Best Small Business Credit Cards in May 2018

Small business credit cards not only make it easier to separate personal and business finances, they offer business owners advantages they may not need or be able to get with a personal credit card. You might find the number of business credit card options overwhelming, so identifying your priorities will help you choose. Do you want rewards? Or do you merely need a card for short-term financing? The best small business credit card for you will depend entirely on your needs and goals.

Best small business credit cards for financing

Best small business rewards credit cards

Risks of using small business credit cards

How to minimize the risks of business credit cards

Best way to use credit cards for your business

When to consider business cards with intro 0% financing: A business card with an intro 0% APR period can save you hundreds of dollars on interest compared to cards without 0% APR introductory periods. During the intro period, new purchases won’t accrue interest, and you can take your time paying off large purchases such as laptops and desks for your business.

on American Express’s secure website

Terms Apply

Regular Purchase APR12.74% - 20.74% VariableIntro Purchase APR0% for 15 MonthsAnnual fee$0Rewards Rate2X Membership Rewards® points on everyday business purchases such as office supplies or client dinners. 2X applies to the first $50,000 in purchases per year, 1 point per dollar thereafter.Credit requiredgood-creditExcellent/GoodThe information related to The Blue BusinessSM Plus Credit Card from American Express has been collected by MagnifyMoney and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of this card.

Why we like it: The Blue BusinessSM Plus Credit Card from American Express offers small business owners the chance to finance new purchases with the longest intro period for purchases of any business card at intro 0% APR for the first 15 months; 12.74% – 20.74% variable APR after. Plus, you can earn rewards, receive purchase protection and get extended warranties — all with a $0 annual fee.

What to watch out for: You can lose the intro APR if a penalty APR applies to your account for any reason. To avoid this, always pay your minimum amount due.

When to consider business cards with low interest rates: If you find your business has to carry a balance from time to time, it can be beneficial to have a low interest credit card that won’t cause you to rack up as much interest as other cards. But as a rule of thumb, try to pay your balance in full every month to avoid interest charges.

on Bank Of America’s secure website

Regular Purchase APR10.74%-21.74%Variable

Annual fee$0 For First Year$0 OngoingRewardsNo rewardsCredit requiredexcellent-creditExcellentWhy we like it: The Bank of America® Platinum Visa® Business Credit Card has the lowest APR at 10.49% to 21.49% variable. If you qualify for the lowest rate and end up carrying a balance, you’ll be charged substantially less interest than other cards with high APRs. Although there are no rewards, new accounts can earn an online exclusive $200 statement credit bonus after making at least $500 in net purchases in the first 60 days of your account opening. That’s the lowest spending requirement to get a bonus on a business card.

What to watch out for: You may not qualify for the lowest rate because the APR varies based on your personal or business’ credit worthiness.

When to consider a business card for cash flow management: Some small businesses may not have a consistent cash flow, and that’s where a card with a flexible payment option comes in handy. You may be allowed to carry a balance interest free until your next statement if you make the minimum payment.

on American Express’s secure website

Terms Apply

Regular Purchase APRN/AAnnual fee$0 introductory annual fee your first year, then $250.Rewards RateGet a 1.5% discount when you pay early, with no cap on what you can earn back.Credit requiredgood-creditExcellent/GoodThe information related to The Plum Card® from American Express OPEN has been collected by MagnifyMoney and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of this card.

Why we like it: The Plum Card® from American Express OPEN has an uncommon payment option where as long as you pay your minimum due, you can pay your balance in up to 60 days without accruing interest (terms apply). This ‘grace period’ is uncharacteristic of business cards (and all cards in general), providing you with twice as much time as other cards do to pay off your statement without incurring interest charges. There are no rewards, but you can get a 1.5% discount when you pay early, with no cap on what you can earn back.

What to watch out for: To benefit from the extra-days-to-pay feature, make sure you pay your minimum due, or else you’ll miss out on the offer. Also, make sure this card is the best choice for your business because there’s a $0 introductory annual fee your first year, then $250.

When to consider a business card for imperfect credit: If you or your business has less-than-good credit, odds are you’ll not only have trouble qualifying for a credit card, but the terms you do qualify for won’t be ideal. However, you’re not out of luck — we found a card that considers small businesses with imperfect credit, and it has decent terms plus the foundation for you to improve your credit with responsible behavior.

on Capital One’s secure website

Regular Purchase APR24.49% (Variable)Annual fee$0Rewards Rate1% Cash Back on every purchase, every dayCredit requiredbad-creditAverage/Fair/LimitedWhy we like it: The Capital One® Spark® Classic for Business is for business owners with Average/Fair/Limited credit. Capital One considers Average/Fair/Limited credit as someone who’s defaulted on a loan in the past five years or has limited credit history (holding credit for less than three years). So, if you or your business has less-than-perfect credit, you may have better odds qualifying for this card compared to the majority of business cards, which require good or excellent credit.

What to watch out for: Although this card states it’s for business owners with Average/Fair/Limited credit, that does not guarantee you will be approved. As with any credit application, lenders look at a variety of credit factors.

When to consider business cards for service members: The following business credit cards are provided by credit unions for service members and have added perks, such as low interest rates, rewards, special offers and discounts. These cards require credit union membership, but you can typically qualify depending on where you live or work.

on Navy Federal Credit Union’s secure website

Regular Purchase APR10.15%-18.00%Variable

Annual fee$0 For First Year$0 OngoingRewards3 points on restaurants, 2 points on gas and 1 point on everything elseCredit requiredexcellent-creditExcellentWhy we like it: The Navy Federal Credit Union Visa® Business Card has no annual fee and provides an up to 15% discount on qualifying business purchases with Visa SavingsEdge®. You can receive discounts at restaurants, travel and shipping services, IT solutions and more at no additional cost. As a member of NFCU, you can also receive a discount on Geico auto insurance and access an Auto Buying Program where you can save on new and used cars — great if your business requires you and your employees to drive. Terms & limitations apply.

What to watch out for: The interest rate you receive depends on your creditworthiness, so you may not receive the lowest APR. Because membership is restricted, check here to see if you qualify for membership with Navy Federal Credit Union.

on Navy Federal Credit Union’s secure website

Regular Purchase APR10.15%-18.00%Variable

Annual fee$0 For First Year$0 OngoingRewards3 points on restaurants, 2 points on gas and 1 point on everything elseCredit requiredexcellent-creditExcellentWhy we like it: The Navy Federal Credit Union Mastercard® Business Card has the Mastercard Easy Savings® Program, which provides you with an up to 10% discount on a wide range of purchases including car rentals, gas purchases, products and services like Bing Ads and Monster, and more. This can simply save your business money on everyday purchases and the program is free. NFCU members have access to perks that suit businesses that require driving for work, like the ability to save on Geico auto insurance and access to an Auto Buying Program where you can receive savings on new and used vehicles. Terms & limitations apply.

What to watch out for: The APR varies based on your creditworthiness, so you may not qualify for the lowest rate. Because membership is restricted, check here to see if you qualify for membership with Navy Federal Credit Union.

on Randolph-Brooks Federal Credit Union’s secure website

Regular Purchase APR11.15%-18.00%Variable

Annual fee$0 For First Year$0 OngoingRewards2% cash back on all purchasesCredit requiredgood-creditExcellent/GoodWhy we like it: The RBFCU Business Select Mastercard® credit card has a great cashback program with unlimited 2% cash back on every purchase. This flat rate is rare among business cards that tend to favor high rates only on select purchase categories. In addition to a cashback program, members of RBFCU can benefit from members-only pricing at select merchants like TurboTax® and Sprint® to save your business additional money. Terms apply.

When to consider travel business cards: If you or your employees travel often, a travel card can be more valuable than typical credit cards because many offer travel insurance, airline fee credits, free Wi-Fi access and other travel-related perks.

on American Express’s secure website

Terms Apply

Regular Purchase APRN/AAnnual fee$450Rewards Rate5X Membership Rewards® points on flights and prepaid hotels on amextravel.com and 1.5 Membership Rewards® points on each qualifying purchase of $5,000 or more.Credit requiredgood-creditExcellent/GoodThe information related to The Business Platinum® Card from American Express OPEN has been collected by MagnifyMoney and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of this card.

Welcome Offer: Earn 50,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $10,000 and an extra 25,000 points after you spend an additional $10,000 all on qualifying purchases for a total of 75,000 Points on The Business Platinum Card® from American Express within your first 3 months of Card Membership.

Why we like it: We looked at business cards that offered travel perks, and The Business Platinum Card® from American Express emerged as the best overall business travel card because of its extensive benefits for business owners, including rewards potential, Welcome Offer, and added perks. You can take advantage of standout perks like access to over 1,000 airport lounges, credit for Global Entry or TSA Precheck and a $200 airline fee credit. Terms apply. These benefits can save your business a substantial amount of money and make travel less of a hassle.

What to watch out for: There is a steep $450 annual fee for this card. However, considering the value you receive with this card, the annual fee may be worth it. For example, the airline fee credit and Global Entry fee credit are valued at $300, decreasing the effective annual fee for this card.

Regular Purchase APR18.49% (Variable)Annual fee$0 intro for first year; $95 after thatRewards Rate2 Miles per $1 on every purchase, every dayCredit requiredgood-creditExcellent/GoodWhy we like it: The Capital One® Spark® Miles for Business offers a hard-to-find flat-rate rewards program at 2 Miles per $1 on every purchase, every day. This rate allows you and your employees to earn the same amount of miles on any purchase with no bonus categories or caps. You can easily redeem miles for travel, and there is no minimum redemption amount.

What to watch out for: This card comes with an annual fee at $0 intro for first year; $95 after that, and although it’s lower than most travel business cards, it may not be ideal for everyone. Keep in mind you will need to spend $4,750 a year (after year one) to recoup the fee.

When to consider business cards with big intro bonuses: A large intro bonus can be a simple way for business owners to earn extra rewards within the first few months of account opening — as long as you fulfill the requirements. You can use the rewards you earn in a variety of ways, from travel to statement credits that can lower your business’ expenses. Many cards that have big intro bonuses also have good rewards and perks, providing long-term value in addition to the short-term reward.

Regular Purchase APRN/AAnnual fee$450Rewards Rate5X Membership Rewards® points on flights and prepaid hotels on amextravel.com and 1.5 Membership Rewards® points on each qualifying purchase of $5,000 or more.Credit requiredgood-creditExcellent/GoodThe information related to The Business Platinum® Card from American Express OPEN has been collected by MagnifyMoney and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of this card.

Welcome Offer: Earn 50,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $10,000 and an extra 25,000 points after you spend an additional $10,000 all on qualifying purchases on the Business Platinum Card within your first 3 months of Card Membership.

Why we like it: Beyond the Welcome Offer, The Business Platinum® Card from American Express OPEN provides a rewards program, extensive travel perks, discounts and more benefits for you and your employees. This card is also our top pick for business travel cards.

What to watch out for: You need to satisfy two spending requirements to earn the full Welcome Offer — earn 50,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $10,000 and an extra 25,000 points after you spend an additional $10,000 all on qualifying purchases within your first 3 months of Card Membership.

on Citibank’s secure website

Regular Purchase APR17.24%-25.24%Variable

Annual fee$0 For First Year$95 OngoingRewards2 AAdvantage® miles per $1 spent on eligible American Airlines® purchases and for every $1 spent on purchases at telecommunications, car rental merchants and at gas stations*, 1 AAdvantage® mile per $1 spent on other purchases*Credit requiredunknown-creditLimited-time offer: Earn 60,000 American Airlines AAdvantage® bonus miles after making $3,000 in purchases within the first 3 months of account opening*.

Why we like it: The CitiBusiness®/ AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Mastercard® is one of few airline-specific business cards. This card has the largest limited-time offer compared to competitors and a typical spending requirement. In addition, there are great perks when you fly on American Airlines, such as in-flight discounts, first checked bag free and preferred boarding.

What to watch out for: This is an airline-specific card — if you don’t fly with American Airlines, you’ll miss out on some of the best perks.

When to consider cashback business cards: Cash back is a simple and straightforward way for your business to be rewarded for purchases. You can easily redeem your cash back as a statement credit, which is a great way to reduce your bill (just remember that redemptions can’t be applied to minimum payments).

on Capital One’s secure website

Regular Purchase APR18.49% (Variable)Annual fee$0 intro for first year; $95 after thatRewards Rate2% Cash Back on every purchase, every dayCredit requiredgood-creditExcellent/GoodWhy we like it: We looked at business credit cards offering cashback rewards and analyzed their rewards rates, fees and APRs, and among the group, The Capital One® Spark® Cash for Business rose to the top. It has a standout cashback program earning you 2% Cash Back on every purchase, every day. There are no bonus categories or caps — you’ll earn the same rate on every purchase. You can even make redeeming your rewards simple by setting up automatic redemption, great for businesses that don’t want to fuss with rewards.

What to watch out for: The annual fee is $0 intro for first year; $95 after that — so after year one, you will need to spend $4,750 a year to break even.

on Capital One’s secure website

Regular Purchase APR14.49% - 22.49% (Variable)Annual fee$0Rewards Rate1.5% Cash Back on every purchase, every dayCredit requiredgood-creditExcellent/GoodWhy we like it: The Capital One® Spark® Cash Select for Business has a decent rewards rate for business owners who want to avoid an annual fee at 1.5% Cash Back on every purchase, every day. This card is a good alternative to the Capital One® Spark® Cash for Business, offering all the same perks plus a $0 annual fee.

What to watch out for: The cash back rate is below the ideal 2%, and you can do better with a higher flat-rate card or with bonus category cards. But be aware they may have an annual fee.

When to consider business cards with hotel rewards: Traveling for business can get costly, but hotel rewards cards can help you save money on hotel stays and other expenses you may incur like meals. Whether you favor a specific hotel or often choose the best priced hotel, there are business cards for you that can earn you rewards and other money-saving discounts. Because hotel loyalty varies, we’re highlighting two cards with exceptional hotel rewards.

on American Express’s secure website

Terms Apply

Regular Purchase APR16.74%-20.74%Variable

Annual fee$0 For First Year$95 OngoingRewardsEarn 2 Starpoints® for each dollar of eligible purchases spent at participating SPG® & Marriott Rewards® hotels. Earn 1 Starpoint for all other purchases.Credit requiredgood-creditExcellent/GoodThe information related to the Starwood Preferred Guest® Business Credit Card from American Express has been collected by MagnifyMoney and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of this card.

Why we like it: The Starwood Preferred Guest® Business Credit Card from American Express is our top pick for businesses looking to earn rewards and perks on hotel stays. SPG has numerous participating hotels where you and your employees can stay, and there are flexible redemption options for your points. For example, you have the ability to transfer points on a mostly one-to-one basis to over 30 airline frequent flyer programs. Additional benefits include credits towards SPG elite status, travel accident insurance and free Wi-Fi with Boingo and at SPG participating hotels (terms apply).

What to watch out for: The rate you earn on purchases outside of SPG and Marriott Rewards® hotels is lower than other hotel rewards cards, like the Hilton Honors American Express Business Card mentioned below. So, if you’re looking to earn a high rate on all purchases, check out other hotel rewards cards.

on American Express’s secure website

Terms Apply

Regular Purchase APR17.24%-26.24%Variable

Annual fee$95 For First Year$95 OngoingCredit requiredgood-creditExcellent/GoodThe information related to the Hilton Honors American Express Business Card has been collected by MagnifyMoney and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of this card.

Why we like it: The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card offers great benefits for business travelers who frequent hotels in the Hilton portfolio with a wide range of perks including complimentary Hilton Honors Gold Status. This gives you a 25% bonus on Base Points, space-available room upgrades and more benefits that may make your stays more comfortable. Other Hilton perks include a rewards program that allows you to earn Hilton Honors Bonus Points at a fast rate and Weekend Night Rewards (terms apply). In addition, you receive baggage and travel accident insurance, 10 free visits to over 1,000 Priority Pass airport lounges every year and the ability to connect your credit card transactions to Quickbooks®, among other things.

What to watch out for: You don’t want to carry a balance with this card because there is a 17.24% – 26.24% variable APR. Although this is a typical range, it’s still high and can lead to large interest charges if you don’t pay your bill in full. But, if you pay in full and on time, this won’t be an issue.

When to consider business cards with category bonuses: If you spent a lot in particular categories, credit cards with category bonuses may be a great way for you to earn rewards for that spending. For example, if you drive a lot for business, a card with gas rewards may be ideal. Below we list the business cards that offer the highest reward rates on dining, gas and office-supply spending

on Sam's Club’s secure website

Regular Purchase APR16.15%-24.15%Variable

Annual fee$0 For First Year$0 OngoingRewards5% cash back on gas (on first $6,000 per year in purchases, then 1%), 3% on dining and travel, and 1% on other purchasesCredit requiredgood-creditGoodWhy we like it: The Sam’s Club® Business Mastercard® offers a high 5% cash back on gas (on the first $6,000 per year in purchases, then 1%), 3% cash back on dining and travel, and 1% cash back on other purchases. This rate is ideal for businesses that primarily spend on gas because you earn the highest rate on those purchases compared to other cards. Business owners who often take out clients for meals may want to consider this card because of its cashback rate on dining purchases.

What to watch out for: You need to be a member of Sam’s Club to open this card, and as a business owner you may not have a need for a Sam’s Club membership. However, membership starts as low as $45 a year, and considering there’s no annual fee for this credit card, that’s a small amount.

on Citibank’s secure website

Regular Purchase APR16.74%Variable

Annual fee$0 For First Year$0 OngoingRewards4% on eligible gas worldwide, including Costco (for the first $7,000 per year and then 1%), 3% on restaurant and eligible travel worldwide, 2% on all other purchases at Costco and Costco.com and 1% on everything elseCredit requiredexcellent-creditExcellentWhy we like it: The Costco Anywhere Visa® Business Card by Citi offers a tiered cashback program with 4% on eligible gas worldwide, including Costco (for the first $7,000 per year and then 1%), 3% on restaurant and eligible travel worldwide, 2% on all other purchases at Costco and Costco.com and 1% on everything else. This is a good rewards program for business owners with Costco memberships if you want to earn cash back in a wide range of categories.

What to watch out for: You need to be a Costco member to open this card, and membership starts at $60 per year. This is higher than Sam’s Club and definitely something to consider if you’re deciding between the two cards. Another important note is that you won’t earn as much cash back with this card as you would with the Sam’s Club® Business Mastercard®.

on Bank Of America’s secure website

Regular Purchase APR12.74% - 22.74% Variable APRAnnual fee$0Rewards Rate3% cash back on purchases at gas stations and office supply stores (up to $250,000 each calendar year, 1% after that), 2% cash back on purchases at restaurants, 1% cash back on all other purchasesCredit requiredgood-creditExcellentWhy we like it: The Bank of America® Business Advantage Cash Rewards Mastercard® credit card doesn’t require membership with a warehouse club like other gas cards and has a $0 annual fee. Business owners can earn a decent cash back rate at both gas stations and office supply stores, making this card ideal if you often spend in these categories.

What to watch out for: The gas cashback rate is lower than other business cards with gas as a category bonus and won’t earn you as much rewards.

While small business credit cards can provide a wide range of benefits for your company, they have drawbacks.

Here are some of the major risks:

Personal liability. As a business owner, you are solely responsible for all charges made on your account. That means if there are any unpaid balances on your account, whether from your spending or employee spending, you are liable.

Negative impact on you credit. If your account is in poor standing as a result of late payments, overdue balances, bankruptcy or other issues, the credit card issuer may report this information to the credit bureaus. As a result, your personal credit score may take a hit.

Not protected by the CARD Act. Business cards don’t receive the same consumer protections that personal credit cards receive with the CARD Act. The CARD Act requires credit card issuers to provide transparent terms as well as lower fees and interest rates for consumers. But, issuers of business cards don’t have to comply with those requirements. Therefore, a business card may have higher interest rates, more fees and confusing terms.

Monitor employee spending. The ability to open employee cards is a great feature, but if you don’t stay on top of their charges, it can become risky. Some good practices include keeping records of all employees with card access, setting employee spending limits when available and monitoring your credit card statements. This way you can keep track of all spending made on your account and add limits when needed.

Avoid charging personal expenses. Use your business card the way it is intended to be used — exclusively for business purchases. Charging personal expenses makes managing your finances harder and complicates the use of your card.

Do not take out a cash advance. Cash advances are one of the most costly features of credit cards and are rarely a good choice because you’ll be hit with higher than normal interest rates and can rack up debt fast. As an alternative, check out small business loans.

Look at loans for long-term financing. Your business may need to borrow money for purchases like cars or other big-ticket items, and small business loans can be a great way to finance those purchases. Often with straightforward terms, loans can be a good alternative to charging purchases on your credit card. Compare small business loans here.

Do not try to bail out a failing business. If your business isn’t doing well, don’t take out a small business credit card with the hopes of bailing it out. Odds are you’ll only get into more debt and make the situation worse.

Earn rewards. Almost all of the cards mentioned in this roundup provide rewards, allowing business owners to be benefit from typical business spending. You can use the rewards you earn in a variety of ways, like booking travel, applying cash back as statement credit to cover bills or redeeming them for gift cards for business expenses or employee incentives.

Manage cash flow. Business cards may provide expense-management tools so you can monitor spending and simplify everyday business transactions. You can use your card to automate business expenses like monthly phone bills or regular office-supply purchases.

Build business credit. Opening a small business credit card has the potential to build and improve your business credit. If you make on-time payments and use a relatively small amount of your available credit, your business’ credit can benefit greatly. Having a good business credit score can help you down the line if you plan on taking out a loan or other credit products.

Short-term borrowing. If your business plans on making purchases that can’t be paid immediately, some business credit cards offer 0% intro periods that are ideal for short-term borrowing and can be a better choice than a personal loan — when used responsibly. During the 0% intro period, you can carry a balance without incurring interest, and if you pay it off before the intro period ends, you can save on the interest that you would’ve incurred if you had taken out a loan.