Best Business Credit Cards of November 2023

Best Flat Cash-Back Card: The American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card

To view rates and fees of the American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card, see this page.

Why we like this card 

Of the business credit cards we ranked, the American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card had the highest flat cash-back rate: Cardholders earn 2% cash back on all eligible purchases on up to $50,000 per calendar year (then 1%). This means you can earn $1,000 cash back annually by spending up to the $50,000 cap. Plus, the card has a $0 annual fee, so you won’t have to pay to get these stellar cash back rates.

You can even earn a welcome bonus with the Blue Business Cash. Though there were flat cash-back cards that offered larger welcome offers, you can still earn a $250 statement credit after you make $3,000 in purchases on your card in your first 3 months.

And if you’re the type of cardholder who wants a low-effort cash back card, the Blue Business Cash makes it easy for cardholders to redeem their points. You don’t have to figure out redemption values or find the most lucrative transfer partner because your rewards are automatically credited to your account as a statement credit.

Card details 

• Penalty APR: 29.99% variable
• Penalty fees: Up to $39 for late payments, $39 for returned payments, no overlimit fees
• Foreign transaction fee: 2.7% of each transaction after conversion to US dollars
• Consumer benefits: car rental loss and damage insurance, purchase protection, dispute resolution, extended warranty

Best Cash-Back Card: Chase Ink Business Cash® Credit Card

Why we like this card 

The Chase Ink Business Cash® Credit Card knocks it out of the park when it comes to the welcome bonus. Of the cash back business cards we analyzed, Ink Business Cash had one of the highest cash back rewards to spending requirement ratios.

In other words, you can score a generous bonus without spending a lot. Cardholders earn $900 bonus cash back after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. 

While this card offers minimal perks and charges a foreign transaction fee, it’s still a sound $0 annual fee card with lucrative rewards and a lavish welcome bonus.

Plus, since cardholders earn Chase points, there are multiple redemption options, from using points to book flights through the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal or to get a statement credit.

Card details 

• Balance transfer APR: 18.49%–24.49% variable, plus a fee of either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater
• Cash advance APR: 29.99% variable, plus a fee of $15 or 5% of the amount of each transaction, whichever is greater
• Penalty fees: $40 for late and returned payments
• Foreign transaction fee: 3% of the amount of each transaction in U.S. dollars
• Consumer benefits: auto rental collision damage waiver, purchase protection, extended warranty protection

Learn more about the Chase Ink Business Cash® Credit Card here.

Best Business Credit Card for New Owners: Bank of America® Business Advantage Travel Rewards World Mastercard® credit card

Why we like this card 

If you’re a new business owner, your priority is probably affordability and not rewards. You may be looking for a credit card that’s low cost with minimal fees, low APRs, and a 0% intro APR on new purchases or balance transfers.

Based on these factors, the Bank of America® Business Advantage Travel Rewards World Mastercard® credit card might be your best bet. The card has a $0 annual fee, no foreign transaction fees, and a decent rewards rate and welcome bonus. 

The reward structure is easy to understand, so you don’t have to worry about keeping track of different rewards categories: Cardholders earn unlimited 1.5 points back on eligible purchases. 

And when you sign up for the card, you can earn 30,000 online bonus points after you make at least $3,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening. However, you are restricted in how you redeem that bonus. You can only redeem the offer for a $300 statement credit covering travel and dining costs.

Lastly, if you want a credit card to cover pricy upfront costs for your new business, the Business Advantage Travel Rewards has a 0% intro APR for the first 9 billing cycles following the opening of your account. After that, a 18.49%–28.49% variable APR.

Of course, set a reminder for when your 0% APR period ends, so you can pay off the balance you incurred during it. Otherwise, you may have to pay a hefty amount of interest.

Card details 

• Balance transfer APR: 18.49%–28.49% variable, plus a fee worth 4% of the amount of each transaction
• Cash advance APR: 29.49% variable
• Penalty APR: None
• Penalty fee: late payment fees are $0 if your balance is less than or equal to $100; $29 if it’s $100.01 – $1,000; $39 if it’s $1,000.01 – $5,000; $49 if it’s greater than $5,000.
• Foreign transaction fee: None
• Consumer benefits: $1 million in travel accident insurance, lost luggage reimbursement, trip cancellation coverage, trip delay reimbursement, and free access to business credit scores

Best Business Credit Card for Flat-Rate Miles: Capital One Spark 1.5X Miles Select Business Card

Why we like this card 

While the Capital One Spark 1.5X Miles Select Business Credit Card didn’t have the highest rewards rate of the cards we analyzed, this card edged out competitors because of its $0 annual fee, lack of foreign transaction fees, and large sign-up bonus. 

With the Capital One Spark 1.5X Miles Select, cardholders can earn 50,000 miles once they spend $4,500 on purchases within the first three months from account opening.

And even though you’re not getting an exorbitant rewards rate, you’ll still get a reasonable 1.5X miles on all eligible purchases.

Cardholders also shouldn’t underestimate the flexibility you get with Capital One Points. You can transfer your miles to a travel partner, book flights or hotel stays through Capital One, get a statement credit, and even cover past travel purchases. 

Card details 

• Balance transfer APR: 18.49%, 21.49% or 24.49% variable 
• Cash advance APR: 32.24% variable, plus a fee of either $3 or 3% of the amount of each cash advance, whichever is greater
• Penalty APR: 34.65% variable
• Penalty fees: up to $39 for late payments
• Foreign transaction fee: None
• Consumer benefits: rental collision coverage, roadside assistance

Best Travel Business Credit Card: Chase Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

Why we like this card

For only $95 a year, the Chase Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card offers a plethora of travel-related benefits on top of a hefty welcome bonus and a solid rewards rate. 

When you sign up for the card, you can earn 100,000 points after spending $8,000 in the first three months of card opening. If you redeem rewards for cash back, you’ll get $1,000, but if you redeem for travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards, your points are worth a whopping $1,250 because points are worth 25% more when booked through Chase Ultimate rewards.

Of course, you’ll also be able to earn extra rewards on your essential business spending as cardholders earn 3x points per $1 (up to $150,000 combined) spent on shipping purchases, internet, cable, phone, and advertising with social media sites and search engines. This could be helpful for cardholders who frequently spend money in those categories. Plus, you get 1x point per $1 spent on all other purchases.

And rest assured if a trip is canceled because of bad weather or there’s damage to your rental car, you could be eligible for reimbursement. You’ll receive an auto rental collision damage waiver, trip cancellation or interruption insurance, cell phone protection, and more.

Card details 

• Balance transfer APR: 21.24%–26.24% variable, plus a fee of $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater
• Cash advance APR: 29.99%, plus a fee of $15 or 5% of the amount of each transaction, whichever is greater
• Penalty fees: $40 for late and returned payments 
• Foreign transaction fee: None
• Consumer benefits: trip cancellation or interruption insurance, cell phone protection, auto rental collision damage waiver, purchase protection

Learn more about the Chase Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card here.

Best Business Credit Card for Points: U.S. Bank Business Altitude™ Connect World Elite Mastercard®

Why we like this card 

Want a budget-friendly business credit card that earns you a ton of points and has travel perks typically reserved for luxury cards? Look no further than the U.S. Bank Business Altitude Connect World Elite Mastercard, a $95 annual fee card (a $0 introductory annual fee for the first 12 months) with no foreign transaction fees. 

With the U.S. Bank Business Altitude Connect World Elite, you can earn a high rewards rate on your food and travel-related spending, making it a good option for small business owners who eat out frequently and travel a lot.

Plus, the travel benefits don’t stop there. When you fly, you’ll get lounge access with the Priority Pass Digital annual membership, and if something goes awry when traveling, you’ll have lost luggage insurance if your bag goes missing. 

Card details 

• Balance transfer APR: 20.24%–28.24% variable
• Cash advance APR: 29.99% variable
• Penalty APR: 32.49% variable
• Penalty fees: $40 for late and returned payments and overlimit
• Foreign transaction fee: None
• Consumer benefits: Priority Pass airport lounge access, $25 rideshare statement credit, auto rental collision damage waiver, and lost luggage insurance

Best Business Card for Hotel Loyalists: IHG One Rewards Premier Business Credit Card

Why we like this card 

With an affordable $99 annual fee, IHG One Rewards Premier Business Credit Card cardholders get a host of useful perks they can use to subsidize their stays at IHG hotels.

Cardholders automatically receive Platinum Elite status, so cardholders can earn bonus points on their stay and check-in early, among other benefits.

IHG Hotels has locations across the country, so whether you’re staying at a Holiday Inn or Kimpton Hotel, you can earn extra rewards on your stay: Cardholders can earn up to 26 total points per $1 spent when you stay at IHG Hotels and Resorts.

Of course, you’ll get more than just a high rewards rate with this card, they also get free hotel stays. Every account anniversary, cardholders receive a free night worth up to 40,000 points (if the stay is worth more than 40,000 points, you can use your points to cover the cost). Plus, if you book a four-night IHG hotel stay, you can get the fourth night free.

And the benefits of the card aren’t just IHG-specific. Cardholders can score travel-related protections and perks: You get a statement credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® Nexus, trip cancellation, and interruption insurance.

Card details 

• Balance transfer APR: 21.49%–28.49% variable, with a fee of $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater
• Cash advance APR: 29.99%, with a fee of $15 or 5% of the amount of each transaction, whichever is greater
• Penalty fees: up to $40 for late and returned payments 
• Foreign transaction fee: None
• Consumer benefits: Free anniversary night, IHG One Rewards Platinum Elite status, a $100 statement credit and 10,000 bonus points after you spend $20,000 each calendar year, fourth night free when you redeem three nights
• Additional perks/benefits: Global Entry, TSA PreCheck® or NEXUS statement credit, purchase protection, trip cancellation or interruption insurance

Learn more about IHG One Rewards Premier Business Credit Card here.

Best Business Card for Airline Loyalists: Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card

To view rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card, see this page.

Why we like this card 

Though Delta recently made changes to its SkyMiles program that make it more difficult for customers to earn Medallion Status—or elite status with Delta—loyal Delta fliers can still benefit from the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card, which is well worth the $250 annual fee for some.

Cardholders get their first checked bag free on Delta flights, a statement credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®, an annual companion certificate, and trip delay and baggage insurance. With the annual companion certificate, you can receive a domestic Main Cabin round-trip ticket, so you’re essentially receiving a free airline ticket every year. 

On top of these generous perks, cardholders earn 3 miles per $1 spent on eligible purchases made directly with Delta and on every eligible dollar spent on purchases made directly with Delta and hotels and 1.5 miles per $1 on single eligible purchases of $5,000 or more (up to 50,000 additional miles per calendar year). 

This card may not offer lounge access, but you will get a status boost which makes it easier to attain Medallion Status. With Medallion status, you may be eligible to receive unlimited complimentary upgrades, travel vouchers, and more.

Cardholders can earn 10,000 Medallion Qualification Miles (MQM) when they spend $25,000 on eligible purchases through 12/31/2023. While this benefit will no longer be effective starting 1/1/2024, beginning in February 2024, cardholders will still get a headstart of $2,500 Medallion Qualification Dollars toward Medallion status. 

Though this boost is helpful, cardholders only earn $1 MQD when they spend $20. To achieve the lowest elite status Silver Medallion, which requires $5,000 MQDs, you would need to spend an additional $50,000 on your card, a steep amount for some. 

Card details 

• Cash advance APR: 29.99% variable, with a fee of $5 or 3% of the amount of each cash advance, whichever is greater
• Penalty APR: 29.99% variable
• Penalty fees: $39 for returned payments, up to $39 for late payments, no fees for overlimits
• Foreign transaction fee: None
• Consumer benefits: first checked bag free, Global Entry or TSA PreCheck statement credit, annual companion certificate, trip delay insurance, baggage insurance plan, car rental loss and damage insurance

Our methodology

The Fortune Recommends^TM team analyzed more than 40 business credit cards across various issuers to come up with the top picks.

Here are some of the key elements we ranked each card by:

• Annual fee: Some card issuers require cardholders to pay an annual fee for cards with rewards and extra features or benefits. For most of our rankings, we rated cards with lower or zero-dollar annual fees higher.  
• Annual percentage rate (APR) on purchases: The APR for a credit card is the yearly cost of borrowing money from your card issuer. The APR is typically represented as a range with creditworthy customers charged a rate closer to the minimum APR. We scored cards with lower minimum and maximum APRs more favorably. 
• Rewards: Cards may provide rewards in the form of cash-back, points, or miles. For some rankings, we ranked cards with better rewards rates higher.
• Insurance and protections: When you use your card to make purchases, you may be eligible for different types of protections on those purchases. Some cards offer insurance on travel-related expenses, like trip cancellation insurance, baggage delay insurance, trip delay reimbursement, and more. Some cards also provide non-travel-related reimbursements like cell phone protection. For some rankings, we rated cards higher based on the number of protections they offered.
• Welcome bonus: When you sign up for a new credit card, you may be eligible for a one-time welcome bonus in the form of cash-back, points, or miles. You’ll need to spend a certain amount within a few months of card opening to earn the bonus. We ranked cards with higher bonuses and lower spending requirements higher on our list. 
• Perks: Business credit cards may offer a variety of perks—like statement credits for TSA PreCheck, airport lounge access, and more. We rated cards with more perks higher for some of our rankings. 
• Foreign transaction fees: Some cards charge a flat rate on purchases when you use your card abroad. We rated cards with no foreign transaction fees higher.  
• 0% introductory APR on purchases or balance transfers: With a 0% intro APR credit card on purchases, you can revolve your balance without interest accruing for a period of time—usually a few months. Some cards also provide a 0% intro APR period on balance transfers, so you won’t have to pay interest on your balance if you transfer debt from another card. Depending on the card category, we rated cards based on whether they had a 0% intro APR period on purchases or balance transfers and the length of the APR period.

Please note that card details are accurate as of the publish date, but are subject to change at any time at the discretion of the issuer. Please contact the card issuer to verify rates, fees, and benefits before applying.

Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more.

Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by Amex Assurance Company.