What is the best credit card for startups or new businesses?

Many business credit cards are available to startups. The best business card for one business may not be the best one for yours. Finding the right business credit card to help cover costs (which averages $40,000 in the first year) and get your new business up and running depends on finding a card with the benefits that matter most to you, gives you maximum value and is something you can afford.

How can I start my business credit?

Starting to build your business credit could be as easy as establishing credit with vendors and suppliers. But not all credit lenders will report accounts to business credit bureaus. Opening a business credit card is a better option. That’s because major issuers like Capital One, American Express and Chase report your activity to the commercial credit bureaus, such as Dun & Bradstreet. Another benefit is that you can avoid interest charges with a business credit card as long as you consistently pay your balance in full each month.

What are alternatives to a business credit card?

Small business credit cards can provide a lot of value, but they’re not the best solution for every business. Some entrepreneurs will need to cover expenses that exceed a credit card’s limits, carry a balance over a long period of time or may simply have poor credit. The most common alternatives to business cards are: Business loans: The best small business loans can have higher loan amounts and lower interest rates than business credit cards. Business lines of credit: A business line of credit may come with higher credit limits than a business credit card, especially if you have good or excellent credit. Personal credit cards: While you may miss out on the perks of a business credit card, personal credit cards at least guarantee you consumer protections against fraud and may have longer intro APR offers.

Best business credit cards of November 2024

Comparing Bankrate’s top small-business credit cards

Business Credit Card	Rewards & Highlights	Intro Offer & APR	Bankrate Review Score
Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card	Unlimited 1.5% cash back on business purchases	Intro Offer: Earn $900 bonus cash back Earn $900 bonus cash back after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. Regular APR: 17.99% - 23.99% Variable	4.2 / 5 Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards. (Read card review) Apply now on Chase's secure site
Capital One Spark Cash Plus	Unlimited 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel Unlimited 2% cash back on every purchase	Intro Offer: $2,000 cash back $2,000 cash back once you spend $30,000 in the first 3 months. Earn an additional $2,000 cash bonus for every $500K spent during the first year Regular APR: N/A	4.7 / 5 Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards. (Read card review) Apply now on Capital One's secure site See Rates & Fees
Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card	3X points on the first $150,000 annually in combined travel, shipping purchases, internet, cable and phone services	Intro Offer: Earn 90,000 bonus points Earn 90,000 bonus points after you spend $8,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. Regular APR: 20.74% - 25.74% Variable	4.4 / 5 Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards. (Read card review) Apply now on Chase's secure site
Capital One Spark Cash Select	5% cash back on on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel 1.5% cash back on all other eligible purchases	Intro Offer: $500 cash back $500 cash back once you spend $4,500 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening Regular APR: 17.99% - 23.99% (Variable)	4.1 / 5 Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards. (Read card review) Apply now on Capital One's secure site See Rates & Fees
Ink Business Cash® Credit Card	5% cash back on internet, cable, phone services and office supply stores (up to $25,000 a year in combined purchases) 2% cash back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at gas stations and restaurants each account anniversary year	Intro Offer: Earn up to $750 bonus cash back Earn $350 when you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first three months and an additional $400 when you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first six months after account opening. Regular APR: 17.99% - 23.99% Variable	4.3 / 5 Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards. (Read card review) Apply now on Chase's secure site
Capital One Venture X Business	10X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel 5X miles on flights booked through Capital One Travel 2X miles on other purchases	Intro Offer: 150,000 miles 150,000 miles once you spend $30,000 in the first 3 months from account opening Regular APR: N/A	4.9 / 5 Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards. (Read card review) Apply now on Capital One's secure site See Rates & Fees
Bank of America® Business Advantage Unlimited Cash Rewards Mastercard® credit card	Unlimited 1.5% cash back on all purchases	Intro Offer: $300 Get a $300 online statement credit after you make at least $3,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of your account opening. Regular APR: 17.99% - 27.99% Variable APR on purchases and balance transfers	3.8 / 5 Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards. (Read card review) Apply now on Bank of America's secure site
American Express® Business Gold Card	4X Membership Rewards® points on the top two eligible categories where your business spends the most each month from 6 eligible categories. While your top 2 categories may change, you will earn 4X points on the first $150,000 in combined purchases from these categories each calendar year (then 1X thereafter). Only the top 2 categories each billing cycle will count towards the $150,000 cap. 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights and prepaid hotels booked on amextravel.com using your Business Gold Card.	Intro Offer: Earn 100,000 points Earn 100,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $15,000 on eligible purchases with the Business Gold Card within the first 3 months of Card Membership.* Regular APR: 18.99% - 27.99% Variable	5.0 / 5 Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards. (Read card review) Apply now on American Express's secure site See Rates & Fees , Terms Apply
The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express	2X points on everyday business purchases (up to $50,000 in purchases per year, then 1x).	Intro Offer: 15,000 Membership Rewards® points Earn 15,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $3,000 in eligible purchases on the Card within your first 3 months of Card Membership. Regular APR: 17.99% - 25.99% Variable	4.1 / 5 Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards. (Read card review) Apply now on American Express's secure site See Rates & Fees , Terms Apply
Ink Business Premier® Credit Card	5% cash back on travel booked through Chase travel portal 2.5% cash back on purchases over $5,000 2% cash back on all other eligible purchases	Intro Offer: $1,000 Cash Back Earn $1,000 bonus cash back after you spend $10,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. Regular APR: Flex for Business Variable APR: 18.99% - 26.99%	3.4 / 5 Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards. (Read card review) Apply now on Chase's secure site
The American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card	2% cash back on eligible purchases up to $50,000 per calendar year, then 1%	Intro Offer: $250 statement credit Earn a $250 statement credit after you make $3,000 in purchases on your Card in your first 3 months. Regular APR: 17.99% - 25.99% Variable	4.3 / 5 Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards. (Read card review) Apply now on American Express's secure site See Rates & Fees , Terms Apply
United℠ Business Card	2 miles for every dollar spent on United purchases, dining, at gas stations, office supply stores and on local transit	Intro Offer: Earn 75,000 bonus miles Earn 75,000 bonus miles after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open. Regular APR: 21.49% - 28.49% Variable	4.4 / 5 Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards. (Read card review) Apply now on Chase's secure site
Capital One Spark Miles for Business	Unlimited 5X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel 2X miles on every purchase	Intro Offer: 50,000 miles Earn a one-time bonus of 50,000 miles – equal to $500 in travel – once you spend $4,500 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening Regular APR: 25.74% (Variable)	4.4 / 5 Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards. (Read card review) Apply now on Capital One's secure site See Rates & Fees
Revenued Business Card	N/A	Intro Offer: N/A Regular APR: Factor Based	2.7 / 5 Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards. (Read card review) Apply now on Revenued's secure site
The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card	12X points directly with Hilton properties 5X points on other purchases made using the Hilton Honors Business Card on the first $100,000 in purchases each calendar year 3X points on all other purchases	Intro Offer: Earn 175,000 Bonus Points Limited Time Offer: Earn 175,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points after you spend $8,000 in purchases on the Hilton Honors Business Card within the first six months of Card Membership. Offer Ends 1/8/2025. Regular APR: 20.49% - 29.49% Variable	4.1 / 5 Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards. (Read card review) Apply now on American Express's secure site See Rates & Fees , Terms Apply
The Business Platinum Card® from American Express	5X Membership Rewards points on flights and prepaid hotels booked with AmexTravel.com 1.5X points on eligible purchases in key business categories and on purchases of $5,000 or more everywhere else (spending cap applies)	Intro Offer: Earn 150,000 points Earn 150,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $20,000 in eligible purchases on the Card within the first 3 months of Card Membership. Regular APR: 18.99% - 27.99% Variable	4.8 / 5 Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards. (Read card review) Apply now on American Express's secure site See Rates & Fees , Terms Apply
Capital on Tap Business Credit Card	Unlimited 1.5% cash back	Intro Offer: N/A Regular APR: 17.99% - 43.99% variable APR	3.5 / 5 Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards. (Read card review) Apply now on Capital On Tap's secure site
Capital One Spark Classic for Business	Earn unlimited 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel	Intro Offer: N/A Regular APR: 30.74% (Variable)
U.S. Bank Business Leverage® Visa Signature® Card	5% cash back on prepaid hotels and car rentals booked directly in the Travel Rewards Center 2% cash back in the top two eligible categories where you spend the most each month automatically	Intro Offer: $750 Earn $750 when $7,500 is spent within the first 120 days on the account owner’s card Regular APR: 21.24% - 26.24% (Variable)

Choosing the best business card for you

Once you know how to get a business card, the next step is choosing the right one based on your business needs and goals. Keep these factors in mind to make the best decision:

Pick relevant earning categories: To maximize the value of your business card, choose one that earns rewards where your business spends most. If your business has lots of different spending needs or you’d rather keep things simple, choose a flat-rate business rewards card that offers at least 1.5X points or miles for all purchases.
Pay attention to redemption value: The value of your rewards can vary based on how you redeem them. Make sure the card you choose offers at least one cent per point or mile for your favorite redemption option.
Compare additional features: Two cards may offer the same rewards, but one might offer additional features that save you money, such as intro APR offers, discounts on tech or travel protections.
Mind the fees: Make sure the value you get from the card exceeds any fees you might pay, such as an annual fee or balance transfer fee. Other costs to consider include late fees and penalty APRs.
Consider pairing cards: Using multiple business cards allows you to earn rewards at a high rate in several different categories and enjoy a wider variety of perks.

Dig deeper: Additional considerations when choosing a business card

Business credit vs. personal credit

A business credit score applies to businesses rather than individuals and range from 1 to 100, depending on the credit bureau. Business scores are also public and attached to an Employer Identification Number (EIN) rather than a Social Security number.

Building your business credit can be as easy as establishing credit with vendors and suppliers. However, not all lenders report accounts to business credit bureaus, so double-check that yours does. You can check your business credit score at the reporting agencies Dun & Bradstreet, Equifax and Experian, though your may have to pay to see your score.

Bankrate’s take: Though uncommon, business cards that do not require a personal guarantee exist. However, there’s usually a tradeoff. Instead of providing a personal guarantee, you'll usually need to link a corporate bank account with a large balance, provide proof of significant business profits or offer business assets as collateral.

What people say about business credit cards

Contributors on public forums like Reddit and myFICO®regularly recommended a few specific issuers with top business cards:

When it comes to Amex cards, favorites include The Business Platinum Card® from American Express and American Express® Business Gold Card.
The Capital One Spark Cash Plus is considered a great “catch-all card.”
Chase Ink Business cards earned praise for their solid cash back rates.

One member of the Reddit r/smallbusiness community noted that deciding on the best card for you, “depends on what you spend money on and what you value (cash back, free travel, or other perks).”

On the myFICO® Forums, one user noted that Amex cards can be great business tools because “the no pre-set spending limit** offers flexibility.” Travel rewards are another big draw for consumers. For example, Amex business cards that earn Membership Rewards are useful for travel because American Express has a solid network of transfer partners, including top airlines and hotels. Elevated rewards rates on business expenses like advertising can translate into great travel redemptions, a sentiment shared by a handful of commentators.

*The quotes and citations included on this page have been verified by our editorial team and are accurate as of the posting date. Be sure to check the issuer's website/terms and conditions for all up to date content. Outlinked content may contain views and opinions that do not reflect the views and opinions of Bankrate.

**No Preset Spending Limit means your spending limit is flexible. Unlike a traditional card with a set limit, the amount you can spend adapts based on factors such as your purchase, payment, and credit history.

Learn more: Pros and cons of a business line of credit

How one Bankrate expert uses his business credit cards

Bankrate writer Ryan Flanigan explains his approach to choosing business cards and how he uses them in this overall credit card strategy.

I like business cards because they can do the heavy lifting for me. When I have significant business spending, I know my personal credit won't take a hit, and I'll earn solid rewards. I've been able to keep my credit score in a good place even when I have a large balance on my business cards. It's also very helpful for keeping everything separate and organized once tax season rolls around.

When I'm looking for business cards, I want to see how they work together with other cards I have. For instance, the Amex Business Platinum, Business Gold and Blue Business Plus cards make an amazing team, covering almost every need I have. Also, the Chase business cards can all pool points together, which can make for an excellent points-generating machine. Every card does its job by covering something different. Like in business, when cards work together for me, it makes a great partnership.
— Ryan Flanigan, Writer, Bankrate Credit Cards

Ask the experts: How do business credit cards impact business taxes?

Thomas Nitzsche

Financial Educator, Debt and Credit

Business credit card transactions that are legitimate business expenses may be written off as a business expense in some cases. A tax preparer may use those transactions as they’re working on your bookkeeping or as a means to prepare your taxes. Interest paid on business credit cards transactions is tax deductible, much like the interest paid on a business loan.

In the news: Rates hold steady in 2024

After months of no change, the Federal Reserve finally lowered interest rates by a half percent in mid-September.

In a press conference announcing the cut, Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell added that additional cuts are tentatively planned for November and December, though similarly measured in size.

Given the slow and steady approach adopted by the Federal Reserve, it is best for small-businesses owners to continue to focus on current credit card rates and look out for 0 percent introductory offers on their business cards.

If you carry a balance on your card, take advantage of business credit cards that offer a promotional APR. During an intro APR period this time, you can often minimize interest charges for 12 months or more, depending on the offer. You can also take advantage of SBA loans, guaranteed by the U.S. Small Business Administration. These government-backed loans cap interest rates, helping to make small business loans more affordable. Several types of SBA loans are available, including options to help business owners with bad credit who struggle to get approved for financing.

*For Capital One products listed on this page, some of the benefits may be provided by Visa® or Mastercard® and may vary by product. See the respective Guide to Benefits for details, as terms and exclusions apply.
The information about the Capital One® Spark® Classic for Business card has been collected independently by Bankrate.com. The card details have not been reviewed or approved by the card issuer.

Frequently asked questions about business credit cards

Many business credit cards are available to startups. The best business card for one business may not be the best one for yours.

Finding the right business credit card to help cover costs (which averages $40,000 in the first year) and get your new business up and running depends on finding a card with the benefits that matter most to you, gives you maximum value and is something you can afford.
Starting to build your business credit could be as easy as establishing credit with vendors and suppliers. But not all credit lenders will report accounts to business credit bureaus.

Opening a business credit card is a better option. That’s because major issuers like Capital One, American Express and Chase report your activity to the commercial credit bureaus, such as Dun & Bradstreet. Another benefit is that you can avoid interest charges with a business credit card as long as you consistently pay your balance in full each month.
Small business credit cards can provide a lot of value, but they’re not the best solution for every business. Some entrepreneurs will need to cover expenses that exceed a credit card’s limits, carry a balance over a long period of time or may simply have poor credit. The most common alternatives to business cards are:
- Business loans: The best small business loans can have higher loan amounts and lower interest rates than business credit cards.
- Business lines of credit: A business line of credit may come with higher credit limits than a business credit card, especially if you have good or excellent credit.
- Personal credit cards: While you may miss out on the perks of a business credit card, personal credit cards at least guarantee you consumer protections against fraud and may have longer intro APR offers.

How we assess the best business credit cards

50+

Cards rated

700+

Data points considered

Spending categories analyzed

40+

Perks evaluated

When evaluating the best business cards, we consider a mix of factors, including how cards score in our proprietary card rating system and whether cards offer features that fit the priorities of a diverse group of small-business owners, from earning rewards in popular business spending categories to getting payment flexibility or high-value perks. Whenever possible, we also feature cards that are available at various credit levels and price points.

Here’s a look at how our rating methodology breaks down for business credit cards:

Overall Score

Value 40%
Flexibility 20%
Perks 20%
Customer experience 20%

We analyzed over 50 of the most popular business credit cards and scored each based on its rewards rate, estimated annual earnings, welcome bonus value, APR, fees, perks and more to determine whether it belonged in this month’s roundup.

Here are some of the key factors that we considered:

The best business cards offer rewards in key business spending categories, so a primary criteria for a business card’s rating is its rewards value. This includes the card’s average rewards rate, estimated annual rewards earnings, sign-up bonus value and reward redemption value.

To estimate a business card’s average annual rewards earnings, we first calculate its average rewards rate based on how much it earns in different bonus categories and how closely its categories align with the average small-business owner’s spending habits. In other words, we assess whether the card earns rewards at a high rate in the most popular business spending categories.

We researched 10 key business spending categories including dining, gas, office supplies, travel, telecommunications, insurance and more to get a sense of the average small-business owner’s spending habits. We assumed an average annual spend of around $40,000 per year based on Bankrate survey data.

Using this data, we are able to assign a weighting to each of a card’s bonus categories. We also estimate the redemption value of points or miles from various issuer, airline and hotel rewards programs.

This weighting and rewards valuation allows us to estimate a card’s average annual rewards earnings — how many points or miles you’d earn with a given card if your spending was about average and you used the card for all of your business purchases — as well as what those points are worth. We also use point valuations to determine a card’s sign-up bonus value

With these calculations complete, we assign each card a score based on how its average rewards earnings, sign-up bonus value, rewards rate and redemption value stack up against other business cards, factoring in the card’s annual fee.

The better these values, the higher its score will be, making it more worthy of inclusion in our list and increasing its potential ranking.
We also score cards based on how much it costs to keep them in your wallet or carry a balance.

To start, each business card is scored based on whether it offers an intro APR and how its ongoing APR compares to the rates available on other business cards. This is because an intro APR on new purchases or balance transfers can be a lifesaver if you need to pay down debt, finance a large business purchase or free up cash flow.

While intro APRs are not uncommon on business cards, they aren’t a given, so cards that offer this sort of payment flexibility will score higher in our card rating system and are more likely to land a spot on our best cards list.

Even more important to both a card’s score and its inclusion in our list, however, is how its annual fee influences its overall value. We consider a card’s annual fee in two ways — how it ranks relative to the fees you’ll find on other cards in the category and how it impacts a card’s overall rewards value.

Cards with an annual fee will always be at a slight disadvantage in our scoring system since annual fees inherently cut into your rewards value. However, if a card offers terrific value via its ongoing rewards and perks, it can earn a high score and a spot in our list even if it carries a high annual fee. After all, the highest rewards rates and most valuable perks are often found on cards with annual fees.

With this in mind, we rate a card based primarily on how its ongoing rewards value and ongoing perk value (such as annual credits or bonuses) stack up against those of other cards in the category when you subtract annual fees.

That said, we strive to include as many no-annual-fee options in our list as possible since many business owners would rather not worry about offsetting fees, even if a card carries impressive rewards and perks.
Business rewards cards may make it easy to earn a lot of points, miles or cash back, but how easy is it to use those rewards? After all, if it takes a ton of effort to redeem rewards or you can only redeem rewards in a couple of ways, a card may be more trouble than it’s worth.

As such, we rate each card’s flexibility based on the restrictions it imposes on earning and redeeming rewards. We factor this rating into a card’s overall score and consider it when deciding on a card’s inclusion in our list.

Flexibility factors include whether a card only allows you to earn a high rewards rate on only a small amount of spending or requires you to meet a certain earning threshold before you can redeem rewards. We also examine whether your points are worth less when you opt for some redemption options over others and whether a card gives you the flexibility to transfer rewards to travel partners.
We also score each card’s set of features – its perks and benefits — against five tiers of features to provide a rating. Top-tier perks include benefits like airport lounge access, travel credits, elite status with an airline or hotel and credits for expedited security screening membership programs.

We give extra weight to perks especially useful or valuable for small-business owners, like being able to qualify with no personal guarantee, digital advertising credits, free employee cards and accounting perks.

India Davis Editor, Credit Cards

India Davis is an editor specializing in credit cards and updates. She believes in putting the reader first and carrying out a brand’s voice to its fullest potential. She has…

Nouri Zarrugh Senior Editor, Credit Cards

Nouri Zarrugh is a writer and editor for CreditCards.com and Bankrate, focusing on product news, guides and reviews. His areas of expertise include credit card strategy, rewards…

* See the online application for details about terms and conditions for these offers. Every reasonable effort has been made to maintain accurate information. However all credit card information is presented without warranty. After you click on the offer you desire you will be directed to the credit card issuer's web site where you can review the terms and conditions for your selected offer.

Editorial Disclosure: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed or approved by any advertiser. The information, including card rates and fees, is accurate as of the publish date. All products or services are presented without warranty. Check the bank’s website for the most current information.

Best business credit cards of November 2024

+ Show Summary

Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card

Capital One Spark Cash Plus

Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

Capital One Spark Cash Select

Ink Business Cash® Credit Card

Capital One Venture X Business

Bank of America® Business Advantage Unlimited Cash Rewards Mastercard® credit card

American Express® Business Gold Card

The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express

Ink Business Premier® Credit Card

The American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card

United℠ Business Card

Capital One Spark Miles for Business

Revenued Business Card

The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card

The Business Platinum Card® from American Express

Capital on Tap Business Credit Card

Capital One Spark Classic for Business

U.S. Bank Business Leverage® Visa Signature® Card