Where Are the Biggest Bonuses? Try Small-Business Cards
Since businesses tend to spend more money than individuals and households, issuers can afford to use more lucrative offers to entice new applicants.
On a similar note...
On a similar note...
Many or all of the products featured here are from our partners who compensate us. This may influence which products we write about and where and how the product appears on a page. However, this does not influence our evaluations. Our opinions are our own.
Credit cards for small-business owners differ from general consumer credit cards in many ways, including reward structures and how you qualify to get the card. Among the most eye-popping differences are the lucrative sign-up bonuses offered by business credit cards compared with their consumer counterparts.
Business card bonuses are typically higher
The more you spend on a credit card, the more the card issuer earns, and businesses tend to spend more than individuals and households.
If a business carries a balance, the issuer makes more in interest charges. Even if the cardholder never carries a balance and never pays interest, the issuer earns a percentage of each transaction through swipe fees.
Because businesses spend more, issuers can afford to be more generous — and enticing — with their sign-up bonuses. Qualifying for those bonuses, though, often requires a higher amount of spending soon after being approved for the card.
Examples
Sign-up bonuses can change frequently, but here are real examples of sign-up bonuses — sometimes called "welcome offers" — featured by business credit cards compared with a comparable consumer-level card.
Ink Business Unlimited℠ Credit Card vs. Chase Freedom Unlimited®
Card type | Business | Personal |
Annual fee | $0 | $0 |
Bonus | Earn $500 bonus cash back after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. | Earn a $200 Bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening. |
Maximum bonus value | $500 | $600 |
Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card vs. Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
Card type | Business | Personal |
Annual fee | $95 | $95 |
Bonus | New Offer! Earn 100k bonus points after you spend $15,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $1,250 toward travel when redeemed through Chase Ultimate Rewards®. | Earn 80,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $1,000 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards®. |
Maximum bonus value | $1,250 | $750 |
Capital One® Spark® Miles Select for Business vs. Capital One® Quicksilver® Cash Rewards Credit Card
Card type | Business | Personal |
Annual fee | $0 | $0 |
Bonus | Earn a one-time bonus of 20,000 miles - equal to $200 in travel - once you spend $3,000 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening. | One-time $150 cash bonus after you spend $500 on purchases within 3 months from account opening. |
Maximum bonus value | $200 | $150 |
The Business Platinum Card® from American Express vs. The Platinum Card® from American Express
Card type | Business | Personal |
Annual fee | $595 | $550 |
Bonus | Earn 75,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $15,000 on qualifying purchases within your first 3 months of Card Membership. Terms apply. | Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® points after you use your new Card to make $5,000 in purchases in your first 3 months. Terms Apply. |
Maximum bonus value | $750 | $600 |
How you can capitalize
Even if you're not a full-time entrepreneur and just have a side business, you may qualify for a business credit card and be eligible for these big sign-up bonuses. Just be aware that cardholder protections are weaker for business cards vs. consumer cards and you must agree to a personal guarantee, stating that you are personally liable for debt even if your business goes belly-up.
On a good note, if you’re using your card for business, its fees and interest count as business expenses. That means you can deduct those card expenses at tax time.
