How to Use the Best Business Credit Cards to Make Your Money Work for You

In an age where financial literacy is synonymous with freedom, your credit card isn’t just plastic—it’s a powerhouse. But with so many luxury rewards cards on the market, how do you know which one is actually worth the hefty annual fee?

Promotional offers and bonuses associated with account opening can be a deciding factor when choosing a credit card, as they often include lucrative sign-up bonuses or rewards for meeting spending requirements within the first few months.

Whether you’re scaling a startup or freelancing from a beachfront Airbnb, the best business credit cards do more than give you points—they give you power. We’ve broken down the pros, cons, annual break-even points, and hidden perks of the most talked-about cards in the millennial money space—so you can make sure your card is working for you, not the other way around.

Choosing the Right Business Credit Card

Choosing the right business credit card can be a daunting task, especially with the numerous options available in the market. However, by considering your business needs and understanding the different types of business credit cards, you can make an informed decision that suits your business requirements.

Consider Your Business Needs

Before selecting a business credit card, it’s essential to consider your business needs. Ask yourself the following questions:

• What are my business expenses?
• Do I need a credit card with a low annual fee or no annual fee?
• Do I want to earn rewards or cash back on my business purchases?
• Do I need a credit card with a high credit limit or a low credit limit?
• Do I want to earn bonus points or miles on specific categories such as travel, dining, or office supplies?
• Do I need a card account that offers specific benefits for the primary cardholder and authorized users?

By answering these questions, you can narrow down your options and choose a business credit card that aligns with your business needs. Whether you’re looking to earn cash back on everyday business purchases or maximize rewards points on travel and dining, there’s a card out there that fits your unique requirements.

Types of Business Credit Cards

Business credit cards come in various types, each with its unique features and benefits. Here are some of the most common types of business credit cards:

Cash Back Credit Cards

Cash back credit cards offer a percentage of your business purchases back as a reward. These cards are ideal for businesses that want to earn rewards on their everyday purchases. Some popular cash back credit cards for businesses include:

• Chase Ink Business Cash Credit Card: Earn 5% cash back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at office supply stores and on internet, cable, and phone services each account anniversary year.
• Capital One Spark Cash for Business: Earn unlimited 2% cash back on every purchase, with no categories to track.
• American Express Blue Business Cash Card: Earn 2% cash back on all eligible purchases up to $50,000 per calendar year, then 1%.
• U.S. Bank Triple Cash Rewards Visa® Business Card: Earn cash back rewards on eligible net purchases, with a focus on maximizing triple cash back in select categories.

Travel Credit Cards

Travel credit cards offer rewards in the form of points or miles that can be redeemed for travel-related expenses. These cards are ideal for businesses that frequently travel for work. Some popular travel credit cards for businesses include:

• Chase Ink Business Preferred Credit Card: Earn 3x points on the first $150,000 spent on travel and select business categories each account anniversary year.
• Capital One Spark Miles for Business: Earn 2x miles on every purchase, with no blackout dates or seat restrictions.
• American Express Business Platinum Card: Earn 5x points on flights and prepaid hotels booked through Amex Travel.
• Hilton Honors American Express Business Card: Earn points on eligible Hilton purchases and enjoy automatic Hilton Honors Gold Status, which includes perks like lounge access and other travel-related advantages.

Rewards Credit Cards

Rewards credit cards offer points or miles that can be redeemed for various rewards such as gift cards, merchandise, or travel. These cards are ideal for businesses that want to earn rewards on their purchases and redeem them for something they need. Some popular rewards credit cards for businesses include:

• Chase Ink Business Unlimited Credit Card: Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase.
• Capital One Spark Cash Plus: Earn unlimited 2% cash back on every purchase, with no preset spending limit.
• American Express Business Gold Card: Earn 4x points on the top 2 categories where your business spends the most each month, on up to $150,000 in combined purchases each calendar year.
• Bank of America® Business Advantage Customized Cash Rewards Mastercard®: Earn 3% cash back in the category of your choice, 2% on dining, and 1% on all other purchases.

By understanding the different types of business credit cards, you can choose a card that aligns with your business needs and maximizes your rewards earnings. Whether you’re looking for cash back, travel rewards, or flexible points, there’s a business credit card that can help you make the most of your business expenses.

Credit Card Features to Consider

When selecting a business credit card, there are several features to consider to ensure you find the best card for your business needs.

Annual Fee

The annual fee is a yearly charge for using the credit card. Some business credit cards have no annual fee, while others may charge a fee ranging from $50 to $500 or more. Consider the benefits and rewards offered by the card to determine if the annual fee is worth the cost. For instance, if a card offers substantial cash back, travel rewards, or other perks that align with your business expenses, the annual fee might be a worthwhile investment. Always weigh the potential rewards against the cost to ensure you’re getting the best value for your business credit card.

Foreign Transaction Fees

Foreign transaction fees are charges applied to transactions made outside of the United States. These fees can range from 1% to 3% of the transaction amount. If your business frequently makes international transactions, look for a credit card with no foreign transaction fees to save money. Avoiding these fees can significantly reduce your overall expenses, especially if you or your employees travel abroad for business or make purchases from international vendors. Choosing a card without foreign transaction fees ensures that your money goes further, making it a smart choice for globally-minded businesses.

Credit Limit

The credit limit is the maximum amount you can charge on the credit card. Consider your business’s spending habits and ensure the credit limit is sufficient to cover your expenses. Some credit cards offer no preset spending limit, which can be beneficial for businesses with variable expenses. A higher credit limit provides greater flexibility and purchasing power, allowing you to manage larger expenses without worrying about maxing out your card. Additionally, a card with a flexible credit limit can adapt to your business’s growth, ensuring you always have the financial resources you need.

1. The Platinum Card® from American Express

Annual Fee: $695

When choosing the right business credit card, it’s essential to consider the variety of business cards available in the market. Different business cards offer unique rewards programs and bonus categories tailored to specific business needs, such as advertising and office expenses.

🔥 Perks:

• 5x points on flights (booked directly with airlines or via Amex Travel)
• 5x points on prepaid hotels (Amex Travel)
• $200 airline incidental credit
• $200 Uber credit ($15/month + $20 in December)
• $240 digital entertainment credit (Disney+, Hulu, NYT, WSJ, etc.)
• $189 CLEAR® Plus credit
• $200 prepaid hotel credit (Fine Hotels + Resorts, The Hotel Collection)
• $300 Equinox credit ($25/month)
• Priority Pass, Centurion Lounge, and Delta Sky Club access (limited visits starting 2025)
• Hilton Honors Gold + Marriott Bonvoy Gold
• Global Entry/TSA PreCheck credit
• No foreign transaction fees
• Consider if balance transfers are an important feature for your business
• Note that restrictions apply to certain benefits, such as the $200 airline incidental credit and the $200 Uber credit, which require specific usage conditions.

💰 Break-even point:

This is one of the best business credit cards that offer personal reward! You’d need to redeem or utilize about $58/month in benefits to justify the annual fee. With Uber, airline credit, streaming, and hotel credits alone, that’s already $1,029/year — and that’s before even counting point value or lounge access.

The annual fee may seem high at $675, but if you use your credits, totalling $1,329, you end up coming out ahead with a net benefit of $654. You’re nearly doubling the value of your annual fee if you redeem wisely.

But let’s say you don’t use the credits… You’d need to spend around $13,900/year on 5x travel categories to earn enough points to break even. Either way, with a little planning, you’re getting well over the value of what you pay in annual fees.

Small business credit cards offer additional benefits such as cashback rewards, flexible payment options, and travel benefits, making them ideal for supporting business growth. Selecting the right card based on specific business needs and spending patterns can help leverage these rewards for business expenditures.

🧠 Pro Tips to Maximize:

• Prioritize Uber, streaming, and airline credits monthly — set auto-reminders.
• Book one prepaid luxury hotel stay via Amex Travel to trigger the $200 hotel credit.
• Use Membership Rewards points for airline transfers, not for cashback — flights in business/first can give 2–5¢/point in value.
• Spend $75k/year if possible to unlock unlimited Delta Sky Club access + Centurion Lounge guest access.
• Note that cash advances do not qualify for cash back rewards.

❌ Cons:

• High annual fee
• Limited bonus categories beyond travel
• Statement credits require specific vendor use
• Credits require monthly activation and tracking
• Lounge access does not include complimentary guest access without a high spend
• Adding authorized users cost an additional $195 per user in annual fees
• Higher points or cash back for rental cars when booked through the card’s travel portal

✅ Best For:

Luxury travelers, high-income professionals, and those who maximize perks and travel often. To redeem rewards, cardholders must earn points based on eligible net purchases, and these points can be used for various benefits such as bonus points or cashback rewards, which are credited to the account after meeting the eligibility criteria.

2. Chase Sapphire Reserve®

Annual Fee: $550

🔥 Perks:

• $300 annual travel credit
• 3x points on travel and dining
• 10x on hotels & car rentals, 5x on flights (via Chase Travel)
• Enhanced points for rental cars booked through the Chase Travel portal
• 1.5x point value when redeemed through Chase Travel Portal
• Priority Pass Select lounge access
• Global Entry/TSA PreCheck credit
• Travel protection: trip delay, cancellation, rental insurance
• No foreign transaction fees
• Earn a significant sign-up bonus after meeting the spending threshold on purchases in the first three months of account opening

💰 Break-even point:

With a $300 travel credit your effective annual fee comes down to $250 — much more manageable. But if you’re earning 3x points on travel and dining, you only need to spend about $5,867 a year in those categories to earn 17,600 points, which equals about $264 in travel value through Chase’s portal — just enough to fully cover the remaining $250 effective fee.

Make sure you’re using that travel credit, and the card quickly becomes worth every penny.

To break even strictly on points, you’d need to redeem around 55,000 points (valued at 1.5¢ each in the portal) — meaning about $18,333 in 3x categories. BUT — stack in the $300 credit, lounge access, and strong protections, and suddenly it’s a different story. The purchasing power of the card, influenced by your usage, payment history, and financial resources, can also affect how quickly you reach the break-even point.

If you travel even semi-regularly and use your benefits, this card can more than pay for itself. It’s all about how much you fly and how you redeem those points!

Pro Tips to Maximize:

• Use Priority Pass lounges frequently
• Combine with Chase Freedom cards to stack points
• Book travel through Chase Travel Portal for max redemption value (1.5x)
• Transfer points to partners (like Hyatt or United) for luxury hotel/flight redemptions

❌ Cons:

• High annual fee
• Full value requires using Chase Travel portal
• No elevated earnings outside of travel/dining

✅ Best For:

Frequent travelers and foodies who want premium value and flexibility.

3. Capital One Venture X Rewards

Annual Fee: $395

🔥 Perks:

• 2x miles on all purchases
• 10x on hotels and car rentals, 5x on flights (via Capital One Travel)
• $300 annual travel credit (Capital One Travel)
• 10,000 bonus miles yearly (worth $100)
• Priority Pass + Capital One Lounge access
• Up to 4 free authorized users
• Global Entry/TSA PreCheck credit
• Rewards for purchases related to cloud system providers

💰 Break-even point:

You’d only need to travel a bit and use your $300 travel credit and the 10,000-mile anniversary bonus (worth about $100) to already cover your $395 annual fee. That’s $400 in built-in value, which cancels the fee out nicely. Additionally, by meeting specific spending thresholds, you can earn a statement credit that further helps cover the annual fee. For example, you can earn a substantial bonus after you spend $6,000 on purchases within the first three months of account opening.

Now, if you don’t use those credits? You’d need to spend around $19,750 per year to earn 39,500 miles at the 2x rate, which would be worth about $395 at 1¢ per mile. Not ideal, so be sure to book your travel through Capital One and take advantage of the credits!

You’re basically winning by just booking one decent trip a year.

🧠 Pro Tips:

• Add free authorized users for shared lounge access
• Book all travel through Capital One portal for 5x–10x earnings

❌ Cons:

• Travel credits must be used through Capital One Travel portal
• No transfer bonuses like Chase/Amex
• Limited luxury hotel partnerships

✅ Best For:

Flat-rate spenders, beginners who want simplicity and strong travel perks.

4. American Express® Business Gold Card

Annual Fee: $375

🔥 Perks:

• 4x points on top 2 business categories monthly (e.g. ads, shipping, restaurants, tech, gas)
• $240 annual business credit ($20/month at FedEx, Grubhub, Office Supply)
• $155 annual credit on Walmart+ ($12.55/mo for Walmart+ Subscription)
• The Hotel Collection perks via Amex Travel
• Amex Offers + Membership Rewards transfer partners
• Rewards on other eligible purchases

💰 Break-even point:

​This is easily one of the best business credit cards. If you take full advantage of both the $240 in business credits and the $155 Walmart+ credit, you’re actually $20 ahead of the $375 annual fee. This means you’re already in the green before even considering the points you’ll earn.

For instance, spending just $1,500 annually in 4x categories nets you 6,000 points, worth about $60 when redeemed. To qualify for these benefits, it’s crucial to make at least the minimum payment by the due date. So, with strategic use of perks and points, you’re not just breaking even—you’re coming out ahead. Keep in mind that the top two categories where you earn 4x points are determined each billing cycle based on your spending patterns.

🧠 Pro Tips:

• Autopay Google Ads, Meta Ads, or software subscriptions for easy 4x returns
• Combine points with your Amex Platinum account for high-value travel transfers

❌ Cons:

• No lounge access
• No 0% APR intro offer
• 4x is limited to only your top 2 categories each month

💼 Best For:

Digital entrepreneurs, agency owners, consultants with variable category spend

5. American Express® Gold Card (Personal)

Annual Fee: $250

🔥 Perks:

• 4x points at restaurants and U.S. supermarkets (up to $25K/year)
• 3x on flights
• $120 Uber Cash ($10/month)
• $120 dining credit ($10/month at Grubhub, Shake Shack, Cheesecake Factory, etc.)
• Points transfer to travel partners
• No foreign transaction fees

Using a personal credit card like the American Express Gold Card can offer more flexible rewards and perks compared to a business credit card, especially for frequent travelers.

💰 Break-even point:

With $240 in Uber and dining credits, you’re almost covering the $250 fee already. That leaves just $10 to make up — and one good grocery run could do it. Spend $6,250/year in 4x categories and you’ll earn 25,000 points — easily worth $250 or more if transferred wisely. When you use your perks and stack points, this card easily becomes a no-brainer.

🧠 Pro Tips:

• Use for grocery runs, nights out, and Uber Eats
• Don’t redeem for gift cards—transfer for travel!

❌ Cons:

• No lounge access or travel insurance
• Credits must be used monthly
• Foreign transaction fees apply for international purchases

✅ Best For:

Foodies, families, and anyone who eats out and shops smart.

6. Chase Sapphire Preferred®

Annual Fee: $95

🔥 Perks:

• 3x on dining, 2x on travel
• 5x on travel booked through Chase
• 1.25x point value via Chase Travel
• Trip protection, baggage delay, primary car rental insurance
• No foreign transaction fees
• Rewards for purchases made with online retailers

💰 Break-even point:

To cover the $95 annual fee, you’d only need to spend about $7,600/year in dining and travel to earn around 9,500 points — worth $119 through Chase’s travel portal. That’s a clean $24 in value over the fee. Stack that with solid protections and Chase partner transfers, and it’s a powerful starter travel card.

🧠 Pro Tips:

• Pair with Chase Freedom Flex for 5% rotating categories
• Transfer to Chase partners for premium travel redemptions

❌ Cons:

• No lounge access
• Fewer travel partners than Amex/Chase premium cards
• 1.25x redemption only via Chase Travel Portal

✅ Best For:

Entry-level travel rewards seekers who want high value with low commitment

7. Chase Ink Business Preferred®

Annual Fee: $95

🔥 Perks:

• 3x points on up to $150K/year in combined purchases (travel, shipping, internet/cable/phone, ads on Google/Facebook)
• 1x on everything else
• 1.25x point value when redeemed through Chase Travel
• Cell phone protection
• Trip insurance, purchase protection
• Points transfer to travel partners

The Chase Ink Business Preferred card is an excellent business card offering numerous benefits tailored for business owners.

💰 Break-even point:

Spend just $3,200/year in 3x bonus categories like ads, shipping, or software and you’ll rack up 9,600 points — that’s $120 in travel value through Chase’s portal, more than enough to offset the $95 fee.

This is a low lift, strong upside card for business owners spending in the right spots.

🧠 Pro Tips:

• Use for Facebook Ads, web hosting, software, or team travel
• Pair with personal Sapphire card for strategic redemptions

❌ Cons:

• No lounge access
• $95 annual fee with few lifestyle perks
• Portal redemptions needed for max value

✅ Best For:

Entrepreneurs with digital ad spend, shipping needs, or travel-heavy operations.

Managing Your Business Credit Card

Properly managing your business credit card is essential to maximize rewards and minimize interest charges.

Prepaid Hotels

Prepaid hotels can be a convenient way to book travel arrangements for your business. Some credit cards offer rewards or discounts on prepaid hotel bookings. Consider using a credit card that offers benefits on prepaid hotels to save money on business travel expenses. By booking prepaid hotels through your credit card’s travel portal, you can often earn additional points or cash back, making your business trips more cost-effective. This not only helps in managing travel budgets but also maximizes the value you get from your business credit card.

Additionally, consider the following tips to manage your business credit card effectively:

• Make on-time payments to avoid interest charges and late fees. Timely payments also help maintain a good credit score.
• Keep track of your spending to ensure you stay within your credit limit. Use your card issuer’s online tools or mobile apps to monitor transactions in real-time.
• Take advantage of rewards programs to earn cash back, points, or travel miles. Redeem these rewards strategically to offset business expenses.
• Monitor your credit score to ensure it remains healthy and unaffected by your business credit card usage. Regularly check your credit report for any discrepancies.
• Consider adding employee cards to track and manage employee expenses. Many business credit cards offer free employee cards, which can simplify expense management.
• Use online tools and mobile apps to manage your account and make payments. These tools can help you stay organized and ensure you never miss a payment.

By considering these features and tips, you can effectively manage your business credit card and maximize its benefits for your business. Proper management not only helps in saving money but also enhances your business’s financial health, allowing you to focus on growth and success.

🧠 How to “Make Money by Spending Money”

1. Leverage All Credits – Set calendar reminders to use monthly perks (Uber, streaming, dining).
2. Match Card to Category – Use Amex Gold at restaurants, Sapphire Reserve for travel, etc.
3. Travel Hack – Transfer points to airlines/hotels for first-class redemptions worth 2–6 cents per point.
4. Stack Points with Offers – Use Amex Offers/Chase Offers for additional statement credits.
5. Add Authorized Users to Increase Spend – Venture X allows 4 free users who also get lounge access — huge value add.
6. Expense Large Purchases – Use cards with 1.5x or 2x flat rates for big spends (like Venture X or Business Platinum).
7. Maintain a Good Payment History – Responsible financial behavior, as reflected in your payment history, can influence your credit limits and overall credit eligibility, maximizing your rewards potential.

🏁 Final Word: Maximize the Best Business Credit Cards

Premium credit cards aren’t just status symbols — they’re wealth tools. The key isn’t just swiping, it’s strategizing. Know the rules, use the perks, and watch your everyday spending turn into luxury travel, exclusive access, and serious savings. Choose the right card, redeem wisely, and automate those credits. Establishing a strong relationship with your credit card issuer can further enhance your rewards and streamline expense management.

The best business credit cards let you earn, redeem, and live better. Remember: these cards work best when you learn to tap smarter!