Business credit cards for new small businesses

All information about the Capital One Spark Classic for Business has been collected independently by CreditCards.com and has not been reviewed by the issuer.

Comparing the best business credit cards of 2022

Editor’s picks: A closer look at our top-rated business credit cards

Best for cash back on office supplies: Ink Business Cash® Credit Card

• Best Features: The Ink Business Cash card can help small-business owners save money on their everyday spending. The first $25,000 you spend every anniversary year will earn you the following: 5% cash back in combined purchases made in select business categories (office supply stores, as well as variable internet, cable and phone services) and 2% cash back in combined purchases made at gas stations and restaurants. All other purchases earn an unlimited 1% cash back.
• Biggest drawbacks: Potential cardholders may be put off by the 2,000 point minimum for redemptions, as well as the $25,000 cap on bonus category purchases.
• Alternatives: If your high-spending categories tend to lean toward travel purchases, you could get more value out of the Capital One Spark Miles for Business. It earns 5X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel and 2X miles on every other purchase.
• Bottom line: This no-annual-fee business credit card is a great option for owners who spend heavily within the bonus cash back categories. If those categories are outside your spending profile, consider a flat-rate cash back business card, like the Chase Ink Business Unlimited.

Related: Chase Ink Business Cash vs. Ink Business Unlimited

Read our Ink Business Cash® Credit Card review or jump back to this card’s offer details.

Best for boosted rewards: Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card

• Best Features: Not only will you earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on every business purchase, but you can also transfer your rewards to a qualifying Chase Ultimate Rewards card and boost their value by 25% when you redeem for travel. The no annual fee and generous sign-up bonus ($900 bonus cash back after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening) are also enticing.
• Biggest drawbacks: Points are only worth one cent unless you transfer them to a premium Ultimate Rewards card, plus you need a minimum of 2,000 points for redemptions.
• Alternatives: With The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express, you can earn 2X points per dollar on every purchase, up to $50,000 per year (1 point per dollar thereafter).
• Bottom line: This Ink Business Unlimited card is ideal for small-business owners looking for a straightforward rewards card without complicated rotating bonus categories and spending caps.

Related: Is the Ink Business Unlimited worth it?

Read our Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card review or jump back to this card’s offer details.

Best for flat-rate cash back: Capital One Spark Cash Plus

• Best Features: Cardholders will earn an unlimited 2% cash back on all qualifying purchases, with no need to track spending or enroll in bonus categories, plus earn unlimited 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel. Additionally, there’s a welcome bonus of up to a $1,000 cash bonus; $500 once you spend $5,000 in the first three months, and $500 once you spend $50,000 in the first six months of account opening.
• Biggest drawbacks: Because this is a charge card, you have to pay off your balance in full each billing cycle. It also carries no ongoing APR or 0% introductory APR offers, making it less useful for those who need to free up cash flow or chip away at business expenses over time. It also comes with a $150 annual fee and high thresholds for annual and sign-up bonus spending for earnings which could make this card too costly for some business owners.
• Alternatives: If you tend to carry a balance over each month, the American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card has a variable APR rate for purchases (16.99% to 24.99%). Depending on your creditworthiness, this could be a good choice for a low-interest business credit card.
• Bottom line: Business owners looking for a straightforward way to earn cash back on their everyday purchases will get a lot of value from the Spark Cash Plus, particularly heavy spenders due to its flexible spending limits and annual bonus.

Read our Capital One Spark Plus review or jump back to this card’s offer details.

Best for large purchases: Ink Business Premier℠ Credit Card

• Best features: An impressive and unlimited flat rate of 2% along with the chance to earn 2.5% on every purchase over $5,000 makes this a top pick for small-business owners with larger budgets that don’t want to worry about spending caps or having to track bonus categories.
• Biggest drawbacks: The annual fee puts the card out of reach for small-business owners who can’t quickly offset the $195 annual fee and continue raking in cash back rewards. Plus, the benefits are limited compared to other business cards that offer statement credits, intro APR offers on purchases or let you transfer your points to travel partners for a potentially higher redemption value.
• Alternatives: The Capital One Spark Cash Plus offers unlimited 2% cash back at a slightly lower annual fee. But if you’re looking for a business card that lets you transfer your rewards to airline or hotel loyalty programs, The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express could be a better fit despite the spending cap on the card’s generous flat rate.
• Bottom line: The Business Premier card is a great fit for high-spending small-business owners who want to earn flat-rate rewards without worrying about spending caps. But if travel makes up a big part of your expenses, other cards could prove more rewarding.

Jump back to this card’s offer details.

Best for low interest with excellent credit: Capital on Tap Business Credit Card

• Best features: The low end of the variable APR rate (9.99% to 34.99%) is impressive for a credit card, especially one with no annual fee. Depending on your creditworthiness and eligibility, you may be able to use this as a low-interest business credit card.
• Biggest drawbacks: While the card carries an impressive low-end APR, it also carries one of the highest high-end APRs offered on a business credit card. Plus, Capital on Tap calls this, “The credit card built for small businesses.” But it currently doesn’t accept applications from sole proprietors who make up the majority of small businesses.
• Alternatives: The Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card is a flat-rate business credit card that is available to the majority of small-business owners, including sole proprietors. It offers an unlimited 1.5% cash back on all purchases and comes with a more modest variable APR rate (16.24% to 22.24%). Plus, you’ll have an easier time qualifying for the sign-up bonus which earns $900 bonus cash back after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.
• Bottom line: For a lot of small-business owners, the Capital on Tap card may not offer much value.

Read our Capital on Tap Business Credit Card review or jump back to this card’s offer details.

Best for flexible bonus categories: Bank of America® Business Advantage Customized Cash Rewards Mastercard® credit card

• Best Features: There’s plenty to like about this versatile business card, including its lucrative rewards rate on bonus categories and dining. The low end of the variable APR rate (15.24% to 25.24% variable) will also be a plus for those who qualify as well as the no annual fee.
• Biggest drawbacks: This card requires excellent credit and lacks many of the perks and management tools offered by similar business cards. And while there’s a lot of potential value here, not everyone will be able to keep track of rotating categories.
• Alternatives: The Ink Business Cash® Credit Card has a higher sign-up bonus and allows cardholders to earn higher rewards rates in multiple business-related categories.
• Bottom line: If your business requires a lot of time spent on the road or long power lunches with clients, you can get a lot of value out of the Business Advantage Customized Cash Rewards Mastercard®.

Read our Bank of America® Business Advantage Customized Cash Rewards Mastercard® credit card review or jump back to this card’s offer details.

Best for flat-rate unlimited boosted rewards: Bank of America® Business Advantage Unlimited Cash Rewards Mastercard® credit card

• Best Features: This card offers an unlimited 1.5% cash back on all purchases and charges no annual fee. But the real value goes to Preferred Rewards for Business clients at Bank of America or Merrill who can get up to a 75% boost in rewards. That means cardholders could enjoy an unlimited flat rate of up to 2.62% cash back on all qualifying purchases.
• Biggest drawbacks: Big spenders who are not existing Bank of America or Merrill Preferred Rewards clients may be better served by a card with a higher rewards rate on business-specific bonus categories.
• Alternatives: The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express is a no-annual-fee business credit card that earns 2X points per dollar on all purchases for the first $50,000 spent each year and 1X points after.
• Bottom line: Those who qualify for Preferred Rewards for Business have an opportunity to earn an impressive amount of rewards with the Business Advantage Unlimited Cash Rewards Mastercard®.

Read our Bank of America® Business Advantage Unlimited Cash Rewards Mastercard® credit card or jump back to this card’s offer details.

Best for rewards: Capital One Spark Miles for Business

• Best Features: Cardholders will earn an unlimited 2% cash back on all qualifying purchases, with no need to track spending or enroll in bonus categories, plus earn unlimited 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel. Additionally, there’s a welcome offer of up to a $1,000 cash bonus; $500 once you spend $5,000 in the first three months, and $500 if you spend $50,000 in the first six months of account opening.
• Biggest drawbacks: If you make a late payment you could get hit with a 32.40% variable penalty APR. Travelers should note that the list of partner airlines is limited, with only one domestic carrier among them.
• Alternatives: The Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card is a strong choice thanks to its versatile rewards program that includes high bonus rewards in travel and other select business categories.
• Bottom line: Consider the Capital One Spark Miles for Business if you’re looking for a flexible travel business rewards card – and you spend enough to justify the $95 annual fee (waived the first year).

Read our Capital One Spark Miles for Business review or jump back to this card’s offer details.

Best for long intro APR period on purchases: The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express

• Best Features: American Express has a number of credit card solutions for a small business. The Blue Business Plus card offers a 0% introductory APR on new purchases for 12 months from the date of account opening (then 16.99% to 24.99%, variable). Plus, you can earn 15,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $3,000 in eligible purchases on the card within your first three months of card membership.
• Biggest drawbacks: The redemption options with this card are limited since you’ll get the best value redeeming for travel. Frequent international business travelers should also note the 2.7% foreign transaction fee (see rates and fees).
• Alternatives: The American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card comes with a 2% cash back rate on all purchases up to $50,000 per year (1% cash back after) and lets you redeem for a statement credit or cash back without losing any value.
• Bottom line: The Blue Business Plus credit card is another solid option for business owners looking for a no-annual-fee card or flexible financing options.

Read The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express review or jump back to this card’s offer details.

Best for luxury travel perks: The Business Platinum Card® from American Express

• Best Features: The Business Platinum Card® from American Express is one of the best business credit cards for travel. Cardmembers get a generous welcome offer of 120,000 points if you spend $15,000 on eligible purchases in first three months, an airline fee credit of up to $200 every year with one qualifying airline (enrollment required), airport lounge access, no foreign transaction fees (see rates and fees) and up to a $100 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck.
• Biggest drawbacks: The annual fee is super high at $695 (not waived the first year), as is the spending requirement associated with the current welcome offer. Prospective cardholders should consider whether they spend enough and travel enough to justify those costs.
• Alternatives: If you’re not a frequent business traveler eager to turn points and miles into travel rewards booked through American Express Travel, the Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card has redemption options that may be a better fit for you.
• Bottom line: With the Business Platinum Card from American Express, big business spenders who frequently travel for work can reap first-class benefits, including free airport lounge access, seat upgrades and a 24-hour concierge service.

Related: Who should and shouldn’t get the Business Platinum Card from Amex

Read The Business Platinum Card® from American Express review or jump back to this card’s offer details.

Best for no expiration on points: American Express® Business Gold Card

• Best Features: Large businesses will get a lot of value out of this card – especially if they spend big in two of Amex’s six high-earning bonus categories. The Amex Business Gold card automatically awards 4X points on the two select bonus categories you spend the most on each billing cycle. This applies to the first $150,000 in combined purchases each calendar year (1X after that). All other spending earns 1X.
• Biggest drawbacks: The annual fee is a steep $295. You won’t get as much value from the Amex Business Gold card if your biggest spending falls outside the following six categories: 1. airfare purchased directly from airlines; 2. U.S. purchases at gas stations; 3. U.S. shipping; 4. U.S. restaurants; 5. U.S computer software, hardware and cloud solutions from select technology providers; 6. U.S. online, radio, and TV advertising. And unless you plan to transfer points to airlines, you may be underwhelmed by the redemption options.
• Alternatives: The Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card also offers increased rewards in bonus categories but comes with a lower annual fee and bigger sign-up bonus.
• Bottom line: The American Express Business Gold Card comes with plenty of benefits to business owners who currently spend enough to take advantage of its lucrative welcome offer and net a return on the $295 annual fee (not waived the first year).

Related: How I use my Amex Business Gold

Read our American Express® Business Gold Card review or jump back to this card’s offer details.

Best for no annual fee: American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card

• Best Features: A cash back rate of 2% (on up to $50,000 per calendar year, then 1%) isn’t uncommon among business credit cards, but it is special when paired with no annual fee. This no-frills card also offers a 0% introductory APR on new purchases for the first 12 months of membership (16.99% to 24.99% variable thereafter).
• Biggest drawbacks: The 2% cash back rate caps at $50,000 in purchases per calendar year (then 1%).
• Alternatives: If your business makes a lot of office-related purchases, the Ink Business Cash® Credit Card offers a higher rewards rate in that category.
• Bottom line: One of the best credit cards on the market, the American Express Blue Business Cash card is a standout option for new business credit card owners whose current expenses might not justify a card with an annual fee.

Related: American Express Blue Business® Plus vs. Blue Business Cash™

Read our American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card review or jump back to this card’s offer details.

Best for sign-up bonus: Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

• Best Features: With the Ink Business Preferred, you’ll earn 3X points on the first $150,000 in combined purchases made on travel and in select business categories each account anniversary year. The card also touts a hefty sign-up bonus of 100,000 points after a $15,000 spend within the first three months, which are worth $1,250 toward future travel when you book through Chase Ultimate Rewards.
• Biggest drawbacks: This isn’t the best credit card for business owners who want to do a balance transfer or finance a large purchase since it doesn’t offer a 0% introductory APR.
• Alternatives: The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express comes with a lengthy introductory APR on purchases and earns 2X points per dollar on the first $50,000 spent on purchases each year, 1x points per dollar thereafter.
• Bottom line: Big business spenders might want to take advantage of the Ink Business Preferred’s top-of-the-line sign-up bonus and rewards program.

Related: 5 reasons to get the Chase Ink Preferred

Read our Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card review or jump back to this card’s offer details.

Best for hotel and flight redemption: Delta SkyMiles® Gold Business American Express Card

• Best Features: Frequent Delta fliers can quickly rack up miles thanks to a number of perks, including a competitive base rewards program and lucrative welcome offer. Cardholders can use miles for airfare, car rentals, hotels, merchandise and more. The miles don’t expire and there are no blackout dates.
• Biggest drawbacks: When redeeming miles, watch out for steep fuel surcharges.
• Alternatives: The flexibility and high rewards earning potential that comes with the American Express® Business Gold Card may be a better fit for travelers who don’t want to be tied to one airline.
• Bottom line: Delta loyalists will enjoy these card perks. But non-Delta fliers might want to look into flat-rate travel rewards credit cards.

Read our Delta SkyMiles® Gold Business American Express Card review or jump back to this card’s offer details.

Best for Hilton loyalists: The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card

• Best Features: The welcome offer is generous at 130,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 in purchases in the first three months of card membership.  Plus you can earn a Free Night Reward after you spend $10,000 in purchases on the Hilton Honors Business Card in the first six months of card membership (limited time offer ends 12/21/22). This can add up to some free hotel nights if you are strategic in your Hilton Honors redemptions.
• Biggest drawbacks: There’s not much value in other redemption options beyond Hilton hotel stays.
• Alternatives: The Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card and the versatile Chase Ultimate Rewards program may be a better fit for travelers who are not loyal to one hotel brand.
• Bottom line: Business owners who travel a lot or frequent Hilton hotels will generally find themselves well-served by this credit card.

Read The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card review or jump back to this card’s offer details.

Best for budgeting and expense tracking: Divvy Business Card

• Best Features: If you can pay your bill weekly, you’ll earn 7X points at restaurants, 5X points on hotels, 2X points on recurring software subscriptions, and 1.5X points on all other purchases. Business owners will also appreciate how easy it is to manage expenses. Using the Divvy platform, you can track transactions as they happen, create budgets, submit expense reports and even reimburse employees.
• Biggest drawbacks: Redemption rates are highest when redeemed for travel (one cent per point). This will disappoint anyone looking for cash back (worth up to 0.52 cents per point), statement credit (worth up to 0.49 cents per point) or gift cards (worth up to 0.51 cents per point).
• Alternatives: A more versatile card like the American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card may provide better rewards value if you can’t pay your bill weekly.
• Bottom line: Small-business owners who want a credit card with easy-to-use budgeting and expense-management tools will want to take a look at what Divvy offers. But if your business expenses go beyond restaurants and hotels, or you want to redeem your rewards for cash back or statement credit, you’ll get a lot more value with another business credit card – especially one that comes with a generous sign-up bonus.

Jump back to this card’s offer details.

Best for startups: Brex 30 Card

• Best Features: CreditCards.com referrals get 50,000 bonus points after spending $9,000 within the first 30 days. In addition to the targeted bonus rewards categories, cardholders have access to built-in expense management, automatic receipt-matching, and instant virtual cards for their team. The card also integrates with QuickBooks, Xero, NetSuite, Concur and Expensify.
• Biggest drawbacks: The Brex 30 Card is a charge card, meaning you’re required to pay your bill in full every 30 days. And to be approved, you need to link a bank account containing at least $50,000 if professionally invested or $100,000 if not.
• Alternatives: If your startup tends to spend more in categories that fall outside of the Brex 30’s bonus rewards categories, the Capital One Spark Plus is a flat-rate credit card that offers up an unlimited 2% cash back on all of your purchases.
• Bottom line: Startup founders with a big bank account but limited credit history will find some value with the Brex 30 Card.

Read our Brex 30 Card review or jump back to this card’s offer details.

What are business credit cards?

A business credit card is a revolving line of credit used by small-business owners to make purchases or withdraw cash. Similar to personal cards, business credit cards carry interest charges if not paid in full each month.

You’ll need to operate some type of business in order to qualify for a business credit card, but it doesn’t have to be a formal business. Here’s what you need to know about business credit cards:

Who can apply for a small-business credit card?

Small-business credit cards aren’t just for formal business structures like a limited liability company (LLC), corporation or partnership. They can be used by anyone trying to make a profit by selling goods or services. This includes sole proprietors, such as freelancers, independent contractors and gig-economy workers.

How do business credit cards work?

A business credit card helps small-business owners keep track of their credit card spending. It allows a business to free up its cash flow while purchasing necessities via credit.

The best business credit cards are also designed to include special features that specifically benefit businesses, such as organized expense tracking tools and spending controls, along with discounts on internet and other services needed to run a business. For the business traveler, these cards offer a slew of high-end perks from airport lounge access to upgrades. In terms of accounting, it’s advantageous to have these expenses under one business credit card account.

What you should know about business credit cards

• Small-business credit cards can impact your personal credit. Most small-business credit cards will assess a business owner’s personal credit history before approving you for a new card. Some will also report your business activity to personal credit bureaus. This could have a negative impact if you make late payments on your business credit card or run up too much debt and have a high credit utilization ratio.
• Small-business credit cards have fewer consumer protections. The protections that apply to consumer cards, like those that prevent excessive fees and interest rate hikes, do not apply to business credit cards. However, business credit cards will often offer similar protections as a courtesy.
• Small-business credit cards have business-related features and benefits. The credit limits are usually higher on business credit cards than on personal credit cards. Plus, rewards and benefits are usually designed to meet the needs of small businesses. You can find discounts and rewards for office supplies, business-related travel, shipping and other common business expenses.
• Expect to sign a personal guarantee when applying for a small-business credit card. Nearly all business credit cards require you to sign a personal guarantee before you’re approved. A personal guarantee states that the cardholder agrees to be personally liable for the debt. This means you agree to pay back any debt even if your business fails.

Types of business credit cards

From secured to high-limit business credit cards, there are plenty of options to choose from. To determine the ideal business credit card for you, you’ll need to compare credit cards to see which one provides the most value to you and your business. Here’s a breakdown of different types of cards and how they might fit your financial needs and business objectives:

Pros and cons of business credit cards

Pros

• They can help build business credit: Using a business credit card responsibly can increase your business credit score, which looks better to vendors and can secure you the best interest rates on business loans.
• Tax benefits: Keeping business expenses separate from personal ones makes tax records simpler to unravel and provides peace of mind during tax season.
• Lucrative rewards: Businesses can benefit greatly from the rewards earned on spending, particularly on cards that offer high-value rewards rates.

Cons

• Potentially high interest rates: Business cards generally have higher fees and interest rates than personal credit cards.
• Can affect personal credit score: You may be personally liable for any unpaid debt on the cards, which can affect your personal credit score.
• Potential for misuse by employees: Larger organizations with multiple users listed on the account may have difficulty tracking down who made what purchase and verifying the business legitimacy of that purchase.

Who should get a business credit card?

Business credit cards aren’t for everyone. Before shopping among credit cards for your business, determine whether you should get one in the first place. Here’s who should and shouldn’t get a business card:

Who should get a business credit card

• The small-business owner. Having a card dedicated to your business is essential for tracking and managing your business expenses. Business credit cards may also have benefits that appeal to small-business owners, like free employee cards and expense tracking tools.
• The rewards collector. The right business credit card can rack up rewards and boost your bottom line even with occasional use. Plus, any points or miles you accumulate can bring you one step closer to covering business travel expenses.
• The employer. Most business cards allow the cardholder to order a card for an employee (or several). This means as the primary cardholder you can track, monitor and oversee the employee spending for each of the cards.

Who should skip a business credit card

• The debt accumulator. Your business should be focused on accumulating profits rather than debt, especially when you’re first starting out. If you find yourself prone to spending more than you can afford or missing payments, you may want to avoid the risk.
• The personal spender. To avoid a headache during tax season, personal spending is one of the expenses you should never charge on your business card. If you plan on intertwining the two, you may encounter issues with liability and challenges come tax time.
• The credit-challenged. If you are concerned about the potential impact to your own credit score and the personal liability you may face for unpaid balances, then it may not be worth the risk.

How to choose a business credit card

Once you’ve determined you should get a business credit card, the next task is to choose the best business credit card that meets your needs. Here are some things to consider when choosing a business card:

In what categories do you spend the most?

Business credit card rewards cover a variety of business-related purchase categories like office supplies, travel, dining and software subscriptions. If you and your business spend heavily in any of these categories, then there’s most likely a business card that will suit your needs. For example, if you travel for business often, then a card like the Amex Business Platinum or the Capital One Spark Cash Plus will kick back plenty of rewards. But if you spend across a variety of categories, then a flat-rate card like the Ink Business Unlimited or Capital On Tap Business cards will still give you plenty of cash back for your business purchases. Just make sure you pick a business card that matches your spending so you can experience the full benefits.

How much do you plan to spend monthly or yearly?

Some business credit cards have spending limits for their rewards. The Amex Blue Business Cash card earns its elevated 2% back, but only on the first $50,000 each calendar year, so spending more than $50,000 will drop the rate down to 1%. If your business spends less than that spending cap, then you could earn 2% all year. However, businesses that spend more each year or month might need cards with unlimited rewards or spending caps near $150,000 a year.

Do you need employee cards?

Business owners with employees may need employee cards. Employee cards allow employees to spend on the business account, bypassing the need for expense reports and reimbursements. Some card issuers charge for or limit employee cards, while other issuers offer unlimited virtual cards with custom limits for employees. If it’s important for your business to allow employees to spend with the business account, opt for a card offering low-cost or free employee cards.

Can you afford the annual fee?

While some business credit cards cause sticker shock from the amount of the annual fee, the benefits and perks may allow the cardholder to easily recoup the cost. It’s important to consider how your business will use the card, such as for travel or equipment purchases, and find a card where the rewards most align with your business’ spending values and ultimately offset the cost of the card.

Many business cards offer generous sign-up or welcome bonus offers, more than making up for the annual fee (if taken advantage of). For example, if you need a business card for travel, The Business Platinum Card® from American Express does have a $695 annual fee, but it includes a 120,000 welcome offer in Membership Rewards® points (when you spend $15,000 on eligible purchases in the first three months), plus 5x rewards points on flights and prepaid hotels when booked through the Amex travel portal.

How to get a small-business credit card

Before you submit your application, make sure you’ve gone through these steps that will help maximize your odds of approval and secure the best card for your business.

• Check your credit score. Most business credit cards require good or excellent credit. If your credit needs some work, it’s a good idea to improve your credit score before applying. If you’ve already established business credit through a loan or other credit line, you should also check your business credit score as well, since issuers may also look at that.
• Compare business credit cards. The right business credit card for you will be based on your business needs. Some features to consider are: rewards type, interest rates, fees and your business’s spending habits. It’s also a good idea to make sure the business credit card reports your progress to business credit-reporting agencies like Dun & Bradstreet. This will help you to grow your business credit.
• Find out if you prequalify with our CardMatch tool. Using a soft inquiry that won’t affect your credit score, CardMatch can show you which credit cards you’re likely to be approved for in under 60 seconds. Plus, you may also get access to special offers, like a boosted welcome bonus.
• Gather information for your application. Those with less formal business structures can use their personal information, such as address and phone number. But you’ll still need to provide some business information, such as your legal name and type of business, annual business revenue, number of employees and years in business.
• Complete your application. Once you’ve decided on a credit card, apply online with any major issuer. To complete your application, you’ll need to provide either your employer identification number (EIN) or social security number. Other important information, such as the legal name of the business, the number of employees on payroll and annual revenue, will need to be provided to complete the application.

Learn more about how to get a business credit card.

How to make the most out of a small-business card

• Secure a sign-up bonus. Business credit cards frequently tout sign-up bonuses worth $500 or more. Sign-up bonuses reward you for spending a certain amount with your card in a set time period, usually three months. The trick is to identify a sign-up bonus within your natural spending limits. You’ll want to avoid spending more than you can ultimately pay off in full, lest you lose those extra points to interest.
• Know your financing options. Cash flow management is an important issue for most small businesses. As such, issuers often offer promotional financing or business-friendly payment terms, such as an extended payment option, which lets business owners finance large purchases over a period of time with different terms than those used for routine purchases. Know the full suite of options you have to take advantage of.
• Make on-time payments. Aim to pay balances off in full each month or by the time an introductory APR expires. That way, you won’t lose any of your rewards to interest. At the very least, be sure to make all monthly payments on time. Set up auto-pay or request alerts to minimize the odds of missing a due date. Missed payments will negatively impact your credit scores and tack on additional fees.
• Use your secondary benefits and features. You may get more than rewards and flexible financing with your business credit card. Some issuers offer access to expense-management tools, purchase protection, extended warranties or certain travel insurance. You may also be able to do things like set custom limits for any authorized users added to the account. Read your credit card’s terms and conditions to get a full scope of its benefits.
• Deduct your interest and fees. You can generally deduct a portion of the interest and fees you pay on business expenses on your annual tax returns. (Note: This only applies to interest on business-related charges. If you use your business credit card for personal expenses, too, those charges aren’t eligible for a tax deduction.) Learn more in our tax season guide to small-business expense deductions.
• Avoid charging personal expenses. That’ll make it much easier to complete your taxes each year and regularly reconcile your books, especially since some issuers provide a breakdown of the categories you’re spending on.
• Utilize employee cards. Many business credit cards allow the cardholder to add their employees as authorized users. While you will need to provide a guarantee to repay and watch out for interest charges, employee cards are a great tool for earning additional rewards on behalf of the company.

Business credit cards for fair or bad credit

It’s possible to get a business credit card if your credit score falls outside the good-to-excellent range, but your options are limited.

For people with fair credit, options include unsecured credit cards, which don’t require a deposit. One example is the Capital One Spark Classic for Business. It even comes with a modest 1% cash back on purchases – a solid perk for a credit card that has no annual fee and lets you earn unlimited rewards as you work to improve your business credit.

The downside to the Capital One Spark Classic is the 28.49 percent variable APR. If you don’t pay your balance in full each month, an interest rate that high could add a hefty sum to your balance. This could make it harder to build your credit and gain access to better business credit cards.

If you have bad credit, you may have an easier time getting approved for a secured business credit card. These cards require a security deposit, which will act as your credit limit. This could be as low as $200, and if you want that deposit back, your account will have to be in good standing at the time of closing.

A secured business card may not come with top-of-the-line benefits, but it lets you keep your business accounts separate from your personal spending. And in some cases, you may even be able to earn rewards.

For example, with the Wells Fargo Business Secured Credit Card, you’ll earn cash back or reward points. In other words, you can choose to earn 1.5% cash back on qualifying purchases or one point per $1 spent. If you choose the reward points, you’ll get 1,000 bonus points each billing cycle when you spend $1,000 on qualifying purchases. To get the Wells Fargo Business Secured Card, you’ll have to put down a minimum deposit of $500.

To learn more, check out our best business credit cards for bad credit.

There are some purchases you just don’t pay for with a business credit card.

High-value purchases that can negatively impact your company’s bottom line, payroll and legal settlements are among the business expenses you should avoid charging to your business credit card. In fact, business cards operate under a different set of rules than cards issued for personal use. For business plastic, the protections of the Credit CARD Act of 2009 don’t automatically apply. With business cards:

• Issuers can raise rates and lower credit lines at the first sign of financial stress.
• There isn’t a mandatory cap for late fees.
• Over-limit fees are allowed.
• If you pay late or default on a business card, it could end up on your personal credit history.

For more information, Holly Johnson and Barri Segal explain the seven types of expenses to never charge on your business credit card and how they can negatively impact your company’s credit card bill.

How we picked the best business credit cards

Research methodology: We analyzed 368 business credit cards to identify the best offers currently on the market. The major factors we considered include:

• Rewards program: Ideally, a business credit card should reward you for the purchases your business frequently makes, whether that’s travel, office supplies or another category. We looked at whether a card offered a competitive rate of return in these spending categories as part of its base rewards program.
• Introductory bonus: In addition to solid base rewards, we considered whether the card offered bonus points, miles or cash back in exchange for a reasonable spend within the first few months of opening the account.
• Flexible financing offers: Many business owners use credit cards to finance large purchases, so we considered whether a specific card offered zero-interest introductory APRs on purchases and/or balance transfers. We also considered whether the card had other financing features, like a flexible credit limit.
• Overall value: Some business credit cards do carry annual fees, so we considered whether that fee was justified by the rewards program, introductory bonus and additional benefits.

Other criteria include redemption options and flexibility, customer service, small business perks and other rates or fees. Our business credit card reviews can help you compare offers to find the one that best suits your needs.

More information on business credit cards

For more information on all things business cards, continue reading content from our credit card experts:

• How to build business credit
• Reasons to get a business credit card
• Best credit cards for startups
• Best 0% intro APR business credit cards

Jeanine Skowronski

Jeanine Skowronski is a credit card expert, analyst, and multimedia journalist with over 10 years of experience covering business and personal finance. She has previously served as the Head of Content at Policygenius, Executive Editor of Credit.com, Deputy Editor at American Banker, Staff Reporter at TheStreet and a columnist for Inc. Magazine.

About the Editor

Tracy Stewart

Tracy Stewart is a personal finance writer specializing in credit card loyalty programs, travel benefits, and consumer protections. He previously covered travel rewards credit cards, budget travel, and aviation news at SmarterTravel Media. His money-saving tips have appeared in the Washington Post, the Wall Street Journal, Consumer Reports, MarketWatch, Vice, People, the Zoe Report and elsewhere.

About the Reviewer

Erica Sandberg

Erica Sandberg is a prominent personal finance authority and author of "Expecting Money: The Essential Financial Plan for New and Growing Families." Her articles and insights are featured in such publications as The Wall Street Journal, Pregnancy, Babytalk, Redbook, Bank Investment Consultant, Prosper.com, MSN Money and Dow Jones MarketWatch. An active television and radio commentator, Sandberg is the credit and money management expert for San Francisco’s KRON-TV, a frequent guest on Forbes Video Network, Fox Business News, Bloomberg TV and all Bay Area networks. Prior to launching her own reporting and consulting business, she was affiliated with Consumer Credit Counseling Services of San Francisco where she counseled individuals, conducted educational workshops and led the media relations department. Sandberg is a member of the Society of American Business Editors and Writers and on the advisory committee for Project Money.

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