- Unlimited spending, as long as you can afford it.
- High rewards for travel purchased through Capital One Travel.
- Annual travel credit.
AP Buyline’s content is created independently of The Associated Press newsroom. Our evaluations and opinions are not influenced by our advertising relationships, but we might earn commissions from our partners’ links in this content. Learn more about our policies and terms here.
Updated June 18, 2024
Flexibility and liquidity are important when it comes to accessing the money you need to run a small business. The right small business credit card can make a big difference. Here are some of the best small business credit cards to consider.
Best small business credit cards
- card_name: Best for travel rewards.
- card_name: Best for flat rate cash back.
- card_name: Best for earning on office supplies.
- card_name: Best for 0% intro APR.
- card_name: Best for large purchases.
- card_name: Best for luxury perks.
- card_name: Best for flexible rewards.
- card_name: Best for annual cash rewards.
- card_name: Best for less-than-perfect credit.
Our top recommendations for small businesses
card_name: Best for travel rewards
Capital One Venture X Business
Capital One Venture X Business
Credit score
credit_score_needed
Annual fees
annual_fees
Welcome bonus
bonus_miles_full
Pros:
Cons:
- Must pay off the card each month or pay a fee.
- Relatively high annual fee.
- High spending requirement to meet the best welcome bonus.
The card_name is one of the best small business credit cards for travel rewards. It comes with an annual credit that almost offsets the annual fee for the card and includes travel perks like TSA PreCheck and access to airport lounges around the world. Travel rewards are flexible and easy to redeem.
card_name: Best for flat rate cash back
The American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card
The American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card
Credit score
credit_score_needed
Annual fees
annual_fees
Bonus rewards full
bonus_miles_full Terms apply.
Pros:
- Flat cash back on all eligible purchases.
- No annual fee.
- Introductory APR on purchases.
Cons:
- Higher cash-back rate only applies to the first $50,000 in spending each year.
- Foreign transaction fee.
- No introductory rate for balance transfers.
If you’re not interested in keeping track of categories, the card_name can be a good choice, especially if you’re a relatively small business that doesn’t spend more than $50,000 in a year. You can bonus_miles for a relatively small annual spend, and there’s a intro_apr_rate,intro_apr_duration, then reg_apr,reg_apr_type APR.
card_name: Best for earning on office supplies
Ink Business Cash® Credit Card
Ink Business Cash® Credit Card
Credit score
credit_score_needed
Annual fees
annual_fees
Welcome bonus
bonus_miles_full
Why we like it
The card_name features up to 5% cash back on the first $25,000 of annual spending in popular business categories, including office supply store and eligible telecommunications service purchases. It offers 2% back on up to $25,000 in combined purchases at gas stations and restaurants and 1% everywhere else. If you also have a Chase Ultimate Rewards card, you can convert cash back into potentially more valuable rewards points.
After signing up for a new account, you can earn up to $750 in bonus cash back. You’ll get $350 after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first three months and an additional $400 after spending $6,000 in the first six months. With a package of travel and purchase benefits and no annual fee, it’s easy to see how business owners can earn significant value from this card.
Pros:
- High rate of cash back on office supplies, internet, cable and phone.
- 0% introductory APR (then reg_apr,reg_apr_type APR)
- No annual fee.
Cons:
- Higher rate of cashback earnings are capped.
- Must spend $6,000 in three months to qualify for the welcome bonus.
If you spend a lot on office supplies and have regular internet service, the card_name can help you earn a higher rate of cash back. Additionally, the card has a generous welcome bonus and a intro_apr_rate,intro_apr_duration, which is attractive for a card with no annual fee.
card_name: Best for 0% intro APR
Capital One Spark Cash Select for Good Credit
Capital One Spark Cash Select for Good Credit
Credit score
credit_score_needed
Annual fees
annual_fees
Welcome bonus
bonus_miles_full
Pros:
- Flat rate of 1.5% cash back on all purchases for your business.
- 0% introductory APR.
- No annual fee.
Cons:
- Relatively high regular APR.
- No cash back welcome bonus.
The card_name has a intro_apr_rate,intro_apr_duration with no fuss then reg_apr,reg_apr_type APR thereafter. Additionally, the flat rate of cash back comes with no spending caps. There’s no annual fee, making this card a decent choice for those who hope to ramp up their business in the coming months.
card_name: Best for large purchases
Ink Business Premier℠ Credit Card
Ink Business Premier℠ Credit Card
Credit score
credit_score_needed
Annual fees
annual_fees
Welcome bonus
bonus_miles_full
Why we like it
Ink Business Premier from Chase is a premium rewards card offering 2.5% cash back on purchases of $5,000 or more and 2% everywhere else. It can be a great choice for businesses looking for cash back on high purchase volumes. Due to the high $195 annual fee, it’s not ideal for smaller businesses with low purchase totals.
It includes cell phone protection, purchase and extended warranty protection, and auto rental coverage. You won’t find many business credit cards offering the opportunity to earn 2% to 2.5% on all purchases, making the Ink Business Preferred card a top choice for a large number of businesses.
Pros:
- High welcome bonus.
- Increased spending power when you pay off the balance each month.
- Higher cash back for large purchases.
Cons:
- Some balances must be paid off each month.
- High spend in three months to qualify for the welcome bonus.
Those who make large purchases regularly might benefit from the card_name. This small business credit card offers a higher cash back rate on large purchases and offers a higher limit for balances that are paid-off each month. If you know you’ll meet the spending requirement, the welcome bonus is one of the most generous.
card_name: Best for luxury perks
The Business Platinum Card® from American Express
The Business Platinum Card® from American Express
Pros:
- Various perks through partner programs.
- Statement credit when paying for CLEAR each year.
- Access to high-end airport lounges.
Cons:
- One of the highest annual fees for small business credit cards.
- High spend requirement for the welcome bonus.
- Some rewards are capped based on spending.
card_name is designed for high-end spending and the perks to go with them. If you travel a lot and spend a lot as part of your business, perks like the CLEAR statement credit and access to Centurion lounges can be attractive. There’s no foreign transaction fee, making this an attractive card for international travelers. Other perks include Dell Technologies, Adobe and Indeed credits.
card_name: Best for flexible rewards
American Express® Business Gold Card
American Express® Business Gold Card
Pros:
- High cash back on categories where you spend more each month.
- Relatively high welcome bonus.
- Flexible redemption options.
Cons:
- Higher rate of cashback earnings are capped.
- Must spend $10,000 in three months to qualify for the welcome bonus.
- Relatively high annual fee.
Because you earn 4X Membership Rewards® points on the 2 categories where your business spends the most each billing cycle 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. Additionally, there’s no foreign transaction fee, and the card_name comes with other benefits and perks like credits to spend at stores that offer business services and for Walmart+.
card_name: Best for annual cash rewards
Capital One Spark Cash Plus
Capital One Spark Cash Plus
Credit score
credit_score_needed
Annual fees
annual_fees
Welcome bonus
bonus_miles_full
Pros:
- Get your annual fee back as a credit.
- No cap on earning 2% cash back.
- Very high cash welcome bonus.
Cons:
- Very high spend requirements to maximize benefits.
- Pay-in-full card doesn’t allow for carrying a balance without fees.
- Spending limit can go down based on different factors.
Big spenders can benefit from this card, especially if they want a refund on their annual fee. The card_name offers a flat 2% cash back on all spending, with no caps and offers additional cash back for certain travel purchases. There’s no foreign transaction fee.
card_name: Best for less-than-perfect credit
Revenued Business Card
Revenued Business Card
Credit score
Poor
Annual fees
$0
Welcome bonus
bonus_miles_full
Pros:
- As your revenue increases, your spending limit increases.
- Uses revenue to determine eligibility, not credit score.
- No origination fees, maintenance fees, or draw fees.
Cons:
- No welcome bonus or cashback rewards.
- You must have a business bank account to get this card.
For those with poor credit or no credit history, the card_name can be a way to access working capital for your business. Decisions for this card are based on information about your business bank account and your revenue.
Best small business credit cards 2024: Comparison
| Card | Annual fees | Welcome bonus | Credit score |
|---|---|---|---|
annual_fees | bonus_miles | credit_score_needed | |
annual_fees | bonus_miles | credit_score_needed | |
annual_fees | bonus_miles | credit_score_needed | |
annual_fees | bonus_miles | credit_score_needed | |
annual_fees | bonus_miles | credit_score_needed | |
annual_fees | bonus_miles | credit_score_needed | |
annual_fees | bonus_miles | credit_score_needed | |
annual_fees | bonus_miles | credit_score_needed | |
annual_fees | bonus_miles | credit_score_needed | |
$0 | bonus_miles | Poor |
How we chose the best small business credit cards
We compared card offers based on the following criteria: Rewards rates (when applicable), welcome offers (when applicable), rewards flexibility, introductory APR offers, variable APRs, annual fees, included consumer protections, travel benefits and perks, travel insurance benefits and credit rating required.
Ultimately, we looked for credit cards that offer the most lucrative rewards structures and welcome offers, as well as flexibility within their designated rewards programs. Some cards that don't offer rewards were evaluated based on other factors, including their fee structure, introductory interest rates, and regular variable APR. In all cases benefits such as consumer protections and travel insurance perks were taken into account.
Choosing the best credit card for new businesses: Where to begin
When choosing the best small business credit card for you, consider various factors, including:
- Required credit score.
- Whether the card issuer reports to a business credit agency or a personal agency (or both).
- Available credit and whether it’s enough for your needs.
- Whether you’re required to pay off the balance each month or if you can carry a balance.
- Rewards categories and whether they make sense for your business spending.
- Whether the annual fee is reasonable for the perks you use.
What is a business credit score?
A business credit score is a measure of how your company handles its obligations. It usually runs from 1 to 100 and uses your EIN instead of your Social Security number to identify you. Business credit information is reported to agencies like Experian Business, Equifax Small Business and Dun & Bradstreet.
It’s important to note that not all small business credit cards base decisions on your business credit score. Instead, you might need to provide personal information and some of your business card activity might be reported to consumer credit reporting agencies as well as business reporting agencies.
Pros:
- Keep your business spending separate from your personal spending.
- Potential to earn rewards for purchases that benefit your business.
- Some cards might report to a business credit reporting agency, helping you qualify for bigger business loans later.
Cons:
- Some business cards can affect your personal credit score.
- Some small business cards use personal information and personal credit to make decisions.
- Not all small business credit cards allow you to carry a balance.
How to get small business credit cards
You can apply for small business credit cards at the websites of issuers. When applying, look for issuers that perform a soft credit pull to see if you prequalify before you move forward. Make sure you understand whether the issuer will report to a business agency so you know whether your credit card will help you build business credit in the future.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
What Is considered a Small Business?
Generally, a small business is one that has less than 1,500 employees and makes less than $41 million in revenue each year.
Can you get a business credit card without a personal guarantee?
In some cases you can get a business credit card without a personal guarantee, but you generally need to have established a business credit score ahead of time. Some issuers will allow you a card based on your revenue, without a personal guarantee.
Can I use my EIN number to get a credit card?
Some issues will let you use your EIN to get a credit card, while others require you to provide a Social Security number as well as EIN to apply.
Is it easier to get business credit with LLC?
In some cases an LLC can make it easier to get business credit, but you might still need to provide a founder’s guarantee to qualify for a business loan or credit card.
What is a good credit score for an LLC?
The highest business credit score is 100. The closer your LLC is to achieving a 100 business credit score, the better you’ll be seen as a credit risk.
Do business credit cards appear on my personal credit report?
Some small business credit card issuers report your activity to personal credit reporting agencies, so they might appear on your personal credit report.
What’s the difference between personal and business credit cards?
Personal credit cards are designed for personal expenditures and are generally reported to consumer reporting agencies. Business credit cards, on the other hand, are meant to be used for business expenses. They might be reported to both consumer agencies and business credit reporting agencies.
For rates and fees of the card_name, please visit URL.
For rates and fees of the card_name, please visit URL.
For rates and fees of the card_name, please visit URL.
AP Buyline has partnered with CardRatings for our coverage of credit card products. AP Buyline and CardRatings may receive a commission from card issuers.
AP Buyline’s content is created independently of The Associated Press newsroom. Our evaluations and opinions are not influenced by our advertising relationships, but we might earn commissions from our partners’ links in this content. Learn more about our policies and terms here.