Small-business credit cards offer a variety of perks and benefits for business owners and entrepreneurs. Whether you’re looking to earn rewards, separate your business and personal expenses, or enjoy luxury perks, there’s a card out there for you. We’ve compared several dozen of the best small-business credit cards available today, and here are our top picks for January 2024.
Best Small Business Cards Compared 2024
| Card Name | Credit Score | Welcome Offer | Intro APR | Rewards Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Capital One Spark Cash Select for Excellent Credit | credit_score_needed | bonus_miles_full | intro_apr_rate,intro_apr_duration | Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back for your business on every purchase, everywhere, no limits or category restrictions. Plus, earn unlimited 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel. |
| Ink Business Preferred(R) Credit Card | – | – | intro_apr_rate,intro_apr_duration | – |
| Ink Business Unlimited(SM) Credit Card | bonus_miles_full | intro_apr_rate,intro_apr_duration | – | – |
| Ink Business Cash(SM) Credit Card | – | – | intro_apr_rate,intro_apr_duration | – |
| Capital One Spark Cash Plus | – | – | intro_apr_rate,intro_apr_duration | – |
| Costco Anywhere Visa(R) Card by Citi | – | – | intro_apr_rate,intro_apr_duration | – |
| CitiBusiness(R) / AAdvantage(R) Platinum Select(R) Mastercard(R) | – | – | intro_apr_rate,intro_apr_duration | – |
| Capital One(R) Spark(R) Classic for Business | – | – | intro_apr_rate,intro_apr_duration | – |
Our Recommendations for the Best Small Business Credit Cards
Best for Bonus Categories: Card Name
Why we chose it: The Card Name offers 4x Membership Rewards points on up to $150,000 in combined spending in two business categories per year, plus 1x points on all other purchases.
Card details:
- New card members can bonus_miles_full.
- Earn 4x points in select business categories.
- Flexible rewards can be used for merchandise, gift cards, or point transfers.
- Annual fee applies.
Pros:
- Earns flexible Membership Rewards points.
- Generous 4x point earning rate in eligible business categories.
- Lucrative welcome offer.
- Comes with travel insurance benefits.
- No foreign transaction fees.
Cons:
- High APR if you carry a balance.
- High annual fee.
- Bonus rewards caps limit earning potential.
Best for Travel Rewards: Card Name
Why we chose it: The Card Name earns flexible Chase Ultimate Rewards points that can be redeemed for cash back, statement credits, gift cards, or point transfers.
Card details:
- New card members can bonus_miles_full.
- Earn 3x points on select business categories.
- Cardholders get travel insurance benefits.
- Annual fee applies.
Pros:
- Earns flexible Chase Ultimate Rewards points.
- Generous 3x points earning rate in select business categories.
- Free employee cards.
- Qualify for 25% more travel when booking through Chase.
- No foreign transaction fees.
Cons:
- High APR if you carry a balance.
- Bonus rewards caps limit earning potential.
Best for 0% APR: Card Name
Why we chose it: The Card Name offers 0% APR on purchases for a limited time, making it ideal for businesses looking to finance their expenses.
Card details:
- New card members can bonus_miles_full.
- Enjoy 0% APR for a limited time.
- Annual fee applies.
Pros:
- Skip paying interest on purchases for the first year.
- Low annual fee.
- Free employee cards.
- Comes with purchase protection and extended warranties.
Cons:
- High APR after the intro offer ends.
- Rewards can only be redeemed for statement credits.
- Bonus rewards caps limit earning potential.
- Charges foreign transaction fees.
Best for Cash Back: Card Name
Why we chose it: The Card Name offers a flat rate of 1.5% cash back on all purchases, making it easy to earn cash back on everyday spending.
Card details:
- Cardholders can bonus_miles_full. Last call! Offer ending Jan. 18th, 2024.
- Earns 1.5% cash back on all purchases.
- Annual fee applies.
Pros:
- Earns generous flat-rate rewards on all spending.
- Annual fee can be refundable.
- Rewards come with flexible redemption options.
- Free employee cards.
- Comes with travel and consumer protections.
Cons:
- High APR after the intro offer ends.
- Charges foreign transaction fees.
Best for Office Supply Stores: Card Name
Why we chose it: The Card Name offers generous rewards on office supply stores and other business purchases, making it a great choice for businesses looking to earn cash back.
Card details:
- Cardholders can bonus_miles_full.
- Earns 5% cash back on office supply stores and more.
- Annual fee applies.
Pros:
- Exceptional rewards rate at office supply stores and more.
- Earns rewards in select business categories.
- Free employee cards.
- Comes with travel benefits and consumer protections.
Cons:
- High APR after the intro offer ends.
- Bonus rewards caps limit earning potential.
- Charges foreign transaction fees.
Best for No Annual Fee: Card Name
Why we chose it: The Card Name offers flexible Amex Membership Rewards points with no annual fee required.
Card details:
- Cardholders can bonus_miles_full.
- Earns 2x points on up to $50,000 in spending per year.
- Annual fee applies.
Pros:
- Earns Amex Membership Rewards with no annual fee.
- Generous rewards rate on eligible spending.
- Free employee cards.
Cons:
- High APR after the intro offer ends.
- Bonus rewards caps limit earning potential.
- Charges foreign transaction fees.
Best for Luxury Perks: Card Name
Why we chose it: The Card Name offers luxury travel benefits, including broad airport lounge access, airline incidentals credit, and more.
Card details:
- New cardholders can bonus_miles_full.
- Earns rewards on flights and prepaid hotels.
- Comes with statement credit offers and travel perks.
- High annual fee.
Pros:
- Broad airport lounge benefit.
- Comes with Gold status with hotel loyalty programs.
- Offers statement credit offers.
- Earns flexible Membership Rewards points.
- No foreign transaction fees.
Cons:
- High APR if you carry a balance.
- Very high annual fee.
- Low earning rate for non-travel spending.
- No free cards for employees.
Best for Everyday Spending: Card Name
Why we chose it: The Card Name offers a flat rate of 2% cash back on all purchases, making it perfect for everyday spending.
Card details:
- Cardholders can bonus_miles_full.
- Earns a generous rate of 2% cash back on all purchases.
- Annual fee applies.
Pros:
- Earns a generous flat-rate rewards on all spending.
- Annual fee can be refundable.
- No set credit limit up front.
- Free employee cards.
- Comes with travel and consumer protections.
Cons:
- Must be paid in full each month.
- Very high spending threshold for bonus offer.
Best for Gas: Card Name
Why we chose it: The Card Name offers generous cash back on gas and other purchases, making it a great choice for businesses with high gas expenses.
Card details:
- Card is only for Costco members and has no annual fee with a paid Costco membership.
- Earns cash back on gas and other purchases.
- Annual fee applies.
Pros:
- Exceptional rewards rate on gas and other purchases.
- Also earns rewards on dining and eligible travel purchases.
- Free employee cards.
- No annual fee if you’re a Costco member.
- No foreign transaction fees.
Cons:
- No welcome bonus.
- High APR if you carry a balance.
- Costco membership required.
- Rewards are only redeemable once per year.
- Limited redemption options.
Best for Flights: Card Name
Why we chose it: The Card Name is the best business credit card for flights, offering high bonus offers and frequent flyer perks.
Card details:
- Cardholders can bonus_miles_full.
- Earns miles for flights to over 1,000 destinations worldwide.
- Comes with free checked bags, preferred boarding, and discounts on in-flight purchases.
- Annual fee applies after the first year.
Pros:
- Earns miles for flights worldwide.
- Earns Loyalty Points toward elite status tiers.
- Comes with free checked bags and other travel perks.
- Can qualify for a companion certificate.
- No foreign transaction fees.
Cons:
- Annual fee applies after year one.
- Rewards have limited redemption options outside flights.
Best for Fair Credit: Card Name
Why we chose it: The Card Name is ideal for business owners with fair credit who want to build their credit and earn cash back.
Card details:
- Earns 1% cash back on all purchases.
- Annual fee applies.
Pros:
- Easier approval with fair credit.
- Free employee cards.
- No annual fee.
- No foreign transaction fees.
Cons:
- High APR if you carry a balance.
- No welcome bonus.
Our Methodology
To determine the best small-business credit cards, we compared options based on their rewards rates, ongoing benefits, and annual fees. We prioritized cards with generous cash-back rates, travel perks, and statement credit offers. Other factors we considered include rewards flexibility, intro APR offers, regular APRs, and travel and consumer protections. We also made sure to choose cards that offer free employee cards upon request.
What Defines a Small-Business Credit Card?
Small-business credit cards are designed for small companies, including sole proprietors and self-employed business owners. These cards typically offer rewards, benefits, and the ability to track and manage business expenses separately from personal spending. Small-business credit cards usually require a personal guarantee, which means the business owner is responsible for repayment.
Why Small-Business Owners Should Get a Business Credit Card
There are several reasons why small-business owners should consider getting a business credit card. These include separating personal and business expenses, earning rewards for business spending, enjoying various benefits, managing cash flow, and obtaining free employee cards.
How to Pick the Best Small-Business Credit Card for You
To choose the best small-business credit card for your needs, consider the type of rewards and benefits you want. Compare annual fees, cardholder perks, redemption options, rewards rates, and welcome offers. Make sure to also consider your personal credit rating and the card’s qualification requirements.
And there you have it, our top picks for the best small-business credit cards for January 2024. Whether you’re looking to earn rewards, enjoy travel perks, or separate your business and personal expenses, there’s a card on this list that can meet your needs. Happy shopping!