Updated March 2026

The 5 Best Business Credit Cards

We evaluated over 35 business credit cards, comparing rewards, expense management tools, and perks for small business owners. Here are our top picks for 2026.

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Sarah Chen
Senior Financial Editor
Fact-checked by our editorial team

We evaluated over 35 business credit cards, comparing rewards, expense management tools, and perks for small business owners. Here are our top picks for 2026.

Zogby is an independent, advertising-supported comparison service. We may receive compensation from the companies whose products appear on this site. This compensation may impact how, where, and in what order products appear. Zogby does not include every financial company or every product available in the marketplace.

Key Takeaways

  • 1 The best business credit cards offer rewards rates of 1.5% to 5% on common business expenses like office supplies, internet, advertising, and travel.
  • 2 Many business cards provide free employee cards with customizable spending limits, making expense tracking easier for growing teams.
  • 3 Sign-up bonuses on business cards can be significantly higher than personal cards, with some offering $750 to $1,200 or more in value.
  • 4 Business cards typically report to commercial credit bureaus, helping you build business credit separately from your personal credit history.
  • 5 Expense management integrations with QuickBooks, Xero, and other accounting software can save hours of bookkeeping each month.

Our Top Picks for Business Credit Cards

Best Overall
Chase Ink Business Preferred logo

1. Chase Ink Business Preferred

4.9
Editor's Rating

Annual Fee

$95

Regular APR

21.49-26.49%

Rewards Rate

3x on top categories

The Chase Ink Business Preferred Credit Card, issued by JPMorgan Chase (the largest U.S. bank with $3.9 trillion in assets), is the gold standard for small business rewards cards. It earns 3x Ultimate Rewards points per dollar on the first $150,000 spent annually in combined purchases on travel, shipping, internet, cable, phone services, and advertising purchases made with social media sites and search engines, then 1x on everything else. The current welcome bonus of 100,000 Ultimate Rewards points after spending $8,000 in the first 3 months is worth $1,000 in cash back or up to $1,250 when redeemed through Chase Travel. Points transfer 1:1 to 14 airline and hotel partners including United, Southwest, Hyatt, and Marriott. The card also includes trip cancellation insurance, auto rental CDW, purchase protection, and extended warranty coverage.

Pros

  • 3x points on travel, shipping, internet, phone, and advertising (up to $150K/year)
  • 100,000-point welcome bonus worth $1,000-$1,250
  • 1:1 point transfers to 14 airline and hotel partners

Cons

  • $95 annual fee (not waived the first year)
  • $8,000 spending requirement for the welcome bonus is high for some businesses
Best Cash Back
Chase Ink Business Cash logo

2. Chase Ink Business Cash

4.8
Editor's Rating

Annual Fee

$0

Regular APR

18.49-24.49%

Rewards Rate

5% on office supplies

The Chase Ink Business Cash Credit Card offers an outstanding combination of high category rewards and zero annual fee, making it ideal for small businesses watching their expenses. It earns 5% cash back on the first $25,000 spent annually at office supply stores and on internet, cable, and phone services, 2% on the first $25,000 at gas stations and restaurants, and 1% on all other purchases. The card earns Chase Ultimate Rewards points (at a 1:1 ratio to cash back) that can be transferred to travel partners when paired with a Sapphire or Ink Preferred card. The welcome bonus offers $750 cash back after spending $6,000 in the first 3 months. Free employee cards with individual spending limits and detailed spending reports that integrate with QuickBooks make expense management straightforward.

Pros

  • 5% back on office supplies, internet, cable, and phone services
  • No annual fee with $750 cash back welcome bonus
  • Points combine with Chase Sapphire for travel transfer value

Cons

  • $25,000 annual cap on bonus category spending
  • No travel insurance or purchase protection perks
Best for Travel
Amex Business Platinum logo

3. American Express Business Platinum

4.7
Editor's Rating

Annual Fee

$695

Regular APR

19.49-27.49%

Rewards Rate

5x on flights/hotels

The American Express Business Platinum Card is the premier business travel card, earning 5x Membership Rewards points on flights and prepaid hotels booked through amextravel.com or directly with airlines, and 1.5x on purchases of $5,000 or more (up to 1 million additional points per year). The $695 annual fee is offset by up to $400 in annual Dell Technologies credits, a $199 annual CLEAR Plus credit, $189 annual Audible credit, $120 annual wireless telephone credit, and $100 annual Global Entry/TSA PreCheck credit. Cardholders receive complimentary access to the Centurion Lounge network (over 40 locations worldwide), Priority Pass Select with 1,400+ airport lounges, Marriott Bonvoy Gold and Hilton Honors Gold status, and a 35% airline bonus when redeeming points through Amex Travel. Points transfer 1:1 to 21 airline and hotel partners.

Pros

  • 5x points on flights and prepaid hotels booked through Amex Travel
  • Over $1,000 in annual credits offset the $695 fee
  • Centurion Lounge and Priority Pass Select access for business travelers

Cons

  • $695 annual fee is the highest among business cards
  • Must book through Amex Travel or directly with airlines for 5x rate
Best Flat Rate
Capital One Spark Cash Plus logo

4. Capital One Spark Cash Plus

4.7
Editor's Rating

Annual Fee

$150

Payment Terms

Pay in full

Cash Back Rate

2% unlimited

The Capital One Spark Cash Plus is a charge card (balance must be paid in full each month) that earns an unlimited 2% cash back on every purchase with no caps, category restrictions, or spending tiers. This simplicity makes it ideal for businesses that want maximum rewards without tracking bonus categories. The card offers a substantial welcome bonus of $1,200 cash back: $500 after spending $5,000 in the first 3 months and $700 after spending $50,000 in the first 6 months. As a charge card, it has no preset spending limit, which can be valuable for businesses with large or variable monthly expenses. Capital One (founded 1994, headquartered in McLean, Virginia) provides free employee cards, detailed year-end spending summaries, and integration with popular accounting platforms including QuickBooks and Xero.

Pros

  • Unlimited 2% cash back on all purchases with no caps
  • No preset spending limit as a charge card
  • Up to $1,200 welcome bonus for qualifying spend

Cons

  • $150 annual fee (not waived first year)
  • Must pay balance in full each month (charge card, not revolving credit)
Best No Annual Fee
Amex Blue Business Cash logo

5. American Express Blue Business Cash

4.6
Editor's Rating

Annual Fee

$0

Regular APR

18.49-26.49%

Cash Back Rate

2% on first $50K

The American Express Blue Business Cash Card is the best no-annual-fee option for small businesses seeking straightforward cash back rewards. It earns 2% cash back on all eligible purchases on up to $50,000 per calendar year, then 1% thereafter. The card also offers 0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months from the date of account opening, giving new businesses breathing room on startup expenses. American Express (founded 1850) provides expanded buying power that lets you spend beyond your credit limit when needed (subject to approval), detailed quarterly and annual spending reports, and integration with QuickBooks, FreshBooks, and Xero. Employee cards are free with individual spending limits, and the Amex mobile app offers real-time spending notifications and receipt matching for simplified expense tracking.

Pros

  • 2% cash back on first $50,000 in annual purchases
  • No annual fee with 0% intro APR for 12 months on purchases
  • Expanded buying power beyond your credit limit when needed

Cons

  • Cash back drops to 1% after $50,000 in annual spending
  • American Express not accepted at as many merchants as Visa/Mastercard

How to Choose a Business Credit Card

Start by analyzing your business spending patterns. If most of your expenses fall into specific categories like office supplies, internet, or travel, choose a card that offers bonus rewards in those areas. If your spending is spread across many categories, a flat-rate card earning 1.5-2% on everything may deliver more total value.

Consider whether you need a card with a credit limit or a charge card with no preset spending limit. Charge cards require full monthly payment but offer greater purchasing flexibility. Also evaluate the annual fee against the total rewards and benefits you expect to earn.

Look beyond rewards to expense management features. Employee card controls, spending reports, accounting software integrations, and year-end summaries can save significant time and reduce bookkeeping costs. For growing businesses, these operational benefits may be worth as much as the rewards themselves.

Important Tip

Keep business and personal expenses on separate cards. Using a dedicated business credit card simplifies tax preparation, builds your business credit profile, and protects your personal credit from business liabilities.

Business Credit Cards Compared

Provider Annual Fee Regular APR Rewards Rate Rating
Chase Ink Business Preferred logo
Chase Ink Business Preferred
Top Pick
$95 21.49-26.49% 3x on top categories
4.9
Chase Ink Business Cash logo
Chase Ink Business Cash
$0 18.49-24.49% 5% on office supplies
4.8
Amex Business Platinum logo
American Express Business Platinum
$695 19.49-27.49% 5x on flights/hotels
4.7
Capital One Spark Cash Plus logo
Capital One Spark Cash Plus
$150 Pay in full 2% unlimited
4.7
Amex Blue Business Cash logo
American Express Blue Business Cash
$0 18.49-26.49% 2% on first $50K
4.6

Our Methodology

Our editorial team spent over 90 hours analyzing more than 35 business credit cards to determine our top recommendations. We evaluated each card across four weighted criteria relevant to small business owners.

35+
Products Evaluated
90+
Hours of Research
25+
Sources Cited

Rewards & Earning Potential

30%

We assessed rewards rates across categories common to business spending including office supplies, travel, advertising, internet services, and general purchases.

Fees & Financing

25%

We compared annual fees, APR ranges, intro APR offers, and foreign transaction fees to determine the true cost of each card.

Business Tools & Integration

25%

We evaluated expense management features, accounting software integrations, employee card controls, and spending reports that help businesses operate efficiently.

Welcome Bonus & Perks

20%

We factored in the value of sign-up bonuses, travel insurance, purchase protection, and other cardholder benefits that add value for business owners.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. You do not need an LLC or corporation to apply for a business credit card. Sole proprietors and freelancers can apply using their Social Security number and personal information. Many card issuers accept applicants with revenue as low as a few thousand dollars per year, including side businesses and gig economy income.

It depends on the issuer. Most business card issuers will perform a hard inquiry on your personal credit when you apply. Some issuers (like Capital One) report business card activity to personal credit bureaus, while others (like Chase and Amex) only report if you become seriously delinquent. Check the issuer's policy before applying.

Business credit cards are designed for small businesses and sole proprietors, with the business owner personally guaranteeing the debt. Corporate cards are issued to larger companies (typically with $4 million+ in annual revenue) and the corporation itself is liable for the debt. Corporate cards often require a more extensive application process.

While there is no legal prohibition against using a business card for personal purchases, it is strongly discouraged. Mixing business and personal expenses complicates tax preparation, can weaken your liability protection if you operate as an LLC or corporation, and may violate the card's terms of service.

There is no fixed revenue requirement. Many issuers approve applicants with annual business revenue of just a few thousand dollars. Your personal credit score, income, and debt-to-income ratio are typically more important factors than business revenue alone. A credit score of 670+ is generally needed for the best business card offers.
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Sarah Chen

Senior Financial Editor

Sarah Chen is a certified financial planner (CFP®) and senior editor at Zogby with over 12 years of experience covering credit cards and small business finance. She holds a degree in Economics from Columbia University and has been published in The Wall Street Journal, Bloomberg, and Forbes. Sarah's work focuses on making complex financial products accessible to everyday consumers.

CFP® Certified 12+ Years Experience Columbia University

Important Credit Card Disclaimers

  • Credit card offers that appear on this site are from companies from which Zogby may receive compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site but does not affect our editorial ratings or reviews.
  • APRs, annual fees, reward rates, and bonus offers shown are accurate as of the date of publication and are subject to change. Review the card issuer's terms and conditions for the most current information.
  • Credit card approval is subject to the card issuer's underwriting criteria. Not everyone will qualify for every card. Your credit score, income, and existing debt may affect your eligibility and the terms you receive.
  • Business credit cards may require a personal guarantee. The primary cardholder is personally responsible for all charges made on the account, including those by employee cardholders.
  • Rewards, points, and miles earned through credit cards may have varying redemption values depending on how they are redeemed. Refer to the card issuer's rewards program terms for details.

The information provided on this page is for general informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended as, and should not be construed as, financial, legal, tax, or investment advice. Always consult with a qualified professional before making any financial decisions.

Editorial Independence

Our recommendations are based on independent research and analysis. While Zogby may receive compensation from some partners listed on this page, our editorial team maintains full independence over our rankings and ratings. Compensation does not influence which products we recommend or how we rate them.

Last Updated
March 7, 2026
Fact-Checked
March 5, 2026