Going has partnered with CardRatings for our coverage of credit card products. Going and CardRatings may receive a commission from card issuers. Opinions, reviews, analyses, and recommendations are the author's alone, and have not been reviewed, endorsed, or approved by any of these entities. Some of all of the card offers that appear on this page are from advertisers; compensation may affect how and where the cards appear on the site; and Going does not include all card companies are all available card offers.
As a business owner, gig worker, independent contractor, or freelancer, you’re probably spending a good chunk of cash already—so why not get rewarded for it? Earning a whole lot of points and miles isn’t only limited to regular consumer credit cards. Let’s talk about the specific cards that you should consider to reap the benefits of travel rewards—and keep your business running on all cylinders.
First off, all of the major credit card issuers offer business cards, specifically tailored to, well, small business expenses. Keeping your personal and business spending separate is prudent, especially when tax season comes around. And having a distinct business account makes tracking goods and services purchased that much easier (you’ll thank yourself later). Some cards even come with an expense management tool. There are other reasons to get a business credit card, too. Often, the bonus categories—in other words, the number of points per dollar—that are offered typically align with what businesses have to spend on. Think: advertising, shipping, office supply stores, etc.
In terms of this list of best business cards, we evaluated several key factors, including the overall sign-up bonus, annual fee, ongoing earning rates, the value of that card’s points, and perks offered.
Best for: Overall bonus categories and high-spend limit.
The Ink Business Preferred is a fantastic jack-of-all-trades credit card with a generous sign-up bonus and valuable ongoing bonus categories. Even better, you’ll earn in the form of Chase Ultimate Rewards points, perfect for booking travel.
Pros: Why we love it
- Wide array of bonus categories to earn points on business expenses
- Earns valuable Chase Ultimate Rewards points (think: travel rewards)
- Generous travel insurance protections should any element of a trip go awry
Cons: Drawbacks to consider
- Has an annual fee
- There are other cards that have a simpler rewards structure
- No premium travel perks
Earning points
- 3X points per dollar on travel
- 3X points per dollar on shipping purchases
- 3X points per dollar on internet, cable, and phone services
- 3X points per dollar on advertising purchases made with social media sites and search engines
- 1X points per dollar on all other spending
Redeeming points
- Access to the full suite of Chase’s 14 airline and hotel transfer partners including Aer Lingus AerClub, Air Canada Aeroplan, British Airways Executive Club, Emirates Skywards, Flying Blue (Air France-KLM), Iberia Plus, JetBlue TrueBlue, Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer, Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards, United MileagePlus, Virgin Atlantic Flying Club, IHG Rewards Club, Marriott Bonvoy, and World of Hyatt.
- The ability to redeem for airfare, hotels, or rental cars directly on the Chase Travel portal at a rate of 1.25 cents per point. (That means a $1,000 flight would require 80,000 points.)
Ink Business Preferred Credit Card welcome offer
Ink Business Preferred Credit Card benefits
- Cell phone protection benefits: When you charge your cell phone bill to the card, you (and eligible employees) can receive up to $1,000 per claim for damage or theft. You're limited to three claims in a 12-month period and must pay a $100 deductible per claim.
- A wide array of trip protection and travel insurance perks: This includes trip cancellation and trip delay protection, primary car rental coverage, and much more.
- Purchase protections: Get an extended warranty and purchase protection on items bought with the Ink Business Preferred.
- No foreign transaction fees: Ideal for travel abroad, the card doesn’t charge foreign transaction fees
Best for: Maximizing earnings automatically.
The Amex Business Gold Card is unique in that it earns a powerful (and very business-friendly) 4X points per dollar automatically in your top two spending categories each month, meaning you don't have to pick a category and commit to it. On top of that, you get access to valuable Amex Membership Rewards points. However, do take note of the annual fee.
Pros: Why we love it
- Very rewarding (and flexible) 4X points per dollar on a wide array of business categories
- Access to super-flexible Amex Membership Rewards points
- 25% points back when you use “Pay with Points” for select flights through Amex Travel
Cons: Drawbacks to consider
- The annual fee is a bit hefty
Earning points
- 4X points per dollar on your top two spending categories each quarter (up to a $150,000 limit annually)
- 1X points per dollar on other eligible spending
- Terms apply.
Redeeming points
- One of the best ways to maximize your redemptions is to transfer points to one of Amex’s 21 airline and hotel partners: Air Canada Aeroplan, ANA Mileage Club, Avianca LifeMiles, British Airways Executive Club, Cathay Pacific Asia Miles, Delta SkyMiles, Emirates Skywards, Etihad Guest, Air France/KLM Flying Blue, Hawaiian HawaiianMiles, Iberia Plus, Qantas Frequent Flyer, Qatar Privilege Club, Singapore KrisFlyer, Virgin Atlantic Flying Club.
- Typically, you can make a flight booking via the Amex Travel portal at a rate of 1 cent per point. (That means a $1,000 flight would require 100,000 miles.) However, as an added bonus on the Amex Business Gold, you can get a 25% rebate when paying with points through your card (up to 250,000 points back per calendar year) for business- or first-class tickets on any airline or any fare class on one selected US airline each year. All of that means you’ll get a value of 1.33 cents per point on eligible tickets versus just 1 cent per point, but keep in mind the specific restrictions above.
American Express Business Gold Card welcome offer
American Express Business Gold Card benefits
More card details
Best for: High-spend business owners who want premium travel perks.
The Capital One Venture X Business Credit Card is one of the best business cards out there for a few reasons: its sheer simplicity, access to airport lounges, and the ability to transfer to Capital One’s (underrated) airline and hotel transfer partners. While its annual fee may be an initial deterrent, it’s pretty easy to recoup much of it through a $300 travel credit.
Pros: Why we love it
- Premium travel perks for a reasonable annual fee
- Simple rewards structure without having to think about bonus categories (nothing to memorize here)
- Valuable Capital One miles that can be redeemed for travel purchases
Cons: Drawbacks to consider
- The early-spend bonus may be difficult to hit with the high minimum spending requirement
- Capital One’s airport lounge network is smaller than its competitor American Express
Earning points
- 10X miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
- 5X miles per dollar on flights purchased through Capital One Travel
- 2X miles per dollar on all other purchases
Redeeming points
- In many instances, your most valuable redemption option is to transfer your miles to any of Capital One's 18 hotel and airline partners: Aeromexico Club Premier, Air Canada Aeroplan, Air France-KLM Flying Blue, Accor Live Limitless, Avianca LifeMiles, British Airways Executive Club, Cathay Pacific Asia Miles, Choice Privileges, Emirates Skywards, Etihad Guest, EVA Air Infinity MileageLands, Finnair Plus, Qantas Frequent Flyer, Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer, TAP Miles&Go, Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles, Virgin Red, Wyndham Rewards
- The ability to redeem for airfare, hotels, or rental cars directly on the Capital One Travel portal at a rate of 1 cent per mile. (That means a $1,000 flight would require 100,000 miles.)
Capital One Venture X Business Credit Card welcome offer
Capital One Venture X Business Credit Card benefits
- Annual travel credit: A $300 credit annually for travel booked through Capital One Travel
- Annual mileage bonus: 10,000 bonus Capital One miles each year at your cardmember anniversary
- Airport lounge access: Unlimited access to Capital One Lounges as well as Priority Pass and Plaza Premium lounges for you and up to two guests
- TSA PreCheck or Global Entry: An up-to-$100 statement credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck every four years
- No foreign transaction fees: Ideal for travel abroad, the card doesn’t charge foreign transaction fees
More card details
Read our full review of the Capital One Venture X Business card here.
Best for: Smaller companies that want to earn on business-specific spending.
Pros: Why we love it
- Generous sign-up bonus and spending categories, particularly fantastic for a no-annual-fee card
- Ability to convert cash-back rewards into transferable Ultimate Rewards points when you have a specific Chase card (more on this below)
- Cards for employees at no additional cost
Cons: Drawbacks to consider
- Not the best if you spend extensively on travel, shipping, and advertising
- Better options out there if you spend more than $25,000 per year
- Foreign transaction fees mean you shouldn’t use this card abroad
Earning points
For businesses that spend at office supply stores and on certain utilities, you can’t really beat the 5% cash-back rate. Add in 2% back at gas stations and restaurants, and this card becomes even more of a winner.
- 5% cash back on up to $25,000 a year in spending at office supply stores and on cable, internet, and phone service
- 2% cash back on up to $25,000 a year in spending at gas stations and restaurants
- 1% cash back on all other spending
Redeeming points
- Alright, let’s start simple: The Chase Ink Business Cash Card is a cash-back card which means you can redeem rewards for travel at a rate of 1 cent per point on the Chase Travel portal.
- Here’s how you can level up: If you have a card like the Ink Business Preferred Credit Card, Chase Sapphire Reserve, or Chase Sapphire Preferred Card that earns Chase Ultimate Rewards points, you get an additional redemption option (that can be way more lucrative). The cash-back rewards on your Ink Business Cash Card can become Chase Ultimate Rewards points by combining your rewards together.
- If you go this route, you’ll get access to the full suite of Chase’s 14 airline and hotel transfer partners, including Aer Lingus AerClub, Air Canada Aeroplan, British Airways Executive Club, Emirates Skywards, Flying Blue (Air France-KLM), Iberia Plus, JetBlue TrueBlue, Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer, Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards, United MileagePlus, Virgin Atlantic Flying Club, IHG Rewards Club, Marriott Bonvoy, and World of Hyatt.
Ink Business Cash Credit Card welcome offer
Ink Business Cash Credit Card benefits
- Purchase protections: Get purchase and extended warranty protections when you use the card to make purchases.
- Additional cards: Request cards for employees at no additional cost
Best for: No annual fee and everyday spending.
Pros: Why we love it
Cons: Drawbacks to consider
- Cap of $50,000 on the 2X points earnings (1X thereafter)
- Has a foreign transaction fee, so you shouldn’t use this card abroad
Earning points
It doesn’t get much more straightforward than this in terms of earning points on a travel rewards business credit card.
- Earn 2X points per dollar on the first $50,000 spent on the card annually (then 1X point per dollar).
Redeeming points
- One of the best ways to maximize your redemptions is to transfer points to one of Amex’s 21 airline and hotel partners: Air Canada Aeroplan, ANA Mileage Club, Avianca LifeMiles, British Airways Executive Club, Cathay Pacific Asia Miles, Delta SkyMiles, Emirates Skywards, Etihad Guest, Air France/KLM Flying Blue, Hawaiian HawaiianMiles, Iberia Plus, Qantas Frequent Flyer, Qatar Privilege Club, Singapore KrisFlyer, Virgin Atlantic Flying Club.
- You can also make a flight booking via the Amex Travel portal at a flat rate of 1 cent per point. (That means a $1,000 flight would require 100,000 miles.)
The Blue Business Plus Credit Card from American Express welcome offer
The Blue Business Plus Credit Card from American Express benefits
- Purchase protections: Get purchase and extended warranty protections when you use the card to make purchases.
- Expanded buying power: This benefit allows you to spend beyond your credit limit to help pay for larger purchases.
- Business tools: Complimentary auto-expense categorization in Intuit QuickBooks and bill-pay services with Vendor Pay by Bill.com.
- Additional users: Add up to 99 employee cards at no additional cost.
More card details
Best for: Business owners with hotel stays.
Pros: Why we love it
- Lots of different spending categories give business owners the flexibility to earn Hyatt points
- Hyatt program can be very lucrative, with lower redemption rates for hotels than competitors
- A solid lineup of perks and trip protection benefits
Cons: Drawbacks to consider
- $199 annual fee on the card
- Only valuable if you plan to stay at Hyatt hotels with some regularity
Earning points
While it’s not the most straightforward earning structure, there are a number of lucrative ways to earn valuable Hyatt points (including on popular business expenses). Here’s that breakdown:
- Earn 2X points per dollar on the top three of eight spending categories each calendar quarter through December 31, 2024, and the top two of eight spending categories in 2025 and beyond (no limit)
- Categories include dining, airline tickets purchased directly, car rental agencies, local transit and commuting, gas stations, internet, cable and phone services, social media and search engine advertising, and shipping
- Earn 4X points per dollar at participating Hyatt hotels
- Earn 2X points per dollar at fitness clubs and for gym memberships
- Earn 1X point per dollar on all other purchases
Redeeming points
Unlike the rest of the business cards on this list, points earned on the World of Hyatt Business card can’t be easily transferred to other airlines or hotel programs. Hyatt is the star of the show here, so you need to make sure you want to stay at Hyatt-affiliated properties.
One of the best ways to use your Hyatt points is to redeem them for free hotel nights. Redemptions for standard rooms start at 3,500 points per night at Category 1 hotels and 40,000 per night at Category 8 hotels.
World of Hyatt Business Credit Card welcome offer
World of Hyatt Business Credit Card benefits
- Automatic elite status: Get entry-level Hyatt Discoverist status which includes late checkout, complimentary bottled water, and more
- Hyatt points rebate: Spend $50,000 or more on the card in a calendar year and receive 10% of redeemed points back for the remainder of the calendar year, up to 20,000 points back per year.
- Anniversary credit: Earn up to $100 in Hyatt credit each anniversary year.
- Elite nights boost: Earn qualifying elite nights through card spending (earn five nights for every $10,000 spent).
- A wide array of trip protection and travel insurance perks: This includes trip cancellation and trip delay protection, primary car rental coverage, and much more.
- Purchase protections: Get an extended warranty and purchase protection on items bought with the World of Hyatt business card.
- No foreign transaction fees: Ideal for travel abroad, the card doesn’t charge foreign transaction fees
Read more about the best cards for travelers:
- Credit cards with lounge access
- The best cards for points and miles beginners
- The best luxury travel cards
- Cards that include car rental insurance
- Should you get a business credit card for travel rewards?
Going has partnered with CardRatings for our coverage of credit card products. Going and CardRatings may receive a commission from card issuers. Opinions, reviews, analyses, and recommendations are the author's alone, and have not been reviewed, endorsed, or approved by any of these entities. Some of all of the card offers that appear on this page are from advertisers; compensation may affect how and where the cards appear on the site; and Going does not include all card companies are all available card offers.
