Quick Summary
Best overall: Chase Ink Business Preferred - 3x points on travel, shipping, internet, phone ($95/yr). Best no-fee: Chase Ink Business Unlimited - 1.5% unlimited cash back, $0/yr. Best for startups: Brex - no personal guarantee, no credit check. Best for expense control: Ramp - free card with built-in spend management. Best for travel: Amex Business Gold - 4x on top 2 spending categories.
The right business credit card is not about the flashiest sign-up bonus. It is about aligning rewards with your actual spending patterns, getting expense management tools that save your team time, and building business credit separately from your personal profile. A card that earns 4x on advertising but charges a $295 annual fee only makes sense if you spend enough to offset that cost.
We evaluated seven business credit cards based on reward value per dollar spent, annual fee justification, sign-up bonus attainability, expense management features, and eligibility requirements. Whether you are a solo founder or managing a team of 50, there is a card here that matches your spending profile.
Our Top Recommendation
The Chase Ink Business Preferred earns 3x points on the categories where businesses spend most - travel, shipping, internet, phone, and advertising (up to $150K/yr). The 100,000-point sign-up bonus is worth $1,250+ in travel redemptions.
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1. Chase Ink Business Preferred
Chase Ink Business Preferred Best Overall
The Chase Ink Business Preferred is the gold standard for business credit cards. It earns 3x Ultimate Rewards points on the first $150,000 spent annually in combined purchases on travel, shipping, internet, cable, phone services, and advertising on social media and search engines. That covers the core spending categories for most businesses. Points transfer 1:1 to airline and hotel partners including United, Hyatt, Southwest, and Marriott, making them worth 1.5-2 cents each for travel redemptions. The 100,000-point sign-up bonus after $8,000 in spending in the first 3 months is one of the most valuable in the business card space.
- Annual fee: $95
- Sign-up bonus: 100,000 points after $8,000 spend in 3 months
- Pros: 3x on key business categories, excellent transfer partners, trip cancellation insurance, cell phone protection
- Cons: $95 annual fee, 3x cap at $150K/yr, foreign transaction fees on some purchases
- Best for: Businesses spending $2,000+/mo on travel, shipping, telecom, or advertising
2. Amex Business Gold
Amex Business Gold Best for Travel
The Amex Business Gold automatically identifies your top two spending categories each billing cycle and earns 4x Membership Rewards points in those categories - up to $150,000 in combined purchases per year. Categories include airfare, US advertising, US gas stations, US restaurants, and US shipping. This adaptive rewards structure means you do not need to think about which card to use for which purchase. The card also includes a 25% airline bonus when booking through amextravel.com and extensive travel protections including trip delay insurance, baggage insurance, and car rental loss coverage.
- Annual fee: $375
- Sign-up bonus: 100,000 points after $10,000 spend in 3 months
- Pros: 4x on top 2 categories automatically, flexible Membership Rewards points, strong travel protections, expense management tools
- Cons: $375 annual fee, 4x cap at $150K/yr, Amex not accepted everywhere, annual fee hard to justify under $3K/mo spend
- Best for: Businesses with heavy spend in 1-2 categories and frequent travel needs
3. Chase Ink Business Unlimited
Chase Ink Business Unlimited Best No-Fee
The Chase Ink Business Unlimited is the simplest business rewards card available. It earns 1.5% cash back on every purchase with no category restrictions, no spending caps, and no annual fee. There is no need to track bonus categories or worry about rotating rewards - every dollar earns the same rate. The card also offers 0% intro APR for 12 months on purchases, which is valuable for businesses that need to finance a large equipment purchase or inventory order. Points pool with other Chase Ultimate Rewards cards, so pairing it with the Ink Business Preferred unlocks transfer partners.
- Annual fee: $0
- Sign-up bonus: $900 cash back after $6,000 spend in 3 months
- Pros: No annual fee, unlimited 1.5% back, 0% intro APR for 12 months, pairs well with other Chase cards
- Cons: Lower earn rate than category-specific cards, no travel protections, no transfer partners on its own
- Best for: Businesses that want simple, predictable rewards without annual fee overhead
4. Brex
Brex Best for Startups
Brex was built specifically for startups and does not require a personal guarantee or personal credit check. Instead, Brex evaluates your business based on cash balance, spending patterns, and revenue. This makes it accessible to founders who have raised funding but do not have established personal credit in the US. The card earns points on business-relevant categories: 7x on rideshare, 4x on travel booked through Brex, 3x on restaurants, 2x on software subscriptions, and 1x on everything else. Brex also includes a comprehensive expense management platform with receipt matching, policy enforcement, and accounting integrations.
- Annual fee: $0 (Essentials); $12/user/mo (Premium)
- Sign-up bonus: Varies; typically 10,000-30,000 points
- Pros: No personal guarantee, no credit check, built-in expense management, high category multipliers, real-time spend visibility
- Cons: Requires business bank balance for approval, must pay balance in full (charge card), limited to incorporated businesses
- Best for: VC-backed startups and incorporated businesses that want expense management without personal liability
5. Ramp
Ramp Best Expense Control
Ramp is a corporate card and expense management platform that earns 1.5% cash back on all purchases and charges no annual fee. The real value is the software: automated receipt matching, real-time spend alerts, vendor price intelligence that identifies duplicate subscriptions and overcharges, accounting integrations with QuickBooks, Xero, Sage, and NetSuite, and granular spending controls per employee. Ramp claims its customers save an average of 5% on total spend through its price intelligence and automated controls. Like Brex, Ramp does not require a personal guarantee.
- Annual fee: $0 (base); $15/user/mo (Plus)
- Sign-up bonus: None typically; value is in spend savings
- Pros: 1.5% cash back with $0 fee, best-in-class expense management, vendor price intelligence, no personal guarantee
- Cons: Must pay in full (charge card), requires business bank account, rewards less generous than category cards
- Best for: Companies that want to control employee spending and automate expense reporting
6. US Bank Triple Cash Rewards
US Bank Triple Cash Rewards Best for Everyday Spend
The US Bank Triple Cash Rewards Visa earns 3% cash back on gas stations, EV charging, office supply stores, cell phone providers, and restaurants - with no cap on 3% earnings and no annual fee. That combination is unusual. Most no-fee cards offer 1-1.5% flat rates, and most 3%+ category cards charge annual fees. The 0% intro APR for 15 billing cycles on purchases and balance transfers adds financing flexibility. Cash back is deposited automatically as a statement credit, keeping redemption simple.
- Annual fee: $0
- Sign-up bonus: $500 after $4,500 spend in 150 days
- Pros: 3% on five categories with no cap, $0 annual fee, 0% APR for 15 billing cycles, $100 annual software credit
- Cons: US Bank relationship may be required, limited transfer partners, lower base rate (1%) outside bonus categories
- Best for: Small businesses with heavy gas, restaurant, telecom, and office supply spending
7. Bank of America Business Advantage Customized Cash
Bank of America Business Advantage Best Customizable
The Bank of America Business Advantage Customized Cash rewards card lets you choose your own 3% cash back category from six options: gas stations, office supply stores, travel, TV/telecom/wireless, computer services, or business consulting services. You also earn 2% on dining and 1% on everything else. The 3% category choice resets quarterly, so you can adapt to seasonal spending shifts. Bank of America Preferred Rewards for Business members can boost those rates by 25-75%, pushing the top category to 5.25% cash back.
- Annual fee: $0
- Sign-up bonus: $300 after $3,000 spend in 90 days
- Pros: Choose your 3% category, $0 annual fee, Preferred Rewards boost up to 5.25%, 0% intro APR for 9 billing cycles
- Cons: $50K cap on combined 3%/2% purchases per year, best rates require BofA banking relationship, lower base bonus
- Best for: Bank of America customers who want to maximize rewards in their highest spend category
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Card | Annual Fee | Top Rewards | Sign-Up Bonus | Personal Guarantee | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chase Ink Preferred | $95 | 3x travel/shipping/ads | 100K points | Yes | Overall value |
| Amex Business Gold | $375 | 4x top 2 categories | 100K points | Yes | Travel/dining |
| Chase Ink Unlimited | $0 | 1.5% everything | $900 cash | Yes | Simple rewards |
| Brex | $0-$12/user | 7x rideshare, 4x travel | Varies | No | Startups |
| Ramp | $0-$15/user | 1.5% everything | None | No | Expense control |
| US Bank Triple Cash | $0 | 3% five categories | $500 | Yes | Everyday spend |
| BofA Customized Cash | $0 | 3% choice category | $300 | Yes | Customizable |
Ready to get started?
Compare your top picks side by side and choose the best fit for your business. Click any link above to try them free.
Get Matched to the Right ToolHow to Choose
Spend a lot on travel, shipping, or ads? Chase Ink Business Preferred. The 3x multiplier on those categories plus transfer partners makes the $95 annual fee easy to justify.
Want maximum simplicity? Chase Ink Business Unlimited. 1.5% on everything, no annual fee, no category tracking required.
Startup without personal credit history? Brex. No personal guarantee, no credit check, and the expense management platform replaces a separate tool.
Need to control team spending? Ramp. The spend management software alone is worth more than the 1.5% cash back.
Bank of America customer? BofA Customized Cash with Preferred Rewards can push your top category to 5.25% - the highest cash back rate available.
Frequently Asked Questions
What credit score do I need for a business credit card?
Most premium business credit cards require a personal credit score of 670 or higher. Top-tier cards like the Chase Ink Business Preferred or Amex Business Gold typically need 720+. Cards like Brex and Ramp do not check personal credit and instead evaluate your business financials.
Do business credit cards affect my personal credit score?
Most business credit cards trigger a hard inquiry on your personal credit when you apply. However, ongoing business card balances typically do not appear on your personal credit report unless you default. Corporate cards like Brex and Ramp do not affect personal credit at all.
Should I get a business credit card or a business loan?
Business credit cards are better for ongoing expenses, short-term financing, and earning rewards on regular spending. Business loans are better for large one-time purchases or long-term investments. Many businesses use both.
What is the best business credit card for startups with no revenue?
Brex is the most startup-friendly option. It does not require personal guarantees or credit checks and bases approval on your business bank balance and funding. Ramp is another strong option for funded startups.
Ready to Earn Rewards on Business Spending?
The Chase Ink Business Preferred earns 3x on travel, shipping, and advertising with a 100,000-point sign-up bonus worth $1,250+ in travel. See if you qualify.
Check Chase Ink Business Preferred