How to compare the best* business credit cards for travel

The Business Platinum Card from American Express comes with a steep annual fee of $499, but the benefits can more than make up for it. If you’ve never had an American Express Small Business Card product before, you can get an enticing signup bonus. Earn a Welcome Bonus of 50,000 Membership Rewards points when you charge $7,000 in purchases to your Card in your first three months of Cardmembership.

Build up points towards a wide range of rewards when you charge items to your card. Earn 1.25 Membership Rewards points for every $1 spent on eligible purchases. Points never expire, and there is no limit to the amount you can earn. Plus, enjoy a generous range of travel benefits, purchase insurance (including Employee Card Misuse Protection) and a $0 fee for late payments. (This is a charge card, so you have to fully pay off your balance within the interest free period or a 30% interest rate will apply.)

• The perks

  • Signup bonus. Earn a Welcome Bonus of 50,000 Membership Rewards points when you charge $7,000 in purchases to your Card in your first three months of Cardmembership.
  • Earn rewards points. Earn 1.25 Membership Rewards points for every $1 spent on eligible purchases. Points never expire, and there is no limit to the amount you can earn.
  • Rewards points are transferrable. Membership Rewards points can be transferred to many other loyalty and frequent flyer programs.
  • Long interest free repayment period. Get up to 55 days to pay off your balance in full without accruing interest.
  • Travel insurance. Receive Emergency Medical Insurance, up to $500,000 Travel Accident Insurance, Car Rental and Theft Insurance, Trip Cancellation and Interruption Insurance, Hotel/Motel Burglary Insurance, Travel Emergency Assistance and a suite of other travel insurance coverage including Flight Delay, Lost and Stolen Baggage and Baggage Delay Insurance.
  • Travel perks. Enjoy complimentary access to more than 1,200 airport lounges in 130 countries. Charge hotel reservations to your card, and get 1 special amenity per room per stay. Plus, have your purchases sourced and arranged using dedicated concierge services, and enjoy 24/7 out-of-town emergency medical and legal referrals with Travel Emergency Assistance. (You'll be responsible for charges incurred as a result of these services, i.e. shipping fees or medical treatment costs.)
  • Car rental benefits. Get one car class upgrade for Hertz Gold Plus Rewards® members at participating Hertz locations, a discount of up to 25% off car rentals at participating AVIS and Carey locations and complimentary Car Rental Theft and Damage Insurance (MSRP of up to $85,000).
  • Purchase protection. This card comes with Employee Card Misuse Protection, which covers you if employees misuse their employee cards for unauthorized charges. Plus, get coverage for accidental physical damage and theft of items charged to your card, and extend the original manufacturer's warranty on eligible items for up to one additional year. Terms and conditions apply.

• Watch out for

  • Charge card. This is a charge card which means you won’t be able to carry a balance from month to month. If your balance is not paid in full within the interest free repayment period (varies depending on a range of factors, but can be up to 55 days), you’ll face an excruciatingly high 30% APR.
  • Annual fee. With premium benefits, this card is going to cost you. It comes with an annual fee of $499.
  • Supplementary card fees. If you hand out cards to employees, expect to pay $199 annually for Business Platinum Card from American Express and $50 for American Express Gold Rewards Cards.
  • Foreign currency conversion fee. If you use your card overseas or for online purchases with international retailers, you’ll face a 2.5% foreign currency fee.

If you travel frequently and are on the lookout for stylish and comfortable accommodations, the Marriott Bonvoy Business American Express Card could be the right card for you. Earn 5 points per $1 spent at participating Marriott properties, 3 points on gas, dining and travel and 2 points on all other spending. Terms apply Receive 50,000 Marriott Bonvoy™ points when you charge $1,500 in the first 3 months of card membership. Terms apply

Earn points that can be used toward discounted or free stays at dozens of luxury hotel brands worldwide and flights with some of the world’s leading airlines. Plus, enjoy travel insurance coverage, Employee Card Misuse Protection, Purchase Protection and other complimentary benefits.

• The perks

  • Signup bonus. Receive 50,000 Marriott Bonvoy™ points when you charge $1,500 in the first 3 months of card membership. Terms apply
  • Regular credit card. Unlike most Amex cards, this is a regular credit card. So, you won’t have to pay your balance off every month to avoid a high, penalty interest rate (however, a regular purchase rate of 19.99% will apply).
  • Earn rewards points. Earn 5 points per $1 spent at participating Marriott properties, 3 points on gas, dining and travel and 2 points on all other spending. Terms apply
  • Travel perks. Each year on your account anniversary, receive one free night each year at a participating Marriot Bonvoy property. Redeem points for free nights at thousands of hotels and resorts around the world or for flights with leading airlines. Plus, get fast-tracked to elite status in the Marriot Bonvoy program when you make purchases with this card.
  • Travel insurance coverage. Receive up to $500,000 Travel Accident Insurance, Car Rental Theft and Damage Insurance, Hotel/Motel Burglary Insurance, Flight Delay, Lost and Stolen Baggage and Baggage Delay Insurance. Travel Emergency Assistance is also provided through round the clock customer service.
  • Additional insurance benefits. This card comes with Employee Card Misuse Protection, which covers you if employees misuse their employee cards for unauthorized charges. Get coverage for accidental physical damage and theft of items charged to your card, and extend the original manufacturer's warranty on eligible items for up to one additional year. Terms and conditions apply. Get complimentary Car Rental Theft and Damage Insurance (MSRP of up to $85,000). Terms apply.
  • Business tools. Take advantage of Expense Management Reports that make it simpler to track expenses and prepare your taxes. Additionally, the annual fee for the primary card and supplemental cards may be tax deductible for your business (see a tax professional for more information).

• Watch out for

  • Annual fee. This card has an annual fee of $150.
  • Supplementary card fees. Each additional card will cost $50 annually.
  • Foreign currency conversion fee. Pay 2.5% for transactions conducted in a foreign currency.

Rack up AIR MILES faster and enjoy discounted rewards with the American Express AIR MILES for Business Card. Earn 1 AIR MILE for every $10 spent at eligible AIR MILES Sponsors and 1 AIR MILE for every $15 spent elsewhere Plus, enjoy a suite of travel benefits, purchase protection and a generous interest free repayment period. (This is a charge card, so you have to fully pay off your balance within the interest free period or a 30% interest rate will apply.)

• The perks

  • Signup bonus. Earn a Welcome Bonus of 2,000 AIR MILES when you spend at least $5,000 on eligible purchases within the first three months
  • Rack up Air Miles. Earn 1 AIR MILE for every $10 spent at eligible AIR MILES Sponsors and 1 AIR MILE for every $15 spent elsewhere
  • Additional AIR MILES benefits. Earn twice the AIR MILES by using both your AIR MILES Collector Card and your American Express AIR MILES for Business Card at AIR MILES Sponsors. As you earn Air Miles, you'll also get a 25% discount on business rewards when you redeem your Air Miles from your Dream balance for rewards from the Air Miles for Business Rewards catalogue. This catalogue is targeted toward small business owners, providing access to helpful merchandise, packages and experiences.
  • Long interest free period. Maximize your cash flow with up to 55 days interest free days to pay off your balance in full. (Afterwards an interest rate of 30% will apply.)
  • Travel insurance coverage. This card comes with up to $100,000 Travel Accident Insurance, Car Rental Theft and Damage Insurance, Baggage Delay Insurance, Lost or Stolen Baggage Insurance, Flight Delay Insurance and Hotel/Motel Burglary Insurance.
  • Car rental insurance coverage. Get complimentary Car Rental Theft and Damage Insurance (MSRP of up to $85,000) and redeem Air Miles to book car rentals with AIR MILES Partners.
  • Additional insurance benefits. This card comes with Employee Card Misuse Protection, which covers you if employees misuse their employee cards for unauthorized charges (you must have terminated the supplementary cardmember and canceled their card within 2 business days). Extend manufacturer's original warranties for eligible items charged to your card by up to one additional year. Plus, charge items to your card, and get complimentary coverage against physical damage for up to 90 days
    
  • Business tools. Manage your cash flow with a lengthy interest free repayment period, and take advantage of Expense Management Reports that make it simpler to track expenses and prepare your taxes.

• Watch out for

  • Charge card. This is a charge card which means you won’t be able to carry a balance from month to month. If your balance is not paid in full within the interest free repayment period, you’ll face an excruciatingly high 30% APR.
  • Annual fee. This card will cost you $180 annually.
  • Supplementary card fees. Looking for extra cards for your employees? They’ll cost $50 annually.
  • Foreign currency conversion fee. Pay 2.5% for transactions conducted in a foreign currency.