The best business credit cards of 2018

Find a stellar business credit card — for travel, cash back, average credit, no annual fees and more.

You run a business, and you’re out to win. A great business credit card will help you do just that.

To speed up your search for the right card, we’ve assembled the best business-focused contenders on the market. Whether you need cash back, point accelerators or travel rewards, there’s a card that’ll work for you.

Which type of card are you looking for?

There’s no perfect business credit card — choosing the right one boils down to what you value most. We’ve whittled the field down to six particularly strong cards, and each is a great pick in different respects.

While looking for a card, consider where your business often spends money. Some cards give you lots of points or cash back in a few categories; others offer consistent rewards regardless of what you buy.

Finally, you’ll have a better chance of card approval if you apply with a good to excellent credit score of 680 or higher. (The exception is the Spark Classic for Business, which accepts cardholders with average credit scores.)

Top 2018 business credit cards at a glance

See how the best business credit cards of 2018 stack up.

The best business credit cards of 2018

Chase Ink Business Cash

Why it’s great…

• No annual fee, 0% intro APR, great cash back

The Chase Ink Business Cash leaves a bit to be desired in travel, shipping and cash back for advertising. But it outperforms in almost every other respect: It has no annual fee, a solid sign-up bonus and a strong 0% APR period.

This is the card for you if office supplies and phone service make up the bulk of your spending.

• No annual fee
• 0% intro APRon purchases and balance transfers for 12 months
• Ongoing APR of 13.99% to 19.99%
• $300 cash sign-up bonus after spending $3,000 in the first 3 months
• 5% cash back on office supplies and phone service (up to $25,000 each card year)
• 2% cash back on gas and restaurants (up to $25,000 each card year)
• 1% unlimited cash back on everything else

Capital One Spark Cash Select

Why it’s great…

• No annual fee, 0% intro APR, simple cash back

The word that comes to mind for the Spark Cash Select? Simplicity. You get an unlimited 1.5% cash back on everything you buy — no categories to fuss around with.

This card is an excellent choice if your spending is evenly spread across multiple categories.

• No annual fee
• 0% intro APR on purchases for 9 months

• Ongoing APR of13.74%, 17.74% or 21.74% based on credit

• $200 cash sign-up bonus after spending $3,000 in the first 3 months

• Unlimited 1.5% cash back on everything

American Express SimplyCash Plus Business Credit Card

Why it’s great…

• No annual fee, 0% intro APR, great cash back

Which perk gives the SimplyCash Plus its competitive advantage? It’s not the $0 annual fee — other cards have that too. Neither is it the sign-up bonus (there isn’t one). And the card’s 5% cash back for office supplies and wireless phone service is matched by the Chase Ink Business Cash.

Rather, the card’s claim to fame is its mid-tier cash back option. You can pick one of eight categories in which you’ll receive a generous 3% cash back. If there’s one area where you spend big bucks — such as airfare, gas or advertising — you’ll probably score with the SimplyCash Plus.

• No annual fee
• 0% intro APR on purchases for 9 months

• Ongoing APR of 12.99%, 17.99% or 19.99% based on credit

• 5% cash back on office supplies and wireless phone service (up to $50,000 each calendar year; must be from US providers)
• 3% cash back from one of eight categories — airfare, hotels, car rentals, gas, restaurants, shipping, advertising and computing (up to $50,000 each calendar year)
• 1% cash back on everything else

Capital One Spark Classic for Business

Why it’s great…

• No annual fee, apply with average credit, simple cash back

The Spark Classic isn’t the top business card on the market. However, it’s likely the best choice if you have average credit. It’s not a bad card, either, with a $0 annual fee and unlimited 1% cash back on all spending.

• No annual fee

• 23.74% APR

• Unlimited 1% cash back on all purchases

Chase Ink Business Preferred

Why it’s great…

• Excellent sign-up bonus, great cash back, Chase Ultimate Rewards

The Chase Ink Business Preferred comes with a top-notch sign-up bonus: 80,000 points after $5,000 of spending. You’ll quickly rack up many more points with the card’s 3x multiple on several categories of business spending.

The card’s secret weapon is the same feature that takes the Chase Sapphire Preferred to another level: Chase Ultimate Rewards. This flexible program lets you redeem points for cash back, gift cards and event tickets. And points redeemed for travel are worth 25% more — this means 80,000 points are worth $1,000 instead of $800. That’s a lot more bang for your buck when you book hotels, airfare and rental cars.

• $95 annual fee

• APR of 16.74% to 21.74%

• 80,000-point sign-up bonus after spending $5,000 within the first 3 months

• 3x points on the first $150,000 spent in travel, shipping, Internet, cable, phone, and social media and search engine advertising
• 1x points on all other purchases
• Redeem points through Chase Ultimate Rewards; points are worth 25% more

American Express Business Platinum Card

Why it’s great…

• Top-tier travel rewards, access to the Centurion Lounges

The Business Platinum Card may not offer flexible rewards like its competitors do, but it’s a killer deal for the road warrior.

After you pay the $450 annual fee, you’ll have a 75,000-point sign-up bonus to look forward to. Then get 5x Membership Rewards points each time you book flights, hotels, rental cars and cruises through American Express Travel. The Business Platinum’s point multiples may be mediocre in standard business categories, but they’re prime if you’re always on the go.

Another perk you’ll get with the Business Platinum is complimentary access to the American Express Centurion Lounges. These airport lounges are widely considered the best you’ll find anywhere and could alone validate the card’s annual fee.

• $450 annual fee
• No interest rate (it’s a charge card)

• 75,000 sign-up bonus after spending $20,000 within the first 3 months

• 5x points on bookings through American Express Travel
• 1.5x points on qualifying purchases over $5,000
• 1x points on everything else
• Access to the Centurion Lounges
• 50% points back when spending on eligible airfare

Frequently asked questions

• What’s the best way to apply for a credit card?

  To apply for any of the cards you see on this page, click the green “Go to site” button next to the card in our comparison table. Fill out the application on the provider’s website, and you should receive an answer on your application within a few minutes to a few days.

• What makes one credit card better than another?

  There are a variety of reasons a card may be ideal for you. Of course, the most important are those that work for your needs and spending habits.

  Often there is a primary factor that differentiates cards. For example, you may be looking for a balance transfer card. In that case, the primary consideration might be how long the 0% APR transfer period is.

  When multiple cards are strong in that primary factor, compare the secondary features. Does a card offer a $0 annual fee? A 0% intro APR for purchases? Excellent cash-back options? Chances are you’ll find a well-rounded card that’s attractive for you in every respect.

• What is APR?

  Short for annual percentage rate, it’s a card’s interest rate expressed yearly. Basically, it’s the fee you’re charged for the privilege of borrowing money through your credit card company.

• What are cash back, points and miles?

  With cash back, a percentage of your spending is paid back to you. For example, if you get a 1.5% rate on $100, you’ll get $1.50 cash back.

  Points and miles are based on the same concept, except you trade them for other rewards. For example, you may get 2x miles per dollar you spend — that’ll net you 200 points if you spend $100. You can later redeem those miles for rewards like vacation getaways and travel statement credit.

• What is an intro APR period?

  An intro APR period means you’ll pay a special interest rate for a certain period of time. For example, “0% APR on purchases for 15 months” means that you’re not charged interest on any spending in the 15 months after you open your card.

  Keep track of when your intro APR expires. If you haven’t paid off your purchases by the end of your intro APR, you’ll immediately accrue interest on your balance.