Best Small Business Credit Cards Offers (Up to $1000 in Rewards)

How to Select a Business Credit Card

While some experts tout premier travel credit cards as the best business credit cards and others swear by hotel cards, the only way to know which credit card is best for your business is by analyzing your business spending. Does most of your spending go towards office supplies or transportation? Are you willing to pay an annual fee in exchange for a sign-up bonus and good benefits? Or do you prefer a no-fee card with solid perks?

There is no one option, but there is a card that’s right for your business. The best way to decide which business card is right is to determine which benefits will provide your small business with the most value.

Basics of Applying For Business Credit Cards With Rewards

Now that you were able to compare the best business credit cards, there are a few things to consider when applying. First, you will need to gather information about yourself and your business. Aside from the basics like name and company size, everything from tax ID information to your business expenses and revenue should be on hand.

You will also need to provide your personal information. Oftentimes, credit card companies will check your personal credit history in order to determine how you handle your own finances. Looking up your credit score beforehand can help you calculate the likelihood of getting accepted.

With the pertinent information ready, you can determine which one to apply for. Some questions to consider when narrowing down the best small business credit card offers include:

• What does the annual fee look like? Will it pay itself off? Note that they often do. For instance, the Starwood Preferred Guest has a $95 annual fee but also has lounge access and the ability to earn free hotel nights.
• Are there foreign transaction fees? If you do a lot of international traveling, this question is obviously of high importance when determining the best business credit cards for travel. You don’t want to pay every time you swipe your card for lunch or when needing transportation. Note that a foreign transaction fee can also apply when making purchases from foreign retailers.
• What are the terms and conditions? Is the APR something that I need to consider more closely? A card with an introductory 0% APR rate can be a great way to build up your business credit score – as long as you can pay everything within the specified amount of time. Credit cards have an APR. Knowing your business rewards credit card’s APR by reading the fine print will help you better manage your expenses.
• Will any of these cards help an area of my business that is struggling? For instance, if the east coast branch of my business is struggling and my goal is to make more appearances to help build morale and support the managers, the ability to earn points for travel makes the most sense. You can travel coast to coast for work and earn rewards for it.

When you’ve decided which of the small business credit cards with rewards is most beneficial to your business, apply. Once you’re approved, use your card responsibly. You’re on your way to progress and growth for your business.

As mentioned above, keeping personal and business expenses separate is key. Plus, there are many benefits of business credit cards. Let’s explore the benefits of business credit cards.

Better Manageability

For starters, business credit cards keep your finances organized. If you keep business and personal transactions separate, you’ll know exactly what went where. You won’t have to sift through non-descript receipts or statements as you try to determine which purchases were used for business and which were personal. This will be especially useful come tax season.

Additionally, many cards come with access to management software that can be found in the account. You can see what your employees have spent, set limits on accounts, and even close or freeze accounts if needed. You can also easily upload the required documents to accounting or bookkeeping software.

Legal Protections

Should something happen to the business that involves legal action, you could lose your limited liability protection (LLC) and put your personal property and funds in jeopardy. Using separate accounts and keeping the business separate from your personal accounts is overall a good idea.

Access To Funds

Having a small business credit card gives you more financial freedom as they often have higher credit limits. For instance, if you need to purchase equipment or repairs are needed for existing machinery, you can do so. If you’re a startup that needs funds for advertising, a business credit card can help get the ball rolling.

Alternatively, if a client hasn’t come through with payment and you have bills due, your business credit card can save you from unnecessary late fees. You can charge the bills to your card and pay it off once your client pays you.

Furthermore, if claiming a major expense for the current tax year would be more beneficial to you, you can charge it to your card while giving yourself time to pay it off. This may be especially pertinent if your business sees more traffic during certain times of the year.

Build Business Credit Score

Having a designated business credit card that you use to build your credit will come in handy when you look towards growth and business expansion. Using about 20% of your credit is a good ratio to keep your account in good standing when building credit. Lenders will feel more confident and may give you better rates and terms because you have a solid record.

You can jump back to the best small business credit cards of 2019 here:

• Best Overall Business Card ($800 or $1,000 in travel bonus): Chase Ink Business Preferred
• Best No Annual Fee & Cash Back Business Credit Card: Ink Unlimited
• Best Premium Business Travel Card: American Express
• Best Category Bonuses ($500 Bonus): Chase Ink Cash
• Cashback Business Credit Card: Capital One Spark
• Best Card for Hotel Rewards: Amex Hilton Business Credit Card

Best Business Credit Card For Travel Rewards

If you travel frequently for work and want a credit card that will maximize your business travel, the Chase Ink Business Preferred℠ Credit Card is a must-have. It offers one of the highest bonuses out of any business credit card on the market. You’ll earn 80,000 bonus points after spending $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months after opening the card.

When redeemed through the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal, your 80,000 sign-up points equate to $1,000. Ultimately, you’ll have even more points to redeem because of the $5,000 required spend in the first 3 months. Additionally, you can choose from bonus-earning categories based on your business spending patterns. Categories include travel, shipping, internet, cable, phone, and advertising on social media and search engines.

With the option to redeem your rewards for cash back, gift cards, and travel, the Chase Ink Business Preferred℠ is a terrific business credit card for travel rewards.

Best Business Hotel Credit Card

With the recent merger between Starwood and Marriott, there are many new changes to take note of, especially the new business card. Now known as the Marriott Premier Plus Business Credit Card*, business cardholders can expect an annual free night certificate, faster internet, and priority late checkout, all at the same annual fee of $99.

The Marriott Premier Plus Business Card has bonus categories where you can increase your earnings to redeem benefits sooner. For example, you’ll receive 6X the points at Marriott hotels for each $1 spent (including former Starwood and Ritz-Carlton brands); 4X at gas stations, restaurants, on shipping, internet, and cable and phone services for each $1 spent; and 2X on all other purchases for each $1 on all other purchases.

Upon opening of the card, you’ll also be given automatic Silver Elite status in the Marriott Rewards program. Benefits include a 10% bonus on points earned from Marriott stays and priority late checkout (based on availability).

Best Business Credit Card for Airport Lounge Access

If you’re looking for a business credit card that offers access to the most lounges around the world, there is no better partner than American Express. The Business Platinum® Card gives you access to The American Express Global Lounge Collection, so you can travel as comfortably as possible. You can earn up to 75,000 Membership Rewards® points as a welcome bonus.

You will earn 50,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $10,000 within your first 3 months of membership, and an extra 25,000 points after you spend an additional $10,000 all on qualifying purchases. Member benefits include 5X Membership Rewards® points on flights and prepaid hotels on amextravel.com, 35% points back on all First and Business class flights, and, of course, premier lounge access.

Best Business Credit Card for Startups

For new business owners, a business credit card offering a cash back incentive is the best way to propel your business forward. The Discover it® Business Card matches the cash back you earn in the first year of opening the card. This is a huge incentive for any new business.

Aside from this first-year benefit, you stand to receive 1.5% cash back on all purchases with no caps or limits, no foreign transaction fees, 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for the first 12 months, and an APR of 14.74% to 22.74% after the first year. There is no limit on the amount earned that Discover will match you for, effectively making this a 3% cash-back card on all purchases for the first year of ownership.

When it comes to day-to-day benefits, you can gain peace-of-mind knowing your first late fee will be waived on your first late payment. There is a $0 fraud liability and free employee credit cards as your new startup grows into a thriving business.

Best Small Business Credit Card for Fair Credit

If you’re a small business owner with fair credit, the Business Gold Rewards® Credit Card from American Express is an advantageous rewards credit card. There is no annual fee for the first year of opening the card, and you can add as many employee cards to your Business Gold Rewards® account as you’d like.

As a small business owner, you know that client trips and dinners add up. This is why the welcome bonus of 50,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $5,000 in qualifying purchases within your first 3 months of becoming a Business Gold Rewards® member is a huge advantage. You can put those points towards flights, hotel stays, or gift cards.

You can also choose from one of five categories where you will earn three points per dollar for everyday spending. The biggest benefit, however, is the Pay Over Time® feature. This benefit gives you the additional time you need to pay off your balance. Essentially, you can accrue interest on your balance and pay it down until it becomes manageable enough to pay off in full.

Best Easy Approval Business Credit Card

When it comes to a business credit card that is not only easy to gain approval for but one that will help build your credit score, the Office Depot® Business Credit Account is worth considering. If you spend more than $500 a year at Office Depot for business needs, this card could provide all of the advantages you need with none of the hassles. You will receive a $50 statement on your card after spending $150 or more on your first purchase within the first 60 days of opening the card.

There is no annual fee and no minimum spend requirement, which is perfect for those in need of developing a better credit history. Just be sure to pay off your bill each month. You can benefit from $2 cash back for recycling any of your used printer cartridges through Office Depot, 5% back in rewards on business item necessities, and access to as many additional employee cards as your growing business requires.

Best Business Credit Cards for Balance Transfers

As a small business owner, you’ve likely experienced the desire for some flexibility in paying off your credit card balance. With the Business Gold Rewards® Credit Card from American Express, you can. To make spending easier on business owners, the Pay Over Time® feature allows you to accrue interest on your balance and then pay it down over time.

Once the balance becomes manageable enough, you are expected to pay it off in full. This benefit can be a huge advantage when you need to make a large business purchase and want the flexibility to pay it off in a later-verses-now scenario.

Best Chase Business Credit Card

For personal Chase credit cards and business credit cards, Chase is a highly regarded name—and for good reason. With high introductory offers and lucrative benefits, Chase creates credit cards that benefit consumers and businesses alike. Even within Chase, it can be difficult to choose a credit card, with so many offering serious advantages.

However, one of the best Chase business credit cards has to be the Chase Ink Business Cash℠ Credit Card. In addition to a $0 annual fee, you will receive a sign-up offer of a $500 statement bonus after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months after account opening. But the perks don’t stop there. Chase offers many other benefits to take your business further.

For example, you can receive a 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for the first 12 months, 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, and 1% cash back on all other purchases. Furthermore, you can redeem rewards for cash back, gift cards, travel, and more through Chase Ultimate Rewards®.

The Chase Ink Preferred does have an annual fee, but it also comes with an 80,000 point sign-up bonus and more benefits.

What is a Good Credit Rating for a Business?

As cardholders, we know that paying on time consistently helps build a healthy credit score. The same is true of business credit. Maintaining a good business credit translates into strong vendor relationships, lower interest rates, and better access to necessary financial support as your business grows.

According to Dun & Bradstreet PAYDEX, good credit ranges from 80-100. This means your business payments are on time or early. If your credit score ranges between 50-79, you are in fair standing. Anything below 49 is considered bad credit.

Business Credit Cards Vs Consumer Credit Cards

If you are starting a small business, you may be enticed to use your personal credit card to earn rewards, airline, or travel miles. While this has its advantages in the beginning, you will soon learn it’s best to keep your personal credit card separate from your business credit card, especially if you have employees.

A business credit card may be better for you if your business expenses align with business credit card reward categories like travel, gas, and dining. It’s also beneficial to go with a business credit card because you will receive a higher credit limit, making it easier to swing those investment purchases every business comes across.

Ultimately, you want your business to earn a good credit score so you can apply for a lower interest rate and create strong relationships with vendors. To this end, a business credit card far outweighs a consumer credit card.

Business Credit Cards vs. Business Charge Cards

While it’s always best to weigh the pros and cons of different types of cards, when it comes to business credit cards and business charge cards, business credit cards are far superior. While charge cards provide the freedom to spend more for your business, you must pay it off entirely every month, or else you will be penalized and your account could be subject to suspension. This is a huge burden on small business owners, and not a risk worth taking.

How to Maximize Business Credit Card Rewards

When it comes to maximizing business rewards, you should look through your statements to see which category you spend the most in. A lot of business credit cards offer at least triple the points per dollar in certain spend categories. Capitalizing on this can help you reap bigger benefits when it comes to redeeming rewards.

If you travel for work or are looking to take clients out at no additional cost to your business, you can put earned points towards flights, hotel stays, dining, or gift cards.

Other Small Business Credit Card Benefits

Free employee credit cards

Many business credit cards allow you to add additional employee credit cards at no cost. What’s great about this feature is that you can create a custom spending limit for each employee. Each employee’s spending will accrue points that you can redeem through the rewards portal.

With some cards, you will also receive itemized reports for each employee card to aid with bookkeeping. You can link transactions directly to QuickBooks, Quicken, and Excel.

Bonus Categories

Most business credit cards offer bonus spending categories where certain purchases will earn you more points per dollar. Typically, you can choose from one of five categories where you will potentially earn triple the points per dollar. In the categories you don’t choose, you will still receive 1-2 points per dollar and one point per dollar for all other purchases.

Summary on Best Business Credit Cards for Travel

The best small business credit cards make it easy to earn bonus points on the purchases you make most. These same business credit cards also make each point extremely valuable and easy to redeem for award travel or cash statement credits. By choosing one of these business rewards credit cards, you will be confident that you will use the best card for any business purchase you make.

You can review the best small business credit cards of 2019 here:

• Best Overall Business Card ($800 or $1,000 in travel bonus): Chase Ink Business Preferred
• Best No Annual Fee & Cash Back Business Credit Card: Ink Unlimited
• Best Premium Business Travel Card: American Express
• Best Category Bonuses ($500 Bonus): Chase Ink Cash
• Cashback Business Credit Card: Capital One Spark
• Best Card for Hotel Rewards: Amex Hilton Business Credit Card