9 Best Business Credit Cards of July 2025

on Capital One's website

Rates & Fees

Pros

High rewards rate
New cardholder bonus offer
Priority Pass lounge membership
Annual travel credit, bonus points
Statement credit for Global Entry, TSA PreCheck®

Cons

High annual fee
Requires excellent credit
Balance must be paid in full every month

Capital One Venture X Business

4.9

Annual fee

$395

Rewards rate

2x-10x

Miles

Intro offer

150,000

Miles

on Capital One's website

Rates & Fees

Pros

High rewards rate
New cardholder bonus offer
Priority Pass lounge membership
Annual travel credit, bonus points
Statement credit for Global Entry, TSA PreCheck®

Cons

High annual fee
Requires excellent credit
Balance must be paid in full every month

Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

4.5

Annual fee

$95

Rewards rate

1x-3x

Points

Intro offer

90,000

Points

on Chase's website

Rates & Fees

Pros

New cardholder bonus offer
Transfer partners

Cons

Does not include lounge access or travel credits

Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

4.5

Annual fee

$95

Rewards rate

1x-3x

Points

Intro offer

90,000

Points

on Chase's website

Rates & Fees

Pros

New cardholder bonus offer
Transfer partners

Cons

Does not include lounge access or travel credits

Capital One Spark Miles for Business

4.7

Annual fee

$0 intro for the first year, then $95

Rewards rate

2x-5x

Miles

Intro offer

50,000

Miles

on Capital One's website

Rates & Fees

Pros

High rewards rate
New cardholder bonus offer
No reward caps
Statement credit for Global Entry, TSA PreCheck®
Annual fee waived for first year

Cons

Reports all card activity to consumer credit bureaus
Does not include lounge access or automatic elite status

Capital One Spark Miles for Business

4.7

Annual fee

$0 intro for the first year, then $95

Rewards rate

2x-5x

Miles

Intro offer

50,000

Miles

on Capital One's website

Rates & Fees

Pros

High rewards rate
New cardholder bonus offer
No reward caps
Statement credit for Global Entry, TSA PreCheck®
Annual fee waived for first year

Cons

Reports all card activity to consumer credit bureaus
Does not include lounge access or automatic elite status

2025 BEST CREDIT CARD SMALL BUSINESS

Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card

4.9

Annual fee

Rewards rate

1.5%

Cashback

Intro offer

$750

on Chase's website

Rates & Fees

Pros

High rewards rate
Intro APR period
No reward caps
New cardholder bonus offer

Cons

No bonus categories

2025 BEST CREDIT CARD

SMALL BUSINESS

Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card

4.9

Annual fee

Rewards rate

1.5%

Cashback

Intro offer

$750

on Chase's website

Rates & Fees

Pros

High rewards rate
Intro APR period
No reward caps
New cardholder bonus offer

Cons

No bonus categories

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

4.6

Annual fee

Rewards rate

1.5%

Cashback

Intro offer

$300

on Bank of America's website

Pros

New cardholder bonus offer
High rewards rate
Bonus rewards for qualifying Preferred Rewards for Business members

Cons

Requires excellent credit
Multiple accounts, high combined balance required to get Preferred Rewards bonus

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

4.6

Annual fee

Rewards rate

1.5%

Cashback

Intro offer

$300

on Bank of America's website

Pros

New cardholder bonus offer
High rewards rate
Bonus rewards for qualifying Preferred Rewards for Business members

Cons

Requires excellent credit
Multiple accounts, high combined balance required to get Preferred Rewards bonus

Ink Business Cash® Credit Card

4.6

Annual fee

Rewards rate

1%-5%

Cashback

Intro offer

$350

on Chase's website

Rates & Fees

Pros

Intro APR period
New cardholder bonus offer
High reward rate in bonus categories

Cons

Low rate outside bonus categories
Spending caps on bonus rewards

Ink Business Cash® Credit Card

4.6

Annual fee

Rewards rate

1%-5%

Cashback

Intro offer

$350

on Chase's website

Rates & Fees

Pros

Intro APR period
New cardholder bonus offer
High reward rate in bonus categories

Cons

Low rate outside bonus categories
Spending caps on bonus rewards

U.S. Bank Triple Cash Rewards Visa® Business Card

4.4

Annual fee

Rewards rate

1%-5%

Cashback

Intro offer

$500

on U.S. Bank's website

Rates & Fees

Pros

High cash-back bonus rate
No cap on bonus rewards
Intro APR period on purchases and balance transfers
Reports to Dun & Bradstreet
New cardholder bonus offer

Cons

Low rate outside bonus categories
Activity on employee cards does not count toward bonus spending requirement

U.S. Bank Triple Cash Rewards Visa® Business Card

4.4

Annual fee

Rewards rate

1%-5%

Cashback

Intro offer

$500

on U.S. Bank's website

Rates & Fees

Pros

High cash-back bonus rate
No cap on bonus rewards
Intro APR period on purchases and balance transfers
Reports to Dun & Bradstreet
New cardholder bonus offer

Cons

Low rate outside bonus categories
Activity on employee cards does not count toward bonus spending requirement

Capital One Spark Cash Plus

4.9

Annual fee

$150

Rewards rate

2%-5%

Cashback

Intro offer

$2,000

on Capital One's website

Rates & Fees

Pros

High rewards rate
No preset spending limit
No foreign transaction fees
New cardholder bonus offer

Cons

High annual fee
Balance must be paid in full every month
High spending requirement to hit bonuses
Requires excellent credit

Capital One Spark Cash Plus

4.9

Annual fee

$150

Rewards rate

2%-5%

Cashback

Intro offer

$2,000

on Capital One's website

Rates & Fees

Pros

High rewards rate
No preset spending limit
No foreign transaction fees
New cardholder bonus offer

Cons

High annual fee
Balance must be paid in full every month
High spending requirement to hit bonuses
Requires excellent credit

Capital One Spark Cash

4.7

Annual fee

$0 intro for the first year, then $95

Rewards rate

2%-5%

Cashback

Intro offer

$1,500

on Capital One's website

Rates & Fees

Pros

High rewards rate
No foreign transaction fees
New cardholder bonus offer
No reward caps

Cons

Requires excellent credit
Reports all card activity to consumer credit bureaus
No Intro APR period

Capital One Spark Cash

4.7

Annual fee

$0 intro for the first year, then $95

Rewards rate

2%-5%

Cashback

Intro offer

$1,500

on Capital One's website

Rates & Fees

Pros

High rewards rate
No foreign transaction fees
New cardholder bonus offer
No reward caps

Cons

Requires excellent credit
Reports all card activity to consumer credit bureaus
No Intro APR period

Ramp Card

4.3

Annual fee

Rewards rate

1%-1.5%

Cashback

Intro offer

$250

on Ramp's website

Pros

No annual fee or foreign transaction fees
No personal guarantee or credit check
Direct integrations with tools and card-level spending controls
Rewards do not expire
Card-level spending controls

Cons

Not available to sole proprietors
Rewards rate varies and is determined per customer

Ramp Card

4.3

Annual fee

Rewards rate

1%-1.5%

Cashback

Intro offer

$250

on Ramp's website

Pros

No annual fee or foreign transaction fees
No personal guarantee or credit check
Direct integrations with tools and card-level spending controls
Rewards do not expire
Card-level spending controls

Cons

Not available to sole proprietors
Rewards rate varies and is determined per customer

Brex Card

5.0

Annual fee

Rewards rate

1x-7x

Points

Intro offer

10,000

Points

on Brex's website

Pros

No annual fee or foreign transaction fees
New cardholder bonus offer
No personal guarantee
Card-level spending controls

Cons

Complicated rewards structure
High capital requirement for approval
Daily repayment may be required
Not available to sole proprietors

Brex Card

5.0

Annual fee

Rewards rate

1x-7x

Points

Intro offer

10,000

Points

on Brex's website

Pros

No annual fee or foreign transaction fees
New cardholder bonus offer
No personal guarantee
Card-level spending controls

Cons

Complicated rewards structure
High capital requirement for approval
Daily repayment may be required
Not available to sole proprietors

BILL Divvy Corporate Card

4.2

Annual fee

Rewards rate

1x-7x

Points

Intro offer

N/A

on BILL Spend & Expense's website

Pros

No annual fee
Card-level spending controls
No personal guarantee
Available to sole proprietors

Cons

Complicated rewards structure with limits on redemption
Rewards rate varies depending on user activity

BILL Divvy Corporate Card

4.2

Annual fee

Rewards rate

1x-7x

Points

Intro offer

N/A

on BILL Spend & Expense's website

Pros

No annual fee
Card-level spending controls
No personal guarantee
Available to sole proprietors

Cons

Complicated rewards structure with limits on redemption
Rewards rate varies depending on user activity

Capital on Tap Business Credit Card

4.6

Annual fee

Rewards rate

1.5%

Intro offer

N/A

on Capital on Tap's website

Pros

High rewards rate
No reward caps
Available with fair credit
No annual fee.
No foreign transaction fees.

Cons

Not available to sole proprietors, charities or nonprofits
Must enroll in automatic payments
Potential for very high APR
No new cardholder bonus offer

Capital on Tap Business Credit Card

4.6

Annual fee

Rewards rate

1.5%

Intro offer

N/A

on Capital on Tap's website

Pros

High rewards rate
No reward caps
Available with fair credit
No annual fee.
No foreign transaction fees.

Cons

Not available to sole proprietors, charities or nonprofits
Must enroll in automatic payments
Potential for very high APR
No new cardholder bonus offer

or get back to the for more options

Matching you with the right credit card...

Credit Card Finder

Let’s start with your credit. What is your personal credit score?

My monthly business revenue is

What’s most important to you in a new business card?

Is a 0% intro APR period a priority for you?

Recommendations do not guarantee card approval

Here are the best business credit cards

2025 BEST CREDIT CARD SMALL BUSINESS

Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card

4.9

Best for Overall business credit card

Annual fee

Rewards rate

1.5%

Cashback

Intro offer

$750

on Chase's website

Rates & Fees

Pros

High rewards rate
Intro APR period
No reward caps
New cardholder bonus offer

Cons

No bonus categories

2025 BEST CREDIT CARD

SMALL BUSINESS

Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card

Best for Overall business credit card

4.9

Annual fee

Rewards rate

1.5%

Cashback

Intro offer

$750

on Chase's website

Rates & Fees

Pros

High rewards rate
Intro APR period
No reward caps
New cardholder bonus offer

Cons

No bonus categories

Capital One Spark Cash Plus

4.9

Best for No preset spending limit

Annual fee

$150

Rewards rate

2%-5%

Cashback

Intro offer

$2,000

on Capital One's website

Rates & Fees

Pros

High rewards rate
No preset spending limit
No foreign transaction fees
New cardholder bonus offer

Cons

High annual fee
Balance must be paid in full every month
High spending requirement to hit bonuses
Requires excellent credit

Capital One Spark Cash Plus

Best for No preset spending limit

4.9

Annual fee

$150

Rewards rate

2%-5%

Cashback

Intro offer

$2,000

on Capital One's website

Rates & Fees

Pros

High rewards rate
No preset spending limit
No foreign transaction fees
New cardholder bonus offer

Cons

High annual fee
Balance must be paid in full every month
High spending requirement to hit bonuses
Requires excellent credit

Capital One Spark Cash

4.7

Best for No foreign transaction fees

Annual fee

$0 intro for the first year, then $95

Rewards rate

2%-5%

Cashback

Intro offer

$1,500

on Capital One's website

Rates & Fees

Pros

High rewards rate
No foreign transaction fees
New cardholder bonus offer
No reward caps

Cons

Requires excellent credit
Reports all card activity to consumer credit bureaus
No Intro APR period

Capital One Spark Cash

Best for No foreign transaction fees

4.7

Annual fee

$0 intro for the first year, then $95

Rewards rate

2%-5%

Cashback

Intro offer

$1,500

on Capital One's website

Rates & Fees

Pros

High rewards rate
No foreign transaction fees
New cardholder bonus offer
No reward caps

Cons

Requires excellent credit
Reports all card activity to consumer credit bureaus
No Intro APR period

The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express

4.4

Best for AmEx membership points

Annual fee

Rewards rate

1x-2x

Points

Intro offer

15,000

Points

on American Express' website

Rates & Fees

Pros

High rewards rate
Intro APR period
New cardholder bonus offer

Cons

Spending caps on bonus rewards
Low rate after you hit bonus cap

The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express

Best for AmEx membership points

4.4

Annual fee

Rewards rate

1x-2x

Points

Intro offer

15,000

Points

on American Express' website

Rates & Fees

Pros

High rewards rate
Intro APR period
New cardholder bonus offer

Cons

Spending caps on bonus rewards
Low rate after you hit bonus cap

Capital One Venture X Business

4.9

Best for Business travel card

Annual fee

$395

Rewards rate

2x-10x

Miles

Intro offer

150,000

Miles

on Capital One's website

Rates & Fees

Pros

High rewards rate
New cardholder bonus offer
Priority Pass lounge membership
Annual travel credit, bonus points
Statement credit for Global Entry, TSA PreCheck®

Cons

High annual fee
Requires excellent credit
Balance must be paid in full every month

Capital One Venture X Business

Best for Business travel card

4.9

Annual fee

$395

Rewards rate

2x-10x

Miles

Intro offer

150,000

Miles

on Capital One's website

Rates & Fees

Pros

High rewards rate
New cardholder bonus offer
Priority Pass lounge membership
Annual travel credit, bonus points
Statement credit for Global Entry, TSA PreCheck®

Cons

High annual fee
Requires excellent credit
Balance must be paid in full every month

Ink Business Cash® Credit Card

4.6

Best for Office supplies and telecom

Annual fee

Rewards rate

1%-5%

Cashback

Intro offer

$350

on Chase's website

Rates & Fees

Pros

Intro APR period
New cardholder bonus offer
High reward rate in bonus categories

Cons

Low rate outside bonus categories
Spending caps on bonus rewards

Ink Business Cash® Credit Card

Best for Office supplies and telecom

4.6

Annual fee

Rewards rate

1%-5%

Cashback

Intro offer

$350

on Chase's website

Rates & Fees

Pros

Intro APR period
New cardholder bonus offer
High reward rate in bonus categories

Cons

Low rate outside bonus categories
Spending caps on bonus rewards

The American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card

4.5

Best for New businesses

Annual fee

Rewards rate

1%-2%

Cashback

Intro offer

$250

on American Express' website

Rates & Fees

Pros

High cash-back bonus rate
Intro APR period
New cardholder bonus offer

Cons

Spending caps on bonus rewards
Low rate after you hit bonus cap

The American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card

Best for New businesses

4.5

Annual fee

Rewards rate

1%-2%

Cashback

Intro offer

$250

on American Express' website

Rates & Fees

Pros

High cash-back bonus rate
Intro APR period
New cardholder bonus offer

Cons

Spending caps on bonus rewards
Low rate after you hit bonus cap

U.S. Bank Triple Cash Rewards Visa® Business Card

4.4

Best for Intro APR period

Annual fee

Rewards rate

1%-5%

Cashback

Intro offer

$500

on U.S. Bank's website

Rates & Fees

Pros

High cash-back bonus rate
No cap on bonus rewards
Intro APR period on purchases and balance transfers
Reports to Dun & Bradstreet
New cardholder bonus offer

Cons

Low rate outside bonus categories
Activity on employee cards does not count toward bonus spending requirement

U.S. Bank Triple Cash Rewards Visa® Business Card

Best for Intro APR period

4.4

Annual fee

Rewards rate

1%-5%

Cashback

Intro offer

$500

on U.S. Bank's website

Rates & Fees

Pros

High cash-back bonus rate
No cap on bonus rewards
Intro APR period on purchases and balance transfers
Reports to Dun & Bradstreet
New cardholder bonus offer

Cons

Low rate outside bonus categories
Activity on employee cards does not count toward bonus spending requirement

Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

4.5

Best for Welcome offer

Annual fee

$95

Rewards rate

1x-3x

Points

Intro offer

90,000

Points

on Chase's website

Rates & Fees

Pros

New cardholder bonus offer
Transfer partners

Cons

Does not include lounge access or travel credits

Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

Best for Welcome offer

4.5

Annual fee

$95

Rewards rate

1x-3x

Points

Intro offer

90,000

Points

on Chase's website

Rates & Fees

Pros

New cardholder bonus offer
Transfer partners

Cons

Does not include lounge access or travel credits

Other small-business credit cards worth considering

The cards above are top-in-class. They will deliver excellent value to any business owner. We chose them based on their star rating and how they stacked up against similar cards.

That left the following good (or even great, in some instances) cards on the chopping block. We would still recommend these options if they fit your business's specific needs.

💳 Capital One Spark Cash Select

This is a top-notch

cash-back business card

with a great flat rate ( 1.5%), no annual fee and no foreign transaction fees. It's only downfall: The Capital One Spark Cash — and its higher cash-back rate of 2% — is a little bit better.

Capital One

Capital One Spark Cash Select

Rates and Fees

NerdWallet Rating

4.6

Annual Fee

$0.00

on Capital One's website

💳 American Express® Business Gold Card

AmEx enthusiasts can earn lots of Membership Rewards with this card. You'll get 4X points on your top two eligible bonus categories each month, up to $150,000 in combined spend annually. And your bonus categories adjust to your spending. The big downside? The steep annual fee.

American Express

American Express® Business Gold Card

Rates and Fees

NerdWallet Rating

4.3

Annual Fee

$375.00

on American Express' website

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

If you have a Bank of America business checking account, this card is a no-brainer. There's a rewards boost for Preferred Rewards for Business members. If you qualify for the highest membership tier, it increases the standard cash-back rate to 2.62%. The card is less compelling if Bank of America isn't your primary business bank.

Bank of America

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

NerdWallet Rating

4.6

Annual Fee

$0.00

on Bank of America's website

💳 Capital One Spark Miles for Business

Consider this card if you want a simple, inexpensive

business travel card

. You'll still get solid rewards rate and a few travel perks, including a statement credit for Global Entry or TSA Precheck fees. Plus, you can redeem your miles as a statement credit against travel purchases. That gives you maximum flexibility.

Capital One

Capital One Spark Miles for Business

Rates and Fees

NerdWallet Rating

4.7

Annual Fee

$95.00

on Capital One's website

💳 The Business Platinum Card® from American Express

This card is for business owners who spend more time in an airport than an office. It includes serious travel perks, including access to multiple airport lounge networks and automatic hotel elite status. Plus, you get credits for airline fees, wireless bills and trusted traveler programs. But its beast of an annual fee may make it difficult to get your money's worth.

American Express

The Business Platinum Card® from American Express

Rates and Fees

NerdWallet Rating

4.5

Annual Fee

$695.00

on American Express' website

💳 Chase Sapphire Reserve for Business℠

Chase introduced its own luxury business travel card in June 2025. It debuted with an industry-leading welcome offer — and annual fee to match. This card does boast sky-high reward rates on travel, especially if you book through Chase. But its ultimate value depends on whether you'll use its bevy of coupon-like credits.

Chase

Sapphire Reserve for Business℠

Rates and Fees

NerdWallet Rating

4.7

Annual Fee

$795.00

hotel business credit cards

on Chase's website

💳 Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card

If you're a Marriott loyalist, this card is a smart pick. You get a free night award each card anniversary. Plus, you can rack up a lot of points — and flex your elite status — at Marriott properties. But points are best used for Marriott stays. Consider other

if you're not a Marriott stan.

American Express

Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card

Rates and Fees

NerdWallet Rating

5.0

Annual Fee

$125.00

on American Express' website

💳 Wells Fargo Signify Business Cash℠ Card

This is the only major business credit card with unlimited 2% cash back on all purchases and no annual fee. But you can't apply online if you're not an existing Wells Fargo customer.

Wells Fargo

Wells Fargo Signify Business Cash℠ Card

NerdWallet Rating

5.0

Annual Fee

$0.00

This card is currently not available to apply for through NerdWallet.

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

This card is a great choice if you can't qualify for other business cards due to a low personal credit score. A secured card will still let you establish credit in your company's name.

Bank of America

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

NerdWallet Rating

4.4

Annual Fee

$0.00

get these cards with only an EIN

This card is currently not available to apply for through NerdWallet.

Business credit card guide: Expert tips and advice

Choosing a business credit card

Your business's spending and goals should dictate your choice of business credit card. A simple cash-back option with no annual fee is a great choice for most companies. (It's also a good default if you're facing decision fatigue.) Other decision factors include:

1. Eligibility requirements

Good-to-excellent personal credit is the main requirement for most business credit cards. If your FICO score is below 690, look to

secured business cards

or options for fair credit. The Capital One® Spark® Classic for Business, for instance, may be a fit in such instances. .

Business revenue and time in business may influence your initial credit limit. Otherwise, they don't play a large role in approval. That's great for new businesses and very small businesses. They can get a business card with no annual revenue as long as the owner has strong personal credit.

Corporate cards are the exception. Approval for those does depend on revenue, time in business and cash-on-hand. Most corporate card issuers don't even check your personal credit. You may be able to

. Eligibility is typically limited to registered businesses (LLCs, corporations, partnerships, etc.). Sole proprietors are not eligible for most corporate cards.

2. Types of rewards

Business card rewards fall into two categories: cash back or points/miles. Some cards, like the Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card, award your cash back as points. You can then redeem them as a statement credit or via the card's travel portal (often at a higher rate). This is the best of both worlds.

3. Spending categories

Some business cards elevate rewards for specific categories — like advertising, gas or shipping. These options can be lucrative if you spend a lot in those areas. Just take note of any spending caps on those bonus categories.

4. Extra card perks

Software discounts,

airport lounge access

and statement credits can increase a card's value. Take stock of how realistic it is you'll use such perks when comparing options.

5. Welcome bonus

Business card sign-up bonuses can add a ton of value to cards — if you can meet the spend requirements. Those can range from $6,000 to $30,000, depending on the card. Make sure you can clear the bonus requirements of any card you choose.

» MORE:

Best business credit card bonus offers

6. Intro APR period

Eyeing equipment upgrades or need to float startup costs? Opt for a

business card with a 0% intro APR period

to save on costly interest charges.

7. Card fees

Watch for

foreign transaction fees

if you travel abroad or buy inventory overseas. At 2%-3% of your purchase, such fees can cancel out any rewards you earn. Consider annual fees, late fees and other charges as well.

8. Impact on personal credit score

Business card applications can trigger a hard inquiry on your credit. But besides that,

most only impact your personal credit score

if you don't pay your bills.

There is one notable outlier: Capital One Spark cards.

Capital One reports all business card activity to personal and commercial credit bureaus. (The Capital One Spark Cash Plus and Capital One Venture X Business are exceptions.)

How much of your available credit you use plays a major role in your personal credit score. Even if you pay your bills off on time, high credit utilization on even one card can lower your score. That can make it harder to qualify for everything from a mortgage to a cell phone plan.

Which business credit cards report to consumer credit bureaus?

	What is reported to consumer credit bureaus
American Express	Only negative information.
Bank of America	Only if your account is not in good standing.
Capital One	All activity is reported to consumer credit bureaus (exceptions noted above).
Chase	Only if the account is seriously delinquent.
U.S. Bank	Only if the account is seriously delinquent.
Wells Fargo	Only negative information.
Corporate cards like Brex and Ramp do not report to consumer credit bureaus.

9. Credit card, charge card or corporate card

Business credit cards are a good fit for most businesses. You may start with a low credit limit, especially if your business is newer or has little revenue. But issuers will typically raise your limit after a few on-time payments. While you can carry a balance on a business card, you'll face interest charges on unpaid amounts.

Business charge cards

have no preset spending limit and may offer better rewards. But they leave you little wiggle room. You'll need to pay most purchases in full each statement cycle. Consider a charge card if your business has a big budget and steady cash flow.

Corporate cards usually have higher credit limits than traditional business cards. They often don't need a personal guarantee or credit check either. Instead, approvals depend on business financial data, like revenue and bank account balances. Most

corporate cards

are not available to sole proprietors and other non-registered businesses.

10. Employee cards

Most business credit cards come with

employee cards

(tied to the same account) for no extra cost. If you plan to issue such cards, consider what spending controls are at your disposal. Does a card let you set custom spending limits or restrict purchases to certain vendors? Research an issuer's fine print around employee card spending as well. It might not earn rewards or count toward a welcome bonus, for instance.

Types of business credit cards

One blue credit card with a green card behind it.

Cash backSome cash-back cards offer up to 5% back in certain categories. Others offer a flat rate of 1%-2% on all business purchases.

A blue credit card with a golden plane at the bottom and a palm tree at the top.

Travel rewardsRack up points or miles to redeem on future travel. Plus, get perks like lounge access, free hotel stays and statement credits for Global Entry.

Charge cardsBusiness charge cards have no preset spending limit — appealing for large operating budgets. But you must pay your balance in full each month.

Corporate cardsApproval depends on your business financials, not your personal credit. Cards do not require a personal guarantee.

» MORE:

How many business credit cards do you need?

Business credit cards: Benefits and drawbacks

A business credit card can

build your business credit

and net you rewards on operating costs. But they come with risks, too. Weigh the benefits against potential drawbacks before applying.

Pros

Build your business credit history.

Earn rewards for business spending.

Keep business and personal expenses separate.

Ability to issue employee cards; manage spending with custom controls.

Cons

Most business cards require a personal guarantee.

You need good/excellent personal credit to qualify.

Interest rates are high compared with business loans and lines of credit.

Business cards have fewer federal protections than consumer credit cards.

What you need to apply for a business credit card

Applying for a business credit card is pretty straightforward.

Business credit card requirements

typically include:

Business name. No formal business name? Just use your name.
Business contact information. If you don't have a separate business address and phone number, don't sweat it. Your personal address and phone number are just fine.
Employer identification number or Social Security number. You can get a business credit card without an SSN, but you'll need different identifying info.
Industry. This can be a broad — like retail, medical or professional services — or more specific. If you're stumped, think about the service you provide. Drive for Uber? That's transportation. DoorDash or Grubhub? That's delivery.
Business type. Corporation, LLC, partnership or sole proprietorship. Businesses without a formal or legal business structure can choose “sole proprietor.”
Time in business, revenue and expenses. If your business has no annual revenue, simply enter "$0."
Personal guarantee. The majority of small-business credit card applications require a personal guarantee. This means you have to pay the balance on your business card even if your company goes belly up. Want to avoid the personal guarantee? Look to a corporate card like Ramp or Brex.

4 tips to maximize business credit card rewards

1. Lock down that bonusYou typically need to spend $3,000 to $6,000 within three months to earn a welcome bonus (some cards require more).

One blue credit card on a flat surface with coins on both sides.

2. Leverage every perkCash back and travel points are often the tip of the iceberg. Using your card may get you discounts or credits on things like software and travel expenses.

3. Stack multiple business cardsEarn the best rate on all business spending. Use a flat-rate card for everyday purchases and one with bonus categories for costs like gas or advertising.

Paper documents wrapped with a ribbon that has a checkmark on it.

4. Deduct interest and feesIf you’re using your card for business costs only, fees and interest count as business expenses. That means you can deduct them at tax time.

How we rate the best business credit cards

NerdWallet evaluates business credit cards on more than a dozen factors, including annual fee, welcome bonus, rewards rate, bonus categories and intro APR period. Business cards need to earn at least 4.5 stars or be the best in their category (corporate cards, for example) to make our list of best business credit cards.

We annually review more than 40 business credit cards, primarily widely available options from major issuers, including American Express, Bank of America, Capital One, Chase and U.S. Bank. We also evaluate a handful of cards from smaller issuers, including options like Capital on Tap and corporate cards like Brex and Ramp.

What our star ratings mean

Business cards that earn 5 stars are considered exceptional. These cards are best-in-class and deliver the most value for the greatest number of business owners.

Business cards that earn 4.0 to 4.9 stars are good to excellent. They deliver excellent value and might be the best choice for certain businesses, depending on your needs and spending habits.

Business cards that earn 3.0 to 3.9 stars are fine business cards. You'll get some value out of using them, to be sure, but there are other cards that offer better rewards.

Business cards that earn below 3 stars are considered subpar and would generally not be recommended by NerdWallet.

Notes from card issuers

To view rates and fees of The American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card, see

To view rates and fees of The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express, see

To view rates and fees of The Business Platinum Card® from American Express, see

To view rates and fees of the American Express® Business Gold Card, see

To view rates and fees of the Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card, see