
When you’re running a small business, you can use all the resources you can get your hands on. Even early on, a small business credit card could be the key to streamlining your operation. In addition to a bit of financial flexibility, you’ll be able to secure a short-term influx of funds — and maybe even save money when all is said and done. The industry continues to tout the many, many reasons why small businesses like yours need business credit, as well as the integral role it can play in taking your company to the next level.
However, even when you’re ready to nail down your small business credit card, you might find yourself overwhelmed with the barrage of options out there. With seemingly no end in sight, how can you ever hope to figure out what’s right for you?
Don’t worry; we have you covered. Rather than sifting through dozens of subpar small business credit cards, we’ve curated a complete list of the best of the best. Remember, while all the below selections would serve your business well, only you can make the final call. Make sure to do additional research and read reviews of business credit cards before making your decision.
Chase Ink Business Preferred Card
Chase offers several business-targeted cards, but the Ink Business Preferred is easily one of the standouts. For starters, it offers an 80,000-point sign-up bonus worth hundreds of dollars and a 25 percent travel redemption bonus, making it the perfect choice for business professionals who are always on the move.
Business purchases — specifically those involving travel, shipping, internet/phone and online marketing — earn 3 points for every dollar spent on the first $150,000 and 1 point per dollar thereafter. With an annual fee of only $95 (starting in the second year), it’s the perfect balance of travel and reward benefits.
Capital One Spark Cash for Business Card
Owning a small business can sometimes be a frightening guessing game: You might not know exactly what you need from one year to the next. In this case, Capital One’s Spark Cash for Business is the perfect tool, as it offers a flat 2 percent cash back regardless of purchase category.
When you sign up, you also get a bonus of $500 after you spend $4,500 on your card within three months, and it doesn’t have foreign transaction fees. If you’re looking for a one-stop business credit card, Spark Cash for Business might be a good bet.
The Business Platinum Card from American Express OPEN
An annual fee of $450 might sound steep compared to some cards, but consider the benefits you’ll receive when you sign up for American Express OPEN’s Business Platinum Card, which features a 1 percent rewards rate.
First, you can earn up to 75,000 rewards points when you join and receive an amazing five times the points on flights and prepaid hotels when you book through American Express. In fact, many of the incentives to use the Business Platinum Card are tied to travel, including a program that gives you 35 percent of your points back on certain flights and airlines.
Chase Ink Business Cash Credit Card
Another popular Chase option, the Ink Business Cash Credit Card features a competitive rewards program with up to 5 percent cash back and a $300 sign-up bonus when you spend at least $3,000 in the first three months. Though it’s not quite as compelling as the Ink Business Preferred Card, this one certainly has a generous package to offer businesses, including no annual fee and a 0% APR during the first year.
Moreover, cardholders receive Chase’s Purchase Protection to guard against theft or other forms of damage. This is certainly one to consider for small businesses looking for the perfect business credit card.
SimplyCash Plus Business Credit Card from American Express
The SimplyCash Plus Business Credit Card from American Express has no annual fee and a variable APR, but don’t let those details distract you from the other benefits it offers. Cardholders can earn up to $500 cash back and a $250 statement credit once they spend $5,000 on qualifying purchases during their first six months.
You’ll even receive up to 5 percent cash back on certain purchases, allowing you to make the most of every penny you invest in your business. Plus, with a foreign transaction rate of just 2.7 percent, you can rest easy without the higher international use restrictions other cards may implement.
Starwood Preferred Guest Business Credit Card
Starwood Hotels and Resorts is now a subsidiary of Marriott. So while the name alone might not ring a bell, trust that you’ll have no problem finding accommodations with your Starwood Preferred Guest Business Credit Card.
When you book a stay at any Starwood hotel, you’ll receive up to five points for every dollar you spend. Start off with an insane sign-up bonus offer, and you can later redeem all those points for free nights at Starwood hotels with no blackout dates. No foreign transaction fees means you’ll be all set for your next trip! This is all in addition to the numerous other benefits you’ll enjoy at each Starwood location by simply being a cardholder.
Bank of America Business Advantage Cash Card
Cash back is often the number one thing business owners want from their business credit card. In that case, Bank of America’s Business Advantage Cash Card is a solid option. Enjoy as much as 3 percent cash back (depending on your type of purchase) with no annual fee and a 0 percent APR for the first nine billing cycles.
You can redeem your cash rewards in a number of ways, and even earn a $200 statement credit if you spend $500 in the first 60 days. If you want to stretch out the investment you make in your business, here’s your chance.
Capital One Spark Classic for Business Card
A classic never goes out of style. Such is the case with Capital One’s Spark Classic for Business, which features no annual fee and a 1 percent cash-back rate across the board. That’s 1 percent cash back on every single purchase, anytime.
For the business owner without time to keep track of a laundry list of restrictions, this card makes using a business credit card simple and easy. If that feature isn’t enough, Spark Classic for Business also offers fraud coverage, zero foreign transaction fees and countless other benefits.
Business Gold Rewards Card from American Express OPEN
As a small business owner, you’re going to be faced with all kinds of unexpected expenses, so it’s essential to have a business credit card you can count on. With American Express OPEN’s Business Gold Rewards Card, you receive triple points on many qualified purchases that best suit your business.
In addition, you won’t face a pre-set spending limit when you open your account. You can also earn 50,000 points when you spend $5,000 on purchases within your first three months using the card. You’ll get all this and more for an annual fee of only $175 (after the first year).
Bank of America WorldPoints for Business Card
Bank of America is back on our list with this product, which is another of its most popular business credit cards. The WorldPoints for Business Card has everything you’d want from a reliable account: no annual fee, generous double points on common purchases and $200 of bonus statement credit for cardholders who spend $500 in the first 60 days.
Even better, you can redeem reward points for any number of items, such as travel, gift cards or even cash. Business owners with a relatively basic set of needs should find them all met with this attractive, easy-to-use option.
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