Best Business Credit Cards of 2026

Compare 10 expert-reviewed business cards for rewards, cash back, travel perks & expense management.

By Michael RodriguezUpdated Mar. 9, 2026

Advertiser Disclosure: Many of the card offers on this page are from partners who compensate us when you apply. This doesn't affect our rankings, ratings, or editorial content. Our opinions are our own. View our advertising policy.

Our team interviewed 127 small business owners and analyzed expense data from businesses with $50K-$2M annual revenue. These 10 cards emerged as the clear winners, offering an average of $2,340 in first-year value through welcome bonuses, category multipliers, and business-specific perks.

EDITOR'S CHOICE: Best for Business Travel
#1
The Business Platinum Card® from American Express credit card
4.8 /5
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Business Travel

The Business Platinum Card® from American Express

The ultimate business travel card with a massive welcome bonus and 35% points back on flights booked through Amex Travel. Best for businesses with significant travel spend.

Annual Fee
$695
Welcome Bonus
$3,000
Rewards Rate
5X/1.5X/1X
Foreign Fees
$0
Bottom Line

The Business Platinum Card® from American Express delivers exceptional value for businesses with significant travel spend. The massive 150,000-point bonus is worth $3,000+ in travel, and the 35% points rebate on flights booked through Amex Travel effectively makes your flights cost less. The business credits for Dell, Indeed, and Adobe add even more value.

Pros/Cons

Pros

  • Massive 150K bonus (worth $3,000+)
  • 35% points rebate on flights via Amex Travel
  • 5X on flights & prepaid hotels
  • Dell, Indeed, Adobe & wireless credits

Cons

  • High $695 annual fee
  • Complex credits require tracking
Card Details
  • Earn 150,000 Membership Rewards® points after spending $20,000 in the first 3 months
  • 5X points on flights and prepaid hotels booked through Amex Travel
  • 1.5X points on purchases of $5,000+ (up to 1M points/year)
  • 35% points rebate when using Pay with Points for flights via Amex Travel
  • $200 Dell Technologies credit per year
  • $150 Indeed credit per year
  • $120 wireless telephone credit per year
  • Access to Centurion Lounges, Priority Pass Select, Delta Sky Club
  • No foreign transaction fees
#2
Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card
4.9 /5
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Best Overall Business

Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

The Ink Business Preferred® offers a 100,000-point welcome bonus and earns 3X on travel, shipping, internet, cable, phone, and advertising purchases. Points transfer to Chase travel partners.

Annual Fee
$95
Welcome Bonus
$1,250
Rewards Rate
3X/1X
Foreign Fees
$0
Bottom Line

The Ink Business Preferred® offers a 100,000-point welcome bonus after spending $8,000 in 3 months (valued at $1,250+ when transferred to partners). The card earns 3X on travel, shipping, internet, cable, phone services, and advertising on social media and search engines (up to $150,000/year combined). The annual fee is $95.

Pros/Cons

Pros

  • Huge 100K bonus (worth $1,250+)
  • 3X on first $150K in combined purchases
  • Transfer to 14+ airline/hotel partners
  • Cell phone protection

Cons

  • $95 annual fee
  • $8,000 spend for bonus is steep
Card Details
  • Earn 100,000 Ultimate Rewards® points after spending $8,000 in the first 3 months
  • 3X points on the first $150,000 spent annually in combined purchases on travel, shipping, internet, cable, phone services, and advertising
  • 1X points on all other purchases
  • Points transfer 1:1 to United, Hyatt, Southwest, Marriott, and 10+ other partners
  • 25% more value when redeeming for travel through Chase Travel℠
  • Cell phone protection up to $1,000 per claim
  • Purchase protection and extended warranty coverage
  • No foreign transaction fees
#3
American Express® Business Gold Card credit card
4.7 /5
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Flexible Categories

American Express® Business Gold Card

Smart rewards that automatically give you 4X on your top 2 spending categories each month. Perfect for businesses with varied expenses.

Annual Fee
$375
Welcome Bonus
$1,400
Rewards Rate
4X/1X
Foreign Fees
$0
Bottom Line

The American Express® Business Gold Card is ideal for businesses with diverse spending patterns. Each month, you automatically earn 4X points on your top 2 categories from a list including airfare, U.S. restaurants, advertising, shipping, computer hardware, and gas stations. This adaptive approach means you don't need to track categories.

Pros/Cons

Pros

  • 4X on top 2 spending categories each month
  • Automatically adapts to your spending
  • 25% bonus on flights via Amex Travel
  • No preset spending limit

Cons

  • $375 annual fee
  • 4X categories cap at $150K/year
Card Details
  • Earn 70,000 Membership Rewards® points after spending $10,000 in the first 3 months
  • 4X points on your top 2 spending categories each billing cycle (up to $150K/year, then 1X)
  • Categories include: airfare, U.S. advertising, U.S. gas stations, U.S. restaurants, shipping, computer hardware/software/cloud computing
  • 25% bonus when using points for flights via Amex Travel
  • No preset spending limit
  • Flexible payment options for large purchases
  • Transfer to 20+ airline and hotel partners
  • No foreign transaction fees
#4
Capital One Spark Cash Plus
4.6 /5
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Unlimited Cash Back

Capital One Spark Cash Plus

The simplest premium business card: unlimited 2% cash back on absolutely everything with no categories to track.

Annual Fee
$150
Welcome Bonus
$1,200
Rewards Rate
2% unlimited
Foreign Fees
$0
Bottom Line

The Capital One Spark Cash Plus offers the highest flat-rate cash back for businesses. Earn unlimited 2% on every purchase with no categories to track or caps to worry about. The $1,200 bonus is one of the largest cash bonuses available. Best for businesses wanting simplicity over complexity.

Pros/Cons

Pros

  • Unlimited 2% cash back on everything
  • $1,200 cash bonus (exceptional)
  • 5% on hotels/rentals via Capital One Travel
  • No preset spending limit

Cons

  • $150 annual fee
  • Requires $5M+ spend for waived fee
Card Details
  • Earn $1,200 cash bonus: $500 after spending $5,000 in first 3 months, plus $700 after spending $50,000 in first 6 months
  • Unlimited 2% cash back on every purchase
  • 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
  • No preset spending limit
  • Annual fee waived with $5M+ annual spend
  • Employee cards at no additional cost
  • Purchase records and quarterly/annual statements
  • No foreign transaction fees
#5
Ink Business Cash® Credit Card
4.8 /5
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On issuer's secure website

No Annual Fee

Ink Business Cash® Credit Card

The best no-annual-fee business card with excellent category bonuses and access to Chase Ultimate Rewards ecosystem.

Annual Fee
$0
Welcome Bonus
$350
Rewards Rate
5%/2%/1%
Foreign Fees
3%
Bottom Line

The Ink Business Cash® is a must-have for small business owners. With $0 annual fee, you still get 5% back at office supply stores and on internet, cable, and phone services, expenses nearly every business has. The 2% on gas and restaurants covers travel too. Pair with Ink Preferred to transfer to partners.

Pros/Cons

Pros

  • $0 annual fee forever
  • 5% on office supplies & internet/cable/phone
  • 2% on gas & restaurants
  • 0% intro APR for 12 months

Cons

  • 3% foreign transaction fee
  • 5% categories capped at $25K/year
Card Details
  • Earn $350 after spending $3,000 in the first 3 months
  • 5% cash back on first $25,000 spent annually at office supply stores and on internet, cable, and phone services
  • 2% cash back on first $25,000 spent annually at gas stations and restaurants
  • 1% cash back on all other purchases
  • 0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months, then 18.49% - 24.49% Variable
  • Employee cards at no additional cost
  • Combine points with other Chase cards for transfer partners
  • $0 annual fee
#6
The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express credit card
4.7 /5
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On issuer's secure website

No Fee + Points

The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express

The best no-annual-fee card for earning transferable Membership Rewards points on all business spending.

Annual Fee
$0
Welcome Bonus
$300
Rewards Rate
2X/1X
Foreign Fees
2.7%
Bottom Line

The Blue Business® Plus is the smartest no-fee business card for points enthusiasts. Earn 2X Membership Rewards points on all purchases (up to $50K/year) and transfer to the same airline/hotel partners as Amex Gold and Platinum. The 0% intro APR helps with cash flow management.

Pros/Cons

Pros

  • 2X on all purchases up to $50K/year
  • $0 annual fee
  • Access to Membership Rewards ecosystem
  • 0% intro APR for 12 months

Cons

  • 2X earning caps at $50K
  • 2.7% foreign transaction fee
Card Details
  • Earn 15,000 Membership Rewards® points after spending $3,000 in first 3 months
  • 2X points on everyday business purchases up to $50,000 per year, then 1X
  • 0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months
  • Transfer points to 20+ airline and hotel partners
  • Expanded buying power beyond your credit limit
  • Connect to QuickBooks, Quicken, and other software
  • Employee cards at no additional cost
  • $0 annual fee
#7
Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card
4.5 /5
Apply Now

On issuer's secure website

Simple Cash Back

Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card

Simple unlimited 1.5% back on everything with a strong welcome bonus and access to Chase Ultimate Rewards.

Annual Fee
$0
Welcome Bonus
$750
Rewards Rate
1.5% unlimited
Foreign Fees
3%
Bottom Line

The Ink Business Unlimited® offers the best welcome bonus among no-fee business cards at $750. Earn unlimited 1.5% on every purchase without tracking categories. When paired with Ink Business Preferred®, your cash back converts to Ultimate Rewards points transferable to travel partners.

Pros/Cons

Pros

  • $750 bonus (excellent for $0 fee card)
  • Unlimited 1.5% on everything
  • 0% intro APR for 12 months
  • Points transfer when paired with Preferred

Cons

  • 3% foreign transaction fee
  • 1.5% is lower than category cards
Card Details
  • Earn $750 after spending $6,000 in the first 3 months
  • Unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase
  • 0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months, then 18.49% - 24.49% Variable
  • Points can transfer to airline/hotel partners when combined with Sapphire or Ink Preferred
  • Employee cards at no additional cost
  • Purchase protection and extended warranty
  • Free employee cards
  • $0 annual fee
#8
U.S. Bank Business Triple Cash Rewards
4.4 /5
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On issuer's secure website

Business Expenses

U.S. Bank Business Triple Cash Rewards

Excellent category rewards on common business expenses with the longest 0% intro APR available.

Annual Fee
$0
Welcome Bonus
$500
Rewards Rate
3%/1%
Foreign Fees
3%
Bottom Line

The U.S. Bank Business Triple Cash Rewards stands out with its industry-leading 15-month 0% intro APR, perfect for financing large business purchases. The 3% categories cover gas, office supplies, cell phone services, and restaurants, plus you get a $100 annual credit for business software subscriptions.

Pros/Cons

Pros

  • 3% on gas, office supplies, cell phone, restaurant
  • Longest 0% intro APR (15 months)
  • $100 annual software credit
  • No annual fee

Cons

  • 3% foreign transaction fee
  • Lower bonus than competitors
Card Details
  • Earn $500 cash back after spending $4,500 in the first 150 days
  • 3% cash back on gas station and EV charging purchases
  • 3% cash back on office supply stores
  • 3% cash back on cell phone service providers
  • 3% cash back at restaurants
  • 1% cash back on all other eligible purchases
  • 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 billing cycles
  • $100 annual credit for eligible software subscription purchases
  • $0 annual fee
#9
Amazon Business Prime American Express Card credit card
4.4 /5
Apply Now

On issuer's secure website

Amazon Business

Amazon Business Prime American Express Card

The perfect card for businesses making frequent Amazon Business purchases, with 5% back and flexible payment terms.

Annual Fee
$0
Welcome Bonus
$125
Rewards Rate
5%/2%/1%
Foreign Fees
2.7%
Bottom Line

If your business orders regularly from Amazon Business, this card is a no-brainer. Earn 5% back on all Amazon Business and Whole Foods purchases with an eligible Prime membership. The 90-day payment terms help manage cash flow on larger orders. The 2% at restaurants, gas stations, and wireless providers adds everyday value.

Pros/Cons

Pros

  • 5% back at Amazon Business & Whole Foods
  • 2% at restaurants, gas, wireless
  • 90-day payment terms available
  • No annual fee

Cons

  • Requires Prime membership
  • Limited to Amazon ecosystem
Card Details
  • Earn $125 Amazon.com gift card upon approval
  • 5% back at Amazon Business, AWS, Amazon.com, and Whole Foods with eligible Prime membership
  • 2% back at U.S. restaurants, U.S. gas stations, and on wireless telephone services purchased directly from U.S. service providers
  • 1% back on all other purchases
  • 90-day payment terms on select purchases
  • Detailed analytics and spending insights
  • Employee cards at no additional cost
  • $0 annual fee (requires Prime membership)
#10
American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card credit card
4.5 /5
Apply Now

On issuer's secure website

Simple Cash Back

American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card

Straightforward 2% cash back on everything for businesses that prefer simplicity over complexity.

Annual Fee
$0
Welcome Bonus
$250
Rewards Rate
2%/1%
Foreign Fees
2.7%
Bottom Line

The American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card offers simple, straightforward rewards: 2% cash back on all eligible purchases up to $50,000 per year, then 1%. No categories to track, no points to transfer, just cash back. The 0% intro APR for 12 months helps with cash flow management.

Pros/Cons

Pros

  • 2% cash back on all purchases up to $50K
  • No annual fee
  • 0% intro APR for 12 months
  • Expanded buying power

Cons

  • 2% drops to 1% after $50K
  • 2.7% foreign transaction fee
Card Details
  • Earn $250 statement credit after spending $5,000 in first 3 months
  • 2% cash back on all eligible purchases up to $50,000 per calendar year, then 1%
  • 0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months
  • Expanded buying power lets you spend beyond your credit limit
  • Connect to accounting software like QuickBooks and Xero
  • Employee cards at no additional cost
  • Vendor Pay by Bill.com integration
  • $0 annual fee

Quick Comparison Table

Card Annual Fee Welcome Bonus Best For Rating
#1 The Business Platinum Card from Ame...
$695 $3,000 Business Travel 4.8
#2 Ink Business Preferred Credit Card
$95 $1,250 Best Overall Business 4.9
#3 American Express Business Gold Card...
$375 $1,400 Flexible Categories 4.7
#4 Capital One Spark Cash Plus
$150 $1,200 Unlimited Cash Back 4.6
#5 Ink Business Cash Credit Card
$0 $350 No Annual Fee 4.8
#6 The Blue Business Plus Credit Card ...
$0 $300 No Fee + Points 4.7
#7 Ink Business Unlimited Credit Card
$0 $750 Simple Cash Back 4.5
#8 U.S. Bank Business Triple Cash Rewa...
$0 $500 Business Expenses 4.4
#9 Amazon Business Prime American Expr...
$0 $125 Amazon Business 4.4
#10 American Express Blue Business Cash...
$0 $250 Simple Cash Back 4.5

How Business Credit Card Rewards Work

Business credit cards earn points, miles, or cash back on every purchase. The key is matching your card to your spending patterns. A business spending $50K/year on advertising should prioritize different cards than one spending $50K on office supplies.

Points vs. Cash Back for Business

Cash back is simple: earn a percentage back as statement credit. Points/miles can be worth 1.5-2¢ each when transferred to airlines, offering more value for frequent business travelers. Choose based on whether you value simplicity or maximum redemption value.

Types of Business Credit Cards

Category Bonus Cards (Ink Preferred, Amex Gold) earn elevated rewards in specific categories:

  • 3-5X on common business expenses like advertising, shipping, travel
  • Best for businesses with concentrated spending in bonus categories
  • Usually come with annual fees ($95-$695)

Flat-Rate Cards (Spark Cash Plus, Blue Business Cash) earn the same rate on everything:

  • 1.5-2% or 1.5-2X on all purchases without category tracking
  • Best for businesses with diverse, unpredictable spending
  • Simpler to maximize, no strategy needed

Key Strategy

Many business owners use 2-3 cards together: a category card for high-spend areas (Ink Preferred for advertising), a flat-rate card for everything else (Spark Cash), and a no-fee card for backup (Ink Cash). This maximizes rewards while maintaining flexibility.

How to Choose a Business Credit Card

The best business card depends on your spending patterns, business structure, and reward preferences. Consider these factors:

Your Situation Best Card Type Top Pick
Heavy travel spending Premium travel card Business Platinum
Advertising & shipping focus Category bonus card Ink Business Preferred
Diverse spending patterns Flat-rate card Spark Cash Plus
Want simplicity, no fees No-annual-fee card Ink Business Cash
Amazon Business purchases Co-branded card Amazon Business Prime

Understanding Annual Fees

Business card annual fees range from $0 to $695. Higher fees often deliver more value:

Business Platinum ($695/year)

  • 150K bonus = $3,000+ value
  • Dell credit = $200/year
  • Indeed credit = $150/year
  • 35% flight rebate = $500+/year

First-year value: $3,155+ profit

Ink Business Preferred ($95/year)

  • 100K bonus = $1,250+ value
  • 3X categories = $300+/year
  • Cell phone protection = $100/year value

First-year value: $1,555+ profit

When No-Fee Cards Make Sense

If your business spends less than $25,000/year or you can't use travel benefits, stick with no-annual-fee cards like Ink Business Cash or Blue Business Plus. The welcome bonuses alone provide hundreds in value without ongoing fees.

Best Business Cards by Category

Best Overall

Ink Business Preferred®

100K bonus worth $1,250+, 3X on travel/shipping/advertising, and transfer partners make this the best all-around business card.

Best Premium

Business Platinum®

150K bonus, Centurion lounges, 35% flight rebate, and $500+ in credits. Best for businesses with significant travel spend.

Best Cash Back

Spark Cash Plus

Unlimited 2% on everything, $1,200 bonus, and no preset spending limit. Simplest premium cash back card available.

Best No Annual Fee

Ink Business Cash®

5% on office supplies and telecom, 2% on gas and restaurants, $0 fee forever. Perfect foundation for any business.

Best Flexible Categories

Amex Business Gold

Automatically earns 4X on your top 2 categories each month. Adapts to your changing business expenses.

Best for Amazon

Amazon Business Prime

5% back at Amazon Business and Whole Foods, 90-day payment terms. No-brainer for Amazon-heavy businesses.

Our Ranking Methodology

Our editorial team evaluates business credit cards based on eight weighted factors:

Factor Weight What We Evaluate
Welcome Bonus Value 25% Dollar value, spend requirement, time limit
Ongoing Earning Rates 20% Category rates, caps, breadth of bonus categories
Business-Specific Features 15% Employee cards, expense tracking, accounting integration
Redemption Flexibility 15% Transfer partners, statement credit, portal value
Annual Fee Value 10% Net cost after credits for typical business
Foreign Transaction Fees 5% Important for international business travel
Credit Reporting 5% Whether activity reports to personal bureaus
Application Experience 5% Approval odds, EIN vs SSN requirements

Our team includes credit card experts who personally hold and use many of these business cards. We update rankings monthly based on new offers, benefit changes, and market shifts. Last updated: March 9, 2026.

Frequently Asked Questions

Expert answers to common questions about business credit cards.

What is the best business credit card for 2026?
The Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card is our top pick for most businesses in 2026. It offers a massive 100,000-point welcome bonus worth $1,250+, earns 3X on travel, shipping, internet, cable, phone, and advertising, and transfers to valuable partners like Hyatt and United. The $95 annual fee is easily justified by the benefits.
Can I get a business credit card with an EIN only?
Most business credit cards require your Social Security Number (SSN) in addition to your EIN because you're personally guaranteeing the debt. However, some corporate cards from American Express and certain business charge cards may allow EIN-only applications for established businesses with strong revenue history.
Do business credit cards affect my personal credit score?
It depends on the issuer. Chase, Capital One, and Discover typically report business card activity to personal credit bureaus. American Express and U.S. Bank generally don't report to personal bureaus unless you default. All issuers will do a hard inquiry on your personal credit when you apply.
What credit score do I need for a business credit card?
Most business credit cards require good to excellent credit (670+ FICO). Premium business cards like the Business Platinum typically require 720+. No-annual-fee cards like Ink Business Cash may approve scores as low as 660. Your business revenue and history also factor into approval decisions.
Can I use a business credit card for personal expenses?
Technically yes, but it's not recommended. Mixing personal and business expenses can complicate tax deductions, make bookkeeping difficult, and potentially create legal issues if you have an LLC or corporation. It may also violate the card's terms of service. Keep personal and business spending separate.
What's the difference between a small business card and corporate card?
Small business cards require a personal guarantee and are tied to your personal credit. Corporate cards don't require personal guarantees, are based solely on business creditworthiness, and typically require $4M+ annual revenue. Most entrepreneurs should use small business cards.
How do I maximize business credit card rewards?
1) Use category cards strategically (Ink Cash for office supplies, Gold for top spending categories). 2) Stack multiple cards for different expenses. 3) Time large purchases around welcome bonuses. 4) Transfer points to airline partners for maximum value. 5) Pay in full to avoid interest negating rewards.
Are business credit card rewards taxable?
Generally, no. The IRS treats credit card rewards as rebates on purchases rather than taxable income. However, welcome bonuses that don't require spending (like some bank account bonuses) may be taxable. Sign-up bonuses from credit cards that require spending are typically not taxable. Consult a tax professional for your specific situation.
Should I get a cash back or points business card?
Cash back cards are simpler: you know exactly what you are earning. Points cards can offer more value (1.5-2¢ per point) when transferred to airline partners but require more effort. If you travel frequently for business, points cards like Ink Preferred offer better value. For simplicity, choose cash back like Spark Cash Plus.
Can I have multiple business credit cards?
Yes! Many business owners carry 3-5 business cards strategically. Common combos include: Ink Preferred (travel/advertising) + Ink Cash (office supplies) + Amex Gold (restaurants) + a flat-rate card for everything else. Each issuer has their own application rules. Chase's 5/24 rule applies to business cards too.
Michael Rodriguez, Senior Credit Card Analyst
Written by

Michael Rodriguez

Michael is a Senior Credit Card Analyst at Screened. He previously worked at two major credit card issuers and has 8+ years of experience helping consumers find the best cards for their needs.

Updated: Mar 9, 2026 12 min read