Running a business takes effort, no matter what industry you’re in. It also takes capital, which is something a lot of businesses don’t have, especially when they start out. While some businesses choose to research and apply for business loans, others may take advantage of the many available business credit cards. Choosing the correct one for your business, however, can be difficult.
If you know your business needs a credit card but just aren’t sure where to look, you’ve come to the right place. Our list of the best business credit cards puts all the information you need to make a decision squarely in front of you. This helps you compare rates, perks, fees, and any other aspects to make the best choice possible. That way you can be sure you’ve got the best credit card out there for your business.
The best business credit cards support your business daily. From making small purchases to keep you going and earning points along the way, these business credit cards make it easier to bank as a business. Some may require an annual fee, but the best include perks specific to the business world so you can add one more partner to your list.
Are you ready to see the best business credit cards available to you? Let’s get started!
Our Top Picks for Best Business Credit Cards
Businesses require a lot of things, including credit. Check out our top picks below of the best business credit cards to see how you can maximize your credit to succeed.
Unlock the Power of premium business travel with The Business Platinum Card®. Enjoy exclusive benefits like airport lounge access, hotel upgrades, and unlock over $1,400 in total value. Apply now and elevate your business travels to a whole new level.
The American Express® Business Gold Card is an excellent choice for business owners looking to maximize their points-earning from a single card, with 4x bonus categories that automatically reflect your highest spending areas each month.
The Ink Business Unlimited® credit card is a great option for entrepreneurs who don’t want to deal with complicated bonus categories and the intro APR offer makes it an ideal choice if you need to pay off new purchases over time.
How to Choose a Business Credit Card
There are many small business tips out there, but choosing the right business credit card can help you tackle your business needs with ease. If you’re not sure how to finance your business ventures, a business credit card can help.
When you consider business credit cards, keep these questions in mind:
- Does the credit card offer a sign-up bonus?
- What are my business spending habits?
- Does this credit card charge an annual fee?
- Can I order additional cards (for free) for my employees?
- Can I set spending limits on my business credit card?
- Can I earn rewards with my business credit card?
- What other features does my business credit card include?
Even small business owners with bad credit can qualify for a business credit card, albeit with less favorable terms. To make the most of any business credit card you choose, make a small business budget and look for net 30 accounts.
13 Best Business Credit Cards
There are many perks to opening a business in the banking world, including free business checking and business checking account promotions. Here are even more deals you can take advantage of when it comes to business credit cards.
1. The Business Platinum Card® from American Express
American Express underwrites The Business Platinum Card®, which comes with a $695 annual fee. However, you can earn 120,000 Membership Rewards points after spending $15,000 or more within the first three months.
Cardholders also qualify for five times rewards on flights and prepaid hotels, with one times points on all other purchases.
As you might have guessed, the Business Platinum Card is best for travel benefits like airport lounge access and complimentary hotel elite status. Plus, members have access to AmEx concierge services. Rates range from 18.49% to 26.49% APR.
The $695 annual fee for the Business Platinum Card may be a burden for many small businesses. However, those that fully utilize its travel and shopping benefits, such as statement credits, lounge access, and hotel elite status, can offset the cost. Keep in mind, these credits and perks are only valuable if they are used. If you don't plan on taking advantage of the Business Platinum's benefits, it might be wise to opt for a more affordable card like the American Express ® Business Gold Card.
Unlock the Power of premium business travel with The Business Platinum Card®. Enjoy exclusive benefits like airport lounge access, hotel upgrades, and unlock over $1,400 in total value. Apply now and elevate your business travels to a whole new level.
2. American Express® Business Gold Card
Pay a $295 annual fee to use the American Express® Business Gold Card. Spend $10,000 on purchases within the first three months and you can earn 70,000 Membership Rewards points.
Even if you don’t, you can earn four times Membership Points on top business categories as well as one times rewards on all other purchases.
When you book your flights through American Express Travel and use your Membership Rewards, you can earn a 25% rebate. Rates range from 18.49% to 26.49% on this business credit card.
The American Express Business Gold Card is a good option for businesses that regularly incur expenses in the card's bonus categories and prioritize earning travel rewards through Membership Rewards points. Those who heavily spend in these categories can easily earn enough rewards to cover the annual fee, but those who don't may be better suited for an American Express Blue Business card.
The American Express® Business Gold Card is an excellent choice for business owners looking to maximize their points-earning from a single card, with 4x bonus categories that automatically reflect your highest spending areas each month.
Related: American Express Promotions for 2023
3. Chase Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card
The first of three business credit cards from Chase on our list, the Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card offers a 17.49% to 23.49% variable APR without fear of an annual fee.
Additional cardholder member benefits include many of those you’ve already seen with Chase, including auto rental collision damage waiver, fraud liability, and the ability to check your credit score for free.
Credit scores above 660 will qualify, and you can earn a $900 bonus cash back after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months after account opening.
The Ink Business Unlimited® credit card is a great option for entrepreneurs who don’t want to deal with complicated bonus categories and the intro APR offer makes it an ideal choice if you need to pay off new purchases over time.
4. Chase Ink Business Cash® Credit Card
Chase offers several business credit cards, the next of which on our list is the Chase Ink Business Cash® Credit Card. This card does away with an annual fee but requires a credit score of 670-850 to qualify.
Though rising interest rates across the board continue to push credit card rates higher, Chase offers a comparable 17.49% to 23.49% variable APR on purchases and balance transfers.
Cardholder members will also have access to travel assistance, fraud liability, purchase protection, identity theft protection, and extended warranty protection. You can also check your credit score for free with this Chase business credit card.
5. Chase Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card
Purchases and balance transfers come with a variable rate of 20.24% to 25.24% with the Chase Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card.
As with many other business credit cards on our list, the annual fee is $95, but it earns you quite a few perks for your troubles. As long as you have a credit score between 670 and 850, you’re set to qualify for the Chase Ink Business Preferred credit card.
In addition to many of the perks we’ve already listed (such as travel assistance, trip cancellation insurance, and fraud liability), Chase also offers cardholders the chance to earn 100,000 points after spending $15,000 within the first three months.
Businesses can earn 3 points per dollar spent on the first $150,000, while subsequent purchases still earn a point for every dollar after that. These points don’t expire and are worth 25% more if you redeem them through Chase Ultimate Rewards.
6. Emburse Spend
Emburse Spend represents the newest innovation in corporate card solutions. Enhance your real-time oversight and authority by approving your team's spending prior to it occurring.
Provide your team members with single-use and recurring virtual cards that incorporate your regulations. Plus, you can access many Emburse Spend features for free.
The Emburse Spend Card is a business prepaid card that allows real-time transaction monitoring through Emburse Spend.
It offers unlimited virtual and physical employee cards at no cost and earns unlimited 1% cash back without charging local transaction fees. However, it cannot be used at ATMs.
7. American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card
American Express offers the Blue Business Cash™ Card that comes with a 0% introductory APR for the first year.
There’s no annual fee to account for, but you can earn up to 2% cash back on business purchases up to $50,000 per year. All other purchases earn you 1% cash back.
If you spend $3,000 in the first three months of owning the Blue Business Cash Card, you can earn a $250 statement credit. Variable rates for this business credit card range from 17.49% to 25.49%.
8. Blue Business® Plus Credit Card
The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express doesn’t come with an annual fee. It also doesn’t charge interest on purchases within the first 12 months. After that, there is a variable 17.49% to 25.49% APR that applies.
In addition to the 0% introductory rate, this card also offers 15,000 rewards points for business members who spend $3,000 on purchases within the first 90 days.
You can earn the chance to apply for Expanded Buying Power as well, which allows you to request a higher credit limit. Check with AmEx for more details on this powerful business credit card.
9. Capital One® Spark® Cash Select for Business
Hate paying an annual fee? Check out the Capital One® Spark Cash Select for Business credit card. It might be a mouthful to say but it’s plenty capable of helping your business make ends meet. You will need to have a credit score of 700-850 to qualify.
Capital One’s Spark Cash Select for Business credit card offers variable APR from 13.99% to 23.99% for purchases as well as balance transfers. This credit card also offers purchase protection and fraud liability in case of unauthorized charges.
Cardholders can also take advantage of the auto rental collision damage waiver, emergency support, and travel assistance.
10. Spark 1% Classic
If all these variable APRs are confusing, check out the Spark 1% Classic business credit card. Purchases and balance transfers have a variable 26.99% APR but there’s no annual fee to worry about.
Plus, you can take advantage of travel accident insurance and assistance, as well as emergency support, purchase protection, and extended warranty protection. You’ll need at least a 600 credit score to qualify but you can also check your credit score for free with this business card from Capital One.
11. Spark 2X Miles
Capital One offers the Spark 2X Miles business credit card with a fixed 22.49% variable APR for both purchases and balance transfers. The annual fee for this credit card ranges from free to $95, but you’ll need a 700 credit score to qualify.
This particular business credit card features TSA Pre✓, trip cancellation insurance, price protection, travel accident insurance, identity theft protection, and travel assistance. You can also check your credit score for free with the Capital One Spark 2X Miles business credit card.
12. Spark 1.5X Miles Select
Benefits like emergency support, travel accident insurance, extended warranty protection, and trip cancellation insurance don’t necessarily have a quantifiable value, but they’re worth having if you need a business credit card with perks. This is especially true if you travel and want to enjoy Global Entry, travel assistance, and emergency support.
The Spark 1.5X Miles Select card from Capital One includes additional perks such as fraud liability as well as purchase and price protection. You can also check your credit score for free without having to pay an annual fee. As long as you have a 700 credit score and don’t mind the 15.49% to 25.49% variable APR for both balance transfers and purchases, you can qualify for this Capital One business credit card.
13. Capital One® Spark® Cash For Business
The last of Capital One’s business credit cards on our list, this Spark Cash for Business credit card offers several benefits. These include purchase protection, trip cancellation insurance, travel assistance and accident insurance, emergency support, and fraud liability. All you need is a credit score above 700 to qualify.
Included in the perks of this business credit card include the chance to monitor your credit score for free. There is a $95 annual fee to pay. Balance transfers are set at 20.99% APR while purchases have a variable rate of 13.24% to 19.24%.
How to Apply for a Business Credit Card
The application for a business credit card mirrors the application for a personal credit card in many ways. Some banks will require you to have a business plan as well as good personal credit. You can apply as a sole proprietor, even if you only use online business ideas to make money on the side.
However, you’ll be required to quote your spending needs as well as your annual revenue. You will also have to supply your business name, type, size, and EIN. Based on these qualifications, banks will make a decision regarding your eligibility for a business credit card.
FAQs
Yes, it is possible to use a personal credit card for business expenses. However, it’s not the best use of your card. In fact, many credit card safety tips advise against it for several reasons, the least of which being tax purposes.
Most banks that offer business credit cards do not offer credit card readers. These credit card readers for small businesses are often supplied by third-party entities.
No, your business does not have to have a credit score to qualify for a business credit card. Instead, you can use your personal credit score, in addition to business documents, to qualify for a business credit card.
Go All In with Your New Business Credit Card
Opening a business can be scary, but with the right business credit card, you can rest easy. Business credit cards help take up the slack when it comes to getting on your feet and becoming successful.
My personal favorite is The Business Platinum Card® from American Express.
Unlock the Power of premium business travel with The Business Platinum Card®. Enjoy exclusive benefits like airport lounge access, hotel upgrades, and unlock over $1,400 in total value. Apply now and elevate your business travels to a whole new level.
We hope our list of the best business credit cards has helped you to see how you can fund your business. Set you and your business up for success with the right business credit card from the start. Your future self will thank you!
