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The 6 Best Credit Cards for Construction Businesses [2024]

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Running a construction business? As you accept more projects and grow your portfolio, your business expenses may follow suit.

If you spend a lot of money on business credit cards, you’ll want to ensure that you can handle evolving business needs as your company grows.

We’ll walk you through all of the best business cards you can have for your construction business.

What To Look for in a Credit Card for Construction Businesses

Running a construction business is expensive.

Between keeping up with your inventory of raw materials, renting and buying construction equipment, paying your employees, and getting all of the right permits and licenses, the costs will add up.

The best cards for construction businesses will have high credit ceilings, excellent rewards, and flexible financing terms.

That way, you can get as much as you can out of every dollar you spend, whether it’s on lumber or labor. Getting an incremental 1% or 2% back on large business expenses can make a huge difference in the long run. And of course, it always helps if you can get benefits for travel, too!

Let’s take a look at our favorite credit cards for construction businesses.

The 6 Best Credit Cards for Construction Businesses

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Card

Welcome Offer and Annual Fee

Earning Rates

The Business Platinum Card® from American Express
  • ELEVATED OFFER150,000 points

    The Business Platinum Card® from American Express

    Earn 150,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $20,000 in eligible purchases on the Card within the first 3 months of Card Membership.
  • Annual fee of $695 (rates & fees)
1x-5x points

The Business Platinum Card® from American Express

  • Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on flights and prepaid hotels on AmexTravel.com, and
  • Earn 1.5X points on each eligible purchase at:
    • U.S. construction material
    • Hardware suppliers
    • Electronic goods retailers
    • Software & cloud system providers
    • Shipping providers
  • Earn 1.5X points on purchases of $5,000 or more, on up to $2 million per Card Account per calendar year. Purchases eligible for multiple additional point bonuses will only receive the highest eligible bonus.
  • Earn 1X points for each dollar you spend on eligible purchases.
Capital One Spark Miles for BusinessInformation collected independently. Not reviewed by Capital One.
  • 50,000 miles

    Capital One Spark Miles for Business

    Earn a one-time bonus of 50,000 miles – equal to $500 in travel – once you spend $4,500 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening.
  • Annual fee of $0 intro for the first year, $95 after that
2x-5x miles

Capital One Spark Miles for Business

  • Unlimited 5X miles per dollar on hotels, vacation rentals, and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
  • Earn unlimited 2X miles per dollar on every purchase, everywhere, no limits or category restrictions, and miles won’t expire for the life of the account
Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card
  • $750

    Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card

    Earn $750 bonus cash back after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
  • Annual fee of $0
1.5% cash-back

Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card

  • Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase
Capital One Spark Cash Plus CardInformation collected independently. Not reviewed by Capital One.
  • Up to $4,000+

    Capital One Spark Cash Plus Card

    $2,000 cash back once you spend $30,000 in the first 3 months. Earn an additional $2,000 cash bonus for every $500K spent during the first year.
  • Annual fee of $150
2%-5% cash-back

Capital One Spark Cash Plus Card

  • Earn unlimited 5% cash-back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
  • Earn unlimited 2% cash-back on every purchase, everywhere—with no limits or category restrictions
The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express
  • 15,000 points

    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)
1x-2x points

The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express

  • Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on everyday business purchases such as office supplies or client dinners. 2X applies to the first $50,000 in purchases per year, 1 point per dollar thereafter.
  • Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point on other purchases.
  • Terms Apply.
The Plum Card® from American Express
  • No welcome offer

    The Plum Card® from American Express

    No welcome offer
  • Annual fee of $250 (rates & fees)
0%-1.5% cash-back

The Plum Card® from American Express

  • Earn unlimited 1.5% cash-back on eligible charges when you pay within 10 days of your statement closing date. There's no cap on how much you can earn and no purchase categories, just savings applied to your next statement.

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

ELEVATED OFFER
The Business Platinum Card® from American ExpressTerms Apply / Rates & Fees
Star rating iconStar rating iconStar rating iconStar rating iconStar rating iconStar rating iconStar rating iconStar rating iconStar rating iconStar rating icon
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)
This card is ideal for business travelers who enjoy luxury travel and are looking for a card loaded with benefits!
Earn 150,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $20,000 in eligible purchases on the Card within the first 3 months of Card Membership.
150,000 points
$3,300
$695
18.74% - 27.74% Variable
Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.
Good to Excellent (670-850)
Why We Like This Card

The 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.

Pros & Cons
Pros
  • 5x Membership Rewards points per $1 on flights and prepaid hotels at Amex Travel
  • Access to over 1,400 worldwide airport lounges as part of the American Express Global Lounge Collection
  • 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)
Cons
  • High annual fee of $695 (rates & fees)
  • Airline fee credit does not cover airfare, only incidentals like checked bags
Card Highlights
  • Welcome Offer: Earn 150,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $20,000 in eligible purchases on the Card within the first 3 months of Card Membership.
  • 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, on up to $2 million per Card Account per calendar year. Purchases eligible for multiple additional point bonuses will only receive the highest eligible bonus.
  • Unlock over $1,000 in statement credits on select purchases, including tech, recruiting and wireless in the first year of membership with the Business Platinum Card®. Enrollment required. See how you can unlock over $1,000 annually in credits on select purchases with the Business Platinum Card®, here.
  • $200 Airline Fee Credit: Select one qualifying airline and then receive up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year when incidental fees are charged by the airline to the Card.
  • $199 CLEAR® Plus Credit: Use your card and get up to $199 in statement credits per calendar year on your CLEAR® Plus Membership (subject to auto-renewal) when you use the 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: 18.74% - 27.74% Variable
  • Foreign Transaction Fees: None
Rewards Center

American Express Membership Rewards

Hot Tip: Check to see if you’re eligible for a welcome bonus offer of up to 250k points with the Amex Business Platinum card. The current public offer is 150,000 points. (This targeted offer was independently researched and may not be available to all applicants.)

Our favorite card for construction businesses is, without a shadow of a doubt, the Amex Business Platinum card. This card has proven time and time again to be a business owner’s best friend.

It offers the holy trinity of perks that business card owners look for:

  1. High credit limit (in this case, there’s no preset spending limit*)
  2.  Top-shelf luxury benefits
  3. Awesome rewards

Let’s be specific — the Amex Business Platinum card earns:

  • 5x Membership Rewards points on flights and prepaid hotels at AmexTravel.com
  • 1.5x Membership Rewards 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)
  • 1x Membership Rewards on all other purchases

These key business categories include:

  • Construction material and hardware suppliers
  • Electronic goods retailers and software and cloud system providers
  • Shipping providers

This card is one of the only ones to offer bonus rewards on construction material and hardware suppliers, which makes this card a match made in heaven for construction businesses.

Plus, you can earn bonus points on large purchases, which construction businesses have plenty of.

Maxing out the $2 million cap per calendar year means accumulating a total of 3 million Amex points, worth a whopping $66,000!

Additionally, this card offers the most exceptional benefits of a business card in the world.

Get access to the legendary American Express Global Lounge Collection, which consists of:

Top off your members-only perks with complimentary Hilton Honors and Mariott Bonvoy Gold status upon enrollment, a 35% rebate when using Pay with Points (up to 1 million points rebated per calendar year), and the ability to book Amex Fine Hotels & Resorts stays.

This card also offers statement credits galore, including:

The kicker on this card, though, is the fact that there is no preset spending limit, meaning you won’t have to worry about maxing out a credit limit in the same way you might with a traditional credit card.

Why We Like Earning Amex Membership Rewards Points

According to our valuations, Amex Membership Rewards points are worth more than 2.2 cents each, making them the most valuable points available!

These rewards are so valuable because you can redeem them for luxury travel such as Emirates first class through the Amex transfer partners.

You can also use these points for travel through AmexTravel.com, gift cards, statement credits, charitable donations, and more.

But these redemption methods don’t yield good value, so we recommend sticking to airline and hotel transfer partnerships.

Capital One Spark Miles for Business

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

The Capital One Spark Miles card is a low-annual-fee business card that earns 2x transferable miles on every dollar you spend. (Information collected independently. Not reviewed by Capital One.)

The Capital One Spark Miles card is a low-annual-fee business card that earns 2x transferable miles on every dollar you spend. (Information collected independently. Not reviewed by Capital One.)
Earn a one-time bonus of 50,000 miles – equal to $500 in travel – once you spend $4,500 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening.
50,000 miles
$900
$0 intro for the first year, $95 after that
25.74% Variable
Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.
Good to Excellent (670-850)
Why We Like This Card

The Capital One Spark Miles for Business is a great option for business owners looking for an uncomplicated rewards card that earns double miles on every purchase they make and offers access to transfer partners, all for a low annual fee.

 

Pros & Cons
Pros
  • Unlimited 2x miles per dollar spent on all purchases
  • 5x miles per dollar spent on hotels, vacation rentals, and rental cars purchased through Capital One Travel
  • 2 complimentary visits to a Capital One Lounge per year
Cons
    • Annual fee: $0 intro for the first year, $95 after that
Card Highlights
  • Earn a one-time bonus of 50,000 miles – equal to $500 in travel – once you spend $4,500 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening
  • Earn unlimited 2X miles per dollar on every purchase, everywhere, no limits or category restrictions, and miles won’t expire for the life of the account
  • Unlimited 5X miles per dollar on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
  • Transfer your miles to 15+ travel loyalty programs
  • Redeem your miles instantly for any travel-related purchases, from flights and hotels to ride-sharing services
  • Receive up to a $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®
  • $0 intro annual fee for the first year; $95 after that
  • Free employee cards which also earn unlimited 2X miles per dollar from their purchases
Financial Snapshot
  • APR: 25.74% Variable
  • Foreign Transaction Fees: None
Rewards Center

Capital One Miles

 

The Capital One Spark Miles card is one of our absolute favorite business credit cards for those who are strictly interested in earning rewards on odd business spending categories.

There’s usually an awesome welcome bonus, but the main reason we like this card is that it earns unlimited 2x Capital One miles per dollar spent on every purchase for your business.

That equals a return on spending of 3.6%. Plus, you can earn 5x miles on hotels, vacation rentals, and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel.

You’ll also be able to utilize the up to $120 Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee credit!

The Capital One Spark Miles card offers zero fraud liability, the ability to create virtual card numbers, extended warranty, no-fee employee cards, and no foreign transaction fees.

Why We Like Earning Capital One Miles

Capital One Miles is similar to American Express Membership Rewards.

The difference is we believe that Capital One miles are worth slightly less at 1.8 cents apiece, mostly because of a less comprehensive list of transfer partners.

Nonetheless, Capital One miles can be transferred to airline and hotel partners, and that is, indeed, the best way to use Capital One miles.

Hot Tip: Store-specific credit cards, like those offered by The Home Depot, may offer special financing but not as much cash-back (if any)  or rewards as other cards mentioned on our list.

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

Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card
Star rating iconStar rating iconStar rating iconStar rating iconStar rating iconStar rating iconStar rating iconStar rating iconStar rating iconStar rating icon
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)
The Ink Business Unlimited card is a stellar option for business owners looking for a no-fuss uncapped 1.5% cash-back card without an annual fee.
Earn $750 bonus cash back after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
$750
$750
$0
0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months; variable 17.99% - 23.99% thereafter
Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.
Good to Excellent (670-850)
Why We Like This Card

As a business owner, you likely keep pretty busy and probably prefer a credit card that just keeps things simple.

If so, the Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card might be just the card for you. From zero annual fee to a flat cash-back rate, the card is a no-frills option that you don’t have to think twice about.

Don’t forget too, 0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months; variable 17.99% - 23.99% thereafter

Pros & Cons
Pros
  • 1.5% cash-back on all purchases
  • No annual fee
  • 0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months; variable 17.99% - 23.99% thereafter
Cons
    • 3% foreign transaction fee
Card Highlights
  • 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 17.99% - 23.99% thereafter
  • Foreign Transaction Fees: 3% of each transaction in U.S. dollars
Rewards Center

The Ink Business Unlimited card is the top choice from Chase, which is famous for its terrific credit card offerings.

First off, enjoy a huge welcome offer — beyond that, get an unlimited 1.5% cash-back for all business purchases. There’s no need to think about bonus categories, caps, or anything like that.

One of the best parts of the Ink Business Unlimited card is that you can convert your 1.5% cash-back to 1.5x Ultimate Rewards points if you also have a card that accumulates Ultimate Rewards points, such as the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card.

By doing so, you’ll double the value of your rewards — your return on spending goes up to 3% instead of 1.5%, based on our valuation of 2 cents per Ultimate Rewards point!

The Ink Business Unlimited card has 0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months; variable 17.99% - 23.99% thereafter, making it one of the best 0 apr business credit cards, as well as primary rental car insurance, purchase protection, extended warranty, zero liability fraud protection, and no-fee employee cards.

Why We Like Earning Chase Ultimate Rewards Points

Chase Ultimate Rewards are slightly more valuable than Capital One miles but slightly less valuable than Amex Membership Rewards.

Remember, the Ink Business Unlimited card alone doesn’t earn Ultimate Rewards points, but if you have a different card that earns Ultimate Rewards, such as the Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card or the Chase Sapphire Preferred card, you can convert your rewards to Ultimate Rewards points.

From there, you can redeem them for luxury award travel such as Singapore Airlines first class through the Chase transfer partners, which is definitely the best-value redemption path.

Other ways to redeem include cash-back, gift cards, charity, Chase travel portal bookings, Pay Yourself Back, and merchandise.

Capital One Spark Cash Plus Card

Capital One Spark Cash Plus CardTerms Apply / Rates & Fees
Star rating iconStar rating iconStar rating iconStar rating iconStar rating iconStar rating iconStar rating iconStar rating iconStar rating iconStar rating icon
U.P. Rating 
The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

The Capital One Spark Cash Plus card offers an unlimited 2% cash-back on all purchases and helpful features for business owners.

The Capital One Spark Cash Plus card offers an unlimited 2% cash-back on all purchases and helpful features for business owners.
$2,000 cash back once you spend $30,000 in the first 3 months. Earn an additional $2,000 cash bonus for every $500K spent during the first year.
Up to $4,000+
$150
N/A
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.
Excellent (740-850)
Why We Like This Card

The information regarding the Capital One Spark Cash Plus Card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.


The Capital One Spark Cash Plus Card is great for business owners looking to improve their bottom line by earning 2% cash-back on all purchases without a high annual fee. Further, with no preset spending limit, the ability to get your $150 annual fee refunded every year you spend at least $150,000, and no-additional-fee employee cards, there is something that every business owner will love (rates & fees).

Pros & Cons
Pros
  • Unlimited 2% cash-back on all purchases
  • 5% cash-back on hotels and rental cars purchased through Capital One Travel
  • No preset spending limit
Cons
Card Highlights
  • Earn a one-time cash bonus of $2,000 once you spend $30,000 in the first 3 months
  • Earn an additional $2,000 cash bonus for every $500K spent during the first year. You can earn this bonus multiple times over the course of year 1!
  • Earn unlimited 2% cash back on every purchase, everywhere—with no limits or category restrictions
  • Enjoy purchasing power that adapts to your business. The Spark Cash Plus card has no preset spending limit, so it can adapt to your needs based on your spending behavior, payment history, credit profile and other factors
  • Earn unlimited 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
  • Empower your teams to make business purchases while you earn rewards from their transactions with free employee and virtual cards. Plus, automatically sync your transaction data with your accounting software and pay your vendors with ease
  • $150 annual fee – Spend $150,000 annually and Capital One will refund this fee every year
  • Spark Cash Plus has no APR because your balance is due in full every month
  • For businesses that need large spending capacity and want to maximize cash back
Financial Snapshot
  • APR: N/A
  • Foreign Transaction Fees: None

The Capital One Spark Cash Plus card is one of the most unassuming cards out there — but it’s super useful for high-spending business owners.

First of all, this card consistently offers a large welcome bonus offer, albeit usually with a larger spending requirement than other cards.

This particular product has no preset spending limit, so it’s similar to the Amex Business Platinum card in that sense.

You’ll earn an unlimited 2% cash-back on every purchase with no limits or category restrictions, plus get your $150 annual fee refunded every year you spend at least $150,000.

But one of the most useful tidbits about this card is that if you also have a Capital One Miles card such as the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit CardInformation collected independently. Not reviewed by Capital One., you can convert your cash-back to Capital One miles at a 1% to 1x ratio.

The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express

The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American ExpressTerms Apply / Rates & Fees
Star rating iconStar rating iconStar rating iconStar rating iconStar rating iconStar rating iconStar rating iconStar rating iconStar rating iconStar rating icon
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)
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
17.74% - 25.74% 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)
Why We Like This Card

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 & Cons
Pros
  • 2x Membership Rewards points per $1 on everyday business purchases (up to $50,000; 1x thereafter)
  • Purchase protection and extended warranty protection
  • No annual fee and employee cards at no additional cost
Cons
  • No unique bonus categories and 2x earnings are capped at $50,000 in annual spend
  • No elite travel benefits like lounge access or elite status
Card Highlights
  • Earn 15,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $3,000 in eligible purchases on the Card within your first 3 months of Card Membership.
  • 0.0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months from the date of account opening, then a variable rate, 17.74% - 25.74%, based on your creditworthiness and other factors at account opening. APR will not exceed 29.99%
  • Earn 2X points on everyday business purchases such as office supplies or client dinners. 2X applies to the first $50,000 in purchases per year, 1 point per dollar thereafter. Terms and limitations apply.
  • You’ve got the power to spend beyond your credit limit* with Expanded Buying Power. *The amount you can spend above your credit limit is flexible, so it adapts with your use of the Card, your payment history, credit record, financial resources known to us, and other factors. Just remember, the amount you can spend with Expanded Buying Power is not unlimited.
  • No Annual Fee
  • Terms Apply.
Financial Snapshot
  • APR: 17.74% - 25.74% 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.
Rewards Center

American Express Membership Rewards

The Amex Blue Business Plus is one of our favorite credit cards in the world because it has a very attractive earning structure.

This card is straightforward and a great earner with 2x Membership Rewards points on everyday business purchases on the first $50,000 every calendar year. After that, you’ll earn 1x Membership Rewards points.

That means you’ll get a 4.4% return on spending for the first $50,000 you spend per calendar year, which is phenomenal for a card without an annual fee.

Plus, employee cards are at no cost, and you can leverage the Expanded Buying Power and access Amex Membership Rewards (including transfer partners).

The Plum Card® from American Express

The Plum Card® from American ExpressTerms Apply / Rates & Fees
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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.

Instead of normal cash-back, earn an unlimited 1.5% early pay discount on eligible charges paid within 10 days of your statement closing date. You'll see the discount applied to your next statement when you pay at the least the Minimum Payment Due by the Payment Due Date.

Learn More(at Amex's secure site)

Apply With Confidence

Know if you're approved with no credit score impact

If you're approved and accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.

Instead of normal cash-back, earn an unlimited 1.5% early pay discount on eligible charges paid within 10 days of your statement closing date. You'll see the discount applied to your next statement when you pay at the least the Minimum Payment Due by the Payment Due Date.
No welcome offer
No welcome offer
$0
$250
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)
Why We Like This Card

Cash flow can be unpredictable. Sometimes, you can pay bills right away, and other times, it may be easier to wait. Either way works out in your favor with The Plum Card® from American Express!

With this card, you can pay your bill early and earn an unlimited 1.5% early pay discount on eligible charges paid within 10 days of your statement closing date. Or, you can take up to 60 days to pay without interest when you pay your Minimum Payment Due by the Payment Due Date.

For those who run seasonal businesses or whose incoming cash flow is unpredictable, the card can provide you with payment alternatives that most other cards don’t.

Pros & Cons
Pros
  • Earn 1.5% cash-back on your purchases, or receive 60 days to pay back your purchases with no interest
  • No foreign transaction fees or employee card fees (rates & fees)
  • Rental car insurance
Cons
  • Charges an annual fee
  • Limited benefits
Card Highlights
  • Paying early pays off: earn an unlimited 1.5% Early Pay Discount on eligible charges paid within 10 days of your statement closing date and see the discount applied to your next statement when you pay at the least the Minimum Payment Due by the Payment Due Date.
  • Take up to 60 days to pay with no interest‡, when you pay your minimum due by the Payment Due Date.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.‡
  • Terms Apply. Learn More.
Financial Snapshot
  • Foreign Transaction Fees: None
Rewards Center

There isn’t a rewards center for this card; the cash-back earned is applied directly to your next statement when you pay at the least the Minimum Payment Due by the Payment Due Date.

The very last card we’ll discuss is the Amex Plum card — it’s not one that we discuss much, given our focus on points and travel, but it can make or break certain cash flow-strapped businesses.

This product was created specifically to help businesses that have delays in invoicing and payment fulfillment from vendors.

To start, with this card, you can earn an unlimited 1.5% Early Pay Discount on eligible charges paid within 10 days of your statement closing date and see the discount applied to your next statement when you pay at least the Minimum Payment Due by the Payment Due Date.

And although this card doesn’t offer any rewards, it does offer the ability to take up to 60 days to pay your bills with no interest — all you need to do is make your minimum payment by the Payment Due Date. This is a super-niche benefit, and the 60-day 0% interest period is the biggest selling point.

It also has no preset spending limit, which means your spending limit is flexible. Unlike a traditional card with a set limit, the amount you can spend adapts based on factors such as your purchase, payment, and credit history.

Hot Tip: Looking for a personal card that can also help with your expenses? Consider our guide to the best credit cards for home improvement purchases.

Final Thoughts

At a high level, running a construction business is complicated, to say the least.

Between getting paid on time, maintaining a stocked inventory of materials, and finding good-quality labor, the last thing you need in your life is more complexity.

That’s why you can stick to any of the cards we’ve recommended to make the most of your business purchases or facilitate the smooth operation of your business.

For rewards and benefits, you can’t beat the Amex Business Platinum card, which has awesome rewards, an abundance of benefits, and no preset spending limit.

Other worthwhile options include the Capital One Spark Miles card, Ink Business Unlimited card, Capital One Spark Cash Plus card, and Amex Blue Business Plus card.

Lastly, the Amex Plum card allows you to pay your bills with no interest for up to 60 days, which can be a fantastic benefit for businesses with limited cash flow.

*No Preset Spending Limit on an American Express card means your spending limit is flexible. Unlike a traditional card with a set limit, the amount you can spend adapts based on factors such as your purchase, payment, and credit history.

The information regarding the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.
The information regarding the Capital One Spark Cash Plus Card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a best card in construction?

The best card in construction is, without a doubt, the Amex Business Platinum card. The benefits and rewards you will get as a construction business owner are second-to-none.

Can I get a credit card if I'm an independent contractor?

Yes, you can absolutely get a credit card if you’re an independent contractor. If you’re a sole proprietor, you can apply for a business credit card under that business structure.

Is the Amex Blue Business Plus card worth it?

It is absolutely worth it for the right business. If you spend less than $50,000 per year on your business and want to earn valuable rewards without an annual fee, this is one of the best cards to have. You’ll earn 2x Membership Rewards points per dollar spent, which is worth a return on spending of around 4.4%!

What are the best credit cards for construction businesses?

We think that the best cards for construction businesses are the Amex Business Platinum card, Capital One Spark Miles card, Ink Business Unlimited card, Capital One Spark Cash Plus card, Amex Blue Business Plus card, and Amex Plum card.

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About Stephen Au

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

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