Best Small Business Credit Card: Choosing the best small business credit card isn’t just about perks and rewards—it’s about helping your business grow. A solid credit card gives you breathing room on cash flow, rewards your spending, and builds your business credit profile. Whether you’re a freelancer, startup founder, or seasoned small business owner, the right card can streamline your finances and even save you money. Plus, it makes tracking expenses so much easier when tax time rolls around.
Think of a business credit card as a financial multitool. It can help with inventory purchases, travel expenses, online advertising, and even emergency costs. And when used responsibly, it helps build your company’s credit, which can lead to larger lines of credit or better loan rates in the future.
Let’s explore the must-have features, the top-performing cards, and how to pick the perfect one for your needs.
Key Features to Look for in a Small Business Credit Card
Rewards Programs
One of the biggest draws of small business credit cards is their rewards. Some offer points, others cash back, and a few even give miles for travel. Choose a card that rewards your most frequent purchases. If you’re running Facebook ads all day or constantly filling up your gas tank for deliveries, those are your money-making categories. Why not earn rewards while you’re at it?
Popular categories often include:
- Office supplies
- Advertising purchases (Google, Facebook, etc.)
- Internet, cable, and phone services
- Gas and travel
Look for cards that offer tiered rewards or let you customize your earning categories.
Introductory Offers
Many business credit cards come with juicy welcome bonuses or 0% APR offers. That bonus might be $500 cash back after spending $3,000 in the first three months, or even 100,000 points toward travel. These offers can be incredibly valuable—especially if you have a big purchase coming up.
Also, a 0% intro APR can help manage your cash flow. It gives you time to pay off large purchases without racking up interest, which is perfect for startups or growing businesses.
Annual Fees
Some cards charge annual fees (anywhere from $95 to $595), but the benefits often justify the cost—if you use them right. Other cards offer no annual fee with solid rewards, making them ideal for more budget-conscious business owners.
Ask yourself: “Will the benefits outweigh the fee?” If yes, it might be worth it. If not, stick to no-fee options.
Expense Management Tools
Good business credit cards come with tools that make it easier to manage finances. Think downloadable reports, integration with QuickBooks, or detailed breakdowns of employee spending. These tools can save you hours and headaches during tax season.
Credit Reporting and Building Business Credit
A crucial reason to get a business credit card is to build your company’s credit history. Some cards report to business credit bureaus like Dun & Bradstreet, Experian Business, and Equifax Business. This helps you establish credit under your business name—not just your personal one.
Top Small Business Credit Cards
American Express Blue Business® Plus
- Best for: Everyday spending with no annual fee
- Rewards: 2X Membership Rewards® points on the first $50,000 in purchases per year
- Highlights: Flexible credit limit that adapts to your needs; great for businesses with steady monthly expenses
If you’re looking for simplicity with strong rewards, this card nails it. It’s especially helpful for businesses that don’t want to track specific categories.
Chase Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card
- Best for: Big welcome bonus and travel rewards
- Rewards: 3X points on travel, shipping, internet, cable, and phone services, and advertising purchases (up to $150,000 per year)
- Highlights: 100,000-point bonus after spending $8,000 in the first 3 months
Perfect for businesses with large upfront expenses or those who travel frequently. The points go far when redeemed through Chase Ultimate Rewards.
Capital One Spark Cash Plus
- Best for: Unlimited cash back
- Rewards: 2% cash back on all purchases
- Highlights: No preset spending limit; annual fee of $150 (waived with enough spending)
Great for high-spending businesses that want simple, consistent cash back without tracking categories.
Bank of America® Business Advantage Customized Cash Rewards Mastercard®
- Best for: Customizable cash back
- Rewards: 3% cash back in a category of your choice, 2% at restaurants, 1% on all other purchases
- Highlights: No annual fee; rewards boost for Preferred Rewards members
This is a solid pick for businesses that want to choose where they earn the most—like online advertising, gas, or office supplies.
How to Choose the Best Credit Card for Your Business
Evaluate Your Business Spending Habits
When choosing a credit card, start by taking a hard look at how your business spends money. Do you spend more on online ads, travel, gas, or office supplies? The best card for you is the one that rewards you the most for those categories.
For example, if you’re a digital marketing agency spending thousands a month on Facebook and Google Ads, a card like the Chase Ink Business Preferred® would pay off big with its bonus categories. On the other hand, if you’re a local delivery service with high fuel costs, a card that offers top-tier rewards on gas, like the Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards, is a smarter move.
Also, pay attention to how often you travel for business. If you’re hopping on planes or booking hotel rooms regularly, travel rewards or premium travel benefits (like lounge access or travel insurance) can add up to serious value.
Consider Employee Cards
Most small business credit cards let you issue employee cards at no additional cost. That’s a huge benefit when you want to streamline purchasing and track spending.
Set spending limits on each employee card and monitor their transactions in real-time. This ensures control and keeps you from unexpected surprises at the end of the month. It also means you can rack up rewards even faster, as all employee purchases funnel into the same points or cashback account.
If you have a team making purchases—salespeople, remote staff, or even part-time workers—employee cards are a no-brainer.
Look at Redemption Flexibility
Not all rewards are created equal. Some cards lock you into specific redemption platforms, while others offer flexible options.
Ask yourself:
- Can you redeem points for cash, travel, or gift cards?
- Are there transfer partners for airlines or hotels?
- Are rewards easy to track and redeem?
For example, American Express cards let you transfer points to travel partners like Delta or Marriott. Chase’s Ultimate Rewards program is similarly powerful, offering flexible redemptions and top-tier transfer partners. On the flip side, cashback cards like Capital One Spark Cash Plus keep it simple—your rewards turn into real money on your statement.
Tips to Maximize Small Business Credit Card Benefits
Use for Recurring Expenses
If your business has regular bills—think software subscriptions, internet, phone services, or even utility bills—make sure those are all on your credit card. It’s an easy way to collect rewards passively without changing your behavior.
Recurring charges also help establish a pattern of usage, which can improve your business credit score. Just be sure you have enough cash flow to cover the bill when the statement comes in.
Set up auto-pay where you can to avoid missed payments and to maintain that healthy credit profile.
Pay in Full Monthly
This tip is golden: Always pay your balance in full each month.
Carrying a balance on a business credit card can lead to steep interest charges—often over 20% APR. Those fees can wipe out any rewards you’ve earned. Plus, keeping a high balance can hurt your credit utilization rate, which affects your credit score.
If cash flow’s tight, consider using a card with a 0% intro APR offer to buy some time—but make a plan to pay it off before the interest kicks in.
The real advantage of a credit card comes from the perks, not the debt. Use it as a financial tool, not a crutch.
Leverage Signup Bonuses
Signup bonuses can offer a major boost, but timing is key.
If you know you’re about to make a large purchase—new equipment, inventory restock, or even launching a big marketing campaign—apply for a card with a strong welcome offer. Hitting that minimum spend can be easy when the expenses are already planned.
Let’s say a card offers $750 back if you spend $6,000 in the first three months. If you were going to spend that money anyway, that’s essentially free cash for your business.
Stack that with ongoing rewards and you’re making every dollar work harder for you.
FAQs about the Best Small Business Credit Card
1. What features should I look for in a small business credit card?
When choosing a credit card for your small business, consider key features such as low interest rates, reward programs (like cash back or travel points), expense management tools, and no foreign transaction fees. These features can help manage business expenses effectively and save money in the long run.
2. Are there benefits to using a credit card specifically designed for small businesses?
Absolutely! Small business credit cards often come with benefits tailored to the needs of business owners, such as higher credit limits, business-oriented rewards, and opportunities to build business credit. Plus, they can provide detailed expense reports which are handy during tax season.
3. How does a small business credit card impact my personal credit score?
Typically, small business credit cards do affect your personal credit score, especially if the card requires a personal guarantee. Ensure timely payments as these are usually reported to consumer credit bureaus along with business credit bureaus.
4. Can I get a small business credit card with bad personal credit?
It’s challenging but not impossible. Some issuers offer secured business credit cards, where you make a security deposit that serves as your credit line. This can be a viable option to build both your personal and business credit scores.
5. What is the best way to use a small business credit card to improve my business credit?
To boost your business credit, use the card responsibly by keeping balances low and making payments on time. Consistent, responsible use helps build your business’s credit profile, making it easier to secure larger loans and better terms in the future.
Conclusion
Choosing the best small business credit card isn’t about picking the flashiest option—it’s about choosing the one that fits your business like a glove. From rewards and bonuses to cash flow management and employee spending, a business credit card can seriously level up your operations.
The key? Understand your business spending, use the card responsibly, and maximize the features that bring the most value. Whether you want cash back, travel perks, or robust expense tracking, there’s a perfect match waiting.
Just like a good tool in your toolkit, the right credit card makes running your business smoother, smarter, and a whole lot more rewarding.
