Jeanine Skowronski is a credit card expert, analyst, and multimedia journalist with over 10 years of experience covering business and personal finance. She has previously served as the Head of Content at Policygenius, Executive Editor of Credit.com, Deputy Editor at American Banker, Staff Reporter at TheStreet and a columnist for Inc. Magazine.
As a senior credit card analyst for Bankrate, Skowronski authored several studies on the payments industry, which were covered by major news outlets, including The New York Times, Washington Post and Vox.com. She has also appeared as a pundit on Good Morning America, The Willis Report, Yahoo Finance, ABC World News with David Muir, NPR’s Marketplace and numerous local television and radio stations. She has served as a speaker and panelist at several American Banker conferences.
Learn more at her website.
Highlights:
Veteran personal finance and business journalist
Credit card analyst, speaker and panelist
Author of numerous studies, including a highly covered 2014 Bankrate survey on millennials and credit cards
Tracy Stewart is a personal finance writer specializing in credit card loyalty programs, travel benefits, and consumer protections. He previously covered travel rewards credit cards, budget travel, and aviation news at SmarterTravel Media. His money-saving tips have appeared in the Washington Post, the Wall Street Journal, Consumer Reports, MarketWatch, Vice, People, the Zoe Report and elsewhere.
Jessica Merritt is a seasoned personal finance writer specializing in credit cards, consumer banking, and financial wellness. With 8 years of experience analyzing credit card offers, rewards programs, and money-saving strategies, she helps readers make informed financial decisions. Jessica’s expertise lies in breaking down complex financial topics into clear, actionable advice, whether finding the best 0% APR credit cards, maximizing travel rewards, or improving credit scores. Her work has been featured in leading finance publications, including U.S. News, CNN Underscored, and DepositAccounts.com by Lending Tree, guiding consumers toward smarter spending and responsible credit management.
Erica SandbergSmall Business Credit Expert Contributor
Expertise
Business, credit and money management, debt
Highlights
Author of Expecting Money: The Essential Financial Plan for New and Growing Families—Publishers Weekly starred review and published in two editions
Contributing reporter for U.S. News & World Report, focusing on credit news
Personal finance program host. Produced Making it in San Francisco on KRON-TV and Adventures in Money podcast
Experience
Erica Sandberg is a credit and money management expert who began her career at Consumer Credit Counseling Service (CCCS). There, she helped individuals and families overcome their debt issues and developed budgets, then transitioned into the agency’s primary media spokesperson.
For CreditCards.com, Erica produces stories and advice columns, including her current Small Business Credit Profile, an interview platform that features entrepreneurs and the way they use credit products. She also pens the Business Banter column for Bankrate where she answers questions about credit options and writes articles about money and credit topics.
Other clients of Erica’s include Experian, Discover and First Republic Bank. Passionate about communicating money and credit information, she has represented Chase, Western Union, the Better Business Bureau and Learning Resources in media campaigns and is a speaker for journalism conferences.
As an expert, Erica provides commentary for news programs, from CNN to Fox, as well as on her local San Francisco news outlets. She has also been quoted in The Wall Street Journal, Los Angeles Times and San Francisco Chronicle.
As a dedicated community advocate, Erica devotes her time to causes that move her, including to Downtown Streets Team where she helped people experiencing homelessness fix their credit problems, open bank accounts and prepare for a financially independent future.
Her volunteer board experience includes San Francisco Police Department’s Community Advisory Board on Homelessness, San Francisco SAFE (Safety Awareness for Everyone) and the Salvation Army Harbor Lights Center advisory board.
80+ years of combined experience covering credit cards and personal finance
27,000+ hours spent researching and reviewing financial products in the last 12 months
Objective comprehensive ratings rubrics
Our editorial team and expert review board provide an unbiased analysis of the products we feature. Our comparison service is compensated by our credit card company partners, and may influence where or how products are featured on the site. This site does not include all credit card companies or all available credit card offers. Please note: The star-rating system on this page is based on our independent card scoring methodology and is not influenced by advertisers or card issuers. Learn more about our partners and how we make money.
Business credit cards can help small-business owners make the most of their day-to-day expenses. Aside from earning valuable rewards such as airline miles and cash back, the best business credit cards have benefits that help you better organize your business finances. These include low intro APRs, expense tracking, and other business-related perks.
Whether you’re a freelancer, working a side gig, or running an organization with multiple employees, here’s how a small-business credit card can work for you.
Business credit cards can help small-business owners make the most of their day-to-day expenses. Aside from earning valuable rewards such as airline miles and cash back, the best business credit cards have benefits that help you better organize your business finances. These include low intro APRs, expense tracking, and other business-related perks.
Whether you’re a freelancer, working a side gig, or running an organization with multiple employees, here’s how a small-business credit card can work for you.
Creditcards.com’s Best Business Credit Cards for May 2025
Our rating:4.9
Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards. The score seen here reflects the card's primary category rating. For more information, you can read about how we rate our cards.
Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points for flights, prepaid hotels, and short-term rentals and prepaid flight + hotel packages booked at AmexTravel.com.
1.5X
Earn 1.5X points (that’s an extra half point per dollar) on each eligible purchase at US construction material, hardware suppliers, electronic goods retailers, and software & cloud system providers, and shipping providers, as well as on purchases of $5,000 or more, on up to $2 million per Card Account per calendar year. Purchases eligible for multiple additional point bonuses will only receive the highest eligible bonus.
1X
Earn 1X points on other eligible purchases.
At A Glance
Intro offer
Earn 150,000 points + $500 statement credit
Limited Time Travel Offer: Earn 150,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $20,000 on eligible purchases on your Business Platinum Card® within the first 3 months of Card Membership. Plus, earn a $500 statement credit after you spend $2,500 on qualifying flights booked directly with airlines or through American Express Travel with your Business Platinum Card® within the first 3 months of Card Membership. You can earn one or both of these offers. Offer ends 6/30/25.
Annual fee
$695
Regular APR
18.49% - 27.49% variable
Recommended credit
Good to Excellent
CreditCards.com credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.
Our rating:4.9
Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards. The score seen here reflects the card's primary category rating. For more information, you can read about how we rate our cards.
5 miles per dollar on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One's travel booking site
10X miles
10 miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One's travel booking site
At A Glance
Intro offer
Earn up to 350,000 bonus miles
For a limited time, earn up to 350,000 bonus miles: 150,000 miles once you spend $30,000 in the first 3 months, and an additional 200,000 miles once you spend $200,000 in the first 6 months
Annual fee
$395
Regular APR
N/A
Recommended credit
740-850 (Excellent)
CreditCards.com credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.
Our rating:4.7
Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards. The score seen here reflects the card's primary category rating. For more information, you can read about how we rate our cards.
5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One's travel booking site
At A Glance
Intro offer
$2,000 cash back
$2,000 cash back once you spend $30,000 in the first 3 months. Earn an additional $2,000 cash bonus for every $500K spent during the first year
Annual fee
$150
Regular APR
N/A
Recommended credit
740-850 (Excellent)
CreditCards.com credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.
Our rating:4.5
Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards. The score seen here reflects the card's primary category rating. For more information, you can read about how we rate our cards.
Earn 3 points per $1 on the first $150,000 spent on travel and select business categories each account anniversary year
1X
Earn 1 point per $1 on all other purchases – with no limit to the amount you can earn
At A Glance
Intro offer
Earn 90,000 bonus points
Earn 90,000 bonus points after you spend $8,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
Annual fee
$95
Regular APR
20.24% - 26.24% variable
Recommended credit
670-850 (Good to Excellent)
CreditCards.com credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.
Our rating:4.4
Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards. The score seen here reflects the card's primary category rating. For more information, you can read about how we rate our cards.
Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points on the top two eligible categories where your business spends the most each month from 6 eligible categories. While your top 2 categories may change, you will earn 4X points on the first $150,000 in combined purchases from these categories each calendar year (then 1X thereafter). Only the top 2 categories each billing cycle will count towards the $150,000 cap.*
3X
Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights and prepaid hotels booked on amextravel.com using your Business Gold Card.*
1X
1X is earned for other purchases. **
At A Glance
Intro offer
Earn 100,000 points
Earn 100,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $15,000 on eligible purchases with the Business Gold Card within the first 3 months of Card Membership.*
Annual fee
$375
Regular APR
18.49% - 27.49% variable
Recommended credit
Good to Excellent
CreditCards.com credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.
Our rating:4.3
Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards. The score seen here reflects the card's primary category rating. For more information, you can read about how we rate our cards.
Earn 2% cash back on all eligible purchases on up to $50,000 per calendar year, then 1%.
1%
1% cash back on all eligible purchases after spending $50,000 per calendar year.
At A Glance
Intro offer
$250 statement credit
Earn a $250 statement credit after you make $3,000 in purchases on your Card in your first 3 months.
Annual fee
No annual fee
Regular APR
17.49% - 27.49% variable
Recommended credit
Good to Excellent
CreditCards.com credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.
Our rating:4.3
Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards. The score seen here reflects the card's primary category rating. For more information, you can read about how we rate our cards.
Earn 5% cash back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at office supply stores and on internet, cable and phone services each account anniversary year
2%
Earn 2% cash back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at gas stations and restaurants each account anniversary year
1%
Earn 1% cash back on all other card purchases with no limit to the amount you can earn
At A Glance
Intro offer
Earn up to $750 bonus cash back
Earn $350 when you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first three months and an additional $400 when you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first six months after account opening.
Annual fee
$0
Regular APR
17.49% - 25.49% variable
Recommended credit
670-850 (Good to Excellent)
CreditCards.com credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.
Our rating:4.3
Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards. The score seen here reflects the card's primary category rating. For more information, you can read about how we rate our cards.
Earn 12X Hilton Honors Bonus Points on eligible Hilton purchases.
5X
Earn 5X Hilton Honors Bonus Points on other purchases made using the Hilton Honors Business Card on the first $100,000 in purchases each calendar year.
3X
3X on all other eligible purchases. Terms & Limitations Apply.
At A Glance
Intro offer
Earn 130,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points
Earn 130,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points after you spend $6,000 in purchases on the Hilton Honors Business Card within the first six months of Card Membership.
Annual fee
$195
Regular APR
19.99% - 28.99% variable
Recommended credit
Good to Excellent
CreditCards.com credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.
Our rating:4.3
Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards. The score seen here reflects the card's primary category rating. For more information, you can read about how we rate our cards.
Earn 2 miles per dollar spent on purchases at U.S. Shipping providers and at U.S. providers for Advertising in select media on up to $50,000 of purchases per category, per year.
2X
Earn 2 Miles on every dollar spent on eligible purchases made directly with Delta and on every eligible dollar spent at restaurants.
1X
Earn 1 Mile on every eligible dollar spent on purchases.
At A Glance
Intro offer
Earn 60,000 Bonus Miles
Earn 60,000 Bonus Miles after spending $4,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.
Annual fee
$0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $150
Regular APR
19.99% - 28.99% variable
Recommended credit
Good to Excellent
CreditCards.com credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.
Our rating:4.2
Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards. The score seen here reflects the card's primary category rating. For more information, you can read about how we rate our cards.
5 miles per dollar on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One's travel booking site
At A Glance
Intro offer
Earn 50,000 miles
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
Annual fee
$95, waived first year
Regular APR
25.24% variable
Recommended credit
670-850 (Good to Excellent)
CreditCards.com credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.
Our rating:4.1
Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards. The score seen here reflects the card's primary category rating. For more information, you can read about how we rate our cards.
Earn 2X 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. Terms and limitations apply.
At A Glance
Intro offer
15,000 Membership Rewards® points
Earn 15,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $3,000 in eligible purchases on the Card within your first 3 months of Card Membership.
Annual fee
No annual fee
Regular APR
17.49% - 27.49% variable
Recommended credit
Good to Excellent
CreditCards.com credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.
Our rating:4.1
Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards. The score seen here reflects the card's primary category rating. For more information, you can read about how we rate our cards.
$300
Get a $300 online statement credit after you make at least $3,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of your account opening.
Annual fee
$0
Regular APR
17.49% - 27.49% Variable APR on purchases and balance transfers
Recommended credit
740-850 (Excellent)
CreditCards.com credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.
Our rating:4.0
Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards. The score seen here reflects the card's primary category rating. For more information, you can read about how we rate our cards.
Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase made for your business
At A Glance
Intro offer
Earn $750 bonus cash back
Earn $750 bonus cash back after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
Annual fee
$0
Regular APR
17.49% - 23.49% variable
Recommended credit
670-850 (Good to Excellent)
CreditCards.com credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.
Our rating:4.0
Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards. The score seen here reflects the card's primary category rating. For more information, you can read about how we rate our cards.
5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One's travel booking site
At A Glance
Intro offer
Earn $500 cash back
$500 cash back once you spend $4,500 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening
Annual fee
$0
Regular APR
17.49% - 23.49% variable
Recommended credit
740-850 (Excellent)
CreditCards.com credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.
* All information about the Capital on Tap Business Credit Card and Capital One Spark 1% Classic card has been collected independently by CreditCards.com. The issuer did not provide the content, nor is it responsible for its accuracy.
Comparing the best business credit cards of May 2025
Business Credit Card
Best For
Intro Bonus
Rewards Rate
Annual Fee
CreditCards.com Rating
The Business Platinum Card® from American Express
Luxury travel perks
150,000 points after spending $20,000 on eligible purchases in the first 3 months of card membership. Plus, earn a $500 statement credit after spending $2,500 on qualifying flights booked directly with airlines or through American Express Travel in the first three months of card membership. You can earn one or both of these offers. Offer ends 6/30/25
5X points on flights, prepaid hotels, and short-term rentals and prepaid flight + hotel packages booked through amextravel.com, 1.5X points on purchases of $5,000 or more and select business supplies
1.5X points on US construction material & hardware suppliers, electronic goods retailers and software & cloud system providers, and shipping providers
For a limited time, earn up to 350,000 bonus miles: 150,000 miles once you spend $30,000 in the first 3 months, and an additional 200,000 miles once you spend $200,000 in the first 6 months
10X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One’s travel booking site 5X miles on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One’s travel booking site 2X miles on other purchases
Earn a one-time cash bonus of $2,000 once you spend $30,000 in the first three months. Plus, earn an additional $2,000 cash bonus for every $500,000 spent during the first year.
5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One’s travel booking site, 2% cash back on all other purchases
100,000 points after spending $15,000 on eligible purchases within the first 3 months of card membership
4X points per dollar on the top two eligible categories your business spends the most in each billing cycle out of six eligible categories (on the first $150,000 in purchases yearly, then 1X), 3x points per dollar on flights and prepaid hotels booked on amextravel.com using your Business Gold Card
$350 when you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first three months and an additional $400 when you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first six months after account opening
5% cash back on office supplies, internet, 2% cash back at gas stations and restaurants (on up to $25,000 in purchases per year), 1% cash back on all other purchases
Earn 5% cash back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at office supply stores and on internet, cable and phone services each account anniversary year
Welcome Offer: Earn 130,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points after you spend $6,000 in purchases on the Hilton Honors Business Card within the first six months of Card Membership.
12X points per dollar at hotels and resorts in the Hilton portfolio, 5X points per dollar on other purchases made on the first $100,000 in purchases each calendar year, 3X points per dollar thereafter
Delta SkyMiles® Gold Business American Express Card
Travel redemption
Earn 60,000 Bonus Miles after spending $4,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.
2X miles per dollar on direct Delta purchases, on eligible U.S. purchases for advertising in select media (on up to $50,000 in eligible purchases per category, per year), on eligible U.S. shipping and at restaurants, 1X miles per dollar on every eligible purchase
$0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $150
50,000 miles after spending $4,500 within the first 3 months
5X miles per dollar on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars through Capital One’s travel booking site, 2X miles per dollar on every purchase, everywhere
A business credit card is a revolving line of credit used by small-business owners to make purchases or withdraw cash. Like personal cards, business credit cards carry interest charges if not paid in full each month.
You’ll need to operate some type of business to qualify for a business credit card, but it doesn’t have to be a formal business. Here’s what you need to know about business credit cards:
Who can apply for a small-business credit card?
Small-business credit cards aren’t just for formal business structures like a limited liability company (LLC), corporation, or partnership. They can be used by anyone trying to profit by selling goods or services, including sole proprietors, freelancers, independent contractors, and gig-economy workers.
Pros and cons of business credit cards
Pros
Build business credit: Responsible use of a business credit card can increase your business credit score, which will look better to vendors and can secure you the best interest rates on business loans.
Taxes are simpler: Separating business expenses from personal ones simplifies tax records and provides peace of mind during tax season.
Lucrative rewards: Businesses can benefit greatly from the rewards earned on spending, particularly on cards that offer high-value rewards rates.
Increase cash flow: Using a business credit card to pay vendors or suppliers can stabilize cash flow while your business waits for payments. Plus, the cards can even be used to raise startup funding.
Cons
Potentially high interest rates: Business cards generally have higher fees and interest rates than personal credit cards.
Can affect personal credit score: You may be personally liable for any unpaid debt on the cards, which can affect your credit score.
Potential for employee misuse: Large organizations with multiple users on the account may have difficulty tracking down who made what purchase and verifying the business legitimacy of that purchase.
Lack of consumer protection: Personal credit cards protect against instant rate hikes and capped fees. However, these protections do not apply to business cards, and your terms can change anytime.
Who should get a business credit card?
Business credit cards aren’t for everyone. Before shopping for credit cards for your business, determine whether you should get one in the first place. Here’s who should and shouldn’t get a business card:
You should get a business credit card if:
You’re a small-business owner
You want business expense tracking
You want to earn rewards
You need to add employee cards
You shouldn’t get a business credit card if:
You’re prone to overspending
You’ll use a business card for personal expenses
You have bad credit
How to choose a business credit card
When selecting a small-business credit card, consider these key factors:
What are your spending habits? Understanding how your business spends money is crucial. Choose a card that offers rewards or cash back on categories your business spends the most on, such as office supplies, travel, or advertising. This can help you maximize benefits and offset costs.
What’s your business’s financial plan? If you plan to pay off the balance each month, you may prioritize cards with low or no annual fees. If you’re looking to finance large purchases over time, consider cards with longer 0% APR offers or flexible repayment options.
Are you looking for rewards or benefits? Many small-business cards offer rewards, travel perks, or cash-back options. Consider whether the rewards program aligns with your business’s needs and if the benefits outweigh the costs. Be mindful of the card’s rewards rate, sign-up bonus, and any limitations on how you can redeem points.
Do you need employee cards or additional features? If you plan to issue employee cards, ensure the card offers this option with customizable spending limits. Also, check for additional features such as expense tracking tools, purchase protection, and fraud monitoring, which can add value to your business.
How to make the most out of a small-business card
Earn the sign-up bonus
Know your financing options for cash flow management with extended payment or promotional financing
Make on-time payments
Use cardholder benefits
Avoid charging personal expenses
Set up employee cards
Alternatives to business credit cards
A business credit card may not be the best fit for everyone. If you want to explore other options, consider a few alternatives.
Small-business loans: A small-business loan is geared toward financing a startup or small business. Entrepreneurs use small-business loans to cover equipment or product costs, kickstart cash flow, and finance other business-related needs. Compared to business credit cards, business loans may have lower interest rates, more flexible repayment terms, and higher payout amounts.
Business lines of credit: A business line of credit provides borrowers with a pool of funds they can access as needed up to a certain limit, whereas a business or personal loan often offers one lump sum that borrowers pay back over a given loan term. Business lines of credit usually offer borrowers higher amounts of money than you’d get from a business credit card. You can also use a business line of credit to cover costs that business cards can’t cover, such as payroll.
Personal credit cards: A personal credit card is likely what you’d think of first when you think of traditional credit cards. These cards don’t usually provide any perks on business-specific purchases, but many do still offer competitive rewards in other categories. The best credit cards, business or otherwise, will be most accessible to people with good to excellent credit.
Personal loans: Lenders offer personal loans to help people with many common expenses. Personal loans are the most flexible in terms of how you can allocate the funds you borrow. Personal loans often have starting interest rates that are much lower than most credit cards.
How we picked the best business credit cards
Our editorial team and expert review board 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 frequently makes, 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 have annual fees, so we considered whether the rewards program, introductory bonus, and additional benefits justified the fee.
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.
Additional information on business credit cards
For more information on all things business cards, continue reading content from our credit card experts:
Frequently asked questions about business credit cards
While both types of business credit cards are used to finance a business, small-business credit cards are designed for all small-business owners and have much fewer barriers to entry than corporate credit cards. Corporate credit cards are usually only accessible to larger businesses with millions in annual revenue, and it’s typically much tougher to qualify. In addition, the debt burden always lies with the primary cardholder – the person providing the personal guarantee with a small-business credit card. With corporate credit cards, liability may fall solely on the business or be shared between all authorized cardholders.
Business credit cards work nearly the same as personal cards, but there are a few differences, most of which will benefit your business. Some of the differences between a business card and a personal credit card are higher credit limits, business-specific reward categories, expense summaries, and increased consumer protections.
It depends on the card, but you usually need an Employer Identification Number (EIN) to submit a business credit card application. Some applications may allow you to use your Social Security number instead, but some may ask for both numbers. If your business doesn’t yet have one, it’s free to apply for an EIN online with the IRS, and the process is quick.
In most cases, you’ll need to purchase access to your credit report to get your business credit score. Sites like Experian charge a one-time fee (starting at $39.95) each time you want to see your report and score. You might also consider purchasing an annual plan (Experian’s Business Credit Advantage℠ costs $189 annually).
If you want to check your business credit for free, CreditSignal® is a tool from Dun & Bradstreet that monitors your credit file for changes. It has a 14-day introductory period where you can see credit scores and ratings for free.
Not all new businesses have the same spending needs or financial challenges. The best card for a new business will depend heavily on the individual business’s budget and highest spending categories. For example, businesses with a high office supply budget may benefit most from a card like the Ink Business Cash® Credit Card with 5% cash back on purchases at office supply stores (up to $25,000 in purchases per year).
A secured business card may be the easiest to get. Most business credit cards recommend having excellent credit to apply, but some issuers offer secured business credit cards for people with lower credit scores. One example is Bank of America’s Business Advantage Unlimited Cash Rewards Secured credit card. As your credit score increases with responsible card use, unsecured business cards that offer stronger rewards programs and better perks may be within reach.
With online applications, it’s possible that you could receive approval for a business card within 48 hours. However, some credit card companies can take as long as 10 days to decide. Once you receive approval, you may have access to a virtual card to use while waiting for your physical credit card to come in.
About the Author
Jeanine Skowronski
Jeanine Skowronski is a credit card expert, analyst, and multimedia journalist with over 10 years of experience covering business and personal finance. She has previously served as the Head of Content at Policygenius, Executive Editor of Credit.com, Deputy Editor at American Banker, Staff Reporter at TheStreet and a columnist for Inc. Magazine.
About the Editor
Tracy Stewart
Tracy Stewart is a personal finance writer specializing in credit card loyalty programs, travel benefits, and consumer protections. He previously covered travel rewards credit cards, budget travel, and aviation news at SmarterTravel Media. His money-saving tips have appeared in the Washington Post, the Wall Street Journal, Consumer Reports, MarketWatch, Vice, People, the Zoe Report and elsewhere.
About the Editor
Jessica Merritt
Jessica Merritt is a personal finance writer with 8 years of experience covering credit cards, banking, and financial wellness. She specializes in turning complex financial topics into clear, actionable advice, with work featured in U.S. News, CNN Underscored, and DepositAccounts.com.
About the Reviewer
Erica Sandberg
Erica Sandberg is a prominent personal finance authority and author of "Expecting Money: The Essential Financial Plan for New and Growing Families." Her articles and insights are featured in such publications as The Wall Street Journal, Pregnancy, Babytalk, Redbook, Bank Investment Consultant, Prosper.com, MSN Money and Dow Jones MarketWatch. An active television and radio commentator, Sandberg is the credit and money management expert for San Francisco’s KRON-TV, a frequent guest on Forbes Video Network, Fox Business News, Bloomberg TV and all Bay Area networks. Prior to launching her own reporting and consulting business, she was affiliated with Consumer Credit Counseling Services of San Francisco where she counseled individuals, conducted educational workshops and led the media relations department. Sandberg is a member of the Society of American Business Editors and Writers and on the advisory committee for Project Money.
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CreditCards.com is an independent, advertising-supported comparison service. The offers that appear on this site are from companies from which CreditCards.com receives compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site, including, for example, the order in which they may appear within listing categories. Other factors, such as our own proprietary website rules and the likelihood of applicants' credit approval also impact how and where products appear on this site. CreditCards.com does not include the entire universe of available financial or credit offers. CCDC has partnerships with issuers including, but not limited to, American Express, Bank of America, Capital One, Chase, Citi and Discover.
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Content published under this author byline is generated using automation technology.
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