Best Business Credit Cards

Small business owners often rely on credit cards to manage cash flow, cover expenses, and earn rewards on everyday purchases. While large corporations may rely on major credit lines or loans, most small businesses simply need flexible financing for everyday expenses.

The best business credit cards can help cover short-term costs, separate personal and business spending, and provide valuable rewards on purchases you already make.

1. What is a Business Credit Card?

A business credit card is a credit card designed specifically for business-related purchases. It works similarly to a personal credit card but helps separate business expenses, track spending, and often includes rewards tailored to business purchases.

A business credit card works just like a personal credit card that can be used to make purchases, up to the available credit limit. The only way it differs from a personal card is that the primary applicant must be a business owner.

Whether you walk dogs for a living, manage an Etsy shop, or run a Fortune 500 company, the best business credit cards can suit a variety of business expenses and reward you for your eligible net purchases. Most business cards design their rewards programs around the things business owners buy most.

For example, Chase rewards cardholders with Chase Ultimate Reward points for purchases made in select business categories that include social media and search engine advertising as well as internet and cable providers, among others. Whereas other business cards, like the Capital One® Spark Cash line of cards, offer flat-rate cash back on all purchases.

So, if you’re a handyman who drives across town regularly to perform jobs, a business card that rewards fuel purchases may make sense. But if your business operates in an office and you have office supplies on auto-ship, a business card that offers bonus rewards for office store purchases, such as the Ink Business Cash Credit Card does, can help you save on those purchases.

You’ll then make monthly payments to the credit card company on or before your due date, just as you would for a personal credit card. And, you’ll receive zero fraud liability for any unauthorized transactions made with your business credit card account.

2. How Do You Get a Business Credit Card?

To get a business credit card, you apply through a credit card issuer using your business information and personal credit profile. Most applications require basic business details and either an Employer Identification Number (EIN) or Social Security number.

For the most part, applying for a business credit card is the same as applying for a consumer credit card. You simply select your card, click the “apply” button, and start filling out the application. You’ll likely see the expected queries, such as your business’s name and address, as well as questions asking for financial information, including your company’s income.

The main variation from a consumer credit card application will likely be that you will need your business’s Employer Identification Number (EIN), which can be obtained through the IRS. In some cases, you may be operating your business using your personal credit, in which case you will use your Social Security number instead.

In essence, an EIN is the business equivalent of a Social Security number. The EIN will be associated with all of your business’s financial operations, including taxes and business credit.

You’ll need an EIN to open up business checking and savings accounts, as well as to apply for most types of business financing.

For example, when applying for a small business credit card, you’ll use your business’s EIN rather than your Social Security number on the application. This associates the credit account with your company’s credit instead of your own personal credit.

Similarly, any trade lines or other credit products you open for your business will typically require an EIN to establish.

3. Is a Business Credit Card a Good Idea?

A business credit card is a good idea if you want to be rewarded for your business expenses but you won’t roll over a large balance from month to month. Credit cards can charge high APRs that are based on your personal credit score unless you already have established business credit.

Credit Score Range	Average APR
Superprime (800+)	~20%
Prime plus (720–799)	~22%
Prime (660–719)	~24%
Near prime (620–659)	~26%
Subprime (580–619)	~27%
Deep subprime (579 and under)	~28–30%

As you can see in the chart above, many cardholders now face APRs well above 25% if they carry a balance. A low-rate business loan may be a better option if you need capital to make a few necessary purchases and want to pay it off over time.

Alternatively, you can look for a business card that offers 0% financing on new purchases for a promotional period. These promotional rates last about 12 months or so and most come with rewards for all the eligible net purchases you make during that period.

This means you’ll actually come out ahead, assuming your balance is paid by the time the promotional period expires. You may even be able to achieve a signup bonus, which would really make getting a business card a good idea.

4. How Do I Compare the Best Credit Card Offers and Deals?

When it comes to choosing between the best business cards, you’ll need to consider a few points, including the card’s APR, whether it charges an annual fee, and (most importantly for some) what kind of rewards it offers.

In the modern credit card world, the vast majority of credit cards — both consumer cards and small business credit cards — provide some kind of purchase rewards. A good business rewards credit card can be extremely lucrative if you select one that lets you earn rewards on the purchases you make most frequently.

To get the most out of your business rewards credit card, comparing rewards cards will involve looking at where you tend to spend most of your cash. You’ll also need to consider how you’re most likely to use your rewards, namely if you want cash back, travel rewards, or flexible points.

Cash back rewards are the most straightforward and can be easily redeemed for a statement credit or check, but points and miles typically provide more redemption options.

Rewards Type	Typical Value	Best For
Cash Back	1%–5% back	Simple redemption
Points	1–2¢ per point	Flexible rewards
Miles	1–3¢ per mile	Travel-heavy businesses

With most rewards programs, cardholders earn unlimited rewards at a low flat rate, while some programs will also provide bonus rewards for purchases made in specific categories, like gas or office supplies. If many of your business expenses fall into these popular categories, a program that provides bonus rewards can provide significant value.

For the rare small business owner who doesn’t care about credit card rewards, a card that provides an introductory APR deal can be a good investment. Typically offering 12 months or more of 0% APR on new purchases, intro APR cards can provide significant savings for business owners who need to carry a balance from month to month. Find one without an annual fee to stack the savings.

5. What Are the Best Business Credit Cards?

Although life (and business) would certainly be simpler if there were a single “best” product for everyone, in most cases, it’s more about finding the best one for you — and that includes your small business credit card. That being said, the cards that typically earn the distinction as being one of the best business credit cards share a few commonalities.

Firstly, most great business cards will offer some type of purchase rewards, be it cash back, travel rewards, or points. The type of reward that’s best for you will be the type you’re most likely to use.

For example, if your annual traveling is limited to a single round-trip flight to visit your relatives, a travel card may not be worthwhile. If you’re a frequent flyer, however, travel rewards can be lucrative.

In addition to rewards, you’ll want to look at the interest rate charged by your card. If you tend to carry a balance from month to month, the best card for you will be one with a low ongoing APR or an intro APR deal that provides a 0% interest rate for a set period after opening the account. You may also find cards that offer intro APR deals on balance transfers, although balance transfer deals aren’t as prevalent in business cards as they are in the consumer market.

Another popular differentiator for many cardholders is the card’s signup bonus. A good signup bonus can work out to hundreds — sometimes even thousands — of dollars in cash back, points, or frequent flyer miles. Most signup bonuses have a minimum spending requirement to earn the bonus, with the size of the spending requirement varying with the size of the bonus.

The fringe benefits available to cardholders may also factor into your decision. This can be anything from whether the card charges foreign transaction fees to the verification structure (most U.S. cards use chip-and-signature technology, while many European countries believe a secure credit card is one that requires a PIN).

All being considered, you’ll see our top-rated business card listed as #1 above. We like that particular Chase business credit card for its hefty signup bonus, solid rewards structure, and all the great travel insurance and purchase protections that Chase credit cards are notorious for having.

6. What is the Best Credit Card for a Small Business?

While it’s not the answer many business owners want, the fact of the matter is that there is no “best” card. The best credit card for your business will vary based on your specific needs and spending habits. This includes everything from the card’s APR and fee structure to the type of rewards it offers.

These days, one of the most differentiating factors between credit cards is the rewards. You’ll need to choose between cash back, travel rewards, or points, as well as figure out the rewards credit card structure you prefer.

Bonus category programs reward credit cardholders with bonus cash back, points, or travel rewards for spending in popular categories, like office supplies and internet or cellphone service purchases.

For more general spending, a flat-rate unlimited rewards card may be best. These reward cardholders with consistent earnings no matter where they spend.

Depending on the size of your business, the best credit card for your company may end up being the one with a spending limit that can accommodate your monthly business expenses. While most credit card issuers don’t advertise maximum credit limits, you can often find information on average limits by researching small business credit card reviews.

7. Do Business Credit Cards Build Credit?

Yes, many business credit cards help build business credit when issuers report account activity to business credit bureaus. Responsible use — including on-time payments and low balances — can strengthen your company’s credit profile over time.

Between the swipe-and-go convenience and rewards offered by your typical business credit card, the list of reasons to apply keeps getting longer. But while nearly any business can benefit from bonus rewards on binders, a big incentive for obtaining a small business credit card is the ability to build your business credit profile.

Indeed, because the vast majority of business credit card issuers will report to the three major business credit bureaus (Dun & Bradstreet, Experian, and TransUnion), your business credit card can boost your business credit and diversify your profile. If your credit card company doesn’t report to the bureaus, you can still get recognition for the account by listing it as a trade reference.

Of course, your business credit card only helps your business credit profile if you maintain your credit card account in good standing. This means always paying your card as agreed; as with consumer credit, business credit is heavily influenced by your payment history.

If you have a charge card, this means paying your balance in full each month. For a revolving credit line, be sure to make at least the minimum payment by the due date.

8. How Do I Earn a Signup Bonus?

Signup offers reward cardholders with a one-time bonus of cash back, points, or miles, often worth several hundred dollars. In most cases, signup bonuses — sometimes referred to as a welcome bonus — require you to meet a minimum spending amount within a set period of time (usually within the first 90 days, though this can vary).

Once you meet the spending requirement, your welcome bonus should be automatically credited to your account.

In the consumer credit market, signup bonuses are often used by “churners” to rack up stockpiles of points or miles. Though business cardholders are significantly less likely to churn cards, signup bonuses can still be quite lucrative.

For example, with the right travel rewards card signup bonus, you could earn enough miles to book a free round-trip flight in just a few weeks.

By the rules of most credit card companies, you can only earn one signup bonus per card per 24-month period. In other words, if you earned a specific sign-up bonus one year, you typically won’t be eligible to earn a sign-up bonus for that card again until two years later.

Amex is the most prominent exception to this guideline, limiting signup bonuses to once per card, period. So if you’ve already earned a signup bonus for the The Business Platinum Card®, for example, you won’t ever be eligible to earn another Business Platinum Card® signup bonus.

Note that balance transfers and cash advances almost never qualify toward the minimum required spending amount to achieve a signup bonus (nor do they qualify to earn rewards), so if you think you can transfer a balance from one card to another and earn a hefty sum of rewards, think again.

9. How Do I Earn and Redeem Points on Business Purchases?

While business credit cards can be quite useful, perhaps the most fun part is earning and redeeming your rewards — especially flexible rewards points. Most points programs offer a wide range of redemption options, including everything from cash back or statement credits to merchandise from popular brands to travel credits.

Another popular way to redeem points is to transfer them to an airline or hotel loyalty program. Many popular brands have credit card partnerships that allow you to transfer your points to your frequent flyer or hotel loyalty account.

Business owners who issue employee cards can potentially earn points incredibly fast, as each employee card will earn points on every eligible purchase. Those points are added to any points earned by the primary cardholder — and any other employee cards — so you could earn your way to awesome rewards in next to no time.

10. Do Small Business Credit Card Rewards Expire?

While it’s all well and good to rack up tons of rewards, what if you can’t use them right away, such as when you’re saving miles for a future trip?

Well, thankfully, credit card rewards aren’t a use-it-or-lose-it commodity; in fact, most credit card rewards won’t expire at all, so long as your account remains open and in good standing (but check with your issuer just in case).

Rewards Policy	What It Means
No Expiration	Rewards remain valid while your account stays open and in good standing
Inactivity Expiration	Rewards may expire if your card isn’t used for a certain period
Account Closure	Unredeemed rewards may be forfeited if the account is closed

But be sure to read the fine print of your credit card agreement because some cards do let rewards expire if not used within a certain period. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) maintains a database of credit card agreements, but you can also find this information easily on the card issuer’s website.

You can secure credit card rewards by making sure you spend a little on your card (or make a rewards redemption) at least once every few months. This will keep your account open and active, reducing the likelihood of your account being closed due to inactivity.

11. Do Business Cards Charge Annual Fees?

In the credit card business, an annual fee is similar to a maintenance fee and is charged once a year, typically on your card’s anniversary. Just like personal credit cards, some charge annual fees and others don’t. Annual fees are often used to offset the cost of the card for the issuer.

For instance, the business credit cards with the most lucrative rewards tend to charge the highest annual fees as a way to compensate for the perks. Check out the Amex Business Platinum Card’s annual fee as an example.

That said, many credit card issuers are now offering a variety of cards without annual fees as a way to differentiate their cards from other options. With a little research, you can even find a quality card that will reward credit cardholders without charging an annual fee for its privileges.

12. What Are Some Common Business Credit Card Fees?

Whether we like it or not, of course, annual fees and foreign transaction fees are just the tip of the proverbial iceberg when it comes to credit cards. When comparing business credit cards, in particular, look out for cards that charge fees for additional employee cards, as these can get costly if you have a big team.

Fee Type	Typical Cost	When It Applies
Annual Fee	$0–$695+	Charged once per year for card membership
Foreign Transaction Fee	0%–3%	Applied when purchases are made in another currency
Late Payment Fee	Up to ~$40	Charged if the minimum payment is not made by the due date
Cash Advance Fee	3%–5% of the transaction	Applied when withdrawing cash from your credit line
Balance Transfer Fee	3%–5%	Charged when transferring a balance from another credit card
Employee Card Fee	$0–$95 per card	Some issuers charge for additional employee cards

Other fees to look out for include fees for extra services, such as cash advance fees and balance transfer fees. The best way to avoid these fees is to avoid the associated services (cash advances are always a bad idea, anyway).

Another common fee is the dreaded late fee, which you’ll be charged for making late credit card payments. You can avoid late fees simply by making at least the minimum payment before your due date. Remember that, as far as your credit card issuer is concerned, late is late. It doesn’t matter if you’re a month late or a day late; you’ll likely be charged a late fee either way.

Of course, when it comes to late payments, the fees may actually be the least of your worries. As you work to build your business credit, your payment history will be extremely influential, and late payments are an easy way to wreck your budding business credit. If you think paying on time will be an issue, set up automatic payments to ensure you’re never late.

Remember, building a business takes a lot of time and dedication — and so does building business credit. The right business credit card can make a huge difference, both by providing the necessary financing to get you through the ebb and flow of your business’s income streams, but also by helping to build up your business credit profile.

Editorial Note: Our site content is not provided or commissioned by any credit card issuer(s). Opinions expressed on CardRates.com are the author's alone, not those of any credit card issuer, and have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by credit card issuers. Every reasonable effort has been made to maintain accurate information; however, all credit card offer details, including information about rewards, signup bonuses, introductory offers, and other terms and conditions, is presented without warranty. Clicking on any offer on CardRates.com will direct you to the issuer's website, where you can review the current terms and conditions of the offer.

The information on this page was reviewed for accuracy on June 11, 2026.

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