The Best Small Business Credit Cards
Business credit cards increase your company’s spending power and boost your bottom line with generous rewards. Here are eight cards every small business owner should consider.
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Credit cards are an essential tool in every business’s financial toolbox. For small businesses, in particular, the right cards grant access to much-needed cash for important business purchases — helping the business grow more quickly and efficiently.
It’s even better, though, when those cards offer generous rewards so you can lower your costs and boost your business’s bottom line without relying on your own personal credit cards to do it. To that end, we’ve highlighted eight business credit cards that can help you take your business further in 2023.
Comparing The 8 Small Business Credit Cards
Card | Best for | Annual fee | APR | Rewards rate | Rewards bonus |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express | Overall | $0 | 18.24%–26.24%, variable | 2X points on first $50,000, 1X after | 15,000 points |
U.S. Bank Business Leverage® Visa Signature® Card™ | Varied business expenses | $95 after first year | 20.99% – 25.99%, variable | 1% to 5% by category | $750 |
United Club℠ Business card | Airline rewards | $450 | 21.49%–28.49%, variable | 1.5X to 2X miles by category | 75,000 miles |
World of Hyatt Business Credit Card | Hotel rewards | $199 | 20.74%–27.74%, variable | 1X to 9X points by category | 60,000 points |
Brex 30 Card | No personal guarantee | $0 | N/A | 1X to 7X points by category | 50,000 points |
Ink Business Cash® Credit Card | Rewards with no annual fee | $0 | 17.99%–23.99%, variable | 1% to 5% by category | $750 |
Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card | High credit limit | $95 | 20.74%–25.74%, variable | 1X to 3X points by category | 100,000 points |
Wells Fargo Business Elite Signature Card | Low APR | $125 (after first year) | 11.99%, variable | 1% to 1.5% | $1,000 |
The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express
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The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express offers excellent spending power and reward-earning potential for small businesses. With 2 points per dollar on your first $50,000 in business purchases, you’ll rack up points quickly with no annual fee.
Pros:
- High 2X rewards rate on your first $50,000 in spending
- No annual fee
- Option to spend beyond your credit limit
Cons:
- Foreign transaction fee
- Low rewards rate after you spend $50,000
- Low sign-up bonus
Additional Details
- 15,000 Membership Rewards points when you spend $3,000 on eligible purchases in the first three months
- After you spend $50,000, you’ll still earn 1 point per dollar on all purchases
- Access Expanded Buying Power to spend beyond your credit limit
U.S. Bank Business Leverage® Visa Signature® Card
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If you want to maximize bonus rewards without worrying about spending in the right categories, this business credit card from U.S. Bank is a great choice. Automatically earn 2% cash back in your top two spending categories each month without doing anything, and enjoy a generous sign-up bonus if you spend $7,500 in the first 120 days.
Pros:
- Earn the most where you spend the most, without
- signing up for special categories
- No foreign transaction fee
- No reward caps
Cons:
- Low rewards rate outside your top spending categories
- $95 annual fee after first year
- No intro APR
Additional Details
- $750 in rewards when you spend $7,500 in the first 120 days
- 2% cash back on your top two spending categories each month, without any action from you
- 5% cash back on hotels and car rentals booked through the Rewards Center
- 1% cash back on all other purchases
- Use U.S. Bank ExtendPay™ Plan to pay for some purchases over time with no interest
United Club℠ Business Card
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This card is designed for United flyers, but you’ll also earn solid rewards on everyday spending. Its 1.5X-mile rewards on all purchases are stronger than many other business cards, and you’ll also earn 2X miles on United flights. The free United Club membership makes the annual fee well worth it.
Pros:
- Generous 75,000 sign-up bonus
- United Club membership more than offsets annual fee
- Solid 1.5X everyday rewards rate
Cons:
- High annual fee
- No additional bonus categories outside United
- No intro APR
Additional Details
- 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $5,000 in the first three months
- Unlimited 2X miles on United, 1.5X miles on all other purchases
- Luxury travel benefits include Premier Access
- Free employee cards
World of Hyatt Business Credit Card
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With the World of Hyatt Business Credit Card, you can boost your status with Hyatt Hotels and earn substantial rewards for your travels. The card also offers decent rewards on your top spending categories outside of Hyatt hotels.
Pros:
- 9X points on Hyatt spending
- Automatic World of Hyatt Discoverist status for you and
- five employees
- 60,000 bonus-point sign-up offer
Cons:
- Annual fee
- Limited rewards for basic spending outside bonus categories
- No intro APR
Additional Details
- 60,000 bonus points when you spend $5,000 in the first three months
- 9X points for all Hyatt hotel spending
- Earn 2X points for your top three spending categories each quarter (drops to top two as of 1/1/24)
- 2X points on fitness clubs and gym memberships
- 1X points on all other spending
- Earn $50 two times per year when you spend $50 at Hyatt properties
- Earn five credits toward status and Milestone rewards for every $10,000 you spend each calendar year
Brex 30 Card
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When launching your own business, you may want to protect your personal credit as much as possible. The Brex 30 card helps you do that. With no credit check, personal guarantee requirements or interest charges, this card allows you to build your business credit history risk-free.
Pros:
- No personal guarantee leaves your personal credit protected
- 10–20X higher limits than traditional business cards
- No account fees or interest charges
Cons:
- Can’t carry a balance
- Must spend $9,000 in first 30 days to earn sign-up bonus
- Requires a linked bank balance of at least $50,000
Additional Details
- 50,000 bonus points when you spend $9,000 in the first 30 days
- 7X points on rideshare services, 2X points on recurring software fees
- Automatically pay your balance every month, avoiding interest and building your business credit
- Unlimited virtual cards with custom limits for your employees
Ink Business Cash® Credit Card
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Ink Business Cash® lives up to its name by making it easy to earn cash back fast. With a generous welcome bonus and key bonus categories for boosting rewards on business spending, you can quickly earn points to redeem for cash, gift cards and more on Chase Ultimate Rewards.
Pros:
- Generous $750 welcome bonus
- 0% intro purchase APR for 12 months
- No annual fee
Cons:
- Spending cap on bonus categories
- Low rewards potential outside of select categories
- High fees for cash advances and balance transfers
Additional Details
- $750 bonus cash back when you spend $6,000 in first three months
- 5% cash back on first $25,000 in combined purchases for internet, cable and phone services and office supply stores each account anniversary
- 2% cash back on first $25,000 in combined purchases at restaurants and gas stations each account anniversary
- 1% cash back on all other purchases
- Use Chase Ultimate Rewards to redeem rewards for cash, travel, gift cards and more
Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card
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This credit card takes the benefits of the Ink Business Cash® card to the next level, offering more cash back in high-value business spending categories such as travel, shipping and social media advertising. The 100,000-point sign-up bonus is nearly unmatched, especially if you redeem through Chase.
Pros:
- Best-in-class sign-up bonus
- Small annual fee compared to reward potential
- No foreign transactions
Cons:
- High cash advance fee
- High balance transfer fee
- Must spend $15,000 in the first three months to earn bonus
Additional Details
- 100,000 bonus good for up to $1,250 cash back through Chase Ultimate Rewards
- 3X points on first $150,000 in shipping purchases, travel, internet, cable and phone services, and social media and search engine advertising each account anniversary
- 1X points on all other purchases
- New purchases covered for 120 days against theft or damage (up to $10,000 per claim and $50,000 per account)
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What credit score is needed for a business credit card?
Business credit cards usually have more strict credit requirements than personal cards. You’ll typically need a FICO score of at least 670. In many cases, you’ll want a score of 700 or higher for the best rates.
How do business credit cards vary from personal cards?
Since businesses typically have larger expense requirements and lean on credit cards more frequently, business cards usually have higher credit limits and larger reward-earning potential. They also tend to have more stringent qualification requirements.
Is my personal credit score important for business credit card approval?
As a business owner, most business credit cards rely on your personal credit score because you’ll sign a personal guarantee. In other words, you’re ultimately liable for the credit card balance, even though your business is paying for it. However, some cards don’t require a personal guarantee and won’t check your credit score.
Why does a company’s credit score matter?
A business credit score does the same thing for your business as your personal score does for you — it shows lenders whether you’re a responsible, low-risk borrower. It may take your business time to build its own credit score, but doing so will help you access better credit limits, rates and terms. It will also help you access credit without risking your personal credit profile.
What is the easiest business credit card to get?
Of the cards we’ve reviewed here, the Brex 30 card is the easiest card to get. It doesn’t require a credit check or personal guarantee. As long as you link an account with $50,000, your business should be able to qualify.