Earn powerful and flexible rewards through normal business spending.
For many people, travel rewards are the most lucrative rewards there are. That could be the case if you’re a business owner who spends countless hours working hard on trips across the country or across the world. Pick up a travel business credit card if you travel for business often, or simply want to save rewards for an occasional trip.
Best business credit cards for travel
Business credit cards that offer travel rewards are competitive, because jet-setting business owners are desirable customers. These cards are designed for businesses on the move, offering solid perks like cash back or rewards in tiered categories that include hotels, airfare and upgrades. Welcome bonuses can help your rewards take flight faster.
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- Business Platinum Card® from American Express: Best card for airfare and premium travel.
- Ink Business Preferred℠ credit card: Best for signup bonus and overall points.
- Spark® Miles for Business: Best for flat rewards across the board.
- Blue Business℠ Plus Credit Card: Best for intro APR.
Best card for airfare and premium travel: Business Platinum Card® from American Express
Business Platinum Card® from American Express
If you travel constantly — and like doing so in style — put the Business Platinum Card® from American Express on your shortlist.
The card offers accelerated rewards only on eligible flights and hotels through American Express Travel, so it’s much easier to earn meaningful rewards if you’re always on the go. Even if you can’t take advantage of these rewards, you might like the card’s suite of benefits.
Best for signup bonus and overall points: Ink Business Preferred℠ credit card
Ink Business Preferred℠ credit card
The Ink Business Preferred℠ credit card is a powerful product, in part because it offers up to 3x points in common business categories. If your business has a high volume of spending in the card’s accelerated-rewards categories, take a serious look. You’ll like the points you’ll earn, and you’ll love that they’re worth 25% more when redeemed through Chase Ultimate Rewards.
Best for flat rewards: Spark® Miles for Business
Spark® Miles for Business
Keeping track of accelerated-reward categories can take time. If you want to keep your rewards simple, check out the Spark® Miles for Business. It offers 2x miles on all purchases, with no cap on your earnings. This is a good rate for flat rewards, and it offers steady earnings on your everyday business expenses.
Best for intro APR: Blue Business℠ Plus Credit Card by Citi
Blue Business℠ Plus Credit Card
When you anticipate heavy spending, an intro APR can be a lifesaver. If that’s what you’re after, look into the Blue Business℠ Plus Credit Card from American Express. Not only does it offer a market-leading intro APR promotion, it also offers impressive flat travel rewards.
How to compare business credit cards for travel
There’s no such thing as a perfect card. Rather, there’s a card that works well specifically for your business. While comparing different products, consider these factors.
- Annual fee. A good starting consideration for any credit card is what it’ll cost you out of pocket. Typically, you’ll pay either $0 or around $95 a year for a business credit card. For high-end cards, expect to pay upwards of $450 a year.
- Rewards. In considering an annual fee, think about how your business could benefit from the card’s rewards. Certain cards offer accelerated points or miles for specific categories. If you accumulate those rewards, you may find your card effectively pays for itself. If you don’t want to keep track of different reward tiers, go for a flat-rewards card that has offers like 2x miles on all spending. You’ll earn strong rewards, and you won’t wonder whether you’re optimizing your spending for the most points or miles.
- Card type. You’ll choose between a general, airline or hotel credit card. A general card is typically a good choice if your spending is dispersed throughout several categories or if you don’t travel much. You’ll earn points or miles you can spend on a variety of travel rewards, such as airfare, hotels, cruises and car rentals. Consider an airline or hotel card if you’re a loyal customer of a certain travel brand. For example, there’s a perfect card for you if you’re a power Delta flyer. And if you simply must stay at Marriott properties wherever you go, there’s a card with your name on it.
- Signup bonus. Business credit cards often come with lucrative signup bonuses. Before applying for one, consider whether you can reach its bonus spending requirement. You get one chance to fulfill the requirement — if you don’t meet it within a specified time, you won’t get another shot.
- Intro APR. A purchase or balance transfer intro APR is helpful especially when you have existing business debt or anticipate large business purchases. Any intro APR period 12 months or over is a good deal for a business card. Promotions generally top out at around 15 months.
Why choose a business credit card for travel?
- Separate personal and business expenses. There can be many benefits to getting a business card, such as establishing business credit history, keeping your personal credit utilization low and acquiring employee cards.
- You travel a lot. If travel is a big business expense, you might have a great reason to get a business credit card for travel. Most notably, you can earn significant rewards for activities like flying and staying in hotels.
- You want travel rewards. Even if you don’t travel much, a business credit card for travel might be useful. You can earn rewards throughout the year from normal business spending, then use your points or miles for an occasional getaway.
Can a business card affect my personal credit?
Compare business credit cards for travel
Bottom line
A business credit card for travel can be a good choice if you travel often or want to save rewards for occasional trips. To find the right card for you, evaluate products by weighing out the cost and rewards of each. Consider the cards we listed as our best picks.
If you’re not sure that a business credit card for travel is right for you, compare other business credit cards.
