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How to choose the best credit card for your business expenses
Editor’s note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information and offers. No matter what type of business or side hustle you manage, there’s a great business credit card that can help you earn more rewards with your everyday business spending. The key is knowing which categories you spend the most on each …
Editor’s note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information and offers.
No matter what type of business or side hustle you manage, there’s a great business credit card that can help you earn more rewards with your everyday business spending.
The key is knowing which categories you spend the most on each month — and which cards offer the best rewards in those categories.
Let’s cover some common types of business owners and the cards that will offer the highest long-term earning potential for each.
Comparing the best credit cards for business expenses
Here are our top picks for the best cards to use for your business expenses.
| Credit card | Best for | Welcome offer | Earning rates | Annual fee |
| Capital One Venture X Business | High-spending businesses | Earn up to 350,000 miles: 150,000 miles after spending $30,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening, plus an additional 200,000 miles after spending $200,000 on purchases within the first six months. |
|
$395 |
| Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card (see rates and fees) | Bonus-earning | Earn 90,000 points after spending $8,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. |
|
$95 |
| American Express® Business Gold Card | Flexible rewards | Earn 100,000 points after spending $15,000 on purchases within the first three months of card membership. |
*On up to the first $150,000 in combined purchases each calendar year (then 1 point per dollar thereafter). Your top two categories may change, and only the top two categories each billing cycle will count toward the $150,000 cap. |
$375 (see rates and fees) |
| Capital One Spark Miles for Business | Everyday business spending | Earn 50,000 miles after spending $4,500 on purchases within the first three months from account opening. |
|
$0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $95 |
| Capital One Spark Cash Plus | Unlimited cash back for your business | Earn $2,000 cash back after spending $30,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening, plus an additional $2,000 cash bonus for every $500,000 spent during the first year. |
|
$150 |
| The Business Platinum Card® from American Express | Luxury travel perks | Earn 150,000 points after spending $20,000 on purchases within the first three months of card membership. Plus, earn a $500 statement credit after spending $2,500 on qualifying flights booked directly with airlines or through American Express Travel in the first three months of card membership. You can earn one or both of these offers, which end June 30. |
|
$695 (see rates and fees) |
| Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card (see rates and fees) | Freelancers | Earn $750 cash back after spending $6,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening. |
|
$0 |
| Ink Business Cash® Credit Card (see rates and fees) | Office supplies | Earn up to $750 in bonus cash back: $350 after spending $3,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening, plus an additional $400 cash back after spending $6,000 on purchases within the first six months. |
|
$0 |
| The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express | Earning transferable points for no annual fee | Earn 15,000 points after spending $3,000 on purchases within the first three months of card membership. |
|
$0 (see rates and fees) |
| United℠ Business Card (see rates and fees) | United Airlines flyers | Earn 75,000 bonus miles and 2,000 Premier qualifying points after spending $5,000 in the first three months from account opening. |
|
$0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $150 |
Capital One Venture X Business
Welcome offer: Earn up to 350,000 miles: 150,000 miles after spending $30,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening, plus an additional 200,000 miles after spending $200,000 on purchases within the first six months. Based on TPG’s May 2025 valuations, this offer is worth up to $6,475.
Annual fee: $395.
Standout benefits: The Venture X Business comes with an annual $300 Capital One Travel credit, 10,000 anniversary miles, a TSA/Global Entry statement credit and numerous travel protections. You’ll earn at least 2 miles per dollar spent on every purchase and can redeem these miles by transferring them to one of Capital One’s 15-plus transfer partners. Plus, you can add up to four authorized users at no additional cost.
To learn more, read our full review of the Venture X Business.
Learn more: Capital One Venture X Business
Ink Business Preferred Credit Card
Welcome offer: Earn 90,000 points after spending $8,000 on purchases in the first three months after opening an account. Based on TPG’s May 2025 valuations, this offer is worth $1,845.
Annual fee: $95.
Standout benefits: The Ink Business Preferred is a great card for business owners with high spending on travel and select business categories, as you’ll earn 3 points per dollar spent on the first $150,000 in combined spend in select categories.
These points can be redeemed for travel via Chase Travel℠ at 1.25 cents apiece or transferred to one of Chase’s 14 hotel and airline partners for maximum value. You’ll also receive numerous travel and shopping protections and cellphone insurance.
To learn more, read our full review of the Ink Business Preferred.
Apply here: Ink Business Preferred Credit Card
Amex Business Gold Card
Welcome offer: Earn 100,000 points after spending $15,000 on purchases within the first three months of card membership. Based on TPG’s May 2025 valuations, this offer is worth $2,000.
Annual fee: $375.
Standout benefits: The Amex Business Gold offers business owners the ability to earn 4 points per dollar spent in their top two spending categories each billing cycle (on up to $150,000 in combined spend, then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter).
This card also comes with a useful up to $240 per calendar year (up to $20 monthly) flexible business credit for FedEx, Grubhub or U.S. office supply stores (enrollment required). Plus, you’ll be able to transfer points earned to one of Amex’s 21 hotel and airline partners.
Katie Genter, TPG’s lead writer for points and miles, likes to use her Amex Business Gold’s flexible business credit by ordering food via Grubhub with her card at least once each month. She also likes to transfer points to airline partners like Hawaiian Airlines, which she then transfers to Alaska Airlines and British Airways.
To learn more, read our full review of the Amex Business Gold Card.
Apply here: Amex Business Gold Card
Capital One Spark Miles for Business
Welcome offer: Earn 50,000 miles after spending $4,500 on purchases within the first three months from account opening. Based on TPG’s May 2025 valuations, this offer is worth $925.
Annual fee: $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $95.
Standout benefits: Simplicity is the name of the game with the Spark Miles for Business, as business owners will earn at least 2 miles per dollar spent on all purchases. These miles can be redeemed for travel purchases or transferred to one of Capital One’s excellent airline and hotel partners. Cardholders will also receive a TSA PreCheck or Global Entry credit.
To learn more, read our full review of the Capital One Spark Miles.
Learn more: Capital One Spark Miles for Business
Capital One Spark Cash Plus
Welcome offer: Earn $2,000 cash back after spending $30,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening, plus an additional $2,000 cash bonus for every $500,000 spent during the first year.
Annual fee: $150.
Standout benefits: The biggest benefit of the Spark Cash Plus is that it earns an unlimited 2% cash back on all purchases. Business owners can also take advantage of complimentary employee cards and have their card’s annual fee refunded if they spend $150,000 or more per year.
To learn more, read our full review of the Capital One Spark Cash Plus.
Learn more: Capital One Spark Cash Plus
The Business Platinum Card from American Express
Welcome offer: Earn 150,000 points after spending $20,000 on purchases within the first three months of card membership. Plus, earn a $500 statement credit after spending $2,500 on qualifying flights booked directly with airlines or through American Express Travel in the first three months of card membership. You can earn one or both of these offers, which end June 30. Based on TPG’s May 2025 valuations, this offer is worth up to $3,500.
Annual fee: $695.
Standout benefits: The Amex Business Platinum offers unrivaled lounge access for small-business owners alongside a plethora of valuable statement credits, including an up to $200 airline credit every calendar year.
You’ll also receive automatic hotel elite status with Hilton and Marriott (enrollment required), enjoy numerous shopping and travel protections and earn 1.5 points per dollar spent in select categories and on all purchases over $5,000 (on up to $2 million in spending per calendar year, then 1 point per dollar).
I pair this card with my American Express® Gold Card so I can use the Pay with Points bonus for the points I earn with both cards. I use this bonus to book business-class flights via Amex Travel and receive 35% of my points back (up to 1 million points per year). I also enjoy the unmatched lounge access I get with this card when traveling.
To learn more, read our full review of the Amex Business Platinum.
Apply here: The Business Platinum Card from American Express
Ink Business Unlimited Credit Card
Welcome offer: Earn $750 cash back after spending $6,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening.
Annual fee: $0.
Standout benefits: The Ink Business Unlimited earns 1.5% cash back on all purchases. You’ll also receive primary rental car insurance when booking rental cars for business purposes.
To learn more, read our full review of the Ink Business Unlimited.
Apply here: Ink Business Unlimited Credit Card
Ink Business Cash Credit Card
Welcome offer: Earn up to $750 in bonus cash back: $350 after spending $3,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening, plus an additional $400 cash back after spending $6,000 on purchases within the first six months.
Annual fee: $0.
Standout benefits: Business owners will earn 5% cash back on office supplies and select utilities on the first $25,000 in combined spending and 2% cash back on restaurant and gas station purchases on the first $25,000 in combined spending. Cardholders will also receive primary rental car insurance when booking business rental cars.
To learn more, read our full review of the Ink Business Cash.
Apply here: Ink Business Cash Credit Card
The Blue Business Plus Credit Card from American Express
Welcome offer: Earn 15,000 points after spending $3,000 on purchases within the first three months of card membership. Based on TPG’s May 2025 valuations, this offer is worth $300.
Annual fee: $0.
Standout benefits: Business owners will earn 2 Membership Rewards points per dollar spent on all purchases (up to $50,000 per year, then 1 point per dollar) for no annual fee. These points can be transferred to one of Amex’s transfer partners for maximum value.
To learn more, read our full review of the Blue Business Plus.
Apply here: The Blue Business Plus Credit Card from American Express
United Business Card
Welcome offer: Earn 75,000 bonus miles and 2,000 Premier qualifying points after spending $5,000 in the first three months from account opening.
Based on TPG’s May 2025 valuations, this offer is worth $1,013.
Annual fee: $0, intro annual fee for the first year, then $150.
Standout benefits: The United Business Card offers an excellent 7 miles per dollar spent on United flights purchases.
Business owners will also receive two United Club passes (primary cardholder or authorized user must be present to redeem them), as well as numerous United-specific perks that will enhance their travel experience, such as two free checked bags, priority boarding and 25% cash back on inflight purchases. Additionally, cardholders will receive a handful of statement credits to help offset the card’s annual fee.
To learn more, read our full review of the United Business Card.
Apply here: United Business Card
For side hustlers: A credit card with a flat earning rate
You don’t have to own a brick-and-mortar store to apply for a business credit card. Whether you’re a Lyft driver on the weekends or run a small Etsy store in your free time, you can rack up rewards on your business expenses.
If you don’t have a large budget for monthly business purchases, there are two things to look for in a business card: a flat rewards rate and a low annual fee.
Flat rewards aren’t always as lucrative as some tiered rewards structures, but they allow you to earn points, miles or cash back on every purchase, no matter the spending category. Plus, an annual fee usually isn’t worth it unless you spend thousands of dollars on your business card every month.
Some top choices include:
These are exceptional options if you also have an eligible American Express Membership Rewards or Chase Ultimate Rewards card. Both issuers allow cardmembers to pool rewards between personal and business accounts, so you can combine them for maximum redemption value.
Related: Who qualifies for a business credit card?
For office startups: A card with related bonus categories
Multiple business cards offer rewards in spending categories like office supplies and wireless services. If you run your business out of an office, you can earn a great return on your everyday business expenses with these cards.
The list of potential bonus categories includes purchases with:
- Media providers for advertising in select online, TV and radio media
- Electronic goods retailers
- Software and cloud system providers
- Dining
- Gas
- Transit purchases, including trains, taxicabs, buses and subways
- U.S. telephone service providers (when paying your monthly bill with your card)
Some top options include:
- American Express Business Gold Card (bonus categories may be limited to spending in the U.S.)
- Capital One Venture X Business
- Spark Miles for Business
- Spark Cash Plus
Related: Best rewards credit cards
For retail business owners: A card that offers rewards on advertising
Whether you own a brick-and-mortar boutique or an e-commerce site, chances are you’re spending money each month on advertising your business. Plus, most business cards that offer rewards on advertising also offer rewards in other valuable categories, like U.S. shipping.
Some popular choices include:
Related: Best credit cards for advertising
For frequent business travelers: A cobranded card
If you travel the same routes multiple times throughout the year, fly on the same airline and/or stay with the same hotel brand, a cobranded business credit card is a great option. You’ll get bonus points or miles on every dollar spent with the airline or hotel chain associated with the card; you’ll also enjoy additional perks like free checked bags, preferred boarding and easier paths to elite status.
Cobranded business credit cards make it easier to hit elite status requirements, and some come with benefits like lounge access, early boarding and free seat selection.
A couple of popular cobranded airline cards include:
A hotel card is a better option if you don’t stick with the same airline when you fly but stay with the same hotel brand often.
- Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card
- The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card
- Amex Business Platinum: This card offers strong perks on hotel stays and airport experiences. It also comes with automatic Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status and Hilton Honors Gold status, plus exceptional lounge access privileges (terms apply; enrollment is required for some benefits).
Related: Business cards vs. personal cards: Key differences
Bottom line
The best business credit card for you depends on how — and where — you spend. While each card offers different perks, all of them can help streamline your finances and earn rewards on everyday business expenses.
Best of all, if you own a personal credit card with the same issuer, you might be able to combine points or unlock added travel benefits.
Choosing a business card is an important decision. Just like with personal cards, it comes down to understanding your spending habits and reward goals. So, take time to reflect on these factors before choosing the one that best fits your business.
Related: How to pick a strategy for your small-business credit cards
For rates and fees of the Amex Business Gold Card, click here.
For rates and fees of the Amex Business Platinum Card, click here.
For rates and fees of the Amex Blue Business Plus Card, click here.
