Best small-business credit cards to add to your wallet

Small-business owners, listen up: If you don’t already have a business credit card in your wallet, it’s time for you to add one.

Acquiring a business credit card doesn’t have to be complicated. In fact, completing a business credit card application and checking your business credit score are likely easier to do than you’d think.

Separating your business and personal expenses is a smart financial move, and there are many great credit card options that earn rewards for your business spending. Here are some recommendations for cards to fit your small-business strategy.

The best small-business credit cards

• Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card
• Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card (see rates and fees)
• The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express
• The American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card
• Capital One Spark Miles for Business
• Capital One Spark Cash Select
• Bank of America® Business Advantage Customized Cash Rewards Mastercard® credit card

The information for the Ink Business Preferred has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

Comparing the best small-business credit cards

Options for your first business credit card

Assuming you’ve done the work to get your personal and business credit into a good place and you’re ready to apply for a business credit card, your next step is to decide which one you should choose.

If you’re looking for your first business credit card, you probably want a card with a low annual fee or possibly no annual fee. All the cards listed in this guide charge no more than $99 per year, which is ideal for small businesses just starting up.

With this in mind, here is a dive into some of our favorite credit cards for small businesses.

Chase Ink Business Preferred

Business owners who want to earn lucrative Chase Ultimate Rewards points will appreciate what the Ink Business Preferred offers.

Welcome offer: Earn 90,000 bonus points after spending $8,000 on purchases in the first three months after account opening.

As of September 2025, TPG values this bonus at $1,845.

Annual fee: $95

Earning structure: You’ll earn 3 points per dollar spent on advertising, cable, internet and phone services, shipping and travel purchases (on the first $150,000 each account anniversary year, then 1 point per dollar). You’ll earn 1 point per dollar spent on all other purchases.

Why we like it: Small-business owners who spend in the bonus categories covered by this card can expect to earn a 6.2% return on their expenses, according to our September 2025 valuations. These categories, including travel, shipping and advertising, are common expenses and easy to maximize.

Plus, this card offers perks like purchase protection and cellphone protection for a low annual fee.

To learn more, read our full review of the Ink Business Preferred.

Chase Ink Business Unlimited

If you’re a fan of Chase and searching for a no-annual-fee business card, the Ink Business Unlimited may be a great option.

Current welcome offer: Earn $750 bonus cash back after spending $6,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.

Annual fee: $0

Earning structure: With the Ink Business Unlimited, you’ll earn 1.5% cash back on every purchase with no limits to how much you can earn.

Why we like it: The Ink Business Unlimited is simple: You don’t pay an annual fee and will earn cash back at a flat rate without keeping track of multiple bonus categories.

The real power of this card comes when you also hold a premium Chase card. Holding one of the four cards below allows you to turn your cash-back earnings into Chase points, essentially doubling their value, according to our September 2025 valuations:

• Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card (see rates and fees)
• Chase Sapphire Reserve® (see rates and fees)
• Chase Sapphire Reserve for Business℠ (see rates and fees)
• Ink Business Preferred

To learn more, read our full review of the Ink Business Unlimited.

Apply here: Ink Business Unlimited

Amex Blue Business Plus

If you want to earn American Express Membership Rewards points without paying an annual fee, look into the Amex Blue Business Plus.

Current welcome offer: Earn 15,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 on eligible purchases with the card within the first three months of card membership.

According to TPG’s September 2025 valuations, this welcome offer is worth $300.

Annual fee: $0

Earning structure: With the Blue Business Plus, you’ll earn 2 points per dollar spent on all eligible purchases (on up to $50,000 per calendar year, then 1 point per dollar).

Why we like it: Small-business owners interested in earning Amex points can’t go wrong with this no-annual-fee option.

TPG’s September 2025 valuations value Membership Rewards points at 2 cents each. That means you’re earning a 4% return on purchases without needing to track any bonus categories (on the first $50,000 in spending per calendar year, then an estimated 2% return).

We recommend transferring these points to one of Amex’s 20 airline and hotel travel partners to book airfare or hotel stays. For instance, you could transfer your Amex points to Air France-KLM Flying Blue to book discounted flights to Europe using Flying Blue’s monthly Promo Rewards.

To learn more, read our full review of the Amex Blue Business Plus.

Apply here: Amex Blue Business Plus

Amex Blue Business Cash

Earning cash back on everyday expenses for your small business is made easy with the Amex Blue Business Cash.

Current welcome offer: Earn a $250 statement credit after making $3,000 in eligible purchases on the card within the first three months of card membership.

Annual fee: $0

Earning structure: The Blue Business Cash earns 2% cash back on all eligible purchases (on up to $50,000 per calendar year, then 1% cash back on all purchases afterward). Cash back earned is automatically credited to your statement.

Why we like it: With the Blue Business Cash, you won’t need to worry about maximizing any bonus categories, making cash-back earnings simple for businesses with a broader list of expenses.

Plus, you’ll have access to an extended warranty*, purchase protection*, and secondary car rental loss and damage insurance**.

*Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.

**Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company. Car Rental Loss or Damage Coverage is offered through American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc.

To learn more, read our full review of the Amex Blue Business Cash.

Apply here: Amex Blue Business Cash

Capital One Spark Miles for Business

You can earn transferable Capital One miles on small-business spending with the Spark Miles for Business.

Current welcome offer: Earn 50,000 bonus miles after spending $4,500 on purchases within the first three months from account opening.

Per TPG’s September 2025 valuations, this bonus is worth $925.

Annual fee: $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $95 thereafter

Earning structure: The Spark Miles for Business earns 2 miles per dollar spent on most purchases. You’ll earn 5 miles per dollar spent on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One’s travel portal.

Why we like it: This card earns Capital One miles at a simple rate without the need to memorize bonus categories, so it’s a good option for small-business owners with diverse expenses.

Capital One miles are valuable currency that can be transferred to 15-plus travel partners. For example, you could transfer your Capital One miles to British Airways Avios and use those Avios to book flights with multiple airlines, including Aer Lingus, British Airways, Finnair, Iberia, Loganair and Qatar Airways.

To learn more, read our full review of the Spark Miles for Business.

Learn more: Spark Miles for Business

Capital One Spark Cash Select

The no-annual-fee Spark Cash Select makes earning on general business expenses easy.

Current welcome offer: Earn $500 cash back after spending $4,500 on purchases within the first three months from account opening.

Annual fee: $0

Earning structure: You’ll earn 1.5% cash back on most of your purchases. You’ll earn 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One’s travel portal.

Why we like it: With this card, you’ll earn simple cash back on business purchases and the ability to earn more on select bookings through Capital One’s travel booking site.

Small-business owners who don’t want to worry about redeeming miles and prefer cash-back rewards will enjoy this card’s simplicity.

To learn more, read our full review of the Spark Cash Select.

Learn more: Spark Cash Select

Bank of America Business Advantage Customized Cash

Bank of America often slides under the radar when compared to major issuers like Chase and American Express, but small-business owners should absolutely consider the Bank of America Business Advantage Customized Cash.

Current welcome offer: Earn a $300 statement credit after making $3,000 in purchases within the first 90 days of account opening.

Annual fee: $0

Earning structure: The Bank of America Business Advantage Customized Cash earns 3% back in the category of your choice for the first $50,000 in combined category/dining purchases each calendar year, then 1% thereafter. Eligible categories include:

• Business consulting services
• Computer services
• Gas stations and electric vehicle charging stations
• Office supply stores
• Travel
• TV/telecom and wireless

You’ll also earn 2% back on dining purchases and 1% back on other purchases.

Why we like it: You can choose an earning category that fits your business model and change this category each month to adapt to your business operations.

Cash back can be redeemed into a checking or savings account with Bank of America or as a statement credit. You can also opt in to automatically redeem for cash back each month, but keep in mind that there’s a $25 redemption minimum.

Plus, members of the Bank of America Preferred Rewards® program can earn rewards at up to 75% higher rates, meaning you could get up to 5.25% back on your chosen category with this card. The bonus rate you receive depends on the amount of money you have within this program.

To learn more, read our full review of the Business Advantage Customized Cash.

Apply here: Bank of America Business Advantage Customized Cash

Bottom line

There are many aspects to consider when starting a small business. Understanding and building your business credit score can help you gain access to more credit, which will free up capital to help your business succeed financially.

Now that you know more about business credit cards and why they’re important, consider adding one of these solid options as your first business credit card. It may end up being the perfect spending tool for your small business.

Related: Business credit card tips everyone should follow

For rates and fees of the Amex Blue Business Plus card, click here.
For rates and fees of the Amex Blue Business Cash card, click here.