best business credit cards for travel

The 9 Best Business Credit Cards for Travel in 2024

In the dynamic world of business travel, having the right credit card in your wallet is more than a matter of convenience; it’s a strategic tool that can significantly enhance your travel experience and financial management. Business credit cards specifically designed for travel come packed with a plethora of benefits, from lucrative rewards and travel insurance to expense management features.

These cards are tailored to meet the unique needs of business travelers, offering perks that can transform a routine business trip into a more rewarding, cost-effective, and efficient journey.

We aim to outline the best business credit cards for travel, offering a comprehensive guide to help business owners and frequent travelers make an informed decision. With an array of options available in the market, each card brings unique advantages, ranging from high reward points on travel-related purchases to complimentary airport lounge access and no foreign transaction fees.

Whether you’re a small business owner seeking to optimize travel costs or a corporate executive looking for premium travel conveniences, understanding the key features, rewards, and limitations of these cards is crucial in selecting the one that aligns best with your business travel needs and spending habits.

Best Business Credit Cards for Travel

Business Credit Card for TravelWelcome Offer
The Business Platinum Card® from American ExpressEarn 150,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $20,000 in eligible purchases on the Card within the first 3 months of Card Membership. (Terms Apply)
Capital One Venture X Business150,000 Miles once you spend $30,000 in the first 3 months from account opening
Bank of America Business Advantage Travel Rewards World Mastercard®Earn 25,000 online bonus points if you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of your account opening – which can be redeemed for a $250 statement credit toward travel and dining purchases
Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express CardEarn 80,000 Bonus Miles after spending $10,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. (Terms Apply)
Capital One Spark Miles for BusinessEarn a one-time bonus of 50,000 miles - equal to $500 in travel once you spend $4,500 on purchases within 3 months from account opening
The Hilton Honors American Express Business CardEarn 175,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points after you spend $8,000 in purchases on the Hilton Honors Business Card within the first six months of Card Membership. Offer Ends 1/8/2025. (Terms Apply)
Ink Business Preferred® Credit CardEarn 90,000 bonus points after you spend $8,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
Delta SkyMiles® Gold Business American Express CardEarn 60,000 Bonus Miles after spending $4,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. (Terms Apply)
United℠ Business CardEarn 75,000 bonus miles after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open. Plus, $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $99.

1. The Business Platinum Card® from American Express

Amex Business Platinum Card

Our Rating: 4.5

★★★★

The Business Platinum Card® from American Express

Welcome Offer (Terms Apply)

Earn 150,000 Membership Rewards® points (Terms Apply)

Est. Value

Up to $3,000

Annual Fee

$695

APR

18.99% – 27.99% Variable

Credit Req’d

Excellent, Good

Rewards: Earn 5x points on flights and hotels booked on AmexTravel.com and 1x on other eligible purchases. Earn 1.5x points on eligible purchases at U.S. 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 everywhere else, on up to $2 million of these purchases per calendar year. Terms Apply.

The Business Platinum Card® from American Express is for frequent business travelers. It comes with great perks like airport lounge access and cell phone protection*.

Terms Apply.

*Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.

1x points
On all other eligible purchases
Earn 1X points for each dollar you spend on eligible purchases.
1.5x points
Select Categories
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.
5x points
Airfare
5X Membership Rewards® points on flights on AmexTravel.com.
5x points
Hotels
5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotels on amextravel.com.

Pros

  • Welcome offer
  • No foreign transaction fee
  • Up to 5x points

Cons

  • Annual fee
  • Requires good credit

2. Capital One Venture X Business

Capital One Venture X Business

Our Rating: 4.9

★★★★

Capital One Venture X Business

Welcome Offer

150,000 Miles

Est. Value

Up to $2,625

Annual Fee

$395

APR

N/A Variable

Credit Req’d

Excellent

Rewards: Earn unlimited 10x miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel. Earn 5x miles on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Travel, and unlimited 2x miles on every purchase.

The Capital One Venture X Business is a high-end business charge card that requires payment in full each month but delivers an impressive up-front bonus and everyday rewards program.

2x miles
All eligible purchases
Earn 2 Miles per dollar on every purchase.
5x miles
Select Categories
Earn 5 Miles per dollar on vacation rentals booked through Capital One Travel.
5x miles
Airfare
Earn 5 Miles per dollar on flights booked through Capital One Travel.
10x miles
Hotels
Earn 10 Miles per dollar on hotels booked through Capital One Travel.
10x miles
Rental Cars
Earn 10 Miles per dollar on rental cars booked through Capital One Travel.

Pros

  • Welcome offer
  • No foreign transaction fee
  • Unlimited 2X miles on every purchase

Cons

  • Annual fee
  • Requires good credit
  • Pay-in-full card

3. Bank of America Business Advantage Travel Rewards World Mastercard®

Bank of America Business Advantage Travel Rewards

Our Rating: 4.5

★★★★

Bank of America Business Advantage Travel Rewards World Mastercard®

Welcome Offer

Earn 30,000 online bonus points

Est. Value

$300

Annual Fee

$0

APR

17.99% to 27.99% Variable

Credit Req’d

Excellent 740 – 850

Rewards: Unlimited 1.5x points for every dollar spent on all purchases.

The Bank of America Business Advantage Travel Rewards World Mastercard® is a straightforward travel rewards business credit with a good welcome offer and no annual fee.

1.5x points
All eligible purchases
Earn an unlimited 1.5 points for every dollar you spend on all purchases

Pros

  • Welcome offer
  • No annual fee
  • No foreign transaction fee
  • 1.5 points per dollar spent on all purchases

Cons

  • High APR
  • Requires good credit

4. Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card

Delta Skymiles Reserve Business American Express Card

Our Rating: 4.2

★★★★

Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card

Welcome Offer (Terms Apply)

Earn 80,000 Bonus Miles (Terms Apply)

Est. Value

Up to $1,000

Annual Fee

$650

APR

20.49% – 29.49% Variable

Credit Req’d

Excellent, Good

Rewards: Earn up to 3 miles per $1 spent on Delta purchases and 1x miles on other purchases. Earn 1.5x miles after you spend $150,000 on your card in a calendar year. Terms Apply.

The Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card pays 3 miles per $1 on purchases made directly with Delta. This card is great for anyone who flies often and prefers to fly with Delta. Travel perks include a free checked bag, priority boarding, and airport lounge access (Terms Apply.)

1x miles
On all other eligible purchases
Earn 1X miles on other purchases made using the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business Card
1.5x miles
Office Supplies
Earn 1.5X miles on U.S. office supply store purchases
1.5x miles
All eligible purchases
Earn 1.5X miles on all eligible purchases after you spend $150,000 in purchases on your Card in a year. If your purchase qualifies for a category that has a higher mileage accelerator, only the higher accelerator will apply.
1.5x miles
Select Categories
Earn 1.5X miles on eligible U.S. shipping purchases
1.5x miles
Transit
Earn 1.5X miles on eligible transit purchases
3x miles
Delta Purchases
Earn 3x miles on eligible Delta purchases

Pros

  • Welcome offer
  • No foreign transaction fee
  • Up to 3X miles

Cons

  • Annual fee
  • Requires good credit

5. Capital One Spark Miles for Business

Capital One Spark Miles

Our Rating: 4.7

★★★★

Capital One Spark Miles for Business

Welcome Offer

Earn a one-time bonus of 50,000 miles – equal to $500 in travel

Est. Value

Up to $875

Annual Fee

$0 intro for first year; $95 after that

APR

25.74% Variable

Credit Req’d

Excellent, Good

Rewards: Earn unlimited 5x miles on hotels, vacation rentals, and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel. Earn unlimited 2x miles on every purchase.

Capital One Spark Miles for Business is a travel credit card for business owners. It offers decent flat rate rewards and there are no foreign transaction fees.

2x miles
All eligible purchases
Earn 2 Miles per $1 on every purchase, everywhere.
5x miles
Select Categories
Earn 5 Miles per dollar on vacation rentals booked through Capital One Travel.
5x miles
Hotels
Earn 5 Miles per dollar on hotels booked through Capital One Travel.
5x miles
Rental Cars
Earn 5 Miles per dollar on rental cars booked through Capital One Travel.

Pros

  • Welcome offer
  • No foreign transaction fee
  • Up to 2% cash back

Cons

  • Annual fee

6. The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card

Hilton Honors American Express Business Card

Our Rating: 4.3

★★★★

The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card

Welcome Offer (Terms Apply)

Earn 175,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points (Terms Apply)

Est. Value

Up to $875

Annual Fee

$195

APR

20.49% – 29.49% Variable

Credit Req’d

Excellent, Good

Rewards: Earn 12x points at Hilton hotels and resorts, 6x points at U.S. restaurants, gas stations, wireless service providers, shipping, flights booked directly with airlines or with Amex travel, and on car rentals booked directly from select car rental companies. Earn 3x points on other eligible purchases. Terms Apply.

The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card is for business travelers who prefer to stay at Hilton hotels and resorts. You get elevated rewards on several categories and complimentary Hilton Honors Gold status.

Terms Apply.

5x points
Select Categories
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 points thereafter.
12x points
Hotels
Earn 12x Hilton Honors Bonus Points on eligible Hilton purchases

Pros

  • Welcome offer
  • No foreign transaction fee
  • Earn 12x at Hilton hotels

Cons

  • Annual fee
  • High APR

7. Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

Chase Ink Business Preferred

Our Rating: 4.7

★★★★

Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

Welcome Offer

Earn 90,000 bonus points

Est. Value

Up to $1,125

Annual Fee

$95

APR

20.74% – 26.74% Variable

Credit Req’d

Excellent, Good

Rewards: Earn up to 3 points per $1 spent on several business categories, on the first $150,000 spent annually, then 1 point. Get a 25% bonus when points redeemed for travel through Chase TravelSM.

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, and 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

8. Delta SkyMiles® Gold Business American Express Card

Delta Skymiles Gold Business American Express card

Our Rating: 4.6

★★★★

Delta SkyMiles® Gold Business American Express Card

Welcome Offer (Terms Apply)

Earn 60,000 Bonus Miles (Terms Apply)

Est. Value

Up to $750

Annual Fee

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

APR

20.49% – 29.49% Variable

Credit Req’d

Excellent, Good

Rewards: Earn 2x miles on Delta purchases and at restaurants. Also earn 2x miles on eligible U.S. shipping providers and U.S. advertising purchases in select media up to $50,000 per category, per year. Terms Apply.

Delta SkyMiles® Gold Business American Express Card is for business owners who fly often with Delta. It also has great travel perks like a free checked bag and priority boarding.

Terms Apply.

1x miles
On all other eligible purchases
Earn 1 Mile on every eligible dollar spent on other purchases.
2x miles
Select Categories
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 miles
Delta Purchases
Earn 2 Miles on every dollar spent on eligible purchases made directly with Delta.
2x miles
Dining
Earn 2 Miles on every eligible dollar spent at restaurants.

Pros

  • Welcome offer
  • No foreign transaction fee

Cons

  • Annual fee
  • Requires good credit

9. United℠ Business Card

United Business Card

Our Rating: 4.7

★★★★
United℠ Business Card

Welcome Offer

Earn 75,000 bonus miles

Est. Value

Up to $1,050

Annual Fee

$0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $99

APR

21.49% – 28.49% Variable

Credit Req’d

Good, Excellent

Rewards: Earn 2x miles per dollar spent on dining, gas, at supply stores, and on all United purchases.

The United℠ Business Card is perfect for any business who loves to fly United and is interested in a big upfront welcome offer and strong everyday rewards program.

1x miles
On all other eligible purchases
Earn 1 mile per $1 spent on all other purchases.
2x miles
Office Supplies
Earn 2 miles per $1 spent at office supply stores.
2x miles
United Purchases
Earn 2 miles per $1 spent on purchases from United® including tickets, Economy Plus®, Inflight food, beverages, Wi-Fi and other United charges.
2x miles
Dining
Earn 2 miles per $1 spent on dining, including eligible delivery services.
2x miles
Gas
Earn 2 miles per $1 spent at gas stations.
2x miles
Transit
Earn 2 miles per $1 spent on local transit and commuting.

Pros

  • Welcome offer
  • No foreign transaction fee

Cons

  • Annual fee
  • High APR
  • Requires good credit

The Big Benefits of a Business Credit Card with Travel Rewards

Small businesses often grapple with the challenge of balancing cost-effective solutions with the need for frequent travel. A business credit card with travel rewards emerges as an invaluable asset for such enterprises. These cards not only streamline expense management but also convert everyday business spending into tangible rewards. By choosing a card that offers generous points or miles for travel-related purchases, small businesses can significantly reduce their travel expenses.

This is particularly beneficial for businesses where travel is a routine part of operations, such as client meetings, industry conferences, or supplier visits. The accrued rewards can be redeemed for flights, hotel stays, or even car rentals, thereby easing the financial burden on the business and allowing resources to be allocated elsewhere.

Moreover, beyond the immediate financial incentives, these cards often come with additional perks that enhance the travel experience. Features like airport lounge access, priority boarding, free checked bags, and travel insurance add a layer of comfort and security, which is crucial for small business owners and their employees who often travel for work.

These benefits boost employee morale and project a professional image of the business. Additionally, the integration of expense tracking and reporting tools in these cards simplifies budgeting and tax preparation, making financial management more efficient. In essence, a business credit card with travel rewards is not just a tool for earning points; it’s a comprehensive solution that addresses several facets of business travel and financial management, making it an indispensable tool for small businesses.

How We Chose the Best Business Credit Cards for Travel

When selecting the best business credit card for travel, we took into account everything a business credit card offers and focused on four of the most important factors:

  1. Everyday Travel Rewards – If you’re going to sign up for a business credit card that offers big travel rewards, the most important detail is the big travel rewards! The cards we’ve chosen pack the largest punch when it comes to traveling in style and redeeming points and miles with value in mind.
  2. Opening Welcome Offer – The best way to test out the value of a business credit card is to use the welcome offer. Normally, you’ll start with tens of thousands of points or miles and you can quickly test-drive the rewards program and see if continuing to earn rewards is worth the cost of ownership.
  3. Additional Perks & Benefits – Beyond the rewards program of a business credit card, everyday perks are critical to the value. Upgrades on car rentals and flights, increased warranties, and everyday purchase protection are just a few of the many important perks that startups have access to with a business credit card.
  4. Annual Fee – Unfortunately, the best business credit cards for travel that offer the best rewards tend to include the highest annual fee. If your business spends a few thousand dollars a month, a high annual fee can eat into your card benefits. If your business spends five figures a month or more, then a $500 annual fee probably means very little.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What are the key benefits of using a small business credit card with travel rewards?

Small business credit cards with travel rewards offer a range of benefits specifically tailored to the needs of businesses that require frequent travel. Key advantages include earning rewards points or miles on travel-related and everyday business expenses, which can be redeemed for airfare, hotel stays, and car rentals.

These cards often come with added perks such as complimentary airport lounge access, travel insurance, priority boarding, and free checked luggage, enhancing the travel experience. Additionally, they provide valuable tools for expense management and reporting, making it easier to track and categorize business expenses, which is crucial for budgeting and tax purposes.

How can a small business maximize the value of a travel rewards credit card?

To maximize the value of a travel rewards credit card, small businesses should focus on using the card for all business-related expenses, especially those that earn higher reward points, such as travel bookings and dining. It’s important to pay attention to any bonus categories where extra points can be earned.

Businesses should also take advantage of sign-up bonuses and meet the initial spending requirements to earn these bonuses. Regularly reviewing and redeeming accumulated rewards for business travel expenses can help offset travel costs. Additionally, utilizing the additional card features like travel insurance and lounge access can save money and improve travel experiences.

Are there any downsides to using a business credit card for travel rewards?

While business credit cards with travel rewards offer numerous benefits, there are potential downsides to consider. These cards often come with higher annual fees, which might not be cost-effective for businesses that don’t travel frequently enough to offset these fees with rewards. Interest rates can be high, so carrying a balance can quickly negate the benefits of rewards earned.

There’s also the risk of overspending to chase rewards, which can lead to financial strain. Lastly, rewards programs can be complex, and the value of points or miles can fluctuate, so it requires effort and understanding to maximize their value. Businesses need to assess their specific needs and spending patterns to determine if the benefits of a particular card outweigh its costs.

Final Thought on the Best Business Credit Cards for Travel

Owning a business and using a business credit card is a terrific way to save a little extra and enjoy extra benefits and perks. If your business requires a lot of travel and you have employees who are frequently on the road, the right business travel rewards credit card can save your company money, and perk up your employees and your clients.

The best business credit cards for travel are all good credit cards to own, but the details are what matters when picking the right one for your business. Carefully review the cards you see above, consider your spending habits, and choose wisely.