10 Best Business Credit Cards for Startups

One of the challenges of being a new business owner is getting enough funds to cover your expenses. Business credit cards allow startups to earn rewards on business expenses and make paying bills more manageable.

Credit cards can also help you build a good business credit score. There are options for founders even with minimal business history. 

In some cases, you may be eligible to apply for a business credit card as a sole proprietor, using your Social Security number, even if your company does not have significant revenue history.

Whether you’re looking for low-interest rates, cashback rewards, or other perks, a good credit card can provide you with the support and resources your startup needs to succeed.

The Best Business Credit Cards for Startups

Great business credit cards for startups should feature high credit limits, cash-back rewards, balance transfers, and travel perks. Having a card suited to your goals will help you operate your business efficiently while earning valuable rewards. 

1. Chase Ink Business Cash Credit Card

• Welcome Offer: $750 
• Annual Fee: $0
• Recommended Credit Score: Good-Excellent (670-800)

Business owners looking to finance bigger purchases will find the Chase Ink Business Cash Credit Card useful, which offers 0% introductory APR on eligible purchases in the first year and 17.74% to 23.74% variable afterward.

Additionally, if you spend $6k within three months of opening your account, you’ll be rewarded with a bonus cash back of $750. The card also offers 5% cash back on the first $25k spent on utilities (cable, internet, and phone) and on purchases from office supply stores per year.

Chase Ink Business Cash Credit Card

Additional Pros:

• Bonus earning categories (office supplies, phone services, internet, and cable) 
• 2% cash back redeemable on the first $25k spent in gas stations and restaurants
• 1% cash back on all other purchases
• Compatible with Chase Ultimate Rewards

Cons:

• Spending cap on bonus earnings ($50k annually)
• Foreign transaction fees apply
• Subject to Chase’s 5/24 rule

2. The Business Platinum Card from American Express

• Welcome Offer: 120k points
• Annual Fee: $695
• Recommended Credit Score: Good-Excellent

If your expenses include frequent travel, then the Business Platinum Card from American Express is a great choice. Not only does this card provide you with valuable benefits and perks, but also it helps to add some extra luxury to each of your business trips. 

Though this card has a hefty annual fee, the benefits can outweigh the costs, especially for frequent flyers. The Business Platinum Card provides yearly travel credits, including $200 against airline fees like baggage charges and $200 Dell statement credits. It also offers access to airport lounges (including Amex Centurion Lounges) and elite hotel status with several chains.

The Business Platinum Card from American Express

Additional Pros:

• $100 statement credit for Global Entry or up to $85 for TSA PreCheck
• Extensive shopping and travel protections
• Up to 5x Membership Rewards points on prepaid hotels and flights via amextravel.com 

Cons:

• High annual fee compared to other cards
• Minimal non-travel bonuses

3.  Chase Ink Business Unlimited Credit Card

• Welcome Offer: $750
• Annual Fee: $0
• Recommended Credit Score: Good-Excellent

The Ink Business Unlimited Credit Card is ideal for new business owners, offering no annual fee and unlimited 1.5% cashback rewards. Plus, when you open a new account and spend $6k within the first three months of opening it, you will receive a bonus of $900 cash back. 

For premium Chase card holders (such as its Sapphire series) , the Ink Business Card’s cashback rewards can be transferred to Chase Ultimate Rewards, which may potentially double its overall redemption value. 

Chase Ink Business Unlimited Credit Card

Additional Pros:

• Unlimited cash-back earning
• Introductory 0% APR for 12 months on new purchases
• Low spending rate to earn the sign-up bonus

Cons:

• Foreign transaction fees apply
• Limited protections on purchases and travel costs
• No bonus categories

4. American Express Business Gold Card

• Welcome Offer: 70k points
• Annual Fee: $295
• Recommended Credit Score: Good-Excellent

The card allows you to earn four Membership Rewards points per dollar spent on your top two spending categories each billing cycle— up to $150k in combined purchases yearly.

You can also earn one point per dollar on all other expenditures. American Express points are transferable to multiple hotel partners and airlines. And if you use your points for a flight with Amex Travel, you can get 25% of your points back when you use Pay With Points.

American Express Business Gold Card

Additional Pros:

• Flexible reward and redemption options
• Offers expense management tools, including integration with QuickBooks 
• No foreign transaction fees 

Cons:

• High annual fee
• Not applicable for lower-spending businesses with no need for travel perks
• No statement credits 

5. Chase Ink Business Preferred Credit Card

• Welcome Offer: 100k points
• Annual Fee: $95
• Recommended Credit Score: Good-Excellent

Through this card, companies can earn three points for every dollar spent on travel expenses as well as on shipping, advertising, and telecom purchases up to $150k annually. 

Anything beyond these categories earns one point per dollar spent. The Ink Business Preferred Credit Card also offers travel benefits, rental car coverage, and shopping protections. All points are also transferable to Chase’s multiple hotel and airline partners.

Chase Ink Business Preferred Credit Card

Additional Pros:

• Multiple bonus categories (travel, shipping, cable, internet, advertising, and phone)
• Travel and phone protections
• No foreign transaction fees

Cons:

• Has an annual fee
• High spend requirement ($15k on purchases within the first three months) for the sign-up bonus

6. The Blue Business Plus Credit Card from American Express

• Welcome Offer: 15k, points
• Annual Fee: $0
• Recommended Credit Score: Good-Excellent

The Blue Business Plus Credit Card is a good fit for a startup looking to earn rewards without paying a hefty annual fee.

For every dollar spent on all purchases (up to $50k in yearly spending), this card offers two American Express Membership Rewards points. It also offers 15k Amex points as a welcome bonus, transferrable to 20 different partners. 

New card members can also qualify for an introductory 0% APR for up to 12 months, depending on their personal credit score.

Blue Business Plus Credit Card from American Express

Additional Pros:

• Multiple transfer partners
• Flat rate earning on all purchases
• Generous welcome offer

Cons:

• Foreign transaction fees apply
• $50k bonus earning cap

7. U.S. Bank Business Triple Cash Rewards World Elite Mastercard

Welcome Offer: $500

Annual Fee: $0

Recommended Credit Score: Good-Excellent

This offering from U.S. Bank features business-friendly rewards, a lengthy introductory APR period, and a sign-up bonus.

The card can help you save money if you frequently spend on categories such as gas, office supplies, cellphone service, and restaurants — there’s a 3% cash back on these categories. There is no limit or expiration for the total rewards one can earn.

U.S. Bank Triple Cash Rewards Visa Business Card

Additional Pros:

• $100 statement credit for recurring software subscriptions
• Up to 5% cash back on travel expenses booked through the U.S. Bank travel portal

Cons:

• Low rate (1%) outside bonus categories
• No travel rewards

8. Wyndham Rewards Earner Business Card

Welcome Offer: 45k bonus points

Annual Fee: $95

Recommended Credit Score: Good-Excellent

If your business requires spending much time on the road, you can earn points and rewards quickly with the Wyndham Rewards Earner Business Card. Points are redeemable at the hotel chain. 

The card comes with perks such as 45k bonus points (up to six free nights at Wyndham) when you spend $2k on purchases during the first 90 days of opening your account. You’ll also receive a Wyndham Rewards Diamond Membership, giving you welcome amenities and suite upgrades at select hotels.

Wyndham Rewards Earner Business Card

Additional Pros:

• Earn eight points per dollar spent on gas and five points per dollar on utilities
• Cellphone insurance
• 10% award redemption discount

Cons:

• Not meant for luxury travelers
• Dining and non-Wyndham travel is not eligible for bonuses

9. Bank of America Business Advantage Travel Rewards World Mastercard Credit Card

• Welcome Offer: 30k points
• Annual Fee: $0
• Recommended Credit Score: Excellent (800 and up)

This credit card is a solid option for small businesses looking to grow, especially for those in the Bank of America ecosystem.

If you spend at least $3k within the first 90 days after opening, you can earn 30k bonus points, redeemable for a statement credit of up to $300 toward travel or dining purchases. You also earn unlimited 1.5 points per dollar on all other purchases.

There’s no limit on the number of points you can earn, and the points have no expiry.

Business Advantage Travel Rewards World Mastercard Credit Card

Additional Pros:

• 0% APR for the first nine billing cycles 
• No foreign transaction fees
• Up to 75% more points for those with a business checking account

Cons:

• Most benefits are travel-related
• Short introductory APR period

10. Capital One Spark 1% Classic for Business

• Welcome Bonus: N/A
• Annual Fee: $0
• Credit Score: Good (670-739), Fair (580-669), Limited (579 and below)

This card is ideal for business owners with less-than-perfect credit. You’ll have the chance to build your credit score while earning 1% cash back on all purchases without any annual fees. 

Just make sure that you pay off your balance in full each month to avoid facing high APR charges.

Unlimited cash back applies to every purchase with no category restrictions. Employee cards are also free. Rewards do not expire, and cash back is redeemable for any amount.

Spark 1% Cash Back Business Credit Card | Capital One

Additional Pros:

• No foreign transaction fee
• Business spending management tools
• Those with fair, average, or limited credit may qualify

Cons:

• No welcome bonus
• No bonus reward categories
• No intro APR