Best Business Credit Cards

All information about the Capital One Spark Classic for Business has been collected independently by CreditCards.com and has not been reviewed by the issuer.

A guide to business credit cards

For most businesses – from brick and mortar storefronts to “side-hustles” – a business credit card can be a great tool to track spending, save money on interest and earn rewards. Before applying, you should understand the application requirements and credit implications. Though business credit cards are very similar to personal credit cards, there are a few key differences. Finally, it’s a good idea to decide what’s important to you – are you hoping to spread out payments for several large purchases? Or do you simply want to earn cash back on the purchases you’re already making? Once you’ve decided what you’re looking for, it’s time to compare credit cards. Here, we’ll walk you through that process.

• Comparing the best business credit card offers
• Editor’s picks: Best business credit card details
• How we picked the best business credit cards
• What are business credit cards?
• How to apply for a business credit card
• How to choose the best card for your business
• Building business credit
• Frequently asked questions

Comparing the best business credit cards offers

Editor’s picks: Best business credit card details

Best for boosted rewards: Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card

Rewards rate: 1.5 percent cash back on all purchases

Why we like it: Not only will you earn unlimited 1.5 percent cash back on every purchase, but you can also transfer your rewards to a qualifying Chase Ultimate Rewards card and boost their value by 25 percent when you redeem for travel.

Standout benefits: The card currently offers a lucrative sign-up bonus: New cardholders can receive $750 bonus cash back if they spend $7,500 on purchases within their first three months.

Chase’s Ink Business Unlimited touts a lot of competitive features for a no annual fee card, including an unlimited 1.5 percent cash back on all purchases, a generous sign-up bonus and a 0-percent intro APR for 12 months on purchases (it’s 13.24 percent to 19.24 percent variable after that). On the flip side, some business credit cards offer a higher base rewards rate, such as the Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express.

Best for cash back on office supplies: Ink Business Cash® Credit Card

Rewards rate: 5 percent cash back on internet, cable and phone services, and at office supply stores (on up to $25,000 in purchases per year); 2 percent cash back on gas and dining (on up to $25,000 in purchases per year); and 1 percent cash back on other purchases

Why we like it: It’s one of the only cards that includes a bonus on office supply spending. If you’re working from home for the foreseeable future, that cash back reward can help provide your employees the services they need to stay productive online.

Standout benefits: The Ink Business Cash card also currently comes with a sign-up bonus: Cardholders can earn $750 if they spend $7,500 in the first three months.

This no annual fee business credit card is a great option for owners who spend a lot in its bonus cash back categories, namely on internet, cable and phone services, at office supply stores, and on gas and dining. If those categories are outside your spending profile, consider a flat-rate cash back business card, like the Chase Ink Business Unlimited.

Best for no annual fee: American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card

Rewards rate: 2 percent cash back on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; 1 percent cash back on purchases after that

Why we like it: A cash back rate of 2 percent isn’t uncommon among business credit cards, but it is special when paired with no annual fee, even when the 2 percent cash back caps at $50,000 in purchases (then 1 percent).

Standout benefits: This flat-rate cash back card offers some unique features, such as the possibility of spending beyond your credit limit and even earning cash back in those cases.

American Express’ Blue Business Cash card is a standout option for new business owners whose current expenses might not justify a card with an annual fee. The card also offers several attractive financing features, including the aforementioned flexible credit limit, a 0-percent introductory APR on new purchases for the first 12 months of membership (13.24 percent to 19.24 percent variable thereafter), and working capital terms after the first six months of membership.

Best for cash back rewards: Capital One Spark Cash for Business

Rewards rate: 2 percent cash back on all purchases

Why we like it: This card’s sign-up bonus is quite rewarding – earn $500 after a $4,500 spend within the first 3 months. Also, earn 2 percent cash back on all purchases, meaning you aren’t limited to certain categories.

Standout benefits: You also get free employee cards, as well as quarterly and year-end summaries, no foreign transaction fees and lost luggage reimbursement.

The Capital One Spark Cash for Business offers a straightforward way for owners to reap rewards, thanks to its flat-rate 2 percent cash back on all purchases and an uber-generous sign-up bonus. The card does carry a $95 annual fee, though it’s waived the first year. Prospective cardholders should also consider whether the required spend associated with the sign-up bonus fits into their current spending habits.

Best for long intro APR period on purchases: The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express

Rewards rate: 2X points on every purchase, up to $50,000 per year; 1X thereafter

Why we like it: The card offers a 0-percent introductory APR on new purchases for 12 months (then 13.24 percent to 19.24 percent variable), making it useful if you need to finance a large purchase.

Standout benefits: Cardholders have Expanded Buying Power, which lets them spend beyond their credit limit, so long as they repay it with their next statement. (Terms and conditions apply.)

The Blue Business Plus credit card is another solid option for business owners looking for a no annual fee card or flexible financing options. It’s less of a fit for business owners with large expenses, given the 2X points on purchases cap at $50,000 a year (1X thereafter). It’s also less of a fit for business owners who travel frequently, given the card carries a 2.7 percent foreign transaction fee.

Best for everyday purchases: Capital One Spark Cash Select for Business

Rewards rate: 1.5 percent cash back on all purchases

Why we like it: This no-annual-fee business card gives you 1.5 percent cash back on all purchases, making it more than competitive among flat-rate cash back cards.

Standout benefits: Earn $200 after spending $3,000 within the first 3 months of card membership. There’s a short 0-percent intro APR offer on purchases of 9 months, then it’s 13.99 percent to 23.99 percent variable.

Another straightforward, no annual fee business card, the Capital One Spark Cash Select for Business is a great option for business owners that want to earn a competitive cash back rate (in this case, 1.5 percent cash back on all purchases) without thinking too hard about how to maximize their rewards program. Here, too, though, the required spend for the sign-up bonus might feel a bit high for new business owners, so consider your current spending habits before applying.

Best for no expiration on points: American Express® Business Gold Card

Rewards rate: 4X points on 2 categories your business spends the most on each month (capped at $150,000 in purchases per year); 1X points on all other purchases

Why we like it: Business owners get a generous return on their spend without having to worry about their points expiring. Plus, there are no blackout dates and no limit on the amount of points you can earn.

Standout benefits: Cardholders receive a 25 percent bonus on points redeemed for eligible purchases through the American Express Travel portal, capped at 250,000 points back per calendar year. Plus, new cardholders can receive 70,000 points after spending $10,000 on eligible purchases within the first 3 months of card membership.

American Express’ Business Gold Card offers a bevy of benefits to business owners who currently spend enough to take advantage of its lucrative welcome offer and net a return on the $295 annual fee (not waived the first year). The card also offers a certain level of convenience, given it automatically determines your top two monthly spending categories eligible for 4X points (capped at $150,000 in combined purchases per year; 1X after that).

Best for business travel: Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

Rewards rate: 3X points on all travel, shipping, internet, cable, phone services and advertising purchases with social media and search engines on your first $150,000 in combined purchases each year (1X points thereafter)

Why we like it: The card touts a hefty sign-up bonus of 100,000 points after a $15,000 spend within the first 3 months. Those 100,000 points are worth $1,250 toward future travel when you book through Chase Ultimate Rewards.

Standout benefits: Your points are worth 25 percent more when you redeem them for travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards. Cardholders get up to $600 in cellphone protection ($100 deductible, 3 times per year).

Big business spenders might want to take advantage of that eye-popping sign-up bonus (100,000 points when you spend $15,000 within your first 3 months) as it’s currently one of the best on the market. On the flip side, this isn’t the best credit card for business owners who want to do a balance transfer or finance a large purchase since it doesn’t offer a 0-percent introductory APR. There’s also a $95 annual fee.

Best for startups: Brex 30 Card

Rewards rate: 7X Brex rewards points on rideshares, 4X on Brex Travel, 3X at restaurants, 2X on recurring software and 1X on everything else

Why we like it: This charge card offers several perks that are hard to find among business credit cards – but only if you’ve got funding. To be approved you need to link a bank account containing at least $50,000 if professionally invested or $100,000 if not.

Standout benefits: In return for meeting that core criteria, you won’t need to provide a personal guarantee and you may get a credit limit 10-20X higher than what traditional business credit cards offer. CreditCards.com companies get 50,000 bonus points after spending $1,000.

The Brex 30 Card is a charge card, meaning you’re required to pay your bill in full every 30 days. It’s designed specifically with startups in mind. In addition to the targeted bonus rewards categories, cardholders have access to built-in expense management, automatic receipt-matching, and instant virtual cards for their team. The card also integrates with QuickBooks, Xero, NetSuite, Concur and Expensify.

Best for luxury travel perks: The Business Platinum Card® from American Express

Rewards rate: 5X Membership Rewards® points on flights and prepaid hotels on amextravel.com; 2X points on travel purchases booked through the American Express website; 1.5X points on purchases greater than $5,000; and 1X on other purchases

Why we like it: The travel perks are plenty, including an up to $200 airline fee credit, airport lounge access, no foreign transaction fees (see rates and fees) and up to a $100 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck.

Standout benefits: The Platinum currently touts an uber-generous welcome offer: New cardholders earn 100,000 points if they spend $15,000 in the first 3 months. The card also offers up to $200 in statement credits per year for U.S. Dell purchases (up to $100 semi-annually, enrollment required).

Big business spenders who travel a lot for work can reap first-class benefits, including free airport lounge access, seat upgrades and a 24-hour concierge service, with the Business Platinum Card from American Express. On the flip side, the annual fee is super-high at $595 (not waived the first year) as is the spend associated with the current welcome offer. Prospective cardholders should consider whether they spend enough and travel enough to justify those costs.

Best for rewards: Capital One Spark Miles for Business

Rewards rate: 2X miles on every purchase

Why we like it: The strong sign-up bonus (earn 50,000 miles after a $4,500 spend within the first 3 months), coupled with the competitive base rewards program, provides a real opportunity to rack up rewards

Standout benefits: You can redeem any airline or hotel purchase for a statement credit, and transfer your miles to more than 10 loyalty programs, including Air Canada and Jet Blue™.

Consider the Capital One Spark Miles for Business if you’re looking for a flexible travel business rewards card – and you spend enough to justify the $95 annual fee (waived the first year). The card lets business owners add employees to the account for no additional fee, but the tools for managing those accounts are limited. For instance, you can’t manage those accounts remotely or set limits on individual spending.

Best for everyday cash back: Costco Anywhere Visa® Business Card by Citi

Rewards rate: 4 percent cash back on eligible gas purchases (for the first $7,000 in purchases annually, 1 percent after that), 3 percent on restaurants and eligible travel, 2 percent on Costco purchases, and 1 percent on general purchases

Why we like it: The card features competitive cash back on common expenses, like gas and restaurants.

Standout benefits: There’s no limit on the cash back you can earn.

Business owners who are already Costco members will love this card’s rewards. However, be aware that the cash back rewards are only issued once a year in February, expire Dec. 31 of that same year, and are only redeemable at Costco. There’s no annual fee, but you’ll need a Costco membership, which costs $60 a year, to reap rewards. Non-Costco shoppers might want to consider a more flexible business rewards card.

Best for Hilton loyalists: The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card

Rewards rate: 12X points on Hilton hotel purchases, 6X points on select travel and business purchases, and 3X points on other eligible purchases

Why we like it: The welcome bonus is generous at 130,000 bonus points after a $3,000 spend in eligible purchases in the first 3 months, which can add up to some free hotel nights if you are strategic in your Hilton Honors redemptions.

Standout benefits: Cardholders receive Hilton Honors Gold Status, which entitles them to additional perks, including an 80 percent bonus on all base points, select room upgrades and a fifth night free on every rewards stay. They also get a free weekend night each year they spend $15,000 and a second free weekend night when they spend $60,000 in a year.

Although there’s a $95 annual fee (not waived the first year), the ongoing rewards on this co-branded credit card are pretty awesome – and the generous welcome offer certainly provides an added incentive. Conversely, business owners who don’t travel a lot or frequent Hilton hotels will generally find themselves better-served by a general-purpose business rewards credit card.

Best for hotel and flights redemption: Delta SkyMiles® Gold Business American Express Card

Rewards rate: 2X miles on direct Delta purchases; 2X miles on U.S. purchases for advertising in select media, U.S. shipping purchases and dining at restaurants; and 1X miles on other purchases

Why we like it: Cardholders can use miles for airfare, car rentals, hotels, merchandise and more. The miles don’t expire and there are no blackout dates.

Standout benefits: After you spend $10,000 in a calendar year, you’ll earn a $100 Delta flight credit for future travel. Cardholders also enjoy ancillary Delta benefits, including a free checked bag and priority boarding.

Frequent Delta fliers can quickly rack up miles, thanks to a competitive base rewards program and lucrative welcome offer. There’s a $99 annual fee, waived the first year. Non-travelers may want to explore more general-purpose rewards business cards, while non-Delta fliers might want to look into flat-rate travel rewards credit cards.

How we picked the best business credit cards

Research methodology: We analyzed 368 business credit cards to identify the best offers currently on the market. The major factors we considered include:

• Rewards program: Ideally, a business credit card should reward you for the purchases your business makes frequently, whether that’s travel, office supplies, or another category. We looked at whether a card offered a competitive rate of return in these spending categories as part of its base rewards program.
• Introductory bonus: In addition to solid base rewards, we considered whether the card offered bonus points, miles or cash back in exchange for a reasonable spend within the first few months of opening the account.
• Flexible financing offers: Many business owners use credit cards to finance large purchases, so we considered whether a specific card offered zero interest introductory APRs on purchases and/or balance transfers. We also considered whether the card had other financing features, like a flexible credit limit.
• Overall value: Some business credit cards do carry annual fees, so we considered whether that fee was justified by the rewards program, introductory bonus and/or ancillary benefits.

Other criteria include redemption options and flexibility, customer service, small business perks, and other rates or fees. Our business credit card reviews can help you compare offers to find the one that best suits your needs.

What are business credit cards?

Business credit cards are very similar to personal cards, just tailored to meet the needs of small-business owners. You’ll need to operate some type of business in order to qualify, though it doesn’t have to be a formal business. Gig workers and freelancers can be eligible, too. Here are a few things you should know about business credit cards:

• Nearly all business credit cards require you to sign a personal guarantee before you’re approved. A personal guarantee states that the cardholder agrees to be responsible for the debt, meaning unpaid business debt will hurt your personal credit.
• The credit limits are usually higher on business credit cards than on personal credit cards.
• The protections that apply to consumer cards, like those that prevent excessive fees and interest rate hikes, do not apply to business credit cards. However, business credit cards will often offer similar protections as a courtesy.
• Rewards and benefits are usually designed to meet the needs of small businesses. You can find discounts and rewards on utility services, shipping and other common business expenses.
• The way you use a business credit card can affect both your credit and your business’s credit.

Applying for a business credit card

Who can apply for a business credit card?

A common misconception about business credit cards is that you have to have a formal business structure to get one. This isn’t true. Side hustles, sole proprietorships, freelance work and plenty of other money-making gigs qualify as “businesses” when it comes to credit card applications. In fact, according to the SBA’s 2019 Small Business Profile, 37% of small businesses in the U.S. have no paid employees, aside from the business owner.

What you’ll need for a business credit card application

It varies from application to application, but here are some common required fields on business credit card applications.

• Your business’s name or your name
• Your business’s or your address and phone number
• Your business’s industry
• How long your business has been operating
• Number of employees
• Annual business revenue
• Estimated monthly expenses
• Your business’s EIN or your Social Security number

4 steps to apply for a business credit card and get approved

Before you hit “submit” on the application, make sure you’ve gone through these steps that will help maximize your odds of approval and secure the best card for your business.

1. Check your credit score. Credit card issuers will usually look into the business owner’s personal credit before approving an application, so it’s important to check your credit score before you start shopping around. If you’ve already established business credit through a loan or other credit line, you should check your business credit score as well, since issuers may also look at that. Most business credit cards require good to excellent credit. If your credit needs some work, it’s probably in your best interest to spend time improving your score before applying.
2. Compare business credit cards. With so many offers on the market, choosing a business credit card can be overwhelming. Consider rewards type, interest rates, fees and your business’s spending habits.
3. Find out if you prequalify with our CardMatch tool. Using a soft inquiry that won’t affect your credit score, CardMatch can show you which credit cards you’re likely to be approved for in under 60 seconds. Plus, you may also get access to special offers, like a boosted welcome bonus.
4. Complete your application. Once you’ve decided on a credit card, the hard part is over. You can apply online with any major issuer, mostly using information that you’ll know off the top of your head. Those with less formal business structures can use their own information in lieu of some business information, such as address and phone number.

How to choose the best credit card for your business

There’s no one-size-fits-all business credit card. Credit needs can vary greatly from business to business, and that’s why credit cards come in different shapes and sizes.

“Choosing the right business credit card depends on what you’re looking for (cash back, discounted travel, low interest, etc.)”, says Ted Rossman, our industry analyst. “There are lucrative sign-up bonuses to be had, and rewards on spending categories tailored for businesses (such as travel, technology, internet, phone, shipping and online advertising purchases).”

Here’s what you need to consider in choosing the best card for your needs:

What types of rewards are you interested in?

You can typically categorize credit card rewards in one of two categories: cash back or travel. You’ll need to decide which will be more rewarding for your business. If you’re looking for simplicity, a cash back card is probably your best bet. You can redeem your cash back as a statement credit or have it deposited into a bank account without having to worry about how to use rewards points. If you travel often, a points or miles card will likely be more advantageous. For a full list of pros and cons for each type of reward, read our comparison of cash back and points.

How do you plan to use the card?

Once you’ve settled on the type of rewards that you prefer, you should think about what the next year or so holds in terms of business spending. This can help you choose a card with reward categories that will work the hardest for you. For example, if you plan to spend a lot at office supply stores, you might look at Ink Business Cash Credit Card, which offers 5 percent cash back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases annually at office supply stores and internet services.

You should also think about whether you have any large expenses on the horizon. If so, it may be helpful to split up payments over several months without worrying about interest. In that case, a business credit card with a 0-percent introductory APR will work in your favor. Or maybe you already have some business debt and a balance transfer card can help you minimize interest payments.

What is your credit score?

Whether or not you get approved for a business card can be widely based on your creditworthiness. So before you apply, it’s a good idea to conduct an audit of your personal credit score. Most issuers will require a good credit score (670 and above), while others may even require an excellent score (740 and above). Although there are a small number of cards that require fair credit (580-669), just like a personal card, you may increase your chances of getting approved for a business card with a higher credit score.

What kinds of benefits would you like?

While some benefits can save you money, others are aimed at saving time or headache.

• If you or your employees travel frequently, you’ll want to look for perks like no foreign transaction fees, lost luggage insurance, car rental insurance, and emergency assistance.
• If you have several employees who will be authorized users, having no fee for employee cards can help you save the most money. Some cards will also let you set custom spending limits on employee cards.
• If you could use some help with organization, look for a card that offers business management tools like quarterly and year-end summaries and Quickbooks integration ability.

Pro-tip: You can also find small-business benefits with external programs, too. For example, with Spring from Capital One you can access deals on services like FedEx, DocuSign and Squarespace, with no Capital One account required.

Understanding and building business credit

There are some differences between personal and business credit, which we go into on this page. Here are some tips on how to build business, understanding what is a good rating, and more.

How to build business credit

To build a credit history for your business, you need to establish that your business is a separate entity from yourself and take steps to make sure that your business’s spending activity is being tracked by business credit bureaus. Here are some steps you can take to create a credit history for your business:

• A business checking account will help you establish your business as a financial entity.
• Register for a DUN number through Dun and Bradstreet to establish a credit history with them. For Experian and Equifax, establish an LLC so you can get an EIN and set up a phone line with a listed number.
• If some of your vendor accounts are not making it onto your credit report, you can use D&B’s Credit Builder service to provide positive payment information to your credit report. You can provide D&B with your vendors’ contact information, then D&B will contact them to verify your payment history.
• Building your personal credit score is one of the first steps to building a credit history for your business. A good personal credit score can help you acquire your first lines of business credit.
• Apply for a small-business credit card.
• So that you make your own payments on time (and minimize your need for cash flow), make sure your own customers are paying you in a timely manner.
• Request credit line increases on your existing accounts – this will improve your credit-to-debt ratio and thus your overall credit score.

Business credit scores vs. personal credit scores

Credit scoring for businesses is a bit different (and more complicated) than scoring for consumers. Personal FICO scores range from 300 to 850, while business credit scores use different scales. There are three primary business credit score bureaus and they all structure their ratings differently.

You can find your business credit score by visiting the Dun & Bradstreet, Equifax and Experian websites. Each bureau calculates scores uniquely and offers different features.

While your business and personal credit are distinct, there is usually some overlap. Some business credit card issuers report activity to consumer credit bureaus. In those cases, your personal credit would be affected by your business credit activity. For that reason, it’s difficult to keep business and personal credit entirely separate.

Can you get a business credit card with fair or bad credit?

Though most business credit cards require good to excellent credit, there are a few business cards available for people with fair credit. These cards usually lack the hefty sign-up bonuses and travel perks of other business cards, but they can be useful as stepping stones to better credit and more lucrative business rewards cards down the line.

Currently, one of the easiest business credit cards to get is the Capital One Spark Classic for Business, a flat-rate cash back card offering 1% cash back on every purchase. While the card has its shortcomings, including a variable APR of 26.99%, which is much higher than that of the average business card, it comes with a number of useful business perks.

You may also consider paying for business expenses with a consumer card designed for people with fair credit or bad credit.