Best Business Credit Cards of 2024

More business credit cards

These cards barely missed the cut, but we love them nonetheless.

IHG One Rewards Premier Business Credit Card: Best Business Hotel Card for IHG
Delta SkyMiles® Gold Business American Express Card: Best Delta Card for Small Businesses
Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card: Best Delta Card for Semi-Frequent Business Travelers
Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card: Best Premium Delta Business Card
Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Performance Business Credit Card: Best Airline Business Card for Southwest Airlines
Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Premier Business Credit Card: Best Southwest Card for Small Businesses
Ink Business Premier® Credit Card: Best for Cash Back on Large Business Purchases

What is a business credit card?

A business credit card is meant to be used primarily by a business, for business purchases, instead of for your personal use. This can help keep your business expenses and personal expenses separate.

These cards are available to any business, no matter their size, so they can improve their credit and increase their future borrowing odds. Even freelancers or sole proprietors can apply for a business credit card — so long as you make any type of income.

How do business credit cards work?

Business credit cards generally work similarly to personal credit cards, but they tend to offer cardholders better reward rates and a higher credit limit. Using a business credit card can be helpful when it comes to keeping track of expenses and managing your business finances. These cards come with all sorts of useful features, like tools to help you track spending and monitor employee expenses. Plus, the rewards and benefits are usually customized for businesses, with perks like travel rewards, discounts on business supplies, and more. By using a credit card for your business, you can keep better records, save money, and keep a closer eye on employee spending.

What is a business credit score?

Business credit scores are connected to your business and not to you as an individual. Unlike personal credit scores that use FICO or VantageScore models, business credit scores are rated between 0 and 100 and evaluate factors such as past payment history, credit utilization, business assets, and industry risk. Responsibly using a business credit card is one easy way to start building business credit.

Business credit cards vs. personal credit cards

Having a business or personal card can give you access to credit, but they both operate differently.

Individuals use personal cards for daily purchases of things like gas, groceries, and household necessities.

Business credit cards are only meant for businesses and business spending. If you use this card for personal spending, your account could be flagged and even terminated.

The main differences between the two include:

• Interest rates
  Rates can be similar for both cards but highly depend on your credit history, and the type of card can also make a big difference (read more on how credit card interest works).
• Credit limit
  Personal cards tend to have lower credit limits than business credit cards. Your credit lender will first consider your personal income, business revenue, and credit score.
• Consumer protection laws
  These laws tend to be more stringent for personal cards. If you are late on a payment for your cards, the late fees could be much higher. However, some cards offer protection from these high fees.
• 0% promotional APR terms
  These offers tend to have an extended period on personal cards rather than business credit cards.
• Separate lines of credit
  While having a poor personal credit score can impact your business credit applications, personal cards won’t build your credit on your business credit card. Using your business credit account impacts your business credit score, but it can also affect your personal score, depending on the lender. This is especially true with cards that require a personal guarantee. Therefore, how you use your business card can affect your personal credit score.
• Reward rates
  Reward structures for cards meant for business credit cards are often directed toward business expenses and needs. Some rewards, like travel miles, can be available for business and personal. These cards offer business-specific perks that allow you to track employee spending, manage your account, and more.

Types of business credit cards

Small business credit cards

Anyone who has owned a small business or worked as a freelancer knows how waiting for invoices to be paid can be an endless cycle. A small business credit card can ease your financial burden and invest in business resources that will help your company grow if you cannot pay out of pocket.
Editor’s pick: The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express

Corporate cards

Unlike small business credit cards, corporate cards are issued to the business entity, not a specific person. These types of cards are often best for large, well-established businesses.
Editor’s pick: Brex Card 

Travel reward cards

Similar to personal travel cards, business travel cards offer high-value rewards on eligible travel purchases. They also tend to include other perks like lounge access, travel insurance, and travel-related statement credits.
Editor’s pick: The Business Platinum Card® from American Express or Capital One Venture X Business

Cash-back credit cards

Many of the best business cards offer cash-back rewards for your purchases. These can be incredibly valuable, giving you money to invest back into your business. These cards either offer flat-rate cash back on all purchases, have specific bonus categories, or have a mix of both.
Editor’s pick: Ink Business Cash® Credit Card or Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card

Co-branded business cards

Some issuers work hand-in-hand with specific brands to give cardholders valuable benefits specific to their company. Hotel credit cards and airline credit cards are two of the more common types, often offering perks like elite status, in-flight discounts, annual free night rewards, etc.
Editor’s pick: The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card or United℠ Business Card

Cards for startup businesses

Some business cards are made specifically for new businesses, offering a convenient way for startups to fund their initial costs. They’re available to any type of business, from freelancers to Etsy sellers to more formally structured businesses.
Editor’s pick: The American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card

Business cards for bad credit

Not too many business credit cards are available to people with poor or fair credit, but there are a few options. Many of these are secured credit cards, or cards requiring a security deposit to open. These can help you build your business credit until you qualify for something better.
Editor’s pick: Brex Card

Perks of business credit cards

Keep your business and personal accounts separate

You can easily track your business and personal expenses when you separate them. When it’s time to pay taxes, you can easily see how much overhead you have and make deductions. Every time you use your card for business, you can lower your taxable income.

Plus, if you ever get audited for any unfortunate reason, your card statements can serve as a backup. Small-business credit cards can help prove that the business you run is not a hobby or a personal matter, plus they can track your spending into different categories to keep your bookkeeping simple.

Have a financial safety net

Any freelancer or small business will tell you that cash flow is a major worry, especially if your client check hasn’t arrived in time to pay off expenses.

Business cards provide a revolving line of credit when you need to make a business expenditure without spending personal money. Just make sure that your business credit card is used solely for business. If you use it for personal spending, your account could be closed or frozen.

Enjoy business-specific perks

Credit cards for businesses tend to have higher credit limits, and many offer an extension to your billing cycle. Some cards offer sign-up bonuses that allow you to rack on points within a certain time frame. Others may offer free employee cards, airline credits, access to airport lounges, and business tracking tools.

Using your small-business card can improve your credit score and lower your interest rates, which is necessary if you are considering applying for a business loan.

You don’t even need employees or an established business structure to be eligible for a business credit card. Today’s gig economy shows more people deciding to work for themselves. You can qualify if you run a business from home or even have a part-time business. While freelancing comes with plenty of risks, there are many rewards, especially if you have a small-business card to help you through lean times.

Business credit cards are a good idea and can help you grow; just remember to use your card wisely and pay on time.

Choosing the best credit card for your business

Choosing the right business card can be instrumental. There are various factors you should consider when choosing a company credit card.

Determine where your business does most of its spending.

If you notice you spend a lot on travel or office supplies, you should find a company card that fits those needs and offers rewards.

Make sure you can afford an annual fee.

Many cards that come with a yearly fee often offer incentives and rewards so you can recoup the cost of the fee with your business purchases. However, if you are a startup or a new business, you may want to consider a no annual fee card.

Consider the APR

Are you planning on carrying a balance on your card? Look at the APRs on the cards you consider, as any balance you carry will accrue interest. If you plan to carry a balance, your best bet is a card with a very low APR, so you don’t have to spend too much. Alternatively, charge cards don’t allow you to carry a balance, meaning you need to pay off your bill in full each month.

Look at the rewards and perks

If you’re looking for a business card with rewards, pay attention to cash back cards and those with membership reward bonus points. Frequent travelers may want access to airport lounges, growing businesses may want free employee cards, and any business can benefit from business and account management tools.

How to apply for a business credit card

Applying for a business card or corporate credit card is similar to a personal card application. As a business owner, you can apply with an EIN (employer identification number) or your Social Security number. Lenders will base their decisions on your established credit history, your business’ revenue, financial backing, and more.

Here are some important tips on how to apply for a business card:

1. Know your personal credit score.
   No matter the type of business you own, the lender will pull a hard credit check on your personal credit report. The business card will be separate from your personal credit and will not impact your personal credit.
2. Look at your business credit score.
   Personal credit ranges from 300 to 850, but business credit scores are on a scale from 0 to 100, with 0 meaning no credit or bad credit. This score is public so that you can access your score through business credit reporting agencies.
3. Get your documents together for the application process.
   If you are a freelancer or sole proprietor, you just need to provide the same information as you would for a personal card application. If you are the owner of a corporation or an LLC, you may need to provide business-specific items like a tax identification number, business name, business phone number and address, business income, and a personal guarantee.
4. Apply for your new business card.
   Once you have all your information, go ahead and apply online for the best credit card that fits your needs.

Pros and cons of business credit cards

Our methodology for selecting the best business credit cards

A great business card is subjective and hinges on your business needs, type of business, and business spending. As with personal credit cards, not all are created equal.

The characteristics that we keep in mind when selecting the best business cards involve: