5 Category King Business Credit Cards - Earn 5% Cash Back or More

Business owners that already have a daily driver card might be looking to add a card that offers enhanced rewards. Daily driver credit cards allow you to earn at least 2% cash back or 2x rewards on all purchases.

You could add a card that pays 3% or more in three or more categories (we call this a triple play card). Or, if you already have one of those, you could consider a category king card. These are credit cards that pay 5% or more in one or two categories. A three-card strategy is perfect for maximizing your credit card rewards.

Our Favorite Category King Business Credit Cards

The business credit cards below earn high rewards on at least one category. Consider adding one or more of these cards to your wallet if they match your business spending.

Amazon Business Prime American Express Card

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Our Rating: 4.0

★★★★☆

Amazon Business Prime American Express Card

Welcome Offer (Terms Apply)

Eligible Prime Members get a $125 Amazon Gift Card

Est. Value

$125

Annual Fee

No annual fee

APR

18.74% – 26.74% Variable

Credit Req’d

Excellent, Good

Rewards: Earn 5% Back or 90 Day Terms on U.S. purchases at Amazon.com, Amazon Business, AWS and Whole Foods Market with an eligible Prime membership. You will earn 5% Back on the first $120,000 in purchases each calendar year, 1% back thereafter. Earn 2% cash back at U.S. restaurants, U.S. gas stations, and wireless telephone service providers purchased directly from U.S. service providers. 1% cash back on other purchases. Terms Apply.

The Amazon Business Prime American Express Card is for business owners who often make business purchases on Amazon and are already Amazon Prime members. There’s no annual fee, but you do need to have an Amazon Prime membership. For businesses that order a lot of supplies on Amazon, this card is a no-brainer.

1% cash back

On all other eligible purchases

1% Back on other purchases.

2% cash back

Cell phone service

2% Back on wireless telephone services purchased directly from U.S. service providers.

2% cash back

Dining

2% Back at U.S. restaurants.

2% cash back

Gas

2% Back at U.S. gas stations.

5% cash back

Select Categories

5% Back or 90 Day Terms on U.S. purchases at Amazon.com, Amazon Business, AWS and Whole Foods Market with an eligible Prime membership. You will earn 5% Back on the first $120,000 in purchases each calendar year, 1% Back thereafter.

Pros

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

Cons

Requires good credit

App Status	Date	Credit Score	Bureau	Credit Limit
Approved	01/22/2024	817	Experian	$10,000
Approved	07/24/2023	725	Equifax	$22,000
Approved	07/24/2023	727	Experian	$22,000
Approved	07/24/2023	731	TransUnion	$22,000
Approved	05/28/2023	726	Equifax	$3,000
Approved	05/28/2023	800	Experian	$3,000
Approved	05/28/2023	806	TransUnion	$3,000
Approved	04/04/2024	710	Not Provided	$3,500
Approved	05/26/2023	670	Equifax	$3,000
Approved	05/26/2023	702	Experian	$3,000
Approved	05/26/2023	709	TransUnion	$3,000
Approved	02/13/2023	717	Experian	$3,000
Approved	11/30/2023	774	Experian	$3,000
Approved	11/30/2023	806	Equifax	$3,000
Approved	11/30/2023	814	TransUnion	$3,000

The Business Platinum Card® from American Express

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Our Rating: 4.5

★★★★★☆

The Business Platinum Card® from American Express

Welcome Offer (Terms Apply)

Earn 150,000 Membership Rewards® points

Est. Value

Up to $3,000

Annual Fee

$695

APR

18.74% – 27.74% Variable

Credit Req’d

Excellent, Good

Rewards: Earn 5x Membership Rewards® points on flights and prepaid hotels booked on AmexTravel.com. 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. Earn 1x points on other eligible purchases. Terms Apply.

The Business Platinum Card® from American Express is for frequent business travelers, especially for those who value a good airport lounge and other premium travel benefits. In addition, the card comes with credits such as a $400 Dell credit, a $360 Indeed credit, a $150 Adobe credit, a $120 wireless service credit, a $199 CLEAR^® Plus credit, and a $200 airline fee credit. If you use all, or at least most, of these credits, the card practically pays for itself. Terms Apply.

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

App Status	Date	Credit Score	Bureau	Credit Limit
Approved	02/11/2023	720	Not Provided	---
Approved	08/29/2023	767	Experian	---
Approved	08/03/2023	690	Not Provided	$50,000
Approved	03/24/2023	788	Not Provided	$2,000
Denied	12/11/2023	753	Experian	---

Capital One Venture X Business

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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. The miles you earn on travel can quickly add up to free flights or free hotel stays. There are also no foreign transaction fees. Cardholders will also enjoy the $300 travel credit and the 10,000 anniversary miles per year. If you use both of those benefits each year, it makes the annual fee worth paying for.

While this card is an excellent category king card for travel, it can also be a daily driver since you can earn 2x miles on every purchase. So if you travel frequently and only want to carry one credit card, this is a great choice.

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

App Status	Date	Credit Score	Bureau	Credit Limit
Approved	07/01/2023	752	Not Provided	---
Approved	01/11/2024	780	Not Provided	---
Approved	11/09/2023	768	Equifax	---
Approved	11/09/2023	783	TransUnion	---
Approved	11/09/2023	814	Experian	---
Denied	12/31/2023	741	TransUnion	---
Denied	12/31/2023	775	Equifax	---

Ink Business Cash® Credit Card

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Our Rating: 4.8

★★★★★☆

Ink Business Cash® Credit Card

Welcome Offer

Earn $350 when you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first three months and an additional $400

Est. Value

Up to $750

Annual Fee

APR

17.74% – 25.74% Variable

Credit Req’d

Excellent, Good

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

The Ink Business Cash® Credit Card is perfect for small businesses that don’t spend more than $25,000 on office supply stores, internet and/or phone services. The card has a great welcome offer and if you happen to have a Chase Business Checking account as well, you get a 10% bonus of all the eligible cash back you earned the first year. Employee cards are available at no additional cost.

1% cash back

On all other eligible purchases

Earn 1% cash back on all other 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

Pros

Welcome offer
No annual fee
Up to 5% cash back
Earns Chase Ultimate Rewards points

Cons

Foreign transaction fee
Requires good credit

App Status	Date	Credit Score	Bureau	Credit Limit
Approved	12/13/2023	781	Experian	$3,000
Approved	12/13/2023	805	TransUnion	$3,000
Approved	12/13/2023	811	Equifax	$3,000
Approved	01/03/2023	753	Experian	---
Approved	07/04/2023	755	Experian	$3,500
Approved	07/04/2023	791	Equifax	$3,500
Approved	07/04/2023	815	TransUnion	$3,500
Approved	01/06/2023	757	TransUnion	$5,000
Approved	01/06/2023	763	Equifax	$5,000
Approved	01/06/2023	764	Experian	$5,000
Approved	01/12/2024	810	TransUnion	$4,000
Denied	08/10/2023	763	Experian	---

American Express® Business Gold Card

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Our Rating: 4.5

★★★★★☆

American Express® Business Gold Card

Welcome Offer (Terms Apply)

Earn 100,000 Membership Rewards® points

Est. Value

Up to $2,000

Annual Fee

$375

APR

18.74% – 27.74% Variable

Credit Req’d

Excellent, Good

Rewards: Earn 4x Membership Rewards® points on the top two eligible categories where your business spends the most each month from 6 eligible categories on the first $150,000 in combined purchases from these categories each calendar year (then 1X thereafter). Earn 3x Membership Rewards® points on flights and prepaid hotels booked on amextravel.com using your Business Gold Card. Earn 1x points on other eligible purchases. Terms Apply.

The American Express® Business Gold Card offers elevated rewards on your top two spend categories up to $150,000 in combined purchases from these categories in a calendar year. The six categories are: Purchases at U.S. media providers for advertising in select media (online, TV, radio); U.S. purchases made from electronic goods retailers and software & cloud system providers; U.S. purchases at restaurants, including takeout and delivery; U.S. purchases at gas stations; Transit purchases including trains, taxicabs, rideshare services, ferries, tolls, parking, buses, and subways; Monthly wireless telephone service charges made directly from a wireless telephone service provider in the U.S.

The card also comes with credits such as a $240 flexible business credit (up to $20 in statement credits monthly after you use the Business Gold Card for eligible U.S. purchases at FedEx, Grubhub, and Office Supply Stores. Enrollment required.) You can also get a $155 Walmart+ subscription credit (Receive a statement credit for one monthly Walmart+ membership (subject to auto-renewal) after you pay for Walmart+ each month with your Business Gold Card. Another benefit is cell phone protection (Coverage is provided by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company). Terms Apply.

1x points

On all other eligible purchases

1X is earned for other eligible purchases.

3x points

Airfare

Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked on amextravel.com using your Business Gold Card.

3x points

Hotels

Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotels booked on amextravel.com using your Business Gold Card.

4x points

Select Categories

Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points on the top two eligible categories where your business spends the most each month from 6 eligible categories. While your top 2 categories may change, 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 each billing cycle will count towards the $150,000 cap.

Pros

Welcome offer
No foreign transaction fee
Up to 4X Points

Cons

Annual fee
Requires good credit

App Status	Date	Credit Score	Bureau	Credit Limit
Approved	02/01/2024	760	Not Provided	---
Approved	07/15/2023	709	Equifax	---
Approved	07/15/2023	715	Equifax	---
Approved	07/15/2023	719	TransUnion	---
Approved	07/15/2023	724	Experian	---
Approved	07/15/2023	726	TransUnion	---
Approved	01/10/2024	797	Experian	---
Approved	10/13/2023	682	Equifax	---
Approved	10/13/2023	721	Experian	---
Approved	10/13/2023	732	TransUnion	---
Approved	06/06/2023	780	Not Provided	---
Approved	01/22/2024	725	Experian	---

More Category King Business Credit Cards

Card Name	Rewards	Annual Fee
Ink Business Premier® Credit Card	Unlimited 5% total cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel^SM Earn 2.5% total cash back on purchases of $5,000 or more and unlimited 2% cash back on all other business purchases.	$195
The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card	Earn 12x directly with hotels and resorts in the Hilton portfolio. 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.	$195
JetBlue Business Card	Earn 6x points on eligible JetBlue purchases. Earn 2x points at restaurants and office supply stores and 1x points on all other purchases.	$99
Wyndham Rewards Earner® Business Card	Earn 8x points on eligible purchases made at Hotels by Wyndham and 8x points on gas. Earn 5x points on marketing, advertising, and utility purchases. Earn 1x points on all other eligible purchases (excluding Wyndham Timeshare resort down payments).	$95
Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card	Earn 6x Marriott Bonvoy points on each dollar of eligible purchases at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy® program. Earn 4x points for purchases made a restaurants worldwide, at U.S. gas stations, on U.S. purchases for shipping, and on wireless telephone services purchased directly from U.S. service providers. Earn 2x points on all other eligible purchases.	$125
IHG One Rewards Premier Business Credit Card	Earn up to 26 total points per $1 spent when you stay at IHG Hotels and Resorts. Earn 5x points on purchases at restaurants, gas stations, on travel, and select advertising. Earn 3x points on all other purchases.	$99
World of Hyatt Business Credit Card	Up to 9 points total per $1 spent at Hyatt – 4 Bonus Points per $1 on qualified purchases at Hyatt hotels & up to 5 Base Points per $1 from Hyatt as a World of Hyatt member. Earn 2 Bonus Points per $1 spent in your top three spend categories each quarter. Earn 2 Bonus Points per $1 spent on fitness club and gym memberships and 1 Bonus Point per $1 spent on all other purchases.	$199

Summary

Business category king cards may only offer elevated rewards on one of two categories, but the rewards in those categories are certainly worth your while. Added to a daily driver card, you’ll be able to maximize rewards in the categories you spend the most money on.