There are many types of credit cards your company can use, but only a small business credit card will provide the greatest value and benefits.

If you decide to use a personal card, for example, you will encounter money limitations, which causes business barriers.

Before choosing your business credit card, identify your small business goals and anticipate the need for growth.

Consider the future of your company and its eventual need to hire employees or request a higher loan. To avoid complications in these areas and others, your best option is to choose a small business credit card.

As more businesses use credit cards as a financial choice, owners need to pick the most suitable card for their business and it is not a personal one.

Instead, you must use a small business credit card. This card type better aligns with your spending and lifestyle as a business owner.

What A Small Business Owner Should Look For In A Business Credit Card

Since owners are more familiar with the workings of a personal credit card, they use them for business. This is a mistake. The good news is that it can be corrected by switching to a small business card.

There are several things to look for when choosing a small business card. You want to choose the one that provides the best overall value and ease of use.

Business credit cards typically have higher spending limits and more generous rewards programs. Some also have extra benefits, such as low APRs and better balance transfer promotions.

With access to more perks, your business can save money every year. Additionally, you can reap your rewards by using a small business credit card for company expenses.

If you are unsure of which credit card to select, we created a list of the best small business credit cards for your review.

How We Evaluated Each Small Business Credit Card

Let’s take a look at how we evaluated each small business credit card. Owners will gain a better understanding of what to look for in a card and how it can help the business.

Why Use A Small Business Credit Card?

Benefits

• Makes recordkeeping easier
• Helps build business credit
• Offer business-specific perks
• Typically has higher spending limits

Costs

• Annual fees
• Employee card fees
• Foreign transaction fee
• Cash advances cost
• Balance transfers cost
• Introductory APR
• Regular APR

Rewards

• Signup bonus
• Points earning with no annual fee
• Extra bonus rewards
• Cash-back earnings
• Travel rewards
• Insurance coverage
• Concierge services
• Auto rental protection
• Employee cell phone protection

Additional Features

• Complimentary services
• Purchase protection
• Extended warranty
• Easy account opening

18 of the Best Credit Card Companies

Small business owners need to keep personal and business finances separate. No matter the size of your business or the number of employees, do not use a personal credit card for business purposes.

If you do use a personal card, it is certain to cause confusion. Since you are cutting personal and business checks from the same account it makes record-keeping difficult.

To make your daily business life easier, and to save you from trouble when it comes time to file taxes, it is best to keep business purchases separate from personal ones.

The Small Business Credit Card Companies

Below, is a list of eighteen best small business credit card companies. Review each to find the right business card for your company.

There are three significant features to consider as you compare each small business credit card on the list. Check the level of convenience towards keeping business expenses separate, the percentage of APR, and how it protects your credit profile, credit score, and assets.

1. Chase Ink Business Cash

With Chase Ink Business Cash you can stay on top of your business with Fraud Protection, Purchase Protection, personalized Account Alerts, and more.

• Benefits:
  • No foreign transaction fees.
  • Fraud Protection
  • Purchase Protection

• Costs:
  • $0 Annual Fee

• APR:
  • 0% intro APR for 12 months from account opening on purchases. After that, 14.74%–20.74% variable APR.

• Rewards:
  • Earn 3X Chase Ultimate Rewards points abroad on travel purchases, which include hotels, taxis, Uber rides, and much more.
  • Earn 5% cash-back on up to $25,000 in purchases each year from office supply stores including Office Depot.
  • Earn 2% cashback on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at gas stations and restaurants each account anniversary year.*
  • Same page link to Offer Details
  • Earn 1% cashback on all other purchases–with no limit to the amount you can earn
  • Redeem rewards for cash back, gift cards, travel and more through Chase Ultimate Rewards.

• Additional Features/Options:
  • Employee cards let you set individual spending limits and help you earn rewards even faster.
  • $500 bonus cash back after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months after account opening.

2. American Express Business Platinum Card

American Express Business Platinum Card is useful for mid-sized businesses that spend a lot on flights and travel.

• Benefits:
  • $200 annual airline fee credit
  • $200 airline fee credits each calendar year
  • Cashback on all purchases.
  • Access to airport lounges include Centurion lounges
  • Priority Pass lounges, and Delta Sky Clubs (when flying Delta)
  • Up to $200 in Dell statement credits annually.

• Costs:
  • $595 Annual Fee.
  • No interest charges because you pay your balance in full each month unless you are enrolled in the Pay Over Time feature.

• APR:
  • 0% intro purchase APR for 12 months, and then a rate of 14.74% - 20.74% Variable. This card has no annual membership fee

• Rewards:
  • Up to 75,000 Membership Rewards points
  • 50,000 points after you spend $10,000 in the first three months.
  • Gain another 25,000 if you spend an additional $10,000 in that same time frame.
  • 5 points per dollar on flights and prepaid hotels booked at amextravel.com.
  • 1.5 points per dollar on purchases of $5,000 or more
  • 1 point per dollar on everything else.
  • Get 35% of your points back when you use Pay With Points to book an economy flight with your selected airline or business- or first-class flight with any airline

• Additional Features/Options:
  • Airline fee credit is valid each calendar year, not cardmember year, you could get it twice in your first 12 months of having the card.
  • Access to more than 1,200 airport lounges
  • 10 complimentary Gogo in-flight Wi-Fi passes each year
  • Complimentary Gold elite status with Hilton and Marriott.

3. Capital One Spark Miles for Business

The Spark Miles for Business is a great option if you want choices in how you redeem your miles.

• Benefits:
  • Welcome bonus of up to 200,000 miles

• Costs:
  • $0 the first year then $95 Annual Fee every year thereafter.

• APR:
  • 0% APR for the first 9 months. 18.74% variable APR thereafter.

• Rewards:
  • 2x miles on all purchases
  • Earn up to 200,000 miles to 50,000 miles after you spend $5,000 in the first three months.
  • Earn 150,000 miles when you spend $50,000 in the first six months.

• Additional Features/Options:
  • Transfer miles to Capital One's more than 10 airline partners.
  • Use miles to clear your business' travel expenses from your credit card statement.
  • Cover travel purchases on your statement, up to a $100 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck.
  • Redeem miles for cash back or gift cards.

4. Chase Ink Business Preferred

• Benefits:
  • Cell phone protection.
  • When you use the Ink Preferred to pay your cell phone bill, you are covered for up to $600 for damage, loss, or theft of your cell phone. You can claim up to three claims per rolling 12-month period.
  • Primary car rental insurance.

• Costs:
  • $95 Annual Fee.

• APR:
  • 17.49%–22.49% variable APR

• Rewards:
  • 80,000 Ultimate Rewards points when you spend $5,000 on the card in the first three months.
  • 3 points per dollar on the first $150,000 your business spends on combined purchases each cardmember year on travel, shipping, internet/cable/phone, and advertising on social media sites or with search engines. Purchases after you reach $150,000, or in any other category, earn 1 point per dollar.
  • Earn bonus points in some of the most common expense categories for businesses, from travel to shipping to advertising on social media sites like Facebook and search engines such as Google Ads.

• Additional Features/Options:
  • Choose to keep your earned business points on that card and separate them from the rest of your stash.
  • You also have the option to combine your business points with the rest of your points.
  • You can trade-in your points for cash back, transferred to frequent flyer and hotel loyalty partners, or used to purchase travel with a 25% bonus.

5. Southwest Rapid Rewards Performance Business

• Benefits:
  • Improves travel
  • No foreign transaction fees.
  • 70,000 bonus points after you spend $5,000 in the first 3 months
  • Offers bonus points on some types of business purchases, in addition to Southwest flights.
  • Rapid Rewards do not expire as long as your card is open, there are no blackout dates or limits on award seats and no limit on points you can earn.
  • The large sign-up bonus can help you earn a “Companion Pass.” This lets a designated companion fly free after you rack up 110,000 points (125,000 points starting 1/1/2020).
  • No cost for additional employee card
  • Secondary car rental insurance
  • Lost luggage reimbursement
  • Travel accident insurance, travel, and emergency services, extended warranties, purchase protection, baggage delay insurance

• Costs:
  • $199 Annual Fee applied to the first billing statement.
  • No Charge Fee

• APR:
  • APR 17.49 %–24.49 % variable

• Rewards:
  • Earn 3 points per dollar on Southwest Airlines purchases
  • Earn 2 points per dollar on social media, search engine advertising, internet, cable and phone services
  • Earn 1 point per dollar on other purchases
  • Receive 9,000 anniversary points

• Additional Features/Options:
  • 4 upgraded boardings per year
  • In-flight Wi-Fi credits
  • Up to $100 credit every 4 years for Global Entry/TSA Precheck

6. Marriott Bonvoy Business American Express Card

• Benefits:
  • Dispute Resolution
  • Car Rental Loss and Damage
  • Baggage Insurance Plan
  • Premier on Property Internet Access
  • Elite Night Credit
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees
  • Annual Free Night Award automatically each year after your anniversary
  • Experience events with Marriott Bonvoy Moments like meet and greets with A-list artists and athletes, backstage concert passes, pro golf clinics, and much more.
  • Marriott Bonvoy Air+Car Transfer Program

• Costs:
  • $125 Annual Fee.

• APR:
  • APR on purchases will be a variable rate, currently 17.24% - 26.24%, based on your creditworthiness and other factors as determined at the time of account opening.

• Rewards:
  • Earn 75,000 bonus Marriott Bonvoy points after you use your new Card to make $3,000 in purchases within the first 3 months.
  • Earn 6X points for each dollar of eligible purchases at participating Marriott Bonvoy hotels.
  • Earn 4X points for each dollar of eligible purchases at U.S. restaurants, at U.S. gas stations, on wireless telephone services purchased directly from U.S. service providers & on U.S. purchases for shipping.
  • 2X points on all other eligible purchases.
  • Earn more points by referring a friend. For each approved referral you could earn a referral bonus of 10,000 points.
  • Receive 15 Elite Night Credits each calendar year with your Marriott Bonvoy Business American Express Card. You can use these credits towards attaining the next level of Elite status in the Marriott Bonvoy program
  • Receive an automatic upgrade to Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status when you reach $30,000 in purchases on your Card each year.

• Additional Features/Options:
  • Transfer points to frequent flyer miles with a wide selection of airlines.
  • Complimentary Silver Elite Status.
  • Global Assist Hotline

7. U.S. Bank Business Cash Rewards World Elite Mastercard

U.S. Bank Business Cash Rewards World Elite Mastercard offers the simplicity of earning and redeeming cashback.

• Benefits:
  • No blackout dates
  • Rewards do not expire
  • Free employee cards

• Identity-theft protection
  • Travel assistance
  • Airport concierge
  • Purchase assurance
  • Mastercard travel services
  • Foreign VAT reclaim service

• Costs:
  • $0 Annual Fees
  • $25 redemption threshold
  • 2% to 3% foreign-transaction fee

• APR:
  • 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for the first 15 billing cycles, and after that a variable APR, currently 13.99% to 24.99%.

• Rewards:
  • Earn 3% cashback on cellphone, gas and office supplies
  • Earn 1% cashback on general purchases
  • Earn a 25% annual bonus of prior year’s cash rewards, up to $250
  • Receive $500 if you spend $4,500 in the first 150 days

• Additional Features:
  • Excellent business management tools
  • Shopping discounts through Mastercard Easy Savings
  • Redeem rewards as bank deposit, U.S. Bank Rewards Visa card or a statement credit
  • No limit to how much you can earn

8. Capital One Spark Cash for Business

• Benefits:
  • $0 fraud liability if your card is lost or stolen.
  • Receive automatic fraud alerts via text, email or phone call
  • Add employee cards for free and earn all the rewards from their purchases.
  • Get cashback rewards for any amount at any time with no expiration date for the life of the account.
  • No foreign transaction fees
  • Auto rental damage waiver

• Costs:
  • $0 the first year then $95 Annual Fee every year thereafter.

• APR:
  • 18.74% variable APR

• Rewards:
  • Unlimited 2% cashback. Redeem at any time with no minimums.
  • Earn a $500 cash bonus when you spend $5,000 in the first 3 months.
  • Earn $1,500 when you spend $50,000 in the first 6 months of your account opening

• Additional Features/Options:
  • Can purchase security and extended protection
  • Get a custom, itemized spending report to simplify planning, budgeting, and taxes.

9. Chase Ink Business UnlimitedSM

With Chase Ink Business UnlimitedSM you can easily track expenses and maintain records for tax reporting and other business needs.

• Benefits:
  • Fraud Protection
  • Purchase Protection
  • Personalized Account Alerts
  • Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver
  • Travel and Emergency Assistance Services
  • Roadside Dispatch
  • Redeem your rewards for cash back, gift cards, travel and more through Chase Ultimate Rewards
  • Employee cards let you set individual spending limits and help you earn rewards even faster
  • Can integrate your Chase Ink credit card with bookkeeping software to simplify accounting.

• Costs:
  • $0 Annual Fees

• APR:
  • 0% intro APR for 12 months from account opening on purchases. After that, 14.74%–20.74% variable APR.

• Rewards:
  • Earn $500 bonus cash back after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months after account opening
  • Earn unlimited 1.5% Cash Back rewards on every purchase made for your business.
  • Redeem Business Rewards with Gift Cards. Chase offers over 150 of your favorite gift card brands including hotels, office supply stores, electronics and more.
  • Refer a business and earn $150 cashback with every business approved.

• Additional Features/Options:
  • Extended Warranty Protection
  • Extends the time period of the U.S. manufacturer's warranty by an additional year, on eligible warranties of three years or less
  • Use your points to pay for all or part of your Apple purchases through Ultimate Rewards.

10. Bank of America Business Advantage Travel Rewards World Mastercard

The Bank of America Business Advantage Travel Rewards World Mastercard gives business cardholders ample opportunity to collect a large number of points simply by using their card for everyday business expenses.

• Benefits:
  • Mobile Pay Ready
  • No Annual Fee
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees
  • Price Protection
  • Primary Auto Rental Insurance
  • Purchase Protection
  • Travel Assistance
  • Travel Accident Insurance
  • Zero Fraud Liability

• Costs:
  • $0 Annual Fees

• APR:
  • 0% Introductory APR on purchases for your first 9 billing cycles.

• Rewards:
  • Earn 25,000 bonus points when you make at least $1,000 in net purchases within 60 days of your account opening which can be redeemed for a $250 statement credit towards travel purchases.
  • Earn 3 points per every dollar spent on travel purchases booked through the Bank of America Travel Center powered by Expedia
  • Earn unlimited 1.5 points for every $1 spent on all purchases everywhere, every time-no matter how much you spend. Points do not expire.
  • Redeem points for travel with no blackout dates, cashback or gift cards.
  • Get a 75% rewards bonus on the base earn of every purchase you make

• Additional Features/Options:
  • Lost Luggage Reimbursement
  • Extended Warranty Program

11. American Express Blue Business Cash Card

The American Express Blue Business Cash Card is great for businesses whose needs are not constant, and as such, neither should your spending power.

• Benefits:
  • More flexibility over your purchases
  • Can spend over your credit limit with no penalty or enrollments. You will still earn cashback on those purchases.
  • Employee Cards
  • Car Rental Loss and Damage Insurance
  • When you travel more than 100 miles from home, you have 24/7 access to medical, legal, financial or other select emergency coordination and assistance services
  • Account Alerts

• Costs:
  • $0 Annual Fees

• APR:
  • 0.0% introductory APR on purchases and balance transfers for 12 months. After that, your APR will be a variable rate, currently 14.74% - 20.74%, based on your creditworthiness and other factors as determined at the time of account opening.

• Rewards:
  • Earn 2% cashback on all eligible purchases on up to $50,000 per the calendar year, then 1%. Cashback earned is automatically credited to your statement.

• Additional Features/Options:
  • Account Manager - you can allow trusted individuals like an assistant or business partner to access and manage your Business Card account.
  • Ability to spend above your credit limit with Expanded Buying Power.
  • Connect to Quickbooks

12. American Express Blue Business Plus

American Express Blue Business Plus offers Expanded Buying Power. This feature is useful when looking to replace old equipment and invest in new ones.

• Benefits:
  • Expanded Buying Power. No penalty or enrollment when you make purchases over your credit limit and you still earn Membership Rewards points back on those purchases.
  • Online Statements
  • Vendor Pay by Bill.com
  • Dispute Resolution
  • Relationship Care Service
  • Car Rental Loss and Damage Insurance

• Costs:
  • $0 Annual Fees

• APR:
  • 0.0% introductory APR on purchases and balance transfers for 12 months. After that, your APR will be a variable rate

• Rewards:
  • Earn 2X Membership Rewards points on everyday business purchases up to $50,000 with no category restrictions
  • Earn points fast with 2X points and no category restrictions on the first $50,000 in purchases each year. Earn 1X points on purchases thereafter.
  • Amex Offers - Rewards for shopping, dining, travel, and more
• Additional Features/Options:
  • Account Manager - you can allow trusted individuals like an assistant or business partner to access and manage your Business Card account.
  • Connect to Quickbooks
  • Year-End Summary

13. Bank of America Business Advantage Cash Rewards Mastercard

Bank of America Business Advantage Cash Rewards Mastercard works best with businesses that host a lot of client lunches.

• Benefits:
  • Cash rewards do not expire
  • Auto Rental Insurance
  • Mobile Pay Ready
  • Roadside Assistance
  • Travel Accident Insurance
  • Lost Luggage Reimbursement
  • Purchase Protection
  • Price Protection
  • Zero Fraud Liability

• Costs:
  • $0 Annual Fees

• APR:
  • 0% Introductory APR on purchases for 9 billing cycles.
  • 13.74% - 23.74% Variable APR on purchases.

• Rewards:
  • Get a $300 statement credit when you make at least $3,000 in net purchases within 90 days of your account opening.
  • Earn 3% cashback in the category of your choice (on the first $50,000 in combined choice category/dining purchases each calendar year)
  • Earn 2% cash back on dining (on the first $50,000 in combined choice category/dining purchases each calendar year)
  • Earn unlimited 1% cashback on all other purchases

• Additional Features/Options:
  • Get 75% more cashback on every purchase when you are a Preferred Rewards for Business Platinum Honors tier member.
  • Extended Warranty Program

14. UnitedSM Explorer Business Card

United SM Explorer Business Card you earn rewards when you travel with United for business.

• Benefits:
  • Primary Cardmember and companions on the same reservation will be invited to board United-operated flights prior to general boarding.
  • Free first checked bag – save up to $120 per roundtrip.
  • Employee cards at no additional cost
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees
  • Tap to Pay
  • More ways to use miles

• Costs:
  • $95 Annual Fee

• APR:
  • 17.49%–24.49% variable APR

• Rewards:
  • Earn 50,000 bonus miles after you spend $5,000 on purchases within the first 3 months of account opening.
  • Earn an additional 50,000 bonus miles after you spend $25,000 total on purchases within the first 6 months of account opening.
  • Earn 2 miles per $1 spent at restaurants, gas stations, and office supply stores.
  • Earn 2 miles per $1 spent on purchases from United, including tickets, Economy Plus, inflight food, beverages and Wi-Fi, and other United charges.
  • Earn 1 mile per $1 spent on all other purchases.

• Additional Features/Options:
  • The Luxury Hotel & Resort Collection
  • Premier upgrades on award tickets

15. CitiBusiness / AAdvantage Platinum Select World Mastercard

CitiBusiness / AAdvantage Platinum Select World Mastercard is great for collecting miles on the ground if you run a small business and fly American Airlines.

• Benefits:
  • Points generally do not expire (18-month expiration date if you don’t earn or redeem miles)
  • No limit on the number of points you can earn
  • Select 30% awards discounts
  • Free online redemption
  • A wide network of airlines, including American Airlines and other Oneworld Alliance airlines, and other partner airlines.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • First Checked Bag Free
  • Preferred Boarding
  • Identity-Theft Solutions

• Costs:
  • $99 Annual Fee - waived for the first 12 months

• APR:
  • 17.24%-25.24% (variable)

• Rewards:
  • Earn 2 AAdvantage miles on telecommunications, car rental, cable and satellite, and gas station purchases
  • Earn 2 AAdvantage miles on eligible American Airlines purchases
  • Earn 1 AAdvantage mile on other purchases
  • Receive 70,000 AAdvantage miles if you spend $4,000 in first 4 months

• Additional Features/Options:
  • 25% savings on in-flight purchases
  • 7,500 fewer miles required for select destinations
  • Free companion ticket if you spend $30,000 in a year and renew your membership

16. American Express Gold Delta SkyMiles Business Credit Card

With the American Express Gold Delta SkyMiles Business Credit Card, you can earn miles towards business travel.

• Benefits:

• Main Cabin 1 Priority Boarding
• 20% In-Flight Savings
• Miles do not expire, and there are no limits to how many you can earn.
• No Foreign Transaction Fees
• Baggage Insurance Plan
• Car Rental Loss and Damage Insurance

• Costs:
  • $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95.

• APR:
  • APR on purchases will be a variable rate, currently 17.24% - 26.24%, based on your creditworthiness and other factors as determined at the time of account opening.

• Rewards:
  • Earn 30,000 Bonus Miles - After you make $1,000 in purchases on your new Card within your first 3 months.
  • Receive $50 statement credit after you make a Delta purchase with your new Card within your first 3 months
  • As a member of the Delta SkyMiles® Program, you can use miles towards flights, seat upgrades, car rentals, merchandise, gift cards, and more.
  • Earn 2 Miles on every eligible dollar spent on purchases made directly with Delta.
  • Earn 1 Mile on every eligible dollar spent on other purchases

• Additional Features/Options:
  • Account Management
  • Employee Cards
  • Mobile and Tablet Apps
  • Connect to Quickbooks

17. American Express Business Gold Card

The American Express Business Gold Card has solutions to meet business needs.

• Benefits:
  • Flexibility to pay eligible charges over time with interest, or pay your full balance, whichever is best for your business.
  • Quadruple Points. And then some.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees
  • Earning & Redeeming Membership Rewards.
  • 25% Airline Bonus.
  • Baggage Insurance Plan
  • Car Rental Loss and Damage Insurance

• Costs:
  • $295 Annual Fee

• APR:
  • APR on purchases will be a variable rate, currently 15.74% - 23.74%, based on your creditworthiness and other factors as determined at the time of account opening.

• Rewards:
  • Earn 4X points that adjust to your spending.
  • Earn more points in the 2 select categories where you spend the most each month. Earn 1X on other purchases.

• Airfare purchased directly from airlines
• U.S. purchases for advertising in select media (online, TV, radio)
• U.S. purchases made directly from select technology providers of computer hardware, software, and cloud solutions
• U.S. purchases at gas stations
• U.S. purchases at restaurants
• U.S. purchases for shipping

• Get 25% points back, after you book a flight using Pay with Points
• As a welcome offer, earn 35,000 Membership Rewards points after you spend $5,000 on eligible purchases with the Business Gold Card within the first 3 months of Card Membership.

• Additional Features/Options:
  • Account Manager
  • Connect to Quickbooks
  • Year-End Summary
  • Online Statements
  • The Hotel Collection
  • Global Assist Hotline
  • The Travel Collection by Travel Leaders Group

18. Bank of America Platinum Plus Mastercard Business

• Benefits:
  • Travel accident insurance
  • Auto rental insurance
  • Emergency ticket replacement
  • Lost luggage assistance

• Costs:
  • $0 Annual Fees.
  • Balance Transfer Fee. Either $10 or 4% of the amount of each transaction, whichever is greater.
  • Cash Advance Fee. Either $10 or 4% of the amount of each transaction, whichever is greater. Includes convenience checks.
  • 3% of the U.S. dollar amount of each transaction.

• APR:
  • Cardholders get access to a seven billing cycle, 0% APR introductory period for purchases Then 11.74% - 22.74% Variable APR on purchases thereafter.

• Rewards:
  • Receive $300 statement credit when you spend $3,000 in net purchases within 90 days of opening an account.
  • The Bank of America Platinum Plus Mastercard Business card does not offer a rewards program.

• Additional Features/Options:
  • Employee cards at no additional cost to you and with credit limits you set.

• Optional extended warranty coverage.

Conclusion

When you need to rely on your business credit for a loan or extra funds, you want to make sure you have a trusty card ally in your wallet.

You need the right small business credit card to run your company adequately. Business cards separate your expenses and often offer better perks and rewards programs.

And, unlike personal cards, business credit cards were created with business owners in mind.