The Best Credit Cards for Small Businesses (2021)

Whether you run an established small business or work as a freelancer, it’s vital to keep your personal and business finances separate. It can quickly get muddy when you charge your monthly business expenses and drinks with friends to the same credit card.

A business credit card will make your life easier, particularly when you need to file your taxes. Having clear records can help you to get the most legitimate deductions for business expenses. And not only will it make your life easier, but adding a business credit card to your wallet may allow you to earn more cashback and rewards. Most of the cards listed here offer signup bonuses, which can be a very convincing reason to pick up a new card.

Here are our highest recommendations for small business credit cards.

See more of our top credit card recommendations:

• Best Credit Card Signup Bonus Offers
• Best Cashback Credit Cards
• Best Travel Rewards Credit Cards

1. Chase Ink Business Preferred

The Chase Ink Business Preferred card is a popular choice for good reason. The $95 annual fee is on the lower end for business credit cards, and the signup bonus quickly makes up for this modest expense. There are also impressive redemption offers and quick point earning potential. All of these elements can help small business owners enjoy serious savings.

When you spend $15,000 in the first three months after opening the account, you’ll receive a 100,000 point bonus, which is worth $1,250 in travel or $1,00 cash. Additionally, you’ll earn 3 points for each dollar spent on travel, advertising, cable and internet, cell phone bills, and shipping. All other purchases will earn 1 point per dollar spent.

You can redeem your points towards hotels, cruises, car rentals, and airfare or exchange them for cash transfers or gift cards. You can also transfer your points to participating travel programs with a full one-to-one value. This means that one Ultimate Rewards point offers one partner mile or point.

The Chase Ink Business Preferred offers a great package for the modest annual fee. There is cell phone insurance for your primary phone number and any employee numbers on the same account. Additionally, there are some fantastic business categories that can be beneficial for small business owners, including social media advertising and search engine marketing with a cap of $150,000 annually. However, if the bonus categories don’t fit your business needs, or you’re likely to spend more than the annual $150k threshold, you may prefer a card offering maximum cashback. After the cap, you’ll earn only one point per dollar.

Highlights:

• 3 points per dollar spent on travel and select purchases
• 1 point per dollar on all other purchases
• 100,000 point signup bonus (worth $1,250 in travel or $1,000 in cash)
• $95 annual fee

→ Learn more about the Chase Ink Business Preferred and compare it to other business credit cards

2. Chase Ink Business Unlimited

Most business credit cards that offer rewards come with an annual fee, but the Chase Ink Business Unlimited is different. If you’re looking for a business card with no annual fee, this one is our top choice.

This is a flat-rate card. You’ll earn 1.5% cashback on every purchase. It’s simple with no rotating categories or various tiers of rewards to remember, making it a good everyday card to use for the majority of your business expenses.

Currently, there is an introductory 0% APR on your purchases for the first 12 months with the card. You’ll also love the outstanding $750 signup bonus. You’ll need to spend $7,500 in the first 3 months to qualify for the bonus.

Highlights:

• 1.5% cashback on every purchase
• $750 signup bonus if you spend $7,500 in the first 3 months
• No annual fee

→ Learn more about the Chase Ink Business Unlimited card

3. Chase Ink Business Cash

If you’re a small business owner looking for flexible rewards for business spending, no annual fee, and a low APR, then the Chase Ink Business Cash could be just what you’re looking for. New card owners can enjoy 0 percent APR on purchases during the first 12 months, and bonus cashback offers. If you spend $7,500 in the first three months, you’ll receive a $750 cashback bonus.

The Chase Ink Business Cash card offers flexible rewards tracked as points. There is 5 percent cashback on your first $25,000 spent per year in combined purchases of office supplies, and phone and television services. There is also 2 percent cash back on restaurants and gas station purchases up to a $25,000 cap and 1 percent on all other purchases.

Once you reach 2,000 points, those points can be redeemed for statement credit or electronic deposit to checking or savings accounts. You can also redeem your points for travel and gift cards, and these redemptions are at a rate of one point per penny. Each 100 points are worth $1. Additionally, there’s no expiration on your points, and you can have employee cards at no extra cost.

The Chase Ink Business Cash card can also be managed through the Ink Mobile App, so you can receive instant purchase alerts and avoid unpleasant surprises. This allows you to manage employee spending, which will help you to stay on top of all your business expenses. After the first 12 months, the rate increases, so it is important to properly manage your account and pay off the card each month, or your rewards will be quickly absorbed by the interest charges.

Highlights:

• 5% cashback for office supplies, phone, and TV (capped)
• 2% cashback at restaurants and gas stations (capped)
• 1% cashback on all other purchases
• $750 signup bonus
• No annual fee

→ Learn more about the Chase Ink Business Cash and compare it to other business credit cards

4. American Express Business Gold Card

The Business Gold Card from American Express is a high rewards card that is geared towards small businesses. You’ll get generous perks and Membership Rewards points. You can receive 4 points per dollar spent on two categories you select with a $150,000 per year cap. Every other purchase will earn 1 point per dollar.

This does mean that you need to choose your categories where your business will spend the most every month. You can also enjoy 25% points back after you redeem points for an eligible flight booked through Amex Travel, up to a limit of 250,000 points per calendar year.

There is also an introductory offer, where new cardholders can receive 75,000 membership rewards points with $10,000 in eligible purchases during the first three months of membership.

You can redeem your points with over 500 brands or gift cards, and while the $295 annual fee is higher than many business credit cards, this may be offset by the fantastic rewards package (depending on your spending habits).

The Business Gold Card does differ from a conventional credit card. American Express offers a “no pre-set spending limit,” but this doesn’t mean that you have unlimited spending power. Instead, the card adjusts your limit according to your credit record, financial resources, and payment history. This means that you shouldn’t be tempted to roll over balances, accumulating interest.

Highlights:

• 4x points on purchases in your choice of two categories
• 1x points on all other purchases
• 75,000 membership rewards points in you spend $10,000 in the first 3 months
• No foreign transaction fees
• $295 annual fee

→ Learn more about the American Express Business Gold and compare it to other business credit cards

5. Business Platinum Card from American Express

While the Business Platinum Card may not be right for every small business owner, it can be the perfect card for those who travel extensively. There is a $595 annual fee (no cost for additional employee cards), so you’ll need to have the right expenses for the rewards of the card to offset the annual fee. However, those who travel a lot will be able to offset the cost of the annual fee, and then some.

You can earn 100,000 membership rewards points after you spend $15,000 within the first 3 months.

You’ll also earn 5 points per $1 spent on flights and pre-paid hotels on amextravel.com, 1.5 points per dollar on purchases $5,000 or more, and 1 point per $1 on all other purchases.

When you’re traveling, you can get 35% of your points back when you book on amextravel.com. With this offer, you can get up to 500,000 points back per year.

Other perks include access to more than 1,000 airport lounges in 500 different airports, complimentary room upgrades, free breakfast, late checkout, free wifi, and more.

Highlights:

• 5x points on flights and hotels booked through amextravel.com
• 1.5x points on all purchases over $5,000
• 1x points on all other purchases
• 100,000 point signup bonus if you spend $15,000 in the first 3months
• Get 35% of your points back when redeemed for travel through amextravel.com
• $595 annual fee

→ Learn more about the Business Platinum Card from American Express and compare it to other business credit cards

6. American Express Blue Business Cash Card

The American Express Blue Business Cash Card may be a good fit for small businesses that have low expenses. This card has no annual fee, which is a major perk. Additionally, you’ll earn 2% cashback on all purchases up to $50,000 per year, and 1% cashback on purchases after you’ve spent $50,000.

The lack of an annual fee and high cashback make it an attractive card, but if your business has expenses significantly exceeding $50,000 per year, you could probably do better with another card.

Currently, there is no welcome bonus offer for this card, but you will get an introductory 0% APR on purchases for the first 12 months.

For small businesses just getting started, this may be a solid choice.

Highlights:

• No annual fee
• 2% cashback on spending up to $50,000 per year, 1% cashback on all purchases beyond that.

→ Learn more about the American Express Blue Business Cash Card and compare it to other business credit cards

7. Southwest Performance Business Credit Card

The Southwest Performance Business Credit Card is a good option for business owners who travel frequently on Southwest Airlines. Other business owners will find the rewards of other cards to be better for them.

With this card, you’ll earn 3x points on airfare with Southwest. You’ll earn 2x points on social media and search engine advertising, plus internet, cable, and phone service. Every other purchase will earn 1x points.

Currently, there’s a generous 80,000 point signup bonus when you spend $5,000 in the first 3 months.

You’ll also get 4 upgraded bookings with Southwest per year (when available) and in-flight WiFi credits.

The card comes with a $199 annual fee.

Highlights:

• 3x points on purchases from Southwest Airlines
• 2x points on online ads, internet and phone service
• 1x points on all other purchases
• 80,000 point signup bonus when you spend $5,000 in the first 3 months
• $199 annual fee

→ Learn more about the Southwest Performance Business Credit Card

8. CitiBusiness AAdvantage Platinum Select Mastercard

The CitiBusiness AAdvantage Platinum Select card is a great option for business owners that frequently fly with American Airlines. Other business owners will find the rewards from other cards to be more appealing.

With this card, you’ll earn 2x points on American Airlines flights as well as cable, satellite, telecom, car rentals, and gas. All other purchases will earn 1x points.

You’ll also get a 65,000 point signup bonus when you spend at least $4,000 in the first 4 months.

The perks for those who fly with American Airlines include one free checked bag on domestic flights, preferred boarding, and 25% off WiFi.

There is a $99 annual fee, but it’s waived for the first year.

Highlights:

• 2x points on American Airlines purchases, cable, satellite, telecom, car rentals, and gas
• 1x points on all other purchases
• 65,000 signup bonus when you spend $4,000 in the first 4 months
• $99 annual fee

→ Learn more about the CitiBusiness AAdvantage Platinum Select Mastercard

Conclusion

The right card can be a boon for small business owners. However, the best credit cards for small businesses offer rewards that work with your spending habits. Be sure to take the time to consider your business honestly, so you can choose a card that will offer you the best rewards for your business spending. You’ll need to think about the bulk of your business spending, whether your spending will be sufficient to offset an annual fee and whether you prefer points, travel rewards, or cash.

The right small business credit card will offer plenty of benefits, perks, and options that will provide rewards for your typical business spending. It will also allow you to separate your business and personal spending to make it easier to monitor your transactions and simplify your accounting. Just be sure to choose a card that offers maximum benefits for your usual business spending. There is no point in choosing a card that requires you to change your spending patterns, or you will not be able to harness the reward potential.

Compare more business credit cards here.