If you’re looking for a rewards card specifically for your business expenses, you have some great options. By The Business Platinum Card® from American Express with its points discount for airline tickets to the Ink Business Preferred Credit Card with its 3 points per dollar categories, there is no shortage of cards to help you maximize purchases for your business.
Earning rewards on your spend is a must for any growing business, making business cards essential. But what if you’re a startup or newbie looking for a rewarding business credit card with no annual fees? This limits your choices a bit, but luckily there are still some solid choices.
Related: The Best Business Credit Cards
The Blue Business® Plus credit card from American Express
Welcome offer: Earn 15,000 Membership Rewards points after you spend $3,000 on eligible purchases on the card within the first three months of your card membership.
Why it’s worth it: This card offers a flat rate of 2 Membership Rewards points per dollar spent on all purchases for the first $50,000 you spend each calendar year (1 point per dollar thereafter). Since TPG values Amex points at 2 cents each, you’re looking at a 4% return on spend up to that $50,000 per year limit. There are no additional costs for adding employee cards (see rates and fees).
Read our review of the Blue Business Plus card for more details.
Submit your application here: Blue Business Plus
Ink business cash credit card
Sign-up bonus: $750 bonus cash back after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first three months of account opening.
Why it’s worth it: This Chase business card is unique because it allows you to redeem rewards as cash back (where each point earned is equal to 1 cent), but if you have an Ultimate Rewards earning card such as the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card, Chase Sapphire Reserve or Ink Business Preferred Credit Card – You can choose to convert your cash back points into Ultimate Rewards points that are fully transferable to Chase’s airline and hotel partners.
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That flexibility, combined with Ink Business Cash’s bonus categories, can lead to a healthy return on spend. Get 5% cash back on the first $25,000 you spend on combined purchases at office supply stores and on cell phone, landline, Internet and cable TV services, plus 2% back on the first $25,000 you spend on combined purchases at gas stations and restaurants every year. Then you earn unlimited 1% cashback on everything else.
Read our review of the Ink Business Cash card to learn more.
Apply here: Ink Business Cash
Ink Business Unlimited Credit Card
Sign-up bonus: $750 bonus cash back after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first three months of account opening.
Why it’s worth it: This is essentially the business version of the Chase Freedom Unlimited (minus the bonus categories on the Freedom Unlimited). It gives you 1.5% back on purchases, with no limit. The 1.5% cash back you earn on all spend can be increased with a card that earns Ultimate Rewards, as you can transfer your money back to redeem it for points, giving you a return of more than 3% on your spend based on TPG’s valuations.
The Ink Business Unlimited Credit Card offers higher purchase protection limits than the Freedom Unlimited, along with primary car rental insurance when renting for business purposes.
Read our review of the Ink Business Unlimited card for more details.
Apply here: Ink Business Unlimited
The American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card
Welcome offer: Earn a $250 credit after you make $3,000 in purchases with your card in the first three months.
Why it’s worth it: If you want a simple business card to make money back, this Blue Business Cash is a great option. You’ll earn 2% cash back on all eligible purchases every year for the first $50,000 you spend, then 1% thereafter. You can also access greater purchasing power when your business needs to spend more money than your credit limit. Additional employee cards for $0 (see rates and fees).
Read our review of the Blue Business Cash card for more details.
Submit your application here: Blue Business Money
Capital One Spark Cash Select for excellent credit
Sign-up bonus: Earn a $750 bonus when you spend $6,000 in the first three months after your account is opened
Why it’s worth it: Unlike many other cards on this list, the Spark Cash Select for Excellent Credit doesn’t charge foreign transaction fees (see rates and fees), making it a sensible choice when traveling abroad. You earn an unlimited 1.5% back on everything along the way.
Read our review of the Spark Cash Select for Excellent Credit Card to learn more.
Submit your application here: Capital One Spark Cash Select for excellent credit
Bank of America® Business Advantage Travel Rewards World Mastercard® Credit Card
Welcome bonus: Earn 30,000 points with this card when you use it to make $3,000 in purchases in the first 90 days after your account opens – worth $300 toward travel.
Why it’s worth it: With this card, you earn 3 points per dollar spent on travel booked through the Bank of America Travel Center and 1.5 points per dollar spent on all other purchases. Bank of America Preferred Rewards members can earn as much as 75% more per purchase with this card with no annual fee. When it’s time to redeem, you can use points for statement credits for travel purchases at a rate of 1 cent per point or for cash back or gift cards.
Read our review of the Bank of America Business Advantage Travel Rewards Card to learn more.
Related: The Best Bank of America Credit Cards
Submit your application here: Bank of America Business Advantage Travel Rewards Card
Bank of America® Business Advantage Custom Cash Rewards Credit Card
Welcome bonus: Earn a $300 online statement credit after you make at least $3,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening.
THE POINTS GUY
Why it’s worth it: This card can be a good option if you want to adjust your income. Each month you can designate one of the following categories and receive 3% cashback on these purchases:
- Gas and EV charging stations
- Office supply stores
- trip
- Television and telecommunications
- Computer Services
- Business advisory services
You’ll also earn 2% back on dinner and 1% on all other purchases, although your increased cash back rates are limited to $50,000 in combined purchases per year (then 1%). Link your custom category to Bank of America’s Preferred Rewards earning power to maximize your rewards.
Read our review of the Bank of America Business Advantage Customized Cash Rewards Card to learn more.
Apply here: Bank of America Business Advantage Custom Cash Rewards Card
In short
Plenty of business credit card options with no annual fees also provide lucrative rewards. You may not get the highest earning rates on these cards and most offer few additional benefits. However, if your goal is to make some cash back or earn redeemable points for free travel with no upfront costs, you have valuable options.
Related: How to Choose the Right Credit Card for Your Business Expenses
For rates and reimbursements of the Blue Business Plus Card, click here.
For rates and charges for the Blue Business Cash Card, click here.