Best business credit cards for rewards and financing

Choosing the right business card mix

Business credit cards do more than earn points. They extend float, segment expenses, and provide insurance coverage that protects your bottom line. When evaluating cards, focus on four elements: earning structure, redemption flexibility, financing tools, and approval hurdles. Earning structure determines whether your spend categories align with bonus multipliers. Redemption flexibility matters when you travel or transfer points to partners. Financing tools include intro APR offers, installment plans, and virtual cards for subscriptions. Approval hurdles consider minimum revenue, credit score, and personal guarantee policies. Mapping these factors against your expense profile keeps you from chasing sign-up bonuses that never deliver long-term value.

Top overall card: American Express Business Gold Card

The Amex Business Gold Card remains the most versatile option for companies with diverse spending. It earns four Membership Rewards points per dollar on the top two categories where you spend the most each billing cycle, up to 150,000 dollars in combined purchases per calendar year. Eligible categories include U.S. advertising, software, shipping, and select technology purchases. Statement credits of up to 400 dollars per year cover FedEx, DHL, or U.S. purchases at Dell. The card offers Pay Over Time, which turns eligible charges into revolving balances with variable APR so you can manage cash flow without opening a separate line. Downsides include a 375 dollar annual fee and requirement for good to excellent personal credit, but Membership Rewards transfer partners and strong purchase protections justify the cost for heavy spenders.

Best cash back card: Capital One Spark Cash Plus

Capital One Spark Cash Plus earns a flat two percent cash back on all purchases with no preset spending limit. Businesses that value predictable rewards and simple accounting appreciate the card’s automatic cash rebates, which can be applied as statement credits or transferred to bank accounts. The card lacks a traditional revolving credit line; instead, it operates as a charge card with a 150 dollar annual fee and requires payment in full each month. Cardholders who spend at least 200,000 dollars annually receive a 200 dollar cash bonus, which offsets the fee. Capital One reports payment history to commercial credit bureaus, helping build business credit profiles. Approval requires strong personal credit and at least two years of operating history.

Best for startups: Brex Corporate Card

Brex separates itself by underwriting based on cash balance rather than personal credit. The corporate card offers up to eight times points on rideshare and four times points on recurring software, with redemption options for travel, statement credits, or transfers to partners. Brex integrates with popular accounting tools, supports automated receipt capture, and lets finance teams set spend policies per department. The account functions as a charge card with daily or monthly settlement depending on configuration. While Brex historically catered to venture-backed companies, it now accepts bootstrapped firms that maintain healthy cash reserves. Lack of traditional revolving credit can be limiting, but the fast onboarding and expense controls make it ideal for startups and agencies.

Best for travel: Chase Ink Business Preferred

Teams that travel regularly for sales or implementation projects should look at the Chase Ink Business Preferred card. It earns three points per dollar on travel, shipping, internet, cable, and select advertising, up to 150,000 dollars in spend annually. Points transfer to United, Southwest, Hyatt, and other partners, unlocking high-value redemptions. The card includes primary rental car insurance, trip cancellation coverage, and cellular protection when you pay your phone bill with the card. The 95 dollar annual fee is modest compared with competing premium cards. Chase requires good personal credit and typically asks for at least two years of business operating history, though some sole proprietors qualify with shorter track records.

Best for 0 percent financing: U.S. Bank Business Platinum

If you need time to finance equipment or inventory, the U.S. Bank Business Platinum offers 0 percent intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 18 billing cycles, followed by a variable APR. The card charges no annual fee and provides simple online account management. It lacks elevated rewards, but the extended promotional financing period gives breathing room to smooth cash flow without tapping lines of credit. Approval requires solid personal credit; U.S. Bank is conservative with new businesses but offers strong customer service once you are onboarded.

How to build a winning card stack

Many companies carry two or three cards to cover spend categories and financing needs. Pair a flexible rewards card like Amex Business Gold with a flat cash back card like Spark Cash Plus to cover variable and fixed expenses. Add a 0 percent card when major purchases loom, then close or downgrade before the promotional period ends to avoid fees. Keep utilization ratios below 30 percent on revolving accounts and pay at least the statement balance each month to protect your business credit.

Approval tips for small businesses

Issuers review both business revenue and personal credit. Prepare bank statements, financials, and Employer Identification Number documentation before applying. If you have limited operating history, provide a detailed business plan or explain recurring contracts that support revenue projections. Register with Dun and Bradstreet to establish a DUNS number, and consider securing trade lines with suppliers who report to credit bureaus. For corporate cards that underwrite based on cash balances, maintain at least 50,000 dollars in liquid assets and keep daily balances consistent during the evaluation window.

Manage cards with clear policies

Credit cards can improve cash flow, but they introduce risk if employees spend without guardrails. Draft a written card policy that covers approval workflow, spending limits, receipt requirements, and prohibited merchant categories. Use expense management software to automate receipt capture and enforce limits. Review statements weekly rather than monthly to spot anomalies early. Set up alerts for transactions over a certain threshold or international charges. Maintaining discipline avoids surprise costs and keeps rewards from being overshadowed by misuse.

Bottom line

Business credit cards can power growth when selected strategically. The Amex Business Gold Card delivers category-leading rewards and flexible financing, while Capital One Spark Cash Plus provides simple cash back. Brex offers fast approvals for startups, and Chase Ink Business Preferred wins for travel-heavy teams. U.S. Bank Business Platinum remains the top pick for 0 percent financing periods. Match cards to your spending profile, monitor policies closely, and revisit your lineup annually as your business evolves.