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When it comes to credit cards for your business, what do you look for? At The Ascent, our experts look for low or no-fee cards with a low APR in our best business credit cards with rich rewards and perks. In our list of business credit cards, you'll see the leading options for business owners interested in cash back, travel rewards, and 0% intro APR financing offers.
Ink Business Cash® Credit Card
Great for: No annual fee and cash rewards
On Chase's Secure Website.
On Chase's Secure Website.
Intro APR N/A
Purchases: 0% Intro APR on Purchases, 12 months
Balance Transfers: N/A
Regular APR
17.49% - 23.49% Variable
Rewards 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 N/A
$0
Welcome Offer LIMITED TIME OFFER: Earn $900 bonus cash back after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening
Earn $900 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
Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card
Great for: Unlimited cash back
On Chase's Secure Website.
On Chase's Secure Website.
Intro APR N/A
Purchases: 0% Intro APR on Purchases, 12 months
Balance Transfers: N/A
Regular APR
17.49% - 23.49% Variable
Rewards Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase made for your business
Unlimited 1.5% cash back
Annual Fee N/A
$0
Welcome Offer LIMITED TIME OFFER: Earn $900 bonus cash back after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
Earn $900 bonus cash back
This business card offers a great one-two punch with a lucrative sign-up bonus plus cash back. Read Full Review
Costco Anywhere Visa® Business Card by Citi
Great for: Gas and travel
On Citi's Secure Website.
On Citi's Secure Website.
Intro APR
Purchases: N/A
Balance Transfers: N/A
Regular APR
19.49% (Variable)
Rewards 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
Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card
Great for: Sign-up bonus and travel points
On Chase's Secure Website.
On Chase's Secure Website.
Intro APR N/A
Purchases: N/A
Balance Transfers: N/A
Regular APR
20.24% - 25.24% Variable
Rewards 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.
Earn 3 points per $1 in select business categories
Annual Fee N/A
$95
Welcome Offer Earn 100,000 bonus points after you spend $15,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
Earn 100,000 bonus points
With a huge sign up bonus and massive on going 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
American Express Business Gold Card
Great for: Rewards flexibility
Intro APR
Purchases: N/A
Balance Transfers: N/A
Regular APR
17.24% - 25.24%, variable
Rewards 4 points per $1 in two categories where you spend most ($150,000 annual spending cap), 1 point per $1 on other purchases
1x - 4x points
Annual Fee
$295
Welcome Offer 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. The inclusion of a nice welcome offer sweetens the pot.
Capital One Spark 2X Miles
Great for: Sign-up bonus and travel miles
Intro APR
Purchases: N/A
Balance Transfers: N/A
Regular APR
25.24%, variable
Rewards
2x miles
Annual Fee $0 intro fee for first year; $95 after that
$0 intro fee
Welcome Offer 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.
Capital One Spark 1% Classic Card
Great for: Limited credit history
Intro APR
Purchases: N/A
Balance Transfers: N/A
Regular APR
28.49%, 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.
Capital One Spark 2% Cash Plus
Great for: Sign-up bonus and cash rewards
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 Earn up to $1,000 in bonuses; $500 cash bonus once you spend $5,000 on purchases within 3 months, plus another $500 for spending $50,000 in the first 6 months
$1,000
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.
Blue Business Cash™ Card from American Express
Great for: 0% intro APR and cash back
Intro APR
Purchases: 0%, 12 months
Balance Transfers: N/A
Regular APR
16.24% - 24.24%, variable
Rewards 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 Earn a $250 statement credit after spending $3,000 on your card in the first three months.
$250 statement credit
With generous cash back rewards, an intro APR offer, and free employee cards, this no annual fee card is great for businesses that don't spend too much every year.
When you shop for business credit cards, you'll probably have questions. What makes a business card different from a regular credit card? Do you need a business credit card? How can you know if you'll qualify for this type of credit card?
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.
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:
There are several features to look for in a business credit card, including:
Want the biggest sign-up bonus? Check out The Ascent's guide to the best sign-up bonus credit cards.
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. 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.
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.
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:
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.
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.
Card | Rating | Great For |
---|---|---|
Rating image, 4.50 out of 5 stars.
4.50 stars
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. |
Great For: No annual fee and cash rewards |
|
Rating image, 4.50 out of 5 stars.
4.50 stars
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. |
Great For: Unlimited cash back |
|
Rating image, 4.50 out of 5 stars.
4.50 stars
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. |
Great For: Gas and travel |
|
Rating image, 4.50 out of 5 stars.
4.50 stars
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. |
Great For: Sign-up bonus and travel points |
|
|
Rating image, 4.00 out of 5 stars.
4.00 stars
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. |
Great For: Rewards flexibility |
Rating image, 4.50 out of 5 stars.
4.50 stars
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. |
Great For: Sign-up bonus and travel miles |
|
Rating image, 4.00 out of 5 stars.
4.00 stars
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. |
Great For: Limited credit history |
|
Rating image, 4.50 out of 5 stars.
4.50 stars
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. |
Great For: Sign-up bonus and cash rewards |
|
Rating image, 3.50 out of 5 stars.
3.50 stars
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. |
Great For: 0% intro APR and cash back |
Getting a business credit card isn’t always as easy as getting a personal credit card. Given that business card users tend to spend more heavily than personal card users, the underwriting process can be a little more stringent.
Here are some things that will make it more likely you’re approved:
Our list of the best business cards includes cards that go up and down the credit spectrum. As a rule of thumb, cards with a lower minimum credit line are more likely to approve people with lower spending needs and credit scores than cards with higher minimum credit limits.
One of the interesting things about business cards is that, besides elevated rewards rates, you don’t have to pay an annual fee to get additional perks from a business card.
For example, if you want a personal card that offers primary insurance against rental car damage, the least expensive option carries an annual fee of $95. However, business cards are different.
Therefore, we tend to think that it’s worth paying an annual fee only if you spend so much that a higher rewards rate pays for the annual fee. The table below compares two popular Capital One business cards on the basis of rewards and annual fees.
The best business credit cards require good credit, and that range starts at a FICO® Score of 670. Of course, a higher score is always better when applying for credit cards.
There are business credit cards available to those with lower scores. Depending on the card you choose, you could qualify even with a credit score below 600. However, these cards won't offer nearly as many benefits. If possible, it's better to improve your credit first so you can qualify for 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). If you miss payments on your business card and the account goes to collections, that will cause a significant drop in your credit score.
There are also a few card issuers that report activity 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
We're firm believers in the Golden Rule, which is why editorial opinions are ours alone and have not been previously reviewed, approved, or endorsed by included advertisers. The Ascent does not cover all offers on the market. Editorial content from The Ascent is separate from The Motley Fool editorial content and is created by a different analyst team.
For rates and fees for the American Express Business Gold Card, click here
For rates and fees for the Blue Business Cash™ Card from American Express, click here
The Motley Fool owns shares of and recommends Mastercard and Visa. The Motley Fool recommends Amex.
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