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- A business credit card is a great option if you are a freelancer or own a business.
- Look at factors such as welcome bonuses, earning categories, purchase protection, and other aspects when looking for the right business card.
- Cards like the Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card earn rewards on spending categories that are popular with business owners, and provide valuable coverage including travel and cell phone insurance.
- The Insider’s guide for the best small-business credit cards.
Credit cards for businessesOffer many benefits that are similar to personal credit cards but also in addition to them. Like personal Reward cardsNumerous business credit cards have attractive bonus offers and offer purchase protection. Travel insuranceAnd in the case airline Co-branded hotel cardsYou get day-of-travel perks such as free checked bags or anniversary award nights.
Even if you don’t have a formal small business, A business credit card may still be available to you — and you might want to do so for a number of reasons. A business credit card will allow you to keep your personal expenses and work expenses separate. This, in turn can help with your personal and work expenses. Over time, you can improve your personal credit score.
There are many to choose from. Great business rewards credit cardsThere are many options available so if this is something you have been considering, now may be the time. These are the five benefits that you need to consider when applying for any business credit cards.
Insider’s Featured Small Businesses Cards
You can earn 2% cashback on all eligible purchases for your business (up to $50,000 annually in purchases), then 1%. All other purchases earn 1% cashback
$250 statement credit, after you have spent $3,000 on your first 3 months of card purchases
Each account anniversary year, earn 5% cashback on your first $25,000 in combined purchases at office supply shops and on internet and cable services. Each account anniversary year, earn 2% cashback on the first $25,000 in combined purchases at gas stations or restaurants. All other purchases earn 1% cashback
$900 Bonus Cash Back after you spend $6,000 in the first three month of account opening
Get 3% cashback on eligible purchases made at gas stations, EV charging stations, office supply shops, cell phone service providers, restaurants, and other retail outlets. All eligible net purchases are eligible for a 1% cashback Redeem 5% Cash Back on Prepaid Hotels and Car Rentals booked through the Rewards Center.
500 cash back after you spend $4,500 on purchases made on your card within the first 150 days.
You will receive a high-value welcome bonus
Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card
Intro offer
100,000 points for spending $15,000 in the first three months after account opening
Rewards
You will earn 3 points per $1 for the first $150,000 you spend on travel or select business categories. Earn 1 point for all other purchases
Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card
Intro offer
After spending $15,000 on purchases within the first 3 months of account opening, you earn 100,000 points
Reward Points
Each account anniversary year, earn 3 points for every $1 spent on travel and selected business categories. All other purchases earn 1 point
Details
Reward Points
You will earn 3 points per $1 for the first $150,000 you spend on travel or select business categories. All other purchases earn 1 point
Intro offer
100,000 points for spending $15,000 in the first three months after account opening
We recommend credit
Excellent to Very Good
The Annual Percentage Ratio (APR) is a regular annual rate
Variable between 18.99% and 23.99%
Pros & Cons
Highlights
Additional Reading
A business credit card offers a number of introductory bonuses that can be as great as or better than their personal counterparts.
Take, for example, Chase Sapphire Preferred® CardCardholders who open accounts within 3 months will be eligible for 60,000 bonus point after they spend $4,000 on their purchases. The annual fee for this card is $95.
On the other side, the Ink Business Preferred® Credit CardCardholders who spend $15,000 in the first three months after account opening will be eligible for 100,000 points. The annual fee is $95 and you can only get it once. Apply for the business card to earn even more bonus points if you meet the spending requirements.
This is also true for certain co-branded credit cards that are issued by hotels and airlines. These are the United℠ Explorer CardThis is an offer for Increased limited-time bonusA $3,000 purchase in the first 3 months after account opening will earn you 60,000 bonus points. The $0 intro is for the first $95 and then the $95 annual fee. If you have the budget for it, you may want to apply for the current offer at the United℠ Business CardInstead, spend $5,000 to earn 75,000 bonus miles within the first 3 months after account opening ($0 introduction for the first year, then $99 annually).
The Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card
has a $95 annual fee and its welcome bonus offer is 130,000 points after spending $2,000 in eligible purchases on the card in the first 3 months of card membership.
A $95 annual fee is also included. Hilton Honors American Express Business Card is currently offering a limited time bonus of 130,000 bonus points after spending $5,000 in purchases on the card in the first three months of card membership and a free night reward after spending $10,000 in purchases in the first six months of card membership (limited time offer ends 12/21/22).
Category bonuses
American Express® Business Gold Card
Intro offer
70,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $10,000 on eligible purchases within the first 3 months of card membership
Rewards
Earn 4x Membership Rewards® Points on the top 2 business categories where your business spent the most each billing cycle. Earn 1X Membership Rewards® Points on all other purchases.
American Express® Business Gold Card
Intro offer
70,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $10,000 on eligible purchases within the first 3 months of card membership
Rewards
Earn 4x Membership Rewards® Points on the top 2 business categories where your business spent the most each billing cycle. Earn 1X Membership Rewards® Points on all other purchases.
American Express’s website
Details
Rewards
Earn 4x Membership Rewards® Points on the top 2 business categories where your business spent the most each billing cycle. Earn 1X Membership Rewards® Points on all other purchases.
Intro offer
70,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $10,000 on eligible purchases within the first 3 months of card membership
We recommend credit
Good to Excellent
The Annual Percentage Ratio (APR) is a regular annual rate
Variable: 17.99% – 25,99
Intro Annual Percentage Rate (APR)
N/A
Pros & Cons
Highlights
Additional Reading
Business credit cards often earn bonus points on certain purchases, much like personal rewards credit card cards. You should ensure that your business credit card earns bonus miles or points where you spend the most money. Some business cards offer some flexibility in maximising your purchase activity.
Take, for example, American Express® Business Gold Card
Earns an outstanding 4 Amex Membership Rewards PointsA dollar per $150,000 in combined purchases each year in the two categories you spend most on. The list contains airfare bought directly from airlines, US gas stations restaurants, US shipping services, US software and cloud systems. Select media purchases in the US are also eligible. Even if you have different buying habits from month to month, the bonus earning feature of the card is still available.
Many small businesses make large purchases once in a while. Business credit cardsBonus points and miles can also be offered for large purchases. You can take the example of Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express CardNow earns 3 miles for every dollar spent on eligible Delta and Hotel purchases. Also, 1.5 miles per $ on each eligible purchase over $5,000, up to 50,000 miles annually.
Day-of-travel benefits
CitiBusiness® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® Mastercard®
Intro offer
65,000 American Airlines AAdvantage® bonus miles after spending $4,000 in purchases within the first 4 months of account opening
Rewards
Earn 2x miles per $1 spent on satellite or cable providers Earn 2x miles every $1 you spend on eligible American Airlines purchases Earn 2x miles per $1 spent at gas stations For every $1 you spend on selected telecommunications merchants, earn 2x miles Earn 2x miles every $1 you spend on car rentals Earn 1 mile for every $1 you spend on other purchases
$99 waived in the first 12 months
Annual Fee
CitiBusiness® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® Mastercard®
Intro offer
65,000 American Airlines AAdvantage® bonus miles after spending $4,000 in purchases within the first 4 months of account opening
Rewards
For every $1 you spend on satellite and cable providers, earn 2x miles Earn 2x miles every $1 you spend on eligible American Airlines purchases Earn 2x miles per $1 spent at gas stations For every $1 you spend on selected telecommunications merchants, earn 2x miles Earn 2x miles every $1 you spend on car rentals Earn 1 mile for every $1 spent on any other purchase
$99 waived in the first 12 months
Annual Fee
$99 Discount for the first 12 month
Annual Fee
Citi’s Website
More Details
Rewards
Earn 2x miles per $1 spent on satellite or cable providers Earn 2x miles every $1 you spend on eligible American Airlines purchases Earn 2x miles per $1 spent at gas stations For every $1 you spend on selected telecommunications merchants, earn 2x miles Earn 2x miles every $1 you spend on car rentals Earn 1 mile for every $1 spent on any other purchase
Annual Fee
$99 waived in the first 12 months
Intro offer
65,000 American Airlines AAdvantage® bonus miles after spending $4,000 in purchases within the first 4 months of account opening
We recommend credit
Excellent
The Annual Percentage Ratio (APR) is a regular annual rate
19.74% – 28.74% (Variable)
Editor’s Rating
The main criteria for determining the editor’s rating are affordability, simplicity, and value. The credit card editor considers all these factors and gives a rating that best reflects how the card performs relative to other products.
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Pros & Cons
Highlights
Additional Reading
Many of the best travel rewards cards — both business and personal — offer perks that make the travel experience itself that much better. These can include the following: Checked bags free Priority boardingLike many others, airline credit cards do, or Status automatic elite Free anniversary nightsSimilar to the ones offered by many Hotel credit cards.
Take, for example, CitiBusiness® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® Mastercard®Cardholders receive a free checked bag and up to four companions with the same reservation. You also get preferred boarding. The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® CardMarriott Bonvoy Platinum status automatically confers perks such bonus points on stays, late checkout and an annual free hotel night redeemable at Property prices up to 85,000 points.
Apart from the privileges you get with certain airlines or hotels chains, if your travels involve frequent stops at airports you might consider a business card with a $100 statement credit. Refund the application fees for Global Entry and TSA PreCheckLike the Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Performance Business Credit CardOder the Capital One Spark Miles for Businesses
.
A card that allows you to access lounges at airlines might be a good option. The Business Platinum Card® from American Express
It includes Access to Priority Pass Select to over 1,300 lounges around the world**, plus entry to Amex Centurion Lounges — and Delta Sky ClubsDelta is the best airline for you to travel with.
Travel coverage
The Business Platinum Card® from American Express
Intro offer
120,000 Membership Rewards® points after spending $15,000 on eligible purchases with your card within the first 3 months of card membership
Reward Points
Get 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 eligible purchases 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.
The Business Platinum Card® from American Express
Intro offer
120,000 Membership Rewards® points after spending $15,000 on eligible purchases with your card within the first 3 months of card membership
Rewards
Get 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 eligible purchases 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.
American Express’s website
Details
Rewards
Get 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 eligible purchases 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.
Intro offer
120,000 Membership Rewards® points after spending $15,000 on eligible purchases with your card within the first 3 months of card membership
We recommend credit
Good to Excellent
The Annual Percentage Ratio (APR) is a regular annual rate
Variable: 17.99% – 25,99
Intro Annual Percentage Rate (APR)
N/A
Pros & Cons
Highlights
Additional Reading
You should consider whether your card offers sufficient coverage for you if you are a frequent traveler who uses it to pay for business trips. Examine the card’s benefits to make sure you have adequate protection for cancellations, trip delays, lost luggage, or trip interruptions. Insurance for primary rental car.
One card that offers exceptional travel coverage is the Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card. If your flight is delayed for more than 12 hours or you have to stay over, the Ink Business Preferred(r) Credit Card can cover up to $500 for reasonable expenses like lodging, transportation, and food.
The Business Platinum Card® from American Express extends trip cancellation insurance up to $10,000 per trip and $20,000 per 12-month period as well as trip delay insurance that kicks in at six hours and is good for up to $500 per trip in case you need to spend money on things like accommodations or meals.
Purchase protection
Ink Business Cash® Credit Card
Intro offer
$900 Bonus Cash Back after you spend $6,000 in the first three month of account opening
Reward Points
Earn 5% cashback for the first $25,000 you spend on office supplies and internet, cable, and phone services. Each account anniversary year, earn 2% cashback on the first $25,000 in combined purchases at gas stations or restaurants. All other purchases earn 1% cashback
Ink Business Cash® Credit Card
Intro offer
$900 Bonus Cash Back after you spend $6,000 in the first three month of account opening
Rewards
Each account anniversary year, earn 5% cashback on your first $25,000 in combined purchases at office supply shops and on internet and cable services. Each account anniversary year, earn 2% cashback on the first $25,000 in combined purchases at gas stations or restaurants. All other purchases earn 1% cashback
Details
Rewards
Earn 5% cashback for the first $25,000 you spend on office supplies and internet, cable, and phone services. Each account anniversary year, earn 2% cashback on the first $25,000 in combined purchases at gas stations or restaurants. All other purchases earn 1% cashback
Intro offer
$900 Bonus Cash Back after you spend $6,000 in the first three month of account opening
We recommend credit
Good to Excellent
The Annual Percentage Ratio (APR) is a regular annual rate
Variable 16.24% to 22.24%
Intro Annual Percentage Rate (APR)
Purchases for the first 12 month are eligible for a 0% Intro APR
Editor’s Rating
Our editors’ ratings examine fees, bonuses and rewards to identify the best credit cards.
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Pros & Cons
Highlights
Additional Reading
Many small business owners need a business credit card specifically to make large purchases — such as for equipment or supplies — for work. A credit card with sufficient features is essential if you are in this situation. Purchase protectionIn the unlikely event that something goes wrong with your purchase.
For example, the Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card and the Ink Business Cash® Credit Card from Chase will both cover you against damage or theft on eligible items up to 120 days after you make a purchase with caps of $10,000 per claim and $50,000 per account. Both offer protection against theft and damage up to $100,000 per claim. Record-breaking limited-time Ink Business card offers are currently availableYou will receive $900 cash bonus after you spend $6,000 within the first three months of your account opening.
Certain American Express cardsSimilar coverage is offered by the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express CardPurchase protection that covers claims up to $10,000 per account and $50,000 per year for up to 90 days. This card can save you literally thousands of dollars in the event that something goes wrong with your work purchases.
Side note: Credit cards provide cell phone protection (usually subject to a deductible) against damage or theft, including the Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card.
Bottom line
While there are many great reasons to apply business credit cards, there are some important benefits that you should consider when choosing a card. A product that earns you thousands of bonus point or cash back via a welcome bonus offer or special earning categories is key to maximising any business credit card that you have.
