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Small-business owners — From the occasional freelancer to those with brick and mortar storefronts, all types of small-business owners can benefit from having a business credit card. The best small-business credit cards come with generous rewards programs, expense tracking and money-saving perks that can benefit nearly every type of business. You don’t need a formal business structure to apply for one. Our experts have reviewed hundreds of options and compared their features and perks to identify the best small-business credit cards of 2022 available from our partners.
Our experts have reviewed hundreds of options and compare their features and perks to identify the best small-business credit cards of 2022 available from our partners.
Bankrate's Picks for the Best Business Credit Cards (November 2022):
Our writers, editors and industry experts score
credit cards based on a variety of factors
including card features, bonus offers
and independent research. Credit card issuers have
no say or influence on how we rate cards.
Rewards rate
5%
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
2%
Earn 2% cash back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at gas stations and restaurants each account anniversary year
1%
Earn 1% cash back on all other card purchases with no limit to the amount you can earn
Intro offer
$900
Best Offer Ever: Earn $900 bonus cash back after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening
Annual fee
$0
Regular APR
16.24% - 22.24% Variable
Recommended credit
Good to Excellent (670 - 850)
A FICO score/credit score is used to represent the creditworthiness of a person and may be one indicator to the credit type you are eligible for. However, credit score alone does not guarantee or imply approval for any financial product.
This business card beats out flat-rate cards on select categories. If entertaining clients or fueling up is a regular part of your business world, you're likely to enjoy earning 2 percent cash back at restaurants and gas stations (on your first $25,000 in combined purchases per account anniversary year, then 1 percent).
Rewards are generous, particularly for a no annual fee credit card.
Cons
Your bonus cash back is subject to cap.
There’s no intro APR on balance transfers.
Best Offer Ever: Earn $900 bonus cash back after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening
Earn 5% cash back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at office supply stores and on internet, cable and phone services each account anniversary year
Earn 2% cash back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at gas stations and restaurants each account anniversary year. Earn 1% cash back on all other purchases
With Fraud Protection your card transactions will be monitored for possible signs of fraudulent activity using real-time fraud monitoring
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®
Our writers, editors and industry experts score
credit cards based on a variety of factors
including card features, bonus offers
and independent research. Credit card issuers have
no say or influence on how we rate cards.
Rewards rate
1.5%
Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase made for your business
Intro offer
$900
Best Offer Ever: Earn $900 bonus cash back after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening
Annual fee
$0
Regular APR
16.24% - 22.24% Variable
Recommended credit
Good to Excellent (670 - 850)
A FICO score/credit score is used to represent the creditworthiness of a person and may be one indicator to the credit type you are eligible for. However, credit score alone does not guarantee or imply approval for any financial product.
With a great rewards rate and a variety of valuable redemption options, this card is a well-rounded, solid choice for nearly any business owner, especially those looking to avoid an annual fee.
Our writers, editors and industry experts score
credit cards based on a variety of factors
including card features, bonus offers
and independent research. Credit card issuers have
no say or influence on how we rate cards.
Rewards rate
5%
Earn unlimited 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
2%
Earn unlimited 2% cash back on every purchase, everywhere—with no limits or category restrictions
Intro offer
Up to $1,000 cash bonus
Earn up to a $1,000 cash bonus; $500 once you spend $5,000 in the first 3 months, and $500 once you spend $50,000 in the first 6 months of account opening
Annual fee
$150
Regular APR
N/A
Recommended credit
Excellent (740 - 850)
A FICO score/credit score is used to represent the creditworthiness of a person and may be one indicator to the credit type you are eligible for. However, credit score alone does not guarantee or imply approval for any financial product.
If your spending varies or you simply don’t want to put a lot of time and thought into maximizing business rewards, this flat-rate cash back card has plenty of appeal. Namely, you’ll earn at least 2 percent cash back on all purchases. Keep in mind, it’s a charge card; you’ll need to pay your balance off in full each month.
The rewards program is straightforward and the flat-rate return on spending is generous.
You’ll skip foreign transaction fees with this business card.
Cons
There’s a steep(ish) $150 annual fee.
Given its a charge card, there are no flexible financing options.
Earn up to a $1,000 cash bonus; $500 once you spend $5,000 in the first 3 months, and $500 once you spend $50,000 in the first 6 months of account opening
Earn unlimited 2% cash back on every purchase, everywhere—with no limits or category restrictions
Comes with no preset spending limit, so it can adapt to your needs based on your spending behavior, payment history and credit profile
Earn an annual $200 cash bonus every year you spend $200,000 or more—that's enough to cover your annual fee and then some
Earn unlimited 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
Add employee cards for free, and earn unlimited 2% cash back from their purchases
$150 annual fee
Spark Cash Plus has no APR because your balance is due in full every month
Our writers, editors and industry experts score
credit cards based on a variety of factors
including card features, bonus offers
and independent research. Credit card issuers have
no say or influence on how we rate cards.
Rewards rate
5%
Unlimited 5% total cash back on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards
2.5%
Unlimited 2.5% total cash back on purchases of $5,000 or more
2%
Unlimited 2% cash back on all other business purchases.
Intro offer
$1,000 Cash Back
Earn $1,000 bonus cash back after you spend $10,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
Annual fee
$195
Regular APR
Flex for Business Variable APR: 17.24% - 25.24%
Recommended credit
Good to Excellent (670 - 850)
A FICO score/credit score is used to represent the creditworthiness of a person and may be one indicator to the credit type you are eligible for. However, credit score alone does not guarantee or imply approval for any financial product.
This new Chase business card is a top choice for small-business owners with larger budgets and expenses that fall outside of the typical bonus rewards categories available on other business cards. On top of a generous flat rate on all your purchases, you have a chance to earn an even higher rate of cash back on purchases of $5,000 or more.
Offers the one of the highest flat rates available: 2.5% cash back on all large purchases of $5,000 or more
Comes with a high sign-up bonus that’s more accessible than comparable offers
Cons
No bonus categories with boosted rates, which could help you earn rewards faster for specific purchases
High annual fee cuts into reward earnings
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.
Our writers, editors and industry experts score
credit cards based on a variety of factors
including card features, bonus offers
and independent research. Credit card issuers have
no say or influence on how we rate cards.
Rewards rate
5X
Get 5X Membership Rewards® points on flights and prepaid hotels on amextravel.com
1.5X
Earn 1.5X points 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
1X
1X points for each dollar you spend on eligible purchases.
Intro offer
120,000 points
Welcome Offer: Earn 120,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $15,000 on eligible purchases with your Card within the first 3 months of Card Membership.
Annual fee
$695
Regular APR
17.99% - 25.99% Variable
Recommended credit
Good to Excellent (670 - 850)
A FICO score/credit score is used to represent the creditworthiness of a person and may be one indicator to the credit type you are eligible for. However, credit score alone does not guarantee or imply approval for any financial product.
Travel in style with this premium business card from American Express, which offers a number of annual travel credits, a lucrative rewards return, particularly on flights and prepaid hotels booked with AmexTravel.com, and arguably the best airport lounge access on the market. Just be sure you can recoup the card’s hefty $695 annual fee.
New benefits include bonus rewards on key business categories and an annual business-centric statement credit (terms apply).
Cons
The annual credits come with a number of caveats and can be tricky to maximize.
The annual fee is one of the priciest on the market.
Welcome Offer: Earn 120,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $15,000 on eligible purchases with your Card within the first 3 months of Card Membership.
Get 5X Membership Rewards® points on flights and prepaid hotels on amextravel.com, and 1X points for each dollar you spend on eligible purchases.
Earn 1.5X points (that’s an extra half point per dollar) on eligible purchases at US construction material & hardware suppliers, electronic goods retailers and software & cloud system providers, and shipping providers, as well as on purchases of $5,000 or more everywhere else, on up to $2 million of these purchases per calendar year.
Unlock over $1,000 in annual statement credits on a curation of business purchases, including select purchases made with Dell Technologies, Indeed, Adobe, and U.S. wireless service providers.
$200 Airline Fee Credit: Get up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year for checked baggage fees, lounge day passes, and more at one selected airline.
$189 CLEAR® Credit: Use your Card and get up to $189 back per year on your CLEAR® membership. CLEAR® is available at more than 50 U.S. airports and stadiums.
The American Express Global Lounge Collection® can provide an escape at the airport. With more than 1,400 airport lounges across 140 countries and counting, you have more lounge location options than any other credit card on the market as of 9/2021.
Our writers, editors and industry experts score
credit cards based on a variety of factors
including card features, bonus offers
and independent research. Credit card issuers have
no say or influence on how we rate cards.
Rewards rate
3%
3% cash back in the category of your choice (on the first $50,000 in combined choice category/dining purchases each calendar year, 1% thereafter).
2%
2% cash back on dining purchases (on the first $50,000 in combined choice category/dining purchases each calendar year, 1% thereafter).
1%
1% unlimited cash back on all other purchases.
Intro offer
$300
Get a $300 statement credit online bonus after you make at least $3,000 in net purchases in the first 90 days of your account opening - with no annual fee and cash rewards don't expire.
Annual fee
$0
Regular APR
15.24% - 25.24% Variable APR on purchases and balance transfers
Recommended credit
Excellent (740 - 850)
A FICO score/credit score is used to represent the creditworthiness of a person and may be one indicator to the credit type you are eligible for. However, credit score alone does not guarantee or imply approval for any financial product.
You have the power to choose your top earning spending category within the available categories with this card, which opens the door for you to tailor your spending exactly how you want it. In addition to earning boosted rewards on your category of choice and on dining purchases, you’ll round out your reward earnings with unlimited 1 percent cash back on all other purchases.
There’s a 0 percent intro APR on purchases for 9 billing cycles then 15.24 percent to 25.24 percent variable APR
Cons
There is no intro APR offer on balance transfers.
There is a spending cap on your highest earning categories up to $50,000 in combined choice category and dining purchases each calendar year, then 1 percent.
Get a $300 statement credit online bonus after you make at least $3,000 in net purchases in the first 90 days of your account opening – with no annual fee and cash rewards don't expire.
Earn 3% cash back in the category of your choice, 2% cash back on dining purchases and unlimited 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.
0% Introductory APR on purchases for your first 9 billing cycles. After the intro APR offer ends, a Variable APR that's currently 15.24% to 25.24% will apply.
Redeem your cash back as a deposit into your Bank of America® checking or savings account, as a card statement credit or as a check mailed to you.
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% in your selected choice category and up to 3.5% 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.
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.
Our writers, editors and industry experts score
credit cards based on a variety of factors
including card features, bonus offers
and independent research. Credit card issuers have
no say or influence on how we rate cards.
Rewards rate
1.5%
Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on all purchases everywhere, every time.
Intro offer
$300
Get a $300 statement credit online bonus after you make at least $3,000 in net purchases in the first 90 days of your account opening.
Annual fee
$0
Regular APR
15.24% - 25.24% Variable APR on purchases and balance transfers
Recommended credit
Excellent (740 - 850)
A FICO score/credit score is used to represent the creditworthiness of a person and may be one indicator to the credit type you are eligible for. However, credit score alone does not guarantee or imply approval for any financial product.
This no-hassle business credit card lets you earn unlimited 1.5 percent cash back on all purchases with no spending caps, allowing you to cover business expenses across a range of categories and earn the same solid rewards. You also have the opportunity to boost those rewards if you qualify for Bank of America’s Preferred Rewards program.
There is a modest 0% intro APR on purchases for 9 billing cycles, after that a 15.24% to 25.24% variable APR.
Cons
There is no intro APR offer on balance transfers.
This card charges a 3 percent foreign transaction fee.
Get a $300 statement credit online bonus after you make at least $3,000 in net purchases in the first 90 days of your account opening.
Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on all purchases everywhere, every time.
No annual cap and cash rewards don’t expire.
No annual fee.
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 an unlimited 2.62% cash back on all purchases.
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.
0% Introductory APR on purchases for the first 9 billing cycles. After the intro APR offer ends, a Variable APR that's currently 15.24% to 25.24% 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.
Our writers, editors and industry experts score
credit cards based on a variety of factors
including card features, bonus offers
and independent research. Credit card issuers have
no say or influence on how we rate cards.
Rewards rate
2X
Earn unlimited 2X miles per dollar on every purchase, everywhere, no limits or category restrictions, and miles won't expire for the life of the account.
Intro offer
50,000 miles
Earn a one-time bonus of 50,000 miles – equal to $500 in travel – once you spend $4,500 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening
Annual fee
$0 intro for first year; $95 after that
Regular APR
23.99% (Variable)
Recommended credit
Good to Excellent (670 - 850)
A FICO score/credit score is used to represent the creditworthiness of a person and may be one indicator to the credit type you are eligible for. However, credit score alone does not guarantee or imply approval for any financial product.
If you make a lot of business trips, the Capital One Spark Miles for Business can help your rewards earnings take off. The unlimited 2X miles on every purchase is great, but it’s even better coupled with the fact that there is minimum redemption and no expiration dates.
The rewards program is straightforward; it’s also generous relative to its annual fee ($95, $0 intro for first year).
Cons
There’s no intro APR on purchases or balance transfers.
Relative to some competitors, this card is slim on ancillary business-centric benefits.
Earn a one-time bonus of 50,000 miles – equal to $500 in travel – once you spend $4,500 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening
Earn unlimited 2X miles per dollar on every purchase, everywhere, no limits or category restrictions, and miles won't expire for the life of the account
Transfer your miles to 15+ travel loyalty programs
Redeem your miles instantly for any travel-related purchases, from flights and hotels to ride-sharing services
Fly through security with one statement credit for either the $85 TSA PreCheck® application fee or the $100 Global Entry application fee
$0 intro annual fee for the first year; $95 after that
Free employee cards which also earn unlimited 2X miles from their purchases
Our writers, editors and industry experts score
credit cards based on a variety of factors
including card features, bonus offers
and independent research. Credit card issuers have
no say or influence on how we rate cards.
Rewards rate
2X
Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on everyday business purchases such as office supplies or client dinners.
1X
2X applies to the first $50,000 in purchases per year, 1 point per dollar thereafter.
Intro offer
15,000 points
Earn 15,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $3,000 in eligible purchases on the Card within your first 3 months of Card Membership.
Annual fee
No annual fee
Regular APR
16.99% - 24.99% Variable
Recommended credit
Good to Excellent (670 - 850)
A FICO score/credit score is used to represent the creditworthiness of a person and may be one indicator to the credit type you are eligible for. However, credit score alone does not guarantee or imply approval for any financial product.
When you own a business, there's a long list of things to keep track of. If adding "card rewards categories" to that list is unappealing to you, The Blue Business Plus is a great, hassle-free choice. Because of its promotional APR on purchases, this card is also a great choice for business owners looking to temporarily avoid interest charges on a big purchase.
The rewards are generous for a no annual fee card.
You’ll have access to Expanded Buying Power, a flexible financing option for business cardholders.
Cons
There’s no intro APR offer on balance transfers.
Your bonus rewards are subject to a cap.
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, 16.99% - 24.99%, based on your creditworthiness and other factors at account opening.
No Annual Fee
Terms Apply
additional features
Purchase intro APR
0% on purchases for 12 months from date of account opening
Our writers, editors and industry experts score
credit cards based on a variety of factors
including card features, bonus offers
and independent research. Credit card issuers have
no say or influence on how we rate cards.
Rewards rate
4X
Get 4X Membership Rewards® points on the 2 select categories where your business spent the most each month.
1X
1X is earned for other purchases. **
25%
Airline Bonus: Get 25% points back after you use points for all or part of an eligible flight booked with Amex Travel, up to 250,000 points back per calendar year.*
Intro offer
70,000 points
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.*
Annual fee
$295
Regular APR
17.99% - 25.99% Variable
Recommended credit
Good to Excellent (670 - 850)
A FICO score/credit score is used to represent the creditworthiness of a person and may be one indicator to the credit type you are eligible for. However, credit score alone does not guarantee or imply approval for any financial product.
For small business owners, this card offers a lot of value despite the hefty annual fee. Many of the rewards categories tend to be heavy-spend for small businesses, which means cash back rewards will stack up fast. And with American Express's impressive list of airline transfer partners, it's an especially great card if you'd like to redeem your rewards for travel.
You get a generous return on some prime business-centric bonus categories.
Cardholders get access to business expense management tools.
Cons
Your bonus cash back is subject to a cap.
There’s a steep $295 annual fee.
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.*
Airline Bonus: Get 25% points back after you use points for all or part of an eligible flight booked with Amex Travel, up to 250,000 points back per calendar year.*
Pay Over Time Option: Decide whether you want to pay eligible purchases in full each month-or pay over time with interest.*
Our writers, editors and industry experts score
credit cards based on a variety of factors
including card features, bonus offers
and independent research. Credit card issuers have
no say or influence on how we rate cards.
Rewards rate
2%
Earn 2% cash back on all eligible purchases on up to $50,000 per calendar year, then 1%.
1%
1% cash back on all eligible purchases after spending $50,000 per calendar year.
Intro offer
$250
Earn a $250 statement credit after you make $3,000 in purchases on your Card in your first 3 months.
Annual fee
No annual fee
Regular APR
16.99% - 24.99% Variable
Recommended credit
Good to Excellent (670 - 850)
A FICO score/credit score is used to represent the creditworthiness of a person and may be one indicator to the credit type you are eligible for. However, credit score alone does not guarantee or imply approval for any financial product.
Offering a welcome bonus, flexible financing options and decent rewards (albeit subject to an annual cap), the American Express Blue Business Cash Card is decidedly well-rounded for a no annual fee business card. All in all, it’s one of the better cards for new businesses on the market.
The welcome offer has a relatively low spending requirement.
You can access Expanded Buying Power, a flexible financing option for Amex business cardholders.
Cons
The 2 percent cash back is capped to your first $50,000 in purchases per year (1 percent thereafter).
There’s no intro APR on balance transfers.
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, 16.99% - 24.99%, based on your creditworthiness and other factors as determined at the time of account opening.
No Annual Fee
Terms Apply
additional features
Purchase intro APR
0% on purchases for 12 months from date of account opening
Our writers, editors and industry experts score
credit cards based on a variety of factors
including card features, bonus offers
and independent research. Credit card issuers have
no say or influence on how we rate cards.
Rewards rate
2X
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
1X
Earn 1 mile per $1 spent on all other purchases.
Intro offer
75,000 Bonus Miles
Earn 75,000 bonus miles after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open.
Annual fee
$0 Intro for the First Year. $99 After
Regular APR
19.49% - 26.49% Variable
Recommended credit
Good to Excellent (670 - 850)
A FICO score/credit score is used to represent the creditworthiness of a person and may be one indicator to the credit type you are eligible for. However, credit score alone does not guarantee or imply approval for any financial product.
The United Business Credit Card is a great choice for United business travelers. You can earn miles on United and common business purchases while taking advantage of a number of travel benefits. There’s even a two-tiered sign-up bonus that gives both moderate and frequent business travelers a chance to quickly earn an impressive amount of bonus miles.
Earn a huge first-year payout with the welcome offer. Earn 75,000 bonus miles after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open.
For a modest annual fee, the card comes with a nice set of airline perks not found with general-purpose business cards.
Cons
Offers free checked bag but only for you and one companion. Other business cards offer this perk for you and four (or more) passengers
No introductory APR offer and a high penalty APR if you make a late payment make this a poor card to use if you don’t intend to pay your balance in full every month
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.
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 Club℠ 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.
Our writers, editors and industry experts score
credit cards based on a variety of factors
including card features, bonus offers
and independent research. Credit card issuers have
no say or influence on how we rate cards.
Rewards rate
1.5%
1.5% unlimited cashback with no annual fee
Intro offer
$200 Cashback
Spend $15,000 in the first 3 months for $200 cashback
Annual fee
$0
Regular APR
9.99% - 34.99% APR
Recommended credit
Good to Excellent (670 - 850)
A FICO score/credit score is used to represent the creditworthiness of a person and may be one indicator to the credit type you are eligible for. However, credit score alone does not guarantee or imply approval for any financial product.
Small businesses can get a lot with this low-hassle business card. The card is affordable to hold for a business card, boasting no annual fees or foreign exchange fees for any purchases made abroad. You’ll also enjoy unlimited cards to use for your company and a modest flat-rate of cash back on all purchases.
Our writers, editors and industry experts score
credit cards based on a variety of factors
including card features, bonus offers
and independent research. Credit card issuers have
no say or influence on how we rate cards.
Rewards rate
3X
Earn 3 points per $1 on the first $150,000 spent on travel and select business categories each account anniversary year
1X
Earn 1 point per $1 on all other purchases – with no limit to the amount you can earn
Intro offer
100,000 points
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®
Annual fee
$95
Regular APR
18.99% - 23.99% Variable
Recommended credit
Good to Excellent (670 - 850)
A FICO score/credit score is used to represent the creditworthiness of a person and may be one indicator to the credit type you are eligible for. However, credit score alone does not guarantee or imply approval for any financial product.
Nearly every type of business—from e-commerce to brick and mortar—could benefit from the rewards that this card brings to the table, from advertising purchases with social media sites and search engines to airfare. Businesses already shouldering high monthly expenditures should consider capitalizing on this card’s top-notch sign-up bonus.
The sign-up bonus is one of the largest you'll find.
Frequent business travelers will love the ability to boost point value by 25 percent when booking travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards.
Cons
There’s a relatively high spend associated with the card’s welcome offer.
There’s no intro APR on purchases or balance transfers.
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
With Fraud Protection your card transactions will be monitored for possible signs of fraudulent activity using real-time fraud monitoring
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.
Our writers, editors and industry experts score
credit cards based on a variety of factors
including card features, bonus offers
and independent research. Credit card issuers have
no say or influence on how we rate cards.
Rewards rate
12X
12X at hotels & resorts in the Hilton portfolio.
6X
6X on Select Business & Travel Purchases.
3X
3X on all other eligible purchases. Terms & Limitations Apply.
Intro offer
Earn 130,000 Points
Limited Time Offer: Earn 130,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points after you spend $5,000 in purchases on the Hilton Honors Business Card in the first 3 Months of Card Membership. Plus you can earn a Free Night Reward after you spend $10,000 in purchases on the Hilton Honors Business Card in the first 6 months of Card Membership. Offer ends 12/21/22.
Annual fee
$95
Regular APR
19.49% - 28.49% Variable
Recommended credit
Good to Excellent (670 - 850)
A FICO score/credit score is used to represent the creditworthiness of a person and may be one indicator to the credit type you are eligible for. However, credit score alone does not guarantee or imply approval for any financial product.
This business card rewards Hilton loyalists with elevated membership status and includes boosted rewards rates for more than just purchases made at Hilton Hotels. This card also comes loaded with additional features fit for dynamic business owners who are out of town more often than not, including complimentary Priority Pass visits.
The sign-up bonus, boosted rewards rates for business and travel purchases and complimentary Hilton Honors Gold Status make this a top hotel rewards cards
Earns boosted points in several categories at once and offers the chance to earn multiple free night rewards from Hilton Honors.
Cons
The card’s $95 annual fee can be hard to justify if you don’t stay at Hilton hotels and take advantage of as many perks as possible
Hilton points are not valued as high as other reward programs’ points, making this a poor choice for general business purchases if you aren’t a Hilton loyalist
Limited Time Offer: Earn 130,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points after you spend $5,000 in purchases on the Hilton Honors Business Card in the first 3 Months of Card Membership. Plus you can earn a Free Night Reward after you spend $10,000 in purchases on the Hilton Honors Business Card in the first 6 months of Card Membership. Offer ends 12/21/22.
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.
Our writers, editors and industry experts score
credit cards based on a variety of factors
including card features, bonus offers
and independent research. Credit card issuers have
no say or influence on how we rate cards.
Rewards rate
2X
2x-7x on Restaurants
2X
2x-5x on Hotels
1.5x
1.5x-2x on Recurring Software Subscriptions
1X
1x-1.5x on Everything Else
Intro offer
N/A
Annual fee
$0
Regular APR
N/A
Recommended credit
Good to Excellent (670 - 850)
A FICO score/credit score is used to represent the creditworthiness of a person and may be one indicator to the credit type you are eligible for. However, credit score alone does not guarantee or imply approval for any financial product.
This small business card comes with a number of notable bells and whistles, including budgeting software, expense management tools and a gamified rewards program.
Pros
There’s no annual fee and no fee for requesting employee cards.
You can request credit limit increases directly through the platform.
Cons
The rewards program is a bit complex with earnings varying by spending category and how often you pay your bill.
You have to be a customer for 12 months to be eligible for rewards.
Streamlines spend management by combining corporate cards with free expense management software.
This Smart card offers up to 7x rewards points, plus physical and virtual cards for every employee—with no fees and no contracts.
Gives admins complete control over employee spending with enforceable budgets (that can be adjusted in seconds).
See every transaction as it happens, bringing all your spend into one place.
No cost; stop spending extra for annual fees, expense management software, and vendor overages.
Eliminate expense reports, build your business credit, and never go over budget again.
additional features
Purchase intro APR
N/A
Balance transfer intro APR
N/A
Eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Please visit AmericanExpress.com/BenefitsGuide for more details. Underwritten by Amex Assurance Company. The information about the Bank of America® Business Advantage Cash Rewards Mastercard® credit card, Brex Corporate Card for Startups and the U.S. Bank Cards has been collected independently by Bankrate.com. The card details have not been reviewed or approved by the card issuer.
Comparing the top business credit cards
Business credit card
Rewards & highlights
Bankrate review score
Ink Business Cash Credit Card
5% cash back on internet, cable, phone services and office supply stores (up to $25,000 a year in combined purchases)
5X Membership Rewards points on flights and prepaid hotels booked with AmexTravel.com; 1.5X points on eligible purchases in key business categories and on purchases of $5,000 or more everywhere else (cap applies) and 1X points on all other purchases
Bank of America Business Advantage Customized Cash Rewards Mastercard credit card
3% cash back on your choice of one of six categories, 2% cash back on dining (on the first $50,000 in combined choice category/dining purchases each calendar year, 1% thereafter)
4X points on up to $150,000 per year in two select categories your business spends the most in each billing cycle and 2X points on rental cars booked through AmexTravel.com
12X points on Hilton properties, 6X points on select business (U.S. gas stations, U.S. cellphone service providers and U.S. shipping purchases) and travel purchases (U.S. restaurants, airfare booked through Amex Travel and select car rentals) with 3X points on all other purchases
Ink Business Cash Credit Card: Best for bonus categories
What we love about the Ink Business Cash Credit Card: The bonus categories, which include office supply stores, cable, internet and phone services, are uniquely valuable to a wide variety of businesses.
Who this card is good for: Small-business owners, e-retailers and Etsy store owners who spend a lot on internet, phone and office supplies.
Alternatives: If most of your monthly business expenses go beyond routine office supplies, you may find that a flat-rate card like the Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card offers more value.
Ink Business Unlimited Credit Card: Best for unlimited cash back
What we love about the Ink Business Unlimited Credit Card: It’s not uncommon for business credit cards to charge fees for additional employee cards, but the Ink Business Unlimited provides them for no additional cost. Plus, you can set individual spending limits for employee cards.
Who this card is good for: Small-business owners who are new to rewards and prefer simplicity will find a lot to like about the Ink Business Unlimited.
Alternatives: The Capital One Spark Cash Select – $500 Cash Bonus offers the same rewards rate, but its sign-up bonus comes with a much lower spending requirement ($500 bonus when you spend $4,500 within the first three months).
Capital One Spark Cash Plus: Best for no-hassle cash back
What we love about the Capital One Spark Cash Plus: The 2 percent flat-rate cash back on this card is significant. Your rewards also won’t expire for the life of the account and you can redeem your cash back for any amount. Plus, you can earn an annual cash bonus of $200 every year you spend $200,000 or more.
Who this card is good for: Small-business owners who are new to the world of rewards will find a lot to like about the Ink Business Unlimited.
Alternatives: Like the Spark Cash Plus, The Plum Card® from American Express also comes with no preset spending limit. The Plum Card lets you carry a balance for 60 days, which is especially attractive for business owners who may need a little extra time to pay off their bill.
Ink Business Premier℠ Credit Card: Best for large general purchases
What we love about the Ink Business Premier: This card earns unlimited cash back at a solid flat rate for general purchases with a small boost for larger purchases over $5,000. It’s a great change of pace from tiered categories because it opens up better earning opportunities for business owners who make purchases outside of traditional categories. Not every business functions the same, and not every business uses office supply stores.
Who this card is good for: This card is a great option for independent contractors, freelancers or business owners with high cash flow who regularly make large purchases. The card’s rates gives any cardholder a chance to earn favorable rewards, while giving those who make large purchases a favorable boost they might not receive with another card.
Alternatives: If your business spending is more aligned with specific business categories, a rewards card with tiered categories may be a better fit. The Ink Business Cash® Credit Card charges no annual fee and offers 5 percent back at office supply stores and on internet, cable and phone services (up to a combined $25,000 spent each year, then 1 percent). If those categories fit your business’ spending habits, this is a great opportunity to quickly earn twice as much (or more) on your purchases than you would with the Ink Business Premier card.
The Business Platinum Card from American Express: Best for luxury travel
What we love about the Business Platinum Card from American Express: Business travelers get access to over 1,400 airport lounges worldwide with this card. In addition, cardholders can receive up to $200 annually in airline fee statement credits with a select airline and a fee credit for Global Entry or TSA Precheck along with other notable perks.
Who this card is good for: Big spenders who frequently travel and want access to the most premium travel benefits.
Alternatives: If your business doesn’t require much traveling, the American Express Business Gold Card may be a better match. Not only will you spend a lot less on annual fees, but you stand to earn a higher rewards rate on your top expense categories.
Bank of America Business Advantage Customized Cash Rewards Mastercard credit card: Best for choice of cash back category
What we love about the Bank of America Business Advantage Customized Cash Rewards Mastercard: Cardholders get the autonomy to choose where they can earn the most cash back in select categories for their spending, a rarity in business rewards cards.
Who this card is good for: Business owners who can benefit from boosted rewards rates on purchases at gas stations, office supply stores and travel, as these are aligned with this card’s cash back choice categories.
Alternatives: Businesses with consistent monthly spending categories that prefer a cash back option may prefer the Ink Business Cash Credit Card. You’ll earn a hefty 5 percent cash back on office supplies, phone and internet services, and 2 percent cash back at U.S. gas stations and restaurants (on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases each account anniversary year). Also, you may want to consider other Bank of America Business credit card options.
Bank of America Business Advantage Unlimited Cash Rewards Mastercard credit card: Best for Bank of America loyalists
What we love about the Bank of America Business Advantage Unlimited Cash Rewards Mastercard: You get 1.5 percent cash back on all purchases, meaning you don’t have to worry about tailoring your spending towards certain categories. You can also boost those rewards significantly if you qualify for the Bank of America Preferred Rewards program.
Who this card is good for: Business owners whose purchases cover a variety of different spending categories.
Alternatives: Big spenders willing to look outside of Bank of America may find more value with the Capital One Spark Cash Plus card and its 2 percent unlimited cash back on all eligible purchases.
Capital One Spark Miles for Business: Best for business travel rewards
What we love about the Capital One Spark Miles for Business: While some travel credit cards have complicated rewards structures, the Capital One Spark Miles for Business keeps it simple. You can book travel through Capital One or use your miles to cover travel-related purchases made on your card within the last 90 days, including airfare, hotel bookings, transit and more.
Who this card is good for: Budget-conscious business travelers. If you’re looking for even more rewards, free employee cards make it easy for your business to rack up miles on every purchase.
Alternatives: The Ink Business Preferred Credit Card charges the same annual fee but comes with a broader range of travel benefits, including trip protection.
The Blue Business Plus Credit Card from American Express: Best for everyday business expenses
What we love about the Blue Business Plus Credit Card from American Express: Besides its travel redemption options, the Blue Business Plus comes with rental car insurance as well as access to the Global Assist® Hotline, which can help with emergencies such as a lost passport or missing luggage.
Who this card is good for: Small-business owners who want to redeem rewards for travel purchases.
Alternatives: Business owners with high monthly expenses may get more value from the Capital One Spark Cash Plus Card, which also offers 2 percent cash back but does not put a cap on rewards.
American Express Business Gold Card: Best for a variety of rewards categories
What we love about the American Express Business Gold Card: American Express offers six valuable, business-oriented rewards categories. Each billing cycle, you’ll be rewarded at a rate of four points per dollar in whichever two categories your business spent the most within (up to $150,000 in combined purchases per year).
Who this card is good for: Small-business owners with ever-changing spending habits. The ability to add employee cards can also help you earn rewards and offset the $295 annual fee.
Alternatives: Though the Business Platinum Card from American Express comes with a whopping annual fee of $695, globetrotting business owners may find its premium travel perks worth every cent.
American Express Blue Business Cash Card: Best for startups
What we love about the Blue Business Cash Card: This card offers Expanded Buying Power, a potential game-changer for a new businesses. This benefit gives you the option of exceeding your credit limit without paying an over-limit fee (see terms).
Who this card is good for: The American Express Blue Business Cash Card is a great match for new businesses, freelancers and vendors looking for a versatile flat-rate cash back option.
Alternatives: Small businesses who prefer the value of points over the convenience of cash back may prefer the Blue Business Plus Credit Card from American Express. It’s also worth noting that Amex Membership Rewards points can be transferred to partnering hotels and airlines, often boosting their value.
United Business Credit Card: Best for first-year value
What we love about the United Business Credit Card: This card’s two-tiered welcome offer gives you the chance to earn a huge first-year payout. Bankrate values the card’s welcome offer at up to roughly $1,650 if you’re able to meet the maximum spend requirement. If not, moderate Delta flyers still have a chance to earn an impressive amount of bonus miles as well.
Who this card is good for: Boosted rewards in the categories of travel, office supplies, dining, gas and local transit make it a solid choice for small-business owners loyal to Delta Airlines.
Alternatives: If you’re looking for a card that’ll complement your travel needs, business needs and your business-related travel needs, the Capital One Spark Miles for Business can be a solid option. You’ll still maintain a relatively high first-year value and you’ll earn 2X miles on every purchase. Unlike with the United Business card, it’ll earn miles for travel purchases on every airline, making it a solid low-maintenance choice for cardholders who aren’t picky about who they fly with. Plus, it allows mile transfers to travel partners that may boost value. The card has roughly the same annual fee as the United Business card, but it’s waived the first year, giving you a solid opportunity to retain some of your card’s first-year value.
Capital on Tap Business Card: Best for no annual fee
What we love about the Capital on Tap Business Card: This card has no annual fee and no foreign transaction fees, making it ideal for small businesses that frequently make purchases abroad or online with international merchants.
Who this card is good for: The Capital on Tap Business Card is ideal for small business employees who need to frequently charge expenses for their role.
Alternatives: Similarly, the Bank of America Business Advantage Unlimited Cash Rewards card carries no annual fee and offers 1.5 percent cash back. Existing Bank of America and Merrill customers stand to earn significantly higher rewards through its Preferred Rewards program provided they meet program requirements.
Ink Business Preferred Credit Card: Best for flexible travel options
What we love about the Ink Business Preferred Credit Card: The rewards rates alone make this card valuable for business travelers, but the real icing on the cake is the wealth of redemption options. You can redeem your points for 25 percent more value for travel through the Chase Ultimate Rewards® portal, but you also have the option to transfer your points at a 1:1 ratio to big-name airline and hotel partners like United, Southwest, British Airways, Marriott and Hyatt.
Who this card is good for: Small-business owners seeking travel rewards and an impressive sign-up bonus.
Alternatives: The American Express Business Gold Card offers 4X points on spending in your top two categories where your business spent the most each month (up to $150,000 in combined purchases per year). Though the Ink Business Preferred wins out on travel, the Amex Business Gold’s rewards rate may prove to be a better value for businesses with somewhat predictable expenses.
Hilton Honors American Express Business Credit Card: Best for everyday business travel
What we love about the Hilton Honors American Express Credit Card: This card provides remarkably high rewards rates at Hilton hotels and for business purchases. Coupled with Hilton Honors Gold Status, this card offers more reward opportunities than other travel cards.
Who this card is good for: Traveling business owners who are Hilton loyalists can make the most of this card’s rewards rates, discounts and points bonuses for Hilton stay milestones.
Alternatives: If you travel for business often but not in areas serviced by Hilton hotels — or you simply don’t prefer Hilton to other hotel brands — a general business and travel rewards card might be a better option for you. The Capital One Spark Miles for Business credit card can be a great way to earn miles on every purchase. Plus, 1 Capital One mile can be worth more than 1 Hilton Honors point based on Bankrate’s estimated value of 2 cents per mile. You can redeem miles for flights, hotels, ride shares or transfer them to 15+ loyalty programs.
Divvy Business Card: Best for expense management tools
What we love about the Divvy Business Card: This card simplifies expense budgeting by allowing you to set spending limits for employee cards. In addition to expense management and budgeting tools, cardholders can easily request credit limit increases through the platform.
Who this card is good for: Business owners looking for a seamless way to manage staff spending. Using the Divvy platform, you can track transactions, create budgets, submit expense reports and reimburse employees.
Alternatives: If your business regularly racks up high monthly rideshare expenses, the Brex 30 card offers 8X points on rideshares and also comes with no annual fee.
Business credit cards are similar to personal credit cards, only tailored to business needs. They can provide businesses with rewards on everyday spending, help cover expenses and assist in building business credit, making it easier to borrow in the future and qualify for a lower credit card APR. Plus, any income-producing endeavor may be considered a legitimate business for a business credit card. Even if you don’t have a registered LLC or corporation, you may be eligible to apply.
Bankrate insight
You don’t need to own a formal business structure, like a corporation or LLC, to get a business credit card. You also don’t need an employer identification number (EIN); you can apply as a sole proprietor using a Social Security number. In fact, as long as you sell a good or service, you’re usually considered an eligible small-business owner.
How do business credit cards work?
In practice, business credit cards work the same as consumer credit cards: You get approved for a specific credit limit, which serves as your spending maximum. Your available credit decreases as you make purchases, and it increases as you pay off those purchases. Some business credit cards also require a personal guarantee from the business owner, meaning the owner promises to pay the credit card balance if the business itself cannot repay its debts.
Depending on which type of card you choose, business credit cards often come with additional perks and upgrades. These can include business credit card rewards, which are often customized to fit the categories where businesses spend most, like office supplies, dining and travel. The rewards typically come in the form of cash back or travel miles.
Differences between business credit cards and personal credit cards
While it may seem easier or better to use your personal credit card for your business — especially when you’re first starting out — there are many reasons why you should be using a dedicated credit card for your small business instead of a personal card. Using a personal credit card for your small business can create several issues for you and your business down the line, while using a business credit card keeps your business finances streamlined.
For example, keeping track of your business expenses becomes much easier when you use a dedicated small-business credit card because you can track exactly what you purchased for your business, making it simple to keep track of possible deductions. On the other hand, if you use your personal credit card for your business purchases, it’s difficult to keep track of which purchases were business related and which were not. This aspect can make taxes and dealing with the IRS much more difficult.
Personal credit cards also offer fewer protections for your business. In the instance of a limited liability corporation, or LLC, the legal protection benefits you enjoy with this type of business structure are only upheld if you keep your business purchases and your personal purchases separate.
You also forgo the opportunity to build your business credit when you use your personal credit card to make business purchases. You give up all the perks and rewards — like rewards for employees’ travel purchases or purchases of office supplies — when you use your personal card in your business as well.
Types of business credit cards
Invest some time in determining the ideal type of small-business credit card for your business so that you can reap the most valuable benefits. Here’s a breakdown of different types of business credit cards and how they might appeal to you based on your business objectives:
A small-business credit card is a consumer card geared toward business owners who operate on a smaller scale (like solo entrepreneurs, and freelancers). These types of cards are typically obtained based on the business owner’s personal credit (though you can open a small-business card that helps you build your business credit), and provide rewards for everyday purchases one would usually make within their small business.
A corporate credit card is issued to the business entity, not the individual business owner (or owners). With a corporate card the business entity is responsible for all charges made on the card. This type of business card is typically only issued to large businesses with established financial histories, and solid business credit scores. This type of card might be best for your business if you have a large number of employees and complete large transactions frequently in your day to day business operations.
Pros and cons of business credit cards
Pros
Lenient qualification: It can be easier to qualify for a business credit card than a business line of credit or a bank loan.
Credit limits: Business credit cards usually provide higher credit limits than consumer credit cards.
Funds access: A business credit card can help address cash flow concerns.
Tax season simplification: Keeping business expenses separate from personal expenses makes tax records simpler to unravel.
Fewer protections: Business credit cards are not required to offer the same consumer protections as personal cards under the Credit CARD Act of 2009, though many issuers do voluntarily extend these protections to their business products.
Higher interest: They can be expensive, with relatively high average interest rates and fees. These costs can eat away at your business’s bottom line if you’re not careful.
Why small-business owners should get a business credit card
Business credit cards are specifically designed to meet the unique needs of small-business owners. While that might conjure an image of someone operating a physical storefront, small-business owners take many shapes. Freelancers, contract workers, online merchants and all kinds of gig workers can qualify for business credit cards. Business credit cards are useful for small-business owners who want to:
Operate a sole proprietorship: Business credit cards are for all types of businesses. So even freelancers, independent contractors and gig-economy workers with limited startup or working capital can take advantage of a business credit card to cover inventory, cyclical expenses and emergencies.
Earn some extra cash: Even if you’re just using the card for occasional purchases — a client lunch here, supplies there — cash back will rack up over time. If you maximize your rewards, you could get even more cash back or points from a business credit card.
Use points or miles to cover business travel: Whether you’re a current or aspiring business traveler, a travel rewards business card can put you one step closer to a free flight or hotel stay with every eligible purchase.
Separate business expenses from personal expenses: One of the most basic reasons to have a card dedicated solely to business is to track and manage your company’s expenses. Not only does this help with budgeting, but it makes doing your business’s taxes much easier.
Finance a large purchase: If you’re dreaming of taking your business to the next level but don’t quite have the funds to comfortably cut a check, a business credit card can help. Not only can you split up the payments over several months, but you can also avoid credit card interest entirely by making use of a 0 percent introductory APR period.
Take advantage of unique perks: Business cards often come with benefits designed to appeal to small-business owners. Common perks include free employee cards, expense tracking tools, quarterly summaries, merchant discounts, purchase protection and travel benefits.
Track and earn rewards for employee spending: The best business credit cards let you add employees as authorized users to the account for free. Adding employee cards allows you to track or even manage employee spending. In some cases, you can pre-set spending limits.
What you need to apply for a small-business credit card
Your business’s legal structure. A credit card issuer will need to know your business structure and if it has other beneficial owners with a 25 percent or more stake in the business. It can be registered as a corporation, partnership, nonprofit or a limited liability company.
Your business’s legal name. If your business is set up as a corporation or a limited liability partnership, you need to provide your credit issuer with the name you gave the state you registered your business in. If you’re a sole proprietor, or general partnership you can simply provide your own name.
Your federal tax ID. Your EIN — your employer identification number — is the nine-digit number assigned to your business by the IRS. The issuer will use your EIN to verify your business. If you’re operating as a sole proprietor and don’t have an EIN yet, you may use your Social Security number.
Annual revenue. Your card issuer will want to determine your ability to repay funds if necessary and calculate your debt-to-income ratio. For this requirement, provide your annual business revenue. If you don’t have any, you can provide your personal annual income. You’ll need to provide an estimated monthly spend amount on the card as well.
Credit score. You don’t necessarily need good credit to get a business credit card, but if you want one with competitive rates and features, you’ll need good-to-excellent credit. The best small-business credit cards — with low interest rates, generous sign-up bonuses, long intro 0 percent APR offers and more — are reserved for people with a FICO credit score of 670 or higher. Plus, after receiving your first business credit card, you’ll be able to establish a business credit score.
How long does it take to get a business credit card?
After determining which card is the correct fit for your business and going through the application process, you may receive a decision instantly. However, if the issuer needs to take a closer look at your application, you’ll most likely receive a decision within two weeks. If approved, your card may take up to 10 business days to arrive. If your application is denied, consider applying for another card or call the issuer’s reconsideration line.
How to choose the best small-business credit card
Once you’ve decided your company is ready to take the next step and apply for a business credit card, you’ll need to evaluate your needs to select the best card for your financial goals. Here are a few factors to consider:
What categories does your business spend the most on each month?
If your expenses are concentrated in one category like travel, then search for the best business credit card that offers rewards for those kinds of purchases. If your business spending is fairly even across multiple categories, opting for a flat-rate cash back credit card or one that allows you to choose your preferred category might be the better choice.
Can you afford an annual fee?
Some of the best credit cards for businesses come with an annual fee in exchange for better rewards and perks. If you can recoup the cost of the annual fee or afford it outright, then you can unlock more benefits and higher rewards rates with your business spending.
The top business credit cards share many of the same premium perks as the best travel and rewards cards. Cards with a higher annual fee may also offer benefits specifically designed for business owners, such as accounting software, free employee cards and business expense discounts.
Will you carry a balance on your business credit card?
Compare the APRs on the credit cards you’re considering. If you carry a balance from one month to another, expect to pay interest — so finding a card with the lowest APR possible will help mitigate costly charges on your account. Plus, some of the cards you’re considering may offer a 0 percent introductory APR period which offers you time to pay off your balance or finance a large business expense.
Do you want additional card perks?
Look further than cash back percentages and points rewards to see what else a card has to offer, from airport lounge access to free additional employee cards and other tools that can help your business grow. While cards in this category are designed to offer business-focused perks, the most premium benefits are typically accompanied by an annual fee.
In the news: What is Small Business Saturday?
Small Business Saturday, created by American Express in 2010 in an effort to increase community support of small businesses, falls annually between two of the busiest shopping days of the year: Black Friday and Cyber Monday. In 2022, Small Business Saturday will take place on Nov. 26, offering entrepreneurs the opportunity to compete with larger brands as the holiday shopping season approaches.
While we consider all aspects of a credit card when calculating the 5-star Bankrate score, the criteria for business cards emphasize features most valued by business owners. Scoring on this page places a weighted emphasis on factors including:
APR (Annual Percentage Rate)
Some cards offer lower variable APRs, while others allow business owners to manage debt from large purchases or other credit accounts with 0 percent intro APR offers.
Rewards rates
When evaluating each card, we consider both the earning structure rate and corresponding redemption values that a small/medium business owner can expect with every eligible purchase.
Bonuses, discounts and perks
For each sign-up bonus or welcome offer, we compare the spending requirements with the redemption value that each card brings to the table. On top of the bonus, we layer in additional perks like free employee cards and rental car insurance to calculate the total expected value.
Have more questions for our credit cards editors? Feel free to send us an email, find us on Facebook, or Tweet us @Bankrate.
Frequently asked questions about business credit cards
Small-business credit cards and corporate credit cards can achieve the same goal of financing a business. However, they’re designed for different types of businesses.
Corporate credit cards are usually only accessible to larger businesses with millions in annual revenue. Small-business credit cards are designed for all types of small-business owners.
Corporate credit cards are much tougher to get. These cards typically require the business to have good credit and a certain number of authorized cardholders.
Small-business cards have much fewer barriers to entry. With good personal credit, some basic information about your business and the willingness to provide a personal guarantee, you’re eligible for many of the best business credit cards.
The debt burden with small-business cards always lies with the primary cardholder.. This person provides the personal guarantee. With corporate credit cards, liability may fall solely on the business or be shared between all authorized cardholders.
Similarly to most businesses, choosing the best business credit card for a startup involves considering a variety of financial factors. Owners looking to get their new business off the ground with a windfall of rewards will want to check out the Ink Business Preferred Credit Card, which offers a sign-up bonus of 100,000 points (after spending $15,000 on qualifying purchases within three months from account opening).
We also like the American Express Business Gold Card for flexible payment options when financing a large purchase. Business owners looking for immediate funding can take advantage of the Amex Pay Over Time feature, which allows you to split large expenses into monthly installments.
Once the business credit card application is completed, the lender will conduct a hard credit inquiry into your personal credit. Every hard credit pull has the potential to lower your personal credit score by a few points, so be prepared to see a slight dip in your score. Plus, lenders want some kind of indication that you’ll use your business credit card responsibly. If you don’t have a lot of business credit built up, your personal credit will be the primary indicator of your overall credit habits.
After the application, it depends If your business credit card issuer reports all of your business credit card activity to both the consumer and business credit bureaus. If so, the purchases you charge on your business credit card could be factored into your total credit utilization ratio, meaning that carrying a high balance on your business credit card could have a negative effect on your personal credit score. This factor also applies for missed payments and other less-than-stellar credit card usage. However, if used responsibly, your business credit card can be a great tool for boosting your personal credit score as long as your issuer reports your activity to the consumer bureaus.
Though uncommon, business credit cards that do not require a personal guarantee do exist. However, there is usually a tradeoff. Instead of providing a personal guarantee, you'll usually need to link a corporate bank account with a large balance, provide proof of significant business profits or offer business assets as collateral.
One popular option is the Brex 30 Card. To be approved for the card, you need $50,000 in your bank account if professionally invested, if not $100,000.
For more information on the Brex 30 Card and other hidden gem credit cards, check out our article on lesser-known business credit cards.
Mariah Ackary is a personal finance editor who joined the Bankrate team in 2019, excited by the opportunity to help people make good financial decisions. Send your questions to mackary@bankrate.com
Former Senior Editor Barry Bridges has been writing about credit cards, personal loans, mortgages and other personal finance products since 2017. Before joining Bankrate, he was an award-winning newspaper journalist in his native North Carolina.
* See the online application for details about terms and conditions for these offers. Every reasonable effort has been made to maintain accurate information. However all credit card information is presented without warranty. After you click on the offer you desire you will be directed to the credit card issuer's web site where you can review the terms and conditions for your selected offer.
Editorial Disclosure: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed or approved by any advertiser. The information, including card rates and fees, is accurate as of the publish date. All products or services are presented without warranty. Check the bank’s website for the most current information.
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Bankrate.com is an independent, advertising-supported comparison service. The offers that appear on this site are from companies from which Bankrate.com receives compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site, including, for example, the order in which they may appear within listing categories. Other factors, such as our own proprietary website rules and the likelihood of applicants' credit approval also impact how and where products appear on this site. Bankrate.com does not include the entire universe of available financial or credit offers. Bankrate has partnerships with issuers including, but not limited to, American Express, Bank of America, Capital One, Chase, Citi and Discover.
