Business Credit Cards
By updated on May 22, 2012

Business credit cards can be a necessity for keeping your small business running smoothly. Small business credit cards can help a business owner better manage their expenses and cash flow and also often offer generous rebates. However, you may be personally liable for any unpaid debt that is associated with the credit card and your personal credit score could suffer.

What types of business credit cards are available?

Just like personal credit cards, many types of business credit cards are available. For example, there are cards:

1. With introductory interest rates and terms, including the initial waiver of annual fees
2. With rewards programs, including cash back and travel programs
3. For business and owners with excellent, good and less than stellar credit history
4. With varied credit limits based on credit history

How can I find the best business credit card?

If a credit card is part of your business plan, think first about your cash flow. Will you use the business credit card to stay afloat in slow months? If so, you may want to look for the business credit card with the lowest interest rate, since you may need to carry a balance from one month to the next. If you intend to pay off your balance each month, you may want to look for a business rewards credit card that will give you points or cash back on your purchases. You can also look for a credit card without an annual fee or with the annual fee waived during your first year. If you already have a business credit card with a balance, you may also want to look into a balance transfer offer to see if you can qualify for a lower (or zero) interest rate and reduce your balance faster.

If you travel often for work, your best bet could be a travel rewards card. If you fly a lot, you can build your supply of frequent flier miles more quickly by using an airline credit card. If you drive to business appointments, you may want to look for a credit card that gives you a rebate on gas purchases.

Many business credit cards link their best rewards to purchases related to your business. For example, Chase offers the New Ink Cash(SM) Business Card, which pays you 5 percent cash back on all purchases of office supplies, cable and telecom services for the first $25,000 you spend. So, if you have been paying your cable bill out of pocket, it might be smart to pay it with your business credit card to earn some bonus cash. The New Ink Cash Business card also rebates you 3 percent on gas purchases and 1 percent on groceries and other purchases. As an enticement to new customers, the credit card has a zero percent APR for the first six months on purchases and balance transfers. This credit card does not have an annual fee, and is only available to customers with excellent credit.

When I apply for a business credit card, will my personal credit history be checked?

When choosing a business credit card, you may be mixing your personal credit history and your business credit history. Before you complete an application, find out whether the credit card company will be reviewing your personal credit history. Some credit card companies offer a business credit card to a business with a verifiable income stream and a checking account without looking at the personal credit history of the applicant. Business credit cards are available to applicants with excellent, good, and even fair credit.

Besides checking into how your credit history will be viewed when you apply, you should find out whether the credit card company will report your use of your business credit card to all three major credit bureaus or whether they will only provide reports to business credit bureaus. If you are being held personally liable for unpaid debt on a business credit card, it could hurt your personal credit score.

If you think a business credit card could help you manage your expenses and cash flow, compare the business credit card offers on this page to help you find one that meets your needs.

Do business credit card companies report to personal credit agencies?

It depends on the company that issued your credit card. Some credit card companies don't report to personal credit agencies like Experian and TransUnion, but they do report to business credit bureaus like Dunn and Bradstreet and the Small Business Financial Exchange. Review the terms and conditions on every business credit card application before applying. That's the best way to know for sure how the particular card is reported.

The Business Gold Rewards Card(R) from American Express OPEN

Editor's Rating


Apply Online for The Business Gold Rewards Card(R) from American Express OPEN Apply Now
  • Earn points even faster to get more rewards for your business
  • 3X points on airfare, 2X points on advertising, gas, and shipping, 1X points on everything else*
  • One million rewards from over 500 brands
  • 24/7 support for everything from identity theft to travel emergencies
  • $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $175
  • Get unlimited Additional Gold Cards for an additional annual fee of $50 and this fee is waived for the first year
  • Terms & Restrictions Apply.

Ink BoldSM with Ultimate Rewards

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Apply Online for Ink BoldSM with Ultimate Rewards Apply Now
  • Earn up to 50,000 bonus points - 25,000 after your first purchase, plus an additional 25,000 after you spend $10,000 in 3 months - that's $500 in rewards of your choice, or $625 towards airfare when you redeem online through our Ultimate Rewards booking tool
  • Earn up to 5X points per dollar on eligible business purchases, and points do not expire
  • No foreign transaction fees
  • Free Employee Cards
  • No interest charges because its a pay-in-full charge card
  • Transfer points you've earned to participating frequent travel programs at a 1:1 value
  • No Annual Fee in the first year - a $95 savings

The Business Platinum Card(R) from American Express OPEN

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Apply Online for The Business Platinum Card(R) from American Express OPEN Apply Now
  • FOR A LIMITED TIME: Earn 25,000 Membership Rewards(R) points by spending $5,000 in the first 3 months
  • Enroll and select an airline to receive up to $200 annually in statement credits for incidental fees such as checked bags, in-flight refreshments, and change fees.*
  • 20% Travel Bonus when redeeming with Membership Rewards(R) Pay with Points
  • Take advantage of 40 premium benefits and rewards, including 24/7 concierge service and dedicated business consultants
  • Complimentary airport club access to 600+ partner lounges, a $950/yr value
  • By Invitation Only: Receive exclusive access to events, ideal for entertaining clients or treating staff, worldwide that aren't available to the general public
  • No pre-set spending limit*

The Blue for Business(R) Credit Card from American Express OPEN

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Apply Online for The Blue for Business(R) Credit Card from American Express OPEN Apply Now
  • Earn a Welcome Bonus of 10,000 bonus points after your first purchase
  • Earn 10% more points the first year, Earn 20% more points the second year, Earn 30% more points every year after
  • Get an introductory APR of 0% for up to 12 months
  • No annual fee and no fee for Additional Cards for Employees
  • Save 3% - 10% automatically on business expenses from FedEx, Hertz(R), and more with OPEN Savings(R) discounts
  • Enjoy the option to pay over time

Ink CashSM Business Card

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Apply Online for Ink CashSM Business Card Apply Now
  • Up to $250 cash back bonus - $100 cash back bonus after your first purchase, plus an additional $150 after you spend $5,000 within 3 months!
  • 5% cash back on the first $25,000 spent annually at office supply stores, and on cellular phone, landline, internet, and cable TV services
  • 2% cash back on the first $25,000 spent annually at gas stations and restaurants
  • 1% cash back on all other card purchases with no limit to the amount you can earn
  • Cash back rewards do not expire
  • 0% Introductory APR for 12 months
  • No Annual Fee

InkSM Classic Business

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Apply Online for InkSM Classic Business Apply Now
  • Up to 25,000 bonus points - 10,000 bonus points after your first purchase, plus an additional 15,000 bonus points after you spend $5,000 in the first 3 months!
  • 5X points per dollar on the first $25,000 spent annually at office supply stores, and on cellular phone, landline, internet, and cable TV services
  • 2X points per dollar on the first $25,000 spent annually at gas stations and for hotel accommodations when purchased directly with the hotel
  • 1 point per dollar on all other card purchases with no limit on the amount you can earn
  • Cash back rewards do not expire
  • 0% Introductory APR for 12 months
  • No Annual Fee

The Plum Card(R) from American Express OPEN

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Apply Online for The Plum Card(R) from American Express OPEN Apply Now
  • The Everything, Everywhere Trade Terms Card SM from American Express OPEN
  • Pay in full within ten days, get a 1.5% discount.
  • OR pay as little as 10% and take up to 2 months to pay off the balance, interest free
  • $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $185
  • A powerful cash flow management tool

Starwood Preferred Guest(R) Business Credit Card from American Express OPEN

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Apply Online for Starwood Preferred Guest(R) Business Credit Card from American Express OPEN Apply Now
  • Earn up to 25,000 Starpoints(R)- Receive 10,000 Starpoints after your first purchase, and another 15,000 bonus Starpoints when you spend $5,000 in 6 months - enough for up to 6 free nights at a Category 1 or 2 hotel
  • Redeem Starpoints at over 1,000 hotels and resorts in nearly 100 countries, and for flights on more than 350 airlines through SPG Flights. No blackout dates.
  • $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $65

TrueEarnings(R) Business Card from Costco and American Express OPEN

Editor's Rating


Apply Online for TrueEarnings(R) Business Card from Costco and American Express OPEN Apply Now
  • Get cash back-4% for annual gasoline purchases of up to $6,000 (1% thereafter), 2% for restaurants, 2% for travel, 1% everywhere else, including Costco
  • 0% introductory APR on purchases for the first 6 months
  • No introductory annual fee with your paid Costco Membership
  • Flexible payments-pay in full or over time

Gold Delta SkyMiles(R) Business Credit Card from American Express OPEN

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Apply Online for Gold Delta SkyMiles(R) Business Credit Card from American Express OPEN Apply Now
  • Earn 30,000 bonus miles toward Award Travel - when you spend $500 on the Card in the first three months from account opening
  • Check your first bag free-for up to 8 people on your reservation-on every Delta flight
  • Receive double miles on Delta purchases and 1 mile for all other eligible dollars spent
  • Priority Boarding and 20% In-Flight Savings
  • $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95
  • No annual fee for Additional Cards
  • Save 3% to 10% automatically on business expenses from FedEx, Hertz(R), OfficeMax(R), and more with OPEN Savings(R)
These quotes are from credit card issuers which have paid for a link to their website. Offers are subject to change without notice and may not be the same for all consumers.
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Credit Card Database

For more info on any of the cards listed above, click on the card name below:
The Business Gold Rewards Card(R) from American Express OPEN
Ink BoldSM with Ultimate Rewards
The Business Platinum Card(R) from American Express OPEN
The Blue for Business(R) Credit Card from American Express OPEN
Ink CashSM Business Card
InkSM Classic Business
The Plum Card(R) from American Express OPEN
Starwood Preferred Guest(R) Business Credit Card from American Express OPEN
TrueEarnings(R) Business Card from Costco and American Express OPEN
Gold Delta SkyMiles(R) Business Credit Card from American Express OPEN
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