Business Credit Cards

By updated on May 24, 2013

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.

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Could you be getting better rewards and rates with another card? Find out.

The Business Platinum Card® from American Express OPEN

Editor's Rating

Apply now for The Business Platinum Card® from American Express OPEN
  • Limited Time Offer: Get 25,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $5,000 in the first three months of Card membership
  • Enroll and select a qualifying airline to receive up to $200 annually in statement credits for incidental fees, such as checked bags and in-flight refreshments, charged by the airline
  • Terms & Restrictions Apply*
Apply Now Credit Needed Excellent
Special offer

 

Purchase Intro

APR: N/A

Term:

Purchase APR

N/A 

Annual Fee

$450

Ink Cash® Business Card

Editor's Rating

Apply now for Ink Cash® Business Card
  • Click "APPLY NOW" to apply online or call 888-398-6532
  • Earn $200 bonus cash back after you spend $3,000 in 3 months from account opening
  • 5% cash back on the first $25,000 spent annually at office supply stores, and on cellular phone, landline, internet, and cable TV services
Apply Now Credit Needed Excellent/Good
Special offer

Earn $200 bonus cash back after you spend $3,000 in 3 months from account opening

Purchase Intro

APR: 0%

Term: 6 months

Purchase APR

13.24% Variable

Annual Fee

None

SimplyCash® Business Card from American Express

Editor's Rating

Apply now for SimplyCash® Business Card from American Express
  • With no annual membership fee, it's a smart choice for your business
  • Automatic cash back - cash back is earned on eligible purchases and automatically credited to your statement; 5% at U.S. office supply stores & on wireless telephone services purchased directly from U.S. service providers; 3% at U.S. gas stations; 1% on other purchases; Up to $12,000 in purchases in each 5% and 3% category per rebate year, then 1%.
  • Terms and limitations apply
Apply Now Credit Needed Excellent
Special offer

 

Purchase Intro

APR: 0% on Purchases for 6, 9, or 12 months

Term:

Purchase APR

12.24% - 19.24% Variable 

Annual Fee

N/A

Ink Bold® Business Card

Editor's Rating

Apply now for Ink Bold® Business Card
  • Click "APPLY NOW" to apply online or call 888-627-4069
  • Earn 50,000 bonus points after you spend $5,000 in the first 3 months from account opening.
  • No interest charges because it's a pay in full charge card.
Apply Now Credit Needed Excellent
Special offer

Earn 50,000 bonus points after you spend $5,000 in the first 3 months from account opening

Purchase Intro

APR: N/A

Term:

Purchase APR

N/A 

Annual Fee

$0 Intro Annual Fee for the first year, then $95.

Ink Plus® Business Card

Editor's Rating

Apply now for Ink Plus® Business Card
  • Reward yourself with 50,000 bonus points after you spend $5,000 in the first 3 months from account opening
  • With Ink Plus, you have the cash flow flexibility with the choice to pay over time or pay in full
  • Earn 5X points per $1 on the first $50,000 spent annually at office supply stores, and on cellular phone, landline, internet, and cable TV services
Apply Now Credit Needed Excellent/Good
Special offer

 

Purchase Intro

APR: N/A

Term:

Purchase APR

13.24% Variable

Annual Fee

$0 Intro Annual Fee for the first year. After that, $95.

Starwood Preferred Guest® Business Credit Card from American Express

Editor's Rating

Apply now for Starwood Preferred Guest® Business Credit Card from American Express
  • Starpoints® bonus: Earn up to 25,000 bonus points: 10,000 after your first purchase and another 15,000 after you spend $5,000 within the first 6 months of Cardmembership
  • Redeem Starpoints® at over 1,100 hotels and resorts in nearly 100 countries and for flights on more than 350 airlines with SPG Flights - all with no blackout dates
  • Terms and limitations apply
Apply Now Credit Needed Excellent
Special offer

 

Purchase Intro

APR: None

Term:

Purchase APR

15.24% - 19.24% Variable 

Annual Fee

$0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $65

The Plum Card® from American Express OPEN

Editor's Rating

Apply now for The Plum Card® from American Express OPEN
  • Flexible Payment Options: Get a 1.5% discount for paying early or up to 60 days to pay without interest, or both each month. Do Business On Your Terms.
  • $0 introductory annual fee for your first year, then $250. No annual fee for Additional Cards.
  • Terms & Restrictions Apply.
Apply Now Credit Needed Excellent
Special offer

Do Business On Your Terms 

Purchase Intro

APR: N/A

Term:

Purchase APR

N/A 

Annual Fee

$0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $250

The Business Gold Rewards Card® from American Express OPEN

Editor's Rating

Apply now for The Business Gold Rewards Card® from American Express OPEN
  • Earn 50,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $5,000 in purchases on the Card in the first 3 months of Card membership**.
  • Earn points even faster to get more rewards for your business. 3X points on airfare purchased from airlines. 2X points at US gas stations. Up to $100,000 in each category per year, then 1 point. Terms and limitations apply.
  • Reduce travel costs, show appreciation for employees and clients, and offset everyday expenses by using points to get something back and grow your business. $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $175. **Apply online to qualify for this offer. See offer terms for details.
Apply Now Credit Needed Excellent
Special offer

Earn points even faster to get more rewards for your business. 

Purchase Intro

APR: N/A

Term:

Purchase APR

N/A 

Annual Fee

$0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $175

CitiBusiness ThankYouSM Card

Editor's Rating

Apply now for CitiBusiness ThankYouSM Card
  • Designed for businesses with an established credit history
  • Earn 15,000 bonus ThankYou® points after you make $3000 in purchases within 3 months of cardmembership - enough for $150 in gift cards
  • 0% intro APR on Purchases for 6 months. After that, 13.24% variable.
Apply Now Credit Needed Excellent
Special offer

 

Purchase Intro

APR: 0%

Term: 6 months

Purchase APR

13.24% Variable

Annual Fee

N/A

Gold Delta SkyMiles® Business Credit Card from American Express

Editor's Rating

Apply now for Gold Delta SkyMiles® Business Credit Card from American Express
  • Get 30,000 bonus miles after you spend $500 in purchases on the Card within your first 3 months of Cardmembership
  • You can check your first bag for free and save up to $50 on a round-trip Delta flight
  • Terms & Restrictions Apply.
Apply Now Credit Needed Excellent
Special offer

 

Purchase Intro

APR: None

Term:

Purchase APR

15.24% - 19.24% Variable 

Annual Fee

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

Business Green Rewards Card from American Express OPEN

Editor's Rating

Apply now for Business Green Rewards Card from American Express OPEN
  • Receive 5,000 bonus points on your first purchase
  • No pre-set spending limit* or finance charges
  • Terms & Restrictions Apply.
Apply Now Credit Needed Excellent
Special offer

 

Purchase Intro

APR: N/A

Term:

Purchase APR

N/A 

Annual Fee

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

CitiBusiness®/ AAdvantage® World MasterCard®

Editor's Rating

Apply now for CitiBusiness®/ AAdvantage® World MasterCard®
  • Designed for businesses with an established credit history
  • Earn 30,000 American Airlines AAdvantage® bonus miles after $1,000 in purchases in the first 3 months of cardmembership*
  • First eligible checked bag free for you and up to 4 traveling companions*
Apply Now Credit Needed Excellent
Special offer

Earn 30,000 American Airlines AAdvantage(R) bonus miles after $1,000 in purchases in the first 3 months of cardmembership*

Purchase Intro

APR: N/A

Term: N/A

Purchase APR

15.24 % Variable

Annual Fee

$95, waived for the first 12 months*

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.
Credit Card Database

For more info on any of the cards listed above, click on the card name below:
The Business Platinum Card® from American Express OPEN
Ink Cash® Business Card
SimplyCash® Business Card from American Express
Ink Bold® Business Card
Ink Plus® Business Card
Starwood Preferred Guest® Business Credit Card from American Express
The Plum Card® from American Express OPEN
The Business Gold Rewards Card® from American Express OPEN
CitiBusiness ThankYouSM Card
Gold Delta SkyMiles® Business Credit Card from American Express
Business Green Rewards Card from American Express OPEN
CitiBusiness®/ AAdvantage® World MasterCard®