Best Business Credit Cards Of May 2023

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Business owners know every penny they spend counts. When it comes to making the most of business transactions, using a business credit card can be a rewarding strategy.

Business credit cards can offer a range of benefits. These include rewards or cash back, loyalty points, travel protections and expense management. The key to finding the best business credit cards for you is identifying which of those factors matter for your business and determining what you value most: Rewards, cash back or help with building credit.

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Best Business Credit Cards

Featured Partner Offer

Featured Partner Offer Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card

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1.5% Reward Rate

Earn unlimited 1.5% Cash Back rewards on every purchase made for your business

Welcome Bonus

Earn $750 bonus cash back

Regular APR

17.99% – 23.99% Variable

Credit Score

Excellent, Good (700 – 749)

Editorial Review

Busy business owners will appreciate this card’s simple flat-rate rewards program which doesn’t require time to manage and optimize.

Pros & Cons

• Unlimited 1.5% cash back rewards on purchases
• No annual fee
• Generous welcome bonus
• 0% Intro APR on purchases for 12 months
• Cash back awarded as Ultimate Rewards, which can be combined with Premium
• Chase credit card accounts for better reward redemption options
• High foreign transaction fees
• Not a good card for balance transfers

Card Details

• 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

Best Offers for May

Cash Back

Travel

Start-Ups

0% APR

Best Overall, Best Business Flexible Rewards and Best 0% APR Business Card The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express

Partner Offer

Click Here To Apply Now

Up to 2X Reward Rate

Earn 2X points on the first $50,000 in purchases each year; Earn unlimited 1X points on purchases thereafter

Welcome Bonus

Earn 15,000 points

Regular APR

18.24% – 26.24% Variable

Credit Score

Excellent/Good (700 – 749)

Why We Picked It

The Blue Business Plus card is a rare example of a no-annual-fee way to game your rewards earnings. You’ll earn 2X points on all purchases up to $50,000 per year. It’s a perfect fit if your business is small enough to spend less than $50,000 per year. If not, spend up to the $50,000 max, then switch to another card for the rest of the year’s purchases. You’ll win either way.

Pros & Cons

• Wide variety of airline transfer partners
• No annual fee
• High rewards rate on the first $50,000 in annual spending
• There’s a foreign transaction fee
• 2 points per dollar rewards rate falls to 1 point per dollar after $50,000 in annual spending

Card Details

• 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.
• 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.
• 0.0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months from the date of account opening, then a variable rate, 18.24% – 26.24%, based on your creditworthiness and other factors at account opening.
• No Annual Fee
• Terms Apply

Best Hotel Card for Businesses World of Hyatt Business Credit Card

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Welcome Bonus

60,000 Bonus Points

Regular APR

20.74% – 27.74% Variable

Credit Score

Excellent, Good (700 – 749)

Why We Picked It

The World of Hyatt Business Credit Card marries an ongoing earnings structure with the ability to use card spending as an extra boost toward earning status with the chain.

Pros & Cons

• Welcome bonus
• Solid earnings rates
• Automatic Discoverist status
• Annual fee
• Low earning rate for non-bonused spending
• Base level status with the card offers limited benefits

Card Details

• 60,000 Bonus Points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening.
• 9 points total per $1 spent at Hyatt – 4 Bonus Points per $1 when you use your card at Hyatt hotels & 5 Base Points per $1 from Hyatt as a World of Hyatt member
• 2 Bonus Points per $1 spent in your top three spend categories each quarter through 12/31/23, then your top two categories each quarter.
• 2 Bonus Points per $1 spent on fitness club and gym memberships
• 1 Bonus Point per $1 spent on all other purchases.
• Up to $100 in Hyatt statement credits – spend $50 or more at any Hyatt property and earn $50 statement credits up to two times each anniversary year.
• 5 Tier-Qualifying night credits toward status and Milestone rewards for every $10,000 you spend in a calendar year.
• World of Hyatt Discoverist status for as long as your account is open. Plus, Discoverist status to up to five employees

Best Airline Card for Businesses United Club℠ Business card *

Up to 2X Reward Rate

Earn 2X miles on United purchases; earn 1.5X miles on all other purchases

Welcome Bonus

75,000 bonus miles

Regular APR

21.24% – 28.24% variable

Credit Score

Good/Excellent (700 – 749)

Why We Picked It

The card made for business owners who fly heavily on United and live for luxury perks. The $450 annual fee is offset by the complimentary United Club lounge membership (worth $550/year), so the rest of the benefits are essentially free. You’ll earn a nifty 1.5 miles-per-dollar on all purchases (2-1 on United), with no limits or spending categories.

Pros & Cons

• Luxury travel benefits including Premier Access
• Free United Club membership
• Expanded award inventory
• Free employee cards
• High annual fee
• Lack of common bonus categories

Card Details

• Earn 75,000 bonus miles after spending $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months the account is open
• Earn 2X miles on United purchases and 1.5X miles on all other purchases
• $450 annual fee

Best Cash Back Business Card Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card

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1.5% Reward Rate

Earn unlimited 1.5% Cash Back rewards on every purchase made for your business

Welcome Bonus

Earn $750 bonus cash back

Regular APR

17.99% – 23.99% Variable

Credit Score

Excellent, Good (700 – 749)

Why We Picked It

Busy business owners will appreciate this card’s simple flat-rate rewards program which doesn’t require time to manage and optimize.

Pros & Cons

• Unlimited 1.5% cash back rewards on purchases
• No annual fee
• Generous welcome bonus
• 0% Intro APR on purchases for 12 months
• Cash back awarded as Ultimate Rewards, which can be combined with Premium
• Chase credit card accounts for better reward redemption options
• High foreign transaction fees
• Not a good card for balance transfers

Card Details

• 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

Best Flat-Rate Cash Back Business Card Ink Business Premier℠ Credit Card

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Up to 5% Reward Rate

5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®, 2.5% cash back on purchases of $5,000 or more, and Read More

Welcome Bonus

$1,000 cash back

Regular APR

Flex for Business Variable APR: 18.99% – 26.99%

Credit Score

Good/Excellent (700 – 749)

Why We Picked It

The Chase Ink Business Premier is a charge card that offers big spending power for businesses that can pay in full each month, as well as a generous rewards rate on large purchases.

Pros & Cons

• Strong welcome offer
• 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®, 2.5% cash back on every purchase of $5,000 or more, and 2% cash back on every other purchase
• No annual fee for employee cards
• Several travel and purchase protections
• High annual fee
• Designed to be paid in full each month
• Points can’t be transferred to airline or hotel programs
• Points can’t be transferred to other Ultimate Rewards-earning cards

Card Details

• Earn $1,000 bonus cash back after you spend $10,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
• Earn unlimited 2.5% total cash back on purchases of $5,000 or more and unlimited 2% cash back on all other business purchases.
• Travel Benefits: Unlimited 5% total cash back on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards, No Foreign Transaction Fees and Trip Cancellation/Trip Interruption Insurance.
• Rich Rewards. Limitless Opportunities. With no minimum redemption amount, redeem rewards for cash back, gift cards, travel and more through Chase Ultimate Rewards®.
• For businesses who prefer to pay their balance in full each month, Ink Business Premier gives access to increased spending power, rich rewards, and premium benefits.

Pay off eligible purchases over time with interest up to assigned Flex for Business limit. All other purchases must be paid in full each month.

• Purchase with confidence with built-in protections like Fraud Protection, Zero Liability Protection, Purchase Protection, Cell Phone Protection, and Extended Warranty Protection.
• There’s no additional cost for employee cards. Monitor spend with digital tools like purchase alerts, set spending limits, reporting, and more.
• Member FDIC

Best Business Card Without a Personal Guarantee Brex 30 Card

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Up to 10-20X Reward Rate

Get 10-20x higher limits than traditional business credit cards while earning rewards and cash back on everything you spend, likeRead More

Welcome Bonus

50,000 points

Credit Score

No Credit Check

Why We Picked It

Unlike most business credit cards, this corporate card doesn’t require a personal guarantee.

Pros & Cons

• Generous rewards on certain spending categories
• No personal guarantee required

Card Details

• 50,000 signup bonus points after spending $9,000+ in the first 30 days
• Brex offers a corporate credit card designed to help companies boost their spending power and grow faster
• Get 10-20x higher limits than traditional business credit cards while earning rewards and cash back on everything you spend, like 7x on rideshare and 2x on recurring software
• Build business credit from day one with a card that’s automatically paid monthly
• No credit check, no personal guarantee, no account fees, and no interest
• Save time and money with automatic receipt-matching and built-in expense management tools to help you gain detailed insights on your spend
• Issue unlimited virtual cards to your team, and set custom limits on each card
• Close the books in record time with QuickBooks, Xero, NetSuite, Concur, and Expensify integrations
• To get approved for a Brex card with monthly payments, businesses need a linked bank balance of at least $50,000
• Brex Mastercard® issued by Emigrant Bank, Member FDIC. Brex Cash provided by Brex Treasury LLC, member FINRA and SIPC. Brex Treasury is not a bank; Brex Cash is not a bank account. Testimonials may not represent experiences of all clients. Terms apply, visit brex.Com.

Best High Limit Business Card Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

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Up to 3X Reward Rate

Earn 3 points per $1 on the first $150,000 spent in combined purchases on travel, shipping purchases, Internet, cable andRead More

Welcome Bonus

Earn 100,000 bonus points

Regular APR

20.74% – 25.74% Variable

Credit Score

Excellent, Good (700 – 749)

Why We Picked It

Frequent business travelers who spend generously within the bonus categories will find extreme value in this card.

Pros & Cons

• Remarkable welcome bonus
• No foreign transaction fee
• Employee cards at no additional cost
• Rewards for common business expenses
• Has annual fee
• Very high cash advance fee
• Very high balance transfer fee

Card Details

• Earn 100k bonus points after you spend $15,000 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

Best Business Card for Low Interest Rate Wells Fargo Business Elite Signature Card *

Up to 1.5X Reward Rate

Earn 1.5% cash back on every $1 spent or earn 1 point on every $1 spent and receive 5,000 bonusRead More

Welcome Bonus

$1,000 cash back bonus

Annual Fee

$125 annual fee (waived first year)

Regular APR

11.99% variable APR on purchases

Credit Score

Good/Excellent (700 – 749)

Why We Picked It

Only for businesses with annual sales over $1 million who require robust employee spending control and reporting. For others, better options are available.

Business administration follow 

Pros & Cons

• Excellent benefits and perks, like travel insurance
• No foreign transaction fees
• Up to 200 no-extra-cost employee cards
• $125 Annual fee (waived first year)
• Other cards in the the same category offer higher rewards
• Cash back is only credited to your account quarterly

Card Details

• Earn a one-time $1,000 cash back bonus or 100,000 bonus points when you spend $25,000 in the first three months of account open date
• Earn 1.5% cash back on every $1 spent or earn 1 point on every $1 spent and receive 5,000 bonus points when your company spend is $10,000 or more in any monthly billing period
• Travel Incidental Fee Reimbursement: up to $100 per calendar year per company
• Annual Fee: $0 first year, and then $125

Best No Annual Fee Business Card for Category Bonuses Ink Business Cash® Credit Card

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Up to 5% Reward Rate

Earn 5% cash back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at office supply stores and on internet, cableRead More

Welcome Bonus

Earn $750 bonus cash back

Regular APR

17.99% – 23.99% Variable

Credit Score

Excellent, Good (700 – 749)

Why We Picked It

Offers enticing cash rewards for those with significant business-related spending, with an added bonus of 0% introductory APR on purchases for the first 12 months of opening your account.

Pros & Cons

• No additional fee for employee cards
• High rewards rates in select bonus categories
• Generous welcome bonus
• Very high fee for cash advances & balance transfers
• Spending cap on bonus categories
• Low rewards rates outside of bonus categories

Card Details

• Earn $750 bonus cash back after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening
• Earn 5% cash back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at office supply stores and on internet, cable and phone services each account anniversary year
• Earn 2% cash back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at gas stations and restaurants each account anniversary year. Earn 1% cash back on all other purchases
• Round-the-clock monitoring for unusual credit card purchases
• With Zero Liability you won’t be held responsible for unauthorized charges made with your card or account information.
• No Annual Fee
• Redeem rewards for cash back, gift cards, travel and more through Chase Ultimate Rewards®.
• 0% introductory APR for 12 months on purchases
• Member FDIC

Best Business Card for Amazon Amazon Business Prime American Express Card *

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Up to 5% Reward Rate

Earn 5% Back or 90 Days Terms on eligible U.S. Purchases at Amazon Business, AWS, Amazon.Com and Whole Foods MarketRead More

Welcome Bonus

Earn up to $125 back

Regular APR

19.24% – 27.24% variable

Credit Score

Good/Excellent (700 – 749)

Why We Picked It

If your business spends heavily on Amazon.Com, AWS, or Whole Foods, this card’s 5% back is an unbeatable reward — more so with no annual fee. If short-term cash flow is an issue, you have the option to swap the 5% back for 90-day 0% APR financing on any eligible purchase. There is no 0% intro APR offer, and the standard APR is high, so this card isn’t suitable for long-term financing.

Pros & Cons

• No foreign transaction fee
• Free employee cards include purchase controls
• On each eligible purchase, choose 5% back or 90-day terms at Amazon and Whole Foods
• Amazon Prime membership required
• No intro APR offer
• Standard APR can be high, depending on your credit

Card Details

• Get an Amazon.Com Gift Card upon approval for the Amazon Business Prime American Express Card
• No annual fee
• Choose 5% Back or 90 Days Terms on eligible U.S. Purchases at Amazon Business, AWS, Amazon.Com and Whole Foods Market with an eligible Prime membership
• Earn 2% Back at U.S. Restaurants, U.S. Gas stations, and on wireless telephone services purchased directly from U.S. Service providers
• Earn 1% back on other purchases
• 5% back applies to the first $120,000 in purchases each calendar year, 1% thereafter
• Expense management tools, including Account Manager, Employee Cards, Account Alerts, AMEX Business App, Vendor Pay, and Year-End Summary
• Amex ranked #2 in the 2018 J.D. Power U.S. Credit Card Satisfaction Study℠

Best Cash Back for Small Business American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card

Partner Offer

Click Here To Apply Now

Up to 2% Reward Rate

Earn 2% Cash Back on all eligible purchases on up to $50,000 per calendar year; Earn 1% Cash Back onRead More

Welcome Bonus

Earn a $250 statement credit

Regular APR

18.24% – 26.24% Variable

Credit Score

Excellent/Good (700 – 749)

Why We Picked It

Considering there’s no annual fee, the American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card pays off for business owners who spend $50k or less per year. Just don’t use the card overseas, as the foreign transaction fee eclipses the cashback rewards.

Pros & Cons

• No annual fee
• Introductory APR on purchases
• Great extra benefits like purchase protection and car rental insurance
• Business-oriented benefits like employee cards and authorized manager accounts
• Highest-earning cash-back reward capped after $50,000 in annual spending
• High foreign transaction fees
• No low introductory APR for balance transfers

Card Details

• Earn a $250 statement credit after you make $3,000 in purchases on your Card in your first 3 months.
• 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.
• 0.0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months from the date of account opening, then a variable rate, 18.24% – 26.24%, based on your creditworthiness and other factors as determined at the time of account opening.
• No Annual Fee
• Terms Apply

Best for Varied Expenses U.S. Bank Business Leverage® Visa Signature® Card

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Up to 5% Cash Back

Earn 5% cash back on prepaid hotels and car rentals booked directly in the Rewards Center; Earn 2% back inRead More

Welcome Bonus

$750 in rewards

Annual Fee

$0 introductory annual fee for the first 12 months, after that $95 per year

Regular APR

20.99% – 25.99% (Variable)

Credit Score

Good/Excellent (700 – 749)

Why We Picked It

For those who want to earn bonus rewards where they spend the most, but don’t want the hassle of using different cards for different purchases, the U.S. Bank Business Leverage Visa offers a streamlined choice. You’ll automatically earn 2% in your top two spending categories every month, without any action required on your part. This could be a boon for business owners with varied spending patterns.

Pros & Cons

• Annual fee is waived the first year
• No foreign transaction fees
• Free employee cards
• $95 annual fee after the first year
• No major additional benefits
• Other cards earn higher rewards

Card Details

• Earn $750 in rewards when you spend $7,500 in eligible purchases on the account owners’ card within the first 120 days of opening your account.
• Earn 2% back in the top two categories where you spend the most each month automatically.
• 1% cash per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
• Earn 5% cash back on prepaid hotels and car rentals booked directly in the Rewards Center.
• No annual fee for the first year and $95 thereafter.
• No reward caps or limits on the total rewards your business can earn. Redeem for your choice of cash back, gift cards, merchandise and travel.
• Pay over time by splitting eligible purchases of $100+ into equal monthly payments with U.S. Bank ExtendPay™ Plan.
• Expense management tool VISA Spend Clarity is free to access and sync expenses, set employee card controls, generate reports, and more.
• Great Offer from U.S. Bank, a 2022 World’s Most Ethical Company® – Ethisphere Institute, February 2022
• Terms and conditions apply

Best Business Card for Bank of America Preferred Rewards Customers Bank of America® Business Advantage Customized Cash Rewards Mastercard® credit card

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On Bank of America Small Business New Account’s Website

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Apply Now 

On Bank of America Small Business New Account’s Website

Up to 3% Cash Back

Earn 3% cash back in the category of your choice, 2% cash back on dining purchases and unlimited 1% cash Read More

Regular APR

16.99% – 26.99% Variable APR on purchases and balance transfers

Credit Score

Excellent Credit (750 – 850)

Why We Picked It

For business owners who max out the 50k annual spending on the bonus categories, the rewards are substantial for a no-annual-fee card. Preferred Rewards for Business members can make out like a bandit with the 25-75% rewards bonus. The foreign transaction fee means it’s best to keep this card at home when traveling overseas.

Pros & Cons

• Introductory APR offer on purchases
• 3% cashback rate on the spending category of your choice
• Preferred Rewards for Business members earn a 25-75% bonus
• Foreign transaction fee
• 2% and 3% bonus categories have a combined annual spending cap of $50,000
• No intro APR offer for balance transfers

Card Details

• Get a $300 online statement credit after you make at least $3,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of your account opening.
• Earn 3% cash back in the category of your choice: gas stations (default), office supply stores, travel, TV/telecom & wireless, computer services or business consulting services, 2% cash back on dining purchases and 1% cash back on all other purchases.
• You’ll earn 3% and 2% cash back on the first $50,000 in combined choice category/dining purchases each calendar year, 1% thereafter.
• You can earn up to 75% more cash back on every purchase, if you have a business checking account with Bank of America and qualify for our highest Preferred Rewards for Business tier. That means you could earn up to 5.25% cash back in your selected choice category and up to 3.5% cash back on dining purchases on the first $50,000 in those combined purchases each calendar year, and up to an unlimited 1.75% cash back on all other purchases.
• No annual fee
• Choose how to redeem your cash rewards – as a deposit into your Bank of America® checking or savings account, as a card statement credit or as a check mailed to you. Cash rewards don’t expire.
• To change your choice category for future purchases, you must go to the Mobile Banking app or Business Advantage 360, our small business online banking. You can change it once each calendar month, or make no change and it stays the same.
• 0% Introductory APR on purchases for your first 9 billing cycles. After the intro APR offer ends, a Variable APR that’s currently 16.99% to 26.99% will apply.
• Contactless Cards – The security of a chip card, with the convenience of a tap.
• This offer may not be available if you leave this page or visit our website. You can take advantage of this offer when you apply now.

Best Business Card for Automatically Enhanced Earnings American Express® Business Gold Card

Partner Offer

Click Here To Apply Now

Up to 4X Reward Rate

Earn 4X points in the 2 select categories where you spend the most each month (4X points applies to theRead More

Welcome Bonus

Earn 70,000 points

Regular APR

19.24% – 27.24% Variable

Credit Score

Excellent/Good (700 – 749)

Why We Picked It

A business with significant spending can justify the annual fee and earn massive rewards through the 4x points rate on eligible purchases.

Pros & Cons

• Flexible redemption and points transfer options
• Robust travel benefits
• Automatic 4 points per dollar on the two categories you spend the most each billing period on up to $150,000 in annual spending
• 25% airline redemption rebate when booking through Amex Travel, up to 250,000 points back each year
• Very high annual fee relative to benefits
• 4 points per dollar rate capped at $150,000 in annual spending

Card Details

• 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

Best Mid-Range Airline Business Card United℠ Business Card

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Up to 2x Rewards Rate

Earn 2 miles per $1 spent on United purchases, dining (including eligible delivery services), at gas stations, office supply stores,Read More

Welcome Bonus

75,000 bonus miles

Annual Fee

$0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $99

Regular APR

21.24% – 28.24% Variable

Credit Score

Good, Excellent (700 – 749)

Why We Picked It

The United Business Card combines a solid set of benefits, a moderate annual fee and a large welcome bonus.

Pros & Cons

• Robust set of travel perks and benefits
• Option to earn annual bonus miles and credits
• No foreign transaction fee
• Employee cards at no additional cost
• High standard APR
• No intro APR offer
• High penalty APR
• Very high balance transfer and cash advance fees

Card Details

• Earn 75,000 bonus miles after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open.
• $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $99.
• Receive a 5,000-mile “better together” bonus each anniversary when you have both the UnitedSM Business Card and a personal Chase United® credit card.
• Earn 2 miles per $1 spent on United® purchases, dining including eligible delivery services, at gas stations, office supply stores, and on local transit and commuting.
• Earn 1 mile per $1 spent on all other purchases. Plus, employee cards at no additional cost – miles earned from their purchases accrue in your account so you can earn rewards faster.
• Enjoy a free first checked bag – a savings of up to $140 per roundtrip (terms apply), 2 United ClubSM one-time passes per year, and priority boarding privileges.
• Get one-year complimentary DashPass, a membership for both DoorDash and Caviar that provides unlimited deliveries with $0 delivery fees and lower service fees on eligible orders. After that, you are automatically enrolled in DashPass at the current monthly rate. Activate by 12/31/24.
• $100 United® travel credit after 7 United flight purchases of $100 or more each anniversary year.

Best Business Card for Road Warriors Wyndham Rewards Earner® Business Card *

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Up to 8x Reward Rate

Earn 8 points per $1 spent on Hotels By Wyndham and gas purchases. Earn 5 points per $1 spent onRead More

Welcome Bonus

45,000 bonus points

Regular APR

20.74%, 24.74% or 29.74% variable

Credit Score

Good/Excellent (700 – 749)

Why We Picked It

Best in class earnings on gas station purchases mean road warriors will rack up points quickly. With a Wyndham at almost every highway exit you’ll never lack for options to spend your points.

Pros & Cons

• Wyndham Diamond Status, which matches to Caesar’s Diamond
• Industry leading 8 points per dollar spent on gas
• Earn 5 points per dollar on utilities, which is a category not often bonused
• Cell phone insurance in addition to 5 points per dollar earnings on cell phone bills
• 10% award redemption discount, on top of already reasonable award rates
• Wyndham is not tailored for luxury travelers
• Popular categories such as dining and non-Wyndham travel not given category bonuses
• Top-tier status at Wyndham means less than it would at other chains

Card Details

• Earn 45,000 bonus points, enough for up to 6 free nights after spending $2,000 on purchases in the first 90 days.
• Earn 8 points per $1 spent on Hotels By Wyndham and gas purchases
• Earn 5 points per $1 spent on marketing, advertising and utilities
• Earn 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases
• Receive Wyndham Rewards DIAMOND membership, which includes suite upgrades, welcome amenity at check-in at select hotels and more
• Receive 15,000 bonus points each anniversary year
• Receive cell phone protection for the next calendar month when you pay your wireless bill with your card

Best Hotel Business Card for Global Reach The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card

Partner Offer

Click Here To Apply Now

Up to 12X Reward Rate

Earn 12X Hilton Honors Bonus Points on eligible purchases at participating hotels and resorts within the Hilton portfolio; Earn 6XRead More

Welcome Bonus

Earn 130,000 points

Regular APR

20.74% – 29.74% Variable

Credit Score

Excellent, Good (700 – 749)

Why We Picked It

For a modest $95 annual fee, the Hilton Honors American Express Business Card delivers remarkable value to Hilton loyalists. The 10 complimentary lounge visits issued each Priority Pass Membership year with this card are worth about $300 annually, plus you’ll earn Hilton Honors Gold status.

Pros & Cons

• No foreign transaction fees
• Complimentary Hilton Honors Gold status
• Generous welcome bonus
• Long list of bonus spending categories
• No intro APR offer
• Points have a low redemption value
• Points transfer rate to partners is a poor value

Card Details

• 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 at 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.

Best Business Card for Lounge Access Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card

Partner Offer

Click Here To Apply Now

Up to 3X Reward Rate

Earn 3X Miles on eligible purchases made directly with Delta; Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases; After spendingRead More

Welcome Bonus

Earn 70,000 bonus miles

Regular APR

20.74% – 29.74% Variable

Credit Score

Excellent/Good (700 – 749)

Why We Picked It

Delta’s highest-tier premium rewards card is destined for high-flying business owners with the means to leverage the lavish perks. The Delta Sky Club® and annual companion ticket (for eligible flights, taxes and fees apply) alone are worth far more than the annual fee.

Pros & Cons

• Complimentary Delta Sky Club® access and entry into Amex Centurion Lounges when you fly Delta and use your card to book your flight
• Rich travel benefits, including Reserve Concierge and annual companion ticket for eligible flights (taxes and fees apply)
• Status Boost program gives you a fast track to elite status
• High annual fee for an airline credit card
• High standard APR
• Higher rewards rates are available elsewhere

Card Details

• Welcome Offer: Earn 70,000 Bonus Miles after spending $5,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 3 months of Card Membership.
• Save 15% On Award Travel With TakeOff 15. Eligible Card Members now enjoy exclusive 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.
• 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).
• Plus enjoy 3X miles per dollar on all eligible Delta purchases.
• With Status Boost®, earn 15,000 Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) after you spend $30,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year, up to 4x per year getting you closer to Medallion Status.
• Terms and limitations apply.

Summary of the Best Business Credit Cards of 2023 More About the Best Business Credit Cards Methodology

To create this list, Forbes Advisor analyzed dozens of business credit cards. Our main criteria relates to value: Will any fees you pay for this card be outweighed by the benefits you will receive?

We also evaluated each category of card within its lane, meaning comparing hotel cards to hotel cards, cash back cards to cash back cards, and the like.

Other characteristics taken into consideration while judging each category were accessibility, dollar value of cash back or point rewards, APR, fees and additional benefits or protections offered by the card. Finally, we considered auxiliary features within each category such as elite status or lounge access with travel cards.

To learn more about our rating and review methodology and editorial process, check out our guide on How Forbes Advisor Rates Credit Cards.

To view rates and fees for The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card please visit this page.To view rates and fees for The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express please visit this page.To view rates and fees for American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card please visit this page.To view rates and fees for American Express® Business Gold Card please visit this page.To view rates and fees for Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card please visit this page.

¹Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.Com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company. Car Rental Loss or Damage Coverage is offered through American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc.²Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.Com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.³Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.Com/benefitsguide for more details. Card Members are responsible for the costs charged by third-party service providers.

What Is a Business Credit Card?

A business credit card is a line of credit issued to a small business or sole proprietorship. Business credit cards allow business owners to keep business and personal expenses separate. By doing so, record keeping is easier—especially at tax time.

How do business credit cards work?

Business credit cards operate just like personal credit cards with the exception that the card may have a different rewards structure or offer different protections.

What Are the Types of Business Credit Cards?

The two most common types of business credit cards are either small business cards or corporate cards. The cards on this list are small business cards, which can be applied for without establishing a custom financial arrangement.

Small Business Credit Cards

Most cards marketed as business credit cards target small businesses. These cards help business owners manage finances while earning rewards and reaping benefits designed for small businesses—intro APR periods, free employee cards, zero liability protections and purchase or travel protections. Many of these cards—including the best business secured cards—are also designed to help businesses build credit or—like the best credit cards for new businesses and startups—manage everyday purchases during business infancy.

Corporate Credit Cards

P-cards, or purchase cards, also known as corporate credit cards, are typically only offered to businesses with significant annual expenses—think a quarter million dollars in yearly expenses or more. These cards typically offer many of the same features small business credit cards do but on a much different scale and with much different management. Corporate cards are often managed by large programs designed to cater to corporate expense tracking systems and may have different fee structures, reward structures and perks built in.

How Many Business Credit Cards Should I Have?

How many business credit cards are right for you or your business is up to you and your specific needs. Carrying multiple business cards may allow you to earn more varied rewards, maximize your cash-back potential, provide a more comprehensive set of benefits and more, but it’s worth realizing ahead of time that managing multiple accounts means more time, more monitoring and paying more bills.

Different types of cards offer different rewards, so if you want to earn more than one type of reward, you may need more than one type of card. Like consumer cards, some business cards earn airline-specific points while others earn cash back. If you want to earn both with only one card, a nice compromise is a flexible-reward-currency card. The Chase Ink Business Cash, for example, earns Chase Ultimate Rewards. Not only can Chase Ultimate Rewards be redeemed for travel or cash back, they can be transferred to participating hotel and airline partners and transferred to personal Chase accounts for more redemption value with personal credit cards including the Chase Sapphire Reserve.

Benefits play into a decision to carry multiple cards, too. If your cash-back card offers extended warranty benefits but no travel protections, you may want a separate business card to use for booking business travel. Benefits may be often overlooked in favor of rewards, but the value of many benefits can easily outpace rewards in the case of many insurances and protections offered by the best business credit cards.

How To Get a Business Credit Card

When you’re ready to get a business credit card, gather your Employee Identification Number (EIN) or Social Security number (SSN), your income information and apply either online or at a bank branch.

Read More: How To Get a Business Credit Card

How To Get a Business Credit Card Without a Personal Guarantee

Establishing business credit can be difficult, and some cards will require a personal guarantee. This means an individual (usually the one applying for the card on behalf of the company) will be held liable for any balances left unpaid on the card. For individuals who don’t want to be tied to a business account, there are cards available that don’t require a personal guarantee, such as the Brex 30 Card.

How To Get an Instant Approval Business Credit Card

Most cards that let you apply online will let you know right away if you are approved. Occasionally the bank may want additional information before giving you a credit line, but if it’s a “yes”, you’ll usually learn when you apply.

How To Get a Business Credit Card With Bad Personal Credit

For small business cards, your personal credit score is often considered as part of the application process. If you have bad credit, you’ll need to limit the cards you consider to those that are designed for anyone with poor or limited credit history. Business secured cards are the most accessible option for those who can afford the deposit required to secure the card. Other options include improving your credit score before applying or looking for cards that don’t require a personal guarantee.

Read More: Best Business Credit Cards For Bad Credit

How Can I Receive Pre Approval for a Business Credit Card?

Seeking pre approval for business credit cards can help you determine the likelihood of approval, but it won’t constitute any guarantee. Still, it can be a worthwhile exercise, especially if you’re unsure your credit or business finances will be an adequate indication of your creditworthiness.

Most issuers offering pre approval or pre-qualification will provide a web-based pre approval application tool. The form this tool provides will ask you for basic financial and credit information about your business and who you are. You may be asked for:

• Your name, date of birth and address
• Your business name, inception date and industry
• Your Social Security number (SSN)
• Your business’ Employer Identification Number (EIN)
• Your personal income
• Your annual business revenue

Not all information may be required. For instance, an EIN may be an optional provision.

Who Should Get a Business Credit Card?

Any business that intends to charge purchases should get a business credit card. Keeping personal and business expenses separate is a good rule-of-thumb for accounting purposes. Additionally, getting—and responsibly using— business credit cards help to build your business credit history which can be useful when applying for future loans or other financing.

Read More: Things To Know Before Getting a Business Credit Card

How To Compare Business Credit Cards

With the many different types of business credit cards available in 2023, picking the best business credit cards can be a lengthy process. Prospective cardholders have multiple factors to take into consideration before landing on a best-pick.

Annual Fee

Annual fees often cover membership benefits offered by cards. Prospective cardholders should calculate how much they’ll need to spend in order to accumulate enough rewards or cash back to offset that fee.

Earnings Structure

Some cards have high points per dollar offers, but when it comes to redeeming the points, they fall flat. Be diligent in evaluating each point value and be sure you’re looking past the number of points in favor of what the points will actually get you.

Intro APR

Many cards will offer not only a welcome bonus, but an intro APR. Consider the amount of time that low interest rate applies and make sure you have a plan to pay off any large purchases before the intro APR expires and the card’s regular interest rate applies.

Ongoing APR

If your business needs to carry a balance, looking for a card with low interest rates, or interest-free promotional periods, can save money. Always remember that APRs are determined based on your creditworthiness, so the lowest interest rate presented in the terms and conditions might not be what you’re granted upon approval.

Financing Options

Is the card a charge card or a credit card? A charge card will need to be paid off monthly while a credit card will allow you to carry a balance with interest. Make sure you know which type of card you are applying for and that it will best fit your needs.

Pros and Cons of Business Credit Cards

Pros:

• Business credit cards help keep personal and business finances separate.
• Business credit cards often have higher credit lines than personal cards.
• Business credit cards provide businesses flexibility when making purchases.
• Business credit cards may include tools for tracking spending across accounts or employees.
• Business credit cards can help establish business credit scores.
• Some business credit cards earn rewards.

Cons:

• Business credit cards are one more account to keep track of.
• Business credit cards may make it easy to accumulate debt.
• Business credit cards may require membership or other fees.

How To Make the Most of Your Business Credit Card

To make the most of your business card, you’ll want to find a card with benefits and rewards that line up well with your business needs. By using the included perks, and earning rewards on every purchase, you can leverage your card to be an asset for your business.

What Will Business Credit Cards Look Like During 2023?

The business travel industry has been severely impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic, and it may not recover fully until at least 2026. As a result, business credit card issuers may focus less on travel rewards and more on everyday expenses.

In addition, with the Federal Reserve raising interest rates and credit card APRs following suit, there may be an increase in business owners seeking 0% APR offers to pay down existing debt or pay off a large purchase over a longer period. Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) plans have also gained popularity, potentially leading business credit card issuers to sweeten their welcome offers in order to attract new customers. Business owners should carefully consider their options when choosing a new business credit card.

Bottom Line

Business credit cards allow small business owners, startups and corporate managers alike to track finances separately and gain access to revolving capital. Business credit card applications for small businesses often rely on the owner’s personal credit for approval, but some other options exist. The best business credit cards of 2023 offer reward earning, welcome bonuses and many perks including travel or purchase protection.

Frequently Asked Questions What is the best small business credit card?

Choosing the best business card for your particular circumstances will be based on a combination of your business spending patterns, your goals in owning a particular business card (such as if you want rewards or a 0% introductory APR offer) and your personal credit history. There’s no one best card that can satisfy everyone’s needs.

What credit score do you need for a business credit card?

The specific credit score you’ll need for any particular business card or to meet any specific issuer’s requirements will vary and it’s likely you’ll need good or better credit for many of the cards on our list above. Secured business credit cards offer opportunities for businesses and business owners with weaker credit to build credit.

How is a business credit card different from a personal credit card?

The main way business credit cards differ from personal credit cards is in their lack of consumer protections like those in the CARD Act. Business credit cards may also report to business credit agencies and offer different rewards and benefits than personal credit cards.

When you apply for a business credit card, is approval based on your personal credit score?

When you apply for a business credit card, your approval will be based on your personal credit score. It also means you’ll be personally liable for any debts accrued on the card even if they’re from your business and that business fails. The issuer will also take other factors into consideration, like your business income and credit history.

Why does your business credit score matter?

Just like having a strong personal credit score can qualify you for better rates on your loans, a good business score can also signal to lenders that you’re qualified for financing on purchases or other loans. For example, if you need to sign a lease on a bigger space for your business, add a new truck to your fleet or make a big purchase of supplies for your business, a potential lender will likely check your business credit score to determine your creditworthiness and what terms to grant you.

What is the easiest business credit card to get?

A secured business credit card will likely be among the easiest cards to receive approval for, since lines of credit with secured cards are collateralized. Though these cards do require business owners and operators to secure the line of credit with a deposit, they can offer great ways for businesses to build credit.

Which business credit cards do not require a personal guarantee?

Not many business credit cards will approve applications without a personal credit check, but several cards do not require a personal guarantee. Carefully weigh the benefits (or lack thereof) of these cards against other options.

Which business credit cards report to Dun and Bradstreet?

Dun and Bradstreet is just one of the credit bureaus that have a business credit score matrix. Most major banks will report to the main credit bureaus including Dun and Bradstreet, but it is always best to check directly with your bank if you have any questions.

Can you get a business credit card without a business?

Whether it’s a full-fledged endeavor or a side hustle from your corporate job, it’s still possible to get approved for a business credit card. That’s because business cards typically rely on your personal credit score as one of the determining factors for approval. If your FICO score isn’t as good as your business idea, there’s a small handful of secured credit cards for businesses that can help you improve your credit while you build your brand.

Be aware that with nearly all small business cards, just like with a personal credit card, you are personally liable for any debts accrued to the card. In other words, if your business fails, you’re still responsible for any debt left on the card.

Other Credit Cards to be Considered Information provided on Forbes Advisor is for educational purposes only. Your financial situation is unique and the products and services we review may not be right for your circumstances. We do not offer financial advice, advisory or brokerage services, nor do we recommend or advise individuals or to buy or sell particular stocks or securities. Performance information may have changed since the time of publication. Past performance is not indicative of future results.

Forbes Advisor adheres to strict editorial integrity standards. To the best of our knowledge, all content is accurate as of the date posted, though offers contained herein may no longer be available. The opinions expressed are the author’s alone and have not been provided, approved, or otherwise endorsed by our partners.

Dia Adams is a noted family travel expert and a real-life Mom of two teens in the DC Metro area. She has visited over 45 countries and lived in Thailand, China, and Ireland (where her son was born). Her kids have over 20 stamps in their own passports. Her passion lies in showing families how to travel more while keeping their savings and sanity. Her guidebook, Disney World Hacks, is a bestseller on Amazon.

Robin Saks Frankel is a former credit cards and personal finance writer and editor for Forbes Advisor. Previously, she covered credit cards and related content at other national web publications including NerdWallet, Bankrate and HerMoney. She’s been featured as a personal finance expert in outlets including CNBC, Business Insider, CBS Marketplace, and has appeared on or contributed to Fox News, CBS Radio, ABC Radio, NPR, International Business Times and NBC, ABC and CBS TV affiliates nationwide. Follow her on Twitter at @robinsaks.

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Credit Score ranges are based on FICO® credit scoring. This is just one scoring method and a credit card issuer may use another method when considering your application. These are provided as guidelines only and approval is not guaranteed.

Earn $750 bonus cash back after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

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

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

Earn 75,000 bonus miles after spending $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months the account is open

Earn $750 bonus cash back after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

Earn $1,000 bonus cash back after you spend $10,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

50,000 bonus points after spending $9,000+ in the first 30 days

Earn 100,000 bonus points after you spend $15,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

Earn a one-time $1,000 cash back bonus or 100,000 bonus points when you spend $25,000 in the first three months of account open date

Earn $750 bonus cash back after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening

Get an Amazon.Com Gift Card upon approval for the Amazon Business Prime American Express Card.

Earn a $250 statement credit after you make $3,000 in purchases on your Card in your first 3 months

Earn $500 in cash back after spending $4500 in the first 150 days of opening the account

Earn $750 in rewards after spending $7,500 in eligible purchases within the first 120 days of opening your account.

Get a $300 online statement credit after you make at least $3,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of your account opening.

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

Earn 75,000 bonus miles after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open.

Earn 45,000 bonus points, enough for up to 6 free nights after spending $2,000 on purchases in the first 90 days.

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 70,000 Bonus Miles after spending $5,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 3 months of Card Membership.

The Forbes Advisor editorial team is independent and objective. To help support our reporting work, and to continue our ability to provide this content for free to our readers, we receive compensation from the companies that advertise on the Forbes Advisor site. This compensation comes from two main sources. First, we provide paid placements to advertisers to present their offers. The compensation we receive for those placements affects how and where advertisers’ offers appear on the site. This site does not include all companies or products available within the market. Second, we also include links to advertisers’ offers in some of our articles; these “affiliate links” may generate income for our site when you click on them. The compensation we receive from advertisers does not influence the recommendations or advice our editorial team provides in our articles or otherwise impact any of the editorial content on Forbes Advisor. While we work hard to provide accurate and up to date information that we think you will find relevant, Forbes Advisor does not and cannot guarantee that any information provided is complete and makes no representations or warranties in connection thereto, nor to the accuracy or applicability thereof. Here is a list of our partners who offer products that we have affiliate links for.

These Top Small Business Cards Can Earn You Up To 5X Rewards On Everyday Expenses

Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.Com to learn more.

If you operate a small business, whether it’s part-time or full-time, you may benefit from opening a business credit card. Most issuers have pretty lenient qualification requirements for what’s considered a “business owner” and will likely accept your application whether you freelance, sell items online or run a growing company with employees.

The most basic perk of a business credit card is the ability to keep personal and professional expenses separate, which makes things much easier come tax time. Plus, many business cards allow you to open free employee cards, which is a great way to streamline spending and eliminate the hassle of reimbursing employees for business charges made on personal cards.

Business credit cards come in all shapes and sizes, with cards offering rewards, interest-free financing on new purchases, luxurious travel perks, extended warranties, insurance and more. In order to qualify for a business card, you typically need excellent credit (670+ according to Experian), but there are options for business owners with less than stellar credit.

To determine which cards offer the best value overall, CNBC Select reviewed dozens of popular options and chose cards that fit into eight main categories: cash back, travel, no annual fee, welcome bonus, luxury, special financing, average credit, and shipping.

Here are CNBC Select’s picks for the top business cards.

Best small business credit cards

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Best for cash back Capital One Spark Cash Plus Credit Card

Information about the Capital One Spark Cash Plus Credit Card has been collected independently by Select and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of the card prior to publication.

• RewardsUnlimited 2% cash back on every purchase
• Welcome bonusEarn up to $1,000 in the first 6 months; $500 once you spend $5,000 in the first 3 months and $500 once you spend $50,000 in the first 6 months.
• Annual fee
• Promo APR
• Regular APRNo APR; pay off your balance in full every month to avoid a 2.99% late fee
• Balance transfer fee
• Foreign transaction fee
• Credit needed

Pros

• No present spending limit
• Free employee cards
• Roadside assistance benefits
• No foreign transaction fees

Cons

• Balance must be paid in full each month
• Annual cash bonus of $200 requires $200,000 yearly spending

Who’s this for? If you’re looking to earn a competitive cash-back rate on all spending, you should consider the Capital One Spark Cash Plus, which offers 2% cash back on every eligible purchase.

The cash-back program is straightforward, without the bonus categories or spending limits many other business cards impose. Business owners can easily redeem cash back at any time and for any amount as statement credit or check. There’s also the option to set up automatic redemption at a set time each calendar year or when a specific cash-back balance is reached.

The Spark Cash Plus also comes with helpful business benefits, including free employee cards, account management tools (such as the ability to view recurring transactions and download purchase records to Quicken®, QuickBooks® and Excel®), extended warranty and protection, travel benefits, and more.

Best for travel Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

• RewardsEarn 3X points per $1 on the first $150,000 spent in combined purchases in select categories each account anniversary year (travel; shipping purchases; internet, cable and phone services; and advertising purchases with social media sites and search engines), 1X point per $1 on all other purchases
• Welcome bonusEarn 100,000 bonus points after you spend $15,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening
• Annual fee
• Intro APR
• Regular APR
• Balance transfer feeEither $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater
• Foreign transaction fee
• Credit needed

Pros

• Free employee cards
• Points are worth 25% more when you redeem for travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards®
• 1:1 point transfer to leading frequent travel programs
• No fee charged on purchases made outside the U.S.
• Generous welcome bonus worth up to $1,000

Cons

• $95 annual fee
• No introductory 0% financing offers for purchases or balance transfers

Who’s this for? The Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card is a great option for business owners who want to earn rewards on common business expenses, such as travel; shipping purchases; internet, cable and phone services; and advertising purchases with social media sites and search engines.

This card comes with a generous welcome bonus of 100,000 points after you spend $15,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. Plus, points are worth 25% more when you redeem for travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards®. So, the 100,000-point bonus is worth $1,250 towards travel.

Cardholders can redeem points for travel, cash back, gift cards, experiences and more — though you’ll receive the most value when redeeming points for travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards®.

The Ink Business Preferred Credit Card offers employee cards at no additional cost and provides helpful travel perks, such as no foreign transaction fees, auto rental collision damage waiver and trip cancellation/trip interruption insurance.

This card also comes with cell phone protection, which covers damage or theft for you and your employees listed on your monthly cell phone bill paid with your card, up to $600 per claim and a maximum of three claims in a 12-month period with a $100 deductible per claim.

Best for no annual fee Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card

• RewardsEarn 1.5% cash back on every purchase made for your business
• Welcome bonusEarn $750 bonus cash back after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening
• Annual fee
• Intro APR0% for the first 12 months from account opening on purchases; N/A for balance transfers
• Regular APR
• Balance transfer feeEither $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater
• Foreign transaction fee
• Credit needed

Pros

• No annual fee
• Free employee cards
• Simple cash-back program
• Special financing offer for purchases

Cons

• 3% fee charged on purchases made outside the U.S.

Best for welcome bonus Ink Business Cash® Credit Card

• RewardsEarn 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 (then 1%); 2% cash back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at gas stations and restaurants each account anniversary year (then 1%); 1% cash back on all other purchases
• Welcome bonusEarn $750 bonus cash back after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening
• Annual fee
• Intro APR0% for the first 12 months from account opening on purchases; N/A for balance transfers
• Regular APR
• Balance transfer feeEither $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater
• Foreign transaction fee
• Credit needed

Pros

• No annual fee
• Free employee cards
• Cash back geared toward popular business expenses
• Special financing offer for purchases

Cons

• 3% fee charged on purchases made outside the U.S.

Who’s this for? The Chase Ink Business Cash Credit Card stands out for offering one of the best welcome bonuses on the market: earn $900 bonus cashback after spending $6,000 in the first three months. That’s like earning 15% cash back for your business on purchases you were making anyway.

It’s also a great option for small businesses that regularly make purchases from office supply stores or have significant bills from their internet, cable and phone services providers due to its bonus rewards on these purchases.

As with the Chase Ink Business Unlimited, the Ink Business Cash card offers a 0% intro APR for the first 12 months on new purchases (after, 17.74% – 23.74% variable APR). Other perks include purchase protection, extended warranty protection, various travel protections and employee cards at no additional cost.

Best for luxury perks The Business Platinum Card® from American Express

On the American Express secure site

• RewardsEarn 5X Membership Rewards® points on flights and prepaid hotels on amextravel.Com and 1X points for each dollar you spend on eligible purchases. Also, 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.
• Welcome bonusEarn 120,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $15,000 on eligible purchases within the first 3 months of card membership
• Annual fee
• Intro APR
• Regular APR
• Balance transfer fee
• Foreign transaction fee
• Credit needed

Pros

• Enroll to receive up to $400 in annual statement credits on Dell purchases (up to $200 semi-annually), up to $360 with Indeed, up to $150 with Adobe and up to $120 on wireless telephone purchases
• Get 35% points back when you use points to purchase all or part of an airline fare, up to 500,000 bonus points back per calendar year
• American Express Global Lounge Collection
• Breeze through security with CLEAR® Plus where available and get up to $189 back per year on your membership when you use your card
• Up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year toward baggage fees and more at one qualifying airline

Cons

• $695 annual fee
• No introductory 0% financing offers

Who’s this for? The Business Platinum Card® from American Express is a top-notch card offering over a dozen premium perks for business owners. Whether it’s travel, purchase protection, rewards or expense management, there’s a benefit for every type of business owner.

Cardholders can earn a competitive 5X Membership Rewards® points on flights and prepaid hotels on amextravel.Com and 1.5X Membership Rewards® points on eligible purchases at U.S. 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 (up to $2 million of these purchases per calendar year). Points redeemed for flights through Amex Travel get 35% points back, up to 500,000 bonus points per calendar year. Terms apply.

Luxury travel benefits include a statement credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck, access to over 1,400 airport lounges through the American Express Global Lounge Collection and an annual airline fee credit of up to $200 for incidentals, like baggage and seat upgrades. This card also comes with up to a $200 annual statement credit for Dell purchases after you enroll in the offer.

While this card has a suite of benefits, it comes with a hefty $695 annual fee (see rates and fees). And each employee card costs $300 annually. You do have the option to open alternative employee cards for a lower fee: $200 for each additional Executive Business Card and $45 for each additional Business Gold Rewards Card. If you take advantage of all the card benefits, you can offset the high annual fee.

Best for financing new purchases The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express

On the American Express secure site

• RewardsEarn 2X Membership Rewards® points on everyday business purchases up to $50,000 per year, then 1X point per dollar
• Welcome bonusEarn 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
• Intro APR0% for 12 months on purchases from date of account opening
• Regular APR
• Balance transfer fee
• Foreign transaction fee
• Credit needed

Pros

• No annual fee
• Straightforward rewards program

Cons

• 2.7% foreign transaction fee

Who’s this for? Business owners who are looking to finance new purchases without incurring interest should consider the Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express. You can benefit from a 0.0% introductory APR on purchases for 12 months from the date of account opening (after 18.24% – 26.24% variable APR). See rates and fees. Terms apply.

If you plan to purchase office furniture, electronics, appliances and other business items, the special financing period can provide you with an interest-free period of up to a year. Plus, you’ll earn an above-average return on your everyday business purchases and can add employee cards for free.

Best for average credit Capital One Spark Classic

Information about the Capital One Spark Classic has been collected independently by Select and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer prior to publication.

• RewardsEarn unlimited 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel and 1% on all other purchases
• Welcome bonus
• Annual fee
• Intro APR
• Regular APR
• Balance transfer fee
• Foreign transaction fee
• Credit needed

Pros

• No annual fee
• Free employee cards
• Average credit may qualify
• Redeem cash back for any amount at any time
• No fee charged on purchases made outside the U.S.

Cons

• No welcome bonus
• No introductory 0% financing offers for purchases or balance transfers

Who’s this for? Business owners who have less than stellar credit may run into difficulty qualifying for a business card, since many cards require excellent credit. However, the Capital One Spark Classic for Business sets lower “average credit” requirements, has no annual fee and no fee for employee cards.

This card comes has a straightforward cash-back program and offers the option to set up automatic redemption at a set time each calendar year or when a specific cash-back balance is reached.

The Spark Classic for Business also comes with Capital One business benefits, which include account management tools (choose your due date, view recurring transactions, download purchase records to Quicken®, QuickBooks® and Excel®), extended warranty and price protection, auto rental damage waiver and more.

Best for shipping American Express® Business Gold Card

On the American Express secure site

• RewardsGet more rewards with 4X Membership Rewards® points on two select categories where you spend the most each month and 25% points back after you book a flight using Pay with Points (up to 250,000 points back per calendar year).
• Welcome bonusEarn 70,000 Membership Rewards points after you spend $10,000 on eligible purchases within the first three months of card membership
• Annual fee
• Intro APR
• Regular APR
• Balance transfer fee
• Foreign transaction fee
• Credit needed

Pros

• Get 25% points back when you use points for flights
• Flexible solutions for managing cash flow
• No foreign transaction fee
• No cost to add up to 99 employee cards

Cons

• $295 annual fee
• No introductory APR offer

Who’s this for? If your business requires you to ship products to consumers across the country, the costs can add up. But there are cards, such as The American Express® Business Gold Card, that provide competitive rewards to help offset the cost of shipping your products.

The Amex Business Gold Card offers a flexible rewards program that assigns the highest rewards rate (4X points) to the two categories that you spend the most money in each month, up to $150,000 in combined spending (then 1X).

Here are the bonus categories you can choose from:

• U.S. Purchases for shipping
• U.S. Purchases for advertising in select media (online, TV, radio)
• U.S. Purchases made directly from select technology providers of computer hardware, software and cloud solutions
• U.S. Purchases at gas stations
• U.S. Purchases at restaurants
• Airfare purchased directly from airlines
• Terms apply.

Qualifying U.S. Shipping purchases include transactions made in the U.S. For courier, postal and freight shipping services. This includes eligible shipping costs from FedEx, UPS and the United States Postal Service (USPS).

Beyond rewards, this card provides expense management tools and helpful features if your business requires travel with no foreign transaction fees (see rates and fees) and car rental loss and damage insurance.

Keep in mind there’s a $295 annual fee (see rates and fees), but it can be outweighed by the card’s benefits. If you plan on adding employee cards, Amex charges a $50 annual fee for the first card and then no annual fee for additional cards (up to 99).

Find the best credit card for you by reviewing offers in our credit card marketplace or get personalized offers via CardMatch™.

Our methodology

To determine which business cards offer the best value, Select analyzed dozens of the most popular credit cards available to U.S. Business owners. We compared each card on a range of features, including annual fee, employee card fee, rewards, welcome bonus, introductory and standard APR and foreign transaction fees, as well as factors such as required credit and customer reviews when available. We also considered additional perks, the application process and how easy it is to redeem points.

The main criteria in our ranking were the rewards rates and added benefits, such as redemption bonuses, insurance coverage and expense management features. The more perks a card had, the higher it ranked on our list.

Co-branded business cards, such as airline or hotel-specific cards, did not make our final list due to their often complex reward systems and potential to limit your travel options to a specific brand.

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 American Express® Business Gold Card, click here.

Editorial Note: Opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the Select editorial staff’s alone, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any third party.

 

5 Best Business Credit Cards For Startups

Best for Travel Rewards

Intro APR: N/A

Welcome offer: 100,000 Bonus points after you spend $15,000 on purchases within the first three months

Regular APR: 20.49% to 25.49% variable

Annual fee: $95

Recommended Credit Score: Good-Excellent

The Chase Ink Business Preferred Credit Card is our top choice for travel rewards and lucrative welcome bonuses. For starters, you can earn 100,000 bonus points once you spend $15,000 on purchases within the first three months after account opening. That equates to $1,000 cash back or $1,250 toward travel rewards when redeemed through Chase Ultimate Rewards.

After that, you can earn 3x rewards points on the first $150,000 spent in combined purchases such as shipping purchases, advertising purchases made with social media sites and search engines, internet, cable, and phone services, and travel in each account anniversary year. These rewards can be redeemed for cash back, gift cards, travel experiences, and more.

This card is best for travel rewards because points are worth 25% more when redeemed for travel purchases through Chase Ultimate Rewards. For example, 100,000 points are worth $1,250 toward travel.

This card has an annual fee of $95, and you can add on employee cards at no extra charge, which will help you to gain rewards points faster.

Due to their 25% additional travel points, Chase Ink Business Preferred Credit Card is our top choice for startups looking for rich travel perks.