Many or all of the products featured here are from our partners who compensate us. This may influence which products we write about and where and how the product appears on a page. However, this does not influence our evaluations. Our opinions are our own. Here is a list of our partners and here's how we make money.
The best business credit cards offer rich ongoing rewards and business-friendly benefits that can help you reach your goals faster. Some of the top small-business credit cards include:
- Best cash-back business card: Wells Fargo Signify Business Cash℠ Card.
- Best business travel card: Capital One Venture X Business.
- Best business card for intro APR: U.S. Bank Business Triple Cash Rewards World Elite Mastercard®.
Consider what type of rewards will be most useful (cash back or points) and any other features — like intro APR period, travel credits or bonus categories — that can save your business time and money. Note: Most of our picks require good personal credit (a FICO score of at least 690). If you have a lower credit score, check out our picks for fair credit and bad credit.
ALSO CONSIDER: Best LLC business cards || Best 0% intro APR business cards || Best corporate cards
250+ small-business products reviewed and rated by our team of experts.
95+ years of combined experience covering small-business and personal finance.
Objective comprehensive business credit card ratings rubric (Methodology).
NerdWallet's business credit card content, including our ratings, reviews and recommendations, is overseen by a team of writers and editors who specialize in business credit cards. Their work has appeared in The Associated Press, Washington Post, MarketWatch, Nasdaq, Entrepreneur, ABC News, MSN and other national and local media outlets. Each writer and editor follows NerdWallet's strict editorial guidelines to ensure fairness and accuracy in our coverage. We independently evaluate and rate dozens of small-business credit cards, scoring them on fees, rewards rates, bonus offers and other features to help you choose the best business card for your company.
While all of our picks for small-business credit cards are chosen by our editorial team without outside input, the cards highlighted below are those that are available from our partners. You can jump to our full editorial picks section for our complete list of best business credit cards, including those not available through NerdWallet.
🤓 Nerdy Tip
You can get a business credit card without having a business. Approval largely depends on personal credit history — not business credit score, business structure or even business revenue for most cards — so even freelancers and folks with an occasional side gig can qualify.Many or all of the products featured here are from our partners who compensate us. This may influence which products we write about and where and how the product appears on a page. However, this does not influence our evaluations. Our opinions are our own. Here is a list of our partners and here's how we make money.
The best business credit cards offer rich ongoing rewards and business-friendly benefits that can help you reach your goals faster. Some of the top small-business credit cards include:
- Best cash-back business card: Wells Fargo Signify Business Cash℠ Card.
- Best business travel card: Capital One Venture X Business.
- Best business card for intro APR: U.S. Bank Business Triple Cash Rewards World Elite Mastercard®.
Consider what type of rewards will be most useful (cash back or points) and any other features — like intro APR period, travel credits or bonus categories — that can save your business time and money. Note: Most of our picks require good personal credit (a FICO score of at least 690). If you have a lower credit score, check out our picks for fair credit and bad credit.
ALSO CONSIDER: Best LLC business cards || Best 0% intro APR business cards || Best corporate cards
250+ small-business products reviewed and rated by our team of experts.
95+ years of combined experience covering small-business and personal finance.
Objective comprehensive business credit card ratings rubric (Methodology).
NerdWallet's business credit card content, including our ratings, reviews and recommendations, is overseen by a team of writers and editors who specialize in business credit cards. Their work has appeared in The Associated Press, Washington Post, MarketWatch, Nasdaq, Entrepreneur, ABC News, MSN and other national and local media outlets. Each writer and editor follows NerdWallet's strict editorial guidelines to ensure fairness and accuracy in our coverage. We independently evaluate and rate dozens of small-business credit cards, scoring them on fees, rewards rates, bonus offers and other features to help you choose the best business card for your company.
While all of our picks for small-business credit cards are chosen by our editorial team without outside input, the cards highlighted below are those that are available from our partners. You can jump to our full editorial picks section for our complete list of best business credit cards, including those not available through NerdWallet.
🤓 Nerdy Tip
You can get a business credit card without having a business. Approval largely depends on personal credit history — not business credit score, business structure or even business revenue for most cards — so even freelancers and folks with an occasional side gig can qualify.Here are the best business credit cards from our partners
| Credit card▼ | NerdWallet rating▼ | Annual fee▼ | Rewards rate | Intro offer | Learn more |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card Apply now on Chase's website | 5.0/5 Best for Unlimited 1.5% cash back | $0 | 1.5% Cashback | $750 | Apply now on Chase's website |
The American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card Apply now on American Express' website Rates & Fees | 4.7/5 Best for Sole proprietors and new businesses | $0 | 1%-2% Cashback | $250 | Apply now on American Express' website Rates & Fees |
Ink Business Cash® Credit Card Apply now on Chase's website | 4.8/5 Best for Cash-back bonus categories (up to 5% back) | $0 | 1%-5% Cashback | $350 | Apply now on Chase's website |
Capital One Spark Cash Plus Apply now on Capital One's website Rates & Fees | 5.0/5 Best for No preset spending limit (business charge card) | $150 | 2%-5% Cashback | $1,200 | Apply now on Capital One's website Rates & Fees |
Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card Apply now on Chase's website | 4.9/5 Best for Welcome offer (travel card) | $95 | 1x-3x Points | 100,000 Points | Apply now on Chase's website |
The Business Platinum Card® from American Express Apply now on American Express' website Rates & Fees | 4.8/5 Best for Luxury travel card | $695 | 1x-5x Points | 150,000 Points | Apply now on American Express' website Rates & Fees |
Capital One Venture X Business Apply now on Capital One's website Rates & Fees | 5.0/5 Best for Overall business travel card | $395 | 2x-10x Miles | 150,000 Miles | Apply now on Capital One's website Rates & Fees |
Ramp Card Apply now on Ramp's website | 3.6/5 Best for Corporate card (no personal guarantee) | $0 | 1.5% Cashback | N/A | Apply now on Ramp's website |
U.S. Bank Business Triple Cash Rewards World Elite Mastercard® Apply now on US Bank's website Rates & Fees | 4.7/5 Best for Intro APR period (purchases and balance transfers) | $0 | 1%-3% Cashback | $500 | Apply now on US Bank's website Rates & Fees |
IHG One Rewards Premier Business Credit Card Apply now on Chase's website | 5.0/5 Best for Hotel business card | $99 | 3x-26x Points | 140,000 Points | Apply now on Chase's website |
United℠ Business Card Apply now on Chase's website | 5.0/5 Best for Airline business credit card | $0 intro for the first year, then $99 | 1x-2x Miles | 75000 Miles | Apply now on Chase's website |
U.S. Bank Business Altitude™ Connect World Elite Mastercard® Apply now on US Bank's website Rates & Fees | 5.0/5 Best for Travel rewards bonus categories (up to 4X points on travel) | $0 intro for the first year, then $95 | 1x-5x Points | 60,000 Points | Apply now on US Bank's website Rates & Fees |
| Credit card▼ | NerdWallet rating▼ | Annual fee▼ | Rewards rate | Intro offer | Learn more |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card Apply now on Chase's website | 5.0/5 Best for Unlimited 1.5% cash back | $0 | 1.5% Cashback | $750 | Apply now on Chase's website |
The American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card Apply now on American Express' website Rates & Fees | 4.7/5 Best for Sole proprietors and new businesses | $0 | 1%-2% Cashback | $250 | Apply now on American Express' website Rates & Fees |
Ink Business Cash® Credit Card Apply now on Chase's website | 4.8/5 Best for Cash-back bonus categories (up to 5% back) | $0 | 1%-5% Cashback | $350 | Apply now on Chase's website |
Capital One Spark Cash Plus Apply now on Capital One's website Rates & Fees | 5.0/5 Best for No preset spending limit (business charge card) | $150 | 2%-5% Cashback | $1,200 | Apply now on Capital One's website Rates & Fees |
Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card Apply now on Chase's website | 4.9/5 Best for Welcome offer (travel card) | $95 | 1x-3x Points | 100,000 Points | Apply now on Chase's website |
The Business Platinum Card® from American Express Apply now on American Express' website Rates & Fees | 4.8/5 Best for Luxury travel card | $695 | 1x-5x Points | 150,000 Points | Apply now on American Express' website Rates & Fees |
Capital One Venture X Business Apply now on Capital One's website Rates & Fees | 5.0/5 Best for Overall business travel card | $395 | 2x-10x Miles | 150,000 Miles | Apply now on Capital One's website Rates & Fees |
Ramp Card Apply now on Ramp's website | 3.6/5 Best for Corporate card (no personal guarantee) | $0 | 1.5% Cashback | N/A | Apply now on Ramp's website |
U.S. Bank Business Triple Cash Rewards World Elite Mastercard® Apply now on US Bank's website Rates & Fees | 4.7/5 Best for Intro APR period (purchases and balance transfers) | $0 | 1%-3% Cashback | $500 | Apply now on US Bank's website Rates & Fees |
IHG One Rewards Premier Business Credit Card Apply now on Chase's website | 5.0/5 Best for Hotel business card | $99 | 3x-26x Points | 140,000 Points | Apply now on Chase's website |
United℠ Business Card Apply now on Chase's website | 5.0/5 Best for Airline business credit card | $0 intro for the first year, then $99 | 1x-2x Miles | 75000 Miles | Apply now on Chase's website |
U.S. Bank Business Altitude™ Connect World Elite Mastercard® Apply now on US Bank's website Rates & Fees | 5.0/5 Best for Travel rewards bonus categories (up to 4X points on travel) | $0 intro for the first year, then $95 | 1x-5x Points | 60,000 Points | Apply now on US Bank's website Rates & Fees |
I'M INTERESTED IN:
Our pick for
Unlimited 1.5% cash back
Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card
Read Review
Apply now
on Chase's website
Annual fee
$0
Rewards rate
1.5% Cashback
Intro offer
$750
The
Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card
is a simple, straightforward cash back card with no annual fee and no caps or bonus categories to keep tabs on.Annual fee
$0
Rewards rate
1.5% Cashback
Intro offer
$750
The
Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card
is a simple, straightforward cash back card with no annual fee and no caps or bonus categories to keep tabs on.Pros
- No annual fee
- Intro APR period
- No reward caps
- New cardholder bonus offer
Cons
- No bonus categories
- 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
Our pick for
Sole proprietors and new businesses
The American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card
Annual fee
$0
Rewards rate
1%-2% Cashback
Intro offer
$250
Come for the intro APR offer; stay for the cash back rewards.
The American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card
is a good fit for entrepreneurs looking for a no-annual-fee, no-fuss cash-back card.Annual fee
$0
Rewards rate
1%-2% Cashback
Intro offer
$250
Come for the intro APR offer; stay for the cash back rewards.
The American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card
is a good fit for entrepreneurs looking for a no-annual-fee, no-fuss cash-back card.Pros
- No annual fee
- High rewards rate
- Intro APR period
- Cash rewards
Cons
- Spending caps on bonus rewards
- Requires good/excellent credit
- Earn a $250 statement credit after you make $3,000 in purchases on your Card in your first 3 months.
- 0.0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months from the date of account opening, then a variable rate, 18.49% - 26.49%, based on your creditworthiness and other factors as determined at the time of account opening. APRs will not exceed 29.99%
- Earn 2% cash back on all eligible purchases on up to $50,000 per calendar year, then 1%. Cash back earned is automatically credited to your statement.
- From workflow to inventory to floor plans, your business is constantly changing. That’s why you’ve got the power to spend beyond your credit limit with Expanded Buying Power.
- Just remember, the amount you can spend above your credit limit is not unlimited. It adjusts with your use of the Card, your payment history, credit record, financial resources known to us and other factors.
- No Annual Fee
- Terms Apply
View Rates & Fees
Our pick for
Cash-back bonus categories (up to 5% back)
Ink Business Cash® Credit Card
Read Review
Apply now
on Chase's website
Annual fee
$0
Rewards rate
1%-5% Cashback
Intro offer
$350
If your business spends heavily on office supplies, gas, restaurants or internet, cable and phone service, the
Ink Business Cash® Credit Card
is worth a look. Annual fee
$0
Rewards rate
1%-5% Cashback
Intro offer
$350
If your business spends heavily on office supplies, gas, restaurants or internet, cable and phone service, the
Ink Business Cash® Credit Card
is worth a look. Pros
- No annual fee
- Intro APR period
- New cardholder bonus offer
Cons
- Requires good/excellent credit
- Low rate outside bonus categories
- Spending caps on bonus rewards
- Earn $350 when you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first three months and an additional $400 when you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first six months after 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
- 10% Business Relationship Bonus If you have the Ink Business Cash card plus a Chase Business Checking account on your first card anniversary
- 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
Our pick for
No preset spending limit (business charge card)
Capital One Spark Cash Plus
Annual fee
$150
Rewards rate
2%-5% Cashback
Intro offer
$1,200
Big spenders can net a massive welcome bonus, plus an annual bonus if you hit spending requirements. Just make sure that you can pay your balance in full each month. The
Capital One Spark Cash Plus
is a charge card that doesn't let you revolve a balance.Annual fee
$150
Rewards rate
2%-5% Cashback
Intro offer
$1,200
Big spenders can net a massive welcome bonus, plus an annual bonus if you hit spending requirements. Just make sure that you can pay your balance in full each month. The
Capital One Spark Cash Plus
is a charge card that doesn't let you revolve a balance.Pros
- Earns cash back on primary and employee cards
- Rewards don’t expire
- No foreign transaction fees
Cons
- Balance must be paid in full every month
- Has annual fee
- High spending requirement to hit full welcome bonus, annual bonus offers
- Earn a one-time cash bonus of $1,200 once you spend $30,000 in the first 3 months
- Earn unlimited 2% cash back on every purchase, everywhere—with no limits or category restrictions
- Comes with no preset spending limit, so it can adapt to your needs based on your spending behavior, payment history and credit profile
- Get your $150 annual fee refunded every year you spend at least $150,000
- Earn unlimited 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
- Add employee cards for free, and earn unlimited 2% cash back from their purchases
- $150 annual fee
- Spark Cash Plus has no APR because your balance is due in full every month
View Rates & Fees
Our pick for
Welcome offer (travel card)
Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card
Read Review
Apply now
on Chase's website
Annual fee
$95
Rewards rate
1x-3x Points
Intro offer
100,000 Points
The
Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card
offers one of the richest sign-up bonuses available on any credit card, anywhere, and it pays handsome rewards for travel expenses and a variety of business categories. Annual fee
$95
Rewards rate
1x-3x Points
Intro offer
100,000 Points
The
Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card
offers one of the richest sign-up bonuses available on any credit card, anywhere, and it pays handsome rewards for travel expenses and a variety of business categories. Pros
- New cardholder bonus offer
- Bonus categories
- Transfer partners
Cons
- Has annual fee
- No intro APR offer
- 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
Our pick for
Luxury travel card
The Business Platinum Card® from American Express
Annual fee
$695
Rewards rate
1x-5x Points
Intro offer
150,000 Points
For business travelers who spend a lot of time on the road, or especially in the air,
The Business Platinum Card® from American Express
can be a bargain even at $695
a year.Annual fee
$695
Rewards rate
1x-5x Points
Intro offer
150,000 Points
For business travelers who spend a lot of time on the road, or especially in the air,
The Business Platinum Card® from American Express
can be a bargain even at $695
a year.Pros
- Lounge membership
- Transfer partners
- Bonus categories
- Automatic elite status
- Premium travel protections
Cons
- High annual fee
- Complicated rewards
- Requires good/excellent credit
- Welcome Offer: Earn 150,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $20,000 in eligible purchases on the Card within the first 3 months of Card Membership.
- 5X Membership Rewards® points on flights and prepaid hotels on AmexTravel.com, and 1X points for each dollar you spend on eligible purchases.
- Earn 1.5X points (that’s an extra half point per dollar) on each eligible purchase at US construction material, hardware suppliers, electronic goods retailers, and software & cloud system providers, and shipping providers, as well as on purchases of $5,000 or more everywhere else, on up to $2 million of these purchases per calendar year.
- Unlock over $1,000 in statement credits on select purchases, including tech, recruiting and wireless in the first year of membership with the Business Platinum Card®. Enrollment required. See how you can unlock over $1,000 annually in credits on select purchases with the Business Platinum Card®, here.
- $200 Airline Fee Credit: Select one qualifying airline and then receive up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year when incidental fees are charged by the airline to the Card.
- $189 CLEAR® Plus Credit: Use your card and get up to $189 in statement credits per calendar year on your CLEAR® Plus Membership (subject to auto-renewal) when you use the Business Platinum Card®.
- The American Express Global Lounge Collection® can provide an escape at the airport. With complimentary access to more than 1,400 airport lounges across 140 countries and counting, you have more airport lounge options than any other credit card issuer on the market as of 03/2023.
- $695 Annual Fee.
- Terms Apply.
View Rates & Fees
Our pick for
Overall business travel card
Capital One Venture X Business
Annual fee
$395
Rewards rate
2x-10x Miles
Intro offer
150,000 Miles
This luxury travel card's perks include airport lounge access and an annual travel credit that easily offset the annual fee.
Annual fee
$395
Rewards rate
2x-10x Miles
Intro offer
150,000 Miles
This luxury travel card's perks include airport lounge access and an annual travel credit that easily offset the annual fee.
Pros
- Lounge membership
- High rewards rate
- Welcome offer
Cons
- High annual fee
- Requires excellent credit
- Balance must be paid in full every month
- Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, everywhere—with no limits or category restrictions
- This card has no preset spending limit, so you get purchasing power that adapts to your spending needs. The annual fee on this card is $395
- Earn 150,000 bonus miles once you spend $30,000 in the first 3 months from account opening
- Redeem your miles on flights, hotels and more. Plus, transfer your miles to any of the 15+ travel loyalty programs
- Earn unlimited 10X miles on hotels and rental cars and 5X miles on flights booked through Capital One Travel, where you'll get the best prices on thousands of options
- Every year, you'll get 10,000 bonus miles after your account anniversary date. Plus, receive an annual $300 credit for bookings through Capital One Travel
- Empower your teams to make business purchases while earning rewards on their transactions, with free employee and virtual cards. Plus, automatically sync your transaction data with your accounting software and pay your vendors with ease
- Skip the lines with up to a $100 statement credit on TSA PreCheck® or Global Entry. Then enjoy unlimited complimentary access to Capital One Lounges and a network of 1,300+ lounges worldwide, including Priority Pass™ and Plaza Premium Group lounges
- This is a pay-in-full card, so your balance is due in full every month
- Elevate your stay at luxury hotels and resorts from the Premier Collection with a $100 experience credit and other premium benefits on every booking
View Rates & Fees
Our pick for
Corporate card (no personal guarantee)
Ramp Card
Read Review
Apply now
on Ramp's website
Annual fee
$0
Rewards rate
1.5% Cashback
Intro offer
N/A
Ramp's corporate charge card has a lower revenue threshold than other corporate cards but offers many of the same perks: unlimited cash back, spending controls and automatic receipt matching. Plus, there's no credit check or personal guarantee.
Annual fee
$0
Rewards rate
1.5% Cashback
Intro offer
N/A
Ramp's corporate charge card has a lower revenue threshold than other corporate cards but offers many of the same perks: unlimited cash back, spending controls and automatic receipt matching. Plus, there's no credit check or personal guarantee.
Pros
- No annual fee or foreign transaction fees
- Simple, straightforward rewards
- No personal guarantee or credit check
- Direct integrations with popular tools and card-level spending controls and alerts
Cons
- Balance must be paid in full each month
- Not available to sole proprietors or unincorporated businesses
- Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on all purchases, no minimum spend required.
- No annual fee or foreign transaction fees.
- No personal credit check or personal guarantee required.
- Issue unlimited virtual cards and physical cards for each employee.
- Prevent out-of-policy spending with built-in controls, including spend restrictions by category or merchant.
- Ramp is a corporate charge card powered by Visa. Businesses are required to pay the monthly balance in full by each statement period.
- Must have at least $75,000 in cash in any U.S. business bank account to qualify.
- Must have most of your operations and corporate spend in the US (although Ramp does support international transactions and will waive all related transaction fees).
- Ramp is only available to corporations, LLCs and limited partnerships. Individuals, sole proprietorships and unregistered businesses are not eligible.
Our pick for
Intro APR period (purchases and balance transfers)
U.S. Bank Business Triple Cash Rewards World Elite Mastercard®
Annual fee
$0
Rewards rate
1%-3% Cashback
Intro offer
$500
The
U.S. Bank Business Triple Cash Rewards World Elite Mastercard®
is a triple-threat balance transfer card, with a long intro APR period, a generous sign-up bonus and great cash-back rewards.Annual fee
$0
Rewards rate
1%-3% Cashback
Intro offer
$500
The
U.S. Bank Business Triple Cash Rewards World Elite Mastercard®
is a triple-threat balance transfer card, with a long intro APR period, a generous sign-up bonus and great cash-back rewards.Pros
- Bonus cash back categories
- No annual fee
- Intro APR period on purchases and balance transfers
Cons
- Requires good/excellent credit
- Low rate outside bonus categories
- Introducing the U.S. Bank Business Triple Cash Rewards World Elite Mastercard® the card that gives back on all your eligible business needs.
- Earn $500 in cash back. Just spend $4500 on the Account Owner's card in the first 150 days of opening your account.
- Earn 3% cash back on eligible purchases at gas stations and EV charging stations, office supply stores, cell phone service providers and restaurants.
- 1% cash back on all other eligible net purchases.
- Earn 5% cash back on prepaid hotels and car rentals booked directly in the Rewards Center.
- No limit on total cash back earned.
- Rewards never expire.
- Earn an annual $100 statement credit for recurring software subscription expenses such as FreshBooks or quickbooks.
- Great Offer from U.S. Bank, a 2022 World's Most Ethical Company® - Ethisphere Institute, February 2022.
- Terms and conditions apply.
View Rates & Fees
Our pick for
Hotel business card
IHG One Rewards Premier Business Credit Card
Read Review
Apply now
on Chase's website
Annual fee
$99
Rewards rate
3x-26x Points
Intro offer
140,000 Points
This card delivers unmatched value with automatic elite status, annual credits and bonus points, a huge welcome offer and an automatic free night's stay every year.
Annual fee
$99
Rewards rate
3x-26x Points
Intro offer
140,000 Points
This card delivers unmatched value with automatic elite status, annual credits and bonus points, a huge welcome offer and an automatic free night's stay every year.
Pros
- High rewards rate
- Automatic elite status
- Anniversary perks
- No foreign transaction fee
Cons
- Has annual fee
- Rewards have limited flexibility
- Earn 140,000 Bonus Points after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
- Enjoy an Anniversary Free Night at IHG Hotels & Resorts. Plus, enjoy a fourth reward night free when you redeem points for a consecutive four-night IHG® hotel stay.
- Earn up to 26 total points per $1 spent when you stay at IHG Hotels and Resorts
- Earn 5 points per $1 spent on purchases on travel, at gas stations, select advertising, and restaurants. Earn 3 points per $1 spent on all other purchases
- Automatic Platinum Elite status as long as you remain a Premier Business cardmember
- Global Entry, TSA PreCheck® or NEXUS Statement Credit of up to $100 every 4 years as reimbursement for the application fee charged to your card
- IHG One Rewards Bonus points are redeemable at hotels such as InterContinental®, Crowne Plaza®, Kimpton®, EVEN® Hotels, Indigo® Hotels & Holiday Inn®
- Member FDIC
Our pick for
Airline business credit card
United℠ Business Card
Read Review
Apply now
on Chase's website
Annual fee
$0 intro for the first year, then $99
Rewards rate
1x-2x Miles
Intro offer
75000 Miles
Frequent business flyers earn rewards on more than just travel with the United℠ Business Card. There's also a sign-up bonus and no annual fee for the first year.
Annual fee
$0 intro for the first year, then $99
Rewards rate
1x-2x Miles
Intro offer
75000 Miles
Frequent business flyers earn rewards on more than just travel with the United℠ Business Card. There's also a sign-up bonus and no annual fee for the first year.
Pros
- Free checked bag
- Lounge membership
- Anniversary perk
Cons
- Has annual fee
- Rewards have limited flexibility
- Earn 75,000 bonus miles after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open.
- $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $99.
- Receive a 5,000-mile "better together" bonus each anniversary when you have both the United℠ Business Card and a personal Chase United® credit card.
- Earn 2 miles per $1 spent on United® purchases, dining including eligible delivery services, at gas stations, office supply stores, and on local transit and commuting.
- Earn 1 mile per $1 spent on all other purchases. Plus, employee cards at no additional cost - miles earned from their purchases accrue in your account so you can earn rewards faster.
- Enjoy a free first checked bag - a savings of up to $160 per roundtrip (terms apply), 2 United Club(SM) one-time passes per year, and priority boarding privileges.
- $100 United® travel credit after 7 United flight purchases of $100 or more each anniversary year.
- Member FDIC
Our pick for
Travel rewards bonus categories (up to 4X points on travel)
U.S. Bank Business Altitude™ Connect World Elite Mastercard®
Annual fee
$0 intro for the first year, then $95
Rewards rate
1x-5x Points
Intro offer
60,000 Points
You'll have to look hard to find another business credit card that gives you 4X points on up to $150,000 in combined travel expenses annually. And you can earn even more if you book via U.S. Bank's Reward Center. There's also a nice welcome offer and no annual fee for the first year.
Annual fee
$0 intro for the first year, then $95
Rewards rate
1x-5x Points
Intro offer
60,000 Points
You'll have to look hard to find another business credit card that gives you 4X points on up to $150,000 in combined travel expenses annually. And you can earn even more if you book via U.S. Bank's Reward Center. There's also a nice welcome offer and no annual fee for the first year.
Pros
- Bonus categories
- Welcome offer
- Annual fee waived for the first year
Cons
- Requires good/excellent credit
- No intro APR offer
- Introducing the U.S. Bank Business Altitude Connect™ World Elite Mastercard®, the business travel card that's 5X more rewarding.
- Limited Time Offer: Earn 60,000 bonus points, worth $600 if you spend $6,000 on the Account Owner's card in the first 180 days from account opening.
- Earn 5X points on prepaid hotels and car rentals booked directly in the Rewards Center.
- Earn 4X points on travel, gas and EV charging stations on the first $150,000 in combined annual spend.
- Earn 2X points on dining, takeout, restaurant delivery and cell service providers.
- Earn 1X points on all other eligible spend.
- Rewards never expire.
- Earn a $25 statement credit for every three consecutive monthly taxi or rideshare trips.
- $0 intro annual fee for the first year, $95 per year thereafter.
- Points transfer between business and consumer U.S. Bank Altitude products (excluding Reserve).
- Airport lounge access - Priority Pass™ Digital annual membership with access to more than 1,300 VIP lounges worldwide, plus four complimentary visits per membership year.
- Great Offer from U.S. Bank, a 2022 World's Most Ethical Company® - Ethisphere Institute, February 2022.
- Terms and conditions apply.
View Rates & Fees
Explore details like welcome offers, reward rates and intro APR periods below, or click the card's name to read our full review. Before applying, confirm details on the issuer’s website.
Best credit cards for small businesses
- The American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card: Best for sole proprietors, new businesses.
- Bank of America® Business Advantage Unlimited Cash Rewards Mastercard® Secured: Best for secured business credit card.
- The Business Platinum Card® from American Express: Best luxury travel card.
- Capital One Spark Cash Plus: Best for no preset spending limit (business charge card).
- Capital One Venture X Business: Best overall business travel card.
- Ink Business Cash® Credit Card: Best for cash-back bonus categories (up to 5% back).
- Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card: Best for welcome offer (travel card).
- Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card: Best for unlimited 1.5% cash back.
- IHG One Rewards Premier Business Credit Card: Best for hotel business card.
- Ramp Card: Best for corporate card (no personal guarantee).
- U.S. Bank Business Triple Cash Rewards World Elite Mastercard®: Best for intro APR period (purchases and balance transfers).
- U.S. Bank Business Altitude™ Connect World Elite Mastercard®: Best for travel rewards bonus categories (up to 4X points on travel).
- United℠ Business Card: Best for airline business travel card.
- Wells Fargo Signify Business Cash℠ Card: Best overall cash back business card.
Wells Fargo Signify Business Cash℠ Card
Best for: Overall cash back business card
NerdWallet star rating:
5
.Should you get the Wells Fargo Signify Business Cash℠ Card? If you're looking for a cash-back business card, the Wells Fargo Signify Business Cash Card checks virtually every box. High rewards rate? Check. No annual fee? Check. Intro APR period? Check. Welcome offer? Check. In fact, it's hard to find something not to like about the Signify Business Cash, which is the only business credit card on our list to offer unlimited 2% cash back on all purchases with no annual fee.
The American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card
earns 2% but only up to the first $50,000 in purchases each year (terms apply). It also has a much smaller welcome offer compared to the Signify Business Cash Card. And other 2% back business cards like the Ink Business Premier® Credit Card
have high annual fees ($195
). The only arguments against the Signify Business Cash are that you can earn a higher rewards rate with cards like the Ink Business Cash® Credit Card
and the U.S. Bank Business Triple Cash Rewards World Elite Mastercard®
, but only on spending that aligns with the bonus categories offered by those cards. And you'll need to visit a branch to apply if you're not already a Wells Fargo customer. Still, there's a strong case for adding the Signify Business Cash card to your lineup as a complement to either of those cards.Earn a $500 cash rewards bonus when you spend $5,000 in purchases in the first 3 months.
Unlimited 2% cash back on purchases.
$0.
0% intro APR for 12 months from account opening on purchases. After that your variable APR will be 18.49% – 26.49%.
Capital One Spark Cash Plus
Best for: No preset spending limit (business charge card)
NerdWallet star rating:
5
.Should you get the
Capital One Spark Cash Plus
? This card is best for businesses with big expenses and the cash flow to match. You’ll earn 2
% cash back with no caps and receive a generous welcome bonus: Earn a one-time cash bonus of $1,200 once you spend $30,000 in the first 3 months.
You can also get your $150
annual fee refunded every year you spend at least $150,000. If you’re spending at that level, the Ink Business Premier® Credit Card
is also worth a look. This card has a more attainable welcome bonus and earns 2.5% back on large purchases ($5,000 or more). The Capital One Spark Cash Plus
is a charge card, so you need to pay your balance in full each month. (See rates and fees.) Earn a one-time cash bonus of $1,200 once you spend $30,000 in the first 3 months.
Earn unlimited 2% cash back on every purchase, everywhere—with no limits or category restrictions. Earn unlimited 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel.
$
150
.N/A
. Capital One Venture X Business
Best for: Overall business travel card
NerdWallet star rating:
5
.Should you get the
Capital One Venture X Business
? This beefed-up travel card is a great option for road warriors and frequent fliers who can't stomach the annual fee of other luxury travel cards, like the The Business Platinum Card® from American Express
. For a more modest annual fee — $395
vs. $695
— the Venture X Business still offers premium perks, like a $300 annual travel credit on bookings through Capital One Travel and complimentary access to Priority Pass and Capital One airport lounges. (See rates and fees.) The Business Platinum Card® from American Express
does have a few more bells and whistles than the Venture X Business, but also a lower base rewards rate. Earn 150,000 bonus miles once you spend $30,000 in the first 3 months from account opening.
Earn unlimited 10X miles on hotels and rental cars and 5X miles on flights booked through Capital One Travel, where you'll get the best prices on thousands of options. Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, everywhere—with no limits or category restrictions.
$
395
. N/A
. Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card
Best for: Unlimited 1.5% cash back
NerdWallet star rating:
5
.Should you get the
Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card
? This is an excellent business card if you want simple rewards, a big signup bonus and flexible redemption options. Cash back is earned as Chase Ultimate Rewards, which can be redeemed for a statement credit or travel, among other things. And if you carry other Chase cards in your wallet, like the Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card
or the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card, you can transfer your Ultimate Rewards to net a higher redemption rate. Plan to spend less than $50,000 per year? Give The American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card
a look. It has a slightly higher rewards rate, but has an annual cap on the highest rewards.Earn $750 bonus cash back after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase made for your business
.$
0
.0% intro APR on Purchases for 12 months, and then the ongoing APR of 18.49%-24.49% Variable APR
. U.S. Bank Business Altitude™ Connect World Elite Mastercard®
Best for: Travel rewards bonus categories (up to 4X points on travel)
NerdWallet star rating:
5
.Should you get the
U.S. Bank Business Altitude™ Connect World Elite Mastercard®
? U.S. Bank's business travel card hits that sweet spot between basic, no-annual-fee travel cards that offer minimal rewards and high-end travel cards with annual fees that match. The Business Altitude Connect's travel reward rate is unmatched, even by luxury travel cards, and includes expenses like gas and EV charging stations, as well as hotels, airfare and rental cars. And its annual fee is low:$0 intro for the first year, then $95
. While the Business Altitude Connect does have some added perks, including a rideshare credit and Priority Pass digital membership with four free visits per year, it doesn't confer elite status or travel credits. And you can't transfer points to external travel partners, which could make your points go farther. If those things are important to you, check out the Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card
or the Capital One Venture X Business
.Limited Time Offer: Earn 60,000 bonus points, worth $600 if you spend $6,000 on the Account Owner's card in the first 180 days from account opening.
Earn 5X points on prepaid hotels and car rentals booked directly in the Rewards Center. Earn 4X points on travel, gas and EV charging stations on the first $150,000 in combined annual spend. Earn 2X points on dining, takeout, restaurant delivery and cell service providers. Earn 1X points on all other eligible spend.
$0 intro for the first year, then $95
.None.
The ongoing APR is 20.24%-28.24% Variable APR
.IHG One Rewards Premier Business Credit Card
Best for: Hotel business card
NerdWallet star rating:
5
.Should you get the
IHG One Rewards Premier Business Credit Card
? If your business travel regularly includes a hotel stay, you can rack up a lot of points — and flex your elite status — with the IHG One Rewards Premier Business Credit Card
. The free anniversary night benefit is reason enough to add this card to your business's wallet, but the card delivers well beyond that with annual statement credits and bonus point awards that are easy to earn. Plus, the IHG One Rewards Premier Business Credit Card
is one of the few hotel business cards to offer a statement credit toward Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®. But the card loses a lot of value if you don't stay at IHG properties (think Holiday Inn, Crowne Plaza, Kimpton and Intercontinental). Otherwise, opt for a general travel card like the Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card
or U.S. Bank Business Altitude™ Connect World Elite Mastercard®
.Earn 140,000 Bonus Points after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
Earn up to 26 total points per $1 spent when you stay at an IHG hotel. Earn 5 points per $1 spent on purchases on travel, gas stations, select advertising, and restaurants. Earn 3 points per $1 spent on all other purchases.
$
99
.None.
The ongoing APR is 21.49%-28.49% Variable APR
. United℠ Business Card
Best for: Airline business credit card
NerdWallet star rating:
5
.Should you get the
United℠ Business Card
? If you regularly fly with United, this card is a smart add to your business wallet. You can get perks like free checked bags, United Club passes, bonus miles each anniversary and an annual travel credit. Terms apply. But business owners who fly with multiple airlines will be better served by a general business travel card, like the Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card
, which offers more ways to redeem your rewards.Earn 75,000 bonus miles after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open.
Earn 2 miles per $1 spent on United® purchases, dining, at gas stations, office supply stores and on local transit and commuting. Earn 1 mile per $1 spent on all other purchases.
$
99
.None.
The ongoing APR is 21.99%-28.99% Variable APR
. Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card
Best for: Travel points + welcome offer
NerdWallet star rating:
4.9
.Should you get the
Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card
? This is one of our favorite business travel cards and is a good fit for companies that spend primarily on flights, hotels and rental cars. Make sure you can hit the spending requirement for the welcome bonus, as that adds a ton of value to this card. The Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card
’s main drawback: You don’t get extras like lounge access and travel credits. Capital One Venture X Business
is a great option for premium travel perks if that’s what you’re after, but has much larger annual fee ($395
; see rates and fees).Earn 100,000 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 - with no limit to the amount you can earn
. $
95
.None.
The ongoing APR is 21.24%-26.24% Variable APR
. The Business Platinum Card® from American Express
Best for: Luxury travel card
NerdWallet star rating:
4.8
.Should you get
The Business Platinum Card® from American Express
? This card is built for business owners who spend more time in an airport than an office. Yes, it has a beast of an annual fee. But it includes some serious travel perks, including access to multiple airport lounge networks and automatic hotel elite status, plus credits for airline fees, wireless bills and trusted traveler programs. The sum total of these benefits easily offsets the annual fee — assuming you actually use them. If you’re not sure, opt for a business travel card with a more manageable annual fee. The Capital One Venture X Business
offers a flexible annual travel credit and airport lounge access, among other perks, for a much lower annual fee ($395
).Earn 150,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $20,000 in eligible purchases on the Card within the first 3 months of Card Membership. Terms Apply.
Get 5X Membership Rewards® points on flights and prepaid hotels on amextravel.com, and 1X points for each dollar you spend on eligible purchases. Earn 1.5X points (that’s an extra half point per dollar) on eligible purchases at US construction material & hardware suppliers, electronic goods retailers and software & cloud system providers, and shipping providers, as well as on purchases of $5,000 or more everywhere else, on up to $2 million of these purchases per calendar year. Terms Apply.
$
695
.None.
The ongoing APR is 19.49%-28.49% Variable APR
. Ink Business Cash® Credit Card
Best for: Cash-back bonus categories (up to 5% back)
NerdWallet star rating:
4.8
.Should you get the
Ink Business Cash® Credit Card
? Businesses that primarily spend on office supplies and telecom services will get the most value out of this card, provided you won’t blow through the $25,000 cap. If your spending is more varied, look to a flat-rate cash-back business card instead, like the Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card
or Wells Fargo Signify Business Cash Card.Earn $350 when you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first three months and an additional $400 when you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first six months after 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 card purchases with no limit to the amount you can earn
. $
0
.0% intro APR on Purchases for 12 months, and then the ongoing APR of 18.49%-24.49% Variable APR
. U.S. Bank Business Triple Cash Rewards World Elite Mastercard®
Best for: 0% intro APR (purchases + balance transfers)
NerdWallet star rating:
4.7
.Should you get the
U.S. Bank Business Triple Cash Rewards World Elite Mastercard®
? Opt for this card if you need to finance a larger purchase or refinance existing credit card debt — it’s one of the few balance transfer cards for businesses. It’s also one of our top picks for business gas credit cards, offering 3% back at gas stations and restaurants to keep you fueled and fed while you’re on the road. You also earn that bonus rate at office supply stores and with cell phone providers. If your business spending is varied, or simply concentrated elsewhere, consider a more general cash back business card, like Wells Fargo Signify Business Cash Card or the Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card
.Earn $500 in cash back. Just spend $4500 on the Account Owner's card in the first 150 days of opening your account.
Earn 3% cash back on eligible purchases at gas stations, office supply stores, cell phone service providers and restaurants. Earn 1% cash back on all other eligible net purchases
.$
0
.0% intro APR for 15 billing cycles on purchases and balance transfers, and then the ongoing APR of 19.24%-28.24% Variable APR
. The American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card
Best for: Sole proprietors and new businesses
NerdWallet star rating:
4.7
.Should you get
The American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card
? Consider this card if you need to finance a major purchase or have other big upfront costs. It’s also a great option for entrepreneurs who want to earn a high cash-back rate without worrying about bonus categories. But the card's highest rewards (2%) only apply to the first $50,000 in spending each year — a relatively low cap for many business owners. The Wells Fargo Signify Business Cash Card, on the other hand, earns 2% back on all spending, offers a similar intro APR period and a much larger welcome bonus.Earn a $250 statement credit after you make $3,000 in purchases on your Card in your first 3 months. Terms Apply.
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. Terms Apply.
$
0
.0% intro APR on Purchases for 12 months, and then the ongoing APR of 18.49%-26.49% Variable APR
. Ramp Card
Best for: Corporate card (no personal guarantee)
NerdWallet star rating:
3.6
.Should you get the
Ramp Card
? Incorporated businesses with strong financials should look to Ramp if you want a business card with no personal guarantee. The card isn’t flashy; you’ll get simple, straightforward rewards plus business-friendly benefits like receipt matching, spending controls and expense management tools. If you want a corporate card that maximizes potential rewards, consider Brex Card
instead, which earns up to 7 points per dollar in certain bonus categories.None.
Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on all purchases.
$
0
.N/A.
Bank of America® Business Advantage Unlimited Cash Rewards Mastercard® Secured credit card
Best for: Secured business credit card
This card has not been rated by NerdWallet.
Should you get the Bank of America® Business Advantage Unlimited Cash Rewards Mastercard® Secured credit card? Business owners with thin or poor personal credit have limited choices for small-business credit cards. If you can’t qualify for an unsecured option, this Bank of America card is a great alternative. Since it’s a secured card, you'll need to put down a deposit to serve as your credit limit. But unlike some similar products, this card still offers you rewards — unlimited 1.5% cash back on all purchases — and doesn’t charge an annual fee. Use it responsibly and you can establish business credit, as well as potentially get an upgrade from Bank of America to a non-secured card.
None.
Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on all purchases.
$0.
N/A.
NerdWallet evaluates business credit cards on more than a dozen factors, including:
- Annual fee.
- Welcome bonus.
- Rewards rate.
- Bonus categories.
- Intro APR period.
- Other perks and credits.
Business cards need to earn at least 4.5 stars or be the best in their category to make our list of best business credit cards.
What our star ratings mean
Business cards that earn 5 stars are considered exceptional. These cards are best-in-class and deliver the most value for the greatest number of business owners.
Business cards that earn 4.0 to 4.9 stars are good to excellent. They deliver excellent value and might be the best choice for certain businesses, depending on your needs and spending habits.
Business cards that earn 3.0 to 3.9 stars are fine business cards. You'll get some value out of using them, to be sure, but there are other cards that offer better rewards.
Business cards that earn below 3 stars are considered subpar and would generally not be recommended by NerdWallet.
Other good business credit cards that didn't make our list
Only business credit cards that scored 4.5 or higher were considered for our list of best small-business credit cards. And even then, those cards needed to be better than other cards in their peer group. That left the following good (or even great, in some instances) cards on the chopping block.
- Ink Business Premier® Credit Card.4.5stars. This is a great business charge card, but it was edged out by theCapital One Spark Cash Plus. The two charge cards are nearly identical, offering no preset spending limit and2% back on almost all spending. But theCapital One Spark Cash Plusdelivers more value with a lower annual fee, larger welcome offer and additional perks for big-spending businesses.
- Capital One Spark Cash Select for Excellent Credit.4.9stars. This card is a carbon-copy of theInk Business Unlimited® Credit Cardexcept for one important factor: TheCapital One Spark Cash Select for Excellent Creditis only available to entrepreneurs with excellent credit (typically a FICO score of 720 or higher). TheInk Business Unlimited® Credit Cardhas more lenient credit score criteria — you can qualify with a FICO score of 690 or higher. For that reason, theInk Business Unlimited® Credit Cardwins out.
- American Express® Business Gold Card.4.2stars. This once shining card lost some of its luster when the annual fee climbed to$375earlier this year (terms apply). It's still a solid option for business owners who want to maximize rewards on business expenses like advertising and gas. But other business cards offer elevated rewards in those categories for far lower annual fees, including theU.S. Bank Business Altitude™ Connect World Elite Mastercard®(annual fee:$0 intro for the first year, then $95) and theInk Business Preferred® Credit Card(annual fee:$95).
- The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express.4.4stars. This points-based card isn't as versatile as its fraternal twin,The American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card, which has a better welcome offer and more flexible redemption options. It also doesn't match the value of any of the business travel cards on our list.
- Bank of America business credit cards. Most of Bank of America's business credit cards fall in the 3.0 to 3.9 star range — meaning they're solid cards that deliver some value, but they're not the best on the market. That calculus changes if you're a Bank of America business checking customer and qualify for the bank's Preferred Rewards for Business program. Those business owners get a significant rewards bump — up to 75% more.
Best business credit cards by issuer
Best business credit cards by feature
Business credit cards by interest rate
The interest rate on your business credit card is an important factor to consider when comparing options. Rates have risen steadily over the past year, moving in step with the federal funds rate, increasing costs for business owners who carry a balance.
Most business cards offer an APR range; you need excellent credit (typically a FICO score above 720) to secure the lowest rate. Charge cards like
Capital One Spark Cash Plus
and Brex Card
don't advertise an APR range because these cards require the balance to be paid in full each month.Minimum APR | Maximum APR | |
|---|---|---|
American Express® Business Gold Card | 19.49 %. | 28.49 %. |
Bank of America® Business Advantage Travel Rewards World Mastercard® credit card | 18.49 %. | 28.49 %. |
Bank of America® Business Advantage Unlimited Cash Rewards Mastercard® credit card | 18.49 %. | 28.49 %. |
Brex Card | N/A. | N/A. |
Capital One Spark Cash Plus | N/A. | N/A. |
Capital One Spark Cash Select for Excellent Credit | 18.49 %. | 24.49 %. |
Capital One Spark Miles for Business | 26.24 %. | N/A. |
Capital One Venture X Business | N/A. | N/A. |
Capital on Tap Business Credit Card | 18.49 %. | 35.99 %. |
Ink Business Cash® Credit Card | 18.49 %. | 24.49 %. |
Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card | 21.24 %. | 26.24 %. |
Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card | 18.49 %. | 24.49 %. |
Ink Business Premier® Credit Card | 19.49 %. | 27.49 %. |
Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card | 20.99 %. | 29.99 %. |
Ramp Card | N/A. | N/A. |
The American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card | 18.49 %. | 26.49 %. |
The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express | 18.49 %. | 26.49 %. |
The Business Platinum Card® from American Express | 19.49 %. | 28.49 %. |
U.S. Bank Business Altitude™ Connect World Elite Mastercard® | 20.24 %. | 28.24 %. |
U.S. Bank Business Triple Cash Rewards World Elite Mastercard® | 19.24 %. | 28.24 %. |
United℠ Business Card | 21.99 %. | 28.99 %. |
Types of business credit cards
What is a business credit card?
Business credit cards are a revolving line of credit that entrepreneurs can use to pay for company expenses. They typically offer rewards like cash back or points, as well as features like free employee cards with spending controls.
Most business credit cards let you spend up to a predetermined limit, then pay those items off over time with interest. Others have no preset spending limit, but the entire balance must be paid in full each month. Those are considered business charge cards and are best suited to established companies with reliable cash flow.
The terms "business credit card" and "small-business credit card" are often used interchangeably to refer to cards that are available to anyone with business income — gig workers, side hustlers and freelancers included. Approval for these kinds of cards largely depends on an applicant's personal credit history.
Corporate cards, sometimes called company cards, are different. These cards aren't available to sole proprietors, and approval is based on business financials rather than personal credit history. You typically need revenue in the multi-millions to qualify, though some options from fintech companies like Ramp and Brex, have more lenient requirements.
Business credit cards: Benefits and drawbacks
A business credit card can be a great tool to build business credit while earning rewards on things like operating costs and innventory, but they come with some risks, too. Weigh the benefits of a business credit card against any potential drawbacks before applying.
Pros
Build your business credit history.
Earn rewards for business spending.
Keep business and personal expenses separate.
Ability to issue employee cards; manage spending with custom controls.
Higher credit limits and bigger welcome offers than personal credit cards.
0% intro APR periods can be used to finance larger business purchases.
Cons
Most busines cards require a personal guarantee.
You need good/excellent personal credit to qualify.
Interest rates are high compared with business loans and lines of credit.
Business cards have fewer federal protections than consumer credit cards.
How to find the best business credit card for you
When choosing a business credit card, a simple cash-back option with no annual fee is a great choice for most companies. But it can pay to look at your spending to see whether there’s a better fit.
Spend a lot of time on the road? Look for a business card with travel perks like lounge access and preferred status. Spend a lot period? Then a card with an annual fee but a high rewards rate might justify the additional cost. (Plus, annual fees are deductible business expenses.)
If you’re going to carry a balance from month-to-month, prioritize a lower ongoing APR. Some business credit cards even offer a 0% interest rate for the first year, or longer. This can be of great benefit if you have a major business-related purchase you're looking to finance.
🤓 Nerdy Tip
Looking to get the most rewards possible? Consider combining multiple business credit cards — like a flat-rate card and one with bonus categories. Having more than one card means you'll need to track more spending (and bills). But card issuers often have complementary options in their portfolios, which can help limit some of the management.What you need to apply for a business credit card
Applying for a business credit card is pretty straightforward. Business credit card applications typically ask for the following:
- Business name. No formal business name? Just use your name.
- Business contact information. If you don't have a separate business address and phone number, don't sweat it. Your personal address and phone number are just fine.
- Employer identification number or Social Security number. You can get a business credit card without an SSN, but you'll need different identifying info instead.
- Industry. This can be a broad category like retail, medical or professional services, or something more specific. If you're stumped, think about the service you provide. Drive for Uber? That's transportation. DoorDash or Grubhub? That's delivery.
- Business type. Corporation, LLC, partnership or sole proprietorship. Businesses without a formal or legal business structure can choose “sole proprietor.”
- Time in business, revenue and expenses. If your business has no annual revenue, simply enter "$0."
- Personal guarantee. Virtually all small-business credit card applications require a personal guarantee. This means you’re personally responsible for the balance on your business card even if your company goes belly up. Want to avoid the personal guarantee? Look to a corporate card like Ramp or Brex.
Business credit cards, like consumer cards, consider your personal credit history to determine approval, interest rates and credit limits. Applying for a business card may ding your personal credit score, but only a little and only for a short time. If your personal credit history is thin or poor, bad-credit business credit cards are available.
4 tips to maximize business credit card rewards
The American Express Blue Business Cash Card is NerdWallet’s pick for best business credit card of 2024. This card delivers high-value rewards and a lengthy intro APR period, giving businesses added flexibility and purchasing power, and it has no annual fee. That combination of simplicity and value makes the Blue Business Cash one of the best credit cards for new businesses and established companies.
The Blue Business Cash isn't a one-size-fits-all business card, though. Your company's spending habits and priorities should guide your choice for a new business credit card. That might mean a card with a big signup bonus or higher rewards in bonus categories. The best business card for frequent business travelers, for example, may have a higher annual fee but offer lounge access, purchase credits and other perks, major assets if you spend a lot of time in airports.
Business credit cards typically have higher credit limits and bigger sign-up bonuses than personal credit cards. Rewards structures on small-business cards are different, too, particularly the categories that earn bonus rewards.
A business credit card is more likely to earn bonus rewards on shipping or at office-supply stores, for example, than at supermarkets or movie theaters. There are also some differences in consumer protections and credit reporting for business cards vs. personal cards.
In general, you must operate a business to qualify for a small-business credit card, but that business does not have to be incorporated or even have a formal structure, such as a partnership or LLC. If you have a side hustle, freelance or do occassional gig work, you can apply for a small-business card, too.
Be aware, though, that the application will likely ask specific questions about your business — the name (if it has one), what kind of business it is, how much revenue it brings in, and so on.
Everyone from a CEO to a gig worker can apply for a small-business credit card. You don't need to be incorporated or have a formal business structure, like an LLC or partnership. Freelancers, independent contractors and other sole proprietors (i.e., self-employed folks) can apply for a small-business credit card to help manage business-related expenses, earn rewards and grow their enterprise.
While some business credit cards advertise near-instant approval, you may need to wait a couple of weeks for your card if your credit isn't excellent.
A business card is a great tool to separate your business and personal finances and establish your business credit history. When you use the card only for business spending, its interest and fees can be tax-deductible business expenses. And business credit cards offer rewards, perks and bonuses that rival (and in many cases surpass) those on consumer credit cards.
To view rates and fees of
The American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card
, see this page. To view rates and fees of The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express
, see this page.To view rates and fees of
The Business Platinum Card® from American Express
, see this page.To view rates and fees of the
American Express® Business Gold Card
, see this page.To view rates and fees of the
Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card
, see this page. To view rates and fees of
Capital One Spark Cash Plus
, see this page.To view rates and fees of
Capital One Spark Miles for Business
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Capital One Spark Cash Select for Excellent Credit
, see this page.The information related to the Wells Fargo Signify Business Cash℠ Card has been collected by NerdWallet and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer or provider of this product or service.
Last updated on June 26, 2024
Methodology
NerdWallet's Credit Cards team selects the best credit cards for small business based on overall consumer value, as evidenced by star ratings, as well as their suitability for specific kinds of small-business operators. Factors in our evaluation include annual and other fees, rewards rates, the earning structure (for example, flat-rate rewards versus bonus categories), redemption options, bonus offers for new cardholders, introductory and ongoing APRs, and other noteworthy features such as special financing arrangements, free cards for employees or tools for managing business expenses. Learn how NerdWallet rates credit cards.