22 Best Small Business Credit Cards of October 2023

Small business credit cards offer easy access to credit along with excellent rewards. The top offers come with significant signup bonuses and fraud protection. Here are the best business credit cards of 2023.

In this article:

Since launching my own small business in 2007, I’ve used a business credit card. While some entrepreneurs choose not to use a business card, I’ve always found it a good choice for several reasons.

For one thing, using a separate business credit card makes keeping my business expenses separate from my personal expenses a snap. Whether your business has loads of expenses or only a few, good bookkeeping is essential. Getting into the habit of charging all business-related expenses to a separate business credit card early on streamlines bookkeeping and makes tax time easier.

There’s an argument to be made, of course, for simply using a separate personal credit card for business expenses. And some solopreneurs go this route. The one major advantage to using a business credit card, however, is that it allows you to build your business’s credit. If there comes a point when you need a small business loan to expand, you’ll need this credit ready and waiting.

One final reason to consider using a business card is that it’s easier to share expenses safely. You can quickly give your partner or employees access to the company’s money through the card. And individual card-level expense tracking means you know who is spending money on what at any given time.

Business credit cards do have some caveats, which we’ll talk about below. But, first, let’s discuss our top business credit card picks for 2023.

Best Overall Business Credit Cards

Ink Business Cash® Credit Card

The Chase Ink line has been very popular among business owners, and with good reason. These cards are easy to use and offer great rewards. The Ink Business Cash® Credit Card is a great card for smaller businesses looking for excellent rewards with a simple cash back structure. You can also scale it up as you start spending more for your business. It offers flexible rewards, and rewards can be redeemed in a myriad of ways.

With all Chase Ink options, you can redeem rewards in several different ways. You can use cash to offset spending right away. Alternatively, you can use the Chase Ultimate Rewards program to buy travel tickets, hotel stays, gift cards, or other items.

The Ink Business Cash® Credit Card is an excellent card for business owners with good credit who won’t spend enough to outstrip the annual fee of the Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card (see below). It offers great cash back on spending categories typically used by business owners, as well.

Rewards:

1% cash back

On all other eligible purchases

2% cash back

Dining

Earn 2% cash back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at gas stations and restaurants each account anniversary year.

2% cash back

Gas

Earn 2% cash back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at gas stations and restaurants each account anniversary year.

5% cash back

Select Categories

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

Signup Bonus: Earn $900 bonus cash back after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening
Intro APR: 0% APR on purchases for 12 months, then a variable APR of 18.49% - 24.49%.
Foreign Transaction Fee: 3% of each transaction in U.S. dollars
Annual Fee: $0

Learn More

Approval Odds*

The following credit score data are based on publicly available information we have collected from various forums. We have no way to confirm the accuracy of this data. In addition, keep in mind that credit card issuers use a number of factors in their underwriting process, and these factors can change at any time.

App Status	Date	Credit Score	Bureau	Credit Limit
Approved	03/14/2022	770	Not Provided	$5,000
Approved	12/01/2022	828	Experian	$3,000
Approved	10/23/2021	700	Experian	$4,000
Approved	11/29/2022	810	Equifax	$3,000
Approved	11/29/2022	820	Experian	$3,000
Approved	12/01/2022	741	Equifax	$3,000
Approved	12/01/2022	770	TransUnion	$3,000

The American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card

The The American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card is one of the few 2% business cash back credit cards with no annual fee. It does have a spending cap (see rewards below).

The cash back you earn is automatically credited to your statement.

You can also spend beyond your credit limit with Expanded Buying Power. But the amount you can spend above your credit limit is not unlimited. It adjusts with your use of the card, your payment history, credit record, financial resources, and other factors.

Rewards:

1% cash back

All eligible purchases

1% cash back after spending $50,000.

2% cash back

All eligible purchases

Earn 2% cash back on all eligible purchases on up to $50,000 per calendar year, then 1%. Cash back earned is automatically credited to your statement.

Welcome Bonus: N/A
Intro APR: 0.0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months from date of account opening, then a variable rate, 18.49% - 26.49%, based on your creditworthiness and other factors as determined at the time of account opening.
Foreign Transaction Fee: 2.7% of each transaction after conversion to US dollars.
Annual Fee: No annual fee

Learn More

Approval Odds*

App Status	Date	Credit Score	Bureau	Credit Limit
Approved	12/02/2021	727	Experian	$10,000
Approved	05/05/2021	757	TransUnion	$9,000
Approved	05/05/2021	766	Experian	$9,000
Approved	05/05/2021	777	Equifax	$9,000
Approved	11/26/2021	755	Experian	$10,000
Approved	04/04/2021	700	Experian	$2,000
Approved	05/09/2021	759	TransUnion	$2,000
Approved	05/09/2021	765	Equifax	$2,000
Approved	05/09/2021	774	Experian	$2,000

Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

As you can see, we like the Chase Ink line here at allCards. The Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card is a bit different from the Ink Business Cash® Credit Card above, but offers some excellent rewards. This can be a good card if you’re a big spender for your business, especially in certain categories. This card does have an annual fee, but it makes up for that fee with great rewards.

The card gives you a variety of options for redeeming points, including travel, cash back, gift cards, and more. If you have great credit and spend big for your business, this is a great card to consider. Although it has a $95 annual fee, the welcome bonus alone is worth $1,250 in travel. That bonus makes the Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card one of the most lucrative rewards cards available today.

Rewards:

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.

Signup Bonus: New Cardmember Offer! Earn 100,000 bonus points after you spend $8,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
Intro APR: None
Foreign Transaction Fee: $0
Annual Fee: $95

Learn More

Approval Odds*

App Status	Date	Credit Score	Bureau	Credit Limit
Approved	01/02/2022	750	Equifax	$20,000
Approved	01/02/2022	757	Experian	$20,000
Approved	10/23/2020	748	Equifax	$21,000
Approved	10/23/2020	765	Experian	$21,000
Approved	05/10/2021	690	Experian	$10,000

The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express

The The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express pays 2X Membership Rewards points on every purchase (up to an annual cap). The card is ideal for those who want flexibility in how they redeem their rewards.

Rewards:

1x points

On all other eligible purchases

2X applies to the first $50,000 in purchases per year, 1 point per dollar thereafter.

2x points

All eligible purchases

Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on everyday business purchases such as office supplies or client dinners.

Welcome Bonus: N/A
Intro APR: 0.0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months from date of account opening, then a variable rate, 18.49% - 26.49%, based on your creditworthiness and other factors at account opening.
Foreign Transaction Fee: 2.7% of each transaction after conversion to US dollars.
Annual Fee: No annual fee

Learn More

Approval Odds*

App Status	Date	Credit Score	Bureau	Credit Limit
Approved	10/14/2021	816	Experian	$13,500
Approved	11/24/2021	777	Experian	$10,000
Approved	12/10/2020	729	Experian	$9,000
Approved	12/03/2018	717	Experian	$20,000
Approved	05/22/2022	686	Experian	$2,000
Approved	03/20/2019	743	Experian	$6,000
Approved	05/02/2018	729	Equifax	$22,500
Approved	04/04/2021	700	Experian	$2,000
Approved	07/15/2020	750	Not Provided	$9,000
Approved	04/05/2021	750	Not Provided	$2,000
Approved	08/13/2021	714	Experian	$5,300
Approved	06/03/2018	673	Experian	$2,000
Approved	01/05/2021	771	Experian	$2,000
Approved	06/25/2017	748	Experian	$2,000
Denied	04/05/2020		Not Provided	---
Denied	02/14/2020	792	Experian	---
Denied	02/12/2021		Not Provided	---

Cash Back Business Credit Cards

Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card

The third Chase Ink card is the Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card. It's the newest business credit card in the lineup. It offers a welcome bonus and 1.5% cash back, all with no annual fee. The Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card is an excellent card for business owners looking for cash rewards without the annual fee.

Rewards:

1.5% cash back

All eligible purchases

1.5% cash back on all eligible purchases with no limits to the amount you can earn

Signup Bonus: Earn $900 bonus cash back after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
Intro APR: 0% intro APR for 12 months on purchases, then a variable APR of 18.49% - 24.49%
Foreign Transaction Fee: 3% of each transaction in U.S. dollars
Annual Fee: $0

Learn More

Approval Odds*

App Status	Date	Credit Score	Bureau	Credit Limit
Approved	03/24/2022	810	Equifax	$8,000
Approved	02/01/2022	779	Experian	$6,000
Approved	03/12/2020	799	Experian	$18,000
Approved	06/11/2022	796	Equifax	$7,500
Approved	06/11/2022	812	Experian	$7,500
Approved	07/13/2021	790	Equifax	$10,000
Approved	07/13/2021	730	Equifax	$5,000
Approved	04/27/2021	720	Experian	$3,000
Approved	10/07/2020	751	Experian	$3,000
Approved	04/01/2022	781	Experian	$50,000
Approved	04/01/2022	763	Experian	$3,000
Denied	04/20/2020	775	Experian	---

Ink Business Premier℠ Credit Card

The Ink Business Premier℠ Credit Card offers excellent cash back rewards but there is an annual fee of $195. One other important note about this card, it is a pay-in-full card so you can't carry a balance. However, select purchases may be paid off over time.

Rewards:

2% cash back

All eligible purchases

Earn unlimited 2% cash back on all other business purchases.

2.5% cash back

All eligible purchases

Earn 2.5% total cash back on purchases of $5,000 or more.

5% cash back

Travel

Earn 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards.

Welcome Bonus: Earn $1,000 bonus cash back after you spend $10,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
Intro APR: None
Foreign Transaction Fee: $0
Annual Fee: $195

Learn More

Approval Odds*

App Status	Date	Credit Score	Bureau	Credit Limit
Approved	01/21/2022	805	Not Provided	$35,000
Approved	12/05/2022	785	Equifax	$10,000
Approved	12/05/2022	780	TransUnion	$10,000
Approved	12/05/2022	783	Experian	$10,000

Revenued Business Card Visa® Commercial Card

The Revenued Business Card Visa® Commercial Card is unique in that you don't need a minimum credit score to get approved. Instead, your business revenue determines your spending availability. There's a welcome bonus, 3% rewards on every card purchase, and no annual fee. But you can only use the card domestically.

Rewards:

3% cash back

All eligible purchases

Earn 3% cash back on every single purchase.

Welcome Bonus: Receive $500 after spending $5,000 in your first 90 days.
Intro APR: None
Foreign Transaction Fee: None
Annual Fee: $0

Apply Now

The Plum Card® from American Express

You can think of the The Plum Card® from American Express as a 1.5% cash back business card. You don't get typical cash back rewards. Instead, you get an Early Payoff Discount of 1.5% when you pay early. There is no cap on what you can earn back.

You can take up to 60 days to pay with no interest when you pay your minimum due. There are also no foreign transaction fees.

Get additional employee cards at no annual fee and an early pay discount on employee spending.

Rewards: Early Payoff Discount of 1.5% when you pay early and no cap on what you can earn back.

Welcome Bonus: N/A
Intro APR: None
Foreign Transaction Fee: None
Annual Fee: $250‡

Learn More

Capital One Spark Cash Select for Excellent Credit

The Capital One Spark Cash Select for Excellent Credit is ideal for small business looking for a solid cash back offer with no annual fee. Add in the welcome bonus and this is one of the best no-fee business cards available today.

Your rewards won’t expire for the life of the account, and you can redeem your cash back for any amount.

You can also get employee cards at no additional cost, and earn rewards from their business spend.

Rewards:

1.5% cash back

All eligible purchases

Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back for your business on every purchase, everywhere - with no limits or category restrictions.

5% cash back

Hotels

Earn unlimited 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel.

5% cash back

Rental Cars

Earn unlimited 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel.

Signup Bonus: Earn a $500 Cash Back once you spend $4,500 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening
Intro APR: None
Foreign Transaction Fee: None
Annual Fee: $0

Learn More

Approval Odds*

App Status	Date	Credit Score	Bureau	Credit Limit
Approved	12/23/2021	695	TransUnion	$5,000
Approved	07/22/2022	750	Not Provided	$20,000
Approved	12/23/2021	653	Equifax	$5,000
Approved	12/23/2021	697	Experian	$5,000
Denied	07/16/2022	755	Equifax	---

Capital One Spark Classic for Business

With the Capital One Spark Classic for Business you can build business credit with responsible use.

Additional benefits include fraud coverage and no foreign transaction fees. You can also get year-end summaries and employee cards at no extra cost.

Rewards:

1% cash back

On all other eligible purchases

Earn unlimited 1% cash back for your business on every purchase, everywhere, no limits or category restrictions

5% cash back

Hotels

5% cash back on hotels booked through Capital One Travel

5% cash back

Rental Cars

5% cash back on rental cars booked through Capital One Travel

Signup Bonus: None
Intro APR: None
Foreign Transaction Fee: None
Annual Fee: $0

Learn More

Approval Odds*

App Status	Date	Credit Score	Bureau	Credit Limit
Approved	12/21/2022	683	Experian	$8,000
Approved	02/14/2020	725	Equifax	$5,000
Approved	02/14/2020	772	TransUnion	$5,000
Approved	02/14/2020	792	Experian	$5,000
Approved	12/21/2022	652	TransUnion	$8,000
Approved	12/21/2022	668	Equifax	$8,000

Travel Rewards Business Credit Cards

American Express® Business Gold Card

The American Express® Business Gold Card is a lower cost and lower reward option to The Business Platinum Card® from American Express. Its list of rewards and benefits, however, is still impressive. You can earn a welcome offer if you meet the required spend, and it offers up to 4X rewards.

There's also an airline bonus: Get 25% points back after you use points for all or part of an eligible flight booked with Amex Travel, up to 250,000 points back per calendar year.

You can add employee cards with a no annual fee option. Plus, you can earn rewards on employee purchases and track employee expenses with spending limits, alerts, and summary reports.

Rewards:

1x points

On all other eligible purchases

1X is earned for other eligible purchases.

4x points

Select Categories

Get 4X Membership Rewards® points on the 2 select categories where your business spent the most each month. 4X points apply to the first $150,000 in combined purchases from these 2 categories each calendar year. 1X is earned for other eligible purchases.

Welcome Bonus: Earn 70,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $10,000 on eligible purchases with the Business Gold Card within the first 3 months of Card Membership.*
Intro APR: None
Foreign Transaction Fee: None
Annual Fee: $295

Learn More

Approval Odds*

App Status	Date	Credit Score	Bureau	Credit Limit
Approved	04/11/2022	808	TransUnion	---
Approved	02/19/2019	713	Experian	---
Approved	10/28/2022	705	Not Provided	---
Approved	04/18/2021	759	TransUnion	---
Approved	04/18/2021	765	Equifax	---
Approved	04/18/2021	774	Experian	---

Capital One Spark Miles for Business

The Capital One Spark Miles for Business offers an excellent combination of welcome bonus and ongoing rewards. You can earn 2 miles for every dollar spent on the card and a welcome bonus (see spend requirement below). These miles are worth $500 in travel.

There’s no limit to the number of miles you can earn and you can transfer your miles to over 15 leading travel loyalty programs.

Other benefits include a one statement credit for either the $85 TSA PreCheck application fee or the $100 Global Entry application fee. The card has no foreign transaction fees and you can fly on any airline, anytime, with no blackout dates or seat restrictions.

Rewards:

2x points

All eligible purchases

Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase

Signup Bonus: Earn 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
Intro APR: None
Foreign Transaction Fee: None
Annual Fee: $0 intro for first year; $95 after that

Learn More

Approval Odds*

App Status	Date	Credit Score	Bureau	Credit Limit
Approved	11/19/2019	713	Experian	$30,000
Approved	11/19/2019	728	TransUnion	$30,000
Approved	11/19/2019	734	Equifax	$30,000

Capital One Spark Miles Select for Business

The Capital One Spark Miles Select for Business comes with a welcome bonus and there's no annual fee and no foreign transaction fees. You can earn unlimited 1.5 miles per $1 on every purchase.

Fly on any airline, anytime, with no blackout dates or seat restrictions.

Rewards:

1.5x miles

All eligible purchases

Earn unlimited 1.5X miles on every purchase

Signup Bonus: Earn a one-time bonus of 50,000 miles once you spend $4,500 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening.
Foreign Transaction Fee: None
Annual Fee: $0

Learn More

Approval Odds*

App Status	Date	Credit Score	Bureau	Credit Limit
Approved	12/23/2021	653	Equifax	$5,000
Approved	12/23/2021	695	TransUnion	$5,000
Approved	12/23/2021	697	Experian	$5,000

The Business Platinum Card® from American Express

American Express has upped the ante with its The Business Platinum Card® from American Express. Simply put, it offers incredible rewards, including a welcome offer and ongoing rewards. You pay a hefty fee for this card, but the annual fee is worth it if you plan to put a lot of money on this card. The added American Express business service benefits like airport lounge access, airline fee credit, no foreign transaction fees, and purchase protection make this a desirable card.

Rewards:

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 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.

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.

Welcome Offer: Earn 120,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $15,000 on eligible purchases with your Card within the first 3 months of Card Membership.
Foreign Transaction Fee: None
Annual Fee: $695

Learn More

Approval Odds*

App Status	Date	Credit Score	Bureau	Credit Limit
Approved	11/03/2021	813	Experian	---
Approved	05/25/2018	690	Equifax	---
Approved	05/25/2018	705	Experian	---
Approved	05/25/2018	706	TransUnion	---
Approved	03/19/2022		Not Provided	$25,000
Approved	11/05/2021	681	Experian	---
Denied	04/05/2021	750	Not Provided	---

Hotel Rewards Business Credit Cards

Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card

The Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card is ideal for businesses that frequent Marriott brand hotels. The card offers an excellent welcome bonus and up to 6X in rewards.

Enjoy Complimentary Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite Status with your Card. Plus, receive a 7% discount off standard rates for reservations of standard guest rooms at hotels that participate in the Marriott Bonvoy program when you book directly. Terms and Conditions apply.

Rewards:

2x points

On all other eligible purchases

Earn 2x points on all other eligible purchases.

4x points

Cell phone service

Earn 4x points on wireless telephone services purchased directly from U.S. service providers.

4x points

Select Categories

Earn 4x points on U.S. purchases for shipping.

4x points

Dining

Earn 4x points for purchases made at restaurants worldwide.

4x points

Gas

Earn 4x points for purchases made at U.S. gas stations.

6x points

Hotels

Earn 6x Marriott Bonvoy points on each dollar of eligible purchases at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy® program.

Welcome Bonus: Earn 125,000 Bonus Marriott Bonvoy Points after you use your new Card to make $8,000 in purchases within the first 6 months of Card Membership. Offer Ends 11/1/23.
Intro APR: None
Foreign Transaction Fee: None
Annual Fee: $125

Read Our Review

Approval Odds*

App Status	Date	Credit Score	Bureau	Credit Limit
Approved	10/21/2021	816	Experian	$20,000
Approved	05/06/2022	704	Not Provided	$3,000
Approved	07/11/2021	724	Not Provided	$3,000

The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card

The The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card is the business card for those who stay at Hilton brand hotels. It offers a generous welcome bonus and up to 12X in rewards on purchases.

Enjoy complimentary Hilton Honors Gold status and a Free Night Reward from Hilton Honors after you spend $15,000 in purchases on your card in a calendar year.

You can earn another Free Night Reward from Hilton Honors after you spend an additional $45,000 in purchases on your card in the same calendar year.

Rewards:

3x points

On all other eligible purchases

3X on all other eligible purchases.

6x points

Cell phone service

6X on wireless telephone services purchased directly from U.S. service providers.

6x points

Select Categories

Earn 6X on U.S. purchases for shipping.

6x points

Airfare

6X on flights booked directly with airlines or with Amex Travel.

6x points

Rental Cars

6X on car rentals booked directly from select car rental companies.

6x points

Dining

6X at U.S. restaurants.

6x points

Gas

6X at U.S. gas stations.

12x points

Hotels

12X directly with hotels and resorts in the Hilton portfolio.

Welcome Bonus: Earn 130,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points after you spend $3,000 in purchases on the Hilton Honors Business Card within the first three months of Card Membership.
Intro APR: None
Foreign Transaction Fee: None
Annual Fee: $95

Read our Review

Approval Odds*

App Status	Date	Credit Score	Bureau	Credit Limit
Approved	10/24/2020	700	Not Provided	$1,000
Approved	05/22/2022	686	Experian	$3,000
Approved	02/13/2013	720	TransUnion	$17,700
Denied	07/01/2021	674	Experian	---

Airline Business Cards

Southwest Airlines Business Credit Cards

There are two Southwest Airlines business credit cards. They are both great cards. One comes with an annual fee and higher rewards, the other with no annual fees and slightly lower rewards.

Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Premier Business Credit Card

The Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Premier Business Credit Card offers a welcome bonus and up to 3X points. You can also earn 6,000 bonus points after your Cardmember anniversary.

Other benefits include earning points on employee spending and no foreign transaction fees.

There are no blackout dates when you redeem points, no seat restrictions, bags fly free®, and no change fees.

Rewards:

1x points

On all other eligible purchases

Earn 1 point per $1 spent on everyday purchases.

2x points

Hotels

Earn 2x points on Rapid Rewards® hotel partners.

2x points

Rental Cars

Earn 2x points on Rapid Rewards® car rental partners.

2x points

Transit

Earn 2x points on local transit and commuting, including rideshare services.

3x points

Southwest Purchases

Earn 3x points on Southwest Airlines® purchases.

Signup Bonus: Earn 60,000 points after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open.
Intro APR: None
Foreign Transaction Fee: $0
Annual Fee: $99

Read our Review

Approval Odds*

App Status	Date	Credit Score	Bureau	Credit Limit
Approved	11/12/2022	794	Experian	$17,000
Approved	11/12/2022	798	TransUnion	$17,000

Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Performance Business Credit Card

The Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Performance Business Credit Card offers a welcome bonus and up to 4X points. You can also earn 9,000 bonus points after your Cardmember anniversary.

Additional benefits include 4 Upgraded Boardings per year when available, inflight WiFi Credits, and Global Entry or TSA PreCheck^® Fee Credit.

Get employee cards at no additional cost and earn points on employee spending.

Rewards:

1x points

On all other eligible purchases

Earn 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases made with your card.

2x points

Select Categories

Earn 2 points per $1 spent on social media and search engine advertising.

2x points

Streaming services

Earn 2 points per $1 spent on internet, cable, and phone services, and select streaming.

2x points

Transit

Earn 2 points per $1 spent on local transit and commuting purchases, including rideshare, passenger trains, buses, taxis, tolls, and parking lots and garages.

3x points

Hotels

Earn 3 points per $1 spent on Rapid Rewards hotel partners.

3x points

Rental Cars

Earn 3 points per $1 spent on Rapid Rewards car rental partners.

4x points

Southwest Purchases

Earn 4 points per $1 spent on Southwest purchases, including flight, inflight, and Southwest gift cards.

Signup Bonus: Earn 80,000 points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
Intro APR: None
Foreign Transaction Fee: $0
Annual Fee: $199

Learn More

Approval Odds*

App Status	Date	Credit Score	Bureau	Credit Limit
Approved	11/12/2022	794	Experian	$17,000
Approved	11/12/2022	798	TransUnion	$17,000

Delta Airlines Business Credit Cards

Delta offers three business credit cards. As is standard, the cards vary in annual fee and rewards–the higher the annual fee, the better the rewards.

Delta SkyMiles® Gold Business American Express Card

The Delta SkyMiles® Gold Business American Express Card offers a welcome bonus and up to 2X miles. After you spend $10,000 in purchases on your card in a calendar year, you can earn a $100 Delta Flight Credit to use toward future travel.

Enjoy Main Cabin 1 Priority Boarding and no foreign transaction fees when you spend overseas.

Rewards:

1x miles

On all other eligible purchases

Earn 1 Mile on every eligible dollar spent on other purchases.

2x miles

All eligible purchases

Earn 2 Miles on every dollar spent on eligible purchases at U.S. shipping providers and eligible U.S. advertising purchases in select media. Effective 1/1/2024, this benefit will have a cap of $50,000 in eligible 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.

Welcome Offer: Earn 75,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $6,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Plus, earn an additional 5,000 Bonus Miles after you make an eligible Delta purchase with your new card within your first 6 months. Offer Ends 10/25/23.
Intro APR: None
Foreign Transaction Fee: None
Annual Fee: $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $99

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Approval Odds*

App Status	Date	Credit Score	Bureau	Credit Limit
Approved	05/06/2022	610	Equifax	$1,000
Approved	11/25/2021	655	Equifax	$2,500
Approved	11/25/2021	668	TransUnion	$2,500
Approved	11/25/2021	672	Experian	$2,500
Approved	06/15/2021	640	Not Provided	---
Approved	06/15/2021	660	Equifax	$1,000
Approved	06/16/2021	664	Experian	$2,000
Approved	06/16/2021	678	Equifax	$2,000
Approved	06/16/2021	691	TransUnion	$2,000
Approved	05/06/2022	604	Experian	$100
Approved	05/06/2022	616	TransUnion	$1,000

Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card

The Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card offers a welcome bonus and miles don't expire.

You can also get priority boarding and check your first bag for free.

With Status Boost, earn 10,000 Medallion(R) Qualification Miles (MQMs) after you spend $25,000 in purchases on your card in a calendar year, up to 2x per year getting you closer to Medallion Status.

Rewards:

1x miles

On all other eligible purchases

1 mile on every eligible dollar spent on other purchases

1.5x miles

All eligible purchases

Earn more miles on big purchases with 1.5 miles per dollar on single eligible purchases of $5,000 or more (that's an extra half mile per dollar), up to 50,000 additional miles per calendar year. If your purchase qualifies for a category that has a higher mileage accelerator, only the higher accelerator will apply (ex. you would earn 3X miles on purchases made directly with Delta and hotels instead of 1.5X).

3x miles

Delta Purchases

3 miles on every dollar spent on eligible purchases made directly with Delta.

3x miles

Hotels

3 miles on every eligible dollar spent on purchases made directly with hotels.

Welcome Offer: Earn 90,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $8,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Plus, earn an additional 10,000 Bonus Miles after you make an eligible Delta purchase with your new Card within your first 6 months. Offer Ends 10/25/23.
Intro APR: None
Foreign Transaction Fee: None
Annual Fee: $250

Read our Review

Approval Odds*

App Status	Date	Credit Score	Bureau	Credit Limit
Approved	10/12/2021	810	Not Provided	$10,000
Approved	06/13/2022	659	Experian	$1,700
Approved	09/07/2021	679	Equifax	$1,700

Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card

The Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card offers one of the best ways to earn bonus Delta SkyMiles. If your business is a frequent Delta flyer, this card is a must.

When you purchase a Delta flight with your Delta SkyMiles Reserve Card, you will receive complimentary access to The Centurion(R) Lounge or Escape Lounge – The Centurion(R) Studio Partner. Beginning February 1, 2025, Reserve Card Members will receive 10 Visits per year to the Delta Sky Club. To earn an unlimited number of Visits each year starting on February 1, 2025, the total eligible purchases on the Card must equal $75,000 or more between January 1, 2024, and December 31, 2024, and each calendar year thereafter.

After you spend $150,000 on your Card in a calendar year, you earn 1.5 miles per dollar (that's an extra half mile per dollar) on eligible purchases the rest of the year. If your purchase qualifies for a category that has a higher mileage accelerator, only the higher accelerator will apply (ex. You would earn 3X miles on purchases made directly with Delta instead of 1.5X).

Also, pay no foreign transaction fees when you spend overseas.

Rewards:

1x miles

On all other eligible purchases

1X miles on other purchases made using the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business Card.

1.5x miles

All eligible purchases

1.5X miles per dollar after you spend $150,000 on your Card in a calendar year.

3x miles

Delta Purchases

3X miles on every dollar spent on purchases made directly with Delta.

Welcome Offer: Earn 100,000 Bonus Miles after spending $12,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Plus, earn an additional 10,000 Bonus Miles after you make an eligible Delta purchase with your new Card within your first 6 months. Offer Ends 10/25/2023.
Intro APR: None
Foreign Transaction Fee: None
Annual Fee: $550

Learn More

Approval Odds*

App Status	Date	Credit Score	Bureau	Credit Limit
Approved	09/08/2021	750	Experian	$60,000
Approved	09/08/2021	750	TransUnion	$60,000
Approved	09/08/2021	765	Equifax	$60,000

United Airlines Business Credit Cards

United℠ Business Card

The United℠ Business Card offers United frequent flyers an excellent welcome bonus, travel credits, and up to 2 miles per $1 spent on the card.

Other benefits include no foreign transaction fees and a free first checked bag – a savings of up to $140 per roundtrip (terms apply). Also get 2 United ClubSM one-time passes per year and priority boarding privileges.

Rewards:

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.

Signup Bonus: Earn 50,000 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.
Intro APR: None
Foreign Transaction Fee: $0
Annual Fee: $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $99

Read our Review

Approval Odds*

App Status	Date	Credit Score	Bureau	Credit Limit
Approved	03/10/2021	759	Equifax	$9,600
Denied	03/23/2022	784	Experian	---

Complete List of Business Credit Cards

The Plum Card® from American Express

Rewards
0 - 1.5%

Annual Fee
$250‡

Capital One Spark Classic for Business

Rewards
1% to 5%

Annual Fee
$0

Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

Rewards
1-3x points

Annual Fee
$95

Amazon Business American Express Card

Rewards
1% - 3%

Annual Fee
No annual fee

Amazon Business Prime American Express Card

Rewards
1% to 5%

Annual Fee
No annual fee

Capital One Spark Miles for Business

Rewards
2x

Annual Fee
$0 intro for first year; $95 after that

Capital One Spark Cash Select for Excellent Credit

Rewards
1.5% - 5%

Annual Fee
$0

Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card

Rewards
1x - 3x miles

Annual Fee
$250

Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Performance Business Credit Card

Rewards
1X to 4X points

Annual Fee
$199

Delta SkyMiles® Gold Business American Express Card

Rewards
1x - 2x miles

Annual Fee
$0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $99

American Express® Business Gold Card

Rewards
1x - 4x points

Annual Fee
$295

CitiBusiness^® / AAdvantage^® Platinum Select^® Mastercard^®

Rewards
1x to 2x Miles

Annual Fee
$99, waived for first 12 months

Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Premier Business Credit Card

Rewards
1x to 3x points

Annual Fee
$99

United℠ Business Card

Rewards
1x - 2x miles

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

IHG One Rewards Premier Business Credit Card

Rewards
3x - 26x points

Annual Fee
$99

The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card

Rewards
3x to 12x points

Annual Fee
$95

Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card

Rewards
2x to 6x points

Annual Fee
$125

The Business Platinum Card® from American Express

Rewards
1x to 5x Points

Annual Fee
$695

Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card

Rewards
1X to 3X Miles

Annual Fee
$550

Ink Business Cash® Credit Card

Rewards
1%-5%

Annual Fee
$0

Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card

Rewards
1.5%

Annual Fee
$0

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

Rewards
1% to 5% cash back

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

Ink Business Premier℠ Credit Card

Rewards
2%-5%

Annual Fee
$195

World of Hyatt Business Credit Card

Rewards
1x - 9x points

Annual Fee
$199

U.S. Bank Business Triple Cash Rewards World Elite Mastercard®

Rewards
1% - 5% Cash Back

Annual Fee
$0

Capital One Spark Miles Select for Business

Rewards
1.5x

Annual Fee
$0

Capital One Venture X Business

Rewards
2x - 10x miles

Annual Fee
$395

Wells Fargo Business Elite Signature Card

Rewards
1.5% or 1x points

Annual Fee
$0 first year, and then $125

The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express

Rewards
1x - 2x

Annual Fee
No annual fee

The American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card

Rewards
1% - 2%

Annual Fee
No annual fee

Capital One Spark Cash Select for Good Credit

Rewards
1.5% to 5%

Annual Fee
$0

Revenued Business Card Visa® Commercial Card

Rewards
3%

Annual Fee
$0

Capital One Spark Cash Plus

Rewards
2% to 5%

Annual Fee
$150

Choosing the Best Card for Your Business

These are just the top business credit cards of 2023 as we see them. We’ve vetted most of the major players available right now, and these cards offer plenty of variety for different types of businesses.

When you’re looking at this – or any – list of business credit card options, it’s important to consider your business’s actual spending and expected spending for the coming year. If you don’t spend enough to justify a high annual fee, cross those cards off the list. Also, if you’re looking to finance a big-ticket purchase, check out the cards with the 0% introductory APR option.

There are several more things to consider when choosing a card:

Spending Patterns: Look at your past year’s expenses, or if you’re just starting your business, look at projected expenses. Will you spend the most on office supplies? Travel? Gas? The answer to this question will help you find the best options for your business.
Payment Patterns: Will you pay off your balance in full each month, or will you carry a balance while you build your business? If it’s the latter, focus on cards that offer 0% on purchases for a period of time.
Signup Bonuses: Most issuers offer excellent bonuses for new card members. To get the bonus, however, you must meet various spending requirements. Make sure you can meet those requirements before choosing your card.
Fees: Assess whether the rewards and benefits will make the fee worth the cost.
Interest Rates: The rates only matter if you won’t be paying off your card in full each month. If that’s the case, you’ll obviously want to consider the regular APR for each card.

Each of these cards has unique perks and benefits. The key is to ensure that those benefits line up with your current and future business spending.

Business Credit Card FAQs

When it comes to business credit cards, you might have a few questions. Here are five that we get most frequently:

Does a business credit card offer federal consumer protections?

The short answer here is no. Business credit cards aren’t protected by federal laws like the Credit CARD Act of 2009, most of the time. This means that your APR can change without notice, and there are fewer limits on fees you can be charged. Fraud protection is also not as strong with business credit cards.

With that said, credit card companies want your business, so many have individual protections written into their business credit card contracts. It’s up to you to be informed about potential fees, fraud protection, and other issues with your business card. Look closely at the fine print before you sign up for a card, as protections vary from company to company.

What’s the difference between a business charge card and a business credit card?

There are two major differences between credit cards and charge cards. Charge cards, unlike credit cards, don’t have a credit limit. However, they also have to be paid in full at the end of the month, or you’ll incur a large penalty fee. With a charge card, you have to plan spending more carefully, and keep closer track of your cash flow.

Charge cards do offer some of the same cash back and travel benefits as credit cards, though many come with annual fees.

Paying off all of your credit card balances each month is a good habit for any business owner. But the inability to carry balances over from month to month at all can be prohibitive for some. If you ever suffer a tight month and can’t pay your balance in full, you’ll already have been hit with penalty fees, even if you catch up the next month.

For many business owners, it’s better to use a credit card.

Is a business EIN required to apply for a business card?

You can use your federal EIN – employer identification number – to apply for a business credit card, but you don’t have to. Many solopreneurs never get an EIN simply because they don’t need it. If you’re on your own and use your own social security number for other aspects of your business, you can just use that when applying for a business credit card.

Even if you do have an EIN, you may not be able to use it when first applying for a business card. The credit card company can only pull your business’s credit if your business has its own credit file as an entity separate from your personal credit file. If you’re just getting started, you’ll need time to build up your business’s credit file, which is part of the point of using a business credit card.

If you have an EIN but don’t have a credit file associated with it, the credit issuer will simply pull credit based on your social security number.

Will they check my personal credit file when I apply?

The answer to the above FAQ should tell you this! The answer is yes, most of the time. This is especially true at first, when your business doesn’t have its own credit file, or doesn’t have a large enough history for a credit issuer to make a decision. Again, you can enter your EIN instead of your personal social security number. But if the business doesn’t have an adequate credit file for a decision to be made, you’ll see a hard inquiry on your personal credit file.

With that said, other business card owners have noticed that after the original inquiry, the business credit card may not be counted in your personal credit file, unless there’s a major negative to report. Once the account is up and running, most of the credit-building properties will be counted towards your business’s credit, rather than your personal credit.

With all this in mind, it’s important to take care in your business transactions, just as you would your personal interactions. Though you and your business are technically separate, there’s so much interlinking in the world of financial transactions that credit issues in either sphere can impact the other.

What’s my personal liability for the card’s balance?

Depending on the credit card issuer and the arrangement you sign, you may be 100% liable for the credit card’s balance. Most of the time, a credit card issuer will insist that you sign a personal guarantee. This is an agreement you make with your creditor to pay for your business’s debts if your company doesn’t. It’s almost like cosigning for yourself. If your business can’t keep up with the debts, you’ll have to pay them back personally – even if you are the sole owner and operator of the entire business.

Due to personal guarantees, creditors could go after your personal assets if you default on the loan. Even if your company is an S-corporation or Limited Liability Company, you could be on the hook personally for business credit card debts. Limited liability company and corporation classifications shield your personal assets from certain liability situations. But when you willingly enter into a credit card arrangement and willingly make spending choices, you’re still personally liable for the debt.

If you get to the point where your business is more established and has deep pockets and a long credit history, you may be able to get business loans and credit cards with commercial liability. Then, the creditor couldn’t pursue your personal assets in case of failure to pay. However, most small businesses don’t have this option, and especially not when they’re just beginning to apply for business credit.

Managing Business Expenses with a Credit Card

Managing business expenses with a credit card is similar to managing personal expenses using a credit card. But there are a few additional rules. Here are my personal rules for using a business credit card, which are easy to apply to any business model:

Rule 1: Pay the balance in full each month

To get the most out of your business credit card and keep your expenses in check, pay off the full balance of your business credit card each month. This means keeping careful track of your expenses and your cash flow to ensure you’re not overspending.

One potential exception to this rule is to use a 0% introductory APR deal to make a large purchase for your business. Only do this if it’s necessary, and if taking the time to save up for the one-off purchase would cost your business more in the long run. Then, budget carefully to ensure you can pay off the balance in full before your APR goes up.

Rule 2: Link the card to your accounting software

One of the key reasons I use a business credit card is to make tracking business expenses easier. Yes, you can do this by just looking over your credit card statements monthly. But you can also automate the process by simply linking your credit card to your favorite accounting software.

I link my business credit card to Quickbooks Online. It automatically downloads the transactions as they occur. My bookkeeper then categorizes the transactions at the end of the month.

Rule 3: Use the card only for business expenses

This is an essential rule: don’t ever use this credit card for personal expenses. This will only get you into trouble, especially if this turns into a habit. It’s much easier to keep your expenses separate and easy-to-track by using your business card only ever for business expenses.

Rule 4: Keep your receipts

Even if you have your credit card log, keeping your receipts is essential. The IRS says to keep business receipts for purchases and expenses for at least four years. Keep a file – both digital and hard copy – to keep your receipts organized by date. And if some of your receipts are for expenses that could potentially be questioned, like restaurant expenses, jot down a note on the receipt or in its digital file about the business occasion that led to the expense.

Basics of Business Credit Card Rewards

As you can see from our list of the best business cards above, many come with a variety of rewards. The most popular options, however, are cash back and miles rewards. You can also get purchase rewards, too, though, which give you access to gift cards and other useful items. Understanding rewards and how to use them is a key piece of choosing the best credit card for your business.

Rewards

One mistake business owners often make is choosing a business card that has a great rewards system, but they’re awarded in a way that they won’t use. So as you consider different credit card options for your business, take the time to understand how rewards are earned, and think through how you’d redeem those rewards.

We’ll discuss the most common options, and the best ways to use those rewards:

Travel Rewards: Travel rewards come in various flavors. Some travel cards let you rack up points to use for any travel-related purchase–from hotel stays to airline tickets to rental cars. Others only allow you to redeem points with certain providers. If you travel often for business and don’t mind always booking with the same airline or hotel chain, a brand-specific card might work for you. But if you’d rather get the best possible deal on flights and hotels, look for a card with more flexible redemption policies.
Purchase Rewards: Some business rewards cards offer purchase rewards options. For instance, with the Chase cards listed above, you can choose to redeem your rewards in several ways. For instance, you can purchase gift cards to various retailers, shop on Amazon.com directly with your points, or redeem rewards for special experiences. Purchase rewards can be more limited, but can be a way to buy customer and employee appreciation gifts. You can also order necessary office supplies using gift cards or Amazon.com points.
Cash Back Rewards: Cash back rewards are perhaps the easiest to use. This is my approach. Most major credit card companies will allow you to put cash back rewards directly towards your credit card balance. Most card companies will transfer cash back rewards transferred directly to your bank account.
Sign-Up Bonuses: When considering signing up for a new credit card, be sure you check out the sign-up bonuses. These bonuses give you extra spending power or even airline tickets right after you sign up for the new card. While you don’t want to choose a credit card based solely on a one-time bonus, it’s certainly something to take into consideration when choosing a credit card.

Interest Rates

You should consider a business credit card’s interest rate if you carry a balance. Should you need to carry a balance, the lower your interest rate, the better off you’ll be. When choosing a credit card for your business, here are three types of interest rates to consider:

0% Balance Transfers: Are you already trying to pay down some business debt you’ve let pile up? Look for a card with a 0% introductory interest rate on balance transfers. This is a way to save money while you pay down the debt as quickly as you can. Just be sure you don’t use a balance transfer offer to put personal debt onto your business credit card. To pay off personal debt more quickly, check out this list of 0% APR balance transfer credit cards.
0% on Purchases: Again, we don’t recommend regularly carrying a balance on your business credit card. However, if you need to make a one-time purchase of a big-ticket item, a 0% introductory APR may be the way to go. As long as you can pay down the balance before the 0% APR runs out, you can pay no interest on your large purchase. Just be sure you read the card’s fine print. Many will end the deal and hike up your interest rate if you’re even a day late on a single payment.
Regular APR: You’ll find a credit card’s regular APR in the fine print. These APRs are often listed as variable. The better your credit score, the lower your APR will be. If you don’t ever carry a balance, the regular APR won’t matter much in your budget. But it’s still important to know your APR before signing up for a credit card.

How to Apply for a Small Business Credit Card

Applying for a business credit card is similar to applying for a personal credit card, with a few differences. Here’s how to get started:

Decide whether to apply for an EIN. If you don’t already have an employer identification number (EIN), consider whether you should apply for one. It’s free to do, and is fairly simple to do online at the IRS website. If at any point you’re likely to hire employees, go ahead and apply. If you plan to keep your business to just yourself and, perhaps, your spouse, you can apply for business credit under your social security number.
Check your business credit file. If your business has been around for a while, it may already have a credit file. You can check on that here. If your business has a credit file, skip to step four. If not, take step three first.
Apply for a D-U-N-S number. This is a unique business identification number, separate from your EIN. You can actually apply for this number, and then add or change information in it on the Dun & Bradstreet site, linked above. When you first establish your business credit file, creditors will still pull your personal credit file first to check for creditworthiness.
Apply for a small business credit card. Business credit card applications are similar to personal credit card applications. You’ll just need to fill out all the requested information. Even if you provide an EIN, most creditors will ask for your social security number as part of your personal guarantee. Remember, this makes you personally liable for your business’s debts, which gives you even more reason to be cautious with your credit card spending.
Build your business’s credit. As when applying for a personal credit card, you may start off with a relatively low credit limit. You can build up your business’s credit by paying bills on time, keeping your credit card balance low, and keeping a long credit history. You can continue to visit the Dun & Bradstreet website to see your progress with your business’s credit.
Ask for a credit limit increase, eventually. If you may need to apply for a large business loan in the future, you would do well to continue building your credit by eventually asking for a credit limit increase. Remember, a large portion of your business’s credit rating comes down to debt vs. credit. The more credit you have available, the higher your rating. Once you’ve used a credit card wisely, you can ask for a credit limit increase.

Bottom Line – We Know Our Stuff

The editorial team here at allCards has more than 30 years of combined experience with credit cards. We’ve not only used them, but we’ve also studied them extensively. Yes, we’re the life of the party.

Seriously though, we examined the complete list of business credit cards here. I’ve also used a business credit card for over a decade to run my business. We regularly talk to credit card issuers about their products and future products. And we keep abreast of the latest studies and research. (Did you know that a 1993 study out of Dartmouth found that small businesses with credit cards grow more rapidly than those without? We did.)

Yeah, we’re kind of a big deal when it comes to plastic.