Whether you’re a freelancer, a gig worker, or a business owner with multiple employees, you may be a candidate for a small-business credit card. These can help you build both personal and business credit, finance your business charges and earn rewards.
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MoneyGeek’s Take: Top 10 Business Credit Cards
Welcome bonuses vary from one card to the next, even among the top cards from this segment. This is also the case with cash back and reward rates. Depending on the card you select, you might need to pay an annual fee. We've paid due attention to these factors and others, including APRs, foreign transaction fees and added perks, to arrive at the best of the lot.
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- Best Business Credit Card Offers
- Quick Tips for Comparing Business Credit Card Offers
- What Businesses Should Know When Applying for a Credit Card
- Expert Advice & FAQs About Business Credit Cards
Best Business Credit Card Offers
We think the best business credit cards should help you maximize your everyday expenses — and not cost you in the long run. Many of the cards in our lineup charge few or no fees, come with a low APR, have zero-interest financing offers and offer rich rewards and perks.
Best Businesses Cards With Cash Back & Travel Rewards
Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express
Great no-annual-fee card for earning rewards on business spending
- Good-ExcellentCredit Needed
- $0Annual Fee
- 2 Miles per $1*Rewards Rate
- 1xRewards Rate on TV, Phone, Internet Services
- 1xRewards Rate on Online Shopping
Ink Business Cash® Credit Card
Fantastic card for earning rewards on office supplies
- Good-ExcellentCredit Needed
- $0Annual Fee
- 1–5% Cash Back*Rewards Rate
- 5xRewards Rate on TV, Phone, Internet Services
- 2xRewards Rate on Dining
-
The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card
This business credit card is perfect for earning Hilton Honors points
- Good-ExcellentCredit Needed
- $95Annual Fee
- 3–12 Points per $1*Rewards Rate
- 12xRewards Rate at Hotels
- 6xRewards Rate on Gas
Capital One Spark Miles for Business
Best flat-rate rewards card for frequent flyers
- Good-ExcellentCredit Needed
- $95Annual Fee
- 2 Miles per $1Rewards Rate
- 2xRewards Rate at Hotels
- 2xRewards Rate on Groceries
U.S. Bank Triple Cash Rewards Visa® Business Card
A great no annual fee cash back credit card for business
- $0Annual Fee
- 15 monthsBalance Transfer Duration
- 15 monthsAPR Offer Duration
- 1% - 5% Cash BackRewards Rate
Capital One Spark Cash Plus
Excellent card for earning rewards through employee spending
- ExcellentCredit Needed
- $150Annual Fee
- 2% Cash BackRewards Rate
- 2xRewards Rate on Gas
- 2xRewards Rate on Groceries
American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card
A simple cash back rewards card that helps you avoid hassles
- Good-ExcellentCredit Needed
- $0Annual Fee
- 1–2% Cash Back*Rewards Rate
- 1xRewards Rate on TV, Phone, Internet Services
- 1xRewards Rate on Gas
Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card
Excellent card for maximizing the rewards you earn while traveling
- Good-ExcellentCredit Needed
- $125Annual Fee
- 2–6 Points per $1*Rewards Rate
- 6xRewards Rate at Hotels
- 4xRewards Rate on TV, Phone, Internet Services
World of Hyatt Business Credit Card
A great business credit card for World of Hyatt members
- $199Annual Fee
- 1–9 PointsRewards Rate
- 2xRewards Rate on Dining
- 2xRewards Rate on Gas
- NoneForeign Transaction Fee
Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card
A great business card with a flat, simple rewards structure and no annual fees.
- Good-ExcellentCredit Needed
- $0Annual Fee
- 1.5% Cash BackRewards Rate
- 1.5xRewards Rate on TV, Phone, Internet Services
- 1.5xRewards Rate on Entertainment
The links in the table below and the following component will take you to one of our partner's sites where you can compare and apply for a selected credit card.
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Other Cards to Consider
HOW WE RANK BUSINESS CREDIT CARDS
To ensure that we provide our readers with the most accurate and up-to-date information, experts at MoneyGeek collect 57 data points from different sources, such as the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, card issuer websites and our various partners. We rely on our unique in-house ranking methodology to select the best business credit cards, and our model assigns specific percentages to different parameters based on their importance. The key parameters we consider to arrive at our list of the top credit cards for business include:
- Annual Fee: 15%
- Welcome Offer: 11%
- Cash Back/Points/Miles Rate: 7%
- APR: 5%
- Foreign Transaction Fee: 3%
How to Compare Business Credit Cards & Intro Offers
Every business has its own needs, so some credit cards will be a better fit for you over others. When you’re comparing cards, consider how you’ll use the rewards program and features and whether the terms are affordable to you.
1
Assess your business spending
If you’ve already been in business for a while, go through statements from your business checking account or other credit cards to see which expenses regularly come up and how much you usually spend each month. This can help you choose a rewards program to maximize those expenses.
2
Consider whether you need employee cards
If your business has employees, you may want to give them access to the line of credit so they can make business-related purchases and earn rewards for the account. Check whether the credit card issuer offers employees cards, charges a fee for them or allows you to set spending limits on each card.
3
Check the credit card terms
Your credit card might cost you money if you have a high annual fee and carry a balance. But the fees could be worth it if the rewards are a good match for your expenses. And you can find ways to save money if you tend to revolve a balance; for example, the card might offer a 0% introductory APR.
4
Look for additional features
Look for other fees you might have to pay and any features that come with the card. Then consider how it will impact your business. For example, a card that charges foreign transaction fees may be a poor choice if you frequently travel overseas or make purchases with foreign suppliers.
5
Compare introductory offers
Many business credit cards come with sign-up bonuses, but you might need to spend a certain amount to earn them. Make sure you can receive the bonus without overspending.
MoneyGeek’s Guide to Finding the Best Credit Card for Your Business
Your goal might be to find a credit card that helps your business grow, but it’s just as important to understand the risks and rewards that come with them, how to apply, how to manage your account and when not to use a credit card for financing business purchases.
>> MORE: How to Get a Business Credit CardBenefits to Having a Business Credit Card
Business credit cards come loaded with perks that can help your business get ahead. These help you:
Benefit
Description
Finance purchases
Whether your business needs to buy supplies or access
cash advances, credit cards provide a ready source of capital.Control employee spending
Providing employee cards helps you better track
employee expenses without dealing with reimbursements.Earn rewards
You might earn cash back or points that you can
redeem for travel and other rewards. Plus, most business
credit cards come with extra perks like travel insurance
and extended warranties.Simplify your finances
Many business credit cards provide quarterly and
year-end summaries and connect with bookkeeping
software programs.
Risks Associated With Business Credit Cards
Using any type of credit card has the potential to put you into debt if you charge more than you can pay back — especially if the card comes with a high APR. But business credit cards, in particular, have a few unique risks you should consider before applying:
Drawback
Description
You sign a personal guarantee
Most credit card issuers require business owners to
provide a “personal guarantee,” which is a promise to
repay any account balance if the business is
unable to.Your personal credit may be affected
If the card issuer reports the business credit card
account activity to credit reporting agencies, it could
bruise your personal credit score.You receive fewer protections
The 2009 Credit CARD Act introduced a number
of important consumer protections, but it doesn’t apply
to business credit cards. That’s why it’s important to
check your monthly statements and any communications
from your issuer. Look for changes to your APR,
fees and other terms of the account.
Key Differences Between Personal & Business Credit Scores
Business credit cards might look and act like consumer credit cards, but there are some key differences that set them apart, such as:
- Fewer consumer protections: Business credit cards aren’t subject to the same consumer protections provided by the 2009 Credit CARD Act, though some card issuers extend these protections as a courtesy to small businesses. Keep an eye on things like high late fees or impromptu changes to your APR.
- Business-oriented rewards and benefits: You might have access to built-in perks such as bookkeeping features, expense-tracking tools and rewards geared toward businesses.
- Different credit reporting policies: Business credit card issuers may report the primary cardholder’s account activity, such as payment history and balance information, to the business and personal credit bureaus.
- More spending power: Business credit cards tend to come with higher credit limits, which could benefit you if your business has high operating costs.
- Different credit system: You might have a good handle on how personal credit works, but business credit is more complicated. Here’s a quick overview: The three major credit-reporting bureaus — Dun & Bradstreet, Experian and Equifax — each collect financial information about your company, compile it into a credit report and assign your business a credit score. The Dun & Bradstreet PAYDEX Score and the Experian Intelliscore Plus score range from 1 to 100, with 100 being the highest score possible. Equifax measures a company’s payment history, credit risk and potential failure to arrive at three separate scores.
MONEYGEEK QUICK TIP:
Based on the latest Small Business Credit Survey, about 80% of small business owners reported that their personal finances were negatively impacted by the pandemic due to things like not taking a salary, having to pay for business expenses with personal funds or credit, etc
Though the economy and businesses are slowly opening back up, owners still need help bridging the gap. This is where business cards with 0% APR on new purchases or balance transfers can be helpful since they give a grace period for when interest starts accruing.
What Is Needed to Apply for a Business Credit Card
The main requirement of opening a business credit card should come as no surprise — you’ll need to operate a business. Other than that, credit card issuers generally look for:
You’ll typically need good to excellent credit — a personal credit score of at least 670 or an excellent business credit score — to qualify for a business credit card. Some issuers grant cards to people with scores in the “fair” range, and if your score is lower, then you may need to apply for a secured business credit card.
The card issuer will need your business name, address and phone number, along with contact details for the primary cardholder.
You’ll likely need to report the number of employees in your company — which might be one if it’s just you — and the number of years you’ve been in business. The card issuer will also need to know the type of industry you’re in and the company’s structure.
The card issuer will want to know how much your business earns each year, how much you plan to spend each month and your tax identification number.
Once you submit an application, you might find out right away whether you’ve been approved or declined. If approved, you’ll receive a copy of the credit card in the mail within a week or two.
The process might slow down if the card issuer requests extra documentation or asks questions about the information you provided. This might add a few days or weeks to the application process.
MONEYGEEK EXPERT TIP
According to the 2020 Small Busines Credit Survey, business owners’ personal finances remain deeply intertwined with the finances of their businesses, with 88% of firms relying on an owner’s personal credit score to secure financing.
In many cases, you’ll need strong credit to qualify for a business credit card. On a scale of 300 to 850, a FICO score of at least 670 is generally considered a “good” credit score. A higher score may give you a better chance at qualifying for the card, earn you a larger credit limit or get you a lower annual percentage rate (APR). But some card issuers might offer business credit cards for fair credit, especially if the business is well-established or has a significant annual revenue.
Questions to Ask Yourself When Choosing a Business Credit Card
If you want to earn rewards, simplify employee expenses and build credit, there are three main questions to ask yourself before opening a small business credit card account.
- Which credit bureaus will my card issuer report to? Every card issuer has its own policies on where it reports account information, so call the card issuer and ask about its process. The major personal credit bureaus are Experian, Equifax and TransUnion, while the main business credit bureaus are Dun & Bradstreet, Equifax, FICO SBSS and Experian.
- How many employees need a company card? Your company needs to have at least one employee to open a business credit card account. If you’re a sole proprietor, then you can list yourself as that employee. But if you employ multiple workers, consider whether you need to hand out employee cards and check whether the card offers them.
- How much does my business spend? It’s a good idea to review your business spending from the last 12 to 24 months to figure out how much you typically spend each month and determine where your money usually goes.
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Alternatives to Financing Business Expenses Without a Credit Card
While business credit cards can be excellent tools, they’re not the right fit for every situation. If you need more cash flow or you’re looking to save on business expenses, make sure you understand your alternative options and when to use them.
Financing Options
Description
Business loans
If you need to borrow a large amount and want to
pay it off over several years, a business loan can be a
cheaper option.Invoice financing
Some lenders are willing to buy your unpaid invoices
in exchange for a certain percentage of the value. This
could be a good option if you typically invoice your
clients and need cash immediately.Financing agreements
You can also work out a contract financing agreement
with your suppliers or partners. This acts like a cash
advance on work you have yet to perform.Savings programs
Some credit cards offer savings programs — including
Spring from Capital One, Visa SavingsEdge and Mastercard
Easy Savings — that help you find discounts and
deals on your business expenses.
Expert Advice & FAQs About Business Credit Cards
We’ve got answers to some of the most critical questions about business credit and using business credit cards:
Tips From The Pros: Finding & Using the Right Business Credit Card
- With fewer protections and higher interest rates than consumer cards, is it truly worth it for a small business to have and use a business card versus a personal one for business expenses?
- Should all small business owners or self-employed individuals have a business credit card for expenses? If not, which businesses benefit most from having a business card?
- What are some ways business owners can appropriately use their credit cards to build credit and stay out of debt?
Amit Sinha
Professor of Finance and Quantitative Methods at Bradley University
David Sacco
Practitioner in Residence at the University of New Haven
Dr. Christopher Newman
Associate Professor of Marketing at The University of Mississippi
Chad Nehring
Certified Financial Planner
John Longo
Professor of Finance at Rutgers Business School; Author of Buffett's Tips: A Guide to Financial Literacy and Life
Dr. Brandon Di Paolo Harrison
Assistant Professor of Accounting at Austin Peay State University
Scott W. Hegerty
Associate Professor of Economics at Northeastern Illinois University
Carrie Friedberg
SF Money Coach, Certified Financial Coach and Financial Behavior Specialist®
May Jiang
CPA, CFP®, Founder of Beyond Profit and Wealth Consulting
Sandra D. Adams, CFP®
Lead Financial Planner/Partner at The Center for Financial Planning, Inc.
Catharine Curran, PhD
Associate Professor, Management & Marketing at The University of Massachusetts Dartmouth
Deanne Butchey
Teaching Professor, Department of Finance at the College of Business, Florida International University
Julia Menez
Travel Hacking Coach and Founder of Geobreeze
Ramiro J. Atristain-Carrion
Executive In Residence and Adjunct Professor of Finance at Dominican University
Yutong Xie
Assistant Professor of Finance at The College of New Jersey
Dr. Andrew Burnstine
Associate Professor of Marketing at Lynn University
Mark T. Schenkel
Associate Editor at Journal of Small Business Management and Professor of Entrepreneurship at Jack C. Massey College of Business
Russ McCullough, PhD
Wayne Angell Chair of Economics and Director/Founder Gwartney Institute at Ottawa University
Tahereh Alavi Hojjat
Chair & Professor of Economics
Salil K. Sarkar, PhD, CFA
Professor of Finance, Coordinator, Doctoral Finance Program at The University of Texas at Arlington
Sheila A. Handy
Visiting Professor - Department of Economics at Lafayette College
Jesse Veenstra
Instructor of Finance at Dordt University
William Nunn, CFP®
Managing Member, Founder of Horizon Financial Planning LLC
Jacqueline R. Jaeger
Adjunct Business Faculty at the University of Dubuque
Philip Mayer
Professor of Economics and Political Science at Three Rivers Community College
Dr. Tammie S. Lang, Ed.D
Program Director, Business Administration at Southeast Community College
Joe Roberts, Ph.D.
Director, Center for Innovation and Professional Development at Webster University
Chuck Lopez
Lecturer at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa
Kevin J. Machan
Adjunct Faculty Member of the College of Graduate Studies at Cardinal Stritch University
Jeff Jeter
Executive Director of Financial Planning at Heritage Investors
Kimberly Bailiff
Adjunct Instructor of Marketing at Walsh College
David S. (Steve) Heesacker
Business Instructor at Central Carolina Community College
Melinda Shew
Business Technologies Instructor at Surry Community College
James Sundberg, CGMA, CPA
Part-Time Instructor at Cleary University
J. Cameron Verhaal
Assistant Professor of Management and Entrepreneurship at Tulane University’s Freeman School of Business
Alexandre Olbrecht
Professor of Economics and Executive Director, Eastern Economic Association at the Ramapo College Of New Jersey
Bruce Bachenheimer
Clinical Professor of Management and Executive Director of the Entrepreneurship Lab at Pace University
Christopher S. Tang
UCLA Distinguished Professor at UCLA Anderson School of Management
Nicole Hunter
Clinical Assistant Professor of Finance at the University at Buffalo School of Management
Dr. Karyl B. Leggio
Professor of Finance, Sellinger School of Business at Loyola University Maryland
Catherine Valega
Certified Financial Planning Prof (CFP), and CAIA (Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst)
Dr. Kareem Tannous
Assistant Professor at Cabrini University
Peter Staples
Assistant Professor of Business and Economics at Lyon College
Caleb Martin
Professor of Accounting at Erskine College
Chris M. Lawrey, PhD
Assistant Professor at the University of South Alabama
Laura Coordes
Associate Professor of Law at Arizona State University
John Peatross
Certified Public Accountant and Adjunct Instructor at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County
Dr. Angela Buchanan
Associate Professor in Business & Economics at Lyon College
Monique Beauchamp-Doll
Professor of Business Administration at Macomb Community College
Sean Tossi
Assistant Professor of Management at University of Cincinnati
Steve Horan
Assistant Professor of Business
Bill Miller
Professor of Accounting at University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire
Dr. James J. Carroll, CPA
Professor Emeritus
Tufan Ekici
Visiting Assistant Professor of Economics at Ramapo College of New Jersey
Michael A. Adamo
Professor at County College of Morris
Mark Oxley
Accounting & Business Instructor, Casper College
Dr. Stephen Brincks
Professor of Finance at San Diego State University
Kevin Kuenn
Fixed Term Instructor of Business at Northwest College
Robert Fitzgerald
Accounting Instructor at Motlow State Community College
Rob Larson
Associate Professor of Management at Luther College
Colby D. Green, PhD
Assistant Professor of Strategic Management at the Dixie L. Leavitt School of Business at Southern Utah University
Dr. Jeremiah Nelson
Assistant Professor of Management at Catawba College
Christian Nelson
Staff Accountant at Bay de Noc Community College
Rita W. Green, Ed.D.
Founder of GRADES LLC, Certified Personal/Family Finance Educator and Accredited Financial Counselor
Amarjit Singh
Professor, Various Universities
Dr. Christopher M. Scalzo
Associate Professor at SUNY Morrisville
Lyle M. Rupert
C. Louis and Charlotte Cabe Distinguished Professorship in Economics and Business
David Hart
Executive in Residence at Oklahoma Wesleyan University
Jack Yoest
Assistant Professor of Practice in Leadership and Management at The Catholic University of America
Dr. Maria H. Sanchez
Professor of Accountancy at Rider University, CPA, Ph.D.
FAQs
Next Steps
Now that you know what you can expect from the best business credit cards, select one based on your specific needs and spending patterns. For instance, you may benefit by getting a card with an annual fee if you feel you'll be able to offset the cost through its various features and benefits.
Compare Credit Cards
Hilton Honors American Express Business Card
Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card
Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card
Ink Business Cash® Credit Card
Capital One Spark Miles for Business
Capital One Spark Cash Plus
World of Hyatt Business Credit Card
U.S. Bank Triple Cash Rewards Visa® Business Card
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sources
- Federal Reserve. "Small Business Credit Survey." Accessed April 21, 2021.
- Experian. "What is a good credit score?." Accessed April 21, 2021.
- Money Geek. "Business credit reports." Accessed April 21, 2021.
- Experian. "Business credit report." Accessed April 21, 2021.
- Equifax. "Business credit report for small business." Accessed April 21, 2021.
- Dun & Bradstreet. "Business credit report." Accessed April 21, 2021.
- Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. "CARD Act Report." Accessed April 21, 2021.
*Rates, fees or bonuses may vary or include specific stipulations. The content on this page is
accurate as of the posting/last updated date; however, some of the offers mentioned may have expired. We recommend visiting the card issuer’s website for the most up-to-date information available.
Editorial Disclosure: Opinions, reviews, analyses and recommendations are the author’s alone and have not been reviewed, endorsed or approved by any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity.
Advertiser Disclosure: MoneyGeek has partnered with
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