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Best Business Credit Cards Of August 2020

Forbes Staff
Advisor
Editorial Note: Forbes may earn a commission on sales made from partner links on this page, but that doesn't affect our editors' opinions or evaluations. The Discover offers on this page are no longer available on Forbes. As a result, offers described on this page may be out of date.

Business owners know every penny they spend counts. When it comes to making the most of business transactions, using a credit card can be a rewarding strategy.

Business credit cards can offer a range of benefits. These include rewards or cash back, loyalty points, travel protections and expense management. But evaluating each and every card out there to determine which is the best fit for a business can be a time-consuming process—and extra time is something most business owners don’t have.

That’s why Forbes Advisor created this guide, which does a good part of the work for you. The cards below can all help a business meet its spending needs while offering some extra perks. But each was further chosen as a top pick for specific criteria. The key to finding the best business card for you is identifying which of those factors matter for your business and determining what you value most: Rewards, cash back or help with building credit. Only you can do that part.

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Best Business Credit Cards

Earn 35,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $5,000 on eligible purchases with the Business Gold Card within the first 3 months of Card Membership
Our ratings take into account the card’s rewards, fees, rates along with the card’s category. All ratings are determined solely by our editorial team.
Featured Card

Best for Luxury Travel

The Business Platinum Card® from American Express

Up to 5X Reward Rate
Earn 5X points on flights and prepaid hotels on amextravel.com; Earn 1.5X points on eachRead More
Welcome Bonus
75,000 Membership Rewards®
Annual Fee
$595
Regular APR
N/A
Credit Score
Excellent Credit (750 - 850)

Best for Luxury Travel

Click Here To Apply Now

The Business Platinum Card® from American Express

Apply Now
On American Express's Secure Website
See Rates & Fees / Terms Apply
Partner Offer
On American Express's Secure Website
Partner Offer

The Business Platinum Card® from American Express is the quintessential status card for high-spending, frequent-flying business owners and their employees. If sufficiently leveraged, the card's robust benefits are well worth the high annual fee.

Pros

  • No foreign transaction fee
  • Airport lounge access
  • Rich suite of travel perks
  • Earn 5x points on spending within the American Express Travel website

Cons

  • High spending required to earn welcome bonus
  • Annual fee and additional cardholder fees are very high
  • Base rewards rate is only 1 point per $1 spent”
  • Earn 75,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $15,000 on qualifying purchases within your first 3 months of Card Membership.
  • Get 5X Membership Rewards® points on flights and prepaid hotels on amextravel.com.
  • Get 50% more Membership Rewards® points. That’s an extra half point per dollar, on each eligible purchase of $5,000 or more. You can get up to 1 million additional points per year.
  • Enroll to get up to $200 in statement credits annually by getting up to $100 semi-annually for U.S. purchases with Dell. Terms apply.
  • 35% Airline Bonus: Use Membership Rewards® Pay with Points for all or part of a flight with your selected qualifying airline, and you can get 35% of the points back, up to 500,000 bonus points per calendar year when you book on amextravel.com.
  • Terms Apply
  • See Rates & Fees
Earn 75,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $15,000 on qualifying purchases within your first 3 months of Card Membership
Our ratings take into account the card’s rewards, fees, rates along with the card’s category. All ratings are determined solely by our editorial team.

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Featured Card

Best 0% APR Offer

The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express

Up to 2X Reward Rate
Earn 2X points on the first $50,000 in purchases each year; Earn unlimited 1X pointsRead More
Welcome Bonus
None
Annual Fee
No annual fee
Regular APR
13.24% - 19.24% Variable
Credit Score
Excellent, Good (700 - 749)

Best 0% APR Offer

Click Here To Apply Now

The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express

Apply Now
On American Express's Secure Website
See Rates & Fees / Terms Apply
Partner Offer
On American Express's Secure Website
Partner Offer

The Blue Business Plus card is a rare example of a no-cost way to game your rewards earnings. You'll earn 2X points on all purchases up to $50,000 per year while paying no annual fee. It's a perfect fit if your business is small enough to spend less than $50,000 per year. If not, spend up to the $50,000 max, then switch to another card for the rest of the year's purchases. You'll win either way.

Pros

  • Wide variety of airline transfer partners
  • Spend above your credit limit for important purchases
  • High 2X rewards rate on the first $50,000 in annual spending

Cons

  • 2.7% foreign transaction fee
  • 2X Rewards rate falls to 1X after $50,000 in annual spending
  • Fee charged for points transfers to airline partners
  • Earn up to $300 back to boost your business. You can earn up to $100 in the form of statement credits at each of the following merchants: Dell Technologies, DocuSign or FedEx after you make an eligible purchase on your new Card within the first 3 months of Card Membership.
  • Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on everyday business purchases such as office supplies or client dinners. 2X applies to the first $50,000 in purchases per year, 1 point per dollar thereafter.
  • Enjoy the flexibility to put more purchases on the Card and earn rewards when you buy above your credit limit*.
  • You’ve got the power to use your Card beyond its credit limit* with Expanded Buying Power.
  • More buying power for your business means more opportunities to earn points. That’s everyday business with the Blue Business Plus Card.
  • *The amount you can spend above your credit limit is not unlimited. It adjusts with your use of the Card, your payment history, credit record, financial resources known to us, and other factors.
  • 0.0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months from the date of account opening, then a variable rate, 13.24% – 19.24%, based on your creditworthiness and other factors at account opening.
  • No Annual Fee
  • Terms Apply
  • See Rates & Fees
None
Our ratings take into account the card’s rewards, fees, rates along with the card’s category. All ratings are determined solely by our editorial team.
Featured Card

Best Business Credit Card For Hotel Rewards

Marriott Bonvoy Business™ American Express® Card

Up to 6X Reward Rate
Earn 6X Marriott Bonvoy points at participating Marriott Bonvoy hotels; Earn 4X points for eachRead More
Welcome Bonus
75,000 bonus Marriott Bonvoy points
Annual Fee
$125
Regular APR
15.74% - 24.74% Variable
Credit Score
Excellent/Good (700 - 749)

Best Business Credit Card For Hotel Rewards

Click Here To Apply Now

Marriott Bonvoy Business™ American Express® Card

Apply Now
On American Express's Secure Website
See Rates & Fees / Terms Apply
Partner Offer
On American Express's Secure Website
Partner Offer

Frequent business travelers who are loyal to Marriott Bonvoy hotel brands will love this card's generous perks and rewards.

Pros

  • Generous welcome bonus
  • High redemption value for rewards points
  • No blackout dates and points never expire

Cons

  • Only frequent travelers can justify the high annual fee
  • No non-travel points redemption options
  • No intro APR offer
  • Earn 75,000 bonus Marriott Bonvoy points after you use your new Card to make $3,000 in purchases within the first 3 months.
  • 6x points at participating Marriott Bonvoy hotels.
  • 4x points at U.S. restaurants, at U.S. gas stations, on wireless telephone services purchased directly from U.S. service providers and on U.S. purchases for shipping. 2x points on all other eligible purchases.
  • Receive 1 Free Night Award every year after your Card account anniversary. Plus, earn an additional Free Night Award after you spend $60K in purchases on your Card in a calendar year. Awards can be used for one night (redemption level at or under 35,000 Marriott Bonvoy points) at a participating hotel. Certain hotels have resort fees.
  • Enjoy complimentary Marriott Bonvoy Silver Elite status with your Card. Plus, earn Gold Elite status after making $35,000 in eligible purchases on your Card in a calendar year.
  • Terms apply.
  • See Rates & Fees
Earn 75,000 bonus Marriott Bonvoy points after you use your new Card to make $3,000 in purchases within the first 3 months
Our ratings take into account the card’s rewards, fees, rates along with the card’s category. All ratings are determined solely by our editorial team.

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Featured Card

Best for Hilton Honors

The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card

Up to 12X Reward Rate
Earn 12X Hilton Honors Bonus Points on eligible purchases at participating hotels or resorts withinRead More
Welcome Bonus
125,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points
Annual Fee
$95
Regular APR
15.74% - 24.74% Variable
Credit Score
Excellent, Good (700 - 749)

Best for Hilton Honors

Click Here To Apply Now

The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card

Apply Now
On American Express's Secure Website
See Rates & Fees / Terms Apply
Partner Offer
On American Express's Secure Website
Partner Offer

For a modest $95 annual fee, the Hilton Honors American Express Business Card delivers remarkable value to Hilton loyalists. The included Priority Pass Select membership is worth $299 annually, plus you'll earn Hilton Honors Gold status on day one.

Pros

  • No foreign transaction fee
  • Complimentary Hilton Honors Gold status
  • 10 Free Priority Pass Visits
  • Generous welcome bonus

Cons

  • High standard APR
  • No intro APR offer
  • Points have a low redemption value
  • Points transfer rate to partners is a poor value
  • Welcome Offer: Earn 125,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points with the Hilton Honors American Express Business Card after you spend $3,000 in eligible purchases on the Card in the first 3 months of Card Membership.
  • Earn Hilton Honors Bonus Points for each dollar of eligible purchases on your Card: 12X at hotels and resorts in the Hilton portfolio, 6X on Select Business & Travel Purchases, 3X Everywhere Else. Terms & Limitations Apply.
  • Enjoy complimentary Gold Status with your Hilton Honors Business Card.
  • Earn a Weekend Night Reward from Hilton Honors after you spend $15,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year.
  • Earn another Weekend Night Reward from Hilton Honors after you spend an additional $45,000 in purchases on your Card in the same calendar year.
  • Relax with 10 free airport lounge visits each year once enrolled in complimentary Priority Pass™ Select membership, which offers access to over 1,000 lounges in over 120 countries.
  • Terms apply.
  • See Rates & Fees
Earn 125,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points after you spend $3,000 in eligible purchases on the Card in the first 3 months of Card Membership
Our ratings take into account the card’s rewards, fees, rates along with the card’s category. All ratings are determined solely by our editorial team.
Featured Card

Best Premium Card for Delta Flights

Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card

Up to 3X Reward Rate
Earn 3X Miles on eligible purchases made directly with Delta and with hotels; Earn 1.5XRead More
Welcome Bonus
5,000 Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs), 45,000 miles, and $100 statement credit
Annual Fee
$250
Regular APR
15.74% - 24.74% Variable APR on purchases and balance transfers
Credit Score
Excellent Credit (750 - 850)

Best Premium Card for Delta Flights

Click Here To Apply Now

Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card

Apply Now
On American Express's Secure Website
See Rates & Fees / Terms Apply
Partner Offer
On American Express's Secure Website
Partner Offer

This card is an excellent deal for Delta frequent fliers. The value of the annual companion certificate easily offsets the annual fee, so the additional flight perks come as icing on the cake. A generous welcome bonus plus opportunities to earn annual bonus miles further sweeten the deal.

Pros

  • No foreign transaction fee
  • Option to earn annual bonus miles
  • Valuable Delta flight benefits
  • Annual companion certificate

Cons

  • High standard APR
  • High penalty APR
  • Base rewards rate is only 1 mile per $1 spent
  • No intro APR offer
  • Welcome Offer: Earn 45,000 bonus miles and 5,000 Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new Card in the first 3 months. Plus, earn a $100 Statement Credit after your first Delta purchase on your new Card in the first 3 months.
  • Earn 3 Miles on every dollar spent on eligible purchases made directly with Delta and on every eligible dollar spent on purchases made directly with hotels.
  • Status-like benefits: First Check Bag Free on Delta flights + Main Cabin 1 Priority Boarding
  • Earn 1.5 miles per dollar on single eligible purchases of $5,000 or more (that’s an extra half point per dollar), up to 50,000 additional miles per year. 1 Mile on every eligible dollar spent on other purchases.
  • Get closer to status with Status Boost™. Spend $25,000 in purchases on the Card in a calendar year and earn 10,000 Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs); spend a total of $50,000 in eligible purchases on the Card in a calendar year and earn an additional 10,000 MQMs. MQMs are used to determine Medallion Status and are different from the miles you earn toward flights.
  • Terms and limitations apply.
  • See Rates & Fees
Earn 45,000 bonus miles and 5,000 Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 3 months. In addition, earn a $100 statement credit after you make a Delta purchase with your new Card within your first 3 months.
Our ratings take into account the card’s rewards, fees, rates along with the card’s category. All ratings are determined solely by our editorial team.

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Featured Card

Best Credit Card For Business Startups

Brex Corporate Card for Startups

Up to 7X Reward Rate
Earn 7X points on Rideshare such as Uber, Lyft, taxi, or scooter; Earn 4X onRead More
Welcome Bonus
N/A
Annual Fee
Up to $60
Regular APR
N/A
Credit Score
Excellent Credit (750 - 850)

Best Credit Card For Business Startups

Click Here To Apply Now

Brex Corporate Card for Startups

Apply Now
On Brex's Secure Website
On Brex's Secure Website

A perfect match for startups and early-stage companies with funding but no profits, and whose principals do not want to put personal credit ratings at risk

Pros

  • No personal guarantee or credit check required
  • No annual fee
  • Fast sign-up process
  • Instant access to credit line

Cons

  • Geared towards well-funded startups, not smaller ventures
  • Exclusive Rewards program is limited to companies that meet certain qualifications
  • Credit limits 10-20x higher than traditional small business corporate cards.
  • $100,000 bank balance required to qualify for Brex.
  • Exclusive signup offers from the best products and tools for your business (e.g. AWS, Google Ads, WeWork, Salesforce) worth over $50,000 in value.
  • Earn points on every dollar spent with industry-leading multipliers: 7x on rideshare, 4x on travel, 3x on restaurants, 2x on software subscriptions and 1x on all other transactions.
  • Miles transfer program to 6 airlines (including Singapore Airlines, Qantas, Air France, and more) and their loyalty programs, giving Brex customers access to book travel across all of the major global airline alliances – Star Alliance, Oneword, and SkyTeam.
  • 30-day charge card running on the Mastercard network. Enjoy global acceptance with no foreign transaction fees.
  • Make employee expenses seamless – automated receipt-capture and expense matching and reconciliation via text and email. Instantly add new users and set spending limits.
  • Simplify reconciliation with built-in integrations with Quickbooks, Xero and more.
N/A
Our ratings take into account the card’s rewards, fees, rates along with the card’s category. All ratings are determined solely by our editorial team.
Featured Card

Best Credit Card For New Businesses With No Credit Lines

Wells Fargo Business Secured Credit Card *

Welcome Bonus
None
Annual Fee
$25
Regular APR
15.15% Variable APR on purchases
Credit Score
Bad/Poor (0 - 649)

Best Credit Card For New Businesses With No Credit Lines

Wells Fargo Business Secured Credit Card *

On Wells Fargo Bank's Secure Website

For businesses with limited or poor credit, this card offers a low-annual-fee option to build credit while earning 1.5% cashback on all purchases.

Pros

  • Enables small business owners to build credit
  • 1.5% cash back rewards
  • Potential to upgrade to an unsecured card

Cons

  • Better rewards available with other unsecured business credit cards
  • High 5% cash advance fee
  • Still requires a credit check
  • Cash Back option: Earn 1.5% cash back on every $1 spent
  • Reward Points option: Earn 1 point on every $1 spent and receive 1,000 bonus points when your company spend is $1,000 or more in any monthly billing period
  • $0 annual rewards program fee
  • $500 to $25,000 credit line
  • Zero liability protection
  • No foreign transaction fee
  • Chip technology
  • Employee cards at no additional cost
None
Our ratings take into account the card’s rewards, fees, rates along with the card’s category. All ratings are determined solely by our editorial team.

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Featured Card

Best Business Credit Card For Employee Use

Wells Fargo Business Elite Card® *

Welcome Bonus
One-time $1,000 cash back bonus or 100,000 bonus points
Annual Fee
$125 Annual fee (waived first year)
Regular APR
8.24% Variable APR on purchases
Credit Score
Good/Excellent (700 - 749)

Best Business Credit Card For Employee Use

Wells Fargo Business Elite Card® *

On Wells Fargo Bank's Secure Website

Only for businesses with annual sales over $1 million who require robust employee spending control and reporting. For others, better options are available.

Pros

  • No fee for employee cards
  • Robust control of employee spending by category, amount and time
  • Detailed employee spend reporting

Cons

  • Only available to businesses with annual sales above $1 million
  • Minimum annual spend requirement of $25,000
  • Rewards rate is mediocre
  • Get a one-time $1,000 cash back bonus or 100,000 bonus points when you enroll in the Business Elite Card Rewards Program and spend $15,000 in the first three months of account open date
Get a one-time $1,000 cash back bonus or 100,000 bonus points when you enroll in the Business Elite Card Rewards Program and spend $25,000 in the first three months of account open date
Our ratings take into account the card’s rewards, fees, rates along with the card’s category. All ratings are determined solely by our editorial team.
Featured Card

Best for Amazon Purchases

Amazon Business Prime American Express Card

Up to 5% Reward Rate
Choose 5% Back or 90 Days Terms on U.S. purchases at Amazon Business, AWS, Amazon.comRead More
Welcome Bonus
Up to $125 back
Annual Fee
$0
Regular APR
14.24% - 22.24% Variable APR on purchases
Credit Score
Good/Excellent (700 - 749)

Best for Amazon Purchases

Click Here To Learn More

Amazon Business Prime American Express Card

On American Express's Secure Website

If your business spends heavily on Amazon.com, AWS, or Whole Foods, this card's 5% back is an unbeatable reward — more so with no annual fee. If short-term cash flow is an issue, you have the option to swap the 5% back for 90-day 0% APR financing on any purchase. There is no 0% intro APR offer, and the standard APR is high, so this card isn't suitable for long-term financing.

Pros

  • No foreign transaction fee
  • Free employee cards include purchase controls
  • On each purchase, choose 5% back or 90-day terms at Amazon & Whole Foods

Cons

  • High penalty APR
  • Amazon Prime membership required
  • No intro APR offer
  • Standard APR can be high, depending on your credit
  • Eligible Prime Members get a $125 Amazon.com Gift Card upon approval for the Amazon Business Prime American Express Card.
  • 5% Back or 90 Days Terms on U.S. purchases at Amazon Business, AWS, Amazon.com and Whole Foods Market with an eligible Prime membership
  • 2% Back at U.S. restaurants, U.S. gas stations, and on wireless telephone services purchased directly from U.S. service providers
  • 1% Back on other purchases
  • With rewards that don’t expire, you choose when to redeem. Decide to save on items at checkout on Amazon.com and Amazon Business (U.S.) or apply towards a purchase on your statement
  • Expense management tools, including Account Manager, Employee Cards, Account Alerts, AMEX Business App, Vendor Pay, and Year-End Summary
  • Amex ranked #2 in the 2018 J.D. Power U.S. Credit Card Satisfaction Study℠
Eligible Prime Members get a $125 Amazon.com Gift Card upon approval for the Amazon Business Prime American Express Card. Plus, earn an additional $100 statement credit after you spend $3,000 on the Card in the 2% Back and 1% Back categories in your first 3 months
Our ratings take into account the card’s rewards, fees, rates along with the card’s category. All ratings are determined solely by our editorial team.

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Here's a summary of the Best Business Credit Cards

Credit Card
Best For
Credit Score
Annual Fee
Welcome Bonus
Best Business Credit Card For Membership Rewards
Excellent/Good
$295
35,000 Membership Rewards® points
Best Credit Card For Small Businesses
Good/Excellent
$0 intro for first year, $95 after that
Earn a $500 cash bonus when you spend $5,000 in the first 3 months
Best Flat-Rate Travel Rewards
Good/Excellent
$0 for the first year; $95 thereafter
Up to 200,000 miles
Best Credit Card For Business Travel
Excellent Credit
$95
100,000 bonus points
Best Bonus Rewards Categories
Excellent Credit
$0
$500 bonus cash back
Best for Luxury Travel
Excellent Credit
$595
75,000 Membership Rewards®
Best for Flexible Bonus Categories
Excellent Credit
$0
$300 statement credit
Best 0% APR Offer
Excellent, Good
No annual fee
None
Best Business Credit Card For Cash Back & No Fee
Excellent/Good
$0
Unlimited first year cash back match
Best Business Credit Card For Hotel Rewards
Excellent/Good
$125
75,000 bonus Marriott Bonvoy points
Best for Hilton Honors
Excellent, Good
$95
125,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points
Best Premium Card for Delta Flights
Excellent Credit
$250
5,000 Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs), 45,000 miles, and $100 statement credit
Best for Average Credit
Average, Fair, Limited
$0
None
Best for American Flights
Excellent
$99, waived for first 12 months
65,000 American Airlines AAdvantage® bonus miles
Best Credit Card For Business Startups
Excellent Credit
Up to $60
N/A
Best for Southwest
Excellent
$99
60,000 points
Best Credit Card For New Businesses With No Credit Lines
Bad/Poor
$25
None
Best Business Credit Card For Employee Use
Good/Excellent
$125 Annual fee (waived first year)
One-time $1,000 cash back bonus or 100,000 bonus points
Best for United Flights
Good/Excellent
$99
100,000 bonus miles plus 2 United one-time passes
Best for Amazon Purchases
Good/Excellent
$0
Up to $125 back

Methodology

To create this list, Forbes Advisor analyzed over 100 business credit cards. Characteristics taken into consideration while judging each category were accessibility, dollar value of cash back or point rewards, APR, fees and additional benefits or protections offered by the card.


Best Business Credit Cards by Category

American Express® Business Gold Card

For businesses looking for the best rewards program to join, American Express® Business Gold Card is an excellent option. American Express is among the highest in membership point valuation, with one point equaling as much as two cents depending on how it’s redeemed. The Gold business card offers generous point redemption towards gift cards, prepaid hotels, flights, Amazon shopping and more.

Rewards: 4X points on two select categories where you spend most each month (automatically determined by AMEX), and get back 25% of the points you use when you book eligible flights with Amex Travel, up to 250,000 points back per calendar year.

Annual Fee: $295 (see rates and fees)

Bonus Offer: Earn 35,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $5,000 on eligible purchases with the Business Gold Card within the first 3 months of Card Membership

Other Benefits or Drawbacks: The American Express Business Gold also offers up to one year free of G Suite Basic for three users and ZipRecruiter Standard in the first 12 months of membership; according to the card website, that’s a combined value of up to $3,200 when taking advantage of both offers.

Additionally, American Express has one of the most robust benefits programs out there. Cardholders have the ability to pay balances over time with interest, and there are no pre-set spending limits on the Business Gold card.

American Express also grants users travel and transportation protections, such as baggage insurance, emergency assistance, no foreign transaction fees and statement credits for booking at partner hotels.

The annual fee on the Business Gold card can seem daunting at first. A business that makes this its primary card, however, can quickly earn back the $295 fee in the form of membership rewards.


Capital One® Spark® Cash for Business

Small business owners are busy, meaning choosing and using a card with complex category rewards can be time consuming. The Capital One® Spark® Cash for Business* card is a great fit for small businesses looking for a simple yet generous cash back rewards program and a low APR.

Rewards: Earn unlimited 2% cash back that can be redeemed any time and with no minimums. For a company spending $10,000 per month, that can equal $2,900 cash back in the first year (including the bonus offer).

Bonus Offer: Earn a one-time $500 cash bonus once you spend $4,500 on purchases within 3 months from account opening

Annual Fee: $0 intro for first year, $95 after that

Other Benefits or Drawbacks: Other benefits of this card include free employee cards, meaning small business owners can earn more cash back faster. Cash back rewards can be redeemed at any time and have no expiration date.

A downside, however, is this card isn’t for a businesses or owner with less than stellar credit. With its strict requirement for “good” to “excellent” credit,’ the Capital One Spark Cash for Business will only work for businesses and owners with first rate credit histories.


Capital One® Spark® Miles for Business

If your goal is earning flat-rate rewards you can use for travel without having to deal with a complicated rewards program, consider the Capital One® Spark Miles® for Business. This card offers a generous rewards rate, plus the ability to redeem your rewards for any type of travel at a rate of one cent per point.

Rewards: Earn 2 miles per dollar spent on all purchases made with your card, as well as 5 miles per dollar on hotel and rental car bookings made through Capital One Travel.

Annual Fee: $0 for the first year; $95 thereafter

Bonus Offer: Earn a one-time bonus of 50,000 miles – equal to $500 in travel – once you spend $4,500 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening

Other Benefits and Drawbacks: In addition to the fact that you can redeem your miles for any travel purchase made with this card, you can also transfer miles to airline partners including Air Canada, Air France, Singapore Airlines and others. You’ll also get a $100 credit toward Global Entry or TSA Precheck membership and this card comes with no foreign transaction fees.

The only real downside of this card is the fact that, other than earning 5 miles per dollar on hotel and rental car bookings made through Capital One, there aren’t many ways to maximize your rewards.

Also note that this card’s airline partners are mostly international carriers that may be difficult for domestic flyers to use, and that the transfer ratio is 2:1.5 with most airlines (meaning you only get 1.5 airline miles for each 2 Capital One miles you transfer) with the exception of Emirates and Singapore Airlines, which have a 2:1 transfer ratio—even worse.


Ink Business Preferred℠ Credit Card

The Chase Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card offers one of the highest points per cent value and an impressive bonus offer, making it a top pick for business travel.

Rewards: Earn three points per $1 on the first $150,000 spent on travel, shipping, internet, cable and phone services, and advertising purchases on social media and search engines. A business taking full advantage of this rewards offer would earn 450,000 points ($150,000 x 3) on these categories alone.

The value of these points depends on how they are redeemed. If redeemed for cash or a statement credit, the rewards would have a value of $4,500. Redeem the points for travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards, and cardholders receive a 25% bonus, bringing the value up to $5,625. Finally, cardholders can transfer points to partner airlines and hotel brands. With some airline miles worth as much as two cents, the value of these rewards could reach $9,000 per year.

Annual Fee: $95

Bonus Offer: Earn 100,000 bonus points after you spend $15,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

Other Benefits or Drawbacks: The Chase Ink Business Preferred card also comes with significant travel protection, such as trip cancellation insurance up to $5,000 per trip, cell phone protection up to $600 per claim and auto rental collision insurance. This card’s annual fee is much lower than for other competitor travel cards. Moreover, points can be used toward travel with 12 airlines and three hotel programs, giving cardholders flexibility and choice when it comes to redeeming travel points.

One drawback of the Chase Ink Business Preferred card is that the bonus offer requires spending $5,000 within the first three months, which is higher than required for the bonuses on other travel rewards cards. Some businesses, however, might find it relatively easy to hit this threshold.

You can read our full review of the Ink Business Preferred Credit Card here.


Ink Business Cash℠ Credit Card

The Ink Business Cash Credit Card can be extremely lucrative if you spend a lot within its bonus categories each year. You can also earn a generous initial signup bonus and unlimited rewards with no annual fee.

Rewards: Earn 5% back on up to $25,000 spent in combined purchases at office supply stores and internet, cable and phone services each year (then 1%), 2% back on up to $25,000 spent in combined purchases at gas stations and restaurants each year (then 1%), and 1% back on all other purchases.

Annual Fee: $0

Bonus Offer: Earn $500 bonus cash back after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening

Other Benefits and Drawbacks: Earning generous rewards without an annual fee is a smart move, and we like this card’s lucrative bonus categories since they can work within a variety of small business settings. After all, it’s not uncommon for businesses to spend a lot at office supply stores, or internet, cable and phone services, as well as gas and dining.

You can also qualify for free employee cards and begin earning rewards on all your employee’s business-related purchases along the way.

We also like the fact that this card gives you 0% APR on purchases for the first 12 months, followed by a variable APR based on your creditworthiness. However, you should note that this benefit only applies to purchases and not to balance transfers.


The Business Platinum Card® from American Express

The Business Platinum Card® from American Express does come with a pricey annual fee, but it can be a steal for anyone who travels frequently and wants access to luxury travel perks.

This card comes with an array of travel credits you can use each year, along with premium benefits like airport lounge access, a fee credit for Global Entry or TSA Precheck and a $200 airline credit for incidentals with your favorite airline. You’ll also get automatic Gold status with the Marriott Bonvoy and Hilton Honors hotel programs, as well as up to $200 in credit toward U.S. Dell purchases and 35% of your points back, up to 500,000 bonus points per calendar year, when you redeem them for airfare through AmexTravel.com.

Rewards: Earn 5x Membership Rewards points per dollar spent on prepaid flights and hotels booked through AmexTravel.com; also earn 0.5 points per dollar on purchases of $5,000 or more and 1 point per dollar on all other purchases.

Annual Fee: $595 (see rates and fees)

Bonus Offer: Earn 75,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $15,000 on qualifying purchases within your first 3 months of Card Membership

Other Benefits and Drawbacks: The Business Platinum Card® from American Express offers a lot in exchange for its annual fee, including the broadest airport lounge program available. Not only will you be able to access Priority Pass lounges worldwide, but you can also use American Express Centurion Lounges and even Delta SkyClubs when you fly Delta.

The biggest downside of this card is the fact that the credits are so specific. Not everyone can use a $200 credit toward Dell computers each year and the airline fee credit is only good for incidental purchases made with a specific airline you choose at the beginning of the year.

Also note that, outside of prepaid travel purchases made through AmexTravel.com and purchases over $5,000, you’ll only earn 1 point for each dollar you spend, which isn’t as good as competing cards.


Bank of America® Business Advantage Cash Rewards Mastercard® credit card

The Bank of America Business Advantage Cash Rewards credit card gives business owners the ability to make the card fit their spending categories.

Rewards: Cardholders can choose a 3% cash back category from the following six categories: gas stations, office supply stores, travel, TV/telecom and wireless, computer services or business consulting services. The 3% cash back category can be changed every month.

Cardholders also receive 2% cash back on dining and 1% cash back on all other purchases. The 3% and 2% cash back categories are limited to the first $50,000 in spending per calendar year, after which all purchases will earn 1% cash back.

Annual Fee: $0

Bonus Offer: Get a $300 statement credit when you make at least $3,000 in net purchases within 90 days of your account opening

Other Benefits or Drawbacks: Other benefits of this card include an introductory 0% APR offer on purchases for the first 9 billing cycles, after which the standard purchase APR, based on your creditworthiness, will apply.

Cardholders can even earn up to 75% more cash back through participation in the Preferred Rewards program.

This card is not a good fit for businesses that expect to spend more than $50,000 per calendar year in combined purchases in the chosen 3% category and 2% dining category because further rewards will be capped at 1% cash back.


The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express

The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express is interesting because you can earn Membership Rewards points without an annual fee. You can also save money on interest with 0% APR on purchases for 12 months, followed by a variable APR of 13.24%-19.24% based on your creditworthiness and other factors at account opening.

Rewards: Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on everyday business purchases such as office supplies or client dinners. 2X applies to the first $50,000 in purchases per year, 1 point per dollar thereafter.

Annual Fee: No annual fee (see rates and fees)

Bonus Offer: None

Other Benefits and Drawbacks: This card’s 0% APR offer can be enticing if you want to save money on interest at a lower APR. One downside of this card is the fact that you won’t earn any kind of welcome bonus for signing up and meeting a minimum spending requirement.

We do like the fact you can earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on everyday business purchases such as office supplies or client dinners. 2X applies to the first $50,000 in purchases per year, 1 point per dollar thereafter. Considering this card doesn’t have an annual fee, we think this makes it a good option to pair with the The Business Platinum Card® from American Express to use for all your non-bonus spending.


Discover it® Business Card *

If a card is offering cash back, a sky-high annual fee can significantly offset earnings. Choosing a cashback card with no annual fee is a great way to maintain the full value of the credit card’s offer.

The Discover it® Business Card * doesn’t have a fixed dollar or bonus points sign-up bonus, but it has a distinct sign-up bonus system that makes up for it. At the end of the first year, all the cash back the business owner has earned (at a 1.5% rate) is matched on a one for one basis. There’s no dollar limit on the spending that is eligible for either the 1.5% back or the match. For a card spend of $50,000 per year, the potential cash back reaches $1,500 (1.5% unlimited cash back + the first year cashback match).

Discover’s rival no-fee cash back card, the Chase Ink Business Unlimited℠ Credit Card*, returns the same unlimited 1.5% refund on expenses, with a sign-up $500 bonus cash back, and no match at the end of the year. Assuming $50,000 is charged in the first year, the Discover it card will provide $250 more in cash back at the end of one year.  For a business that will spend a lot less in the first year, however, the Chase Ink Business Unlimited card might be the better deal.

Rewards: Unlimited 1.5% cash back on every dollar for every purchase. Cash back is matched at the end of the first year with no limit.

Annual Fee: $0

Bonus Offer: Get an unlimited dollar-for-dollar match of all the cash back you earn at the end of your first year, automatically. And no limit to how much we'll match. So you could turn $350 cash back into $700 with Cashback Match™.

Other Benefits or Drawbacks: The Discover it card comes with the ability to easily download transactions to Quickbooks, Quicken or Excel, making expense management easier. There are also no overlimit fees, no late fees on the first late payment (up to $40 after that) and no foreign transaction fees. Discover also claims that paying late on this card won’t raise the card’s APR.

The highest APR on the Discover it card is slightly higher than other no-fee business cards, so cardholders with less-than-great credit will end up paying more in interest than with other cards.


Marriott Bonvoy Business™ American Express® Card

The Marriott Bonvoy Business™ American Express® Card is a great pick for frequent Marriott guests. Its high point rewards in a variety of categories give cardholders flexibility and freedom to earn points toward free hotel stays and other purchases.

Rewards: 6X Marriott Bonvoy points at participating Marriott Bonvoy hotels, 4X points per dollar for purchases at U.S. restaurants, U.S. gas stations, on wireless phone services (purchased directly from U.S. providers) and U.S. shipping, 2X points on all other eligible purchases, 1 free night award and complimentary Marriott Bonvoy Silver Elite status.

Annual Fee: $125 (see rates and fees)

Bonus Offer: Earn 75,000 bonus Marriott Bonvoy points after you use your new Card to make $3,000 in purchases within the first 3 months

Other Benefits or Drawbacks: The $125 annual fee is high but is easily offset by the ability to redeem points for hotel stays. Cardholders are also credited for 15 nights toward elite status at Bonvoy hotels.


The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card

If you prefer Hilton hotels and have a Hilton Honors account, the Hilton Honors American Express Business Card is worth exploring. This card gives you complimentary Hilton Gold Status just for being a cardholder, and you can earn a generous welcome bonus and a high rate of rewards on all your spending.

Rewards: Earn 12 Hilton Honors points per dollar spent on Hilton purchases, 6 points per dollar at U.S. gas stations, wireless telephone services, U.S. shipping, U.S. restaurants, flights booked directly with the airline or with AmexTravel.com and car rentals booked directly with the car rental company; you’ll also earn 3 points per dollar on all other purchases.

Annual Fee: $95 (see rates and fees)

Bonus Offer: Earn 125,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points after you spend $3,000 in eligible purchases on the Card in the first 3 months of Card Membership

Other Benefits and Drawbacks: This card can be worth it for the welcome bonus alone, but don’t forget that you’ll also get automatic Hilton Gold Status. This elite status can afford you benefits like late checkout, complimentary breakfast at Hilton properties, room upgrades based on availability and more.

Other benefits you’ll receive include a free weekend night when you spend $15,000 on your card within a calendar year, as well as another free weekend night when you spend $60,000 on your card within a calendar year. Further, you can get an upgrade to Hilton Diamond Status with this card if you spend $40,000 within a calendar year.

You’ll also get 10 free visits to Priority Pass lounges per year, which can be more than enough if you only travel a few times per year. If you do travel more than once per month, however, you may want to consider a travel credit card with a Priority Pass Select membership that includes unlimited visits instead.


Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card

Frequent Delta flyers who want elite perks should consider picking up a co-branded Delta Air Lines credit card, and the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card could be the best option for anyone who doesn’t want to pay a considerable annual fee for Delta Sky Club access.

This card comes with several frequent flyer perks including a fee credit for Global Entry or TSA Precheck, an annual companion certificate, a first free checked bag and priority boarding. You’ll also earn generous rewards on your purchases, and particularly on Delta purchases.

Rewards: Earn 3 Delta miles per dollar spent on Delta purchases and eligible hotel purchases, 1.5 miles per dollar on purchases of $5,000 or more and 1 mile per dollar on all other purchases.

Annual Fee: $250

Bonus Offer: Earn 45,000 bonus miles and 5,000 Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 3 months. In addition, earn a $100 statement credit after you make a Delta purchase with your new Card within your first 3 months.

Other Benefits and Drawbacks: The biggest downside of this card is the $250 annual fee (see rates and fees), although you can get a lot of value out of your cardholder perks if you fly with Delta Air Lines frequently. The $100 credit you get for Global Entry or TSA Precheck takes part of the sting out of the annual fee, and the free first checked bag benefit is worth $30 each time you fly with a checked bag. The initial bonus this card offers is also nice.

Note that you can redeem miles with Delta or with any number of SkyTeam partners. Some of the most popular partners you can redeem miles with include Air France, KLM and Virgin Atlantic, but Delta has more than 20 partner airlines in total. This card also makes it possible to visit Delta Sky Clubs for a reduced rate of $39, which can be a good deal if you only need to pop into an airport lounge a few times per year when you fly Delta and don’t mind paying for the privilege.


Capital One® Spark® Classic for Business

The Capital One® Spark® Classic for Business made our ranking because this card is available for consumers with average credit. This is a departure from most of the top travel and rewards credit cards for business that require good or excellent credit just to get approved. This card also lets you earn rewards with no annual fee, and you can slowly build up your credit score through responsible credit use.

Rewards: Earn an unlimited 1% cash back on all purchases.

Annual Fee: $0

Bonus Offer: None

Other Benefits and Drawbacks: This biggest downsides of this card are obvious. You won’t earn an initial signup bonus with this card, and you’ll only earn a flat 1% back for each dollar you spend. This card is also light on cardholder perks, although you will get free employee cards and access to credit building tools.

Then again, this card is really meant to help small business owners build up their credit over time. If you need a business credit card and your credit score isn’t that great, this is one of the best cash back credit cards for business you could actually be approved for.


CitiBusiness® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® Mastercard® *

If you prefer to fly with American Airlines or Oneworld airlines like British Airways or Cathay Pacific, the CitiBusiness® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® Mastercard® could be your best bet for business spending. This card offers a generous initial bonus and plenty of cardholder perks that make keeping this card a no-brainer.

Rewards: Earn 2 American miles per dollar spent on American Airlines purchases, telecommunications, cable and satellite providers, car rental merchants and gas stations, and 1 mile per dollar on all other purchases.

Annual Fee: $99, waived for first 12 months

Bonus Offer: Earn 65,000 American Airlines AAdvantage® bonus miles after spending $4,000 in purchases within the first 4 months of account opening

Other Benefits and Drawbacks: The welcome bonus on this card is a huge initial benefit, and especially when you consider this card doesn’t charge an annual fee the first year. After all 65,000 American Airlines AAdvantage® bonus miles is enough for a round-trip MileSAAver award to Europe from the continental U.S., or a Business or First class MileSAAver round-trip domestic flight.

Also note that you can redeem American AAdvantage miles with more than 20 partners ranging from Hawaiian Airlines to Air Tahiti Nui, Alaska Airlines and Finnair. If you fly with American Airlines often, you’ll also benefit from perks like a free first checked bag, preferred boarding and a 25% discount on in-flight purchases made with your card. You can also earn a $99 (plus airline taxes and fees) Main Cabin domestic companion certificate when you spend $30,000 on your card within a calendar year.

In terms of downsides, this card only offers 1 mile per dollar spent on non-bonus purchases, which isn’t anything to celebrate.


Brex Corporate Card for Startups

The Brex for Startups Credit Card is the best option for startup owners who need the flexibility of high credit limits and instant approval without putting their own credit on the line. Instead, Brex determines credit lines based upon how much funding and equity a company has, as well as its spending patterns. Since Brex is geared toward startups, it offers the most generous points, as well as special deals, on expenses startups are likely to incur. Brex uniquely offers two rewards matrices and allows customers to choose between them as often as their needs change.

Rewards

Program 1:

  • 7 points per dollar spent on rideshare
  • 4 points per dollar on travel purchases booked through Brex
  • 3 points per dollar on spending at restaurants
  • 2 points per dollar on recurring software
  • 1 point per dollar on all other purchases

Program 2:

  • 7 points per dollar spent on remote collaboration tools
  • 3 points per dollar on food delivery services through specialized services like DoorDash, UberEats and GrubHub
  • 2 points per dollar on recurring software/SaaS
  • 1 point per dollar on all other eligible spending

Rewards have no limit and never expire.

Annual Fee: $0

Bonus Offer: Instead of a traditional welcome bonus, Brex offers impressive bonuses with 15 partners, including Experian, HubSpot, Amazon Web Services, Google Ads, WeWork and more. These services include statement credits or discounts to subscriptions.

Other Benefits or Drawbacks: The Brex card comes with five additional employee cards for free, but any additional users, beyond those five, cost $5 per month—more than most competitor cards charge. Brex’s rewards system, however, is generous enough to earn those user fees back. The ability to move between rewards structures based on current business needs is a real plus and is unique in the credit card industry.

You can read our full review of the Brex Business Credit Card here.


Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Business Credit Card *

If you mostly fly within the U.S. or to Mexico and the Caribbean, the Southwest Rapid Rewards program is worth racking up points in. Southwest Airlines lets two bags fly for free, which can help you keep costs down. Not only that, but the Southwest Rapid Rewards programs has one of the most generous cancellation and rebooking policies out there today, and flights can be downright cheap in cash or in miles. The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Business Credit Card  could help you get started with this valuable loyalty program.

Rewards: Earn 2 Southwest points per dollar spent on Southwest purchases and 1 point per dollar on all other purchases.

Annual Fee: $99

Bonus Offer: Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open

Other Benefits and Drawbacks: The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Business Credit Card is an excellent deal for the first year since you have the potential to earn a big welcome bonus. You’ll also get 6,000 miles as a cardmember bonus when you renew your card after the first year, but that may not be worth it for everyone.

After all, this card offers fairly lackluster earning rates. You’ll earn 2 points per dollar on Southwest purchases, but you’ll only earn 1 point per dollar on everything else you buy. With that in mind, you may be better off using a Chase Ultimate Rewards travel credit card that lets you earn a higher rate of rewards on select purchases and transfer your points to this airline at a 1:1 ratio.

This card does come with no foreign transaction fees, however, and you’ll get travel protections like lost luggage reimbursement, baggage delay insurance, extended warranties and purchase protection for no extra cost. With that in mind, it could be a long-term keeper if you want these protections and you spend a lot of money with Southwest Airlines each year.


Wells Fargo Business Secured Credit Card *

The Wells Fargo Business Secured credit card is an ideal credit card for new businesses, and for good reason. This card not only serves companies and owners still working to establish credit, but it goes a lot further than a traditional credit card and offers generous perks. 

How it works: This credit card is secured, meaning the card will have a credit line based upon the amount deposited, which can range from $500 to $25,000 on this card. 

Rewards: Earn 1.5% cash back for every $1 spent on purchases, with no limit or earn one point on every $1 spent

Annual Fee: $25

Bonus Offer: Receive a one-time bonus of 1,000 bonus points when $1,000 or more is spent in any monthly billing period.

Other Benefits or Drawbacks: A secured credit card is a great way to build a credit history, but can be a challenge for companies low on start-up cash. Wells Fargo’s lowest requirement for collateral is a modest $500, and the company will periodically evaluate accounts to determine eligibility for an unsecured line.

Additionally, this card gives customers the option to choose between cash back or rewards. Wells Fargo rewards can be redeemed for a wide range of categories, including airline tickets, merchandise, TSA Pre✓ and more. Rewards points are currently valued at one and a half cents per point, but can fluctuate based upon category redemption. 

Additional perks of the Wells Fargo Business Secured card include a zero liability program, expense management tools, overdraft protection and automatic bill pay.

You can read our full review of the Wells Fargo Business Secured Credit Card here.


Wells Fargo Business Elite Card® *

The Wells Fargo Business Elite Card card is great for larger businesses ($1 million in sales and up) looking to give employees cards. It also offers a healthy $1,000 cash welcome bonus. 

Rewards: Earn 1.5% cash back on every $1 spent or one point on every $1 spent

Annual Fee: $125 Annual fee (waived first year)

Bonus Offer: Get a one-time $1,000 cash back bonus or 100,000 bonus points when you enroll in the Business Elite Card Rewards Program and spend $25,000 in the first three months of account open date

Other Benefits or Drawbacks: This card is only for businesses with annual sales over $1 million. On the plus side, it has no foreign transaction fees and provides free cards for up to 200 employees, with spending controls, online reporting tools and more. 

Cardholders should be careful when considering enrolling in the rewards program. Typically, one reward point equals one cent, making the 100,000 bonus points worth $1,000. After the first year, the $125 fee would make the rewards program less valuable than the cashback option.


United Business Card *

If you fly with United Airlines or other Star Alliance airlines frequently, it can make sense to get a co-branded United Airlines credit card for your business. With the United Business Card, you can earn an initial rush of bonus miles as well as miles for each dollar you spend on your card. You’ll also score frequent flyer perks including two United Club passes, priority boarding, a free checked bag and a 20% discount on select in-flight purchases. 

Rewards: Earn 2 United miles per dollar spent on taxis, mass transit, tolls and rideshare services as well as United purchases, gas stations, office supply stores and restaurants; earn 1 mile per dollar on all other purchases.

Annual Fee: $99

Bonus Offer: Earn 100,000 bonus miles after you spend $10,000 on purchases within the first 3 months of account opening, plus 2 United Club one-time passes after account opening

Other Benefits and Drawbacks: While United Airlines no longer offers an award chart, you should be able to use the bonus on this card for two round-trip domestic flights or one long haul international flight at a minimum. Also note that you can redeem United Mileageplus miles with other Star Alliance members like ANA, Asiana Airlines and Lufthansa. 

In addition to the generous bonus, the fact this card offers 2 United miles per dollar in so many categories can easily help you earn considerably more miles over time. Frequent flyer perks like a first free checked bag and priority boarding are just icing on the cake. 

As a final note, you’ll get 5,000 miles on your cardmember anniversary each year when you have a United business card and a personal United credit card.


Amazon Business Prime American Express Card *

If your business spends a lot on Amazon purchases, consider picking up the Amazon Business Prime American Express Card. This card lets you pick between a generous rewards rate on Amazon.com purchases or 90-day zero interest offer. This card doesn’t charge foreign transaction fees and you can use your points to shop for merchandise on Amazon.com. While there isn’t an annual fee, you do need to be an Amazon Prime member to apply.

Rewards: Earn 5% back on select Amazon.com purchases or 90 days with no interest on select purchases, 2% back at U.S. restaurants, U.S. gas stations and wireless services purchased directly from the provider and 1% back on all other purchases.

Annual Fee: $0

Bonus Offer: Eligible Prime Members get a $125 Amazon.com Gift Card upon approval for the Amazon Business Prime American Express Card. Plus, earn an additional $100 statement credit after you spend $3,000 on the Card in the 2% Back and 1% Back categories in your first 3 months

Other Benefits and Drawbacks: This card does offer a generous rate of return on Amazon.com purchases, but it’s severely lacking in terms of its welcome bonus. You’ll earn a $125 gift card when you’re approved for the card, but other than that, you can only earn another $100 statement credit if you spend $3,000 within the card’s 2% and 1% categories within the first three months.

Also note that you have to be an eligible Amazon Prime member to qualify for this card, and that Prime membership itself starts at $119 per year. To make the most of this card, you’ll want to make sure you can spend a lot in its 5% categories, which include Amazon Business, AWS, Amazon.com and Whole Foods Market purchases.


How to pick a business credit card

With the many different types of credit cards available, picking one for a business can be a lengthy process. Prospective cardholders have multiple factors to take into consideration before landing on a best-pick, including:

  • How much will the card cost per year? Annual fees often cover membership benefits offered by cards. Prospective cardholders should calculate how much they’ll need to spend in order to accumulate enough rewards or cash back to offset the fee.
  • How much will additional cards cost? Adding additional employee cards to an account can be a smart way to generate more rewards, but confirm how much each additional card will cost per year.
  • How much are membership or rewards points worth? Some cards have high points per dollar offers, but when it comes to redeeming the points, they fall flat. Be diligent in evaluating each point value; if it’s less than one cent per point, it’s a weak offer.
  • What are other fees associated with the card, aside from the annual fee? Pay close attention to the card’s terms and conditions to determine if there are fees associated with foreign transactions, late payments, overlimits and more.
  • What is the APR? If your business needs to carry a balance, looking for a card with low interest rates, or interest-free promotional periods, can save money. Always remember that APRs are determined based on your creditworthiness, so the lowest interest rate presented in the terms and conditions might not be what you’re granted upon approval.
  • Do I need a personal guarantee? Establishing business credit can be difficult, and some cards will require a personal guarantee. This means an individual, usually the one applying for the card on behalf of the company, will be held liable for any balances left unpaid on the card. For individuals who don’t want to be tied to their business account, there are cards available that don’t require a personal guarantee, such as the Brex Visa Commercial Credit Card.

Other business credit cards to consider

Although these are Forbes’ top picks, there are numerous cards not listed that have attractive features. For example, The Plum Card® from American Express offers a 1.5% early-pay discount, but also allows cardholders to pay up to 60 days late without interest (see rates and fees). For businesses with big spending, this card can be a flexible payment option.

There are numerous loyalty-rewards business credit cards available through major companies including Delta, Marriott, JetBlue and American Airlines. For businesses that predominantly use one hotel chain or airline, these rewards cards can maximize earnings and discounts on purchases throughout the year.

Additionally, prospective cardholders looking for intriguing business credit card offers should check with their local credit unions. Since these institutions are member-owned non-profits, they aren’t subject to the same profit pressures or corporate income taxes as large banks and are able to offer lower interest rates as a result. Credit unions can be a great place for brand new businesses to establish their credit.

To view rates and fees of the American Express® Business Gold Card, please visit this page.

To view rates and fees of Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Credit Card, please visit this page.

To view rates and fees of The Blue Business® Plus Card from American Express, please visit this page.

To view rates and fees of The Hilton Honors Americann Express Business Card, please visit this page.

To view rates and fees of the Marriott Bonvoy Business™ American Express® Card, please visit this page.

To view rates and fees of The Plum Card® from American Express, please visit this page.

To view rates and fees of Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card, please visit this page.

To view rates and fees of  The Business Platinum Card® from American Express, please visit this page.


Other Credit Cards to be Considered

Forbes adheres to strict editorial integrity standards. To the best of our knowledge, all content is accurate as of the date posted, though offers contained herein may no longer be available. The opinions expressed are the author’s alone and have not been provided, approved, or otherwise endorsed by our partners.
Credit Score ranges are based on FICO® credit scoring. This is just one scoring method and a credit card issuer may use another method when considering your application. These are provided as guidelines only and approval is not guaranteed.
Earn 35,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $5,000 on eligible purchases with the Business Gold Card within the first 3 months of Card Membership
Earn a one-time $500 cash bonus once you spend $4,500 on purchases within 3 months from account opening
Earn a one-time bonus of 50,000 miles – equal to $500 in travel – once you spend $4,500 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening
Earn 100,000 bonus points after you spend $15,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
Earn $500 bonus cash back after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening
Earn 75,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $15,000 on qualifying purchases within your first 3 months of Card Membership
Get a $300 statement credit when you make at least $3,000 in net purchases within 90 days of your account opening
None
Get an unlimited dollar-for-dollar match of all the cash back you earn at the end of your first year, automatically. And no limit to how much we'll match. So you could turn $350 cash back into $700 with Cashback Match™.
Earn 75,000 bonus Marriott Bonvoy points after you use your new Card to make $3,000 in purchases within the first 3 months
Earn 125,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points after you spend $3,000 in eligible purchases on the Card in the first 3 months of Card Membership
Earn 45,000 bonus miles and 5,000 Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 3 months. In addition, earn a $100 statement credit after you make a Delta purchase with your new Card within your first 3 months.
None
Earn 65,000 American Airlines AAdvantage® bonus miles after spending $4,000 in purchases within the first 4 months of account opening
N/A
Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open
None
Get a one-time $1,000 cash back bonus or 100,000 bonus points when you enroll in the Business Elite Card Rewards Program and spend $25,000 in the first three months of account open date
Earn 100,000 bonus miles after you spend $10,000 on purchases within the first 3 months of account opening, plus 2 United Club one-time passes after account opening
Eligible Prime Members get a $125 Amazon.com Gift Card upon approval for the Amazon Business Prime American Express Card. Plus, earn an additional $100 statement credit after you spend $3,000 on the Card in the 2% Back and 1% Back categories in your first 3 months
The Forbes Advisor editorial team is independent and objective. To help support our reporting work, and to continue our ability to provide this content for free to our readers, we receive compensation from the companies that advertise on the Forbes Advisor site. This compensation comes from two main sources. First, we provide paid placements to advertisers to present their offers. The compensation we receive for those placements affects how and where advertisers’ offers appear on the site. This site does not include all companies or products available within the market. Second, we also include links to advertisers’ offers in some of our articles; these “affiliate links” may generate income for our site when you click on them. The compensation we receive from advertisers does not influence the recommendations or advice our editorial team provides in our articles or otherwise impact any of the editorial content on Forbes Advisor. While we work hard to provide accurate and up to date information that we think you will find relevant, Forbes Advisor does not and cannot guarantee that any information provided is complete and makes no representations or warranties in connection thereto, nor to the accuracy or applicability thereof. Here is a list of our partners who offer products that we have affiliate links for.
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