best business credit cards for advertising

Best Business Credit Cards for Online Advertising

In a recent survey, 58% of small business owners said they advertise online. My business is one of them. My digital marketing efforts a few years ago led me to look for a business credit card that paid higher rewards for online advertising. In this article, I’ll list what I believe to be the best business credit cards for online advertising, along with a complete list from our database.

We’ll look at credit cards that pay elevated rewards specifically on digital marketing, such as with Google Adwords, Facebook Twitter, and Instagram. We’ll also look at cards that pay an excellent flat rate that a company could use for their advertising budget.

Side-by-Side Comparison

Business Card

Digital Marketing Rewards

Annual Fee

Up to 2% cash back

$0 intro annual fee the first year, $95 thereafter

Up to 2x miles

$0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $150

The Best Business Credit Cards for Online Advertising

Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

The Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card is the card I’ve used for our Google Adwords campaigns for the past two years. In addition to the incredible welcome offer, the 3 points per $1 spent is an excellent reward. There is an annual spending cap that applies to multiple categories, so keep that in mind.

Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

Welcome Offer

Earn 100,000 bonus points

Est. Value

$1,000 – $2,150

Annual Fee

$95

APR

21.24%-26.24% Variable

Credit Req’d

Excellent, Good

Online Advertising: Earn up to 3 points per $1 spent on advertising purchases made with social media sites and search engines. Spending caps apply.

The Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card pays 3 points per $1 on the first $150,000 spent in combined purchases on travel, shipping purchases, Internet, cable and phone services, advertising purchases made with social media sites and search engines each account anniversary year.

1x points
On all other eligible purchases
Earn 1 point per $1 on all other purchases
3x points
All eligible purchases
Earn 3 points per $1 on the first $150,000 spent in combined purchases on travel, shipping purchases, Internet, cable and phone services, advertising purchases made with social media sites and search engines each account anniversary year.

Pros

  • Welcome offer
  • No foreign transaction fee
  • Earns Chase Ultimate Rewards points
  • Earn up to 3x points

Cons

  • Annual fee
  • Requires good credit

Tip

If you redeem points for travel through Chase using the Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card, you’ll receive a 25% bonus. This brings the value from 3 points per $1 spent to 3.75. Even better, transfer the points to the Chase Sapphire Reserve® and receive a 50% bonus when redeeming points for travel through Chase

American Express® Business Gold Card

The American Express® Business Gold Card is also an excellent choice for your online advertising spend. We estimate that Amex Membership Rewards are worth 2 cents each, putting the 4x reward at the top of our list. Of course, the actual value will depend on how and when you redeem the points. While I prefer Chase Ultimate Rewards of the Amex point system, they are both good options.

American Express® Business Gold Card

Welcome Offer

Earn 70,000 Membership Rewards® points (Terms Apply)

Est. Value

$420 – $1,400

Annual Fee

$375

APR

19.49% – 28.49% Variable

Credit Req’d

Good, Excellent

Online Advertising: Earn up 4x Membership Rewards points per $1 spent on advertising purchases. Spending caps apply.

With the American Express® Business Gold Card you can earn 4X Membership Rewards® points on the 2 categories where your business spends the most in each billing cycle from 6 categories, including purchases at US media providers for advertising in select media (online, TV, radio). While your top 2 categories may change each billing cycle based on where your business spent the most, 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 from this list each billing cycle will count towards the $150,000 cap.

1x points
On all other eligible purchases
1X is earned for other eligible purchases.
3x points
Airfare
Earn 3x on flights booked through American Express Travel
3x points
Hotels
Earn 3x on prepaid hotels booked through American Express Travel
4x points
Select Categories
Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points on the 2 categories where your business spends the most each billing cycle from 6 eligible categories on the first $150,000 in combined purchases from these categories each calendar year (then 1X thereafter).

Pros

  • Welcome offer
  • No foreign transaction fee
  • Up to 4X Points

Cons

  • Annual fee
  • Requires good credit

World of Hyatt Business Credit Card

The World of Hyatt Business Credit Card offers 2 points per $1 spent on social media and search engine advertising. Given the potential value of Hyatt points, this is an excellent option for advertising spend if you business requires travel and you stay at Hyatt hotels.

World of Hyatt Business Credit Card

Welcome Offer

60,000 Bonus Points

Est. Value

Up to $960

Annual Fee

$199

APR

21.49% – 28.49% Variable

Credit Req’d

Excellent, Good

Online Advertising: Earn 2 points per $1 spent on social media & search engine advertising

The World of Hyatt Business Credit Card pays 2 bonus points per $1 spent in your top three spend categories each quarter through 12/31/24, then your top two categories each quarter. The categories include social media & search engine advertising, with no earnings caps.

1x points
On all other eligible purchases
1 Bonus Point per $1 spent on all other purchases.
2x points
Select Categories
2 Bonus Points per $1 spent in your top three spend categories each quarter through 12/31/24, then your top two categories each quarter.
2x points
Select Categories
2 Bonus Points per $1 spent on fitness club and gym memberships.
9x points
Hotels
9 points total per $1 spent at Hyatt - 4 Bonus Points per $1 when you use your card at Hyatt hotels & 5 Base Points per $1 from Hyatt as a World of Hyatt member.

Pros

  • Welcome offer
  • No foreign transaction fee
  • Up to 9x points

Cons

  • Annual fee
  • High APR
  • Requires good credit

U.S. Bank Business Leverage® Visa Signature® Card

The U.S. Bank Business Leverage® Visa Signature® Card is a simple cash back card that pays 2% cash back on the 2 categories where you spend the most. If one of these categories happens to be on advertising, this card is a solid option.

U.S. Bank Business Leverage® Visa Signature® Card

Welcome Offer

Earn $750 in rewards

Annual Fee

$0 intro annual fee the first year, $95 thereafter

APR

21.24% – 26.24% Variable

Credit Req’d

Good to Excellent 670 – 850

Online Advertising: Earn 2% back in the top two categories where you spend the most each month automatically.

The U.S. Bank Business Leverage® Visa Signature® Card pays 2% back in the top two categories where you spend the most each month automatically.

1% cash back
On all other eligible purchases
Earn 1% cash back per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
2% cash back
Select Categories
Earn 2% back in the top two categories where you spend the most each month automatically.
5% cash back
Hotels
Earn 5% back on prepaid hotels and car rentals booked directly in the Travel Rewards Center.

Pros

  • Welcome offer
  • No foreign transaction fee
  • Up to 5% cash back

Cons

  • Annual fee
  • Requires good credit

Complete List of Business Cards with Advertising Rewards

Beyond our picks above of the best options, here are all of the business credit cards in our database that offer elevated rewards for digital marketing.

1-7 of 7 results
  • World of Hyatt Business Credit Card

    Our Rating: 4.6
    ★★★★

    Annual Fee

    $199

    Reward Range

    1x – 9x points

    Welcome Offer

    60,000 Bonus Points

    Learn More
  • Delta Skymiles Gold Business American Express card

    Delta SkyMiles® Gold Business American Express Card

    Our Rating: 4.6
    ★★★★

    Annual Fee

    $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $150

    Reward Range

    1x – 2x miles

    Welcome Offer

    Earn 55,000 Bonus Miles

    Learn More
  • IHG One Rewards Premier Business Credit Card

    Our Rating: 4.6
    ★★★★

    Annual Fee

    $99

    Reward Range

    3x – 26x points

    Welcome Offer

    Limited Time Offer! Earn up to 175,000 Bonus Points.

    Learn More
  • American Express Business Gold Card

    American Express® Business Gold Card

    Our Rating: 4.5
    ★★★★

    Annual Fee

    $375

    Reward Range

    1x – 4x points

    Welcome Offer

    Earn 70,000 Membership Rewards® points

    Learn More
  • Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Performance Business Credit Card

    Our Rating: 4.5
    ★★★★

    Annual Fee

    $199

    Reward Range

    1X to 4X points

    Welcome Offer

    Earn 80,000 points

    Learn More
  • U.S. Bank Business Leverage® Visa Signature® Card

    Our Rating: 4.5
    ★★★★

    Annual Fee

    $0 intro annual fee the first year, $95 thereafter

    Reward Range

    1% to 5% cash back

    Welcome Offer

    Earn $750 in rewards

    Learn More
  • Chase Ink Business Preferred

    Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

    Our Rating: 4.7
    ★★★★

    Annual Fee

    $95

    Reward Range

    1-3x points

    Welcome Offer

    Earn 100,000 bonus points

    Learn More

Other Business Credit Cards to Consider for Advertising Expenses

The are some business credit cards that offer a flat reward rate on all purchases. While these cards don’t offer an elevated rate specifically for digital marketing, the reward rate is still attractive. My personal favorite is the Capital One Spark Cash Plus. It pays a minimum of 2% cash back on all purchases. Here are your options from our database.

  • Bank of America Travel Rewards for Students

    Our Rating: 4.5

    ★★★★

    Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card for Students

    Welcome Offer (Terms Apply)

    Earn 25,000 online bonus points

    Annual Fee

    $0

    APR

    18.24% – 28.24%

    Rewards Range

    1.5x points

  • Schwab Investor Card from American Express

    Our Rating: 4.0

    ★★★★☆

    Schwab Investor Card® from American Express

    Welcome Offer (Terms Apply)

    $200

    Annual Fee

    $0

    APR

    19.24% to 22.24%

    Rewards Range

    1.5% cash back

  • Truist Enjoy Cash Credit Card

    Our Rating: 3.8

    ★★★

    Truist Enjoy Cash Credit Card

    Welcome Offer (Terms Apply)

    None

    Annual Fee

    $0

    APR

    18.49% – 27.49%

    Rewards Range

    1% to 3% cash back

  • Eastern Bank Business Cash Preferred

    Our Rating: 3.2

    ★★★

    Eastern Bank Business Real Rewards Card

    Welcome Offer (Terms Apply)

    Earn 2,500 bonus rewards points

    Annual Fee

    $0

    APR

    19.24% to 28.24%

    Rewards Range

    1.5x points

  • Robinhood Gold Card

    Our Rating: 4.9

    ★★★★

    Robinhood Gold Card

    Welcome Offer (Terms Apply)

    None

    Annual Fee

    $0

    APR

    19.99% – 29.99%

    Rewards Range

    3% to 5% cash back

  • Bremer Bank Business Card

    Our Rating: 3.2

    ★★★

    Bremer Bank Business Real Rewards Card

    Welcome Offer (Terms Apply)

    Earn 2,500 bonus rewards points

    Annual Fee

    $0

    APR

    19.24% to 28.24%

    Rewards Range

    1.5x points

  • Berkshire Bank Business Card

    Our Rating: 3.2

    ★★★

    Berkshire Bank Business Real Rewards Card

    Welcome Offer (Terms Apply)

    Earn 2,500 bonus rewards points

    Annual Fee

    $0

    APR

    19.24% to 28.24%

    Rewards Range

    1.5x points

  • Bank of America Unlimited Cash Rewards Credit Card for Students

    Our Rating: 4.2

    ★★★★

    Bank of America® Unlimited Cash Rewards Credit Card for Students

    Welcome Offer (Terms Apply)

    Online $200 cash rewards bonus

    Annual Fee

    $0

    APR

    18.24% to 28.24%

    Rewards Range

    1.5% cash back

  • Associated Bank Business Real Rewards Card

    Our Rating: 3.5

    ★★★

    Associated Bank Business Real Rewards Card

    Welcome Offer (Terms Apply)

    Earn 2,500 bonus rewards points

    Annual Fee

    $0

    APR

    19.24% to 28.24%

    Rewards Range

    1.5x points

  • Bank of Oklahoma Business Card

    Our Rating: 3.5

    ★★★

    Bank of Oklahoma Business Real Rewards Card

    Welcome Offer (Terms Apply)

    Earn 2,500 bonus rewards points

    Annual Fee

    $0

    APR

    19.24% to 28.24%

    Rewards Range

    1.5x points

Bottom Line

If your business spends a significant amount on advertising, it pays to use the right credit card. My business has earned thousands of dollars in rewards in the past two years from its Google Adwords spend. One of the above credit cards should help you get the most out of your advertising expenses.

If you still haven’t found the right card for your business, check out our list of the best business credit cards.