According to my uncle, owning a business is remarkably similar to raising a child. Its ups are your ups, its downs are your downs — and everything costs twice as much as you expected.
When it comes to the costs of raising a family, many consumer credit cards can help you take the edge off your expenses by offering lucrative purchase rewards such as cash back rebates or vacation-ready air miles. In another parallel, your business can also earn a little budget boost from the right credit card, with rewards options that will fit the needs of nearly any business. Let’s take a look at some of the best small business credit cards with rewards, including signup bonuses, points, cash back, office rewards, miles, and hotel rewards. And if you don’t necessarily have the highest credit score, we’ll look at cards for fair credit.
Signup Bonus | Points | Cash Back | Office Rewards | Miles | Hotel Rewards | Fair Credit
Best “Signup Bonus” Business Credit Cards
Signup bonuses may just be the best kind of credit card rewards, as they eliminate the need to wait for rewards to accumulate. Instead, you’ll receive a big chunk of rewards all at once, taking the bite out of a large purchase or kick-starting your next great travel adventure.
The majority of credit card signup bonuses will require you to reach a set purchase amount with your card, within a given time frame, to earn the bonus. While tempting, avoid making purchases you can’t pay off right away solely to earn a signup bonus, as interest fees can quickly eliminate any savings. Our top business cards for signup bonuses include both cash back and miles options.
1. Capital One Spark Cash for Business
This card is currently not available.
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Intro (Purchases)
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Intro (Transfers)
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Regular APR
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Annual Fee
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Credit Needed
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N/A
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N/A
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N/A
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N/A
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N/A
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In addition to a really good-sized signup bonus, the Capital One Spark Cash for Business has an everyday unlimited rewards rate that will make your consumer cards jealous. You’ll even skip the annual fee for the first year, piling on the savings.
- 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
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Intro (Purchases)
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Intro (Transfers)
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Regular APR
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Annual Fee
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Credit Needed
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|---|---|---|---|---|
0% Intro APR on Purchases 12 months
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N/A 12 months
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17.74% - 23.74% Variable
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$0
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Good/Excellent
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The Ink Business Cash® Credit Card from Chase is a popular choice for business owners of all types, offering huge rewards in common business-related categories, like office supplies and communication services. The signup bonus for the Ink Business Cash® Credit Card is smaller than that offered by the Capital One Spark Cash for Business, but the spending requirement may be more attainable for some businesses with fewer expenses.
- 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
- Fly through security with one statement credit for either the $85 TSA PreCheck® application fee or the $100 Global Entry application fee
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Intro (Purchases)
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Intro (Transfers)
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Regular APR
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Annual Fee
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Credit Needed
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N/A
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N/A
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25.24% (Variable)
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$0 intro for first year; $95 after that
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Excellent, Good
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Similar to its cash-back companion, the Capital One Spark Miles for Business has a solid signup bonus, this one offering enough miles to get you flying for free in no time — and the everyday rewards rate to keep you in the sky.
No matter which credit card you select, it’s important to remember that signup bonuses are altered on a regular basis, often as frequently as every few months. Always check for the latest offers before applying for a new signup bonus credit card.
Best “Rewards Points” Business Credit Cards
If there’s one thing any business owner needs, it’s probably flexibility — and that extends to your credit card rewards. Rewards points are versatile little nuggets of savings that can be redeemed for an array of options, including cash back, merchandise, and travel expenses.
As with other types of credit card rewards, the way you earn rewards points will depend on the specific card, and many will provide flat-rate rewards as well as bonus categories. Find the categories that best fit your business expenses to maximize points. Our picks have bonuses ranging from airfare purchases to office supplies.
- Earn 100k bonus points after you spend $15,000 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 Ultimate Rewards®
- 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 Ultimate Rewards®
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Intro (Purchases)
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Intro (Transfers)
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Regular APR
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Annual Fee
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Credit Needed
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N/A
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N/A
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20.49% - 25.49% Variable
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$95
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Good/Excellent
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The Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card is a solid choice for frequent travelers, offering 3X point per dollar in several bonus categories that includes travel. Plus, you’ll earn the popular Chase Ultimate Rewards®, which are much-lauded for being extremely flexible travel rewards.
5. U.S. Bank Business Edge™ Select Rewards Card
The U.S. Bank Business Edge™ Select Rewards Card has broad bonus rewards categories that let you customize your rewards to save on the purchases you make most frequently.
- Earn 3X rewards points on a broad bonus category of your choice, including day-to-day expenses, automotive, and travel/entertainment
- Earn unlimited 1X point on all other purchases
- Pay no annual fee
In addition to customizable bonus rewards, this card offers unlimited 1X point per dollar on all other purchases. It also comes with an attainable signup bonus and an intro-APR offer for new purchases.
6. Business Platinum Card®
A killer card for businesses with big budgets, the American Express Business Platinum Card® provides bonus points for spending on flights and hotels when you book through American Express’s travel portal. You’ll also get bonus rewards for large purchases.
- 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. The credit helps offset the hefty $595 annual fee.
The value you get out of your rewards points can vary based on what you redeem them for, with travel redemption often providing the greatest per-point value. Do a little research before redeeming to ensure you get the most pow for your points.
Best “Cash Back” Business Credit Cards
Cash back rewards act as a universal rebate, offering a simple, straightforward way to save on every purchase. Selecting the right cash back business credit card can be tricky, as several types of programs exist, and the best program will depend on your particular spending habits.
For example, some cards will offer flat-rate rewards on every purchase, such as the unlimited 1.5% cash back provided by the Capital One Spark Cash Select – $500 Cash Bonus. Other programs will have a lower general rate but offer special bonus categories to boost your rewards. Start with our top-rated options to compare your cash back options.
- Earn a $500 bonus when you spend $4,500 in the first 3 months of account opening
- Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back for your business on every purchase, everywhere — with no limits or category restrictions
- No annual fee
- Earn unlimited 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
- Rewards won't expire for the life of the account
- Redeem your cash back rewards for any amount
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Intro (Purchases)
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Intro (Transfers)
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Regular APR
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Annual Fee
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Credit Needed
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N/A
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N/A
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17.49% - 23.49% (Variable)
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$0
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Excellent
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In addition to a solid everyday earnings rate, the Capital One Spark Cash Select – $500 Cash Bonus has a competitive signup bonus that can be earned after spending a certain amount in the first three months of account opening.
- Earn $750 bonus cash back after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening
- Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase made for your business
- No Annual Fee
- Redeem rewards for cash back, gift cards, travel and more through Chase Ultimate Rewards®.
- Earn rewards faster with employee cards at no additional cost. Set individual spending limits for greater control.
- Round-the-clock monitoring for unusual credit card purchases
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Intro (Purchases)
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Intro (Transfers)
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Regular APR
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Annual Fee
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Credit Needed
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0% Intro APR on Purchases 12 months
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N/A 12 months
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17.74% - 23.74% Variable
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$0
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Good/Excellent
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This card offers an unlimited 1.5% cash back that makes it easy to save no matter where you purchase, which can be ideal for businesses with expenses that don’t fall into the typical business categories. You’ll also get a great signup bonus, an intro-APR offer, and pay no annual fee.
9. U.S. Bank Business Edge™ Cash Rewards World Elite™ MasterCard®
Another option with bonus cash back categories, the U.S. Bank Business Edge™ Cash Rewards World Elite™ MasterCard® lets you rack up the rewards when you spend on gas, office supplies, and wireless services.
- Earn 3% cash back on gas station, office supply, and wireless service purchases
- Earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases
- Pay no annual fee, ever
New Business Edge cardholders can also spend without interest fears with the introductory 0% APR offer, which provides nine months of interest-free purchasing.
When considering cash back rewards cards, keep in mind that some cash back programs will have certain minimums for redeeming your rewards. Cash back can typically be redeemed for a statement credit, check, or retailer gift card.
Best “Office Rewards” Business Credit Cards
Despite the ongoing transformation of the workplace into an increasingly digital world, offices still need office supplies — a lot of office supplies. Post-It notes alone are a billion-dollar product, and that’s before you purchase the pens to start noting anything.
If your local office supply store knows your name and your office phone rings off the hook, your best business card for rewards will likely be one that focuses on office-based rewards. The cards on this list include big bonuses for purchases in categories you use often, which can add up to significant savings.
- 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
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Intro (Purchases)
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Intro (Transfers)
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Regular APR
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Annual Fee
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Credit Needed
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|---|---|---|---|---|
0% Intro APR on Purchases 12 months
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N/A 12 months
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17.74% - 23.74% Variable
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$0
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Good/Excellent
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The Ink Business Cash® Credit Card offers an outstanding 5% cash back on office supply purchases, as well as internet, cable, and phone purchases, on up to $25,000 in combined category purchases each cardholder year.
11. Huntington Voice Business Credit Card
The Huntington Voice Business Credit Card? is a customizable cash back rewards card that allows cardholders to choose their own 4% cash back category each quarter from a list that includes Utilities & Office Supply Stores as a bonus rewards option.
- Earn 4% cash back in a category of your choice on up to $7,000 in category purchases each quarter
- Earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases
- Pay no annual fee
This card charges no annual fee or foreign tranaction fees. It also offers unlimited employee cards with the ability to set individual spend controls.
12. SimplyCash® Plus Business Credit Card
The SimplyCash® Plus Business Credit Card from American Express is one of the more versatile business rewards cards, providing 5% cash back at US office supply stores and wireless service providers to ensure you always have what you need to keep your business going.
- 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, ever
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.
A vital part of making the most out of credit card rewards, whether for your business or your family, is to actually redeem them. While this may seem like a silly reminder, nearly a third of cardholders waste rewards by letting them lie fallow. Don’t be a statistic — redeem your credit card rewards.
Best “Air Miles” Business Credit Cards
A great way to add a little pleasure to your next business trip, business credit cards that reward air miles can help you save for your dream vacation with every Post-It purchase and cross-country meeting. Many miles cards will even offer bonus miles for travel-related purchases to help boost your earnings rate.
The major decision to make when choosing a miles credit card is whether you want flexible redemption options or branded airline perks. We’ve picked cards with both rewards types to help get you started.
13. Capital One® Spark® Miles Select for Business
This card is currently not available.
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Intro (Purchases)
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Intro (Transfers)
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Regular APR
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N/A
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N/A
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N/A
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N/A
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With redemption options free from blackout dates or brand restrictions, the miles you earn with your Capital One® Spark® Miles Select for Business credit card can be extremely versatile. Help your stockpile soar by meeting the signup bonus’s spending requirement.
14. Delta Business Gold
Flying into more than 325 cities across the globe, Delta SkyMiles can help you get just about anywhere. You can use the Delta Business Gold Card for your business purchases to earn miles without ever stepping onto a plane. And you’ll get bonus miles for Delta purchases when you do fly.
- Earn 2X miles per $1 spent on qualifying Delta purchases made with your card
- Earn 1X mile per $1 on all other purchases
- Pay no annual fee the first year, then $95
The signup bonus offered with the Delta Business Gold card is no bag of peanuts, providing 50,000 bonus miles when you spend $2,000 with your card in the first three months.
- Earn 65,000 American Airlines AAdvantage® bonus miles after spending 4,000 within 4 months of account opening
- Earn 2X miles for every $1 spent on American Airlines purchases and at cable and internet providers, gas stations, select telecommunications merchants, and car rental services — all other purchases earn 1X points
- First checked bag free on domestic American Airlines itineraries for you and up to 4 travel companions
- 25% savings on American Airlines inflight WiFi, food, and beverage purchases when you use your card
- Earn an American Airlines Companion Certificate for domestic travel after $30,000 in purchases each card membership year and card membership is renewed. Fees apply.
- $0 intro annual fee, then $99
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Intro (Purchases)
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Intro (Transfers)
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Regular APR
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Annual Fee
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Credit Needed
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|---|---|---|---|---|
N/A
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N/A
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20.49% - 29.49% (Variable)
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$99, waived first 12 months
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Excellent, Good
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Additional Disclosure: (The information related to CitiBusiness® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® Mastercard® has been collected by CardRates.com and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer or provider of this product or service.)
For American Airlines devotees, the CitiBusiness® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard® credit card can be an excellent choice. Cardholders will earn miles on every purchase in addition to receiving special perks, such as a free checked bag on American Airlines flights and preferred boarding.
Cardholders who meet a spend threshold in a year on their card will receive a Companion Certificate good for one round-trip domestic economy trip, potentially worth hundreds.
Another consideration when weighing air miles credit card options is whether the card is actually worth taking with you when you fly. Many credit cards charge hefty foreign transaction fees that can make them a pain abroad; select an air miles card with no foreign transaction fees to get the most out of your pick.
Best “Hotel Rewards” Business Credit Cards
Few things can make or break your business trip like the quality of your hotel. It’s hard to reach “well-rested” if you’re stuck trying to sleep on scratchy sheets or while suffering through the trials of thin hotel walls.
A great hotel rewards credit card can help you earn your way to the best accommodations while you make the purchases your business already needs. Begin your search for the right hotel rewards card with our top picks, and give yourself a reason to look forward to that next big business trip.
16. Marriott Bonvoy Business American Express® Card
The Marriott Bonvoy Business American Express® Card is the business credit card for the newly rebranded Marriott Bonvoy program. The card offers 6X Marriott Bonvoy points per dollar at participating properties, plus four points per dollar at U.S. restaurants and gas stations, and on wireless services purchased from U.S. providers.
- Earn 6X Marriott Bonvoy points per $1 you spend at eligible Marriott Bonvoy properties
- Earn 4X in select business & travel categories
- Pay no annual fee the first year, then $125
Other perks of the card include complimentary Silver Elite status with Marriott Bonvoy, a free annual award night after your account anniversary, and premium in-room wifi service. Plus, receive 15 elite night credits each year and pay no foreign transaction fees.
17. Hilton Honors American Express Business Card
The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card offers a number of perks for cardholders, including Hilton Honors Gold status and free night awards for meeting annual spending requirements.
- Earn 12X Hilton Honors points per dollar on Hilton purchases made directly with Hilton
- Earn 6X points on select business and travel purchases
- Pay $95 annual fee
If you’re seeking Hilton Diamond status, simply spend $40,000 or more on your card in a single calendar year to enjoy a status upgrade through the end of the next calendar year.
18. Radisson Rewards Business Visa® Card
The Radisson Rewards Business Visa® Card is great for Radisson hotel fans who want to earn free stays quickly. In addition to bonus rewards for Radisson purchases, you’ll receive free Gold elite status.
- Earn 10X points per $1 spent on purchases at eligible Club Carlson properties
- Earn 5X points per $1 on all other purchases
- Pay $60 annual fee
In addition to a large signup bonus of up to 85,000 points when you hit the tiered spending requirement, this card awards you 40,000 bonus points each year you renew and one free night for every year you spend $10,000 or more on your card.
In addition to points that can net you free nights, many hotel rewards cards will have additional branded benefits, including upgraded member status and free wifi. Selecting the right hotel card will come down to deciding which brand has the most useful property portfolio, with locations in places you are likely to visit.
Best “Fair Credit” Business Credit Cards
No matter how successful your business is when you launch it, it simply takes time to build up business credit, so many small business owners rely on their personal credit to obtain their first business card or three. But when your personal credit is a little less than pristine, finding a business card can be tough enough, let alone trying to get one with rewards.
Luckily, even with fair credit, a number of issuers will help you finance the things you need — and reward you for the privilege. All of our top picks below have flexible credit requirements, accepting fair credit and better, as well as offering cash back or rewards points.
19. Capital One® Spark® Classic for Business
This card is currently not available.
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Intro (Purchases)
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Intro (Transfers)
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Regular APR
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Annual Fee
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Credit Needed
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N/A
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N/A
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N/A
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N/A
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N/A
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While the Capital One® Spark® Classic for Business doesn’t offer quite as high of an earnings rate as its siblings, the Spark® Classic will accept applicants with a wider range of credit scores. As an added incentive, you won’t pay annual or foreign transaction fees, either.
20. Wells Fargo Business Secured Credit Card
As a secured card, the Wells Fargo Business Secured Credit Card will likely require a deposit to secure your credit line, but it can be a good way to establish and start building that all-important business credit. You’ll even earn rewards as you do it, with 1.5% cash back on every purchase.
- Earn 1.5% cash back on every purchase made with your card, redeemable as a statement credit or check
- Access credit lines from $500 to $25,000
- Receive up to 10 employee cards
Available credit lines range from $500 to $25,000. The Wells Fargo Business Secured card has a small $25 annual fee, but you won’t pay any foreign transaction fees.
(The information related to Wells Fargo Business Secured Credit Card has been collected by CardRates.com and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer or provider of this product or service.)
21. BBVA Secured Visa® Business Credit Card
The BBVA Secured Visa® Business Credit Card is also secured, so it will require at least a $500 deposit to open and your available credit will be equal to 90% of your deposit amount. Even better, you’ll earn rewards on every qualifying purchase.
- Earn bonus points in categories you select, including office supplies, utilities, and travel
- Earn 1X point per $1 on all other purchases
- Pay no annual fee the first year, then $40
Your BBVA Secured Visa® Business Credit Card will also provide free employee cards, a host of online account services, and special Visa Business benefits.
With responsible use of your new business credit card, your business will develop its own thriving credit history. While it’s always the best idea to pay your balance in full and on-time, it’s doubly important when your business credit card is also your primary business credit-builder.
Earn Rewards While Your Business Grows
As with raising a child, your business comes with a lot of expenses — but also a lot of rewards, such as the satisfaction of knowing you made something really awesome (hopefully). In the case of your business, those rewards can also come from the everyday costs of running a business, earning you cash back, points, or miles for every pen and printer cartridge.
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.
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.
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