Many of our readers either own businesses or have side-hustles. Both situations could warrant getting a separate credit card for business expenses. In turn, such expenses are great opportunities to earn additional points and miles for travel. This post highlights some of the best business credit cards for small and medium companies.
Transferrable Points
Chase Ink Business Preferred
The Chase Ink Business Preferred is one of the best credit cards for business owners who want to earn transferrable points. It has a $95 annual fee (NOT waived the first year) and offers a sign-up bonus worth 80,000 Ultimate Rewards (UR) points. This bonus can be earned by spending $5,000 within the first three months.
The Ink Business Preferred earns 3x Ultimate Rewards (UR) points on the following categories:
- Cable & TV Services
- General Travel
- Internet Services
- Phone Services
- Shipping
- Social Media and Search Engine Advertising Purchases
There is a limit of $150,000 per year across all categories. That means you can earn up to 450,000 UR points per year if you spend within the categories.
Plus, cardholders also have access to the Chase Travel portal and Chase’s transfer partners. These are the best ways to redeem UR points.
Chase Ink Business Cash
The Chase Ink Business Cash is a great business credit card without an annual fee. It can also be a great complement to the Ink Business Preferred because they both earn UR points. The Ink Business Cash offers a sign-up bonus worth 50,000 UR points. And it can be earned by spending $3,000 within the first three months.
Moreover, the Ink Business Cash is a great earner. It earns 5x UR points at Office Supply Stores as well as for Internet, TV, and Phone Services. This card also earns 2x points at Gas Stations (including Costco) and at Restaurants. Each bonus category has a $25,000 annual spend limit.
American Express Blue Business Plus
The American Express Blue Business Plus is an excellent credit card for businesses with varied expenses. That is because it earns 2x Membership Rewards (MR) points for the first $50,000 in purchases every calendar year. Thereafter, it earns just one point per dollar on all purchases. Unfortunately, the Blue Business Plus does not offer a sign-up bonus. But it is a better long-term card because of its lucrative flat rate earning structure.
Furthermore, the Blue Business Plus is the only business credit card in which cardholders can transfer points to partners without an annual fee. This is the main benefit of the Blue Business Plus.
Co-Branded
Barclays Jet Blue Business Card
The Barclays Jet Blue Business Card is an underrated option for domestic business travelers. It has a great earning structure, offers a valuable sign-up bonus, and comes with excellent perks all for a $99 annual fee.
The Jet Blue Business Card earns 6x points on Jet Blue flights. It also earns 2x points at Office Supply Stores and Restaurants. And it earns one point for all non-bonus spend. The Jet Blue Business Card comes with a sign-up bonus worth 60,000 points. You can earn it after spending just $1,000 in the first three months. The card also comes with an anniversary bonus worth 5,000 points after you pay your annual fee.
This card also offers a 50% discount on in-flight purchases, free checked bags, and the chance to earn Mosaic Elite Status.
Chase Southwest Rapid Rewards Performance Business Card
The Southwest Performance Business Card is another great credit card for domestic business travelers. Even though it has a $199 annual fee, it comes with a great sign-up bonus, a decent earning structure, and great perks.
The Southwest Performance Business Card earns 3x Rapid Rewards points per dollar on Southwest Airlines purchases. Also, it earns 2x points on Internet, Cable, and Phone Services as well as Social Media and Search Engine Advertising. Furthermore, it also earns one point per dollar on non-bonus spend. That does not include the card’s anniversary bonus, which is worth 9,000 points. You can earn this bonus each year upon paying your annual fee.
Furthermore, the Southwest Performance Business Card comes with a sign-up bonus worth 80,000 points. You can earn it after spending just $5,000 in the first three months. Earning this bonus will have you well on your way to earning the elusive Southwest Companion Pass.
Plus, this card also offers free checked bags, free cancellation and fare changes, and in-flight WiFi credits as perks.
American Express Hilton Honors Business Card
The American Express Hilton Honors Business Card is one of the best earners of any co-branded credit card. It earns 12x HH points on Hilton hotel purchases. It also earns 6x HH points on a long list of business and travel expenses. The business expenses include Gas Stations, Shipping, and Cell Phone Services (purchased directly from a provider). The travel expenses include US Restaurants, Airfare (booked directly from airlines), and Car Rentals (booked directly with agencies).
This card has a sign-up bonus worth 125,000 HH points, which can be earned after spending $3,000 in the first three months. It also has a modest $95 annual fee (NOT waived the first year).
Plus, the Amex Hilton Business Card comes with some nice perks akin to the Hilton Surpass. These include Gold Elite Status, free breakfast, and free room upgrades (up to Executive Rooms).
American Express Marriott Bonvoy Business Card
The Amex Marriott Bonvoy Business Card is the most underrated Marriott credit card. It comes with a $125 annual fee (NOT waived the first year), a decent earning structure, and a nice sign-up bonus.
It earns 6x points on Marriott purchases as well as 4x points in some nice categories intended for businesses. These categories include US Restaurants, US Gas Stations, Shipping purchases, and Cell Phone Services (purchased directly from U.S. service providers). All other purchases earn 2x points. This structure makes the Marriott Business Card the best earner of any Marriott card by far. I wish that the mid-tier and premium personal cards had earning structures like this one.
Furthermore, the Marriott Business Card offers a sign-up bonus worth 75,000 points. This bonus can be earned by spending $3,000 within the first three months.
Non-Rewards Earning
American Express Plum Card
The American Express Plum Card is not talked about as much as its charge card brethren because it is not meant for travelers. However, that doesn’t mean it’s a poor choice for a business credit card.
The draw of the Plum Card is that it gives you flexibility in payment. You have the option to pay in full or float a balance for 60 days without accruing any interest. This is a fantastic option for businesses with lots of payables and receivables.
Furthermore, the Plum Card is the only Amex charge card that does NOT earn MR points. Instead, Amex gives you a 1.5% cash discount for paying your bill at least 10 days before your statement closing date. You must charge and pay back $16,667 per year to break even on the card’s $250 annual fee (waived the first year).
Final Draw
Business expenses are some of the best ways for business owners and entrepreneurs to earn points and miles. That’s because there are so many lucrative business credit cards such as the ones mentioned in this post. Fortunately, there are a plethora of business credit cards that can be valuable to entrepreneurs and business owners.
Larger businesses with millions of dollars in expenses and revenue every year should consider getting a corporate card. Corporate cards are special cards with benefits that are more centered towards corporations and larger businesses.
Apply Today:
- Chase Ink Business Preferred
- Chase Ink Business Cash
- American Express Blue Business Plus
- Barclays Jet Blue Business Card
- Chase Southwest Performance Business Card
- Amex Express Hilton Honors Business Card
- Amex Express Marriott Bonvoy Business Card
- American Express Plum Card
