, as the credit card issuer will determine this based on how you’re managing the card.

Hot Tip: If a charge card is what you’re looking for, consider the Brex corporate cards. Brex is a company that has turned business credit cards on their head.

Which Types of Businesses Qualify for a Business Credit Card?

The IRS gives us the bottom line on what constitutes a business in its statement: “Generally, an activity qualifies as a business if it is carried on with the reasonable expectation of earning a profit.”

Under that definition, a business can range from opening a restaurant to selling homemade jam or refereeing soccer on the weekends, as long as it has a reasonable expectation of earning a profit. Even if your side gig is small, it may still qualify for a business credit card because your personal credit will play a significant role in whether you get approved for a business credit card.

Pros and Cons of Business Credit Cards

Pros of Getting a Business Credit Card

Expense Tracking 

The number of business expenses you have can really add up over the year, and putting all of these expenses on a set business credit card or 2 can really be a lifesaver when it comes time to pay your taxes. This way, you can easily access, refer to, and itemize all of your expenses from the past year.

Earn Rewards and Optimize Your Spend

Put simply, business credit cards can offer lucrative rewards structures that can offer travel rewards or cash-back on every dollar you spend. Given that, if you aren’t using a business credit card for your expenses then you are leaving money on the table with every transaction you make.

Welcome Bonuses Boost Your Bottom Line

Not only are the rewards you earn with a business credit card lucrative, but the welcome bonus you receive can give a boost to your bottom line at the end of the year. Some of the best credit card welcome bonuses can offer anywhere from $500 to $1,000 in cash-back, or can offer travel rewards points that can offset thousands of dollars in travel expenses you’d otherwise have needed to pay out of pocket for.

Receive Perks and Protections

Another great way to enhance the value of your business credit card is the perks and protections they can offer.

For instance, many benefits rich cards might offer perks like airport lounge access, annual credits to help offset your business expenses, elite status, priority security clearance at the airport, and more.

In terms of protections, look for benefits like purchase protection, extended warranty protection, cell phone protection, trip delay protection, rental car insurance, and more as these items can really come in handy when the unexpected happens.

No Foreign Transaction Fees

If you operate a business that requires making overseas purchases then this perk is an absolute must-have. Without it, you’ll be charged anywhere from 2.7% to 3% in fees for your international purchases, which can add up quickly.

Enable and Track Employee Expenses

Most business credit cards have functionality that allows you to add employee cards for no additional fee. They even offer helpful benefits like allowing you to set credit limits for each card individually, and track expenses across all cards from your main account.

Cons of Getting a Business Credit Card

Not Ideal If You Can’t Regularly Pay Your Balance Off 

Business credit cards can charge some high interest rates, especially for business credit cards that offer travel rewards. Given that, you’ll want to make sure you’re always paying your full statement balance to avoid paying interest on the business expenses you make with your card.

Might Charge an Annual Fee 

Some of our favorite business credit cards, the Amex Business Platinum card and the Ink Business Preferred card, charge an annual fee. In our view, the benefits that cards offer can easily outweigh the cost, but this isn’t always the case for everyone. That said, if you’re considering a business credit card that charges an annual fee, make sure the value you’ll receive from the card is higher than the fee you’ll pay.

Methodology: How We Selected Our List of the Best Business Credit Cards

The Upgraded Points team selects the best business credit cards based on how much value the card can provide to cardholders. When evaluating each card, we assess every factor possible, including the card’s benefits, earnings structure, welcome bonus, redemption value/rewards program, fees, and more.

Here’s a look into our thought process when selecting the best business rewards cards:

Associated Benefits

The top business rewards cards will offer benefits that can help your business, whether that be on the bottom line or by making tasks easier. Benefits such as free employee cards, statement credits, travel benefits such as lounge access, and expense management tools, as well as card protections, are just some examples of travel perks we look for.

Earnings Structure

We look for cards that offer solid bonus categories on a variety of business purchases like advertising, computer hardware, shipping, and more. A great business rewards card could also have flat-rate earnings on all purchases, making it easy to accumulate rewards on everyday purchases.

Welcome Offers

A business card’s welcome offer is perhaps the best way to earn a large chunk of points in a short amount of time. While this is a one-time bonus, they are a factor in our evaluations because of how lucrative they can be.

We’ll provide you with the current welcome offer information available to us for each card, but we also encourage you to confirm the welcome offer and review any offers before applying for any card.

Fees

The very best business rewards cards come with excellent perks and benefits, but with those benefits also come higher card annual fees. That said, if the card is right for you, it can be easy to get far more value from the card than what you pay for the annual fee.

Redemption Value

A card will score high if it earns flexible rewards that allow for several options at redemption time. The best business rewards cards provide the option to redeem points directly for travel, cash-back, or statement credits, or allow the transfer of rewards to airline and hotel partners for the opportunity to receive the greatest potential value.

Hot Tip: While the most desired benefits and features of a card will vary by person, our holistic approach gives readers the full picture of what they can expect from every card we review. To learn more about how we review cards, read through our designated methodology page.

Final Thoughts

Opening a business credit card is a positive step that supports the future growth of your business, and you do not need to have a large business to qualify.

While this list of the best business credit cards is exhaustive, there are many more options available.

Find the best business credit card for your business by researching the best available cards, their rewards and benefits, as well as the drawbacks. A business credit card can make a big difference for your business and it’s critical to make an informed decision.

See our in-depth articles where we cover the best business credit cards for perks and benefits, best Amex business cards, 0% APR business credit cards, low credit scores and building credit, new businesses and start-ups, real estate investors, doctors, dentists, house flippers and landlords, and nonprofits.



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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 American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card, click here.
For rates and fees of The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express, click here.
For rates and fees of The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card, click here.
For rates and fees for the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card, click here.
For rates and fees of the Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card, click here.

Frequently Asked Questions

One of the primary reasons for having a business credit card is to separate your business expenses from your personal expenses, making it easier at tax time or to provide documentation in the case of an audit. Some business credit cards provide record-keeping tools, syncing with Quickbooks, and other financial management tools.

Additionally, business credit cards may offer higher credit limits, free employee credit cards, and earn bonuses in business spending categories that you won’t find on personal cards.

You apply for a business credit card in your business name and all spending that relates to your business activity goes on the business credit card. Although you apply for a business credit card, your personal credit history can make a difference in whether you’re approved as you’ll normally be personally responsible for debt incurred on the card.

Your personal credit history is normally taken into consideration and a hard-pull inquiry is done on your personal credit report when you apply for a business credit card. While this might affect your personal credit by a few points initially, opening a business credit card may not affect your personal credit in the long term.

If you default on your payments to the business credit card, however, the information will be reported to your personal credit report. Most issuers do not report activity to your personal credit report unless there is negative activity.

There is no single best credit card for every business because benefits, rewards, and the value the business card adds to your business will vary.

Reviewing the benefits of each card you’re considering and asking yourself if a benefit adds value to your business can help you select the perfect card.

If you’re trying to keep costs to a minimum, for example, you might select a rewards-earning business card with no annual fee, such as the Ink Business Cash card.

The spending habits of your business should match up with the bonus spending categories on the credit card for maximum rewards earning. If you’re a road warrior, for example, you might select a card that rewards purchases at gas stations and hotels.

Selecting a card with a 0% APR period for purchases and/or balance transfers may also be an option to help with your small business’ cash flow.

The short answer is yes, but it is not prudent to do so because one of the primary benefits of opening a business credit card is to keep business and personal expenses separate.

When personal expenses are put on a business credit card, you could run into problems at tax time trying to sort it all out and even have difficulty in case of an audit.

Generally, no. Even if you’re just starting out, with good or better personal credit, you can qualify for a business credit card as long as your business activity has a reasonable expectation of a profit.

With that said, every credit card issuer has its own requirements for issuing business cards.

You can be approved for a business credit card even if your business does not yet have profits. You’ll need a strong personal credit history to be approved, but it’s possible to secure a business credit card without a profit.

Business credit cards are different from personal credit cards because they require you to have a business to open one, they offer business-specific features and tools, and they usually have higher credit limits.

Just as with your personal credit score, your business credit score will determine whether or not you’ll be eligible for credit cards, loans, and lending terms, etc. The better your business credit score, the better chance you will have of getting your applications approved.

You certainly can. That said, business credit cards are best used for the day-to-day and month-to-month expenses of running your business. If you are looking for capital to finance the initial start-up cost of a business of your business, then a small business loan would be more prudent.

Many business credit cards do require a personal guarantee. That said, there are some business credit card options that do not require a personal guarantee, like Brex, for instance.

About Jarrod West

Boasting a portfolio of over 20 cards, Jarrod has been an expert in the points and miles space for over 6 years. He earns and redeems over 1 million points per year and his work has been featured in outlets like The New York Times.

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