The Ultimate Guide to Credit Cards
Tuesday, March 19, 2024

17 Best Credit Cards for Business Expenses (Feb. 2024)

Best Credit Cards For Business Expenses
Ashley Fricker

Written by: Ashley Fricker

Ashley Fricker
Ashley Fricker

Ashley Fricker has more than a decade of experience as a finance contributor and editor, and has specialized in the credit card industry since 2015. Her credit card commentary is featured on national media outlets that include CNBC, MarketWatch, Investopedia, and Reader's Digest, among many others. She has worked closely with the world’s largest banks and financial institutions, up-and-coming fintech companies, and press and news outlets to curate comprehensive content and media. Ashley holds a bachelor's degree in multimedia journalism from Florida Atlantic University.

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Edited by: Lillian Guevara-Castro

Lillian Guevara-Castro
Lillian Guevara-Castro

Lillian Guevara-Castro brings more than 30 years of editing and journalism experience to the CardRates team. She has written and edited for major news organizations, including The Atlanta Journal-Constitution and the New York Times, and she previously served as an adjunct journalism instructor at the University of Florida. Today, Lillian edits all CardRates content for clarity, accuracy, and reader engagement.

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Advertiser Disclosure

Finding the best credit cards for business expenses is essential if — as a business owner — you want to do everything you can to maximize your bottom line by earning rewards. That’s because running a business is expensive. No matter the size of your venture, you likely have some sort of overhead, even if it’s only web hosting and internet costs. And as your business grows, so, too, will those ever-present expenses.

With a good rewards credit card, however, you can get a little more room in your business’s bottom line by earning — and redeeming — rewards on all the things your business buys the most. From cash back to points and miles, the right rewards card can make all the difference.

Overall | Travel | Dining | Office Supplies | Communication Services | Advertising

Best Cards for “Overall” Business Expenses

While some folks enjoy carrying a variety of rewards credit cards to ensure they can always earn the maximum rewards no matter what they buy, others simply want one solid card to use for every purchase. Our top picks include some with broad rewards categories as well as an option for category-free cash back.

  • Earn 100k bonus points after you spend $8,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $1,000 cash back or $1,250 toward travel when redeemed through Chase Travel℠
  • Earn 3 points per $1 on the first $150,000 spent on travel and select business categories each account anniversary year. Earn 1 point per $1 on all other purchases
  • Round-the-clock monitoring for unusual credit card purchases
  • With Zero Liability you won't be held responsible for unauthorized charges made with your card or account information.
  • Redeem points for cash back, gift cards, travel and more - your points don't expire as long as your account is open
  • Points are worth 25% more when you redeem for travel through Chase Travel℠
Intro (Purchases)
Intro (Transfers)
Regular APR
Annual Fee
Credit Needed
N/A
N/A
21.24%-26.24% Variable
$95
Good/Excellent

The Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card not only provides competitive rewards in a variety of very useful business categories, but it earns the popular, versatile, and valuable rewards points.

BUSINESS CARD RATING

★★★★★
4.6

OVERALL RATING

  • Earn $750 bonus cash back after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening
  • Earn 5% cash back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at office supply stores and on internet, cable and phone services each account anniversary year
  • Earn 2% cash back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at gas stations and restaurants each account anniversary year. Earn 1% cash back on all other purchases
  • Round-the-clock monitoring for unusual credit card purchases
  • With Zero Liability you won't be held responsible for unauthorized charges made with your card or account information.
  • No Annual Fee
Intro (Purchases)
Intro (Transfers)
Regular APR
Annual Fee
Credit Needed
0% Intro APR on Purchases 12 months
N/A
18.49% - 24.49% Variable
$0
Good/Excellent

The Ink Business Cash® Credit Card is ideal for smaller businesses, offering a range of useful business categories and high rewards but with a relatively low bonus category purchase cap of $25,000 per rewards tier per year.

3. Capital One Spark Cash for Business

This card is currently not available.

Business Rating

★★★★★
N/A

OVERALL RATING

N/A
Intro (Purchases)
Intro (Transfers)
Regular APR
Annual Fee
Credit Needed
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A

Additional Disclosure: Information for this card not reviewed by or provided by Capital One.

The Capital One Spark Cash for Business is designed for those business owners who don’t want to worry about categories, offering an unlimited 2% cash back on all qualifying card purchases year-round.

Best Cards for “Travel” Business Expenses

Despite the idealized jet-setter lifestyle often portrayed in the media, traveling for business on a regular basis can definitely get tiring. But with a good travel rewards credit card, you can turn those business travel expenses into points and miles capable of upgrading your next trip — whether for business or pleasure.

BUSINESS CARD RATING

★★★★★
4.6

OVERALL RATING

  • Earn 100k bonus points after you spend $8,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $1,000 cash back or $1,250 toward travel when redeemed through Chase Travel℠
  • Earn 3 points per $1 on the first $150,000 spent on travel and select business categories each account anniversary year. Earn 1 point per $1 on all other purchases
  • Round-the-clock monitoring for unusual credit card purchases
  • With Zero Liability you won't be held responsible for unauthorized charges made with your card or account information.
  • Redeem points for cash back, gift cards, travel and more - your points don't expire as long as your account is open
  • Points are worth 25% more when you redeem for travel through Chase Travel℠
Intro (Purchases)
Intro (Transfers)
Regular APR
Annual Fee
Credit Needed
N/A
N/A
21.24%-26.24% Variable
$95
Good/Excellent

The Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card offers 3X rewards points per dollar on travel purchases, a broad category that includes flights, hotels, car rentals, parking, and car services. Bonus category earnings are limited to the first $150,000 in combined category purchases per year.

BUSINESS CARD RATING

★★★★★
4.7

OVERALL RATING

  • 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 unlimited 2X miles per dollar on every purchase, everywhere, no limits or category restrictions, and miles won't expire for the life of the account
  • Unlimited 5X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
  • Transfer your miles to 15+ travel loyalty programs
  • Redeem your miles instantly for any travel-related purchases, from flights and hotels to ride-sharing services
  • Skip the lines with up to a $100 statement credit on TSA PreCheck® or Global Entry
Intro (Purchases)
Intro (Transfers)
Regular APR
Annual Fee
Credit Needed
N/A
N/A
26.24% (Variable)
$0 intro for first year; $95 after that
Excellent, Good

The Capital One Spark Miles for Business is a simple, straightforward travel rewards credit card, offering unlimited 2X miles per dollar on all purchases. Miles can be redeemed for statement credit to cover any qualifying travel purchases.

6. American Express Business Platinum Card®

The American Express Business Platinum Card® earns a whopping 5X Membership Rewards® points per dollar for travel booked through amextravel.com. Those points can then be used for travel redemption, or they can be transferred to one of several airline or hotel partners for even more per-point value.

Amex Business Platinum Card®

  • Earn 5X points per $1 spent on flights and hotels booked through amextravel.com
  • Earn 1.5X points per $1 on purchases $5,000 and up
  • Pay $595 annual fee

Cardholders will also enjoy access to over 1,000 global airport lounges and an annual $200 credit to cover baggage fees and other qualifying airline expenses. You can also earn up to 75,000 bonus points for meeting minimum spending requirements.

Best Cards for “Dining” Business Expenses

From company pizza parties to formal business dinners, dining expenses can take up a remarkably large portion of your business budget, making a bonus rewards credit card a near-necessity for many business owners.

BUSINESS CARD RATING

★★★★★
4.6

OVERALL RATING

  • Earn $750 bonus cash back after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening
  • Earn 5% cash back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at office supply stores and on internet, cable and phone services each account anniversary year
  • Earn 2% cash back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at gas stations and restaurants each account anniversary year. Earn 1% cash back on all other purchases
  • Round-the-clock monitoring for unusual credit card purchases
  • With Zero Liability you won't be held responsible for unauthorized charges made with your card or account information.
  • No Annual Fee
Intro (Purchases)
Intro (Transfers)
Regular APR
Annual Fee
Credit Needed
0% Intro APR on Purchases 12 months
N/A
18.49% - 24.49% Variable
$0
Good/Excellent

Ink Business Cash® Credit Card cardholders can earn 2% cash back on restaurant purchases, including dine-in and take-out restaurants. Some establishments that primarily sell drinks may not qualify as a restaurant. Bonus rewards are available on up to $25,000 in combined category purchases per year.

8. Business Advantage Cash Rewards Mastercard®

The Business Advantage Cash Rewards Mastercard® from Bank of America offers 2% cash back on dining purchases, including dine-in, fast food, and drinking establishments.

Business Advantage Cash Rewards Mastercard®

  • Earn 3% cash back at gas stations and office supply stores and 2% at restaurants
  • Receive $200 cash back after spending $500 in the first 60 days
  • Pay no annual fee

If your business banks with Bank of America, you could earn extra 25% to 75% in rewards by enrolling in the Business Advantage Relationship Rewards program.

(The information related to Business Advantage Cash Rewards Mastercard® has been collected by CardRates.com and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer or provider of this product or service.)

9. SimplyCash® Plus Business Credit Card

The SimplyCash® Plus Business Credit Card allows each cardholder to choose the 3% bonus category from several options, one of which is restaurants and dining. Bonus rewards are capped at the first $50,000 in category purchases each calendar year.

SimplyCash® Plus Business Credit Card

  • Earn 5% cash back on purchases at US office supply stores and with wireless service providers
  • Earn 3% cash back on purchases in a category of your choice
  • Pay no annual fee

Other categories you could choose for your 3% bonus rewards include gas stations, select advertising, shipping, or computer hardware, software, and cloud purchases.

Best Cards for “Office Supply” Business Expenses

Whether it’s sticky notes and paper reams or keyboards and digital storage, it’s hard to avoid trips to the office supply store when you have a business to run.

BUSINESS CARD RATING

★★★★★
4.6

OVERALL RATING

  • Earn $750 bonus cash back after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening
  • Earn 5% cash back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at office supply stores and on internet, cable and phone services each account anniversary year
  • Earn 2% cash back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at gas stations and restaurants each account anniversary year. Earn 1% cash back on all other purchases
  • Round-the-clock monitoring for unusual credit card purchases
  • With Zero Liability you won't be held responsible for unauthorized charges made with your card or account information.
  • No Annual Fee
Intro (Purchases)
Intro (Transfers)
Regular APR
Annual Fee
Credit Needed
0% Intro APR on Purchases 12 months
N/A
18.49% - 24.49% Variable
$0
Good/Excellent

The Ink Business Cash® Credit Card offers a solid 5% cash back rewards on purchases made at office supply stores, though bonus rewards are capped at $25,000 in combined bonus tier purchases each year.

11. SimplyCash® Plus Business Credit Card

The SimplyCash® Plus Business Credit Card from American Express is designed for business owners, offering 5% cash back on office supply purchases. Bonus rewards are capped at the first $50,000 in category purchases each calendar year.

SimplyCash® Plus Business Credit Card

  • Earn 5% cash back on purchases at US office supply stores and with wireless service providers
  • Earn 3% cash back on purchases in a category of your choice
  • Pay no annual fee

The SimplyCash® Plus Business Credit Card’s credit limit varies with card use, allowing cardholders to spend above their credit limit — and earn rewards on those purchases — without fees.

Best Cards for “Communication Service” Business Expenses

It’s hard to find customers if your business can’t communicate with them — and that means more than a phone line in today’s multi-channel marketplace. At the very least, the modern business owner needs a cellular telephone to keep up with clients, social media, and the ever-necessary email.

BUSINESS CARD RATING

★★★★★
4.6

OVERALL RATING

  • Earn 100k bonus points after you spend $8,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $1,000 cash back or $1,250 toward travel when redeemed through Chase Travel℠
  • Earn 3 points per $1 on the first $150,000 spent on travel and select business categories each account anniversary year. Earn 1 point per $1 on all other purchases
  • Round-the-clock monitoring for unusual credit card purchases
  • With Zero Liability you won't be held responsible for unauthorized charges made with your card or account information.
  • Redeem points for cash back, gift cards, travel and more - your points don't expire as long as your account is open
  • Points are worth 25% more when you redeem for travel through Chase Travel℠
Intro (Purchases)
Intro (Transfers)
Regular APR
Annual Fee
Credit Needed
N/A
N/A
21.24%-26.24% Variable
$95
Good/Excellent

The Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card offers 3X rewards points per dollar on a variety of communications services, including internet, cable, and phone services. Bonus category earnings are limited to the first $150,000 in combined category purchases per year.

BUSINESS CARD RATING

★★★★★
4.6

OVERALL RATING

  • Earn $750 bonus cash back after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening
  • Earn 5% cash back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at office supply stores and on internet, cable and phone services each account anniversary year
  • Earn 2% cash back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at gas stations and restaurants each account anniversary year. Earn 1% cash back on all other purchases
  • Round-the-clock monitoring for unusual credit card purchases
  • With Zero Liability you won't be held responsible for unauthorized charges made with your card or account information.
  • No Annual Fee
Intro (Purchases)
Intro (Transfers)
Regular APR
Annual Fee
Credit Needed
0% Intro APR on Purchases 12 months
N/A
18.49% - 24.49% Variable
$0
Good/Excellent

Not only can you earn 5% cash back on your cell phone services, but the Ink Business Cash® Credit Card also provides 5% cash back on internet and cable purchases, as well. Bonus rewards are limited to the first $25,000 in combined category purchases each account anniversary year.

14. SimplyCash® Plus Business Credit Card

American Express’s SimplyCash® Plus Business Credit Card provides 5% bonus cash back on wireless communications purchases, along with several other categories, providing bonus rewards on up to $50,000 in purchases every year.

SimplyCash® Plus Business Credit Card

  • Earn 5% cash back on purchases at US office supply stores and with wireless service providers
  • Earn 3% cash back on purchases in a category of your choice
  • Pay no annual fee

The SimplyCash® Plus card also provides 3% cash back in a bonus category you can select from options that include US gas stations, restaurants, and more. Earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases.

Best Cards for “Advertising” Business Expenses

When it comes to building a business, spreading the word is a vital necessity. But word of mouth can only travel so fast, making advertising a necessary part of nearly any business’s budget.

Of course, in today’s digital world, advertising means more than TV, print, or radio — you also need to go viral.

BUSINESS CARD RATING

★★★★★
4.6

OVERALL RATING

  • Earn 100k bonus points after you spend $8,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $1,000 cash back or $1,250 toward travel when redeemed through Chase Travel℠
  • Earn 3 points per $1 on the first $150,000 spent on travel and select business categories each account anniversary year. Earn 1 point per $1 on all other purchases
  • Round-the-clock monitoring for unusual credit card purchases
  • With Zero Liability you won't be held responsible for unauthorized charges made with your card or account information.
  • Redeem points for cash back, gift cards, travel and more - your points don't expire as long as your account is open
  • Points are worth 25% more when you redeem for travel through Chase Travel℠
Intro (Purchases)
Intro (Transfers)
Regular APR
Annual Fee
Credit Needed
N/A
N/A
21.24%-26.24% Variable
$95
Good/Excellent

Among the many other bonus categories that earn 3X rewards points, the Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card also offers 3X points on advertising purchases made with select social media sites and search engines. Bonus category earnings are limited to the first $150,000 in combined category purchases per year.

16. SimplyCash® Plus Business Credit Card

For those who choose it as a bonus category, the SimplyCash® Plus Business Credit Card will provide 3% cash back on select advertising purchases, which can include online, television, and radio purchases made directly from media providers.

SimplyCash® Plus Business Credit Card

  • Earn 5% cash back on purchases at US office supply stores and with wireless service providers
  • Earn 3% cash back on purchases in a category of your choice
  • Pay no annual fee

Direct mail services, including list and lead generation services, do not qualify for bonus rewards. Additionally, bonus rewards from the SimplyCash® Plus Business Credit Card are limited to the first $50,000 in purchases each year.

17. American Express Business Gold Rewards

The American Express Business Gold Rewards offers 3X points per dollar on a category chosen by the cardholders, with options that include advertising in select media like television, radio, and digital media.

Amex Business Gold Rewards Card

  • Earn 3X points per $1 in a category of your choice and 2X points per $1 in remaining four categories
  • Earn 1X point per $1 on all other purchases
  • Pay no annual fee the first year, then $175

Cardholders also earn 2X points per dollar in the remaining categories, which include gas stations, shipping purchases, and computer hardware, software, and cloud computing purchases made directly from select providers. Rewards are limited to the first $100,000 in purchases, each category, per year.

Smart Card Use Can Help You Save on Business Expenses

No matter what type of business you run, it’s going to come with a few expenses. And while those expenses can vary in size and area with each business, most share some common categories, like office supplies, communications, and advertising.

Business rewards credit cards are designed specifically to help businesses save on the purchases they make the most. With the right rewards card — and smart credit card use — you can put a little wiggle room in your business’s bottom line.

Advertiser Disclosure

CardRates.com is a free online resource that offers valuable content and comparison services to users. To keep this resource 100% free, we receive compensation for referrals for many of the offers listed on the site. Along with key review factors, this compensation may impact how and where products appear across CardRates.com (including, for example, the order in which they appear). CardRates.com does not include the entire universe of available offers. Editorial opinions expressed on the site are strictly our own and are not provided, endorsed, or approved by advertisers.