Best business credit cards in 2024

Small business credit cards can help manage your business spending so you can meet your financial goals. If you’re a small business owner, opening a business credit card is helpful to separate personal and business expenses for tax season. Either way, whether you own a large corporation or a modest side gig, you can qualify for a business credit card.

Our top recommendations

• card_name: Best for large welcome bonus.
• card_name: Best for flat-rate cash back.
• card_name: Best for no annual fee.
• card_name: Best for travel.
• card_name: Best for common business expenses.
• Capital One Spark 1% Classic: Best for fair credit.
• card_name: Best for flights.
• card_name: Best for hotel stays.
• card_name: Best for choosing your own bonus categories.
• U.S. Bank Triple Cash Rewards Visa® Business Card: Best for road warriors.
• card_name: Best for Amazon purchases.

card_name: Best for large welcome bonus

The card_name is a travel-focused small business card. It comes with various helpful travel insurance benefits, and it collects rewards that can be redeemed for free travel.

One of its best features is the bonus_miles_full These points are worth at least $1,250 in free travel when purchasing airfare, hotel stays or rental cars through Chase Ultimate Rewards®—- but you can get even more value from them by converting them into airline miles and hotel points.

card_name: Best for flat-rate cash back

‌card_name forgoes the popular bonus category approach to its rewards earning structure. Instead, it earns 2% on all purchases for up to $50,000 in spending per calendar year and then 1% thereafter. That means you don’t have to formulate a spending strategy to get the biggest return from your expenses.

card_name: Best for no annual fee

Many credit cards on this list incur no annual fee. But The card_name possesses a helpful blend of attributes from several no-annual fee cards on this list that makes it a jack of all trades. Its bonus is astoundingly large, which includes a helpful intro_apr_rate,intro_apr_duration, and it provides a solid and uncomplicated return on all spending. You can even turn its rewards into airline miles and hotel points if you also hold an annual fee-incurring credit card like the card_name or card_name.

card_name: Best for travel

Consider card_name the ultimate luxury business card. It offers more than $1,000 in travel- and business-related statement credits per year, top-tier airport lounge access, automatic hotel elite status (enrollment required) and more. You can bonus_miles_full. If you know how to properly harness those rewards, you could quite easily achieve $2,000+ in free travel.

card_name: Best for common business expenses

The card_name is virtually identical to the aforementioned Ink Business Preferred in that they offer the same welcome bonus, earn the same rewards and provide similar ongoing benefits. The big difference is that this card comes with powerful bonus categories for business purchases.

You’ll earn 5% back on the first $25,000 in combined purchases each anniversary year, then 1% at office supply stores and on internet, cable and phone services. You’ll also earn 2% back on up to $25,000 in combined purchases each anniversary year, then 1% at gas stations and restaurants.

Capital One Spark 1% Classic: Best for fair credit

Many credit cards designed for those with fair credit don’t earn any rewards. They are, unfortunately, an unmemorable option that, if used responsibly, will help you build a credit profile that’ll qualify you for better cards later. The Capital One Spark 1% Classic is a good option for small business owners with fair credit who also want to earn rewards. You’ll get 5% cash back on hotels and car rentals booked through Capital One Travel and 1% back on all other purchases.

card_name: Best for flights

The card_name comes with myriad day-of-travel benefits that can help elevate your travel experience. But perhaps its best feature is how close it gets you to the Southwest Companion Pass. After you earn 135,000 points in a calendar year, Southwest allows you to take a companion with you every single time you fly Southwest. The Companion Pass is valid during the year in which you earn it, as well as the entire following calendar year.

This card offers an annual 10,000-point boost each year, meaning you’ll only need 125,000 points to qualify for the Companion Pass. And once you earn the card’s welcome bonus, you’ll have ability to bonus_miles_full. That means you’re just 55,000 points away from the Companion Pass.

card_name: Best for hotel stays

card_name has a lot going for it. Its welcome bonus is astronomical and its ongoing benefits such as automatic Hilton Gold status and 10 yearly Priority Pass airport lounge visits dramatically enhance your travel. But the card’s ace-in-the-hole is its annual free night reward after spending $15,000 on purchases within a calendar year. By using your free night reward for a night at a five-star resort, you could squeeze this perk for over $1,000 in value.

card_name: Best for choosing your own bonus categories

While credit card bonus categories can certainly be rewarding, they can also be a bit difficult to remember. The card_name does this work for you; it confers 4 points per dollar on the two eligible bonus categories in which you spend the most each billing cycle for up to $150,000 in spending per calendar year, then 1x thereafter. Eligible categories include:

• U.S. purchases at restaurants.
• U.S. purchases at gas stations.
• U.S. media providers for advertising on TV, radio or online.
• U.S. purchases made from electronic goods retailers and software and cloud system providers.
• Transit purchases (trains, taxis, rideshare services, ferries, tolls, parking, buses and subways).
• Monthly wireless telephone service charges made directly from a U.S. wireless telephone service provider.
• Terms Apply.

Just spend as you normally would, and the card_name will ensure you get the biggest possible return for your spending.

U.S. Bank Triple Cash Rewards Visa® Business Card: Best for road warriors

If you spend a harrowing amount of money at the gas station, the U.S. Bank Triple Cash Rewards Visa® Business Card can earn you a lot of rewards. Those who drive a lot for business will love getting 3% back at gas and EV charging stations and restaurants —- as well as office supply stores and cell phone service providers.

There exist credit cards that offer a higher return for gas, but you’ll find that other cards enforce an annual cap as to how many bonus rewards you can earn each year. This card does not.

card_name: Best for Amazon purchases

If your business involves a lot of purchases with Amazon, your go-to card is likely the card_name. The card gives you the option of a monster 5% return for up to $120,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1% with Amazon Business, AWS, Amazon.com and Whole Foods Market or a 90-day interest-free period to pay off your purchases. This gives you the freedom to carry a balance when you need to and earn tons of cash back when you don’t.

Best business credit cards 2024: Comparison

How we chose the best business credit cards

We compared card offers based on the following criteria: Rewards rates (when applicable), welcome offers (when applicable), rewards flexibility, introductory APR offers, variable APRs, annual fees, included consumer protections included, travel benefits and perks, travel insurance benefits and required credit rating.

Ultimately, we looked for credit cards that offer the most lucrative rewards structures and welcome offers, as well as flexibility within their designated rewards programs. Some cards that don't offer rewards were evaluated based on other factors, including their fee structure, introductory interest rates and regular variable APR. In all cases, benefits such as consumer protections and travel insurance perks were taken into account. Readers should be aware that points’ dollar values are subjective and based on many redemption factors. Our averages are collected from publicly available third party sources.

Choosing the best small business credit card: Where to begin

It’s good to know the process of finding the perfect small business credit card for your situation. If you consider the following factors, you’ll locate your best option in no time.

Eligibility

Before you apply for a credit card, you should have an idea of your approval odds. A good way to gauge this is by checking your credit score. Many rewards-earning business credit cards require at least “good” credit (which FICO defines as 670 or above) for approval. If your credit score is too low for the card you want, wait to apply for it after you’ve improved your credit profile.

Additionally, you must own a small business to be eligible for a business credit card. This could mean running a large enterprise, but it can also mean freelance writing, tutoring or reselling items on eBay.

Type of rewards

The two main types of credit card rewards are cash back and travel rewards. You’ll have to decide if you want to earn cash (which you can either pocket or inject back into your business) or travel rewards (for your personal or business travel). Deciding this early will help you to quickly find your perfect card.

Some business credit cards collect travel rewards that can be redeemed for cash back if you so choose. A card like this can give you the ultimate flexibility, though generally it’s better to use a cash back credit card if you plan to routinely cash out your travel points.

Bonus categories

Business credit cards often reward you for spending that is different from personal credit cards. For example, you might receive bonus cash back for spending on advertising or shipping. You would never find those categories on a consumer credit card.

If you can manage to find a small business credit card that gives you a big return on the type of spending your business makes, it’ll result in exponentially more rewards each year with no extra effort.

Spending limits

What’s the magnitude of your business spending? If you’re frequently making $15,000 transactions, you probably prefer a card that doesn’t come with a firm credit line. Cards like these are often referred to as “charge” or NPSL (no preset spending limit) cards.

This doesn’t mean you have an infinite amount of credit, but rather the card will learn your spending habits and approve your swipes accordingly. It’ll get to know you better the more often you use it.

Type of business credit card

Small businesses that don’t make millions of dollars each year will be adequately served by any of the above small business credit cards. Those with more substantial revenue, spending, employee numbers etc. may decide that a corporate credit card is a better fit. Those with a corporation can use the business credit they’ve built to apply for a corporate credit card without a personal guarantee. That means their personal finances aren’t in danger if the company goes under.

What is a business credit card?

A business credit card is simply a credit card designed for those who own a business. The business can be a multimillion-dollar LLC with dozens of employees, or it can be a simple sole proprietorship like delivering for DoorDash after work or renting your home on Airbnb. In other words, just about anyone can qualify for a business credit card with even a modest side hustle.

Business credit cards typically have statement credits and bonus categories that are more suitable for common business expenses, such as shipping, advertising, office supply stores and more. They also often come with larger welcome bonuses than personal credit cards.

What are the types of business credit cards?

When categorizing business credit cards, there are two main attributes to examine: The rewards it earns and the size of the business it’s designed for.

Cash back vs travel rewards credit cards

Business cards that earn rewards either earn cash back (effectively a rebate on your purchases) or travel rewards like hotel points, airline miles or flexible bank-issued points that help you reduce your travel costs.

Some cash back business credit cards can even convert their earnings into travel rewards with the help of other credit cards. For example, the cash back you earn with the Capital One Spark 1% Classic can be turned into Capital One miles (Capital One’s proprietary travel rewards currency) if you also hold a Capital One miles-accruing card, such as the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card.

Small business vs corporate credit cards

Small business credit cards are generally targeted toward companies that don’t grace the Fortune 500. If you own a small coffee shop, sell items on Etsy or dog sit on Rover, a small business credit card is right for you.

On the other hand, if you’ve got lots of employees and several hundred thousand dollars in expenses each year, you may be more interested in a corporate credit card. These help companies track spending and more intimately manage employee cards. Also, you can often apply for them with an Employee Identification Number instead of your Social Security number — meaning the account may not need a personal guarantee. That is, if your company flounders, your personal finances won’t be in jeopardy.

What you need to apply for a business credit card

Opening a small business credit card is similar to opening a regular credit card, though there are a few notable changes. You’ll still need to enter personal details, such as your name, address, birth date, etc. But you’ll also need to enter business-specific details, such as the industry of your business, your personal and business income and the structure of your business.

Many larger companies generally require that you apply with an Employee Identification Number (EIN), but if you’re applying as a sole proprietor —- as those with uncomplicated side gigs often do —- your Social Security number is sufficient.

Is a business credit card worth it?

A business credit card is absolutely worth it, regardless of the size of your business. Business credit cards are key to sequestering your personal and business expenses from each other, which can be critical for tax season.

Additionally, the ability to qualify for a small business credit card means that you can earn more welcome bonuses, utilize new bonus spending categories and benefit from unique business-centric statement credits.

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

Can you use an EIN to get a credit card?

You can use an EIN to get a credit card, but it’s got to be a card that doesn’t require a personal guarantee. An EIN conveys your “business” credit, which is an entirely different credit report than your personal credit.

Is it easier to get business credit with an LLC?

It’s not necessarily easier to get business credit with an LLC. Anyone can build credit by applying their EIN to their business credit card application. As you use your credit responsibly, your business credit will grow.

What credit score is needed for a business credit card?

The credit score needed to open a business credit card is similar to personal credit cards. The better ones that earn rewards and offer valuable statement credits tend to require “good” credit, while some of the less fancy ones require “fair” credit. There are even secured business credit cards for those with less-than-stellar credit.

Can you get a business credit card with no revenue?

You can get a business credit card with no revenue. Banks want to support small businesses, and they understand that you may want a business credit card as you first get things rolling. Just remember: If your revenue is currently $0, be honest about it on the application.

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