Best small-business credit cards to add to your wallet

Editor’s note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information and offers. 

Small-business owners, listen up: If you don’t already have a business credit card in your wallet, it’s time for you to add one.

According to a survey in the 2025 Intuit QuickBooks Small Business Index Annual Report, 50% of small-business owners in the U.S. use a business credit card to finance their companies.

While the survey concluded that business credit cards have been the most common source of small-business financing in the U.S. since 2023, half of small-business owners nationwide still use other methods. These include personal savings (27%), lines of credit (25%) and even personal credit cards (23%).

Acquiring a business credit card doesn’t have to be complicated. In fact, completing a business credit card application and checking your business credit score are likely easier to do than you’d think.

Separating your business and personal expenses is a smart financial strategy, and there are many great credit card options to earn rewards for your business spending. Here are several reasons why you should get a business credit card, plus some recommendations for your small-business strategy.

Why small businesses should have a credit card

You may be surprised to learn how many small businesses are eligible for a credit card. Whether you’re a budding entrepreneur or a freelancer, you’d likely benefit from adding a small-business credit card to your wallet.

When business expenses are separated from personal spending, it’s generally easier to keep receipts organized and tax returns uncomplicated. Plus, large expenses on personal credit cards can cause hefty balances to accumulate. Not to mention, maxing out credit cards for operating expenses could affect your personal credit score.

Rest assured, spending on a business credit card wouldn’t affect your personal credit score in the same way.

Yes, a bank will typically check your personal credit report during the application process. However, most business credit cards will not show up on your personal credit report. So, spending heavily on a business card won’t show high credit usage on your personal credit report.

Related: Do business credit cards affect personal credit?

The best small-business credit cards

• Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card (see rates and fees)
• Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card (see rates and fees)
• The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express
• The American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card
• Capital One Spark Miles for Business
• Capital One Spark Cash Select
• Bank of America® Business Advantage Customized Cash Rewards Mastercard® credit card
• Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Premier Business Credit Card (see rates and fees)

Comparing the best small-business credit cards

Good options for your first business credit card

Assuming you’ve done the work to get your personal and business credit into a good place and you’re ready to apply for a business credit card, your next step is to decide which one you should choose. There are many, and the options may feel overwhelming. Consider a few factors before you pick the best one for you.

If you’re looking for your first business credit card, you probably want a card with a low annual fee or possibly no annual fee. All the cards listed in this guide charge no more than $99 per year, which is ideal for small businesses just starting up.

The second consideration is your business’ most common expenses. You should look for a card that earns bonus cash back or business rewards in the categories where your business is spending the most.

Next, consider what you can do with the rewards you’ll earn. Can they only be redeemed for cash back? Can you use them for travel by earning free hotel nights or free flights?

Finally, since much of a card’s first-year value is found in its welcome bonus, be sure your small-business expenses can reach higher spending requirements while being financially sound. Most options described in this article have lower spending requirements to earn lucrative welcome bonuses.

With all of that in mind, here is a deeper dive into some of our favorite credit cards for small businesses.

Ink Business Preferred Credit Card

Business owners who want to earn lucrative Chase Ultimate Rewards points will appreciate what the Ink Business Preferred offers.

Welcome offer: Earn 90,000 bonus points after spending $8,000 on purchases in the first three months after account opening. As of May 2025, TPG values this bonus at $1,845.

Annual fee: $95.

Earning structure: You’ll earn 3 points per dollar spent on the first $150,000 of travel, shipping, advertising, internet, cable and phone service purchases made each account anniversary year on the Ink Business Preferred (then 1 point per dollar). You’ll earn 1 point per dollar spent on all other purchases.

Why we like it: Since TPG values Chase points at 2.05 cents each, small-business owners who spend in the bonus categories covered by this card can expect to earn a 6.2% return on their expenses. These categories, including travel, shipping and advertising, are common expenses and easy to maximize.

Plus, this card offers perks like purchase protection and cellphone protection for a low annual fee.

To learn more, read our full review of the Ink Business Preferred.

Apply here: Ink Business Preferred Credit Card

Ink Business Unlimited Credit Card

If you’re a fan of Chase and searching for a no-annual-fee business card, the Ink Business Unlimited may be a great option.

Current welcome offer: Earn $750 bonus cash back after spending $6,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.

Annual fee: $0.

Earning structure: With the Ink Business Unlimited, you’ll earn 1.5% cash back on every purchase with no limits to how much you can earn.

Why we like it: The Ink Business Unlimited is simple: You don’t pay an annual fee and will earn cash back at a flat rate without keeping track of multiple bonus categories.

The real power of this card comes when you also hold a card that earns Chase Ultimate Rewards points, such as the Ink Business Preferred Credit Card, the Chase Sapphire Reserve® (see rates and fees) or the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card (see rates and fees).

Holding one of those three cards allows you to turn your cash-back earnings into Ultimate Rewards points. This essentially doubles the value of your earnings, according to TPG’s May 2025 valuations.

To learn more, read our full review of the Ink Business Unlimited.

Apply here: Ink Business Unlimited Credit Card

The Blue Business Plus Credit Card from American Express

If you want to earn American Express Membership Rewards points without paying an annual fee, look into The Blue Business Plus Credit Card from American Express.

Current welcome offer: Earn 15,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 on eligible purchases with the card within the first three months of card membership. According to TPG’s May 2025 valuations, this welcome offer is worth $300.

Annual fee: $0.

Earning structure: With the Blue Business Plus, you’ll earn 2 points per dollar spent on all eligible purchases (on up to $50,000 per calendar year, then you’ll earn 1 point per dollar).

Why we like it: Small-business owners interested in earning American Express Membership Rewards points can’t go wrong with this no-annual-fee option.

TPG’s May 2025 valuations value Membership Rewards points at 2 cents each. That means you’re earning a 4% return on purchases without needing to track any bonus categories (on the first $50,000 in spending per calendar year, then an estimated 2% return).

We recommend transferring these points to one of Amex’s 21 airline and hotel travel partners to book airfare or hotel stays. For instance, you could transfer your Amex points to Air France-KLM Flying Blue to book discounted flights to Europe using Flying Blue’s Promo Rewards, offered monthly.

To learn more, read our full review of the Amex Blue Business Plus.

Apply here: The Blue Business Plus Credit Card from American Express

The American Express Blue Business Cash Card

Earning cash back on everyday expenses for your small business is made easy with The American Express Blue Business Cash Card.

Current welcome offer: Earn a $250 statement credit after making $3,000 in eligible purchases on the card within the first three months of card membership.

Annual fee: $0.

Earning structure: The Blue Business Cash earns 2% cash back on all eligible purchases (on up to $50,000 per calendar year, then 1% cash back on all purchases afterward).

Why we like it: With the Blue Business Cash, you won’t need to worry about maximizing any bonus categories, making cash-back earnings simple for businesses with a broader list of expenses.

Plus, you’ll have access to an extended warranty, purchase protection, and secondary car rental loss and damage insurance.

To learn more, read our full review of the American Express Blue Business Cash.

Apply here: The American Express Blue Business Cash Card

Capital One Spark Miles for Business

You can earn transferable Capital One miles on small-business spending with the Capital One Spark Miles for Business.

Current welcome offer: Earn 50,000 bonus miles after spending $4,500 on purchases within the first three months from account opening. Per TPG’s May 2025 valuations, which deem Capital One miles are worth 1.85 cents each, this bonus is worth $925.

Annual fee: $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $95 thereafter.

Earning structure: The Capital One Spark Miles for Business earns 2 miles per dollar spent on most purchases. However, you will earn 5 miles per dollar spent on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One’s travel booking site.

Why we like it: This card earns Capital One miles at a simple rate without the need to memorize bonus categories, so it’s a good option for small-business owners with diverse expenses.

Capital One miles is a valuable currency that can be transferred to 15-plus travel partners. For example, you could transfer your Capital One miles to British Airways Avios and use those Avios to book flights with multiple airlines, including Aer Lingus, British Airways, Finnair, Iberia, Loganair and Qatar Airways.

To learn more, read our full review of the Capital One Spark Miles for Business.

Learn more: Capital One Spark Miles for Business

Capital One Spark Cash Select

The no-annual-fee Capital One Spark Cash Select makes earning on general business expenses easy.

Current welcome offer: Earn $500 cash back after spending $4,500 on purchases within the first three months from account opening.

Annual fee: $0.

Earning structure: You’ll earn 1.5% cash back on most of your purchases. However, for hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One’s travel booking site, you’ll earn 5% cash back.

Why we like it: With this card, you’ll earn simple cash back on most of your business purchases, with the chance to earn more on select bookings through Capital One’s travel booking site.

Small-business owners who don’t want to worry about redeeming miles and prefer cash-back rewards will enjoy the simplicity of this card.

To learn more, read our full review of the Capital One Spark Cash Select.

Learn more: Capital One Spark Cash Select

Bank of America Business Advantage Customized Cash Rewards Mastercard credit card

Bank of America often slides under the radar when compared to major issuers like Chase and American Express, but small-business owners should absolutely consider the Bank of America Business Advantage Customized Cash Rewards.

Current welcome offer: Earn a $300 statement credit after making $3,000 in purchases within the first 90 days of account opening.

Annual fee: $0.

Earning structure: The Bank of America Business Advantage Customized Cash card earns 3% back in the category of your choice for the first $50,000 in combined category/dining purchases each calendar year, then 1% thereafter. Eligible categories include:

• Business consulting services
• Computer services
• Gas stations and electric vehicle charging stations
• Office supply stores
• Travel
• TV/telecom and wireless

You’ll also earn 2% back on dining purchases and 1% back on other purchases.

Why we like it: You can choose an earning category that fits your business model and change this category each month to adapt to your business operations.

Cash back can be redeemed into a checking or savings account with Bank of America or as a statement credit. You can also opt in to automatically redeem for cash back each month, but keep in mind that there’s a $25 redemption minimum.

Plus, members of the Bank of America Preferred Rewards program can earn rewards at up to 75% higher rates, meaning you could get up to 5.25% back on your chosen category with this card. The bonus rate you receive depends on the amount of money you have within this program.

To learn more, read our full review of the Business Advantage Customized Cash card.

Apply here: Bank of America Business Advantage Customized Cash Rewards Mastercard credit card

Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Business Credit Card

Southwest is one of the most popular airlines in the U.S. If your business frequently flies with the carrier, it may be time to open the Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Business Credit Card.

Current welcome offer: Earn 60,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. As of May 2025, TPG values this welcome offer at $780.

Annual fee: $99.

Earning structure: When you spend with the Southwest Premier Business card, you’ll earn 3 points per dollar spent on purchases made with Southwest Airlines; 2 points per dollar spent on purchases made with Rapid Rewards hotel and car rental partners, as well as local transit and commuting expenses (including ride-hailing services); and 1 point per dollar spent on all other purchases.

Why we like it: Southwest Airlines is often popular with domestic travelers. This card allows you to earn tier qualifying points toward A-List status through credit card spending each year. You’ll also receive 6,000 bonus points every account anniversary year.

Now that Southwest will end its policy of allowing flyers to check two bags for free, holding a Southwest cobranded credit card (like the Southwest Premier Business) will become one of the few ways to guarantee a free checked bag.

To learn more, read our full review of the Southwest Premier Business card.

Apply here: Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Business Credit Card

Why many small businesses lack business credit cards

The 2025 Intuit QuickBooks Small Business Index Annual Report also showed that there has been a sharp rise in credit card spending by small-business owners with a credit card since the COVID-19 pandemic.

Per the report, average spending continued to increase in January 2023, but average payments declined. By 2024, small businesses with up to 100 employees were spending $24,250 on monthly expenses and paying just $16,760 each month.

With the data reflecting an increase in monthly interest payments, some small-business owners who haven’t opened a business credit card yet may be concerned about their ability to pay off a credit card’s balance before interest begins to accrue.

However, practicing healthy spending habits (such as paying off your balance in full each month) would alleviate these concerns.

On the other hand, some business owners may be concerned about their own credit history (or a lower credit score) when applying for a business credit card. In this case, starting with a secured credit card is a great option. This allows businesses to build credit through a history of paying on time and by establishing a relationship with the issuing bank.

After some time, usually several months, holders of many secured cards can request that the bank convert their card into a traditional credit card. Sometimes, the bank may swap a cardholder to the unsecured version independently, without requiring a request.

Related: 3 real ways to boost your credit score in 30 days

Bottom line

When starting a small business, there are many aspects to consider. Understanding and building your business credit score can help you gain access to more credit, which will free up capital to help your business succeed financially.

Now that you know more about business credit cards and why they’re important, consider adding one of these solid options as your first business credit card. It may end up being the perfect spending tool for your small business.

Related: Business credit card tips everyone should follow

For rates and fees of the Amex Blue Business Plus card, click here.
For rates and fees of the Amex Blue Business Cash card, click here.