Best Business Credit Cards January 2024
Updated December 24, 2023
Business owners have a unique opportunity to turn their everyday business expenses into cash back, miles or points with the right credit card.
The best business credit cards offer valuable rewards, 0% intro APR financing and other benefits at a reasonable cost. Choosing the right credit card for your business depends on how much you spend each month, which categories you spend the most in, and the type of rewards you want. It is also important to consider what your credit score is and if you’re willing to pay an annual fee. Learn more about credit cards for your business to determine which card is right for you.
Limited Time Offer
Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card
Limited Time Offer
Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card
Credit scorecredit_score_neededWelcome offerbonus_miles_fullIntro APRintro_apr_rate,intro_apr_durationRewards rate
- 1.5% cash back on every business-related purchase
- 5% cash back on Lyft (through March 2025)
Annual feesannual_feesAPRreg_apr,reg_apr_type
Why we like it:
The card_name doesn’t offer a lot of variety in its rewards earnings (a flat 1.5% everywhere), but that’s part of its charm. Those who find bonus categories appealing should stay away, but anyone valuing simplicity has found their new daily driver. A minimum of 1.5% back on everything is above average.
Plus, you can count on zero hands the number of no annual fee credit cards that have a better welcome bonus than this card: bonus_miles_full
Comparison of the best business credit cards 2024
| Business card | Best for | Annual fees | Bonus rewards | Credit score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| card_name | Best business rewards credit card | annual_fees | bonus_miles | credit_score_needed |
| card_name | Best business credit card for travel | annual_fees | bonus_miles | credit_score_needed |
|
Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card |
Best small business credit card | annual_fees | bonus_miles | credit_score_needed |
|
Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card |
Best business credit card for travel | annual_fees | bonus_miles | credit_score_needed |
| U.S. Bank Triple Cash Rewards Visa® Business Credit Card | Best 0% APR business credit card | $0 | $500 cash bonus | Good, Excellent |
| FNBO Business Edition® Secured Mastercard® Credit Card | Best secured business credit card | $39 | N/A | Bad/Poor |
| card_name | Best hotel card for businesses | annual_fees | bonus_miles | credit_score_needed |
| card_name | Best business credit card for gas | annual_fees | bonus_miles | credit_score_needed |
Our recommendations for the best business credit cards
We selected the best credit cards for businesses based on features for a variety of customer profiles. You’ll find each card’s welcome bonus details and why they were our choice in the sections below.
Best for cash back: Business Advantage Customized Cash Rewards credit card
Welcome bonus: Earn a $300 statement credit after making $3,000 in purchases in the first 90 days after opening your account.
Why we chose it: Getting cash back on your purchases is an excellent way to boost the bottom line of your business. The Bank of America Business Advantage Customized Cash Rewards credit card earns 3% cash back on the category of your choice plus 2% cash back on dining and 1% on everything else. You can change your selected category once a month to maximize your rewards as your business spending changes throughout the year. The bonus cash back is available on the first $50,000 in combined spending each year across the 3% and 2% categories.
Businesses that qualify for Preferred Rewards can earn up to 75% more cash back, which makes it possible to earn up to 5.25% rewards on their purchases. There is no annual fee, and the card comes with a 0% intro APR on purchases for the first nine billing cycles.
Best for rewards: Capital One Venture X Business
Capital One Venture X Business
Capital One Venture X Business
Credit scorecredit_score_neededAnnual feesannual_feesBonus rewardsbonus_miles
Welcome bonus: bonus_miles_full.
Why we chose it: Capital One offers a compelling rewards program for the card_name. With this small business credit card, you will earn 2x miles on every purchase or up to 10x miles when booking reservations with Capital One Travel. There is no preset spending limit, but you must pay the card in full every month. While there is a annual_fee_disclaimer annual fee, the card includes a $300 annual travel credit for bookings through Capital One Travel and 10,000 bonus miles each year you renew the card.
The card also includes TSA PreCheck or Global Entry reimbursement and complimentary access to more than 1,300 lounges worldwide. Business owners can redeem miles for travel without blackout dates, statement credits and more. Miles also transfer to 15+ airline and hotel partners for a potentially higher value.
Best for travel: card_name
The Business Platinum Card from American Express
The Business Platinum Card from American Express
Credit scorecredit_score_neededAnnual feesannual_feesBonus rewardsbonus_milesBonus rewards fullbonus_miles_full
Welcome bonus: bonus_miles_full
Why we chose it: The card_name is the ultimate travel credit card for business owners. It earns 5x points on flights and prepaid hotels booked through Amex Travel and 1.5x points in key business categories or purchases of $5,000 or more. All other purchases earn 1x points per dollar. Points can be used to book travel, shop online, get statement credits, transfer to airline and hotel partners and more. When booking flights through Amex Travel, you’ll get back 35% of your points redeemed.
Although it has a annual_fee_disclaimer (Rates & Fees) annual fee, the card includes over $1,000 in business value, including credits for Dell, Indeed, Adobe, wireless bills and more. It also includes complimentary access to the Global Lounge Collection, a $200 airline fee credit and a $189 CLEAR Plus credit. Cardholders also receive automatic Marriott Bonvoy Gold and Hilton Honors Gold elite status. Plus, you receive premium travel protections in case of delay, cancellation or interruption.
Best for small business: card_name
Ink Business PreferredR Credit Card
Ink Business PreferredR Credit Card
Credit scorecredit_score_neededAnnual feesannual_feesBonus rewardsbonus_milesBonus rewards fullbonus_miles_full
Description
Welcome bonus: bonus_miles_full
Why we chose it: The card_name offers 3x bonus points on many common business spending categories, including shipping, online advertising, travel and internet, cable and phone services. You’ll earn 3x points on the first $150,000 you spend in these categories each year, and 1x points on all other purchases.
Points can be redeemed to book travel, get cash back, buy gift cards, transfer to airline and hotel partners and more. When booking travel through Chase, points are worth 25% more, which means that the welcome bonus is worth $1,250 in travel. The card has a reasonable annual_fee_disclaimer annual fee, and it includes numerous travel, purchase and cell phone protections to provide extra value.
Best for no annual fee: card_name
Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card
Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card
Credit scorecredit_score_neededAnnual feesannual_feesBonus rewardsbonus_milesBonus rewards fullbonus_miles_full
Welcome bonus: bonus_miles_full
Why we chose it: This cash back credit card has no annual fee and earns an unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase. Rewards can be used to book travel, get statement credits, buy gift cards and more through Chase Ultimate Rewards. The card_name also includes a intro_apr_rate,intro_apr_duration, so you have extra time to pay off your balance. The card also includes primary rental car coverage, purchase protection and an extended warranty on eligible purchases.
Best for 0% intro APR offer: U.S. Bank Triple Cash Rewards Visa Business Card
U.S. Bank Business Triple Cash Rewards World Elite Mastercard
U.S. Bank Business Triple Cash Rewards World Elite Mastercard
Card U.S. Bank Triple Cash Rewards Visa® Business Credit CardCredit scoreGood, ExcellentAnnual fees$0Bonus rewards$500 cash bonusBonus rewards full$500 cash bonus after $4,500 within 150 days
Welcome bonus: Earn $500 in cash back with net purchases of $4,500 or more within 150 days from account opening.
Why we chose it: Most small business credit card APR offers max out at 12 months. But the U.S. Bank Triple Cash Rewards Visa Business Card gives small business owners 15 months of interest-free financing on both purchases and balance transfers without charging an annual fee. The card earns 3% on gas, EV charging, office supplies, cellphone service and dining plus 1% on everything else. You can also earn 5% cash back on prepaid hotels and car rentals through the Travel Rewards Center. Plus, you’ll receive a $100 credit on recurring software subscription services charges to the card, like FreshBooks or QuickBooks.
Best for bad credit: FNBO Business Edition® Secured Mastercard® Credit Card
FNBO Business Edition Secured Mastercard Credit Card
FNBO Business Edition Secured Mastercard Credit Card
CardFNBO Business Edition® Secured Mastercard® Credit CardCredit scoreBad/PoorAnnual fees$39Bonus rewardsN/ABonus rewards fullN/A
Welcome bonus: None.
Why we chose it: There are limited options for small business owners with bad credit, but the FNBO Business Edition® Secured Mastercard® Credit Card is a solid choice to rebuild credit. Business owners can request their own credit limit from $2,000 to $100,000 when they make a refundable security deposit of 110% of their limit. For example, a $5,000 credit limit requires a security deposit of $5,500. There is an annual fee of $39, but the security deposit does earn interest while it’s with the bank so it acts more like a savings account.
Best for hotels: card_name
Marriott Bonvoy BusinessTM Card from American ExpressR
Marriott Bonvoy BusinessTM Card from American ExpressR
Credit scorecredit_score_neededAnnual feesannual_feesBonus rewardsbonus_milesBonus rewards fullbonus_miles_full
Welcome bonus: bonus_miles_full
Why we chose it: Small business owners who love to stay at Marriott hotels will enjoy the card_name. The card earns 6x points at Marriott hotels, 4x points at U.S. restaurants, U.S. gas stations, U.S. wireless providers and U.S. shipping services and 2x points everywhere else. The card includes a 7% discount on standard rooms at Marriott properties, complimentary Marriott Bonvoy Gold status and 15 Elite Night Credits each year toward higher elite status levels. It comes with an annual free night worth up to 35,000 points and a second free night when you spend $60,000 or more each year.
Best for gas: card_name
American Express® Business Gold Card
American Express® Business Gold Card
Credit scorecredit_score_neededAnnual feesannual_feesBonus rewardsbonus_milesBonus rewards fullbonus_miles_full
Welcome bonus: bonus_miles_full
Why we chose it: The card_nameearns 4x points on its top two business categories each billing cycle. These business spending categories include U.S. gas stations, airfare, U.S. advertising, eligible computer expenses, U.S. restaurants and U.S. shipping purchases. You’ll automatically get the highest rewards on the first $150,000 you spend each year based on the categories in which you spend the most per statement period. All other purchases earn 1x points.
There is no preset spending limit, so you can make larger purchases based on how your spending profile adapts to your purchase, payment and credit history. The card also includes complimentary travel benefits, like The Hotel Collection, baggage insurance, rental car coverage and trip delay insurance. Eligible purchases are also covered with purchase protection and an extended warranty.
Our Methodology
When selecting the best business credit cards, we reviewed current offers from the largest U.S. banks and several smaller card issuers. We reviewed more than 36 business credit cards to compare each card’s:
- Welcome bonus.
- Minimum spending requirement.
- Type of rewards earned.
- Bonus categories.
- Quarterly and annual spending limits.
- Annual fees.
- Foreign transaction fees.
- Ongoing perks and benefits.
- Into APR offers.
We weighed the features of each option to determine which business credit card is best suited for each type of cardholder.
What is a business credit card?
A business credit card is a form of financing that allows business owners to make purchases today and repay them over time. Each business credit card has a set spending limit, which dictates how much you can spend. As you pay down your balance, your available credit increases to allow additional purchases.
Many business credit cards earn rewards, include benefits and offer intro APR financing. These features distinguish one card from another based on which ones are most important to your business. Some credit cards for business owners charge annual fees to help the card issuer cover these benefits.
Business owners can avoid interest on their purchases by paying off the statement balance by the due date. If you cannot pay the full amount, paying the monthly minimum payment avoids late fees. Any unpaid balance that is carried over to the next month is charged interest based on the average daily balance during that month.
In most cases, business credit cards do not report on the business owner’s personal credit report. However, the initial credit inquiry does post on your credit report since you are personally guaranteeing repayment of any charges to your card. If you miss payments or go into default, these negative marks may post to your credit report.
Types of business credit cards
All business credit cards can be used to make purchases, but there are distinct differences among them. Business owners should choose their credit card types depending on their goals. Here are a few of the major types of business credit cards that you need to know about.
- Small business credit cards. These cards are designed specifically for entrepreneurs, small business owners, and freelancers to help manage their company’s finances and expenses. These credit cards are distinct from personal credit cards and have features tailored to meet the unique needs of small businesses. Besides targeting small business owners, these cards offer benefits like personal liability protection, tailored rewards, and expense tracking to help small enterprises manage their finances effectively.
- Cash back credit cards. These cards earn cash back rewards when making purchases. The cash back is generally applied as a statement credit to your account. However, many banks also allow you to redeem your cash back in other ways.
- Airline credit cards. You’ll earn airline miles on eligible purchases towards future flights. Airline credit cards typically offer exclusive benefits when flying on a co-branded airline such as free checked bags, priority boarding, inflight discounts and accelerated elite status based on your annual spending.
- Hotel credit cards. Hotel credit cards earn points on eligible purchases and include benefits specific to the hotel. Typical benefits include annual free nights, elite status and higher rewards on purchases at the hotel.
- Flexible rewards cards. General travel rewards credit cards earn flexible points that can be redeemed in numerous ways. Redemptions include booking travel, cash back, gift cards and online shopping. The highest value redemptions tend to be transferring points to airline and hotel partners for premium flights or hotel reservations.
- 0% Intro APR cards. Business owners can take advantage of interest-free financing on balance transfers, purchases or both. Although you must make monthly minimum payments, interest isn’t charged until the promotional period expires. Balance transfers typically require a fee of 3% to 5% of the amount transferred. When the promo period expires, the interest rate reverts back to the standard rate.
- Secured business credit cards. For business owners with bad credit or a limited credit history, a secured business credit card is a good first step. Your initial credit limit equals your deposit with the bank. With responsible use, you may qualify for a higher credit limit or conversion to an unsecured card.
TIME Stamp: Business credit cards help owners achieve their goals
By strategically using business credit cards, business owners can earn rewards, get interest-free financing, build credit and more. You can choose among the numerous types of credit cards to find one that matches your goals and budget. Business credit cards provide instant purchasing power with the ability to earn cash back, miles or points or get extra time to pay off your bill. If you have a favorite airline or hotel, choosing a co-branded credit card can help you earn elite status and receive additional perks with those brands.
For rates and fees of the card_name, please visit this URL.
For rates and fees of the card_name, please visit this URL.
For rates and fees of the card_name, please visit this URL.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
Do business credit cards check your credit score?
Yes, in most cases, the card issuer will perform a hard inquiry on your personal credit report. This inquiry will cause a temporary drop in your credit score of approximately five points or less. After that, most business credit cards do not report to your personal credit report unless you miss a payment or go into default.
What do you need to apply for a business credit card?
Business credit card applications vary among lenders, but most request similar information. They want to know your business name, tax ID number, annual revenues, address and phone number, and what type of business it is. Additionally, most applications request information about the business owners, including name, Social Security number, contact information and annual income.
Can you have a business credit card with bad credit?
Yes, some card issuers offer credit cards specifically for people with bad credit. These credit cards are often easier to get approved since they have lower minimum credit requirements. Since these borrowers are higher risk, small business credit cards for bad credit may charge higher interest rates and fees while offering fewer benefits. As your credit improves, you can apply for cards with more appealing perks, rewards and fees.
Is a business credit card a tax write-off?
All eligible purchases made with your small business card can be written off, just as if you paid for them with cash or check. It is possible to write off the annual fees, interest charges and other fees associated with your small business credit card. However, consult with your tax professional to determine if these expenses should be included in your tax returns.