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Best Business Credit Cards: Reviewed by Experts Mar 2024

Review Updated
Lyle Daly
By: Lyle Daly

Our Credit Cards Expert

Many or all of the products here are from our partners that compensate us. It’s how we make money. But our editorial integrity ensures our experts’ opinions aren’t influenced by compensation. Terms may apply to offers listed on this page.

Whether you are a seasoned business owner, or you've just launched your new business, finding the best business credit card for your needs is crucial to maximizing your business rewards.

In our list of top business cards, you'll see the leading options for business owners interested in travel rewards, cash back, 0% intro APR financing offers and specialized business cards.

Best business credit cards - quick picks

Apply for a business credit card

Out of the 10 best credit cards featured, these are the 4 top business card picks, supporting corporate enterprise-level to small businesses needs:

  • Best Travel Business Credit Card: Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card (see rates and fees) has amazing 3x travel point rewards in several categories, with a reported $100,000 credit limit and a limited-time 100,000-bonus-point welcome offer.

  • Best Business Credit Card for Rewards: American Express Business Gold Card (see rates and fees)
    rewards you based on your spending habits, with bonus categories earning up to 4 points per $1 of spend -- it's also our award winner for best business credit card! Terms apply.

  • Best Cashback Business Credit Card: Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card (see rates and fees)
    has an unlimited 1.5% cash back on purchases, and a high credit limit.

  • Best Credit Card for Limited Credit History: Capital One Spark 1% Classic Card (see rates and fees)
    a starter business credit card with lenient approval requirements, no annual fee, free employee cards, and unlimited 1% cashback on all purchases.


Best Business Credit Card Expert Reviews as of March 18, 2024

When it comes to credit cards for your business, there are all kinds of options available. Our expert picks for the best business cards include 4 cards from Capital One, 3 cards each from Chase, 1 card from Citi, and 2 cards from American Express.

But why these? For our list of the best business credit cards, our experts picked out a variety of quality offers to fit different types of business needs. Whether you're looking for low or no-fee cards, cash back, travel rewards, or 0% intro APR financing with rich rewards and perks, you'll find the leading options for business owners below.

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Editor's Note: 9/21/23: Added a new business card!

The Capital One Venture X Business Credit Card is a new addition to the market and our best business credit cards list. Reveal reviews below to see why!

Great for: No annual fee and cash rewards

Rating image, 4.50 out of 5 stars.
4.50/5 Circle with letter I in it. Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor. We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
= Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair
= Poor
Rating image, 4.50 out of 5 stars.
4.50/5 Circle with letter I in it. Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor. We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
= Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair
= Poor
Credit Score: Circle with letter I in it. Falling within this credit range does not guarantee approval by the issuer. An application must be submitted to the issuer for a potential approval decision. There are different types of credit scores and creditors use a variety of credit scores to make lending decisions.

Recommended Credit Score required for this offer is: Good/Excellent (670-850)
Credit Score Circle with letter I in it. Falling within this credit range does not guarantee approval by the issuer. An application must be submitted to the issuer for a potential approval decision. There are different types of credit scores and creditors use a variety of credit scores to make lending decisions.

Good/Excellent (670-850)

Intro APR Circle with letter I in it. 0% Intro APR on Purchases

Purchases: 0% Intro APR on Purchases, 12 months

Balance Transfers: N/A

Regular APR

18.49% - 24.49% Variable

Rewards Circle with letter I in it. 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 card purchases with no limit to the amount you can earn.

Earn 5% cash back in select business categories

Annual Fee Circle with letter I in it. N/A

$0

Welcome Offer Circle with letter I in it. Earn $750 bonus cash back after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening

Earn $750 bonus cash back

  • For cardholders wanting the simplicity of cash back, plus up to 5% back on select categories and a $0 annual fee. The inclusion of a 0% intro APR offer amps up the value of the card. Read Full Review

    • Big cash back sign-up bonus
    • Office supply store rewards
    • Internet, cable, and phone service rewards
    • 0% intro APR offer
    • No annual fee
    • Low caps on bonus categories
    • No balance transfer offer
    • Foreign transaction fee
    • Earn $750 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

Great for: Unlimited cash back

Rating image, 4.50 out of 5 stars.
4.50/5 Circle with letter I in it. Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor. We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
= Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair
= Poor
Rating image, 4.50 out of 5 stars.
4.50/5 Circle with letter I in it. Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor. We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
= Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair
= Poor
Credit Score: Circle with letter I in it. Falling within this credit range does not guarantee approval by the issuer. An application must be submitted to the issuer for a potential approval decision. There are different types of credit scores and creditors use a variety of credit scores to make lending decisions.

Recommended Credit Score required for this offer is: Good/Excellent (670-850)
Credit Score Circle with letter I in it. Falling within this credit range does not guarantee approval by the issuer. An application must be submitted to the issuer for a potential approval decision. There are different types of credit scores and creditors use a variety of credit scores to make lending decisions.

Good/Excellent (670-850)

Intro APR Circle with letter I in it. 0% Intro APR on Purchases

Purchases: 0% Intro APR on Purchases, 12 months

Balance Transfers: N/A

Regular APR

18.49% - 24.49% Variable

Rewards Circle with letter I in it. Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase made for your business

Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase

Annual Fee Circle with letter I in it. N/A

$0

Welcome Offer Circle with letter I in it. Earn $750 bonus cash back after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

Earn $750 bonus cash back

  • This credit card is a good fit for business owners who want a straightforward cash back card with a robust $750 cash back welcome bonus and/or 0% intro APR for financing large purchases. Read Full Review

    • Big cash back sign-up bonus
    • Competitive cash back rate
    • Great intro APR
    • No annual fee
    • Free employee cards
    • No bonus categories
    • Foreign transaction fee
    • Earn $750 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
Rating image, 4.00 out of 5 stars.
4.00/5 Circle with letter I in it. Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor. We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
= Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair
= Poor
Rating image, 4.00 out of 5 stars.
4.00/5 Circle with letter I in it. Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor. We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
= Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair
= Poor
Credit Score: Circle with letter I in it. Falling within this credit range does not guarantee approval by the issuer. An application must be submitted to the issuer for a potential approval decision. There are different types of credit scores and creditors use a variety of credit scores to make lending decisions.

Recommended Credit Score required for this offer is: Excellent (740-850)
Credit Score Circle with letter I in it. Falling within this credit range does not guarantee approval by the issuer. An application must be submitted to the issuer for a potential approval decision. There are different types of credit scores and creditors use a variety of credit scores to make lending decisions.

Excellent (740-850)

Intro APR

Purchases: N/A

Balance Transfers: N/A

Regular APR

20.49% (Variable)

Rewards Circle with letter I in it. 4% back on gas and EV charging ($7,000 annual spending cap), 3% back on restaurants and travel, 2% back on Costco purchases, 1% back on other purchases

1% - 4% back

Annual Fee

$0 for Costco members

Welcome Offer

N/A

  • The gas and EV charging cash back, alone, makes this a winner. The premium cash back for restaurants, travel, and Costco purchases make it hard to beat, even more so for Costco members. Read Full Review

    • Gas and EV charging cash back
    • Costco cash back
    • Travel and dining cash back
    • Purchase protections
    • No foreign transaction fee
    • No sign-up bonus
    • No 0% intro APR offer
    • Difficult cash back redemptions
    • Discover the only business credit card designed exclusively for Costco members
    • 4% cash back on eligible gas and EV charging purchases for the first $7,000 per year and then 1% thereafter
    • 3% cash back on restaurants and eligible travel purchases
    • 2% cash back on all other purchases from Costco and Costco.com
    • 1% cash back on all other purchases
    • No annual fee with your paid Costco membership and enjoy no foreign transaction fees on purchases
    • Whether you're traveling for business or pleasure, enjoy no foreign transaction fees on purchases
    • Receive an annual credit card reward certificate, which is redeemable for cash or merchandise at U.S. Costco warehouses, including Puerto Rico

Great for: Sign-up bonus and travel points

Rating image, 4.50 out of 5 stars.
4.50/5 Circle with letter I in it. Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor. We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
= Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair
= Poor
Rating image, 4.50 out of 5 stars.
4.50/5 Circle with letter I in it. Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor. We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
= Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair
= Poor
Credit Score: Circle with letter I in it. Falling within this credit range does not guarantee approval by the issuer. An application must be submitted to the issuer for a potential approval decision. There are different types of credit scores and creditors use a variety of credit scores to make lending decisions.

Recommended Credit Score required for this offer is: Good/Excellent (670-850)
Credit Score Circle with letter I in it. Falling within this credit range does not guarantee approval by the issuer. An application must be submitted to the issuer for a potential approval decision. There are different types of credit scores and creditors use a variety of credit scores to make lending decisions.

Good/Excellent (670-850)

Intro APR Circle with letter I in it. N/A

Purchases: N/A

Balance Transfers: N/A

Regular APR

21.24%-26.24% Variable

Rewards Circle with letter I in it. Earn 3 points per $1 on the first $150,000 spent in combined purchases on travel, shipping purchases, Internet, cable and phone services, advertising purchases made with social media sites and search engines each account anniversary year. Earn 1 point per $1 on all other purchases-with no limit to the amount you can earn.

Earn 3 points per $1 in select business categories

Annual Fee Circle with letter I in it. N/A

$95

Welcome Offer Circle with letter I in it. New Cardmember Offer! Earn 100,000 bonus points after you spend $8,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

New Cardmember Offer! Earn 100,000 bonus points

  • With a huge sign up bonus and massive ongoing rewards rate of 3x points per $1 on business essentials, this card is a home run for businesses that spend a lot and want to maximize their rewards. Read Full Review

    • Huge sign-up bonus
    • Advertising rewards
    • Shipping rewards
    • Cell phone protection
    • Flexible travel points
    • Card perks
    • Annual fee
    • No intro APR offer
    • Spending minimum for sign-up bonus
    • 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 Travel℠
    • 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 Travel℠
    • 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
Award Icon 2024 Award Winner

Great for: Rewards flexibility

Rating image, 4.25 out of 5 stars.
4.25/5 Circle with letter I in it. Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor. We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
= Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair
= Poor
Rating image, 4.25 out of 5 stars.
4.25/5 Circle with letter I in it. Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor. We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
= Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair
= Poor
Credit Score: Circle with letter I in it. Falling within this credit range does not guarantee approval by the issuer. An application must be submitted to the issuer for a potential approval decision. There are different types of credit scores and creditors use a variety of credit scores to make lending decisions.

Recommended Credit Score required for this offer is: Good/Excellent (670-850)
Credit Score Circle with letter I in it. Falling within this credit range does not guarantee approval by the issuer. An application must be submitted to the issuer for a potential approval decision. There are different types of credit scores and creditors use a variety of credit scores to make lending decisions.

Good/Excellent (670-850)

Intro APR

Purchases: N/A

Balance Transfers: N/A

Regular APR

19.49%-27.49%, variable

Rewards Circle with letter I in it. 4 points per $1 in two of the following categories where you spend most: gas, dining, advertising, transit, electronics & wireless ($150,000 annual spending cap). 3 points per $1 on flights and prepaid hotels booked on AmexTravel.com. 1 point per $1 on other purchases

1x - 4x points

Annual Fee

$295

Welcome Offer Circle with letter I in it. 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

70,000 Membership Rewards® points

  • The card brings innovative points-earning flexibility with the option to choose which categories earn 4x points. There is no preset spending limit so your spending is flexible. The inclusion of a nice welcome offer sweetens the pot.

    • High-value welcome offer
    • Bonus rewards on your biggest expenses
    • Versatile rewards points
    • Consumer and travel protections
    • No preset spending limit
    • Annual fee
    • Spending cap on bonus rewards
    • 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. Earn 3X points on flights & pre-paid hotels booked on AmexTravel.com. 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.*
    • Terms Apply
The information for the American Express Business Gold Card has been collected independently by The Ascent. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

Great for: Sign-up bonus and travel miles

Rating image, 5.00 out of 5 stars.
5.00/5 Circle with letter I in it. Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor. We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
= Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair
= Poor
Rating image, 5.00 out of 5 stars.
5.00/5 Circle with letter I in it. Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor. We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
= Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair
= Poor
Credit Score: Circle with letter I in it. Falling within this credit range does not guarantee approval by the issuer. An application must be submitted to the issuer for a potential approval decision. There are different types of credit scores and creditors use a variety of credit scores to make lending decisions.

Recommended Credit Score required for this offer is: Excellent (740-850)
Credit Score Circle with letter I in it. Falling within this credit range does not guarantee approval by the issuer. An application must be submitted to the issuer for a potential approval decision. There are different types of credit scores and creditors use a variety of credit scores to make lending decisions.

Excellent (740-850)

Intro APR

Purchases: N/A

Balance Transfers: N/A

Regular APR

26.24%, variable

Rewards

2x miles

Annual Fee Circle with letter I in it. $0 intro fee for first year; $95 after that

$0 intro fee

Welcome Offer Circle with letter I in it. 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

50,000 miles

  • One of the best cards for businesses looking to capitalize on a travel reward for their everyday purchases. With a big sign up bonus, 2x miles, and low fees, it is a great choice for jet-setting small businesses.

    • Big sign-up bonus
    • Unlimited 2x miles
    • No foreign transaction fee
    • Multiple ways to use miles
    • Annual fee
    • No intro APR offer
    • 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
    • Earn 5X miles on hotel and rental car bookings through Capital One Travel℠ using a Spark Miles card
    • Transfer your miles to 10+ leading travel loyalty programs like JetBlue™, Air Canada, and Emirates™
    • 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 Pre✓® 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
The Capital One Spark 2X Miles is unavailable on The Ascent. All information was collected independently and not reviewed for accuracy or provided by the credit card issuer. Some items may be out of date.

Great for: Limited credit history

Rating image, 3.75 out of 5 stars.
3.75/5 Circle with letter I in it. Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor. We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
= Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair
= Poor
Rating image, 3.75 out of 5 stars.
3.75/5 Circle with letter I in it. Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor. We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
= Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair
= Poor
Credit Score: Circle with letter I in it. Falling within this credit range does not guarantee approval by the issuer. An application must be submitted to the issuer for a potential approval decision. There are different types of credit scores and creditors use a variety of credit scores to make lending decisions.

Recommended Credit Score required for this offer is: Fair/New to Credit Under(669)
Credit Score Circle with letter I in it. Falling within this credit range does not guarantee approval by the issuer. An application must be submitted to the issuer for a potential approval decision. There are different types of credit scores and creditors use a variety of credit scores to make lending decisions.

Fair/New to Credit Under(669)

Intro APR

Purchases: N/A

Balance Transfers: N/A

Regular APR

30.74%, variable

Rewards

1% cash back

Annual Fee

$0

Welcome Offer

N/A

  • For businesses or borrowers with fair credit, this card is a winner. Purchases earn unlimited 1% cash back, plus it includes a $0 annual fee. These perks are rare for cards in this credit score range.

    • Flexible credit score requirements
    • Cash back on purchases
    • No annual fee
    • No foreign transaction fee
    • No rewards
    • No intro APR offer
    • Earn unlimited 1% cash back for your business on every purchase, everywhere, no limits or category restrictions. Plus, earn unlimited 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel.
    • No annual fee
    • Build and strengthen credit for your business by using this credit card responsibly
    • $0 Fraud Liability if your card is lost or stolen
    • Free employee cards, which also earn unlimited 1% cash back on purchases
    • Rewards won't expire for the life of the account, and you can redeem your cash back for any amount
    • No foreign transaction fees
The Capital One Spark 1% Classic Card is unavailable on The Ascent. All information was collected independently and not reviewed for accuracy or provided by the credit card issuer. Some items may be out of date.
Award Icon 2024 Award Winner

Great for: Sign-up bonus and cash rewards

Rating image, 5.00 out of 5 stars.
5.00/5 Circle with letter I in it. Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor. We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
= Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair
= Poor
Rating image, 5.00 out of 5 stars.
5.00/5 Circle with letter I in it. Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor. We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
= Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair
= Poor
Credit Score: Circle with letter I in it. Falling within this credit range does not guarantee approval by the issuer. An application must be submitted to the issuer for a potential approval decision. There are different types of credit scores and creditors use a variety of credit scores to make lending decisions.

Recommended Credit Score required for this offer is: Excellent (740-850)
Credit Score Circle with letter I in it. Falling within this credit range does not guarantee approval by the issuer. An application must be submitted to the issuer for a potential approval decision. There are different types of credit scores and creditors use a variety of credit scores to make lending decisions.

Excellent (740-850)

Intro APR

Purchases: N/A

Balance Transfers: N/A

Regular APR

Pay in full, 2.99% monthly late fee otherwise

Rewards

2% cash back

Annual Fee

$150

Welcome Offer Circle with letter I in it. Earn a one-time cash bonus of $1,200 once you spend $30,000 in the first 3 months

$1,200

  • An easy choice for high-spend businesses looking to carry one card. The welcome offer is among the biggest you'll find, and the flat 2% cash back rate outpaces much of the competition.

    • Big welcome offer
    • 2% cash back
    • Free employee credit cards
    • No foreign transaction fee
    • Potential annual spending bonus
    • Annual fee
    • Pay-in-full card
    • Personal guarantee
    • Earn a one-time cash bonus of $1,200 once you spend $30,000 in the first three months
    • Earn unlimited 2% cash back for your business on purchases, no limits or category restrictions; plus, earn unlimited 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
    • Get your $150 annual fee refunded every year you spend at least $150,000.
    • Free employee cards, which also earn unlimited 2% cash back on all purchases
    • $0 Fraud Liability if your card is lost or stolen
    • Rewards won't expire for the life of the account, and you can redeem your cash back automatically
    • No foreign transaction fees
Capital One Spark 2% Cash Plus is unavailable on The Ascent. All information was collected independently and not reviewed for accuracy or provided by the credit card issuer. Some items may be out of date.

Great for: 0% intro APR and cash back

Rating image, 3.75 out of 5 stars.
3.75/5 Circle with letter I in it. Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor. We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
= Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair
= Poor
Rating image, 3.75 out of 5 stars.
3.75/5 Circle with letter I in it. Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor. We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
= Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair
= Poor
Credit Score: Circle with letter I in it. Falling within this credit range does not guarantee approval by the issuer. An application must be submitted to the issuer for a potential approval decision. There are different types of credit scores and creditors use a variety of credit scores to make lending decisions.

Recommended Credit Score required for this offer is: Good/Excellent (670-850)
Credit Score Circle with letter I in it. Falling within this credit range does not guarantee approval by the issuer. An application must be submitted to the issuer for a potential approval decision. There are different types of credit scores and creditors use a variety of credit scores to make lending decisions.

Good/Excellent (670-850)

Intro APR

Purchases: 0%, 12 months

Balance Transfers: N/A

Regular APR

18.49% to 26.49%, variable

Rewards Circle with letter I in it. 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.

1% - 2% cash back

Annual Fee

$0

Welcome Offer Circle with letter I in it. Earn a $250 statement credit after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your Card in your first 3 months.

$250 statement credit

  • A solid choice for businesses that don't spend too much, with a high cash back rate up to an annual spending cap and a 0% intro APR.

    • High cash back rate
    • No annual fee
    • Employee cards with spending limits
    • Foreign transaction fee
    • Cash back spending cap
    • Earn a $250 statement credit after you spend $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% intro APR on purchases for 12 months from the date of account opening, then a variable rate, 18.49% to 26.49%, based on your creditworthiness and other factors as determined at the time of account opening.
    • No Annual Fee
    • Terms Apply
The information for the Blue Business Cash™ Card from American Express has been collected independently by The Ascent. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

Great for: Premium travel and big sign-up bonus

Rating image, 4.75 out of 5 stars.
4.75/5 Circle with letter I in it. Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor. We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
= Best
= Excellent
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Rating image, 4.75 out of 5 stars.
4.75/5 Circle with letter I in it. Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor. We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
= Best
= Excellent
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Credit Score: Circle with letter I in it. Falling within this credit range does not guarantee approval by the issuer. An application must be submitted to the issuer for a potential approval decision. There are different types of credit scores and creditors use a variety of credit scores to make lending decisions.

Recommended Credit Score required for this offer is: Excellent (740-850)
Credit Score Circle with letter I in it. Falling within this credit range does not guarantee approval by the issuer. An application must be submitted to the issuer for a potential approval decision. There are different types of credit scores and creditors use a variety of credit scores to make lending decisions.

Excellent (740-850)

Intro APR

Purchases: N/A

Balance Transfers: N/A

Regular APR

N/A

Rewards Circle with letter I in it. Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase. Book through Capital One Travel to earn 5X on flights and 10X on hotels and rental cars.

2X-10X miles

Annual Fee

$395

Welcome Offer Circle with letter I in it. Earn 150,000 bonus miles when you spend $30,000 in the first 3 months, which is equal to $1,500 in travel.

150,000 miles

  • A top-notch business travel card that balances value with ease of use. The welcome offer, rewards rate, and travel benefits are all some of the best we've found.

    • Huge travel rewards bonus
    • High rewards rate
    • Travel credits
    • Useful business management tools
    • Spending requirement for sign-up bonus
    • Annual fee
    • Pay-in-full card
    • Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase. Book through Capital One Travel to earn 5X on flights and 10X on hotels and rental cars.
    • Earn 150,000 bonus miles when you spend $30,000 in the first 3 months, which is equal to $1,500 in travel.
    • Receive an annual $300 credit for bookings through Capital One Travel. You will also get 10,000 bonus miles every year, starting on your first anniversary.
    • Redeem miles on flights, hotels, vacation rentals and more, with no restrictions or blackout dates
    • Skip the lines with TSA PreCheck® or Global Entry and enjoy a network of 1,300+ lounges worldwide.
    • Empower your team to make purchases while earning rewards on their transactions, with free employee and virtual cards.
The Capital One Venture X Business Credit Card is currently unavailable on The Ascent. All information was collected independently and not reviewed for accuracy or provided by the credit card issuer. Some items may be out of date.

Expert Reviews for each Business Credit Card

Your main Motley Fool expert on sourcing the best business credit cards is Lyle Daly, who has been conducting credit card market research and providing expert reviews for business credit cards and notable rewards programs since 2016, and has earned well over 1 million travel points to date. So, we trust the guy who has now earned an insurmountable amount of luxury hotel stays and has a forever VIP seat with business-class status.

Jump to a specific business credit card review:

What do I need to know about business cards?

When you shop for business credit cards, you'll probably have questions.

Fortunately, business credit cards aren't that complicated. It's worth learning how they work and what makes them special, because their perks can be invaluable for businesses large and small.

What is a business credit card?

Credit cards for business use typically have a few features that personal credit cards don't, including higher credit limits, more travel perks, and higher limits on the free insurance you get when you make a purchase.

Here's how business credit cards differ from personal cards:

  • Business-focused rewards: Business cards often pay out bonus rewards for spending in bonus categories. Some offer bonuses for spending on phone bills, office supplies, online advertising, and other common business expenses.
  • High credit limits: Businesses simply have larger spending needs than individuals, so business credit cards are typically high-limit credit cards. The average person might not need to swipe a personal card for a $25,000 purchase, but many businesses pay large bills from suppliers and vendors.
  • Perks for business users: Some cards offer features for frequent fliers, like credits to pay for TSA PreCheck or Global Entry, airport lounge access, and increased travel insurance. They also typically offer no foreign transaction fees, so you won't have to worry about that added cost when you make purchases with companies who process payments through a foreign bank.
  • Credit bureau reporting: Business cards report to business-specific credit scoring databases, helping you build credit as a business.

Why you need a business credit card

While there are many benefits to business credit cards, the primary reason it's so important to have one is to keep your personal and business expenses separate. It's harder to track spending separately for yourself and your business if all your expenses are mixed together on the same card. During tax season, you'll be happy you got a business credit card when you can review your card's expense reports for deductions.

Business credit cards offer a lot of spending power, but that comes with a lot of responsibility, too. Here's a checklist to help you decide if a business card is right for you.

  • You own your own business. At the risk of stating the obvious, owning a business is a prerequisite to getting a business credit card. It doesn't have to be a big business -- it could just be a side gig -- but you should have some reasonable need for a business card to apply for one.
  • You want to establish a business banking relationship and credit. This is one of the best reasons to apply for a business card. Having a relationship with a major bank can be useful if your business will need other forms of financing at a later time to purchase things like cars, equipment, or real estate.
  • You won't carry a balance. There are very few businesses that can afford to pay double-digit interest rates to borrow money. Credit cards are one of the most expensive sources of financing, so credit cards are best used as a payment method, not a financing method.
  • You're willing to be personally liable. Charges you make to a business credit card can be a personal liability, and though many business cards will not report good payment history to the personal credit bureaus, they will report it if your account is seriously delinquent. For this reason, a business credit card is not usually a good solution for building personal credit history.

When to get a business credit card

What people often don't realize about business credit cards is that you can get one surprisingly early in your business's lifespan, and it's smart to do so.

In fact, you don't need a registered business to apply for a business credit card.

Qualifying for a business credit card

Card issuers let you apply as a sole proprietor, using your Social Security number. The business also doesn't have to be profitable yet. Your application can get approved based on your personal income. When you apply for a business credit card, the card issuer will look at your personal financial information and credit history.

What to look for in a business credit card

There are several features to look for in a business credit card, including:

  • High rewards rate: You can find cash back and travel rewards business credit cards. With either option, you should look for a card that earns a high flat rate on purchases, or one that earns extra in the categories where your business spends quite a bit.
  • 0% intro APR offer: If you have major business expenses coming up that you need to finance, a business card with a 0% intro APR is a great choice. You can pay off those expenses interest-free until the end of the card's intro period. Note that the interest rate will increase after the intro offer expires, so it's imperative to pay down your balance before that happens. For expenses that will take much longer to pay off, it's worth doing the math to see whether a business loan or credit card will save you more money.
  • Expense tracking: Many business cards include detailed information on how your business spends money. This can help you budget and ensure you're using money wisely.
  • Free employee cards: If you have employees or plan to hire employees in the future, then you may want the option to issue employee credit cards free of charge. Also look for an option to adjust credit limits on employee cards so no employee can max out your card account.
  • Big sign-up bonus: Although a sign-up bonus isn't exactly a must on a business credit card, it's nice to earn a large chunk of cash back or travel points shortly after getting your card.
  • Want the biggest sign-up bonus? Check out The Ascent's guide to the best sign-up bonus credit cards.

How to compare business credit cards

The way to compare the best business credit cards is to first figure out what benefits you need most.

For the typical business owner, rewards are a priority, since they earn you a percentage back on your business expenses. If that's the case for you, then here's how you would choose a business credit card:

  • Decide whether you prefer a cash back card or a travel rewards card.
  • Check the rewards rates (how much a card earns back on each purchase).
  • Review any spending caps on bonus rewards. For example, a card may earn 5% back on the first $25,000 you spend per year in select bonus categories. That spending cap may not be a problem for many businesses, but it could be if your business spends $5,000 or more in that category each month.

Depending on your and your business's needs, you may prioritize something different in a business credit card. If you need to borrow money to finance an expense, for instance, then you should compare cards based on intro APR offers. If your credit isn't the best, then look for business cards you can get without a good credit score.

The Picks
Card Rating Great For
Rating image, 4.50 out of 5 stars.
4.50/5 Circle with letter I in it. Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor. We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
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Great For:

No annual fee and cash rewards

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Great For:

Unlimited cash back

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Great For:

Gas and travel

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4.50/5 Circle with letter I in it. Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor. We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
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Great For:

Sign-up bonus and travel points

Award Icon 2024 Award Winner
Rating image, 4.25 out of 5 stars.
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Great For:

Rewards flexibility

Rating image, 5.00 out of 5 stars.
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Great For:

Sign-up bonus and travel miles

Rating image, 3.75 out of 5 stars.
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Great For:

Limited credit history

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Rating image, 5.00 out of 5 stars.
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= Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair
= Poor
Great For:

Sign-up bonus and cash rewards

Rating image, 3.75 out of 5 stars.
3.75/5 Circle with letter I in it. Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor. We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
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Great For:

0% intro APR and cash back

Rating image, 4.75 out of 5 stars.
4.75/5 Circle with letter I in it. Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor. We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
= Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair
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Great For:

Premium travel and big sign-up bonus

The information for the American Express Business Gold Card has been collected independently by The Ascent. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
The Capital One Spark 2X Miles is unavailable on The Ascent. All information was collected independently and not reviewed for accuracy or provided by the credit card issuer. Some items may be out of date.
The Capital One Spark 1% Classic Card is unavailable on The Ascent. All information was collected independently and not reviewed for accuracy or provided by the credit card issuer. Some items may be out of date.
Capital One Spark 2% Cash Plus is unavailable on The Ascent. All information was collected independently and not reviewed for accuracy or provided by the credit card issuer. Some items may be out of date.
The information for the Blue Business Cash™ Card from American Express has been collected independently by The Ascent. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
The Capital One Venture X Business Credit Card is currently unavailable on The Ascent. All information was collected independently and not reviewed for accuracy or provided by the credit card issuer. Some items may be out of date.

FAQs

  • You can qualify for a business credit card with any type of business, including sole proprietorships and new businesses that aren't generating revenue yet. When you apply for a business credit card, the card issuer will ask for both your personal and business information during the application process.

    If you operate your business as a sole proprietorship, you can choose that option on the application. And if you don't have business income yet, you could still be approved for a business credit card based on your personal credit history and income

  • It could be worth paying an annual fee for a business credit card if the value of the card outweighs the cost of the annual fee. Business credit cards with annual fees typically offer more benefits, such as higher rewards rates, bigger welcome offers, and other valuable perks. If you can use those benefits, then you may get more value from a card with an annual fee than you would from a no annual fee business card with fewer features.

  • The credit score you need for a business credit card depends on the card. The best business credit cards usually require good credit, and that starts at a FICO® Score of 670. There are also plenty of business credit cards available to those with lower scores. For some business cards, you could qualify even with a credit score below 600. These cards don't have nearly as many benefits, so if possible, it's better to improve your credit first to get a card that will help your business more.

  • A business credit card generally won't affect your personal credit score, but there are exceptions. The card issuer will run a hard credit inquiry when you apply for the card. Hard inquiries lower your credit score by a small amount (less than five points on average). Some card issuers will report negative information, such as missed payments on your business credit card, to the consumer credit bureaus.

    There are also a few card issuers that report all activity, positive and negative, from their business credit cards to personal credit bureaus. If you have a business card with one of these card issuers, then your business card's balance and payment history can affect your credit score.

Our Credit Cards Expert