Our experts answer readers’ credit card questions and write unbiased product reviews (here’s how we assess credit cards). In some cases, we receive a commission from our partners; however, our opinions are our own. Terms apply to offers listed on this page.
The information for the following product(s) has been collected independently by Business Insider: Capital One Spark Miles Select for Business†, Capital One Spark Miles for Business†, Chase Freedom Flex℠, U.S. Bank Business Triple Cash Rewards World Elite Mastercard®, Capital One Spark 1% Classic†. The details for these products have not been reviewed or provided by the issuer.
Our expert recommendations will help you choose the best business cards that fit your spending style, rewards preferences, and financial goals. These are some of the very best business credit cards available right now, as chosen by Insider’s experts.
What are the best business credit cards?
Best Small Business Credit Cards Reviews
Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card
Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card
Regular APR
21.24% – 26.24% Variable
Recommended Credit
Good to Excellent
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A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction.High sign-up bonus
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A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction.Offers 3x bonus points on several spending categories, including travel and advertising purchases
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A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction.Includes comprehensive travel coverage
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Two crossed lines that form an ‘X’.Welcome bonus has a very high minimum spending requirement
Product Details
- Earn 100k bonus points after you spend $8,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That’s $1,000 cash back or $1,250 toward travel when redeemed through Chase Ultimate Rewards®
- Earn 3 points per $1 on the first $150,000 spent on travel and select business categories each account anniversary year. Earn 1 point per $1 on all other purchases
- Round-the-clock monitoring for unusual credit card purchases
- With Zero Liability you won’t be held responsible for unauthorized charges made with your card or account information.
- Redeem points for cash back, gift cards, travel and more – your points don’t expire as long as your account is open
- Points are worth 25% more when you redeem for travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards®
- Purchase Protection covers your new purchases for 120 days against damage or theft up to $10,000 per claim and $50,000 per account.
- Member FDIC
The Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card is an ideal option if you’re looking to earn valuable, flexible rewards points on your business spending through the Chase Ultimate Rewards® program. If you already have one of the popular Chase cards that earn these rewards — like the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card or Chase Sapphire Reserve® — you’ll earn even more by adding this card to your wallet.
Like the Sapphire cards mentioned above, the Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card earns Chase Ultimate Rewards points. You can either keep the rewards you earn on your Ink card separate from the rest of your Ultimate Rewards stash, or you can transfer the points to your personal credit cards. These points can be traded for cash back or transferred to frequent flyer and hotel loyalty partners.
If you transfer your Ultimate Rewards points to a personal card to purchase travel through Chase, you can get a 25% bonus if you use your personal Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card, or a 50% bonus if you move your Ink points to your Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card.
Chase Ultimate Rewards points are valued at 1.8 cents apiece according to Insider’s points and miles calculations, primarily because you can transfer them to airline and hotel partners for high-value award flights and stays.
What the experts love: A great welcome bonus offer, 3x points on up to $150,000 spent per year in select popular business categories.
What the experts don’t love: You have to spend $8,000 in the first three months to earn the 100,000-point welcome bonus offer, so this offer won’t be ideal for smaller businesses with less spending requirements.
Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card review
The Business Platinum Card® from American Express
Best for premium travel perks
The Business Platinum Card® from American Express
Regular APR
19.49% – 27.49% Variable
Earn 120,000 Membership Rewards® points
Recommended Credit
Good to Excellent
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Check mark icon
A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction.More travel benefits than you’ll find on any other business credit card
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A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction.Generous airport lounge access options, from American Express Centurion Lounges to Priority Pass (enrollment required)
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A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction.Complimentary hotel elite status (enrollment required)
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A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction.Access to Amex concierge services
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Two crossed lines that form an ‘X’.Very high annual fee
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Two crossed lines that form an ‘X’.Limited opportunities to earn bonus points
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Two crossed lines that form an ‘X’.Annual statement credits won’t be useful for everyone
Product Details
- 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.
- 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 each eligible purchase 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 incidental fees charged by your one selected, qualifying airline to your Card.
- $189 CLEAR® Plus Credit: Use your card and get up to $189 in statement credits per calendar year on your CLEAR® Plus Membership (subject to auto-renewal) when you use your Business Platinum Card®.
- The American Express Global Lounge Collection® can provide an escape at the airport. With complimentary access to more than 1,400 airport lounges across 140 countries and counting, you have more airport lounge options than any other credit card issuer on the market as of 03/2023.
- $695 Annual Fee.
- Terms Apply.
The Business Platinum Card® from American Express is the business version of American Express’ famed The Platinum Card® from American Express, and it used to be our pick for the top business card.
But since then, this card’s annual fee has since increased, and it’s become a bit more of a niche product. The Business Platinum Card® from American Express is potentially useful for mid-sized businesses that spend a lot on flights and travel, but less valuable for sole proprietors and very small operations.
The Business Platinum card added new benefits, including new 1.5x earning categories on eligible purchases at U.S. construction material & hardware suppliers, electronic goods retailers, software and 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 as well as annual statement credits for wireless, Indeed, Adobe purchases, and Dell**.
Like Chase points, Amex points have a high value according to Insider’s points and miles valuations — 1.8 cents apiece, on average, again based on the ability to transfer points to airline and hotel partners for award travel.
What the experts love: You’ll get lots of perks, including statement credits, plus 5x Amex Membership Rewards points on airfare and prepaid hotels when you book through American Express Travel.
What the experts don’t love: Very high annual fee of The Business Platinum Card® from American Express, plus a high minimum spending requirement to earn the welcome bonus offer.
The Business Platinum Card® from American Express review
The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express
Best for earning travel points with no annual fee
The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express
Intro APR
0% intro APR on purchases for the first 12 months from account opening
Regular APR
18.49% – 26.49% Variable
Earn 15,000 Membership Rewards® points
Recommended Credit
Good to Excellent
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A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction.The rare no-annual-fee card to earn Amex Membership Rewards points
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A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction.Solid earning rate on the first $50,000 in purchases each year
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Two crossed lines that form an ‘X’.For spending above $50,000 each year, you will only earn 1 point per dollar
Product Details
- Earn 15,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $3,000 in eligible purchases on the Card within your first 3 months of Card Membership.
- 0.0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months from the date of account opening, then a variable rate, 18.49% – 26.49%, based on your creditworthiness and other factors at account opening. APR will not exceed 29.99%
- 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.
- No Annual Fee
- Terms Apply
It’s a rare points-earning business card that doesn’t charge an annual fee. But with The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express, you’ll earn 2 points per dollar on the first $50,000 you spend each calendar year, without any bonus categories you need to track.
According to Personal Finance Insider’s points and miles valuations, Amex points are worth 1.8 cents apiece on average, so you’re getting a 3.6% return on all your business spending up to $50,000 each year.
The card is currently offering 15,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $3,000 in eligible purchases on the card within your first three months of card membership.
What the experts love: 2x points on up to $50,000 spent per year (then 1x), with no annual fee.
What the experts don’t love: The welcome bonus is meager compared to many other cards.
The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express review
The American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card
Best flat-rate cash back with no annual fee
The American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card
Intro APR
0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months from account opening
Regular APR
18.49% – 26.49% Variable
Earn a $250 statement credit
Recommended Credit
Good to Excellent
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Check mark icon
A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction.Good choice for earning 2% cash back on all your eligible purchases up to $50,000 a year
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A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction.Intro APR offer
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A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction.No annual fee
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Two crossed lines that form an ‘X’.If your business spends more than $50,000 a year, you’ll want to use a different card to earn bonus cash back once you meet that threshold
Product Details
- Earn a $250 statement credit after you make $3,000 in purchases on your Card in your first 3 months.
- 0.0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months from the date of account opening, then a variable rate, 18.49% – 26.49%, based on your creditworthiness and other factors as determined at the time of account opening. APRs will not exceed 29.99%
- 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.
- No Annual Fee
- Terms Apply
The American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card is a good choice if you prefer straightforward cash-back earning without having to worry about keeping track of bonus categories. Insider considers it to be the best 2% cash back credit card for small business owners.
With this card, you earn 2% cash back on all eligible purchases, on the first $50,000 spent per calendar year, then 1% back (cash back is received in the form of Reward Dollars).
For small businesses with big expenses on the horizon, there’s a 0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months from account opening (then a 18.49% – 26.49% Variable APR) that can help you save some money on interest, as well. New cardholders can also earn $250 statement credit after you make $3,000 in purchases on your card in your first three months of account opening.
What the experts love: Earning 2% cash back on all purchases on up to $50,000 spent per year (then 1%) with no annual fee is hard to beat, a zero interest credit card with an introductory 0% APR can give you some breathing room.
What the experts don’t love: The card doesn’t currently offer a welcome bonus.
The American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card review
Capital One Spark Miles Select for Business†
Best for Flat Rate Miles With No Annual Fee
Capital One Spark Miles Select for Business†
Regular APR
17.99% – 23.99% variable APR
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Check mark icon
A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction.Generous welcome bonus offer
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Check mark icon
A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction.Earn flexible rewards you can transfer to airline and hotel partners
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A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction.No annual fee or foreign transaction fees
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Two crossed lines that form an ‘X’.Few travel benefits typical of other travel cards
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Two crossed lines that form an ‘X’.No intro APR offer
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Two crossed lines that form an ‘X’.Some small-business credit cards offer higher earning rates with no annual fee
The Capital One Spark Miles Select for Business†
recently increased its welcome bonus to 50,000 miles after spending $4,500 on purchases within the first three months from account opening. That’s a rare deal from a no-annual-fee business card, and more than double the usual offer.
Cardholders earn 1.5 miles per dollar on purchases (except hotels and car rentals booked through Capital One Travel, which earn 5 miles per dollar). There are no pesky foreign transaction fees to worry about, and you’ll get a few travel benefits, including roadside assistance and secondary car rental insurance.
The redemption options on this card are similar to that of its big sibling, the Capital One Spark Miles for Business†
. Based on Insider’s valuations, you can expect to get around $850 in travel from this card’s bonus.
What the experts love: A strong welcome bonus and earning for no annual fee make the card an affordable entry point if you’re interested in earning credit card rewards for travel.
What the experts don’t love: Light on benefits compared to other travel credit cards, no intro APR offer
Capital One Spark Miles Select for Business† Review
Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card
Best if you want to maximize Chase points and cash back
Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card
Intro APR
0% intro APR on purchases for the first 12 months
Regular APR
18.49% – 24.49% Variable
Earn $900 bonus cash back
Recommended Credit
Good to Excellent
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Check mark icon
A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction.Earns 1.5% cash back on every purchase, with no bonus categories to keep track of
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Check mark icon
A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction.Intro APR offer
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Check mark icon
A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction.No annual fee
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Two crossed lines that form an ‘X’.You can earn more cash back on some purchases with a card that has bonus categories
Product Details
- Earn $900 bonus cash back after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening
- Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase made for your business
- No Annual Fee
- Redeem rewards for cash back, gift cards, travel and more through Chase Ultimate Rewards®.
- Earn rewards faster with employee cards at no additional cost. Set individual spending limits for greater control.
- Round-the-clock monitoring for unusual credit card purchases
- With Zero Liability you won’t be held responsible for unauthorized charges made with your card or account information.
- 0% introductory APR for 12 months on purchases
- Member FDIC
The Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card is a simple one at first glance, earning unlimited 1.5% cash back. However, just like the consumer Chase Freedom Flex℠
and Chase Freedom Unlimited® cards, the Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card has a trick up its sleeve.
Although the card is marketed as “cash back,” it earns Chase Ultimate Rewards points that you can redeem for cash (1 point = 1 cent). That means that you can combine the points earned from the Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card with the ones you earn from cards like the Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card, or the personal Chase Sapphire Reserve® or Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card, and either earn a bonus when you redeem them for travel through Chase, or transfer them to travel partners. When those points are combined onto an Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card, you’ll get a guaranteed 1.5–3 points per dollar spent.
The card also offers a 0% intro APR on purchases for the first 12 months on purchases, followed by a 18.49% – 24.49% Variable, so it’s a good choice if you have expenses coming up that you want to spread out over time.
What the experts love: “The current welcome bonus offer is especially impressive for a no-annual-fee card,” says Silbert.
What the experts don’t love: This card isn’t as valuable on its own — you need another Chase card to truly maximize the rewards.
Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card review
American Express® Business Gold Card
American Express® Business Gold Card
Annual Fee
$295 ($375 if application is received on or after 2/1/24)
Regular APR
19.49% – 27.49% Variable
Earn 70,000 Membership Rewards® points
Recommended Credit
Good to Excellent
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Check mark icon
A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction.You can bonus points on the categories where you make the most purchases (from a list of options)
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A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction.25% points rebate when you use rewards to book an eligible flight through Amex Travel
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Two crossed lines that form an ‘X’.High annual fee
Product Details
- Welcome Offer: Earn 70,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $10,000 on eligible purchases with the Business Gold Card within the first 3 months of Card Membership.*
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points on the 2 categories where your business spends the most each billing cycle from 6 eligible categories. While your top 2 categories may change, you will earn 4X points on the first $150,000 in combined purchases from these categories each calendar year (then 1X thereafter). Only the top 2 categories each billing cycle will count towards the $150,000 cap.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights and prepaid hotels booked on amextravel.com using your Business Gold Card.
- Earn up to $20 in statement credits monthly after you use the Business Gold Card for eligible U.S. purchases at FedEx, Grubhub, and Office Supply Stores. This can be an annual savings of up to $240. Enrollment required.
- Get $12.95 back in statement credits each month when you pay for a monthly Walmart+ membership (subject to auto-renewal) with your Business Gold Card. $12.95 plus applicable taxes.
- Your Card – Your Choice. Now choose from Gold or Rose Gold.
- *Terms Apply
If you don’t want to pay the higher annual fee of The Business Platinum Card® from American Express, the American Express® Business Gold Card is a good alternative. And depending on your spending habits, the Business Gold could be a more rewarding choice, thanks to the ability to earn 4x points on popular business spending categories on the first $150,000 in combined purchases each calendar year in the two select categories where your business spent the most each month; then 1x.
Eligible 4x categories are:
- U.S. gas stations
- U.S. restaurants (including takeout and delivery)
- U.S. wireless telephone service provider
- U.S. purchases made from electronic goods retailers and software & cloud system providers
- U.S. purchases for advertising in select media (online, TV, radio)
- Transit purchases including trains, taxicabs, rideshare services, ferries, tolls, parking, buses, and subways
This card currently comes with a big welcome offer of American Express® Business Gold Card (worth $1,260 based on Insider’s valuations). Cardholders also receive a decent selection of travel and shopping perks, including a 25% points rebate on first- and business-class flights (or economy flights on your selected airline) booked through Amex Travel.
What the experts love: High level of customization when it comes to where you earn the most rewards
What the experts don’t love: Wilson notes that it’s the only premium Amex card that doesn’t offer a statement credit to offset the annual fee.
American Express® Business Gold Card review
Ink Business Cash® Credit Card
Best for office supplies and wireless
Ink Business Cash® Credit Card
Intro APR
0% intro APR on purchases for the first 12 months
Regular APR
18.49% – 24.49% Variable
Earn $900 bonus cash back
Recommended Credit
Good to Excellent
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Check mark icon
A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction.Broad 5% and 2% cash-back categories (you can earn bonus cash back at office supply stores and at gas stations and restaurants)
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A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction.Intro APR offer for purchases
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Check mark icon
A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction.No annual fee
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Check mark icon
A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction.You can pair this card with a card that earns Ultimate Rewards to redeem your cash back for travel
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Two crossed lines that form an ‘X’.Annual cap on bonus categories
Product Details
- 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
- Round-the-clock monitoring for unusual credit card purchases
- With Zero Liability you won’t be held responsible for unauthorized charges made with your card or account information.
- No Annual Fee
- Redeem rewards for cash back, gift cards, travel and more through Chase Ultimate Rewards®.
- 0% introductory APR for 12 months on purchases
- Member FDIC
The Ink Business Cash® Credit Card is another solid Chase entry. Just like with the Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card, you can pool the “cash” you earn with points from a points-earning card, effectively converting your cash into (potentially) more valuable points.
The Ink Business Cash® Credit Card is an especially good option if you can maximize its bonus categories, including office supply stores, internet, cable, and restaurants, among others. The card earns 5% cash back (5x points) at office supply stores and on internet, cable, and phone services, and 2% cash back (2x points) at gas stations and restaurants. You’ll earn 5% and 2% in these categories on the first $25,000 in combined purchases each account anniversary year (then 1%), and 1% cash back (1 point per dollar) on all other purchases with no caps.
New cardholders can also take advantage of a 0% intro APR on purchases for the first 12 months (then a 18.49% – 24.49% Variable APR), making this card a good choice for big purchases you want to pay off over several months.
What the experts love: No annual fee, you can earn up to 5% cash back
What the experts don’t love: Not the best option if you don’t spend a lot within the 5% cash-back categories
Ink Business Cash® Credit Card review
U.S. Bank Business Triple Cash Rewards World Elite Mastercard
Best rewards card with a generous intro 0% APR offer
U.S. Bank Business Triple Cash Rewards World Elite Mastercard®
Intro APR
0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 billing cycles
Regular APR
19.24% – 28.24% Variable
Recommended Credit
Excellent/Good
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Check mark icon
A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction.Strong welcome bonus and bonus categories for a no-annual-fee card
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Check mark icon
A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction.Introductory 0% APR on both purchases and balance transfers for 15 billing cycles
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Check mark icon
A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction.World Elite Mastercard benefits including cell phone protection
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Two crossed lines that form an ‘X’.Foreign transaction fees
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Two crossed lines that form an ‘X’.Relatively high minimum spending requirement to unlock bonus
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Two crossed lines that form an ‘X’.Authorized user purchases don’t count toward minimum spending requirement
If you’re looking for a rewards-earning business card with a generous 0% APR on both purchases and balance transfers, the U.S. Bank Business Triple Cash Rewards World Elite Mastercard®
is an excellent choice, and the best U.S. Bank credit card for small-business owners. Cardholders receive a 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 billing cycles, followed by a 19.24% – 28.24% Variable APR, which is very uncommon on business cards.
The card’s welcome offer and earnings aren’t anything to sniff at, either. New cardholders can earn $500 cash back after spending $4,500 on purchases on the account holder’s card in the first 150 days of opening your account (authorized user purchases won’t count, however).
You’ll also earn 5% cash back on prepaid hotels and car rentals booked through the U..S Bank Rewards Center, 3% cash back on eligible purchases at gas stations and EV charging stations, office supply stores, cell phone service providers, and restaurants, and 1% cash back on all other eligible purchases.
Another unique feature of the card is an annual $100 statement credit for recurring software subscription expenses like FreshBooks or QuickBooks. If you already subscribe to these services, the statement credit is a nice bonus — and it’s particularly unusual for a no-annual-fee card.
What the experts love: Long intro APR on purchases and balance transfers, good bonus and earning rates, software subscription statement credit
What the experts don’t love: Foreign transaction fees
U.S. Bank Business Triple Cash Rewards World Elite Mastercard® review
Bank of America® Business Advantage Customized Cash Rewards Mastercard® credit card
Best for customizing rewards
Bank of America® Business Advantage Customized Cash Rewards Mastercard® credit card
Intro APR
0% intro APR on purchases for the first nine billing cycles
Regular APR
18.49% – 28.49% Variable
Earn a $300 online statement credit
Recommended Credit
Excellent
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Check mark icon
A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction.Good welcome bonus for a no-annual-fee business card
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Check mark icon
A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction.Cardholders can choose their own 3% cash-back category from a list
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Check mark icon
A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction.Bank of America Preferred Rewards for Business customers can earn up to 75% more rewards
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Two crossed lines that form an ‘X’.3% and 2% cash back categories are capped at $50,000 in combined purchases per year (then 1%)
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Two crossed lines that form an ‘X’.Card only earns 1% back in non-bonus categories
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Two crossed lines that form an ‘X’.Foreign transaction fees
Product Details
- Click “APPLY NOW” to apply online
- Get a $300 online statement credit after you make at least $3,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of your account opening.
- Earn 3% cash back in the category of your choice: gas stations (default), office supply stores, travel, TV/telecom & wireless, computer services or business consulting services, 2% cash back on dining purchases and 1% cash back on all other purchases.
- You’ll earn 3% and 2% cash back on the first $50,000 in combined choice category/dining purchases each calendar year, 1% thereafter.
- You can earn up to 75% more cash back on every purchase, if you have a business checking account with Bank of America and qualify for our highest Preferred Rewards for Business tier. That means you could earn up to 5.25% cash back in your selected choice category and up to 3.5% cash back on dining purchases on the first $50,000 in those combined purchases each calendar year, and up to an unlimited 1.75% cash back on all other purchases.
- No annual fee.
- Choose how to redeem your cash rewards – as a deposit into your Bank of America® checking or savings account, as a card statement credit or as a check mailed to you. Cash rewards don’t expire.
- To change your choice category for future purchases, you must go to the Mobile Banking app or Business Advantage 360, our small business online banking. You can change it once each calendar month, or make no change and it stays the same.
- 0% Introductory APR on purchases for your first 9 billing cycles. After the intro APR offer ends, a Variable APR that’s currently 18.49% to 28.49% 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.
Being able to pick your own bonus categories can go a long way toward helping your business maximize its spending. The no-annual-fee Bank of America® Business Advantage Customized Cash Rewards Mastercard® credit card is a good pick if you want this kind of flexibility, especially if your spending habits tend to change from month to month.
Each month, cardholders can choose to earn 3% cash back in one category from this list:
- Gas stations
- Office supply stores
- Travel
- TV, telecom, and wireless
- Computer services
- Business consulting services
Otherwise, the card earns 2% cash back on dining purchases and 1% back on all other eligible purchases. Keep in mind the 3% and 2% cash back categories are capped at a combined $50,000 per year in purchases; after that, you’ll earn 1% cash back.
However, if you’re a Bank of America Preferred Rewards for Business customer, you can earn up to 75% more cash back, depending on your rewards tier. At the highest level, you could be earning a whopping 5.25% back in your chosen category.
There’s a good welcome offer of a $300 online statement credit after you make at least $3,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of your account opening. Cardholders also receive a 0% intro APR on purchases for the first nine billing cycles, followed by a 18.49% – 28.49% Variable APR.
What the experts love: Ability to customize a 3% cash back category each month, good welcome bonus offer
What the experts don’t love: $50,000 annual cap on 3% and 2% categories, foreign transaction fees
Bank of America® Business Advantage Customized Cash Rewards Mastercard® credit card review
Capital One Spark 1% Classic†
Capital One Spark 1% Classic†
Regular APR
30.49% Variable
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Check mark icon
A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction.No annual fee
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Check mark icon
A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction.Travel and purchase protection
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Two crossed lines that form an ‘X’.Some other business cards offer better rewards
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Two crossed lines that form an ‘X’.No welcome bonus
Insider’s Take
Whether you have a new business or just don’t have a ton of credit history, the Capital One Spark 1% Classic could be a good stepping stone. It’s possible to get approved for the card with just fair credit, whereas most other business cards that earn rewards require a good or even excellent credit score.
Whether you have a new business or just don’t have a ton of credit history, the Capital One Spark 1% Classic† could be a good stepping stone. It’s possible to get approved for the card with just fair credit, whereas most other business cards that earn rewards require a good or even excellent credit score.
The card offers 1% cash back on all purchases, which isn’t spectacular, but as a starter business card, it’s not bad. There are no annual fees or foreign transaction fees, and employee cards are free to add (you’ll earn rewards for their purchases, too).
You’ll also receive a handful of good benefits, including secondary car rental insurance, purchase protection against damage or theft, extended warranty on eligible items, and travel and emergency assistance services.
What the experts love: You only need fair credit to be considered for approval, decent benefits for a starter card, no foreign transaction fees or annual fee
What the experts don’t love: Card only earns 1% cash back across the board, no welcome bonus offer
Business Credit Cards Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
While personal credit cards are intended for any type of purchase, business credit cards are targeted toward business owners. That doesn’t mean you need a large established company to apply for a business credit card. In fact, you can may qualify for a business card as long as you meet the bank’s application requirements, even if you just resell household items on eBay or operate a small home baking business.
It’s easier to qualify for a business credit card than you may think. If you do any freelancing or a side gig, such as driving for Uber or selling items on eBay, you can typically qualify for a business credit card as a sole proprietor. In this case, you are personally on the hook for your business’ debts.
You can apply for a business card using your Social Security number if you’re a sole proprietor. You should put down your legal name as the business name. If you have a business with employees, you’ll need to answer questions about your business size, type, and revenue, in addition to providing your SSN and your EIN (if requested).
With a business credit card, the primary cardholder is responsible for the debts on the card and for any fees that are incurred. A corporate card is issued by a company to its employees, and the company is responsible for paying that card.
Why You Should Trust Us: Our Expert Panel for This Guide
We consulted top credit card experts from NerdWallet and The Points Guy, a certified financial planner, and our own credit cards editor to inform our picks for the best business credit cards. We also interviewed them about how to find the best business credit card for you — you’ll find the whole text of our interviews at the bottom of this page.
The Experts’ Advice on Choosing the Best Business Credit Card for You
We interviewed three credit card experts and one financial planner about what to look for if you’re considering opening a business credit card. You can find the full text of our interviews below (some answers may be lightly edited for clarity).
What features make a business credit card good?
Sara Rathner, credit card expert at NerdWallet:
The rewards need to be in line with your business’ typical spending. An ultra-high bonus isn’t worth overspending for. And what good is extra cash back if it’s for types of purchases you’ll never make?
Luis Rosa, certified financial planner:
The ability to easily provide corporate cards to employees with their own spending limits, plus strong welcome bonuses and cash-back or rewards programs.
Sarah Silbert, deputy editor at Personal Finance Insider:
A good business credit card will reward your company for the purchases it makes most frequently. It will also offer benefits to make your life easier, such as free employee credit cards and travel perks.
Benét Wilson, freelance aviation journalist and former senior editor at The Points Guy:
If you spend a lot on specific categories (like travel, office supplies, dining, and internet/wireless), then you want a card that offers top points per dollar spent on them. You want free employee cards and tools that help you balance the books. Plus you need broad options to redeem your points (travel, statement credits, gift cards).
How should someone approach finding the best business credit card for their specific situation?
Sara Rathner, NerdWallet:
Before applying, know how much you spend, and on what. From there, you can find the cards that reward you the most for what your business already does.
Luis Rosa, CFP:
Benefits will vary from solopreneurs to bigger businesses so make the decision based on spending patterns or anticipated future purchases.
Sarah Silbert, Personal Finance Insider:
If there are any specific benefits you want from a business credit card, start there. For example, not every business card comes with airport lounge access. If you don’t have any particular perks in mind, consider whether you want to earn cash back or travel rewards — that decision alone will narrow down your options. From there, take a look at the credit card options and evaluate their benefits. If you’re looking at a card with an annual fee, make sure it’s worth it for you. You won’t want to pay hundreds of dollars per year for a card if you never put its luxury travel perks to use.
Benét Wilson:
Look for a business credit card that can help you maximize your purchases, separate your expenses and save money on interest each year. Do you prefer earning cash-back rewards, airline miles, hotel points, or transferable currencies? Are you willing to pay an annual fee? What categories does your business spend the most in each year? Do you or your employees travel frequently and if so, would there be a benefit in having hotel elite status or a checked bag allowance when flying?
Is there anything else you’d tell someone looking to open a business credit card?
Sara Rathner, NerdWallet:
Remember that you’re personally liable to cover any unpaid credit card bills if your business fails. Spend carefully.
Luis Rosa, CFP:
Keep in mind that if you assign employees cards you and the business are still ultimately responsible for the charges on those cards.
How We Chose the Best Small Business Credit Cards
Personal Finance Insider evaluated dozens of business credit cards that are currently open to new applicants, including several no-annual-fee business cards. We narrowed the list down based on the following criteria:
- Sign-up bonus — Does the card offer a valuable welcome bonus offer to new cardholders who meet a minimum spending requirement?
- Ongoing rewards — Beyond the welcome bonus offer, does the card offer a competitive rate of points or cash back on purchases?
- Other features — Does the card come with any additional benefits, such as travel protection, free employee cards, cell phone insurance, or primary car rental insurance?
- Annual fee — If the card has an annual fee, does it offer enough benefits to justify it?
For anyone running a business with dozens of employees, keeping your personal and business finances separate is vital. Things can get murky quickly when you’re cutting personal and business checks from the same account — a business credit card will not only help separate expenses, but also help you establish business credit, so that you have flexibility later on with loans and leases. Plus, you can get additional authorized cards for employees as needed.
Before you decide on the right card for your venture, you should have an idea of how your want to redeem your rewards:
- Do you want to earn miles and points for free luxury vacations?
- Do you want to decrease the cost of your business travel?
- Do you want to earn cash back to reinvest in your business?
It’s also important to consider your spending habits and choose a card that earns the most rewards for your usual business expenses. Read more about how we rate credit cards.
